William and Mary College

the oldest institution of higher learning in Virginia. In age it is the second in the United States, being exceeded by Harvard only. It was chartered in 1693. It was located at Williamsburg on the James River. Certain lands were set aside and a college duty of a penny a pound was placed on the export of tobacco. It was thoroughly Episcopalian. A representative of the Bishop of London was the president. Down to the Revolution it was the richest and most fashionable college in the country; but during the war a large part of the endowment was lost and the college was closed temporarily. The legislature of Virginia, however, made the loss good.

During the Civil War a majority of the students enlisted in the Confederate army. The college was occupied by Federal troops and most of the buildings were destroyed. The college was reopened in 1869, but was in hard straits. Virginia was crippled financially. The college was suspended from 1882 to 1888, when the legislature came to the rescue with an appropriation of $15,000 a year. In 1893 Congress appropriated $64,000 in payment for buildings destroyed.

In colonial times commencement week drew the First Families of Virginia, the F. F. V.'s, from far and near. The planter, his wife, and young people came in their heavy carriages or by boats from the Potomac region. All joined in a week of intellectual pleasure and social gaiety.

Presidents Jefferson, Monroe, Harrison, and Tyler were graduates, as were Chief Justice Marshall, Edmund Randolph, and many other scarcely less noted public men. Phi Beta Kappa, the honorary college fraternity, was established here. There are about two hundred students and fifteen instructors.