USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 83
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Edward Sparks was the founder of " The East Bradford Boarding-School for Boys" in 1816. Two years later Joseph C. Strode became its principal, and so remained, with brief intervals, until 1846. His brother-in-law, Lewis Levis, was his successor, and conducted it until 1857, when it was closed. Mr. Levis then became a teacher in the school of Anthony Bolmar.
Jonathan Gause, Joshna Hoopes, and Joseph C. Strode formed a Doble triumvirate, through whose labors the minds of a large number of the youth of Chester County, in their day, were imbued with a love of scholastic lore.
" The Uwchlan Female Seminary" was conducted by William and Sarab Trimble from 1825 to 1835, and had a large attendance.
Mrs. Phelps' Young Ladies' Boarding-School, Bolmar's School, etc .- In 1837-38 a joint-stock company erected a palatial edifice in West Chester for a young ladies' board- ing-school, which flourished signally as such under the charge of the accomplished Mrs. Almira H. Lincoln Phelps, well known as the author of a work on botany. The company, however, failed, and the property, coming under the sheriff's hammer, was purchased, in 1840, by Anthony Bolmar,-or, as his name was written in full, Jean Claude Antoine Brunin de Bolmar,-who had then had charge of the West Chester Academy for the preceding six years. Mr. Bolmar converted it into a boarding-school for young men and boys, and conducted it as such until 1860. This school speedily became one of the most popu- lar and flourishing institutions in our country. It acquired a world-wide celebrity, and attracted numerous pupils from distant places, especially from the Southern States and the West Indies. Thie energetic principal was regarded as the Napoleon of teachers. This school was noted for its rc-
markably systematic and exact discipline; indeed, it was semi-military io its methodical strictness. No boy could ever boast that he had outwitted " Bolly," as he was famil- iarly called by his pupils. Mr. Bolmar was the author of several educational works for the instruction of pupils in the French language.
After the death of Mr. Bolmar the property was occu- pied by the Pennsylvania Military Academy from 1862 to 1865, under the presidency of Col. Theodore Hyatt, when it was removed to Chester. This school was large and prosperous, the cadets in attendance always numbering one hundred and twenty.
The property was then purchased by William F. Wyers, and a school reopened by him in 1866, under the title of " Wyers' Scientific and Classical Institute for Boys," and conducted by him until his death, in 1871. Mr. Wyers was an earnest and able supporter of the cause of education. He was one of the most thorough classical teachers in Penn- sylvania, and for twenty-nine years he faithfully devoted himself to the arduous duties of his profession. It has been said by New England men that no teacher south of New Haven sent scholars to enter college better prepared than were those who had been trained by Mr. Wyers. In his carcer as teacher he had over two thousand students under his charge.
Mr. Wyers was succeeded by Robert M. MeClellan, who conducted the school for two years, when the property was purchased for the Catholic Convent of the Immaculate Heart, and a school established, entitled " Villa Maria," which is conducted under the direction of the Sisters, and is now in active operation.
The Kimberton Boarding-School .- The French Creek Boarding-School for Girls was instituted by Emmor Kim- ber, in 1817. The name was afterwards changed to Kim- berton Boarding School, upon the establishment of a post- office of that name in the village which had grown up around the school.
This school was taught by Mr. Kimber and his aecom- plished daughters, and was conducted on principles some- what different from those of most seminaries, there being no code of penal laws or rules in force. The plan of gov- ernment was based upon the Golden Rule,-" Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,"-and as Mr. Kimber and his daughters had the faculty of governing without any visible exercise of author- ity, the school stood very high, was prosperous, and had many scholars from other States and the West Indies. After a useful career of about thirty-three years the school was closed about 1850, upon the death of Mr. Kimber. A school is now conducted at this place by the Rev. J. R. Dimm.
The Brandywine Boarding-School, established in West Brandywine township, and conducted by George Pierce, was opened in 1816 and closed in 1823. Many of its pupils afterwards became leading men in the county and elsewhere.
The Moscow Academy-Mantua Female Seminary .- Moscow Academy, a classical and literary institution, was established by Rev. Francis Alison Latta, in Sadsbury township, in 1826, and flourished with varying success, under different teachers, until 1840. Mr. Latta was a
39
306
IIISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
superior classical and Hebrew scholar, a poet of no mean order, and an excellent instructor.
Mantua Female Seminary, in some sense a companion school to the Moscow Academy, and located a short dis- tanee from it, was opened under the auspices of the Rev. James Latta in 1830. It enjoyed for several years a very successful career.
The Unionville Academy .-- This school was founded, in 1834, by the liberality of the citizens of the neighborhood, who gave the land and erected the buildings. It has long been one of the most successful and noted of the many pri- vate schools of the county. Its principals have been Milton White, Gaylord L. More, Cheyney Hannum, James Fling, Jonathan Gause, Milton Durnall, Henry S. Kent, Jacob W. Harvey, and A. A. Meader.
Jordan Bank Academy, a school for young men, in East Nottingham township, was conducted by Evan Pugh from 1847 to 1853. In the latter year he went to Europe, was graduated at the University of Heidelberg, honored with the degree of " Doctor of Physical Science," and re- turned home in 1859, assuming at onee the presidency of the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania.
OTHER SELECT SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES.
Howard Academy, at Rockville, in Honeybrook township, was opened in 1848, and was in successful operation, under the principalship of Professor James McClune, LL.D., recently a professor in the High School at Philadelphia, Rev. S. Ogden and A. Kirkland, and others, until 1862. Many who became successful as teachers, and many who entered the learned professions, received their preparatory training at this school.
Prospect Hill Boarding-School, in East Bradford, by Benjamin Price, continued about five years, ending, per- haps, in 1847.
Price's Boarding-School for Girls, in West Chester, was established by Philip and Rachel Price in 1830 and con- ducted under the superintendency of their daughter, Mrs. Hannah P. Davis, from that date until 1852, when it was purchased by Miss P. C. Evans and sisters. This institu- tion was a signal success, and during this period about twelve hundred girls were educated there. Hannah P. Davis was recognized by the entire community as one of the loveliest examples of a true Quaker lady and Christian woman that ever adorned and blessed the ancient county of Chester.
Miss P. C. Evans and sisters established the West Chester Female Seminary in 1848, and in 1852 it became the suc- cessor of the school of Hannah P. Davis, and was conducted in the same building until 1872, when it was removed to other buildings, and is still in operation.
In 1872, Robert M. Mcclellan purchased the large buildings of P. C. Evans and sisters (formerly Priec's school), and there established Mcclellan's Institute for Boys, which is now vacated.
In 1839, Mary B. Thomas and sisters established in Downingtown a boarding-school for girls, which has been in constant operation ever since.
From 1860 to his death, in 1865, Carl Heins had in Downingtown a boarding-school for boys.
In 1871, F. Donleavy Long opened in Downingtown the Chester Valley Academy for Boys, which he still success- fully conducts.
In 1872-73 the Downingtown Academy for Boys was conducted by Alexander Moore.
Moses Coates had a school for boarders, in Coatesville, from 1834 to 1838. A select school was conducted from 1841 for some years under the auspices of Franeis Parke and Benjamin I. Miller.
The Coatesville Academy was in operation from 1853 until 1868, under the care of different principals.
Ercildoun Seminary was founded by Smedley Darlington in 1851, and was conducted as a boys' school for three years, and since then as a school for young ladies. Smedley Dar- lington was succeeded in 1861 by his brother, Richard Darlington, Jr., who has had charge ever since. The large school buildings were nearly demolished by a tornado in July, 1877. The school was then removed to West Chester, and is now known as the Darlington Seminary,- a most excellent and flourishing institution, and well worthy of the extensive patronage it enjoys.
The Eaton Institute for Girls, in Kennet Square, was started by Samuel Martin in 1843, and is now under the charge of Evan T. Swayne. It has always been a flourish- ing and successful semiuary, and hundreds of the quiet and staid matrons of Chester County have been educated there.
Chatham Academy, by Moses Coates, was opened in the autumn of 1842, and continued at least two years.
Joseph B. Phillips had a noted school at Kennet Square for many years, and had among his pupils Bayard Taylor, Dr. Howard Pugh, Dr. Elisha Gatchell, aud Dr. John B. Phillips.
Kennet Square Academy and Seminary for Boys and Girls was for some years under the charge of S. C. Short- lidge. It was later conducted by Rev. A. S. Vaughan, under the name of Hofwyl Academy.
Dr. Franklin Taylor opened Keunet Academy, a new in- stitution, in 1875, which was conducted by him for some years. He was long a successful educator in the county, and is now a professor in the Philadelphia High School.
In 1852, Dr. Franklin Taylor, Dr. Elwood Harvey, and Professor Fordyce A. Allen opened a normal school in West Chester, of which Professor Allen soon thereafter became the sole proprietor. In 1860 he opened a female institute in connection therewith. These schools were continued until 1864.
" The Young Ladies' Select School," in West Chester, was opened in 1860, under the charge of the Misses Lam- born and Miss Worrall, and continued until 1867, when Dr. Franklin Taylor took charge of it, and continued it under the name of " Young Ladies' Academy" until 1870, with an average attendance of seventy-five pupils.
The Oxford Female Seminary was established about 1835, under the supervision of Rev. J. M. Diekey and others, and has been in successful operation ever since. It has always had a large number of students from Delaware and Maryland.
Hopewell Academy was under the proprietorship of Thompson Hudson from 1834 to 1841, and under that of Jessy C. Dickey and others to about the year 1861.
DARLINGTON SEMINARY FOR YOUNG LADIES. RICHARD DARLINGTON, JR., PRINCIPAL, WEST CHESTER.
-
"WILLOW DALE FARM." RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM EVANS, WILLISTOWN.
307
SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES.
" Blair Hall" was established by Rev. Alfred Hamilton in 1847, at Fagg's Manor,-the site of the old celebrated school of the Blairs, and named in honor of them,-and was in operation about eight years.
The Parkesburg Academy has been conducted since 1857, under the successive charge of Professor W. W. Woodruff, Rev. Dr. David X. Junkin, J. Morgan Rawlins, Rev. J. L. Landis, William .W. Rupert, and Milton R. Alexander. A female school was also in operation in Parkesburg from 1853 for some years, under the charge of Miss Hannalı Cooper, and afterwards of the Misses Kelley and Johnson.
Londongrove Boarding-School for Young Men and Boys was established in 1849 by Benjamin Swayne, and suc- cessfully conducted until about 1860.
Rebecca B. Pugh's Boarding- and Day-School for Chil- dren was opened in Londongrove in 1848, removed to West Chester in 1854, and conducted to 1874, when it was relinquished on account of the ill health of the principal.
Thomas M. Harvey's School for Young Men, in Penn township, was in operation from 1840 to 1855, and sent into the world many well-educated men, among them Dr. Isaac I. Hayes, the celebrated explorer in the Polar regions.
Harmony Hill Boarding-School for Girls, near Fairville, conducted by Thomas Berry, a valued member of the Society of Friends, flourished for some years prior to 1835.
Fairville Institute, for both sexes, was established by Jesse D. Sharpless in 1854, and was in successful operation until 1868. As many as 90 students were sometimes in attendance.
Jesse E. Phillips conducted, in East Nantmcal township, Fremont Academy from 1847 to 1858, and David Phillips and J. C. Guilden successively, at Pughtown, the Oakdale Academy from 1855 to 1875, both for boys. Ivy Insti- tute for Girls, under the charge of Jesse Hawley and his daughters, was located at Pughtown from 1856 to 1870, and since then at Phoenixville. The Grovemont School, at Phoenixville, was in charge of Rev. J. E. Bradley from 1856 to 1866. The Ridge Road Academy was in opera- tion in 1852 and 1853, and the Springville Academy, for both sexes, from 1868 to 1872. Johnson's School, for both sexes, at Guthrieville, from 1870 to the present time. Academies have been in operation in Waynesburg at dif- feront times since the year 1845, where Abel Marple was the first principal. Malvern Boarding-School, for both sexes, under Jane M. Eldridge, has been in operation since 1860. West Grove Boarding-School for Girls, with Thomas Conard and Thomas P. Conard successively as principals, from 1853 to 1869. Ezra Gray had a board- ing-school in Upper Oxford from 1861 for some years, and Henry S. Kent in Penn township, near Jennerville, from 1860 to 1863; Toughkenamon Boarding-School, of Hannah M. Cope, since 1867 ; Edgefield Institute, in Upper Uwcli- lan, by Abraham Fetters, since 1867; Friends' High School, in West Chester, since 1835. Cheyney Hannum had a school in West Chester from 1832 to 1838; Mrs. Sarah Fales, from 1838 to 1842; Miss Sarah Edmunds, from 1842 to 1850; J. W. Pinkerton, for girls, and Thomas B. Jacobs, for boys, for many years; James
M. Hughes, for girls, from 1854 to 1858; Mrs. Paulin, a select school for girls.
Edward E. Orvis opened a female seminary in New London, called the New London Female Seminary, May 16, 1853, which was conducted by him some two or three years.
J. Williams Thorne commenced the first session of his boarding-school in Sadsbury township, Chester County, four miles north of Parkesburg, in the summer of 1856. He taught the Latin and French languages, and lectured on English classics, history, and astronomy. With the ex- ception of three years, the school was vacated in summer. It was discontinued in 1866.
Lincoln University, an institution for the education of young men of color, was incorporated by the Legislature in 1854, under the title of Ashmun Institute. In 1866 the name was changed to Lincoln University, and its sphere of usefulness enlarged. The buildings are situated on a tract of eighty arres in Lower Oxford township, on the line of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad, and near the borough of Oxford, and occupy a commanding position upon one of the highest hills in that undulating district. There are four university buildings and four professors' houses. The institution is completely equipped with a corps of fifteen professors and teachers, who are zealous and earnest in the work. Students are fitted in the pre- paratory department, and in college pursue the regular course of four years ; and on graduating receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Full instruction is also given in the law, medical, and theologieal departments, and the regular degrees conferred. The university is doing a noble work in sending out educated colored men fitted to instruet and elevate their race. Rev. I. N. Rendall, D.D., is its presi- dent.
Soldiers' Orphans' School .- This school was established at Chester Springs in 1868. The "Springs" was once a noted watering-place, but is not now kept as such, and the ample buildings are in the occupancy of the school. It has always had a full attendance, and is regarded as one of the best schools of its character in the State. About six hundred soldiers' orphans have enjoyed its benefits.
The Chester County Cabinet of Natural Science .- In 1826 a society was organized in West Chester, and incor- porated under the above title. Its object was to promote a knowledge of natural history, and specially of the indige- nous products of the county. Its members showed com- mendable zeal, with gratifying results; a fine museum of specimens was gathered, a large three-story hall crected, in which their collections were placed ; winter courses of lec- tures were delivered, and a taste created for the natural sciences, which led to the formation of private collections, and the preparation and publication of several invaluable works by Drs. Darlington and Hartman, and others.
State Normal School .- In 1869 the valuable properties of the West Chester Academy and of the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Science were sold, and the proceeds made the basis of a fund for the erection of buildings for, the State Normal School of the First Distriet, composed of the counties of Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks. This school is located in West Chester. It was opened
308
HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
in 1871, and, under the charge of Professor George L. Maris and a corps of efficient teachers, is doing a noble work.
The building is a massive structure, constructed of the beautiful serpentine stone so abundant in this region. The grounds contain ten acres, well laid out and ornamented. The school has as many students as can be accommodated. The valuable collections and library of the Cabinet of Nat- ural Science have been placed in the building, in rooms set apart for that purpose.
The number of schools in the county of a higher grade than the common schools is at the present time about thirty.
Common Schools .- Some of the first schools were kept in the session-houses of the churches. At a later period houses were built for the purpose more conveniently situ- ated and somewhat better furnished. No females were em- ployed, and down to about forty years ago it was considered rather a disgrace than otherwise for females to teach, and the cognomen of schoolmistress was more avoided than sought by young ladies. Then the teacher was paid by the parents and guardians of those attending the school, and schools were conducted upon the subscription plan. The few appended receipts are given as an illustration of this early custom :
" 18th Day of Xbr 1735
"Reced of Richard Buffington Junior 188 +) Hatt, 48 6d by Stock- ings, 17ª 6ª In money-In all forty Shillings ; Being in full for a yeare Scholeing. I say Reced p
"me
JON. MonSE,"
"These May Certifie Whome it may Consern the Barrer John Young in the year one Thousand seven Hundred and forty-seven Subscribed With severall others of the Inhabitants of the Township of West Bradford and East Caln, Thirty Shillings Towards Hiring a School Master Named David Robinson.
" ROGER HUNT,
"ROBERT WILSON."
"Rec'd of John Young one pound Ten Shillings being his sub- scription for one years schooling ending the first Day of September last past.
"by me this 16th of November, 1748.
"JOSEPH WRAY."
The earliest schools in Chester County, as before stated, were those of the Friends. The following instances are cited : an acre of ground in Willistown was purchased by several Friends for school purposes, 4, 12, 1753.
At Quarterly Mtg. 5, 13, 1754: " According to the advice of a minute of the Last Yearly Mecting concerning the settling schools in the Country it is agreed for the encouragement thereof that the sev- eral and respective Clarks of the Monthly Meetings belonging to this Quarterly Meeting do inquire inte and bring a truc ond perfect ac- count of all Legacies denation or other Estate which have been here- tofore given to their respective meetings und of the uses to which the moneys arising therefrom arc apply'd and bring the account thereof to our next meeting."
The Bradford, New Garden, and Kennet Monthly Meet- ings jointly set up a school prior to 1781. Likewise Go- shen, Bradford, and Birmingham mectings jointly purchased four acres of ground in East Bradford, one-half mile west of West Chester, where the old roofless walls still stand to mark the spot whereon the then " new school-house" was erected in 1779.
Another old school-house was one which stood on the northwest corner of the property belonging to the Brandy- wine Manor Presbyterian Church. It was about 28 by 18
feet, and had two doors in the front, which was towards the south. It was divided by a swinging partition. One divi- sion was used for a classical school, and the other was occu- pied by the common school. It stood within about three hundred yards of where three townships, constituting the Eighth Election District, then joined, and the elections were held therein from 1798 to 1814. This stone school- house was the first one built of that material in that part of Chester County. All the first school-houses, like the first buildings generally, were constructed of logs, mostly un- hewn.
The following table shows the number of children in each township, between the ages of five and twelve years, whose parents were unable to school them, and who were entitled to free education in accordance with the provisions of the act of April 4, 1809, which required assessors to make a return of all such, the same to be placed on the township transcripts ; after revision, the lists were returned to the. assessors, whose duty it was to notify the parents of said children to what (the most convenient) schools they should be sent. The table also shows the year when each town- ship commenced to report poor children, and the year it ceased to make said returns, which is the date of their ac- ceptance of the provisions of the free school law.
TOWNSHIPS.
Commenced to re-
No. of poor children
returned in that
Adopted the free
No. of poor children
reported in 1835.
Brandywine.
1810
3
1841
III
East Bradford.
15
1843
79
West Bradford
2
1837
37
Londen Britain.
4
1840
22
East Colo.
6
1836
68
Charlestown
66
39
1841
48
Coventry
5
1840
92
Londonderry
6
184]
26
West Chester.
7
1838
115
East Fallowfield
8
1837
53
Goshen ( East and West).
15
1839
101
Londongrove
3
1839
21
New Garden.
5
1839
87
Honeybroek
12
1838
80
Newlin
5
1841
37
East Marlborough
16
1838
50
East Nottingham
3
1839
108
Upper Oxford.
7
1841
74
Lower Oxford.
21
1841
51
Pennsbury
66
1
1841
51
Sadsbury
3
1841
110
Westtown
11
1843
31
East Whiteland
6
1838
30
West Whiteland.
20
1841
43
Birmingham
1811
4
1841
16
West Marlborough
66
3
1838
59
Thorn bury.
3
1840
9
Tredyffrin
10
1840
87
Uwchlan
3
1839
45
Willistown
2
1838
49
West Caln
1812
3
1837
71
New London.
18
1841
84
East Nantmeal.
12
1839
126
West Nantmenl.
7
1837
5 L
West Nottingham.
2
1838
31
West Fallowfield.
1813
3
1838
76
Kennet.
8
1841
45
Penn ..
1841
45
Schuylkill
...
East Vincent
1811
8
1840
36
West Vincent.
1838
22
East Pikeland
1841
West Pikeland
1812
4
1841
45
Total
304
2553
48
Easttowo
66
4
1836
43
port poor chil- dren.
year.
school law.
309
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
Algebra was first taught in a common school in Honey- brook township in 1822 ; surveying and mensuration, by a self-taught instructor, a little later .*
The high school at Penningtonville was started in the spring of 1863 by William E. Buck, of New Hampshire. The school was opened in the basement of the Presbyte- rian church, but was soon moved into a building fitted up for its special use, and now the public school building of the borough of Atglen. In this day school the higher branches were thoroughly and successfully taught for some years. In the year 1867, Mr. Buck returned to the East, and was succeeded by John McClellan, but the school was soon closed.+
The common schools number about three hundred and fifty, many of which are equal in every respect, in the branches taught and in their general efficiency, to the higher academies and seminaries.
When the question of accepting the common school system was submitted to the delegates representing the school districts of the county, in 1834 and 1835, a consider- able majority voted not to accept. In 1836, however, quite a change had taken place in public opinion, and of the forty- five districts represented, the delegates of' thirty-eight voted in its favor, and soon thercafter the system became general.
When the office of county superintendent was established it encountered two classes of opponents among the school directors, one composed of those who thought themselves fully competent to examine the teachers, and direct the schools withont extraneous aid, and who were jealous of the new officer; and the other, of those who thought the office useless, and that the money paid to the officer would be better expended by adding it to the school fund. The op- position, however, gradually subsided, through the judicious conduct of the incumbents of the office and the manifest advantages as exhibited in the practical workings of the system.
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