GA-JCTS Newsletter
The
newsletter of the Gilmore Academy-Jackson County Training School Alumni
Association, Inc.
Vol.
2 No. 3
September 1999
Tax-Exempt Status Granted
On August 31, 1999, the
Internal Revenue Service approved the Association’s application for 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt status. Contributions, including dues, to the organization are now
deductible as charitable contributions on the donor’s federal income tax
return.
Book In Final Stage!
The history and publication
committee, under the able leadership of Sarah Speights Pender, spent the summer
laboring over the Association’s project to document and preserve the history of
African American life in Jackson County. By July 1, the committee submitted 219
photographs to the publisher and the accompanying text followed on September
15.
The 128-page publication will
include acknowledgments, an extensive introduction, and 219 black-and-white
images with accompanying text divided into the following chapters: 1. Slavery, Reconstruction and Jim
Crow; 2. Marianna Area Scenes; 3. Family Life; 4. Religion; 5. Places of Work; 6.Black Businesses; 7.
Pre-Schools; 8. Jackson County Training School - sports & classes; 9.Union
Grove and other county schools; and 10. Clubs and organizations.
The book, expected to be
published before the end of the year, would not have been possible without the
dedicated work of Sarah S. Pender,
Queen B. Brown, Lucy Hawthorne, Barbara H. Dixon, and many members of the community
who contributed photographs, information or other assistance.
Year 2000
Homecoming
The 2000 annual meeting and
homecoming celebration will be held in Marianna on June 29 - July 2 in
Marianna. The 1998 committee chairpersons agreed to continue in their roles. Preliminary plans include the
essay/oratorical contest, spelling bees, and a “be-out-day” at the Panama City
Beach, banquet at the air-conditioned National Guard Armory, banquet,
worship service, and annual meeting. Details will be included in the next
newsletter.
Destiny of Race Uncertain?
The end of the Civil War in
1865 marked the beginning of freedom for thousands of African Americans. The 1866 report of the Florida superintendent
of common schools for freedmen illustrates the attitude of State officials
about them. The following report was submitted to Governor David S. Walker
on November 8, 1866.
I was appointed
Superintendent of Common Schools for Freedmen for the State, by your Excellency
on the 7th day of April. I had been prior to this time, assistant
superintendent. Mr. Hobbs and myself had so arranged it that in the absence of
funds for immediate action, he would go North to get funds, while I should
travel throughout the State to establish schools.
I immediately commenced
this work by organizing Sabbath schools in connection with the ministers with
whom I sought co-operation. We also urged through the press, and from the
pulpit, the necessity of our engaging heartily in the instruction of our
colored people as a matter of policy and protection, as well as a matter of
humanity and Christian [sic] benevolence, and that no one should do more
readily than the Southern people, a work that we have been doing all our lives.
We of the South have been
the best missionaries the world ever knew, receiving this black race from
English and New England ships as barbarians, we have brought them to the social
and religious status which they at present enjoy.
The history of the colored
missions in the South is unparalleled in the annals of missionary labor
throughout the world, as is shown by the simple fact that near four hundred
thousand of this race were connected with the churches of the South before the
war. We have existed formerly as master and servant, under reciprocal obligations,
and now that these relations are dissolved, and not by any act of the colored
people, it is our duty to extend to them that help and assistance that he has a
right to claim at our hands, living in our midst, with the wisdom needful for
self-government and self-control. These claims as an enlightened and Christian
people we cannot throw off.
In commencing this work
last January, I met everywhere, a kind reception, and hearty response. The
generally expressed opinion was that we ought to do it.
Sabbath Schools
I formed Sabbath schools,
with the assistance of ministers and others, in the principle localities in the
state, cultivating the kindest feelings between the servants and their
employers. These schools have been taught by the whole people; ladies and
gentlemen of our country, who have regarded it truly as a noble work and no
loss of position to instruct these ignorant people who have served us so
faithfully.
Day Schools
I found a general desire
among the planters to have day schools, and some had teachers employed, paying
half the expense themselves. They were ready and willing to provide or build
school houses. From early in the spring to the first of summer, I organized 24
schools, with an average number of pupils from twenty-five to one hundred and
fifty.
Night Schools
There has been connected,
as a general thing, a night school, for the instruction of the adults, who
learn their books around the pine fire.
The Progress of these Schools
These schools have been
marked by a most earnest perseverance on the part of the teachers, while the
pupils take the liveliest interest, and numbers who have only gone four months
read and spell readily, and take great delight in learning, show great
proficiency in figures. To what extent their minds can be improved I cannot
say, but feel satisfied that they will receive a practical education that they
may be able to read the word of God, understand more clearly their moral
duties, have a better basis for their religion; for a religion they will have,
whether right or wrong, and be made better citizens, better neighbors and
better men.
Lack of Funds
Having no books, and no
funds to draw on by which I could procure them, and no money to pay teachers, I
felt if I had these helps, I could educate the whole State, such was the
anxiety for books. All that was needed was to put a book in the hands of these
blacks, you secured the object; he would find some one to teach him.
My Trip North for Funds and Books
The noble action of our
State was every where lauded. I found in comparing our condition with other
Southern States we were much in the advance with our freedmen. In Washington
City, where I presented the matter as a State action, it was approved, and aid
was promised in the way of school books. In Philadelphia I saw some parties of
wealth, who approved of our movement highly, but gave me no money; I receive
some fine donations of books. In New York, I received some donations of books,
but only small amounts in money, it being an unsuitable time of year to present
the matter publicly. Many were willing to endorse my noble object who would
give me references but no money. I was driven partly, (as I had not a fair
opportunity) to the conclusion, with all their professed love for the colored
people that we must educate them ourselves.
The Terms of Tuition
Were first fixed at fifty
cents per pupil and fifty cents from the tax fund; but finding that the pupils
did not pay in enough to support the teacher, I changed it to one dollar. The
poor and the indigent are supported by the tax fund.
The Teachers
Have been most all
colored, of good moral character, delighting in their work, maintaining good
discipline, men of energy, and many of them well qualified to teach. They have
persevered under the greatest discouragements, hardly getting enough to supply
the wants of nature. They have come to me with their tales of sorrow, saying
they did not wish to give up their schools, but could not live by them I have
wept for their state, and tried to cheer them with the rewards of another world.
Out of forty-five teacher I never have heard of a single complaint against
them.
Demand for Teachers on Plantations
I have constant demand for
teachers on the plantations; the best laborers are going where they can have
the advantage of a school, and it is a matter of interest to have a school
house and teacher to work a plantation.
Lack of Teachers
We shall want some forty
teachers to supply the possible demand. I still hope that the false and
groundless feeling that it is a matter of disgrace to teach a colored school
will pass away, and may of the young men of our county, maimed and out of
employment, will offer their services. My object is, at an early day, to visit
Savannah and Charleston to get educated colored men for the plantations.
The Action of the Florida Legislature
has been highly commended
by other States, and I have received letters from Superintendents of Education
of other States for copies of our school law.
The South, we say, is the
best fried of the colored people. This sentiment I hope will be carried out
fully, and I trust the day is not distant when every State will establish a
school system for the poor, white and black. I would simply say I think it
advisable that the school law should be so amended as to embrace the poor of
our State, and thus remove the objection that has been made to this school act
for freedmen.
What may be the destiny of
this race I know not, but it is self-evident that our peach, happiness, and
well-being depends upon their improvement and moral elevation. Nothing short of
this can fit them for the condition in which they are thrown. We have no reason
to hate the black man, he has done nobly. It has been by his strong arm that we
possess our wealth, while on the other hand, the white man has ever been his
friend, protector, and provider, and in sickness and old age, he has not been
forgotten - who can forget the faithful old servant that nursed him.
We are under the strongest
obligations to help him in his present condition, with that assistance he needs
in counsel, and otherwise, to make him what he should be; we did so in slavery
times, we should do it more in times of freedom. If he should not act with that
correctness and honesty his new relation requires, it is only what might be
expected, and it is only a further argument for our leading him on to a true
enlightenment, while our doing it will be our defense and the glory of our
land.
In closing my report, I
must say what I have said all the while, that it is no loss of position to
teach a colored school. We shall soon have a Normal school in operation to be
conducted by Dr. Scull and associate teachers of the first position, and other
I could name, who are engaged in this work, the best people of the land. It is
a work worthy of humanity; it is acting in the great order of heaven - a work
the Son of God came down to do - to ransom their immortal souls. As prophecy
points to the time when “Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands to God,” the
colored race thrown by a strange providence in our midst, enlightened,
christianized and save, shall carry the bread of life to the perishing millions
of Africa. “The Lord will hasten it in His time.”
I herewith close my report
by giving you the general statistics of our schools. The approximate numbers is
as follows:
No. Total
Day Schools 35 1,526
Night Schools 30 1,200
Sabbath Schools 60 to 100 1,500
Receiving private
Instruction, about 2,000 6,226
Most of the day and night
scholars attend the Sabbath schools, therefore deduct about 1,000
Supposed number under instruction, 5,226
All of which is
respectfully submitted,
Very truly and respectfully,
Your ob’dt servant
E. B. Duncan
Sup’t Common Schools for Freedmen
[Editor’s Note:
Church-sponsored elementary schools provided the only form of education for
Blacks in Jackson County until 1922, when the Gilmore Academy was established
for students in grades 1-12. Most of the church-based schools closed in the
1950's.]
I Dream A World
I dream a
world where man
No other
will scorn,
Where love
will bless the earth
And peace
its paths adorn.
I dream a
world where all
Will know
sweet freedom's way,
Where
greed no longer saps the soul
Nor
Avarice blights our day.
A world I
dream where black and white,
Whatever
race you be,
Will
share the bounties of the earth
And
every man is free,
Where
wretchedness will hang its head,
And
joy, like a pearl,
Attend
the needs of all mankind.
Of such
I dream‑
Our
world!
‑ Langston Hughes