This one had me puzzled beyond all words. Well obviously not, since I'm about to put quite a few words to it - but flummoxed.
This "report card" is from a box of papers that contained letters and items belonging to my great-grandparents Gee and Catherine Conway Sawyer. I've glanced at it dozens of times, seen their daughter Clevel's name, public schools and moved right on. I did wonder why only Clevel's report card was in that box, but having found report cards for other Sawyer children elsewhere, assumed it had been misplaced by one of the earlier Keepers of the Sawyer Stuff (perhaps I should start adding KSS after my name). Recently however, having scanned the original, I decided to add some metadata to the digital file. In mental scanning mode, I noted the 3d grade, the 1909 date and Cocke County, Tennessee. And then - FINALLY - I stopped.
Aunt Clevel was born in 1891. What ever was she still doing in 3rd grade eighteen years later? Her family lived in Greene County. What was she doing going to school in Cocke County? Why did they have a her listed as a him? And then - FINALLY - I looked.
It's embarrassing how much I assume without actually thinking. It is NOT a report card. I'm certain you noticed this right away. It IS Clevel's teaching certificate, authorizing her to teach third grade across the Nolichucky River in Cocke County. Wonder of wonders she shows up on the 1910 census listed as a teacher! The school principal may have been surprised if he was expecting a Mr. Sawyer and a 5' nothing bird of young woman marched in with her certificate. But not as surprised as he would have been if she'd been waving a third grade report card.
The joys of being an ADD researcher....
Primary School Teaching Certificate for Clevel Sawyer, 1 Jul 1909; digital image. Privately held by Susan Clark. 1996.
