This September, Encyclopedia Virginia invites you to make a gift to support the inclusive story of Virginia.

PRIMARY DOCUMENT

Letter from Fielding Lewis to Rev. John Waring (February 1, 1772)

CONTEXT

In a letter to the Reverend John Waring, dated February 1, 1772, Fielding Lewis reports on the closing of a school in Fredericksburg for the children of enslaved African Americans. Waring was the secretary of the Associates of Dr. Bray, the English philanthropic group that had funded the school.

Author: Fielding Lewis
    Transcription Source: John C. Van Horne, ed., Religious Philanthropy and Colonial Slavery: The American Correspondence of the Associates of Dr. Bray, 1717–1777
    (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1985), 306.

    FULL TEXT

    Virginia February the 1st. 1772

    Revd. Sir

    Your last favour I received by the Betsy Capt. Cuzzins in the Summer 1769 and agreeable to directions there given I endavour'd all in my power to procure the Number of Negro Children to be educated [as] You directed, but without effect; The Revd. Mr. James Marye [Sr.] gave an excellent discourse in our Church on the occasion yet the purpose was not answer'd. I therefore at the expiration of the year discontinued the School which had subsisted five years, the expence of One Hunred pounds STerline which leaves a Balance due to me of Thirty Pounds, which please to pay to Anthy. Bacon Esqr. for my Acct. having sent him an Order for it. It gives me the greatest concern that so much Money should have been expended to so little purpose, and am of Opinion that a School will never succeed in a small Town with us, as the Numbers of Negro's are few and many believe that the learning them to read is rather a disadvantage to the owners, we having had some examples of that sort. I have many Books remaining which were sent for the use of the School, pelase direct me in what manner you will have them disposed off.

    I am Revd. Sir with the greatest respect Your most Obedient Humble Servant

    Fielding Lewis

    FURTHER READING

    Letter from William Yates and Robert Carter Nicholas to Rev. John Waring (September 30, 1762) Letter from Rev. James Marye Jr. to Rev. John Waring (September 25, 1764) Letter from Fielding Lewis to Rev. John Waring (September 14, 1765) Letter from Rev. John Waring to Robert Carter Nicholas (April 20, 1768) Letter from Fielding Lewis to Rev. John Waring (October 31, 1768) Letter from Robert Carter Nicholas to Rev. John Waring (November 17, 1774)

    CITE THIS ENTRY
    APA Citation:
    Lewis, Fielding. Letter from Fielding Lewis to Rev. John Waring (February 1, 1772). (2020, December 07). In Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/letter-from-fielding-lewis-to-rev-john-waring-february-1-1772.
    MLA Citation:
    Lewis, Fielding. "Letter from Fielding Lewis to Rev. John Waring (February 1, 1772)" Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities, (07 Dec. 2020). Web. 23 Sep. 2023
    Last updated: 2020, December 07
    Feedback
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Sponsors