USA > New York > Columbia County > Hudson > History of the city of Hudson, New York : with biographical sketches of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton > Part 11
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The Baptist Church was organized at the house of H. P. Skinner in 1810. They worshipped for a time in the Mayor's court room in the Court House. In 1818 they removed to the corner of State and Fourth streets, where they remained until the completion of their present church in 1861. A Sunday School was founded by this church in 1820, which is said to have been the first organization for the religious instruction of youth in the country.
The Methodist body early applied through Samuel Wig- ton, for a lot on which to build. In 1790, the Proprietors gave them their choice of any lots not previously granted,
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and they selected one on the corner of Diamond and Third streets on which they built a small frame building.
This was followed by the erection of a brick structure in 1825, which they afterward exchanged for lots on which their present commodious church was erected in 1853.
They also own a pleasant parsonage on North Fifth street.
The organization of the Universalist Church was formed in 1817, and was followed by the erection of a modest edifice on the corner of Third and Allen streets, within the year.
The society continued to worship there until 1867 when the building now occupied by them was completed.
The adjoining house has been acquired, which gives them a convenient parsonage.
There are three Lutheran Churches in Hudson, the oldest St. John's dating from 1866, was organized by the Rev. William Hull, and worshipped in the old Uni- versalist Church until their present building was erected in 1869.
St. Matthews German Evangelical Lutheran, was in- corporated in 1869, and Emanuel Lutheran was formed from a division in St. Matthew's Society, in 1893.
All have church edifices that are adequate and con- venient for their requirements, and the Emanuel Society has also its own cosy parsonage.
St. Mary's Church parish was organized in 1841, its members worshiping in St. John's Hall until the comple- tion of their present church, which was dedicated in 1849.
A parochial school was sustained by St. Mary's parish from an early date, and in 1899 St. Mary's Academy was built, giving them a well equipped educational structure.
In 1907, the Italian residents of the city purchased a portion of the site of the first "Market House" as it was called, and have erected thereon a Catholic church for their use.
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A small body of Hungarians were granted the use of the First Reformed church in the early part of the year 1908 for their services, which presages a suitable building for them at some future time.
These facts disclose an unsuspected foreign element in the population of the city, which is of comparatively re- cent growth.
There are also two Jewish organizations, consisting of the Hebrew, and New Hebrew synagogues.
Hudson has two Afro-American churches. The Zion Methodist Episcopal, dating from 1855, and St. John's Methodist, which was organized by seceders from Zion church in 1873.
This brief review of the churches of this city, although necessarily incomplete, brings to our loving remembrance the faithful ministers of the gospel, and the many saintly men and women who have prayed and labored to make these churches what they are; who
"Wrought in a sad sincerity ; Themselves from God they could not free:
They builded better than they knew,-
The conscious stone to beauty grew."
It is quite impossible to treat the subject of the clergy of Hudson in detail, only a few of the names that have floated down through the generations may be mentioned.
That of the Rev. Bildad Barney is quite too fascinating an alliteration to be passed unnoticed. His parents doubt- less wished to commemorate Bildad the Shuhite of Biblical history. His pastorate in the Presbyterian church was of brief duration.
The Rev. John Chester (afterward D. D.) was a tire- less worker, whose fame has been familiar to our fathers, and thence to ourselves. He in addition to his pastoral work edited a magazine and labored for the resuscita- tion of the "African School" as it was called.
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At his installation the customary dinner was provided at Messrs. Nichols and Bements, at which the Mayor and corporation were invited to dine with the Presbytery.
The Rev. Dr. John Gosman was one of the profoundest theologians of his day, yet so simple and so lovable that he was greatly successful in his work. He was especially effective when he forgot to bring his sermon from home, and as he said "had to shake it out of his sleeves."
When he soared too high, or delved too deeply for his people to follow, they probably thought with the old Scotch woman, that "it had a heavenly sound."
The Rev. Dr. Henry Darling, tall, dignified, the quint- essence of clerical courtesy, afterward President of Ham- ilton College; and then recurs the opposite personality of the Rev. Dr. David D. Demarest, small of stature, but of excellent mental gifts, and fine scholarly attainments. He had the distinction of rearing four sons for the min- istry, one of whom is now the President of Rutgers College at New Brunswick. The Rev. Dr. David D. Demarest held the position of Professor of Pastoral Theology in The Theological Seminary of the Reformed church, during a period of thirty-three years, until his death in 1898.
The Rev. Dr. William S. Leavitt is still warmly cherished in many households, who anticipate with pleasure his annual visit to his friends here. The record of the Rev. Dr. William Watson is one of long and faithful service, and of excellent results, in building up the Epis- copal church in this city. He was followed by a long line of able and devoted rectors, two of whom, the Rev. George F. Seymour, and the Rev. Sheldon M. Griswold, subsequently became Bishops, the former of Springfield, Ill., and the latter of Salina, Kansas.
A spray of rosemary "that's for remembrance" is laid upon the grave of that saintly man of God, the Rev. Dr.
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William Henry Gleason, and with his name we will close these brief sketches.
There are a hundred others who have labored with equal zeal and devotion in the churches of Hudson, and who deserve an extended recognition, but a limited space forbids.
The Hudson Young Men's Christian Association was organized in May, 1866, largely through the influence of Mr. James Gifford, who had been for some years an active member of the Boston Association.
Temporary rooms were secured at 118 Warren street, which, becoming too small, the second floor of the build- ing number 403 Warren street, corner of Fourth was rented.
These commodious rooms were handsomely furnished by the ladies of the city, and were thrown open to the public on November 27, 1866.
A small library was gathered from the generous gifts of friends, and the indefatigable efforts of Dr. John C. DuBois, who voluntarily served as librarian for several years.
After two or three removals the Association purchased its present permanent home at 435 Warren street on April 18, 1895, at a cost of 12,000 dollars.
This building was readily adapted to the purposes of the institution, and the addition of a well fitted gym- nasium in 1902, at an expense of 9,000 dollars, com- pleted the usual appointments.
It is centrally located and with its ample accommoda- tions, the membership of two hundred would seem to be pleasantly housed.
A city which, from the proportion of saloons to the population has won the unenviable distinction of stand- ing second on the list in the state, should sustain "The Christian Association" in self defience. Let the stranger who invariably comments on the number of saloons on
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our principal thoroughfare, be enabled to observe at least one public effort to provide a proper, and con- genial place for our young men to congregate.
If there must be "cakes and ale" it is regrettable that they should be so numerously and so blatantly dispensed; and also that the appropriation of the Sabbath, for the celebration of the fêtes of the foreign element, should be permitted. It is a privilege which is rightfully refused to the native born citizen, even in the case of his one great national holiday, the Fourth of July.
These undesirable features of the continental Sabbath, not only break its quiet calm with noisy explosives, but fill our streets, until a late hour, with a rollicking crowd of holiday-makers.
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CHAPTER XVII.
Schools-Private and Public.
The Hudson Academy was chartered in 1807 and the erection of a building was commenced at once, the land for that purpose having been donated by Capt. Seth G. Macy, who built and occupied the fine residence now owned by Capt. Lathrop in Stockport-(then a part of Hudson). Capt. Macy established the works afterward purchased by Joseph Marshall, and so widely known as Marshall's Print Works.
The site on which the Academy stands is greatly ad- mired for its beautiful prospect. The hill was at that time covered with fine forest trees which extended south beyond Mr. Ten Broeck's line, and west to the Public Square.
The first teacher employed by the Trustees was Andrew Carshore, a man noted for his ability, and among those who subsequently filled the position were the Hon. Amasa J. Parker, late Justice of the Supreme Court of this state, and Josiah W. Fairfield.
Judge Parker writing in 1885 of his early acquaintance with the Academy, first as a pupil and afterward as Prin- cipal, a period extending from 1819 to 1827, says: "The Academy building was charmingly located on Prospect Hill, and in part surrounded by a beautiful grove, of which classic Greece might justly have been proud, a grove where the muses might well have lingered. Later vandal- ism destroyed it, and ("horresco referens") converted it into cord wood!"
A school for Young Ladies was opened in connection with the Academy.
"Salary of the Preceptress was one hundred dollars per
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year, tuition four dollars per quarter, for higher English, languages and mathematics, and two dollars for lower." "Rates for board were one dollar and fifty cents per week, and persons taking pupils to board became responsible for their tuition." "Conveyances were provided for Young Ladies to and from their residences, both for those of the city, and those boarding here from abroad," thus leaving no excuse for non-attendance in inclement weather.
Only one dividend of 50 cents a share was paid on the stock, and it became of no value, but the returns from the Academy in the form of educational advantages have never been computed. As nearly every man of prominence in Hudson and vicinity, was at some time a pupil there, they must have been considerable.
The Hudson Select Academy in South Third street was built in 1813, by an association of which Seth Jenkins (who was a son of the original proprietor), was President. It was not very successful, and Mr. Jenkins made a great effort to secure the passage of an "Act by the Legislature granting to the Academy the fishing grounds in the vicinity of Hudson, with the right to impose a tax on all persons fishing upon them, the income to go to the institution." He was strongly opposed, and failed in his attempt, but it gave to the building the name of the "Shad Academy," by which it was known until its final dis- continuance for school purposes.
The improved Public Schools, which are more con- veniently located drew the patronage from the older Academy and it was closed for a time, but was reopened in 1867, and thoroughly renovated.
It was conducted successfully for about twenty years, but the establishment of a High School, furnishing all its advantages free of cost, proved the finishing blow to its support.
The Academy building is now the property of the
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Board of Education, and has fallen into a state of innocu- ous desuetude, which if continued, must end in its eventual disintegration. This is deeply regretted by many who deprecate the obliteration of the old landmarks, and who hope the venerable institution may again become of use.
The first house erected on Prospect Hill was the resi- dence of Captain William Ashley, later the home of Mr. George Mckinstry, and still known as the Mckinstry house. The privilege of naming the hill was to be given to the individual who should first erect a dwelling there, and Captain Ashley claimed it. After some disagreement with others interested, he declared that "he named that hill Prospect Hill, and Prospect Hill it should be." A very appropriate name, for it affords a prospect which, for extent, beauty, and variety, is rarely equalled.
Prospect Avenue was not named until about 1863. It was a wretched country road, full of ruts and holes until that date, when the residents constructed the present well built street at their own expense, and kept it in order. They also planted the trees on either side, thus making it one of the most attractive approaches to the city.
The private schools of Hudson were noted in early, as well as later years, as being of a high order of ex- cellence. Mention is made of a Female Seminary in the earliest files of the Gazette, and Classical Schools for boys were successfully conducted by Andrew Hunting- ton, Ebenezer King and the Rev. J. R. Coe. They were succeeded by the Rev. E. Bradbury, whose school was sit- uated on the corner of Union and Second streets.
It is perhaps not generally known that Major Marshal H. Bright, the able editor of the "Christian at Work" was born in the house just alluded to, and that he was buried in our cemetery in 1907.
In 1848 the Misses Peake established a "Young Ladies
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Seminary," that for more than thirty years attracted the patronage of the best people of the city and vicinity.
It was located at Number 216 Warren street with a fine schoolroom in the adjoining dwelling. Miss Eliza- beth Peake, the head of the institution, was a person of superior mind and culture, and was the author of two very excellent books, one "Pen Pictures of Europe," and the other a "History of the German Emperors," which necessitated research in the great libraries of Germany, and exhibited great ability.
The Hudson Female Academy was opened in 1851, in the building now owned and occupied by the Hudson Orphan Asylum, and under the direction of the Rev. John B. Hague was very prosperous. In 1865 it was removed to number 31 Warren street and was soon after- ward discontinued.
The Misses Sarah and Cornelia Skinner established a "School for Young Ladies" in 1867 in their home on Warren street. Their accommodations soon became in- adequate and in 1870 they built the convenient school building number 281 Union street, where they continued deservedly popular for many years.
Private kindergartens prepared successive generations of children for the graded schools, and both invaded the province of the private schools, and combined to greatly lessen their number.
Although a number of grants were made by the pro- prietors for school purposes, no provision seems to have been made for free education before 1816.
In September of that year, a number of gentlemen met at the "Library room," to consider the practicability of establishing a Lancaster School in this city. These schools were so named from Joseph Lancaster, an English educator who as early as 1808, had opened schools in various towns in England, for the partly gratuitous in- struction of the children of the poor.
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Mr. Lancaster came to America in 1818 and was quite as successful in prosecuting the work here, as he had been in England and Canada. He opened a pay school in New York City, at a later date, which was a complete failure, and he died in 1829, in straightened circumstances.
The meeting resulted in the organization of the "Hudson Lancaster Society" which was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed on April 15th, 1817, with the following Trustees :
Elisha Williams
Judah Paddock
James Strong
Thomas Jenkins
Robert Taylor
Prosper Hosmer
Daniel Coffin Josiah Underhill
Patrick Fanning
Samuel White
Samuel Plumb
Robert Alsop
Thomas Bay.
Subscriptions to the amount of thirteen hundred dol- lars were received and the erection of a brick building was at once commenced, the Common Council having granted a lot for the purpose on the south-west corner of Fourth and State streets. The school was opened on Oct. 13, 1817. It was not wholly a free school, one hun- dred scholars at first receiving gratuitous instruction, the number afterward being dependent upon the financial condition of the society. For its support it received from the Common Council the school money, the excise fund, and that from lottery licenses, the balance being raised by individual contributions. A committee of the Trustees visited the school monthly, and no scholar was admitted without the inspection of a physician, if requested by a teacher, and no pupil was retained in the school who was not kept clean and decently clothed.
The first teacher employed by the Trustees was Josiah Underhill. He received five dollars per year for
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each free scholar, and those who were able to pay for tuition were charged at the following rates: reading and spelling, one dollar per quarter; reading and writing, one dollar and fifty cents, with addition of arithmetic, two dollars, with grammar or geography, two dollars and twenty-five cents, if both those branches were taught, two dollars and fifty cents. Thus was the mental pabulum served up, à lá carte!
Three hundred and forty-one pupils were admitted dur- ing the first two quarters. In 1828 the number of chil- dren in the compact portion of the city, between the ages of five and sixteen, was reported, as being 1,012.
Steps were taken in the same year 1817, for the sup- port of an "African School" in connection with the Lan- caster.
Annual contributions, varying from twelve to twenty- five dollars, were promised by the different religious so- cieties, and, with fifty dollars from the Council and twen- ty-five from the Lancaster Society, a school was immedi- ately established in the old Methodist church on Third street; not now standing. This school languished for want of adequate support, and was finally closed in 1833.
The Lancaster School was sustained until 1841, when the Trustees conveyed their property to the Common Council and the public schools were organized.
The city was divided into three districts, sites were selected for school-houses in the upper and lower dis- tricts, and the Lancaster building was occupied as num- ber two, or the middle district school.
The act of the Legislature incorporating the free schools provided for three superintendents, and the first persons appointed by the Council, were Oliver Bronson, Josiah W. Fairfield and Cyrus Curtiss, who were "authorized to purchase the sites, and have suitable buildings erected."
The High School was organized in 1879 and was fol-
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lowed by the organization of the Board of Education in 1881.
Application having been made in 1884 the Hudson High School was recognized as the Academical department, and received under the visitation of the Regents of the State of New York. In the same year a single School Su- perintendent was substituted for the three previously ap- pointed, and William P. Snyder was the first, who occu- pied the position.
Provision was made for the High School in 1887 by the erection of the building on the corner of Sixth and State streets, now used for the Grammar School. This proving insufficient, in 1889, the Trustees of the Hudson Academy offered the city the free use of the Academy, which had been closed for three years, and also made all necessary repairs.
The Common Council gladly accepted this means of temporary relief, and the High School was placed in possession on October 14, 1890, with ceremonies befitting the occasion. In the winter of 1892-3 "A special act of the Legislature empowered the Board of Education to build a High School building, commensurate with the increasing necessities of the educational system of Hud- son." The centrally located site of the old Lancaster structure was used for this purpose, and ample, and convenient accommodations were provided, at a cost of 34,000 dollars, to which may be added the sum of 9,456.22 expended for a new heater, during the year 1908. A simple and attractive building was erected in 1902 for the use of the Third or lower district, called the Allen street school, which brings the amount invested in school buildings up to 90,000 dollars. The number enrolled in all grades is 1,350. Thirty-seven teachers are employed, and total disbursement for year ending on August 1, 1908, was $37,849.86.
A serviceable working library has been in use for many
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years, and by judicious purchases under the care of the Board of Education, is of increased value, as a necessary adjunct of the schools.
The addition of manual training about six years ago, and a commercial and shorthand department, added dur- ing the past year, have both been very successful, and are of great advantage to the pupils.
There seemed to be a manifest unfairness in furnish- ing the training necessary for admission to college, or technical schools, and doing nothing in the way of special preparation of the mass of scholars, who will pursue an ordinary business career.
The establishment of a night school during the past winter, was also a step in the right direction, and with a larger appropriation, many of its difficulties can be surmounted.
The effort to beautify the grounds surrounding the Pub- lic School buildings, which was begun in 1898-9, was highly commendable, and has resulted in making them not only an ornament to the city, but must also exert a refining influence upon the children. The power of en- vironment cannot well be overestimated, and the addi- tion of pictures within the rooms, to the beautiful flowers growing without, cannot fail to produce a most beneficial effect on the esthetic development of youth.
It will readily be seen that the average child in this city possesses all the needful opportunities for obtaining a thorough education. With a competent superintendent, a corps of faithful, well trained teachers, and the watchful services of the ubiquitous truant officer, it is difficult to see how an average child can escape. But it has been aptly said "you can lead a young man to the University, but you cannot make him think!"
In simple justice to the noble men and women, who have devoted the best years of their lives to the Public Schools of Hudson, it should be said that both schools
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and teachers, have always ranked with the best in the state, in places of this size. Many of our teachers have risen to high positions as educators, notably Edward P. Waterbury, who was at the time of his death, and for many years previously, the President of the State Normal School at Albany.
Hudson has shown a strong desire to possess the best advantages for the education of her children, since an early date. She was among the first to organize a Lan- caster School, the forerunner of the Public Schools, which she was also quick to adopt as soon as they came in vogue.
Her private schools were of so superior an order, and so universally patronized, that the free schools were possibly not fostered to the extent they otherwise would have been, and doubtless the reopening of the Academy in 1867-8, had a deterrent effect upon the establishment of a High School. But the initial movement for that event, eman- ated from the Principal and Trustees of the Academy, with the full knowledge that here, as elsewhere, it would probably supercede that institution, and that the occupa- tion of the Principal, like Othello's, would be gone!
Happy is it for Hudson that she felt and responded to the grand wave of educational progress, which during the past twenty-five years has swept over our land. It argues hopefully for her future development in every respect, and on the highest lines.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
The Hudson Bar.
A consideration of the legal luminaries of Hudson is now in order.
In the early part of the 19th century the local bar was conspicuous for its brilliancy, and it seems probable that in no place of its size were there congregated so large a number of remarkable men. Drawn thither by the rapid growth, and prospective enlargement of the city, they took up their residence here, and Hudson became noted for the eminence of its legal talent. This reputation has been well sustained throughout the intervening years, and there has been no time, when Hudson has not been ably represented in the highest courts of the state.
Foremost in this galaxy of talent was Ambrose Spencer, who was born in Salisbury, Conn., in 1765, was graduated from Harvard in 1783 and entered the office of Mr. John Bay in the Village of Claverack, in 1785.
Mr. Bay was a lawyer of high standing and wide rep- utation in his profession, and was at that time Clerk of the City of Hudson.
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