History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 158

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840

USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 158
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 158

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On the 29th of April, 1795, the persons who had associated for the purpose of erecting the academy met and organized under the act entitled "An Aet to incorporate Societies for the promotion of Learning," and the following gentlemen duly elected trustees : Rev. Alexander McWhorter, Rev. Uzal Ogden, Wil- liam P. Smith, Elisha Boudinot, Samuel Ogden, Abra - ham Ogden, John N. Cumming.

The non-appearance of the name of Isaac Gouver- neur, first president of the academy, in this list, is accounted for by the fact that he died a short time prior. Dr. McWhorter was chosen president of the first board of trustees created under the act above mentioned, and during his administration, which con- tinued until 1807, the affairs of the institution ap- peared to be quite prosperous. All the ordinary Eng- lish branches were taught in it, as well as Latin, Greek, and some of the modern languages. The teachers were selected with great care, and every effort was made to secure a school worthy of the high character of the gentlemen who stood at its head. In 1×02 a female department was added to the school, and the Rev. William Woodbridge was invited to preside over the institution. A spacious and conve- nient brick house for the accommodation of the young ladies, with the principal's family, was soon after- wards erected on a lot adjoining the academy. In August, 1809, Mr. Woodbridge having determined to relinquish the school, the trustees decided to separate the male and female departments, and to place each under a different principal and a different corps of teachers.

In accordance with this decision, Rev. Samuel Whelpley was elected principal of the male depart- ment, and in November, 1809, he entered upon his duties. Mr. Timothy Alden was chosen principal of the female department, but did not take charge of the same until January following. Some idea may be

EDUCATION IN NEWARK

653

formed of this institution, and of the advantages it then afforded for instruction, by giving a list of the teachers at that time employed in it. It is as fol- lows :

Faculty of the Male Department : Samuel Whelpley, principal ; Burr Baldwin, Melancethon P. Whelpley, assistants in languages ; Ebenezer Wheaton, precep- tor in English department. Faculty of the Female Department : Timothy Alden, principal; Prudence Williams, preceptress : Peter Proal, teacher of French ; M. M. J. I. B. Nau, teacher of piano-forte and harp; Elizabeth Charpentier, teacher in the art of making artificial flowers.

Schools of a character similar to that alove described were at different periods maintained in the old academy building up to the time when it was sold to the United States government for a custom-house and post-office. The price paid for it was fitty thousand dollars, of which amount ten thousand dol- lars was awarded to St. John's Lodge of Free Masons for the rights which that body possessed in the property. This sale took place in February, 1855. Two years afterwards the trustees of the academy purchased the large edifice erected on the spacious premises bounded on three sides by High, William and Shipman Streets, and known as the Wesleyan Institute. In the same year n school was opened in this building exclusively for males, under the super- intendence of Rev. F. A. Adams, who retained the principalship until 1859, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Samuel A. Farrand. Mr. Farrand remained at the head of the institution until 1865, when it passed into the hands of Mr. C. M. Harrison, who, after a few years, was followed by Mr. Charles M. Davis and Maj. Hopkins, associate principals. In 1875, Mr. Farrand was again invited to take charge of the school, and since that time it has remained under his able management, the number of pupils being at present one hundred and eighty. "The course of study in the Newark Academy, beginning with the English branches, includes all that is necessary for the most thorough preparation for college, the seien- tific school or for business life," and the institution now enjoys an enviable reputation throughout the State and even in States adjoining.

As a matter of historical interest we give in chro- nological order below the names of those who have since 1792 been trustees of this, the oldest educational institution of Newark :

1792. Alexander Marwhorter.

123 Th may Bihby.

1793 Willuun Buruet.

1792. Imc Gouverneur.

1702. Williams P' Smalth.

1×2 JJohn Burner.

1792 Vbrahum Ogden.

INH. An hibald Mercer.

1×08. Elwar D. Griffin.

1792. Samuel Hay. 1702. MOMen Ogden. 1792. Philip Kearney.

1792. l'zal .Johnwin.

1792. Elisha Boudinut.

1811. Joseph T Bahtwin.

1×11. Hooper l'umming.

1815. Robert B. Campheld.

1. 8. Theodore Frelinghuywu.

Je1% Lewis P Pas are.

1×1%. William S Pumington.

1×18, silas (' telit

1 15 (ach Carter

1818 JAmos Bruch.

1 -- I Caleb ltigp.

1 11 Arehil ald Wia-Iran

121 George Selma.

1×14 M H Hendermen

1822. II P D'un ....

1×16. Il \ Britishande.

IN21. J. un Taylor

1827 Philip ( Hay.

INA. Maren- 1 .. War).

14.7 Jimhun > Kuwell

1 4. Ja oh D. Vermily

1×27 William T Hamilton.

1827. Alexander M. Taylor

1855. William \. White ied).

1×30 Baxter Dirkilimm.

1815. Lyn on A smith.

1×50. Sheldon Smith. 1×7. Algernon & Hubla 11.

11150 Archer Gifford.

IN'9. John Hartshorne.

1×31. Luther Goble.

Indss. Charlee ts. Her kw .l.

1× 3. Suunel 11. Pennington

1MI · Cortlandt l'arker

15.4 JJabez G de

1 . Abraham Coler.

1X334. Gabriel Tirhonor

1800, John P Jackson.

1835. Bumluvy Wilbur

179. Frederick W Ricord

1×55, Ahbel W Corry

1836, Selah B. Trvat.

PRESIDENTS HIT THE NEW ARK 4: 41:2.X1

1702-44 Jeaac Gunverneur.

1433-37. Samuel Baldwin.

1794-1977. Vexainler Macwhorter.

1×37-44. Hansford Wells

1x07-9. Elishn Boudinet.

1-14-46. 2. Cheever.

1x00-2. James Hichards.

Indi John It. Stephens.

1823-16. Calel. S. Riggs.

1×47-64. William Rankın.

1826-31. Samuel Ballwin.

1854. Samttel f Pruuington (stl

1×:1-33. Philip (. Hay. in office .

AFI'RETARIFA OF THE NEWARK A AFEMY

1×4133. Baxter Mckinn n.

1x008-14. William Wallace. 1-13-4. Samuel 11. Pennington.

IX16. Samuel Bailwin.

1854-61. James Kome.

1×18. Lewis P Bayard.

1×4,1-67 Williams A Whitehowul.

1×21-25 (aleb > Briggs.

1×67. 1 harles ( Rockwanel istill in

1826. H ]. Power.

TRFANI RERS DY THE NEWARK A APEMI.

Ist-11. William Wallace.

1,654: William A. Whitehead.

1×18-36 James Bruen. 1867. ( harlee G Rockwood Estill

123-5. David smith. in ofthee.

WARN OT TRISTEEN AN INSTITUTEN APRIL, 1>>4.

Marcus 1. Want, cham of 1885, do- Praved Aprit 25, 1xst. Ismi ; decrase Ang N. 184

William A Whitehead, class of

Herre N. Conger, clam of Isa5.

Samuel H Pinniogton, cam if

Lahen Dennin, chue of 1xx5.

MIfred L. Dennis, che of 1-86.

Frederick W Ricord, clam of 1967. Algernon & Buble It, class of 1436, Charles G. Rockw nul, lame [ 1KK7.

PAT'ITS 14 EXPONER APRIL, IASI

Samuel A. Farrand, Ph D., principal . Emery W Givens. V.M. clasede», Carl 1. Spethman. \. M., German and commer ial studies. Jane, M. Coyle, S. M., higher English studies . Hartman Naylor, Inter- medlate department ; Mise Emme Tunning, primary department ; Mia Lily &. l'inno, maistant . Theodore F frane, penmanship.

WILLIAM ADEE WHITEHEAD was born in Newark, N. J .. Feb. 19, 1510. His father was William White- head, the first cashier of the Newark Banking and In- surance Company, which was the first bank chartered in New Jersey. His mother was Abby One, a sister of Auron Coe. Esj., a highly -respected lawyer of New- ark, who is elsewhere noticed in this volume. Until the age of fourteen Mr. Whitehead resided with his parents in the town of his birth, enjoying the ad- vantages afforded by its private schools, and especially by the Newark Academy, an institution at that time,

1792. 1'val Opplen.

1x018, Jomph Williamn. 1×018, William Wallace. 1800. Jamen Richards.

1792. Isaac Allen.

1792. Jobu N I'mmming.

65.1

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

i- now. of good repute. In 1823 he removed with greater interest, and certainly one ;which afforded him a wider field for the exercise of his wonderful industry as a student, as well as of his great facility and pleasing manner as a writer. The rooms of the society possessed an attraction for him that was only surpassed by that of his own fireside. Every book upon the shelves of the library seemed to be an intimate and dear friend with whom he delighted to advise and counsel, and no one knew better than he the exact value of their acquaintance. That he under - stood well how to draw enjoyment for others, as well as for himself, from those silent companions is well attested by the results of his unwearied studies. The valuable papers and reports by means of which he added so much interest to the proceedings of the Historical Society, the voluminous work entitled "East Jersey under the Proprietors," as well as that his parent- to Perth Amboy, N. J., where Mr. White- head. Fr .. had been invited to accept the cashiership of the Commercial Bank of New Jersey. Here at an early age he was entrusted by the bank in carrying it- dispatches and "exchanges" to New York, making weekly Trips in the steamboat during the years 1825 to 1\2%, in which latter year he went to Key West. Fla .. as assistant to his brother, John Whitehead, one of the four original proprietors of the island. This island he surveyed, and laid out the town which was built upon it. In 1830, while yet but twenty years of age, he was appointed collector of the port of Key West, and entered upon the duties of that office. In August, 1×34. he made a visit to hi- former home in Amboy, and on this occasion was married to Mar- garet Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. James Parker, of that place. Soon after this event he returned with entitled "Contributions to East Jersey History," the his wife to Key West, where he resumed the duties of his position, and where he rapidly rose in publie es- timation by reason of his energy and zeal in everything that tended to advance the prosperity of the commu- nity in which he resided. He became in time a member of the Town Council, and afterwards mayor of the city. The first church of the place numbers him among its founders, and it was here that he began those meteorological observations which he continued ever afterwards, wherever he resided, and for the last forty years of his life in Newark, N. J. At Key West he also showed a great interest in educational matters, and was instrumental in the establishment of a newspaper in that place. A point of the island aud one of the streets of the town perpetuate his memory.

On the 1st of July, 1838, Mr. Whitehead resigned his othce of collector of the port of Key West, and repaired to New York, in order to engage in business in that eity. For several years he was in Wall Street, and then for some time with the Astor Insurance Company. Subsequently he became treasurer of the New York and Harlem Railroad Company, and after- wards was connected for many years with the New Jersey Railroad. at Jersey City.

In Newark, as well as at Key West, Mr. Whitehead manifested a great interest in the cause of learning. From 1561 to 1873, inclusive, he was member of the Board of Education of the former place, and during the year 1>71 was president of that body. For many vears he was one of the trustees of the State Normal School, and was very active in promoting the welfare of that institution. At the time of his death he was a trustee of the Newark Academy. As early as 1846 he became associated with other gentlemen of Newark in the establishment of the Library Association of that city. Ile was the first secretary of its board of direc- tors, and during the last thirty-two years of his life its presiding officer. Its annual reports were always prepared by him, and all its affairs were made to un- dergo his closest scrutiny. But the New Jersey Historical Society was, perhaps, to him an object of

seven large volumes known as the "New Jersey Ar- chives," with the eighth, which is now in press, give some idea of what he has laboriously and conscien- tiously done, without any pecuniary reward, for the pleasure and profit of his fellow-men. But if we add to these the hundreds of miscellaneous articles which he has written for the public press, the hundreds of long communications on historieal matters drawn from him by letters from every section of the country, the hundreds of meteorologieal reports regularly fur- nished to the public and to the government, we must acknowledge that he has been a faithful steward, and that the time and talents allotted to him were not idly squandered. Time with him possessed a value which few comparatively place upon it, and al- thongh during his latter years he was not engaged in business, every moment seemed precious to him, and nothing appeared to annoy him so much as the presence of an idle person. No one could be more agreeable than he in conversation, and no one more than he could enjoy a bit of pleasantry, but in all these matters he carried out his rules of temperance. By his death, which occurred on the 8th of August, 1884, the literary institutions of Newark and of the State of New Jersey suffered a blow from which they will but slowly recover, for his interest in them was not that of an admiring looker-on, but of an ener- getie worker, ready to do more than his -hare, and reso- lutely demanding a little aid, at least, from others. He was a noble Christian gentleman, respected and be- loved by all. His widow, with a daughter and son, Bishop Cortlandt Whitehead, of l'ittsburg, Pa., survive him. Eleven grandchildren also live to mourn his

Newark Wesleyan Institute .- This institution had as its basis a capital of twenty thousand dollars, the shares of stock being fifty dollars each. Stock- holders' children and children recommended by stockholders had preferenee in the order of admission to the advantages of the institution, and each stock- holder was entitled not only to a deduction on hills

)

655

EDUCATION IN NEWARK

of tuition at the rate of five per cent. per annum on each share for which he sent a scholar, but also to re- ceive a pro-rata dividend, according to the full amount of stock owned by him, on all proceeds of the insti- tution not otherwise appropriated by the board of trustees.

The school building created by this corporation is situated on High Street, near the corner of William, and no pains or expense were spared, according to the circular, in order to render it as complete as possible for the purposes for which it was intended. The school was first opened Sept. 6. 1848, under the en- perintemlence of Sidera Chase, A.M., principal, with a corps of six male and five female teachers. The number of pupils admitted during that year appears to have been three hundred and thirty-one males and one hundred and sixty-one females. The following year it was two hundred and twenty-four males and two hundred and four females, and the number con- tinned to be about the same until 1854, when Mr. Chase resigned the principalship. His succesor was Mr. Benedict Starr, who, during the last year of MIr. Chase's incumbeney, had been acting principal and teacher of modern languages. In 1554 the trustees of the Newark Academy purchased the property be- Jonging to the Wesleyan Institute, and the latter in- stitution soon ceased to exist.

strictly speaking, the Newark Academy is a pri- vate school, and so was the Wesleyan Institute. There was never any lack of interest in educational matters in Newark from its earliest settlement, in proof of which we have only to recall the old school- houses, which, in their time, were not to be despised. Most of them were standing twenty-five years ago. They were. the white school-house, near Lincoln Park, created in 1797; the stone school-house, in Market Street (now known as the Boys' Lodging- House), erected in 1804; the Franklin School-house, in Fair Street, erected in 1807 ; the I'nion School, in New Street, erected in 1809; the Washington School- house, in Orange Street, created in 1820.

Private schools were maintained in most of these buildings almost continuously as long as they remained in existence.

Pioneer Boarding-Schools. - AAmong the early boarding-schools for young ladies was that kept by the Misses Margaret, Catharine and Anna Crabb. This school was in a very flourishing condition in 1810, and the Misses Crabb enjoyed a high reputation as teachers. At the same time a Monsieur Allou had a " boarding-school for young ladies who may wish to reside in a family where the French language only is spoken."

Hedges' School .- In 1820, Mr. Nathan Hedges first made his appearance in Newark, and for fifty years thereafter continued to teach with a success that is seldom equaled, in many instances having had as his pupils the grandchildren of those to whom he had imparted the first rudiments of learning. Mr.

ledges was born at Madison, N. J., in 1792, and al- though not a classical scholar, was a thorough mathe- matician and grammarian. As a teacher, he enjoyed a high reputation, and as a disciplinarian he had no superior. Most of the men of Newark who were in active business thirty years ago had been his pupils, and, doubtless, held him in awe to the latest moment of his life. Mr. Hedges died Jan. 21, 1275, univer- wally respected and regretted.

Kearney's School .- Mr. Bernard Kearney was an- other of the old teacher of Newark and a contemporary of Mr. Hedges. He was born near Dublin, Ireland in February, 1798, and came to the United States in 1222. His first school was in Plane Street, near Market, and subsequently he took charge of the schools in St. John's parish, and still later those in the parish of st. Patrick. Among his pupils was Archbishop Corrigan, as well as other men of distinction in the Catholic Church. Mr. Kearney was a man of good education, and highly respected, not only by his countrymen, but by all who knew him. In 1859-60 he was a member of the Board of Education, in 1862-65 a member of the Common Council, and during two years was a member of the State Legislature. He died Feb. 25, 1882, at the agre of eighty-five.

Besides these, there were many other private schools well worthy of mention, but of which our narrow limits will not admit even a passing notice.

In speaking above of the number of children at- tending the public schools at the present tune, it was said that there are about six thousand children in attendance at the private schools. This is a very large number, and provokes the inquiry as to where a suffi- eient number of private schools can be located in the city of Newark.

In addition to the academy already mentioned, there is St. Benedict's College, on High Street, with a corps of seven professors. There are also three business colleges, each with a large number of pupils. There is the German-American Kindergarten and Element- ary School, in Green Street, which has been in suc- cessful operation since 1855, a Kindergarten also in Orchard Street, another in Garden Street, another in Governor Street and still another in Niagara Street. Besides these, there are many parochial and industrial schools, and between forty and fifty select schools, chiefly under the direction of female teachers.

Coleman's Business College .- Among the edu- entional institutions of the city none, perhaps, ure en- titled to more consideration than Coleman's Busi- ness College, at Nos. 711-713 Broad Street, Messrs. Coleman & Palma, proprietors. It was established in 1863, and since that time over fifteen thousand young and middle-aged men and women have been educated in the institution, and given a favorable start towards positions of wealth and distinction, by its principal. It is conducted on actual business methods, and has a new, original and pre-eminent plan of operation, com- bining theory with practice. The college is centrally

650

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

located, and occupies two floors, fifty by one hundred feet, and also apartments of lesser dimensions in an adjoining building. The great halls are fitted up in elegant style, with every convenience for the pupils, and every device and appliance needed for instruction and the illustration of business methods. The faculty, consisting of seven teachers, is headed by Professor H. Coleman, a native of New York, whois thoroughly in love with his calling and one of the most prominent Inen in the country engaged in his line of instruction.

New Jersey Business College .- This institution, located at 764-766 Broad Street, has as principal C. T. Miller, who has a very wide reputation as an instructor, having been successful in all of his educa- tional undertakings. The college was established in 1874. It began with a very small attendance, which increased gradually as its reputation went abroad until now the college has had in a single year over three hundred pupils, and the total enrollment ex- ceeds two thousand. The constant endeavor has heen to establish a business college worthy of the title,-an institution to thoroughly qualify young men and women for desirable positions in actual business life. The college occupies pleasant and commodious rooms and has a library of several hundred volumes accessible to all students. The faculty which assists Mr. Miller comprises an able corps of teachers, and the institution does most efficient work.

There is also in Newark another similar institu- tion, known as the Newark Business College, located on Market Street.

FREDERICK W. RICORD's paternal grandfather was a wealthy and prominent man in France, who, after the fall of the Girondist-, in 1794, and during the horrors that succeeded the accession of Robespierre, was proscribed. Fortunately he made good his cscape from the guillotine, fleeing into Italy and thence with his family to the West Indies. In the year 1798 he came to the United States and settled in Baltimore, where his youngest son, Dr. Philip Ricord, one of i could have commanded and held the confidence of the the most distinguished physicians of Paris, and still living, was born in the year 1800.

The father of the subject of this sketch, Jean Bap- tiste Ricord, then a young man, was sent North to complete his education and to acquire a profession. fle became a citizen of the United States in 1810, and during the same year graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. Settling in Belleville, N. J., he married a daughter of Rev. Peter Stryker, a clergyman of the Reformed Church of that place. This estimable lady, Mrs. Eliza- beth Ricord, was well known in this city. She was

highly educated, refined, a writer of much ability, the expense and the folly of the proposed pavement, active in good works, and was one of the founders of the Newark Orphan Asylum, being the first directress of the board of managers from its organization until her death in 1865.

1819, in the island of Guadaloupe, where his parents were then temporarily sojourning. After the return of the family to America they settled for a short time in New York City, and subsequently in Woodbridge in this State. continuing to reside there until Frederick was eight years old, when they removed to Western New York, where he received his preparatory educa- tion, and entered Geneva College at the age of four- teen years. From thence he went to Rutgers College, and subsequently entered upon the study of the law in Geneva. But the practice of that profession appearing to him a slow means of acquiring a fortune, he turned his attention to teaching, a profession for which he was eminently fitted. He taught a private school in Newark for twelve years. In 1849 he became librarian of the Newark Library Association, and in that positiou was in his element. Passionately fond of books, he culled the treasures of the best volumes, and broadened a mind already richly stored with learning. He continued in that position for twenty years, with the highest degree of efficiency, giving entire satisfaction to the public. While he held the position of librarian he was elected a member of the first. Board of Education of the city of Newark in 1853, and served in that capacity sixteen years. He was secretary of the board for six years, and then became its president for three years, 1867, '68, '69. While he was a school-commissioner of Newark he was also appointed state superintendent of public schools, and held that important trust with great benefit to the State for a term of four years. He was elected sheriff of Essex County in 1865, and wastwice re-elected for a term of one year. He was elected mayor of the city of Newark in 1869, and re-elected in 1871, serving four years. Shortly after the expiration of his last term he was appointed lay judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Essex County. At the present time he is librarian of the New Jersey Historical Society.

Nothing short of an unsullied life, maintained for so long a time in high positions, and seen of all men, public. That Mr. Ricord had no sense of fear, that he was unyielding to the pressure of favor, and proof against the temptations of reward, was shown during his mayoralty. The City Council, the majority of which was of his own party, fell a prey to the mania for wood pavements, the advocates of which promised such brilliant advantages to property-owners, and gave such immediate profits to contractors that nearly all of the American cities, in a greater or lesser degree, fell victims to this craze. An, ordinance to pave certain streets of Newark with wood was passed by the Conumnon Council ; but Mayor Ricord, foresceing

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 158

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 840

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840