Hannah Purcer
History of the Old Brick School, Newport Ky
By Keturah Moss DeMoss
Published January 28, 1938
Miss Hannah Purcer, who taught in the Newport schools for forty six years, started to teach in 1866 and retired in 1912. Miss Purcer said one day; “When I was six years old I entered the old Bellevue Academy. It was then in 1852 and I was graduated in 1864. I was born in Newport in 1848.” All other records indicate she was born in 1846 while a sister of hers was born in 1848.
Hannah was the daughter of John Purser and Elizabeth Dunlap. She died 2 Dec 1940 in Atlanta Georgia and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 2 June 1903, page 5
At the meeting of the Newport School board Monday night High-Grade certificates were issued:
Principals-C D Horner, Miss Cornelia Payne, Miss Hannah Purser,
Miss Carrie Webb, Miss Katherine Weber.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 6 July 1903, page 5
Newport Society-On Monday night the following party leave for a delightful Western trip, visiting Denver and other points of interest: Hannah Purser, Edith Venables, Ida Robson, Clara Morris and Miss Stephens of East Sixth Street. These ladies expect to spend several weeks traveling.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 7 July 1903, page 5
The following young women teachers in the public schools of Newport left Monday night for a trip to Denver, Colo. Hannah Purser, Edith Venables, Ida Robson, Clara Morris and Stephens. The expect to be absent several weeks. Miss Venables will spend part of the time with Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tobin in Denver.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 17 June 1904, page 5
Miss Hannah Purser entertained the teachers of the Fourth st. School at the close of the years work on Thursday. Congratulations were showered upon Miss Allen, one of their number, whose wedding is to occur in the near future. Miss Allen was presented by the teachers with a beautiful case of spoons in token of the high esteem in which she is held.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 30 July 1904, page 5
Newport Society-Miss Hannah Purser, of Nelson pl. will leave shortly for Atlantic City.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 5 August 1904, page 5
Newport Society-Miss Hannah Purser left Thursday for a three weeks stay at Atlantic City.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 1 December 1904, page 5
A contest in the Newport School Board is being made to do away with women principals and in their place put men. An effort is being made now to bring a principal from another city to take charge of the new building under construction. As it appears the new teacher is a brother in law of J G Herman, President of the Board.
There are now only three female principals-Miss Perry, Miss Purser, and Miss Smith. The last named is at the Ninth st. School and is in line for promotion for the new school.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 24 July 1905, page 5
Miss Hanna Purser, Clifton Purser and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Cramer and son, Purser, Misses Myra, Helen and Bessie Cramer will leave shortly for Boudes Ferry.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 30 August 1905, page 5
Newport Society-Miss Hannah Purser, of Nelson pl. has returned from a stay at Boudes Ferry.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 7 July 1908, page 5
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kaiper and son, Everett and Miss Hannah Purser are enjoying a trip through Georgia.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 16 July 1908, page 5
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kaiper and son Everett and Miss Hannah Purser returned this week from a trip to Detroit, Georgian Bay, Snow Island and other points of interest.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 8 December 1908, page 5
At a meeting of the Newport Board of Education last night it was decided to close the schools for the holidays Dec 23. Sessions will be resumed Jan 4. The board also decided to increase the salaries of the school principals $100 a year. Those affected are K J Morris, Hannah Purser, Kate Perry, C H Duncan and Emma Smith. Miss Bierman was elected as a regular teacher to take the place made vacant by the marriage of Miss Prather. Miss Hazel Schwaberg takes the place of Miss Bierman as first substitute.
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Newport Schools List for 1910
First District School Building, north side of Fourth Street between Monmouth and Saratoga streets. Hannah Purser, Principal
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 6 July 1911, page 8
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Higgins and daughter, Gertrude and son Harry, and Miss Hannah Purser leave the coming week for Atlantic City, NJ.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 3 August 1911, page 8
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Higgins and daughter, Gertrude and son Harry, and Miss Hannah Purser of Nelson pl. have returned from a trip to Atlantic City and New York.
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Kentucky Post, Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 20 December 1911, page 5
The contributions continue to pile into the Santa Claus fund in Newport. The amount will reach the $1000 mark and many hearts will be gladdened. The following contributed: Hanna Purser (two columns of other names).
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 25 June 1912, page 5
The Newport Board of Education last night dropped the following teachers from the pay rolls: Superintendent of Schools Charles G Hammond, Principals Emma Smith of the Tenth st. School; Hannah Purser of the Fourth st. School and teachers Blanche Carr of the Ninth st. School and Miss Johnston of the Tenth st. School. By the ousting of Miss Purser and Miss Perry, two of the oldest teachers in the local school service were discharged.
Miss Purser has been a teacher in the local schools for many years.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 27 June 1912, page 5
The action of the Newport Board of Education in dropping two of its best teachers, Miss Purser and Miss Smith, has aroused indignation among the citizens in general. Many petitions are being circulated and freely signed to have the board rescind the action of its last meeting. The claim is that the teachers are among the best that could be secured anywhere and there is nothing against them except that room is being made for men principals.
These teachers have given the best years of their life to the schools and are today just as efficient as ever.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 9 July 1912, page 3
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Higgins and daughter, Gertrude, and sister, Miss Hannah Purser, of Nelson pl. leave the middle of the month for a stay at Atlantic City, NJ.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 18 October 1913, page 8
Miss Hannah Purser left Thursday for Houston Tex. for a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Louis Cramer, who recently removed there from Briarcliff.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 28 January 1916, page 3
The tea given by Mrs. Henry Higgins at her home in Nelson pl. Thursday afternoon for the Woman's Guild of St Paul Episcopal Church was a successful affair. Among those assisting were Miss Hannah Purser.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 8 May 1917, page 4
Officers recently elected by the Newport Women Teacher's Club are: Miss Hannah Purser-treasurer.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 23 January 1919, page 4
Mrs. Henry Higgin and Miss Hannah Purser of Nelson pl. will entertain with a silver tea for the benefit of St Paul's Guild, Feb 7.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 24 September 1925, page 4
St Paul Guild of St Paul Episcopal Church of Newport will conduct a rummage sale on October 5, 6 & 7. Mrs. Lida Meara, president and Miss Hannah Purser, treasurer and Mrs. E E Rowe, secretary are in charge of the sale.
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Kentucky Post, Sunday, 20 November 1927, page 10
Mrs. Henry Higgins of Nelson pl. has gone to Atlanta Ga. to visit her daughter, Mrs. Howard See. Miss Hannah Purser, sister of Mrs. Higgins is leaving in several days for Toledo, to be with her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Higgins, during the absence of Mrs. Higgins.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 11 September 1930, page 2
Presentation of a Bible in memory of Miss Bessie and Anna Thompson, killed in an auto accident several months ago, will be presented Sunday at 11 am at St Paul Episcopal Church, Newport.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 8 February 1935, page 5
Sunday St Paul Episcopal Church, Newport, member will observe the 90th anniversary of its founding in 1844. Two of the oldest members of the church are Mrs. E J Thompson, who formerly was Miss Sarah Purser and her sister, Miss Hannah Purser. They both have been life long residents of Newport.