As I think of St. Paul students, I think also of the scores of teachers and workers who from the beginning have planned and worked to make real an ideal that would not be suffocating or defeatist, but challenging and dynamic in the long-term point of view. I think of men and women like H. E. Barnett, a Howard University graduate, who came here from Warrenton, and from 1890-1893 assisted me in many wars; D.W. Brown of Charlotte Hall, Maryland, who from the turn of the century served in every capacity, save that of principal; Mrs. Mollie Wall, of Freeman, Virginia, and Mrs. Susan Roberts, the first matron, who labored night and day to make both ends meet; Mr. Jack Macklin, who saw St. Paul’s rise and knows the story of these parts better than any other living man; Miss Eva Grace Burleigh of Erie, Pennsylvania, sister of Harry T. Burleigh, the composer and soloist who, although here for only one year (1893-94), rendered invaluable service in establishing a music department; Miss Sallie Davis (now Mrs. Thoroughgood) of Norfolk, who taught several years and had much to do with laying a solid foundation for the school;

An excerpt from An Adventure in Faith By James S. Russell Founder of the St. Paul School in Lawrenceville,VA