1865 Academic and Personal Journal of a Teenage Student of Maryland’s Charlotte Hall Military Academy

On offer is an interesting journal of an American student of Maryland’s Charlotte Hall Military Academy immediately following the Civil War. The author of this journal is Ethan Allen Jones II. He was born in Maryland in 1851 and passed away in 1932 at the age of 81. Our informal research has not been able to discover any additional biographical information about him.

A note within the book identifies the owner and the date along with the following:

“Commenced under the instructions of Mr. Edward [ ] at Charlotte Hall School, April 10th, 1865”. 

Jones was 14 when he began this journal. The book serves as a journal where words and writings that were evidently important to him were gathered together for him to reflect upon. Some entries are poems, others are expositions on themes such as love, friendship, character, etc. A number follow a religious theme.

Background on Charlotte Hall School/Charlotte Hall Military Academy: 

Charlotte Hall School was established in 1774 by Queen Charlotte to provide a liberal education for youth to 'better fit them for the discharge of their duties for the British Empire'. Charlotte Hall School became a military academy in 1852, and continued as such until 1974 when the school became coeducational and the military program became optional. Although Charlotte Hall has remained a relatively small institution, it had a varied and quite interesting history. Throughout much of the 19th century it was recognized as one of the finest schools of its type in the country. Its alumni have included many leading figures in government, law and the arts. The Academy closed its doors in 1976. 

Charlotte Hall School was purchased by the U.S. Veterans Administration in 1978 and now forms a key part of the Charlotte Hall Historic District.

For a social historian, this journal offers an excellent look at what was considered good literature and good writing at a prominent secondary school in mid-19th century America.

This small book measures 7.75 inches by 5.0 inches and contains 162 pages. One page has been excised from the book. The book is about 65% complete as most entry pages are single-sided. The covers are in good condition, showing obvious signs of wear due to age. The binding is intact and all of the pages are securely bound. The handwriting, although faint in places, is legible.