Background: George Jayne was a student at Fergusonville Academy in Fergusonville, NY.  Many of the students at the academy came from the New York City area.  It was thought that the isolation of Fergusonville would protect the children from corrupting influences such as drinking and gambling. George Jayne's family lived in Orange, NJ. 

Monday March 22nd 1858

Dear Charlotte

When I sat down I did not quite know who to write to, but after a little while I thought that I would write to you. I was quite luck last week in getting three letters.

I intended to write to you before but I wanted to write to Frank in the same envelope and I wanted to tell him when to expect me and Mr Oliver did not find out which way we were going till yesterday’s (Sundays) mail.

Mr Andrew Oliver went to New York on last Tuesday and the Principal got a letter from him Saturday but nothing was said about the way we were to return so the letter writing has been postponed from Saturday till Monday to-day.

Friday was examination day there was no committee present but all the teachers and students.

In the morning there were all the Arithmetic classes examined (4 in no.) and in the afternoon the primary scholars and two Algebra classes.

The studies in which the primary were examined were Arithmetic, Reading and Spelling and Geography.

The catalogues came Friday morning we have been expecting them to come and Friday they did come. Mr Oliver sent one home and I sent one to Grandfather.

Give my love to all.
From your aff. brother George.

Courtesy of the Davenport Historical Association, Davenport, NY, 13750. Over 500 letters from the Ferguson and Jayne families, most dating from the mid-nineteenth century, are available from the Davenport Historical Association in The Ferguson-Jayne Papers, 1826 - 1938, edited by Mary S. Briggs. Transcribed for this web site by Margaret Monaco. All misspellings have been carefully preserved.