THE

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1835.

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[ 1834] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 42

HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY, in Massachusetts, was founded in 1638; William and Mary College, in Virginia, in 1691; and Yale, in. Connecticut, in 1701. In the British provinces lying between Connecticut and Virginia, that is, in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the lower counties on the Delaware, and Maryland, there was not till 1746, any literary institution which was authorized to confer degrees in the arts. Several academies or grammar schools had been formed, but there was no institution in which a full course of liberal education

[1834.] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE. OF NEW JERSEY. 43

could be pursued. In this state of things, many individuals would be naturally desirous to have a college nearer to them than any which had been previously established. But besides the difficulty of procuring funds and teachers, a charter for such an establishment was not then easily obtained. The views of the court of England were to be consulted, and they often militated with the interests and wishes of the colonies, The operation of these causes appears to
have prevented the founding of any college in the provinces alluded to for forty
or fifty years. Various and warm political controversies existed in the province
of New Jersey, on account of which the general good was often overlooked or forgotten.

In 1741, the synod of Philadelphia, representing the whole Presbyterian church in the British provinces, after a violent controversy among its members,
was rent asunder, and two rival synods were formed—namely, New York and
Philadelphia. The members of the former were almost unanimously the warm
friends and coadjutors of the Rev. George Whitefield, while the members of
the synod of Philadelphia were generally, if not universally, his decided opposition. The members of these rival bodies were by their local residence, mingled
in some measure with each other. In Pennsylvania, though geographically
separated, there was perhaps nearly an equal number of the members of each
synod. In New Jersey, there was not a single clergyman who belonged to
the synod of Philadelphia. The whole Presbyterian population of the province
was zealously attached to the interests of the New York synod. Both synods,
from the time of their separation, made strenuous exertions to educate their
youth for the Christian ministry, from the desire in part of, extending each
its own party. New Jersey was the undisputed territory of the synod of New
York, and in this province resided the ablest champions of their cause, particularly the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson of Elizabethtown.

Urged on by such considerations, the members of the synod of New York
resolved to make a strenuous and united effort to found a college in New Jersey.
The object, however, was not easily attained. A large proportion of the population of the province, consisted of other denominations, who took no interest
ha the views and feelings of Presbyterians. Yet unanimity, zeal, and perseverance, ultimately prevailed. Under the administration of John Hamilton, a charter was procured, but it was not recorded until Oct. 4, 1750. It is supposed that the founders of the college under the first charter forbore to record this instrument, because they hoped to obtain a more liberal one. No copy of it can, now be found, it was, however, only under this first charter, that Mr. Dickinson acted as president of the college; for he died, within a year after it was granted; and nearly a year before the present charter, dated Sept. 14, 1748, was obtained. Governor Belcher came into office in 1747, and the present charter was obtained, in September 1748. In their first address to the governor, the trustees say, "We have often adored that wise and gracious Providence, which has placed your excellency in the chief seat of government in this province, and have taken our part, with multitudes, in congratulating New Jersey upon that occasion’ "No event in Providence could have more entirely corresponded," remarks Dr. Green, "with the wishes and prayers of these excellent men, than the appointment of governor Belcher, at the time it took place. His sentiments and views accorded in all respects with their own. He was a man of fervent piety, an avowed friend and patron of Mr. Whitefield, an ardent lover of learning, and therefore an advocate for a learned as well as a pious ministry, a decided Whig both in principle and action, and, to crown all, he was as zealously disposed to establish a college in the province as any of those, who had been so long laboring to effect it. He also happened to be high in the favor and confidence of the reigning family of Great Britain; from whom, he had early received tokens of particular regard, and recently the appointment of governor of the province."

Who were the trustees named under the first charter, when or where they met, or at what time or in what manner Mr. Dickinson was appointed president, cannot now be known. It is probable that he had long been accustomed to receive youth for instruction in classical literature. At that time, it was chiefly in this manner that preparation was or could be made for entering on

[1834] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 44

the study of either of the professions. For this employment, Mr. Dickinson was better qualified than most of his brethren. It is certain that he was employed for the short period which intervened between the obtaining of the first charter and his death. About a year after his decease, it appears that six individuals received their bachelor’s degree. The whole number of students under his care did not probably exceed twenty. Some of them boarded with him, and others in families near to his dwelling in Elizabethtown. No public buildings had then been erected. It is presumed that an usher or tutor was employed to assist him.

Rev. Jonathan Dickinson was a native of Hatfield Mass., son of Hezekiah and Abigail Dickinson, and was born April 22, l688. Rev. Dr. Lyman says that the tradition is that his mother was left a widow, married and removed to Springfield, With her children ; and that she educated her sons by the assistance of her second husband’s estate. Her son Moses was pastor of a Congregational church in Norwalk, Ct., from 1727 to 1775. Jonathan was graduated in Yale
college, in 1706, and within one or two years was settled as minister of the
first Presbyterian church in Elizabethtown. Of this church he was pastor nearly
forty years. He possessed a clear and discriminating mind, and his general
usefulness as a writer was by no means inconsiderable. His "Familiar Letters
upon important subjects in Religion," has lately been republished. He
studied divinity with the Rev. Abraham Pierson, the first president of Yale
college. He died Oct. 7, 1747, aged 60.

The pupils who had been the charge of Mr. Dickinson at Elizabethtown,
were, after his death, removed to Newark, about six miles, and placed under the
care of the Rev. Aaron Burr. He therefore was considered as the successor
of Mr. Dickinson, even under the first charter. Whether there was any formal
appointment to that effect is unknown. But it seems that he had charge of the
youth, who had been collected at Elizabethtown for about a year before the second charter was obtained.

The first entry, in the first volume of the minutes of the trustees of the college of New Jersey, is a copy of the charter granted by governor Belcher. The next entry is the following, "On Thursday, October 13, 1745, convened at New Brunswick, James Hude, Andrew Johnston, Thomas Leonard, Esquires, Mr. William P. Smith, and Rev. Messrs. John Pierson, Ebenezer Pemberton, Joseph Lamb, William Tennent, Richard Treat, David Cowell, Aaron Burr, Jones, and Thomas Arthur; thirteen of those nominated in the charter to be trustees of the college ; who having accepted the charter, were qualified and incorporated according to the directions thereof. Thomas Arthur was chosen clerk. Voted, that an address be made to the governor to thank his excellency for the grant of the charter. An address being drawn up by the Rev. Mr. Burr, was read and approved. - Mr. Cowell communicated it to his excellency." November 9th, in addition to the preceding trustees, governor Belcher, William Smith, Esq. Messrs. Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Samuel Hazard, and Rev. Messrs. Samuel Blair and Jacob Green, were qualified as trustees. Mr. Burr was unanimously chosen president, which appointment "he was pleased modestly to accept." The first commencement was holden on the same day. The president commenced the exercises in the forenoon with prayer and with publicly reading the charter. In the afternoon, he delivered " a handsome and elegant Latin oration." After the customary "scholastic disputatious," the following gentlemen were admitted to the degree of bachelor of arts: Enos Ayres, Israel Read, Benjamin Chesnut, Richard Stockton, Hugh Henry, and Daniel Thane. The honorary degree of A. M. was then conferred upon governor Belcher. This was succeeded by a salutatory from Mr. Thane, and the whole was concluded with prayer by the president.

"Thus were the trustees," says president Finley, "possessed of a naked charter, without any fund at all to accomplish the undertaking. After various solicitations in America, the contributions, though often generous and worthy of grateful acknowledgment, were by no means adequate to the execution of so extensive a design. Therefore in the year 1753, two agents were sent to Great Britain to solicit additional benefactions. There the institution was honored beyond the most sanguine expectations."

[ 1834] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JFIISEY. 45

The students in the mean time were scattered in private families in Newark, the public academical exercises being generally performed in the county court house. The great difficulties, both in respect to the moral and literary improvement of the young men, were successfully met by the vigilant and indefatigable Burr.

As governor Belcher was the founder of the college, so he was the first who advised and urged the erection of the college edifice, when the funds of the institution were so scanty, that had it not been for his advice and aid, the enterprise would have been deemed impracticable. At a meeting at Newark, September 27, 1752, governor Belcher advised the trustees to proceed immediately to determine upon a location for the college. The people of New Brunswick not having complied with the terms proposed to them for fixing the college in that place, it was voted that it should be established in Princeton, upon condition that the inhabitants of said place secure to the trustees two hundred acres of wood land, ten acres of cleared land, and £1,000 of proclamation money, all which is to be complied with in three months. (in the 24th of January, 1752, it was announced that the conditions were fulfilled. The Rev. Gilbert Tennent of Philadelphia, and the Rev. Samuel Davies of Hanover, Va., the agents of the board in Great Britain, having procured liberal contributions in that country, it was determined forthwith to erect a college edifice, and a house for the president. From the same source, a small fund was afterwards formed to assist in paying the salaries of the officers of college. The college edifice was erected of stone, and the president’s house of brick, both of which are now standing. The college building was for some years the largest college structure in the United States. It was first named Belcher Hall, but the worthy governor declined the honor, and suggested that it should be called Nassau Hall, in honor of him of "glorious memory," William III., prince of Orange and Nassau. [ footnote: The college has been sometimes called Nassau Hall, but not appropriately. Nassau Hall is simply the name of the building.]

It accommodated about 147 students, reckoning three to a chamber. The chambers are 20 feet square, having two large closets, with a window in each, for retirement. A hall of 40 feet was provided, ornamented with an organ, a portrait of king William, and of governor Belcher. In the year 1756, the students, to about the number of 70, removed from Newark to Princeton, the college building being so far completed as to be ready for their reception. The people of the country becoming more and more convinced of the importance of learning, the number of the students rapidly increased. The labor of teaching fell principally on the president. He sometimes had but one tutor to assist him, and never more than two, while the college remained at Newark, He also had the charge of a grammar school during the whole time he was in office, in which pupils were prepared for college. This was considered as a personal concern of the president. After his death, the trustees took the grammar school under their care. The tutors in the college from 1749 to 1758, were John Maltby, Samuel Sherwood, Jonathan Badger, Alexander Gordon, George Duffield, William Thompson, Benjamin Y. Prince, John Ewing, Isaac Smith, Jeremiah Halsey, and Joseph Treat. The public commencements, with one exception, during the presidency of Mr. Burr, took place at Newark. The second commencement was held at New Brunswick, where it was then probable that the institution might be established. Mr. Burr did not live to preside at the commencement at Princeton in 1757, having died two days previously. The disease of which he died, was greatly aggravated, if not entirely produced, by the exertions which he made in a state of great exhaustion and debility, to prepare and preach the funeral sermon of governor Belcher. These eminent men and endeared friends expired within a month of each other; the governor on the 31st of August, the president on the 24th of September, 1757.

Aaron Burr was a native of Fairfield, Ct., and was born in 1716. He was a descendant, as it is supposed, of the Rev. Jonathan Burr, of Dorchester, Ms. He graduated at Yale college in 1735. In 1788, he was invited to take the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian church in Newark, N. J. In 1751, he accompanied Mr. Whitefield to Boston, having a high esteem for that eloquent preacher. Until 1755, he discharged the duties both of president and pastor of

[1834] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 46

the church. At that time, his pastoral relation was dissolved. "No clergyman in the State of New Jersey," says Dr. Green, "was probably ever more beloved, respected, and influential, than president Burr. To the church of which he was minister, and to the college of which he was president, the loss and the regret which his death occasioned, cannot now be easily estimated." He was firm in his principles, ardent in emotion, and kept his eye fixed on the high destiny of man. At the approach of death, the gospel gave him support, and cheered him with lively consolation. He married, in 1752, Miss Esther Edwards of Northampton, daughter of Jonathan Edwards, his successor in the presidency. She died in 1758, the year after the death of her husband, in the 27th year of her age leaving two children, one. of whom was Aaron Burr, late vice president of the United States, and the other a daughter, who was married to judge Tapping Reeve, of Litchfield, Ct. "Mrs. Burr," says Dr. Green, "was in every respect an ornament to her sex, being equally distinguished for the suavity of her manners, her literary accomplishments, and her unfeigned regard for religion."

The meeting of the board of trustees, which occurred immediately after the decease of president Burr, was not adjourned till the choice of his successor. The record is as follows. "A choice of a president of the college being proposed to the Board, it was ordered to be put to vote, whether the said president ho now chosen or not; which being voted accordingly, was carried in the affirmative. Whereupon, after prayer, particularly on this occasion, and the number of trustees present being twenty, the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Edwards of Stockbridge, was chosen by a majority of 17." During the interval between the death of president Burr and the arrival of president Edwards, the tuition was confided to the tutors, and the government to Messrs. William Tennent and David Cowell. "Such was the humility of president Edwards, that he looked on himself, in many respects, so unqualified for the business, that he wondered that gentlemen of such good judgment, and so well acquainted with him as he knew some of the trustees were, should think of him for that place. He addressed a letter to the Board, in which he labored to satisfy them that their choice had not been properly made. He thought it right, however, to submit to the decision of some judicious friends, and on their advising him to accept the presidency, he left his family in Stockbridge, and in January 1758, arrived in Princeton. While at Princeton, he preached in the college chapel several Sabbaths, to the great acceptance of the hearers; but did nothing in the way of instruction, except to give out some questions in divinity to the senior class. The exercises, when they returned their answers, were represented as very interesting and instructive. The small pox was at this time in Princeton, and likely to spread. Mr. Edwards had never had it, and by the advice of his physicians was inoculated. He appeared to have it favorably, and it was thought the danger was over. But a secondary fever set in, and the obstruction in his throat was such, that the medicines necessary to check the fever could not be administered. It raged till it put an end to his life, March 22, 1758. He was in the fifty-fifth year of his age. His last words were, "Trust in God and ye need not fear." He had the uninterrupted use of his reason, and died in perfect calmness and composure. Mrs. Edwards died on the 2d of October, in the same year. Thus the father and mother, the son and the daughter, were laid together in the grave, side by side, at Princeton, in the space of a little more than a year, though a few months previously, their dwellings had been more than 150 miles apart.

The college derived reputation from the election of Mr. Edwards, but his administration was too short to permit him to do it much service, by his instructions or his counsel. He was not inaugurated till five weeks before his death. Of the short time that he spent at the college, the largest part was passed under the influence of the disease which terminated his life.

The trustees met on the 19th of April, and voted to pay to the executors of Mr. Edwards £100, being a half year’s salary. They also chose Rev. James Lockwood of Wethersfleld, Ct., president of the college. Mr. Lockwood declined the appointment. The reasons which induced him to decline, are not known. He was a man of great worth and of high reputation. Perhaps it was

[1834.] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 47

owing to the want of unanimity in his election by the trustees, they divided between him, and Messrs. Davies and Finley. In the mean time it appears that the "former flourishing state of the college was greatly affected, by its being so long destitute of a fixed president. The college on its removal to Princeton consisted of about seventy pupils. This number was but little increased before the death of Mr. Burr, and was considerably diminished before the accession of Mr. Davies." The trustees, who, at different times, acted as presidents, and one for more than half a year president of the college, and one for more than half a year as vice president of the college, always preached to the students, and probably gave them some religious instruction of a more private kind. Besides this, Messrs. Finley, Smith, and Green, were employed as teachers in the languages and science. [ Footnote: We shall in some future number of this work give a particular account of the revivals of religion which occurred in this and in other colleges.]

On the 16th of August, 1758, the Rev. Samuel Davies of Virginia,
elected president. At the same time, £40 of books were ordered from England. About this time, it was ascertained that there were in the hands of the
treasurer of the college about £500, as a fund for the use of poor students, collected by Messrs. Tennent and Davies in England. This fund was now transferred from the care of the synod of New York, to that of New York and Philadelphia, the two having become again united, in 1757. At the commencement in September, 18 individuals received the bachelor’s degree. On Mr.

Davies’s declining his appointment, the Rev, Jacob Green was appointed vice president. Mr. Davies was, however, elected again, May 9, 1759. He was settled in the ministry at Hanover, Va., about twelve miles from Richmond. His sphere of influence was wide, and his usefulness great. He thought his duty forbade him to leave his people. The trustees were divided in opinion

With regard to the propriety of his second election. He and Dr. Finley were both admitted as candidates. Davies was the more popular and eloquent man; Finley the more accurate scholar, as well as already practised in the business of teaching. Neither of there coveted the office, and both eventually held it. When Mr. Davies was elected the second time, by advice of the synod, he accepted the appointment. He was inaugurated on the 26th of July, 1759. It was voted by the trustees, "that for the future, the president or tutors, who shall at that time officiate, have liberty to appoint any of the students to read a portion of the sacred Scriptures, out of the original language, at evening prayers; and that when they think proper, they may substitute psalmody for

reading the Scriptures at evening prayers."

The reputation, talents, and services of president Davies, were of incalculable benefit to the institution. He was highly respected by all denominations. He. was personally well known to the friends of the college, in Britain as well as in America. He was in the full vigor of life, with a mind capacious and ardent, and with habits of energy fully established. He introduced the practice into, the college, of strict periodical examinations of the students, and also of the delivery by the members of the senior class of monthly orations. A poet and orator himself, he turned the attention of his pupils to the cultivation of English composition and eloquence. The number of students under his administration cannot be exactly ascertained, though it was probably about 100. His popularity as a preacher was great, wherever he went, or among whom-. soever employed.

Towards the close of January 1761, he was seized with a severe cold, for which he was bled.- On the following Monday, he was attacked with a violent inflammatory fever, which terminated in his death, Feb. 4, 1762, having remained in office but a little more than, eighteen months. He was of Welch descent, and was born in the county of Newcastle, Delaware, Nov. 3, 1724. He early became pious, very much in consequence of the prayers and instructions of his excellent mother. He acquired the greater. part of his academical and theological education under the care of the Rev. Samuel Blair of Fog’s Manor, Chester county, Pa. He was licensed to preach the gospel, when not quite twenty-three years of age. His pastoral labors were mostly performed in Hanover, and the adjoin-

[1834] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 48

ing counties in Virginia. His death was regarded as no ordinary instance of mortality, but as causing a loss almost irreparable to the great interests of the church and the community.

[ Footnote: An excellent biography of president Davies may be found in the Richmond Virginia literary and Evangelical Magazine, from the pen of Dr. Rice. He left a widow, three sons,—Col. William Davies, John Rodgers Davies, Esq. and Samuel Davies, and one daughter. Mrs. Martha Davies, his mother, after his death, was taken into the family of the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers of New York. ]

Dr. Green says that he was probably the most eloquent and accomplished pulpit orator ever produced in this country. He used to say that every discourse of his, which he thought worthy of the name of a sermon, cost him four days’ hard study in the preparation. Sometimes when pressed to speak extemporaneously he said, "It is a dreadful thing to talk nonsense in the name of the Lord." His sermons have been published, and are extensively circulated and greatly admired.

The Board did not meet after the death of president Davies till the May following. The college duties were discharged by the tutors, Jeremiah Halsey, Jacob Ker, and Samuel Blair who were

" eminently qualified for their situation." On the first of June, 1761 the Rev. Samuel Finley was unanimously chosen president: It was ordered that he have the usual salary, £200 proclamation money, with the usual privileges and perquisites. His salary was soon increased. to £250. The privileges were the profits of the grammar school connected with the college and the opportunity to educate his sons gratuitously. Till April 1762, there had been no house for public worship in the village of Princeton. Worship was celebrated in the college chapel, where the inhabitants of the village used to meet with the students. The college trustees gave the land requisite for the purpose of erecting an edifice. A refectory for commons was built about the same time. In 1662, permission was granted by the legislature of the State to raise a lottery for the benefit of the institution. The sum to be raised was £3,000 proclamation money. This was the first assistance which the college had received from the government of the State. In 1768, the president’s salary was increased to £300. £75 was given to the saucer tutor, and £50 each to the two junior tutors. The president’s salary, probably on account of the depreciation in the value of money, was, in 1765, increased to £400, though it was soon diminished. In 1766 a donation of £100 was given to the college by Mr. John Williamson of Virginia, as a foundation in part for a professorship of divinity. The Rev. John Blair had been appointed a professor about a year before this donation was given. He continued in office till the accession of Dr. Withorspoon, who assumed the duties both of president and professor. The annual charge of education, was on an average as follows:

tuition, £4; board, £15 ; rent, £1 ; washing, d28; wood and lights, £2 ; contingencies, 6s ;—Total, £25 6s. About this time, Col. Alford of Charlestown, Mass, gave £500 to the college. A lottery, which was commenced by some gentlemen of Philadelphia, yielded about £1,500, and the lottery granted by the State, £2,200 more. This accession of funds enabled the trustees to make some addition to the annual allowances of the college officers, though it was not sufficient to retain the tutors, three in number, in the character of professors. The college flourished under the care of Dr. Finley. He was known in Europe and corresponded with some eminent men in that quarter of the world. So high was the opinion of his worth in Scotland, that he received from the university of Glasgow, the unsolicited diploma of doctor in divinity. The Rev. Dr. John Woodhull, of Monmouth, thus describes him. "Dr. Finley was a man of small statute, and of a round and ruddy countenance. In the pulpit he was always solemn and sensible, and sometimes glowing with fervor. His learning was very extensive. Every branch of study taught in the college appeared to be familiar to him. Among other things, he taught Latin, Greek, and Hebrew in the senior year. The number of students was about 100. Thirty-one commenced in the class before mine, and the same number in the class to which I belonged. These were the largest classes that had commenced at that time, There were about 50 boys in the grammar school. Most of them boarded in college, and ate in the dining room. The trustees appointed and paid the teachers. They were excellent ones in Dr. Finley’s time, namely Joseph Periam and Tapping Reeve."

[1834] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 49

Unremitted attention to the duties of his station very sensibly affected Dr. Finley’s health, and caused an obstruction in his liver, which put a period to his life, July 17, 1766, in the 51st year of his age. He died in Philadelphia, where he was buried. He emphatically died in the Lord, triumphantly rejoicing in his great salvation. "My very soul," he said, "thirsts for eternal rest. I see the eternal love and goodness of God. I see the fullness of the Mediator. I see the love of Jesus. 0, to be dissolved and be with him! I long to be clothed with the complete righteousness of Christ. A Christian’s death is the best part of his existence." During his whole sickness, he was never heard to utter a repining word; and in all his farewells, he was never seen to shed a single tear, or exhibit any mask of sorrow. [ Dr. Finley was born in the year 1715, in the county of Arnsagh, Ireland. He left his native coutry in 1734. In 1744, he was setlled in the ministry in . Nottingham, Md., where he remained 17 years. He twice, married. His first wife was Miss Sarah Hall, a lady of amiable character, by whom he had eight children. She died in 1700. In 1761, he married Miss, Ann Clarkson, daughter of Mr. Matthew Clarkson, an eminent merchant of New York. She survived her husband more than forty—one years, and died in January, 1808. She left no children. Dr. Ebenezer Finley, the last surviving child of president Finley, died in Charleston, S. C. A daughter married Samuel Breeze, Esq. whose only daughter was married the Rev. Dr. Jedidiah Morse.]

On the 19th of Novenmber, 1766, the trustees of the college made a unanimous choice of the Rev. John Witherspoon, D. D., LL. D., of Paisley, in Scotland, as successor to Dr. Finley. Rev. William Tennent was appointed president pro tempore. On the 1st of October, 1767, it was announced that Dr. Witherspoon had declined the appointment. His refusal was not occasioned by the discouraging accounts which had been transmitted to Scotland in relation to the state of the institution, by a party in Philadelphia, who wished to procure a decided preponderance of old school influence in the government of the college. The former party lines of the two synods were not yet obliterated. The reluctance of Mrs. Witherspoon to leave her native country, was the chief, if not the sole cause of Dr. Witherspoon’s refusal at this time. She was afterwards perfectly reconciled to the idea of his removal, and with the affection and piety for which she was eminently distinguished, cheerfully accompanied her husband to a foreign country, with no expectation of ever returning to Scotland. At this meeting of the trustees, the Rev. John Blair, of Fog’s Manor, Pa ., and a member of the Board, was chosen professor of divinity and moral philosophy; Dr. Hugh Williamson, of Philadelphia, professor of mathematics and natural philosophy; Mr. Jonathan Edwards, a tutor in the college, professor of languages and logic; and Rev. Samuel Blair, of Boston, president and professor of rhetoric and metaphysics. The following sums were fixed as salaries president, £200; professor of divinity, £175; professor of mathematics, £150; professor of languages, £125. Funds, however, being wanting to pay the salaries of the professors, it was voted that the former arrangement of a vice president and three tutors, be continued for one year. Mr. John Blair alone accepted his appointment. The other part of the arrangement never took effect, it being proposed as a conciliatory measure, in respect to the old school party. Rev. Samuel Blair, now chosen president, the son of the Rev. Samuel Blair, of Fog’s’ Manor, and nephew of Rev. John Blair, was at this time colleague pastor with the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sewall, of the Old South church in Boston. He was only twenty-eight years of age, but a youth of higher promise, says Dr. Green, was not to be found in the American church. Mr. Blair declined the office, because he understood that a re-election would secure the services of Dr. Witherspoon ;—a disinterestedness highly creditable to Mr. Blair. Dr. Witherspoon was unanimously re-elected. He did not arrive in the country till November, 1768. On the 15th of that month, he was inaugurated. About this time, the synod of New York and Philadelphia ordered that a contribution be made in all the congregations under their care, for the support of a professor of divinity in the college. £50 were immediately realized. [ Footnote: Thus far, the writer of this article has been mainly indebted to the copious and well digested notes,

Appended by the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, to his baccalaureate addresses, published by H. Littell, Philadelphia ]

As president of the college, Dr. Witherspoon rendered literary inquiries more liberal, extensive, and profound; and was the means of producing an im-

[ 1834 ] HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 50

portant change in the system of education. He extended the study of mathematical science, and it is believed lie was the first man who taught in America, the system of philosophy, which Dr. Reid afterwards developed. Scarcely any man of the age, had a more vigorous mind, or a more sound understanding. His name brought a great accession of students, and by his exertions, its funds were much augmented.

Soon after the commencement of the war, New Jersey was overrun with British troops. In

1776-7, it became the theatre of hostilities. In January, 1777, Princeton was occupied by a portion of time British army, which was attacked by general Washington. A part of one British regiment took post in the college, and made some attempt at resistance, but after a few discharges of artillery from Washington’s army, the college was abandoned, and the greater part of the regiment were made prisoners. More than 100 of the British were killed, and 300 taken prisoners. The war of course prostrated every literary effort. The functions of the president were suspended, and he was immediately introduced to a new field of labor, being appointed a member of the convention, which formed the constitution of New Jersey. From the revolutionary committees and conventions of the State, he was sent in 177th a representative to congress. He was for seven years a member of that illustrious body, and he was always collected, firm and wise, amidst the embarrassing circumstances by which he was surrounded. His name is affixed to the declaration of independence.

As soon as the state of the country would permit, the college was re-established, and its instruction was re-commenced under the immediate care of its vice president, Dr. Smith. Dr. Witherspoon was induced from his attachment to the college, to cross the Atlantic that he might promote its benefit. After his return, he devoted himself exclusively to his duties as president and a minister of the gospel.* [ Footnote: The exercises of the college were totally suspended for more than three years; and the edifice was a barrack, in turn both for the British and American troops; and the interior of it was completely defaced, exhibiting nothing but filth and dilapidation. In the spring of 1782, about two years after the re-commencement of the collegiate exercises, the walls of the building were still perforated in a number of places, the effect of the cannon balls, which had passed through them, from the artillery of the American army. Only two fo the entries were in a habitable state. The morals of many of the students were greatly corrupted. Profane language was common among them. They had formed themselves into a military company, chose their officers, furnished themselves with muskets, learned the manual exercises and could not be kept from practicing their evolutions, even during the hours of study, and in the college edifice.] Dr. Witherspoon died Nov. 115, 1794, aged 72; and was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith. [Footnote: Dr. Witherspoon was born in Yester, near Edinburgh, Scotland, February 5, 1722, and was a lineal descendant of John Knox. He studied at the university of Edinburgh seven years, and at the age of 21, was liscensed to preach the gospel. He was soon ordained at Beith, and from thence removrd to Paisley. His works are very various in their subjects, and highly esteemed. They were published in four volumes with an account of his life, by Dr. Rodgers, in 1802 ]

Dr. Smith was born at Pequea, Lancaster Co., Pa., March 16, 1750. He was the son of Rev. Robert Smith, D D. He graduated in 1769, at the college of New Jersey, where he was afterwards for two years tutor, he was for a few years a preacher in Virginia, and president of the Hampden Sidney college. In 1779, he was appointed professor of moral philosophy at Princeton, and was succeeded in Virginia by his brother, John Smith. In the absence of Dr. Witherspoon, as member of congress, much of the care of college devolved on him. He was elected president in 1794, and on account of bodily infirmity, resigned in 1812. He died August 21, 1619, aged 79.

Dr. Green thus describes the religious state of college during Dr. Smith’s incumbency. " There were some instances, not known to me, although a trustee of the institution, of young men, who became pious, while they were members of college; and there were always a number of religious students on the charitable funds, appropriated by the donors to the education of poor and pious youth, for the ministry ; and some also who had become pious before they entered college, who there supported themselves on their own funds. But there was certainly nothing that so much as approximated to a revival of religion; and Dr. Smith’s infirm state of health, in the latter part of his time as president, disqualified him for all vigorous action, in sustaining the government of the college ; and this favored that tendency to dissipation and dissolute

[1834] HISTORY OF THE COLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 51

morals, which had long prevailed, and which, aided by some other concurring causes, had risen to a most fearful height, when I was called to the presidency in the autumn of 1812."

Among the instructors, who assisted Dr. Smith, were Dr. Green, bishop Hobart, Drs. R. Finley, Kollock, Neill, Linsley, Weeks, Mills, John Smith, Minto, Maclean, Caldwell, &c.

The number of graduates during Dr. Smith’s administration amounted to 527, about 29 on an average yearly. [Footnote: Dr. Smith’s wife was a daughter of Dr. Witherspoon. His daughter married J.M. Pinyard, consul at Madiera. His publishes works are valuable. Among them, Lectures on Moral and Political Philosophy; Essays on the causes of the variety in the complexion and figure of the Human Species; Sermons; Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity; Cotinuation of Ramsay’s History of the United States, from 1808 to 1817, & c.]

The Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, son of the Rev. Jacob Green, was president of the college from 1812 to 1822, when he resigned. He now resides in Philadelphia, and edits the Christian Advocate. Soon after Dr. Green’s inauguration, the college was blessed with a revival of religion, which was followed with very happy effects. At the commencement of it, the deficiency of Bibles was so great in college, that the, shops in town could not supply it. This destitution of the means of grace was owing in a great measure to the baleful moral influence of the American and French revolutions. About 40 individuals were, it was thought, permanently interested in this work of grace.

In 1822, the Rev. James Carnahan, D. D., a Presbyterian minister of Utica, N. Y., was chosen president of the college, he still remains in the office. He graduated at the college in 1800, and was afterwards a tutor for two years.

The college of New Jersey is now considered to be in a very flourishing condition. The number of undergraduates, is about 150. The faculty consists of a president, seven professors, and three tutors. Provision is made for imparting instruction in the Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and English languages; in mathematics, natural philosophy, chemistry, natural history, belles lettres, mental and moral philosophy, logic, political economy, natural and revealed religion, anatomy, physiology, &c. The libraries of the college and of the literary societies connected with it, contain 12,000 volumes. The college has a very valuable philosophical and chemical apparatus, a museum of natural history, a small anatomical museum, and a mineralogical cabinet. The principal edifice, Nassau hail, has been already described. In 1833, another college building, 112 feet long, and four stories high, was erected. There are two other buildings, each 66 feet in length, 36 in breadth, and three stories in height, one used for a library and recitation rooms; the other for a refectory, museum, apparatus, &c. [ Footnote: See the History and Gazetteer of New Jersey, page 65, by Thomas F Gordon, 1834, printed at Trenton.]

The principal benefactors of the college of, New Jersey, have been governor Belcher, the family of lieutenant governor Phillips, of Boston, ($2,000,) John Williamson, Mr. Hugh Hodges, and Mr. James Leslie, of New York, (fund for poor and pious students,) colonel 4lford, colonel Rutger’s family, of New York, ($6,500,) Dr. Elias Bôudinot, ($8,000, and 4,000 acres of land,) Charles F. Mercer, Joseph Pitcairn, Dr. David Hosack, (1,000 valuable mineralogical specimens,) Jonathan B. Smith, and Samuel Bayard. [Footnote: The literary institutions of Princeton, are a college, theological seminary, three classical schools, two young ladies’ schools, and three or four common schools. Princeton is a borough, partly in Somerset and partly in Mercer counties, 50 miles from New York, and 40 miles from Philadelphia, on the main road between the two cites. It contains 185 dwelling-houses, and 1,100 inhabitants exclusive of 350 youths at the seminaries, one Presbyterian church, and one Episcopal church.]