A Brief History of the Female Harmony Society
This group was founded in the year 1814 under the name “Female Praying Society.” Members met in each others homes for the “simple but solemn exercises in prayer.”
As the Society grew in numbers there was a strong feeling that members should be helpful to “those who were without.” So it was that in October 1814, the first Sabbath School in Wilmington was organized, with 23 children in attendance. They were so “lacking in the first rudiments of learning” that the allotted time on Sunday was found to be insufficient. It was therefore proposed that a day school be opened.
This idea seemed purely visionary, but despite the fact that the period was one of financial difficulty, the faith of these women was upheld. Gifts were beyond expectation and the first free day school for poor children was opened, on April 1, 1815. Because of the new responsibilities assumed, a Constitution was drawn up and adopted, and by 1817, in the name of the Female Harmony Society, the Legislature of the State of Delaware was petitioned for an Act of Incorporation.
The next step was the erection of a building to house this growing school. The Trustees of Hanover Presbyterian Church gave a plot of ground and $300, with the provision that the Society furnish the remainder needed. In the year 1818, these earnest women held the Deed to a “neat and commodious building free of all encumbrances.”
The mission of the Society focused the attention of the Legislature on the needs of the poor children, and the Society petitioned the Delaware Legislature for financial aid for the purpose of educating poor children. This petition was first turned down, but in 1820 the Legislature passed a general act which appropriated twenty cents for each child instructed in the Sabbath schools throughout the State. This resulted in benefits for all, and the Female Harmony Society received a small sum for each child under its care.
By 1821, 307 children had received “the elementary parts of education and much religious instruction as well.” Three other schools were established, one of which was for African American children. Many of these children were placed in the homes of Society members and were looked after individually by the Society. Interest in the educational project spread to the men and they worked cooperatively with the women.
By 1824, the Free Schools in Wilmington fell into dire straits. The State legislature was again appealed to for aid, but due to strong political pressure from Kent and Sussex Counties, it was refused. On the tenth anniversary of the founding of the first school, a general appeal for funds was sent out to “the rich and charitable.”
Mr. Thomas Witherspoon was one of the earliest friends and patrons of the project. In 1835, a generous bequest from his Will was paid to the Free School in operation in the City of Wilmington. The Society's school was merged with this. In 1849, records show that while the Free School was no longer under the group's control, the building they had built was still used for its original purpose. These were the forerunners of the present Wilmington public school system.
Today, the Female Harmony Society continues to have an interest in the areas of education and assistance for those in need. Members meet once a year to decide on the disbursement of funds to social service programs applying for grants. The majority of the money for the grants comes from interest earned on a bequest provided by a former member of the Female Harmony Society, Elizabeth Caulk, who died in 1839. Additional money for grants comes from the Susan Stewart Memorial Fund and from a general fund supported by annual dues. The Female Harmony Society is also interested in carrying on its rich history and tradition and in sharing it with others.
As the Society grew in numbers there was a strong feeling that members should be helpful to “those who were without.” So it was that in October 1814, the first Sabbath School in Wilmington was organized, with 23 children in attendance. They were so “lacking in the first rudiments of learning” that the allotted time on Sunday was found to be insufficient. It was therefore proposed that a day school be opened.
This idea seemed purely visionary, but despite the fact that the period was one of financial difficulty, the faith of these women was upheld. Gifts were beyond expectation and the first free day school for poor children was opened, on April 1, 1815. Because of the new responsibilities assumed, a Constitution was drawn up and adopted, and by 1817, in the name of the Female Harmony Society, the Legislature of the State of Delaware was petitioned for an Act of Incorporation.
The next step was the erection of a building to house this growing school. The Trustees of Hanover Presbyterian Church gave a plot of ground and $300, with the provision that the Society furnish the remainder needed. In the year 1818, these earnest women held the Deed to a “neat and commodious building free of all encumbrances.”
The mission of the Society focused the attention of the Legislature on the needs of the poor children, and the Society petitioned the Delaware Legislature for financial aid for the purpose of educating poor children. This petition was first turned down, but in 1820 the Legislature passed a general act which appropriated twenty cents for each child instructed in the Sabbath schools throughout the State. This resulted in benefits for all, and the Female Harmony Society received a small sum for each child under its care.
By 1821, 307 children had received “the elementary parts of education and much religious instruction as well.” Three other schools were established, one of which was for African American children. Many of these children were placed in the homes of Society members and were looked after individually by the Society. Interest in the educational project spread to the men and they worked cooperatively with the women.
By 1824, the Free Schools in Wilmington fell into dire straits. The State legislature was again appealed to for aid, but due to strong political pressure from Kent and Sussex Counties, it was refused. On the tenth anniversary of the founding of the first school, a general appeal for funds was sent out to “the rich and charitable.”
Mr. Thomas Witherspoon was one of the earliest friends and patrons of the project. In 1835, a generous bequest from his Will was paid to the Free School in operation in the City of Wilmington. The Society's school was merged with this. In 1849, records show that while the Free School was no longer under the group's control, the building they had built was still used for its original purpose. These were the forerunners of the present Wilmington public school system.
Today, the Female Harmony Society continues to have an interest in the areas of education and assistance for those in need. Members meet once a year to decide on the disbursement of funds to social service programs applying for grants. The majority of the money for the grants comes from interest earned on a bequest provided by a former member of the Female Harmony Society, Elizabeth Caulk, who died in 1839. Additional money for grants comes from the Susan Stewart Memorial Fund and from a general fund supported by annual dues. The Female Harmony Society is also interested in carrying on its rich history and tradition and in sharing it with others.
