Brandywine Manufacturers Sunday School. - Social Networks and Archival Context (original) (raw)

The Brandywine Manufacturers Sunday School was organized in 1817 as a non-sectarian school for the children of the local factory workers, with instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. E. I. du Pont, founder of the Du Pont Company, was one of its chief subscribers, and the school building was located on his property. His daughters, Victorine, Eleuthera, and Sophie Madeleine taught in the school, and Victorine succeeded John Siddall as superintendent. In 1823 the BMSS became affiliated with the American Sunday School Union for the purpose of securing less expensive reading teaching materials. With the passage of Delaware's Free School Law of 1829 and the development of an organized public school system, the character of the Brandywine Manufacturers Sunday School began to change. In 1851 the building was used for Episcopal services, and with the completion of Christ Church in 1856, the BMSS became its Sunday school. The building was later restored as part of the Hagley Museum.

From the description of Records, 1817-1899. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86123651

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