Old Man Frank Wilkinson – a legendary educator

The Mayo Pippen House (My great grandfather's) ======================================== The Daily Southerner — When discussing the history of education in Edgecombe County, one considers the early academies of the 19th century through the public schools of the 20th century. The many schools from the first academy in 1813 to the present 15 public schools have employed hundreds of teachers. Many are loved or hated by their students, but one set a high standard for all who followed him. Frank Smith Wilkinson, often referred to as “Old Man Frank” was an icon among Edgecombe educators. Born in 1833 in the Lower Fishing Creek township of Edgecombe County, Frank was the youngest of 11 children. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1857 and taught school for one year before coming home to Edgecombe County to take a position at the Tarboro Male Academy. Old Man Frank began a career in education that spanned five decades. Shortly after moving to Tarboro, Frank met and married Annie Stronach. The couple had five children that would live to adulthood. Frank and his family were active members of Calvary Church. Frank joined the faculty of the Tarboro Male Academy in 1858. He taught all levels of young boys ranging in age from 10 to 16 from around the region until late November in 1885 when the school was destroyed by fire. The fire didn’t stop Frank. He just moved the boys to his home on the corner of Wilson St. and St. Patrick St. He built an addition to his home and taught the boys there. According to an article by former student Dr. Spencer Bass, Frank had his school furniture made by a local carpenter. He had a homemade desk and a favorite thick yardstick. He was known as a strict disciplinarian who would not spare the rod to spoil a child. Not only did many young men experience his “stout switch,” they respected him and mastered not only the subjects he taught but also the values he lived by. According to a biographical sketch by Dorothy Wilkinson, Frank “was a man of moral and gentlemanly deportment, stern in manner and exacting absolute obedience from his pupils.” He taught classical subjects of rhetoric, history, science, mathematics, and also instructed the boys in both Latin and Greek. According to one of his students, the Right Reverend Joseph B Cheshire, Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, Wilkinson “ was devoted to the profession of teaching, laboring faithfully to interest his pupils and giving them the best of himself.” Wilkinson’s students were well prepared for college and many went on to become physicians, attorneys, judges, state politicians, and founders of successful businesses. Frank was so well admired as an outstanding teacher that the “University would admit any student certified by him without requiring an entrance examination. ======== Columbia/Swiss/Negro (My G Uncle, G & G,G Grandfathers) 1. "In 1827 the Columbia Academy was established and incorporated on the lands of Joseph John Pippen (my great, great grandfather. BT) who was one of the incorporators and founders. were Columbia Academy grew to be one of the largest schools in the State and turned out men who afterwards achieved notable success." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An Act to establish Columbia Academy, on the lands of Joseph John Pippen, in the county of Edgecombe, and to incorporate the trustees thereof Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That Asa Jones, Allen Jones, Frederick Jones, Kenneth Hyman, Kenneth C. Staton, Bythel Staton and Joseph John Pippin, and their successors, be, and they are hereby declared to be a body politic and corporate, to be known and distinguished by the name of the Trustees of Columbia Academy; and by that name shall have perpetual succession, and they, or a majority of them, by the name aforesaid, shall be able and capable in law to receive subscriptions and donations, possess all monies, goods and chattels, that shall be given for the use of said academy, and by gift, purchase and devise, take, possess and enjoy, to them or their successors, any lands, tenements and hereditaments in trust for the use of said academy, and apply the same according to the will of the donor, and dispose of the same, when not forbidden by the terms of the gift. And be it further enacted, That the said trustees, or their successors in office, shall be able and capable in law to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in any court of law or equity within this State. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said trustees and their successors, or a majority of them, shall have power and authority to make, ordain and establish all such bye-laws, rules and regulations for their own government, and for the regulation of said academy, as to them may seem necessary for the promotion of learning and good morals, and may do and perform all other acts and things as are incident to and usually exercised by bodies politic and corporate for the promotion of science, not inconsistent with the laws of the State or of the United States; and upon the death, resignation or refusal to act, or removal out of the State of any of the trustees aforesaid, or in the appointment of a tutor or tutors for said academy, the remaining trustees, or a majority of them, shall call a meeting of all the stockholders or persons interested in the establishment of said academy, who shall have power and authority to appoint a tutor or tutors, and to fill such vacancies as may thereby be occasioned. Source: NC Archives Public and Private Laws of North Carolina 1827 Chapter CV Page 74