“REMEMBERENCES:"  THE NEW LONDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(Town Fork Road and Burnside Roan Area), Evington, Virginia

In the late 1800’s African American children often received schooling in the home from their parents, or attended what was known as “freedman’s” schools.  The one-room New London Elementary School for African American students (currently, a private residence) was located in the New London community on Town Fork Road.  My sisters and I attended the school from 1947 until 1949.

Rev. Dr. James Allen Shelton was our instructor for the first through the third grade classes at the one-room school.  He had been an instructor at the school for many years.  We walked approximately four miles (total) to school each day from our home (Timberlake Road/now RTE. 460).  On occasion, we would ride to and from school with Rev. Shelton who traveled from Lynchburg via Timberlake Road.

When the school closed in 1949, the students were transferred to Evington Elementary School, Evington, Virginia.  Mrs. Ruby McDaniel Mickles was principal, and only the second African American female school principal at Evington Elementary.  The closing of the New London School for African American students initiated the first school bus service for African American students of the New London community.  We traveled approximately 30 miles each way (60 miles total) per day to the Evington School.  My father, the late James H. Nash, Sr., son of the late Charles and Ellen Calloway Nash of New London, was hired as the bus driver.

I have many fond memories, and there were also challenges that I experienced as a student at the New London Elementary School.  Most vivid were the outdoor toilets, the wood burning stove, and the quarter mile walk the students had from the school to the Timberlake Mill to be weighed as part of the school registration process each school year.  Often our lunch recess included an approved walk to the neighborhood store in the village of New London for the many treats that were available for sale (penny candy sticks, ice cream for a nickel, and soda pop).  The lessons taught by Rev. Shelton at the one-room school included grammar, reading, writing, arithmetic, and the principles of daily living that provided the foundation for values that our parents reinforced.  He also encouraged his students to believe in themselves and be productive citizens of the community.

Submitted by Watenia Nash Brummell, eldest daughter of the late James and Elenora Nash, and granddaughter of the late Charles H. Nash and Ellen Calloway Nash of New London.