LibGuides: Freemantown Research Guide: Early Black Schools in Floyd County

A School at Freemantown

There is evidence that the church building at Freemantown also served as a school. For example, a May 1896 article in the Rome Tribune lists Theressa Higginbotham as the teacher at Freeman's Chapel.

According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, the Georgia state legislature mandated a free public school system in 1866 and the 1868 state constitution called for "a thorough system of general education, to be forever free to all children of the State," funded through poll and liquor taxes. The system was put into place in 1870, "but only with the return of Democratic 'home rule' in 1872 did it finally take shape ... All schools were segregated by race, and many could afford to operate for only three or four months at a time."

What do we know about early Black schools in Floyd County?

1860's

"The Atlanta Negro Constitution Oppresses the Poor Man." Rome Weekly Courier, Apr. 10, 1868, p.3
The constitution establishes a system of free schools open to all children regardless of race, sex or color. Asserts that if ratified, the result will be integrated schools in Floyd County, in effect conferring the same social status on Black and white people.

1870's

"Two Hundred and Twenty-four Thousand Dollars Reward." Rome Weekly Courier, May 27, 1871, p.2
The destruction of a Black school on the Chattooga county property of the Hon. Wesley Shropshire.
"That Dirt Town Academy." Rome Weekly Courier, Jun. 2, 1871, p.2
The Hon. Wesley Shropshire sought to break up the Dirt Town Academy by encouraging the building of a Black school nearby.
"The Mass Meeting of Colored Citizens", Rome Tri-Weekly Courier, Jul. 8, 1875, p.2
Focus of the meeting was on the importance of creating and supporting good schools.
"Floyd County Schools: Annual Report of the County School Commissioner." Rome Tri-Weekly Courier, Jan. 13, 1876, p.1
Enumerates schools in the county in 1875; lists teachers, attendance, funding, etc.by school district.
"The Campaign Opened: Speech of Hon. J.W. Wofford, Candidate for Elector for the State at Large in Georgia on Tilden & Hendricks Ticket, Delivered at Cedartown, Ga. on the 22nd day of August, 1876." Rome Tri-Weekly Courier, Aug. 26, 1876, p.1
Wofford asserts that slavery was never a benefit to the South and that Southern whites would not advocate for reinstatement of slavery. Includes information about state funding for education, which Wofford describes as equitable.
"Common Schools, 1876: Annual Report of the School Commissioner of Floyd County." Rome Weekly Courier, Feb. 7, 1877, p.4
Enumerates schools in the county in 1876; lists teachers, attendance, funding, etc.by school district.
"The Common Schools: Annual Report of the School Commissioner of Floyd County." Rome Weekly Courier, Jan. 23, 1878, p.2
Enumerates schools in the county in 1877; lists teachers, attendance, funding, etc.by school district.
"The Common Schools: Report of the School Commissioner of Floyd County." Rome Tri-Weekly Courier, Feb. 27, 1879, p.4
Enumerates schools in the county in 1878; lists teachers, attendance, funding, etc.by school district.

1880's

Remarks of Gustavus J. Orr, Georgia state school commissioner. Summerville Gazette, Aug. 22, 1883, p.2
Black schools receive little more than 1/5 of public money allocated by the state.

1890-1895

"The Schools." Rome tribune, Jan. 24, 1894, p.1
Teachers and enrollment at Rome's schools.
"Colored Schools: Will Hold Closing Exercises at Nevins Tonight." Hustler of Rome, Jun. 4, 1894
Graduation exercises at Nevin's Opera House.
"Public Schools." Rome Tribune, Jul. 3, 1894
Teachers and salaries for the Rome public schools.
"Closed Last Night." Hustler of Rome, Jun. 5, 1895, p.1
Graduation exercises of the schools for Black children at Nevins opera house.
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There are many related articles in both the Hustler of Rome and the Rome Tribune.
"All Were Elected." Rome Tribune, Jun. 12, 1895, p.1
List of teachers in the Rome public schools.
"Wedded Last Night." Rome Tribune, Jun. 21, 1895, p.8
Marriage at the AME Church of J.H. Malone and Alice C. Davis, a teacher.
W.M. Bridges Endorsed of State School Commissioner. Hustler of Rome, Jul. 6, 1894
Floyd County Black teachers endorsed W.M. Bridges.
"The Colored People." Rome Tribune, Dec. 10, 1895
Includes details about city and county schools.

1896

"Colored Schools: Doing Good Work." Rome Tribune, May 26, 1896, p.3
Extensive information about Floyd County's schools for Black children. Provides a list of teachers in the district, inlcuding Theressa Higginbotham at Freeman's Chapel.
"Re-Elected." Hustler of Rome, Jun. 10, 1896, p.1
Rome public school teachers and other staff listed.
Death of Alice Davis Malone. Hustler of Rome, Jun. 10, 1896, p.4
The death of former teacher Alice Davis Malone.
"Teachers' Salaries." Rome Tribune, Jun. 30, 1896
Salaries of teachers in Rome schools.
"A Negro's Views." Chattooga News, Sep. 2, 1896, p.1
Richard R. Wright, president of the Georgia State College for Colored Youths, speaks of appreciation of the investment the state has made in Black schools.
"A Fire Bug." Hustler of Rome, Oct. 12, 1896, p.1
Details about the fire that destroyed Rome's school for Black children.
"Fire Bugs at Work." Rome Tribune, Oct. 13, 1896, p.8
A fire at the Rome Negro Public School is believed to be arson.
"Holy Places." Hustler of Rome, Oct. 14, 1896, p.3
Following the burning of the school for Black children, the board of trustees of the Rome public schools decided to secure a room for 7th & 8th grades and declare a vacation for the other grades until January 1897.
"May Open Monday." Rome Tribune, Oct. 15, 1896, p.8
A committee proposes using churches so that school can resume after the burning of the Black school.
"The Colored School." Hustler of Rome, Oct. 18, 1896
Only 3 of 5 Black churches consented to the church buildings being used for school following the burning of the school for Black children and the school board was unable to secure alternate space.
"Colored Schools: How They are Provided for in Rome." Rome Tribune, Dec. 8, 1896
A magnificent new brick building will replace the one previously destroyed by fire. Only about 50% of Black children attend school due to a lack of space.

1897

"The List of Our Teachers." Hustler of Rome, Jun. 9, 1897, p.1
A discussion of married women teachers and a list of teachers at the school for Black children.
"The Colored School." Rome Tribune, Aug. 15, 1897
The new school is complete. Teachers in grade 1-6 are named; T.M. Dent returns as principal.
"To the Colored Teachers of Floyd County." Rome Tribune, Oct. 8, 1897, p.5
Prof. A.B. Fortune and J.D. Gwaltney, C.S.C., will open a normal school for Black teachers of Floyd County.
"Public Schools and Education." Rome Tribune, Oct. 31, 1897, p.4
Includes information about Rome's school for Black children, giving the names of teachers.

1898-1899

"The Colord Schools." Rome Hustler-Commercial, May 24, 1898, p.6.
Rome's Black schools will close for the year, with graduation at the Nevins opera house to follow.
"Colored Schools." Rome Hustler-Commercial, Jun. 15, 1898, p.8
Principal T.M. Dent reelected and given a salary increase; teachers were reelected as well. Teachers in grades 1-6 are listed.