History of Holly
Springs School
As the years go by we like to look back and compare the past
history of our school with that of the present and note the changes that have
been made in educational lines in our community.
In 1859, Amon Overton, L.A. McGlohon, Levi Davis, Jackson
Hare and William Perry organized a school at Sallie Archer’s Cross Roads, now
Cofield, and employed Joe Clark to teach the first term.
On account of the civil war, there was not school here from
1860 to 1869, when the school was reorganized by George Brown. He served as
teacher until 1871, when he was succeeded by William Spruill, who was followed
by Selwin Harrell in 1873. J.A. Hare, son of Jackson Hare, taught 1874-75; he
was succeeded by J.G. Joyner, who taught 1876-78. In 1879 Thomas Neill taught.
His successor was J.B. Harrell.
In 1881 the school was moved from Sallie Archer’s Cross
Roads to the present site, and the first Holly Springs School House was
erected. The building was 16 by 16 feet, and was built up and down of undressed
lumber. The equipment consisted of homemade benches and one desk the whole
length of the room. All the benches were the same height and we can picture to
ourselves the little children who sat with their feet dangling in the air
before a hot lightwood fire which burned in an old time iron stove. In that day
all the wood was brought directly from the woods by the pupils.
J.B. Harrell remained one year after the building was
erected and no doubt was very proud of this building and its equipment.
Miss Mollie Parker, the first woman, succeeded Mr. Harrell
in 1872.
This school grew rapidly and in 1883 the building was found
to be inadequate, thus it was lengthened six feet and ceiled over head,
although there were still no inside walls.
R.J. Hoggard was then employed to teach the following term,
and was no doubt inspired by having had what was then considered a well
equipped school in that day. It has been said that his faithful work, patience,
and good example are always worthy of mention in connection with this school.
And the school was creditable to the community in that day.
From 1884-1911, the following teachers served their terms:
J.G. Joyner, S.S. Hare, Miss Mamie Barkley, Miss Cora Hare,
Miss Alice Owen, Miss Irma Brown, iss Kate Hal, Miss Mary Tinkham, Mr. Bingham
Copeland, Miss Rosa Baker, Miss Bettie McGlohon, Miss Harriette Vann, Miss
Janie Banks.
Credit is due Miss Vann for having established the present
school library.
During these 27 years, many changes took place in the
community, and with only a four months school term, parents felt the need of
better educational facilities for their children than they had been given. Thus
many families moved from the community; other sent their children to better
schools, paying tuition.
Guided by the instruction of T.E. Brown, then County
Superintendent, and supported by B.G. Williams, J.H. Askew, on one rainy day in
1910, visited the home of each patron in Holly Springs School District with a
petition to the county commissioners that this be made a special tax district.
Everyone became very much interested and every freeholder except two signed
this petition. The election was carried in the spring of 1911.
Mrs. H.F. Brinson was employed to teach the first
eight-month term.
The community seemed to take on new life and went to work
with renewed energy. Two and one-half acres of ground, on the opposite side of
the road, was purchased from the estate of the late J.W. Perry.
In 1912 a
modern two-room building was erected on this site in a thick woods. A graded
school was established and two teachers were employed for the nest term: Miss
Mary Thomas, Principal, and Miss Minnie Brinson, assistant.
During the first three years patent desks and teacher’s
chairs were put in each room, pictures were put upon the walls, an organ was
purchased by the school and a supplementary library was added to the original
one.
In 1915 the building was painted inside and out, blinds were
put on and the house was bricked in between the underpinning. These
improvements added much to the appearance of the building. Since then
waste-paper baskets, new stoves, new pictures, a large globe, a case of small
maps and more blackboards have been added to the equipment.
Miss Brinson was compelled to give up her work on 1915 on
account of ill health. Since that time this work has been continued by Miss
Georgia Piland.
Miss Williams has remained principal during the whole
history of the graded school. She has meant much to our community and it is to her
that the patrons are greatly indebted for the present home-like school rooms
and the splendid progress that has been made. It is to be remembered that a
great deal of the equipment was purchased with money Miss Williams raised by
giving entertainments.
While Miss Williams and her assistants have tried to do
faithful work, it is not upon them alone that success has depended. The hearty
co-operation of the committeemen, patrons and teachers has been the chief
factor in the progress that has been made. The spirit they manifest is that
they are ever ready to support their teachers in the right and to take
advantage of every opportunity for making their school and community better.
On many occasions, the committeemen and patrons have given
not only their support but their labor. When the Hertford County Commencement
was held it seemed a pleasure to aid in contributing and arranging for the
exhibit given by our school. In 1916, there was no County Commencement, so a
community commencement was given at the school. The community took quite an
active part in this and gave an exhibit of antiques. The same spirit of
interest and helpfulness was exhibited when Holly Springs took part in the
County Fair. For several years a Community Service Day has been observed. On
that day men and women come prepared to clean up the school grounds. Picnic
dinners are served and speeches are some times made by our County
Superintendent and speakers from other parts of the state when the day’s work
has ended.
n the Community Service Day in 1917, the patrons gave 14
pecan trees to the school. Since then two acres of the ground have been
enclosed and these trees put out in this lot. It is the plan to clear and
prepare the remainder of this lot for a school garden.
In 1918 the bell was given the school by the patrons.
While this school has not had an organized Betterment
Association, the mothers have especially been brought in close contact with the
school thru other organizations.
During the fall of 1917, a Red Cross Branch was organized
with 45 members. During the year, these meetings have been held at the school
building. The amount raised by this branch is $181.03.
The children organized a War Savings Society. Through this
organization $3,621 worth of War Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps have been
purchased.
The children and teachers in 1918 picked the cotton from a
patch near the school building. Roland Hill, to whom the cotton belonged, gave
one-half of it to the school. H.C. Holoman paid 10 cents per pound for this
when the market price for cotton was only nine cents on that day. With this
money five W.S.S. were purchased and the patrons donated another. Therefore,
$31 in the above mentioned sum belongs directly to the school.
Then came the United War Service campaign. To this cause
$200 was given by the community, and $25.45 was given directly to the school.
When Hertford County secured a Farm and Home Demonstrator,
our community at once became interested in their work.
There are four members of the Canning Club and a Home
Economics Club with 34 members has been organized. Their meetings are often
held at the school building. Through the efforts of Miss Swindell, our Home
Demonstration Agent, hot lunches have been put in our school. A large vessel
for making soup has been given by the Home Economics Club.
There are 10 pig, poultry, corn and cotton club members
combined. Johnnie Askew of the Pig club members won the prize given Hertford
County by the State. Brantley Jeffreys, age 13, a member of the corn club, won
first prize on his corn and became the champion corn grower of Hertford County
in 1918. He cleared $126 on one acre, not including prize money.
These clubs have meant much to the community and one hears
the farm and home demonstration work spoken of in the highest terms.
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