1787-88 - Early Education in Kentucky Was a Competitive Enterprise ..
These are some other published items dealing with the matter of education - a topic dear to Judge Wallace's heart, and on which he himself expounded in print during the same period. This provides some background to the fervor with which the issue was surrounded during a time when a relative population explosion was occurring in Kentucky and legal, educational and social issues rapidly compounded one another. Also of great concern to Judge Wallace at this time was the proliferation of land transactions on the basis of frantic speculation, fraud, and vague and conflicting property titles. Excerpted from the Draper Manuscript Collection, Series CC, Vol. 18 - Articles copied from The early Kentucky Gazette.
" EDUCATION
Notice is hereby given, that on Monday the 28th. of January next, a School will be opened by Messrs. Jones & Worley, at the royal Spring, in Lebanon town, Fayette County, where a commodious house, sufficient to contain 50 or 60 scholars will be prepared. They will teach the Latin and greek languages, together with such branches of the Sciences as are usually taught in public seminaries. - at 25 shillings a quarter for each scholar, one half to be paid in cash, the other in produce at cash price. There will be a vacation of a month in the spring, and another in the fall, at the close of which, it is expected that such payments as are due in cash, will be made. For diet, washing, and house room, for a year, each scholar pays 3 pounds in cash, or 500 weight of pork on entrance, and 3 pounds cash on the beginning of the 3rd. quarter. It is desired that as many as can would furnish themselves with beds. Such as can or may be provided for them to the number of 8 or 10 boys at 35 shillings a year for each bed.
Elijah Craig
N.B. It would be proper for each boy to have his sheets, shirts, stockings, &c. marked to prevent mistakes.
Lebanon - Dec 27 - 1787
[Ky: Gaz: - No. 19 - Jan 5 - 1788]"
Draper continues .....
" Lexington Grammar School.
Is again opened, where latin Greek, and the different branches of science will be carefully taught by Isaac Wilson formerly professor in Philadelphia College. The price of tuition is 4 pounds, payable in cash or produce, boarding may be had on as reasonable terms as any in the district.
[KY: Gaz: No. 20 - Jan. 12 -1788"
John Filson, who was personally responsible for much of the popular image of Kentucky as a paradise for settlement, published the following.
"The public has been informed that a Seminary is proposed in Lexington. In a consultation of the respectable inhabitants upon that subject, there appeared a proper spirit of encouragement: every gentleman present was suitably impressed with the importance of the plan, and seriously wished the accomplishment. Many valuable advantages will probably arise from this institution, as the situation will be popular & be active, in the center of a fertile country, where accomodations for students may be had at the lowest rates. The teachers are determined to pay the strictest attention to their pupils, and hope their success will merit encouragement. With the discipline of northern teachers, to suppress every species of vice and immorality - and give the greatest encouragement to the spirit and practice of virtue; party spirit will be exploded, and to instruct in the general system of Christianity only, considered as their indispensible duty.
The ideas of Mankind with respect to the seats of education, are various, some prefer a town or city, others the country; the latter, viewing the many temptations youths are exposed to in town, with the addition of a greater secrecy in accomplishing his designs; many mean and vicious practices can be affected, which in a public situation the unavoidable idea of detection would effectually prevent; this is obvious from a view of the country student walking out of school, he carelessly hulks his body along in clownish gestures, pays no respect to a genteel movement, from a consciousness that no eye beholds him, fears not the contempt or ridicule which must be consequent upon such conduct in a respectable town, or if in a public situation indecorum should pass unnoticed by all, but the teaching of them is the most pertinent season for admonitions. When the culprit must be sensible upon the smallest observation of the ruinous consequences to all character and future reputation, which he must unavoidably sustain, I conceive the voice of Manners could not make more serious impressions. Experience beyond doubt will confirm these observations.
The advantage of knowing mankind also, which those in a recluse situation cannot, and after a series of time, except their studies are mere infants and frequently upon their first approach into public life, by awkwardness, blast all their future fame; the contrary is evident with the young gentleman educated in public life, by frequently reviewing the deformity of vice, he naturally abhors it, especially where it is treated with contempt; with the knowledge of science, he becomes acquainted with human nature, has a proper idea of the world, and, by the time his studies are compleated, is the gentleman as well as the scholar. This investigation may extend to every country; at present it is designed for Kentucke, in which it is self-sufficient to say Lexington is not the least in account for this institution. The tuition will be 5 punds per annum, one half cash, the other property - good boarding washing and lodging may be had about one mile from town for 20 or 30 at 9 pounds pr. year, and that in porperty, and in case of providing a bed, the boarding will be 8 pounds for each one, those who wish to secure lodging will apply to Mr. Barr and Mr. Coburn in Lexington for information. The education will commence sometime in April, and the French language will be taught, with all the arts and sciences used in academics. In the beginning of April all students will apply for entrance, as I shall be constantly in Lexington from that time. I am with respect, the publics obedient humble servant-
John Filson
[Ky: Gaz: - No. 21 - Jan: 19 - 1788]"
Draper comments as follows:
"[Various topics are suggested in the above article. Filson is undoubtedly one of those liberal men, whom 'a Sectarian' satarized, (p. 150.)" (Referring to his own journal pages) "This pc. seems intended as a reply to that, as one of its purposes - Filson coming out to carry out the policy of the liberals. In this conflict between town & country, is Transylvania, in any degree, in view? A tendency to infidelity seemed to belong to some elements of society - before any french influences could have existed to originate it - Filson thought the lat. would 'naturally' abhor vice, by mere 'contempt' for it. His style is not well constructed - like that of an easy and practised writer.]"
© 1998, Dennis Boyer
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