Washington and Lee University - Calyx Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 13 text:

1949 Q eneral Robert E. Lee ' s gift was one of service and devotion and love. The growth of the school during his presidency was phenomenal, but more important he left for eternity the imprint of his character upon this institution and its sons. The heritage of Robert E. Lee is our most prized possession.

Page 12 text:

G- ' eneral George Washington was the first benefactor of Washington and Lee. Politely refusing to accept shares in the James River company voted him by the Virginia legislature for his services in the Revolution, he directed that the shares be given to the then Liberty hHall Academy. This was the first gift of securities to an American institution of learning. Out of gratitude the name of Lib- erty hHall Academy was changed to Washington College in 1813.

Page 14 text:

n ■ On miiJ J ry ' ' WILLIAM GRAHAM GEORGE ADDISON BAXTER PROLEGOMENA The region of the Valley of Virginia comprising Augusta and Rockbridge Counties was settled in the eighteenth century by hardy Scotch-Irishmen who quickly established their pattern of civilization. These frontiersmen built homes, churches, and set up schools, the latter often conducted by Presbyterian clergymen, with the purpose of preparing youth for the gospel ministry. From such schools, which the Scotch-Irish founded in the Augusta- Rockbridge area, evolved the Augusta Academy, the Liberty hiall Academy, and their successors, ultimately Washington and Lee University. According to Edward Graham, younger brother of the Reverend William Graham, and a man well-acquainted with local history and traditions, the school eventually called Liberty hiall Academy commenced under Robert Alexander. Alexander was one of three brothers who emigrated from Ireland in 1737, two of whom removed to New Virginia in 1746. Robert Alexander became a citizen of some consequence on the Virginia frontier, and taught a school comprising his own and his neighbors ' children. Only scattered evidence concerning this germ of early frontier education has been preserved: we know the names of but few of Robert Alexander ' s pupils. According to incomplete historical evidence, supplemented by local traditions, the Robert Alexander school, which was in operation as early as 1749 was located some two and a half miles southwest of Greenville, Vir- ginia, where it remained for an undetermined number of years. Robert Alexander ' s health failed about 1760, and it is likely that he turned over his school to other hands. In the year 1753, the Reverend John Brown, a graduate of Princeton, class of 1749, arrived to assume charge of the New Providence Church, then situated near Robert Alexander ' s home. It appears that, although other teachers performed the instruction in the Augusta school following Robert Alexander, the Reverend Mr. Brown early interested himself in it, became its overseer or supervisor, and at times taught the school himself. At some unknown date, but probably in the I 760 ' s, the site of the school was removed to Mount Pleasant, near the village of Fairfield, a few miles from the new location of New Providence Church, and near the residence of that church ' s pastor, the Reverend Mr. Brown. hHere the school emerges in clearer focus. About 1774 a recent Princeton graduate, William Graham, was persuaded to take charge. Shortly afterward, Graham was licensed as a Presbyterian minister, and in addition to his school duties, became pastor of the Timber Ridge Presbyterian church. 1 7 4 9 • B I C E N T E N N I A L • 1 9 4 9