Freedmen's Bureau Records: Thomas P. Jackson to R. M. Manly, May
11, 1867
Summary:
Jackson's letter answers several questions related to the proposed use of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Staunton as a school building for free children. Jackson encourages the
Bureau to contribute to the construction of the church so that it may be finished in time to
use as a school.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Sub District Augusta & Highland
Reverend R M
Manly
Superintendent Education (Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands State
of Virginia)
May 11th 1867
Sir
I have the honor at the request of Reverend
N. C. Brackett who is absent on duty at Harpers Ferry to return your communication of April 28th 1867
[page 2]
with this my report of
wants of School accomodation at Staunton and the [unclear: deserts] of the Methodist Episcopal Church (colored) at this place for assistance in their church building.
1st Interrogatory What number of pupils to be provided with School room accomodation in Staunton Virginia. "I should reply that if all who ought to go to school were brought in the number could be fully five hundred (500)."
2nd Interrogatory "What facilities are already available by rent or otherwise for the future," of course the power to rent is measured by the means [unclear: as command]" At present the means must come from the Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands which holds [unclear: one] room capacity eighty scholars at a monthly rent of $8.00 for colored children and one room capacity fifty scholars at a monthly rent of $12.00 for white children. The Methodist Episcopal Church (colored) building heretofore used free of rent as a Freedmans School [added: has been sold] and Vacated." Capacity was 250 Scholars."
3d Interrogatory. What is extent of the accomodation to be provided in
the proposed church building? at Staunton" The building in question is 30 x 50 feet with
basement 30 x 30 feet this providing much increased accomodation [unclear: over] the
old vacated building. Until the new building is enclosed the [deleted: ] School of upwards of 200 Scholars must [unclear: suspend] its session.
Every effort is being made (and has been made) by the colored people to erect the building but
means are inadequate and claims by contractors pressing by terms" The Trustees by Methodist Episcopal Church discippline are forbidden to [unclear: aleviate]
[unclear: or encumber] their church trust by written contract but freely and fully
consent that the new building shall be used as a School for all Denominations under management
of Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Teachers in the [illeg.]
[illeg.] aid can be afforded [illeg.] knowing the Trustees
[unclear: Rector] and in View of
[page 3]
the great liberality exhibited by them in
granting for use of the old building for school purposes so long. I will give any assurance
required that the new building shall be available as the old and I do most earnestly recommend
that the Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
appropriate a Sum not less than three hundred dollars ($300.
00
) to be applied by the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal
Church colored Staunton Virginia to the completion of their school
building under such inspection as the Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands may designate.
In this conviction it may be truly said "He gives twice who gives quickly."
Respectfully Submitted
Your obedient servant
Thos P Jackson
Agent
