USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Litchfield > More chronicles of a pioneer school, from 1792 to 1833, being added history on the Litchfield Female Academy kept by Miss Sarah Pierce and her nephew, John Pierce Brace > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
1 Lucy Porter - J. P. B.'s wife.
162
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
Page 7
I do not remember that I ever forgave anybody anything, except Sarah Brace, the trouble she gave me about John Comstock.
Page 17
This piece is dated rightly. It was copied into the Miscellanies by Laura M. Wolcott of Litchfield, the youngest of Hon. F. Wolcott's children, by his first wife. They were decidedly the handsomest family I ever knew. Laura was as beautiful as the rest, and was a good scholar, an excellent and amiable girl. Her memory as a scholar is very pleasant to me. She married Robert G. Rankin Esq. who lives near Fishkill, as (I think) a manufacturer. I met Laura Aug. 1849 going to Williamstown with a son to enter college. She told me she had eleven children.
Page 33
To please the school of 1825, I wrote a monthly Magazine, which I composed and copied myself and gave to them to read that wished it. The original are in 6Misc. It comprised mostly interesting prose, articles, and it contains some of my best stories, and other miscellaneous matter.
Nov. 1, 1850
1825 seems to have been a writing year both in prose and poetry. I studied Chemistry about this time. I think winter '26: fished in the summer. In 1826 a few days before my 4th July Oration, Charles was born. In April 1828 Uriel died & Emma was born, the same day.1 Nov. 2, 1850
In 1828 and 29, I studied Anatomy, & read Good's Book of Medicine and other works upon that science by way of amusement. In Nov. 1829 I spent the vacation at Boston, after having gone to New Bed- ford to see Tim off on a whaling voyage. In June 1830, mother died and as father's health failed him, I then took care of the farm for exercise and amusement and worked hard out of school. In Oct. 1830, James was born.
Nov. 4, 1850
This piece was written for Mary Caroline Tracy and copied by her. She was from Troy N.Y. and boarded with me, the latter part of the time she was at school. She was an excellent scholar. a girl of great enthusiasm of character, tho' there was a streak of derangement about her that was unpleasant. Sometime after she left school, her father lost all his great property and died. The sister Frances who had been at school with us, and was noted for her scholarship, became a teacher. Caroline moved and settled I think in Mobile.
1 J. P. B.'s children.
163
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
Nov. 4, 1850
This imitation was copied by Ann R. Nestell who was quite a favor- ite during 1830 &31. She was from Bloomingdale, Orange County N. Y. Her parents were both dead. She was no scholar. Every- thing was in extremes in her character. She was a great friend of mine, but it was hard work to accomplish anything of a reformation in her character. She married in 1833 a Dr. Crane of Newburgh, N. Y. I think I have heard she was not living. [In pencil] In 1857 I heard from her as still living. She has several children now grown up.
I spent the winter of 1832 in studying theology, and here I first began to be troubled with my heart complaint. I studied very hard with little exercise and compelled my mind every evening to grasp 50 pages an hour of metaphysics Edwards etc. occupied my mind and stored it with a new set of ideas. In Nov. 1832 I came to Hartford & here used the great stock of information I had been quietly obtaining since 1814. I do not mean to follow my history any further as it is no longer connected with the subject of these volumes.
Nov. 5, 1850
There is one thing quite evident from these volumes, and that is, I might have made a respectable poet, had I written for a livelihood and devoted my whole life to that one subject. There are, in these productions, sufficient indications of inventive powers, of imagination, of sensibility of an ear for musical rhythm of a fondness for nature and a power of describing it, to show what I might have made had I placed but one object before my mind in life. As it is they are merely now the employments of my leisure hours and are here collected for the amusment of my children alone.
They are here closed.
CAROLINE CHESTER'S JOURNAL
[By courtesy of her grandson, Mr. Seymour Cunningham]
In the "Chronicles of a Pioneer School" the journal of Caroline Chester, beginning Nov. 30th, 1815, is given. Since then the second part of that journal has been received. It begins on May 16, 1816. It contains so much of the intimate life of a girl at Miss Pierce's school that we give it entire. It has also a list of the pupils for that year.
Caroline Chester was born in Hartford, Connecticut, 1801, mar- ried John Knickerbocker, 1824, and died at Troy, New York, 1870.
CAROLINE CHESTER'S JOURNAL. MAY 1816
"Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours, And ask them what report they bore to heaven, And how they might have borne more welcome news The spirit walks of every day, deceas'd, And smiles an angel, or a fury frowns." Dr. Young.
On Thursday morning May 16th I bid farewell to my very dear friends at Hartford and cannot but agree with Mr. B. who in his beautiful piece on home says,
"There's no sorrow so great as its absence to mourn No joy that's so bright as the hope of return."
I had a fatiguing ride but was very happy to once more see Litch- field and those friends who I became acquainted with last winter, it is with pleasure that I again resume my studies after a delightful vacation of three weeks which I spent with my dear friends at Hart- ford. It is my intention to attend particularly this summer to my studies and I hope that my improvement will be such as to gratify my Parents & Instructors. Many of the Young Ladies who attended school last winter have returned home and new scholars have supplied their places.
Attended school Friday May 17th, attended in the evening a prayer meeting at Miss Edwards, Mr. Cornelius, Mr. Mason, Mr. Hooker, & Mr. Ingersoll were present fervent prayer was offered up to him who has not said "Ye shall seek my face in vain" that there might be a revival of religion in the school. Saturday rose early, exercised & performed the duties of the morning. Mr. Ingersoll visited the school the afternoon was devoted to writing & walking - Sunday morning the text was in Mat. 18-3 "Verily I say unto you except ye be con-
165
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
verted & become as little children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" - In the afternoon Habakuk 3-2 - "Lord revive thy work" In the evening Mark 6-12. And they preached to every one that they should repent."
Monday May 20, 1816
Attended school and recited a lesson in Sacred History wrote my journal recited in Blair & spelt. After school took a pleasant walk with Sally Sandford and Nancy Hurlburt, the evening was devoted to sewing Tuesday morning rose earlier than usual exercised & performed the customary duties of the morning Mr. Ingersoll called & desired to see the Young Ladies whom he conversed and prayed with he then rose & went round the room affectionately bidding us farewell when he came to Nancy & myself he took each of our hands and said, "May God bless your souls" - then with his eyes filled with tears he ex- claimed, Oh! Miss Chester! he said no more but left us - My time at school was employed in various occupations I recited a lesson in Morses Geography, Rhetoric, & ten pages in Rollins History - Parsed and cyphered - After school I wrote my journal but found my ideas did not flow very freely - Mr. Brace to day appointed me to write a letter but I am not fond of composing letters to show to anyone but the person to whom they are addressed - and would willingly were it in my power get excused .. .
In the evening attended conference, Mr. Mason and Mr. Cornelius were present - The latter informed those who were present that the National Bible Society was established at N. York and that all would have it in their power from this time to assist the poor benighted heathen. And he read us a letter from Mr. Newell to his friend it was an excellent letter entreating Christians in America to pray for him and all missionaries. In praying for them he wished them to pray for the poor benighted heathen - Wednesday was devoted to study.
Thursday at school wrote a long letter to Lucy Fitch recited as usual, I cannot say but that I do wish I might be excused from cypher- ing for I cannot think and as Dr. J- says "He that never thinks never can be wise." it shows & proves that I am not wise. After school went to the Post Office with dear Eliza had quite an adventure which will make me remember my walk on Thursday May 23rd. The evening was part I fear wasted for I read a few pages in Disipline which I think very highly of, it shows us the ill effects arising from PRIDE and that peace of mind & humility are only to be found in a Christian. I intend for the future to make each day "a critic on the last" - and I hope & trust that the examination will teach me to know my many failings and be productive of many good resolutions -
166
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
Oh! upon our dying bed how heart rending will be the reflection that we have wasted our time & must answer for it at the bar of God -
"What would we pay what ransom give For one short moment more to live, One hour to spend in thoughtful care In duty penitence & prayer."
UPON THE RIGHT IMPROVEMENT OF TIME.
Time is a most invaluable blessing given us to prepare for eternity, and to improve it aright ought to be the great concern of our life. The space of time allotted us for to spend on this earth is so short that were we to employ every moment to prepare for the great and awful change which awaits us, it would be no more than sufficient, but how many hours and even days do we waste in idle conversation, frivolous reading and an unnecessary attention to dress not remember- ing that for all these things God will bring us into judgment." If we would only remember, That time once lost never returns the moments which are past are past for ever" we should surely be more deligent to improve it aright for it is incumbent on us to do that that when it is past we may have the pleasure of reflecting that it has not been misemployed. A just sense of the importance of time is very essential to the right management of it. I know of a young lady who rises before sun-rise and devotes every hour of the day to some particular study or employment when she rises she knows if her life is preserved what she shall do each hour of the day, she agrees with the Poet who says "Order is heavens first law" - It is our duty to remember that the fifty years of man must make provision for the last" and not postpone religion till old age for soon the night of death will arrive when no man can work."
Saturday my Dissertation was read and I regretted it was no better & felt that My time which I employed in writing it was wasted - At school Miss Pierce gave us some excellent advice - but I fear I shall not follow it but I hope to be enabled to. It hardly seems possible that another week is gone & past never to be recalled, it hardly seems possible that I who am a probationer for eternity should waste so many precious hours in vanity - when I ought to recollect how short a time I shall continue in my present situation how soon it will be gone that the consequences of my actions will remain & be remembered a long long time - As usual the forenoon was devoted to receiving religious instruction from Miss P. & Mr. Beecher who had not been in Litchfield for some time - Mr. Beecher visited the school he began by asking the divine blessing - He then read the 16 chapter of Acts commencing at the 16 verse - And it came to pass, as we
167
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying -
* **
I hope e'er long to hear you my dear young friends asking with the same earnestness,
"What shall I do to be saved."
The afternoon was spent in various occupations - Mr. Cornelius spent the evening at Miss Edward's - And read & explained to us a chapter, I never knew a person who was more universally beloved than Mr. C. - and feel very sorry, that he so soon leaves Litchfield but I hope and trust that he will do more good in the places to which he is going, Oh! at the last day how many that he has fed, clothed & protected will rise up to bless him - He follows the motto he gave us last winter very strictly.
"And be ye not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not."
TIME ROLLS ITS CEASELESS COURSE."
Sunday morning I was disappointed when I rose to find that the day was unpleasant, but Miss Edwards permitted us to attend meet- ing - Mr. Beecher had been separated a long time from his people and when he entered many eyes followed him with pleasure to the pulpit - His text was in Dan 2-chapter 35-44 & 45 The verses were so long that I do not recollect them. He said that he was sure that Gods kingdom would come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven - within the last fifty years many and great exertions have been made by Christians to have the bible sent to the heathen, I have always wished to have a National Bible Society established in America and now I have had my desire let thy servant oh! Lord depart in peace, the dreadful wars which have desolated our land have been in some degree subservient to religion but the bible informs us that "wars shall have an end" and this we have reason to trust will soon be accom- plished - All nations are joining in the wish that Peace may cover the earth - A man is now in N York who has conversed with the Emperor of Russia upon this subject says he was willing to hear him and said he would do all in his power to prevent war - Geography is subservient to the cause of Christ and is studyed in all the common schools which are kept in our land - Kingdoms are established by men and distroyed - but those established by God will always remain immovable through out all ages - We have the pleasure of seeing Bible Societies in almost every place in the United States and many are supported by the greatest & most valuable members of society
168
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
an example which I hope will be followed - Young Men are now educated in all the branches of science but especially in that of Geog- raphy that they may be acquainted with the situation of remote and distant countries but they are also instructed in the more important study of religion that they may be capable of teaching the uncivilized nations to whom religion has never diffused the happiness which it imparts to those who possess it - In the afternoon the text was in Isa. 55-10th-11th verses.
Monday was spent as is usual in writing Journal and reciting in Sacred History, I am sorry to write that my recitation was a poor one as I had no excuse whatever for not knowing it perfectly - After school one of the girls as I was walking in the yard said "I have good news for you" I found I had a letter from Louisa I regretted to find I must burn it & if I had time I would copy it word for word but as I have not I will copy some part of it. "Alfred has returned to New Haven in very good health he loves you very much & hopes you will grow in goodness every day and cultivate in the rich soil of a warm heart those flowers of virtue which alone repay the Parent above and the Parent on earth. Should I disappoint so good so excellent a brother no! it shall be my endeavor to do what I am assured it would give him pleasure to have me & oh! that I could but do those things which I ought - Another stimulus was this "we all join in best wishes for your welfare, improvement & happiness, our love too accompanies this united with the hope that you are seeking to merit our highest regard." Tuesday morning rose early exercised and preformed the customary duties of the morning at school recited a lesson in Geography and Blair cyphered I am sorry to say how very much I dislike this employ- ment - as it is my dear Parents wish to have me improve particularly in Arithmatic - About five Mrs. Sanford arrived quite unexpectedly and selfish mortal as I am it was impossible for even me not to par- ticipate in the joy which animated the countenances of my friends. Mr. Sanford was detained by unexpected business in N York and their dear Mother was to stay but two days in Litchfield - I could not but reflect when seeing how happy they were that this joy this happiness would be felt by me in July when I expect my dear Mother but per- haps I may be disappointed if so I will endeavor to say with Sarah and Maria - That we ought not to expect all sweet and no bitter. Wednesday was spent as usual Mr. Brace was so obliging as to consent to hear the Young Ladies Journal but I was so lucky as to be excused and had the pleasure of reading mine to Miss Pierce.
Thursday May 30, 1816.
I rose early and exercised and obtained an extra it was a delightful morning the birds were carolling their morning song of joy and the
(2) LUCY SHELDON'S PICTURE, PAINTED IN WATER COLORS: "THE SHIPWRECKED BOY"
169
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
glorious sun had risen in awful splendour leading the mind to reflect on Him who is far superior to all created things. As usual attended school my time was principally spent in committing to memory and reciting my lesson in Geography and writing - Received a letter and a loaf of cake both were acceptable but as the letter was from Cousin Hannah I could not but value it the most - Friday in the afternoon was examined in Blair & Geography in the latter Mr. Brace asked me what were the four grand divisions of the globe I misunderstanding the question answered the Eastern and Western. Miss Staples & Miss Stanley were so much gratified that they burst into a fit of laugh- ing which was to me very embarassing and when Mr. Brace repeated the question I could scarcely tell him though I knew it perfectly - but I did not miss - in the evening I attended meeting oh! how earnestly did Mr. Beecher pray for us but I fear it will do me no good for I feel that my heart is hard as a stone and nothing but divine grace can ever change it. Mr. B. made an address to us at Miss Ed- wards & made an excellent prayer - Just after he left us Miss E- came to my room and requested me to pray for myself and sinners for she said she hoped the Lord was in the midst of us -
Saturday June 1st 1816.
When I found what a delightful day it was a prospect of having, it recurred to my mind that it was the first day of summer oh! how imperceptible has the spring glided away, how has my precious time been spent? has none been wasted in idle conversation, frivolous reading etc? have I done anything to the glory of God? Can I answer all these solemn interrogations in the affirmative I fear not but I do hope when the next three month have expired that I shall be able to. Attended school Mr. Brace read the Dissertations On the advan- tages and disadvantages of war - All of them were written particu- larly well but I am sure those Young Ladies who composed them must have felt unpleasantly to have them read aloud - Mr. Brace then informed us of the proceedings of the crooked Society -
Voted unanimously that Miss Abbey Lyman who had done such great services and set such an excellent example to the members of said society should be reelected to the honourable office of President - Cornelia Vanbenthuysen - Vice President - And as Miss Abbey Smith still continued a fit member for the office of Secretary which she filled with such dignity last winter she was to be continued in her office during the summer - Miss Van Slyck it was thought would soon be qualified for admission into the Society as an honorouble member - the Directors were Miss Sarah Sanford - Miss Abbey Lord, Miss Mary Beecher, and Miss Louisa Lewis - I was disappointed at not being elected to some office in a Society in which I have always taken
170
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
such a lively interest - In the afternoon Mr. Cornelious delivered a very interesting lecture On doing good -
Sunday June 2nd 1816.
Mr. Beecher's morning text was in the first epistle of John 2 chap- ter 2 verse "And he is the propitiation for our sins; & not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" In the afternoon Mr. Mason preached from 2nd of Cor. 8th verse - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, that he through his poverty might be rich" - Mr. Beechers evening text was recorded in I know not where - As this day comes to a close let me take a retrospect of it and see how it has been spent I fear in a dilatory & negligent manner oh! how many sabbaths which have been wasted must I answer for at the day of judgment, many & almost all of the sermons I hear are a "savor of death unto death" & not of life unto life .
Monday June 3rd 1816
Rose with a determination to improve during the week in my heart, studies manners and conduct - the morning was pleasant & I often when admiring the beauty of the scenes which surrounded me wished my dear friends were with me for surely then to me the scene would have been doubly beautiful. I do agree with Mr. J. P. B. that
"Tho' the hills I now tread may be vivid & green Still the hills of my childhood are brightest and best And the friends of my home are the first in my breast."
At school my recitation in Sacred History was better than usual the rest of the morning was devoted to writing. The afternoon in writing, reciting cyphering etc. After school I took a walk with Nancy for winter greens it was late when we sat out and for fear it would be dark we were obliged to run & I was so fatigued when I did reach home that I determined never to go winter-greening again at such a late hour though it was ever so "refreshing" - Miss Pierce to day made a rule that we should not study our lessons in school.
Tuesday June 4th 1816
Rose early and studyed my Geography lesson with a determination if it were in my power to commit my lesson so perfectly as to be able to recite it without a mistake and I succeeded - Nothing to me is more unpleasant than to be obliged frequently to say "I do not know sir" an answer which I so often give that I fear it will never by me be forgotten. I am very much pleased with the study of Geography as it instructs us in the situation of remote countries & in the manner,
171
MORE CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
customs & religion of its inhabitants - Miss Pierce requested the scholars to write down their faults & if they had good certificates, mine have since I have resided at Miss Edwards been very good - As to my faults it would almost be impossible to enumerate all of them I have so many, I feel that I waste much of my precious time & I fear I do not attend as carefully to Miss Edwards wishes as it is my duty to, or sufficiently to my studies forgetting the great impor- tance of my improving my advantages aright while I continue in this school forgetting that as I now sow so shall I reap, forgetting how very anxious my dear Parents are to have me improve in all that is useful, how happy would it make them to hear that none surpassed me in, amiability, kindness, and learning - & oh! may I endeavor to pursue with ardour what I know it is the best of Parents wish to have me, never no never can I without I follow this course of conduct repay them for all their unnumbered kindnesses to me their ungrate- ful child - I do hope this summer to be more studies than I was last Winter and to show them by actions which speak louder than words how sincerely I love them.
Mr. J. P. B.
Extracts from the "Recluse of Norway" by Miss Ann Porter 1 - "Beauty! genious! fascination! what is your honour when compared with that of Goodness? We struggle against you all; but we yield without resistance to the charm of an amiable heart" . (Liberty enobles the soul as much as beauty does the body)
The Lakes and rivers were as hard as bright as crystal the beautiful hoar-frost that sparkled from the sides of the highest mountains & hung every tree and shrub with brilliant festoons sometimes blazed with the meridian sun, sometimes reflected the tender moonlight or was successively illuminated & darkened by the flash & retreat of the auroraborealis -
Theodore compares the emotion which he felt on first beholding countess Anastasia to that which he felt the first time he saw the sun rise at sea - astonishment rapture, almost awe."
June 4th 1816
Wednesday morning school commenced at eight on account of a meeting, attended all day & heard two of the best sermons I ever heard - & excellent prayers - A number of ministers were present & I am sure it must have been a pleasing reflection to those Chris- tians who were present that all of the ministers were Christians - Mr. Cornelius attended prayers at Miss E. I must not forget to men- tion that to day at school Miss Pierce put Mary Elizabeth Cobb a sweet
1 Probably head of the young ladies' school at Farmington.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.