History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 88

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150

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This school-house was built of brick laid in headers and stretchers, the ends of the headers being burnt black, a mark of architectural beauty in that day. It was two stories in height, and the bricks were said to have been imported from England,-which, of course, is the merest fancy,-and in the south gable the large numerals 1770 were inserted in the wall, being formed by the black ends of the headers. Small as the building was, it was more than sufficient for the use to which it was dedicated. As the struc- ture was erected near the east end of the lot, Hoskins permitted more land to be taken than he actually gave by his will, so that ample space for a playground could be had. This was the starting-point of our present system of free public instruction, and it was a most praiseworthy act in the board of school directors of the city of Chester that, in the year 1882, when putting up a new building at Fifth and Welsh Streets for the use of the superintendent, with school-rooms on the second floor, they recognized the noble act of Joseph Hoskins, who, almost forgotten, had slumbered for more than a century in Friends' graveyard, by designating the new structure "Joseph Hoskins' School."

Among the rules prescribed by the trustees on Jan. 9, 1796, the following appears :

"8th. It shall be the duty of the Truetees to see yt no book contain- ing the tenete or doctrines of any eect in religion be taught in the school, or any that may convey improper political principles to the chil- dren of Republicane, since no others ought to be admitted but such as teach the pure principles of religion, as contained io the Holy Writinge of the Prophets and Evangelists-of morality and love of virtue; euch as teach ue the love of liberty and our country-obedience to her lawe -detestation of tyranny and oppression, and hatred of anarchy and li- centiousness."

In the lapse of years the names of the first peda- gogues who swayed the birch-the emblem of au- thority-have been forgotten ; but from 1806 to 1818, Samuel Lytle, an Irishman, was the teacher there, and among the pupils that came under his care was the future Admiral Farragut, then living in the family of Commodore Porter. Here the great seaman received the rudiments of his education. From 1824

to 1830, William Neal was in charge of the school, at which time it was known as the Chester Academy.

The first private school (for that at Fifth and Welsh Streets was classified under the head Charity School, after the passage of the law of 1802) of which we have knowledge was established on Third Street, west of the bridge, about 1822, by Mrs. Irvin, and was restricted to primary pupils. The following years Miss Eliza Finch kept a school in the old Logan house on Second Street near Edgmont. Among her pupils was the present Admiral David D. Porter, and his brothers, William, Theodore, and Hamilton, and under her tuition they received their elementary edu- cation. She continued here until 1830, when she abandoned its cares and opened a store in its stead. About the time Miss Finch retired Caleb Pierce as- sumed the duties of instructing the youths of Chester whose parents would not permit them to attend the old school at Fifth and Welsh Streets, establishing his select school in a summer-house, which had been built by Major Anderson nearly forty years before that date, in the rear of the Columbia House. In 1834, James Campbell, a graduate of Union College, New York, taught the Chester Academy, succeeding Mr. Neal, and the same year a Mr. Jones was principal of " the Chester High School," which was established in " a commodious building," the site of which I can- not locate. In 1840 the public-school system having been generally accepted, Caleb Pierce discontinued his select school and accepted the position of teacher at the old school-house on Welsh Street, but in 1843, when the building was enlarged by an addition at the north end almost as large as the original structure, James Riddle was chosen principal, and four lady assistants appointed. In the same year Mrs. Frances Biddle established a day-school for young ladies in the Sunday-school room-a frame building-attached to St. Paul's Church. In 1845, James Dawson had a select school in one of the rooms of the school build- ing, the public demand not requiring the use of all the apartments there. In 1850, when Chester began to enlarge its population, the school-room was so taxed that in 1853 the directors purchased a lot on Franklin Street, South Ward, and erected the build- ing known as the Franklin Street school, and the growth of North Ward compelled the erection of the Eleventh Street school in 1858. Notwithstanding the increase of school-houses, the population so out- ran the accommodation afforded that in 1864 schools were established in the Crozer Academy, on Second Street, and in 1867 primary schools were opened in the Baptist Chapel, on Penn Street, and in the base- ment of the African Methodist Church, on Second Street, the latter for the accommodation of colored children. At that date a colored school for advanced pupils was also maintained by the directors in a frame house on Welsh Street. The demand still keeping in advance of the buildings, in 1867 the present high school was erected, although it was not completed

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ready for occupancy until the following summer. In 1870 it was necessary to afford better facilities in North Ward, and in that year the Morton Avenue building was erected, and in 1871 the Patterson Street school-house was built and set apart as a col- ored school. In 1874 the Eleventh Street school was enlarged and remodeled. In 1875 the old school building on Welsh Street was taken down and a large brick school-house built; and in 1878 the Howell Street school-house was erected. In 1882 the Joseph Hoskins school building was built, and in 1883 the lot at Eleventh and Madison, formerly occupied by the Larkintown Sunday-school, was purchased by the directors, and will be built upon in 1885.

The corps of teachers are excellent, the examina- tion of applicants for position as instructors is very thorough, and a general average of education imparted to the pupil will compare favorably with that of any city in the country, The graduates of the Chester High School are as carefully taught as in most acad- emies in the land, the universities excepted, and the system of opening the higher branches of education to both the sexes has resulted most advantageously. The present faculty of the high school is, Principal, Emma J. Hahn; Assistants, Jennie McLaren and Frederica E. Gladwin. The superintendents of the public schools of Chester, since that office was estab- lished by the Legislature when the city was separated from the county of Delaware, and authorized to main- tain and govern the schools in the municipal district without reference to those in the county, have been as follows : 1868, A. A. Meader; 1875, A. Robinett ; 1878, Charles F. Foster, the present incumbent.

The following list presents the names of the direc- tors of the public schools for the borough and present city of Chester, so far as the same remain of record. Under the act of 1834, the court in that year appointed as school inspectors Archibald T. Dick and Jesse J. Maris :

1840, John H. Denuing, Samuel Weaver; 1841, Samuel Little, Edward Darlington, John H. Denning, Samuel Weaver, Humphrey Johnson, and Jacob G. Kitts composed the full board of school directors; 1842, John Hinkson, Alexander McKeever; 1843, Jeremiah W. Flickner ; 1844, Joseph H. Hinkson, Isaac S. Williams; 1845, Joseph Taylor, Frederick J. Hinkson; 1846, Edward Darlington, Spencer Mellvain; 1847, William Weaver, Abram Cobourn; 1848, Peter W. Green, Isaac S. Williams; 1849, John Larkin, Jr., Charles D. Manley; 1850, Samuel Crozer, Jesse Young ; 1851, Rev. Anson B. Hard, William Trout, George W. Bartram, John McClimate, Alexander McKeever, Robert R. Dutton ; 1852, Robert E. Hannum, George W. Moore; 1853, James Campbell, Davia B. Stacey, lsase Engle Cochrao ; 1854, Alexander M. Wright, Lewis Thatcher ; 1855, E. S. Hewes, Frederick S. Hinkeon ; 1856, James J. Porter, William L. Grubb; 1857, Alex- onder M. Wright, Samuel Shaw ; 1858, Dr. Charles J. Morton, Wil- lism Hinkeon; 1859, Frederick J. Hinkson, Stephen Clowd ; 1860 (North Ward), -, (Middle Ward), -, (South Werd), Benjamin Gartside; 186] (North), William McDevitt, (Middle), William Hink- son, (South), -; 1862 (North), John M. Larkin, (Middle), Edward R. Minshall, (South), -; 1863 (North), Alexander M. Wright, (Middle), -, (South), Benjamin Gertside ; 1864 (North), John O. Deshong, Jr., (Middle), Dr. Ellwood Harvey, (South), Charles W. Deans; 1865 (North), -, (Middle), Caleb Emlin, (South), Abram R. Perkine; 1866 (North), Henry L. Donaldson, (Middle), -, (South), Samuel Eccles, Jr .; 1867 (North), -, (Middle), Stephen

C. Hall, (South) Alfred Taylor, resigned, and William B. Burmace elected to vacant seat; 1868 (North), -, (Middle), Thomas Apple- by, (South), John H. Barton ; 1869 (North), Joseph Kenworthy, Simeon Cotton, (Middle), -, -, (South), Jolin C. Price, -; 1870 (North), Heury L. Donaldson, (Middle), Samuel H. Leeds, (South), Dr. Ellwood Harvey ; 1871 (North), Simeon Cotton, (Middle), Henry B. Taylor, (South), John Fountain; 1872 (North), Dr. F. Ridgley Graham, (Middle), Samuel H. Leeds, (South), Jonathan Grant; 1873 (North), Dr. William B. Ulrich, (Middle), -- , (South), -; 1874 (North), William J. Harvey, (Middle), Mrs. S. M. Springer, (South), John Fountain; 1875 (North), William H. Dickinson, (Middle), Stephen C. Hall, (South), Jonathan Grant ; 1876 (North), Dr. F. Redgley Graham, (Middle), Charles Roberts, (South), John C. Price; 1877 (North) H. L. Donaldson, (Middle), William Hinkson, (South), J. Harry Thompson ; 1878 (North), Jonathan Johnson, (Middle), Samuel H. Leeds, (South), Jonathan Grant; 1879 (North), Daniel Robinson, (Middle), William Hiukson, (South), John C. Price : 1880 (North), H. L. Donaldson, (Middle), Levi G. James, (South), J. H. Thompson ; 1881 (North), Jonathan R. Johnson, (Middle), Stephen Clowd, Jr., (South), Jonathan Grant ; 1882 (North), Daniel Robin- son, (Middle), Samuel H. Leeds, (South), John C. Price ; 1883 (North), H. L. Donaldson, (Middle), Dr. Samuel Starr, (South), Josiah C. Ross ; 1884 (North), Jonathan R. Johnson, (Middle), Samuel Clowd, Jr., (South), Jonathan Grant.

The Pennsylvania Military Academy .- By act of Assembly, April 8, 1862, the Pennsylvania Mili- tary Academy was incorporated as a university under the title Chester County Military Academy. This title the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, on application for the board of trustees, changed im- mediately to its present name. It was then organ- ized and located at West Chester, with Col. Theodore Wyatt as its president, where it soon became noted as an institution of learning. Founded during the Re- bellion, it made a special feature of military instruc- tion, and to the forces of the United States in the civil war it contributed many officers from its roll of students. When Lee's army invaded the State the battery of the academy, manned by cadets of the in- stitution and citizens of West Chester, was in service for two months, and was commanded by the authori- ties. After the close of the war the Crozer Normal School building, at Chester, Delaware Co., which had been used by the government as a hospital, was va- cated by the United States, and, as it furnished ac- commodations superior to those the school then had, these premises were leased, and the institution was moved here in December, 1865. The Pennsylvania Military Academy at its new location grew rapidly in public favor, and so large did the number of students become that it was decided to secure its preseut site and erect and equip buildings adapted to its wants. In 1867 the institution conferred its first degrees on its graduates, and in September, 1868, the building having been completed in the mean while, the acad- emy occupied its new quarters, to the northeast of the the city,-a landmark presenting a prominent appear- ance when viewed from the north or east in approach- ing Chester, and especially from the Delaware River. In its new building the academy, in September, 1868, accommodated one hundred and fifty cadets and officers.

On the afternoon of Feb. 16, 1882, the main edifice was entirely destroyed by fire, the origin of which is

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THE CITY OF CHESTER.

unknown, although the flames were first discovered in the laboratory, then located in the upper story.

After the destruction of the academy, in twenty days subsequently the term was resumed temporarily at Ridley Park. As soon as the losses were adjusted by the insurance companies, the erection of a new building upon an improved and enlarged plan was commenced. The main structure is two hundred and seventeen feet long, fifty feet in depth, four stories in height, surmounted with a dome, which towers many feet above all, presenting a view therefrom unequaled in the county. The building, which was completed, ready for occupancy, Sept. 13, 1882, is divided by fire- walls, and is believed to be as nearly fireproof as it is possible to render it, while in a sanitary point, as well as in respect to the accommodation to secure the com- fort and convenience of its inmates, the new academy structure is most admirably planned. A laboratory, at some distance from the main edifice, is an ornate and well-arranged building, sufficiently removed to render it improbable that any fire which might occur therein could seriously endanger the Military Acad- emy proper. The drill-hall and gymnasium, one hun- dred and thirty and sixty feet respectively, are ad- mirably adapted to the uses for which they were de- signed.

The present academic staff is composed as follows : Col. Theodore Hyatt, president and professor of Greek ; Capt. Charles E. Hyatt, vice-president, pro- fessor of Rhetoric and Elocution; Capt. R. Kelso Carter, professor of Mathematics and Civil Engineer- ing; Lieut. William W. Galbraith, United States army, professor of Military Science and Mathematics; Lieut. Emile L. Feffer, professor of French, German, Spanish, Latin, and Greek ; Capt. Benjamin F. Mor- ley, professor of Chemistry, Physics, and Tactics; Dr. Joseph S. Burns, professor of Latin, Greek, and Eng- lish Literature; Dr. John R. Sweney, professor of Music; Charles S. Fahnestock, professor of Penman- ship, Drawing, and English Branches; William B. Ulrich, M.D., lecturer on Hygiene; Frederick E. Powell, adjunct professor of Mathematics and English Brauches; Edgar P. Hershey, adjunct professor of Rhetoric; Silas P. Comfort, instructor in Mathematics and Technical Drawing.

Chester Academy .- This institution of learning, located at the southwest corner of Broad and Potter Streets, was founded, in 1862, by Charles W. Deans, who had just previous to that date been superintend- ent of the public schools of Delaware County. It was then known as the Chester Academy and Normal School. In 1865, Professor George Gilbert, then of Philadelphia, purchased Mr. Deans' interest in the academy, including the school furniture, and at once reorganized the institution, enlarged the accommoda- tions, thoroughly revised and advanced the course of study, and employed additional teachers. The repu- tation of the academy steadily advanced, and in 1871, six years after he became principal of the institution,

Professor Gilbert purchased both the school building and the residence to the east. The school-rooms have all been recently enlarged to nearly double their original capacity and thoroughly refitted. The aim of the school is to afford facilities for students preparing for college, for teaching, or for general business, and to direct them in the course of study necessary to successfully qualify them for the occu- pations in life which they may select. The present faculty of the academy comprises George Gilbert, principal, instructor in Latin, Greek, and the Higher Mathematics ; M. Louisa Clancy, Music, French, and Literature; Mrs. T. M. Gilbert, Writing, Drawing, and History ; H. Jennie Cornell, Primary Depart- ment; Addie H. Pyle, Hannah R. Lenderman, and Jennie McCoy, English Branches. The pupilage is about one hundred and twenty.

Piers at Chester .- The present public wharves at Chester, one a short distance east of the foot of Market Street, and the other at the foot of Edgmont Avenue, are comparatively of recent construction. Between the years 1760 and 1770, Francis Richard- son, to whom the land on which these piers abut had been devised by his aunt, Grace Lloyd, erected a pier at end of Edgmont Avenue, and another to the eastward of the present Market Street pier, the latter remained until after 1826, but they were of crude construction, lacking the stability of those now in use. During the war of 1812 it became apparent that some protection was absolutely demanded at this point for vessels navigating the river in winter, for when the Delaware at the Horseshoe was frozen, it prevented all communication by water with Philadel- phia. The commerce of the latter city at that time greatly exceeded that of any port in the United States, and so frequent was the loss of vessels by drifting ice that on March 11, 1816, an appropriation of $10,935.32 was made by the General Assembly, " to be employed for the erection of piers for the river Delaware at the Borough of Chester." David Porter, Joseph Engle, and William Graham being appointed commissioners, who should " cause to be erected, placed, and sunk in the said river Delaware at the Borough of Chester, two or more good and sufficient piers, for the security of vessels navigating the said river, and shall also cause to be built and constructed good and sufficient wharves, to be so connected with the said piers as to afford a safe and easy landing for vessels coming to at the same ; and for this purpose they shall have power to employ suitable workmen, and obtain cessions to the Commonwealth of ground within the said Bor- ough of Chester, necessary for the erection and con- struction of such wharves and piers, Provided, That the said cessions be obtained without any consider- ation from the Commonwealth." The act also pro- vided that while the commissioners were to give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties, they were not to receive any compensation for their labor. The work was also required to be begun

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

within one year, and completed within five years from the date of the passage of the act.

By the act of March 24, 1817, an additional sum of eight thousand dollars was appropriated, one-half of which amount was to be paid to the commissioners when work was resumed on the wharves at Chester, and the remainder on the 1st of June, 1818, "or so soon thereafter as the said work shall be completed," and by the same act William Anderson was substi- tuted for Commodore David Porter. The work was to be proceeded with within one year, and completed within three years after the passage of the act.

Previous to the date of the law the owners of the land on which the piers abutted ceded their interest in the wharves to the State. The deed conveying the upper pier is as follows :

"THIS INDENTURE, made the 20th day of June, 1816, between Davia Bevan, of the Borough of Chester, in the county of Delaware, and the Commonwealth of Penneylvania, gentlemen, of the one part, and the said Commonwealth of Penneylvania of the other part Whereas, by an Act makiog ao appropriation for the erection of piere in the river Delaware, at the Borough of Chester, in Delaware County, David Porter, Joseph Eagle and William Graham, Esq., are authorized to obtain cessione to the Common wealth of ground within the said Borough of Chester, necessary for the erection and construction of the wharvee and piers provided the said cessione be obtained without any consideration from this commoo- wealth, and whereae the wharf lying on the North east side of High Street, in the eaid Borough of Chester, commonly called ' Richardson'e wharf,' hae by good and sufficient assurances in the law became vested in fee eimple io the said Davie Beven, who is desirous to aid the public interest by ceding hie title thereto to the Commonwealth, for the pur- pose aforesaid: Now this indenture witnesseth, that the said Davis Bevan in consideration of the premises and also in consideration of the local advantagee which will uriee from the contemplated work, hath grønted, bargained, sold, ceded, surrendered and confirmed, and by these presente doth grant, bargain, sell, cede, surrender and confirm unto the said Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, all that the above men- tioned wharf, situated, lying and being in the said Borough of Chester, on the North east side of High Street and extending from low water mark on the river Delaware to the fast land, being io breadth from low water mark to a button wond tree Standing on the North east side of eaid wharf about twenty-one feet, and thence to the feet land opposite the north end of a stone stable of the breadth of twenty feet, mesenr- ing from the South-west side of said wharf, as the foundatione now exist. Together with all and eingular the logs and bolte, stune end other material belonging to and connected with said wharf. to have and to hold the same for the purposes aforesaid with the appurtenences to the said Commonwealth of Pennsylvania forever; provided always nevertheless, that unless the said Common wealth ehall proceed to carry on the contemplated work within the period mentioned in the aforeseid recited law, then this Indenture and the estate hereby granted and ceded shall cease and become void. And the eaid Davis Bevao doth reserve to himself and to his heirs the right liberty and privilege to pase to, upon aod from the said wharf, with free ingrees egress and regress, to and for him and hls heirs and his and their servants und workmen, with horses, carts and carriagee at all times and seasone for the loading and hanling of goods and merchandise or other property, and for shipping and sending away the same."

The lower pier, at the foot of Edgmont Avenue, was sold by the sheriff of Chester County after Rich- ardson's failure to William O'Neal, and he, on Nov. 4, 1797, conveyed it with other real estate to Eph- raim Pearson. The latter ceded that wharf to the State of Pennsylvania by the following instrument, dated May 6, 1816:

" To all people to whom these Presents shall Come. I Ephraim Pearson of Chester, Delaware County, send greeting aod whereas by an Act making au appropriation for the erection of piere in the river Dela-

were, at the Borough of Cheeter in Delaware County, David Porter, Jo- seph Engle and William Graham, Esq., are authorized to obtain cessione to the Commonwealth of gronod within the said Borough of Cheeter, necessary for the erection and construction of the Wharves and piers provided the said cessions be obtained without any consideration from thie Commonwealth. Now know ye that I, the said Ephraim Pearson, do hereby grant, transfer and cede to the Commonwealth of Penneyl- vania all that piece of ground known by the name of ' Richerdeon'e Lower Wharf,' lying on the river Delaware, between the mouth of Chester creek and Front Street continued and extended from high water mark to low water mark, being in the Borough of Chester, afore- said. To have and to hold the same, to the eaid Common welth forever, for the purpose of erecting and constructing wharves and piers, aad for no other purpose; provided that if the said Commissioners ehall oot make use thereof for the purpose aforeseid, within the time limited by the above recited Act for finishing their work, then the cession to be void."

The State of Pennsylvania completed the piers at Chester, but constant repairs had to be made to them, until the commonwealth sorely repented accepting the wharves, which, even after the State had recon- structed them, were indifferent structures. Chester being the residence of Commodore Porter, and many of the noted men of the navy being often there, the town acquired reputation in that branch of the public service, hence government vessels frequently win- tered in the space between the piers, riding at anchor where now is solid ground. The State, desirous of being relieved from the charge of this white elephant, intimated that if the government of the United States would stipulate to keep the piers at Chester in good condition and repair, the commonwealth would cede to the former their title to the piers. The influence of navy officers was used. The United States ac- cepted the proposition, and on April 11, 1825, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania formally ceded the piers at Chester to the national government.

The Logan House (Second Street, near Edgmont Avenue) .- This dwelling was built by Jasper Yeates in the year 1700, on ground purchased from David Lloyd, Dec. 11, 1699, and formerly a stone on which was cut the initials "J. & C. Y.," with the date 1700 underneath, similar in appearance to the date-stone of the old Porter house, was set in one of the gables. These initials stood for the names Jasper and Catha- rine Yeates. It was two stories in height, with a tent- like roof forming an attic within, with steep sides. Over the first-story windows was a pent-roof, similar to that remaining on the old City Hall, and a porch at the front door, with seats at each side of the door, at right angles to the building. A wide door-way gave access to the spacious hall, many small dia- mond-shaped panes of glass set in lead, in the large window-sashes, gave light to the several apartments, and casements at the head of the stair landing fur- nished the same to the wainscoted hall-way. All the rooms were wainscoted also, and the panels were painted or stained in imitation of mahogany. Large closets were on each side of the wide chimney-places, lighted by windows in the outer walls. Under the high wooden mantel-pieces in the parlor and the room opposite, across the hall, the fireplaces were

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 88

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150