EARLY EDUCATION IN WARREN COUNTY

Transcribed by Nola Duffy

EDUCATION.

MR. AND MRS. FALKENER, OF WARRENTON, N. C.

Acquaint their Friends and the Public, that the last Session of their Institution terminated some time past, and that they propose a Recommencement on the second Monday in January next. * * *

DEATH OF MRS. SARAH FALKENER.

At Warrenton, on the 24th ult. Mrs. Sarah Falkener, wife to Wm. Falkener, Sen. Esq. aged 64 years. A native of England, this respectable lady has been 30 years a resident of this Country. The unvaried suavity of her manners, her benevolence of heart, and the unblemished worth of her general character had created and secured to her a numerous circle of friends. For many years she devoted her time and talents to the education of Young females and many accomplished and excellent wives and mothers in this State will gratefully acknowledge what they owe to her paternal care, and unwearied attention.

DEATH OF WILLIAM FALKENER,
Communicated.

Died, In Warrenton, N. C. on Monday, December 6th, of the Dropsy, William for more than 30 years has been a resident of the United States. * * * Mr. Falkener was a gentleman of great taste and benevolence, and of many excellent qualities. He might be called the Founder of the Seminaries for the education of young ladies in this section of the country. Many most valuable women owe their instruction to him. He was one of the most elegant penmen of his day. He was a warm and sincere Republican—and although he loved his adopted country, he never forgot his attachment to that which gave him birth.

MORDECAI'S FEMALE SEMINARY, 1808.
FEMALE EDUCATION IN WARRENTON.

In conformity to the wishes of some respectable Patrons in this place and its vicinity, I purpose to open an Institution for Female Improvement, on the first day of January next. The course of Instruction intended to be pursued, is the result of observation and some experience, and will be adopted to the varied dispositions of genius of my Pupils, not losing sight of systematic Arrangement and Progression. My object not merely to impart words and exhibit things, but chiefly to form the mind to the labour of thinking upon and understanding what is taught.—Whether my plan is judicious, a short experience will decide; and by the event I am content to be judged. The domestic arrangement for an efficient accommodation of my Scholars, will be an object of primary concern, and placed under the immediate inspection of Mrs. Mordecai—believing it to be no small part of Education bestowed on Females, to cultivate a Taste for neatness in their Persons and propriety of Manners: they will be placed under a superintendanco calculated as much as possible to alleviate the solicitude of Parents.—In my Seminary will be taught the English Language, grammatically, Spelling, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Composition, History, Geography and use of the Globes. The plain and ornamental branches of Needle Work—Drawing, Vocal and Instrumental Music, by an approved Master of distinguished talents and correct deportment. Terms :—For Board, Washing, Lodging and Tuition (Drawing and Music excepted) $105 per annum. An additional change will be made for necessary Books, Paper, Quills and Ink.

VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC,
DRAWING AND PAINTING.

The Subscriber most respectfully presents his acknowledgments to those Ladies and Gentlemen who have encouraged his endeavours to promote the improvement of the Pupils committed to his care in the various branches of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Drawing and Painting. * * * Few attainments afford more rational amusement, and tend more to excite Genius and amuse the Fancy, than the pleasing science of Drawing and Painting. This art has, from the improved state of manners, become a necessary part of Female Education. He will attend during the ensuing year at Mr. Mordecai's Boarding School. His Terms of Tuition will be reduced to meet the exigency of the times, and made known on application to him. * * *

EXAMINATIONS FOR 1809.
FEMALE EDUCATION, WARRENTON.

The semi-annual Examination of the pupils of this Academy was held on the 29th and 30th ult. in the presence of a large and highly respectable audience. * * * The first day was spent in the examination of the lower Classes in Spelling and Reading, and of those further advanced in English Grammar and Parsing. The second day was devoted to the Examination of the higher Classes in Reading, History, Geography and use of the Globes, Specimens of their Writing were displayed, together with the Compositions of four Young Ladies who had written upon subjects adapted to the occasion. * * * At the close of the Examination, the Company attended a Musical Performance by the Young Ladies, under the direction of Mr. A. C. Miller. * * *

The School will open again on Monday the 17th instant, under the same superintendance as heretofore, with the addition of a well qualified Assistant. * * *

FEMALE EDUCATION,
WARRENTON.

Agreeably to the rules of this establishment, an Examination of the Pupils was held on the 7th and 8th instant, in the presence of a respectable Audience.—In order that the progress of the Pupils might be impartially investigated, Mr. (Samuel) Nicholson, late Principal of 'he Academy at this place, a gentleman of distinguished literary reputation, and totally unconnected with the School was solicited to preside. * *The first day was spent in Examination of the lower classess, in Spelling and Reading, and of those further advanced, in English Grammar and parsing. On the second day the higher classes read select pieces in blank verse, and were afterwards examined in the history of England, Geography and the use of the Globes. Each class exhibited specimens of their writing. The Compositions of three Young Ladies * * * were read and the exercises of the day then closed, by a handsome and impressive address to the Young Ladies, by Mr. William Ruffin * * *. Many of the Young Ladies appeared in dresses worked by themselves, and other specimens of Needlework were likewise displayed. On Saturday the company attended a Musical Performance, by the Pupils of Mr. Alexander C. Miller. * * *

RALEIGH STAR EDITORIAL ON MORDECAI'S SCHOOL, 1810.
MR. MORDECAI'S FEMALE SEMINARY WARRENTON.

This is conducted by Mr. Mordecai himself with the assistance of his Son and Daughters. We believe this to be an excellent Seminary. Its conductors possess talents and a fine Literary taste. The beauties of such authors as Addison and Pope are unfolded to the Pupils in so interesting and engaging a manner that the taste is generally chastened and refined to the standard of Classick purity. The mind is elevated superior to the enjoyment of silly Novels, which but too often deprave the taste, corrupt the heart and enfeeble the understanding. Music and painting are taught by Mr. Miller. His Pupils by being taught both to read and compose Music are made to understand it. His Painters are copyists, but they copy only from the Volume of Nature.

EXAMINATION, DECEMBER, 1810.
FEMALE EDUCATION, WARRENTON.

An Examination of the pupils at this Seminary, commenced on Wednesday, the 5th instant, under the superintendancy of Mr. Crawford, Pricipal of the Warrenton Academy; it was attended by a numerous assemblage of Ladies & Gentlemen of the first respectability. The exercises of the Scholars in Spelling, Reading, Grammar, Parsing, History, Geography, & the use of the Celestial and Terrestial Globes, occupied the two first days—the Copy Books and Needle work of the young Ladies were inspected by the audience.—The Compositions of the young Ladies, Miss Henderson, from Granville, Miss Blake, of Petersburg, Miss M'Neil, of Wilmington, and Miss Gloster, of Warrenton, together with a valedictory, by Miss Jane Vance, of Wilmington, were read, and very generally approved.—The third day was devoted to the musical performance by the pupils of Maj. Miller who likewise displayed specimens of their progress in the art of Drawing and Painting.

The exercises of the School will re-commence on the 8th day of January next, under the same Preceptors that hitherto conducted it—many advantages result to all parties, by a punctual attendance at the opening of the School. In addition to the other branches of Science heretofore taught, those of Astronomy and Natural Philosophy will be introduced—. The French Language and Dancing will be taught by Mr. Crusolles, a native of France, who will regularly attend during the whole course of the year.—The terms for board and tuition, exclusive of the French Language and Dancing, are, as heretofore, $105 per ann. payment will be expected in advance.—There will be a short vacation after the summer and fall examinations in July and December, no extra charge will be made for those who remain during the vacations, nor no deductions for those taken away—pupils will not be received for a shorter term than six months, nor will any be admitted as day scholars, who do not reside in the Town or its vicinity.—For the information for such as may be disposed to commit their Children or Wards to our care, the following certificates are examined:

I do hereby certify, that I attended the examination of the young ladies, at Mr. Mordecai s institution, on Geography, the use of the Globes, History, Grammar, Parsing, Composition, Reading and Writing, and that their very accurate knowledge in the preceding branches of Literature, manifested by a strict examination, evinced the great assiduity of the young Ladies, and also the unremitted attention of Mr. Mordecai and his assistants.

ALEXANDER C. MILLER respectfully gives information that he will the ensuing year to superintend the Department of Music, Drawing and Painting, in Mr. Mordecai's Academy.

_____________________

We, the subscribers, having attended the examination of Mr. Mordecai's Scholars, cannot, in justice to our own feelings, withhold the public expression of the high satisfaction, we severally received in witnessing the great proficiency, discovered by the different classes which came under our inspection. The many convincing proofs which the repeated examination of the Academy have manifested, would render unnecessary any eulogium we could possibly confer upon it, were the influence of its merits to be confined to the visitors only; but when the extent to which its benefits may be carried, is considered, a free circulation of the advantages to be derived from it, is highly necessary—we, therefore, most cheerfully testify our decided approbation, of the unremitted assiduity of the Principal and his associates, which is proved better by the progress of the Scholars, than by anything we can say. The several classes underwent a severe & strict examination by Mr. Crawford, Principal of the Male Academy, of Warrenton, as well as by Mr. Mordecai and his assistant, and almost without exception acquitted themselves, with much credit, in the different grades of Learning, at which they had arrived—while health which bloomed on the fair countenances of 70 or 80 young Ladies, added to the pleasure of the spectators and of the Parents and Friends—in short, we cannot but recommend this Academy as a nursery of virtue and learning to such Parents and Guardians as wish to send their charges from home.

We, the undersigned, in addition to the foregoing have attended Maj. Miller's exhibition of Music and Drawing, and are pleased with both; the progress the young ladies had made in Music was quite satisfactory, and the Specimens of Painting really surpassed any expectations that could reasonably be indulged—all which were convincing proofs of the capability of Maj. Miller, and reflected much praise on the young ladies, who have been engaged in those pursuits.

MORDECAI'S SCHOOL HAS A FIRE, 1811.

We are requested to announce an unfortunate occurrence which took place in Warrenton, N. C. on Saturday night last. Between the hours of 10 and 11 a fire was perceived bursting through the roof of Mr. Mordecai's Female Academy. It spread so rapidly that in the course of a very short time, that extensive range of buildings was reduced to ashes. The fire originated in one of the chambers, where a candle was accidentally left burning. Most providentially no personal injury was sustained by a single individual, although between seventy and eighty children were asleep in the house when the alarm was given. A large portion of the furniture was saved, owing to the exertions made by the inhabitants of the town generally. The prompt and generous aid given by those who witnessed the distressing scene, would render it invidious to particularize; but we cannot refrain from mentioning the alacrity and zeal displayed by the students of the Male Academy, which contributed in a great degree to the preservation of the property contained in the building.

EXAMINATIONS IN 1811.
FEMALE EDUCATION, WARRENTON.

On Wednesday the 26th instant. an examination of the pupils at this Seminary commenced, it was attended by a numerous and highly respectable audience who expressed in flattering terms their approbation of the manner in which the young Ladies acquitted themselves. The Honorable John L. Taylor, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, Alexander Falconer, Esq. and Mr. William Crawford, Principal of the Male Academy, presided.—The first two days were occupied in a strict Examination of the several classes in Spelling, Reading, Grammar, Parsing, Geography, Astronomy, the use of the Celestial and Terrestial Globes, History and French Language. The copy books were exhibited, but the want of time prevented their examination in Arithmetic for which many of the pupils had been prepared. The Compositions of Miss M'Neil, of Wilmington, Misses Gloster and Fitts, of Warrenton, and Miss Adams, of Fayetteville, were read to the audience by Judge Taylor, who at the close of the exercises, delivered to the young Ladies, in behalf of himself and the gentlemen who presided, an eloquent and impressive address, expressing his satisfaction at the accurate manner in which they had acquited themselves.—The morning of the third day was appropriated to a Musical performance by the pupils of Mr. Miller, who displayed their usual proficiency—The number of pupils exceeding ninety appeared blooming in health, and we state with pleasure, that there has not been an instance of serious indisposition the session. The present capacious building though, pleasant and commodious, will be rendered more so during the vacation. The exercises of the school will recommence on Monday the 18th of July—early application will ensure the admission of a few. The pupils will continue to receive instruction in all the branches above mentioned, Drawing and Needle work inclusive.

FEMALE EDUCATION, WARRENTON.

"Having attended the examinations of the young ladies under the direction of Mr. Mordecai, and having myself strictly examined many of the classes, justice to them and to the institution requires that I should state that they were very accurate in all their studies. They manifested an extensive knowledge of Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Parsing, History, Geography, the use of the Globes, and the useful branches of Astronomy and Composition."

On the 6th day of January the exercises of the school will recommence, under the same superintendence as heretofore, Maj. Miller continuing to fill his station as professor of musick and drawing. * * *

EXAMINATIONS, 1812.
WARRENTON FEMALE ACADEMY.

The semi-annual examination of the pupils at this Seminary took place on the 25th and 26th of Juno, before a large and respectable audience—Alexander Falconer, Esq., and Mr. Crawford, Principal of the Male Academy, presided, and the respective classes were examined on Spelling, Reading, Grammar and Parsing, Arithmetic, Astronomy, Geography and the use of the Globes, History, Mythology and Blair's Lectures.—The compositions of several of the young Ladies were read, and the specimens of Writing, Painting and Needle work exhibited.—At the close of the examination, Mr. Falconer, on behalf of himself and Mr. Crawford, expressed, in an excellent and appropriate address, their entire approbation of the proficiency shown by the pupils.

The succeeding session will commence on Monday the 13th instant—the early attendance of the pupils is desirable. The terms for Board & Tuition in the English branches, including every charge except for books and stationary, are as heretofore $107, per annum, payable half yearly IN ADVANCE—no pupils will be received for a shorter term than six months nor will any deduction be made for those taken away within that term.

The Examination of the pupils at this Seminary commenced on Wednesday, and closed on Friday the 27th instant. The respective classes underwent, in their usual manner, a strict examination on Spelling, Reading, Grammar and Parsing, Astronomy, Geography and the use of the Globes, History, Mythology, Blair's Rhetoric and the French Language. The compositions of six young laidies were read, and specimens of writing and Needle-work exhibited. A musical performance by the pupils of Mr. Plunkett appeared to give very general satisfaction.

On the first Monday of January the exercises of the school will recommence under the same superintendence as heretofore—Mr. Plunkett continuing as Instructor in the French Language, Music and Drawing.—The course of Education pursued in this Seminary renders the early attendance of pupils very desirable. Terms, $105, per annum, payable half yearly IN ADVANCE—the only additional charge, (necessary school books excepted) is one dollar per session for contingent expenses. No pupil will be received for a shorter term than six months, nor will any deduction be made for those taken from school within that time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 1815.
FEMALE ACADEMY, WARRENTON.

* * * The exercises of the school will recommence on the first Monday in January, under the same superintendence as heretofore. Terms of board and tuition in Orthography, Grammar and Parsing, History, Astronomy, Geography, and the use of the Globes, Mythology, Blair's Rhetorick, Composition, and Needle-work, Sixty Dollars per Session, payable in advance—Music, Drawing, Dancing and French form a separate charge.

SIMS' LATIN AND ENGLISH SCHOOL, 1809.

The Subscriber wishes to inform the Public, that a School will commence on the first day of January next at his house in Warren County, thirteen miles north west of Warrenton and seven miles from Williams-borough, under the superintendence of Mr. John H. Pickard, who will teach the Latin and Greek Languages, English Grammar, Geography, etc. The Terms of Tuition will be Ten Dollars for Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and English Grammar, and Sixteen Dollars for Latin, Greek and Sciences. * * *

NICHOLSON'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 1812.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The subscriber living eight miles north of Warrenton, on the stage-road, respectfully informs the public, that he intends opening a school, on the 1st Monday in January next, under the superintendance of Mr. John Forrest, Jr., who will teach Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, English Grammar, Geography, the Latin and Greek Languages, &c. The price of Tuition will be for the English twelve dollars, and Latin, Greek,  and Sciences, eighteen dollars per scholar, (half paid in advance.—) The price of Board will be fifty-five dollars per annum. The subscriber intends taking ten or twelve Boarders, to whom all necessary attention will be paid. Board may likewise be had in respectable families in the neighborhood. From the healthiness & convenience of the situation, and the moderate terms of Board, and Tuition, the subscriber flatters himself he will meet with liberal encouragement.

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