USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
223
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
In September, 1807, the trustees of Jefferson College received a communication from the trustees of Washington College, asking the appointment of a committee to devise a plan for the union of the two colleges, both being in Washington County, and but seven miles apart. This communication was referred to a committee, who, in April, 1808, reported that the committees could agree on no terms, yet regretting that it could not be accomplished on liberal and equit- able principles.
On 25th of April, 1811, Rev. Dr. Dunlap resigned the Presidency of the College, and the duties of the office devolved upon Dr. Mc- Millan the Vice-President, who was authorized to employ the neces- sary professors.
In April, 1812, Rev. Dr. Andrew Wylie was elected President, with authority to select his assistants. The College prospering, by the accession of students, the trustees deemed it expedient, in 1815, to appoint a committee to make preparations for the erection of a new college edifice, but while this committee was maturing a plan, the trustees, in September of this year, received a communication from the trustees of Washington College, respecting a union of the two colleges. The committee from Washington College trustces were Rev. John Anderson, Rev. Wm. Spear, Alexander Murdoch, and Parker Campbell, Esqs .; those from Jefferson College were Rev. Dr. McMillan, James Kerr, Mr. McDonald, and Samuel Murdoch, Esqs. These committees met on the 25th of October, when the committee from Washington College proposed that they would place at the disposal of the united Board all the present funds with $5000, provided that Washington was made the permanent site of the united college ; this proposition the committee of Jefferson College declined, as they could not consent that the college should be removed from Canonsburg, unless that the hand of Providence should be clearly dis- cernible in such measure, either by casting lots or leaving it to the de- cision of the legislature. They reported their action, however, to the trustees of Jefferson College, who passed a resolution stating that if the trustees of Washington College would not recede from their posi- tion claiming the site of the college at Washington, but would give $5000 in addition to their funds, half the trustees, and the casting vote in the choice of the faculty, the Board of Trustees of Jefferson College will unite in petitioning the legislature to effect the object in view. Final action was postponed until the professors, who were deeply interested in the movement, should be consulted. President Wylie and Prof. Miller replied that if the trustees of Jefferson College did not accede to the proposition from Washington College, they would continue as professors, and render the institution respectable ; but if these pro- posals should give the Board and Faculty of Jefferson College the preponderancy and priority they should accede to the proposition. The trustees, after hearing these views, were prepared to vote on the question ; the question being taken there was a tie vote, the Presi- dent not voting. On 4th of January, 1816, an adjourned meeting
224
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
of the trustees was held, and the President voted affirmatively, but the students remonstrated, and the trustees passed another resolution that the union recommended could not be confirmed and ratified. This brought on a bitter and angry discussion, which resulted in the two colleges remaining separate as rival institutions.
In the spring of 1816, the trustees bought the grounds upon which the present college buildings are erected from Mrs. Canon, and ap- pointed a committee to sell the old stone college and lot.
On September 24, 1817, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Wylie resigned the office of President, and Rev. Dr. McMillan was chosen President. In April, 1818, Rev. Abraham Anderson was chosen Professor of Lan- guages. The trustees resumed the subject of building a new col- lege edifice, and in the spring of 1819 Dr. McMillan had permission to travel for two months and receive contributions for this purpose.
In 1820 the legislature made a third appropriation of $1000 to the college. In September of this year Prof. Anderson resigned, and Rev. Wm. Smith was elected Professor of Languages.
In August, 1822, Rev. Dr. McMillan resigned, and Rev. Wm. Smith was elected President pro tem., but on the 24th of Septem- ber, 1822, Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D. was elected President.
In June, 1826, the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia was attached as a portion of Jefferson College and placed under its charter, the legislature authorizing the election of ten additional trustees to reside in Philadelphia. This act provided that the medical school was not to have any claims on the funds of Jefferson College.
In 1827 the State legislature granted a fourth appropriation of $1000 for three successive years, and in 1833 a fifth for $2000.
In 1829 the President, Dr. Brown, was appointed to raise the necessary funds for the erecting of new buildings, and so pre-emi- nently successful was Dr. Brown, that the trustees held a meeting in the new college building on the 27th of March, 1833, and from this circumstance the building was named PROVIDENCE HALL. It is sixty by ninety feet, in which commencements and contests are held, and the Presbyterian church of Canonsburg statedly worship therein.
In 1830 the trustees purchased a farm adjoining the town to in- corporate with the college the manual labor system, but the enter- prise failed without loss to the college.
After a long and prosperous Presidency, Dr. Brown resigned in 1845, who was the instrument in raising Jefferson College to a state of unparalleled prosperity. His successor was Rev. Dr. R. J. Brackenridge, who filled the office until 1847, but not with the success of his predecessor. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. A. B. Brown, who filled the office acceptably both to the trustees, and the people, and the students, and had health been spared him, would have rivalled his honored father both in his literary attainments and his superior executive and administrative abilities, but ill health com- pelled him to resign in 1857, when Rev. Dr. Alden was elected
225
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
President, and a permanent endowment fund of sixty thousand dol- lars was raised.
In March, 1854, it was proposed to place Jefferson College under the care of the Synod of Pittsburg, but the Board of Trustees of the college declined the proposed ecclesiastical connection for the following reasons : 1. That it had received money and lands from the State. 2. That other religious denominations were alike inter- ested in its prosperity. 3. That the present prosperity did not call for the change. 4. That the funds of the college could be as well used for a " more sanctified education" in the present arrangement than by making it an ecclesiastical college. The college quietly proceeded to accomplish the intention of its founders, until the union took place with Washington College, for the history of which see Washington College, page 153.
With this history I shall add a list of the Principals and Profes- sors of the Jefferson College from its organization.
1802, April 27 .- Rev. JOHN WATSON was elected PRESIDENT and Professor of Languages and Moral Philosophy. He died November 30, 1802. 1802, April 27 .- Rev. John McMillan was elected Professor of Divinity. 1802, April 27 .- Samuel Miller, A. M., was elected Professor of Mathematics
and Natural Philosophy. Resigned September, 1830. Died in 1831.
1803, April 27 .- Rev. JAMES DUNLAP, A. M., was elected PRESIDENT and Professor of Languages and Moral Philosophy. Resigned April. 25, 1811.
1805, April 27 .- Rev. John McMillan, D. D., was elected Vice President .. Died November 16, 1833.
1812, April 29 .- Rev. ANDREW WYLIE, D. D., was elected PRESIDENT .. Resigned April 24, 1816.
1817, September 24 .- Rev. WILLIAM McMILLAN, A. M., was elected PRESI- DENT. Resigned August 14, 1822.
1818, September 24 .- Rev. Abraham Anderson. A. M., was elected Pro -- fessor of Languages. Resigned September, 1821.
1821, September 24 .- Rev. William Smith, A. M., was elected Professor of Languages
1822, September 25 .- Rev. MATTHEW BROWN, D. D., LL. D., was elected PRESIDENT. Resigned September 27, 1845.
1824, April .- Rev. James Ramsey, D. D., was elected Professor of Hebrew. 1826, April .- Rev. Richard Campbell, A. M., was elected Professor of Languages and Mathematics. Resigned 1827.
1827, February .- Alexander T. McGill, A. B., was elected Tutor.
1829, March .- Jacob Coon, A. B., was elected Tutor.
1830, February .- Rev. John H. Kennedy, A. M., was elected Professor of Mathematics. Died December 15, 1840.
1832, March .- Jacob Green, M. D., was elected Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Natural History. Died February, 1841.
1834, March .- C. J. Hadermann, Esq., was elected Professor of Mathe- matics and Modern Languages. Resigned in 1836.
1836, September .- Washington McCartney, Esq., A. M., was elected Pro- fessor of Mathematics and Modern Languages. Resigned Sep- tember, 1837.
15
226
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
1837, September .- Rev. Charles S. Dodd. A. M., was elected Professor of Mathematics and Modern Languages. Resigned September, 1839. 1838, March .- William Darby, Esq., A. M., was elected Professor of His- tory, Geography, and Astronomy. Resigned 1839.
1841, February .- Richard S. McCulloh, Esq., A. M., was elected Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Chemistry. Resigned September, 1843.
1841, February .- Rev. A. B. Brown, A. M., was elected Professor of Belles- Lettres and Adjunct Professor of Languages. Resigned October, 1847.
1841, March .- Henry Snyder, A. M., was elected Adjunct Professor of Mathematics.
1841, July .- Charles Martin was elected Tutor.
1843, July .- Rev. Henry Snyder, A. M., was elected Professor of Mathe- matics.
1843, September .- S. R. Williams, Esq., A. M., was elected Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry.
1844, September .- Rev. Robert W. Orr, A. M., was elected Professor of Civil Engineering and Natural History.
1845, January 2 .- Rev. ROBERT J. BRACKENRIDGE, D. D., LL. D., was elected PRESIDENT. He resigned June 9, 1847.
1845, December .- Rev. A. B. Brown was elected Professor of Belles- Letters, Rhetoric, Logic, and History.
1845, December .- Rev. Robert W. Orr was elected Professor of Latin Language and Literature.
1846, March .- Rev. Thomas Beveridge, D. D., was elected Professor Ex- traordinary of Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion.
1846, March .- John D. Vowell, M. D., was elected Professor Extraordinary of Physiology and Comparative Anatomy.
1847, October 14 .- Rev. A. B. BROWN, D. D., was elected PRESIDENT. Resigned July 31, 1855. Died September 8, 1863.
1848, June .- Rev. Robert M. White, A. M., was elected Professor Extra- ordinary of Rhetoric. Died December, 1848.
1849, July .- Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, A. M., was elected Professor Extra- ordinary of Rhetoric.
1849, July .- W. W. West, A. B., was elected Principal of the Classical Department.
1850, August .- Robert Patterson was elected Professor of Mathematics. Resigned November, 1854.
1850, August .- Rev. William Wallace was elected Professor of Moral Science. Died January, 1851.
1852 .- Rev. Wm. Ewing, A. M., was elected Professor Extraordinary of History and Languages.
1852 .- Rev. Samuel R. Williams, A. M., was elected Professor Extraordi- nary of Natural Sciences. Resigned 1854.
1852, September .- Samuel Jones, A. M., was elected Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry.
1852, December .- Rev. Aaron Williams, D. D., was elected Professor of Latin Language and Literature. Resigned August 2, 1859.
1852, December .- Rev. Abm. Anderson, D. D., was elected Professor Ex- traordinary of Hebrew. Died May, 1855.
1855, February .- John Frazer, A. M., was elected Professor of Mathematics. Resigned April, 1865.
1855, February .- John B. Stilley, A. M., was elected Professor of Civil Engineering.
227
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
1855, July .- Rev. John B. Clark was elected Professor Extraordinary of Hebrew.
1857, January 7 .- Rev. JOSEPH ALDEN, D. D., LL. D., was elected PRESI- DENT, and inaugurated March 25, 1857. Resigned November 4, 1862.
1857, March .- Rev. Alexander B. Brown, D. D., was elected Professor Extraordinary of History and Political Economy. Resigned August 4, 1857.
1857, August .- Rev. Alexander B. Brown, D. D., was elected Professor Extraordinary of English Literature. Resigned July 31, 1860. Died September 8, 1863.
1857, August .- Alonzo Linn, A. M., was elected Professor of History and Political Economy.
1857, August .- M. B. Riddle, A. M., was elected Adjunct Professor of the Greek Language.
1860, March,-Rev. Isaac N. Mckinney, A. M., was elected Professor of the Latin Language. Resigned January 2, 1861. Died Novem- ber 20, 1864.
1861, February .- C. M. Dodd, A. M., was elected Professor of the Latin Language. Resigned April, 1865.
1861, March .- I. V. Herriott, A. M., M. D., was elected Professor of Ana- tomy and Physiology.
1861, August .- Alonzo Linn was elected Professor of the Greek Language. 1862, November 4 .- Rev. DAVID H. RIDDLE, D. D., LL. D., was elected PRESIDENT and Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, inan- gurated March 25, 1863. Resigned April, 1864. Rev. Riddle was President at the union of Washington and Jefferson Colleges.
1864, August .- W. G. Barnett, A. M., M. D., was elected Professor of Anatomy and Physiology.
1866, March 6 .- Rev. Jonathan Edwards inaugurated President April 4, 1866.
For list of Professors under act of March 4, 1865, see WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON COLLEGE, under title of WASHINGTON BOROUGH. See page 170.
Jefferson College has a college library of 10,000 volumes, and philosophical and astronomical apparatus. In connection with Jef- ferson College are two Societies, viz : The PHILO LITERARY SOCIETY and the FRANKLIN LITERARY SOCIETY, each of which has a valuable library connected therewith of 3800 volumes.
The Philo Literary Society was founded August 23, 1797. Its founders were the Rev. John Watson (first President of the Col- lege), Rev. Samuel Tate, Rev. Robert Johnston, Rev. James Satter- field, Rev. John M. Lain, Rev. Elisha Mc Curdy, William Fowler, Rev. John Boggs, Rev. Robert Lee, Rev. W. Moorehead, Rev. Wil- liam W. Millan, D. D., and Joseph Smith. It has a library of 3700 volumes.
The Franklin Literary Society was founded November 14, 1797, by James Carnahan, Cephas Dodd, James Galbraith, Thomas Hughes, David Imbrie, Jacob Lindly, Stephen Lindly, William Wood, and William Wick.
The object of these societies is, mental and moral improvement, and mutual friendship. The Christian Association has about 1200 volumes.
228
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
November 3, 1817, a female academy was opened in Canonsburg, under the superintendence of Rev. Matthew Brown and J. Williams.
December 29, 1817, first Sabbath school established in Canonsburg. This township in 1789 had fourteen distilleries, in 1790 ten, and in 1791 sixteen, but this year (1869) none are in operation.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Canonsburg was organized in 1842. Its first class was composed of but three members, viz : John Ramsey, H. N. Capron, and Henry Yerty. By perseverance and zeal they were enabled to purchase a lot and erect a brick build- ing thereon in 1845, forty by sixty feet. Its first pastor was Rev. I. Sutton; his successors have been Rev. I. Callender, Rev. H. Snyder, Rev. D. A. McCready, Rev. R. A. Cunningham, Rev. A. Jackson, Rev. R. L. Miller, Rev. Latshaw McGuire, Rev. J. F. Jones, Rev. Sylvester Jones, Rev. Robert Miller, Rev. Alexander Scott, Rev. D. A. Pierce, Rev. H. Neff, Rev. I. C. Cassel, Rev. Mr. Huddleston.
There is a Sunday school connected with this church, having twelve teachers and one hundred and seventy scholars, with a library of 900 volumes.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg was organized October 25, 1830. Most of its original members were previously connected with the Chartiers congregation. Presbytery for some time hesitated about organizing a church at Canonsburg. At first Chartiers and Canonsburg churches formed one pastoral charge. The congrega- tion since their organization have used Providence Hall in the new college building as a place of worship. Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D., was its first pastor. On the 12th of December, 1845, the Rev. Robert J. Brackenridge, D. D., was installed; he resigned the pastorate June 20, 1847. Rev. Alexander Brown, D. D., was elected pastor December 23, 1847; installed in February, 1848; and con- tinued to serve the congregation until April 7, 1857. Rev. Aaron Williams, D. D., was chosen co-pastor with Rev. Dr. A. Brown September 30, 1853; he served about six years. On April 7, 1857, Rev. Dr. Joseph Alden, President of Jefferson College, was invited to take part with Dr. Williams in the ministerial labors of the con- gregation. At the resignation of Dr. Williams, Dr. Alden was fol- lowed by Rev. D. H. Riddle, D. D., who was installed January 1863 ; he resigned April 10, 1868.
His immediate successor was Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards, Presi- dent of Washington and Jefferson College. He became the stated supply and served until April, 1869. In March, 1870, Rev. Wm. F. Brown, of the Presbytery of Ohio, received a call, and is now laboring among the people; his ordination will take place June 21, 1870.
There is a Sabbath school connected with the church of one hun- dred and twenty members.
229
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Reception of James Monroe, President of the United States, at Canonsburg, September 7, 1817.
A committee on behalf of the citizens of Canonsburg, and Capt. Miller's company of light infantry, met the President and conducted him to Mr. Emory's inn, where the Principal of Jefferson College, Dr. Matthew Brown, presented him the address of the Committee in behalf of the Corporation and College.
SIR : The Faculty of Jefferson College, together with the citizens of this borough, rejoice in the opportunity of presenting their respectful saluta- tions to the Chief Magistrate of the nation. We, with our fellow citizens in other sections of the Union, view your tour through the different States as a favorable indication of your devoted attachment to the real interests of the people over whom you preside. Under your auspices we anticipate the rising splendor of our literary institutions, and of all those establish- ments which contribute to the independence, wealth, and general prosperity of our country.
We therefore hail you, sir, upon your arrival au the original seat of lite- rature in the West, with sentiments of the greatest cordiality and respect. This was the consecrated spot which first gave birth to science in this western region. This institution as a college was founded in honor of your illustrious predecessor, Mr. Jefferson, in 1802, and has since been the prin- cipal nursery of literature in the western country.
Besides the common elementary course of literature, it has been the con- stant aim in this institution to inspire the minds of youth with those prin- ciples of piety and virtue-with those ennobling sentiments, and that sin- cere love of truth and duty, which are the greatest ornaments of human character, and which are best calculated to form the man and the citizen.
It has been the object of this seminary, according to the most enlightened views of human nature and the interests of society that we could obtain, to preserve in close alliance the interests of religion and learning, of piety and virtue, as essential to the energy and effect of our political institutions, and as greatly subservient to public order, harmony, and liberty. We have ever viewed sound morality and intelligence as the great supports of free government, and the principal guarantee of our rights and privileges, both civil and religious.
In this representation of our views of the general object of public educa- tion, and the influence of sound morality and science in supporting our republican institutions, we are persuaded they accord with your own senti- ments, and refer to objects which you judge worthy of high consideration.
We present to your view, sir, that portion of the youth of our country which now attend this institution, and we are happy that we can bear testi- mony of their regard to the interesting objects of literary pursuit, and to those attainments on which their future usefulness depends. We, indeed, exhibit an emblem of the simplicity of republican manners, which, to a man of your discerument and intelligence, cannot operate as a disparagement, provided we endeavor to cherish those generous affections, and aid at those solid acquirements which shall bind us to our country, and render us instru- mental in promoting its interests, and strengthening and protecting its precious institutions.
Permit us, with our fellow citizens, to congratulate you, sir, upon the auspicious circumstances which attend the commencement of your admin- istration-circumstances which cannot fail to unite you and the people
230
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
together, and impress the public mind with the belief of your devoted attachment to the best interests of our common country. Accept our earnest wishes and prayers for its prosperous course and happy issue, and indulge us with expressing the desire that when you are engaged in the appropriate functions of your high station, you may enjoy the favor and blessing of heaven, and that it may be our privilege, by fidelity and perse- verance in our respective spheres, under the smiles of the same beneficent Providence, to cooperate in the work of patriotism by diffusing the light of knowledge and the saving influence of religion and morals.
CRAIG RITCHIE, SAMUEL MILLER,
WM. McMILLAN, JAS. P. MILLER. WM. GIBSON,
PRESIDENT MONROE'S ANSWER.
I thank you, Sir, and this committee, for the respect and friendship with which I have been received on my arrival here. It is with sincere gratifi- cation that I received your address. Be assured, sir, that I am deeply affected with it.
When I first meditated this tour, which was some time before I left the seat of government, I thought it would be practicable, and it was my desire to perform it in the character of a private citizen. But finding my fellow citizens wished otherwise, and everywhere met me with expressions of respect and attachment, I yielded to their wishes, and have met them with the same feelings. In these expressions of public regard, which my humble services could not inspire, I see the fixed attachment of the people to the principles of our free government.
I am happy in meeting with this Faculty, and these young men. The views of the nature and object of public education contained in your address. agree with my own. During my tour through an extensive continent I have met with many similar institutions, all entertaining nearly the same sentiments respecting the instruction of youth. And I ask you, sir, in what more noble principles could they be instructed than those of virtue and our holy religion ? These are the most solid basis on which our free government can rest, and that they should be instilled into the rising youth of our country, to whom its destinies are soon to be consigned, is of high importance. The aged pass away in rapid succession, and give place to the younger. Those who are now the hope of their country will soon become its pride. Educated in these principles, we can with confidence repose our free government, and the interests of our beloved country, in their care, assured that they will preserve, protect, and cherish them, and will fill the place of those who have gone before them with equal honor and advantage. I was led into this subject on which I have dwelt, because it is pleasing to me by the observations contained in your address.
With respect to the objects of my tour, you do me justice. You all know how necessary it is that a person in my station should be acquainted with the circumstances and situation of the country over which he presides. To acquire this knowledge I have visited our marine coasts and inland fron- tiers, parts most exposed to invasion. Having accomplished the objects of my tour to the full extent I at first contemplated, to me, sir, it is peculiarly gratifying, now on my return to the seat of government, to be hailed with the sentiments of approbation contained in your address.
To me it is a source of high satisfaction that, in all the places which I have visited in this tour, I have found the people so generally united, and so strongly attached to the principles of our excellent Constitution. In the
231
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
union of the people our Government is sufficiently strong, and on this union I confidently rely. Our Government has proved its strength. We have terminated with honor a war carried on against a powerful nation, and that nation peculiarly favored by fortunate circumstances. Our army gained glory-our navy acquired renown-and all classes of citizens, as opportunity offered, and where the pressure was greatest, acquitted themselves with honor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.