Some Historical Background:
Reverend Robert Alexander, a Presbyterian minister, is credited with establishing the first school in the valley in 1749 – most likely at Lark Spring. It was elementary in nature and taught ancient languages, as well as higher mathematics, sciences, and elementary studies. He taught for four years until 1752 or 1753 and served as Rector – “president” – until 1762. It is an oral assumption that the Mount Pleasant location for the school has direct lineage to Liberty Hall. There, Reverend Mr. John Brown, a graduate of the College of New Jersey, served as Rector. Growth of Presbyterianism resulted in a scarcity of trained ministers in newly settled areas, especially because candidates for ministry are required to have a college education, studied theology under supervision of older minister, and to pass an examination administered by local Presbytery which tested on Latin, Greek, logic, ontology, ethics, natural philosophy, rhetoric, geography, and astronomy.
Presbyteries began to consider establishing colleges of their own, so the Presbytery of Hanover patronized the school at Mount Pleasant in 1771. The school moved to a Timber Ridge Location when William Graham accepted a past position at the Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church. Samuel Houston and Alexander Stuart offered forty acres of land to the school and residents of the Timber Ridge area promised building materials and free firewood for twenty years. Thereafter, the name of the school was changed from Augusta Academy to Liberty Hall Academy in 1776. Despite the move, Reverend Mr. Graham found himself in a tough financial position and bought a farm along the North River at Mulberry Hill to raise crops for his family. In 1779, the school was suspended as students were needed in the war, leading to a decrease in enrollment. During the lull, some students received teaching and boarding from Graham at his house while Graham traveled to ask for funds for the Academy. Graham, Joseph Walker, and William Alexander donated acres to establish a permanent place for the Academy.
In 1796, after 22 years of serving as Rector, Graham resigned most likely due to his financial situation, the rigor of his job, or pressure from the citizens. George Baxter, a Presbyterian minister, was appointed Rector in 1799.
In 1803, after two fires prior, the wood roof of the dorm/classroom building caught fire and destroyed the interior. Instead of repairing the building, Andrew Alexander traded his property in town in exchange for the school’s land in Mulberry Hill where Washington and Lee University now stands.
Liberty Hall Academy. Washington and Lee University, 1999.
