Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends by Farah Jasmine Griffin

Author:Farah Jasmine Griffin
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends: Civil War Letters from Rebecca Primus of Royal Oak Maryland and Addie Brown of Hartford Connecticut 1854-1868 Historical African-American Memoirs, Civil War Letters, Farah Jasmine Griffin, historical biographies, African-American authors, African-American women
ISBN: 9781620710968
Publisher: Author & Company
Published: 2014-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“We must have a school house”

1867

REBECCA’S letters document the truth of historian Eric Foner’s assertion: “In 1867, politics emerged as the principal focus of black aspirations.”1 Throughout Maryland, the rights of the freed people were being debated. They were the objects of physical violence, their churches and their schools were burned, and teachers who came to assist them were threatened by violence as well. Barbara Fields notes: “Black churches attracted violence as velvet attracts lint…. The most common reason for attacks on black churches… was that the freedmen conducted schools in them.”2

It is in this atmosphere that Rebecca writes: “These white people want all the respect shown them by the col’d. people. I give what I rec. & no more.” In spite of the danger, she maintains her dignity and is fearless in her commitment to educate the freed people. Those of the Eastern Shore joined their counterparts throughout the South in a quest to gain and exercise their rights.

As for Addie, her most stable employment during this time is at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut, where she begins work in the spring of 1867. Miss Porter’s was a private boarding school for white girls, founded by Sarah Porter in the 1840s. Just as blacks established their own schools, this period also witnessed the rise in educational institutions for women and girls. Prior to the Civil War, only Oberlin and Mount Holyoke accepted women. Following the war, the colleges known as the Seven Sisters opened in rapid succession. Miss Porter was ahead of her time when she established a curriculum that included Latin, French, German, chemistry, philosophy, rhetoric, mathematics (up to trigonometry), history, geography, and music. There were daily Bible readings, as well as rowing, riding, and tennis. Famous authors such as Mark Twain gave readings, and there were frequent concerts and dances. Addie writes of all these activities.

Miss Porter not only supplied secure employment but also encouraged Addie to take advantage of the library, which she did with a great deal of relish. During these years, Addie becomes determined to create a life for herself above and beyond that allowed by her circumstances.

Hartford Jan. 9 1867

Dear Sister

[…] Saturday night I went to N.Y. and return to N.H. Monday night I had a very pleasant time indeed. I went to Phila in the P.M. in the evening [….] It is a beautiful church. Monday Mr. Tines took me to Barnum I enjoyed it very much.

I had a very[nice] time at N.H. although it rain and snow. But part of the time New Years day Mrs. Cummings invite Mr. Tines to tea and threw a fire. And then about eight o’clock we all attend the Temple street church festival. Mr. T met Mr. Green there and left for the boat ten P.M. it was very pleasant we start quite late. Friday Tiller gave a surprise in her Laver house. Mr. Tines was invited and also was requested to bring two or three more. Had a very nice time some

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