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Newton Academy
Founded 1797
Founded by the Presbyterian minister Rev. George Newton (d. 1841), the first Presbyterian preacher in Buncombe county, and the Rev. Porter. Reportedly founded in 1797, it was in operation from 1797 to 1814 when Rev. Newton departed to Bedford county, Tennessee where he was pastor of the Shelbyville Presbyterian church and principal of Dickson Academy.* 

Newton Academy was first known as Union Hill Academy and was housed in a log cabin. In 1809 the cabin was replaced by a more permanent brick structure and the name was changed to Newton Academy. This original brick  which stood near the graveyard was later replaced by another brick building in 1857 or 1858.  The Academy followed a classical curriculum and according to the Asheville Centenary, was reportedly famous throughout the South. Newton Academy was the foundation of education for many of North Carolina's notables, including David L. Swain (1801-1868), the first lawyer of Buncombe County. Swain later became the state Governor and after three successive terms in that office, in 1835,  he became the president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. J.S.T. Baird in his Reminiscences, 1903, wrote the "The old Newton Academy was the only institution in the county which, up to 1840, had ever been dignified with as big a name as that of Academy.  This was a very old structure when I first entered it in 1844. Dr. Erastus Rowley taught here that year. The house was a very long one and rather wide -- one story, divided into two rooms -- one very long room and one small one. It was built of brick and stood on the top of the knoll some distance above where the present one stands. [ The east side of South Main Street, across from the Asheville Normal and Collegiate Institute]. Many of the older men of this section received their education at this widely known institution and its fame has always been almost co-extensive with that of Asheville."

Today, the Newton Academy no longer is in evidence, but the Newton Cemetery on Biltmore Avenue is in existence. It is the burial site for many of Asheville's early residents including James McConnell Smith and family. Currently under the care of the Community Foundation, a local philanthropic organization, the graveyard is undergoing a renovation of the property. A small body of papers, largely secondary,  related to the cemetery and to the old Newton Academy are held by the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The cemetery was turned over to the Community Foundation in 1988 and work was begun to restore the graveyard. The school grounds were sold to Mission Memorial Hospital and the money from the sale was passed along to the Community Foundation for the restoration of the cemetery.

"At January Term, 1301:

"On motion of the Rev. George Newton, the Court took up the consideration of a petition from the Presbytry of Corncord & present and read last Court by said Newton, praying the executive officers to exert their lawful authority in suppressing vice and immorality, by carrying the law into vigorous execution.

"The court upon full consideration are fully persuaded that the suppression of drunkenness, profane swearing, sabbath breaking and vice of every kind will have great tendency to promote the happiness both of civil and religious society:

"Therefore unanimous resolved, that each of us in our public Capacity, as well as in private life, agreeably to the power and authority vested in us by the Laws of our Country, will exert ourselves in suppressing such enormous practices, and carrying the laws into vigorous execution, against every offender."

Per contra take the following entry in January, 1810:

"The managers of the Newton Academy lottery come into open court and enter into Bond for the discharge of office & took the oath of office."

At January Court, 1799, occurs the following entry:

"The jury find the defendant Edward Williams, guilty of the petit larceny, in manner and form as charged in bill of indictment.

"The Court adjudge that the prisoner receive 25 lashes on his bare back, well laid on, at the public whipping post and that the sheriff of the county carry the judgment into execution. Appeal prayed."

This is the first infliction of this barbarous punishment adjudged in the county. The last occurred in 1865.

The punishments of public whipping, branding, the stocks, and the pillory continued to be inflicted in North Carolina until 1868."  In:  Sondley, A. F. Asheville and Buncombe County and Davidson, Theodore F.. Genesis of Buncombe County, Asheville: The Citizen Company, 1922.
The Lottery:
 
   
*Bibliography Arthur, John Preston. Western North Carolina: A History from 1730 to 1913,

Clayton v. Trustees, 95 N.C., 298.