Henry County (Va.) Free School Registers, 1847-1853

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Henry County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Henry County (Va.) Free School Registers, 1847-1853, are six volumes relating to pupil attendance and subjects studied for the public schools. Recorded are the names of pupils, names of their parents, age, date entered school, date left school, daily attendance, subjects studied, and remarks related to dates of school visits by the school commissioner. Some of the volumes state who the teacher and the school commissioner are. Some of the volumes give occasional statistical statements per school term about numbers of students and numbers of days attended.

Biographical / historical:

Henry County was named for Patrick Henry, revolutionary leader and the first governor of the commonwealth of Virginia. It was formed from Pittsylvania County in 1776.

Beginning in 1776, various Acts of Assembly attempted to establish free and public schools in the commonwealth although the issues of taxation to support public education and state control over the process were always contentious. The Literary Fund was authorized by the General Assembly in 1810 to direct state funds acquired through escheats, confiscations, penalties, forfeitures and all rights in personal property found derelict towards public education. The District Free School act of 1829 attempted to establish public schools in all counties via the voluntary contribution of local money with additional funds provided by the state Literary Fund but this act was ultimately deemed a failure. The early 1840s saw a revival of interest in public education and two state educational conventions were held in Richmond in 1841 and 1845. The result of the conventions was the passage of three acts including the 1846 Act to Amend the Present Primary System, the 1846 Act for the Establishment of a District System, and the 1846 act concerning taxation for the support of a public school system. The Henry County free schools were established as a result of these 1846 acts.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Henry County.
Arrangement:

Arranged by school district and chronologically thereafter.

Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
6 v.