MAURY COUNTY TENNESSEE

COLUMBIA FEMALE CONFERENCE COLLEGE SCHOOL HISTORY

COLUMBIA FEMALE SEMINARY The Columbia Female Seminary, operated by the Methodist Episcopal Church, was advertising for pupils in "The Columbia Beacon" of February 5, 1847. The exercises were to be resumed the first Monday in February, in the "New Building, erected for that purpose." (Editor's Note: This building was very likely the building known as Corinthian Ha1l, which served as a hospital for both armies during the War Between The States. Following the war the school was purchased by the Smith Brothers who operated a male high school there. It was purchased by the City of Columbia and was long known as the Andrews School. It was abandoned several years ago and is now used for storage by the county education department, and is fast falling into a state of decay, For an excellent picture of this building see "Footprints In Stone", by Jill K. Garrett and Jesse Foreman.)

The Rev. Philip P. Neely was president of the Seminary as early as 1846. Rev. J.O. Church and Charles Le Compte De Miolis were members of the staff. This school was the forerunner of Columbia Conference College. Among the courses offered in 1847 were modern and ancient languages, drawing and embroidery, etc., and music, including piano. Board, including everything per session was $40.00. J. O. Church made a trust deed to Thomas J. Kelly on April 10, 1861, for the property known as Columbia Conference Female College. Church and J. M. Harwell were dissolving partnership at that time. Among the personal property of the College listed were 50 feather beds, 100 pillows, 25 wash stands, 2 harps, 13 pianos, 3 guitar, 118 chairs, 4 settees, 1 sofa, 9 parlor chairs, 1 easy chair, a library of 970 volumes, 8 poplar dining tables, 115 dining room stools. 200 plates, 1 buggy, 1 barouche, 1 horse cart, 2 horses and 1 sewing machine. (This deed was recorded in the Office of Maury Co., Tenn, Register, Volume II, Book N, pages 497-498.). Source was: Volume 6, 1970, Historic Maury, Maury County Historical Society Quarterly, Page 79 had this extract. I am uncertain of the Editor or original source, WA 12/25/2001]

Below is a diploma presented to Miss Mollie M. Sneed during 1858 for a degree in "Mistress of Arts". Notice the school name is Tennessee Conference Female College. The original was sent in by Jenny Calvin 11-16-2005.

Below is Jenny's transcription of the above Diploma:

Tennessee Conference Female College

IN THE TOWN OF COLUMBIA

COUNTY OF MAURY STATE OF TENNESSEE

TO ALL AND EACH INTERESTED IN THIS DIPLOMA,

GREETING:

This is to Certify, that Miss MOLLIE M. SNEED, a Pupil in this Institution, having passed an examination in the Departments of Natural, Mental, Moral, and Mathematical Science, together with the entire course of English Literature, satisfactorily to the Board of Trustees, and to the Reverend Visiting Committee of the Tennessee Annual Conference, is, upon recommendations of the Faculty, entitled to the Degree of Mistress of Arts.

Given this twenty-third day of June, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-Eight, by virtue of the Charter granted by the Legislature of Tennessee.

Jenny Calvin

Below are two letters Jenny also transcribed for us and sent in. They are between two young ladies of the time which yields to us insight into their mindset. They are quite fascinating.

March the 19^th 1857

Dear Sister Mollie,

As Jim is going out to see Eliza, we think it’s a good opportunity for you to come home as it is doubtful whether brother Bob will get home soon or not. We also think that there will be no impropriety in your comeing [sic] with Jim if Eliza does not come. I mention this thinking that perhaps you might hesitate in comeing [sic]. Sue is very anxious to see you, she has gone up to spend the evening with Mat Reams & Sallie Dorch. All of the family are up but not very well. I am as well as common. If it is convenient, I wish you would find out how the girls intend having their examination dresses made so we will know how to make yours. If Mr. Church is not willing for you to come tell him that you got word from home to let you come. Give my love Miss Mollie & Eliza. I will send your shawl and if it is cold you will need it.

From Your affectionate Sister

Cornelia M. Sneed

Miss Mollie M. Sneed

College Hill

March 8^th / 1859

Miss Mollie Sneed

Dear Mollie

Alone in my own quiet room, with naught save the howling winds of bleak March to disturb the deep joy that pervades my soul, seeming to whisper of happiness fled, I attempt once more to write you; but being wearied with the various perplexities of school girl’s life (which you know to be many), I fear I will fail to interest you even in the slightest degree. However, I’ll make an attempt. You spoke of enjoying Christmas. I guess not so much as I. Oh! You just ought to have been here to help us play Christmas tricks on the boys. We took an apple and divided it into five parts and sent it to five gentlemen; but I tell you they made us feel cheap in return tho (as no doubt they felt). They sent, in return for that delicious apple, a ginger-cake as large as a common sized table. Now was’nt [sic] that nice; but they caped [sic] the climax by decorating it with green ribbon. I tell you we felt sheepish.

Good night Mollie, I’ll finish in the morning. Columbia is now in a considerable degree of excitement in reference to two runaway matches from the Athenaeum. About three weeks ago one of them married and last Monday night the other married. Now don’t you think that the Rector better watch his girls better? Father says he intends to look after his girls better hereafter, for fear some of them will take such foolish notions in their heads.

Mollie, I see quite an easy time this session. I study only Latin and French, devoting the greater part of my time to Music. We have an excellent Prof. of Music this session. Every person is delighted with him; but yields [sic] sometimes to terrible passions. About two months previous we gave two concerts under his instruction. Admission was 50 cents and the proceeds were given to Fire Companies No 1 and 2 of Columbia. If you are proud of your Alma Mater, ‘twould have made your very soul proud to have read the numberless puffs we received in each paper.

You remember my old sweet-heart don’t you __J __H __J. Well we had a falling out June and at the fare [sic] we met and never spoke a single word. Then soon after he went to Texas and is there now. He remarked to some one before he left, that he wished he could see me and explain his conduct, but I assure you I desired no such interview and he has gone with my most bitter hatred. Don’t say anything about for my sake.

Miss Mollie Clark teaches now in the place of Miss Pollie. She is so dignified, that she does’nt [sic] seem like Mollie that joined us once in our mirth last session. However I think a good deal of her __ Mollie, please tell me that you mentioned in your letter, will you? I never will breathe it. Now please. But I expect I can guess any way.

Wishing you all the enjoyment earth can afford. I now bid you a kind adieu. All join in love to good Mollie.

I am as ever your true friend

Fannie Church

P.S.

That black paint is made out off [sic] Lamp Black, Varnish and Turpentine. I don’t know the exact quantity of each.

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