On the 27th of September, 1795, a fund was created by the sale of lands, which were devised for the purpose by Mr. Archibald McPherson, which fund was held in trust by the Mayor and Common Council of the town for the time being, and afterwards, by an act of the Legislature, by six trustees, annually appointed for the benefit of the Charity School of Fredericksburg. These trustees organized into a board, the first president being Major Benjamin Day, who continued as such to the day of his death. The school was kept in the brick building on the north side of Hanover street, just below the Masonic hall, now used by Miss Willie F. Schooler for her Hanover school. The funds derived by the sale of some of the McPherson property were afterwards supplemented by a legacy from Mr. Thomas Colson in 1805. In the back part of the room in which this male charity school was kept are to be found three tablets of marble let into the brick wall, in good preservation, with these inscriptions: "In memory of Mr. Archibald McPherson. He bequeathed his property to the trustees of this town for the education of the poor. By an act of the Legislature the funds were transferred to this institution as best fulfilling the testator's charitable design. Died A. D. 1754; age 49." "In memory of Thomas Colson, Esq., who, by his last will and testament, contributed largely to the permanent funds of this school. His benevolence claims the gratitude of the poor, and the respect of all. Died A. D. 1805." "In memory of Major Benjamin Day, one of the founders of this institution and its first president. This office he filled for twenty-six years with zeal and fidelity. As an humble tribute to his philanthropic services this simple monument is erected. Died A. D. 1821; age 69." On Major Day's tombstone, in the burial ground of Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge, in reference to this school, is found these words: "The Male Charity School of Fredericksburg is chiefly indebted to him for its origin in 1795, and for its prosperity to his unremitted attention in the principal management of its concerns, over which he presided until the time of his death." These tablets and tombstones furnish a history of this school that can be had nowhere else, and their transcription here will, it is hoped, enshrine the memories of these charitable men for their munificence to the poor of the town in the hearts of the present generation and indelibly impress upon their minds the solemn, but oft unheeded, words of the Master, "ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good." Mr. George W. Rothrock conducted this male school as teacher for many years, but upon his death, before the Civil war, it was closed and has never been resumed.