NCROOTS-L Archives

From: "Blake & Bess Tyner" <>
Subject: [NCROOTS] Floral College
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 20:15:58 -0500
In-Reply-To: <200311210809.hAL89IgF031030@lists2.rootsweb.com>

In 1841, John Gilchrist, Jr. and others felt that the educational needs of
the young ladies of the Robeson County area were not being filled. Their
answer was the founding of Floral College, the first female college in the
state to confer degrees. John had settled on a large plantation near Centre
Church, just north of present day Maxton and there he set aside property to
house Floral College. The success of the college became his ruling passion.
He devoted all of his energy and most of his resources to its upbuilding. He
received great help from a wonderful Board of Trustees. They were Malcom
Purcell, WA Sellers, Peter A. MacEachin, Dr. Angus D. McLean, Dr. John
Malloy, Malcom Smith, and Daniel MacKinnon.

Found in the 1848 Catalogue are the following staff: Rev. John R. McIntosh,
Principal, Instructor in Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Evidences of
Christianity; Mrs. C.M. McIntosh, Drawing, Painting, Embroidery, Botany; Mr.
John C. Sutherland, Mathematics, Intellectual Philosophy; Miss Elizabeth H.
Jewett, Grammar, Geography, History and Rev. F.W. Plassman, Music, Vocal and
Instrumental.

In 1843 the college graduated its first eight students: Euphemia D. McNeil,
Flora McNeill, Flora Bunting McQueen, Mary Morrison, Mary Jane Davis, Ann
Catherine Shaw, and Mary Jane Shaw.

In the 1856 Catalogue we find the following members of the Board of Trustees
A.D. McLean, MD, President; John Gilchrist; John Malloy, MD; Archibald
Smith; Daniel McKinnon; Peter McEachin; Alexander Purcell; William McKay; JB
McCallum; P.A. McEachin, Treasurer; Col. P.P. Smith; A.S. Baker; J.S.
McQueen, Secretary; J.A. McKay; Douglad Patterson and Wm. A. Sellers. The
faculty were Rev. Daniel Johnson, Principal, Instructor of Chemistry, Moral
Science, Latin and Greek; Mrs. E.M. Johnson, Assistant Governess and
Superintendent of Social Duties; Miss Mary L. Morrison; Miss Caroline
Murphy; Miss Sallie R. Kerr and Miss R.J. Dougherty. In 1856 the college had
a total of 71 pupils.

Floral College thrived until the beginning of the Civil War, when it was
forced to close for the duration. During the time it was closed the
buildings we rented to the Bellamy family of Wilmington. It was believed
that the women and children would be safer in land, but as we now know
Sherman's troops march right to the door of Floral College. An ad for the
college in January 1871 sates that preparatory course tuition, board and
washing could be had at the cost of $85 while the same was available on the
collegiate level for $90. In addition they could choose from music taught on
the piano and guitar, pencil and crayon drawing, painting in oil and
watercolors. Lights and fuel were provided at cost with one half of the
tuition being due in advance and the other at the close of the session.

By 1872 things had turned for the worst. In the January 4, 1872 newspaper is
found the following ad: On the 8th day of Feb'y next Floral College will be
sold to the highest bidder, subject to a mortgage in favor of the heirs of
the late Reuben King, the sale to take place on the premises. Also, at the
same time and place, will be sold all furniture and fixtures belonging to
the College; also all evidences of debt. Terms Cash. By the order of the
stockholders, D.S. Morrison, J.D. McLean and J.M. McKinnon commissioners.
Thus a sad ending to a glorious institute of learning.

John Gilchrist was an experimenter with new kinds of fruit and vegetables
and loved to plant unusual species, the late Cornelia McCallum Purcell often
told of him visiting Floral College. On one of his visits he brought with
him tomatoes and lectured to the girls on their food value. This was the
first time many of the girls had ever seen tomatoes, the belief at the time
was that they were poisonous.



I am working on trying to document a complete history of Floral College and
the girls that attended. I am interested in any personal information
concerning the girls (letters, diaries, photographs, etc.)

I have set up a website (http://bbtyner.com/floralcollege) it is not
complete but it does contain three spreadsheets I have complied. The first
lists all the graduates from 1843 until 1848. The second lists all those
attending the school in 1848 and the third shows the girls attending in
1856.

Please take time to see if your family members are listed. Contact me at




Thanks,

Blake Tyner

Robeson Historical Commission

Robeson History Museum

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• [NCROOTS] Floral College by "Blake & Bess Tyner" <>