College Preserves Early Diplomas
Two pieces of Washington College history have been returned
to Miller Library after months of restoration.
The diplomas of Edward Scott, Class of 1788, and John Scott,
Class of 1785, were restored by the Maryland State Archives
in Annapolis.
 The
Edward Scott diploma was given to the College in 1986 by Mrs.
Frances F. Smith, daughter of famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The origin of John Scott’s diploma is unclear. The diplomas
are two of only three known items in the possession of the College
signed by founder and first president, The Rev. William Smith.
The other item is a script and speech written by Smith in 1783
for the “Dedication of Washington College.”
Both diplomas bear the signature of Professor Colin Ferguson,
who would later take over the leadership of the fledgling college
in 1789 after Smith returned to his previous position as Provost
of the College of Philadelphia, later renamed the University
of Pennsylvania.
The cost of the restoration was underwritten by Dr. J. P. London
of Arlington, Virginia. Dr. London is a descendent of the Scotts.
Because of their historical significance, the diplomas will
remain in the Archives and will be placed on public display
for special occasions.
Many of the early documents relating to the 18th-century history
of the College were destroyed when the original college building
burned in 1827. Other documents were subsequently destroyed
when the original William Smith Hall burned in 1916.
Over the years, the College has been fortunate to receive gifts
of historic papers and memorabilia of the College’s past.
One such item is a Commission appointing John Scott, father
of Edward and John Scott, as the Collector of the Port of Chestertown.
It was signed in 1789 by President George Washington. Glenn
W. Zeiders, another descendant of John Scott, permanently loaned
the document to the College in 1999. It is currently displayed
in Bunting Hall.
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