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James L. Currie

James L. Currie, a Presbyterian minister who grew up in the Eno congregation, was pastor of Eno Church from 1876 to 1896. From June 1885 to June 1889 he was Orange County's superintendent of schools under the 1885 school law, and he resigned because his church work had grown.

Source: DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), pp. 101-102

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Storylines this person is part of, in date order. Each has its own page.

StorylineEno Presbyterian Church moves to Cedar Grove, 1879–18991879–1899 · 6 events · After wind-driven woods fires burned Eno Presbyterian Church at its old site near the river in 1893, the congregation moved to Cedar Grove. Its frame church, built in 1878, had hosted Orange Presbytery in 1879, a meeting the Chapel Hill Ledger called the best attended since the war. In October 1893 the pastor, W. F. Wilhelm, died at Hillsborough after a long fever, and every business in town closed for his funeral. At Cedar Grove the congregation built its new church from 1897 to 1899, and the elder Robert W. Anderson became the first burial in its cemetery in 1898. H. S. Bradshaw was installed as pastor on the last day of 1899. StorylineThe county schools under Superintendent James L. Currie, 1882–18891882–1889 · 27 events · Orange County's Black public schools ran far shorter terms than its white schools, and Black teachers and parents pressed for more. In 1882 the Rev. James L. Currie of Chapel Hill became county superintendent. In 1884 Black teachers petitioned for a summer institute, which Currie conducted, and formed a county teachers' association. The Board of Education formed under an 1885 law funded an institute for Black teachers. Currie's 1887 report showed white schools averaging close to nine weeks and Black schools under four and a half, with Black women teachers paid $17 a month against $24 for white women. In 1888 the board tabled a petition from Cool Spring's Black parents for Black committeemen, and in 1889 Currie resigned. StorylineNew Hope Presbyterian Church’s divided session, 1884–18901884–1890 · 7 events · Disputes in the session, the elders who governed the congregation, kept New Hope Presbyterian Church unsettled from 1886 to 1890. Pastor Pleasant H. Dalton offered his resignation in 1886; most of the congregation would not accept it, but after the session fell into disagreement the relation was dissolved. James L. Currie became pastor in 1887. A quarrel over a member's settlement of an estate then went to Orange Presbytery, whose 1889 ruling deepened the split. Most members petitioned the active elders to resign, three refused, and the presbytery dissolved all six elders' relation to the church and ordered a new election. Currie's pastorate ended after new troubles, and in 1890 New Hope began sharing a pastor with Chapel Hill.

Dated events connected with this person, in date order. See these 31 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Archibald Currie begins a twenty-year pastorate at Eno After twelve years of short-term ministers, Eno called Archibald Currie, who served until 1866 and returned briefly in 1895-1896. His son James L. Currie later held the same pulpit. People: James L. Currie Place: Old Eno Presbyterian Church site, near Cedar Grove · Also named: Archibald CurrieSearch the index · A. A. Ellis, History of Eno Presbyterian Church, Cedar Grove, North Carolina (1980), scan p. 10
  2. James L. Currie becomes pastor of Eno Presbyterian Church Currie, who had grown up in the Eno congregation under his father, the Rev. Archibald Currie, became its pastor in 1876, and that year also served the Fairfield and Little River churches. He stayed at Eno until 1896, and the congregation's third church was built during his ministry. Place: Eno Presbyterian Church · Also named: Archibald CurrieSearch the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 101
  3. Eno Presbyterian dedicates its third church at the old site Built in 1878 under James L. Currie, the frame church replaced earlier log and frame buildings near the Old Eno cemetery. Orange Presbytery met there in late April 1879, with D. I. Craig preaching the opening sermon; the Chapel Hill Ledger called it the best attended meeting since the war. People: James L. Currie, D. I. (David Irwin) Craig Place: Old Eno Presbyterian Church site, near Cedar GroveSearch the index · A. A. Ellis, History of Eno Presbyterian Church, Cedar Grove, North Carolina (1980), scan p. 10 · Also: The Chapel Hill Ledger, April 26, 1879, p. 2; The Chapel Hill Ledger, May 3, 1879, p. 3
  4. The Chapel Hill Presbyterian church calls James L. Currie as pastor Rev. J. L. Currie accepted a call from the Chapel Hill Presbyterian church and Orange Presbytery, at a called meeting in Greensboro, approved it. He preached his first sermons there on February 1, with installation set for February 29. Place: Presbyterian Church, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Ledger, January 17, 1880, p. 3
  5. J. L. Currie takes up the Chapel Hill Presbyterian pastorate J. L. Currie, whose installation as pastor of the Chapel Hill Presbyterian church had been set for February 29, was preaching there regularly by March and by mid-April had moved his family to Chapel Hill, into the house lately occupied by Dr. Ledoux. Place: Presbyterian church, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Ledger, April 17, 1880, p. 3
  6. The justices and school board elect J. L. Currie county superintendent of public instruction Meeting at the court house, the county's justices of the peace and board of education elected the Rev. James L. Currie, Presbyterian pastor at Chapel Hill, county superintendent of public instruction for two years from the first Monday in December. Currie accepted on August 9, calling the choice unexpected. People: Nathaniel D. Bain Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 19, 1882, p. 2
  7. Orange County's white teachers meet at Hillsborough to form a teachers' association A meeting at the court house in Hillsborough took up the forming of a teachers' association for the white teachers of Orange County. Only about four teachers came, since little notice had been given, but they favored an association, read and discussed a constitution and agreed to meet again in Hillsborough; County Superintendent J. L. Currie invited the county board of education and the school committeemen to the next meeting. People: James L. Currie Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 25, 1883, p. 3
  8. Orange Presbytery makes Eno, Little River, Stony Creek and Grier's one field under James L. Currie Meeting at Tarboro, Orange Presbytery formed a new pastoral field of the Stony Creek, Grier's, Eno and Little River churches with the Rev. James L. Currie as pastor. Currie, who had resigned the Chapel Hill church that summer, was to live near Fairfield. People: Nelson Parrish Hall Place: Eno and Little River Presbyterian churches, Orange CountySearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 17, 1883, p. 3
  9. Orange County's Black teachers petition the commissioners for a summer teachers' institute Meeting at Hillsborough in larger numbers than ever before, the county's Black teachers adopted a petition asking the county commissioners to spend the money the law allowed on a teachers' institute for them that summer. The white association met the same day, discussed school committees, textbooks and a four-month term, and made university president K. P. Battle an honorary member. People: James L. Currie, Kemp Plummer Battle Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), April 26, 1884, p. 2
  10. Orange County magistrates enlarge the board of commissioners from three to five Meeting at the court house, the justices of the peace voted to raise the number of county commissioners from three to five and elected N. P. Hall, D. F. Morrow, J. F. Lyon, W. H. Anderson and Merritt Cheek for two years from December 1. In joint session with the Board of Education they re-elected the Rev. James L. Currie county school superintendent by acclamation. People: James L. Currie, Merritt Cheek, Nelson Parrish Hall Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: D. F. Morrow, J. F. Lyon, W. H. AndersonSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 7, 1884, p. 2
  11. Black teachers of Orange County hold a teachers' institute at the court house Seventeen Black teachers attended daily sessions of a county institute for Black teachers at the Hillsborough court house, conducted by the county superintendent, Rev. J. L. Currie, with W. V. Andrews assisting. People: James L. Currie, Wilton V. Andrews Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 26, 1884, p. 3
  12. Orange Presbytery holds its fall session at Hillsborough Orange Presbytery opened its 229th semiannual session at the Hillsborough Presbyterian church with a sermon by the retiring moderator, Rev. J. L. Currie, elected Rev. S. H. Chester moderator, and adjourned the next Tuesday after naming Henderson for its next meeting. People: James L. Currie, Nathaniel D. Bain Place: Presbyterian church, Hillsborough · Also named: S. H. ChesterSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), October 4, 1884, p. 3
Show all 31 dated events
  1. Orange County sets up its first postwar Board of Education Under an 1885 law, Orange created its first Board of Education since the Civil War, chosen by the justices of the peace and county commissioners together. The Rev. J. L. Currie became superintendent in June 1885. People: James L. Currie Place: Orange CountySearch the index · Lefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952 (1953), pp. 140-141 · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 16, 1885, p. 3
  2. The new Board of Education sets aside $50 for an institute for Black teachers At its first meeting in the Hillsboro courthouse, the board created under the 1885 school law organized with Joseph Harris as chairman and voted fifty dollars to hold a training institute for the county's Black teachers. People: George Tayloe Winston, James L. Currie, Benjamin C. Patton Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Joseph E. HarrisDigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 34
  3. The school board requires the superintendent to visit every school and grade its teachers On resolutions offered by Professor Winston, the board told Superintendent Currie to spend a day at each public school while in session, give each teacher a mark for practical skill, meet each district committee and report on where districts and schoolhouses should be, at $2.50 a day. People: George Tayloe Winston, James L. Currie Place: Orange CountySearch the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 35
  4. State Superintendent S. M. Finger addresses the Orange County Teachers' Association At the invitation of the county Teachers' Association, State Superintendent of Public Instruction S. M. Finger gave a public address on the public schools at the court house. The teachers and pupils of the Nash and Kollock school, Professor Henry of the University and Miss Alice Heartt, who kept a school in town, were in the audience. People: James L. Currie Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: S. M. Finger, Nelson B. Henry, Alice Heartt · Also mentions: Nash and Kollock schoolSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 19, 1885, p. 3
  5. Professor Nelson B. Henry opens a teachers' institute for Orange County's white teachers Professor Nelson B. Henry of the University opened a two-day institute for the county's white teachers at the Masonic Hall with a public lecture on education by the State on the evening of October 29. He had offered to teach methods in grammar, arithmetic, geography, reading and school management free of charge. People: James L. Currie Place: Masonic Hall, Hillsborough · Also named: Nelson B. HenrySearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), October 31, 1885, p. 2
  6. Superintendent Currie's first annual report lists each district schoolhouse as log or frame Currie's report read to the board in January 1886 gave the first district-by-district inventory of schoolhouses for both races, most of them log buildings valued at $50 to $200, and a school term averaging ten weeks. People: James L. Currie Place: Orange CountySearch the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 36
  7. Orange magistrates cut the county board to three commissioners Meeting at the court house, the county's justices of the peace reduced the board of county commissioners from five members to three and elected Matthew Atwater, Nelson P. Hall and E. C. Thompson to take office in December. In joint session with the commissioners they re-elected J. L. Currie superintendent of public instruction, set the county taxes and levied a road tax of seven cents on each $100 of property, payable in work on the roads or in cash. People: James L. Currie, Matthew Atwater, Nelson Parrish Hall Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: E. C. ThompsonSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 12, 1886, p. 3
  8. Superintendent Currie reports a teachers' institute in session for the county's white teachers Currie wrote to the Orange County Observer that the institute for white teachers was in session with eighteen enrolled. Professor Henry and Mr. Shields of Chapel Hill taught methods of teaching by day, and a public lecture on education was given each night. Place: Orange County · Also named: Nelson B. HenrySearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 12, 1886, p. 3 (The Teachers Institute)
  9. The school board asks the commissioners for a special tax to keep schools open four months Superintendent Currie found the schools needed $2,000 beyond their apportionment to run the four months the law required, and the board petitioned the county commissioners to levy it. The board also set a floor of $40 for each white school and $30 for each Black school. People: James L. Currie Place: Orange CountySearch the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 38
  10. The county school board adds nine new school districts under Superintendent Currie In the first years of the 1885 board, Superintendent James L. Currie laid out school districts and appointed committeemen, and by 1887 nine more districts had been created. In June 1886 he had told the board it needed $2,000 to keep the schools open four months. People: James L. Currie Place: Orange CountySearch the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 102
  11. James L. Currie is installed as pastor of Fairfield Church The Rev. James L. Currie was installed as pastor of Fairfield Church and preached the next day to an unusually large congregation. Place: Fairfield Presbyterian Church, near EflandSearch the index · Hillsboro Recorder, November 10, 1887, p. 3
  12. James L. Currie is installed as pastor of New Hope Currie, who had preached there briefly in 1874, was installed as pastor in 1887; Craig's history gives March, but the Orange County Observer announced the installation service for Sunday, November 20, and the Hillsboro Recorder reported it held that day, with the Rev. Mr. Wilhelm giving the charge to the pastor. The relation was dissolved in November 1889 after new troubles in the session. People: James L. Currie Place: New HopeSearch the index · NC Digital Collections: D. I. Craig, Historical Sketch of New Hope Church in Orange County, N.C. (1891), p. 32 · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 19, 1887, p. 3; Hillsboro Recorder, November 24, 1887, p. 3
  13. The superintendent's report shows Black schools running half the term of white schools Currie's annual report counted 33 white and 25 Black public schools. White schools averaged close to nine weeks of teaching and Black schools under four and a half, and Black women teachers earned $17 a month against $24 for white women. People: James L. Currie Place: Orange CountyDigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 40
  14. Magistrates elect a new board of county commissioners and set the 1888 county tax Meeting at the court house, the justices of the peace elected W. D. Woods, James Y. Merritt and Sidney G. Strayhorn county commissioners for two years from December and joined the commissioners in setting the 1888 county tax at 40 cents on $100 of property. With the board of education they re-elected Rev. J. L. Currie superintendent of public instruction. People: James L. Currie Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: W. D. Woods, James Y. Merritt, Sidney G. StrayhornSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 9, 1888, p. 3
  15. The school board authorizes a countywide summer institute for teachers The board empowered Superintendent Currie to hold a teachers' institute for the whole county that summer. People: James L. Currie Place: Orange CountySearch the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 40
  16. Superintendent Currie holds the county teachers' institute for white teachers at Hillsborough County superintendent J. L. Currie, helped by B. C. Patton and W. W. Andrews, held a week's institute for Orange County's white teachers in the Masonic Hall at Hillsborough, from Monday to Saturday noon. Twenty-one teachers enrolled; the days went to the branches taught in the public schools and the evenings to lectures and debates on education that were open to the public. People: Benjamin C. Patton Place: Hillsborough · Also named: W. W. AndrewsSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 7, 1888, p. 3 · Also: Hillsboro Recorder, July 5, 1888, p. 3
  17. Superintendent Currie holds an institute for Orange County's Black teachers County superintendent J. L. Currie held a week's institute for the county's Black teachers, three weeks after the session for white teachers. Thirteen teachers attended. Place: Orange County (place not named; probably Hillsborough)Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 28, 1888, p. 3
  18. Hillsborough rings its bells and its churches join in a Washington centennial service On the hundredth anniversary of George Washington's inauguration the town bells rang at sunrise, and the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian congregations held a joint service in the Presbyterian church with prayers by four ministers and a sermon by Rev. W. F. Wilhelm. People: James L. Currie, W. F. Wilhelm Place: Presbyterian church, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 4, 1889, p. 3
  19. Justices and commissioners elect a new board of education and school superintendent In joint session on June 3 the justices and commissioners chose John Thompson, W. V. Andrews and D. S. Parker as the county board of education. The next day, at a joint meeting of the commissioners and the new board, B. C. Patton was elected county superintendent of public instruction in place of the Rev. J. L. Currie, who had resigned. People: John W. Thompson, James L. Currie, Wilton V. Andrews, Benjamin C. Patton Place: Hillsborough · Also named: D. S. ParkerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 8, 1889, p. 3 (Joint Meeting) · Also: Lefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952

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