|  Historic
Murfreesboro was once referred to as “the Athens
of the South.” In order to fittingly fulfill
this description, education needed to be prominent
on the roster. In the late 1800s there were two major
female institutions located in the town – Wesleyan
Female Institute (Methodist) and Chowan Female Institute
(Baptist).
In the spring of 1811, this recently
constructed building became the home of the Hertford
Academy where Rev. Jonathan Otis Freeman taught reading,
spelling, arithmetic, Latin, Greek, geography, English
grammar, natural philosophy, logic, and the use of
gloves.
Around 1825, Harriet Sketchley (Mrs.
James Banks) purchased the building as a school for
young ladies, and in 1848 it was acquired for the
Chowan Female Institute which later became Chowan
College. In 1855, Chowan sold it to Albert G. Jones,
who remodeled it into a residence. In 1983, the Hertford
Academy was donated to the Murfreesboro Historical
Association by the Murfreesboro Federated Woman's
Club. The Hertford Academy is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places.
“Murfreesboro
is both old and new; but there is nothing old here
– that is, too old – not even the well-preserved
vineclad colonial homes. There is nothing new that
is too new, not even the artesian well. There is a
blending – a beautiful blending – a blending
of tradition and trade – a blending of history
and hustle – a blending of colonial coronets
and caramels – a blending of slavery days and
sulky plows – Chowan country, rich and fertile,
venerable, honorable, healthful and happy.”
– taken from the May 17,
1906, address by Lieutenant Governor Francis D. Winston
at the 58th Commencement of Chowan Baptist Female
Institute.
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