1827. NOTES FROM THE RECORDS OF THE LITCHFIELD FEMALE ACADEMY.
Reading edition
Copy of the subscription for the Litchfield Female Academy. April, 1827.
The subscribers, being desirous of extending the benefits of the Female Academy, in this place, (which they believe can be done, by the erection of a new building, and procuring an act of incorporation which shall constitute the subscribers owners of the stock and place the same under the management of a board of trustees, consisting of ten persons who shall hold their offices during life, or until they resign or remove from this state, with power to controul and manage all the affairs of the institution, which shall be exclusively devoted to the purpose of Female education, excepting that one of the rooms in the proposed building may be made use of as a Conference room by the Congregational and episcopal societies in this Village and for other objects of that nature under the direction and at the discretion of the trustees) do hereby agree to unite in a petition for the above purpose to the general assembly at their ensuing session & if the same be granted to subscribe and pay for stock in such corporation to the amount affixed to our names, respectively & to relinquish to the Corporation for the benefit of said institution all the dividends or profits on the stock by us held so long as Miss S. Pierce or Mr. J. P. Brace or either of them shall be employed in the instruction of youth in said academy. This subscription to become binding on the subscribers on the following conditions viz
1st That Miss Sarah Pierce shall convey to the Corporation, after an act of corporation shall be obtained, the building she now occupies as a schoolhouse and as much land in quantity where said buildings now stand as is at present attached to said buildings and included within the fences to be improved for a building lot for the new school house or academy and that said land and buildings shall be considered as stock subscribed by Miss Pierce under this subscription and shall be estimated at the sum of $600.
2nd That in addition to the subscription to be made by Miss Pierce on the principles and to the amount stated above, there shall be subscribed within four weeks from this date the further sum of $900 or 60 shares each share to be $15.
Dated at Litchfield this 26th day of April
1827. (A true copy).
261I agree to convey the land and buildings mentioned in the preceding subscription under terms and for the objects therein specified, estimated at $600 or 40 shares. (A true copy)
Sarah Pierce
Names of Subscribers. Number of Shares.
Frederick Wolcott Two shares
James Gould Two shares
William Buel Two shares
Jabez W. Huntington Two shares
Charles Seymour Two shares
Grove Catlin One share
Phineas Miner One share
Stephen Deming One share
James H. Wadsworth Two shares
Samuel Buel Two shares
S. & H. Childs Two shares
Silvester Galpin One share
Joshua Gavvitt One share
Josiah Parks One share
Oliver S. & John L. Wolcott Two shares
E. A. Lord One share
Danl Sheldon One do
S. S. Smith Two shares
G. Dewey One share
John R. Landon Two shares
Alanson Abbe Three shares
John W. Russell One share
Truman Smith One share
Charles N Webb. One share
Jason Whiting One share
David C. Sanford One share
Elihu Harrison One share
Uriel Holmes One share
B. Kilbourne One share
Samuel P. Bolles One share
Oliver Goodwin One share
Jonathan Carrington One share
Saml Buel 2 One share
Leonard Goodwin Two shares
Origen S. Seymour One share
Silvester Spencer One share
262Henry Phelps One share
Andrew Benedict One share
John P. Brace One share
Ambrose Norton One share
James Winship One share
Amos Wadsworth One share
Hiram Barnes One share
C. G. Bennett One share
Stone & Bolles One share
Benjamin Tallmadge Two shares
Henry A. Perkins One share
Ozias Seymour One share
S. Trowbridge & G. Treadway One share
William H. Thompson One share
Seth P. Beers Two shares
A true copy of the original subscription enrolled among the papers of the Litchfield Female Academy and marked no 1—
Attest J. P. Brace. Sec.
Then follows an Act of incorporation given at Hartford, Conn., by the General Assembly in said state, on the first Wednesday of May, 1827. This act provided “that shares be $15 each provided that the number of shares shall not exceed 500 & the capital stock shall not exceed the sum of $7500.”
E. N. V.
At a meeting of the “Litchfield Female Academy” holden pursuant to adjournment at the West School House in Litchfield June 15th 1827, the following persons were elected trustees.
Frederick Wolcott.
James Gould.
William Buel.
Phineas Miner.
Seth P. Beers.
Truman Smith.
John P. Brace.
John R. Landon.
Daniel Sheldon.
Jabez W. Huntington.
Frederick Wolcott was appointed President of the board and Truman Smith Secretary and William Buel Treasurer.
Pl. L.—Old Costume from Roxbury, about 1825
The contract for the building was given to Silvester Spencer, minute directions being given that “it shall be 42 ft. long, 30 ft. wide two stories high with parts 21 ft. long from the top of the sill to the bottom of the Plate the stories of equal length. Sleepers and rafters 263of good oak and chestnut. The whole frame to be of good and substantial materials. The building (except the front) is to be covered with good pine clapboards. The front to be covered like Doct Samuel Buel’s House with 1¼ Tuck pine stuff free from sap and nots and put together with white paint and 4 Pilasters to be a cornice like said Buel’s (excepting eave Troughs) on the side and front with Raking cornice to be a window in the front gable like said Buel’s and covered with a good Green Blind, ... the door to be hung with wrought Iron Hooks & Hinges and furnished with suitable trimmings.... The clapboards to be nailed on with wrought Nails. There is to be 21 windows of 24 Lights part of English brown glass 8 by 10 & One window in the west gable end 20 lights 8 by 10 Glass.... There is to be a Cupola on the front & finished with not less than six posts. With a deck so made as to exclude the water & Sustain a bell with a spire of iron.... The whole building to be painted white with three coats of good paint of white lead and oil except the roof.... The Painting to be done by the first day of May next.” The payments to be “four hundred dolls on or before the 10th day of Sept. next 200 dollars on or before the first day of November next and the balance when the building shall have completed.
Voted that Leonard Goodwin be authorized to sell at discretion the building or buildings now occupied by the Litchfield Academy, reserving the use of the same until the first day of May next, and also to remove the same if necessary.
A detailed agreement with Samuel Childs was made regarding the stone underpinning which was to cost $65. January 21st 1828 it was found that $250 more would be necessary to make the building “comfortable and convenient,” which sum was borrowed of Elisha S. Buel.
At a meeting of the Trustees holden Nov. 14th, 1828 voted that Dr. William Buel be appointed agent to collect the balance now due on the Subscription to the Litchfield Female Academy and be authorized to institute suits for the collection of the same.
At a meeting of the Trustees March 28th, 1828 the following address to the public was drawn up and ordered to be printed:—
LITCHFIELD FEMALE ACADEMY.
The Trustees of the Female Academy at Litchfield deem it proper to acquaint the public with the present situation and prospects of the institution of which they have the general superintendence. This School has been established more than thirty-five years. It was founded by the exertions of an individual lady (Miss Sarah Pierce) 264aided by a few friends. It has been under her immediate direction from its first establishment, and for several years she has been assisted by John P. Brace, Esq., a gentleman of distinguished literary and scientific attainments, whose time and talents are assiduously devoted to the improvement of the pupils under his charge. While many similar institutions have, during this period, arisen, flourished for a time and then ceased to exist, this school has continued to receive, as it is believed it has always richly deserved, a great share of public patronage. It has obtained public notice and favor by the force of its own merits. Constant and unremitting exertions on the part of the instructors, combined with long experience and a thorough acquaintance with all the branches of education which are taught, have given this school a character which has drawn forth the commendations of many of the distinguished men of our country. Young Ladies from every part of the United States have been members of it, and great numbers have received its highest honors. The whole number of pupils, since it was first opened, exceeds two thousand.
During the last year it has been considered an act of duty to that community by whom it has been so long patronized, to provide more extensive accommodations, for those who seek to participate in the advantages it affords. With this view, a large and commodious building has been erected, with suitable apartments for every branch of study appropriate to such an institution, and for the apparatus connected with the different branches of science.
It will be opened for the reception of pupils at the commencement of the ensuing summer term, which will be on the 14th of May next:—This term will continue until the 29th of October, when there will be a vacation of four weeks, at the expiration of which the winter term will commence, and continue until the 21st of April;—Another vacation of three weeks will terminate with the commencement of the summer term.
A regular course of instruction will be given in English Grammar, Geography, Ancient and Modern History, Arithmetic, Algebra, and the higher branches of the Mathematics, Rhetoric, Composition and the principles of Taste, Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, Moral Philosophy and Logic. In addition to these, the pupils, at their option, will be instructed in Latin, Greek, and French Languages, the various branches of Natural History, Music and Drawing, for all which the most competent instructors are provided.
Pl. LI.—Facsimile of Form of Stock Certificate of Academy
The text-books used at this institution are Walker’s Dictionary, Murray’s Grammar, Woodbridge’s Geography and Atlas, Miss Pierce’s Ancient History, Russell’s Modern Europe, Goodrich’s American History, 265Arithmetic, Blair’s Rhetoric abridged, Allison on Taste, Conversations on Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, Paley’s Philosophy, Hedge’s Logic.
The location of this Academy is in the centre of a pleasant village, remarkably healthy, free from vice and the temptations to the commission of it, and possessing every facility of communication with other places, by stage coaches and mails, which arrive and leave it daily.
The Trustees confidently believe, that with the additional advantages which this institution now possesses, it will receive the increased patronage of the public, and that it will continue to be, as it heretofore eminently has been, distinguished as a seminary, where the different branches of female education are faithfully and successfully taught.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
Frederick Wolcott, President.
Litchfield, Conn. March 28, 1828.
From the following vote, there must have been another school building on East Street:—
“Voted that Leonard Goodwin be a committee to make a public or private sale of the building belonging to the L. F. Academy now standing in East street. Sept. 11, 1829.”
At a meeting on the 19th October, 1832, “the resignation of John P. Brace as Trustee, Secretary of the Board and Assistant Teacher was read and accepted.” Frederick Wolcott and Oliver Goodwin were appointed a committee to wait on Miss Sarah Pierce to learn her views regarding the continuance of the school.
[Notices of Change of Teachers from the Litchfield Enquirer, October 31st 1833.]
EDITORIAL NOTICE:
“Litchfield Female Academy.—We feel no disposition to say much more upon this subject than to call the attention of our readers to the advertisement of the Trustees in a subsequent column, which is very full and explicit. The acquisition to the school of Miss Gimbred, we consider as a very fortunate and important one. This school has always maintained a very elevated rank among the literary institutions of the country; and under the management of its present excellent instructors, we feel no apprehension but what it will fully maintain its deserved celebrity.”
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TRUSTEES’ NOTICE:
“Litchfield Female Academy.”
“The Trustees of the Litchfield Female Academy, in consequence of a recent change in some of the principal instructors, consider it their duty to state to the public the present condition and prospects of this Institution.
“This school was founded about forty years since by Miss Sarah Pierce; and under her care and superintendence it early acquired a distinguished rank among the literary institutions of our country. This rank it has fully sustained to the present time. There have generally been young ladies in this school from one half the States in the Union, and the number has varied from 80 to 130. Miss Pierce has now retired from the performance of any active duties in this institution; but she feels a deep interest in its prosperity, and will visit it daily; and it is to be hoped that, as heretofore, in answer to her prayers, the blessing of heaven may descend upon it. Mr. John P. Brace, who for eighteen years was a very able and distinguished instructor in this school, nearly a year since accepted the appointment of Principal in the Female Seminary at Hartford. Notwithstanding the removal of these eminent instructors, the Trustees state, with high gratification, that in their opinion this institution has never been more worthy of public confidence and patronage, and its prospects have never been more flattering than at the present time.
“Miss Henrietta Jones, the present Principal, appointed by the Trustees, received her education in this academy. She has had five years’ experience as an instructress; and the Trustees, from regard to her feelings, will only add in her commendation, that they consider her, by her talents and acquirements, as eminently qualified for the station they have assigned her. There are others associated with her to instruct in the various branches which have heretofore been taught in this school, in whose qualifications the Trustees have entire confidence.
“The French Language, Music and Drawing will be taught by Miss Evelina Gimbred, who, with her mother, Mrs. Gimbred, has removed to this village. They will receive young ladies as boarders in their family. The father of this young lady was a Professor, and Teacher of Drawing, at the Military Academy of West Point; in which institution it is well known that none but highly respectable and well educated persons are ever employed as Professors. This gentleman gave his daughter an education with a view to qualify her to 267teach the French language, and to become an instructress in Drawing; and in consequence of his death, his family are left to provide for themselves. They are native French people, but they speak our language fluently and correctly. These ladies propose to remain permanently in this village; and the Trustees consider the arrangement they have made with them as an extremely interesting event to the friends of the Female Academy in this place.
“The Trustees will only state, in addition, the price of Tuition and Board, viz:
Per Quarter.
Highest Department of English studies, $5.37
Second „ „ „ „ 4.37
Third „ „ „ „ 3.37
Instruction in Drawing, 5.00
„ in the French language 7.00
„ in Music 10.00
Board can be obtained in respectable families at $2 per week. Those who may board in the family with the Instructress in French, and where only the French language will be spoken, will pay for board $2 per week, and for other privileges 50 cents.
“The next term will commence the 20th day of November next, at which time it is desired that all who may propose to join the school shall punctually attend.”
“By order of the Board of Trustees.
“Frederick Wolcott, President.”
“Leonard Goodwin, Secretary.”
“Village of Litchfield, Oct. 30, 1833.”
The above notice was also inserted in the Enquirer for Nov. 7th and 14th:
It was voted at a meeting of Trustees, held April 6th 1844, that Seth P. Beers apply to the Legislature for a change in the charter, so that the buildings could be used for both sexes. In 1849 the use of the Academy was tendered to the Normal School.
Notice—A meeting of the Corporation of the L Female Academy will be held at the Academy of said Corporation in L-field on the 10th day of July 1854 at two o’clock in the afternoon for the purpose of electing Trustees for said Academy.
Per order of the Legislature of Connecticut
Stephen Deming
Found in July 13, 20, 27
At a meeting of the Shareholders of the Corporation of the Litchfield Female Academy, convened by Stephen Deming, Esq. (by order of the Legislature) on the 10th day of July 1854, the following persons were appointed Trustees of the year ensuing to wit: Albert Sedgwick, Jason Whiting, Chas Adams, Oliver Goodwin, Gideon H. Hollister, Henry Buel, R. H. Coit, William Deming, J. G. Beckwith & S. P. Bolles.
The following Resolution was also adopted at said meeting to wit: That whereas the by-laws of the Litchfield Female Academy as now on record, make it necessary that the original certificates of stock should be returned in order to procure new certificates in all transfers of stock, and whereas in many, perhaps in most cases of ownership of said stock, no certificates were given, and if given have been lost, and no record of certificates made on the Secretary’s book, the stockholders hereby recommend to the Trustees to pass by-laws requiring all transfers of stock now held by any person, originating from the original shares, to be entered on the Secretaries’ book, and that the owners thereof have liberty to vote on them in all elections, and in all transactions of business.
J. Carrington, Chairman
Litchfield July 10th 1854
At a meeting of the Trustees September 6, 1856, it was voted that Miss Mary Pierce be allowed to purchase the Academy property, consisting of the land and building, for the sum of $900.
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