USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 157
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 157
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Court Streets. In 1846-47 the school-houses in the First and Fourth Wards were erected. In 1847 the school-house in the Second Ward was erected, in 1848-49 those in the Fifth and South Wards, and in 185] that in the Sixth Ward. The High School building, on the corner of Washington and Linden Streets, was erected in 1853-54. The original cost of these school-houses and sites was about seventy thousand dollars. The Board of Education has now in use 35 school buildings, 28 of which belong to the city, and are at present valued, with their furniture, as already stated, at $1,030,000.
The total number of teachers employed by the board during the year 1883 was 319, of whom 27 were males and 222 females.
The returns of the census enumerated for that year give the number of children between five and eighteen years of age at 41,668. The number enrolled in the public schools was 19,804, and the number enrolled in the private schools was about 6000, making the total number attending school 25,804, and leaving 15,864 not enrolled in public or private schools. It is estimated that at least two-thirds of these 15,864 are over fourteen years of age and at work.
Prior to the establishment of the Board of Educa- tion, in 1851, the public schools were under the man- agement of a school romunittee, as provided for by the charter of 1836. These committees were elected from year to year, and as a matter of interest in this connection, their names have been collected, and are presented below. Following them will be found a complete list of the members of the Board of Educa- tion from its establishment until 1885.
1-30%. North Ward, John ( Burnett, George Holde : South Ward, Wintheld Nichola, William Scarlett , East Ward, Stephen R. Grover, William Murphy Weet Ward, bar Andrum, William Tuttle
1837 .- North Ward, John C. Buruett, Georgo Rohde ; East Ward, Stephen R. Grover, Josephns W. Sanders; West Ward, Isaac Andruss, William Tuttle ; South Ward, Whitfield Nichols, William Scarlett.
1838, -North Ward, George Rohde, Juhin C. Burnett ; East Ward, Lyndon A. Smith, Stephen Congar ; West Ward, Alexander N. Dougherty, James Hague, Jr. : Sonth Ward, Jabez G. Golle, Charles Macknet.
1-39,-North Ward, John C. Burnett, George Rohde ; East Ward, Lyndon A. Smith, Stephen Congar: West Ward, Charles T. Day, Whit- fiehl Nichols ; Sonth Ward, Jabez G. Goble, Charles S. Macknet.
1×40,-North Ward. John C. Burnett, Isaac Van Wagenen ; East Ward, Lyndon A. Smith, Stephen Cougar ; West Ward, Whitfield Nichols, Charley T. Day ; South Ward, Charles S. Macknet, William G. Lord.
1×41 .- North Want, John C Burnett, Isaac Van Wagenen ; East Ward, Lyndon A. Smith, Stephen Congar ; West Ward, James Hague, Jr., William E. Layton ; South Ward, Charles $. Mackart, Javob H. Burnet.
1×12. North Ward, John C. Burnett, Isaac Van Wagenen ; East Ward, Peter Lindsley, A. L. Downer; West Ward, Charles T. Day, James Hagiu, Jr. ; South Ward, Charles S. Macknet, Daniel B. Bruen.
1843 .- North Ward, U'zal S. Baldwia, Sammel Sayre ; East Ward, Stephen Congar, A. L. Downer ; West Ward, Charles T. Day, John R. Weeks ; Sunti Ward, Charles S. Macknet, James Wheeler.
1×44 .- North Ward, William T. Mercer, Edward T. Hillyer : East Want, Stephen G. Gould, John C'handler : West Ward, Charles T. Play, John I. Werks ; South Ward, Charles $. Mackurt, Inmey Wheeler.
1×445,-North Ward, John Whitehead, John H. Jaques : East Ward, Sainel H. Pennington, Stephen Congar ; West Ward, Charles T Day, John It. Weeks ; Sonth Ward, James Wheeler, Charles Macknet.
1847 .- North Ward, John Whitehead, John 11. Jaques; East Ward, Stephen Congar, Peter Lindsly ; West Ward, John R. Weeks, Willinm Rankin ; South Ward, Merthon S. Hatdell, Charles T Gray.
1x18 .- North Ward, Juhn Whitehead, Oba Merker; East Ward, Ste- phen Congar, James Nichols ; West Ward, John R. Weeks, John Young ; South Ward, Samuel I. Prime, Jabez G. Goble ; Fifth Ward, Horace J. Poinier, Frederick Pilch.
1×49 .- North Ward, John Whitehead, Mores W Dould ; East Ward, Stephen Congar, Samuel HI. Pennington ; West Ward, Juha R. Weeks, Milton Baldwin : South Ward, Jabez G. Goble, Ezek Graves ; Fifth Ward, Gilbert G. Vanderwerken, Frederick T'ilrh.
150,-North Ward, John Whitehead, Moves W. Dodd ; East Ward, Stephen Congar, samnel H. Pennington ; West Ward, Joha R. Weeks, Milton Baldwin; South Ward, Jabrx G. Goble, Ezeck Graves; Fifth Ward, Gilbert 6 Vanderwerken, Frederick Pilch.
Members of the Board of Education of the city of Newark, N. J., from the organization of the board, in 1851, to Jan. 1, 1884.
Silas Merchant, 1851, '52, '5.1, '54, '55, '57, '58, '59, '60.
Lueins D. Baldwin, 1×51, '52, '56, '59.
Milton Baldwin, 18;1-52.
Alexander V. Dougherty, 1851, '5, '53, ', '55, '56, '37, '58, '59, '60, '61. John Whitehead, Isal. 152, 153.
Horatio N. Peters, 1851-52.
Stophen Congar, 1831, '52, '53, '54, '53, '56, 157, 158, '59.
Sammel H. Pennington, 1851, '32, '53, '5), '55, '56, '57, 58, '50, '60, 'GI, '62, '63. William A. Righter, 1x], '54, '35.
JAMON F. Bond. 1951. 12. '5, '54, '56, 57, '78.
Joseph A. Corwin, 1x52-53.
Thomas V. Johnson, 1852.
Benedict Starr, 1852, '53, '54, 53.
Incol B. Westervelt, 1852-53.
('uleb Windrun, 1852, '53, '51. '55, 5ti,
William T. Mercer, 1853, '54, '56, '56.
Frederick W Ricont, 1853, "1, '35, '56, '57, '5h, 59, '60, 'til, '62, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, 'G !.
Charles S. Macknet, 1X53-64
George 1. Doremus, 1853, '54, '66, '56.
Edward A. Osborne, 1854-55.
Samuel Smith, 1854-55.
Jamen Roma, 1454, '55, '56, '57, '58.
Elenzer M. Duda, 185-1.
Darius E. Jones, 1854-55.
649
EDUCATION IN NEWARK.
William M Durand, 1935, '56, '37, 58. John A Nichols, 1455-56. Daniel F. Tompkins, 1855, 56, 57. Jumer Haines, 1850-56. J. Sandfort smith, 18. 5 Walter Hans,13.578 6 1 Joseph Ward, Inami William Jowup, 14 ST. John Bottle, 1856-57. Elias R. Ogden, 1-56-57 Henry Ennis, 1xw6, 7, 58. 24, ', '61. Edward P. Hand, 1857 David A. Cogan, 1x 7-08. Ralph 11. Pieren, 1857, 58, 0, '60, 61. William A, Furnall, Is; Edward Hadden, 1x17, 58, 50, 'Go, 01. Anton (' Want, Is. 7-44 John F Pingiry, 1917 Cyrus Perk, 1857, '68, '50, '60 Melanethon F Carmah, 1xs-59.
I-tuar A. Nichols, 1-55-09.
Jerome B. Ward, IN58-19. Henry Barkhorn, Nis-a? John Thornton, Ix.58. Hamilton L. Glen, INis- VI. Julien W. Grover, 1959, 60, 6l. Alfred ( Gonld, 1859-60
Hernand Kearney, Is 4-60. Michael R. Kenny 1859-60. CImarles W Jarvis, 1859-60. Heury M. Corey, 1 9-60. Jewerph Farnsworth Ix !. William S. Ward, 1×60.
Samuel .A. Hallwin, 1×60. Karl Peterman, 1-60-61 Ernest Hartwick, 1860-61. John D Brandley, 1860-61. William \ Whitelirad, 1-1, '62. '64, '85, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71. Thomas W Dawson, INGI, '62, 63, 'GL, '05.
Chat low Boggan, 1961-62 Jeremiah A Cross, 11-12. John A. Boppe, Isol, '62, '63, '64 Martin B. Provoet, 1861-62. Seymour Tucker, 1861, 62, 74, 75, '77, '78, '80, 'Al, .. I-un' Gaston, 1561-62. Francis Brill, 1xil. Thomas Ponroy, 1861, '62, '63, 14. John B. Pindney, 1862, '63, '65. Joseph M I. Gardner, 1502, ', 'it, 'in". John V Cox, 1-2-63. Edwin S. Condit, 182, '01, 64. 05
Daniel W Tichonor, 1-62-63. Richard Quinn, 1x62, '63, '61. Anthony Brill, 1sn2, 3, '87, '48 Adam Boppe. 1862, '663, '04. Elwant Krogh. ING3-4. Eli II Reynolds, IN- Frederick W Leonard, 1403. Snel A. Farrund, 18653, '444. '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, 171, 72, 73, 74. Char Barnett, This til. Charles \ Wiem, IN3, 64. 65, 60, '60, 70, 71, 72. Edwin i' Merker, INit-H William Clark, 19623, '011, '65, '66. Patrick tralvin, 1x03-4 John Y Foster, 1864 K. William K MeDonald, 1864, '65, 1866. James 1, Gurney, 1844, '03, 00, 07. Hugh Carroll, INt-1 65. Jatura D. C'haver, 181-05. Inatac Ogilen, INGI-65. M. B. (linchard, 18P4, '66, '66. '67 William H. Agnew, land, 03, '66, 'Mi. William D. Voorhees, IstH. Brainard O'Connell, 1864 Tlmunas A Merker, 1864. Charles Il Thurston, IND.
Charles 1 .. Jones, 1815, '66, 07, '68, 10, 70 James W Tichenor, 1×3-4. Matthew Murphy, 1865, bb, '67, '68, 'BU. James Farley, INGAA) Job Chandler, 1416, '66, 57, '68, '63. John G. Lettingwell, In 5-66. John 11 Kase, 1865, '66, '67 ( S. Titoworth, 1-7 George T. Wennburg, 1516. Alexander T Compte 1, 17, . William Bellamy, IT. Charles Campbell, 1866-67. Charles A. Greenman, IMG, '67, 'GA, 69, 70, '71, '72, 73, '74, '75, 176, '77, 'TH. Daniel Draad, 1866, ', 'Fix.
Benjamin 1. Dodd, 1866 4 ;.
Oron Wilson, 1996-67 Enon !!. Bunting, 1866, '67, 'Ga, 69
Jabez Elvermon, 1867-08.
Frederik Moeker, 1967-6x.
Klihn B. Earl, 1867, '68, '70, 71, '72, '73.
Edward! Bataille, IM67.
Jacob Buntele, 1967 John R. Works, 1868, '69, '70, '71, '72.
Augustus L. Wilcox, Ixi8-0). T .. Sjourer cioble, 1x68, '01, '70, '71, '72, '73.
Girorge F. Hunt, ING8-63.
Jamire Friel, 1stx-69.
John W. Smith, 180, '00, 50, 11, 9 73, 74, 75.
Edwant IT. Dawson, 1x68, '69, '70, '71.
Noble C Bristol, Iris-in
William T Bao, IN-4.
Francis MI. Tichenor, 1868-10.
Gottfried Lindauer, 1868-00. Williams B. Glasby, 1x6x, '69, '70. Adolph Schalk, lafiJ-50.
John Disch, 1863-70.
Bailey B. Douglass, 1860-70.
Charles A Glaze, 18iiJ-70. Mfred Lister, 1x63-70.
' 'hristopher Nugent, 1860-70. James P. Olvaney, 1-6-70 Philip Sommer, 1369. Stephen De. Aber, 1870, 171, 72, T.
John Jacken, 1-71, 71, 72, 3.
John W. Taylor, 1874, 71, 72.
James C'onneH, 18,0-71. George R. Jenkinmm, 1870, '71, '2, '73.
Alexander Want, 1850, '71, 172, '73. .2ד׳ ,71' ,1870 ,vid ). ]Juntמין
Christian Klemm, 1×,0-71. Aram G sayre, 1871, 72, 73, '74, 75, 76. 77.
William II. Guerin, INT1, 72, 73, 74. Thomas Gilby, 1571-72 Patrick IF'Romke, 1871 ;2.
Bergamnin F Hooper, 1871-72.
Jamie $. Hledden, 1571-72. Varon G. Ballwin, 14;1, 72, 73, 44. I'harley B. Smith, 15;2, '73, '70 F. B. Mandeville, 1872, '74 74, 75, 76, '77. 73. 79.7781,82. Christian Miller, 1872-73.
William J Aschenbach, IN;2, '73, '75, 76
Patrick Turlett, 1872-7:1. (' Malgar Sutphen, 1x-2, 23, '74, '75.
('yrus W. Turton, 1-74.
William H. Hawkins, 1872. John G. Harrison, 1-72-7.1. Harrisen Van Dny no, 18°2, '7:1, 85.
Jamiew W. Romul, 1872. William It. Cowan, 171, 74, 76, 76, 77, 7% George J. Klein, 1,73, '74, '75, '76. Walter P Dunn, 1873, '74, 7%.
650
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Charles T Henry, 1873, 74, '75, '76. Walter Parsons, 1873-74. A. H. Burkhart, 1873, '74, '75, '7f. William G. King. 1873, '74, 175, '76, '77, '78. '79, '80, '81, 82. Elias N. Miller, 1874-75. Theodore F Kinney, 1574. '75, '76, '77. Lewis L. L'arlisle, 1874, '75, '76, 77. Tyler Parmley, 1-74-75. Francis MeGinnis, 1874-75. Cortlandt 1. Parker, 1874-75. J. 1 .. Sutphen, 1874.
William R. Freeman, 1874. Charles Radcliff, INT4. Frederick Mock, 1874. Michal Conroy, 1x74.
H. N. Congar, 1874. John Benson, 18,4-75. William E. Layton, 1874-75. John Barrett, 1x75. Juline Stappf, 1875-'76.
Theodore C. Hewson, 1>75, '76, '77, '78.
Oliver Lyon, 1875-76.
Edward L. Dobbins, 1875, 176, '77, '78, '79, '80 (7 months).
Ernst J. Briel, 1875.
Frederick Bauchlin, 1875. Anson Vincent, (8 months) 1875.
James W. l'ouratt, (7 months)-1875. Thomas Hickey, (3 months), 1875, '78, 179. D. 1; Miller, (3 months) 1875, '76, '78, 179. Charles 11. Harrison, (1 months) 1875, '76, '77 P. V. P. Hewlett, 1876, '77, '78, 179, 180, '81, 82, 183. Samuel ( mine, 1876, '77, 278, 79.
E. B. Vliet, 1876, '77, '78, '79.
Walter McCree, 1x76-77. George W. Sell, 1876, '77, '78, 179, '80, '81. John I'. Brooks, 1876. Martin Doll, (2 months: 1876, '77.
Charles Gates, (3 months), 1876, '77.
llenry Stowey, 1876-'77. James L .. Hayes, 1x76, '77, '78, '79, '80, 181, 82, 'X3, '24, 85. William B. Bailey, 1876, 77, '78.
James Marlatt, 1876-77. F (. Schmidt, (10 months) 1876. Falmund L. Joy. 1877, '78. '79, '80, '81, 182, '83, 184. 85. John L. Meeker, 1877, '78, '79, 'SO. R L. Chambers, 1877, '7x, '79, 80, '82.
August Krauter, 1877-78. Patrick Mc Manus, 1877-78 Samuel L. Burk, 1877-78 Charles II. Madison, 1877, '78, 179. Peter Dallas, 1-77-5%. Edward Goeller, 1875, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83, '64, 's5. Frederick Finter, 1978-79.
J. Irving Dashiell, 1x;4-79.
Andrew J Liebhauser, 1878, '79, '80, '81. John R. Williams, (7 months) INTs, '79, '81, '82. Thomas HI, Dickinson, 1878-'79 Julin S. Hughson, 1879, '80, '81, '82. Benjamin F. Heaton, 1×79-50. Charles (. Ritchie, 1-79-81.
Terence Devine, 1879. 'MI, '81. William Nelby, 1879-80. John J. Hall, 1879, 20 (9 ownthe). William Ieilley, 1>79, '80. '81, '82. Henry Dilley 1870, '80, x1, '42. John M Rand, 1880, '81, '84, 185. Warren . Brown, 1950-81. Elwar J Ill, 1880-81.
William H. Hagaman, (5 nwuthe) 1880.
George Wincklhofter, 1884-81. William hrb, 18801. JANINA G. Irwin, (7 months) 1xst. Augustus F. R. Martin, (3 months) 1880, '81, '82, '83, 84, 85. John L. Armitage, (3 monthin) 1680, '82, '83, '84. Samuel Il. Baldwin, 18x1, 182, 'x3, '84, '85. Abraham C. Denmian, 1881, '82, 'X3. Thomann Il. Mark, (11 monthy 1Nº1.
Henry C. Haskins, (9 months) 1x81.
Ilenry J. Ball, 1x+1-82. Elias G. Heller. 1>>1-82.
Charles E. Itill, 1881, '82, '83, '84. Joseph Schumann, (2 months) [8x1, '82, 'X3, '>4.
Charles S. Stockton, 1882-83. Michael Legenberger, 1882-83. Henry T. Dusenberry, 1882-63. Eugene C. Carroll, 1882-83.
Edwin Putnam, 1882, '83, '84, 'X5.
Clinton B. Price, (8 months) 1882, '83, '84, '85. Charles F. Geistle. 1882-83. Paul W. Roder, 1882, '83, '84, '85. George W. lawrence, 1882, '83, '84, '85.
A. A. Sippel, 1883-84. Wallace W. Senddler, 188-4.
E. B. Webhe, 1883, '84, '85. William J. Joyce, 1883, '84, '&5.
Ilugh (. Hendry, 1883-84.
Edward Maher, 1883, '84, 185. Remhold E. A. Enrich, 1883-84.
George W. Frey, 1883. John II. Hines, 1883-84. John P. Contrell, 1x84->3.
Henry Ele x, 1884-85. William P. Daily, 18-4-85.
William R. Robinson, 1884-83. Matthew W. Hogan, 1884-85.
Stacey B. Rittenhouse, 1884-85. Charles A. Frich, Ixx1-85.
Timothy E. Scales, 1884-85.
Adolph Hensler, 1884.
Charles II. Brinkerhoff, 1884.
Henry Klemm, 1885.
Jabez Frarey, 1985.
R. M. Hasbrouck, 1885.
G. W. Ketchum, 1885.
William J. Ley, 1885. John IT. Hines, 1885.
F. C. Blanchard, Isa.
G. J. Wolber, Is>5.
I'RESIDENTS OF THE BOARD OF FUUCATION
Stephen Congar, 1851, '52, '53, '54.
Sammel HI. Pennington, 1855, '56, '57, '58, '59, '60, '61, '62.
Thomas W. Dawson, 1863, '64, '65.
William K. McDonald, Ist6.
Frederick W. Ricord, 1867, 'GX, '69.
Edwin H Dawson, 1870.
William A Whitehead, I>71.
1. Spencer Guble, 1872-73. Samuel 1. Furrand, 1874.
Arım G. Sayre, 1875.
Milward 12. Dobbins, 1876, '77, '78, 79, '80 (9 months).
George B Swain, (3 months) 1880, 181, '>2, '83. Edward Gociler, 1×84.
HECHETARIES OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John Whitehead, 1851, 52, '53. Frederick W. Ricord, 185-1, '55, '56, '37, 158, 59, '60. Grorge B. Stare, 1500, '61, '02, 63, 04, 65, '06, 07, 05, 60, 70, 71. 72, '73, 74, '75, '76, 77. C. Albert Stonelake, 1877, 78, 179, '80, 1%1, '82, 83. George W. L'ase, 18 3-84.
UTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Stephen Congur, 1833, '54, '65, '56, '57, '58, '50, 00. George B. Senrs, 1859, 60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66, '47, '68, '69. '70, '71, '72, '73, '74, '75, '76, '77. William N. Barringer, 1877, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82, 'X1, '84
STEPHEN CONGAR, M.D., was the first president of the Board of Education, and held that position from the organization of the board, in 1851, until the cluse of the year 1854, when he was elected city superin- tendent of public schools, an office then just created.
651
EDUCATION IN NEWARK.
Dr. L'ongar, who is still living, is a native of Newark, the city of Newark was that founded in 1746 by Rev. in which city he was born on the 10th of April, 1810. Aaron Burr, who was at that time pastor of the Pres- byterian Church of that town. He was a graduate of Yale College, a great student, only thirty years of age and unmarried. His school was established not only as a means of support, but as an auxiliary to the ministerial work in which he was engaged. Unen- cumbered by a family, and being of great indu-try and fond of study, he could pleasantly occupy his leisure time in a work that was alike profitable to himself and others. His abilities as a teacher suon gained for him a wide reputation, and his school was ultimately transformed into what is now known as the famous College of New Jersey, located at Prince- ton. The story is too long for a chapter so limited as this must necessarily be, but it may, nevertheless, be briefly stated. A graduate of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of New York, he established himself as a prac- titioner in his native town, where, during the early years of his life, he was successfully engaged in the work of his profession. In 1834, and for several years in succession, he was a delegate to the State Medical Society, in the proceedings of which he was always an active participant. From 1836 to 1×42, inclusive, he was secretary of the Essex District Medical Society and a prominent and useful member of that body. His interest in the cause of education was first exhib- ited in 1838 as a member of the school committee, where his services became so valuable that he was re-elected thereto, year after year, until the committee was, in 1851, through his instrumentality. incorpo- rated under the name of the Board of Education of the city of Newark. On the organization of this body he was chosen president, an office which he held until 1853, when he was elected superintendent of public schools, still retaining, however, his connection with the board until 1559, when he removed to Pontiac, Mich., where he has since resided.
Dr. Congar may be truly regarded as the father of the present public-school system of Newark, and there is nowhere another which has produced more satis- factory results. During his incumbency as president of the board and as superintendent, all the machin- ery of graded and classified schools adapted to the wants of the city was devised and supplied, and when he retired from public labors, after a continuons ser- vice of twenty-one years as a school committeeman, and as a school commissioner, there were forty-one schools under the charge of the Board of Education of the city of Newark, including the High School and Normal School for the improvement and educa- tion of teachers. The pioneer work in the cause of education in Newark was by him accomplished, and the task left to his successors has been to maintain the system which he inaugurated and to extend and develop it as occasion required.
In 1852-54, Dr. Congar represented the county of Essex in the State Senate. In the latter year he was selected by an authorized committee of the Common t'ouneil to revise and codify the charter of Newark and its numerous supplements, together with the ordinances of the city, as well as the miscellaneous acts of the Legislature, relating to the city debts. The work when completed formed an oetavo volume of four hundred pages, presenting not only the revised charter and ordinances, but a great deal of historical information, as well as valuable statistical tables, together with the laws relating to the corporate insti- tutions located within the boundaries of Newark. Dr. Congar occupied an enviable place in the early municipal history of Newark.
Classical School of Rev. Aaron Burr .- One of the most remarkable private schools ever established in
On the 22d of October, 1746, a charter bearing the great seal of the province of New Jersey was obtained, and under the same the classical school kept by Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, at Elizabethtown, N. J., was incorporated as " The College of New Jersey." MIr. Dickinson was formally announced as its president, and the institution was organized and went into opera- tion in the latter part of May, 1817, with eight stu- dents, duly matriculated. On the 7th of October fol- lowing Mr. Dickinson died suddenly, in the sixtieth year of his age. The enterprise thus scarcely begun seemed to have suddenly come to an end. Fortunately, Mr. Burr's school at Newark was selected as a foster- nu ther for the orphaned alumni of the young t'ol- lege of New Jersey, and there they were carefully nurtured with their younger and newly- found brothers. Mr. Burr was now obliged to employ assistants in his work, and the grammar school and the college were conducted under the same roof. In the mean time the government of New Jersey passed into the hands of Jonathan Belcher, a man more skilled in Latin than in English, if we may judge by his writings, and this worthy magistrate immediately entered upon the work of saving the infant college. A new charter was pre- pared under his directions, conferring greater privi- leges and naming a new board of trustees. This charter was granted in the month of September, 1745, and is the same under which the College of New Jer- sey at present exists. A meeting of the trustees was held on the 13th of October following, aud after adopting a complimentary address to Governor Bel- cher, president of the board er-officio, but absent on this occasion, adjourned, to meet at Newark on the 9th of the ensuing month.
On that 9th of November, 1748, the first board of trustees under the present charter of the College of New Jersey met in the old Presbyterian Church, on the west side of Broad Street, in Newark, Governor Belcher presiding, and, in the presence of a large audi- ence, took the outh of office required by the charter. Immediately afterwards Mr. Burr, the pastor of the church, as well as master of the grammar school, was
652
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
elected president of the college. Having >ignified his acquiescence and taken the oath of office, he an- nouneed to the board of trustees that a class of six young gentlemen had, under his superintendence. completed the course of studies required by the former charter. and were qualified to receive the degree of A.B. After some consultation the board of trustees resolved that "the Commencement for graduating the candidates go on this day," and, the business of the board having come to an end, an adjournment until afternoon took place.
Accordingly, in the afternoon the meeting-house was again filled by an audience anxious to participate in the novel proceedings of a college commencement. After some preliminary exercises, the president deliv- ered a " handsome and elegant Latin oration." This was followed by the "customary scholastie disputa- tions," and then the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon the several candidates, among whom was Richard Stockton, who afterwards became so dis- tinguished in the annals of New Jersey.
The College of New Jersey retained its home in Newark during the first eight years which followed its organization, and then it was removed to Princeton, where promises of land and pecuniary aid had been offered to the trustees in case they would locate the institution in that place. Thus Newark lost not only a beloved pastor, but the opportunity of becoming a seat of learning.
The Newark Academy .- As early as March 14, 1775, a grant of one acre and one-half of land in the town common, at the north end of the town, was made, a- has been already stated, for the use of the new academy lately erected on said land. This was called a "Latin grammar school," and the building in which it was accommodated is represented as having been "a sightly and commodious stone edifice," two stories high, with dwelling-rooms for the teacher and his family, besides accommodations for pupils who might desire to be lodged and boarded. In this insti- tution the ordinary English branches were taught, as well as the languages and mathematics. The classical teacher was Mr. William Haddon, and the instructor in the English department was Mr. Robert Allen. This grammar school appears to have been in a very flourishing condition for five or six years. Unfor- tunately, it was burned to the ground by a British for- aging party on the night of the 26th of January, 1740.
The destruction of this school building was regarded as a great loss to the town of Newark, but no steps were taken to replace it with another until about the beginning of the year 1792. At this time a number of citizens voluntarily associated for the purpose of forming a similar institution in Newark, and Isaac Gouverneur, Esq., was chosen president of the associa- tion. Ilaving agreed upon a plan, a piece of ground was purchased on the corner of Broad and Academy Streets where a building for the academy was erected
upon the site now occupied by the post-office. In the erection of this building St. John's Lodge of Master Masons united, in consideration of enjoying forever the exclusive use of its third and uppermost story. The building was of brick, sixty-six by thirty-four feet, and three stories high, with a seven feet stone base - ment. It was divided into a number of apartments, finished in a plain style, and was originally designed for the use of yonng gentlemen only.
Various expedients were used for the purpose of raising money to build the academy. Among others, Judge Elisha Boudinot and Abraham Ogden were appointed a committee to petition the Legislature for a lottery to obtain funds to carry on the work, which was granted, the sum authorized to be raised in this way not to exceed eight hundred pounds. A gentle- man named Watts gave as his subscription to the enterprise a negro man called "James," and the Rev. Dr. Uzal Ogden was empowered to sell him " for as much money as he will sell for," which he did, realiz- ing the sum of forty pounds.
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