John Collins Covell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Collins Covell
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| Principal of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind | |
| In office 1874–1887 |
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| Preceded by | Leveus Eddy |
| Succeeded by | Henry Bell Gilkeson |
| Principal of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind | |
| In office 1862–1872 |
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| Preceded by | Jean Merillat |
| Succeeded by | Charles D. McCoy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 19, 1823 Newport, Rhode Island, United States |
| Died | June 4, 1887 (aged 63) Romney, West Virginia, United States |
| Resting place | Indian Mound Cemetery, Romney, West Virginia, United States |
| Spouse | Anita "Annie" Elizabeth Eskridge |
| Relations | Joseph S. Covell (father) John Collins (grandfather) |
| Children | five children including: Mary Avery Covell Parsons Annie Baldwin Covell Heiskell |
| Residences | Romney, West Virginia, United States |
| Alma mater | Trinity College (A.B.) |
| Profession | educator, school administrator |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John Collins Covell (born December 19, 1823 – died June 4, 1887) was an important American educator and school leader in the 1800s. He specialized in teaching students who were deaf or blind. He worked in schools in Virginia and West Virginia.
Covell was born in 1823 in Rhode Island. His father was a minister, and his grandfather was a governor of Rhode Island. John went to Trinity College and finished his studies in 1847. He then became a deacon in the Episcopal Church.
In 1847, Covell started teaching at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. By 1852, he was in charge of the entire Deaf Mute Department. During the American Civil War, he briefly served as a major in the Confederate States Army. However, he soon returned to the Virginia School to become its principal in 1862. He held this job until 1872.
In 1874, Covell became the principal of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Under his leadership, the schools became very successful. More students joined because of his new ideas. He remained principal until he passed away in 1887.
Covell was also a very active member of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. He helped build Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Romney. He gave land for the church and paid for most of its construction.
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John Covell's Early Life and Education
John Collins Covell was born on December 19, 1823, in Newport, Rhode Island. His father, Joseph S. Covell, was an Episcopal minister. John was named after his grandfather, John Collins, who was a governor of Rhode Island.
John grew up in Princess Anne, Maryland. He went to local schools for eight years. After that, he attended an academy in Connecticut. For three years, he worked as a store clerk.
Wanting to learn more, Covell went to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from the college in 1847. After college, he was recommended to become a deacon in the Episcopal Church. This is a step towards becoming a minister.
A Leader in Education for the Deaf and Blind
Helping Students at the Virginia School
After graduating from Trinity College, Covell took a teaching job. He started teaching in the Deaf Department at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. This school was located in Staunton, Virginia. He moved there in September 1847.
Covell taught until 1852. Then, he became a vice-principal at the school. He was put in charge of the entire Deaf Mute Department.
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Covell joined the Confederate States Army. He became a major and worked for Henry A. Wise, a general. However, Covell's military service was short. The state of Virginia asked him to return to the school. They believed his work as a school leader was more important than his role as a soldier.
In 1862, Covell became the principal of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. He continued to lead and teach in the Deaf Mute Department. He was principal for nine years, leaving the school in 1872.
In 1870, Covell gave a speech about sign language. He believed that sign language would become popular. He thought it would even be taught in universities someday. More than a century later, American Sign Language is indeed taught in many American universities.
Leading the West Virginia Schools
In 1874, John Covell was chosen to be the principal of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind. These schools were in Romney, West Virginia. He started his new job in August of that year.
When Covell arrived, the schools were not doing well. Fewer students were attending. But Covell brought strong leadership and new organization. Under his guidance, the schools became very successful. The number of students began to grow.
Covell noticed that 12 of West Virginia's 54 counties had no students at the schools. He asked the school board to search the state for eligible students. The board agreed, and they found many new students. This showed that Covell's idea was right.
By 1880, the schools' tenth anniversary, there were 120 students. This included 87 deaf students and 33 blind students. When Covell died in 1887, the school had grown from 60 students in 1874 to 130.
Covell also worked to make the school buildings better. He asked the state to install gas lighting and plumbing for running water. In 1875, he improved how students were taught. He created a system where students were placed into grades.
He also started the tradition of publishing reports about the schools. These reports have been released every year since 1876. In 1877, Covell suggested creating a Department of Visible Speech. In this department, deaf students learned how to make sounds and how to lip-read.
People described Covell as a very skilled teacher. He knew a lot about literature, science, and art. He cared deeply about his students' well-being. Covell continued to lead the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind until he passed away. He died from stomach cancer on June 4, 1887, in Romney. He was known for being an excellent leader and manager.
After his death, Covell was honored in 1888. This happened at a meeting of school leaders for the deaf in Jackson, Mississippi.
John Covell's Family and Community Life
Covell married Anita "Annie" E. Eskridge on December 24, 1850. They are both buried at Indian Mound Cemetery in Romney. John and Annie had five children together. Their two daughters were:
- Mary Avery Covell Parsons
- Annie Baldwin Covell Heiskell
Covell was a very active member of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. He belonged to Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Romney. He was chosen as the first churchwarden for Saint Stephen's. This is a volunteer role helping to manage the church.
Covell was very important in building a church for Saint Stephen's in 1885. He gave the land for the building. He also paid for most of the $1,800 construction cost. People said this was the "crowning work of his life." Before the church was built, Covell likely let Saint Stephen's use the chapel at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind for their services.
Besides his church work, Covell was also a Mason. This is a member of a fraternal organization. He was also a member of the Romney Literary Society.
