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658 Chromcles of the Cape Fear River

that his greatest and most effective work was that in the cause
of education by public schools.

In his earnest, quiet, unobtrusive way, he became one of the
pillars of this noble work of the State in Wilmington, and his
chief characteristics—virtue, intelligence, decision, industry,
perseverance, and economy—were brought to bear upon this
great enterprise with such far-reaching results that eternity
alone can reveal their extent. He honestly regarded public
office as a public trust, and carefully fulfilled his obligations
with unflagging zeal and painstaking economy. His business
life and studious habits preserved his mind in vigorous and
healthful action. He made a constant study of popular educa-
tion, and mastered its problems in each successive stage.

Prof. John J. Blair, who has been for nearly fifteen years
our capable superintendent of city schools, has kindly prepared
for the Chronicles a narrative of the development of popular
education in Wilmington.

Pustic ScHOOLS.

By Pror. JoHn J. BLArr.

The history of education in the Cape Fear section is, of course,

similar to and in accordance with the State’s educational policy,
modified to a certain extent by local influences and needs, and
the ideas of individuals.
' In 1825, a “Literary Fund” was created, the author of the
bill providing for this being Bartlett Yancey, but it was not
until 1839 that the first bill providing for free schools in every
county was passed.

Between 1840 and 1850 a more elaborate system of schools
was put in operation, but for lack of one responsible head and
uniformity of administration, chaos and failure resulted.?

DECADE OF 1850 TO 1860.

The educational history of our State from 1850, extending
over a period of the next sixteen years, centers around the char-
acter and deeds of one man, Dr. Calvin H. Wiley. He was

iDr. Frederick Hill, of Orton, was a strong advocate of public educa-
tion, was one of the authors of the legislation on the subject, and was
called in Wilmington the “father of public schools.”

2There was financial cooperation, the State furnishing a part and the
people of the district a part of the fund. It was good for a beginning.

Peace Restored 659

elected in December, 1852, and on January 1, 1853, at the age
of thirty-four years, assumed the duties of this newly-made and
responsible office, under the title of superintendent of common
schools. He began at once many needed reforms, and made
provision by which teachers could be prepared and secured for

the work.

An extract from Dr. Joyner’s address at the unveiling of a

monument to Calvin H. Wiley in Winston in 1904 can not be

too often repeated in connection with this notable administra-
tion. The speaker said: “Under his shaping hand, the system
grew and improved, and the schools prospered until it could be
truthfully said at the beginning of the War between the States
that North Carolina had the best system of common schools in
the South.” Dr. Wiley continued to hold the office of superin-

tendent until it was abolished in 1866.

THE UNION FREE SCHOOL.

In addition to the schools of the town of Wilmington, there
were in the county New Hanover Academy, 1833; Rock Fish
Academy, 1834; Black Creek Female Institution, 1846; and
there were schools at Rocky Point constantly from 1846 at least
to 1850; Topsail, 1851; Union (at Harrell’s Store), 1854;
Rocky Point, 1867.

The name “Union” was applied to any school in which pri-
vate and public interests were united in accordance with an act
of the General Assembly.

In a letter written to Silas N. Martin by John W. Barnes,
a history of the Union Free School from 1856 to 1862 is given:

“A meeting of citizens was held in the summer of 1856 in
the vicinity of ‘The Oaks,’ and it was decided to raise the neces-
sary money and material for the purchase of a lot and the con-
struction of a building. The deed was executed November 3,

1856, to James Green, John Barnes, and Thomas Freshwater,
as trustees, and the same recorded December 31.
“Tn April, 1857, a meeting of the subscribers was held in
the new building, in which it was decided to start the school
the first of May, and to continue three months experimentally.
Mr. Martin, Mr. VanBokkelen, and Mr. Fanning were ap-
pointed to employ a teacher and put the Union Free School
in operation. The Board of Superintendents of Common
Schools for New Hanover codperated with the committee,

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