USA > New York > Ulster County > The history of Ulster County, New York > Part 46
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On the 21st of June, 1864, Kingston Lodge granted permission to the brethren at Ellenville to organize Wawarsing Lodge, No. 582.
While Rev. Charles W. Camp was Master of the lodge, in 1883, a trained band of craftsmen was organized for the purpose of beautifying the interesting ceremony of the third degree. The success of this feature of the work has attracted the attention of Freemasons all over the country, and has been the means of leading many lodges to imitate the same ; in fact there is scarcely a Masonic lodge of any pretense that does not now have such a band of craftsmen.
When it became positively known in 1883 that the crew of the Arctic exploring steamer Jeanette must have perished, and the whole world was stunned with the news, Kingston Lodge mourned the loss of a distin- guished brother, and placed the following memorial in the archives of the lodge :
THIS MEMORIAL
Is entered in the Records of Kingston Lodge in fraternal memory of our late Brother,
LIEUT. CHARLES WINANS CHIPP, U. S. N.
516
THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
He was initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason at Shanghai, in the Empire of China, in Naval Lodge, and affiliated in Kingston Lodge, No. 10, October 29, 1872.
He entered the United States Naval Academy at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1863, and was attached to the Arctic exploring steamer Jeanette, as Executive Officer, in June, 1879.
HE PERISHED AT SEA,
Probably on the night of September 12, 1881, aged 33 years. "Palmam qui meruit ferat."
His services and history are recorded in the archives of the Nation "WE CHERISH HIS MEMORY HERE."
Several times during the existence of Kingston Lodge its beautiful rooms have been thrown open for social intercourse and entertainment, one of the most popular being the grand Masonic fair, that was held in May, 1888, which added to the funds of the lodge upwards of $4,000.
A dispensation from the Grand Master authorizing and appointing Worshipful Brother Christopher N. DeWitt Master of the lodge, at that time to act in his stead, proceeded with the members of the lodge to Rosendale, and in due Masonic form laid the cornerstone of the Reformed Church in that village on the 7th day of December, 1895.
The following named lodges, now out of existence, were located, according to Grand Lodge records, in the County of Ulster, Newburgh and Middletown being formerly in Ulster County :
Steuben-Newburgh, September 27th, 1788.
James, No. 85-Middletown, January 6th, 1798.
Moriah, No. 67-Marbletown, January 8th, 1798.
Rising Sun, No. 336-Marbletown, December Ist, 1821.
United-Marlborough, April 3d, 1804. Columbia, No. 207-New Paltz, July 10th, 1812. The Lodges in Ulster County, now in existence, are:
Kingston, No. 10-Kingston, December 8th, 1790. Ulster, No. 193-Saugerties, December 27th, 1850. Rondout, No. 343-Rondout, July 8th, 1854. Wawarsing, No. 582-Ellenville, June 13th, 1864. Adonai, No. 718-Highland, June 11th, 1872.
Sylvester R. Shew
517
THE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLV. THE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
By PROFESSOR S. R. SHEAR.
T HE chief object of the English settler in America was to found a Christian State; this thought was paramount to every other con- sideration. At home he had been persecuted by bigots; he had suffered for his religious belief; now he would have a home where he could worship God according to the dictates of his conscience.
The Englishman knew nothing of common schools, and there was no reason why he should be particularly concerned about them after he came to America. In 1671 Sir William Berkeley wrote: "I thank God there are no free schools nor printing, and I hope we shall not have these for a hundred years; for learning has brought disobedience and heresy and sects into the world, and printing has divulged them and libels against the best government. God keep us from both !"
Although hostility to the common schools was greater in Virginia than elsewhere in the English colonies, we find throughout all the colonies a larger interest in higher education for the privileged few than in a general education for all.
The Dutch settlers inherited different customs and different ideals. Taine says that in culture and instruction, the Dutch are two centuries ahead of the rest of Europe. If that is true to-day, it must have been more so 275 years ago. The Dutchman was a trader; and while he was not less religious than his English neighbors, Holland had been too long a home for the persecuted of all Europe, for the Dutch settler in America to give great concern to religious freedom. He had enjoyed it at home, and he expected as a matter of course, that those privileges would be continued to him in a new world. He was, however, largely interested in general education, and we are not surprised to find provision for schools in the "Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions" granted the set- tlement of New Netherlands in 1629, and we find the first public school in America was opened in New Amsterdam in 1633; the teacher of this
518
THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
school was Adam Roelandson. In 1652, New Amsterdam obtained a municipal charter and a second school was opened.
In 1664 the English assumed control of New Netherlands and con- tinued in control with the exception of one year, until the Revolution. After the English occupation, elementary education declined in New York, and it would have died out altogether had it not been for the existence of certain Dutch communities where schools were maintained by public taxation. From 1664 to 1775, the colonial legislature of New York passed but three acts concerning education, none of which related to com- mon schools. It is a fair inference, therefore, that to the Dutch we owe the origin, the preservation and development of the common school idea in New York.
Higher education was encouraged by the English, but it was not until 1795 that any action was taken toward an appropriation for common schools; from that time forward, educational activities were continuous and fruitful.
The history of the schools of Ulster County is a part of the annals of legislation affecting all the State. We have found that the first public schools were established in New Amsterdam. As towns were erected along the Hudson, it was the uniform practice to reserve lots for school sites, and houses were built thereon ; thus at the close of the eighteenth century, there were public schools at Esopus, Albany and other places along the river.
In 1812, the Legislature passed a law providing that each town in the State be divided into districts, by three commissioners elected by the voters of that town. The law further provided that three school trustees be elected in each district. Under this act, the towns of New Paltz, Saugerties, Marlborough, Shawangunk, Plattekill, Esopus, Hurley, Mar- bletown, Rochester, Wawarsing, Shandaken, Woodstock and Kingston were divided into districts and local officers elected. Later on, as Lloyd, Rosendale, Gardiner, Olive, Denning, Hardenburgh and Ulster were in- corporated as towns, they were divided into districts according to law.
About this early period of the district schools, little is known. The school buildings were primitve; the teachers were in the main, poorly prepared for their work and illy paid, and the school year for the older pupils at least, was very short. The early school rooms were unique; on either side were rows of desks facing the middle of the room; injured
519
THE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
dignity breathed from every desk. Severely plain were they, yet upon their faces were the monograms of generations; drawing and carving had never been taught, but both were practiced by every boy and by many girls. As the children sat in their seats, they resembled partly closed jack- knives ; the angle between the seat and its back being keenly acute. From the teacher would come the order: "Sit up straight and give attention"; the order was obeyed as fully as possible, as are all such orders. Down the middle of the room were three objects of peculiar interest. In the center stood the stove which roared and crackled like some creature chained against his will; while those nearest it squirmed and writhed beneath its fervid heat, those in distant parts of the room shivered and beheld the suffering of the favored few with mingled feelings of envy and dread. Near the door stood the teacher's desk, while behind it stood the teacher.
Such were the schools of a century ago, but from those schools came boys and girls trained in adversity, inured to hardship, habituated to per- sistence, accustomed to work out difficulties ; boys and girls who would scorn to do a mean thing; who were afraid to be cowardly. From those schools came the founders of our nation; men and women whom the world learned to respect.
In 1840 an act was passed by the Legislature providing for the biennial appointment of county superintendents by the Board of Supervisors; this act was very unpopular and it was repealed in 1847. Four years after the act providing for county superintendents, the office of town superintendent was created, and continued until 1856, at which time the office of school commissioner was created practically as it exists at present.
Ulster County was divided into three commissioner districts. Some of the most prominent men of the different towns served as town commis- sioners, town superintendents and school commissioners. Among the most successful school commissioners may be mentioned William H.Dede- rick, Cornelius Van Santvoord, H. H. Holden, John J. Moran, of the first district; Frank Willigan, M. W. Baldwin, George Terwilliger, Peter LeFevre, of the second district; Leonard Davis, E. C. Douglas and John Schoonmaker of the third district. The commissioners serving at present are : Edmund M. Wilbur, Melvin G. Rhodes and Thomas C. Perry.
520
THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
The following table gives a synopsis of the schools in 1880:
No. District.
No. of Pupils in Average District. Attendance.
New Paltz
6
641
173
Saugerties
24
4012
II26
Marlborough
8
1034
332
Esopus
16
1653
475
Lloyd
Hurley
9
1087
345
Shawangunk
13
996
302
Plattekill
IO
1499
404
Rochester
15
1445
396
Rosendale
7
1502
420
Wawarsing
3I
3144
1071
Gardiner
9
643
177
Olive
15
1096
287
Shandaken
15
88
252
Woodstock
28
6II
163
Hardenburgh
9
296
86
Denning
9
399
II7
Ulster
6
.. .
. .
..
The following table was prepared from the last report of the school commissioners in the three districts of the county.
No. District.
No. of Pupils in Average District. Attendance.
New Paltz
6
449
290
Saugerties
21
1717
1167
Marlborough
7
698
436
Esopus
I6
877
58g
Lloyd
8
463
299
Hurley
7
34I
195
Shawangunk
I3
475
274
Plattekill
II
420
249
Marbetown
13
611
380
Rochester
I6
598
381
Rosendale
7
853
498
Wawarsing
30
1434
969
Gardiner
9
31I
182
Olive
13
534
312
Shandaken
12
659
389
Woodstock
7
314
215
Hardenburgh
10
194
103
Denning
10
I66
96
Ulster
8
681
356
Kingston
2
76
46
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. ..
Marbletown
14
9
...
.
A comparison of the tables will indicate something of the educational tendencies. Data with reference to the value of property in 1880 is not available, but there has been a gradual improvement in school buildings and school equipment. There has been a gradual diminution in the
521
THE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
number of pupils assigned to a given teacher, hence a gradual increase in the number of teachers in the county. It will be seen also that there are less districts at present than in 1880. There is a gradual tendency toward consolidation for the benefit of weaker districts. It will be observed also that the average daily attendance as compared with the number of pupils of school age is very much greater than was true twenty-six years ago. This is due to the beneficial effects of a wise compulsory education law thoroughly administered. The total expenses for all school purposes has been very greatly increased, which means better remuneration for teachers, and consequently a better grade of instruction.
At present the rural schools of Ulster County compare favorably with those of any county in the State. There is increased interest on the part of all concerned, and a strong effort is being made to secure value received for every dollar spent for educational purposes.
Four chief educational centers of the county are worthy of especial note : Ellenville, Kingston, New Paltz and Saugerties.
KINGSTON.
The first school teacher in Esopus, afterward Kingston, was Andries VanderSluys, who obtained his authority from director-general Peter Stuyvesant. This was soon after the municipal charter of New Amster- dam was granted, or about 1652. During the next seventy-five years, the Dutch inhabitants of Kingston, despite the negative influence of the English authorities, maintained free schools by taxation.
The legislative act requiring a State to be divided into school districts and providing for a superintendent of common schools, was passed in 1812. At this time there were within the present corporate limits of the city of Kingston an Academy and several private English schools. The most famous of these schools was held in a frame house on Green street ; this school was taught for more than thirty years by Solomon Hasbrouck.
Agreeable to the provisions of the law, the territory comprising the present city, together with considerable adjacent territory, became dis- tricts Nos. 7 and 8. District No. 7 was the easterly or Rondout portion, and No. 8 was the westerly or Kingston section. As the population in- creased, more accommodations became necessary, and other districts were set off from time to time from the two original districts. In 1839, dis- tricts Nos. II and 12 were taken from No. 8; later districts Nos. 5 and
522
THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
15 were set off also. In 1850, No. 10 was set off from No. 7, and in 1853, No. 13 became a separate district.
The first public school building in the original district No. 8 was the building on Green street in which Solomon Hasbrouck had conducted a private school. The first building occupied for school purposes in No. 7 was the frame building near the junction of Wurts and Abeel streets.
In 1854, the value of all public school property in Kingston was ap- proximately $21,000. There were eight buildings containing accommo- dations for 800 pupils. The population of the districts was about 8,000, and the school population about 2,000. In 1862, districts Nos. 5, 8, 11 and 15 were united into one union free school district, to be known as the Kingston School District, and Charles R. Abbott became the first superin- tendent of schools. In 1864, Kingston Academy was transferred in trust to the Kingston Board of Education, on condition that it should be for- ever maintained as a free public high school, fitting pupils for the various colleges of the land. In 1864, No. 13 became a union free school district. During the principalship of William A. McConnell, the building was enlarged, the library facilities greatly increased, the curriculum enriched, and a high school department was chartered by the Regents of the University.
KINGSTON ACADEMY.
On April 19th, 1769, Charles DeWitt received a letter from Chauncey Graham of Fishkill, proposing to open an academy in either Albany or Kingston. This matter was under discussion for some years, but definite action was deferred until October IIth, 1773. At that time it was decided to secure accommodations and hire two teachers to instruct students in the classics, sciences, mathematics and English; thus was planted the germ from which Kingston Academy sprang.
The next year, 1774, "The Trustees of the Freeholders and Common- alty of the Town of Kingston" purchased a house and lot on the south- west corner of John and Crown streets, and selected John Addison as the first principal of Kingston Academy. The names of the founders were Derick Wynkoop, Joseph Gasherie, Johannis Persen, Silvester Salisbury, Christopher Tappen, Adam Persen, Johannis DuBois, Abraham Van- Gaasbeek, Johannis Sleight, Ezekiel Masten and Wilhelmus Houghtaling.
The history of this time-honored institution for the succeeding century is fraught with interest. The school took high rank despite many adverse
523
THE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
circumstances. On October 16th, 1777, the building was burned by the British Army, in command of General John Vaughan, but in less than five months it was rebuilt, and the students continued their work as though nothing had happened. A copy of an old rate bill of that period bears the names of ninety-three students who were members of the Eng- lish department. The first commencement exercises of the Academy were held in the spring of 1778 at the Bogardus tavern.
In November, 1779, John McMillan succeeded Principal Addison. In October, 1788, George B. Ewart was engaged to teach Greek, Latin and the higher English branches, but Mr. Ewart's work was unsatisfactory; the students made slow progress and the school began to decline. In January, 1791, it was resolved by the Trustees that the corporation become a member of the University of the State of New York. At this time the Academy was closed for a year on account of the small attendance.
In December, 1792, Timothy T. Smith was elected principal, and the Academy entered upon a new era of success. After several applications it was finally incorporated by the Regents of the University, February 3d, 1795. At that time the curriculum included ancient languages, mathe- matics, philosophy, history and civil government. In addition to the regular tuition fees, each student was required to furnish two loads of fire wood, or its cash equivalent. Some of the early principals suggested increasing their stipend by taking a portion of the tuition, but for a long time the Trustees opposed this plan as tending to lower the standard of the Academy.
During the early days of the Academy one of the most pleasing prac- tices was the semi-annual examination by the Trustees. On these occa- sions the village was in holiday attire; hospitality was free and bountiful ; public dinners were held, followed by literary exercises, and in the even- ing the young people enjoyed the dance.
From funds received from the Regents of the University, and secured through other means, an Academy library was established in 1795. This library contained 103 volumes of standard literature, most of which are still on the present library shelves. A perusal and appreciation of these books would require the mature mind of an adult, but they indicate the scholarly habits of those early days. A part of the original equipment of · the library was a pair of valuable globes, which long since disappeared.
Soon after the act of incorporation a room was set apart for the teach-
524
THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
1
ing of reading, writing and arithmetic. In February, 1804, the Trustees applied to the legislature for permission to found a college, but this was denied, and the fund in hand for the purpose was deeded to the Academy ; this deed conveyed 800 acres of land, including the present academy site.
Up to 1800, the school had been devoted almost entirely to the classical department; the rooms in which the English branches were taught were regarded outside of the Academy proper. This branch of the school was abolished altogether in 1812, and rented to other parties until 1817. Up to 1809 the Academy was devoted to boys and young men ex- clusively, no women being admitted. Then for nearly three years a woman teacher was employed for a class of girls. This class also was discontinued from 1812 to 1817. At that time Rev. Malbone Kenyon took charge, and he was permitted to open a room for young ladies, but this permission was discontinued in 1820. From 1820 to 1823 the Academy declined until scarcely a dozen students could be gathered. Rev. Daniel Parker was then engaged as principal ; coeducation was introduced and some elementary subjects were allowed. A resolution adopted April 21, 1837, indicates the complete satisfaction with both measures. In 1830 a small building was erected on the present site, and to this, additions have been made from time to time.
As early as 1862 the matter of adopting the graded school system was discussed. This question continued to be agitated until 1864, when the Academy was formally turned over to the Kingston Board of Education.
In 1865, Francis Wynkoop gave $5,000, the income of which was to be forever devoted to the instruction of a French class in Kingston free high school. Membership to this class was to be determined by exemplary conduct.
During the 132 years since its organization there have been educated in Kingston Academy thousands of men and women, many of whom have taken front rank in higher institutions of learning, and many after- wards became prominent in political, professional and commercial lines, while many have rendered notable service to their country.
Among the principals may be mentioned Rev. Daniel Parker, Charles L. Hungerford, Rev. John Van Vleck, John Norton Pomeroy, Joseph C. Wyckoff, Francis J. Cheney and Henry W. Callahan. The present prin- cipal is Myron J. Michael, who has served in that capacity for the past ten years.
1
525
THE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
Some of the most distinguished citizens of Kingston have served on the Board of Trustees, notably the Rev. Dr. Gosman, Rev. Mr. Lillie, Marius Schoonmaker, and Rev. J. C. F. Hoes.
ULSTER ACADEMY.
In 1870, Charles M. Ryon, principal of No. 13, was elected principal in district No. 7, and then began a most vigorous campaign of im- provement. The old school building and site, corner of Wurts and Pierpont streets, were sold to the present owners, and all but six rooms and the tower of the present building were constructed and furnished at a cost of over $36,000. At that time less than 150 pupils were enrolled in this school. The new building opened with an attendance of over 300 pupils, and at the end of three years the enrollment was 800. Thorough organization and discipline prevailed; the course of study was system- atized ; trained teachers were employed, and excellent results obtained.
In 1879, under the principalship of Mr. L. M. Edwards, it was changed to a union free school district, and in 1880 a high school department was chartered by the Regents of the University. In 1898, Ulster Academy was chartered as a high school. Under the principalship of the late William E. Bunten the building was enlarged, and it now contains twenty- five well-lighted, thoroughly heated and ventilated rooms.
During the past twenty-five years, Ulster Academy has maintained a high standard of scholarship. Since its incorporation as a high school its graduates have taken high rank in our colleges, technical schools and normal schools. One of the important means by which this school has conserved its usefulness is its library of nearly 4,000 well selected and thoroughly classified books.
The present principal is John E. Shull, who has served since 1898.
CONSOLIDATION.
In 1876, school commissioner Edward Ryer ordered that the school districts in Kingston City should be designated as follows: No. 12 should be No. 1 ; No. 7 should be No. 2; No. 10 should be No. 3; No. 13 should be No. 4; and Kingston School district, comprising Nos. 5, 8, 11 and 15, should be called No. 5. In 1902, by act of the legislature, all these schools were consolidated under one system. The original Board of Edu- cation named in the act were Conrad Hiltebrant, for a long time promi-
526
THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
nent as a trustee of Ulster Academy; Walter N. Gill, who had rendered signal service in school No. 4; W. Scott Gillespie, Henry C. Connelly, Walter C. Dolson and DuBois G. Atkins, all of whom had been for a long time prominently identified with the schools of Kingston school district ; Isaac N. Weiner, Henry R. Brigham and Bernard Loughran. The Board so named organized and elected officers as follows: President, DuBois G. Atkins; Vice-President, Walter N. Gill; Superintendent of Schools, S. R. Shear.
The Board remains intact as to members and officers, with two excep- tions-Mr. Weiner was succeeded by A. Wesley Thompson, who resigned to accept the office of Mayor, and his place was filled by the election of Dr. Walter D. Hasbrouck, and John J. Campbell has taken the place of Bernard Loughran, deceased.
Among the distinguished men who have served the schools of the city as trustees, are Hon. Marius Schoonmaker and Elisha M. Brigham, each of whom was president of the Kingston Board of Education for many years ; D. B. Abbey and John N. Cordts in district No. 4, Mr. Wil- liam Winter in district No. 2.
The most notable teacher and executive who has been connected with the Kingston schools is Charles M. Ryon. He reorganized district No. 4; he placed district No. 2 in a prominent position in the educational field ; he was superintendent of Kingston school district for nearly thirty years, placing these schools in the forefront, and he is at present the efficient supervisor of penmanship for all the schools of the city. Mr. Ryon is a scholar, a gentleman, an executive and a thorough educator. The recent history of Kingston Public Schools is largely the history of this man's life.
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