Edmonia Highgate to Rev. M. E. Strieby, Mar. 10, 1865
- Title
- Edmonia Highgate to Rev. M. E. Strieby, Mar. 10, 1865
- Date
- 03-10-1865
- Creator
- Edmonia Highgate
- Description
- Teacher Edmonia Highgate writes from Havre de Grace, Md. to Rev. M. E. Strieby of the A.M.A. reporting that she has arrived in Maryland and will travel to Darlington in the morning. She calls the vicinity a "miserably poor country place," and expresses her surprise at being sent to such a location, writing that she would rather teach in Savannah, Ga. without compensation. She begs Strieby to send her someplace farther south.
- Related Financial Supporters
- American Missionary Association
- Transcript
-
Havre De Grace March 10th
Revd M. E. Strieby:
Dear Friend;
Mr Hunt desired me to write immediately on my arrival here. My friends did not deem it perfectly safe for me to come through till today consequently I did not reach here till half after four this afternoon. No, one met me because I was expected at some time previous- Darlington is twelve miles from here and I have to hire a hack to take me out there tomorrow morning- I am staying tonight with some good sort of people, who will accomodate me – for compensation[.] How different these people are from Virginians! I do not expect to do any thing more than to act on your last suggestion- This is a very miserably poor country place- Just a few farms scattered around- But two hundred colored people – at Darlington- But I will not edify you with my anticipations[.] The people are to be taught and I must do my part toward organizing a school- I must say, however, that I am perfectly surprised in- being selected to be sent here- I would rather teach for no compensation in Savannah than with the best pecuniary prospects here- You have teachers of color there, why did you not send me there? Oh- if there is such a thing as transfering me anywhere, I dont care how far south- do so! I prefer to go un-salaried. Now dont deem me lacking the missionary spirit – I am not[.] But I know what I can do best, and am assured that my forte does not lie in climing these hills that compose Darlington- Do, I earnestly entreat, send me to the south- I have written to a young lady to write you- She is an accomplished colored teacher in Troy- A Cousin of mine in Philadelphia is about to apply to you for a situation- I think he would be just the one for Darlington- I will write to Mr Whiting soon- Please send me Mr Noyes- address exactly-
Yours for humanity
E G Highgate
Care of Mr. A. Berry-
Darlington Md.
Part of Edmonia Highgate to Rev. M. E. Strieby, Mar. 10, 1865