Betty Davis Via
Betty Davis Via (née Betty Elise Davis; 1901-1993) was a Charlottesville teacher, administrator, author[1], and artist.[2] Jackson-Via Elementary School was the City's first school building that was planned and built as a desegregated school, hence being dually-named after both a Black educator, Nannie Cox Jackson, and a white educator, Via.
Biography
Via was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia. She received her Bachelor's degree from State Teachers College at Harrisonburg, at what would later become James Madison University. She was a descendant of John Penn, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and was an active member in the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Via was an educator in the City schools from 1927 to 1965. She taught at Venable Primary until becoming principal in 1945. When Johnson Elementary School opened in 1955, she became its first principal, and held that position for 10 years. On October 10, 1952, Betty (age 51) married Guy Forrest Via (age 61) a widower.
Upon her death, she was praised by Booker T. Reaves, former principal of the Jefferson School:
She had an excellent personality, and was liked by all of those who worked with her. She liked her teachers and she liked the people she worked with. As a matter of fact, I don't remember any conflicts involving her in all that time.
Via wrote several children's books, including Monticello Scrapbook (1938), Young Tom Jefferson's Adventure Chest (1942), Scotchtown Tale (1946), Monticello's Animal Kingdom (1967), Thomas Jefferson and The Indians (1969), and Sunshine and Shadows over Little Mountain (1982), and is purported to have written hundreds of children's stories, including The Fourth-of-July Goose: A Monticello Story (1958). Her books frequently perpetuate the "happy slave" myth, refer to enslaved individuals simply as "servants", use racist archetypes for Indigenous and African-American characters (e.g., "grinning negro boy"[sic], "old Mammy"), use an imagined dialect for the dialogue of those characters, and uses what we now consider racial slurs, such as negro[sic], Injuns, redskin, and squaw.
Children's Books
Monticello Scrapbook (1938)
In the preface of Monticello Scrapbook, Via states:
The events included in the Monticello Scrapbook are historically authentic. In order to make the stories more alive I have in some cases related what the characters might have said and described the reactions which they might have experienced to well known situations.
The following is a selection from the story "Home Again", describing Thomas Jefferson's return to Monticello after having served as a diplomat in France. It was around this time that Jefferson began his relationship with Sally Hemings.
It was the day before Christmas eve, 1789. For weeks there had been great Christmas preparations at Monticello. Pudding and frosted cakes had been made. Every room had been dusted and polished until the beautiful furniture and floors fairly shone. The children of the servants had made holly wreaths for the windows and hauled pine logs for the fireplaces. Bright turbans and gay aprons had been made ready and now they were donned in great excitement. For weeks the word had passed around "Marster's comin'," "Marse Tom's comin'!" "Miss Martha and Miss Mary's comin'!"
And at last the day had arrived and Mr. Jefferson and his two daughters were returning home after an absence of Europe of five years.
Mr. Jefferson had written to his overseer the news of his return and the overseer had told the negroes. Upon their request the 23rd was declared a holiday in honor of the master's home coming and all of them had gathered from Mr. Jefferson's farms. No one wanted to miss the happy event. Old and young, women and children gathered on this hillside. Singing and shouting and calling to each other, they grew impatient with waiting and walked down the mountain to meet the carriage-and-four at Shadwell, Mr. Jefferson's birthplace. Eagerly they vied with one another to be the first to see the beloved face. How they cheered and cried and sang when they saw him! Crowding around the carriage they tried to touch his hands or feet or even his coat. Smiling, the master greeted them heartily, calling each by name. In the merry confusion, they unhitched the horses and lining up beside the carriage pole, pulled it themselves up to the beautiful portico of Monticello. One by one they quieted down. Many an eye was moist with memories of other days when Mr. Jefferson had brought his bride to Monticello.
"Miss Martha done growed up, bless de Lawd," exclaimed an old Mammy standing near, "An' look at Miss Mary, ain't she beautiful?" called out another. And Maria, now in her 11th year, was more beautiful and lovable than ever. Martha was a tall and stately young lady of seventeen.
Their charm and beauty and lovely French clothes overawed the servants, and they fell back to let them enter. Up the front steps the master went with a beloved daughter on each arm, and Martha Jefferson walked across her father's threshold knowing that she would be more than ever his companion and the mistress of Monticello.
Young Tom Jefferson's Adventure Chest (1942)
This is a young adult novel telling stories about a young Thomas Jefferson. It contains numerous stereotypical Indigenous and African-American characters, and presents all of their dialogue in dialect. For example:
"Marse Tom," he gasped. "Look at dis here. I heered a bobwhite call and den it come flyin' through de air and stick right in a stump near de woodpile whar I'se asittin'. Marse To, it's Injuns. Is we gwine to be attacked?" (p. 178)
Monticello's Animal Kingdom (1967)
Thomas Jefferson and The Indians (1969)
Sunshine and Shadows over Little Mountain (1982)
Artwork
2024-25 Research by Derek Hartline to support retaining the name Jackson-Via Elementary School
Betty Davis Via
Research on her Writing “Unless you have all the facts, you cannot make proper judgments about what is going on.” Harry S. Truman I spent a total of ten hours, over multiple days doing research and analyzing Ms. Via’s writings at the local library and the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at The University of Virginia. I also took over seventy pictures documenting my findings. The following is what I was able to determine from her writings: A list of the publications of hers that I read in chronological order by dates written: Monticello Scrapbook 1938* The Jefferson Calendar 1941** The Young People in Mr. Jefferson’s Family 1942** Young Tom Jefferson’s Adventure Chest 1942* New Avenues in Reading 1953** Letters to Young People 1956** The Fourth-of-July Goose 1958** Monticello’s Animal Kingdom 1967 ** Thomas Jefferson and The Indians 1969 ** Sunshine and Shadows over Little Mountain 1982 ** If any of the publications had anything written in them that could be seen as offensive I indicated with an * and wrote what my interpretation was after reading the entire book. If any of the publications were not seen as possibly offensive but were noteworthy of explanation I indicated with two ** and wrote what was important to her writings.
- Monticello Scrapbook
As mentioned in the C’Villepedia and Correcting the Narrative online articles, Ms. Via in her preface states “The events included in the Monticello Scrapbook are historically authentic. In order to make the stories more alive I have in some cases related
what the characters might have said and described the reactions which they might have experienced to well known situations.” What was not mentioned was that she goes on further to state that she consulted the following books: Thomas Jefferson, by Paul Leicester Ford; The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson, by Sarah N. Randolph; The Life of Thomas Jefferson, by Henry S. Randal; A History of Albemarle County by Edgar Woods; Jefferson and Monticello, by Paul Wilstatch; The Dictionary of American Biography; Life and Letters of Thomas Jefferson, by Francis W Hirst. In leaving out the above books Ms. Via used for her research one can only speculate that much of what she wrote was more fictional than historically accurate . In any of the books she wrote that contained something that may not have been completely factual or even seen as offensive she indicated that she related what “the characters may have said and described the reaction”. I will quote any of the stereotypical terms that she mentioned in this book and put them into factual context. In the Correcting the Narrative online article, Via is criticized for using the words “Mammy” and indicating that using the word “servants” perpetuates a “happy slave” myth. p. 28 “he led them across the hall where they found Mammy Dilsie with a mysterious bundle cuddled in her arms.” P. 48 “The bricks and nails were made on the place by the servants.” Encyclopedia Virginia whose “mission is to provide a free, reliable, multimedia resource that tells the inclusive story of Virginia for students, teachers, and communities who seek to understand how the past informs the present and the future.” Findings: In the entry entitled The Enslaved Servants The use of the word “servant” is correct in the following context. “When referring to enslaved people whose tasks included mostly domestic duties, enslavers
used the term "servants," as if to clearly differentiate between work in the house and the outside labor of so-called field hands.” Findings: According to The Monticello Foundation, Martha and Thomas Randolph had a nursemaid. “They were very much attached to their nurse. They always called her ‘Mammy.” When Ms. Via was referring to Mammy; she was using correct terminology if that is what the nursemaid was called. Ms. Via indicated in Monticello Scrapbooks that Jefferson told Peter Carr to “Study to be noble and kind and true, and remember that all men are created equal, all are born with an equal chance.” Whether or not this was from Via’s research or “relating what the characters might have said” it shows good intentions towards mankind and aligns with today's beliefs.
- The Jefferson Calendar
Findings: A mock-up of a weather and gardening calendar similar to one devised by Jefferson, with Jefferson quotes for each month, to be produced for sale by the historical society. We also find out in her own words in print that she is an assistant at Monticello. Nothing was noted that would be seen as possibly offensive.
- The Young People in Mr. Jefferson’s Family
Findings: A brief talk to the Albemarle County Historical Society of Jefferson's daughters and grandchildren written in Via’s own words in print. She was honored for her work and states that “My research has been small and not all as I would have had it but sandwiched between test papers, report cards and school activities.” She sheds light on what she is able to contribute to researching Jefferson and the constraints teachers had and still do have. Nothing was noted that would be seen as possibly offensive.
- Young Tom Jefferson’s Adventure Chest
Unlike Monticello Scrapbook, Young Tom Jefferson’s Adventure Chest Foreward was not quoted or mentioned in either the C’Villepedia or Correcting the Narrative online articles. Had it been, I believe it would have shed some light on Ms. Via’s writings. Via writes, “I have hunted through thousands of pages of books and
letters for these golden threads of facts as leads to these adventures.” “I have tried to weave an adventure that he could easily have lived.” In the Correcting the Narrative online article, Via is criticized for using “slurs such as ‘negro,’ ‘Injuns,’ and ‘redskin’” Correcting the Narrative mentions Via says (e.g., “grinning negro boy”) but fails to leave out the entire quote that gives the context in which it’s said. In it’s entirety it says p. 15 “Their audience consisted of a small, grinning negro boy, and two hunting hounds.” Via is indicating that Tom is describing who is with him not knowing names. This can also be seen if the reader keeps going to the next sentence when he does the same for a Caucasian character “The boy with the sandy red hair and long legs seemed to be winning.” Findings: Tom’s friend Dabney thought his knife was going to be stolen and in anger says the word “redskin” and wants Thomas Jefferson’s dad to settle the matter. Tom responds by saying ‘Our friend and I are going to do a little trading.” Tom defused the situation and “For a fleeting second a look of surprise flickered over the Indian’s face.” I feel that Via was trying to create a scenario in the adventure where Tom proves to his friend that Indians are our friends. He also goes on and begins to call him ( e.g. Indian Boy p. 24) and later on by his true name (e.g Eagle Feather, Chief Ontasette’s son p. 27) The word “Injuns” was said by Ceasar in chapter 7 but again Tom steps in and makes the correction by saying (e.g. Indian friend p.92)
- New Avenues in Reading
Findings: In this reading workbook for students Ms. Via wrote the stories for Ullin W. Learell, Director of the McGuffey Reading Center and lead author. Her submissions included various Nonfiction, Fiction, and Historical Fiction pieces. In her stories she did not use any derogatory terms. I did find four of her stories that shed light on her character as a writer. She wrote stories about Thomas Jefferson, Sir Edwin Landseer the famous animal painter, George Washington Carver, and Baseball. None of the stories indicated any offensive terms and stuck to facts. Thomas Jefferson: A story of boyhood friends with a message of kindness
Sir Edwin Landseer: Uses the word Indian to describe their contributions “Perhaps his friendship with the Indians caused him to paint one of his most famous pictures.” George Washington Carver: A story to show his success and how he became one of the world’s greatest scientists. Baseball: Indicates that Baseball is a Great American Sport. Doesn’t distinguish between color, leagues, or players.
- Letters to Young People
Findings: Ms. Via picks out some of Jefferson's letters of which there were thousands and she published them for readers to enjoy and get a better insight of Thomas Jefferson's life. Nothing was noted that would be seen as possibly offensive.
- The Fourth-of-July Goose
Findings: Ms. Via writes “A Monticello Story” about a goose that Martha adored very much and the adventures that “Queenie” the goose had on Little Mountain. Nothing was noted that would be seen as possibly offensive.
- Monticello’s Animal Kingdom: In her Acknowledgment she extends
appreciation to the curator of Monticello for the records he gave permission for Ms. Via to use and the Superintendent of Monticello, who encouraged writing this book. Findings: The word Indian was used in her writing and no stereotypes noted. p.6 “The European stock had come from England, France and Holland, and the Chickasaw stock came from the Indians who had gotten them from the Spanish” p. 27 “There were not too many of these quail in the Piedmont section of Virginia when the Indians lived there.”
- Thomas Jefferson and The Indians
Findings: Only the word Indian was used in her writing and often in a positive manner.
p. 4 “ Young Thomas Jefferson met Indians through the friendliness and kindness of his father, Peter Jefferson who never failed to welcome and entertain any chiefs.” p. 17 “The Jefferson daughters, Martha and Mary, and their children, and the many nieces and nephews who were often at Monticello must have enjoyed true stories about the Indians”.
- Sunshine and Shadows over Little Mountain
Findings: The word Indian was used a lot in her stories but no stereotypes noted. p. 44 Mr. Jefferson believed the Indian Language could be the key that would unlock the door to their origin.” Conclusion: Most of what the article Correcting the Narrative noted that they deemed possibly offensive can be explained in much of the research I conducted. I also learned that much of Via’s writings contained little if anything that could be seen as a stereotype or slur. After reading ten different articles/books/letters there were only two that really required explanation. Twenty percent of all the work I analyzed is a very small percentage of her overall writings and should be taken into consideration. Messages from her “Adventure” book that stood out to some as offensive also showed true feelings about Jefferson and Monticello. From Young Thomas Jefferson's Adventure Chest Via writes p. 151 “Freedom is such a splendid thing. It is bound to wipe out slavery someday” One of her most powerful statements she writes is p. 127 “I want only to be fair and honest with all people, be they governors, Indians, or slaves. That, you must remember, Tom, is the most important thing in any one’s life. In the sight of God all men are created equal” Just as written in the survey to the community “Jackson-Via was built in 1969 as the first intentionally racially integrated school in Charlottesville; the namesakes were chosen to reflect this purpose” The key word “purpose” is why Jackson-Via namesake should remain as is.
Derek M. Hartline
Obituary
The Daily Progress, Aug 21, 1993
Betty Davis Via Award at Jackson-Via School
"Betty Davis Via was born in 1901. She was a good student at four colleges and universities. She became a teacher and principal in two schools. She taught history and English at Venable Elementary School for 20 years and was the principal of Venable School another seven years. She retired after being the principal of Johnson Elementary School for 11 years.
Via was the author of five children’s books, most as a result of her research on Thomas Jefferson. Several hundred of her stories were published in children’s magazines. She co-authored a series of five textbooks on the teaching of reading. She was honored with two awards for poetry. In 1970, Via was honored by the Charlottesville City School Board through the giving of her name to the then new school on Harris Road, thus the Via part of Jackson-Via Elementary School.
Via was active in the field of education for a total of 42 years. In all those years, she stressed academic basics, character values, and good citizenship."[3]
Guy. F. Via, ca. 1938
References
- ↑ Web. [1], Jordan Jones/, rootsweb.ancestry.com, retrieved April 23, 2012.
- ↑ Memorabilia assembled and curated by Nancy Lambert, former Instructional Coordinator, Jackson-Via Elementary School, with the help of Ruth Kastenmayer.
- ↑ Betty Davis Via Award, Jackson-Via Elementary School, May 2011.