College of William & Mary

Lodging and eating at the College were not compulsory for "paying scholars," but the surviving records imply that he did not avail himself of the privilege of living in town. He began to pay board on March 25, 1760, and continued to do so for two years and one month. Then, so far as the records show, his college career was over.

• Jefferson the Virginian
  • p. 50 (Easton Press, 1993)

With the single but important exception of William Small, professor of natural philosophy, the members of the William and Mary faculty were Anglican clergymen.

• Jefferson the Virginian
  • p. 51 (Easton Press, 1993)

When Jefferson arrived on the scene, [William Small] was there, teaching physics, metaphysics, and mathematics, and through force of circumstances was soon teaching practically everything else.

• Jefferson the Virginian
  • p. 51 (Easton Press, 1993)

For nearly half of Jefferson's course Small appears to have been the only regular teacher that he had. Whatever may be thought about the organization, administration, and discipline of the College, here was one of those rare personal influences which prove unforgettable and elicit immortal tribute. He afterwards said that Small probably fixed the destinies of his life.

• Jefferson the Virginian
  • p. 52 (Easton Press, 1993)

It is a highly significant fact, also, that the early teacher who did most to fix the destinies of his life was the only layman in the faculty of the College.

• Jefferson the Virginian
  • p. 53 (Easton Press, 1993)

There is some testimony that Small's influence persisted in the College. It has been said that he, more than any other teacher, was responsible for the liberality of spirit which came to characterize William and Mary. Some people called it "skepticism" and thought it dangerous, but Jefferson and his kindred spirits regarded it as the first step towards true knowledge. Historically, William Small was a minor torchbearer of the Enlightenment, and by any reckoning he was one of those rare men who point the way, who show new paths, who open doors before the mind.

• Jefferson the Virginian
  • p. 55 (Easton Press, 1993)