Freedmen's Bureau Records: John A. McDonnell to R.
M. Manly, May 6, 1867
Summary:
McDonnell summarizes the spaces available for schools throughout the Ninth
District, enclosing a more detailed report from Augusta County.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Head Quarters 9th District
Department of the Potomac,
R. M. Manly
Superintendent of Education
Richmond Virginia
May 6th 1867
Winchester, Virginia,
Sir
I have the honor to enclose report of agent for Augusta & Highland Counties and to report concerning the remainder of this District, as follows, at Harrisonburg, Rockingham County church owned by Freedmen, Rent Free, Capacity 100, can be used as long as required -- Woodstock, Shenandoah County, Room in private dwelling, owned by a Freedman, Rent free, Capacity 75, can be had for one year from May 1, 67.
Front Royal, Virginia Warren County Church owned by Freedpeople, Rent free, capacity 40, can be had as long as desired but is too small for Winter school.
Winchester, Frederick County - 4 Rooms, rented by
Bureau, owned by A.S. Griffith, $30 per month is paid
for Building, 3 rooms of which are used for Bureau offices [added: (capacity 400)] can probably be had another year -- at
White Hall, Frederick County Schoolhouse, lately repaired by the Freedpeople, owned by Society of
Friends, can be had, rent free, as long as required.
[page 2]
It will
accomodate about 50 scholars.
Schools are now being held in the places referred to except at Whitehall and Front Royal. The School at Front Royal was held, the past winter in a building hired by Bureau, which has been given up, and leased to other parties. At Whitehall, no teacher has been sent, though the Freedpeople are very anxious one should be, and as the people in the neighborhood are quite generally loyal, a teacher would find it easy to obtain board on reasonable terms.
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
John A. McDonnell
Captain Veterans' Reserve Corps
Sub Assistant Commissioner
