Julia A. Rutledge wrote to Sarah Chase in December 1867 and again in October 1868. In the first letter, dated December 2, 1867, Julia explains that she has not written for three months because she had been caring for her sick sister. She expresses the hope that she will be able to attend Oberlin College.
In the second letter, dated October 4, 1868, Julia writes to Sarah Chase that she is concerned that she has not heard from her for the last year. She describes her experience at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. She mentions that twelve other students of her former class at the freedmen's schools are also at the same institution. Julia outlines her daily schedule and expresses that she is happy at the school.
About Julia A. Rutledge
Julia Anna Rutledge Kitt was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1849. She attended the Morris Street School, a freedmen's school, in Charleston, South Carolina, in the late 1860s where she was a student of Sarah Chase. She began her secondary studies at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in 1868, graduating in the class of 1872.
After graduation, Julia taught for five years at Princess Anne Court House (now part of Virginia Beach), Virginia. Information about Julia's life and teaching career was reported in the Southern Workman, a monthly periodical published by the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The October 1, 1872 issue of the Southern Workman, includes a note that "Miss Rutledge has got her school, and she will get the pay I get. She has to walk about a mile and a half." A letter from Julia, dated December 7, 1872, is included in the January 1, 1873 issue of the Southern Workman. An article "A Visit to a Hampton Graduate's School" describes a visit to Julia's classroom at Princess Anne Court House in the July 1, 1873 issue of The Southern Workman.
Julia's marriage was reported by a classmate, Julia Stevens, in a letter dated April 27, 1891, and published in the August 1, 1891 issue of the Southern Workman. Stevens writes, "Julia Rutledge, who is now Julia Kitt, is teaching at Miller Hill, John's Island, Exchange P.O. South Carolina." The 1895 city directory for Charleston, South Carolina, lists Julia Kitt and Wade Kitt, both teachers, as living at 109 Smith.
Sources:
- Twenty-two years' work of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute at Hampton, Virginia. Records of Negro and Indian graduates and ex-students with historical and personal sketches, 1893. Catalog record | Digital copy
- The full text of the Southern Workman (1872-1939) is available at the Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia.
Transcription
Charleston December 2nd 1867
Dear Miss. Sarah
You must wonder why I have not writen it is not through neglect sickness is the cause of it my sister was extremely ill for the last thre months wich kept us very busy and distress. I did not write but my thoughts so always with you and Miss L. I went to Mr Cardoza [Thomas W. Cardozo] and explain maters to him he do not Speak much for the hampton College. and the Oberlin College we must have money he advise me to write to Miss Thayer New York my teacher. She taught here thre winter ago he thinks She will be able to get us at the Oberlin College
I have writen Some time ago but have not recieve any answer. having been kept so unkone I was unable to see any further in to it. Mr Cardoza think It best for one only my sister thinks if I can Succeed it is best for Sarah to remain. it is so trouble some If we could have a teacher here every winter I think it best still I am very anxious to go away it would be more to my advantige but I do not like giving so much trouble about it I dont hear yet of any afternoons school. all the girls is much pleas with your Letter. tha all sends love to you & Miss Lucy the times is very hard with it all we are geting on fine the voteing came of fine I shall enclose a Jareanum leaf a leaf for each these are the names that sent you the [Pres?]
Mary . Alston
Cathrene . Provost
P. Jackson
Edwards
Julia . Johnston
[“?] S. Beckman
Susan . Scott
D. Levy
Anna . Brown
Julia Rutledge
these are the names as far as I can remember my sisters goin with me in love hope this will find you and all well Sarah say she will write soon
Good night
from your loveing Schollar Julia A. Rutledge
Notes:
Thomas W. Cardozo: Fallible Black Reconstruction Leader by Euline W. Brock, Journal of Southern History, Vol. XLVII, No. 2, May 1981.
Normal School Va.
Oct 4th1868.
Dear Miss Chase
I will venture to send send you another letter hoping you may get it I have not heard a word from you for the last year which keeps me in a anxious state dear Miss Chase I cannot tell you how very anxious I am to hear from you – if you get this letter I will send my picture as I prommise it and would like you to have one pleas if we are fortunate enough to take up our corresponds again for I would like much to have a picture of you and Miss Lucy – I will give you an account of my self. I am here in virginneia at school the school you wrote to tell me about paying my way by working the girls work in doors and the boys on the farm the girls all have all the domestic affairs wash for the boys sow all the scrubbing to do there are about 14 girls and 22 boys five from Charleston Mr Jefferson are one of the number I like it very much indeed wee are very comfortably fix our chambers are neatly furnish with cottage setts and every conviientary wee have water pipes in the house a bathing room –
I will tell you the rules the bell ring at half pass five allowing us half our to dress then it ring at six for breakfast tha allow five minuts if you are not there in time you are mark the bell ring at eleven for the boys to stop work and fix for dinner and school we dine at 12 clear up our ineing room and get in school by one we have school from one to five and then we recite [?] about a half our and the bell ring for evening prayers after prayers wee go in to supper at half pass seven the bell ring for us to study wee study untill half pass 8 the bell ring for us to get ready for bed at nine it ring for us to out the lights – and the best of it wee have such a very kind Miss [?] Matron She tries in every way to make us happy each schollers love her and y would not be happy without her She is a Miss Brfeck from Massachusetts – I hear from home pretty often Sarah did not come She is at home my sisters did ot think wise for both of us to leave home the rebs have taken Mr Sumners school building at the corner of Morris and Jaspser Court where we spent those delightful ours in the afternoons trying to gain knowledge thea have ift for the colord children The picture you gave I had it neatly frame in a guild frame & have sent to have it here with me Louissia Elliott exspect to come on very soom Louissia are one of your schollars – dear Miss Chase I am very anxious to see you I often wish you were here to teach I trust I will have the pleasure of seeing you once more. Should we not meet on earth may we meet in heaven where partins is no more give my best love to Miss Lucy tell her I will write her next –
Good bye with a double portion of love.
Yours truly
Julia A. Rutledge
[Notes in pencil at bottom:
xcuse my anxiety
Hampton churchletter
Aunt Nancy & Susan
[Note in pencil on side: Attend!]
- This letter is reprinted in Dear Ones At Home p. 237-238
Digital Copy
