Darlington Hoopes writes "on behalf of the colored people of this neighborhood" requesting a teacher for a new school they have prepared. The local people are able to provide a furnished schoolroom and board for a teacher, but cannot pay their salary. He suggests sending a black teacher as the neighborhood is "rather secesh."
Hager Gover grants the lot to the following trustees: George Turner, William Bond, Abram Evans, Thomas More, and Henry Brown. Deeded to the trustees for the erection of a schoolhouse for the benefit and education of the colored people of Marshalls and Bel Air districts of Harford County. Also signed by John P. Spicer, and Thomas Alderson. Notation at bottom of deed indicates that this copy was forwarded to Van Derlip by John Core on February 17, 1870.
Joseph Peaco and Sarah A. Peaco grant Jerome B. Armstrong, Alexander Berry, Joseph Haines, Stephen Jameson, and Henry Prigg land for $5. Land is situated about one mile north of Darlington and is part of a tract of land called "Philips Purchase."
Deed to property for the school at Hendon Hill, near Bel Air. For the sum of $50, Benjamin Hendon transfers the rights to approximately 1/2 acre of land to school trustees George Daugherty, Edward Hall, William A. Ruff, William Morgan, and Lee Preston, "for the use, benefit and education of the colored people of Harford County, forever." Describes the property as touching on those of Benjamin Hendon, Joshua Hooker, and "Bealls Camp."
Deed made October 26, 1867, recorded by circuit court for Harford County December 3, 1867. Purchased for $1. Anderson Trustees: Isaiah DeCoursey, Daniel J. Ross, David Thomas. Samuel White, Isaac Bishop, George A. Johnson. Mt. Zion Trustees: James Peaco Sr, Joseph J. Christy, Benjamin Smith, James Peaco Jr, Sidney H. Skinner, Jesse Johnson, Jesse White.
Edmonia Highgate was an African American woman born in Syracuse, New York, in 1844. She was the daughter of Hannah Highgate and the sister of Willella Highgate, both of whom would also teach at Darlington. Before the Civil War her family was involved in the abolition movement. In October, 1864, Edmonia was invited to speak at the Colored Men’s Convention at Syracuse, which was attended by Frederick Douglass. After teaching at schools in Pennsylvania, New York (where she was a school principal), and Virginia, Edmonia came to Darlington in the spring of 1865, supported by the American Missionary Association. As no school building yet existed at Darlington, she taught her students at the Hosanna African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. In an 1864 letter to the American Missionary Association in which she first expressed her desire to teach in the South, she described herself as:
“[A]bout twenty years of age and strong and healthy. I know just what self-denial, self-discipline and domestic qualifications are needed for the work and modestly trust that with God's help I could labor advantageously in the field for my newly freed brethren...”
Edmonia Highgate taught only about one month at Darlington before she resigned in favor of teaching farther south, where she felt her talents would be better utilized. The American Missionary Association assigned her to a school in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was succeeded as teacher at Darlington by her mother, Hannah Highgate. During the racially motivated New Orleans Massacre of 1866 Edmonia helped care for those wounded. Afterward she moved to Enterprise, Mississippi, where she raised funds for the American Missionary Association. Edmonia Highgate died under mysterious circumstances in New York City in 1870.
Edmonia Highgate writes from Binghamton, N.Y. to Ira H. Cobb of her church (her pastor, Rev. M. E. Strieby, being absent), requesting that he send the A.M.A. the "recommendation of my fitness" and "certificate of Christian character" required for her application for a teaching commission. On this letter is a message from Rev. M. E. Strieby of the A.M.A. to Rev. S. S. Jocelyn, also of the A.M.A., offering personal testimonial of Highgate's talents and efficiency.
Edmonia Highgate writes to Rev. G. D. Pike of the A.M.A. to inform him that the money recently sent her is less that the actual amount due on account of an error on her part. She mentions an enclosed note that she requests he hand to Rev. M. E. Strieby.
Edmonia Highgate writes to Rev. G. D. Pike of the A.M.A. with a list of travel expenses for reimbursement, accrued during a fund raising tour of parts of New York state.
Edmonia Highgate writes from Bridgeport, Conn. to Rev. G. D. Pike of the A.M.A. concerning various matters connected with her fundraising in that area.
Edmonia Highgate writes from Stamford, Conn. to Rev. G. D. Pike of the A.M.A. with details of her arrival in that place and beginnings of fundraising efforts.
Edmonia Highgate writes from Syracuse, N.Y. to Revs. George Whipple and M. E. Strieby, informing them that she has recovered from a dangerous illness and gained a new sense of moderation and prudence. She asks for a commission to go to Providence, near Norfolk, Va., where her mother has given her permission to go.
Teacher Edmonia Highgate writes from Darlington, Md. to Rev. George Whipple of the A.M.A. that having started the school there she intends now to resign. She does not consider it her duty to stay at Darlington and teach 30 students when she could be reaching hundreds elsewhere. She intends to go to Richmond to be in the "front ranks." She adds that her brother, a Union soldier wounded at Petersburg, is in poor condition in a hospital at City Point, Va.
Edmonia Highgate writes from Binghamton, N.Y. to Rev. George Whipple of the A.M.A., announcing her desire to apply to by sent the the South or southwest as a missionary. She has worked as a teacher for two years. She describes herself as strong and healthy, and willing to resign her present teaching position as soon as the opportunity to go south presents itself.
Teacher Edmonia Highgate writes from Norfolk, Va. to Rev. George Whipple of the A.M.A. that the past two months have been the most earnest of her existence. She details several moving personal interactions with the freedpeople she is assisting.
Edmonia Highgate writes from Syracuse, N.Y. to Rev. George Whipple of the A.M.A. that she expects to arrive in New York City at noon on Thursday, Mar. 21 and proceed immediately on to Norfolk, Va. She asks Whipple to meet her at the train station in New York.
Edmonia Highgate follows up on a personal conversation with Rev. George Whipple of the A.M.A., reminding him that he had promised to write to her about getting a commission to raise funds to repair a schoolhouse in Jackson, Miss., where her sister is to teach during the coming winter, as well as funds to enable her mother, at the same school, to start and industrial school.
Edmonia Highgate writes to Rev. M. E. Strieby of the A.M.A., listing donations of money and clothing she had collected in Oswego Co., N.Y. She reminds Strieby of her wish to be sent south to teach during the present winter.
Teacher Edmonia Highgate writes from Vermilionville La. to Rev. M. E. Strieby of the A.M.A. concerning her school. Her students are mostly Creole and Catholic, and are learning rapidly. She describes the material conditions of the freed families in her area, and reports that local "rebels" threatened to burn down her school but have not acted on their threat.
Teacher Edmonia Highgate writes from Taberg, N.Y. to Rev. M. E. Strieby of the A.M.A. that she is willing to go to Havre de Grace, Md. to teach. She is willing to go anywhere as soon as there is an opening.
Teacher Edmonia Highgate writes from Albany, N.Y. to Rev. M. E. Strieby of the A.M.A. that she is anxious to go to Havre de Grace, Md. and do "pioneer work" there as a teacher. She advises him not to delay sending her on account of not having set up boarding arrangements, as she is confident that she can sort that our herself upon her arrival.
Teacher Edmonia Highgate writes from New Orleans, La. to Rev. M. E. Strieby of the A.M.A. regarding the situation of education in New Orleans. She is currently principal of the Frederick Douglass School, a converted slavepen.