USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 14
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 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
"The necessity for training does not cease when a teacher leaves the Training School. It is to the credit of Trenton's teachers that they gladly avail themselves of the opportunities put within their grasp, and even invent meetings for themselves. Among the uplifting facts in the educational history of this city, must be mentioned the Teachers' Psychology Class. This consists of over one hundred teachers who, once a fortnight, meet for the study of psychology. The subject is considered not theoretically, but in view of its bearing upon the actual practice of teaching. The enthusiasm of this class is one of the most hopeful signs of Trenton's advancement.
" The Teachers' Consulting Library now numbers about one thousand three hundred books. The Supervising Principal is authorized to spend $10 per month for purchasing books for this library. Twelve of our schools also have provided professional libraries for themselves ; usually they are loan collections or else libraries bought by the schools or the teachers. The teachers are also buying professional books for themselves, and subscribing liberally to educational journals.
" Along with these advances in the training of teachers has come a change in the method of appointment, which is being made on the basis of fitness. The standard of eligibility of applicants for the position of teachers has been raised. Normal School and Training School graduates to become eligible must previously have pursued the full prescribed course in the High School, or in an insti-
101
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
tution of equal standing. This insures for all applicants a reasonable academie preparation. That amount of culture represented by a High School course is the smallest amount the city should accept from those who propose to teach in its schools.
"In the matter of exterminating tardiness, truancy and suspensions, a very remarkable advance has been made. Many of the schools have all but obliterated tardiness, and suspension for disorder is almost a thing of the past. This means that discipline is obtained with less friction, and therc- fore by more rational measures. Indirectly it points to better teaching and higher standards of methods on the part of the teachers, for such results cannot be obtained on a low plane of teaching.
"In November, 1864, the Y. M. C. A. of Trenton guaranteed $50 to furnish the pupils of the night schools with books, stationery, &c. In 1877, when the financial condition of the Board would not warrant the opening of the night schools, Mr. John Exton, a public-spirited citizen, very materially aided the Board, and the schools were instituted. In 1879, this friend of the night schools again assisted the Board. The disinterested kindness of Mr. Exton deserves the most hon- orable mention. The night schools have become an important part of our school system. Up to four years ago, however, they were in an exceedingly chaotic condition ; they are now highly organized. Among the prominent features of our system of evening schools, is the specialization of teaching-each teacher in a school teaches a subjeet. The success of this method has been tested so thoroughly in this city as to leave no room for doubt as to its superiority. There is actual instruc- tion given in the evening schools, and the specimens of work preserved from year to year show how material has been the advance of our pupils. In treating each subject taught at the evening schools, an effort has been made to determine what it is worth while to accomplish, and what can be aecom- plished in a given grade. Such efforts to this end look to the exclusion of what is irrelevant.
" The Evening High School now enters upon its fourth year. Its four departments are, mathe- maties, book-keeping, stenography and drawing. The Board has provided ample accommodations for the students of mechanical drawing and the privileges have been fully appreciated. The students of the evening stenography class who have completed their course have all taken positions as fast as they have applied. The book-keeping department is enthusiastic.
"In the matter of securing regular attendance upon the evening schools-a problem which all cities have wrestled with-a solution has been reached in the adoption of what is known as the dollar-deposit plan. The plan requires a deposit of one dollar from every applicant. The money is refunded at the elose of the season if the applicant attends regularly. Several eities have adopted this plan and others are considering its adoption. The results are in the highest degree satisfactory. The Evening High School, for example, in spite of the dollar-deposit plan, is much larger and more enthusiastic than ever before. The class in stenography has doubled upon the figures of last year. Many of our young men and young women have obtained positions as stenographers, and have held them securely without exception.
"A long time ago the Hon. Charles Skelton made a bequest to the city, providing for the creation of a public school library under the charge of the public schools. As the will provided that during the lives of certain persons the income should not be enjoyed by the city, the schools did not come into the possession of this income until recently. The city is to receive an annual income of about $900. A room is to be provided, and it will not be long before our schools are equipped with a very practical library.
"One of the most important measures that have been adopted, relating to the schools, is the transfer of the government of the schools from the Board of Education to a body known as the Commissioners of Publie Instruction. This has involved a reduction in membership from twenty- three to eight, and a consequent concentration of responsibility, which has been very much to the advantage of the schools.
"The following statisties relate to schools : Population of legal school age, 14, 448 ; number enrolled in the public schools during the past year, 7,410; number of pupils the schools will seat comfortably, 6,908 ; average enrollment for one year, 6,228 : average attendance, 5,404; number of pupils in the High School, 281 ; average number of pupils enrolled in the evening schools, 433 ; average evening attendanec, 340 ; number of teachers in the city, 162; total valuation of school property in the city, $464,079."
102
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
LESLIE COOK PIERSON.
Leslie Cook Pierson, Superintendent of Publie Schools, was born in Pittstown, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in the year 1856. His residence in Trenton dates from the time he was five years old. A local mercantile store gave him his first business opportunity. During the sessions of the Legislature of 1868-69, he was a page in the Senate. Here he saved from his wages a sufficient sum of money to obtain a course in a business college, in order to supple- ment his public school education. To this end he entered Rider's Business College. In 1871, he obtained a position in the Supreme Court office of the State of New Jersey, and after spending three years as a clerk, was given charge of the searching department, which position he has held for twenty years. Mr. Pierson has been a member of the Board of School Trustees since 1886, and has rendered the city of Trenton valuable service in that position. He was the last President of the elective Board and the first President of the appointive Commission.
BENJAMIN C. GREGORY.
Benjamin C. Gregory, Supervising Prin- cipal of Trenton's public schools, was born in New York City in 1849. In the public schools LESLIE COOK PIERSON, of his native city he prepared himself for the College of the City of New York, from which he was graduated in 1868. He afterward took a special course in the School of Mines connected with Columbia College. For about two years he was engaged in metropolitan editorial work. For three years he was Assistant Actuary of the Empire Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Professor Gregory's education had been complete. His experience in active business life in New York City supplemented the theoretical knowledge which he had received in the schools. In 1875, he became a tutor in his Alma Mater. After spending several years in that position he resigned to accept the principalship of a primary school in Newark. He was soon afterward made Principal of one of the large grammar schools of that city.
By this time Professor Gregory had become one of the prominent educators of the State. When the School Board of Trenton was making changes in the management of our publie schools, they secured him to take the position of Supervising Principal. This was to the end that the schools should be re-organized on a scientific plan. For seven years Professor Gregory has exercised a constant and eritical oversight of the schools of this city.
BENJAMIN C. GREGORY.
103
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
Under his direction, a training school for teachers has been instituted and sueeessfully eon- ducted. His weekly lectures on pedagogy have been of incalculable benefit to the teachers. He is a born leader of young people and inspires everybody with confidence in himself and the success of his plans. Until obliged to resign on account of his increasing school duties, he was Musical Director of the Mendelssohn Choral Union. At the earnest solicitation of the Union, he has recently re-assumed the baton in that society. He is a thorough musician, and when in Newark was the leader of the choir in one of the principal churches of that city.
THE TRENTON ACADEMY.
Closely identified with the history of education in Trenton is the long and honorable record of the Trenton Academy. It was upon the tenth of February, 1781, that certain proprietors, citizens of Trenton, formed an association "for the purpose of erecting a School House in the said Town, and keeping up a Regular School for the Education of Youth, to be conducted under the Firm of the Trenton School Company."
The preamble to the artiele of agreement thus further expresses the object of this association : "Sundry inhabitants of the Town and vieinity, sensible of the great importance of Education to the well-being of individuals, and the good order of Government, and of its peculiar use in early life, and judging the present means of it in this place inadequate, being met, agreed to purchase a lot, ereet a commodious building thereon, and form a permanent Sehool under proper Regulations."
Thirty-six shares of the total value of £270, subject to assessment, was the capital stoek, each proprietor's share giving the right to send a child to school without any charge for use of the building. Out-seholars, or those not sent on shares, were assessed half a dollar each quarter, besides tuition, by way of rent money. To all the scholars extra charges were made for ineidentals, such as for wood money, at the rate of three-quarters of a dollar per quarter.
The names of the original proprietors were Joseph Higbee, David Brearley, James Milner, Jr., Rensselaer Williams, Joseph Paxton, Stacy Potts, Isaae Smith, Isaae Collins, William Tucker, James Ewing, Conrad Kotts, Stephen Lowrey, Abram Hunt, Moore Furman, Robert Neil, Mieajah How, Jacob Benjamin, William Churchill Houston, John Neilson and Franeis Witt.
On May 20th, 1781, the Trustees bought of Moore Furman for £15 the lot of ground upon the north side of Academy street. Upon this lot was erected the school building, which was two stories in height, twenty feet in breadth and twenty-six feet in length.
The early instruction was of a very elementary character, arithmetic and public speaking being considered among the higher branches of education. On November 10th, 1785, an aet was passed incorporating the original proprietors and Trustees, and the name of the Trenton Sehool Company was changed to that of "The Proprietors of the Trenton Academy."
The charter recites the original artieles of agreement, and states as reasons for incorporation that a lot had been purchased and building ereeted "in which the learned languages, the English and French grammatically, and other useful branches of literature are taught with great success." By this eharter the company are permitted to hold property whose annual rental value shall not exeeed that of one thousand bushels of wheat.
That the school was of high reputation at this time is attested by the fact that examinations were held in the Presbyterian ehureh, which were attended by the Governor, Legislature and distinguished strangers. Among the latter, in 1784, were the President of Congress, Baron Steuben and members of the Congress and Legislature.
In the "New Jersey Gazette " upon the twenty-seventh of February, 1786, it is recorded that "the young gentlemen belonging to the Trenton Academy gave a speeimen of their improvement in the art of public speaking, in presence of His Excelleney the Governor, the Vice President, Mr. Speaker and most of the members of the Legislature. Their performances were such as gained the approbation of this respectable audience."
In 1787, a girls' school in connection with the boys' school was opened by Mrs. John Mease, of Philadelphia. At this period, the Rev. James F. Armstrong, of the First Presbyterian Church, agreed to attend the school, dispose the elasses and their studies, and, in exercising general supervision, preside over the public examinations. From time to time, the Academy was enlarged, and more property was purchased, presumably for campus purposes.
1
104
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
The school was now rapidly advancing in the character and grade of its studies, and on September 15th, 1789, it was decided to give a certificate under the seal of the corporation "to such scholars as shall have studied the English language grammatically, and shall have gained a competent knowledge of at least two of the following branches, viz .: Extraction of the Roots, Algebra. Mathematics, Geography, Chronology, History, Logie, Rhetoric, Moral and Natural Philosophy, Spirit of Laws and Criticism, and those having read what is usually read in Schools, of Casar's Commentaries or Ovid's Metamorphoses, Justin or Sallust in Latin, and any two of the four following books, The New Testament, Lucian's Dialogues, Xenophon or Homer in the Greek, shall be entitled to have the same inserted therein. "
In 1794, the Trenton Academy Lottery was instituted, which, in 1802, resulted in a net gain to the school of $1, 263.36.
In 1791, a private night school had been established, for which, in 1799, Superintendent Du Bois asked exclusive privileges as teacher.
In 1800, it was resolved to purchase the brick school-house which stood on the Presbyterian church grounds, in State street, a little easterly of the site of the present church, to be used as a school for girls. The Trustees of the church conceiving that they had not sufficient authority to sell, the school-house was leased to the Trenton Academy Company.
The Trustees of the Academy, in 1807, exercising assumed police authority, passed a resolution prohibiting the " scholars from shooting guns within the limits of the populous part of the city," and authorized and directed the offenders to be punished in an exemplary manner.
The Academy grew with much vigor during the first half of the present century, although, at times, adverse conditions tended to retard the development of the institution ; difficulties were overcome, and, in 1846, at an expense of 83,091.36, the Academy building was altered. Concerning this, the Trustees' report says : "The conveniences of the building prove it to be in perfect keeping with its beautiful architectural proportions, and when Academy street shall have been graded, and the improvements of the grounds as contemplated by the Board in the spring shall have been made, the external appearance of the Academy will present a just cause of honorable pride to our citizens."
Until the early seventies the school continued to prosper. The War of the Rebellion retarded its progress, but in view of the intense intellectual activity following strife, the Academy became reju- venated. The growth of the State Normal and Model Schools, with large State appropriations, was also a factor in the decline of this honorable institution. Toward the close of its career, it is of interest to note that in 1876 permission to use the room in the second story of the Academy for a Sunday-school, was granted to the Trinity Episcopal Church. This was not the first time the Academy building had been occupied for a like purpose. In it one of the first Sunday-schools founded in this country held its services. In the winter of 1815-16, the Trenton and Lamberton Sunday and Free School Association was formed, and in October, 1816, it divided into three parts- the Presbyterians held their school in the old brick school-house, the Baptists in their church and the Methodists in the Academy building.
"In 1881, the school contained nineteen pupils, and in 1884, the Academy ceased its career. The century of its organization was appropriately commemorated in 1881, upon which occasion the Hon. William L. Dayton, ex-Minister to The Hague, read an address embodying the history of the institution. The following have been Trustees of Trenton Academy :
Stacy Potts, 1781-1783, 1785-1787, Moore Furman, 1781, 1783-1791, James Ewing, 1781-1782, 1785-1822, Isaac Collins, 1781-1784, 1786-1796, William Churchill Houston, 1781, David Brearley, 1782-1784, Isaac Smith, 1782-1785, Conrad Kotts, 1783, 1785-1800, Samuel W. Stockton, 1784, Benjamin Pitfield, 1784, Maskell Ewing, 1788-1789, 1792, 1800,
Charles Tompkins, 1790, Peter Gordon, 1791-1796, 1800,
Alexander Chambers, Jr., 1794-1800,
Joseph Brearley, 1798,
Randall Rickey, 1798, James S. Ewing, 1804- Lucius H. Stockton, 1804-
Gideon H. Wells, 1804-1817,
Charles Ewing, 1804-1823,
George Sherman, 1817, 1822-1830, William Potts, 1817-1821,
105
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
Zachariah Rossell, 1821-1835,
Rev. Samuel Starr, 1847-1859,
Thomas L. Woodruff, 1821-1830,
Stacy G. Potts, 1847-1865,
Charles Higbee, 1823-1835,
William C. Howell, 1847-1869,
John S. Chambers, 1830,
G. A. Perdicaris, 1847-1880,
Charles Burroughs, 1835-1861,
Rev. John Hall, 1847,
Henry W. Green, 1835-1847,
William L. Dayton, 1847-1859,
James Ewing, 1835-1852,
Barker Gummere, 1859-1881,
Thomas J. Stryker, 1843-1872,
Edward W. Scudder, 1859-1880,
Francis A. Ewing, 1843-1847,
John S. Chambers, 1859-1881,
Philemon Dickinson, 1847-1881,
William S. Stryker, 1880-1881,
William L. Dayton, 1880-1881.
EARLY LIBRARIES.
As a part of the educational system of the city, the early libraries, which to the youth occupied the place of public education, must not be neglected. As one of the phases of the free school move- ment the meeting of the Apprentices' Library Company, on April 20th, 1822, is of particular interest. On that occasion a meeting of the citizens of Trenton was held at the house of Joseph M. Bispham, Trenton House. The following gentlemen were deeply interested in the movement : Charles Ewing, Samuel L. Southard, Zachariah Rossell, George Watson, Samuel Evans, James J. Wilson, Rev. Abiel Carter, Rev. William Boswell, Thomas Gordon, Daniel Coleman, Charles Burroughs and William S. Stockton. Upon the opening night thirty-five volumes were taken out. Two hundred and fifty books were displayed on cases, which cost the company $120. These works were of the good, old-fashioned kind, containing no novels, romances or plays, which are so apt to captivate juvenile imaginations, but were composed of works of more sterling value and lasting usefulness-on religion, morality and science, history, biography, travels, voyages, et similiter. The society con- tinued for many years, when the late Librarian Samuel Evans gave the books into the charge of the Young Men's Christian Association.
On the fourth of September, 1838, the Trenton Institute was formally organized. It continued an active career until March 24th, 1844, when it ceased operations. The institute frequently met in the large saloon-or assemblage-room-of the City Hall. Among its active members were George Woodruff, Rev. John W. Yeomans, Stacy G. Potts, Esq., Seth Lukens, James Wilson, Dr. Francis A. Ewing, Charles Parker, Rev. Samuel Starr, Andrew Allinson, Timothy Abbott, Jr., John Mershon, Charles C. Yard, Dr. James B. Coleman, Dr. John L. Taylor, Joseph Witherup and Benjamin S. Disbrow.
The Mechanics' Institute, where free lectures on arts and sciences were held, was established in 1842. Charles Moore, Dr. James B. Coleman, Benjamin S. Disbrow and Henry M. Lewis were instrumental in its organization.
In 1845, the Irving Institute, which was short lived, met in the City Hall. Its officers were Lewis R. Justice, President ; Christopher S. Hoagland, Secretary ; Charles C. Burroughs, Treasurer ; Lewis R. Justice, C. S. Hoagland, Charles C. Burroughs and Joseph Corlies, Managers. This was a precursor of the Trenton Lyceum, which did not last long.
The Trenton Library, which was opened in 1852, was an important organization. They met in Temperance Hall and in the Lincoln Building, corner State and Broad, which was erected by Charles Scott in 1853. Over one thousand five hundred volumes adorned their shelves, and the income of the organization was $220. These books afterward came into the possession of the Young Men's Christian Association.
In the winter of 1855 the "Trenton Lecture Association" was founded. Its officers were William W. L. Phillips, President ; William Howe, Secretary, and a Board of Directors.
The earliest foundation of the Young Men's Christian Association, in 1856, is to be traced to an intellectual as well as a religious movement. The educational demands of the town led to this Association, and as early as 1870 the young men had a library of several thousand volumes, and the various newspapers of the day were to be found in its rooms. Then, as now, through the winter season the Association had lectures upon various subjects. The rooms have been on Warren
0
106
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
street, on State street, in the building occupied by S. P. Dunham & Co., and in the "Sunday Advertiser " building, on West State street. Thenee they moved to their commodious edifice on East State street.
BUSINESS COLLEGES.
Trenton, through the medium of her business colleges, occupies a prominent place among the educational centers of the Eastern States. One of the first towns in the country to adopt and develop this idea of special training for commercial life, the various Trenton business colleges have kept steady pace with the demands made upon them for men qualified to take positions in every economie field. The fact that the city supports three such institutions is a sure test of the efficiency of their training.
The Trenton Business College was originally one of the Bryant & Stratton system, and was inaugurated in 1865. In 1866, Professor Andrew J. Rider became Principal. A short time there- after the interests were purchased by Beecher & Rider. Mr. Beecher was followed by W. B. Allen. In 1878 Mr. Rider assumed full control of the institution, and has since remained its guiding spirit. In July, 1893, a stock company, consisting of A. J. Rider, President ; W. R. Kugler, Secretary, and Joseph L. Kugler, Treasurer, was formed. This corporation now manages the college.
The Trenton Business College is a thoroughly-equipped institution, and has a long list of alumni and alumna. From the simple fact that during the past year three hundred students were enrolled in the college shows that the success of the institution has been remarkable. A fully- equipped gymnasium and a library of business and law books are attractive features of the college.
Professor Andrew J. Rider, Principal of this college, was born in Livingston county, Michigan, in the year 1843. He was educated at a seminary at Howell, Michigan, and Hillsdale College, in the same State. After receiving a thorough classical course at these institutions, he taught school for a few years in Michigan, and then took a commercial course at the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago. Upon his graduation from the college, in 1865, he went to Newark, New Jersey, and taught one year in the Bryant, Stratton & Whitney Business College. He was then called to the Principalship of the Bryant & Stratton College, in Trenton which had been established in 1865. Soon after Mr. Rider became connected with the Trenton College, Bryant & Stratton's interest was purchased by Beecher & Rider. They were the proprietors until Mr. Beecher retired. Mr. W. B. Allen next became associated with Mr. Rider, under the firm name of Rider & Allen. In 1873, Mr. Rider temporarily left the school and moved to Camden county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, chiefly cranberry-growing. While living there, he was elected to the New Jersey Legislature, and was the leader of the House in the passage of the bill to reduce the legal rate of interest from seven per cent. to six per cent. Mr. Rider remained in Camden county until 1878, when he returned to Trenton and assumed full control of the Trenton Business College, and has ever since remained its Principal.
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.