FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
EXAMINATION OF STUDENTS 2 JULY THROUGH 4 JULY OF THE YEAR 1804
 
Transcribed from the Raleigh Register and North Carolina Gazette newspaper
dated Monday, July 23, 1804

On Monday the 2d of this month, commenced the examination of the Fayetteville Academy, in the presence 
of the Trustees and a numerous company of the Ladies and Gentlemen of the town and neighbouring counties.  
The examination ended on Wednesday the 4th, to the general approbation of the spectators, after a short 
vacation until Monday the 15th, the business of the school will again be opened.
 
Whilst the high attention of the Teachers in the several classes was manifested, it is justice to remark 
the students of both sexes displayed on this occasion, proofs of industry, knowledge and taste, equal to 
the best hopes of the favourers of this institution.  Whilst the applause to all cannot be withheld, it 
is impossible, from the different degrees of genius to be expected in a school of upwards of an hundred 
scholars, not to expect some cause of more particular distinction.  It is therefore remarked,
 
The 1st Class examined in Virgil and Horace.  A proper understanding of the Authors was evinced:  but 
Master William Cowan of Bladen County excelled.
 
The 2d class, consisting of seven boys, was examined in Sallust and Virgil; proved correct in grammatical 
construction and parsing; but Master John Jones, of Wilmington was distinguished in pronouncing the Latin 
of the Authors with most propriety.
 
To the students of the Roman Poetical Authors, a more strict attention to the rules of Prosody is recommended.
 
In the 3d class consisting of four, the students were examined in Cesar and Sallust.  Much attention and 
knowledge of the Authors was indicated by all the Members of that class.
 
The 4th Latin class of five scholars, was examined in Cordery and Eutropius, James Mumford, of Fayetteville, 
was remarked for good reading and pronunciation, but all deserve credit.
 
The 5th Latin class of four scholars, was examined in Grammar and Cordery, and acquitted themselves well.
 
Joseph Eagles, a young scholar, was examined in Grammar & Cordery, and answered well, having made progress 
proportioned to his time at the school.
 
On a general revisal of Latin Grammar, 21 students were examined, and a complete knowledge of the grammar 
rules was evinced by each of the class.
 
In English Grammar, 1st class of four members; John M'Rae and Dennis O'Bryan were distinguished.
 
The 2d English Grammar class in English reading, ten Scholars were examined in reading Prose and Verse, 
all deserving praise.
 
1st class in English Reading.  Ten scholars were examined in reading Prose and Verse, all deserving praise.
 
The 2d class of English Readers; eleven boys were examined, and Henry Beatty, Charles Mallett, and 
James Mumford were distinguished. 
 
The 3d class of English Readers, twelve Scholars were examined in reading prose, and well approved of.
 
A 4th class of Readers, eight in number, are entitled to the same remarks.
 
The 5th class of Readers read well, but Peter Mallett, John Dick and Norman Howatt were distinguished.
 
A class of young Readers and Spellers, seven in number, acquitted themselves well.
 
A class of nineteen in number were examined in Arithmetic; Charles Williams of Chatham County, 
Denis O'Bryan of Edgecomb; Alexander Watson, of Bladen, were most approved.   It is observed, with 
concern, that Henry Ward and Henry Sibley have not shown due diligence.
 
In the general revisal of Spelling, throughout the Dictionary, thirty three of the Scholars were 
examined, John Hadley, James Baker, George Holmes, Henry Purviance and James Bowie excelled; but 
all acquitted themselves well.
 
Of ten young Spellers examined in Webster; John Bowen, and Edward Mallet were most approved.  In 
Writing, thirty four boys of different classes exhibited Copies.  John Hadley, Dennis O'Bryan,
Michael Blocker, Thomas Bowen, and George Holmes most excelled in their respective classes.
 
The evening of the days of examination were engaged by the young Gentlemen of the Academy, to the 
number of sixteen, in delivering select Orations to a respectable audience.  The exhibition of all 
was received with applause; but John Jones, John Hadley, Alexander Watson, William Hill and 
John Eccles were most distinguished.
 
The young Ladies of the Academy, to the number of fifty, were examined in Spelling, Reading, 
Writing, Arithmetic, English Grammar and Letter writing, all evinced knowledge of and application 
to their several employments in the School.
 
Twelve young Ladies, in three classes, were examined in English Grammar, and so correct were they 
all, to distinguish would be improper.
 
Twenty-eight young Ladies, in five classes, were examined in Reading and Spelling, and acquitted 
themselves well.
 
In the 1st class of Readers, Miss Julia Moore of Brunswick county; in the second class, Miss Wilson 
and Miss Flora McQueen of Robeson County, were most approved.  In copies and letter writing, 
Misses Hawley, Eliott, Wilson, Moore and Blue, were distinguished.
 
Specimens of the young Ladies Needle Work in Embroidery, in Dresden and Marking were exhibited.  
Misses Hawley, Elliot, White, Flowers and Lanier received the approbation of the Ladies who examined 
their pieces, several of which were truly elegant.
 
In marking, Miss Louisa Tarbe's Sampler was most approved.
 
By orders of the Trustees, 
JOHN HAY President

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