History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 117

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 117

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" WASHINGTON, PA., March 28th, 1874.

" REV. JAMES I BROWNSON, D.D., President of the Board of Trustees of the Washington Female Seminary :

" DEAR SIR,-Through you I desire to make the following communi- cation to the respected Board over which you preside :

"In 1840 the members then constituting the Board, most of whom have passed, as I trust, to a better world, conferred on me the office of principal of this seminary. This honor I have carried, together with its attendant obligations, for a period of thirty-four years. I now feel it to be my duty to tender my resignation, to take effect at the close of the present seminary year, on the 25th of next June. After such a service, in view of all the circumstances surrounding both myself and the insti- tution, I desire freedom from the cares and responsibilities of such a position,

" Before closing this letter permit me to offer my sincere thanks to the trustees and their families, as well as other friends of the seminary, for the kindness manifested towards myself and those connected with me during the years of my service. That a kind Providence may guide you in the selection of my successor, and preside over all the interests of the seminary, is the wish and prayer of

" Your friend, SARAH R. HANNA."

" WASHINGTON, PA., March 28th, 1874. " MRS. SARAH R. HANNA :

" DEAR MADAME,-The trustees of the Washington Female Seminary hereby acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date announcing your resignation of the headship of the institution, to take effect at the close of the present session, next June. In yielding to a purpose which you seem to have deliberately and firmly settled, the Board regard it as due to the public and themselves, as well as to you, to express their feel- ings in the prospect of your retirement.

"Though, indeed, after a service of thirty-four years as principal of the seminary the possibility that your desire for repose might in the future lead you to the step now taken has very naturally suggested itself to our minds, the actual crisis has come upon us with surprise and also with pain, in view of separation after so happy a union, both personal and official. So long have the trustees and friends of the seminary been accustomed to rely upon the wisdom and energy of your management that we cannot but realize the responsibility which circumstances now force upon us of selecting another person who may prove competent to carry forward the work so faithfully and successfully done by you in the years now gone. From our intimate knowledge of your character we are confident that, with or without official connection, your counsel and prayers will be available in behalf of an enterprise which has so long enlisted the warmest feelings of your heart and the best energies of your life.

" Whatever the future may disclose, under the providential hand which controls all things, you have the sure record of God's blessing upon your labors. Our seminary has been built up into prosperity and honor, chiefly through your agency. Its more than five hundred graduates and a like number who have taken a partial course have been, as thei

458

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

survivors will be, your living witnesses. The institution, into whatever hands it may pass, will always be associated with your name. The Board can never fail to appreciate your fidelity ; and our Father in Heaven, we doubt not, will follow with unfailing reward the toil and vigilance you have so heartily laid upon His altar. We beg leave to assure you that when the time shall come which you have designated for surrendering your trust you will carry with you the abiding confidence and friendship of the Board, the stockholders, and the community, and that we shall ever pray for a divine blessing upon the evening of your life.

" With great regard and esteem, we are " Very truly yours,

"JAMES I. BROWNSON, " JOHN H. EWING,

"F. JULIUS LE MOYNE, " COLIN M. REED,

"THOMAS MCKENNAN,

" MATTHEW H. CLARK,

" THOMAS MCKEAN,

" V. HARDING."

Upon the retirement of Mrs. Hanna, the board ap- pointed its president, together with Messrs. C. M. Reed and M. H. Clark, to nominate a successor. This committee, after careful inquiry and extensive corre- spondence, in due time presented the name of Miss Nancy Sherrard, who was unanimously chosen. Miss Sherrard, having been born and reared near Steuben- ville, Ohio, and educated in its honored female semi- nary, had also the full benefit of experience as a teacher in similar institutions at Blairsville, Pa., Louisville, Ky., and Fort Wayne, Ind. At the time of her elec- tion she was vice-principal of the Steubenville Semi- nary, under Rev. A. M. Reid, Ph.D., principal. She entered upon her official duties at the opening of the next seminary year, in September, 1874, bringing her excellent reputation and great energy into her new and wide sphere of usefulness. The record of eight years of continued and advancing success is the best possible testimony alike of the wisdom of the trus- tees in her selection and of her own untiring devotion to their service.

For several years prior to the beginning of this new administration the seminary had, under the operation of various causes, seriously declined in the number of pupils, and consequently in revenues. Very soon, however, the hopefulness of a new departure was manifested in every direction. The building was renovated, a full corps of teachers was secured, and pupils both from the town and from abroad came in, until once more the measure of patronage is equal to that of capacity. Still further enlargement also has been given to the course of study, extending it to four years, and a preparatory department has now for several years been in operation with efficiency and advantage. The general prosperity of the institution may be inferred from the average attendance of pupils during the eight years of Miss Sherrard's incumbency, viz .: the first year, 78; second, 118; third, 87 ; fourth, 123; fifth, 119; sixth, 115; seventh, 125 ; eighth, 132. Of these about forty-three per cent. have been board- ing pupils, the rest having been drawn from the town and vicinity. During the same period the number of graduates has been as follows, viz .: in 1875, eight; 1876, nineteen; 1877, thirteen ; 1878, fourteen ; 1879,

twenty-nine; 1880, twenty-four; 1881, nineteen; 1882, thirty ; making a total of one hundred and fifty-six, or an annual average of nineteen and a half.

The following lists are taken from the annual cata- logue of 1881-82, viz. : Officers of the institution, Miss N. Sherrard, principal. Teachers ; Miss C. C. Thomp- son, English Branches; Miss Mary W. Brownson, English and Elocution; Miss Mary E. Brownlee, English Branches; Miss F. J. Osborne, English Branches ; Miss L. S. Radcliffe, English Branches ; Miss L. P. Kuhn, English and Penmanship; Miss Carrie H. Stephenson, Piano and Harmony ; Miss M. M. Rodgers, Assistant in Instrumental Music; Miss Anna V. Peebles, Vocal Music; Miss Hettie Speer, Drawing and Painting; Miss Eliza O. Hart, Prepara- tory Department. Instruction in special studies : James Á. Lyon, Ph.D., Prof. W. and J. College, Lec- tures and Experiments in Chemistry ; Rev. Henry Woods, D.D., Prof. W. and J. College, Latin ; Prof. F. Schmid, Prof. Trinity School, German and French.

Board of Trustees, Rev. James I. Brownson, D.D., Hon. John H. Ewing, C. M. Reed, Esq., Thomas McKennan, M.D., V. Harding, Esq., Thomas Mc- Kean, Esq., A. S. Ritchie, Esq., Julius Le Moyne, Esq., James R. Clark, Esq. Officers of the Board : Rev. James I. Brownson, D.D., President; A. S. Ritchie, Esq., Secretary ; Thomas Mckean, Esq., Treasurer.

In bringing to a close these outline sketches of the colleges, academies, and seminaries of Washington County, the writer is free to confess the imperfection of his work. It was undertaken under the sole mo- tive of putting upon permanent record the progress of an interest second to no other but the Christian religion itself in the community with which his life- work has been identified. The reader need not be reminded that the several classes of educational in- stitutions here traced are but parts of one compre- hensive system. They are all due, in their measure, to the characteristic spirit of the homogeneous gen- eration which shaped the character and destinies of Washington County, and their benefits are now an interchangeable and common inheritance to their descendants. History and hope make their joint appeal to the favored people of the present time for an enlarged support and a vigorous advancement of these high interests. God and the generations to come demand it at our hands. The past at least is secure; let the future more than surpass it.

TRINITY HALL.1-Of the four institutions of learn- ing of which Washington is justly proud, the young- est; but by no means the least prosperous, and in its sphere as important as any, is the Trinity Hall Boarding-School for boys. The design of the school is to educate the pupils "in the various English branches, and in the ancient and modern languages on positive and thoroughly Christian principles."

1 By Samuel Earp, Ph.D.

GATE

TRINITY HALL. BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS. WASHINGTON. PA

TRINITY HALL FROM PLAYGROUND, WASHINGTON, PA.

TRINITY HALL, EAST VIEW, WASHINGTON, PA.

459

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.

in everything else. It is his aim to secure teachers of the best talent and highest Christian character, and to supply all such advantages as are to be ob- tained in older institutions of its kind. For years the founding of such a school was a favorite project of the late Rt. Rev. John B. Kerfoot, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L., bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The railroad facilities of the place, its healthfulness and natural beauty of surroundings, led to the choice of Washington as the site for the school. A building (which was afterwards enlarged) and grounds, both of which were well adapted to the purpose, were leased from Mr. W. W. Smith, of Wash- ington, who generously furnished the necessary funds for the equipment of the school. The Rev. Samuel Earp, at that time rector of one of the leading Protestant Episcopal Churches of New York City, a man of large experience as an instructor, was in- duced to lead the enterprise as head-master of the school. Finally, on Sept. 11, 1879, the hall was opened with appropriate services, part of which was an admirable address by Bishop Kerfoot on " The Pastorship of Boys." The school has been success- ful from beginning, exceeding the hopes of its most sanguine friends.

Situated on an eminence overlooking the town, Trinity Hall, as improved, is one of the most attrac- tive and conspicuous landmarks of Washington. Its grounds, thirty-two acres in extent, the property of W. W. Smith, cannot be surpassed for beauty and utility. The distinguished landscape gardener, the late. R. M. Copeland, of Boston, Mass., gave to the improvement of the grounds considerable time and attention, so that they are now not only adorned with drives and avenues, a splendid lawn and elegant flower-beds, but full of superb fruit- and shade-trees, native and exotic, of twenty years' growth.

There is ample opportunity for all athletic sports, to which, by the way, special attention is given as valuable accessories to successful intellectual develop- ment. A small stream flows through the grounds, by the side of which is a beautiful meadow containing about eight acres. This is used as a play-ground, and, being dry and almost level, is in its way all that can be desired for such a purpose. The waters of the stream will be let upon lower grounds during the winter, and the pond thus formed used by the boys for skating.

To this end no pains are spared. Every pupil has . the general hall. These four rooms intercommuni- the constant attention of the rector in his studies as ' cating by this hall will, when its doors are thrown open, make a reception at "Trinity" a much more pleasant occasion than it otherwise could be. By a broad staircase we reach another hall, well lighted, and of equal size with the one below. Surrounding this are the rooms of the rector's family, and in the third story are rooms for the servants. The building throughout is well lighted, well ventilated, finished with taste, and complete in all its appointments. Besides the rooms mentioned, the original building contains the music-room and a room for the sick, which, owing to the healthfulness of the location, is rarely needed. To this original structure a large addition was erected joining it on the north.

The addition is fifty by ninety-six feet, two stories in height, of brick with trimmings of stone. The treatment of the exterior is broad and simple, indi- cating by its appearance the purpose of the building, and at the same time harmonizing with the main building. We enter from the main building a spacious hall, from which a broad and easy staircase ascends to the floor. The staircase, plainly and substantially finished, is lighted by broad, quaint windows. At the foot a door opens on the play-ground, and from this point a wide corridor leads to the school-room. Wide folding-doors opposite the entrance from the main building give access to the dining-hall. At the left is the bath-room and lavatory. The dining-hall, a well-lighted apartment, forty-one by twenty-eight feet, is finished in oak, with the ceiling supported by turned pillars. A massive fireplace of brick and stone gives character to the room. Wide folding doors open into the school-room.

Passing the dining-hall and ascending a few steps at the end of the corridor we enter the school-room, forty-five by twenty-eight feet. By this device a greater height is obtained, a matter of importance in a room occupied by a large number of persons. Also allowing higher windows, the light is distributed to better advantage. The steps at the entrance, pro- tected by a handsome railing, with a seat below, make a pleasing feature, and add to the appearance of the room. As in the dining-hall, the ceiling is supported by turned oak pillars. When the folding doors between the school-room and dining-hall are thrown open the latter, being on a higher level, is more readily converted into a stage for exhibition purposes. On each side of the school-room are two large alcoves used as recitation-rooms. The entire second floor, with the exception of a space reserved for the clothes and linen-closets, is occupied by the dormitories. In the centre, and extending nearly the entire length, is a light well fifty-eight by eight. This is lighted from above by a clerestory with ven- tilating louvres and skylights, thus securing ample light and ventilation. Around this extends a broad corridor, from which opens on either side the dormi-

The original building has a length of eighty-five feet front and faces the south ; from the vestibule we enter a hall thirty-six by fourteen feet. At the left of this is the rector's study and to the right the parlor, an elegant room thirty-two by eighteen feet, sur- rounded on three sides by a broad piazza. In the rear of these rooms are two others, each twenty-seven by sixteen feet ; the one is used as a chapel, the other as a boys' library ; to these there is also access from | tories, fifty-four in number. These are formed by

460

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

partitions of wood almost seven feet in height, but not reaching the ceiling, thus giving privacy to each pupil without interfering with the ventilation.

At one end a wide bay window opens on the corri- dor, adding to the cheerfulness of the dormitories and forming an attractive feature of the exterior design. The school rooms and recitation-rooms are provided with ventilating shafts, by which the air can be kept pure in winter without exposing the pupils to draughts from partially opened windows.

The entire building is warmed by means of hot-air furnaces in the cellar.

The architects were McKim, Mead, and White, of New York City.

The present officers (June, 1882) are as follows : Rev. S. Earp, A.M., Ph.D., rector and instructor in English branches ; Francis Schmid, A.M., instructor in ancient and modern languages ; Rev. Frederick W. White, A.B., assistant instructor in English branches ; W. C. McClelland, A.B., instructor in mathematics; W. Wallace, assistant instructor in English branches ; Miss Annie Moore, music teacher ; and Miss Margaret Brownson, drawing teacher.

Public Schools. - In Washington County - ever first and foremost among the communities west of the Allegheny Mountains in educational matters-the establishment of the classical schools of the Rev. John McMillan and the Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, in 1782, infused into the minds of the people a thorough ap- preciation of the benefits of education. These schools expanded into the academies which afterwards de- veloped into Washington and Jefferson Colleges. In response to the public educational demand Washing- ton County, by its commissioners, provided as early as 1803 that the sum of one hundred dollars should be applied yearly for the purpose of giving the rudi- ments of education to poor children. This action on the part of the commissioners was continued till 1808, in which year no such provision was made (doubtless on account of the agitation of the subject in the State Legislature at that time). On the 4th of April, 1809, the Legislature passed " An act to provide for the education of the poor gratis;" which law provided that the county commissioners at the time of issuing their precepts to the assessors should direct them to obtain the names of all the children between the ages of five and twelve years, whose parents were unable to pay for their schooling, and also required of the assessor to inform the parents of the children "that they are at liberty to send them to the most conveni- ent school free of expense." The assessor was to send a list of the names of children so obtained to the teachers of schools in his district, whose duty it was made to teach all such children who came to the school the same as other children, and to keep a day-book in which the name of each child should be kept, with the number of days' attendance and amount of stationery furnished to each such child ; and to make out his account against the county agreeably

to the usual rates, subject to examination by the trus- tees of the school where there were any, but where there were none to three reputable subscribers to the school, which account the teacher should present to the county commissioners, and, if approved, the amount should be paid out of any moneys in the treasury.

In the November following the passage of this act the commissioners of Washington County included in the budget of taxes for that year the sum of eight hundred dollars for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the act, and an amount was annually appropriated for that purpose until the year 1834. The following are the sums so appropriated, viz. :

1809

$800

1822

$1500

1810

200

1823

1500

1811.

200

18:24

1500

1812

200

1825.

1200

1813 ..

200

1826.

1000

1814

200

1827

1200

1815

300

1828

1600

1816

300

1829

1500

1817

500

1830

1500

1818

500

1831

2500

1819

1000

1832

2500

1820

500

1833

2500

1821

1000

The subject of a public-school law had been agi- tated in the State Legislature from the year 1825, when Gen. H. W. Beeson, of Fayette County, intro- duced a bill for the establishment of common schools, which, however, failed. From that time until the passage of the school act in 1834 the question had been much agitated, and was finally passed after much opposition. The following letter shows that the citizens of Washington County were active on the subject, and by word and pen were using their influence in bringing about its accomplishment :

" WASHINGTON, PENN", 4 Feb'y, 1831.

" At a meeting of the Committee on the subject of common schools in the Borough of Washington, the following proceedings were had, viz .:

"On motion of Thomas Morgan, Esqr, seconded by William Baird, Esq", The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted. The Committee deeply impressed with the importance and magnitude of the subjects referred to them by their fellow citizens, con- sidering that the axiom is no less true than trite that ' Education is power' in the Government of a people who are enlightened, but in rela- tion also to the individuals who possess the virtue of which education is the handmaid, and the liberty of which it is the shield ; and believing that he who suggests a new and useful idea tending to the improvement of the systems in his own vicinity, or develops those of a beneficial char- acter elsewhere, or furnishes by means of his researches and industry valuable facts and important inferences and reflections on the engross- ing subject, is entitled if not to a civic crown to the thanks of every friend of private happiness and public prosperity, and that he is & greater promoter of both than one who bestows on either his whole for- tune however splendid.

" The committee feel themselves constrained to adopt the following resolutions, viz .:

" Resolved, That this Committee in their own name, and on behalf of the community, whose agents they are, respectfully tender their acknowledgements to the Hon. Wm. McCreery, our representative in Con- gress, the Hon. E. Everett, a representative in Congress from Massachu- setts, William Patterson, Esqr, our representative in the State Legisla- ture; Roberts Vaux, Esqr, of the City of Philadelphia ; Morgan Neville & Nathan Guilford, Esqra, of the City of Cincinnati ; and the Reverend George Brown, of the City of Pittsburgh, for their luminous communica- tions on the momentous subject of their inquiries.

'- Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, attested by the Chairman of this Committee, Thomas M. T. McKennan, Esq", and the Secretary,

461

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.

Jnº. L. Gaw, Esqr, be communicated to each of the Gentlemen named in the preceding resolution, and that the Chairman and Secratary be re- quested to assure them of our best wishes for their health and happi- ness.

" Attest. "TH. M. T. MCKENNAN, Chairman. " JOHN L. Gow, Sec'y."

In the county of Washington, under the school law of April 1, 1834, school directors were elected in each township, and a joint meeting was called for Nov. 4, 1834, to consist of the three commissioners of the county and one delegate from each of the twenty- - three boards of directors. In accordance with this call, the convention was held at the court-house Nov. 4, 1834, at which time Robert Patterson, Esq., of Smith township, was chosen president, and John R. Kennedy, of Chartiers, secretary. The vote on the question of complying with the law, by making an appropriation, being taken, as required by the fifth section of said act, the yeas and nays were as follows, to wit :

Yeas, 21 .- James Ruple, Washington ; James Taggart, Canton ; Thomas -, Morris; John H. Kennedy, Chartiers; John Morrison, Notting- ham; James P. Kerr, Donegal; John Lowery, Hopewell; Samuel Hill, Fallowfield; Andrew Kerr, Pike Run; William Campbell, North Stra- bane; James Linn, South Strabane; Jonathan Warrick, Amwell; James Holmes, West Finley ; William Patterson, Cross Creek; Henry Enlow, East Finley; James McClaskey, Mount Pleasant; Robert Patterson, Smith ; Richard Donaldson, Robinson ; James Miller, William McElroy, James Lee, commissioners.

Nays, 5 .- James Spears, Peters; William Pedon, Somerset; Jesse Kenworthy, East Bethlehem; David McCoy, Hanover ; James Moore, Cecil.

- -

At this meeting it was decided to raise the sum of $4800, there having been appropriated from the State fund, for the use of Washington County, $2397.73. At this time there were eight thousand seven hundred and thirty-six persons in the county liable to taxation for school purposes. This tax was collected, and an earnest effort was made on the part of the school directors of the several townships to establish the new system, that it might work harmoniously. Its provisions "proved cumbersome," and much oppo- sition was developed: At a county convention held on the 2d of May, 1836, composed of the county com- missioners and delegates from the different townships (all of which were represented except Canton, Hope- well, Hanover, and North Strabane), it was voted to fix the county appropriation at $12,000, in addition to that made by the State. This year there was con- siderable opposition to the law, and the following is the list of townships which accepted the appropria- tion, with the sums raised by each; also a list of those which were "non-accepting" :

Accepting.

County.

State.

Buffalo ...

$516.04

$05.28

Cross Creek.

710.00

140.46

Chartiers.

732.00

144.15

Carroll

401.00

111.57

Fallowfield

312 89

6€.39

East Finley

200.00

65.46

West Finley.

197.00

61.16

Morris.

493.00

100.20

Nottingham

502.00

101.42

Pike Run

383.00

122.02

Robinson.

367.00

56.86

South Strabane.

401.00

66.39

Washington

609.00

122.94

Non-accepting.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 117

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216