My Genealogy Hound

REV. FRANKLIN G. SMITH (deceased) was born in Bennington, Vt., December 14, 1797, and was educated at Princeton (N. J.) Theological Seminary and graduated at the remarkably early age of fifteen. He began preparing himself for the Presbyterian ministry, but changed his views while in college and espoused the Episcopal faith. He conducted a private school in Milledgeville, Ga., some years, and then went to Lynchburg, Va., and started a school for young ladies, and also organized the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of that city in 1822, of which he was rector during his residence there. He was married to Sarah A. Davis, in 1835, and a year later removed to Columbia, Tenn., and took charge of the Female Institute of that city. In 1852 he established the Atheneum, which he has conducted during his lifetime. During the war he was a refugee, owing to his outspoken sentiments in favor of the Confederate cause. His wife conducted the school, and at the close of the war he returned, but died August 4 of the following year. He bequeathed his property to his wife and she managed the Atheneum until her death, January 11, 1871. Of their eight children three sons and two daughters are now living: Fannie P. (wife of Maj. L. M. Hasea, of Cincinnati, Ohio,), Capt. Robert D., present principal of the Atheneum; Dr. W. A., Prof. Frank H. and Carrie E., all of whom are teachers in the various departments of the school. Rector Smith was a man of extraordinary literary ability. He was editor and founder of The Guardian, a monthly journal of high order, started in 1841, and is yet published by the family. He may be called the founder of the educational interests in this part of the State, and was never known to turn away a pupil, no matter how poor, who was desirous of obtaining an education. He was one of the finest educators in the country and his views and teachings were acknowledged as undoubted authority by many of the best educators of the land.