A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 75

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 75

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The twelfth regulation was as follows :

"Twelfth. The building contemplated to be erected as aforesaid shall be built on one of the public lots in the township of Athens, on Tioga Point, and the construction thereof shall be as follows: it shall be forty-two feet in length, and twenty-four feet in width; and to consist of two stories, the height of the posts to be twenty-two feet. The second story shall be formed into one entire hall, to be arched and finished in a handsome manner; a chimney shall be built at each end; an elegant balcony shall be erected on the middle of the roof; and venetian blinds shall be made to all the windows of the first and second stories; and the said building shall in other respects be planned and constructed according to the judgment and discretion of the Trustees who shall be appointed as aforesaid."

549

THE OLD ATHENS ACADEMY

A building fund was created by subscribing for shares, valued at $30, to be paid in building material or cash instalments of $10. The subscriptions were as follows :

"Noah Murray 1, Charles Bingham 2, Joseph Spalding 1, Levi Thayer 1, David Alexander 1, Nathan Thayer 1, John Shepard 2, David Paine 2, Joseph Hitchcock 1, Elisha Matthewson 1, Ira Stephens 1, Elisha Satterlee 1, Daniel Campbell 1. John Spalding 2, Nathan Bull 1, Clement Paine 2, Julius Tozer 1, Jonathan Harris 1, Joseph Farlin 1, Daniel Satterlee 1, Simon Spalding 1, John Jenkins 1, George Welles 1, John Franklin 1, Manton Rice 2, Stephens Hopkins 1."

The last five were added in 1801. The name was adopted of "THE ATHENS ACADEMICAL SOCIETY," and it was resolved to petition the Sus- quehanna Company for a grant of land to create an endowment fund ; also the Legislature for grant of a lottery, funds from which were to pay "one or more able instructors." A committee was appointed to choose an eligible situation ; they first chose lot No. 25, but it was not acceptable ; and the frame was raised in the year 1797, where the Acad- emy now stands. Many meetings were held for a while, and the frame was enclosed ; and then, probably due to the commissioners' rejection of Athens, the whole project languished and the building was advertised for sale June, 1808, on long credit. However, it was not sold, and in July the New England spirit bestirred itself again. The records indicate that the building had been used as a grain storehouse, and thereby in- jured. This was ordered stopped, the building "repaired and painted," and there were a number of new subscriptions, John Shepard being the most liberal. Clement Paine was put in charge and assured of reim- bursement. He wrote to his wife that he should not only repair, but "make an inclosure and place some of my Lombardy poplars and locusts about it." also that the proprietors intended to petition the Legislature for aid by lottery or otherwise. (These trees perished within the last twenty years. Others were set out in 1871 by C. M. Hunsiker, and many of the present elms and maples were set out in 1890 by George T. Ercanbrack and Millard P. Murray on both sides of the street.) The repairs cost $140, and Mr. Paine took a mortgage on the building for the amount. It was not yet fitted for school purposes, and again the work languished. In 1811 the proprietors sold to the Masonic Lodge all rights to upper story, provided that they finish off said rooms and assume half of the mortgage. The Masons finished the room as an arched hall, ac- cording to original design, and occupied it until about 1835.

In 1813, armed with a petition from the Athens Academical Society, Henry Welles obtained the enactment from the "Assembly of the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania," which not only established the "Athens Academy," but appropriated $2000, to be under the care of an incorpo- rated body of trustees safely invested and interest applied to purposes of the institution :1 Provided, that the present owners relinquish all right to the building forever ; and that the Academy school four poor children gratis.

After some deliberation, the fund was loaned to Henry Welles at 7 per cent., he giving a judgment bond, which was found by the writer

1 Clement Paine, being treasurer, wrote to Mr. Waterman and Orrin Day of Catskill, asking advice as to a safe and permanent stock for investment, mentioning that possibly another thousand would be added.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

among Paine papers. Clement Paine's claim was adjusted, the property relinquished by original subscribers, and the people once more looked hopefully forward, after a wearisome waiting of sixteen years. The lower room was completed at a small cost, and the trustees began to look about for a preceptor. General Welles in January, 1814, wrote that he had found a young man at Harrisburg, who would come for a salary of $500, and seemed well qualified, whereupon he was authorized to en- gage him. Tuition was fixed at $2.50 a quarter, each scholar to furnish a due proportion of firewood; and the opening of the Athens Academy was advertised in the Wilkes-Barré and Towanda papers. The follow- ing letter was recently discovered among Henry Welles' papers :

"Sunbury March 29, 1814. Sir: I arrived in this place last evening on my way to Tioga-I expect to be detained here perhaps some days for want of con- veyance to Wilkesberry. The carriage which I was expecting to go in from Har- risburg, arrived too soon to permit me to settle my business and go with it. At any rate I shall arrive in all probability at Tyoga in a week or nine days at the * * * You will have things in readiness for commencing the school at the farthest next Monday week. Yours with due respect, SYLVANUS GUERNSEY.

"P. S. You will excuse my brevity and scribbling when I tell you the post boy is waiting with impatience at my other elbow-

Mr. Henry Welles, Athens, Tyoga,

It must be observed that the general appearance of the original let- ter does not indicate many qualifications expected in a teacher.

On Monday, April 25, 1814, school was opened ; there is no record of number of scholars or studies pursued ; but July 4th a visiting com- mittee was appointed to examine the state of the school and progress of the scholars. Mr. Guernsey taught ten months and then asked for a dis- charge by reason of ill health. And now the Academy had its vicissi- tudes ; a perfect kaleidoscope of preceptors followed, doubtless from difficulty in procuring funds. Interest in the progress of the institution was not wanting, however.2

May 27, 1817, the following advertisement appeared in the Brad- ford Gasette, Towanda :

"ATHENS ACADEMY. (at Tioga Point, Pa.)

"The public are hereby respectfully informed that the summer term in the Athens Academy will commence on the twenty-first day of April. Terms of tui- tion for Latin, Greek and Mathematics will be, $5. Geography with use of maps and globes 4-50, Rhetorick and Logic, $4. English grammer and Punctuation, $3-75. The students will also have frequent exercises in Oratory, composition

2 July, 1815, Clement Paine started a subscription paper as follows:

"We the subscribers do hereby respectfully obligate ourselves to pay the sums affixed to our respective names; for the purpose of procuring proper geographical maps and a suitable terrestrial globe for the use of the Athens Academy: David Paine $10, Clement Paine $10, Edw. Herrick $5, D. B. Tallmadge $5, John Shepard $5, Jeremiah Decker $5, John F. Satterlee $5, Mich. R. Tharp $5, John Saltmarsh $5."

These subscriptions were all paid, and in October four of Arrowsmith's Maps were pur- chased in New York for $40, carriage, etc., pd. and $10 reserved to purchase globe. This orig- inal subscription list has been preserved, also another, started in 1816, by Clement Paine:

"We the subscribers hereby agree to give and pay the sums by each of us annexed to our respective names; for the purpose of purchasing a suitable bell for the use of the Athens Acad- emy. Nov. 28th, 1816."

This list may be seen in Academy Collection, $80 was raised. For some unknown reason the bell was not purchased, or at least not hung until 1825, as attested by R. J. Jenks' bill for building "Belphrey," providing bell rope, etc., September, 1825. For this the trustees gave Jenks an order on Col. Franklin, treasurer of Athens Bridge Company. The treasury must have been low, for on the back is written, "This order accepted. General Welles or Mr. Wmn. Briggs, please to pay the above sum out of monies in your hands if any. J. FRANKLIN."

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ACADEMY HISTORY

and history. It is anticipated, that the society library will soon be connected with the academy, for the improvement of scholars in Historical and miscellaneous knowledge. The location of this seminary is very eligible and pleasant. It stands on the west bank of the Susquehanna a few yards from the channel of the river, where the water glides sweetly along in a smooth still current a considerable dis- tance, nearly opposite the building the river inbosoms a small island which with other rural prospects, meets the eye very agreeably. The salubrity of the air, con- veniences for bathing and pleasure grounds for exercise, conspire not only to preserve the health of youth, but to exhilirate their spirits in prospecting their studies. Here likewise youth are secluded from scenes of riot and dissipation which are frequently to be met with in cities and other populous places. The preceptor is a graduate from Dartmouth university in New Hampshire. He is wishing to continue in the employment of instructing in the academical arts and sciences, and fitting young gentlemen for the universities. He considers it his indispensible duty not only to instruct youth in literature, but in the correct prin- ciples of morality and religion ; and strenuously to injoin it upon them to observe a suitable decorum among their associates and in society. E. WELLINGTON, Pre- ceptor.

"The undersigned, who have visited the school, feel themselves justified in asserting, that from what they have seen of the facility and correctness with which the young gentlemen and ladies have hitherto performed their recitations and the judicious method taken for their instruction, they will receive every advantage for becoming good proficients in the above mentioned branches. The school will be vacated twice in a year, in the month of March and September.

"Stephen Hopkins, David Paine, C. Paine, Michael R. Tharp, John Shepard, Henry Welles, Trustees."

Mr. Wellington only staid a year, but obtained some improvements in the building, and was followed by several in quick succession.

In 1820 it was determined to apply the state fund to aid in erection of the bridge over the Tioga River. The trustees accordingly subscribed for forty shares of bridge stock at $50 each, the note of Henry Welles having expired. He wrote to the cashier of the Philadelphia Bank to arrange for cash, saying the call for payment was sudden and unex- pected, and he could hardly meet it without assistance. He finally ar- ranged to pay it by building the bridge. This use of the fund suspended interest for a season, and was considered unjustifiable ; but existing let- ters show that even General Welles thought "best to let the Academy down and use the fund." The letters also say that there was a violent contention among the trustees as to whether they would hire any teacher or let the building for a common school. An effort was made in 1825 to partition the lower room for such purposes ; whereupon Judge Her- rick, Edward Overton and Clement Paine issued a vigorous and effectual protest. As funds were insufficient, it was resolved to make application to Legislature for permission to sell the school lands. Meanwhile, school was kept irregularly by various preceptors. Herrick, Overton and Hop- kins were firm in their protest, and in 1827 a petition, with many signa- tures, was presented to the Court of Bradford County, suggesting breach of trust, and asking that the trustees be removed from office, etc. This was done, and a new board was appointed from the county, only three being from Tioga Point. The change inaugurated a new era. From that period the Academy knew regular preceptors. "Public Exercises," in which the students aired their oratorical powers, were a strong feat- ure of the school and maintained general interest. The bridge stock was sold, and the fund once more let out at interest. In 1839, at the sug-

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

gestion of a progressive preceptor, C. A. Baldwin, mathematical, chem- ical and philosophical instruments were purchased,3 at a cost of $250; an addition for laboratory purposes was built, and an assistant teacher employed at a salary of $150. In 1840 J. G. Marvin became principal, with two assistants. The condition of the institution may be understood from the handbill issued at this time, which was preserved in a curious

Athens Academy.

The Trustees of this Institution would respectfully inform the public, that they have re-opened their commodious building for the reception of Students, under very auspicious circumstances, being under the charge of the following teachers :

J. G. MARVIN. Principal. E. C. MARVIN, Assistant.

Miss STEVENS, Teacher of music:

The beautiful and healthy location of the Academy. the morality and intel- ligence of the citizens, and the great facilities for acquiring an education, render it a situation well calculated to give satisfaction to the Patrons of the School

Measures are being taken to procure several hundred dollars' worth of Philosophical, Chemical and Astronomical Apparatus, which will make the Institution one of the best in the country for acquiring an intimate knowledge of the Natural Sciences.

The Academical Year will be divided into four Terms, of eleven weeks rach.

Terms of Tuition,

Reading, Writing and Spelling, $1 50

Arithmetic, English Grammar and Geography, 2 50

Rhetoric, History, Logic, Mathematics and the Natural Sciences, 4 00

Latin, Greek, and the Modern Languages, 5 00 Music, extra charge.

Board can be obtained from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars per week.

Students will be charged only at the above rates in proportion to the time they attend. Suitable School Books can be had in the village.

HORACE WILLISTON, EDWARD HERRICK, FRANCIS TYLER, Nº CLAPP. GEO. A. PERKINS, EDWARD H. PERKINS, CHAS. COMSTOCK GEO. H. WELLS. JUSTIN FORBS. €4

Trustecé.

Athens, August 10, 1840.

3 Apparatus and Library .- The Apparatus belonging to the Academy is new and sufficient to illustrate most of the subjects treated of in Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Astronomy. Among the articles are a superior plate Electrical Machine, a complete Pneumatic and Magnetic Apparatus and Orrery and seventy or eighty Telescopic Views of the Planets, beautifully delin- eated upon glass slides, which are adapted to the Phantasmagoria Lantern. In connection with the above, is a Cabinet of about 400 specimens of Fossils and Minerals which are indispensable in Chemical and Geological explanations. Lectures with experiments will be given from time to time, which are designed to facilitate the progress of those students attending to the Natural Sciences. The Library contains 100 valuable works, which students have access to without any additional charge. No pains have been spared to make the Institution every way worthy of patronage.

553

THE ATHENIAN

manner ; having been rolled up and used as a winder for lace edging in a little country store, where it lay nearly sixty years, and was found and presented to the Museum by Mrs. George Pendleton. Mr. Marvin gave great satisfaction ; the following year two hundred pupils were enrolled and there were three assistants; the trustees appropriated $100 for a school library, and a "Catalogue of the Teachers, Trustees & Students of Athens Academy" was published. The Academy now became justly celebrated as one of the best schools of the state,4 and its usefulness was largely increased by the expenditure of a general State appropriation "to promote useful knowledge, and encourage the Arts and Sciences." Ac- cording to the catalogue, Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, Drawing and Painting were taught, besides usual branches. As to its equipment, see note 3, also copied from catalogue.

It was under J. G. Marvin's influence that the various societies men- tioned in Athens Scribe flourished. The pupils issued the Athenian, a weekly paper printed by the Scribe press. Only two copies have been found, and those of little interest, although wondrous, indeed, were the youthful effusions. Some remembered are Samuel Parry's "Early His- tory of Athens," Raymond Welles' "Epitome of the Progress of the United States," Pythagorette's "Aerial Adventure in an Elastrometre," in 1941 ; Anna P. Warner's fanciful "Excursions," and many transla- tions, "Scraps from the Greek," etc. Would we might read them! Ac- cording to the Scribe, there were many new schemes for the advance- ment of the now famous institution, that were rudely dashed to the ground. For March 5, 1842, the Academy burned to the ground, acci- dentally set on fire by some boys, who, having had an unexpected duck- ing, repaired there, via the window, of a Saturday afternoon to dry themselves. The story has been often told by Isaac Le Dioyt, one of the boys. Practically all the equipment was destroyed. A more pre- tentious building was at once planned at the instigation of the promoter of improvements, Charles B. Stuart; who drew the plans for a three- story brick building. But the aspirations of the people exceeded their means, and a less pretentious structure was soon planned "at as cheap a rate as possible." Horace Williston, Jr., and Harris W. Patrick were given charge, and by October, 1843, the present building was completed in the fashion shown in illustration. The interior was well and com- modiously planned, and the Athens Academy continued to have an ex- cellent reputation throughout Northern Pennsylvania and Southern New York. It was the pride of all the citizens, and stands restored to-day, a monument to the love and honor of former pupils, who trust it may be forever preserved. L. B. Pert was the first instructor in the new build- ing. He was a fine teacher, and drew a large number of his former pupils to Athens. A printed program of one of his public exhibitions has been preserved.5

4 It attracted the attention of Col. W. B. Foster, a noted engineer, who was at this period often in the valley as one of the Canal Commissioners. He placed his young brother Stephen C. Foster, in the school, whose musical talents made him the life of the young society of the place, and his first musical composition was the "Tioga Waltz," written for a school entertain- ment, and dedicated to Frances, daughter of Henry Welles.

5 Athens Academy Exhibition, Wednesday, February 5th, 1845. Order of Exercises, Distribution of Schemes.

Music; Latin Oration, A. A. Brooks, Factoryville; Resistance of the Colonies, E. Whalen, Athens; Government, Wm. Ellsworth, Athens; Education, H. A. Kiff, Athens; Weehawken,

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

The school was evidently in a most prosperous condi- tion under Jonas G. French, from 1851 to 1856. A pre- tentious catalogue was is- sued in 1854 of the officers and students; the instruc- tors were Jonas G. French, Miss Mary A. Parry, Miss Sarah W. Huston and Rev. William G. French. Under these, students were pre- pared for college, and a. teachers' class was formed ; 218 pupils were enrolled. The different religious asso- ciations that held their meet- ings here were charged fifty cents a meeting, and re- quired to furnish their own wood. The institution was generally prosperous and be- loved by teachers, as well as ATHENS ACADEMY, 1856 scholars, as indicated by the various records preser- ved and sent to the Acad- emy collection. The last year of Academy school was 1868; principal, Coe Mullock. The graded schools having been introduced, after due consideration the trustees of the Athens Academy transferred their right and title therein to the school directors of the borough, who used the building until completion of present High School building on the orig- inal school lands. The Academy centennial was appropriately celebrated August 11, 1897, six months later than date of organization, that all its lovers might return; four thousand people were present.

"It was the love of an old pupil for the Old Academy and the haunts and play grounds of his youth, that prompted the gift of the New Museum and Library, whose corner stone was laid on the day of the celebration. As the beauti- ful new edifice looks benignantly across at its ancient neighbor, so we trust new generations will hold in reverent esteem this old landmark of their fathers and care for it most tenderly-Dear Old Academy! What hosts of recollections cluster around it !- Joys, sorrows, noble aspirations, struggles and success, or failures and despair. Many have gone out from its classic halls to win wealth, position, fame and honor-but the greater number, life's lessons finished, have gone over the River, and are waiting for us in the Radiance beyond." (1897)

G. B. Perkins, Athens; Thrilling Eloquence, J. Thompson, Athens; The Guide Post, J. Hayden, Athens; National Glory, E. Hopkins, Athens; Sin, Satan & Death, E. Morgan, Athens; Suc- cess of the Gospel, J. H. Scott, Athens; The Toper's Address, R. Tozer, Athens; Pursuit of Knowledge, J. Whalen, Athens; The Chameleon, D. A. Overton, Athens; The Rubicon, C. M. Comstock, Athens; Greece, M. F. Kinney, Sheshequin; Colloquy; Eloquent Appeal, J. F. Satterlee, Athens; Cato, Wm. H. Parry, Waterloo; Sale of Bachelors, E. Spalding, Waverly; Mysteries of Being, G. A. Welles, Athens; Mysteries of Being, T. Pert, Spencer; Colloquy; Our Country, G. S. Bennett, Poultney; America, C. D. McDuffee, Athens; Pilgrims, A. A. Brooks, Factoryville; Preservation of the Church, A. A. Perry, Smithboro; Colloquy; Crockett Outdone, G. B. Perkins, Athens; Parhassins, G. W. Fish, Sheshequin; Rising Glory of America, F. A. Allen, Athens; The Last Day, J. H. Scott, Athens; Colloquy; Music.

555

GIFTS OF ACADEMY STUDENTS

(As we go to press, she who wrote the foregoing, the historian of the Academy, has joined the throng beyond, and we here pay tribute to one who long planned and promised to help us in our task; but heard the higher call, and only tarried long enough to give us much wise counsel ; Lydia Carner ( Park) of blessed memory as one of the fore- most educators of Athens.)

Another recent gift to the town was prompted, like the one across the way, by love of old haunts and childhood memories ; the soldiers' monument, erected by Joseph Stickler

and his wife, Charlotte Snell ( Stickler), a descendant of the pioneer settler Jacob Snell. It seems most appropriate here to introduce the Museum-Library (erec- ted by Jesse Spalding, grandson of Jos- eph Spalding, the pioneer) ; and the Stickler monument, both neighbors of the old Academy, where Charlotte Snell and Jesse Spalding were pupils in the long ago.

מוקד ג׳ פיר

Lack of space forbids more than a mention of the private schools, beginning with that of Jane Hopkins. about 1835 ; then Miss Purse, in 1845, and ending with that of Mrs. Lydia C. Park in 1895, who was a pupil of Miss Purse. No room for Miss Goodrich, the Misses Robb, Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Bradley, the Misses Smith and several others, some of whose schools were kept in extra session in the old Academy.

Church History.

It is on record that the region about Tioga Point was in a de- plorable religious condition at the beginning of the nineteenth cen- tury. Sabbath desecration, profanity, horse racing, etc., abounded ; wives were turned out of doors for attending religious meetings, and it was even boasted that an orthodox sermon had not been

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

preached there for years. Apparently the Universalist doctrines, widely spread by Noah Murray, did not elevate the community. So-called domestic missionaries sometimes held meetings in Tioga Point or vicin- ity in the first decade. In 1802 was formed the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society, "to promote knowledge of evangelical truth in the new settlements." Peter Philanthropos Root, one of the appointees, preached in Athens in July, 1805, and labored in the vicinity several months. In 1806 came Lorenzo Dow, "a queer looking Quakerish dressed traveler." He spoke at 'Squire Saltmarsh's, where, no doubt, he put up. His self-introduction was : "My name is Lorenzo Dow,-my business is to save souls from hell-my credentials are these ;" holding up a Bible. The Methodists also sent traveling preachers through the new settlement, and the year 1807 was memorable on account of the visit of the Right Rev. Bishop Asbury, who was consecrated by John Wesley himself. He came down the river from the lake country to Mr. Light's (name unknown), east of Athens, where a camp meeting was in prog- ress. There the bishop preached, and said afterward, "It may be I spoke to one thousand people." The next day, the Sabbath, he preached again to about double the number of first meeting. He produced a pro- found effect, and stirred the hearts of many people. Previous to 1800, it should have been stated, that Moses Park, an unordained Baptist preacher, was working in Sheshequin, but he was converted in 1793 in the famous discussion with Noah Murray, and thereafter preached uni- versal salvation. Sheshequin and Athens became the Mecca of Uni- versalism, at which the infidels rejoiced. This was about the condition of things in 1812. The next religious episode may be told by an extract from Dr. William Wisner's "Incidents in a Pastor's Life." When first licensed to preach (1811), Dr. Wisner was invited to a pastorate in Western New York. He started on horseback to visit the place. On the first day the horse became so lame from calking himself that he was obliged to turn back; he says: "There was a little village on the edge of Pennsylvania where there was no church and no preaching except that of two Universalist ministers ; there had not been an orthodox sermon for more than three years. The missionaries shunned the place because the population were so inveterately Universalists that they would not hear them. As the writer had been called there while at the bar to try an ejectment case, he thought the novelty of hearing a lawyer preach would bring the people out, so he resolved to spend his unappropriated Sabbath there. Hav- ing no expectation of more than one service, he proposed to show in a single discourse the total depravity of the human heart."

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A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 75

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.] Number of Pages: 726

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726