"When in these crumbling, roofless walls,
Where birds flit to and fro,
The Quaker fathers worshipped God
One hundred years ago.
"And word of truth, or praise, or prayer,
In measured tone and slow,
Was spoken as the Spirit moved
One hundred years ago."
The earlier records of the school have disappeared, but later ones tell that in 1791 Benjamin Bates, Jr.,[15] was teaching reading, writing and English grammar for 30s per annum. But for mathematics a charge of £3 was made. Holidays were not thought so necessary for the welfare of teachers and pupils then, but they were allowed "two days of relaxation" each month, one of which was a "Seventh day" of the week; the other the "monthly meeting day." The long year had but three holidays. Two weeks were given at "Yearly Meeting time," and a half week was allowed for each "Quarterly meeting."
The school, however, was deservedly famous; its teacher was an able man, and scholars came to it from a distance. At this time there were few schools in Virginia.[16] In the long list of patrons are the names of John and Mary Payne, although they had been many years in Philadelphia, (their share was marked as made over to "C. Moorman to pay"); Thomas Pleasants, of Beaver Dam; Robert Pleasants, of Curles; John Lynch, from Lynchburg; Judge Hugh Nelson, and others, all of whom were men of note in their own neighborhoods.
John Lynch and his brother Charles were the founders of Lynchburg. The name of Charles Lynch,[17] has become famous as the originator of "Lynch law," yet it little represents the character of Lynch, who was a "brave pioneer, a righteous judge, a soldier and a statesman." His memory is "by no means deserving of oblivion, still less obloquy." "He was but a simple Quaker gentleman, yet his name has come to stand for organized savagery."
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Colonel John Payne was member of House of Burgesses for Goochland 1752-58, 1760-6, 65-66, 1768. Josias Payne was Burgess for Goochland 1761 and 1765. Josias Payne, Jr., was Burgess for Goochland 1769. John Payne was member of the House of Delegates for Goochland 1780.
Payne Arms—"Gu on a fesse betw two lions pass. ar."
Crest—"A lion's gamb couped ar., grasping a broken tilting lance, the spear end pendant gu."
Motto—"Malo mori quam foedari."