Watercolor "Reward of Merit" for Miss Mary Watson

DateDecember 20th, 1829 (dated)

Owned by Miss Mary Watson (1812 - 1896)

Issued by Mrs. Bartholomew Egan

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Charlottesville

MediumInk and watercolor on paper

DimensionsOW: 15 7/8" x OL: 10"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2000-65

DescriptionThis is a rectangular reward of merit worked in shades of blue, green, brown, and gold watercolors and ink on paper. The center consists of the inscription "REWARD OF/ Merit./ Conferred on Miss Mary Watson for her amiable/ Behaviour and indefatigable Application to the/ different branches of female Education which are/ taught in the Academy of Mrs Egan.../ Charlottesville December 20th 1829." At the top of the reward is a ribbon swag with clover and other vines. In the center of the swag is a trophy consisting of a music sheet, lyre, globe, and painter's pallet, perhaps representative of the "different branches of female education." The bottom portion of the certificate consists of a garland of morning glory and other vines with a bow at the center.
Label TextMiss Mary Watson was seventeen years old in 1829 when she received her certificate for "amiable Behaviour and indefatigable Application" from the academy of Mrs. Egan in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Charlottesville Female Academy was the first documented private school for girls in that town. It existed for ten consecutive years (1820-1830), which is of note considering that many boy's schools in the area were only open for a year or so. Mrs. Mary F. George was the first superintendent of the school, followed by Misses Mary Ann and Isabella Wydown, Mr. and Mrs. Littleford, and Mrs. G. K. Taylor.

In the spring of 1829, Mrs. Bartholomew Egan was hired as the last superintendent of the school. Students in the lower class were taught reading writing, and arithmetic, while those in the senior class, such as Mary Watson, were offered English grammar and composition, geography, history, and Latin. Mr. Bartholomew Egan, who ran one of the leading boys' schools in Charlottesville, instructed the senior class for two hours each day.
Inscribed"REWARD OF/ Merit./Conferred on Miss Mary Watson for her amiable/ Behaviour and indefatigable Application to the different branches of female Education which are/ taught in the Academy of Mrs Egan.../ Charlottesville December 20th 1829"
ProvenanceNo provenance other than vendor's is known.

History of Recipient:
"Miss Mary Watson", the recipient of the reward of merit, was probably Mary Ann "Molly" Watson, born in Albemarle County in 1812, to James Batson Watson (b. 1790) and Mildred (Milly) Rodes Watson (b. 1790). She was seventeen years old in 1829 when she received the reward of merit. On January 3, 1832, Mary Ann married Meriweather Lewis Arlington Via (1813-1902), a farmer, blacksmith, and Methodist minister. In 1845, Mary Ann and Meriweather Lewis Arlington Via moved to Boone County, Missouri. Together they had four children: Meriweather Benjamin (1839-1894), William Pleasant (1842-1909), John W. (1845-1892), and Margaret (1849-1924). Mary Ann died on February 7, 1896, and is buried in Locust Grove Cemetery in Boone County, Missouri.

History of Instructor:
"Mrs. Egan" is probably Mildred Yancey of Albemarle County who married John Eagan (variably spelled Egan or Eagon) of the same county in 1825. In the spring of 1829, Mrs. Bartholomew Egan was hired as the last superintendent of the Charlottesville Academy. Mr. Bartholomew Egan, who ran one of the leading boys' schools in Charlottesville, instructed the senior class for two hours each day.