The Old Miss Suite

This room is dedicated to Mrs. Mary Watkins Carrington, the mother of the Sisters Carrington. Born on September 23, 1803 at 'Do Well', Charlotte County, Virginia.

She married Tucker Carrington, a full cousin, in 1823. She had at least ten children of which eight reached the adult age

When the School opened her doors, Mrs. Carrington became part of it. The students called her the 'Old Miss'. Mrs. Carrington gave reading lessons to the youngest. And every Friday evening the girls took their mending down and sewed while Miss Emily or Miss Mildred read an interesting story to them. And every Sunday evening the young ladies sat around the big fire in Mrs. Carrington's chamber and repeated their catechism. Mrs. Carrington even joined in.

Mrs. Carrington, the 'Old Miss', died on December 4, 1887 at the age of 84 years.

source: manuscript about 'the misses Carrington's Sunny Side School for young ladies 1872 - 1908' by J.D. Eggleston (1946).