USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I > Part 54
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The Second Ward may be described in general terms as inclosed by Albany Avenue on the northwest and Clifton Avenue on the southeast, by the city line on the northeast and Union Avenne on the southwest. -
Ic comprises quite a territory not thickly settled. Within it are three cemeteries, and the City Hall is very near the southeast angle, while the almshouse is just within the limits, near the northeast angle. There are three cemete- ries within its limits. The Wynkoop school-house is also in this ward, at the point where Foxhall and Clifton Ave- nues approach near to each other.
The Third Ward comprises all the northeast part of the city, bounded north by the city line, east by the Hudson River, southwest by Gold Street and Hopkins Street, and ou the west it lies adjacent to the Second Ward along Clifton Avenue. Kingston Point and the locality known as Ponek- hockie lie within this ward, though the latter name is applied rather indefinitely to all the neighborhood beyond the lime and cement works. This ward includes a large traet within the city limits not built up and laid out into streets. In fact, Kingston generally is quite a rural city, compactly built at ouly a few points.
The Fourth Ward may be located generally by saying that it lies to the south of the Third Ward or southeast, and includes the immense buildings and works of the lime and cement company. In its eastern portion it is inclosed between Hopkins Street and Hasbrouck Avenue. In its western portion it extends beyond Hasbrouck Avenue to Union Avenue, and from northwest to southeast it extends
" Two Dutch worte, Wilt and Wyck,-simply, a wild place.
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CITY AND TOWN OF KINGSTON.
from the entrance of Foxhall Avenue, near the City Hall, to the Rondout Creek. In this ward the Wallkill Railroad and also the Ulster and Delaware have their terminus, descending to the station by a steep graile.
The Fifth Ward comprises ouly a small territory, but it is a thickly-settled portion of Rondout. It is very narrow on the Rondout Creek, and is inclosed by Hasbrouck Ave- nue, Union Avenue, and Stuyvesant Street. This ward is a section of the solid, close-built portion of Rondout, having within it the banks of this portion of the city, and a large amount of trade and commerce.
The Sixth Ward lies between Union Avenue on one side and the line of Hone Street, extended through to the corner of Foxhall Avenue, near the City Hall, on the other. It is emphatically a ward of churches, nearly all the houses of worship in Roudout being located within its limits. Several of these editices are of splendid architecture. . 1 stranger, seeing only the lower portions of Roudout with its crowded streets and closely-packed ravines, can hardly know how pleasant and sightly is that portion lying on these higher grounds and in the vicinity of the various elmirches. Pleas. ant residenees abound in this section, located above the dust, noise, and confusion of the lower business streets. enjoying pure air and magnificent views of the river and the adjacent country beyond.
The Seventh Ward includes a small portion of the vil- lage of Rondout, but is largely composed of a hilly, rocky, and unsettled tract, with Montrepose Cemetery a short dis- tanec west of the centre. To explore it one should leave the vicinity of the City Hall by the way of Audrew Street, and travel by that route and its extension, Hamilton Street, to South Rondout ferry. The ward fronts for some dis- tanee along the Roudout Creek. A pedestrian reeonnois- sanee is the most favorable to minute exploration of the eentre. Andrew and Hamilton Streets do not yet need any ordinance of the Common Council to prevent fast driving.
The Eighth Ward extends through the entire breadth of the western part of the city from the Rondout Creek to the Esopus, inclosed by the west line of the city ou one side and by Frog Alley, Green Street, and Wall Street part of the distance on the other. It includes a still wider tract in the vicinity of Wiltwyck Cemetery. In this ward the enterprising business-place Willmir is situated. In the centre there are some residences in the vicinity of Wash- ington Avenue, and farther southwest. A part of Higgins- ville, including the station of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad, is in this ward.
The Ninth Ward is central, lying on the southwest of Union Avenne, between St. Jantes Street on the one side and a line drawn from Wiltwyck Cemetery to the corner of Foxhall Avenue ou the other, and bounded southwest by Wall Street. This ward has its eastern angle near the City Hall. In fact, at the point where Foxhall Avenue opens into Union Avenne five wards have a common point of contact with each other, -- the Second, the Fourth, the Sixth, the Seventh, and the Ninth. In the Ninth Ward Wiltwyck Cemetery is located, and near it Jacob's Valley and the upper fonds of the Twaalf Kill. The Clinton Avenue Methodist church and the African Methodist Episcopal church are in this ward.
- VII .- SCHOOLS,
At the introduction of the modern school system Mr. Marius Schoonmaker, first president of the board, prepared the following historical paper, which embodies so many facts of interest and is of such authoritative value that we quake no apology for presenting it nearly entire :
" The first common-school system of this State was adopted at the session of the Legislature held in the year ISII, and provision was then for the first time made for the division of the towns throughout the State into school districts, the election of school officers, and the distribution of the income of the common-school fund,-a fund for which provision had been male by previous Legislatures. At that titue the territory now comprised within the Kingston school district contained an academy and several private English schools. The most prominent of the English schools was kept by an old native resident of this village, Solomon Hasbrouck, who had then already taught for more than a score of years. llis school was then kept in a small frame building, situate ou the west side of Green near its junction with Crown Streit. Under the provisions of the act of 1811, Kings- tou village with a considerable scope of adjacent territory was set apart as one school district, and Mi. Solomon Hasbronek was selected us the teacher. le continuel his school in the same building until the year 1820, never pretending to instruct in anything beyond the ordinary common English branches. At that time, after forty years spent in the instruction of youth and the free use of the red, he was compelled by the increasing infirmities of age to retire and surrender the birchen sceptre to his successor, Mr. Williamu H. Dederick. While Mr. Hasbrouck had charge of the public school, but at what precise time we cannot state, the school-house was removed from its location in Green Street ta a lot in Fair Street, nearly opposite the present site of the Methodist church.
" After the retirement of Mr. Hasbrouck, Mr. Dederick entered upon the discharge of his duties as successor to Mr. Hasbrouck, and continued to perform the duties of district school teacher, with the in- termission of only a single year, until the year 1849. Up to the year 1522 a siuall building, Que story high and not to exceed 40 feet in length by 25 feet in breadth, accommodated all the children present- ing themselves to be taught in the public schools A considerable por- tion of that time and until the year 1827 the school-honse, small as it was was divided into two or more apartments and stood with the gable-end to the street, while the front half of the building was oc- cupied as the residence and shop of the village gunsmith. The room and accommodations thus furnished were at times crowded to excess by the attendance of nearly a hundred pupils. In 1827 the gunsmith was removed, the partitions taken out, and the whole building opened iuto a single room. Mr. Dederick opened his school in the enlarged room in 1$28, andt commenced teaching upon the Lancasterian plan. Instruction by him under that system was continued until 1859, when the district was subdivided into three di-tiets, numbered respectively as Nos. 8. 11. and 12. The Lancasterian plan was then abandoned and teaching progressel under the old system in all the districts. The old school-house was used for Distriet No. S until 1849, when it was soll and the present schoot building erected. Mr. Dederick's connection with the old eburch ceased with the sale of the old school- house.
" The primary districts 5 and 15 as well as 11 were formed at dif- ferent time from the territory comprised within the limits of the original district No. S, and the several school-houses now existing therein were erceted. Public schools were thereafter regularly main- tained in the several districts until consolidated in 1863 by our act of incorporation.
" While the district-school system was thus administered in this place, Kingston Academy was conferring the benefits of a higher Eng. lish and classical education to such as desired and were able to avail themselves of it.
" Kingstou Sendemy was originally founded by 'the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the town of Kingston. in the year 1774. ' for the instruction of youth in the learned languages and other branches of knowledge.' The names of the trustees of Kingston for that year who have the honor of founding this now time-honored institution are lerick Wynkoop, Joseph Gamberie, Johannis Persen, Silvester Salisbury, Christopher Tappen, Adam Persen, Johannis Du Bois, Abrabam Van Gaasbeck, Johannis Sleight, Ezekiel Masten,
212
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and Wilhelmus Houghtaling. They reserved ta themselves and their successors the care and superintenilence of the institution, and fur- nished for its use n suitable building and grounds at the corner of Crown and John Streets, in the village of Kingston. The academy, as thus organized, opened an I continued a prosperous course under the charge successively of John Adlison. Mr. Millen, and Mr. Ewert as principals, until the ravages of u desolating war and the burning of the neademy building in the general conflagration of Kingston by the British necessarily suspended instruction for a time. The trus- tees, true to their love for learning and cherished devotion to the in- stitution, soon commenced to reconstruet the academic hall. The stone building on the southwest owner of John and Crown Streets in this village, now occupied as a private residence, was erected and prepared for the acemunnodation of the academy. Mr. Timothy T. Smith was employed to take charge of the institution as principal. Shortly thereafter ( Dre. 1, 1792) the trustees gave notice in the public papers of the reopening of the academy.
"Ou the 21st day of February, 1791, the Trustees of Kingston ap- plied to the Regents of the University of the State of New York for the incorporation of the institution which had been thus established and noitured by them. A few days after making sach application, oui anticipating the favorable artiou of the Regents, the then trus- tees of Kingston, Peter Marius Groen, Muses Ycomans, Jeremiah Du Bois, Gerrit Van Keuren, Philip Swart, Tobias Meyer, Tjerek C. Dewitt, Evert Bogardus, and Samuel Swart, by deed of conveyance bearing date March 1, 1791, conveyed to John Addison, George J. L. Doll, aud other trustees of the academy in Kingston all that certain messunge, etc. (describing the academy lot at the corner of Crown and John Streets in this village).
" It appears that the Regents of the University made no respouse to the first application, and therefore the trustees of Kingston re- newed their application on the 5th of Jaunary, 1795. This time their petition received the favorable action of the Regents, and Kings- ton Academy was duly incorporatel by p deed of incorporation, a copy of which is here insertel as a matter of historic interest.
"The Regents of the University of the State of New York to all to whom these presents shall come or may concern, greeting: Whereas the Trustees of the Freche' rs and Comumnonalty of the town of Kingstou, in the County of Ulster and State of New York, by two several instruments in writing under their hands and Corporation Seal, Fearing date respectively, the 21st day of February, 1794, and the 5th day of Jannary, iu the year 1795, after stuting among other things that they have had for several years an established academy in the said town for the instruction of youth in the learned languages, und other branches of useful knowledge, and have purchasel ail appropriaten to that use med purpose a lot of ground with a large and commodious building thereon, in the said town, di I respectfully make application to us, tir- said Re- gents, that the said Academy might be incorporated, and become subject to the visitation of us and our successors ; and that John Ad lisou, George J. L. Doll, Petrus Van Vlierden, Moves Yermus, Peter Marins Groen, Cornelius Jansen, Jeremiah Do Bol-, Abram Van Gataber k, Jr., Peter Van Gasbeck, Chenrat Edmundes Elmuendorph, Evert Bogardus, Petru. MIyudertse, Peter Roggen, Henry Attinge, James S. Bruyn, Peter Vanderlyn, Petins Eluiendorph, Jr., Samuel Treet, Yine - Cantine, James Oliver, Abraham Van Horne, Garnit De- witt, Junethe Bestrock, and Johannis Binya, might be the Trustees of said Academy, by the time of The Trustees of Kingston cal-my : Now know ve that we, the sand Regents, having inquired into the allegations contained in the sail instruments in writing, and found the same to be true, and it uppear- ing to us by due proof that the said applicants have contributed more than one- Luft in value of the real and personal property and estite collected or appro- printed for the use and benefit of the said Academy, and we conceiving the same calculated for the promotion of Literature, do by these presents, pursnant to the statute in such case made and provided, signify our approbation of the Incorporation of the said John Addison, George J. L. Doll, Petrus Vin Vlier- den, Moses Yeomans, Peter Marius Groen, Cornelius Jansen, Jerehuah Du Bois, Abraham Van Gan-beck, Jr., Peter Van Gusbeek, Coruradt Edmundus Ehnen- dorph, Evert Bogardus, Petrus Myndertse, Peter Roggen, Henry Eltinge, James S. Brayn, Peter Vanderlyn, Petrus Ehnemorph, Jr., Samuel Firer, Moses Can- tine, Jamies Of ver, Abraham Van Horne, Garnit Dewitt, Joseph Hasbrouck, and Jubaunis Bruyn, the Trustees of the said Academy, so as aforesaid mmmed by the founders thereof, by the name of The Trustees of Kingston Academy, being the name mentioned in and by the sibl request in writing. In witness whereuf we have cany I our common seal to be hereunto affixed this third day of Feb- ruatry, in the nineteenth year of the independence of the United States, Auto- que Domaini, one thousand seven hundred and ninety live. Witness : George Chntoon, Esquire, Chancellor of the University.
** ' By the command of
the Chancellor. " DE WITT CLINTON, Secretary'
16.5. 1 ".GEN. CLINTON, Chancellor.
" June 10, 1795, the deed of incorporation having been received, the trustees named attended in the academy hall, and took upou
themselves the charge thus coinmitted to them. After hearing an ail.Irese snitable to the occasion from Mr. Jnhu Addison, the senior trustee, who acted as president, they proceeded to the choice of the necessary officers, and Peter Van Gaasheck was chosen secretary. andi Peter Vanderlyn, treasurer; the duties of president Jevolving upon the senior Frustre, by the title of 'Mr. Senior.'
" After which it was
"' Resolred, Unanimously, that the following plun of education be adopted, and the following Rules and Regulations observed for the government of the Principal, Tutor, Usher, and Students of this Academy, viz. :
"' Ist. There shall be taught in this Academy the Greek and Latin languages, Elementary and Practical Geometry, Mathematics, Logic, Moral and Natural Philosophy, Ancient History, Geography, and the History and Government of the Cuited States.
"+DJ. The terms of tuition for any one of the above branches of Educativa shall be at and after the rate of Ave ponuds per annmin ; one-third of which sam to be paid by the Student to the Treasurer of the Trustees of this Actiemy on the day of his entrance, and the remaining two-thirds at the expiration vi the year, and so in like manner for every year he shall continne therein. Eric's Student shall in addition to the above annual sum furuich two Ina ls of fire- woud for the use of the Academy, or pay the current price thereof to the Principal Tutor.
"'3d. The hours for teaching shall be, daring the Summer Session, from half-past eight in the morning until twelve at noon, and from two until five o'clock in the afternoon on each day (Saturdays excepted), which portion . f the werk is deemed necessary for recreation, both of the Teachers and Stu- dents; and during the Winter Session, from nine in the morning until twelve at noon, and front half-past one until five o'clock in the afternoon on each day (Saturdays excepted).
""4th. There shall be two vacations in every year, of three weeks each, to commence on the first Monday of May and October. And on the Friday immediately preceding each vacation a general and public examination of the Students in the presence of the Trustees and such other persons as busy choose to attend.
".5th. That every morning the Principal Tutor, Usher, or a Master shall open the exercises of the Academy with prayer.
"+6th. That there shall be quarterly visitations of the Academy by the Trustees, or a committee of them, in order to examine into the improvement and progress of the Students, and to propose such alterations and arrange- ments as may be found necessary and convenient for the good guverument of the Academy.'
" It was also at that meeting that they agreed with Mr. Timothy Tredwell Smith, the former preceptor, to continue his ebarge of the academy as principal tutor for two years, and that he be allowed for his services for the first year, to terminate the 14th day of May, 1796, the sum of £170 ($425), and for the year next thereafter the sulu of £185 ($462.50).
" From the plan thus shadowed forth in the preceding resolutions. it is evident that the trustees started with a determination to main- tain the established charneter of the institution, and conduct thereis a school of a high and severe grade. The establishment of semi- annual examinations in the presence of the trustees evincel the watchful care with which they intended to foster and watch the pro- gress of the institution.
" These semi-annual examinations were kept up for many years. and were punetually attended by the full board, all the trustiss making it a matter of pride and duty to attend, unless preventel by sickness or some other unavoidable canse. The distinguished char- acter of that institution for many succeeding years, and the causes of the eminent men enrolled muong its aluiuni, testify to the wishin vf the policy. The semi-annual recurrence of that event was looked forward to with great expectations of delight and pleasure by the e'tizens of Kingston and surrounding country, both old and young. and weeks preceding the event preparations were made for its fitting celebration. Every house was thrown open for the reception ant entertainment of strangers and visitors, who flocked to the village on these occasions, and ficely and happily partook of the cordial hospi- tahty of our Dutch ancestry. Upon the morning of the day fixed for the examination, the board of trustees convened at a public-house. which was then situated at the corner of Fair Street and Maiden LAue. They were escorted iu procession from that place by the students, preceded by musie, and 'mid the merry ringing of the village bells proceeded to the academy hall, when the examination. right and thorbagh in its character, took place. The examination was follones by a publie dinner, of which both students und trustees, as well as distinguished strangers, partook. After dinner, in the spring ex. amiinations, the literary exercises of the day were closed by declama- tion in the Dutch church, then the only church in the village. Iu the fall the literary exercises of the examination thuy were closed by
1
213
CITY AND TOWN OF KINGSTON.
an exhibition in the court- room, at which dialogues, disputations on questions proposed, and speeches were delivered by the studeuts. Originally the exercises of the evening were enlivened and inter- spersed by the performance of scenes from tragedies, farces, and comedies. This was prohibited by a resolution of the board adopted on the 10th day of December, 1805, when it wns
"Resolved, That hereafter there shall be no public exhibition of any tragedy, comedy, er farce by the schol ers after the semi-annual examinations; but their exercises may consist of dialogues, dissertations or questions proposed, and such other fit and proper speeches and orations as may temal to qualify them for public speaking.'
" After the literary exercises were elosed the younger portion of the visitors nnl citizeus united with the students in the merry dance, and thus joyously spent the rest of the night until the small hours of the morning.
" The public dinner was abolished by special order of the board of trustees, ou the 23d day of April, 1813, when it was
"* Resafred, That hereafter no dinner be paid for by the Treasurer, and thit the Trustees have no public dinner hereafter.'
"Such pleasing observances of the semi-annual examinations con- tinned for many years. They wane l. however, with the declining prosperity of the academy. By the time the academy had degeurr- ated from a high toned institution, devoted entirely to the classics and higher English brunches, to a mixed school for all classes and ages, and progress of advancemen', the semi-anunal examinations as originally instituted, with the joyous festivities of the occasion, be- longed only to the history of the past.
" But to return to the historical sketch. Ou the 21st day of De- seuber, 1795, the trustees hell a special meeting to receive a pair of globes and 103 volumes of solid English literature, as the foundation of an aca lemy library, purchased by money received from the regents of the university. They then adopted the following regulations for the management of the library, evineing a laudable desire to extend the benefits of the library to the citizens as well as the students :
"* 1. Resolved, That agreeatly to the intention of the said donation, the students have a preference of using the banks of the library as follows, viz .:
". A duodecimo, quarto, and octava voltade for a term of six weeks; and a folio volume for two months. Piovi led, thai for any longer time they jay four pence for every week of excrex. And in cise of any ujury, to pay such dam- ages as the Librarian eball assess, or furnish a new set (as he shall elect), re- taining the ul.l set.
"' And whereas, a circulation of the said Library may promote the interests of the Institution and diss minate knowledge. therefore,
used. Remoterd, That any citizen of the county of Chier shall be entitled to the use of the books of said Library upon paying four ponce a week for the time aforesail for each volume, and if retained beyond the time so limited to the students, then lo juty four pouce for every lay if excess. And in case of any injury, to pay such honiges as the Librarian shall assess, or furnish a new set and retain tid: old one, as he shall elect.
"31. Resolved, That the Principal Tutor be the Librarian, to take charge of, deliver ont, and receive in the books of the said Library, with the moneys lo becota" dne and payalle for the use of the same, und to render an accurate recount thereof to the Trustees at their general stated meetings.
" Ath. Resolved, Than the Inivarian shall have the use of the And Library gratis, the satte bring as a fut! compensation for his services there'n.'
" The books thus purebased to forin the nucleus and foundation of a library were all standard works of high character requiring the study and thought of maturel minds. Many of them may still be fonud upon the library shelves, and form a marked contrast with many of the other books in the present library purchased at later periods.
"On the 18th day of March, 1796, the trustees increased the salary of Mr. Smith, then Principal, to £200 ; and on the 30th day of Sep- tetuber, 1796, the price of tuition was raised to £6 per year.
" On the 12th day of June, 1795, it was Resolvedl, that Mr. Senior (John Addison, Rev. George J. L. Doll, Moses Yeomans, Peter Van- derlyn, and Moses Cantine be a committee to examine into the state of The funds of this newdetny, and make report thereof at the next gen- eral inviting. And also once a month to visit the academy and in- spect the improvement of the students. The following record of that committee appearing on the minutes conveys a wholesome lessen to trustees of the present day :
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