In a message dated 01-06-24 09:42:16 EDT, you write: << Subj: [NCBLADEN-L] Floral College Date: 01-06-24 09:42:16 EDT From: bbtyner@carolina.net (Blake & Bess Tyner) Reply-to: NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com To: NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com In 1841, John Gilchrist, Jr. and others felt that the education needs of the young ladies of Robeson County area were not being filled. Their answer was the founding of Floral College, the first female college in the state to confer degrees. John was the first UNC graduate from Robeson County and after college began a law practice. He soon found lawyers and their practices distasteful and declared that if that were their manner he would spend his few days as an obscure farmer. Some early members of the Board of Trustees were Malcom Purcell, WA Sellers, Peter A. MacEachin, Dr. Angus D. McLean, Dr. John Malloy, Malcom, Smith, and Daniel MacKinnon. The site for the college was given by J >> Dear Blake, Do you know anything else about Malcolm Purcell, member of the Board of Trustees? I have Purcells from South Carolina, at least some of whom went to Alabama----but one eventually married a Barfield, from Bladen County. Would like to be able to track down parents of Martha Purcell, b Feb 14, 1809 in Abbeville District, South Carolina, d Nov 24, 1889, Gonzales County, Texas. BJBrothers@aol.com