USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Westtown > Brief history of Westtown Boarding School : with a general catalogue of officers, students, etc. > Part 3
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In 1836, the committee brought before the Yearly Meet- ing a proposal for dividing the year into terms, with two short vacations. An experience of thirty-seven years had shown that the system of having no stated intervals of rest was attended with serious disadvantages. It was also found that the requirements of the modern mode of in- struction could not be so perfectly secured as now desired without a more complete classification than was possible when students were allowed to begin or discontinue their attendance at irregular intervals. The needful relaxation to the teachers, and a better opportunity for making re- pairs to the property, thus afforded, were also among the reasons for recommending such a change. The proposi- tion was adopted in the following year, and stated terms, with vacations of three weeks, which were afterwards in- creased to four weeks each, in the spring and autumn, were established - that in the spring including the time of the Yearly Meeting. This change proved a very satis- factory one, and it is probable that in a majority of cases as much has been accomplished in the two terms of forty- four weeks by the scholars as formerly in the fifty-two.
About this time the two collecting-rooms assumed their present form and appearance, by the removal of partitions and the addition of new desks.
Changes in and near the buildings now were made in rapid succession. A play-shed for the girls was erected in 1840. In 1846-7, a new roof was put on the main building, and at the same time the sides of the house
36
THE HISTORY OF
were raised about four feet, thus giving the whole a more modern appearance than formerly. The change materially added to the comfort of the boys in their sleeping-apart- ment, and made it possible to secure better ventilation. At this time also the problem of providing apartments for the occasional invalids attained a satisfactory solution. A benevolent Friend * having offered to defray most of the expense, two nurseries were erected, each twenty by thirty-two feet, two stories high. At first they were con- nected with the galleries by narrow passage-ways, but afterward they were extended so as to reach the galleries, thus still further increasing their size. Few of the addi- tions to the original structures have been more useful than these buildings. They were found to be well adapted to the end designed. The rooms vacated in the central building were appropriated in other ways.
The bath-house for the girls was completed about the beginning of 1850. The next year witnessed the removal of the laundry from the basement to the build- ing specially designed for it. Both these improvements contributed to the health and comfort of the family. The buildings at the farm were undergoing extensive modifications at the same time. The farm-house itself was pronounced inadequate to the wants of the place, and was much out of repair. The barn was in like condition. The Yearly Meeting in 1849 authorized the collection of funds for the erection of new buildings to replace them, and $10,000 was soon obtained. Including the wood-house, the introduction of water, and various other improvements in and around the house (made chiefly in 1851), the cost of the farm-house was $8,474.98, and it was occupied in the early part of 1851. The
* The late Samuel Bettle.
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL. 37
remainder of the funds, with some additions, was used in erecting the proposed barn in the summer of 1853, the cost of which was $3,953. Both these buildings are large and well arranged, and have added much to the comfort of those concerned, as well as promoted the economy of the farm management.
The danger and inconvenience resulting from the use of lamps in the school building were removed, in 1854, by the erection of apparatus for the manufacture of gas, the expenses of which, as of several previous improve- ments, were defrayed by private individuals. The pres- ent wheel-house on the race bank, some distance above the grist-mill, was erected about this time, and the forc- ing-pump, which had previously been at the grist-mill, was removed to it, and a new forcing-main, consisting of fourteen hundred feet of three-inch cast-iron pipe, was laid from the wheel-house to the school. The girls' piazza was built in 1855. The boys' bath-house was completed in the same year, and both this and the girls' furnished with apparatus for heating the water. No one will ques- tion the sanitary value of these arrangements. In the years 1855-6-7, upwards of $11,000 were expended in painting and repairing the school building throughout, repairing and putting new roofs on the houses in the lane, and in making various repairs and additions to the buildings at the school, the farm-house, and the mill, among which may be particularly mentioned the new barn and carriage-house at the school. This latter was a great improvement over the old school barn, which stood nearly on the site of the present greenhouse. Of the $11,000 thus expended, $9,800 were contributed by two interested members of the committee.
In the autumn of 1858 the West Chester and Philadel-
4
38
THE HISTORY OF
phia Railroad was completed, and Street Road Station, distant one and a half miles, became the point of arrival and departure for those connected with the institution. Travel to and from the place was thus rendered much easier. At the opening, and for more than fifty years thereafter, all travel was on horseback or in carriages. While the school was without vacations, and the pupils were coming and going nearly all the time, it was seldom that many needed conveyances at any one time. Effort was made to keep up a regular stage line from Philadel- phia, but it was attended with much trouble from insuf- ficient patronage. But when the session system was introduced, and the children met in Philadelphia, and came out in stage loads, the twenty mile ride became quite an important event in the career of the Westtown scholar. The trip back to the city was a renewal of the excitement and bustle. After the branch road was built from the Pennsylvania Central to West Chester, some of the travel took that course. In 1852 the stage route was changed to meet passengers in West Chester, and so remained until the final change above mentioned diverted all travel to the new road.
The period during which the Civil War raged in this country, was not characterized by any serious depression in the operations of the school. Indeed, as an asylum for many young persons, where they were measurably free from the great excitement prevailing elsewhere, its usefulness seemed even greater.
Several pupils from those portions of the Southern States devastated by the contending armies, spent the time quietly and profitably at the school, until they could safely return home.
From 1865 to 1870 an unusually large number of
39
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL.
pupils were occupying the various departments. This brought under notice more forcibly the want, which had been previously felt, of additional class-rooms for both sexes. The plan most in favor for remedying the difficulty, was to erect a building to accommodate the boys, and thus vacate portions of the main building for the use of the girls. Other plans were proposed, and some time elapsed before any was fully matured. No one was more interested in the movement than the then superintendent, Dubré Knight. But he at least was not permitted to assist in carrying out any of the plans. He died suddenly, on the morning of the 3d of Second month, 1868. In the course of a long life, almost wholly devoted to the cause of education, he had made many friends, and his death left a painful vacancy, not only at Westtown, but elsewhere. Joseph and Hannah Snowdon, who had before for several years acted as superintendents, temporarily filled the vacancies thus suddenly occasioned, during the remainder of the ses- sion.
The Yearly Meeting in 4th mo., 1868, authorized sub- scriptions for the purpose of erecting additional accom- modations for the boys. A fire occurring just before, had made some rebuilding also necessary, - the boys' bath-house and play-shed having been destroyed. The contributions received amounted to $23,226. Work was at once commenced, a plan having finally been agreed upon. The school building was first used at the open- ing of the Winter term of 1869-70. It is situated east of and adjoining the boys' play-shed, a covered connec- tion with the main building being thus secured ; is sixty- eight by fifty-four feet in extent, with two stories de- voted to school purposes, and has a basement and an
40
THE HISTORY OF
attic. A large room in the basement, immediately ad- joining the play-shed, affords further facility for exercise within doors during stormy weather. In the first story are a large distributing room, furnished with modern desks, and two good recitation rooms. The second story contains four rooms, devoted respectively to the primary, writing, reading, and classical schools. These rooms are well lighted, warmed, and ventilated, and have con- tributed much to the comfort of all, as well as the efficiency of the school arrangements. Some of the rooms vacated in the main building have been converted into recitation rooms for the girls, thus adding materially to their comfort, and others have been used in providing needed accommodations for the teachers of both depart- ments.
The Yearly Meeting of 1869 promoted further sub- scriptions for the erection of a new dairy barn, which was completed in the autumn of 1869. It furnished good accommodations for sixty cows, with storage room to correspond.
CHAPTER III.
WESTTOWN AS IT IS.
ITHUS Westtown, as it is seen in 1872, is very differ- ent, both internally and externally, from Westtown as it was in 1800. It has experienced a gradual growth, as it were, the successive stages of which have here been but imperfectly indicated. To so meagre a history per-
41
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL.
haps some more extended notice of the present condition of the institution may be properly added.
The Summer session opens usually on the first Second day in the Fifth month, and continues twenty-two weeks. After a vacation of four weeks, the Winter ses- sion opens about the First of the Eleventh month, and is of the same length. The vacations thus occur in the Tenth and Fourth months. Pupils are expected to assem- ble during the first two days.of the term, and are soon organized for school work. A difference is observable between the studies pursued by the boys during the Win- ter and Summer sessions, owing to the fact that a large proportion of the scholars are from the rural sections, where the young men are retained at home during the Summer. The Winter is thus by far the more stirring season at Westtown. The girls' school is more uniform. The course of instruction embraces the ordinary elemen- tary branches of a substantial education, with which a majority of the pupils, both boys and girls, are chiefly engaged. The higher mathematics, the Latin and Greek languages, and the physical sciences, are also included in the course, and receive constant attention, as class after class succeeds each other in the appointed routine.
The four weeks preceding the close of the term are occupied by a review of the work done during the ses- sion, preparatory to a general examination, which occurs during the last three days. These examinations are oc- casions of much interest, and the prospect thereof a use- ful incitement to industry on the part of the pupils.
In classifying the school, about one-fifth, including those least advanced, are placed in the introductory de- partment, chiefly under the care of one teacher. The remainder are successively under the care of the other 4 *
42
THE HISTORY OF
teachers, as their advancement and studies may make needful. An hour in the morning in Summer and one in the evening in Winter, are occupied by the recitations in grammar or other English branches. At other times the arithmetical, mathematical, and classical studies, with reading and writing, are pursued under the respective teachers of those departments. There have been efforts at various times to discontinue the primary or introduc- tory schools, but experience has shown that while pupils are sent to Westtown at so young an age, there are mani- fest advantages resulting from such a division. To those who have not yet learned how to study successfully, the care of a teacher who is charged with the whole of their instruction, is quite necessary. Instances are not want- ing of those who spend one term in that department out- stripping in a short time those of the same age whose acquirements placed them a little higher at first and thus removed them from the close and continuous observation of one teacher.
There are in the boys' school two teachers who have charge of the mathematical studies principally, and one each in the classical, reading, writing, and introductory departments. The girls' schools are similarly divided, with the omission of the classical department, and are taught by five teachers. Spelling and grammar, natural philosophy and chemistry, and other branches, are at- tended to by the respective teachers in accordance with the numbers, proficiency of pupils, etc., etc.
In the intervals between school-hours the students are principally under the care of the governor and governess. Though children are not sent to Westtown in search of recreation, yet the various amusements resorted to are of no slight importance. The absolute necessity of some
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WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL.
provision of the kind in any system of education is fully recognized. But little attention has been paid to gym- nastic or calisthenic exercises, but this is largely com- pensated for by the free access to the fine walks and ex- tensive playgrounds which they enjoy. In Summer the boys have their frequent games of ball, and the girls other lighter games. Not least among the attractions of the place for the young are the facilities for long rambles near Chester Creek and around Walnut Hill.
The large farm, traversed by the winding creek and mill race, and still covered in several parts by woodland, contains many a sequestered and sunny haunt, well known to all Westonians, and connected perhaps with not a few of the cherished reminiscences of their child- hood.
Nor must we forget the skating-pond -an area of four acres, which can be flooded, and which, when cold weather comes, affords such exhilarating exercise for both boys and girls. The swimming-pond for the boys is near the same spot, and is a source of much enjoyment during the Summer season. Among Winter sports, foot- ball is pre-eminent with the boys, though many minor games, such as are common to all schools, are also very popular. There can be no doubt that such exercises with the pupils contribute largely to the general good health enjoyed by the inmates of the establishment. Deaths in the family have not been more frequent than one in four years, on an average, since 1800, which surely, among so many, is not a large number.
Meetings for worship are held in the house on First and Fifth days. Through the Scripture recitations, reli- gious readings, and the personal association of the officers with the students, as well as the labors of the members
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THE HISTORY OF
of the committee, efforts are made to instil into them cor- rect rules of action, and the principles of a sound moral character, and also a practical acquaintance with the doc- trines and testimonies of the gospel as held by the Society of Friends. Whatever may be the degree of success in these respects, although there may be among those who leave the school some who show little evidence of reli- gious improvement by a sojourn there, cases are in no wise infrequent, now as formerly, of those who attribute seasons of just growth in the best life to the instructions received and the influences thrown around them while at Westtown. The feeling of personal responsibility which of late years animates many of the students - a feeling which has found expression in a system of self- restraint, devised by the students for their own regula- tion in certain respects - has been, and continues to be, one of the most encouraging signs of the progress in the right direction.
* The institution also affords other fields for the mental improvement than those of the recitation room alone. The " Westtown Literary Society," organized in 1836 by the men teachers and older students, continues to be a source of great interest and usefulness. A monthly paper, called the " Cabinet," has been published for years, and the successive bound volumes are preserved by the Soci- ety. A collection of specimens in natural history, chiefly collected and prepared by the first governor, D. Reece, came into the possession of the organization in 1865, and is made the special care of a standing committee. The "Lyonian Literary Society" is a similar associ- ation among the females of the institution. It was organized in 1869, - publishes a paper called the "Casket," and has fully vindicated its claim to an
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WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL.
enumeration among the established features of the place. The library of the school now numbers near twenty-seven hundred volumes. The formation of the collection began in 1806, at which time it was under the care of one of the larger boys. For many years the books were kept in the Superintendent's office. The ad- dition of about one thousand volumes in 1856 gave it a greater value, and it was then placed in another room where cases had been prepared for it, and a catalogue of the books then composing it was printed ; since that time additions have been made to it annually. As worthless and fictitious books are carefully excluded, the library possesses a solid value, far greater than many more numerous collections. The pupils have frequent access to it under reasonable restrictions.
In every department of the institution there continues to be a special and personal oversight by members of the Yearly Meeting's Committee. Originally that body ap- pointed an acting committee of ten members, who had the entire supervision of all the departments. More recently, a system of rotation in the appointment of visiting committees has been adopted, which brings all the members to the institution, either in person or by substitute, in the course of the year. There are also im- portant sub-committees, specially intrusted with certain duties. Principally among these are the "Instruction," " Farm," "Admission's," and "Household " Commit- tees, each of which reports to the general committee.
Mention has been made of the large farm belonging to the institution. With the exception of about thirty- five acres immediately surrounding the school buildings, used for gardens, orchard, playground, lawn, etc., the whole of it is under the care of the " farmer," who keeps
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THE HISTORY OF
a separate account with the school proper, and is subordi- nate to the farm committee. The experiment has been tried, of letting it to the shares, but latterly the person in charge is paid a salary for his services.
The general plan of managing the finances has been to strive for the "greatest good of the greatest number." This has been the chief reason for keeping the price of board and tuition at the lowest possible rate. The present price is $75 per session, which is much less than the cost. The deficiency is in part met by the profits of the farm, and the income of invested funds, and in part by appropriations from the Yearly Meeting.
Westtown then can, in no sense, be regarded as de- voted to the accumulation of money. Generally there is a financial deficit. The donations and bequests of Friends interested in education have accumulated a con- siderable fund, the income of which is used to pay for the tuition of children whose parents are unable them- selves to defray the necessary expenses of board and tuition at Westtown. The fund is in this way produc- tive of much good to many, in various parts of Phila- delphia Yearly Meeting, but it is not the property of the school itself. The income derived from it is not appli- cable to the support of the institution, except as it is re- ceived in payment for the education of children entitled to its benefit.
But it has not been to the liberal donations of Friends alone, or even to them principally, that the success of the school has been owing. Primarily the praise is due to Him, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, and who, while he opened the hearts of some to contribute of their worldly substance to this cause, made others willing to incur the labor, anxiety, and religious
WESTTOWN BOARDING SCHOOL. 47
exercise inseparable from the right management of such a concern. The continuance of this success will much depend on the maintenance in the hearts of Friends of that earnest desire for the preservation and true welfare of the children, which encouraged many in time past to labor faithfully for their good. If a succession of such honest and devoted laborers can be preserved, onthe committee, and in the officers entrusted with the care of this school, there is good reason to hope that the belief expressed by one of the early and sincere friends of the institution will continue to be verified : " It is a vine- yard which the Lord will bless."
LIST OF
SUPERINTENDENTS, MATRONS, GOV- ERNORS, GOVERNESSES, TEACHERS, FARMERS, AND BOOK-KEEPERS, WHO HAVE SERVED IN WESTTOWN SCHOOL.
5
D
49
SUPERINTENDENTS AND MATRONS.
RICHARD and HANNAH HARTSHORNE were appointed previous to the opening of the school, Fifth month 6th, 1799, and left on the 16th of Twelfth month of that year. Some members of the Committee resided at the Institution for a few months, before other persons were appointed.
JOSHUA and ANN SHARPLESS were appointed Fourth month 1st, 1800, and continued until Tenth month 17th, 1811.
JOSEPH and HANNAH WHITALL were appointed Tenth month 15th, 1811, and remained until Tenth month 13th, 1818.
PHILIP and RACHEL PRICE commenced Tenth month 13th, 1818, and retired Fifth month 3d, 1830.
PENNOCK and SARAH PASSMORE commenced Fifth month 1st, 1830, and served until Third month 29th, 1836.
NATHAN SHARPLESS and MARTHA JEFFERIS began Third month 28th, 1836, and served until Tenth month 27th, 1843.
PENNOCK and SARAH PASSMORE served a second term, beginning Tenth month 27th, 1843, and ending Fourth month 7th, 1848.
JOSEPH and HANNAH E. SNOWDON commenced Fourth month 8th, 1848, and served until Tenth month 20th, 1858.
DAVID and RACHEL H. ROBERTS commenced Tenth month 16th, 1858, and retired Fourth month 16th, 1861.
51
52
GENERAL CATALOGUE.
DUBRÉ and JANE W. KNIGHT began Fourth month 15th, 1861. Dubré Knight deceased Second month 3d, 1868. Jane Knight remained until Fourth month following.
CHARLES J. and MARTHA D. ALLEN began Fourth month 30th, 1868, and remained until Fifth month 2d, 1869.
AARON and SUSANNA F. SHARPLESS commenced Fifth month 3d, 1869.
GOVERNORS.
Davis Reece, from Twelfth month 16th, 1831, to Tenth month 1st, 1859.
David J. Scott, from Eleventh month 1st, 1860, to Tenth month 1st, 1869.
Watson W. Dewees, Eleventh month 1st, 1869.
GOVERNESSES.
Hannah S. Wood, from Twelfth month 16th, 1831, to Sixth month 13th, 1834.
Lydia A. Buffington, from Sixth month 13th, 1834, to Twelfth month 11th, 1835.
Rebecca McCollin, from Twelfth month 11th, 1835, to Fourth month 7th, 1843.
Deborah B. Smith, from Fourth month 7th, 1843, to Fourth month 1st, 1846.
Elizabeth Walter, from Fourth month 10th, 1846, to Tenth month 10th, 1851.
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GOVERNESSES.
Abigail Williams, from Tenth month 10th, 1851, to Fourth month 11th, 1857.
Hannah Forsythe, from Fifth month 1st, 1857, to Second month 10th, 1862.
Hannah A. Warner, from Second month 10th, 1862, to Fourth month 10th, 1863.
Elizabeth W. Hoopes, from Fifth month 1st, 1863, to Fourth month 1st, 1865.
Martha Sankey, from Fifth month 1st, 1865, to Fourth month 1st, 1867.
Sarah W. Moore, Fifth month 1st, 1867.
5 *
A LIST OF TEACHERS
FROM THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL TO THE PRESENT TIME,
Arranged in the Order of their Appointment, and showing also the Times of Entering and Retiring from the Service.
APPOINTED.
RETIRED.
Elizabeth Bellerby,
4th mo. 30, 1799;
6th mo. 7, 1800.
Phebe Cox,
5th mo. 6, 66
3d mo. 1, 1801.
John Forsythe,
5th mo. 6, "6' 4th mo. 6, 1801.
Ann Thomas,
7th mo. 21, 66
7th mo. 21, 1802.
Elihu Pickering,
8th mo. 7, 66 4th mo. 8, 1802. 10th mo. 1, 1801.
Ann Bacon,
10th mo. 15, 66
Alexander Wilson, Rebecca Budd,
11th mo. 1,
2d mo. 20, 1803.
Enoch Lewis,
11th mo. 10, 66
3d mo. 1, 1808. 66 31, 1800.
Emmor Kimber,
2d mo. 10, 1800;
Samuel Comfort, John Comly, Ann Gilbert,
A
11,
66
27, 66
Abigail Hoskins, Martha Barker, John Baldwin, Martha West,
6th mo. 1, "
7th mo. 1,
11th mo. 17,
1,1801;
6th mo. 19, 1802;
10, 1803.
10th mo. 15,
2d mo. 2, 1806.
1803;
11th mo. 21, 1809. 9th mo. 12, 1804. 1st mo. 7, 1813.
Hannah Albertson,
9th mo. 7,
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