> >I am glad you raised the question about schools/colleges in the Marlboro > >County area because I have had the same question. <snip> > >ggrandmother attended Flora McDonald in Red Springs. Years ago I tried to > >check with the archives (now at St. Andrews in Laurinburg) but did not > >receive a response. I think Flora McDonald may have been in operation > >during that time period. In any case, if anyone finds reference to any > >other college in or near Marlboro County around that time period, I would > >really appreciate knowing. > >My great grandfather Claiborne McDonald attended Bennetsville Acadamy in the > >>1850-1860 time period. Can anyone give me any information on it. His grand > >>father Angus McDonald was from Skye Scotland and lived near Laurinburg, died > >>at 90. Claiborne also attended college some where in the area does anyone > >>know of a college in the area at that time. Hi, Folks, My copy of "Away Down Home, A History of Robeson Co., NC," by Maud Thomas (1982) states that "The Scots set up Floral College early in the county's educational history." A new school, the Red Springs Seminary, was opened in 1896, its name changed to Southern Presbyterian College and Conservatory of Music in 1903, and then to Flora McDonald in 1915. "A spiritual successor to Floral College, Flora McDonald scheduled a homecoming day celebration in 1940 honoring the hundredth anniversary of Floral College." If you will check out the 1884 map of Robeson Co. newly posted on the Robeson Co. GenWeb site (http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/1786/robeson.html), you will see that Floral College was located at Maxton. That's close to Laurinburg and not far from Marlboro Co. If anyone finds additional information on the history of Floral College, I would like to see it posted here. Ed Dunn