The Catalogue of Chatham Academy, 1832-1833

While looking for more Densler information on ancestry.com, I found this little jewel in its entirety.

The 3 Densler children of Frederick and Mary are mentioned and BONUS! William Starr Basinger, written as “Bassinger” which it often is, and gives us a clue as to the correction pronunciation.

CATALOGUE

OF THE

TRUSTEES, INSTRUCTERS AND STUDENTS

OF

CHATHAM ACADEMY,

SAVANNAH, GEO.

FROM NOVEMBER 5TH, 1832, TO MAY 5TH, 1833.

**SAVANNAH:

W. T. WILLIAMS,

1833

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

REV. EDWARD NEUFVILLE, PRESIDENT.

GEORGE GLEN, ESQ. SECRETARY.

WM. THORNE WILLIAMS, ESQ. TREASURER.

RICHARD W. HABERSHAM, ESQ.

DR. wILLIAM C. DANIELL.

BENJAMIN E. STILES, ESQ.

ANTHONY BARCLAY, ESQ.

RICHARD R. CUYLER, ESQ.

HON. WILLIAM LAW.

 

Louisa F. Alexander and Sarah R. Alexander, from Wilkes Co., Washington, Georgia. Louisa married Jeremy Gilmer and Sarah married Alexander Robert Lawton.

William S. Bas(s)inger from Savannah. He would have been about 5 years old.

Sisters Mary W. Densler and Rebecca A. Densler from Savannah, both of whom are mentioned in their mother’s will of 1852. Their brother Edwin W. Densler is noted here, but isn’t mentioned in the will because he died in 1843. There was another young son named William S. Densler who was born and died in 1815. I found him by chance while looking for another William Densler.

RECAPITULATION.

Whole number of Females, 153

Whole number of Males, 84

Total, 237

REMARKS.

It is the intention of the Principals of this Institution, to afford every facility to young ladies and gentlemen for acquiring a thorough and practical education.

The Principals will devote their whole time to the benefit of their pupils, assisted, in the departments of instruction, by competent helps. It is the object of the Trustees to afford every facility, for the successful prosecution of study, and the attainment, in the Female Department, of a good female education; in the Male Department, to prepare young gentlemen for college, or give them as good an education as can be furnished by the best high schools.

The location of the Academy is airy, commanding a delightful prospect. Its apartments are spacious and pleasant, fitted up with convenience and elegance. Maps, Globes, and Chemical and Philosophical Apparatus, will soon be provided.

The pupils are so classes, as to provide for their receiving instruction from several teachers, by way of explanations and illustrations. No pains will be spared to make them understand the studies to which they attend, and to induce in them the habit of thinking for themselves. A course of Chemical lectures will be delivered during the next fall and winter terms, by one of the teachers. It is very desirable that those, who enter the school, be present at the commencement of the term.

This city, in the healthfulness of its situation, in the moral and religious character of its citizens, and its easy communication with almost every part of the State, particularly of the low country, holds out many inducements to parents, who wish to send their sons and daughters abroad for instruction.

Tuition in the Primary Department, per term of 12 weeks — $6 00

Do. in the Junior do. — 8 00

Do. in the Senior do. — 10 00

Do. for the Classics, — 12 50

Do. in addition to any of the above English Studies, for the Classics, Mathematics, &c. — 2 50

Do. in the French Department, — 8 00

I haven’t found much information online as to when the Chatham Academy began. I’ll poke around some more and if/when I find out more, I’ll add that here.

FlowerFest 2016: On To Bonaventure

Annnnd our yearly hello to Dr. and Mrs. Tucker. Dr. Tucker christened Sugar at Christ Church years ago. 

Dr. and Mrs. Tucker are buried in the same lot as Albert Sidney Lawton. We don’t know the connection. 

I have no clue where the minister who christened me is buried. Now, that is devotion on Sugar’s part. 

Albert Sidney Lawton and his wife Tayloe Corbin Lawton.

Further along, we stop at the Basinger plot, which is across from the Starr plot. 

Y’all know these people. I’ve written about them every year, plus there are all the Civil War letters that William Starr Basinger wrote home to Savannah. 


Across the lane are the older generations of the Basinger family: the Starrs, more Basingers, and Anne Pearson who married William Starr. (Her sister “Polly” Densler is buried in Laurel Grove.) Connections surround us. 

See the “caution” tape along the left rear of the photo? The tape marks out hurricane damage still in evidence.

Our last stop at Bonaventure is the final resting place of Alexander Robert Lawton, his wife Sarah, and their descendants. 

A popular monument is Corinne Elliott Lawton. I talked, months ago, to a tour guide over the phone about some of the false stories that are still being told about these families. When I mentioned that Sugar and I feel like we have a special connection to this family, and that we’ve placed flowers for close to a decade, she said that she had wondered who was doing that. 

There’s an enormous old Sago palm which almost prevents my obtaining a photo. 

FlowerFesting is hard work. Pilgrims need food and drink. So off to The Distillery. 

We’re done for the day, but we are not done with the FlowerFest. There’s still more to be done in Robertville, which will have to happen the following week…

Wrapping Up Dahlonega: the CamScanner

(I started writing this post on the iPhone a week ago, but stepped away, mid-post, to get a cup of tea, and the cats pressed “POST”. I figured out how to delete it.)

Almost 2 years ago we were on a pilgrimage to Dahlonega, where Sugar’s great-grandfather was the 2nd president of the North Georgia College. We located the site of their home, after we got home and looked over our research.

*****

I’ve learned about a handy app called a CamScanner. You install a scanner on your phone, and you can edit your photos that you take with the CamScanner feature.

I found the walking tour brochure for the neighborhood where the family of William Starr Basinger lived, and I camscanned it and highlighted the two lots where they lived.

So there’s the contents of the brochure. I went back to the map of the neighborhood, and outlined the lots where the Basinger house was. Keep in mind, the actual image of the lot is smaller than the size of  a postage stamp and I’m drawing with my little finger because I don’t have a stylus thingy. The lots front Water Street.

Plus it’s my first attempt and there’s a learning curve. Overall, I’m pleased. Now the lot location is out there on the big internet!

 

FlowerFest: a Visit at the Starr Plot

Sugar and I drove on over to the Starr plot. It’s almost overgrown, but in a good way. The azaleas were getting big again. 

   

A vine with colorful berries twined its way through the azalea by Adeline’s marker, just to the left inside of the plot.

   
Ann Pearson Starr and William Lightfood Starr are to the right. She is the sister of Mary “Polly” Pearson Densler. We stopped first at the Densler plot in Laurel Grove. 

Here’s Jane Susan Starr Basinger. 

   
To Jane’s left is her only daughter, Elizabeth “Georgia” Basinger, who wrote the statement of Sherman’s occupation of Savannah. 

    
  
We walk across the lane to the Basinger plot. I stop to look back and can just make out the spot of red poinsettia. 

  
It’s a beautiful day. Sixty-six degrees, no wind, no rain, and the sun is shining. 

FlowerFest 2015: Off to the Cemetery

  
It’s that time of year again! We started in 2009, and now we’re up to 10 poinsettias for 10 plots. 

  

Once again there are excellent poinsettias the Publix grocery store.   

  
The cashier asked him if we were decorating a hall. He said no, we’re going to the cemetery. She melted slightly and told him that was sweet. I didn’t tell her his name is Sugar.

  
And we’re off to Savannah!

The Gold Mine in the Closet: A Basinger Boy

But which one?

Garnett, Will, Walter, or Tom?

Back to the Gold Mine in the Closet: Unidentified Location in Europe

Sugar’s mother was born in Geneva, Switzerland.

There’s a small collection of photos taken in the same general setting, probably prior to Sugar’s mother’s birth. But where are they taken?

 

 

 

Edward is the boy in the sailor suit. He was born about 1904, so if he is 10, then Sugar’s mother would be about 1, so this could be Switzerland.

Any thoughts?

The Gold Mine in the Closet: Louis F. Garrard & the Georgia General Assembly’s Biographical Sketch

While in the gold mine in the closet, this page was also in the envelope that contained the crumbling pages from the State of Georgia’s General Assembly. You perhaps read the post from yesterday about William Starr Basinger.

Basinger had two daughters, Margaret and Mary “Leslie”.  Leslie married Edward Percival Lawton, who was a first cousin to Corinne Elliott Lawton, the daughter of Basinger’s law partner, Alexander Robert Lawton.  It was Corinne’s life and death that stirred so much ado on this blog, because her life and death has been misreported by “storyists” who give tours in Savannah, Georgia. The true story was found when I found her mother’s diary in the Georgia Historical Society’s collection, donated by Sarah Alexander Cunningham.

Hey, Corinne, I’ve got your back.

All these families are tied together through life, work, marriage, and community.

Leslie’s oldest daughter Margaret married William Garrard, a relation of Louis F. Garrard. I suppose that’s why this page was saved. Everyone knew everyone. If we digress even more, I believe that Basinger passed the Bateson Toy Shop on Drayton on his way to and from work.

Here’s the Honorable Louis F. Garrard…

HON. LOUIS F. GARRARD.

(MUSCOGEE COUNTY)

Mr. GARRARD was born November 25, 1847, at Columbus.

His father, Mr. W. W. Garrard, was one of the leading citi-

zens of his city and State.  His mother’s maiden name was

Urquhart.  Louis F. Garrard was a member of the Alabama Corps of

Cadets at the outbreak of the war; at the age of sixteen was trans-

ferred to the Nelson Rangers, which acted as escort to General Ste-

phen D. Lee.  At the battle of Nashville, for gallantry on the battle-

field, he received a flattering recommendation from General Lee, secur-

ing for him a commission in the Regular Army of the Confederate

States, to take effect upon the close of hostilities.

Since the war he has been prominent as a citizen of Muscogee

county, serving as one of the Commissioners of the county, and, by

his marked financial ability, has the entire confidence of the whole

community.  After a service of four years in this capacity, he received

a unanimous re-election.  He was put forward by the people as a can-

didate for legislative honors, and, in the election, led the ticket.

In the house, Mr. Garrard is a member of the Committee on Fi-

nance.  He is the author of the celebrated Garrard bond bill, which

has elicited wide-spread discussion and most favorable comment from

men of distinguished financial ability throughout the State.  This bill

is an original idea with Mr. Garrard, and stamps him as a deep thinker

upon financial subjects.  He is looked upon as one of the rising finan-

ciers of the country.

Mr. Garrard is a member of the legal profession, and enjoys a lucra-

tive practice.  He was a member of the House in 1878, 1879 and was

again elected in 1880.

 

The Gold Mine in the Closet: The Twins

Sugar is a twin.

I’ll bet that was a surprise in 1947. The story goes is that they weren’t expecting twins.

Sugar is the younger of the two, and had to stay behind at the hospital for a bit until he caught up.

(Added January 5, 2015)

These next photos were taken at 122 East Taylor Street in Savannah, Georgia. We’re guessing that the boys were christened that day. We know that Dr. Tucker christened them at Christ Church. The reasons we think it is Christening Day are these: the boys are two months old, they are wearing white, their dad is wearing a tie, and they are gathered in the garden at their grandmother Mary “Leslie” Basinger Lawton’s house.

Sugar’s mother holds him on the left, and her sister Margaret holds his brother.

Sugar thinks that this is a photo of him and his grandmother because his mouth is open. He said that he was told that he cried a lot. I pointed out that this baby is yawning, not crying.

The crying baby is probably Sugar.

 

The grumpy baby is probably Sugar. (Added 1/3/2015)

 

(Added 1/9/15)

 

(Added 1/9/15)

 

Sugar’s mother is sitting on the left with one of the boys on her lap. Her mother is standing in the middle with the other twin. Her sister Margaret is to the right with Gumpy the dog.

(Added 2/15/2015)

 

Easter at the house on Duffy Street.

 

(Added 1/9/2015)

 

Sugar said that someone went around their neighborhood with a pony and took photos. This is taken at the house on Duffy Street, and his mother is standing on the porch.

 

 

 

Charles Morton Strahan married the twins’ grandmother’s sister. He was a professor at the University of Georgia in Athens, and he and his wife Mag had a mountain house. The twins and their parents would vacation at the mountain house in North Georgia, and would recall many happy times there.

 

In North Georgia at the Strahan house. (Added 1/9/2015)

 

 

 

 

There was a place near the mountain house called Darling Springs. That’s where they kept their perishables, like milk, butter, eggs, and cheese. I can’t imagine having walk down the road to the refrigerator. (Added 2/18/2015)

 

 

Sugar is probably the one on the left. He thinks this photo was made behind their house on the marsh. (Added 1/3/2015)

Are there more twin photos in the gold mine in the closet?  Probably not, but if there are, we’ll find them.

The Gold Mine in the Closet: The Lawton Children

Edward Percival Lawton and Mary “Leslie” Basinger Lawton had 7 children.  One child, Helen, died young while they were living overseas.

First, 4 girls were born, then 2 boys, then the youngest was Sugar’s mother.

Margaret, Emily, and Leslie.

 

Left to right: Emily, Margaret, and Leslie.

The girls: Emily, Margaret, and Leslie. The boys: William and Edward.

The youngest child, Mary Genevieve “Genette”, lived for a time with her brother Edward, who was employed by the Department of State.  She received an invitation to attend an event at the White House in 1935.

 

Edward attended a school in Virginia, and Sugar found a school photo.  I’ve circled Edward in the photo.

 

Edward and William with their mother Mary “Leslie” Basinger Lawton, about 1910 in Switzerland.

Mary “Leslie” Basinger Lawton, with her two sons, William and Edward, and an unidentified daughter with the dog. This is taken at their Topside Plantation in Puerto Rico.

Edward Jr. went to West Point and graduated.  He had a military career, like his father.  At one point he was with the Department of State in Washington, D.C., perhaps around the early 1930’s.

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

WASHINGTON

November 2

Dearest Mother,

I have been lax about writing you,

but you have doubtless heard from both Betsy & Ge-

nette.  We have been very busy – I in the office &

Betsy with her mother.  Mr. Rounds comes tonight &

they both return to N.Y. Sunday.  Betsy will pro-

bably go down to N.Y. later in the month for a few

days.  Perhaps I will be able to get away at

Thanksgiving & go too.

No further news about my future movement.

I suppose I won’t know until it is about time to

leave.

Mrs. R. took us and Genette to a concert last

night at the Constitution Hall, & G. seemed thrilled.

Apparently she is having much work but little play,

with a congenial room-mate in the same fix.  We

have tried to broaden her circle, but know too few

people her age to be of much use.  She looks better

and her complexion has improved.  I received your

ten dollar check & gave her the proceeds.  G.

& her room-mate sit at a small table with Mr.

Ritchie which seems to please all of them.

Verne has a friend at his boarding-house

named Sears Garnett from Virginia, somewhere

near Norfolk.  Very nice.  He is a nephew of a

prominent local attorney named Leslie Garnett

— cousins, I suppose.  Verne & his friend &

Betsy and I went to Princeton to a football game

last Saturday.  As we were invited we could

not talk Genette.

Must close & get this off,

Love to all,

Edw.

*****

So many stories, so little time.