USA > Vermont > Addison County > Middlebury > History of the town of Middlebury, in the county of Addison, Vermont > Part 33
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The only funds ever received from the state is about $1400. The University of Vermont had received a loan from the State School fund, which had been on interest for several years, and on applica- tion of that institution to be released from the payment. the legisla- ture in 1852, directed the amount to be divided between that corpo- ration, Middlebury College and Norwich University.
While Professor Hall was in Paris in 1807, an American gentle- man residing there, by the name of Daniel Parker, placed at his disposal the sum of one hundred and seventy-eight dollars. To this
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sum, in 1820, Professor IFall added a sufficient sum to amount to $300. This sum he presented to the college as a permanent fund, known as the Parkerian fund, the income of which was to be ap- pointed to provide premiums for the best speakers selected from the lower classes. This exhibition has been held the evening before commencement, and has been attended by large audiences.
In the year 1810, not long after Dr. Davis was inaugurated as president, the corporation began to feel the necessity of a new building for the accommodation of the increasing number of students, and in October of that year, voted to erect a new college building, on the ground deeded by Col. Seth Storrs. The citizens had pre- viously subscribed $8,000, toward that object. The sum was after- wards increased, and soon materials were collected and preparations made, and the stone college for students' rooms was completed in 1816, on its present beautiful site.
The first considerable effort to raise funds was undertaken by President Davis, in the fall of 1815, to raise the sum of $50,000. His first effort for this purpose evinces his great power over the minds of others, as well the readiness of the citizens to be controlled on such an occasion. He invited a meeting at the hotel, and after the citizens had assembled, he addressed them in a most eloquent and persuasive speech. Before the meeting had dispersed, they had subscribed #20,000 in good faith, although some of the subscribers were scarcely worth the amount of their subscriptions. He met with such success, in other towns, that, by the following spring, the whole fifty thousand dollars had been subscribed, and he was en- couraged to expect, that it would be raised to $100,000. Accor- dingly, in April, the corporation authorized him to proceed, on the condition that the addition should reduce the previous subscriptions proportionally, so that all the subscribers should be held to pay only $50,000. No great additions however were afterwards made ; and many, who had subscribed begun to feel, that they had prom- ised more than was convenient for them to pay. Dr. Davis had such strong confidence himself and gave such strong assurances re- specting the result, that on the prosecution of some of the subscrip- tions, resistance was made to the collection on the ground of fraud- 31
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IIISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
ulent representations. And it was afterwards decided, that the sub- scriptions were invalid on that ground. This placed the corpora- tion in an embarrassed condition. But previous to the decision about $14,000 had been paid for principal and interest. Not long after also the large legacy of Judge Painter, who died in 1819 and the legacy of Joseph Burr of Manchester, of $12,500 came to their relief. According to the will of Mr. Burr, the income of his legacy was to be appropriated for the support of a professor, and by vote of the corporation, the professorship of chemistry and natural history was placed on that foundation and bears the name of the donor. In the year 1818, a subscription of several thousand dol- lars, principally in the County of Windham, was made for the ben- efit of the chemical department, and is known as the chemical fund.
These sums were received under the administration of Dr. Bates. Under his administration also, in 1885, Dea. Isaac Warren, of Charleston Mass., bequeathed to the college the sum of $3,000, the income of which was to be appropriated for the education of young men for the ministry. But the principal subscription, under his administration was raised in 1833 of $30,000. Fifteen thousand dollars of this was expended in erecting the stone building for a chapel and other public rooms, and about $2,000 in altering and repairing the wooden building, and the remainder was appropriated to the current expenses. About the same time a small subscription of $740 was raised, the income of which is appropriated to pay the tuition of distinguished and successful students in need of aid, and is called the Literary fund. Five hundred dollars of this fund was contributed by William Bartlett Esq., of Newburyport Mass.
Since the inauguration of Dr. Labaree, the finances have as- sumed a more settled form. A scattering subscription from 1840 to 1848 was obtained for $9,300; in 1848 one of $25,000, and in 1852 another of 35,000. In 1853, a friend of the college offered a donation of $10,000, on condition that a further sum of $20,000 should be raised,-the whole amount to constitute permanent and temporary scholarships. The condition has been complied with. To all these later subscriptions the alumni have been liberal contri- butors. Among the recent donations, we ought not to omit the
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
legacy of the late Joseph P. Fairbanks Esq., of St. Johnsbury, for $10,000.
Besides the donations above mentioned, several lots of land in different parts of the state have been deeded to the college, some of which to the amount of $700, have been leased. A part of the more recent subscriptions have not yet been paid, but the principal share has been received and vested for a general fund, besides the Burr fund, and the several smaller specific funds. In addition to the donations already mentioned, Gen. Arad Hunt of Hinsdill N. H., in 1813, deeded to the corporation a large tract of land in Albany, Orleans County, estimated at more than five thousand acres. A very important portion of the income of the college is derived from the rents of these lands.
The Associated Alumni first met at the commencement in 1824 ; and have since held their annual meetings. at commencement, and appointed an orator and poet. Several of the addresses have been published. They early adopted measures for the semi-centennial celebration of the establishment of the college in 1850. On this occasion large numbers assembled, and among them, gentlemen of distinction in the various professions, together with several of the former officers of the college. Among the exercises were interest- ing addresses by Rev. Dr. Bates, late president, and Rev. Dr. Hough, late professor. The exercises were closed by a numerously attended dinner, at which several addresses were made, and among them a characteristic poem by John G. Saxe Esq. A full account of the proceedings was published at the time, in a pamphlet of near 200 pages. At this celebration, the alumni proposed to raise a sub- scription of $35,000 ; and eight subscriptions of $500 each, with several smaller ones were made on the spot. This subscription was completed in 1852, as before stated.
At an early day after the establishment of the college, a literary association was formed by the students, by the name of the Philo- mathesian Society, and was incorporated in 1852. It has its meet- ings weekly, for literary improvement, and an annual celebration at commencement, at which an address is delivered by some disting-
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uished gentleman selected for that purpose. It has a well selected library of 2500 volumes.
In 1804 a religious association was formed, by the name of the Phil- adelphian Society, consisting of professors of religion, which "is de- signed to promote among its members a knowledge of divine things." It is thought to have had a happy influence, not only on the mem- bers, but upon the college generally. Its library contains eight hundred volumes of religious and theological books.
The " Beneficient Society" was formed in 1813 " for the purpose of providing indigent students with text books." Professor Fowler, in his account of the college in 1837, says,-" It furnishes three- fourths of all the students of the college the necessary text books. Indigent students obtain their books free of expense, and other mem- bers obtain the same privilege by paying a small sum annually."
A few valuable books were obtained for the use of the college by the contribution of some of its friends, at the establishment of the college. But no serious effort was made to establish a library until 1809. At that time about one thousand dollars were raised by subscription of the citizens, and divided into shares of twenty-five dollars each. The owners of the shares were entitled to a limited privelege of using the books, but they have since generally sold or surrendered their shares to the college. The library from that time has been increased by appropriations from the treasury. The pres- ent number of volumes is 5600.
The principal part of the philosophical apparatus was imported. from London in 1817, although a few articles had been obtained previously, and some additions have been occasionally made since. It is still deficient in amount, but is sufficient for the ordinary in- struction in that department.
Of the department of chemistry and natural history, Professor Isaac F. Holton says,-" The labaratory was originally small and ill arranged, but the space given to chemistry has just been enlarged, and a series of improvements commenced, which, when completed, will add many fold to the facilities for teaching this branch. It is supplied with apparatus and chemicals on a very liberal scale indeed, and the design is to enlarge and improve this provision. The cabi-
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net is as large as any mere literary college ought to desire. A process of judicious exchanges, and moderate collections is necessary to adapt it to the best possible illustration of a full course of nat- ural history. The department occupies the entire lower floor of the chapel building."
The following is a list of those, who have occupied the offices designated. Our limits do not authorize us to copy the long lists of the members of the corporation or of the tutors.
SECRETARIES.
FROM
DIED FROM
TO DIED
1800 Seth Storrs, Esq.
1807 1837 1826 Hon. Harvey Bell
1843 1818
1809 Hon. Peter Starr
1815 1843 Rev. Lucius L. Tilden 1851
1815 Hon. Samuel Swift
1826
1851 John W. Stewart, Esq.
TREASURERS.
1800 Hon. Darius Matthews 1803 1819 1837 Hon. Samuel Swift 1839
1803 Samuel Miller, Esq. 1806 1810 1839 Hon. Peter Starr 1842
1806 Hon. Samuel Swift 1810 1842 Rev. Thomas A. Merrill 1852 1855
1310 John Simmons, Esq. 1829 1829 1852 Julius A. Beckwith Esq 1854 1857
1829 William G. Hooker 1830 1850 1854 Rev. Jos. D. Wickham 1855
1830 Rev. Wm. C. Fowler 1837 1855 Prof. W. H. Parker.
PROFESSORS OF LAW.
1806 Hon. D. ChipmanLL.D.1816 OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL HISTORY.
1816 Hon. N'l ChipmanLL.D. 1843
1806 Frederic Hall, LL. D. 1824 1843 1838 Alex. C Twining, A. M. 1847
1825 Edward Turner, A. M. 1838 1848 William H. Parker, A M.
1838 Solo. Stoddard, A. M. 1838
OF LATIN AND GREEK LANGUAGES.
1811 Rev. Oliver Hulburd 1812 1814 1825 Rev. John Hough, D.D. 1838
1812 Rev. Jonn Hough, D.D 1817 1838 Solomon Stoddard, A M. 1847
1817 Solomon M. Allen 1817 1848 R. D. C. Robbins, A.M.
1818 Robert B. Patton, P.D.1825 1839
OF THEOLOGY.
1817 Rev. John Hough,D.D. 1825
OF CHEMISTRY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
1848 Hon. Horace Eaton 1854 1855
1828 Rev. W.C. Fowler,A:M.1838 1838 Chas. B. Adams, A.M. 1847 1853 1856 Isaac F. Holton, A. M. 1857
OF RHETORIC AND ENGLISH LITERATURE.
1838 Rev. John Hough, D.D. 1839
1840 Rev. Albert Smith, A.M.1844
1846 Hon. James Meacham 1850 1856
1851 Rev. Jos. B. Bittenger 1853 1853 Rev. George N. Boardman.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
The following constitute the present faculty :
Rev. BENJAMIN LABAREE, D. D., President, and Professor of Moral Philosophy.
WILLIAM H. PARKER, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.
RENSELAER D. C. ROBBINS, A. M., Professor of Languages.
GEORGE HADLEY, A. M, M. D., Professor of Chemistry and Nat- ural Ilistory.
Rev. GEORGE N. BOARDMAN, A. M., Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, and Pro-tempore Professor of Intellectual Philosophy.
CHARLES M. MEAD., A. B., Tutor in Latin and Greek. LEWIS A. AUSTIN, A. B., Tutor and Librarian.
In the preceding list of professors are the names of several dis- tinguished scholars who have passed away, and who, in other rela- tions, would deserve a distinct biographical notice. But, here our limits allow only the following short notices :
FREDERIC HALL, LL. D., was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1803. In 1805 he was appointed a tutor in this college; and, in 1806, professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and the first professor in any department in the college. Soon after this appointment, in order to qualify himself the better for his profes- sorship, he went to Europe, and spent some time in London and Paris. After his return, he continued to discharge the duties of his professorship until 1824, when he resigned. Hle was afterwards employed in various enterprizes, and was for a time a professor in the Episcopal College at Hartford, also president of Mount Hope College in Maryland, and died in 1843.
Rev. OLIVER HULBURD, from Orwell, was graduated at this col- lege in 1806, was tutor from 1808 to 1811, and in the latter year was appointed the first professor of Latin and Greek languages. His health soon declined, so that the same fall he took a journey to Georgia, with the hope that the climate of that state might check an apparent tendency to a pulmonary disease. In the following summer he returned to Middlebury and resumed his duties as pro- fessor. But as the succeeding cold season approached, he found
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
himself unable to endure the severity of this climate, and returned to Georgia. While in that state, he labored in the ministry in Waynesborough until his death in 1814. The estimation in which his talents, scholarship and character were held by those who best knew him, is evinced by his receiving the first appointment at the time of his graduation, and by his successive appointments as tutor and professor.
SOLOMON M. ALLEN has similar testimony in favor of his char- acter. He was the son of Rev. Mr. Allen, for many years a dis- tinguished clergyman of Pittsfield, Mass. He was graduated at this college in 1813. Sylvester Larned, who was afterwards so much distinguished as a pulpit orator, was from the same town, and was graduated in the same class. After he was withdrawn from Wil- liam's College, as stated, on account of his "youthful indiscretions and irregularities," he came to Middlebury in company with, and under the qualified guardianship of Allen, who was then a member of this college, and was a judicious, safe and kindly adviser, and who, it was thought, exerted a salutary influence over him. Mr. Allen pursued the study of theology one year at Andover, and offi- ciated as tutor the two following years. In 1816 he was appointed professor of languages, but for one year continued to discharge the duties of tutor. At the commencement in 1817, he entered upon the duties of professor, as successor to Dr. Hough, who was trans- ferred to the professorship of theology. On the 23d of the follow- ing September, Professor Allen went upon the roof of the then new college building to remedy a defect in a chimney, and while at work there, the scaffolding gave way, and he fell about ten feet to the roof, and was thence precipitated to the ground. The injury was fatal, and he died at 10 o'clock the same evening, at the age of 28 years. We think no event ever spread such sadness over this whole community. He was known and loved by all.
ROBERT B. PATTON, from Philadelphia, was two or three years a member of this college, but removed his relation to Yale College, and was graduated in 1817. In 1818 he was appointed professor of languages in this college, as successor to professor Allen. In 1825 he resigned, and received the appointment of professor in the New York University. He died in 1839.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
EDWARD TURNER was educated at Yale College, and afterwards pursued theological studies at Andover. While a member of that institution, in 1823, he was appointed a tutor in this college, and continued in that office two years. At the end of that period he was appointed professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. While in that office he was married to Sophronia Storrs, a daughter of Col. Seth Storrs, and died in January. 1838, at the age of 41 years. Professor Turner was reserved in his manners and conver- sation ; but was distinguished as a very accurate mathematical and classical scholar.
SOLOMON STODDARD, from Northampton Mass., was elected pro- fessor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, as successor to Professor Turner in 1838, and the same year was transferred to the Professorship of Latin and Greek Languages, as successor to Pro- fessor Hough, who was appointed the first professor of Rhetoric and English Literature. From the resignation of Dr. Bates to the ap- pointment of Dr. Labaree, as president, Professor Stoddard dis- charged the duties of that office. He was educated at Yale College, and previous to his appointment as professor, he had established a high reputation as a classical scholar. In connection with Mr. Andrews he had published a Latin Grammar, which has been known as "Andrews and Stoddard's Grammar," and has been intro- duced and used in nearly all the colleges and seminaries in the country. He continued to discharge the duties of his professorship with distinguished ability and reputation until 1847. In that year he showed increasing symptoms of pulmonary disease ; and when so much reduced as to be unable to discharge his official duties, he went to Northampton, his native place, where he soon after died.
CHARLES B. ADAMS was a graduate of Amherst College, and was an enthusiastic student of natural history. On the recommen- dation of Professor Hitchcock, in 1838, he was appointed professor of chemistry and natural history in this college. While occupy- ing that office, Mr. Adams made explorations and collections in dif- ferent branches of natural history in this county, and spent one winter in the same pursuit in the West Indias. He was also appointed by Gov. Slade, and for two years officiated as state geol-
Janus Meacham
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY
ogist. In 1847 he resigned his professorship to accept a similar appointment in Amherst College. While connected with that in- stitution he died in 1853.ยป
Hon. HORACE EATON, in 1848, was elected professor of Chemistry and Natural History, as successor to Mr. Adams. Professor Eaton was graduated at this college in 1825, and during the following year officiated as principal of Addison County Grammar School. In the meantime, he pursued the study of medicine with Dr. J. A. Allen, of this town, and afterwards with Dr. Eaton, of Enosburgh. He also attended the medical lectures at Castleton, and settled in the practice of medicine in Enosburgh in 1828. He continued his practice in that place, except as interrupted by his official duties, until his appointment in this college. In the meantime he filled various important civil offices in the State. He represented the town of Enosburgh in the legislature in 1829, the second year after he commenced practice, and three years afterwards, previous to and including the year 1836. In 1837 he was elected a senator for the county, and again in 1839, and the two following years. He was elected Lieut. Governor of the State in 1843, and the two years succeeding; and in 1846 chief magistrate of the State, and con- tinued in that office two years. In the meantime he was annually chosen, and for four years officiated, as State Superintendent of Common Schools. In 1854 he relinquished his connection with the college, and, so far as his health permitted, continued the practice of medicine, in which he had, previously, among his friends been employed. He died on the 4th of July 1855, at the age of fifty- one years. His remains were taken for interment to Enosburgh, his former residence.
Hon. JAMES MEACHAM was elected in 1846 professor of Rhetoric and English Literature as successor of Rev. Albert Smith, who had resigned that office in 1844. He was born at Rutland, August 10, 1810, and was in, early childhood left an orphan, and com- menced life as an apprentice in a cabinet maker's shop. By his native talents and energy, with some aid from a discerning and be- nevolent neighbor, he raised himself to distinction. He was grad- uated at this college in 1832, and was afterwards successively em-
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
ployed as teacher in an academy at Castleton and St. Albans. In 1836, he was appointed a tutor, in which office he continued two years. Having previously pursued the study of theology at the seminary at Andover, he was settled as pastor of the Congrega- tional, church in New Haven in 1838. In this position he remained until his appointment as professor. While discharging the duties of the latter office, with reputation and success, he was elected, in 1849, a representative in Congress, and the year following resigned his professorship. He continued to represent the state, by subse- quent elections, until the time of his death; and just before his death had been unanimously nominated by his party for a new election. In the several stations which he had occupied, he did not confine his researches to the subjects more immediately con- nected with his position, but made himself familiar with general liter- ature and politics. Before his election to Congress he had estab- lished a high reputation as a writer and extempore speaker. As. a member of Congress he was universally respected. Several of his speeches, which have been published, have secured him an envi- able reputation as an orator. His position, as chairman of the committee on the District of Columbia, brought upon him severe and exhausting labor, which, with other duties, made serious in- roads on his health, which had before been much impaired. A few days before the close of his last session, finding himself too much enfeebled to discharge his duties there, he left Washington for his home, and on his arrival, said he had come home to die. His pre- diction, a few days after, was verified. He died on the 23d of Au- gust 1856, at the age of forty-six.
This account of Middlebury College, was written two years ago ;. and the printers had put most of the manuscript beyond our control before it occurred to us that there might have been changes which ought to be noticed. But we find the changes to be not of sufficient- importance to be mentioned in this place, except in the college library . President Labaree, while on his recent visit to Europe, purchased in London and Paris, a large number of volumes,-of which 650 are in French. These, with other additions, have increased the library from 5,600, as mentioned above, to about 10,000 volumes.
J.H Bufforis Luth Boston. MIDDLEBURY FEMALE SEMINARY
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
391
CHAPTER XXIV.
FEMALE SEMINARY-MISS STRONG-MRS. WILLARD-INCORPORATED -MISSES MAHEW-MRS. COOK-MISS SWIFT-MR. TILDEN- DR. LATHROP-S. HITCHCOCK-W. F. BASCOM-MISS GORDON.
ABOUT the time the Grammar School and College were estab- lished, and before the incorporation of the latter, the citizens, in order to complete their plans of providing institutions of a higher order for all classes, adopted measures to establish a Female Semi- nary. No legal corporation was formed to sustain it, but in the spring of 1800, through the agency of Hon. Horatio Seymour, from the same place, and previously acquainted with her, they in- vited Miss Ida Strong, of Litchfield Conn., who had been educated at the celebrated school of Miss Pierce, in that place, to establish a similar school here. No building or other conveniences had been provided, and she opened her school in the court house. It soon rose to such reputation as to attract pupils from nearly all parts of the state. After a year or two, the school was removed to the north. room of Dr. Campbell's house, which had been used for a store. The school had so rapidly increased, that the citizens felt the im- portance of providing better accommodations for it. In the winter of 1802-3, they formed a voluntary association and made prepa- ration for the erection of a suitable building. Mr. Seymour had appropriated land, as before stated. The stock was divided into shares, a subscription was circulated and the requisite funds raised, and early in the season following the two story building, now occu- pied by O. Seymour, Esq., for his residence, was completed. The young men from the lawyers' offices, stores and mechanics' shops, were not behind others in their enthusiasm. They were without funds to take stock, but volunteered to build a plank walk across the flat ground in front of the building, where the deep mud ren-
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