John Franklin Heitman papers, 1863 - 1911

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Summary

Creator:
Heitman, J. F. (John F.)
Abstract:
John Franklin Heitman (1840-1904) was professor of Trinity College in Randolph County from 1883 to 1892, and Acting President of the school from 1884-1887. He later served as Headmaster of Trinity High School from 1892 to 1895. He also published several periodicals during his career. The John Franklin Heitman Papers contain correspondence, bound volumes, printed material, and financial and legal documents. Topics include college finance, the U.S. Government's sponsorship of education for Cherokee Indians, the Civil War, publications such as the North Carolina Education Journal and the North Carolina Home Journal, Trinity College administrative issues, and Trinity High School administrative issues. Major correspondents include Julian S. Carr and John W. Alspaugh. English.
Extent:
2.6 Linear Feet
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
UA.29.02.0056
University Archives Record Group:
29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates
29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates > 02 -- Individuals

Background

Scope and content:

The John Franklin Heitman Papers contain correspondence, bound volumes, printed material, and financial and legal documents. Much of the material dates from the 1884-1887 period in which Heitman served as Acting President of Trinity College. Topics include college finance, the U.S. Government's sponsorship of education for Cherokee Indians, the Civil War, publications, Trinity College administrative issues, and Trinity High School administrative issues. Major correspondents include Julian S. Carr and John W. Alspaugh.

This collection is arranged into two series. The first, Correspondence, dates from 1863 to 1894, with one letter from 1911. It includes both personal and professional correspondence, and is arranged chronologically. The second series, Bound Volumes and Other Material, includes a Civil War diary, grade books from Trinity High School, financial and legal documents related to Trinity College, and publications edited by Heitman, as well as a sampling of other types of print materials. This series is arranged alphabetically by topic.

Biographical / historical:

John Franklin Heitman was born on April 17, 1840 in Davidson County, North Carolina, the son of Henry and Eve McRary Heitman. He entered Trinity College in Randolph County in 1861, but left in 1862 to join the Confederate Army. He served as a captain in the Civil War. After the war, following a short period of business and teaching, he retuned to Trinity and received an A.M. degree in 1868. He then resumed teaching and became a clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and held several parishes. In 1881, he left the clergy to enter business in Chapel Hill, establishing the North Carolina Educational Journal, which he called "the organ of the North Carolina State Teachers Association."

During this time period, he met and married Emma Carr, sister of the Durham tobacco manufacturer Julian S. Carr. In 1883, he was appointed a professor at Trinity College and moved, along with the Education Journal, back to Randolph County. Much of his time over then next few years was spent in dealing with the financial problems of the school. After Marquis Lafayette Wood resigned from the presidency of Trinty in December 1884, Heitman served as an interim head of the school in his capacity as chairman of the faculty. Along with the Committee of Management--his brother-in-law Carr, J.W. Alspaugh, and James A. Gray--Heitman managed to keep the school financially afloat and increase enrollment. In 1887, a new president, John Franklin Crowell, was chosen to lead Trinity.

In 1892, Trinity College moved to Durham County, but Heitman stayed in Randolph County to become Headmaster of Trinity High School. In 1895 he was replaced as headmaster by the Board of Trustees of Trinity College. He then devoted his time to the North Carolina Home Journal, and continuing a series of articles on North Carolina history that he had begun in the North Carolina Educational Journal.

Heitman died on June 15, 1904, and is buried in Trinity Cemetery, Trinity, North Carolina, along with his wife. They had three children: Eva (Mrs. W. Bivens), Polly (Mrs. R.B. Terry), and John.

Acquisition information:
The John Franklin Heitman Papers were received as a transfer and gift in 1967.
Processing information:

Processed by Valerie Gillispie

Completed August 10, 2004

Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, August 10, 2004

Reviewed and updated on 2023 November 15 to facilitate access through Duke Digital Collections by April Blevins, November 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], John Franklin Heitman Papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1mt4n