Washington College - Pegasus Yearbook (Chestertown, MD)

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DtDICUED TO... J. THOmflS HIBLfR To you. Coach, we dedicate this book. Your faith in the young and your sincere interest and fine guidance ha e helped build ideals which e will keep for the rest of oiu li es. We shall try to be -ivorthy of yoin- work.

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J. THOMAS KIBLER, A.B., B.P.T.

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VASiiiNr,TON College ,„ „■ i M. ■. M:4 iii i..t.. J). uuflSHincTon coLiece of the past Washington College is known throughout the United States as one of the ten oldest col- leges in the country. Its origin goes back to 1707 when a school was founded in Chester- town. In 1723 when the General Assembly of Maryland passed a law providing for a public school in each county the school in Chester- town was incorporated into the system. The school first gained inter-state recogni- tion in 1732 when it was given the title of college. This plan of colonial recognition was instituted by Rev. William Smith who solic- ited prominent men of the day to contribute toward the foundation of the college. In 1782 a charter was granted from the Maryland Assembly for the creation of a college. The charter provided that the Board of Visitors of the Kent County School could enlarge itself to twenty-four members and undertake the creation of a college. When it had gained five thousand pounds it was to be declared a body corporate with the powers to conduct examinations and to confer degrees. On May 14, 1783, the first collegiate graduation in the history of the state took place. Rev. Smith gained the required money by popular sub- scription and the leasing of lots that belonged to the college. One of the outstanding con- tributors was George Washington, who. be- side giving fifty guineas, granted the use of his name as the official title of the college. Past records have shown that Washington accepted one of the major positions on the Board of Visitors and Governors and attended at least two of the meetings.