TALBOT COUNTY, GA - SCHOOLS - Collinsworth Institute Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/talbot.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm COLLINGSWORTH INSTITUTE This was perhaps the first Manual Labor school in Georgia. It was the dream of Josiah Flournoy of Columbus, to establish a manual labor school for boys in 1837. Talbotton was selected because of its central location for the region. At that time Talbotton was thriving and a recognized business and cultural center supporting education. Mr. Flournoy made a proposal to Talbot County that he would put up $40,000 if they would raise $20,000 locally. They accepted but the "Panic of 1837" struck, and Mr. Flournoy was unable to sell the lands in Alabama that he had planned--and Talbot Co subscribers refused to go through with the plan. But Mr. Flournoy didn't give up. He created a Stock Company to raise funds, and with some "public spirited men" of Talbot was able to proceed with the project. A tract of land (600 acres) one mile south of Talbotton was purchased. It was named for John Collinsworth, a Methodist Minister, and a close friend of Josiah Flournoy. GA Laws 1838 p. 152 "The first trustees named in the Act of General Assembly: Ignatius A. Few, Samuel K. Hodges, Lovick Pierce, Josiah Flournoy, Seaborn Jones, John Flournoy, Miranda Fort, Barnard Hill, Charles A. Brown, James D. Dismukes, James J. Tooke, and Jacob A. Clements." Josiah Flournoy is listed as Putnam County and that a sale of 12 half section of Alabama Land would establish a permanent fund for the school. The Georgia Annual Conference of The Methodist Church was given control to appoint trustees should any vacancy occur. The first president was James R. Thomas, a graduate of Randolph-Macon College. He became the fifth president of Emory College in 1855. Oscar Straus' book Under Four Administrations, gives description of the school. The Manual School was not a success and it became a preparatory school for Methodist boys entering college. Some teachers and professors from 1841-1856 include: Dr. Frank Thomas Thomas B. Gordon J.P. Anthony Wesley Thomas James B. Jackson W.D. Williams W.M. Drake Edwin G. Highee S.D. Clements H.H. McQueen H.H. McQueen bought the school from the stockholders and operated it for several years, selling it in 1856 to Rev. John T. McLaughlin and David S. Seay who operated it from 1856-1860. With the outbreak of the War in 1861, most teachers and students went to war. David S. Seay lost his life at Kennesaw Mountain, Ga June 20, 1864 serving in Co I 46th Regiment. In 1860 Census Collingsworth or LeVert College on the 1860 Talbot County Census: NEWELL Warren S - Steward Collingsworth Institute SEALY William B - Prin. F College SEALY Louisa H - teacher College SEALY Martha J - music teacher SEAY David W - T. mathematics CLEMENT Stephen D - T languages MCLAUGHLIN Johnathan T - Prin. Collinsworth Institute After the War Rev. McLaughlin, joined by Dr. John Webb Lee, continued the School with an enrollment of nearly 80. The Local Board was: A.J. Dean, Chairman; J.M. Austin, Judge J.M. Mathews, F.A. Branch, J.F. Walker, J.E. Fuller, Capt R. Henry Leonard and Col W. A. Daniel. In 1878, LeVert College and Collinsworth Institute merged with Rev. Mclaughlin as President. They moved to the LeVert Campus and used that name. The Collinsworth land was owned in the 1920 by Col John H. McGehee and he had a peach orchard. Nothing remains of the buildings today. -------------------- Resource: pg 115 There was a Land by Judge Robert H. Jordan 1971 Available for purchase Chamber of Commerce Talbotton ======== ======== The Talbotton New Era Thursday, February 18, 1909 Page Six Collinsworth Institute The renovation of the Institute awakens interest in this historic spot and revives associations of the "old, old past." The building is a house of memories, a volume of records. Nearly a century it has stood a monument to the dreams and ambitions of our forefathers. Back from the village street, through an avenue of majestic trees, the chapel loomed invitingly. The old bell, on its primitive belfry chimed the mellow summons at early morning hour, and gentle dismissal at eventide. On each side cottages of two rooms, made comfortable dormitories, and flowers bloomed in luxuriant beauty. Across the grass-covered campus, the students romped with eager joy, or sat 'neath the wide-spreading trees, conning the lesson for the morrow. Every Sabbath a goodly band marched up College Street while all Talbotton looked and admired. They worshipped at the Methodist Church, and there was ever a brighter, more earnest body of young men in town or hamlet, than these Collinsworth students. Those were days when parents were vitally interested in education. At "examination time," they came for miles across country in their rock-a-ways, phaetons and barouches. Friends and neighbors opened wide their hearts and homes in warm-hearted, genuine Southern hospitality. Romance, too, played its tender part and many beautiful love stories could be written, if the past could be written, if the past would only reveal its secrets. Out from its sacred walls these young men went to take their place in Life's great drama. Some have been rulers of men, some leading souls into the path of the infinite, others have gained glory, wealth and power, while many have joined the "choir invisible," but they live again in minds made better by their presence. It would be intensely interesting to receive messages from some of the sons of old Collinsworth and we shall be glad indeed to publish reminiscences of this hallowed institution, whose records are among the things that were, but whose memory is fair and unfading in the hearts of those who gathered knowledge in her vast storehouse. The Talbotton New Era Thursday, March 4, 1909 Page Six To The Editor: Upon reading your article, "Collinsworth Institute" in the New Era, under date of Feb. the 18th, I am reminded of a conversation I had with Mr. Belton Gilreath of Birmingham, Ala. while passing thru that city last Tuesday. Mr. Gilreath, as many of the older citizens of Talbotton will remember, passed his boyhood days there, and was a pupil of Rev. J.T. McLaughlin at Collinsworth Institute. In speaking of old times and associates, Mr. Gilreath referred very feelingly to my cousin George Leonard and our old teacher, Rev. J.T. McLaughlin and asked after Messrs. T.A. and C.W. Kimbrough, Tucker Persons, T.N. Beall and others. He also related an incident when he was a barefooted boy how my cousin Mrs. Eleanor O'Neal did him a kind deed and of it's being so indelibly impressed on his memory. Mr. Gilreath is today one of the foremost men in Alabama, and a leader in educational and philanthropic work. Referring to old Collinsworth Institute, I wish a day could be sent for a general homecoming and reunion of all the old pupils of that institute, and all could be notified that they would be expected to be present. No doubt such an event would not be without some sad features, yet be overshadowed by the pleasure that might be derived. The article in the New Era and my meeting with Mr. Gilreath prompted this letter. With high regard, I am, Sincerely yours, R.D. Leonard Dallas, Ga., Feb. 27, 1909 (transcribed by Carla Miles) ============== ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, PASSED IN MILLEDGEVILLE AT AN ANNUAL SESSION IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1838. ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, PASSED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1838. MANUAL LABOR SCHOOLS. 1838 Vol. 1 -- Page: 152 Sequential Number: 125 Type: AN ACT, Full Title: To incorporate the Manual Labor School, near Talbotton, in the county of Talbot, denominated the Collinsworth Institute. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, That Ignatius A. Few, Samuel K. Hodges, Lovick Pierce, Josiah Flournoy, Seaborn Jones, John Flournoy, Miranda Fort, Barnard Hill, Charles A. Brown, James D. Dismukes, James J. Tooke, and Jacob A. Clements, together with such person as shall be hereinafter specified, be, and they are hereby appointed Trustees for the Manual Labor School, near Talbotton, in the county of Talbot, denominated the Collinsworth Institute. Page: 153 Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Principal Teacher employed in the management of said School, shall be for the time being, ex officio, a member of the Board of Trustees for said Institution. Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the aforesaid Trustees, and their successors in office, shall have power and authority to make such by-laws and regulations as may be necessary for their own government, as a Board of Trustees for said Institution, and for the government of said School: Provided, that such by-laws and regulations be not repugnant to the Constitution and laws of this State. Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said Trustees, and their successors in office, shall be, and are hereby declared to be a body corporate, under the name and style of the Collinsworth Institute, and may use a common seal, and shall be, and are hereby declared to be capable of sueing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, contracting and being contracted with, and of using all means necessary and lawful for securing and defending any money, property, debts, or demands, which do now, or may hereafter belong to said Institution, and for receiving all grants, gifts, bequests, devices, and conveyances of property of any, and all descriptions whatever. Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said Trustees, and their successors in office, shall be entrusted with, and entitled to all manner of property, both real and personal, all donations, grants, gifts, bequests, legacies, privileges, and immunities whatever, which may now belong to said Institution, or may hereafter be made or conveyed to it, and no misnomer of the corporation shall prevent its rights from vesting wherever it appears, or can be ascertained that it was the intention of the party, or parties, to sell, give, bequeath, or devise any property, real, or personal, or any right, or interest to the said corporation. Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the said Trustees, and their successors in office, shall have power to receive, and be entrusted with, as a permanent fund, the donations made by Josiah Flournoy, Esq., of the county of Putnam, of the proceeds which shall arise from the sale of twelve half sections of land lying in the State of Alabama, by Ignatius A. Few, Samuel K. Hodges, Lovick Pierce, Seaborn Jones, Josiah Flournoy, James E. Glenn, and John Flournoy, and their successors, under a deed of trust made to them of the said lands, by the said Josiah Flournoy, in trust, for the sale of the same, and for the appropriation of the entire proceeds of such sale, for a permanent fund for the endowment of said Institution; and the Trustees of the said School, and their successors in office, shall have power to vest said fund in stock, or loan the same on interest, and to appropriate annually the interest, or net annual proceeds arising from said vested fund, to the purposes of defraying the expenses of the education in said Institution of boys in indigent circumstances, and for such other purposes as may be in accordance with the intentions of said donor in said deed of trust expressed; and the Trustees of said School, and their successors in office, shall have power to elect and determine who shall be, from time to time, the recipients of the benefits arising from the interest, or nett annual proceeds of said fund, without regard to the religious faith of the applicant. Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the said Board of Trustees, and their successors in office, may appoint and remove all their officers, and compel them to give bond and security, according to the by-laws of the Institution, and that the said Board of Trustees, and their successors in office, shall have power to remove any member of the Board for a violation of their by-laws: Provided, that no one shall be removed until he is sufficiently indemnified for all liabilities for the payment of money, which he may have incurred as Trustee as aforesaid. Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That in all transactions of said Board of Trustees, and their successors in office, a majority of said Board shall govern, except in the appointment and removal of the Principal Teacher of said Institution, which shall require the concurrence of two-thirds of said Board. Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That when any vacancy shall happen in the six first named Trustees, viz., Ignatius A. Few, Samuel K. Hodges, Lovick Pierce, Josiah Flournoy, Seaborn Jones, and John Flournoy, either by resignation, removal, or otherwise, the Ministers and Preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church composing the Georgia Annual Conference, when in Conference assembled, shall have the privilege of filling such vacancy as may occur in the trust now filled by the said first six named Trustees, so that at all times hereafter, six of the thirteen members of the Board shall hold their office by the appointment of the aforesaid Conference, whose certificate, signed by the President (for the time being) of said Conference, and witnessed by the Secretary thereof, shall be sufficient evidence of such appointment, and that the said Board of Trustees, and their successors in office, shall have the power to fill up the vacancy now by this act occurring, and all such vacancies as may hereafter occur in the seven remaining trusts. JOSEPH DAY, Speaker of the House of Representatives. CHARLES DOUGHERTY, President of the Senate. GEORGE R. GILMER, Governor. Approval Date: Assented to, 29th December, 1838. Source: Galileo Virtual Library www.galileo.uga.edu ======== The Talbotton New Era Thursday, February 18, 1909 Page Six Collinsworth Institute The renovation of the Institute awakens interest in this historic spot and revives associations of the "old, old past." The building is a house of memories, a volume of records. Nearly a century it has stood a monument to the dreams and ambitions of our forefathers. Back from the village street, through an avenue of majestic trees, the chapel loomed invitingly. The old bell, on its primitive belfry chimed the mellow summons at early morning hour, and gentle dismissal at eventide. On each side cottages of two rooms, made comfortable dormitories, and flowers bloomed in luxuriant beauty. Across the grass-covered campus, the students romped with eager joy, or sat 'neath the wide-spreading trees, conning the lesson for the morrow. Every Sabbath a goodly band marched up College Street while all Talbotton looked and admired. They worshipped at the Methodist Church, and there was ever a brighter, more earnest body of young men in town or hamlet, than these Collinsworth students. Those were days when parents were vitally interested in education. At "examination time," they came for miles across country in their rock-a-ways, phaetons and barouches. Friends and neighbors opened wide their hearts and homes in warm-hearted, genuine Southern hospitality. Romance, too, played its tender part and many beautiful love stories could be written, if the past could be written, if the past would only reveal its secrets. Out from its sacred walls these young men went to take their place in Life's great drama. Some have been rulers of men, some leading souls into the path of the infinite, others have gained glory, wealth and power, while many have joined the "choir invisible," but they live again in minds made better by their presence. It would be intensely interesting to receive messages from some of the sons of old Collinsworth and we shall be glad indeed to publish reminiscences of this hallowed institution, whose records are among the things that were, but whose memory is fair and unfading in the hearts of those who gathered knowledge in her vast storehouse. The Talbotton New Era Thursday, March 4, 1909 Page Six To The Editor: Upon reading your article, "Collinsworth Institute" in the New Era, under date of Feb. the 18th, I am reminded of a conversation I had with Mr. Belton Gilreath of Birmingham, Ala. while passing thru that city last Tuesday. Mr. Gilreath, as many of the older citizens of Talbotton will remember, passed his boyhood days there, and was a pupil of Rev. J.T. McLaughlin at Collinsworth Institute. In speaking of old times and associates, Mr. Gilreath referred very feelingly to my cousin George Leonard and our old teacher, Rev. J.T. McLaughlin and asked after Messrs. T.A. and C.W. Kimbrough, Tucker Persons, T.N. Beall and others. He also related an incident when he was a barefooted boy how my cousin Mrs. Eleanor O'Neal did him a kind deed and of it's being so indelibly impressed on his memory. Mr. Gilreath is today one of the foremost men in Alabama, and a leader in educational and philanthropic work. Referring to old Collinsworth Institute, I wish a day could be sent for a general homecoming and reunion of all the old pupils of that institute, and all could be notified that they would be expected to be present. No doubt such an event would not be without some sad features, yet be overshadowed by the pleasure that might be derived. The article in the New Era and my meeting with Mr. Gilreath prompted this letter. With high regard, I am, Sincerely yours, R.D. Leonard Dallas, Ga., Feb. 27, 1909