Teaching School in Buckingham County
Courtesy Library of Virginia
Above is an example of the annual “census” taken of teachers working throughout Virginia in the late 19th century. This one enumerates White teachers in Buckingham County during 1894-1895. The “First Grade” Certificate (far right) was Virginia’s highest classification for a teacher. This Certificate was valid for teaching in any county or city in the state when endorsed by the superintendent of that place. A teacher had to be over 21 to hold one and had to have taught successfully for ten months
Less experienced and/or younger teachers held “Second Grade” Certificates.
Note that Mrs. Julia Moseley’s brother, George Allen Tapscott (1850-1935), was also a school teacher. At one time, Tapscott lived at and helped operate Hatton Ferry. When his first wife died, his daughters, Annie and Julia, went to live with Matt and Julia Moseley.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
If you recognize a teacher, please leave a comment!
Coming next: “Census of Colored Teachers”
slate river ramblings . . . . 
I need to say this more often, Joanne – Thank You! You put so much time. And obviously travel miles into accumulating the research, present your topic in a standard format of an image with 2-3 paragraphs of text that doesn’t overwhelm. What a treasure you are. The Library of Virginia should archive your blog.
1. James Nathan Ayres (1849-1906), son of Mathias Leake Ayres and Martha Rebecca Hanes. He married Ann Virginia Brown. Lived on the Slate River near present day Rt 20.
2. Hannah Laura Winfrey (1870-2935), daughter of CSA vet George Hill Winfrey and Judith Catherine Robertson. She married George McKenna “Jake” Ayres and they lived on present day Rt 721.
3. Alice Walker Norvell (1872-1938), daughter of CSA vet Thomas Benson Norvell and Mary Evalina Miller. She married Nelson Tindall Sr and they operated the store at Centenary.
4. Sydna Brown Steger (1874-1931), daughter of CSA vet John Wesley Steger and Mary Elizabeth Brown. She married James T Snoddy. They lived near the James River, near Fallsburg.
9. Julia Augusta Tapscott Moseley (1852-1936), daughter of CSA vet George Nicholas Tapscott and Ann E Scruggs. She married Mathias Leake Ayres Moseley and they lived at Tucker in the old Jefferson home, Millbrook. The Tucker school and PO were on this property.
18. Susan Eldridge (1865-1942), daughter of John Rolfe Eldridge and Mary Eliza Hanes.
19. Mary Gertrude Norvell (1874-1962), daughter of Thomas Benson Norvell and Mary Evalina Miller. The Norvells owned the land opposite of the Tucker school. She married William Reginald Walker of Richmond.
38. George Allan Tapscott CSA (1850-1935), son of CSA vet George Nicholas Tapscott and Ann E Scruggs. Married first to Mary E Baber, second to Kate Norvell. He grew up in what would become Tucker, and lived just south of Rt 652 on the west side of Sharps Creek Rd. After 1910, he and Kate moved to Hatton.
Great job, Jeremy! Wouldn’t it be great to have a group shot of the Buckingham County Teachers of 1894!
Miss Juliet Scott was one of the Scotts who lived at Donegal. She taught at Axtell Academy, founded by Meta Logan, later Mrs. Hartwell Cabell. I have a picture of her at “A Schoolhouse German.” with several of the Logan girls and others. I’d be glad to share it, but don’t know how to do it.
Sarah, Many thanks for these details about Miss Juliet Scott. If you would send the photo to me, I’ll use it for a follow up post adding more information about Axtell Academy. Send the photo to jlyeck@gmail.com. Joane