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الموضة
---- .
Dorally G. Harris
SAGANS-NADVI NUAS
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL, CHESTER COUNTY, PA. ( South-east View.)
A BRIEF
HISTORY
OF
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL
WITH A
GENERAL CATALOGUE
OF
OFFICERS, STUDENTS, ETC.
COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE IN CHARGE, AND · THE RECORDS PRESERVED AT THE INSTITUTION.
PHILADELPHIA : PRINTED BY SHERMAN & CO. 1872.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by WATSON W. DEWEES, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
J. FAGAN & FON, STEREOTYPE FOUNDERS. PHILADELPHIA.
PREFACE.
THE almost universal possession of at least a good com- mon-school education by members of the Society of Friends, is generally conceded. Among the establishments in America which have contributed to this, Westtown Board- ing School occupies a prominent position. Most of the families of Friends within the limits of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and many in surrounding parts, have each con- tributed one or more to swell the number of students; in many cases all the members have in succession passed some portion of time at the institution. And such is its age, that those who now assemble within its walls are the grand- children of those first enrolled as students. Patronized thus extensively, it has also served another important purpose. It has been a point of common interest to all classes, and the acquaintances there formed by those just on the thresh- old of active life, have bound together in closer union the members from distant sections of the country. To those with whom the name of Westtown has thus become very familiar, who retain pleasant recollections of the time spent there, and who wish to possess, in a form convenient for reference, most of the accessible information relating to the School, it is hoped the present compilation will prove ac- ceptable.
The short history, prepared by the aid of some members of the committee in charge of the institution, will be found to chronicle the important events, in connection with the origin and progress of the concern, and the means by which
iv
PREFACE.
the school attained its present condition. In the preparation of other matter included in the volume, the records in pos- session of the book-keeper and librarian were resorted to. With what degree of correctness these were kept in past times, will be best known should these pages meet the eyes of those who alone are competent to verify the entries, -the many whose names are herein enrolled. Care has been taken to follow the records in all essential particulars.
The use of register numbers is peculiar to Westtown, but the system is so well understood by its patrons, that it was believed no other order of arrangement would serve so well in a work of this kind. It corresponds generally with the chronological order, and most persons will turn readily to their own entries. It is to be regretted that a more uniform policy was not pursued at all times in the assignment of numbers. In the earlier years of the school, students re- turning after an absence, in some cases received new num- bers. From this cause, the highest register number issued does not indicate truly the number of different persons entered. These re-admissions, when known to the compiler, were omitted in the second instance, and a summary on page 289 shows the result.
To obviate all difficulty in finding particular names, as well as to group together those of one family name, a com- plete alphabetical index has been added. In cases where students have in after years been connected with the school as officers or otherwise, the same has been indicated by reference in the index.
Only those who have attempted a labor of this kind can realize the difficulty experienced in regard to the spelling of many names. In the space of seventy years, some families change the spelling slightly, or a branch but dis- tantly related may adopt a different spelling as a distinction, or names pronounced exactly alike, but spelled differently, may lead to confusion in many ways. Hence, it will not be surprising if persons bearing the name of Baily (Bailey),
V
PREFACE.
Ballinger (Ballenger), Evans (Evens), Lea (Lee), Philips (Phillips), Swain (Swayne), Eayre (Eyre), or any one of a score of other like doubtful names, will notice a spelling unlike that generally used by them.
The frontispiece, although most of the large trees in the vicinity have been omitted, in order to show the buildings, will yet, it is hoped, convey a tolerably correct impression of the place, and show to those who have not visited it since 1869-70 the location of the boys' school-building.
The compiler wishes to express his obligation to many Friends for encouragement and assistance in the prosecution of the labor. Especially is he indebted to the present Superintendent and Matron, whose extensive acquaintance with those connected with the school for many years past, rendered their advice and assistance peculiarly valuable.
The result of many days' pleasant employment is here- with submitted, hoping that The History and General Cata- logue of Westtown School may suggest to many the thought of how much they owe to the institution in its past, and at the same time tend to perpetuate that degree of interest which will insure its usefulness in the future.
WATSON W. DEWEES,
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL, Street Road P. O., Chester County, Pa.
Eighth Month 15th, 1872.
NOTE. - It is apprehended that there are some omissions and errors in the accompanying lists of names. The residence also is wanting in a number of instances. Any additions or corrections will be thankfully received, and inserted, should another edition be wanted.
1 *
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION :
PAGE
EDUCATION AMONG EARLY FRIENDS
9
HISTORY :
CHAPTER I .- 1794 TO 1805 17
CHAPTER II. - 1805 TO 1872
30
CHAPTER III. - WESTTOWN AS IT IS
40
OFF.CERS :
SUPERINTENDENTS AND MATRONS 51
GOVERNORS AND GOVERNESSES 52
TEACHERS 55
FARMERS
62
BOOK-KEEPERS
62
COMMITTEES
65
STUDENTS :
MALES
75
FEMALES
169
SUMMARY
289
TABLE OF AVERAGES .
290
ALPHABETICAL INDEX :
MALES
291
FEMALES
. 314
vii
INTRODUCTION.
EDUCATION AMONG EARLY FRIENDS.
ITHE ministry of George Fox began in the year 1647. Only a short time elapsed before those who came to have a common bond of interest in the adoption of the doctrines he taught, turned their attention to the care and instruction of the youth. A history of the educa- tional movement in the Society of Friends would, there- fore, cover nearly the same period as the history of the Society itself. To what extent private schools were established and patronized at that early day, we know not. In the journal of George Fox, under date of 1667, occurs the following (page 409) :
"I advised the setting up of a school there (at Wal- tham) for teaching boys; also a woman's school to be opened at Shackelwell for instructing girls and young maidens in whatsoever things were civil and useful in the creation."
This advice seems to have been at once acted upon. In four years from that time there were reported to be fifteen boarding schools in operation. These, of course, were small, and became wholly insufficient, as the number to be taught increased.
London Yearly Meeting strove to impress upon both
ix
X
EDUCATION AMONG
subordinate meetings and individuals the importance of providing for the education of the children of Friends in. schools under the care of members of the Society. From 1700 to 1740 there were earnest appeals, issued by that body annually, in reference to their literary as well as religious instruction. The following is the ad- vice of the Yearly Meeting in 1706 :
" And forasmuch as, next to our own souls, our children and offspring are the most immediate objects of our care and concern, it is tenderly recommended to all that are or may be parents or guardians of children, that they be dili- gently exercised in this care and concern for the education of those committed to their charge; that, in their tender years, they may be brought to a sense of God, - his wis- dom, power, omnipresence, so as to beget an awe and fear of Him in their hearts (which is the beginning of wisdom); and, as they grow up in capacity, to acquaint them with and bring them up in the frequent reading of the Scrip- tures of Truth, and also to instruct them in the great love of God, through Jesus Christ and the work of salvation by Him, and of sanctification through His blessed Spirit; and also to keep them out of the vain and foolish ways of the world, and in plainness of lan- guage, habit, and behaviour, that, being thus instructed in the way of the Lord when they are young, they may not forget it when they are old."
Some of the difficulties of a later day are shadowed forth in the following extract :
"The want of proper persons among Friends -quali- fied 'for schoolmasters- has been the occasion of great damage to the Society in many places.
" We desire Friends would, in their monthly meet- ings, assist young men of low circumstances, whose genius and conduct may be suitable for that office, with the means requisite to obtain the proper qualifications ; .
xi
EARLY FRIENDS.
and, when so qualified, afford them the necessary en- couragement for their support." (Minutes London Yearly Meeting, 1715.)
A particular description of the various efforts made in compliance with the oft expressed concern of London Yearly Meeting will not be here attempted. They finally resulted in the establishment of a national board- ing school at Ackworth in 1779. This institution, through the liberality and constant care of Friends, was made an instrument of great good to the youth of the Society. It continues in operation at the present time. The number of scholars admitted since its commence- ment in 1779, to 1871, was 8,753.
Should any one query what kind of an education early Friends desired for their children, abundant material for an answer could be found in the recorded minutes of that period. While they, in common with all other classes, were satisfied with a course of study very much shorter than that now considered essential, it cannot be denied that the prevailing standard was a liberal one. When we view the subject in connection with the state of schools among other classes, their plan of education seems surprisingly broad and practical. An emphatically religious education was desired - an education, which, while it made the mind the receptacle of such human wisdom as would conduce to the greatest usefulness upon earth, encouraged that obedience to the manifestations of Divine grace which would restrain and bring under right control the natural propensities of the child. That which puffeth up was to find no place, while that which teaches the accountability that must attach to all human action, and the due subordination of all desires and feelings to the one great end of man's existence on
xii
EDUCATION AMONG
earth, was to be the corner-stone of the system. The spirit which animated many, is shown in the advice to parents to " be good examples in all things, as become men and women professing godliness, that good footsteps may be left by us to future generations, which may be helpful to the preservation of those who succeed us in the right way of the Lord." (Lon. Y. M. Epistle, 1712.)
In 1682, a considerable number of Friends arrived in America, and founded the colony of which Philadelphia was the centre. The first mention of schools was at a meeting of a council in Philadelphia, held 18th of Tenth month, 1683, at which time, it is easy to imagine, the settlers were not all comfortably housed. The following is the minute :
" The Governor (William Penn) and council, having taken into their serious consideration the necessity there is for the instruction and sober education of youth in the town of Philadelphia, sent for Enoch Flower, an inhabitant of said town, who, for twenty years past, hath been exercised in that care and employment in England, to whom having communicated their minds, he embraced it upon the following terms :
" To learn to read English, 66 66 66
and write
"
66 66 and cast
accounts
8s. 4s. by the quarter. 6s.
" For boarding a scholar, that is to say, diet, washing, lodging, and schooling, £10 for one whole year."
Six years later, the "Friends' Public School," in Philadelphia, was opened. This was regularly incor- porated by Deputy-Governor Markham in 1697; and afterward confirmed by fresh patent from William Penn himself, the final one bearing date Eleventh month
EARLY FRIENDS.
xiii
29th, 1711. The objects of the corporation are thus stated :
"Whereas, The prosperity and welfare of any people depend in great measure upon the good education of youth and their early introduction into the principles of true religion and virtue, and qualifying them to serve their country and themselves, by breeding them in read- ing, writing, and learning of languages, and useful arts and science, suitable to their age, sex, and degree, which cannot be effected in any manner so well as by erecting public schools for the purposes aforesaid," &c.
George Keith, formerly of Aberdeen, in Scotland, was employed as teacher. He was followed, at the end of a year, by his usher, Thomas Makin, who is described as having been a " good Latinist." Several schools have been maintained, and are still in operation, under the provisions of the original charter.
The following, from Smith's "History of Delaware County, Pa.," is of interest in this connection :
· "Friends now (1692) began to give their attention to the subject of schools. At a monthly meeting, held at Darby the 7th of the Seventh month, it was agreed 'that Benjamin Clift is to teach scoole, Beginge ye 12th of ye 7th mº .; and to continue one whole yeare, except 2 weekes.' The annual salary of this worthy teacher, as appears by an agreement for employing him another year, was but £12. He probably boarded with his employers." (Page 183.)
Thus early did the subject claim the attention of Friends in America ; nor were the efforts confined to a few localities. Schools were established in various places, and their improvement made a subject of special and frequent care, both by individuals and meetings
2
xiv
EDUCATION AMONG
Difficulty was experienced in procuring suitable teach- ers, and, we may readily suppose, the schools, when established, were not always such as satisfied concerned parents. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes, in 1746, say :
" We desire you, in your several Monthly Meetings, to encourage and assist each other in the settlement and support of schools for the instruction of your children, at least to read and write, and some further useful learn- ing to such whose circumstances will permit it; and that you observe as much as possible, to employ such masters and mistresses as are concerned, not only to instruct your children in their learning, but are likewise careful, in the wisdom of God, and a spirit of meekness, gradually to bring them to the knowledge of their duty to God and one with another ; and, we doubt not, such endeavors will be blessed with success."
The same body, a few years after, still further advised, that
.
" The most likely means to induce 'religious prudent persons' to undertake the business of teaching, would be to provide a certain and stated income, for such persons, by the establishment of funds for the purpose. In 1777 the 'consideration of the sorrowful complaint of de- ficiency in the religious care and education of the youth, brought up from Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, was entered upon;' and the minute, then made, states, that ' a lively concern impressed our minds for the advance- | ment of righteousness and the real benefit of the rising generation, both with respect to their pious education in 1 Friends' families and also their school education.'"
The subject rested with weight upon the minds of many, and the exercise of the meeting, at that time, resulted in the appointment of a committee of fourteen Friends, "to take the matter relating to the youth and
-
XV
EARLY FRIENDS.
their religious education and schooling particularly under their care, and give such advice and assistance therein, and respecting other deficiencies, as they in the wisdom of Truth may seé expedient."
This committee deemed it right to issue an epistle upon the subject, and from their report the following is taken :
"It is the opinion of the committee that Friends having united with others in employing such persons for masters, who have not submitted to the operation of Truth, hath had a tendency to strengthen a disposition in our youth, to avoid the cross and unite with the spirit of the world, whereby many hurtful and corrupt things have gained ground amongst us."
After alluding to the concern manifested upon the same subject for many years previous, and the fact, that, " not- withstanding these pressing recommendations, little has been effectually done therein,"- after proposing that it should be again urged upon the attention of subordinate meetings, -they conclude :
"We, also, think it necessary that this weighty con- cern should, in future, become the continued care of the Quarterly Meetings by an annual query, that so the matter may rest on a solid foundation, and every pos- sible encouragement and assistance may be afforded to Friends in the settlement of schools, procuring masters, &c., through the whole extent of the Yearly Meeting."
It was also recommended :
"First, That a lot of ground be provided in each monthly or preparative meeting, sufficient for a garden, orchard, grass for a cow, &c., and a suitable house erected thereon. Second, That funds be raised by con- tribution, bequests, &c., in each meeting; the inter- est of which to be applied either in aid of the tutor's
.
xvi EDUCATION AMONG EARLY FRIENDS.
salary, or lessening the expense of Friends in strait- ened circumstances, in the education of their children. Third, That a committee be appointed in each monthly or preparative meeting, to have the care of schools, and the funds for their support, and that no tutor be employed but with their consent."
Some years after (1783), upon receipt of reports from the Quarterly Meetings, the Minutes say :
"Though in divers places some care has been taken, school-houses built, and schools instituted under care of Monthly Meetings, importing a degree of promising pro- gress ; yet respecting other parts, it is acknowledged that little improvement has been made, not much having been done toward establishing permanent funds for the regular and liberal support of schools, under well qual- ified, discreet, and religious instructors." *
* It should be borne in mind that the period to which these Minutes refer was one of great unsettlement, owing to the Revolu- tionary contest, and the political agitations growing out of it.
1
THE HISTORY
OF WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL.
CHAPTER I.
1790-1805.
A BOUT the year 1790, the propriety of establishing a boarding school began to arrest attention. A tract put forth by Owen Biddle in this year, - rehearsing some facts in the experience of Friends in England, and discussing, at some length, the adaptation of a large boarding school to the needs of the youth of the Society in this country, - probably contributed to ripen the concern in the minds of many Friends. In the Fourth month, 1791, the subject was introduced into Phila- delphia Monthly Meeting, from whence, after some months' deliberation, the subject was carried to the Quarterly Meeting. That body, in the succeeding year, introduced the subject into the Yearly Meeting. Effort on the part of individuals had already resulted in the formation of a fund of several thousand pounds in aid of the enterprise when it should be undertaken.
A subject of the magnitude of that now brought before the Yearly Meeting, of course, required much 2 *
B
17
18
THE HISTORY OF
consideration before action could be taken. It was suc- cessively referred to the meetings held in 1793 and 1794. In the latter meeting a large committee was appointed to take the whole subject into consideration,- consult with such Friends as had for a length of time had the matter weightily on their minds, -and report their united judgment when ready. At a subsequent sitting they made a report, from which the following is extracted :
" On taking the subject into deliberate considera- tion, we are united in the sentiment that an institution of the kind proposed, if managed with religious care and circumspection, may tend to the prosperity of Truth by promoting the real good of the rising genera- tion ; we do, therefore, recommend the said proposal from the Quarterly Meeting of Philadelphia, to the patronage of the Yearly Meeting, and propose that a committee thereof be appointed to consider and digest a plan and rules for the government and management of the house, school, and other parts of the economy," &c.
They proposed that the said committee should be the agents for carrying out the concern, and should report regularly their progress. The Meeting agreeing to this, a standing committee of forty-seven Friends was ap- pointed, as recommended. The women's Yearly Meet- ing appointed seven of their number to join with men Friends in the service as occasion might require.
The men Friends thus appointed held their first meeting for deliberation on the evening of the 3d of Tenth month, 1794, in the old Fourth Street Meeting- House .* Thomas Morris was chosen clerk, and Thomas
* This building has lately been removed, and its site is now occu- pied by an extension of the Forrest Building in Fourth Street below Chestnut Street.
19
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL.
Fisher, treasurer. A sub-committee was appointed to solicit further subscriptions. The selection of a site for the proposed institution was one of the first subjects to be decided. Some of the members, whose attention had already been turned to this, proposed a tract of land on the Neshamony Creek, some miles below Bristol, in Bucks County, containing about four hundred and fifty acres, known as Langhorne Park. This land was indeed purchased by a few Friends in the expectation that it would be selected for the purpose. A delegation was sent to view this spot, as well as any others, thought more likely to answer the end designed. After visiting various places, they expressed themselves in favor of selecting the farm of James Gibbons in Westtown town- ship, Chester County, as the one in all -respects best adapted to the purpose. This land, about six hundred acres in extent, was accordingly purchased. The amount paid James Gibbons was £ 6,083 68.8d. = $16,222.22. A small sum was expended to obtain the entire water-power of Chester Creek. This was accomplished by buying the adjoining farm on the west side, and selling with a reservation of the entire water privilege. At the time of purchase only a small portion of the farm had been cleared ; not only that which is timbered at the present day, but much of that which has since been brought under cultivation, was then covered by a dense growth of forest-trees, of a size and age now represented by a few trees in the "South woods." Near the present site of the farm-house stood the dwelling known in those days as the " Mansion house." This was repaired and soon after occupied. Edward Churchman was the first ten- ant. Preparations were at once made for erecting a saw- mill. This was completed by the end of the year 1795,
20
THE HISTORY OF
and afforded the means of preparing the lumber to be used in the future buildings. This mill and dam in the creek were near the northern line of the farm, and the curious may yet see the remains of the latter, and the race which wound around the western base of Wal- nut Hill, to the spot where the mill was situated.
Meanwhile the selection of a site for the main building occupied the attention of the committee. By agreement, several members met at the farm on the 17th of the Eighth month, 1795. Their report says, they " viewed the eminence north of the Mansion house remarkable for the fine prospect it affords." Judging this to be the right place, the exact front was staked out. It was the original design to make the main front parallel "to the new road from Marlborough Street road to the Goshen township road." But a south-eastern front was after- ward decided upon. In the following spring a barn was built near the farm-house; and arrangements were made for the burning of bricks for the school-building, - a plentiful supply of clay for which, as well as of good building-stone, exists on the farm.
The plan of the building was a subject requiring care- ful consideration ; and it was only after much labor had been expended that one was agreed upon. The generally prevailing opinion was, that accommodations should be provided for one hundred and fifty students and the requisite number of teachers, &c. For this a building, one hundred feet long and fifty-six wide, three stories in height, was thought to be sufficient. Special care was taken that an extension could be readily made, if cir- cumstances should render it desirable in after-years. The sub-committee intrusted with the oversight of the work of building were David Evans, Jonathan Evans,
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