George Washington Flowers 
 Memorial Collection 
 
 DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 ESTABLISHED BY THE 
 FAMILY OF 
 COLONEL FLOWERS 
 
UNITARIAN SETTLEMENTS 
 
 IN 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA AND 
 FLORIDA 
 
 PREPARED BY THE 
 
 COMMITTEE ON SOUTHERN CIRCUIT WORK 
 
 Mrs. Abby A. Peterson, Chairman 
 
 Rev. Margaret B. Barnard 
 
 Miss Emma C. Low 
 
 Miss Lucy Lowell 
 
 Mrs. Lucia Clapp Noyes 
 
 ENDORSED BY 
 MISS ANNA M. BANCROFT, President 
 
 THE ALLIANCE OF UNITARIAN AND OTHER LIBERAL 
 CHRISTIAN WOMEN 
 1915 
 
UNITARIAN SETTLEMENTS IN NORTH CARO- 
 LINA AND FLORIDA 
 
 Every Unitarian, every student of rural conditions, every one interested 
 in social service, and in the development of higher standards of citizenship 
 in all parts of this country, ought to be acquainted with the work done in 
 North Carolina by The Alliance and the American Unitarian Association in 
 the last fifteen years, and to be thoroughly proud of the loyalty and de- 
 votion which have made such work possible. Every church and every Al- 
 liance branch ought to feel that it is a privilege to have a share in promoting 
 this undertaking, and to be ready to co-operate by every means in their power. 
 It appeals to all through its religious, educational, and social activities, and 
 through the fact that the influence of such work is not local, but national. 
 Any one who has been privileged to visit this settlement has gone away with 
 deep appreciation of what has been accomplished under great difficulties; and 
 also with a keen sense of the duty devolving upon all our churches to main- 
 tain this work, because of the far-reaching results to be won through im- 
 proved health, greater economic progress, and higher standards of citizen- 
 ship. 
 
 The question is often asked: Where is this work, and what is it? The 
 communities are found in southeastern North Carolina, as will be seen by 
 the map. If you are going to Shelter Neck, the train on the Atlantic Coast 
 Line will leave you at a little town called Watha, about thirty miles north 
 of Wilmington, and then there is a seven miles' drive through pine woods 
 to the hamlet. For Shelter Neck is not a village, nor has it the distinction 
 of a post office. 
 
 The houses that we pass are plain one-, two-, and three-room homes, but 
 at length our guide points out a very attractive modern school-building with 
 a flag-pole in front, from which fly the flags of North Carolina and the Union. 
 A minute's walk from the school on the same side of the road is the church, a 
 neat, cheerful-looking building; and between the two, past the Fifield Me- 
 
 P43001 
 
DIX HOUSE. CHURCH AT RIGHT 
 
Church 
 
 KIMBALL HOUSE, SHELTER NECK 
 
 Dix House 
 
 P43001 
 
V 
 
 6 
 
 morial Well lately given in memory of Mrs. Emily A. Fifield, the road leads 
 to Dix House, a large well-painted, hospitable looking home, the headquarters 
 for all the activities of the settlement. Nearby is Kimball House, a dormi- 
 tory for teachers and girl boarders. Here, too, some of the weaving and rug- 
 making industries are carried on. Between the houses is the farm in a most 
 excellent state of cultivation. This is the plant at Shelter Neck. 
 
 Swansboro is only sixty miles from Shelter Neck, across country, but it 
 is on another railroad line, and fifteen hours of travel are necessary to reach it 
 by rail. Maysville, a town about one hour's ride from Newbern, is the rail- 
 
 SALEM COTTAGE, SWANSBORO 
 
 road station; then there is an eighteen-mile drive through the woods, fording 
 many brooks and rivers, and, at the end of a little peninsula, we find the town 
 on Bogue Sound. As it is on the seashore, fishing is the principal industry, 
 but it has also a large saw-mill and sends away a great deal of lumber. 
 
 Here we find a very attractive bungalow, Salem Cottage, the home of the 
 minister and his wife, and the teachers; and close by, an excellent school- 
 building, very well equipped for the work. The church is a short distance 
 
7 
 
 from the bungalow on another street. It is similar to the Shelter Neck church 
 and very pleasing both inside and out. 
 
 The work at Shelter Neck, Swansboro, and other stations may be divided 
 into three classes: (i) Religious; (2) educational; (3) social service. 
 
 RELIGIOUS WORK. 
 
 The religious work in North Carolina is in charge of three ministers, Rev. 
 W. S. Key, Rev. John L. Robinson, and Rev. W. E. Cowan. Mr. Key has 
 charge of the churches at Shelter Neck and Pink Hill, a town fifty-five miles 
 away as the crow flies, but a long day's journey by rail and other convey- 
 ances. At each place he preaches once a month. There is a flourishing Sun- 
 day School at Shelter Neck, which meets every week. 
 
 Mr. Robinson has services at Swansboro twice a month, and from there 
 he goes once a month to the White Oak church, where a pleasant congrega- 
 tion in a charming little building among the pines awaits him. To get there, 
 
 CHURCH AT SHELTER NECK 
 
8 
 
 he takes a trip of four miles in a motor boat, and then a short drive. On one 
 Sunday, he goes to the church at Bear Creek, a five-mile trip in a motor boat, 
 and then a three-mile drive. Here, as elsewhere, there is a very good church 
 building. In accordance with local customs, our services are arranged to be 
 held once or twice a month, that they may not conflict with other denomina- 
 tions. 
 
 Mr. Cowan has his headquarters at Watha, and goes out to preach in all 
 the surrounding country, using brush shelters, school buildings, houses, and 
 often speaking in the open. 
 
 In addition to this work in North Carolina, Rev. Francis McHale is doing 
 fine circuit work in northern Florida. He has regular appointments at Bris- 
 tol, Rock Bluffs, and Marianna, and a new church is being built at Mount 
 Pleasant. He has also calls to preach in many other directions, to all of 
 which he responds as far as possible; and he makes great use of the news- 
 paper press to spread our liberal gospel. 
 
 It is the aim of all these preachers to give to the people a religion of love 
 instead of a religion of fear. They try to make religion mean not a creed, but 
 a life; not joining the church merely, but doing justly, and loving mercy, and 
 caring for one's neighbor, thus honoring God and man. It is not outside of 
 the daily life, but is to be realized in the home, on the farm, in the conduct of 
 business, in all social relations. It means helpfulness in time of need, goodwill, 
 friendliness. 
 
 When a certain revival preacher undertook to attack Mr. Key, a man rose 
 in the meeting, and exclaimed, "You need not attack Mr. Key in this place. 
 He's the only minister in these parts who has stood by us in all our troubles. 
 When the flood came and ruined us, what did you do? Nothing. What did 
 Brother Key do? Everything. He looked out for our families, gave us 
 shelter, saved us from starvation, gave us money to get on our feet again. 
 You can't say anything against Brother Key here." And he walked out of the 
 meeting, followed by a number of others. 
 
 Both Mr. Key and Mrs. Peterson have frequently been guests in the home 
 of a Baptist lady in one of the near-by towns. One day she was reproached by 
 a neighbor for showing hospitality to heretics. "Heretics," she exclaimed, 
 "they're the only real Christians I know!" 
 
9 
 
 When about ten years ago, Mrs. Emily A. Fifield and Miss Fanny Field 
 went to represent The Alliance at the dedication of the White Oak church, 
 they found it almost impossible to secure a night's lodging in Swansboro 
 because they were Unitarians. Two years ago Miss French, a teacher at the 
 school, died suddenly, and the people of the town vied with each other in 
 doing everything possible for her and her friends. On the day of her funeral 
 work was suspended, and the entire town turned out to do her honor. The 
 ministers of the Baptist and Methodist churches took part in the service, 
 and testified to their appreciation of what her work had meant to the com- 
 munity. Such incidents show us the value of our religious work. We may 
 not be able to build large, self-supporting churches we are building lives. 
 
 These illustrations show us that here is a great field in which to preach 
 Unitarian Christianity, and to bring to people a religion of hope and cheer, 
 of courage and faith. Everywhere there are many ready and glad to listen 
 to the message, and delighted to know that they are not atheists because they 
 cannot accept the old creeds. Our preachers have little or no difficulty in 
 securing audiences, and the people come from miles around in mule or ox 
 teams, or afoot, to hear the message. Have we not here a great duty as well 
 as opportunity? 
 
 This religious work is carried on amid many difficulties and hardships. 
 There are long journeys in all sorts of conveyances, sometimes a freight or 
 platform car being the only means of reaching the destination; but none of 
 the workers ever spare themselves. The expense of the work is borne by the 
 American Unitarian Association and The Alliance. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL WORK. 
 
 This is carried on at Shelter Neck and Swansboro only, and is in charge of 
 the Carolina Industrial School Corporation. A few interested Unitarians had 
 at first the entire management, but later, it seemed better to form a corpora- 
 tion to hold the school property, to engage teachers, and to care for the farm. 
 
 At Shelter Neck there was no school nearer than three miles, and it kept 
 only two months of the year. In 1902 the late Miss Ellen Crehore of Can- 
 
II 
 
 ton, Mass., went to Shelter Neck for three months, gathered the children 
 around her in Dix House, and did what she could for them. One of her boys 
 went to Camp Hill, and, upon graduation, was placed in charge of the school 
 farm there, and is now employed by the state of North Carolina as an agri- 
 cultural expert. 
 
 From Miss Crehore's small beginnings, an excellent school has been devel- 
 oped, covering primary and grammar school branches, and some high school 
 work. In addition, quite a little manual training is undertaken, basket-mak- 
 ing, rugs, weaving, sewing, and some domestic work for the girls, and farm 
 work for the boys. 
 
 In 1905 a school was opened at Swansboro, the public school accommoda- 
 tions being insufficient for half the children of school age. Miss Lucy 0. Fes- 
 senden, assisted later by Miss Frost, taught the pupils for the first year. 
 Here, in addition to the regular branches, a good class in carpentry has been 
 maintained for three years. 
 
 The schools average between fifty and sixty pupils, and that the children 
 appreciate the opportunity given them is shown by the obstacles they over- 
 come in order to be present. The accompanying picture shows some of their 
 means of conveyance. The boy with the goat team drives two and one-half 
 miles each way; the children with the ox cart, three miles each way; and 
 those with the mule team travel five miles each way, while other children 
 walk several miles. Probably all of them do quite a little work at home morn- 
 ing and night. How many of our Northern children and parents would make 
 such sacrifices for an education, especially when the school laws are not so 
 strict as in New England? 
 
 These children are for the most part descendants of old English and Scotch 
 families, and bear names that are known in history. One little fellow had for 
 ancestor a poet laureate of England. As a rule, they are bright and interest- 
 ing, extremely responsive to all that is done for them. 
 
 The farm is a very important part of the work of the Carolina Industrial 
 School Corporation. It is well described by Rev. H. W. Foote, who says: 
 
 "Shelter Neck is primarily an agricultural community, and the influence 
 of the school farm is very noticeable. While the farm acreage is small and 
 its equipment meagre compared to some of the larger model farms, the prod- 
 
12 
 
 uce represents a far higher level of agricultural skill than prevails in the 
 neighborhood. For example, every year some twenty to thirty varieties of 
 vegetables and fruits are raised upon the school farm, most of which were 
 previously unknown to the community which until recently raised little be- 
 sides sweet potatoes, collards, onions, cow peas, beans, and corn. The school 
 farm, however, besides introducing improved varieties of most of these vege- 
 tables, raises Irish potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes, celery, 
 strawberries, and other fruits. In addition, Mr. Key keeps a few good pigs of 
 a grade much superior to the hogs which frequent the North Carolina woods. 
 The farm thus not only offers a stimulating example, but provides a large part 
 of the table for the school. Considerable expense has to be incurred in de- 
 veloping the farm, improving the soil by cultivation and fertilization, the 
 providing of the necessary up-to-date farm implements, the purchase and 
 maintenance of horses, cows, pigs, hiring of labor, etc., all of which are essen- 
 tial for carrying on the work for practical educational purposes, as well as 
 for provisioning the school. The Agricultural Department is, of necessity, 
 expensive, at the same time, very essential to the maintenance of the school 
 and the continued growth and expansion of the entire movement along the 
 lines of social improvement. 
 
 During the summer, when the school is closed, Mr. Key not only superin- 
 tends the farm work, but also the preserving and canning of a large quantity 
 of fresh fruits and vegetables, putting up during the summer the entire supply 
 needed for the school during the winter. In this task he is assisted by the 
 women of the community, who have learned how to preserve fruits and 
 vegetables for their own use, and who take the surplus product of the farm 
 in return for their services. Furthermore, considerable quantities of pota- 
 toes and of canned goods are shipped each year to the school at Swansboro, 
 N. C, thus helping to keep down the cost of maintenance for that school as 
 well. As a result of this work the entire community is waking up to the 
 possibilities of a better and more varied diet of articles produced upon the 
 surrounding farms." 
 
 In November, 1913, a corn show was held in Wilmington. Mr. Key 
 entered some Irish potatoes and peppers from the farm, and took a prize on 
 each entry. Last year, 1914, a very fine exhibit was prepared, and, Mr. Key 
 
13 
 
 being ill at the time, Mrs. Peterson took charge of it. Great interest was 
 shown in the entire display. At the present time there is no fund with which 
 to buy tools, to hire extra labor, to purchase seeds even, to say nothing of 
 animals, or for the repair of buildings; so the work is seriously hampered often 
 for want of the very essentials needed to carry it on. What Mr. Key has 
 accomplished under great limitations is deserving of the very highest praise 
 and appreciation from the entire denomination. 
 
 CORN SHUCKING, SHELTER NECK 
 
 SOCIAL WORK. 
 
 This is hard to describe in limited space because it covers so many activi- 
 ties. From Dix House and from the little bungalow at Swansboro there has 
 gone forth a wave of inspiration which has helped both communities. Among 
 the most important things have been the simple but excellent entertainments 
 given by the workers in both places, assisted by the people themselves. 
 The houses have been in the truest sense recreation centres for their commu- 
 nity. Every Saturday night there is an entertainment of some kind at Dix 
 
14 
 
 House. It may be music, tableaux, charades, a graphophone concert, or a talk 
 by some visitor. Something is provided, and the people come long distances 
 for the social time. Sunday evenings the house is also open, and all join in 
 singing the fine old hymns of the church. Mrs. Peterson makes much of 
 Christmas, and always gets up a most attractive entertainment. Then there 
 are Farmers' Institutes, Corn Shows, and many things of local interest. 
 The importance of clean recreation in our rural communities everywhere can- 
 not be too highly estimated, and the value of these pleasant meetings is not 
 
 A COUNTRY ROAD, NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 to be calculated by dollars and cents. There are also good libraries, with 
 several hundred volumes in each place, and they are being used more and 
 more by the people. 
 
 Much is done also for the improvement of health and of sanitary conditions. 
 Mr. Key is frequently called upon to render first aid — and second aid, too — 
 in cases of sickness. He keeps on hand a supply of simple remedies, and the 
 people come from all the region round about to get help, and to be cured of 
 their diseases. Mrs. Peterson is constantly going about teaching better 
 
15 
 
 living conditions, and training the young people in ways of carefulness and 
 thrift. 
 
 There is constant emphasis on citizenship, real patriotism, civic pride, 
 community spirit; and these things, combined with the generous, hearty, 
 whole-souled interest in the community have exerted a most far-reaching 
 influence for good. The people are learning that Christianity, as Unitarians 
 interpret it, means service, not selfish salvation. Mr. Key and Mr. Robinson 
 have both been active in the Good Roads movement, and, like Oberlin, have 
 worked with the men in securing better and more permanent highways. 
 
 NEEDS. 
 
 What are the needs of this great work? 
 
 First, for the religious side, money for salaries, travelling expenses, and 
 general maintenance. Men cannot be asked to enter this exacting field un- 
 less they can be assured of their living. This is why our Branches are urged 
 to pledge a yearly sum that the committee may know on what to depend. 
 About one hundred and fifty branches are now giving a definite amount an- 
 nually to the support of this work. Why should not all assist? 
 
 Secondly, the educational department is in great need of funds for its 
 running expenses, payment of teachers, purchase of school supplies, the re- 
 pair of buildings, and for the farm. We ought to have here a model farm, co- 
 operating with the state, and becoming an experiment station. The farm 
 now is a most important asset for all this work. Even a little money would 
 make it far more valuable. The work done here has already changed the 
 character of the locality, and raised the value of real estate; but much more 
 might be done with a few hundreds a year of assured income. 
 
 Then there are scholarships, of two classes: A full scholarship of fifty dol- 
 lars a year, which provides for the board and tuition of a pupil whose home 
 is at a distance, and who must therefore live at Dix House; and a part or 
 home scholarship of ten dollars a year, to be used in payment of the tuition 
 of those pupils who live at home. Already one permanent scholarship has 
 been established which yields an income sufficient for a full scholarship. 
 Many more are needed, however, and here is a splendid bit of missionary 
 
i6 
 
 work for our Sunday Schools, Young People's Unions, Social Service Com- 
 mittees, as well as for our churches and Alliance branches. Who will be the 
 first to aid in the maintenance of this school? 
 
 Thirdly, the social needs are as numerous as the work is various. Money 
 is necessary to keep on hand the simple remedies which are so frequently 
 called for. A district nurse would be a boon to the whole region. Who will 
 pay her salary, board, and travelling expenses, and provide her with the 
 equipment she must have to do her work? 
 
 Finally, these hard-working ministers need a change now and then. There 
 ought to be a fund to enable them to attend the meetings of the Southern 
 Conference, even if it does take fifty dollars to pay each bill. They need the 
 inspiration of the Conference, and the Conference needs the inspiration of their 
 presence. 
 
 Shall we not all take hold of this work — every Alliance branch, every Sun- 
 day School, every Young People's Union, every church? Let us hearten those 
 who are bearing the heat and burden of the day, by showing that we appre- 
 ciate their sacrifices, that we admire their zeal, and that we feel that this 
 great work, undertaken for the upbuilding of humanity, and carried forwarc' 
 so bravely and unselfishly, must be sustained. Every Unitarian ought to b» 
 interested in it, and ought to consider it a privilege to aid in its development 
 There is a fine plant, a splendid foundation, enormous possibilities of useful 
 ness, a reputation of noble service. The opportunity is ours to extend thif 
 work until it shall become a great institution, whose influence for good shah 
 be transmitted from generation to generation, and many yet unborn shal' 
 rise up to call it blessed. 
 Will you not help? 
 Contributions may be sent to 
 
 Mrs. Lucia Clapp Noyes, Treasurer, 
 
 1 1 St. John Street, 
 Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. 
 Money for salaries of teachers should be sent to 
 
 Mi. Percy A. Allieiton, 
 
 ■^o-Si atc Stre et, 
 Boston, Massachusetts. 
 
 HOLLIS T. GLEASON, Treas. 
 
 CARS STONE & WEBSTER 
 MILK $T. m B0ST ' 0N 
 
N.C # 204 Z99A v. 2 1900-30 
 nos. 24-40 P42923