Having gained the designation as "the College City" due to being the birthplace of six colleges, Marion had benefited from the presences of a number of outstanding educators who came to the various schools and added to the rich heritage of the community and influence the lives of many students. One such educator served also to become a pioneer in America female higher education: Priscilla Maxwell.
Born in Charlemont, Massachusetts, in 1815, Priscilla attended Ipswich Female Seminary for her college education. Upon graduation in 1838, and upon the urging of her mentor, Zilpha Banister, to teach in Alabama, she joined the faculty of the Marion Female Seminary. She gained the respect of her students, peers, and superiors and was elected to take over the leadership of the Seminary in 1841, making her one of the first female college presidents in the country. In the same year, the Seminary received the authority to grant diplomas by the Alabama State Legislature, and it awarded the first diploma in 1842, Her leadership was well appreciated by the Board of Trustees and the Editor of the local newspaper, W. A. Townes, who also served as Chairman of the Board and wrote a history of Marion in 1845.
In 1844, Miss Maxwell married a local gentleman, Edward Upson, and subsequently they moved to Eutaw, Alabama, where she helped organize the Mesopotamia Female Seminary. Her sister, Kate, came from Massachusetts to help teach. Two of Priscilla's children, Edwin and Florence, were born in Eutaw. While she was able to build a flourishing female academy, her health began to fail and she was compelled to relinquish her position after four years. Fortunately, after a short period, her health improved and she took charge of starting another female academy in Camden, Alabama.
Priscilla became the "founder and president" of the Wilcox Female Seminary in the fall of 1850. She was able to bring her sister with her to teach, and to hire her former student from the Marion Female Seminary, Mrs. Sarah McReynolds. According to the Camden Phenix, March 25, 1851, "the success of this school can be accounted for...one hundred and twenty young ladies have entered as students since the 16th day of September last." The newspaper also referred to the school as "Mrs. Upton's School." Her third child, Kate, was born on February 22, 1851.
Unfortunately, heath issues arose again and she soon had to give up her "favorite pursuit." She moved with her husband to Mobile. In 1855, while visiting her parents in Massachusetts, Priscilla died at her childhood home at the age of 40. The most prominent traits of her character were, as stated in Fagan's History of Marion (1907), "an iron will, energy, firmness and decision." Her legacy continued through her daughter, Kate, who became a noted writer, editor, teacher, and a trustee of Wheaton College.
-Dr. Paul G. Reitzer
Perry County Historical & Preservation Society
No comments:
Post a Comment