USA > New York > New York City > History of the school of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church, in the city of New York, from 1633 to the present time > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
· So far as the location of the Dutch Church School and the intentions of its Trustees were concerned, the knowledge of a few facts would have materially allayed the fears of the Trustees of the Free School Society. Since the year 1809, when the six pay-scholars allowed the teacher were removed, up to the present day, the school has been sustained exclusively for children whose parents were either members or habitual attendants of the Dutch Church. The Trustees never enter- tained the idea of " conferring a gratuitous education upon poor children, without distinction of sect," which was the peculiar province of the Free School Society. From the year 1809 to 1819, the number of children to be received into the Dutch Church School was limited by Consistory to one hundred.
Again, the erection of additional school-houses was never contemplated by the Dutch Church. For seventy-six years the school had been held in Garden street; and the general occupation of this section of the city at this period by mer- cantile warehouses, and the consequent removal of the most of the children from the neighborhood of the school, rendered its removal to a more convenient locality a work of absolute necessity. And when the school was opened in Duane street, the premises in Garden street were leased for a number of .years, and occupied for other purposes ; and the fear ex- pressed that the four hundred and sixty-six children attending Free School No. 1 would be withdrawn from it, to attend the Dutch Church School, was groundless, as accommodations
100
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
were provided in Duane street for no more scholars than the Trustees were restricted by Consistory to receive.
The strenuous opposition of Rev. Johnson Chase, the prin- cipal opponent to the revision of the law, as proposed by the Free School Society, was of little avail, as in the November session of 1824, the Legislature passed "an act by which that portion of the common school fund, drawn for the city of New-York, was left to the disposal of the Common Coun- cil, who were directed by it to designate to whom such dis- tribution should from time to time be made." The com- mittee of the Common Council to whom the subject was referred to hear and report upon the claims of the respective parties applying under this act for a share of the fund, deeming " that the school fund of the State was purely of a civil cha- racter, designed for civil purposes ; and that the intrusting of it to religious or ecclesiastical bodies was a violation of an elementary principle in the politics of the State and coun- try," "reported against distributing any portion of the fund to the schools of religious societies ;" and in 1825, in- troduced an ordinance, which was unanimously adopted, directing the distribution to be made to the "Free School Society," " Mechanics' Society," the "Orphan Asylum So- ciety," and the "Trustees of the African Schools."*
1831 .- During Mr. Forrester's connection with the school, it had no female teacher, consequently the girls were not instructed in needlework.t To meet this want, Miss Eliza Duryee informed the Board, November, 1831, that an Asso- ciation had been formed by several ladies for the purpose of teaching the children the ordinary branches of sewing and needlework ; and it was resolved that this facility should be .
* For the details of this whole subject, vide xx. An. Rep. N. Y. P. S. Soc. 1825.
t With the exception stated ante, p. 86.
101
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
afforded to the girls two afternoons in the week ; this regu- lation existed for some time.
September 8, 1835 .- The death of their late President having been announced to the Board, they unanimously
"Resolved, That in the decease of our beloved and lamented friend, Richard Duryee, we have been deprived of an able counsellor, a warm-hearted friend, and an active, useful mem- ber of this Board.
"Resolved, That the charity children of this church have sustained an irreparable loss, in his fervent prayers, affection- ate admonition, and Christian example.
"Resolved, That we recognize the hand of our covenant God in taking him to his eternal rest, and bow with submission to His holy will, believing that our loss is his gain.
"Resolved, That we terder to his bereaved widow and afflicted family our sincere and warm sympathies under this painful stroke of Divine Providence, and commend them to the guidance, support, and protection of Him who hath said, 'Leave thy fatherless children ; I will preserve them alive ; and let thy widows trust in me.'
"Resolved, That a copy of the above resolutions be pre- sented by the Secretary to his widow."
1840 .- The increase of our denomination in the city, and the growing demand for a more extended course of study than that pursued in the school, had long impressed the Trus- tees with the necessity of endeavoring to procure an edifice for the express accommodation of the school, and of devising such ways and means for increasing its income, that its bene- fits might be more greatly extended.
After mature deliberation, a communication,* prepared by the Secretary, fully expressing the unanimous views of the Board upon these subjects, was presented to Consistory.
1842 .- Mr. Forrester, the Principal of the school, was now approaching the allotted period of threescore and ten.
* Vide Trus. Min. iii. 116 et seq.
102
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
For more than forty five years, the last thirty-two of which he had spent in this school, he had been engaged in perform- ing the arduous and responsible duties which devolve upon an instructor of youth, and the Trustees felt that he "ought to be relieved in a great measure from the bustle and noise with which he had so long been surrounded, and be suffered to enjoy his advancing age with more peace and quietness than could be expected if required to continue in his present station." They therefore recommended a division of the labors of the school, by the employment of a younger person for the general education of the children, while Mr. Forrester should be retained as catechist. In doing this, the Trustees cheerfully bore their testimony to the faithfulness of Mr. For- rester, and of their confidence in his desire to promote the welfare of the children. Those whom he had instructed in the year 1810, the first year of his connection with the school, if still living, had now attained to middle age. During this period, in the commencement of which the schools of this country were in their infancy, rapid advances had been made in the system of instruction ; many new text-books had come into use, and studies had been introduced into the schools, which at an earlier period would have been deemed super- fluous ; and it was with the view of enabling the school to enjoy the advantages of these improvements that the Trustees proposed the above change. Consistory having taken action upon the subject, the object which the Trustees had in view was consummated in 1842 by the appointment of the present Principal. Mr. Forrester was retained as catechist, the duties pertaining to which office he faithfully performed for twelve months, when his connection with the school ceased alto- gether .*
* Mr. Forrester was born in the environs of the city of Edinburgh, February 25, 1775, and was baptized in the West Kirk by Sir Harry
103
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
Thirty-three years ! One generation had passed away, and another had taken its place on the stage of existence.
Forty-five years of joy and sorrow, of labor and reward ! Eternity alone can reveal the nature and importance of those influences which it is the duty and privilege of a teacher to exert, for so many years, over the hearts and minds of young immortal beings.
Many are they, now members of the body of Christ, whose religious feelings and exercises were called forth and strength- ened while under his instruction ; and to him it is ever a source of grateful acknowledgment, that he has been the instrument, under God's hand, of leading so many to walk in the ways of truth.
Mr. Forrester, in withdrawing from the charge which he had so long sustained, retired in the enjoyment of the " confi- dence and esteem of the Trustees in his moral and Christian character, and in his desire to promote the well-being of the numerous children which had been intrusted to his care."
Though on the verge of eighty, and experiencing the in- firmities of declining years, he still survives among us, a monument of the faithfulness and mercy of a covenant God.
Moncrief. In the year 1794, he set sail for America. Before reach- ing port, he, with a number of others, was impressed and placed on the British man-of-war, the "Africa." Subsequently, for some reason un- known to him, he was placed on board the ship Fanny, and landed October 16, at the Fly Market. He shortly afterwards located in Tappan. In the year 1795, at the age of twenty years, he commenced teaching school at Closter. Here he remained three years and a half, when he returned to the " Liberty Pole," six miles nearer to this city. Here he taught for eight years, when he was offered the charge of the school in Nassau street, opposite the Middle Dutch Church, then under the care of the Presbyterian Church. Having spent three years in this connection, he was appointed, in the year 1810, as the master of the Dutch Reformed Church School.
104
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
Heretofore, the children of both sexes had been classified together for the purpose of receiving instruction ; but on the reorganization of the school in 1842, the girls were segre- gated, and placed under the supervision and care of Miss Frances Campbell. This was an important advantage se- cured to the school, the need of which had been long felt.
In the year 1844, Miss Campbell resigned her charge to take charge of a school out of the city, and Miss Henrietta Garus, who for a number of years had been a pupil in the school, was appointed to fill her place. Her marriage and retirement, in November, 1846, led to the appointment of the present efficient teacher.
Within the past seven years, Mr. John H. MaGonigle and the Misses Sarah and Rachel Mickens, from being scholars in the school, arose to the occupancy of subordinate stations as instructors in the junior classes ; and the duties devolving upon them, in the capacities which they severally sustained, were rendered with efficiency and satisfaction.
It is ever a subject of regret, when any institution is de- prived of the counsels, labors, and prayers of an efficient officer, through whose instrumentality its advantages have been secured and its best interests advanced.
Such a deprivation this school was called to experience in 1848, in the decease of Noah Wetmore, Esq. For the thirteen years that he had been a member of the Board of Trustees, (a period longer than any of his predecessors in office had served,) he had been its presiding officer. Possess- ing, in an eminent degree, those estimable qualities which ever adorn the man and the Christian, he enjoyed uninter- ruptedly the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. Within a few years previous to his decease, persuaded by the weight of increasing infirmities that his days of active usefulness were drawing to a close, he frequently expressed a
105
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
desire to retire from the Board ; but its members, unwilling to lose his valuable counsels and prayers, induced him to retain his seat; and he continued to perform the functions pertaining to his office till within a few weeks of his decease. And when at last,
· " Life's duty done, its trials o'er,"
he " fell on sleep," the Trustees experienced the double loss of an able counsellor and a private friend.
The institution over which he so long presided was with him an object of special interest, and memory dwells with peculiar delight on the touching, impressive, and fervent prayers which he offered in its behalf.
All the children loved him ; and when summoned to sur- round his bier, the remembrance of his solicitude for their spiritual welfare and of his counsels, coming as they did from a warm heart, full of fatherly kindness and love, caused many tears of heartfelt sorrow.
May his prayers for them and for the church which so long and so kindly nurtured them be answered; and may his counsels to them be so implicitly followed that their last end may be like his !
5*
106
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
ATTENDANCE OF THE CHILDREN ON THE SABBATH.
IN conformity with a prominent feature of this institution, which happily combines religious with intellectual educa- tion, its pupils, independent of instruction in the principles of divine truth received through the week, have ever been re- quired to attend divine service on the Sabbath. Subsequent to the Revolutionary War, the children assembled every Sab- bath at the school-room in Garden street, in ample time to proceed with their teacher to the seats provided for them in the " Old Church."
After Sabbath-schools were established in the city, they attended the one held in the Consistory building, at the cor- ner of Nassau and Ann streets, till the year 1829, when a school was organized in the New or Middle Church ; and here, under Sabbath-school instruction and the teachings of the sacred desk, they remained till the year 1840, when they occupied the gallery of the North Church, attending at the same time the Sabbath-school in Ann street. In September, 1841, a majority of the children having been found to reside north of Grand street, Consistory directed them to attend the Sabbath-school and church in Ninth street.
This institution being the only one of the kind connected with the Dutch Church, and being composed of children whose parents resided in the vicinity of the churches which they respectively attended, it became an onerous duty for the scholars to attend twice on the Sabbath, from distances ranging from Dey street to Twenty-third street, and from the North to the East river; and many communications on the
107
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
subject having been addressed to the Trustees by the parents, the Consistory, in January, 1847, granted the Board the privilege of permitting the children to attend Sabbath-school and church at those churches with which their parents were connected, and near which they resided.
This privilege is now generally enjoyed by the children, under the following regulations, which accompany each cer- tificate :
"Resolved, That in all cases in which any pupil of the school is permitted to attend Sabbath-school and church elsewhere than at Ninth street, it shall be the duty of such child to pro- duce a monthly certificate from his Superintendent, that he regularly attends the Sabbath-school and church with which he is connected; and it shall be the duty of the Principal of the school to report all cases of omission to this Board, accompanied with explanations of the cause."
"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated by the Principal to parents, guardians, and Superintendents who are interested in the same."
As one great object of the school is religious instruction, the above resolutions have been adopted, that the Trustees may be assured that the Sabbath is not violated by any of the pupils of the school, but that they are in the enjoyment of religious instruction in the Sabbath-school, and under the preaching of the gospel. THOMAS JEREMIAH, Secretary.
January 25, 1847.
108
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
REVENUE OF THE SCHOOL.
DURING the first thirty years of the existence of the school, its teachers, appointed by the Dutch West India Company, in connection with the Classis of Amsterdam, were remune- rated from the treasury of the Colonial Government.
While the city was under the jurisdiction of the English, the support of the school devolved entirely upon Consistory. Whether its expenses, which were not very great, were de- frayed by annual collections in the churches, or by a resort to such limited sources of revenue as the Church may have possessed, cannot be definitely ascertained.
On the reorganization of the school, subsequent to the Revolutionary War, commencing in 1789, collections were annually made in the three branches of the Collegiate Church. The money thus obtained was expended in clothing the children ; the teacher's salary, and other expenses of the school, were defrayed from the general fund of the Church.
Subsequently, (1792,) a legacy, amounting to seven hun- dred and fifty dollars, was bequeathed by Elias Brevoort to Consistory, for the benefit of the school. This gave rise to an effort "to secure an independent revenue for the future advancement of the seminary ;" and it was Resolved, "That measures be taken for establishing a fund to be put at in- terest." "That, in addition to testamentary and other dona- tions which have been or may be given for the support of the school, the overplus of all moneys annually collected, after the payment of all charges, be added to the fund." "That all money received and collected for the use of the school
109
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
shall be received by the Treasurer, and paid by him, on the warrants of Consistory." In the year 1808, this was amended so as to read, " on the audit and order of the Board of Trus- tees only, and not otherwise." And it was further Resolved, (1792,) "That the Treasurer shall hereafter keep a separate and distinct account of all moneys received on account of this fund, and of their appropriation ; and that both principal and interest of said moneys shall be applied invariably to the maintenance of this charity, and the promotion of its in- terests." The Treasurer, in his Annual Report to Consistory, renders an account of the receipts and expenditures of this fund, which report is audited by a Committee of Consistory, appointed for the purpose.
As the combined result of four different legacies,* and annual collections in the Collegiate Church, the fund of the school, in 1826, amounted to eleven thousand and twenty- seven dollars and ninety-two cents. ($11,027 92.)
This was subsequently increased by annual collections in the Collegiate Church, so that, in 1847, the fund amounted to sixteen thousand two hundred and eighteen dollars and eight cents. ($16,218 08.)
The purchase of the lots on Fourth street, and the erection of the school-house, exhausted $9,260 70 of this; which, with subsequent outlays upon the building, amounting to $561 79, leaves the amount now in the Treasurer's hands $6,395 59.
The salaries of the teachers, the clothing of the children, fuel, books, and stationery, amounted, for the year 1852, according to the Treasurer's Annual Report, to $2,412 72.
The income from the different sources of revenue, for the
* Elias Brevoort's, 1792, $750; Sarah De Peyster's, 1802, $5,392 78; Isaac Slidell's, 1804, $831 37; Mary Bassett's, 1807, $1,500.
110
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
same year, amounted to $1,121 74 : leaving a deficit of $1,290 98, which was met by Consistory.
Is there not sufficient of the spirit of our godly ancestors, who founded and sustained the school for so many genera- tions, to induce its friends, in view of the incalculable good which the institution has accomplished in days that are past; in view of its present acknowledged usefulness to the children of our Church, to make an effort to secure for it an inde- pendent fund, fully adequate to its support ? We believe that there is.
.
1 1
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
LOCALITY OF THE SCHOOL.
FOR more than a hundred years after its establishment, the school was kept at various places in the vicinity of the Bowling-Green, apartments being hired for that purpose. The first edifice erected for its accommodation was in Garden street, in 1784, and here it remained for a period of seventy-six years ; but as the congregation removed from the lower extremity of the city, the North Church be- came its centre ; and under these circumstances, the pro- perty, No. 9 Duane street, near William street, was leased ; and after undergoing some necessary alterations the school was removed thither; and a dwelling-house for the teacher (in lieu of the one vacated in Garden street) was erected in William street, east of Duane street. The Shaks- peare Hotel now occupies the space formerly intervening between the school-house and the teacher's residence. Here the school remained till 1835, when it removed to No. 106 Elm street, south-west corner of Canal street, and the teacher resided No. 25 Carmine street.
From 1836 to 1841, it occupied the basement of the church corner of Broome and Greene streets, removing thence to the basement of the church on the corner of Greene and Houston streets, where it remained for one year, removing, in 1842, to the premises No. 91 Mercer street. Here it con- tinued for five years, when a temporary provision was made for it in the basement of the Ninth Street Church, pending the erection of the present edifice.
In the beginning of the year 1840, the Trustees, impelled
112
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
by a sense of duty towards the children under their care, prepared and presented a communication to Consistory, in which their attention was drawn to the necessity of providing a suitable and permanent locality for the school, as previously mentioned, and of adopting such other reformatory measures as would be calculated to increase the efficiency of the insti- tution over which they presided. This was the commence- ment of a series of efforts which secured to the school, from time to time, important advantages, and which, after a period of seven years, eventuated in the purchase of the ground in Fourth street. Immediate measures were taken to erect thereon an edifice suitable for school purposes, Messrs. PETER R. WARNER, MORTIMER DE MOTTE, and THOMAS JEREMIAH constituting the Building Committee.
Ground was broken in July, 1847, and on the 10th day of November following, Noah Wetmore, Esq., who was then, and had been for many years, the presiding officer in the Board of Trustees, commenced the opening exercises of the school in the present edifice, by commending the school in all its interests to the favor of the Almighty.
The labors and prayers of this venerable man of God, in behalf of the institution, had been many and fervent; and as he remembered God's goodness towards it in former days, and looked upon its present condition and prospects, the expression of his feelings in prayer, flowing from a confiding and grateful heart, was such that all present were deeply affected.
I13
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
NAMES OF THE MEMBERS
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, FROM THE YEAR 1808 TO THE PRE- SENT TIME.
When appointed.
June 2, 1808, JOHN STOUTENBURGH, * Chairman, term expired Dec. 31, 1814.
JOHN NITCHIE, jr., *Secretary, resigned Jan., 1813. RICHARD DURYEE, * Chairman from Jan. 1, 1814, to Jan., 1815, when his term expired. Re- elected as Trustee and Chairman, Oct., 1831. Deceased Sept., 1835.
ISAAC HEYER,* Chairman from Jan., 1815, to the time of his decease, April, 1827.
ABRAHAM BRINCKERHOFF, Jr.,* resigned Jan., 1813.
66
66
66 ANTHONY DEY, resigned Feb., 1810. JESSE BALDWIN, * resigned March, 1812.
Feb., 1810,
HUYBERT VAN WAGENEN, * Secretary from Jan., 1813, to Jan., 1815. Term expired Dec. 31, 1817.
March, 1812. Feb., 1813.
HENRY J. WYCKOFF, * term expired Feb., 1818. JOHN D. KEESE, * term expired Jan., 1819.
66 66
JOHN V. B. VARICK, * Secretary from Jan., 1815, to Jan., 1820, when his time expired. JOHN KANE,* resigned Jan., 1818.
MICHAEL SCHOONMAKER,* removed from the city, Oct., 1823.
66 1817.
JOHN CLARKE, M. D.,* resigned July, 1824. WILLIAM HARDENBROOK, Jr., removed to Harlem, April, 1827.
Feb., 1818. Jan., 1819.
JOHN VAN VECHTEN, * deceased Oct. 13, 1821.
JEROMIUS JOHNSON,* Secretary, Jan., 1820, re- signed July, 1824.
PETER I. NEVIUS, resigned Sept., 1821.
March, 1820. Sept., 1821. JOHN A. LENT, * deceased Oct. 13, 1821.
Nov., 1821.
TIMOTHY HUTTON, * resigned July, 1824.
OBADIAH HOLMES, resigned July, 1824.
Oct., 1823. July, 1824.
ABRAHAM VAN NEST, resigned March, 1826. ABRAHAM BLOODGOOD, * resigned March, 1826.
* Deceased.
Jan., 1814. 66 1815.
1818.
114
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
When appointed. July, 1824,
JAMES C. ROOSEVELT,* Chairman, April, 1827, re- signed July, 1831.
JOHN NEXSEN, * resigned July, 1831.
66
ISAAC YOUNG, Secretary, July, 1824, resigned July, 1831.
March, 1826.
JOHN I. LABAGH,* resigned July, 1831.
STEPHEN VAN BRUNT,* deceased Feb., 1828.
May, 1827.
PETER STAGG, * resigned July, 1831.
April, 1828. Oct. 6, 1831.
JOHN OOTHOUT, resigned July, 1831.
JOHN CLARK, * resigned Dec., 1834.
JOHN LIMBERGER, * resigned Nov., 1836.
66 66
JAMES V. H. LAWRENCE, Secretary, Oct., 1831, resigned July, 1836.
66
JAMES WARD, term expired Feb., 1844.
66
JAMES VAN ANTWERP, resigned Jan., 1834.
Feb., 1834.
Jan., 1835.
DAVID L. HAIGHT, * resigned Feb., 1839.
Feb., 1835.
NOAH WETMORE, * Chairman from Sept., 1835, to his decease, July 12, 1848.
Oct., 1835.
JAMES SUYDAM, resigned July, 1836.
Sept., 1836.
JOSEPH V. VARICK, * removed from the city Oct., 1838.
. .
JAMES SIMMONS, Secretary, Sept., 1836, removed from the city Aug., 1839.
PETER R. WARNER, + Secretary, Sept., 1839, re- signed on account of protracted illness, Oct., 1843. Reelected to Board, Feb., 1844. Sec. retary from Feb. 1845, to Feb., 1846. Re- signed, Feb., 1848. Reelected to the Board, Oct., 1852, and elected Chairman, February, 1853.
Nov., 1838. JOHN I. BROWER, f term expired Feb., 1846. Re- elected Dec., 1849.
Feb., 1839.
VALENTINE VAN DE WATER, term expired Feb., 1845.
Sept., 1839.
CHARLES DEVOE, Chairman, July, 1848, removed to Michigan, 1850.
JOHN I. DE FOREEST, resigned Jan., 1842.
Jan., 1842. JAMES D. OLIVER, term expired Feb., 1846.
Oct., 1843. JOHN ACKERMAN, Secretary from Dec., 1843, to Feb., 1845. Resigned April, 1849.
* Deceased.
+ Present members of the Board.
THEOPHILUS ANTHONY, resigned July, 1831.
.
REUBEN VAN PELT, resigned March, 1839.
115
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
When appointed. Feb., 1845. 1846.
MORTIMER DE MOTTE, term expired Feb., 1851. THOMAS JEREMIAH, Secretary from March, 1846, till his term expired, Feb., 1852.
EDWARD L. BEADLE, M. D., } Chairman from Nov., 1850, to Feb., 1853.
April, 1848.
JOHN VAN NEST.+
Feb., 1849.
HUYBERT VAN WAGENEN, Jr.,* deceased Sept. 10, 1850.
April, 1849. GEORGE ZABRISKIE, * deceased Aug., 1849.
Oct., 1850. GEORGE S. STITT,+ Secretary from March, 1852, to Feb., 1853.
66 CHARLES S. LITTLE.+
April, 1851. HENRY OOTHOUT, resigned Sept., 1852.
Feb., 1852. GAMALIEL G. SMITH, ; Secretary, Feb., 1853.
The stated meetings of the Board of Trustees were held, rom 1808 to 1824, in the Consistory-chamber, Garden street. From 1824 to 1843, in the Consistory-chamber, corner of Nassau and Ann streets. From January, 1843, to February, 1846, at the school-rooms in Mercer street. From March, 1846, to November, 1847, in the Consistory-room, Fourth street; and since December, 1847, they have been held in the present school-rooms.
* Deceased.
+ Present members of the Board.
.
1
116
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
THE SCHOOL:
ITS PRESENT CONDITION, COURSE OF STUDY, ETC.
THE building No. 183 Fourth street, erected for the express accommodation of the school, and which it at present occu- pies, is a substantial brick edifice, forty feet front by forty- five feet deep.
The main room on the first floor is occupied by the Boys' Department; adjacent to which are two class-rooms, and a wardrobe for their accommodation.
The second floor is occupied by the Girls' Department. It consists of one large room and four class-rooms. In one of these the Trustees hold their stated meetings; and its walls are occupied with specimens of drawings and orna- mental needlework executed and presented by the graduates of the institution ; and also with frames containing their daguerreotypes, from the establishment of ABRAHAM BOGAR- DUS, Greenwich street.
The rooms on the third floor are appropriated to exercises in sewing, drawing, etc.
Outline maps are delineated on the walls of the school- rooms, and each department is supplied with the Croton water.
The Trustees of the institution, desirous of providing for the children the means of enriching their minds with profita- ble reading, and of cultivating among them a taste for lite- rary pursuits, induced a number of its friends to contribute funds sufficient to procure not only a list of miscellaneous
117
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
works adequate at that time (1843) to the wants of the school, but also some astronomical apparatus. The number of volumes in the library has since been augmented by some valuable works donated by Hon. James W. Beekman.
Number of Scholars .- Previous to the Revolutionary War, the greatest number of children in the school at any one period was thirty. Subsequently, (1783,) when the ravages of war had unsettled every thing relating to educational affairs, and the resources of the Church were limited, the school reorganized with ten scholars.
In 1786, the number of pupils was limited to twelve.
" 1789,
thirty.
" 1791,
66
fifty.
" 1800,
66
seventy.
" 1808,
seventy-two.
" 1809, 66
66 one hundred.
Up to this date, as a general thing, the Principal had enjoyed the privilege of having pay-scholars, in addition to the numbers above given; but none of that class have been received since.
In 1819, the limit was extended to one hundred and ten ; which number, however, was not complete till the year 1842. Subsequently, the number of applicants for admission greatly increased. This fact, coupled with the earnest desire of the Trustees to extend the peculiar privileges of the school to as many pupils as the building would accommodate, led, in the beginning of 1850, to the simultaneous admission of forty new scholars : thus establishing the present limit of one hun- dred and fifty.
Qualifications for Admission into the School .- During the greater part of the first one hundred and seventy-five years of the existence of the school, its doors were open to all the citizens who wished to have their children educated therein.
118
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
But as our denomination increased in the city, by the forma- tion of different congregations issuing from the Collegiate Church, it was found necessary to confine the privileges of the school to those whose ancestors had been its liberal support- ers ; and the common schools having sprung into existence, those precluded were not left destitute of the means of edu- cation. The school is therefore now, from necessity, main- tained exclusively for the children of those persons who are either communing members, or habitual attendants, of some church in our denomination ; a certificate to that effect, signed by the pastor, being required from the applicant.
All the children are required to attend Sabbath-school and church, at one of the churches of our denomination, under the regulations prescribed .*
This feature of the school must commend itself to every reflecting mind; for the habitual attendance of youth, for many years, upon Sabbath-school instruction and the services of the sanctuary, will, by the influences thereby exerted upon their hearts and consciences, almost invariably preclude them from swelling the hordes of those who now find pleasure in the desecration of the holy Sabbath, reverencing neither it nor its God.
CURRICULUM OF STUDY.
READING, ORTHOGRAPHY, AND DEFINITIONS.
PENMANSHIP.'
ARITHMETIC AND BOOK-KEEPING.
GEOGRAPHY.
GRAMMAR.
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
UNIVERSAL HISTORY.
COMPOSITION.
* Vide ante, p. 106.
119
FROM 1783 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
ASTRONOMY.
PHYSIOLOGY.
BOTANY.
ELOCUTION.
PLAIN AND ORNAMENTAL NEEDLEWORK.
DRAWING.
CATECHISM.
For the past sixty years, at first quarterly, and subsequently semi-annually, in April and October, the school has been examined by the Board of Trustees and the Consistory. During the past ten years, an annual exhibition has been given, consisting of examinations in the various branches taught, and of exercises in declamation and vocal music. On these occasions, also, premia are distributed to those pupils who have distinguished themselves by diligence in their studies, and correct deportment ; and the "Honors" of the school are presented to those children who may be gra- duating from it. These Honors consist of a Bible ; a psalm- book, containing the Catechism and Liturgy of our Church ; and a mounted Testimonial,* signed by the officers of the Board of Trustees.
The extent and thoroughness of the instruction imparted, the correct habits induced, and the integrity of their moral character, have acquired for the children a worthy reputation. Of late years, the demand for clerks and apprentices, from
* These testimonials, originally written, were first presented in 1792. In 1827, they were printed from a copperplate engraved expressly for the purpose. The Bible was added in 1809, and the psalm-book in 1812. Many individuals who hold these honors are now maintaining, by their integrity and usefulness, a high rank as merchants, artisans, and members of the learned professions ; among whom may be found the names of a few in the ministerial calling. Books were first distributed as premia in 1810.
-
120
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL.
among merchants and others, mostly connected with the Dutch Church, has exceeded the ability to supply them. Many children have thus obtained desirable situations with individuals, in whose employ no fear is entertained of the corruption of their moral principles; and of the whole num- ber of those who have graduated within the past ten years, and entered upon the active duties of life, not one, so far as is known, has failed to sustain a reputation for intelligence, ability, and moral worth. And it is a happiness to know that several of them, under the influences of the Holy Spirit, have embraced the truth inculcated and early impressed, and are now wielding their influence for the advancement of their Saviour's cause.
Thus fruit abounds to the praise of Him who has watched over and guided this institution amidst all the vicissitudes of changing time, till it now stands a venerable monument of the past, yet possessed of pristine vigor to meet the claims of the future ; contemplating, as the true idea of education, the simultaneous and harmonious development of the moral, intellectual, and physical powers; cooperating in rendering efficiency to the instructions of home and the sanctuary ; preparing the future citizen for usefulness and happiness here and hereafter, and imparting light to the future saint, whose in- fluence shall be on the side of truth, and whose fervent prayer will go up to the God of love and grace, for the hastening of the day when " wisdom and knowledge shall be stability of the times," and for the fulfilment to His Church of the promise of the covenant-keeping God : "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord."
4832
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.