It might require some apology for a person quite unknown, to trouble one in thy situation with the perusal of thoughts on a subject which has not hitherto been so much attended to in our Country as in some other parts of the world; but believing from what I have heard of latter days, as well as from my father formerly (who I believe had some acquaintance with thee) that thou art one much dedicated to useful improvements in things relative to the Benefit of Mankind, I venture to hint; that although my understanding and capacity is but small in many things, and my situation in life below that of those who are favoured with a large portion of outward Substance; yet for more than twenty Years past, my mind hath often been turned to think of the young Generation among the Poor of our land with Synpathy; I mean such as are of the lowest Rank, Orphan Minors &ca. who are not likely to obtain an Education in common Letter-Learning, or to be otherwise brought up in a manner likely to render them of much benefit to the Community. Thoughts concerning the neglected situation of these have had much place in my Mind from the Year 1762 down, with a belief that an Institution might be founded and formed, thro’ the attention of generous Dispositions, and willing minds, in those Inhabitants of our Country, whom Providence hath suffered to be placed in higher Stations, as to the good things of this life; and that such an Institution or Seminary might be established on a broad increasing bottom; and gradually rise to great usefulness, by taking in helpless Minors, bringing them up to industry when capable of employment; and having divers kinds of useful trades and Business taught them, as well as reading, writing and such other branches of School Learning as might appear suitable to their respective capacities and Sexes. A few Persons in the City, and some in the Country had frequent Conferences together on this subject as far back as the Year 1766; it happening in that Year, unexpectedly, that a Legacy of about £50 was bequeathed for that purpose, by a young Man, who had but little, and died about that time, which was left under care of myself and another Person as Executors; he having a hope, as expr[essed] in his Will, that others in time might be induced to add their assistance for such a charitable purpose. Some steps were taken soon after the said young Man’s decease, with a view to enlarge this little Foundation for a Poor School, which has since met with additional Contributions, and encouragements the attempt of a small Beginning to take in a few Children at Nottingham, near the place of my habitation; a Lot of about sixty acres of Land being purchased, and a House and School House built thereon for the purpose.

A sketch of the Plan, or Method proposed for this Business was drawn up in the Year 1766, for Consideration and amendments; a Copy whereof I have desired my friend Samuel Pleasants to shew thee if thou should desire to see it. Those concerned in the first Steps taken on this account, did not expect any great things to come to pass in a short time, from the feeble Endeavours used by them but rather Hoped it would ripen, and rise gradually; and of late a Consideration hath arisen among those concerned herein, about the fitness of an Application to the Legislature for the free grant of some Lands thereto, and other Privileges, as well as for an act to incorporate certain Trustees or Managers gradually to establish, and bring forward a place for educated Orphans and other poor Children, agreeable to the nature of the plan proposed: Whether the time for such an application be fully come is not yet determined; altho’ the proposal for so doing has met with encouragement from those to whom it has been mentioned.——Assembly Men and others.———

The importance of a Subject relating to the Benefit of the Poor and helpless, and the upright Views the Persons   urous to promote it, and thereby to increase public utility, according to their small measure, perhaps,    instead of Apology, for communicating the same for   thoughts thereupon, which is the act of a Person, who with all due Respect, subscribes himself thy Friend.