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Sad Case of Drowning. -- Singular Fa'ality. Intelligence was received yesterday of the death of Miss Ellen S. Kempton, at Edisto Island. She was drowned in St. Piane's Creek on Christmas day. Two others were lost at the same time, Miss Stanton, of Lowell, and Mr. James P. Blake, of New Haven, who has been superintendent of schools on that island. No further particulars have yet been communicated. Miss Kempton has been laboring during the past year among the freedmen as a teacher, under the patronage of the Ladies' Freedmen's Aid Society of this city. She was much esteemed among us as a young lady of consistent Christian character and earnest purpose. In her chosen work she has encountered many privations, but has endured them cheerfully, and labored successfully. The memory of such should be cherished and honored no less than that of our patriots who have fallen in the field.
Miss Kempton's father was drowned in California, and one brother also met his death by drowning, in March last, in Chesapeake Bay.
The Freedmen's Aid Society met at their rooms to-day, but under a deep feeling of bereavement in the recent loss of their teacher, Miss Ellen S. Kempton, the adjourned the meeting after passing the following resolutions,
viz.:
Whereas, It has passed the All Wise Ruler of events to take from us, suddenly, an earnest co-worker, who has for nearly one year acted in the capacity of teacher from this society to the freed people of Edisto Island, South Carolina, faithfully fulfilling her arduous duties far from home and kindred, sacrificing all these enjoyments with heroic courage going forth to labor for God's long enslaved race; suffering at times many privations cheerfully, guided by the dictates of duty; therefore
Resolved,That we deeply mourn and lament her sudden and untimely death, but with feelings of deep contrition, we bow our heads to the rod and acknowledge, with reverence, "Thy will be done."
Resolved, That to the bereaved family who have lost a beloved daughter and devoted sister, this society tenders its most heartfelt sympathy, imploring the sustaining hand of the Almighty to support these sorrowstricken ones in their new affliction.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased, and that they are placed upon our records.
1866 [Reported for the Standard.] Meeting of the School Committee. MONDAY EVENING, Jan. 8.
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the school committee was held this evening, Mr. Almy in the chair. Present the chairman and Messrs. Fessenden, Chisholm, Hutchinson, Lawton, Coe, Howe, Clarke, Burt, Swasey, Devoll, Mumford, Kirby, and Rodman.
The records of the last meeting were read and approved.
The board proceeded to the election of superintendent, when Rev. Henry F. Harrington was unanimously chosen.
On motion of Mr. Fessenden the salary of the superintendent was fixed at $2000 per annum, to commence from the 1st inst.
The report of the High School committee in answer to the inquiry referred to them at a previous meeting as to the changes in text books used in the High School and the reasons therefor was submitted, and received and adopted.
On motion of Mr. Hutchinson, voted that the arrangement of studies in the High School be left to the committee on that school.
Mr. Rodman, after announcing the death of Miss Ellen S. Kempton, formerly one of the teachers in the public schools, of this city. offered the following:
Whereas, Since the last meeting of this board the sad intelligence of the sudden death of Miss Ellen S. Kempton, at Edisto Inlet, S. C., on the 25th ult., has been received,
Resolved, That the members of the school board have heard with heartfelt sorrow of the calamity which has suddenly removed one who was for many years a faithful, earnest and valued teacher in the public service of this city and who recently resigned her trust here only to consecrate herself with a noble heroism to the cause of the freedmen.
Resolved, That we offer our sincere and tender sympathies to the breaved members of the family whose hearthstone is left desolate, and command them prayerfully to Him who "doeth all things well," and will in the end bring light out of every darkness.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted, ordered to be entered on the records, and the secretary was instructed rto transmit a copy to the family of the deceased.
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NEW BEDFORD,
THE LATE MISS KEMPTON.-- Below we print the last report, written by the lamented Ellen S. Kempton to the Freedmen's Society, and published in the Freedmens Record for this month. It shows the greatness of the work in which she was engaged, and how admirably she was fitted for it.
[From the Freedmens Record for 1866.]
We commenced our school the 16th of this month, in a small building on the plantation, formerly used as a cabin. The first day, thirty came. This we thought a fair beginning. At the end of the week, the number had increased so that the small room would not accommodate both of us; so we divided the number, Miss S. taking half to a building in the yard, once used as a kitchen. The same day, after dismissing my pupils, the young men remained, took down a partition, and removed a stairway, to make the room larger; so now my room will seat about seventy. 'Tis a rough, ugly looking place, with rather too free ventilation. The windows are closed by board shutters,--no glass. After the men had finished the work, I took them with me, and gave them a dinner of hominy and molasses, with a cup of tea. Some of them ate with so much eagerness, that I asked them if they had eaten breakfast before they left home, and five of them had eaten nothing for the day, though they had walked six miles. Then I did not wonder at them being helped to the 5th and 6th plateful. (Hardly polite, perhaps you think. to notice how much my guests ate.) I made sure that none went away hungry. This was my first dinner party; surely one never had a more grateful or needy one. The people on this place, and in fact, on this part of the Island, are extremely poor, and since the rations have ceased, have suffered from hunger. This suffering, I am convinced, from what I can learn, is not caused by laziness, or want of tact; but the larger
THE FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY received today $10 from Mrs. Sylvanus Thomas, and $5 from a friend. Donations of valuable clothing have been sent in to the value of $41, and a bundle of the same from the ladies in Marion. Also a donation of a large box of Sunday School books from the Pacific Union church in Westport. A box, valued at $73, was forwarded to Columbus, Ga,
We are now fully informed as to the particulars relative to the late sad accident at Edisto Island on Christmas day last, when three valuable lives were lost by drowning in St. Pierre's Creek--Miss Ellen S. Kempton, Miss Mira Stanton and Mr. James P. Blake, of which some mention has been made before:
Mr Blake came up from Charleston, where he was pactising law, to spend a few days in company with his friends, whom he had known for some time, and to whom he had rendered effectual service, often assisting them in circumstances of great perplexity, when they came upon the Island strangers and without many of the comforts of home. Having procured a boat and being skilful and experienced oarsman, he invited the ladies to go with him to visit some friends farther up the creek, on the island. They reached their destination safely and dined in the same house and room where they ate their first meal on coming to the place. Towards evening they took leave of their kind friends and proceeded homeward. But the little batteau, though fit for one person, was not suitable for more, and having laden it with other things on returning, it was unable to withstand the tide, which was strong at that time. They were heard approaching, by anxious friends upon the shore, their voices in conversation were heard, when
