in and over the Province of North CarolinaThe memorial of the Inhabitants of the Town of Newbern and County of Craven in the said ProvinceHumbly Sheweth.
That there never has been in this Province any regular settled Schoolmaster.
That Thomas Thomlinson arrived from England about 15 Months ago well recommended with regard to his abilities Sobriety and good Conduct and at our Request opened a school at the said Town of Newbern.
That to encourage said Thomas Thomlinson as much as in our power a Number of the Inhabitants of the said town and County as well as several of the adjacent counties who are very desirous to have their children under the Tuition of the said T. Thomlinson have subscribed considerable Sums of money Part of which is already expended in purchasing Materials for the Building of a large and commodious School house that the said T. Thomlinson may be enabled to take a greater Number of Scholars under his Care and provide himself with proper assistant.
That being fully sensible of the great advantage it must be to the rising Generation to have a good Schoolmaster settled in the Town of Newbern they are very desirous that the said T. Thomlinson should continue amongst them as a Schoolmaster whom to their general satisfaction they have experienced to be well qualified by Precept and Example to instruct their children in such Branches of useful learning as are necessary in several of the Offices and Stations in Life and imprint on their tender Minds the Principles of the Christian Religion agreeable to the Establishment of the Church
of England. And your Memorialists having been informed that Salaries have been and continue to be granted for the Encouragement of Schoolmasters in Infant Colonies by the Honorable and Reverend Society for Propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts and being sensible that your Honour has much at Heart the prosperity of this colony by having strongly recommended the Cause of Religion and Virtue to the General Assembly of this Province.Your Memorialists therefore humbly hope for your Honour's Application in favor of the said T. Thomlinson to the Society for the propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts that for his encouragement he may be allowed from Home such a yearly Salary as to the said Society may seem meet.
And as in Duty bound your Memorialists shall ever pray.
That the Honorable and Reverend Society may be well satisfied with Regard to his Abilities and Character the said T. Thomlinson has begged leave to refer to the Revd John Brown D. D. Chaplain to the late Lord Bishop of London.
Newbern 16. May 1765.