Joseph Haines and six other trustees of the school at Darlington write to the American Missionary Association expressing their satisfaction with teacher Mary Watson.
Joshua G. Jordon began teaching at the Thomas Run/Clark’s Chapel school in April, 1869. Upon his arrival there, Jordon wrote to education superintendent John Kimball reporting that the prospects of the school were, in his opinion, “of the most auspicious nature.” He described the area as thickly populated with freedpeople, all eager for education and “denying every moment of pleasure for study.” Jordon does not appear to have written any further letters to the Bureau. His home state is unknown and he has not been identified with confidence in census records. Jordon’s sponsoring benevolent organization is unclear, but in his letter to Superintendent Kimball he states that he was appointed by the “educational board at Baltimore,” which is probably a reference to the Baltimore Association.
New Thomas Run teacher Joshua G. Jordon writes to inform Superintendent Kimball that he has arrived at the school, having been appointed by the "education board at Baltimore." He reports that his prospects are "most auspicious," the area being thickly populated and the people eager for education. Jordon has 13 students and expects 15 more to join in the next week.
According to the annual reports of the State Board of Education for Maryland, La Grange's first year of operation under the Harford County School Board was likely 1874.
Louisa (Louie) C. Waters was born in Massachusetts around 1850. She taught at the McComas Institute from about October,1869 to June, 1870. Census records indicate that Waters actually lived with George M. McComas while she taught at the school.
Estimates of lumber to be shipped to trustee Isaiah DeCoursey at Havre de Grace. Two estimates are included, one from A. Bailey and one from a carpenter. The Bailey estimate was not used, the carpenter's estimate was. A copy of the carpenter's estimate was furnished to a person from the Baltimore Association on Dec. 18, 1866. The lumber was shipped April 16, 1867.
Future Hendon Hill teacher M. E. Pauline Lyons writes from Providence, R.I., to education superintendent John Kimball. She states that two weeks earlier she had sent him a letter announcing that she was at liberty to accept an appointment to teach in Maryland and, not having heard back from him, sends this new letter. She asks if Kimball intends to give her a position, and requests that she be sent to Clayton where her sister, T. Lyons, had previously taught. She further asks Kimball when and how she would collect her salary and for further instructions.
Teacher M. E. Pauline Lyons writes to Supt. Kimball that since she last wrote to him her sister Theresa Lyons has returned home and told her the true conditions of teachers and schools in Maryland. She hereby withdraws her application to teach in Maryland, "as I think the course pursued by the Baltimore association is neither just to the freedmen, nor to those who instruct them."
M. E. Pauline Lyons writes to Supt. Kimball that her sister (M. R. Lyons) has informed her that he is seeking teachers, and that she would like to procure such a situation. "My eldest sister Miss T. Lyons went to Princess Ann, but being dissatisfied with that place has been transferred to Clayton. I desire very much to get a school as near her as I possibly can." States that she is prepared to start as soon as she receives her appointment and encloses a reference from the local superintendent of schools. Reference is written by Daniel Leach, who states that Lyons has sustained a high rank as a scholar who is well qualified to teach.
M. E. Pauline Lyons (full name Mary Elizabeth Pauline Lyons) was an African American woman from Providence, Rhode Island, who taught at the school at Bel Air (Hendon Hill). Lyons was only 19 years old when she arrived at the school to teach in January, 1870. She was born in New York City, where her father Albro owned a seamen’s outfitting store that doubled as a stop on the Underground Railroad. After their home was destroyed during the Draft Riots of July, 1863, the family relocated to Providence, Rhode Island, where they remained active in advancing the rights of African Americans in that city.
Pauline’s elder sister Maritcha would become a prominent educator in New York City, and an associate of fellow educator and activist Ida B. Wells. In keeping with the family mission, the young Pauline embarked upon her own teaching career with the support of the Pennsylvania Branch of the Freedmen’s Union Committee. She replaced the previous teacher at Bel Air, Rachel L. Alexander, for the spring 1870 term.
In September, 1870, Pauline Lyons’ job was threatened by the efforts of a local white woman, Esther J. Duvall. Esther was the daughter of Emmett Duvall, a white supporter of black education and associate of George M. McComas. She wrote to Superintendent W. L. Van Derlip in a bid to replace Lyons as teacher, claiming that the trustees of the school desired a replacement for the young Lyons. Esther described the African American people of her area as “’conservative’ in their ideas about youth and inexperience,” and “rather opposed to being subject to a teacher of their own color.” She suggested herself as an appropriate replacement for Lyons. There is no evidence that the Superintendent responded to her letter.
There is no evidence of M. E. Pauline Lyons teaching at Bel Air after the September, 1870 letter from Duvall. An 1873 Providence city directory indicates that she was residing at the family home there at that time. Pauline married sometime in the 1870s, and after her husband’s death in 1880, she and her son moved to Oakland, California, where she became a nurse. Her son, Harry Albro Williams, would become a prominent Freemason in the early twentieth century.
Maggie H. Jaques taught at the Hopewell/Green Spring school, probably starting in November 1868. In January, 1869, Rosie Sythe took over teaching at Hopewell until June of that year. In the fall of 1869, Jaques returned to Hopewell, submitting reports in October, November, and December.
Taught at Fallston from at least October 1868 through December 1868. In January 1870, Sorrell was listed as teaching for one month at Middletown in Frederick County.
The McComas Institute was founded in 1867. The school was named after George March McComas, a prominent white tobacco farmer who supported anti-slavery efforts and the education of Black people. According to the deed for the McComas Institute, on September 10, 1867 the trustees of the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church purchased one acre of land from George and Mary Ann Johnson for $30. The deed states, “the purpose of erecting thereon a school house for the use of the colored people of Harford County forever.”
Education superintendent Maj. D. G. Swaim sends Col. Robert R. Corson of the Pennsylvania Freedmen's Relief Association an account of pay sent to teachers associated with the Association. He remarks that Phenia C. Crisfield, at Darlington, states that she has received only $20 instead of the $40 due her. Rachel Alexander is listed as having received $20.
Education superintendent Van Derlip replies to a letter of Jan. 8 from Col. Robert R. Corson, corresponding secretary of the Pennsylvania Branch of the Freedmen's Union Committee, Van Derlip states that Rachel L. Alexander has sent no report for December, 1869. If Alexander sends a report, her pay will be released to her. Van Derlip fears that her school will need to be discontinued.
Education superintendent Van Derlip writes to Col. Robert R. Corson, corresponding secretary of the Pennsylvania Branch of the Freedmen's Union Committee, enclosing a teachers pay report for December, 1869. Van Derlip informs Corson that Rachel L. Alexander is not on the list, she having failed to report.
Supt. Kimball informs George M. McComas that he has just received bills (from building committee chairman Jerome B. Armstrong) for supplies for the school at Darlington totaling $243.93, but he knows nothing about them. He asks McComas for information, and adds that the Bureau has already paid $659.39 to build this school.
Supt. Van Derlip informs George M. McComas that "I have secured $300 for your school. Please send bills to that amount for approval." Van Derlip will pass through Baltimore soon and will try to call on McComas.
Supt. Van Derlip directs George W. Stickney to distribute funds from an enclosed check among several parties, including the firm of Cushings and Bailey, and teachers Phenia Chrisfield and Mary E. Watson.
Supt. Van Derlip directs George W. Stickney to disburse the money from an enclosed check for $918.90 among several parties: the firm of Cushing and Bailey, and teachers Phenia C. Crisfield, Mary E. Lyon, and Mary E. Watson.
Supt. Van Derlip responds to Ida S. Marshall's letter of May 2, 1870. He tells her he cannot visit Churchville until after May 19. He has written to George M. McComas, who will supply speakers for the event. He also mentions his desire to visit the school at Darlington after he visits Churchville.
Supt. Van Derlip responds to Ida S. Marshall's letter of May 16, telling her that she has misunderstood his previous communication, in which he claims he mentioned that he already had a commitment at the McComas Institute on June 6 and had told her to delay the meeting at Churchville until after that (he did not actually write this in his previous letter). Van Derlip tells Marshall that George M. McComas will write to her to make definite arrangements for their visit to Churchville.