A SKETCH OF EDUCATION IX SOUTH CAROLINA. 471 



joys an annual oration and an annual banquet; the two combined 

 bearing no small jiart in awakening the members to " renewed efforts to 

 make the society again a potent agent for good in the educational inter- 

 ests of the State." 



The largest bequests to the society were $1,453.50, by Jonah Horry; 

 $500 by George T. Lathrop ; and 15,000 by Francis Withers. 



THE MOUNT ZION SOCIETY. 



This society was established at Charlestown, January 29th, 1777, and in- 

 corporated on the 13th of February following, for the purpose of " found- 

 ing, endowing and supporting a public school in the district of Camden." 

 It was empowered to hold property not exceeding three thousand dollars 

 per annum. The membership was about ec^ually diyided between the 

 low-country and the up-country. C. C. Pinckney, AVm. Bull, Elias 

 Horry, John Vanderhorst, AVade Hampton, Richard Winn, and Thomas 

 Taylor were among the number. Of thirteen directors seyen were to be 

 from the country and six from the " city." John Winn was first president. 

 In 1785, Mt. Zion College was incorporated, located in Winnsboro. 

 Its faculty were Rey. T. H. McCaule, president ; tutors, S. W. Yongue, 



Wm. Dayy, and Humphrey. In 1793, Rev. Wm. Nixon became 



president, and, in 1794, Rey. Samuel Yongue. The college for a time 

 gave regular diplomas, at least one of which is in existence. 



The most distinguished jirincipal w^as the late James W. Hudson, who 

 taught from 1834 to 1858. He drew students from all the Southern 

 States, and the attendance reached into the hundreds. At the time of 

 his death, twenty members of his first class were admitted into the South 

 Carolina College. A handsome marble monument was erected to his 

 memory over his grave on the college green. 



During the latter part of the war the college buildings were occupied 

 as a hospital. 



In 18G6 exercises were resumed under Mr. T. J. Wells. Since then 

 the principals have been G. A. Woodward, M. M. Farrow, R. H. Clark- 

 son, W. M. Dwight, R. Means Davis, and D. C. Webb. 



In May, 1807, the large three-story building, valued at over $20,000, was 

 destroyed by fire. In 1873, a smaller building, costing about $3,500, was 

 erected. In 1878, a public graded school was established in Winnsboro, 

 in connection with the Mt. Zion Society. It has been very successful. 

 The present principal has three assistants, and the jupils number between 

 ]25 and 150. 



Endowment. About $800 were received in 17S5, from a fund left by a 

 Mr. Prew, of Charleston, " to be equally divided among the first schools or 



