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Free
public education in America began in Hampton, Virginia. On February 12, 1635, through the
will of Benjamin Syms, the first charity school in America was established. The
donation consisted of 200 acres of land and eight cows that were to be used for "a free school
to educate and teach the children of the adjoining parishes of Elizabeth City and Poquoson
from Marie's Mount downward to the Poquoson River." Because of the schools status as
a charity school, it was operated on the benefits of the bequest and no tuition was
charged. Even though the exact date of the school opening is not known, in 1643 the
General Assembly confirmed the will of Benjamin Syms and in 1647 a letter was written to
England informing them of "… a free school, with two hundred acres of land, a
fine house upon it, forty milch Kine and other accommodations." The school was known
to have been in existence for several years prior to 1647. Almost a quarter of a century later in 1659, Dr. Thomas Eaton bequeathed land and other sundry farming and household utensils for the establishment of a school to educate the poor children of the county. His will stated that the school was to be administered by ministers and churchwardens.  
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Last modified: Saturday, December 20, 2003 07:43 PM |