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Caldwell Institute at Caldwell, 1877–1905

How Caldwell Institute in Little River Township lasted from the 1870s into the age of public school taxes: its crowded commencements, the 1886 fire, J. H. McCracken’s new building and growing rolls, the 1899 charter and the Caldwell district’s vote for a rural graded school.

In briefCaldwell Institute, a school in Little River Township, drew at least 800 people to its closing in 1877, lost its building to a fire thought to have been set in 1886 and went on under a series of principals. In 1890 the trustees gave J. H. McCracken the use of the building, a new one was nearly done by December, and the spring term of 1891 opened with 53 pupils, the largest session yet, the trustees said. The 1899 legislature chartered the institute, which recovered under Prof. Roberts after two unsettled years. In 1902 the county formed a large Caldwell district, whose voters approved a local tax for a rural graded school in 1903.

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No works in the index are currently linked directly to this storyline. The works below provide background on Orange County’s nineteenth-century academies.

Browse all 168 works on Orange County’s nineteenth-century academies Research sources View background reading ↓

The full story

On June 1, 1877 Caldwell Institute in Little River Township closed its session before at least 800 people, with an address by Trinity College president Braxton Craven. On April 6, 1886 a fire thought to have been set destroyed the building and about 4,000 pounds of tobacco stored in it. By August 1887 the school advertised Julius I. Foust as principal. On April 5, 1890 the trustees gave J. H. McCracken the use of the building, and by December he reported a new building of about 36 by 52 feet nearly done. The spring term of 1891 opened with 53 pupils, the largest session yet, the trustees said. In 1892 Julian S. Carr gave a scholarship medal, and Trinity's John F. Crowell spoke at the 1893 commencement. In May 1897 the trustees accepted McCracken's resignation and elected Thomas T. Candler, and in 1898 they voted to build a new academy. The 1899 legislature chartered the institute. Under Prof. Roberts it started a library in 1902 as it recovered from two unsettled years. That April the county board formed a large Caldwell district, and on January 10, 1903 its voters approved a local tax for a rural graded school, 17 to 10. In July 1905 the commissioners levied the district's special school tax.

In the chronology

Events in this storyline, in date order. See these 22 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Caldwell Institute holds its closing exercises, with an address by Braxton Craven Caldwell Institute closed its session before a crowd of at least 800 people from Orange, Person, Caswell and Granville counties. Braxton Craven, president of Trinity College, spoke for about an hour on 'sowing wild oats' and on the need for education. Students gave declamations in the afternoon and a program of young ladies' compositions and music at night.Hillsborough Recorder, June 6, 1877, p. 3
  2. The Rev. A. Currie opens a school at Caldwell Institute with 21 pupils The Rev. A. Currie opened a school at Caldwell Institute, his post office address, beginning with 21 pupils.Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), January 19, 1884, p. 3
  3. Fire destroys the Caldwell Institute building in Little River Township A fire thought to have been set destroyed the Caldwell Institute building in Little River Township at night, together with about 4,000 pounds of tobacco stored in it by H. Y. Harris, the postmaster and merchant at Caldwell.Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), April 10, 1886, p. 3
  4. Julius I. Foust heads the Caldwell Institute at Caldwell The Caldwell Institute, a school for boys and girls in northern Orange County, advertised with Julius I. Foust as principal, offering primary through higher studies and music.DigitalNC: Person County Courier, August 4, 1887, p. 3 · Also: Person County Courier, February 9, 1888, p. 4
  5. Caldwell Institute closes its session with an address by Graham College's W. S. Long Principal Foust's school at Caldwell Institute held its closing exercises on May 25, running from 3 in the afternoon until 10 at night. The Rev. W. S. Long, president of Graham College, gave the address, six students delivered declamations, and a string band from Hillsborough played.Hillsboro Recorder, May 31, 1888, p. 3
  6. Caldwell Institute trustees give the school building to J. H. McCracken as principal Meeting on April 5, the trustees of Caldwell Institute gave J. H. McCracken the use of the building for a male and female school starting with the fall term, and he engaged Miss Mary R. Holeman to teach music. His notices set sessions to open the second Tuesday of August and of January. People: J. H. McCrackenOrange County Observer (Hillsborough), April 19, 1890, p. 3
  7. Caldwell Institute nearly finishes a new school building Principal J. H. McCracken reported that Caldwell Institute's new building, about 36 by 52 feet with a bay window, was almost done, and thanked the neighbors who had helped build it. The school planned public exercises for the night after Christmas. People: J. H. McCrackenOrange County Observer (Hillsborough), December 13, 1890, p. 3
  8. Caldwell Institute opens its spring session with 53 pupils The spring term at Caldwell Institute began with fifty-three pupils, which the trustees called the largest session the school had had. A growing music class led the school to add an assistant music teacher, and the young men formed a debating society named for Dr. Brower.Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 14, 1891, p. 3
  9. Caldwell Institute holds its commencement through a week of rain Rev. Mr. Crawford of Trinity College preached on Wednesday and spoke Thursday morning, W. W. Kitchin of the Roxboro bar gave the Thursday address and presented the medals, and pupils gave essays, music and dialogues that night. A correspondent credited Principal J. H. McCracken with building a school of about 80 pupils and a new schoolhouse in a year. People: William W. (William Walton) Kitchin, J. H. McCrackenOrange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 20, 1891, p. 3
  10. Caldwell Institute opens its fall term with about sixty students Caldwell Institute opened under Principal J. H. McCracken and had about sixty students in its first weeks, with more still arriving. The paper called the school's prospects very bright. People: J. H. McCrackenSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 29, 1891, p. 3
  11. Caldwell Institute holds its 1892 closing exercises Over two days the school held a lecture, a pupils' concert with recitations and a calisthenics drill, an address, and a medal presentation, including a scholarship medal given by Julian S. Carr. A correspondent called the evening crowd the largest ever at Caldwell. People: Julian S. Carr, J. H. McCrackenSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 4, 1892, p. 2
  12. Caldwell Institute holds its commencement, with an address by Trinity College president John F. Crowell Caldwell Institute closed its session on May 18 before a large crowd. Rev. J. N. Cole of Raleigh preached the commencement sermon, Trinity College president John F. Crowell spoke on the restoration of rural life, and the school awarded its medals, one of them given in memory of a former student.Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 27, 1893, p. 2
Show all 22 dated events
  1. Caldwell Institute holds its closing exercises Caldwell Institute closed its session with a sermon by Rev. L. J. Holden and an annual address by Rev. G. T. Watkins on life as a race, then gave the Medal of Progress to A. W. Kinion, a scholarship to Emma Woods and the society medal to F. W. McCracken. Principal J. H. McCracken announced that the next session would open late in August. People: J. H. McCrackenSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 9, 1894, p. 2
  2. Caldwell Institute holds its commencement, with an address by Rev. M. McG. Shields Caldwell Institute held its commencement before a crowd too large for the academy. Students, teachers and visiting ministers marched from the music hall to the academy, and Rev. M. McG. Shields of Burlington spoke for an hour on success and how to obtain it. People: J. H. McCrackenSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 6, 1896, p. 3
  3. Caldwell Institute's trustees accept J. H. McCracken's resignation and elect Thomas T. Candler principal Caldwell Institute held its commencement on May 23 and 24, with a sermon by Rev. E. E. Rose and an annual address by Dr. Crawford of Trinity Park, Durham. That evening the trustees accepted principal J. H. McCracken's resignation and elected Thomas T. Candler, a young man from the University of North Carolina, in his place. People: J. H. McCrackenOrange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 3, 1897, p. 2
  4. Caldwell Institute trustees vote to build a new academy At the Caldwell Institute commencement the trustees met and voted to build a new academy building, in appreciation of principal Thomas T. Candler's work. Several trustees pledged a hundred dollars apiece and others gave building materials, with work to start in the summer or fall.Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 26, 1898, p. 3
  5. The General Assembly incorporates the Caldwell Institute in Orange County Among the private schools chartered by the 1899 legislature was the Caldwell Institute at Caldwell. A bill to incorporate it had been introduced in 1891.DigitalNC: The News and Observer, March 11, 1899, p. 2 · Also: DigitalNC newspaper, February 22, 1891, p. 4
  6. Caldwell Institute starts a school library Under Prof. Roberts, its head since August 1901, Caldwell Institute started a library with help from the school's society and well-wishers as the academy recovered from two unsettled years.Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 27, 1902, p. 3
  7. Caldwell Institute gets a large new school district A committee from Caldwell Institute asked for one district made from parts of the Wilson, Little River and Poplar Grove districts. The board approved and had the boundary surveyed.Search the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 54
  8. Caldwell asks for an election on a rural graded school The Caldwell community asked for a vote on establishing a rural graded school, and the board asked the county commissioners to call the election. People: Charles Edward MaddrySearch the index · DigitalNC: Irene Oliver Pender, A History of Orange County Schools, 1752-1983 (1983), p. 54
  9. Caldwell school district votes a special tax for a rural graded school Voters in Caldwell District No. 5, Little River Township, approved a local tax for a rural graded school by 17 to 10, setting 30 cents on the $100 of property and 90 cents on each poll. People: James Yadkin JoynerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), January 15, 1903, p. 3
  10. County commissioners levy special school taxes in the Caldwell and Mebane districts At their monthly meeting on July 3 the county commissioners levied a special school tax of 15 cents on property and 45 cents on the poll in the Caldwell school district, and 30 cents on property and 90 cents on the poll in the Mebane school district. People: John F. McAdamsSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 6, 1905, p. 2

Places in this history

Buildings, schools, churches and other sites named in the dated events on this page, the most often named first. The map shows them all.

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Site locations from the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office survey, Open Orange, Orange County GIS, OpenStreetMap and a few other published sources named on each site’s page; town and community pins show approximate locations.

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Background on Orange County’s nineteenth-century academies

Background reading on Orange County’s nineteenth-century academies. These works cover the broader subject and may not discuss this storyline. Follow a link to find a copy or view the material.

Anna Burwell and the business of being a Presbyterian minister's wife in North Carolina, 1835-1857

Hoffert, Sylvia D. · 2019 · Historical Research Office, Office of Archives and History

Sylvia D. Hoffert's article on Margaret Anna Burwell, 1810 to 1871, and the work of being a Presbyterian minister's wife in North Carolina from 1835 to 1857, the years of the female school she and her husband kept in Hillsborough. Pages 245 to 275 with illustrations, facsimiles and portraits, issued by the Office of Archives and History in Raleigh in 2019.

UNC

Antebellum Hillsborough, Slavery, and Enslaved and Free People of Color Who Worked at the Burwell School, 1837-1857

Historic Hillsborough Commission (Hillsborough, N.C.) · 2019

The Historic Hillsborough Commission's account of slavery in antebellum Hillsborough and of the enslaved and free people of color who worked at the Burwell School, the female school the Burwells kept in town, between 1837 and 1857. African American history in Hillsborough and the school's own history are its two threads. Published in 2019.

✓ Held at OCPL · NC 975.656 HISTORIC

The Book of Burwell Students

Engstrom, Mary Claire · 1979 · Historic Hillsborough Commission

Mary Claire Engstrom's biographical register of the young women who attended the Burwell School in Hillsborough, subtitled lives of educated women in the antebellum South. The school was kept by Margaret Anna Burwell and her husband, and the book bears on women's education in nineteenth-century North Carolina. Published by the Historic Hillsborough Commission, 1979, 256 pages with illustrations and portraits.

✓ Held at OCPL · NC 371.82 ENG NC Cardinal UNC Durham

Dr. John Rogers, 1794-1832

Rogers, Ellen Stanley · 1966

Ellen Stanley Rogers's family history centered on Dr. John Rogers (1794-1832) and his connection to Hillsborough Academy. Compiled in 1966, 49 pages with bibliographical footnotes.

Duke NC Cardinal Library of Congress

The natural bent : the memoirs of Dr. Paul B. Barringer

1949

Memoirs of Dr. Paul B. Barringer, physician and educator, published by the University of North Carolina Press in 1949, 280 pages. Barringer attended the Bingham School in Orange County as a boy; he went on to a career in medicine and later headed the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. Subjects include physicians and Bingham School students.

UNC Library of Congress

A Sketch of the School of the Misses Nash and Miss Kollock, Hillsboro, North Carolina

Primrose, Ella P. · 1926

Ella P. Primrose's short sketch of the school kept by the Misses Nash and Miss Kollock in Hillsborough, a select boarding and day school for girls in the nineteenth century. Printed in Raleigh in 1926, 13 pages with a single plate.

✓ Held at OCPL · NC 373.756 PRI UNC NC Cardinal
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An Historical Address Delivered in Saint Matthew's Church, Hillsboro, N.C., on Sunday, August 24, 1924

Cheshire, Joseph Blount · 1925

Address by Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire at St. Matthew's Church in Hillsborough on 24 August 1924, marking the parish's hundredth anniversary. Printed in Durham in 1925 at the vestry's order, with a foreword by the rector. Cheshire discusses George Micklejohn, William Mercer Green and Moses Ashley Curtis.

UNC Duke Durham DPLA

Parent, a word with you about your boy

1910 · Bingham School

Recruiting booklet from Bingham School, the private school in Orange County near Mebane, published in 1910: a word to parents about their boy, with the sentence begun on the cover completed page by page as reasons to enroll him. Signed at the end by Preston Lewis Gray, president of the school. Fourteen pages with illustrations in a small oblong format.

UNC

Where can I send my boy to a safe school?

1907 · Bingham School

Promotional booklet from the Bingham School in Orange County, gathering testimonials from students, parents and others about the quality of its teaching and the way the school was run; the latest testimonials date from 1907. Twenty unnumbered pages with illustrations in a small 9 by 16 cm format.

UNC

A few reasons why the Bingham School, Orange County, near Mebane, N.C. is the best place to educate your boy

1899 · Edwards & Broughton, printers and binders

Small promotional pamphlet for the Bingham School, the private boys' school in Orange County near Mebane, setting out reasons a parent should send a son there. Signed by Preston Lewis Gray on the last page and printed by Edwards & Broughton in Raleigh, around 1899. Ten unnumbered pages, 9 by 16 centimeters.

UNC

Soiree musicale at the Misses Nash and Miss Kollock's School : Hillsboro, N.C., June 10, 1891

1891 · The School

Single-sheet program for a soiree musicale given June 10, 1891 at the Misses Nash and Miss Kollock's School in Hillsborough, a girls' school of the period. It lists the student performers and the music they played, a small record of a school evening and of Hillsborough printing in 1891. One unnumbered page, 22 by 13 centimeters.

UNC

[Form letter] 1882 September 6, Mebaneville, N.C., Dear sir

Bingham, R. · 1882 · R. Bingham

Form letter from R. Bingham concerning the Bingham School, dated September 6, 1882 at Mebaneville, North Carolina, and addressed Dear sir. The family's boarding school was then in Orange County. A single printed sheet, 26 by 21 cm.

UNC

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