17th century AD

International Social Science Review, Spring-Summer, 2002 by Robert J. Vejnar, III

By 1773, John Harrower had fallen upon difficult economic times. With his personal finances in shambles, but with a family to support, Harrower believed that his only hope survival lay in opportunities in one of the British colonies. On 26 January 1774, he recorded in his diary that he looked forward to journeying to Virginia where he hoped to find work as a teacher. (51) But lacking funds to finance the trip, his only hope of getting to the Old Dominion meant going as an indentured servant. Whoever purchased Harrower's indenture (thus paying for his voyage) upon his arrival in Virginia would have Harrower's services for several years. Even though Harrower wished to serve his time as a teacher, he had no guarantee that the person who bought his contract would use him that way, and he could just as easily find himself working a tobacco field or cutting timber.

Fortunately for John Harrower, Colonel George Daingerfield purchased his contract, and an amicable relationship began between the two. Harrower recounted in his diary entry for 23 May 1774 that

   [a]t 11 AM Mr. Anderson begged [me] to settle as a schoolmaster with a
   friend of his[,] one Colonel Daingerfield[,] and told me he was to be in
   Town tomorrow, or perhaps to night, and how soon he came he should acquant
   me. At some time all the rest of the servants were ordered ashore to a tent
   at Fredericksbg. and severall of their Indentures were then sold. About 4
   pm I was brought to Colonel Daingerfield, when we immediately agreed and my
   Indenture for four years was then delivered him and he was to send for me
   the next day. (52)

Shortly after arriving at Belvidera, Harrower commenced his teaching duties. He recorded in his diary on 27 May 1774, that he would teach the three Daingerfield boys (who ranged in age from four to ten years old) "to read[,] write and figure." (53) Harrower lived and taught in a small building on the plantation, located about "500 yds. from the Main house...." (54) His daily teaching routine mimicked that of Fithian's. Harrower held class "from 6 to 8 in the Morning, in the forenoon from 9 to 12 and from 3 to 6 in the afternoon." (55)

Like Fithian, John Harrower counted himself a religious man, a quality that Daingerfield likely prized. On his first Sunday at Belvidera, Harrower lamented in his diary that he could not attend church in nearby Fredericksburg because he lacked a saddle for his horse. (56) Yet he did attend church whenever he could. (57) He also made certain that instruction in religion made its way into the curriculum he taught by having the students read the Bible as part of their assignments. (58)

News of his school spread throughout the community, and soon nearby gentry families began negotiating with both Daingerfield and Harrower to place their children under the latter's tutelage. On 14 June 1774, Harrower recorded that two little girls from the neighborhood joined his class. Several days later another planter convinced Harrower to teach his three children. (59)