Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 57

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192

USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 57

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).

409,155,367.10

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215,201,413.59

I887

511,010,701.38

1872

284,859,477.08

I888

581,580,644.69

1873

295,754,758.33

1889

654,080,356.93

I874

257,548,600.75

1890

786,156,221.40

1875

233,160,448.36

189I

675,876,995.27

I876

224,758,910.43

1892

759,530,746.06

1877

223,569,252.09

1893

665,328,769.1I

I878

189,771,695.27

1894

652,907,141.32

1879

217,982,649.43

1895

746,110,263.85

I880

297,804,747.2I

1896

745,428,891.25

I88I

389,170,379. 10

1897

819,637,017.03

(n) Leader, 1893-1897.

(o) Times; numerous recent issues.

CHAPTER XX.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS-THE SCHOOL OF 1761-THE VARIED CHARACTER OF INSTRUC- TION-ERA OF ACADEMIES AND SEMINARIES-TUITION-PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS- THE CLASSICS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT-BELLES-LETTRES AND SIDE BRANCHES- THE BREVOSTS-THE TEACHING OF PLAIN SEWING AND FANCY NEEDLEWORK -THE LANCASTERIAN SYSTEM INTRODUCED-THE ADELPHI FREE SCHOOL- IMPROVEMENT OF METHODS-SMITH'S MONITORIAL SYSTEM-SCHOOLS OF THAT SYSTEM ESTABLISHED-CHARACTER AND USEFULNESS OF THE LATER SEMINARIES AND ACADEMIES-INSTITUTES-DUFF'S MERCAN- TILE COLLEGE-PITTSBURG FEMALE COLLEGE-IRON CITY COM- MERCIAL COLLEGE-THE COLORED SCHOOLS-NORMAL SCHOOLS- PITTSBURG ACADEMY-WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA -BOWMAN'S INSTITUTE-THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES.

One of the first schools in Pittsburg, perhaps the first, was referred to in the diary of James Kenney, a young man who conducted a store here for the Pem- bertons of Philadelphia in the autumn of 1761. On the date of December Ist, of that year, he wrote as follows: "Many of ye inhabitants here have hired a schoolmaster and subscribed about sixty pounds for this year for him; he has about twenty schollars; likewise ye soberer sort of people seem to long for some public way to worship, so ye schoolmaster, etc., reads ye Littany and Common Prayer on ye first days to a Congregation of different principles (he being a Presbiterint), where they behave very grave (as I heare) on ye occasion; ye childen also are brought to church as they call it." Unfortunately the name of this teacher was not mentioned in the diary. If he was a resident the previous April his name may be found in the list of inhabitants of that date, found else- where in this volume. Sixty pounds per annum must be considered high wages for that primitive time. After 1764 many schools, no doubt, were taught here, except, perhaps, during periods of excitement resulting from Indian incur- sions and during the Revolutionary era. However, they seem lost to history.

In November, 1786, a Mrs. Pride advertised in the Gazette that she would open a boarding and day school for young ladies on the 15th of the month, in the house where John Gibson formerly lived, where she would teach the following branches of needlework: Plain, colored, flowered, fringing, Dresden, tambourine, embroidery, leaf both by needle and bobbin, knitting, and would also teach reading in English. She advertised particularly that the morals and good conduct of her pupils would be guarded. She stated that her long experi- ence, both in Great Britain and Philadelphia, would enable her to have no trouble, she thought, in satisfying the patrons of her school. On January 4, 1788, Thomas Tousey advertised that he would open a school in the house of Mr. McNickel, on Front Street, where he would teach Latin, reading, English grammar, writing and arithmetic; and that an evening school would soon be opened in the same house.

In 1799 Benjamin F. Brewster opened a night school in the Academy. In January, 1801, Charles Barbier announced that he would open a free school, as it was then called, in the house of William Watson, on Water Street, for the purpose of instructing in French, and that the school would be open on Tues- days, Thursdays and Saturdays. In 1801 John Taylor opened a night school in

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one of the rooms of the Academy. All of these schools were select or private schools. Joseph McClelland, about this time, opened a day school, and later an evening school. On the 19th of April, 1802, Phillip Gilland opened what he called a "New Seminary," near the corner of Second Street and Chancery Lane, where he taught reading, writing, arithmetic, bookkeeping, English grammar, geography, trigonometry, mensuration, surveying and navigation. He an- nounced as a separate department of his school that he would hold special morning exercises, and that a separate room would be given to young ladies. The tuition was $3 per quarter for reading, writing, arithmetic and grammar. A higher price was charged when any of the other studies mentioned were added. A little later he opened a night school also. Abraham Steers, about this time, also opened a night school. In 1802 E. Carr established a seminary in John Irwin's brick house, and asked for the patronage of the public. In September, 1803, Gaspard Arnold opened a school for the teaching of fencing and the French language. It should be understood that these schools were wholly private in their nature, and that a liberal tuition was charged, and the teachers were careful to announce that strict attention would be paid to the deportment of the pupils in attendance. The standing of the school, its popularity and success, depended wholly upon the moral character and literary qualifications of the tutor. Among the school-books used at that time were the old English readers and Gough's, Fisher's, Pike's and Dilworth's arithmetics. Regularly at the close of every quarter the select schools held public examinations, on which occasion the patrons were invited to be present to witness a public examina- tion of their children. Not infrequently a public exhibition would close the quarter term. Sometimes dramatic performances were attempted, and on such occasions much interest was manifested. In May, 1803, William Jones opened an evening school in reading, writing, arithmetic and English grammar, for $2 per quarter. Rev. Robert Steele, who had been connected with the Pittsburg Academy, announced in January, 1803, that he would open a private school on Second Street, where would be taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, the elements of grammar, the elements of geometry, and Latin and Greek. His tuition for Latin and Greek was $4 per quarter, and for the other studies a less sum. His prominence and well-known ability and character rendered his academy successful from the start. John Taylor's school was conducted in his residence. He had a set of globes, which were offered free to his pupils. Among other branches he taught navigation, then considered a subject of great impor- tance here; also gunnery, probably as a preparatory for any possible war in which the country might become involved. He also taught the "application of algebra and fluxtions to mathematics in exhausting the quadrature and cubature of all kinds of regularly generated curves."

In August, 1812, John C. Brevost, a native of Paris, where he had lived for a period of thirty years, and a teacher of long experience, opened here a school for instruction in French. He had previously taught for a short time in Phila- delphia. His school seems to have been well patronized, owing to the confidence the citizens had in his scholarship and to his moral influence over his pupils. His wife and daughter assisted him. They advertised a young ladies' boarding and day school in October, 1814, and announced that they would teach reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, history and geography for $8 per quarter; the same, with the piano added, $10 per quarter; the same, with vocal music added, $13 per quarter; drawing and painting flowers, $6 per quarter; French, $5 per quarter; and boarding, $37.50 per quarter. The school taught by the Brevosts was one of the most useful and successful of any in Pittsburg in early years. Miss Antoinette Brevost, the daughter, possessed, it was said, splendid and fascinating talents. Her manners, her artistic accomplishments and her intel-

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lectual acquirements fitted her for the important situation she supported with so much distinction and so much dignity. She was endowed with the rare gift of gaining the affections and confidence of her scholars. The system of gov- ernment and instruction she enforced resulted in the surprising progress of all who attended her seminary. In fact, her department was far beyond all ordinary boarding-schools-so far as to place it, in point of popularity and culture, by the side of the highest educational institutions in the country.

In 1812 Aquila M. Bolton opened an academy for young ladies in his house on Liberty Street, opposite the Diamond, and stated that a limited number of young ladies would be received, and announced that a full academic course would be afforded. In 1812 John Armstrong opened an English school on Fifth Street, and gave instruction in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, surveying, navigation, geography, astronomy, natural philosophy, English gram- mar, bookkeeping, and a little later announced that an evening school would be opened. It must not be imagined that the children living here at that time were without means of education. As a matter of fact, the educational facilities were excellent, and the number of select schools was sufficiently large to prevent overcrowding. The private and select nature of the schools, and the moral character of the instructors, were alone sufficient to insure precept and instruction of the highest order.

In 1812 Z. Phelps opened an English school on Market Street, between Second and Third. Previously, Daniel Chute had conducted a school in the same room, and it was upon his recommendation that Mr. Phelps succeeded him. In 1812 Mr. Colome began teaching small and broad sword exercises according to both the French and the English systems. In 1813 Susan Dal- rymple opened a sewing-school across the Monongahela River, opposite the foot of Liberty Street. She advertised to teach plain and ornamental needle- work, knitting, fringe weaving, etc.

In 1812 Mrs. Gazzam opened a seminary for young ladies for instruction in orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, composition and needlework, for $4 per quarter. Her seminary was first located at the corner of Market and Fourth streets, but in 1814 was removed to Fifth Street, near Market. In 1814 Mr. Donough began teaching the English branches on Market Street.

In 1816 or 1817 the Smithfield Seminary was opened by B. B. McGahan, in which reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, surveying and other branches were taught. This school was continued for several years with satisfactory success. In September, 1817, a day school was opened by John Wainright, and reading and spelling were taught for $3.50 per quarter and writing and arithmetic for $4.50 per quarter. He announced that ink and quills would be furnished without extra charge. In 1818 a school was conducted in the new Masonic lodgeroom above the store of Henry Doane, on Water Street, by a Mr. Waldron.

In 1818 William and Robert Moody opened a school for instruction in . the common branches and called their institution Moody's Academy. This school became one of the best in Pittsburg. They made a specialty of instruc- tion in grammar, pursuing much the same method as is practiced at the present day. In 1819 Miss Moody began instructing young ladies in her father's academy. One of the most interesting features connected with this academy was its public examinations. It was necessary to secure the largest hall in the city to accommodate the crowds that gathered to witness the closing literary exercises of any term.

In 1819 G. and B. Ely conducted a writing-school for a few months at Market and Diamond streets. In 1817 John Riddle opened the Wood Street Academy for the instruction of both sexes. Upon its commencement the

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academy occupied an inferior room, but in 1818 was removed to a new hall on Wood Street, near Virgin Alley. It had separate entrances for boys and girls, the boys entering from Virgin Alley and the girls from Wood Street. "This arrangement, it is expected, will obviate the objection made to edu- cating both sexes at the same school, as they will be constantly under the eye of the tutor when together." Mr. Riddle cordially invited parents to call at any time and inspect his methods and criticise the management of his school. He stated that unexpected calls were more desirable than visits at a fixed and determinate period. He announced that boarding at reasonable rates would be furnished pupils coming from a distance. His terms were $5 per quarter, and when boarding and washing were furnished, $40 per quarter.

Late in the eighteenth century a Mr. Lancaster of London, England, founded what became known as the Lancasterian system of education, which soon attained great popularity and success. In 1811 it was introduced into this country by Robert Ould. Immediately after the war of 1812 the new system was heralded with much persistence in this community, and finally a Mr. Babe advertised that he would open an institution in Pittsburg for instruction according to the rules of the method. He announced that the system had many attractive features, among its merits being that one teacher could instruct five hundred children, and that each child would receive more exercises than by the ordinary plans, and learn as much in two years as he could in five years by other methods of teaching. Flogging was forbidden by him and the school was divided into classes and conducted by signals from monitors, the latter being often older scholars, who received such honor as a reward of merit for their own proficiency under the chief instructor. Mr. Babe, who had previously taught in the Royal Lancasterian School at Belfast, advertised for a teacher qualified to teach the system. His institution became known as the Lancasterian Seminary, and all persons from fourteen to seventy years were admitted. The Lancasterian method became so popular that another was opened on Wood Street in October, 1818, by Samuel Falconbridge, where orthography, reading, writing, grammar, bookkeeping and needlework were taught. So much confidence had the instructor in the merits of his system, that special offers were made for children under five years of age, who were charged but $2 for the first quarter.

Previous to 1818 M. B. Lowry conducted a school on Third Street, which on that date passed to the control of Mr. A. Tierney, who gave instruction in English and mathematics. This institution was called the Smithfield Sem- inary. Mr. Tierney employed as one of his assistants Mr. J. Callan. In 1819 Bernard McGuire opened an English and classical school here, and about the same time Mrs. and Miss Harvey conducted a school for young ladies and gave instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, history, geog- raphy, music and needlework, for from $4 to $10 per quarter. About the year 1818 William Leckey opened a school on Wood Street, but in 1820 he was succeeded in the same room by Adam Coon. Mr. Coon seems to have been a competent teacher, and gave instruction in reading, writing, arith- metic, grammar, surveying with the use of globes, elementary chemistry, Latin and Greek. In April, 1820, Rev. Joseph Stockton opened a private academy, with an assistant, on Federal Street, in Allegheny, near the St. Clair bridge, where he offered instruction in mathematics, grammar, bookkeeping, history, geography, English classics, Latin and Greek. He advertised that pupils from both towns would have no difficulty in attending his school, owing to its proximity to both places. The well-known scholarship of Mr. Stockton, his excellent character among the moral people of the community, inspired great confidence in his institution, and made it one of the most successful of

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HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

that early period. Mr. Stockton was the author of the system of arithmetic which was used in his own school, and generally throughout the West. One of his early assistants was John Kelley. In 1830 the "Allegheny Academy," as his institution was called, was still in successful operation, and at that time liad an attendance of seventy boys. Like other schools of this character, public examinations were held therein at the end of every month, and literary exercises were rendered at the close of each quarter.

One of the most important of the early educational institutions here was called the Adelphi Free School, which was founded and conducted by volunteer young ladies for the benefit of poor and destitute female children. It was established as early as 1818, and soon had a large attendance. It seems to have been founded purely as an act of philanthropy, and must take rank as one of the best conducted and most efficient of the early educational efforts on behalf of the poor. Late in the decade of the twenties the institution was placed under the control of Mr. and Mrs. Quinan, and by them its scope was greatly enlarged and its usefulness vastly improved. At this time its char- acter seems to have been expanded from the education of the poor alone to the instruction of older and more advanced pupils as well. The Quinans made out of it an educational institution of wide usefulness, which furnished a gen- eral and thorough education in English, mathematics, the classics, drawing, music and belles-lettres. They received boarders and charged per quarter for all necessities $130.

In 1819 Mr. Cole, Daniel Bushnell and William McCleary taught school in Pittsburg. In 1821 Rev. John Campbell taught over Leckey's blacksmith shop on Virgin Alley. V. B. McGahen taught here about this time. David L. Brown taught in 1821-2. Mr. Carr, Mr. Forrester and Mr. Dumars were teachers about this time.

In 1826 John S. Hammon conducted a school here. About the year 1827 John McNevin opened the Central Academy, where he gave thorough instruc- tion to beginners, as well as to advanced scholars, in mathematics and mer- cantile affairs. In 1830 Mr. McNevin was appointed deputy surveyor, though he still conducted the school with the aid of an assistant. About this time T. and D. Rupp delivered a course of lectures here, under the sanction of Mr. McNevin, on the subject of grammar, and criticised quite severely the methods of Mr. Brown, particularly on his method of analyzing sentences. Mr. Rupp entitled his lectures, "Scanning, Construing and Analyzing Sen- tences." His views attracted the attention and consideration of all teachers here at that time. In April, 1827, Mrs. Eliza Barker conducted a female seminary. In October, 1827, Professor S. Kirkham, the author of Kirkham's Grammar, began here a course of lectures on the subject of English grammar, the term of six weeks to cost $4. His lectures were largely attended by the educators of that period. In 1828 William Lowrie conducted a school here, and was assisted by William W. Watson. In October, 1828, N. M. McCurdy opened a female seminary under the monitorial system. About the same time Miss Parsons established a female seminary on Third Street. In the fall of 1828 Mr. Leleu advertised to teach French and Latin, and solicited employment either in private families or in some of the private schools here.

One of the most prominent educators in the early years was Professor N. R. Smith, who as early as 1826 lectured and contributed articles to the local newspapers on the subject of infant and female monitorial schools. Many of his ideas were far in advance of the time, and foreshadowed the complex yet beautiful system of the present day. It was largely due to his efforts that infant and female monitorial schools, after the system had been thoroughly discussed, were established here. In 1827 Benjamin Bakewell, John Snyder.

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Richard Bowen and John Towne, "believing that a school of such description was better adapted for communicating useful knowledge, and for calling forth and cultivating the intellectual powers of youth than any other," proposed to the citizens to establish a monitorial high school for boys. Their propo- sition was favorably received and the school was accordingly established. In April, 1829 a circular was left at the newspaper offices, and in other public places, to be signed by all citizens favorable to the establishment of a school under this system. A little later in the same year, sufficient signatures having been secured to warrant such a step, an infant monitorial school was estab- lished by the Pittsburg Infant School Society, based largely upon what has since been called "object teaching." From the start it proved highly suc- cessful and deeply gratifying to the parents of very young children. The school was conducted by a board of managers composed of three of the leading citizens. It must be stated as a matter of history that this school, according to the newspapers of that date, gave better satisfaction to the parents of young children than any other opened here up to that time. The room was located on Liberty Street, near Fourth, and the walls were covered with colored engrav- ings, texts and objects of interest to young children, the idea being to arouse the curiosity, and therefore the interest and attention, of the young. The first instructor was Rev. Samuel Williams, but as he demanded more wages than the board of managers could afford to pay, he was succeeded in July, 1830, by a Mrs. Newcomb. Notwithstanding the fact that female instructors at that time were not regarded so highly as they are at present, this system seems to have been so successful under Mrs. Newcomb that others were started, and soon Pittsburg and vicinity had four or five. One adapted for older per- sons was conducted by N. M. McCusky, and was called the Female Moni- torial School for Young Ladies. Another was established by Withington and was called the Pittsburg Monitorial High School, which was placed under the management of a board of trustees. Mr. Smith, who seems to have been the founder of the system here, had begun urging the importance of its adoption; as early as 1825. The tuition charged small children was very low, and opportunity was afforded all parents to become members of the "Pitts- burg Infant School Association," as it was also called, upon the payment of $t per annum. The payment of $10 constituted membership for life, and the payment of $20 placed anyone on the board of managers. The public exam- inations were held every six months and the tuition charged was $2.50 per quarter. The First Presbyterian Church, in about 1829, started a school under this system as an adjunct of its Sunday-school. Mr. Smith's essays on the system evinced advanced views on the subject of education and should be read in the columns of the old Gazette and Mercury to be appreciated. The board of managers said: "If it is questionable whether this school, or rather this system of imparting instruction to the infant mind, has called forth that interest and received that countenance from our fellow citizens which the board had anticipated, it is not a question whether this system deserves, and will yet receive, the cordial countenance and liberal patronage of the virtuous and enlightened. It is already adopted in all the most important cities at the East, and is rapidly enlisting in its behalf the augmenting suffrage of pop- ular favor. In the opinion of this board, the corporation of the city of Pitts- burg would confer a blessing upon their city should they take measures to secure to the entire juvenile population in this city the privilege and blessing of infant school instruction." One of the early teachers in the infant school was Miss Anne Bisbing. After Mr. Williams had severed his connection with the school, he announced in August, 1830, that he would open a school under the same system on his own account, provided he received sufficient encour-

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agement. In 1830 Thomas Malin was placed in charge of the Pittsburg Moni- torial High School, and continued to conduct the same for several years. Among those who sent small children to him were George Anshutz, Thomas Dickson, Martin Rahm, M. M. Murray, Webb Closey, J. Harmon and S. Cuthbert.

In 1827 Mrs. M. Oliver, who had previously taught school for a short time in this city, removed it to Braddock's Field, in the "Old Wallace Mansion," nine miles from Pittsburg, and named her establishment the Edgeworth Female Academy, which became one of the most widely known and best of the early educational institutions. She remained in control of the school for eighteen or twenty years, until her death, when, for a short time, it was suspended, but in 1846 it was revived by Professor D. E. Nevin, who reopened it and con- tinued its former useful career. It gave thorough instruction in all branches and furnished accommodations and facilities for students from abroad. Late in the fifties the institution was under the management of Rev. H. R. Wilson, D. D., and at this time enjoyed merited prominence and a large patronage. It was during the decade of the fifties, also, that Rev. J. S. Travelli established an academy for boys at Sewickley.

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Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 57

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co. Number of Pages: 1192

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192