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Phineas Gordy Schoolbook Collection

1 box (0.5 linear feet)

(1911 – 1915)

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2010.065
Creator(s) Butler, Paul
Acquisition

Photocopied from originals in the possession of Paul Butler
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Steven Rothenberger Jr, 2019.
Related Materials

Public School Attendance Registers (1920 – 1922)

African American Public School Ledgers (1914 – 1918)

Wicomico County Board of Education records (1886 – 2009)
Separated Materials See Nabb Center Staff
Abstract

The Phineas Gordy Papers document the attendance and grade efforts from the students under Gordy from 1911 to 1915 (with one item possibly dating 1929-1931). Phineas Gordy was the founder of the African American school in Salisbury Maryland. It includes details concerning everyday life with the students and the student’s name, grade scores, age, and what grade year they were enrolled in. This collection offers pictures of Gordy and one of his all boys class. This collection consists of photocopies of the original documents.

Biographical History

Phineas Gordy was an African American male born in Maryland in 1865. Phineas was the founder and school teacher for the African American education system in Wicomico County. In the 1920s Gordy was the supervisor for the public school system. He was married to M.Ida Gordy. Phineas was educated but did not attend a primary school. 

Scope and Content Note

The Phineas Gordy collection offers photocopied documents underlining the professional recordings of his career. Included are a collection of attendance books during his teaching career for African American students in the Salisbury area. This collection consists of primary documents including records and reports of student’s individual efforts including details about the student’s name, grade scores, age, and what grade year they were enrolled in. The files are in chronological order by the known date. Lastly the following is undated attendance sheets and grade books. Also included are photos of students with Gordy. The bulk of the records are from 1911-1915 with some items dating to 1931.

Arrangement Statement

The Phineas Gordy Papers have been arranged into two series:

Series 1: School Records, 1911-1915 and undated

Series 2: School Photographs, undated

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Deshields Family
    • African American History
    • Racism
  • Corporate Names
    • Wicomico County Board of Education
  • Personal Names
    • Gordy, Phineas
  • Location Terms
    • Wicomico County (Md.)

Inventory List

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Box 1

Series 1 (School Records): Class Attendance and Grade Book 1911-1912

Series 1 (School Records): Class Attendance and Grade Book 1914-1915

Series 1 (School Records): Class Attendance and Grade Book Undated

Series 1 (School Records): Class Attendance and Grade Book Undated

Series 2 (School Photos): Class Photos Undated

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None