November 10, 1793 — to Dr. Jacob Hall

Jacob Hall was at Abingdon, Maryland, where Cokesbury College was. He was president. Asbury was traveling near Hampden- Sydney College in Virginia, and evidently thought of Cokesbury and was prompted to write this letter.

PRINCE EDWARD, VIRGINIA

November 10, 1793

[TO DR. JACOB HALL]

My very dear Friend and Brother:

I trust Cokesbury will yet live before the LORD. I am informed Hampden and Sydney College¹ hath but about 30 scholars, two teachers and no sources but what are gained by education. I shall be obliged to you to lead on Bless [?], Gibbs, and McClasky into learning and teaching. I see great prospects of schools. It is worth while to educate here, when a private priest can gain 8 pounds Virginia money per year for education, and the planters board at 12 pounds. I could employ the boys when we could have a steady serious local preacher to oversee the schools.

I shall be very willing to hear from you in March at Holston at the post-office in Abingdon, [Va.]. Altho’ I should take it as a singular favour to hear from you at Charleston, [S.C.], in February. If you will do me the favor to write very freely on the plan of education and the number of scholars; and anything you judge for the good of the house. I wish Brother Everett² could purchase that house of onions³ for a kitchen. I trust we shall pay our way quarterly and gain more employment. I am resolved to have peace in the family and whether they are men or boys, they must turn out if they disturb the family, preacher or teachers. Where presiding order prevails, God dwells. I think great care should be taken to ground those boys (that shall come to teach) well in English Grammar, arithmatick and mathematicks. Do tell me my dear friend if you think it will answer any valuable end for me to call in June. I could ride 40 or 50 miles out of my way to serve you. Write with the greatest freedom, and suggest anything you think would be for the advantage of the college. I am with great respect,

YOURS, F. ASBURY

Drew University Library