Lynchburg Virginian, July 5, 1852
HIGGINBOTHAM ACADEMY
AMHERST COURT HOUSE, VA--The exercises of this Institution which is now so rapidly rising in public estimation, were closed on the 24th inst. by a public exhibition in the presence of a large number of Ladies and Gentlemen assembled to witness that and the Masonic celebration of the day by Clinton Lodge, No. 73. Capt. John Thompson with characteristic liberality had procured and presented to the Board of Trustees a number of valuable medals, among which were a gold and silver medal for each of the Departments of the School; and the Board had appointed a committee of gentlemen who were personally disinterested, to award them. The committee attended the public examination of the various classes at the Academy during the two days proceeding the 24th, and it affords them pleasure to state that the proficiency and the general deportment of the pupils reflect the highest credit upon the accomplished and distinguished Principal, Mr. Ro. W. Watts and his Assistant.
After the scholastic exercises were concluded, and the officers of the Lodge were installed, the crowded audience was entertained by a chaste, forcible and eloquent address upon the subject of Masonry, by Col. W. Dillard - at the conclusion of which, the Lodge, together with a number of visiting brethren from other Lodges, and the teachers and pupils of the Institution, repaired in procession, accompanied by the "Saunders Brass Band" to the Academy grounds, where an ample collation had been provided for the occasion.
A large number of the pupils to whom medals were not awarded, gave evidences of decided improvement in scholarship, and the committee received assurance from their teachers of the most exemplary deportment. To these were assigned appropriate marks of distinction in their separate classes, and it is due to them and to the committee to add that in many instances it was most difficult to decide upon their claims to higher honors.
_______________________
FEMALE DEPARTMENT
To Miss Ann D. Quarles, for general scholarship and excellence in all her classes and exemplary deportment, a gold medal.
To Miss Jane C. Pleasants, a silver medal as a distinguished mark of merit.
To Miss Ella Garland, a Book by the Principal for the best original Composition.
To Miss Jane C. Pleasants, a Book by Miss Virginia Wyatt for the best performance in music.
To each of the following young Ladies, embracing both the senior and junior classes, medals were awarded:
Miss Martha Claiborne Miss Nannie Rose
" Caroline Pettyjohn " Victoria Woodruff
" Sallie W. Wiatt " Fanny Scruggs
" Jane Garland " Molly Brown
" Louise Stonffer " Molly Brown
" Emma Tapacott " Cornelia Brown
" Fanny Ogden
Distinguished - Miss Jane Read Oliver Tinsley, Sarah Proffit, and Sallie Brown.
_______________________
MALE DEPARTMENT
To James Powell Garland, a Gold medal for general scholarship and standing in all his classes and for exemplary deportment.
To Adolphus Petticolas, a silver medal, as a distinguished mark of merit.
To Harod B. Christian, a Book by the Principal.
To Thos. Boyd, a fine Bible by the Principal, for the best Declamation.
And each of the following young Gentlemen in the senior and junior classes, medals were also awarded:
Joseph Pettyjohn John Carter
Hiram Pierce John Thompson
Jno. E. McDaniel Henry Higginbotham
David S. Garland J. Thompson Brown
James M. Daniel Jno. W. Brown
John Tapercott
Distinguished - Jesse M. Pettyjohn, William Daniel, John White, James Boyers, Arthur Coleman and Joseph Higginbotham
ONE OF THE COMMITTEE
Amherst, June 30th.
Republican copy.