Fun Stuff You Find Out at 1 a.m.

[Susan Higginbotham]

While poking through some old newspapers to see if there were any mentions of Anna Surratt in her schooldays (there are), I found out that in 1855, Anna Surratt and Nora Fitzpatrick were schoolmates at Bryantown (albeit all in different classes)! Nora's older sister, Anna Fitzpatrick, was also a student there and graduated that year. The two Annas, both of whom were musically inclined, won a number of prizes; Nora managed only a "certificate of improvement" in reading, writing, composition, and orthography.

Bettie Tyler, who I suspect is the Elizabeth Tyler who later married John Brophy, was also at the school that year.

Another Fun Fact: The 1858 awards ceremony featured Anna Surratt singing and playing "The Star-Spangled Banner."