The minute records of the Dranesville District School Board were transcribed by members of the Providence Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), Fairfax Station, Virginia. Chapter members generously donated their time and expertise to create a line-by-line transcription to preserve the integrity and style of the original writing. Because the original documents were frequently written in shorthand, the transcribed text has been converted to longhand on this webpage for accessibility, readability, and searchability purposes. The transcribed minute book created by the Providence Chapter, NSDAR is available for download below in PDF format. Photographs of the original record book pages are included in the PDF.

September 4, 1886

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, James Smith, and Thomas E. Carper. The following business was transacted: Warrants were issued from the District Fund to Thomas E. Carper for the balance due him for his services as Clerk of the School Board, $3.00; to M. D. Harrell for painting School Number C, $10.50; to Thomas J. Poole for wood furnished School Number 4; and $1.50 to Thomas E. Carper for a record book furnished to the School Board. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and Thomas E. Carper, Clerk

October 2, 1886

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper. The following business was transacted: J. W. Criser was granted permission, at his request, to send his children to the Herndon School, and the following teachers were contracted with for the 1886-1887 school term:

Also, the Board ordered the following warrants drawn payable from the District Fund:

The Board adjourned to October 16th.

Note:

• The village of Chantilly was situated on the dividing line between the Centreville and Dranesville Magisterial Districts. Several instances have been found in the minutes of the trustees of both districts jointly operating a schoolhouse at this location. The reason C. T. Ferguson’s salary is so low in the table above is because an equal share of his salary was being paid by the school trustees of another magisterial district. It is believed School Number B during this term was the Chantilly School for African-American children and that Ferguson’s full monthly salary was actually $25.00.

October 16, 1886

The Board contracted with Miss Laura Werking to teach at School Number 9 at a salary of $22.50 per month; and Etta Polen to teach at School Number 4 at a salary of $25.00 per month. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and Thomas E. Carper, Clerk

November 6, 1886

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper. The following business was transacted: Bids for firewood were received and allowed to:

Warrants were issued to the following teachers for their first month’s pay out of the Arrearage Fund:

Mrs. E. D. Morley was contracted to teach in School Number 10 at a salary of $22.50 per month. Signed, Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and Thomas E. Carper, Clerk

Notes:

• Hite Wren is likely Gabriel Hite Wrenn.
• Frank Sorrell is Joseph Franklin “J. F.” Sorrell.

December 4, 1886

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper. The following business was transacted: The Board ordered the following warrants drawn payable from the District Fund:

Warrants were drawn to pay teacher salaries as follows:

The balance of the teachers not having their receipts, the Board adjourned to December 18th.

December 18, 1886

The following warrants were issued to teachers to be paid out of the Grandstaff Fund.

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

Undated, 1887

No quorum being present, the Board adjourned to January 15th.

January 15, 1887

The Board did not meet until January 15th on account of Mr. Leigh being unwell and unable to meet. The following warrants were issued to teachers out of the Grandstaff Fund:

The following warrants were paid out of the District Fund:

E. C. Cottrell’s contract was signed and his salary was set at $22.50 per month. His school begins January 3, 1887. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

February 5, 1887

The date of the meeting in the minute book is January 5, 1887, however, these minutes were recorded after those of January 15, 1887. It is believed the Clerk made an error and meant to write February. A meeting of the Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper. The following warrants were paid out of the District Fund:

A warrant was drawn in the amount of $0.86 payable to F. Wooster, Chair of the County School Board. A warrant was drawn from the Grand Stuff Fund to pay the fourth month’s salary of George A. Evans. The Board adjourned to February 19, 1887. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

February 19, 1887

A meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper. The following business was transacted. Warrants on the Grandstaff Fund were issued to the following teachers:

The following warrants were paid out of the District Fund: J. R. Allison was paid $0.75 for furnishing a bucket, broom, cup, and chalk for School Number 7; and J. F. Sorrell was paid $8.80 for furnishing wood for School Number 11. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

March 19, 1887

The Board did not hold its regular meeting on March 5, 1888, on account of no business to transact and adjourned to the present date. Present were trustees Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper. The following warrants were issued to teachers:

And the following warrant was drawn on the County Fund: To Mary C. Mos (spelling?) her due from A. Leigh for 1885 and 1886 in the amount of $22.50. A warrant in the amount of $19.52 was drawn on the Grandstaff Fund to John H. Chichester, County Treasurer, for 1886. Also, the following warrants were drawn on the District Fund, payable to:

The Board adjourned to its next meeting on April 16th, 1887. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

April 16, 1887

A meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following warrants were issued to teachers out of the County Fund:

Also, the following warrants on the District Fund:

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

May 7, 1887

There was no quorum at this regular meeting of the Board. After issuing to Miss Etta Polen a warrant for $56.25, drawn on the County Fund for the full amount due to her as teacher, the Board adjourned to meet next on May 21, 1887.

May 21, 1887

A meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following warrants were issued to teachers out of the County School Fund:

Additionally, warrant was drawn to Mrs. E. D. Morley in the amount of $1.85 from the Grandstaff Fund. The following warrants were issued on the District Fund: To G. H. Wren, in the amount of $12.00, for wood furnished for School Number 1; and to J. R. Allison, in the amount of $0.75, for glass furnished the Chantilly School. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

July 2, 1887

A meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following warrants were issued out of the District Fund:

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

September 3, 1887

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed and contracted with:

The following bills were paid from the District Fund:

• To A. J. Hutchison - $1.83
• To Mrs. Phoebe Haight, rent of home for the Chantilly School - $15.00

The Board adjourned to meet again on the third Monday in September 1887.

September 19, 1887

A meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed:

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting on Saturday, October 1, 1887. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

October 1, 1887

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed:

• John L. McWhorter at Chantilly at a salary of $12.50 per month. The Chantilly School will be jointly operated between Dranesville District and Centreville District, with $12.50 being Dranesville District’s part of his salary.
• H. Smith was appointed to School Number C at a salary of $22.50 per month.
• E. C. Cottrell was contracted with at a salary of $30.00 per month.

The following bills were paid from the District Fund:

M. D. Renny was contracted with to build a School House by Ox Road at $365.00, his being the lowest bid; and John H. Barnes was appointed teacher at the new school house. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

Note:

• The new schoolhouse built by M. D. Renny was originally known as the Ox Road School. Around 1900, it was renamed the Navy School after the surrounding community. Learn more about the history of the first Navy School.

November 5, 1887

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The Board transacted the following business. The following teachers were paid their first month’s salary by issuing their warrants upon the Superintendent of Schools, Fairfax County, upon the Grandstaff Fund; all for the last month ending October 28, 1887.

The following bills were paid by warrants issued from the District Fund:

The following parties were contracted with to furnish firewood to the following schoolhouses:

Grace A. Besley was appointed teacher at Thornton’s. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

December 3, 1887

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted. James White was appointed assistant teacher at Dranesville School Number 5 at $20.00 per month for as long as needed. Warrants were issued upon the Grandstaff Fund to the following teachers for second month services – the month ending November 25, 1887.

The following bills were paid by warrants issued from the District Fund:

M. Woodruff, George Brown, and Charles Thornton were granted permission to send their children to the Herndon School: Woodruff will send two children to the white school, Brown will send three children to the white school, and Thornton will send two children to the Colored school. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting scheduled for January 7, 1888. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

Note:

• Fealder Bicksler also appears as F. D. Bicksler, and is Fielder Davis Bicksler.

January 7, 1888

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following warrants were issued to teachers from the Grandstaff Fund for the third month ending December 23, 1887:

Warrants for the following bills were issued out of the District Fund:

• To M. Thompson for stove pipe Chantilly School - $2.00
• To J. H. Johnson due him for School Number 5 - $0.30
• To Franklin Sherman for insurance interest for Ox Hill School House - $1.95
• To John H. Barnes salary for first month ending December 23, 1887 - $21.41

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting Feb. 4th, 1888. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

Note from Thomas E. Carper: The Board did not meet on Feb. 4th but adjourned to the 18th of February. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk

February 18, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. Warrants were issued to the following teachers upon the Grandstaff Fund:

Warrants were issued to the following teachers out of the Arrearage Fund:

Warrants for the following bills were issued out of the County Fund:

• To Thornton W. Hyson - $9.45
• To John H. Chichester for commission on the Grandstaff Fund for 1887 - $18.52

Warrants for the following bills were issued out of the District Fund:

• To Creed Turner for 4 cords of wood - $8.00
• To James S. Leigh for 4.5 cords of wood - $11.00

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

March 3, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The Board issued warrants on the County Fund to the following teachers:

The following warrants were issued on the District Fund:

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

April 7, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted: Warrants were issued on the County Fund to the following teachers:

• John H. Barnes, $25.00, for fourth month’s pay
• James White, $20.00, in full

The following warrants were issued on the District Fund:

• F. W. Richardson, $2.25, for recording the deed from Harrison
• John S. Pearson, $10.00, for rent of Spring Vale School House

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

May 5, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The Board issued to the following teachers warrants on the County Fund:

The following warrants were issued from the District Fund:

• H. Smith, $5.00, for cutting wood for School Number 6
• Laura Werking, $0.58, for bucket, broom, dipper and chalk

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

June 2, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following warrants were issued on the District Fund:

The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

September 1, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board for the term 1888-1889. Present were Alfred Leigh, George Schuermann, and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed and contracted with:

The following applications were received:

• Henry O. Cornwell – appointed teacher for Forestville School Number 3
• Miss Lelia C. Polen – appointed teacher for Jefferson School Number 4

The Board adjourned to meet again on the 22nd day of September.

September 22, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, George Schuermann, and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted: The Board contracted with the following teachers:

E. C. Cottrell submitted his application as teacher for Dranesville School Number 5, and his application was rejected. George Schuermann was requested and authorized to look after the Frying Pan Colored School and have such repairs as was needed to the schoolhouse done. He was also directed to have outhouses built at School Number 1 and School Number 10. The Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E. Carper, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chairman

October 6, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, George Schuermann, and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted: A petition was presented to have the action of the School Board rescinded in regard to the appointment of E. C. Cottrell as teacher of the Dranesville School Number 5. After consideration of the petition the Board refused to reconsider their action, and Thomas E. Carper was requested to correspond with and select a teacher for the Dranesville School. The following teachers signed their contracts:

The following bills were paid by warrants drawn on the District Fund:

November 3, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted:

• Miss Sallie Cockerille contracted with as teacher of Dranesville School Number 5 at a salary of $25.00 per month.
• A warrant was drawn in favor of J. H. Poole in the amount of $3.00 for whitewashing and scouring School House Number 5.

There being no further business, the Board adjourned to its regular meeting the third Saturday
in this month the 17th.

Note:

• The Cockerille name in Fairfax and Loudoun counties is found spelled under several variations to include Cockrill, Cockerille, Cockrille, and Cockerille.

November 17, 1888

The Board issued the following warrants from the Grandstaff Fund to teachers for their first month’s pay: 

December 1, 1888

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted: Miss Mattie Carper was contracted with as substitute teacher of School Number 5. Warrants were issued to the following teachers for their second month’s pay:

The following warrants were issued from the District Fund:

February 2, 1889

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. No meeting was held on the first Saturday in January on account of the weather. The following business was transacted: Warrants were issued to the following teachers for their third month’s pay:

The following warrants were issued on the District Fund:

The case of Harly Snider who was suspended from School Number 5 by teacher Sallie L. Cockerille was heard. The application of Mattie E. Cook was received and she was appointed and contracted with as teacher of School Number B for the balance of C. T. Ferguson’s term.

September 7, 1889

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted: The contract for building a schoolhouse at Forestville was awarded to M. D. Renny in the amount of $487.10. The appointment of teachers was postponed to the next meeting of the Board on the third Saturday in September.

September 21, 1889

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, George Schuermann, and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E Carper, Clerk

October 5, 1889

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, George Schuermann, and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed:

The following warrants were issued upon the District Fund:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E Carper, Clerk

November 2, 1889

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The following business was transacted: 

• Miss E. L. Murphy was appointed teacher for Frying Pan School at a salary of $25.00 per month. 

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet at the new schoolhouse
at Forestville to examine the building on Thursday, Nov. 7th.

November 7, 1889

The Board met at Forestville and examined the new schoolhouse and, finding the building furnished and according to the specifications of the contract, accepted the building from the contractor. The Board issued the following warrants in payment to the various parties for materials and work done on the building by hired hands per the orders of M. D. Renny, Contractor:

There being no further business, the Board adjourned to meet at its regular time at Dranesville on December 7, 1889. Signed, Thomas E Carper, Clerk

December 7, 1889

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The Board issued the following warrants upon the account of the County Superintendent of Schools (Milton D. Hall):

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet next on January 4, 1890. Signed, Thomas E Carper, Clerk

Note:

• In this set of minutes, we see something unusual taking place. The teachers are being paid their salaries out of the account of the Superintendent of Schools, Milton D. Hall, and some of the warrants are issued in partial or full amounts covering more than one month’s pay. In March 1970, Nancy Hall, daughter of Superintendent Milton D. Hall, stated in an interview that there were several times when the State was late in sending its share of public school funding to Fairfax County. In order to pay the teachers in such instances, her father would take out a loan using their home and farm as collateral, and would use the loan to pay the teachers’ salaries. When the state funding finally arrived, Superintendent Hall would use it to pay back the debt to the bank. The unusual nature of these salary warrants indicate this may be one such instance where Superintendent Hall intervened on behalf of the teachers.

January 4, 1890

A meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, George Schuermann, and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. The Board appointed Oscar Moore teacher at Dranesville School Number 5 in place of Miss L. N. Murphy at a salary of $30.00 per month. Miss Sallie L. Cockerille, who suspended Lemuel Reid from her School Number 4 for disobedience and insolence at school, brought the case before the Board. After hearing her statement, and no one appearing for Lemuel Reid, the Board decided that if Lemuel Reid would make the proper apology before the teacher and the school that he might be taken back in the school again. The following warrants were issued upon the District Fund:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to its next regular meeting. Signed, Thomas E Carper, Clerk

February 15, 1890

A called meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, George Schuermann, and Thomas E. Carper, Trustees. No meeting was held on the first Saturday in February because it was a rainy day. Mr. Oscar Moore, teacher at Dranesville School Number 5, reported to the board the suspension from the school of Jacob McMillan for insubordination and impudence to him as teacher. His parent not having any notice of the meeting of the School Board, the case was laid over to its regular meeting in March in order to give the proper notice. The Clerk of the Board was authorized to issue a payment to Joseph Beard to send his three children to the Herndon School. The Clerk was also directed by the School Board to allow all lawful time lost by any of the teachers to be made up at the end of the term by giving permission in writing authorizing them to do so; all other time lost not to be allowed. The following warrants to teachers were issued on the account of the Superintendent of Schools. All warrants were for the third month’s pay except that of Henry O. Cornwell whose warrant was issued for his second month.

Note: 

• This record ends on page 32. Pages 33 to 38 were torn out of the record book. On page 39, the minutes from a subsequent meeting of the Board are continued. These were likely recorded in June or July 1890.

The Board adjourned to its annual meeting the first Wednesday in August. Signed, George Schuermann, Clerk.

September 6, 1890

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, Taylor Green, and George Schuermann, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed:

All other business was carried over to the next meeting. The Board adjourned. Signed, George Schuermann, Clerk, and Alfred Leigh, Chair

Note:

• Laura Dyer is the married name of Miss Laura Werking

September 27, 1890

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, Taylor Green, and George Schuermann, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed:

The following warrants on the County Superintendent of Schools were issued to:

• Benjamin B. Detwiler, Warrant Number 4, District Fund for rent in full - $12.00
• Milton D. Hall, Warrant Number 3, District Fund for account book - $1.65

Note:

• Benjamin B. Detwiler was a son of Daniel Landis Detwiler and an older sibling of Hannah R. Detwiler and Sadie C. Detwiler who taught school in the Dranesville District.

October 4, 1890

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, Taylor Green, and George Schuermann, Trustees. The Board appointed Miss Murphy as teacher of School Number 8 at a salary of $30.00 per month. A complaint was made of the appointment of William Keefe as teacher of School Number 10, so the Board ordered that the school be closed until Mr. Keefe could come before the Board at its next meeting in October for a hearing. The Board issued the following warrant: $25.00 to Mrs. Laura Dyer for 1885 (duplicate). Signed, George Schuermann, Clerk

August 1, 1891

A regular meeting of the Dranesville School Board held at Wiehle. Present were Captain Alfred Leigh and John H. Barnes who had qualified as successor to George Schuermann, resigned. On motion of Captain Leigh, John H. Barnes was made Clerk of the Board. The following warrants were drawn on the District Fund:

There being no further business before the Board, it adjourned to meet the first Saturday in September 1891. Signed, John H. Barnes, Clerk

September 5, 1891

A regular meeting of the School Board for Dranesville District was held at Wiehle. Present were Captain Alfred Leigh and John H. Barnes, Trustees. Michael Keefe’s application for School Number 4 was received and laid over to the next meeting. Henry O. Cornwell’s application for School Number 3 was received and favorably considered. Mr. Cornwell was contracted with as teacher of said school at a salary of $30.00 per month for six months. George C. Powell’s application for School Number 11 was received and favorably considered. Mr. Powell was contracted with as teacher of said school at a salary of $30.00 per month for six months. Thornton W. Hyson’s application for School Number A was received and he was contracted with at a salary of $30.00 per month for six months. There being no further business before the Board, it adjourned to meet September 26, 1891.

1891 – 1895

Pages 45 to 72, presumably covering the period of September 1891 through October 1895, were torn out of the minute book and were subsequently lost or discarded.

November 2, 1895

A meeting of the Dranesville District School Board. Present were Captain Alfred Leigh, George W. Gunnell, and Web French, Trustees. The Board organized by electing Captain Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The Board issued the following warrants:

Bids were received for furnishing firewood to the various schools and contracts were issued as follows:

The Clerk was instructed to write to the Board of School Trustees of the Town of Herndon asking them to receive in their schools the children of Thomas Burr (White) and also the Colored children of Moses Nicholas, Henry Lucas, R. H. Tasco, Fayett Smith, Mrs. Marand Lucas, and Annie Washing. There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk.

Note:

• Powell’s School appears in the minute book as both Powells School and Powell’s School. As the school was named for long time teacher George C. Powell and known as “[Mr.] Powell’s School,” the possessive spelling has been adopted throughout this text. Note that the school name did change over time and officially became known as Powells School. Please refer to the minute book images to view the clerk’s original spelling.

November 9, 1895

A meeting of the Dranesville District School Board. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following warrants were issued to teachers for their first month's salary:

The Board also issued the following warrants to:

• Clara S. Follin in the amount of $6.25 for her last month teaching during the 1894 school term.
• Rob Wiley in the amount of $23.12 as his commission for disbursing the Grandstaff Fund.

The Clerk was instructed to ask the School Board of Providence District to receive in the school known as the Herren School the children of Mr. Stewart in Dranesville District. There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

Note:

• George W. Gunnell crossed out his first signature on the document. Next to it was written “Minnie Wrenn and Alma Fox $25.00,” which was also crossed out. Minnie Wrenn and Alma Fox were teachers. In the following record, they were each paid $12.50 for their second month of teaching, so perhaps the crossing out of their names was in error.

December 14, 1895

Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following warrants were issued to teachers for their second month’s salary:

The Board also issued the warrants to:

• Fielder D. Bicksler in the amount of $0.50 for repairing the Dranesville School House.
• Henson Poole in the amount of $1.00 for wood furnished the Dranesville School.

There being no further business, the Board adjourned to meet again on the first Saturday in December 1895. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

January 4, 1896

The Dranesville District School Board held its regular meeting at Colvin Run. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The Board issued the following warrants to teachers:

The following warrants were issued out of the District Fund:

The average daily attendance at School Number 11, under teacher Fannie Smith, being less than ten pupils, nothing can be paid to her and the school is ordered closed. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet next on the first Saturday in February. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

Notes:

• This meeting was dated December 4, 1895 in the minute book, but it is believed to have actually taken place on January 4, 1896. In the minutes of December 14, 1895, George Gunnell stated that the next meeting of the Board would take place on the first Saturday in December (which had already passed – December 7, 1895). It is believed that Gunnell meant to write January 4, 1896 (which was a Saturday). Evidence that the meeting actually took place in January can been seen in the pay warrants. The teachers were issued salary warrants for their third month. The third month of the school year was December.
• In this record we learn that pupil attendance in School Number 11 had fallen to the point where the school had to be closed. In Virginia, attendance in public school was not compulsory in the 19th century. However, schools were required to maintain a minimum average daily attendance number in order to remain in operation. Public schools that fell below that “lawful average” might remained closed for several months, for several years, or close permanently. Because Fannie Smith was not operating a “legal” public school during the month of December, per regulation she could not be paid her salary for that month. The responsibility for maintaining a lawful average fell on the teacher.

February 20, 1896

The Dranesville District School Board met at Captain Alfred Leigh’s residence. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The Board issued the following warrants:

The following warrants were issued to teachers:

The grand total of disbursements was $292.89. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in March 1896. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

March 7, 1896

The Dranesville District School Board met at the residence of John N. Follin. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Web French. The Board issued the following warrants:

• Warrant 60 to Franklin Sherman in the amount of $4.00 for insurance survey and insurance policy on the Jefferson School House.
• Warrant 61 to Boyd Kidwell in the amount of $1.25 for repairs to the stove at School House Number 1.

The Clerk was instructed to have the Jefferson School House insured in Loudoun County. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in April 1896. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

March 31, 1896

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Captain Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following warrants were issued to teachers out of the State Arrearage School Fund for 1895:

April 4, 1896

The following warrants were issued out of the District School Fund for 1895:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in May. Signed, George W. Gunnell

September 12, 1896

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville District School Board held at Wiehle. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Web French, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed and contracted with:

Note:

• Mrs. W. H. Beavers is also seen as Ida M. Beavers.

October 3, 1896

A regular monthly meeting of the Dranesville District School Board was held at Colvin Run School House. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Web French, Trustees. Wood bids were received and the following individuals were contracted to furnish firewood for the following schoolhouses:

The following warrant was issued – Number 6 or 77 – Harry Money in the amount of $7.80, Paul R. Buchwald for stone and joints for the Colvin Run School House. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in November 1896. Signed, George W. Gunnell

January 2, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met at Forestville on the first Saturday in January 1897. The following warrants were issued from the District Fund:

The Board also issued warrants to teachers out of the Grandstaff Fund. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in February 1897. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

April 3, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run on the first Saturday in April. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following warrants were issued out of the County Fund:

The Clerk was instructed to close the Forestville Colored School as soon as the average got too small. There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

May 1, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run on the first Saturday in May 1897. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. Warrants were issued from the District Fund to:

September 4, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met at Wiehle School House according to agreement. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following business was transacted. First in order was the appointment of teachers for the District. The following teachers were appointed:

The Board decided not to open the Forestville Colored School until we could get an understanding as to how many scholars would attend the school. On motion, the following resolution was adopted by Captain Alfred Leigh and Welby J. French, Trustees: That for the year of 1898 we shall not consider an applicant for a school that does not have a first-grade certificate. George W. Gunnell, Clerk of said Board, voted in the negative. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the last Saturday in September, the 25th, at Colvin Run School House. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

Note:

• The first-grade certificate referred to in the resolution is a type of teaching certificate and should not be confused with grade levels commonly found in elementary schools today. Levels of certification commonly held by Fairfax County Public Schools teachers during this era were, from highest to lowest, Collegiate Professional, Normal Professional, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade.

October 2, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run the first Saturday in October 1897. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chair, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Welby J. French. The first order of business was opening the bids for firewood for the schools. The following contracts were awarded:

Mr. Alfred Leigh and Welby J. French agreed to let two scholars from the Colvin Run School attend the Forestville School. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in November 1897. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

November 2, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met at Forestville. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following warrants were issued to teachers from the Grandstaff Fund for the year of 1897-1898. Warrant Number 1, in the amount of $22.09, was issued to the County Treasurer for disbursing said fund.

The following warrants were issued the same day from the District Fund:

• Warrant Number 3, in the amount of $3.75, to Milton D. Hall for five Virginia school registers.
• To S. R. Donohoe, in the amount of $2.11, for one Grandstaff book.

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in November 1897. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

November 6, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met according to agreement on the first Saturday in November at Colvin Run in Dr. Leigh’s office. Present were Alfred Leigh, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Welby J. French. The following business was transacted: Two warrants were issued to teachers from the Grandstaff Fund:

• Warrant Number 14: Payable to Alma Fox in the amount of $18.70.
• Warrant Number 15: Payable to Minnie Wrenn in the amount of $25.00.

Warrant Number 5, in the amount of $32.50, was issued from the District Fund to the School Trustees of Herndon District in payment of tuition for children from Dranesville District who were attending school in the town. A Colored teacher was contracted with for Forestville Colored School Number A (the teacher was not named). The Clerk was instructed to buy a chair for said school and locks for the doors. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in December 1897. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

December 20, 1897

The Dranesville District School Board met at Fairfax Court House. Present were Welby J. French and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. Alfred Leigh being absent, Welby J. French was made Chairman Pro Tempore. Warrants were issued to ten teachers out of the Grandstaff Fund. The following warrants were issued out of the District Fund:

• Number 9 to George W. Gunnell in the amount of $3.35.
• Number 7 to Lillian Millan in the amount of $0.20.

The Board decided to give Miss Alma Fox and Miss Nenah Clarke $11.00 per month for teaching the Willard and Wiehle Schools provided they did not make an average of 15 scholars. If they make an average of 15 scholars then their pay will be increased to $22.00. There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

August 15, 1898

The Dranesville District School Board met at Fairfax Court House. Present were Captain Alfred Leigh, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The Board decided to pay the teachers the same salaries as were paid last year. There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

September 3, 1898

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Captain Alfred Leigh, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Welby J. French. The following teachers were appointed but not contracted with:

The following warrant was issued in favor of the Herndon School Board for children attending the Herndon School: Warrant Number 31.

October 1, 1898

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Captain Leigh, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Welby J. French. The bids for firewood for the schools were opened and the following contracts were awarded:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in November 1898. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

Note:

• This is the last meeting of record with Captain Alfred Leigh as Chairman. Alfred Leigh lived in the village of Colvin Run, which also went by the name Leigh’s Corner. He passed away on March 17, 1899. His obituary was printed the same day in the Alexandria Gazette newspaper: “Capt. Alfred Leigh, one of the oldest and most generally known farmers in this section of the country, died at his home, Colvin Run, Fairfax County, at 5 o'clock this morning. The deceased was 82 years old. He was at one time a member of the legislature. Captain Leigh leaves two daughters and two sons, one of the latter being Dr. Alfred Leigh, Jr., of Colvin Run.”

August 16, 1899

The Dranesville District School Board met at Fairfax Court House. Present were Welby J. French, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following business was transacted: The Board decided to build two school houses; one at Floris to cost the district $450.00, and one at Money’s Corner to cost no more than $250.00. The Board set the pay of the teachers for the coming school term as follows (None of the teachers had been appointed yet):

The Board decided that if a teacher could not maintain an average daily attendance of at least 15 pupils, he or she could only receive half their salary for that month. If the average was less than ten, the teachers were not to be paid at all. There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

September 9, 1899

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Welby J. French, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following teachers were contracted to with to teach in the public schools in Dranesville District:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

October 7, 1899

A regular meeting of the Dranesville District School Board was held at the Colvin Run School House. The bids for firewood for the schools were opened and the following contracts were awarded:

Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk of the Board

December 30, 1899

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run. Present were Welby J. French, George W. Gunnell, and Thomas Jenkins, Trustees. On motion of Welby J. French, he was elected Chairman of the Board and George W. Gunnell was elected Clerk of the Board. Warrants issued to teachers were signed by the Chairman. The following warrants were issued out of the District Fund:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet at Fairfax Court House on January 15, 1900. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

September 22, 1900

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run. Present were Welby J. French, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, and Thomas Jenkins. The following teachers were appointed and contracted with:

The Board ordered the Clerk to notify Miss Wyncoop that she had been appointed to teach in the Jefferson School House for this term if she suited the patrons of said school. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet the first Saturday in October 1900. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

October 6, 1900

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Welby J. French, Thomas Jenkins, and George W. Gunnell, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed and contracted with:

The bids for firewood for the schools were opened and the following contracts were awarded:

Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

September 7, 1901

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Welby J. French, Thomas Jenkins, and George W. Gunnell, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed and contracted with:

The Board decided to furnish flooring for the Floris Colored School, Number B, if the patrons would lay down the flooring and do the hauling of the wood. The Board also decided to build water closets at the following schools: two at Powell’s School, two at River Bend School, and one at Dranesville School. A warrant was issued from the County Fund to the School Trustees of Herndon District for the tuition of Colored children from Dranesville District who attended school in the town. There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet on the first Saturday in October. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

Notes:

• Two-room schoolhouses, such as the one at Floris, were referred to as “graded schools” because the students were separated by grade level between the classrooms. Typically, the primary grade teacher would educate children in grades 1-3, and the principal would educate children in grades 4-7.
• The term “patrons” was typically used to describe a group of parents whose children attended a public school. In some schools, the patrons formally organized into a School League – the forerunner of the modern Parent-Teacher Association.
• Water closets, also known as outhouses or privies, were used as restroom facilities at some Fairfax County public schools for white children until the late 1930s. African-American children continued to use outhouses until the early 1950s.

October 5, 1901

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were Welby J. French, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Thomas Jenkins. The following business was transacted: Miss Ida Cockrill was contracted with to teach at the River Bend School. The bids for firewood for the schools were opened and the following contracts were awarded:

Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

Notes:

• In the original shorthand version of the minutes, Will Ellmore was contracted to furnish firewood for “Floris 3 Schools White and Colored” at a total of $28.00 for all three “schools” for the term. At this time, the Floris School for white children was a two-room schoolhouse.
• In the minutes, William Gunnell and Alonzo White were both listed as having been contracted for the Navy School. There was no firewood contract listed for the Money’s Corner School, so it’s possible that either William Gunnell or Alonzo White was actually contracted to supply firewood to that school.

April 5, 1902

The Dranesville District School Board met at Colvin Run School House. Present were George W. Gunnell and Thomas A. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins acted as Chairman Pro Tempore because Welby J. French was absent. The following warrants were issued from the District Fund:

September 6, 1902

The Dranesville District School Board met at Herndon. Present were Welby J. French, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Thomas A. Jenkins. Teachers were appointed as follows:

The clerk was instructed to advertise for the transportation of Powell’s School Number 3 to the Wiehle School.

September 29, 1902

The bids for firewood for the schools were opened and the following contracts were awarded for a term of six months:

August 27, 1904

The Dranesville District School Board met at Herndon. Present were Thomas A. Jenkins, Chairman, and George W. Gunnell, Clerk. The following teachers were appointed.

The following warrants were drawn on the County School Fund:

• Warrant Number 1 – To the Herndon School District for tuition of students from Dranesville District attending school in the Town of Herndon, $50.40.
• Warrant Number 2 – To J. R. Gunnell for use of well for school house (amount not stated).

The chairman objected to signing the warrant for Broad Run District. There being no other business, the Board adjourned. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk of the Board

Notes:

• On pages 125 and 171 of the minute book George W. Gunnell recorded separate information relative to the meeting of August 27, 1904. The above table combines the information recorded on these separate pages. 
• Broad Run Magisterial District, located in Loudoun County, shared a border with Dranesville District. There are several recorded instances in which students who lived along the border in Loudoun County would enroll in a school in Fairfax County because it was the closest school to their home. This was often the case with the Cockrill / Willard School in Dranesville District and the Oak Grove School in the Town of Herndon. In 1903, the Willard School was relocated to Loudoun County. The chairman’s rejection of signing the warrant to the School Trustees of Broad Run District suggests that students from Fairfax County had enrolled in the Willard School without the permission of the trustees of either district. Such arrangements typically involved the payment of tuition as seen in the minutes involving the Town of Herndon.

October 24, 1904

Wrote to L. E. Thompson for wood to be furnished to the Navy School.

September 9, 1905

The Dranesville District School Board met at Herndon at 10 o’clock a.m. to appoint teachers and to contract for wood to be furnished schools. Present were Thomas A. Jenkins, Chairman, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and John P. Tucker, Trustees. The following teachers were appointed:
 

The Board agreed to furnish a teacher at Carter’s Corner for the Colored children if the patrons could furnish a (School) House free of charge. The Board also agreed to furnish the firewood if the school can make an average of 20 scholars. The following bids were received and accepted for furnishing wood for the schools:

There being no other business, the Board adjourned to meet at Colvin Run School House on Saturday, September 23, 1905, to contract with teachers and to receive bids to furnish wood. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk, and Thomas A. Jenkins, Chairman

Note:

• In the meeting minutes of the consolidated Fairfax County School Board, formed in 1922, the school at Cartersville (Carter’s Corner) was held in Cartersville Baptist Church. The location of the first school at this location is not recorded in this minute book, but it may have been held in the church as it was in later years.

September 23, 1905

The Board agreed to let Middleton D. Harrell have the contract to clear off the Colvin Run School House lot even with the ground for $6.00. Signed, George W. Gunnell, Clerk

September 29, 1905

The bids for furnishing firewood for the schools were opened. The following teacher’s registers were to be sent: Miss Middleton – Navy School Number 10; Grace Compher – Floris School; Miss Annie Crowell.

October 14, 1905

The Dranesville District School Board met at Forestville on the second Saturday in October 1905, at 2 o’clock. Lewis Hunt was awarded the contract to furnish wood to Vale School Number 1 in the amount of $12.00 per term.

September 1, 1906

The following teachers were appointed:

If the Floris School makes an average of 40 scholars the Board will pay for two teachers; if they can’t make an average of 40 scholars Mr. W. H. Wallan will pay the balance of $15.00. The Board decided to open schools on September 24, 1906, and to sign contracts with teachers on September 22, 1906.

September 22, 1906

The Board met to contract with teachers. We still need teachers for Vale Number 1, Dranesville Number 7, and Colvin Run Number 15. The bids for firewood were received. The contractors are bidding on a seven-month term.

October 13, 1906

The following letters were sent out today:

• To Lewis J. Hunt regarding his wood bid.
• To G. W. Kidwell regarding his wood bid.
• To Superintendent Milton D. Hall asking him to meet me on Tuesday, October 16, 1906, at Fairfax Court House.
• To Huddleson of the Herndon School Board.

March 24, 1907

Notice: A warrant was drawn payable to Henson Poole for one-half of his bill for wood furnished the Wiehle and Dranesville Schools.

August 29, 1907

We the School Trustees of Dranesville District have agreed to refund the patrons of the Floris School the sum of $54.00 that was paid out for school tuition.

September 12, 1907

The Dranesville District School Board met to appoint teachers. 

The following table shows the firewood contracts issued for the 1907-1908 school year. It was written on page 102 of the minute book and was not recorded under a specific meeting date.

October 14, 1908

The Dranesville District School Board met at Forestville. The following business was transacted. It was decided that Mr. George Gant’s children could go to the Herndon School and the Clerk could give an order for the same. The Board contracted with Susie Reeves to teach at Carter’s Corner for the term of six months at a salary of $25.00 per month provided she could make an average of 20 scholars. If not, we will bring her to Forestville. Signed, George W. Gunnell and Thomas A. Jenkins

January 19, 1910

$3.00 was paid to three hired-hands for three-fourths of a day’s work done at Colvin Run repairing the school’s water closets.