Andy and others interested,

In the 1860 Dallas County census, Tulip post office, Geo D. Alexander is listed as a “planter”. Interestingly, he is shown with a $1500 personal estate, but no real estate.

He was 35 years old and born in Va.

His family consists of his 30 y o wife P.G. Alexander, born in North Carolina
and two daughters age 7 and 5 both born in Arkansas.

That would seem to answer at least one of your questions, Andy.

Would seem to….

Because Alexander and his family live in the home of Benjamin J Borden, a 47 year old teacher, born in North Carolina, his wife and 3 children and younger sister Margarette Borden.

Hmmm, Alexander, a “planter” with no real estate, thought to be formerly a teacher, living in the house of a teacher……

If someone had the time and inclination, they could search the entire Tulip section of the 1860 census and look for an unusually large number of male teachers (especially those born in Va - VMI education maybe?? ) this might indicate that AMI was still operational in 1860.

Likewise, one would expect to find one or more households (in effect “dorms”) with very high numbers of young men listed as “students” .

I hope these comments and suggestions will help to answer, or will help lead to answers to questions about AMI.