Near Sparta in Hancock County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rockby
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About 1 mi. from here, Richard Malcolm Johnston, lawyer, educator, and author, operated Rockby, a school for boys revolutionary in its day. Disgusted with the harsh disciplinary methods of the time, Johnston instituted an honor system whereby students were expected to report their own misdemeanors. His system of discipline, “at once so liberal and so exacting,” worked remarkably well, and Rockby enjoyed wide patronage. Opened in Jan., 1862, the school prospered until after the Civil War.
Johnston left Ga. in 1867 under the social and financial pressures of Reconstruction and reopened his school as Pen Lucy School in Baltimore, Md. Forty Ga. boys followed their teacher to Md. and Pen Lucy continued in the Rockby tradition for about six years. Financial distress in Ga. later curtailed Johnston’s main supply of boarding pupils, and, finding his honor system less effective when applied to day pupils with whom the teacher had limited contact, he finally closed the school.
Johnston’s best-known literary work, Dukesborough Tales, was inspired by his own experiences. In his autobiography he identified Powelton, Hancock County, Ga., as “Dukesborough.”
Erected 1963 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 070-11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1862.
Location. 33° 17.463′ N, 82° 56.299′ W. Marker is near Sparta, Georgia, in Hancock County. Marker is on Augusta Highway (Georgia Route 16 at milepost 15), 0.1 miles west of Duggan Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sparta GA 31087, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sparta (approx. 2.2 miles away); Sparta Cemetery (approx. 2.2 miles away); Pierce Memorial Methodist Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); "Old Dominion" (approx. 2.4 miles away); Old Eagle Tavern (approx. 2.4 miles away); Hancock County (approx. 2.4 miles away); Nathan S.S. Beman at Mt. Zion (approx. 5.9 miles away); Mt. Zion Church (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sparta.
Also see . . . Richard Malcolm Johnston. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on November 6, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,845 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 4. submitted on January 14, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.