Letter from Teacher at Greensboro College, North Carolina, [1870s]
American Education Collection, Betsey Crowder

This letter is written by an unidentified teacher at Greensboro College, the first women's college in North Carolina. It is addressed to Betsy Crowder, a schoolmate, teaching colleague, and close friend of the writer from Warrenton, North Carolina.

The letter is transcribed literally and duplicates the punctuation and spelling except when to do so would obscure the meaning.

The college was founded in 1838 in north central North Carolina. It burned during the Civil War and was rebuilt in the 1870s on a larger scale. The website of Greensboro College includes a rich digitized collection of college history with a bibliography, photographs, and digitized versions of the annual catalogs of Greensboro Female College. The names of principal and teachers in this letter correspond with those in the early 1870s. The site can be seen at the Greensboro College history website.

This letter is transcribed literally, duplicating the punctuation and spelling, except when to do so would obscure the meaning.

[American Education: Crowder, Greensboro College, Sept. 23, page 2]

takes them to the photograph gallery and Dentist's office and all such places of entertainment (?) Things are moving on in the old regular way. We meet in Faculty meeting Thursday P.M. at 4 o'clock as usual, Geneva, Ellen Hendren, Beck Wilson, Willie Lea & myself--Professors Hohr, Alderman, & Doub. Somewhat stronger body than when you used to meet with us. I think of and wish for you every time we go in and between times too. Willie & I room together on 2nd floor, Geneva on the same floor, but not in the same neighborhood, rooms with Becky White of Warrenton remembrance and Ellen is on the 3rd floor with two girls, both new to me & you. How long they intend to keep these school-girls mates is also unknown to one, but as for myself I had much rather be without one unless I can have congeniality. My old Chum William and I get on finely, we hug and kiss as much as we want and today I took her up on the floor and tried to make her dance off a spell of the blues, I did not succeed, however, in getting the dance out of her, but she laughed so much. I believe she forgot her blues. She is sitting here by me now reading David Copperfield. The 8 bell rings, I hear Mr. Jones walking on the hall and the girls going and coming from music practise. There is no Chapel teaching here, don't you rejoice for me! The Seniors stay in their rooms, the Juniors study in Prof. Doubs recitation room and the Sophs in Prof. Aldermans, so I am set at liberty with my Preps, and such a charming time I have with them! not a bad girl in my number. In all there are 125. And I tell you Friend, the College is the grand excitement of the town. We have more calls than we will ever return I fear. sometimes four or five a day. I am heartily tired of it and I guess by the time I return them all I shall be footly tired. As yet I have only been to see Mrs. Hohr, sister Cunninggim and Mrs. Wilson. All

[American Education: Crowder, Greensboro College, Sept. 23, page 3]

of us, men & wives, Prs. & wife, and the lady teachers were invited to tea at Mr. Wilson's last week. All were there except Miss Lucy. A good time we had too. Bro Hendren carried me into supper and seated me between Willie Lea & sister Cunninggim, as I enjoyed both eatings and surroundings, Annie Wilson is up but is fading daily, they think. I see but little change in her. We go to Methodist Church every Sabbath and have a good sermon; the girls fill the entire side of the church under the gallery. Bro. C. lives right on the street, so you may know that I will give them a call often. The Profs are all far from College, sis Sue is a mile off, Ma is there now, came Saturday. Why didn't you come up with the crowd! I heard you were and I said my doors (I have two) shall be open to receive you, I then had no mate, Willie had not come, and it would have been so nice for us. But you have nothing to prevent you coming any time, do Friend, come and see for yourself, it would make my heart glad to see you once more. Mrs. Jones's cares are in a measure thrown on Miss Carrie Bowman, the housekeeper. She has many moments for rest and friendly chat. Mr. J seems to be pleased at the way things are going on, and is in his usual health. Miss Bettie Carter is not here but her sister Nannie is, is in the Junior class. 7 seniors. No I did not join the Good Templars, if I am ever Templer at all I fear I would not be a good one, so I had better remain as I am. Many thanks for your kind invitation to spend next vacation with you, I should be much pleased to do so if I can. You know there are a great many grabbing at me in vacation, but if I can, I will give you a day or two. Then we will do lots of talking for if I were to begin to write you of all my "ups and downs" I should have to buy paper by the ream.

[American Education: Crowder, Greensboro College, Sept. 23, page 4]

but you know I can do lots of talking when we are off to myself. I dont know what makes me such a blockhead, but I cant do or say anything agreeable in the presence of strangers. Have you heard from any of our Warrenton friends? I have. Last week I had a nice readable letter from Nannie Collins, the dear little darling! what a pet she was for us both. I have not a single blockhead in my classes. No dont you envy me? I know you want to be here to share my pleasure. I wish truly you were here, I miss you more than you can imagine and have never had the heart to even cut a pattern for a collar. I am always busy though accomplish but little. The 9 bell rings, Willie is in bed but I want to finish my page before I go to bed. I have not told you of my room. It is a nice large one, two doors and windows. We have a bureau, spring mattress, no feathers in College, a round center table and six chairs. Every room in College is furnished in like manner and we are to have a carpet when it comes and andirons too when they are made. For the present we use two bricks, but if the wood is round it is apt to fall off. We have a nice closet in which we hang gowns, wrappers, and my bustle and wash our faces. The closets are a nice thing, gives one so much privacy. Your cousin is here but is not like you in the least. I think of you however, whenever I see her, only because she is a Crowder I guess. I heard of Annie's boy soon after he came into the world, Mr. Crawford wrote us of it. Many of the preachers were here at the opening, he among the rest. He has a niece here, a sweet girl. Now it is time to say Good night. I am your ever loving Friend.