Susan Mary Kirkland

(1843-1914)

Susan Mary Kirkland as a young woman

At a Glance

Sue May Kirkland was especially respected during her time as Lady Principal at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A dorm, Kirkland Hall, was named in her honor; when it was demolished for new construction, the university honored her with the Kirkland Room. Photographs and letters of Sue May Kirkland are in the archive collection of the library at UNCG.

Story

Sue May Kirkland grew up at Ayr Mount among respected women. When her father, John Umstead Kirkland, told her that she needed to look out for herself, she moved to Raleigh to be with her sister Maria Simpson Kirkland and worked at Peace Institute teaching music and perhaps other classes. In 1892 she moved to Greensboro to be Lady Principal of the State Normal (UNCG) where she was a model for the young women of the state in deportment, grace, manners. University of North Carolina at Greensboro tradition includes anecdotes about her, and material relating to her work, including photographs, available from the UNCG archives.

Biographical Data

Susan was called Sue May.

Important Dates

Susan Mary Kirkland was born on February 3, 1843, in Ayr Mount in Hillsborough, NC. She died on June 8, 1914.

Places of Residence

• Ayr Mount in Hillsborough, NC, from February 3, 1843.
• Greensboro, NC, between 1892 and June 8, 1914.
• Raleigh, NC. Susan Mary Kirkland lived in Raleigh prior to 1881 with her sister Maria Simpson Kirkland.

Schools Attended

• Burwell School, from 1850s. Susan Mary Kirkland and her sister Annie Ruffin Kirkland attended the Burwell School as day students. Their family home, Ayr Mount, Hillsborough, Orange County, NC, USA, was only a short distance from the school. Their cousin, Margaret McLester, was also a Burwell student.

Occupations

• School Principal, between 1892 and 1914. Susan Mary Kirkland served as 'Lady Principal' at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 1892-1914.
• Teacher, between 1881 and 1892. Susan Mary Kirkland taught a Peace Institute from 1881-1892.

Relatives

• Parents: John Umstead Kirkland (1802-1879) and Elizabeth Adam Simpson (1809-1881).
• Maternal grandparent: Samuel Simpson.
• Siblings:
  • six brothers, Alexander McKenzie Kirkland (1841-1900), Robert Roulhac Kirkland (1855-1862), Samuel Simpson Kirkland (1831-1904), William Whedbee Kirkland (1833-1915), John Umstead Kirkland, [Jr.] (1838-1914) and Thomas Ruffin Kirkland (1839-1842).
  • five sisters, Annie Ruffin Kirkland (1835-870s) , Elizabeth Simpson Kirkland (1845-1849), Infant Kirkland (1830-1830), Margaret Jane Kirkland (1847-1895) and Maria Simpson Kirkland (1850-1929).
• Cousin: Margaret McLester (1842-1921) .
• Others: Infant Hill (niece), John Kirkland Hill (nephew, b. 1869), Halbert G. Hill, [Jr.] (nephew, b. 1874) and Samuel Simpson Kirkland (nephew, 1883-1971).