Capitalizing on her education and
her experience as a teacher, Georgiana Duins continued teaching after her
tenure at the Greene Street School ended.
“After a few years’ service under Mr. Fuller, she took a house on
Congdon Street, where she had a very successful school for young ladies”
(Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6)
“[Mrs. Georgiana Nias] was later a successful preceptress of her own
school which followed the lines of progress chosen by Mr. Fuller [of the Greene
Street School]. (The Critic, Volume 43, edited by Gilder and Gilder)
The location of Greene Street
compared to Westminster Street (perpendicular to Greene) and Congdon Street
(east of the river)
The above presented ruminations omitted a short time period during which she taught at another location. She was teaching and probably running her own
private school on 133 Westminster Street in Providence between the years 1841
and 1844. She then either moved or
started a new school at 9 Congdon Street, also in Providence. Georgiana began at Congdon Street in or
before 1847 and was definitely teaching French at this location. The Westminster and Congdon schools were most
likely small and managed by Georgiana since she advertised for these education
services in local and regional business directories (Providence Directories and
New England Mercantile Union Business Directory).
During her time at 9 Congdon, which
was then known as the Congdon Street School (Publications of the Rhode Island
Historical Society, Vol 6), she taught children in and around Providence to
speak the French language. Though French
was not necessary to function in Providence or America, speaking another
language was a status symbol for the wealthy and upper class. Therefore, a
majority of her patrons were from affluent Providence families. In 1850, there were only three French
teachers advertising their service to the Providence citizenry. Of the three, Georgiana Nias was the only
female, and certainly the most attractive and cultured.
Three of the pupils Georgiana
Nias taught included her two children Raymond and Henry, along with her ward
Fanny Staples. By 1850, Raymond Nias had
become an adult and was certainly interested in art and science (as he soon
would become an artist and then an early photographer). Henry Nias appeared to be less interested in
school and instead felt the pull of the nearby sea. Even at the age of 15, he was considered to
be a mariner by occupation (1850 census).
By 1853, Georgiana Nias French
lessons were being taught at a new location, though the move was short. Her new setting was at 21 Congdon Street. From Providence records, it does appear that
she was teaching French lessons from her home as she was taxed on the property
which was classified as her place of abode.
She paid taxes in person for the last time in 1856 and was then
gone. She packed her things, boarded a
boat, and set sail. Her destination…to
the east…back to England.
“In 1856 or 1857 she went on a visit to England, and while there
married a Judge Tyrrell, and never returned to this country.” (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical
Society, Vol 6)
