Centennial history of the city of Washington, D. C. With full outline of the natural advantages, accounts of the Indian tribes, selection of the site, founding of the city to the present time, Part 52

Author: Crew, Harvey W ed; Webb, William Bensing, 1825-1896; Wooldridge, John
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Dayton, O., Pub. for H. W. Crew by the United brethren publishing house
Number of Pages: 838


USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Centennial history of the city of Washington, D. C. With full outline of the natural advantages, accounts of the Indian tribes, selection of the site, founding of the city to the present time > Part 52


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The period from 1867 to 1876 was marked by some new depart- ures in school administration. The office of public superintendent was created in September, 1869. In 1873 a normal school was estab- lished, and Miss Lucilla E. Smith was chosen the first principal.


In 1871, the municipal government was changed and placed under the control of a Territorial governor and legislative assembly. It continued until 1874, when the present triumvirate commission was established. The aggregate expenditures on schools during this period (1867 to 1876) were $2,404,000.


The superintendency of the city schools has been confined to but few men. The first was Zalmon Richards. He was succeeded, after many years' service, by Professor J. Ormond Wilson, who held this position for some fourteen years, to be followed by the present incum- bent, Professor W. B. Powell, from Illinois.


The colored schools have likewise a superintendent, Professor G. T. Cook, who is equally responsible with Superintendent Powell for the management of the schools of his race.


The following table, showing list of public-school buildings owned and occupied, has not only statistical but historical interest:


PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.


HISTORICAL TABLE.


NAME.


LOCATION.


DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING.


Heated.


Erected.


No. of Rooms.


Value of Site.


Value of


Total.


High School ..


() St., bet. 6th and 7th ....


Brick, 198x75, 3 stories and basement ... Steam ....


1883


38


$75,000


$118,078


$193,078


Abbott School


Cor. New York Ave. and 6th St


Brick, 102x 12, 3 stories and basement ... Furnace


1876


9


5,158


20,000


25,158


Amidon ..


Cor. 6th and F sts., S. W.


Brick, 81 x69, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1882


8


5,949


18,232


24,181


Anacostia


9th St. and Virginia Ave., S. E.


Brick, 38x24. 2 stories ..


Stoves ...


1840


2,000


2,000


Grant ..


G St., bet. 21st and 22d sts., N. W


Brick, 92 x88, 3 stories and basement ...


Steam ..


1882


12


8,000


40,428


18, 128


Bowen ...


Cor. 9th and E sts., S. W.


Brick, 88x 15, 2 stories ..


Stoves ...


1867


8


1,672


5,000


6,672


Banneker


3d St., bet. K and L sts., N. W.


Brick, 81x69, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1882


00


3,500


20,000


23,500


Bront.


Cor. 3d and D sts., S. E.


Brick, 81 x69, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace


1883


S


2,135


22,065


24,200


Chamberlin.


East St., Georgetown ...


Frame, 88x10.


Stoves ...


12


169


1,000


1,169


Cranch.


Cor. 12th and G sts., S. E


Brick, 79x36, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam.


1872


6


622


16,000


16,622


('urtis ....


2d St., bet. High and Newmarket sts., Georgetown ....


Brick, 97x79, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam ....


1875


8


1,908


60,000


61,908


Force


Massachusetts Ave,, bet. 17th and 18th sts., N. W .....


Brick, 90x 73, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam. ...


1879


12


36,215


36,215


Franklin.


Cor. 13th and K sts., N. W.


Brick, H8x 79, 3 stories and basement ..


Steam.


1869


16


17,561


188,000


205,564


Gales ...


Cor, 1st St. and Massachusetts Ave., N. W


Brick, 90x66, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam ...


1881


12


10.000


40,116


50,116


Garnett.


Cor. 10th and M sts., N. W


Brick, 90x73, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam ...


1880


12


7,120


35,000


12,120


Greenleaf .


12 st., bet. M and N sts., S. W.


Brick, 72x32, 2 stories ...


Stoves ...


1869


4


1,500


8,000


9,500


Henry ..


P St., bet. 6th and 7th sts., N. W.


Brick, 89x73, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam ....


1880


12


25,000


45,000


70,000


Jefferson ..


Cor. 6th and D sts., N. W


Brick, 172x88, 3 stories and basement ...


Steam. ...


1872


20


18,896


50,000


68,896


John F. Cook.


O St., bet. 4th and 5th sts., N. W ...


Brick, 96x58, 3 stories.


Furnace


1868


11


2,160


18,000


20,160


Building.


EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.


497


HISTORICAL TABLE-CONTINUED.


NAME.


LOCATION.


DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING.


Heated.


Erected.


No. of


Value of


Value of


Buildings.


Total.


Lincoln


Cor. 2d and ( sts., S. E ..


Brick. 75x68. 3 stories and basement. ... |


Steam ....


1871


10


3.460


20,000


23.460


Lovejoy


C'or. 12th and D sts., N. E.


Brick, 60x35. 2 stories and basement ....


Stoves ...


1872


6


.....


10.000


10,000


McCormick ..


3d St., bet. M and N sts., S. E.


Brick, 55 x 45, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1870


4


407


7,000


7.407


Morse


R St., bet. New Jersey Ave. and 5th St


Brick, 81x69. 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1883


8


1,578


23,670


28.248


Peabody


Cor. 5th and (' sts., N. E.


Brick. 90x90. 3 stories and basement ...


Steam ...


1579


12


2,500


38,150


40,650


Potomac.


12th St., bet. Maryland Ave. and E St.


Brick, 72x32. 2 stories ..


Stoves ...


1870


4


5.54


4,500


5,084


Randall


Cor. 1st and I sts., N. W


Brick, 90x72, 3 stories.


Furnace


1576


10


727


40,000


40,727


Seaton ...


I St., bet. 2d and 3d sts., N. W.


Brick, 94x67, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam ....


1871


11


11,325


35,000


46.325


Stevens


21st St., bet. K and L sts., N. W


Brick, 8&x,48, 3 stories and basement ....


Steam ...


1868


10


1,94₺


15,000


19,944


Summer


Cor. 17th and M sts ..


Brick, 94x69, 3 stories and basement ....


Steamı ....


1871


11


18,875


70,000


88,875


Thompson ..


12th St., bet. K and L sts., N. W


Brick, 91 x28, 3 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1877


6


2,906


8,000


10,906


Twining.


3d St., bet. N and O sts., N. W


Brick, 81x69, 2 stories and basement


...; Furnace


1583


10


4,681


24,070


28,751


Wallach.


Pennsylvania Ave., bet. 7th and 8th sts., S. E.


Brick, 99x76, 3 stories and basement ....!


Steam ....


1864


12


14,517


40,000


54,517


Webster ...


Cor. 10th and II sts., N. W ..


Brick, 107x64, 3 stories and basement ... Steam. ...


1881


12


15,000


41,053


56,053


Odd Fellows' Hall


Cor. 7th and G sts., S. E.


Brick, 40x22, 2 stories.


Stoves ...


1840


2


433


1,200


1,633


Odd Fellows' Hall


Cor. High and Market sts., Georgetown


Frame, 55x30, 2 stories and basement ... Stoves ...


2


5.84


3,000


3,5×4


Threlkeld


Cor. Prospect and Lingan aves ..


Brick, 75 x29, 2 stories and basement. ...


Stoves ...


670


5,000


5,670


Dennison ..


S St., bet. 13th and 14th sts ..


Brick, 92x89, 3 stories and basement .... Steam .... 1884


12


11,627


45,151


56,808


Blair ..


I St., bet. 6th and 7th sts., N. E.


Brick, 70 x84, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace 1884


3,500


22,071


25,571


Wormley.


Prospect Ave., bet. 33d and 34th sts


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1884


3,750


23,495


27,245


Addison


P St., bet. 32d and 33d sts., N. W.


Brick, 54x98, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace


1885


8


29,313


29,313


Maury ..


B St., bet. 12th and 13th sts.


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace


1886


8


3,382


25,798


29,180


Weiglitman.


Cor. 23d and M sts., N. W


Brick, 76x83, 2 stories and basement .... |Furnace


1886


8


13,574


29,234


42,808


1


Rooms.


Site.


86+


NOLONIHSKAL HO AHOLSIH


Towers ...


Cor. Sth and C sts., S. E .. .....


Magruder ..


M St., bet. 16thi and 17th sts. 5th St., bet, D and E sts., S. E


Brick, 56x104, 2 stories and basement ... | Furnace Furnace Brick, 56x104, 2 stories and basement ... Furnace Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement ... Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace


1887 8 1887 S


1887


8


10,466


24,521


Phelps.


Vermont Ave., bet. T and U sts


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace


1887 3


7,188


24,952


32,140


Giddings ..


G St., bet. 3d and 4th sts ... North Capitol, bet. K and L sts ..


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace


1887


9,985


24,973


34,958


Blake .....


Bradley ..


131/2 St., bet. C' and D sts ..... I St., bet. 3d and 41/2 sts., S. W


Brick, 70 x-83 ..


Furnace


1888


8,519


24,992 26,652


35,171


Smallwood.


R St., bet. 17th St. and New Hampshire Ave., N. W. Cor. 1st and L sts., N. W.


Brick, 67 x 83 ..


Furnace


10,500


25,396


35.896


Jones


Arthur Place, N. W.


Brick, 67 x83 ..


Furnace


10,605


27,652


38,257 33,052 33,119


Briggs ..


Cor. 22d and E sts., N. W


Brick, 67x83.


Furnace


8


8,500


24,619


29,135


Lenox ..


5th St., bet. G St. and Virginia Ave., S. E


Brick, 70x83.


Furnace


8


1,000


25,135


40,049


Bell ...


1st St., bet. B and C sts., S. W.


Brick, 67x83, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


8


9,536


25,609


35,145


Madison.


Cor. 10th and ( sts., N. E


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1889


8


6,468


25,644


32,112


Jackson ...


Road St., bet. 30th and 31st sts


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement .... Furnace


1889


S


10,000


28,031


38,031


Ganison ..


12th St., bet. R and S sts., N. W


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1889


8


8,250


24,540


32,790


Ambush


L St., bet 6th and 7th sts., S. W ..


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement .... Brick, 75 x101, 2 stories and basement ... Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1890


S


8,691


25,972


34,663


Phillips ..


N St., near 28th St., N. W ...


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1890


8


11,400


26,066


37,466


Slater ..


P St., near North Capitol, N. W ..


Brick, 70x84, 2 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1890


S


11,000


26,067


37,067


High School (Colored) ... M St., bet. New Jersey Ave, and 1st St., N. W


Brick, 80x147, 3 stories and basement ... Steam.


1890


24


24,592


82,317


106,909


Wilson .


Meridian Hill ( Mount Pleasant).


Brick, 70x4, 3 stories and basement ....


Furnace


1891


8


9,000


25,557


34,557


Taylor ......


Cor. 7th and G sts., N. E ..


Brick, 70x81.


Furnace


1891


S


8


8,486


26,514


35,000


Eastern High School .. ....


7th St., bet. C St. and Pennsylvania Ave., S. E ...


Brick, 80x147, 3 stories and basement ... Steam ...


1891


20


75,000


8


16,322


26,652


42,974


Arthur ...


28th St., near M St., N. W ...


Brick, 68x82.


Furnace


8 00


7,100


25,952


Corcoran.


Cor. 14th and Q sts., N. W.


Brick, 50x100, 3 stories and basement ... Furnace


9


15,000


25,049


EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.


499


1887


8


24,999 24,999 25,973 25,973


Carberry.


6,456 29,980 36,436 34,987


8


1887


S


5,000


29,992


Adams ..


Brick, 70x 83


Furnace


8


S


11,750


23,885


35,635


Harrison ..


13th St., near V St., N. W


27,796


45,440


Tyler ...


11th St., near G St., S. E ..


Furnace


1890


S


1891


Logan.


Cor, 3d and Gi sts., N. E


Brick, 56x101, 2 stories and basement ... Furnace


Furnace


1889


17,644


Berret


.


500


HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.


The report of the city schools for the school year ending June 30, 1891, contains some statistics which show progress in the develop- ment of popular education. They are significant, when compared with the facts given in the preceding portion of this chapter.


The first table shows the enrollment of pupils, with the per cent. of increase, from 1880 to 1891, inclusive.


YEAR.


ENROLLED.


PER CT.


YEAR.


ENROLLED.


PER CT.


YEAR.


ENROLLED.


PER CT.


1880


21,600


1884


23,867


1.11


1888


28,553


2.95


1881


22,061


2.13


1885


25,157


5.40


1889


29,565


3.54


188:


22,826


3.46


1886


26,911


6.97


1890


30,366


2.70


1883


23,594


3.36


1887


27,733


3.05


1891


31,301


3.07


During the school year closing June 30, 1891, the following ex- hibit was made:


TOTAL ENROLLMENT.


TEACHERS EMPLOYED.


SCHOOL.


WHITE.


COLORED.


TOTAL.


WHITE.


COLORED.


TOTAL.


Normal ..


45


26


71


High


1,659


376


2,035


Grammar & Primary


22,525


13,745


36,270


Total


24,229


14,147


38,376


530


265


795


The aggregate expenses for all causes during the year were: For day schools, $683,120.33; night schools, $6,468.85; total, $689,589.18. Compared with the expenditures prior to the War, these figures are quite startling, and show that the schools are firmly planted in public confidence.


Georgetown was incorporated as a city in November, 1789. No trace of legislation touching public schools is found prior to Decem- ber, 1842, when the system was established. Prior to 1810, educational opportunities were confined to private schools. About the close of the year 1810, the "Lancasterian School Society" was organized. Under its protection a school was opened, November 18, 1811, by Robert Ould, a pupil of Joseph Lancaster, the founder of the system.


501


EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.


This school was maintained by private aid until 1815, when the Georgetown corporation appropriated $1,000 for its support, and continued that appropriation annually until 1842, when the school was suspended. Subsequent to this time, the primary education of the place was taken charge of by the board of guardians, and schools became practically free to all.


In August, 1844, the city authorities authorized the guardians to receive donations for the support of the schools. Four years later, the guardians were directed to charge, not exceeding $1 per month, all pupils whose parents were considered able to pay tuition.


In August, 1849, the board of guardians were authorized to purchase a church edifice, on Montgomery Street, for school purposes, and to issue bonds in the sum of $1,200 for its payment. The sum of $800 was also appropriated to refit the property. Appropria- tions ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 were made annually to support the schools, and this arrangement continued until 1857, when the Washington plan of assessing $1 upon each free white male resident twenty-one years of age and upwards was adopted. In 1859, the city made the requisite appropriation to build a commodious house on High Street, at an expense of $4,500. In April of the next year, applica- tion was again made to Congress for an appropriation for educational purposes, but in vain.


Georgetown College, located on the Potomac, within the District of Columbia, is the oldest Catholic and one of the first American institutions of learning. The germ of the college may be traced to a promise, made about 1640, almost contemporaneous with the founding of Harvard University, by the English provincial of the Jesuits to Father Ferdinand Poulton; who was sent from England, in 1638, as superior of the Maryland missions. One of Poulton's darling schemes, on coming to America, was the establishment of a seat of learning in Maryland; and it is asserted by those versed in the origin of the insti- tution, that his purpose was to locate it at or near the present site of the city of Washington. Accordingly, he wrote to the English provin- cial to obtain sanction, and received, in reply, this assurance: "The hope of establishing the college which you hold forth, I embrace with pleasure, and shall not delay my sanction to the plan when it shall have reached maturity."


This plan, in its gradual unfolding, included work done by migra- tory academies near Calverton Manor, on the Wicomico River; at Newton Manor, and at other places. In these peripatetie institutions, driven hither and thither by frenzied persecution, were developed


502


HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.


both the men and the principles which should ultimately guide the cherished enterprise to success. One of these men, John Carroll, was specially trained for his work. Ile became the first Archbishop of Baltimore. The cherished "maturity" had finally arrived. Accord- ingly, with a zeal nursed in the thorough appreciation of the necessity for scholastic training, Father Carroll began to move toward the estab- lishment of a place of higher education.


At a meeting of the clergy, held at Whitemarsh, November 13, 1786, Dr. Carroll laid before that body a plan for the establishment of an academy, and recommended the site finally selected.


The following year, a committee, of which Dr. Carroll seems to have had large control, agreed with William Deakins, Jr., and John Threlkeld for a traet enclosing about an acre and a half, the price being seventy-five pounds.


Much difficulty was experienced in securing a building. It was a three-story brick structure, fifty by sixty-three feet, capable of accommodating all the students likely to enter its walls. In a letter to his friend Plowden, under date of February 24, 1790, Dr. Carroll said: "I am greatly obliged to you for your anxiety about our pro- posed academy, as well as for your generous intentions respecting it. I think we shall get enough of it completed this summer to make a beginning of teaching; but our great difficulty will be to get a proper president-a superintendent. The fate of the school will depend much on the first impression made upon the public, and a president of known ability and reputation would contribute greatly to render that impression a very favorable one."


As a result of his earnest desire, Bishop Carroll finally succeeded in securing Rev. Robert Plunkett, a man of great piety, learning, and experience, to preside over the new institution. It opened its doors for students in September, 1791. The first pupil to matriculate was William Gaston, of North Carolina. lle was a young man of great brilliance, and became an orator of remarkable power. He was a compeer, in Congress, of such men as Webster, Calhoun, and Clay, the latter of whom, it is alleged, he once vanquished in debate. Rev. Plunkett remained in charge of the institution but two years, 1791-93, and then resigned, to enter the missionary work of the Church. IIis labors, however, were sufficient to impart an educational impulse to the academy, and established it in the confidence of the people.


Rev. Plunkett was succeeded in the presidency by Rev. Robert Molyneux, June 14, 1793. Shortly after his installation, preparations began to be made for the enlargement of facilities. A rectangular


503


EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.


lot north of the other tract, and containing about two aeres, was pur- chased of John Threlkeld for £97 58. In 1795, a new building, with a frontage of one hundred and fifty-four feet and an elevation of three stories on one side and four on the other, was erected, adding to the facilities and patronage of the school.


It will not be within the scope of this work to follow this insti- tution through all the changes and trials which have characterized its development. That has been faithfully done in a large memorial volume, giving a history of its first century's growth, to which the reader is referred. It is proper, however, to note that on the 27th of January, 1815, William Gaston, a former student, but then an active member of Congress, introduced into the House a resolution which greatly increased its scope, by empowering it to confer the usual college degrees. The bill was approved by President Madi- son, March 1.


Prior to this date, the college was under the charge of the incorporated clergy of the State of Maryland. Gentlemen under twelve years of age paid $200 per year, and those over twelve paid $220 per year, except in cases where the student in theology, having extraordinary expenses, had indulgences allowed him, and paid $250 per year. The students were taught English, Latin, Greek, all the branches of a classical education, sacred and profane history, geog- raphy, the use of globes, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, and all other portions of mathematics. The greatest care was taken to teach the students the duties of religion and morals, and they were constantly under the eye of some of the professors. While the institution was a Catholic one, yet students of any faith, or of no faith, were admitted; and about this time (1815), the course of study was enlarged to inelude German, French, and Spanish, rhetoric, belles-lettres, the fine arts, and divinity.


In 1831 was begun, under the administration of Rev. Thomas F. Mulledy, S. J., the erection of a large building for chapel, refectory, study hall, and rooms for students. Mrs. Decatur, widow of a distinguished naval officer, aided by the loan of $7,000 for that purpose.


In 1851, initial steps were taken to enlarge the sphere of the institution by adding a medical department. Dr. Joshua A. Ritchie, a graduate of the class of 1835, was the moving spirit. The organiza- tion began with a full faculty, on the 1st of May, 1851. Improvised rooms had to be secured for this new department; finally, in 1882, a new building was erected on HI Street, between Ninth and Tenth


504


HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.


streets, the old quarters on the corner of Tenth and E streets proving insufficient.


The law department was established in 1870, its regular courses beginning in October of that year. Its organization consisted of Rev. John Early, president; Judge Charles P. James, vice-president; Charles W. Hoffman, secretary and treasurer, and a full corps of professors. The new structure erected in 1891 is a fine one, on E Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.


On the 12th of December, 1877, the first stone of a new college structure was laid, and by the next December the roof was placed on the completed north pavilion. During the next two years, other important additions were made to the structure.


During the first century of its active existence, Georgetown Col- lege has been presided over by some of the ablest men within the ranks of the Church of which it has been the pioneer institution of learning. The following is the list:


Rev. Robert Plunkett, 1791-93; Rev. Robert Molyneux, 1793-96; Rev. William L. Du Bourg, 1796-99; Rt. Rev. Leonard Neale, D. D., 1799-1806; Rev. Robert Molyneux, S. J., 1806-08; V. Rev. William Matthews, 1808-10; Rev. Francis Neale, S. J., 1810-12; Rev. John Grassi, S. J., 1812-17; Rev. Benedict J. Fenwick, S. J., 1817-18; Rev. Anthony Kohlmann, S. J., 1818-20; Rev. Enoch Fenwick, S. J., 1820-22; Rev. Benedict J. Fenwick, S. J., 1822-25; Rev. Stephen L Dubisson, S. J., 1825-26: Rev. William Feiner, S. J., 1826-29; Rev. William Beschter, S. J., 1829; Rev. Thomas F. Mulledy, S. J., 1829-37; Rev. William MeSherry, S. J., 1837-40; Rev. Joseph A. Lopez, 1840; Rev. James Ryder, S. J., 1840-45; Rev. Samuel A. Mulledy, S. J., 1845; Rev. Thomas F. Mulledy, S. J., 1845-48; Rev. James Ryder, S. J., 1848-51; Rev. Charles II. Stonestreet, S. J., 1851-52; Rev. Bernard A. Maguire, S. J., 1852-58: Rev. John Early, S. J., 1858-65; Rev. Bernard A. Maguire, S. J., 1866-70; Rev. John Early, S. J., 1870-73; Rev. Patrick F. Healy, S. J., 1873-82; Rev. James A. Doonan, S. J., 1882-88; Rev. Joseph Havens Richards, S. J., 1888 --.


The institution is in a prosperous condition, its various depart- ments having a liberal patronage.


The Columbian College was incorporated by an act of Congress in February, 1821. The movement resulting in this incorporation was started early in 1817, by a returned missionary from India, Rev. Luther Rice, who conceived the idea of founding such a college in Washington, for the education of ministers of the Gospel in the special service of the Baptist denomination of Christians. Around this college, he


505


EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.


projected schools of philosophical, scientific, and classical culture, which were to be national in their aims and nonsectarian in their discipline.


A "Literary Association," formed of Rev. Mr. Rice, Rev. Oba- diah B. Brown, Rev. Spencer H. Cone, and Enoch Reynolds, purchased a piece of ground containing forty-six and one-half acres adjoining the city of Washington, paying therefor $7,000. This was in 1819. Among the contributors to this sum were John Quincy Adams, Wil- liam HI. Crawford, and John C. Calhoun, members of President Monroe's Cabinet, together with thirty-two members of Congress and many of the citizens of Washington. The trustees named in the act of incorporation were Obadiah B. Brown, Luther Rice, Enoch Rey- nolds, Josiah Meigs, Spencer HI. Cone, Daniel Brown, Return J. Meigs, Jr., Joseph Gibson, Joseph Cone, Thomas Corcoran, Burgiss Allison, Thomas Sewall, and Joseph Thaw. The first meeting of this board of trustees was held March 5, 1821, and on the 6th Rev. Obadiah B. Brown was elected president of the board, Enoch Rey- nolds secretary, and Luther Rice treasurer.


The erection of a college edifice had been commenced in 1820, and it was completed in 1822, at a cost of $35,000. This building was one hundred and seventeen feet by forty-six feet in size, and four stories high. There were also erected a Philosophical Hall, and two dwelling houses for the professors. Rev. William Staughton, D. D., a native of England, and an eminent pulpit orator, was the first presi- dent of the institution. The first circular of the college was issued June 27, 1821; the theological department opened on September 5, 1821, and the classical department on January 9, 1822. For admission to the freshman class, it was necessary to be able to write Latin correctly, and to read with facility Caesar's Commentaries, Virgil, Sallust, Cicero's Select Orations, the Greek of the New Testament, and the Greca Minora, and to have an acquaintance with common arithmetic, English grammar, and the elements of geography.


The expenses of those who only attended the preparatory school during the day were less than $50 per annum; while of those who boarded in the institution, the expenses were $2.65 per week for board, lights, fuel, and incidentals; for library, room rent, and furniture, $20 per annum. Tuition in the college classes was $50 per annum, and in the preparatory school, $32 per annum.


As early as November 15, 1821, the project of establishing a school of medicine was discussed, and but a short period afterward it was decided that a law school should be instituted "at no distant day."


506


HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.


The following year, Luther Rice agitated the founding of a philo- sophieal department, and the scheme was practically adopted in 1823, a circular being addressed by the college authorities to mil- itary and naval authorities in the United States to secure their cooperation in collecting illustrative material for the institution. From these indications it will be seen that the institution was rapidly assum- ing the scope and character of a university.




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