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W&M to mark site of 18th century school for black children
From William and Mary College website
W&M to mark site of 18th century school for black children
by staff | July 5, 2018
William & Mary will erect a highway marker commemorating the spot where evidence indicates the Bray School for enslaved and free African-American children was located, according to a press release issued today by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The marker will be placed as soon as early fall on Prince George Street near the Brown Hall archaeological site, a dormitory that is located just off the edge of the main campus.
<snip>
The school was open for 14 years, closing in 1774. During that time as many as 400 boys and girls received instruction from a teacher named Anne Wager. She taught the principles of Christianity, deportment, reading and, possibly, writing, although that is open for debate.
During excavation of the Brown Hall site several years ago, bits of approximately 40 slate pencils were discovered, leading investigators to conclude that writing was among the subjects taught. However, further analysis of the curriculum showed that the teaching of writing was never mentioned by the Associates or their correspondents as a component of the skills anticipated to be taught in the Bray Schools.
When the Associates frequently asked for and received accounts of the progress and accomplishments of the pupils in the Bray schools, reading, sewing, knitting, marking, catechism, deportment, etc., were referenced. Writing was never mentioned, suggesting it was not being taught. The titles of the books sent to schools by the Associates are well documented. None are on writing.
by staff | July 5, 2018
William & Mary will erect a highway marker commemorating the spot where evidence indicates the Bray School for enslaved and free African-American children was located, according to a press release issued today by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The marker will be placed as soon as early fall on Prince George Street near the Brown Hall archaeological site, a dormitory that is located just off the edge of the main campus.
<snip>
The school was open for 14 years, closing in 1774. During that time as many as 400 boys and girls received instruction from a teacher named Anne Wager. She taught the principles of Christianity, deportment, reading and, possibly, writing, although that is open for debate.
During excavation of the Brown Hall site several years ago, bits of approximately 40 slate pencils were discovered, leading investigators to conclude that writing was among the subjects taught. However, further analysis of the curriculum showed that the teaching of writing was never mentioned by the Associates or their correspondents as a component of the skills anticipated to be taught in the Bray Schools.
When the Associates frequently asked for and received accounts of the progress and accomplishments of the pupils in the Bray schools, reading, sewing, knitting, marking, catechism, deportment, etc., were referenced. Writing was never mentioned, suggesting it was not being taught. The titles of the books sent to schools by the Associates are well documented. None are on writing.
https://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2018/wm-to-mark-site-of-18th-century-school-for-black-children.php
ETA: link to additional information "Archaeologists close in on the 18th century Bray School" https://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2012/archaeologists-close-in-on-the-18th-century-bray-school123.php
