Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 243

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 243

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Proposals, as follows, for building the new school- house, were submitted 21st April:

John N. Vrooman, for $759.98}; Frederick Tupper, for $800; Henry Vine, for $775; Berten & Kingsley, for $850; Edward Clark, for $800. Mr. Vrooman's bid being accepted.

Mr. James Slater was elected teacher one week later, and specifications for the new school-house in College street were decided upon. It was to be "forty feet from front to rear, thirty feet wide, and twenty feet high from top of sills to top of plates," and to be " finished June Ist next." The first meeting was held in the building July 16th, when it was ordered that the second story be completed.

April 1, 1836, it was Resolved, "That this corporation feel themselves obliged to appropriate, for the purposes of the education of the colored children of this city, such proportion of the public money as may hereafter be collected on the enu- meration of such children," and in June, 1837, $25 was set aside from the school funds to be applied for the maintenance of a teacher in the " African Lancaster School Society."

March 15, 1839, this resolution, etc., was adopted: "Whereas, Doubts have been expressed whether any other mode of instruction than what is called the 'Lancaster System,' can be used in the schools of this Society; Resolved, that this Board re- quest our members of Assembly and the Senate * *

* to procure a law to remove such doubts, and leave this Board the power of causing all the branches of education taught in any of the com- mon schools of this State to be taught in the schools of this Society, and in any approved mode that this Society may deem expedient to adopt." Mr. Slater was hired as teacher for another year; his pay to be so much of the public money as does not exceed $550 and the tuition money. " He to employ at his own expense a female teacher for the female department." April 18th, a District Library was ordered to be paid for with the State money. At this meeting $200 was appropriated for the es- tablishment of a school or schools in the first ward, and $300 for schools "in the part of the third or fourth wards, or in both, or either of them, within the Police District." These schools to be subject to the regulations of the Board, so long as their teachers "receive any part of the ap- propriation." By December 30th, $279.34 had been expended for the new library, and the books were, "for the present," in the rooms of the " Young Men's Association," and Alexander Cam- eron was appointed Librarian.

The committee appointed April 18, 1839, re- ported February 25, 1840, that: A school be es- tablished in the first ward; teacher's salary to be $250; tuition to be $1.50 per quarter from May to November; $1.75 November to May. Gram- mar, geography, bookkeeping, navigation and surveying to be taught. Section 8 of the report is as follows: "It is proposed to continue some parts of the 'Lancaster System ' (such as the mode of teaching the names and mode of forming fig- ures and letters) in the first or primary school, and in the other schools in the wards for begin- ners, but to depend upon instruction from the teachers personally so soon as the scholar has made progress beyond the first elements of litera- ture;" and section 7 states that they "hope to have " furnished by the corporation " the engine- house in Liberty street, and the old market belong- ing to the heirs of Peter Smith." The treasurer's report of April 6, 1840, shows $833.75 on hand.

Wm. D. Cockran and Miss Stiles were engaged as teachers for the "Lancaster School;" Martin C. Hall for Ferry Street School; and Harvey Moore for Liberty Street School. These two last opening May 4, 1840.

The annual report, made to the Superintendent of Common Schools, November 1, 1840, shows that during the past year the whole amount of pub- lic money received from the County Treasurer was $1,396.88, of which $279. 37 was paid for books, $48 to the African School, and the balance of $1,069.51 for wages of teachers (they also received about $450 tuition fees). The number of children taught in all the schools in which the trustees had any voice was 360; the number of children re-

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

siding within the Police between the ages of five and sixteen years was 1,065. The teachers were: James Slater, Martin C. Hall, Misses Ritchie, Thurston and Stiles, their monthly wages running' from $15 to $45.

April 1, 1841, Myndert Veeder was teacher for the Liberty street school, James Slater and Miss Stiles re-elected for the Lancaster School, and Nicholas Merselis for the Ferry street school. The " Lancaster School Report," submitted at this meeting shows the total amount of school money received for the year to be $1,409. 12.

April 11, 1842, the school money was divided as follows: "The school in College street, male department, $330; female department, 135; Ferry street school, $190; Liberty street school, $190; John B. Clute School, in State street, $115 (this is the first mention in the minutes of this school); and the African School, $40." July 15 "the rear lot of the Lancaster House was leased to James D. Felthousen for a term of fifteen years" (price not stated). November 1st, Joseph Blanchard was ap- pointed teacher in the State street school.

The school money, as reported April 9, 1843, was $1, 335.88, and at this meeting Nancy Ferrell was engaged as teacher for the female department, and Frederick De Lamater for the State street school. On March 5th there were 1, 009 volumes in the Library.

During 1843-44 the question of changing the present school system was seriously agitated, when, on January 6, 1845, it was decided "not to take any action thereon at present."

The annual report of Alexander Holland, made April 2, 1845, was so unusually accurate and de- tailed, that he was given a special vote of thanks.

The appropriation for 1845 for the pay of teachers was :

College street school, male department, $265 00

female 110 00

Maiden lane

175

Ferry street 175 00

State street 175 00 .

Miss Clark, a private teacher in Yates st., 20 00

Miss Ritchie, " Front " 20 00

Miss Joanna Crooks, " Wash'n'ton " 20 00

African School,

40 00

Total, $1,000 00

Wm. G. Caw was appointed teacher for the Fourth ward school in May, in place of Mr. De Lamater, resigned, and, in October, M. Myndert Veeder was elected teacher in the Lancaster School vice Mr. Hall, resigned. It appears, from the minutes of this meeting, that the "Fourth ward school was held in Wm. Hannah's building in State street."

The report made April 10, 1846, shows that the average attendance at the different schools had been:

College street, male department, 94

66 female 117

Ferry

Maiden Lane, 61

Fourth ward,

The amount of school money received for the year, reported April 24th, was $1, 295.85. On May 6th the gradual introduction of uniform text-books was recommended.

This was brought forth by a memorial from the teachers, presented at the last meeting. The fol- lowing is a list of the books designated by them, with those also named by the committee :

Webster's Spelling Book, Hazen's Speller and Definer, Sanders' First, Second and Third Reader, Hale's History of the United States, Porter's Rhe- torical Reader, New Testament, Smith's Grammar, Mitchell's Geography, First and Second, Critten- den's Arithmetic, Parley's History, Davies' Algebra, Olmstead's Philosophy, Marsh's Bookkeeping (Single Entry), Crittenden's Bookkeeping (Double Entry).

The introduction of music books was also fa- vored. It seems that music very soon became part of the curriculum, as on August 20th the teachers invited the Board "to attend an examina- tion of their scholars in musical exercises " soon to be held, which invitation was accepted by the Board as a body. The following week, on the 29th, a grand concert was given by the united scholars in the consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church, which was well attended. Mr. S. B. Marsh was the musical instructor.

The agitation regarding a change from the Lan- caster system was again raised during 1847. Dur- ing this year-1847-the Maiden Lane school was removed to a room leased in the Cameronian Church. Mr. Vedder, the retiring secretary, added these words to the minutes of the meeting held July 17th: "Vale, vale, longum vale. How mutable are all human affairs. Othello's occupation gone.

Bread or no bread."

The amount appropriated April 10, 1848, for pay for teachers was : three male teachers at $250 a year, or $750 ; one female teacher at $100; and one at $ 125. Total, $975.

The apportionment of the school money for teachers' salaries made April 6, 1849, was as follows :

College street school, male department $245 00

66 female 110 00

Maiden lane

245 00

Ferry street

245 00

Miss Sanders'

IIO CO

African 40 00

Total $995 00

During 1849 there were various complaints made against different teachers, but in every case the teacher was sustained by the Board.

January 4, 1850, the customary resolutions were passed regarding the death of Frederick R. Van Ingen, Esq., a late member of the Board. Hiram Champion was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by his death. January 26th it was recommended "that the schools be made entirely free from the present quarter," but no definite action was taken thereon, and March 7th it was reported that there would be sufficient, school money ($1,997) to pay the teachers enough more to make up for their deprivation of tuition money, and also to establish

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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- EDUCATIONAL.

another school of a higher grade. April 4th the

appropriation for teachers was :

First ward school, male. Second "

$310 00

310 00

female ..

170 00

Fourth “

male.

310 00

female.

170 00

Total.

$1,270 00

and $225 was applied for the Library.

The report of the Treasurer, made April 18th, shows the school money received for the year to be $1,261. 10, which, with $307.69 received from the former Treasurer, made $1,568.69 total cash re- ceived. April 25th, the Special Committee upon By-laws made their report. This report provides for the routine business of the Board, the appoint- ment of committees, regular and special, etc. The report of the " Library and Text-Book " Committee, made at this meeting, is :

Year.

Appropriation.

Vols. purchased.

1839

$279 34

185

1840.

274 91

218 probably.

1841.

281 84

218

1842

267 25

205

1843-

267 17

183

1844

268 00

131

1845

259 17

1846

260 60

197

1847

264 59

195

1848.

247 47

135

1849. ..

254 70

118

II years.

$2,915 04

1,879 vols.

119 volumes are reported as missing, and "96 volumes probably."

May 2, the following uniform system of text- books was recommended :

Reading and Spelling-Mandeville's Course, I to 6,

New Testament,

Swan's Spelling Book,

Mitchell's Primary and large Geography,

Perkins' Primary, Elementary and High Arith- metic, and Colburn's Intellectual,

Grammar-Brown's first lines and larger,

Cutter's Physiology,

Hall's History of the United States,

Gray's Natural Philosophy,

Perkins' Elements of Algebra and Geometry,

Johnston's Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry, which was adopted by the Board May 23. The tuition for children under five years of age was fixed at $2 per quarter. The report of July 11 shows that John W. Schoolcraft had been teaching the African School since June 3d, at $15 per month. (This school had not been in operation for some months), and October 1 Ith it was decided that this school should be closed November 3d.

The question of a free school had, by this time, become universally agitated, and in January, 1852, a committee was appointed to prepare a draft of a law for such a school in the city, with a view of having the same presented to the Legislature at its present session. The committee reported, through its President, February 24th, that "the free school of the city of Troy, with such alterations and amend-

ments as may be necessary, as being suitable for this city," and the report was adopted.

In 1853 a new school was opened in the Third ward, on "The Green," and Miss Frances M. Sacia was engaged as teacher on April Ist.

The last meeting of the "Lancaster School So- ciety" of which there is any record, was held March 16, 1854, the minutes being in the hand- writing of Mr. B. V. S. Vedder, for many years its Secretary. By these minutes it appears that the Trustees recently elected were :

A. A. Van Vorst, B. V. S. Vedder, W. H. Clute, A. M. Vedder, Francis Van DeBogart, Peter Ved- der, Jont. Pierson, Nathaniel Clark, D. M. Chad- sey, John Foster, S. L. Hand, M. C. Myers and A. M. Mull.

A. A. Van Vorst was elected President, B. V. S, Vedder, Secretary, and A. M. Vedder, Treasurer. At this meeting the following resolution was adopted :

"That this Board do approve of the act now before the Legislature of this State, providing for the reorganization and improvement of the school system of this city, and that we recommend its immediate passage," and "that the President and Secretary be requested to forward a copy of the foregoing resolution to the chairman of the proper committee of the Senate of this State, under their official signatures."

The "Lancaster School System," after a life of nearly forty years (1816 to 1854), gave way during the latter year, to our present Free School system.

THE FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM, 1854-1885.

April 9, 1854, an act was passed by the Legisla- ture in relation to the public schools in the city of Schenectady, and on the 15th of the month the Union School was established. In the evening of that day the first meeting of School Commissioners was held at the Common Council Chamber at the Court House. There were present : Alonzo C. Paige and Nicholas Van Vranken, from the First Ward; D. M. Moore and Wm. M. Duane, of the Second; Charles Chequer and Hiram Champion, of the Third ; and Rev. I. G. Duryee and D. M. Chadsey, of the Fourth Ward. After organization, Mr. Nicholas Van Vranken was elected president, and D. M. Chadsey, secretary. James J. Marlette succeeded Mr. Chadsey the following year. The commissioners, at this meeting, drew lots to decide which should hold the long or short terms. Steps for the purchase of a proper building for school purposes were at once taken, and, May 26th, David M. Moore, of the committee, reported that the West College, which originally cost over $53,000, could be purchased by the city for $6, 000. The grounds were 225 feet front on College street. This prop- erty was secured shortly after this report, and the first two stories were made ready to accommodate about 450 scholars, it being believed that that num- ber would cover all those ready to attend the school.

October 15, 1852, the school was formally opened. In the evening appropriate exercises were

126

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

held at the Presbyterian Church, at which speeches were made by Dr. Nott, Dr. Hickok and Judge Paige. That the commissioners had been in error in concluding that the two lower stories would ac- commodate those desirous of attending was soon made apparent. From 450 the pupils immediately increased to over 1,100, and it was necessary to close the school in order to prepare the third story.

The re-opening was December 10th, at which time there were accommodations for 1, 200 pupils; 800 in the main building, 200 in the old Lan- caster school building, and 200 in the White street building.

In the beginning the Union School was divided into ten departments over which George B. Cook was principal; he was assisted by the following teachers: Mary A. Morrill, junior and senior prim- ary departments ; Lizzie A. W. Hill, junior sec- ondary department; Huldah A. Allen, senior sec- ondary department ; Isabella E. Fisher, junior intermediate department; Angeline A. Monk, senior intermediate department; Caroline Van Voor- his, junior grammar department; Malvina Proctor, senior grammar department; Jane L. Olmstead, Catharine S. Olmstead, Mary Wilds, higher English department; John S. Parsons, Mary A. Bodge, Caroline L. Bridgman, academical department; Abby W. French and two assistant teachers, boys' library school ; and Rebecca M. Gurnsey and Jane I. Cunningham, White street school.

The attendance at this school, from its com- mencement, has steadily increased. The whole building was soon in use, and 1859, what is known as the "New Building" was erected. In 1872 another change was necessary, and the classical department was removed to the Delavan building at the corner of Union and Church streets, and the Fifth ward school was erected. Five years later, 1877, the Park Place school was put up, and the Nott Terrace school followed in 1883.

The yearly school-money now is about $30,000. Mr. Samuel B. Howe was appointed Superintend- ent of Schools August 31, 1868, and has held the position continuously ever since. To his personal efforts much of the success of the schools are due.

The number of scholars' names now on the registers is 2, 500, and the average daily attendance is about 1,800. To instruct these the following named teachers are required, the year of the com- mencement of their services in Schenectady being also given: Anna E. Gilbert, Main School, August, 1860; Sarah E. LaRue, August, 1860; Elizabeth M. Yates, June, 1867; Mary C. Paine, December, 1870; Marie Hastings, October, 1871; Mary L. Buell, August, 1872; Elizabeth Hallowell, Novem- ber, 1873; Ella McNee, March, 1876; Emma Lee, August, 1880; Augusta Oothout, November, 1880; Helena A. Hall, November, 1880; Jennie Vedder, June, 1881; Emma C. Chubb, February, 1882; Susie C. Vedder, June, 1882; Susie N. Sprague, October, 1882; Anna Ferguson, Novem- ber 1882; Lillie D. Daley, June, 1883; Carrie A. Brown, June, 1883; Ella Mckenry, June, 1883;

Ella Terworth, October, 1884; Mary Cleary, March, 1885. Total, 21.

C. S. Halsey, Classical School, July, 1875 ; Helen E. Carley, June, 1881 ; Emma L. Clare, June, 1881 ; Ida J. Fenn, September, 1882 ; M. H. Duurloo, July, 1883 ; Dow Beekman, June, 1884 ; Georgia Gates, Classical and Elocution, June, 1884. Total, 7.

Olive Morris, Nott Terrace School, August, 1866 ; Ernestine Stockwell, January, 1868 ; Lydia H. Brown, February, 1872 ; Minnie A. Piper, December, 1881 ; Alice D. Stevens, June, 1882 ; Mary F. Caw, February, 1883 ; Lottie Allen, June, 1883 ; Carrie R. Smith, October, 1884. Total, 8.

Anna E. Cunningham, Albany Hill School, May, 1867 ; Lucinda Sands, April, 1874 ; Joanna Chandler, October, 1874 ; Lillian G. King, April, 1885. Total, 4.

Rachel Baker, Park Place School, September, 1874 ; Etta W. Felthousen, March, 1877 ; Mar- garet L. Groot, March 1877 ; Irene Schermerhorn, March, 1882. Total, 4.

Helen Palmer, Instrumental Music, August, 1864.

RECAPITULATION OF TEACHERS.

Main School, 21 ; Classical, 7; Nott Terrace, 8 ; Albany Hill, 4 ; Park Place, 4. Total number, Teachers, 44.

S. B. HowE was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., and graduated from Union College in 1862. He served as adjunct professor in the college, and previous to his location here, in 1868, as school superintendent, in Ithaca (1862), Catskill (1865), and Albany (1867).

CADY STALEY, Professor of Civil Engineering in Union College, was born in Florida, Montgomery County, N. Y., December 12, 1840, and gradu- ated from Union College in 1865. He became a civil engineer in 1867, and in 1881 served on the Central Pacific Railroad as bridge engineer, and is at present Dean and Acting Treasurer of the Col- lege.

Many graduates from "Old Union " remember JAMES PICKETT, who was for many years prior to his death the superintendent of the college grounds. Mr. Pickett's unobtrusive kindness and Christian character made for him many friends.

CHARLES S. HALSEY was born in . Cambria, Ni- agara County, N. Y., December 20, 1834, and graduated from Williams College in 1856. He served as principal in Macedon Academy, Wayne County, N. Y., from September, 1856, to March, 1858; Newton Collegiate Institute, Newton, N. J., from April, 1859, to April, 1861; Macedon Acad- emy, from August, 1862, to June, 1865; High School, Burlington, Vt., from 1872 to 1875; and in 1875 was elected principal of the Union Clas- sical Institute, Schenectady, N. Y. He is author of "A Genealogical and Chronological Chart of the Rulers of England, Scotland, France, Germany and Spain " (1873), and (1882) "An Etymology

127

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- EDUCATIONAL.

of Latin and Greek." His studies in philology have been extensive.

SCHENECTADY ACADEMY.

The first authentic information of any special attention being given to an organized school system in Schenectady dates back to the rev- olution.

The coming of Dominie Romeyn as pastor of the Dutch Church, was the inspiration of the Schenectady Academy. Through his influence the church was induced to erect a commodious building, the citizens agreeing to give it their patronage and furnish it with a library. The church contemplated constructing a house of two stories, with two rooms on each story, upon the lot of ground upon which the old guard-house now stands, at the junction of Church and State streets. Three rooms were to be assigned for the use of the school and academy.

On account of the great cost of the Academy- house to the church, it was "resolved, that said church shall receive four shillings from every scholar taught in said house, and if said academy or Illus- tre School shall become changed into a college, then the presidents of such college, as well as the rector of said school, shall be a member of the Dutch Church and minister of this church ; and the said four shillings for each scholar shall be be- stowed upon such poor scholars as the church shall name. "

The consistory, about March 5, 1785, were still negotiating with the town magistrates for the im- provement of the common schools of the town and for the establishment of an academy. The con- sistory ordered the gathering of materials for the academy on the 16th of the same month, and on the 28th it was considered expedient to build the academy, not upon the old guard-house lot, but upon the north corner of Union and Ferry streets.

April 7, 1785, the academy building was well under way, and the consistory, together with twenty-seven respectable citizens of the town, met at Rueben Simond's public-house in Church street, to close the matter of the academy by signing articles of agreement for its management and sup- port. (This agreement is drawn with great formal- ity and particularity in eleven sections, and is written upon fifteen pages of foolscap -- probably by Do. Romeyn, who was president of the meeting. )

William Schermerhorn was appointed superin- tendent, and a committee, both of citizens and consistory, to urge forward the Academy building. A stone of an oval shape was built into the front on which were cut the names of the building committee ; this stone is now in Union College Museum.

An effort was made in 1791 to endow this school by a grant of Indian lands; and November 16, Dr. Dirk Van Ingen announced to the consistory that he and others had rented 10, 240 acres of land of the Oneida Indians for twenty-one years, on con-

sideration that he paid after five years {100 yearly to said Indians. Inasmuch as the academy, un- incorporated, could not hold real estate, he of- fered the land to the consistory for the benefit of the Dutch Church. At first the consistory agreed to receive the land but subsequently gave it up, finding, doubtless, that it could not be legally held by the church.

On the 2d day of April, 1793, the Dutch Church made the building over to the trustees of the academy; and on September 24, 1796, it was made over to the trustees of Union College, to be sold and the money put into a more commodious building. The proceeds of this sale were finally merged in the building fund of the present Union School edifice.

Academy Building, 1795.

The academy building was of brick, two stories in height, about 50 x 30 feet on the ground, and cost about $3,000. It was used by Union College until 1804. This school was opened in 1793 under the care of Col. John Taylor, of New Jersey. This school appears to have been conducted with much ability, and being well sustained by the community in which it was planted, became the germ of the college.

An academic school, in connection with Union College, was established by President Nott imme- diately after his election in 1804. The teachers of this school were appointed by him, and the princi- pal was recognized by the laws of the college as a member of the faculty. This academic school be- came popular and extensively useful for many years.

On the 7th of April, 1818, an act was passed authorizing the revival and reorganization of the Schenectady Academy, which was done by the election of a Board of Trustees on the 1st day of April, 1819. The academic department of Union College was merged into this school.

The Rev. Dr. Nathan N. Whiting was appointed principal of the academy, and was succeeded by Mr. Wm. Beattie, who resigned in 1828, and was succeeded by Daniel Fuller.

The academy continued until the reorganization of the schools of the city in 1854.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 243

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452