Hampden-Sydney: The First American College? By Tommy Shomo ’69 and Elliott Professor of History Caroline Emmons, co-chairs of the 250th Anniversary Committee
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hat does it mean to be the first? Delaware is “The First State.” North Carolina is “First in Freedom” and “First in Flight.” Jamestown was the “First Permanent English Colony.” George Washington was eulogized by Henry Lee as “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” As Hampden-Sydney College commemorates its 250th anniversary, we would like to assert that among its many outstanding characteristics, HampdenSydney should be considered The Birthplace, Nathaniel Venable’s office, where the College’s founding documents were signed. the first American college. It is always risky to claim to be creation of Hampden-Sydney College. the first, as it is almost certain that others will enjoy The important period for this article is 1775 to taking up the challenge to offer a counterexample. 1776. The First Continental Congress, convened in We accept that we may be making a bold claim, but October 1774, resulted from the American colonists’ the historical record gives us a solid basis on which to dissatisfaction with their treatment by British stand. Parliament. The delegates were restive but still loyal If first is determined by chronology, Hampdento the king and the British Empire. Although the Sydney is not the first college. That designation colonists had been drawn into closer cooperation with belongs to Harvard, founded in 1636. So why would one another during the French and Indian War, most we make the argument that Hampden-Sydney is “Americans” would not describe themselves that way. the first American college? Our claim rests on the They might say they were Virginians or Bostonians. word American, a concept that was only beginning As relations with Great Britain deteriorated and to take shape in the 1770s around the time of the hostilities broke out in April 1775 at the Battle of College’s and the nation’s founding. Prior to the Lexington and Concord, though, closer cooperation Revolutionary era, most residents of the North became necessary. The Second Continental Congress American colonies, if asked to identify themselves, convened in May 1775 and would govern the might say Christian or might mention their locality. rebellious colonies throughout the war. In July 1776, The concept of being American is closely linked to the break with Great Britain was made formal. the experience of seeking independence—as is the
28 THE RECORD | SUMMER 2025