USA > New York > Jefferson County > A history of Jefferson County in the state of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 41
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The New York Reformer, was commenced August 29, 1850, by Lotus Ingalls, A. H. Burdick, and L. M. Stowell, under the firm of Ingalls, Burdick & Co. Lotus Ingalls, and Solon Massey editors. Terms $1; weekly, six columns, neutral in politics, devoted to temperance reform and general intelligence. At the time of its beginning the Free School question was before the public, and it entered warmly into the support of that measure.
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Newspapers.
In October, William Oland Bourne, of New York, became an asso- ciate editor, and at the end of the first year it was enlarged to seven columns.
This paper was originally designed to be the organ of the Sons of Temperance, but was founded and has been sustained by individual enterprise. It is still continued with much success.
The Watertown Eagle was commenced by J. Calhoun, Sep- tember 11th, 1832, folio, weekly, six columns to the page, at $2.50 per annum, delivered to village subscribers. Politics democratic. On the 28th of March, 1833, Alvin Hunt became an associate editor, and in August, the latter purchased the in- terest of Calhoun, and continued the paper till July, 29th, 1835, when, in pursuance of the recommendation of a committee of a republican convention, it was united with the Democratic Stand- ard, under the title of the Eagle and Standard, and edited by Alvin Hunt, and Asahel L. Smith, the former editors of these papers. The committee published an address to the republican party of the county, in the first number of the new series, in which they commended it to the support of the party. In Octo- ber, 1836, Mr. Smith withdrew from the concern. This paper on the 30th of November, 1837, was changed to the Jeffersonian, under which name or that of the Watertown Jeffersonian, it has continued without change of politics till the present time. On the 15th of December, 1851, Mr. Hunt became associated with John W. Tamblin, and March 15th, 1853, Mr. J. C. Hatch took the place of the latter, and in September Tamblin succeeded Hatch. The paper is now published by Hunt & Tamblin, at $1.50 per annum.
The Daily Jeffersonian was begun at this office May 10th, 1851, and continued two and a half years.
There was published at this office by Mr. Hunt, during the campaign of 1840, a small sheet at 25 cents, edited by a com- mittee of young men, and devoted to the support of the demo- cratic party. It was called The Aurora.
The Democratic Union, a democratic paper, was commenced August 29th, 1846; seven columns, folio, $1.50 per annum, pub- lished by Thomas Andrews and James H. Swindells, and edited by Lysander H. Brown. A prominent object at the time of its starting, was the defeat of the " no license question," which at that time divided the public. In the second number, Andrews became sole publisher. On the 15th of April, 1847, Stephen Martin became an associate publisher with Lysander H. Brown as the editor. On the 2d of September, John A. Haddock took the place of Martin as publisher, and in June, 1848, Mr. L. H. Brown withdrew from the paper, which was continued under the editorial charge of J. C. Hatch. The
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Newspapers.
politics of the paper were changed at the same time, from the support of Cass to that of Van Buren, for the presidency. It subsequently passed into the hands of Charles A. Stevens, and John A. Haddock. In the great fire of May 14th, 1849, the office was destroyed, but in two weeks the paper was resumed. On the 12th of September, 1849, the paper was enlarged to eight columns, and on the 10th of April following reduced to its original size. On its enlargement, Haddock became its pub- lisher and proprietor, and on the 15th of October, 1851, Lysan- der H. Brown again became connected with the paper, and continued with Haddock until November, when he became sole publisher. Since January, 19th, 1853, it has been published by L. H. Brown and E. R. Pollard.
Besides these, there have appeared the following, generally from the press of the regularly established papers of the county. The Herald of Salvation, a Universalist Magazine, by Rev. Pitt Morse, 1822-3, semi-monthly, 8 vo., $2.00 per annum. First year printed by S. A. Abbey, second by W. Woodward, first number November 30th, 1822. It was united with a magazine in Phila- delphia. The Monitor, a small folio, cap size, quarterly, be- ginning January 1st, 1830, and devoted to the record of the benevolent societies of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches. The Student, one year, monthly, beginning August 1st, 1837, quarto form, four pages to a number, edited by the stu- dents of the B. R. L. & R. Institute, printed by B. Cory, and made up of original papers by the students. Price 50 cents. The Voice of Jefferson, summer and fall of 1828, Clintonian, small weekly folio, quarto form, four columns to the page, edited by a committee of young men, printed by Harvey & Hunt. Terms 25 cents. The Veto, a small campaign paper, three columns, quarto form, anti-masonic, begun September, 1832; terms 1 shilling. The Spirit of '76, edited by a committee of young men, printed by B. Cory, three months in 1834, small folio, four columns to the page, terms 25 cents.
The Patriot and Democrat, a small folio, campaign paper, four columns to the page, was commenced October 20, 1838, and seven numbers were issued. It supported the democratic nomin- ations on the state ticket, Ezekiel Lewis, for congress, and C. Parsons, W. C. George and S. Robbins for assembly. Printed by Randall D. Rice, for a committee, at Watertown. When first issued designed to be permanent, and the terms were fixed at $2, per annum. The Pioneer Phalanx and Independent Magazine, Svo., in covers, pp. 24, 75 cents per annum. Edited by A. C. S. Bailey, and begun November, 1843, monthly; and it is believed but one number was issued. It was to be organ of the Fourier association in Watertown. The Sinaï and Calvary Reporter,
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Newspapers.
quarterly, 8vo., Rev. Joseph A. Livingston; begun Oct. 1852; first number at Watertown, second number at Gouverneur.
The first paper at Sackets Harbor was commenced by George Camp, March, 17, 1817, under the name of the Sackets Harbor Gazette. It was federal in politics, five columns to the page, at $2 per annum. Its name was the second year changed to The Sackets Harbor Gazette and Advertiser. In February 1820, Matthew M. Cole became the editor, and February 9, 1821, he changed its name to the Jefferson Republican, under which name it was continued a year or more. In the spring of 1824, Truman W. Has- call, commenced the Freeman's Advocate, of the same size, terms and politics, which was discontinued in December, 1828. The Courier, and the Sackets Harbor Courier, and one or two other papers, whose names could not be procured, were afterwards published by J. Howe. The Courier, in the canvass of 1832, supported West and Granger. The Jefferson County Whig was begun at Sackets Harbor, September 7, 1837, by Edward H. Purdy, and the Sachets Harbor Journal, by E. M. Luff, pub- lisher, D. M. Burnham, editor, was commenced in its place, 10th October, 1838. Mr. Luff conducted the paper, C. Woodward being the printer, from April 17, 1839, till the spring of 1841. The Harrisonian, a small campaign paper, was published by Luff, in the summer and fall of 1840. The press was at this time and for several years previous, owned by a company of citizens of the village. Joel Greene, in the spring of 1841, succeeded as publisher, and soon enlarged it to imperial size and procured new type. At the end of the second year he disposed of his interest to Calvin Green, who in the same year discontinued it.
In the spring of 1843, Joel Greene bought of Herman S. No- ble the Watertown Register, and having previously opened an office for the publication of the Black River Journal, commenced the publication of the latter at Sackets Harbor and Watertown, the printing being done at Watertown, to which place the press had been removed. This paper was of the present size of our village papers (28 by 36 inches), terms two dollars per annum, weekly, and in politics whig. In 1846, the establishment was sold to A. W. Clark, who began publishing the Northern State Journal, as above stated. There was no paper published at the Harbor, from this time till the 20th of March, 1848, when the Sachets Harbor Observer was commenced by O. H. Harris. This was whig in politics; seven columns; terms $1.50 and was con- tinued four years without change, when the name was altered to The Jefferson Farmer, a neutral paper, under which it is still published. J. D. Huntington was employed to publish this pa- per the second year, Mr. Harris continuing the editor.
The Jefferson County Democrat was begun by J. C. Hatch,
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History of Academies.
at Adams, June 27th, 1844, and published by him three years, when E. J. Clark succeeded as publisher, and has since continued. In 1848, it supported Van Buren, and is democratic in politics. Terms $1.50; six columns to the page.
The Theresa Chronicle was published at Theresa six months and two weeks, commencing January 14, 1848. Edited by E. C. Burt; terms $1.50; weekly; seven columns to the page; demo- cratic in politics. The last two numbers were of half the original size. The press was subsequently removed to Madrid, St. Law- rence county, and is now used at Canton in publishing the Canton Independent.
The Carthagenian, a weekly whig paper, devoted to the advocacy of the Black River Canal, was began December 19, 1839, by David Johnson, who, on the 18th of June, 1840, was succeeded as editor by William H. Hough. It had six columns to the page, and was issued at $2.50 by the carrier, or $2 by mail. The press was principally owned by Hiram Mc Collom. In April, 1843, the name was changed to the Black River Times, W. H. Hough, editor, terms $1 per annum, which was continued for some time. January 1, 1847; Myron F. Willson commenced a semi-monthly neutral paper, styled The People's Press; in the third number, W. H. Colston became associate editor, and in September, L. Jones. It was of brief continuance. In 1849, the press was removed to Governeur, and used in printing The Northern New Yorker, and it was afterwards taken to Potsdam, where it now is.
CHAPTER IX.
HISTORY OF ACADEMIES.
The earliest movement towards the establishment of a public seminary in the county, was made in 1810. In that year a sub- scription was drawn up, $2,500 signed, a lot bought of Judge Keyes, for the site of an academy, on the ground now occupied by the First Presbyterian Church, in Watertown, and a plain two story brick building, about 32 by 40, erected thereon for academical purposes. The war which soon occurred, defeat- ed this movement, and the building was taken and occupied by the United States government as a hospital during that period,
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History of Academies.
the sum of $400 being allowed to Mr. Keyes for its use. A large debt having accrued, it was appraised at about $1000, sold on a mortgage, and bought by the trustees of the First Presbyte- rian Church, who erected on the lot, a little in front of the former building, the stone church which has recently been replaced by the present elegant church on Washington street.
On the 2d of May, 1835, the Watertown Academy was incor- porated, by which Micah Sterling, Henry D. Sewall, Thomas Baker, Reuben Goodale, Orville Hungerford, Alpheus S. Greene, Egbert Ten Eyck, Justin Butterfield, William Smith, Jason Fairbanks, Joseph Goodale, Loveland Paddock, Joseph Kimble, George S. Boardman, and John Safford, and their successors, were incorporated as trustees of an academy, with power to hold real estate not exceeding an annual income of $6000, and pos- sessing the usual corporate powers of similar bodies. This academy was never received under the visitation of the Regents.
A large stone building was erected in a grove, a little south of the village, which was first opened for the reception of stu- dents, September 19th, 1832. Micah Sterling, Egbert Ten Eyck, Orville Hungerford, Jason Fairbanks, Loveland Paddock, Norris M. Woodruff, and Henry D. Sewall, each subscribed ten shares; nine others took five each; one, took four shares; five, three shares; nineteen, two shares; and twenty-six, one share each.
In their first circular, the trustees said: "It has too long been a subject of reproach to our community, that, while other interests were flourishing, the interests of education were neglected. Among us there has been no seminary for the education of boys, above the ordinary district school, and the consequence has been, that parents have sent their children abroad, at a very heavy expense, or brought them up in comparative ignorance at home. But this reproach, so far, at least, as regards a provision for the means for acquiring knowledge, is about to be done away. An elegant and commodious building has been erected and prepared, and measures, we trust, will soon be taken, to furnish a suitable
philosophical apparatus. * * The building stands in a pleasant grove near the village and yet retired from its bustle, on elevated ground, commanding an agreeable prospect. The sub- scribers are happy to announce that Mr. La Rue P. Thompson has been induced to take charge of this institution as principal, and „well qualified assistance will be employed as soon as the number of students offering shall render it expedient."
Mr. Thompson was succeeded by Samuel Belding, and the latter by Joseph Mullin.
In 1836, a joint effort was made by the Watertown Presbytery and the Black River Association, towards the establishment of a
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History of Academies.
literary institution, which while it should avoid a sectarian dis- cipline, would be surrounded by a salutary religious and moral influence. At the meeting of the Presbytery held at Brownville, February 8, 1836, the following resolution was unanimously passed after discussion:
"Resolved, That a committee of five, consisting of three min- isters and two elders, be appointed to confer with a committee from the Black River Association, on the expediency of estab- lishing a religious and literary school, in this region, and to re- port to this body, as soon as may be convenient." The Rev. Messrs. Smith, Hoyt, and E. H. Snowden, and Messrs. Camp, and Grenell, were appointed this committee.
A special meeting was convened, at the Second Church in Watertown, March 21st, to consider the subject of establishing a seminary, and a joint committee of the two bodies agreed upon a report, which was adopted, and was as follows:
" Your committee were instructed to bring in a report, to the two ecclesiastical bodies, on the expediency of establishing a literary and re- ligious institution for the education of the young, to suggest their views as to the plan of its location, the character of the school, the mode of commencing it, and the outlines of its constitution. These several con- siderations have been before your committee, and the following has been the result of their deliberations.
At every step of our investigation, we have had an increased convic- tion of the importance of organizing an institution for the education of our children, of a decided religious character. We need a school in which the authenticity and inspiration of the Bible shall be taught; in which the truths and duties of the Christian religion shall be inculcated, and in which the moral virtues may be cultivated in such a way as to form a dignified character, guarded against the errors and vices of the world, in which our children shall have all the security thrown around them that they can enjoy under the pious and parental roof.
Your committee feel, that the churches have too long slept over this subject, many of us have often committed our sons and daughters to the instruction of those who have not aided, but retarded us in redeeming our pledge which we gave in consecrating them to God. We wish our children trained in the Christian religion, in the doctrines and duties of the gospel; we therefore deem it expedient, that an institution be erected, calculated to secure the foregoing objects. Your committee are unani- mously of the opinion, that the people of the counties of Jefferson and Lewis, and a part of Upper Canada, are the population whose conveni- ence is principally to be consulted in the location of the institution. We deem it inexpedient to put up the location at auction. The enter- prise we consider too sacred, and aside from the alienation of feeling which might result from competition, and those complaints which might embarrass the fellowship and cooperation of its friends, we think that it ought to be located in the most convenient and acceptable place. Your committee, therefore, unanimously advise, that its location be in or near the village of Watertown."
Jason Clark, Esq., and Rev. G. S. Boardman were appointed to procure an act of incorporation. Jason Clark, of Plessis, J.
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History of Academies.
H. Whipple, of Adams, and E. Camp, of Sackets Harbor, were appointed to select a site. Application was accordingly made, which procured the passage of an act (May 25, 1836) for the incorporation of the BLACK RIVER LITERARY AND RELIGIOUS IN- STITUTE. Its first trustees were, Marcus Smith, James H. Mon- roe, Eli Farwell, Jason Clark, George S. Boardman, Hart Massey, Rowell Kinney, Crafts P. Kimball, Elisha Camp, Lewis A. Wicks, Henry Jones, George W. Knowlton, Ebenezer H. Snow- den, John Covert, E. M. Adams, Elisha P. Cook, David Spear, Charles B. Pond, Artemas Crittenden, John A. Cathcart, David Granger, Abel L. Crandall, Roswell Pettibone, and William Chittenden.
These trustees were authorized to establish a seminary of learning in Watertown, whose annual income should not exceed $4000, and who were to elect the faculty, and supply vacancies in their board. On the 4th of June, the trustees met, and adopt- ed a constitution which provides among other rules, that the board of trustees shall consist of six clergymen, and six laymen, of each denomination in charge of the institution, and in supply- ing vacancies, the rule was to be observed, that a person of the same class and sect, should be elected, and that the Presbytery, or the Association, as the case might be, should have the sole right of nominating the candidate. The faculty was to consist of a principal, vice principal, preceptors, and as many assistant teachers as the board might deem necessary, and a board of visitors was to be appointed annually, to attend all examinations, to hear, adjudge and determine all appeals from the decisions of the faculty, to advise, and to administer the formula of confession of faith, and the pledge of religious fidelity to the faculty. A male and a female department were instituted, to be kept in separate buildings, at a conveinent distance from each other, and under the government of the same principal. This article did not pre- vent attendance at recitations and public lectures together under the direction of the teachers. Persons subscribing $50 might elect one pupil, for a term of ten years, and in the same propor- tion for a larger sum. The seal adopted by the trustees was the letter I, in a circle.
The following persons were elected the first faculty, Rev. James R. Boyd, principal, Rev. John Covert, vice principal, Mrs. Covert, preceptress. The Rev. Messrs. Marcus Smith, and S. F. Snow- den, of the Presbytery, and N. Dutton, and J. H. Monroe, of the Association, were appointed the first visitors. The lot still oc- cupied by the institution, on the corner of State and Mechanic streets was purchased for $4,500, a wooden building 28 by 56 feet, for students, and other improvements were erected, and in the spring of 1837, was commenced the erection of a building of
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History of Academies.
stone and brick, 40 by 75 feet, two stories high, besides the basement, at a cost of $6,500. The corner stone of this edifice was laid with religious ceremonies on the 5th of June, 1838, in the presence of a large audience, among whom was Governor Marcy. After prayer by the Rev. I. Brayton, addresses were delivered by the Rev. George S. Boardman, and Marcus Smith. Among the articles deposited under the corner stone, were copies of the village papers, by-laws, map, assessment roll of 1832, catalogues, and reports; a history of the institution, list of trus- tees, teachers and donors, &c.
The inauguration of the faculty occurred on the 13th of Sep- tember, 1836; it was received under the visitation of the Regents, on the 30th of January, 1838, and has since shared in the distri- bution of the literature fund. Many of the holders of stock in the old stone academy, assigned their interest to the new institu- tion, and on the last of November, 1838, 120 shares had been thus transferred, which was afterwards increased to 176 shares. On the 19th of February, 1841, an act was passed, in accordance with the request of the trustees, dissolving the corporation of the Watertown Academy. . In February, 1841, Mr. Covert was dismissed at his own request, that he might engage in a new institution in Colum- bus, O., and John C. Sterling was elected in his place. In July 1841, Rev. Calvin Yale was employed as a teacher. Mr. Archi- bald Whitford, who had been employed as a teacher of mathe- matics from the beginning of the institution, continued to fill that station with eminent success until December, 1844. He was afterwards employed as a collecting agent.
A special meeting of the trustees was called, February 23d, 1846, at which was voted an application for a change of name, which was granted by the legislature on the 12th of May follow- ing, when it was changed to the Jefferson County Institute.
At the annual meeting, July 23d, 1846, a resolution of the Black River Association was concurred in, in which the by-laws were so far amended as to require the principal only to be a minister or member of the Congregational or Presbyterian church, in good standing, but that the other teachers be selected without this restriction by a committee of the trustees appointed by the board for that purpose, of which the principal shall always be a member. In January, 1847, a portion of the real estate previously occupied as a boarding house was sold to liqui- date the debts of the institution. These premises were the same now occupied by the State Street Methodist Church.
Mr. Boyd, who had filled the office of principal of the insti- tution from the beginning, resigned June 29, 1848, with the design of again engaging in the ministry.
Mr. D. M. Linsley was next employed, and continued the
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Union Literary Society, Belleville.
principal until the spring of 1853, when the Rev. Alvan Par- melee was employed. The present faculty consists of the Rev. A. Parmelee, principal; Rev. James H. Carruth, teacher of natural sciences; David L. Parmelee, teacher of languages and elocution; Avery S. Walker, teacher of mathematics and libra- rian; George D. Mann, teacher of instrumental music; Miss A. E. Parmelee, preceptress and teacher of English literature; Miss H. M. Searle, teacher of French, drawing and painting; Miss L. M. Hastings, teacher of primary department; Amasa Trowbridge, M. D., lecturer on anatomy and physiology.
A recent catalogue gives the names of 264 male, and 258 female pupils attending during the year ending December, 1853. This institution was never more flourishing than at present. It is one of the academies selected for instruction of teachers for district schools. The official returns of the trustees to the Re- gents of the University give the following statistics:
Years.
Literature money.
Tuition. Students
Years.
Literature money.
Tuition
Students
1837.
$159.35
$2,800
155*
1845.
$253.35
$2,325
304
1838.
365.96
3,106
320 *
1846.
165.74
1,701
204
1839.
466.22
3,576
225*
1847
204.15
1,686
233
1840.
557.02
3,580
225*
1848
265.90
1,570
182
1841 . .
...
306·41
3,393
228*
1849
266.44
1,656
307
1842.
260.00
3,406
160*
1850
323.80
2,239
382
1843.
233.32
2,879
126*
1851
339.60
1,805
353
1844.
230.52
2,644
403
1852.
452.71
2,818
387
Total,
4,850 49
41,184
The Union Literary Society, at Belleville, in Ellisburgh, was originated by the efforts of the Rev. Joshua Bradley, a Baptist clergyman, who, about 1824,; began to labor to interest the pub- lic in the cause of education, and drew up a plan upon the manual labor system, which, he represented, would combine all the advantages that an academy could bestow, and afford a re- venue from its earnings to sufficiently remunerate the stockhold- ers. With this expectation, stock was subscribed, a lot given by Giles Hall, and on the 13th of April, 1826, an act of incorpo- ration was obtained, by which, Jotham Bigelow, Orin Howard, James W. Kennedy, John Hagedorn, Amos Heald, Peter N. Cushman, Wesson Thomas, Pardon Earl, Samuel S. Haws, Ed-
* The number of students attending at date of report.
+ The records of this academy, previous to 1840, were lost from the gross carelessness 'of the clerk, which prevents that precision of dates from being attained which might be desired.
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