A B R I E F H I S T O RY O F T H E N E WAR K AC AD E M Y 1 774 1 792 1 9 1 6 M / ' N I \ C O N T R I B U T I O N T O T H E C E L E B R A T I O N O F T H E 2 5 ot b A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E F O U N D I N G O F N E WA R K M AY 1 9 6 . 1 D . Ph . SAMUEL AS HBEL FARRAND , e and | 8 75 ~ l 90 8 H ad Master , A B R I E F H I S T O R Y O F T H E N E WAR K ACAD E M Y 1 7 74 1 792 1 9 1 6 WI L S O N FAR RAN D C O N T R I B U T I O N T O T H E C E L E B R A T I O N O F T H E 2 5 ot b A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E F O U N D I N G O F N E WA R K ‘ M AY 1 6 . 9 1 OR the cel ebration of the Centennial o f the founding o f the I w r Ne k c dem 1892 Will im . I a A a y in , Mr . a R Weeks , at that o f l umni time President the A Association , prepared a o o f sketch f the history the Academy, in regard to which he had for a long time been collecting data . S m e My father, Dr . a u l A . Farrand , for many years had been investigating the early records and gathering material for a his tory of the school , two chapters of which had been completed at the time of his death in l 90 8 . o The present sketch makes n pretense to originality . It is on based the investigations of Dr . Farrand and Mr . Weeks, and in compiling it free use has been made o f the materials gathered by them . In some cases I have not hesitated to use their words . It is my desire and intention , at some time in the not very o remote future , to make this brief sketch the basis f a more com e te . o f c dem pl and adequate history The true history the A a y, o f however, and the best record its achievement is to be found in the list o f the able and worthy men , whom for a century and a quarter it has been training and sending o ut to act as leaders in the civic and intellectual life of the community . WILS ON FARRAND . M1 2 7 30 THE NEWARK ACADEMY 3 " i I CH INl zi THE F RST S OOLS 666 Newark was first settled in May, 1 . The first school in New Jersey, in all probability, was estab ish ed 1662 l in Bergen in , and was taught by Engelbert Steen 16 76 . huys en . The first school in Newark began its work in 6 At a Town Meeting held in November, 1 75 , it was voted Item—The Town ' s Men have Liberty to see if th ey can find a competent Number o f Schollars , and accommodations for o f a School Master, within this Town , and in the records another meeting o n the 7th o f February following we read : Item—The Town hath consented that the Town ' s Men should perfect the Bargain with the School Master for the Year , upon Condition that he will come for this Year, and do his faith ful , honest, and true Endeavor , to teach the Children or servants o f those as have subscribed , the reading and writing o f English , and also Arethmetick if they desire it "as much as they are cap able to learn and he capable to teach them , within the Compass — of this Year nowise hin dring but that he may make what bar gain he please , with those as have not subscribed . It is voted , ' that the Town s Men have Liberty to compleat the Bargain with ' the School Master , they knowing the Town s Mind . Under this authority John Catlin was employed , and became the first teacher in Newark . He appears to have been an active - on e and public spirited man , at time holding the office o f town ' attorney, and at another being chosen as on e of the Town s Men . The first school -house was probably the on e known to be 1 o o standing in 1 7 4, a l g house with a dirt floor, n the south o f side Market Street near Halsey . In 1 746 . , Rev . Aaron Burr , Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church , established a classical school , which was very prosper ous and attained a wide reputation . It was later united with The Col o f lege New Jersey, which had been founded at Elizabeth , but D . icki which , upon the death of its first President, Rev Jonathan n son , was removed to Newark , Mr . Burr becoming its President . 6 The College was removed to Princeton in 1 75 , and later became known as Princeton College . It was not, however , until 189 6 f that its title was o ficially changed to Princeton University . THE {IRST ACADEMY IN NEWARK " At 774 a town meeting held March , it was "i t O S o o n V fied , that a ch ol house may be built any of the Comon Land in Newark— and the particular Place shall be where a maj or Part of the Subscribers in Value shall appoint . This action undoubtedly had reference to the organization of the Academy, which was then in progress . Unfortunately the records of this organization were lost, but it is known that b sufficient money was subscribed y interested citizens , and a building erected . o f This building stood near the south side Washington Park , o f directly Opposite the residence the late Beach V anderpool . It " is described as , a sightly and commodious stone edifice , two stories high , with dwelling rooms for the teacher and his family, besides accommodations for pupils who might desire to be lodged and boarded . Among the Trustees of the Academy were Rev . McWh orter . Alexander , William Burnet, Esq , Caleb Camp , Esq Jonathan Crane , and Alexander Eagles . The following advertisement appeared in the New York ‘ io f 2 a e . Jomnal or the Gener l Advert s r, Nov 4, 1 774 : " Wanted immediately - At the Academy at Newark , in New Jersey, an English - school master . None need apply but a person who can bring o f ample testimonials his being capable of instructing youth , in the several branches o f reading, writing , and arithmetic, and of his good character . Such a on e will meet with good encourage or ment, by applying to William Camp lsaac Longworth at Newark . ' In the Poets Corner O f the New York Journal or the G en a o 12 1 775 : i r . er l Advert ser f Jan , , we read "The following verses were spoken by a boy at the opening - o f the Academy at Newark , in New Jersey, upon the fourth to instant, addressed the Gentlemen concerned in building that elegant structure ' AMIDS T the ranks who try by different ways, To purchase honors or to merit praise , The G OD -LIKE MAN how rare "How few like YOU Disinterested paths to fame pursue " ' YOU who l avish d sums ( the fruits of peace) TO bless the present and succeeding race " To sing your praise MY infant miuse is weak , But what SHE cannot, let th s fabric speak " ' Yet deign t accept the tribute o f my lay, For thanks is all a poet has to pay . ' O s d may your labors with succes be crown , ' ' W RK it rature ren o d And NE A still for l wn , S O o shall fair science bless ur happy land , ' And in fame s roll , your names immortal stand . i 6th Newark , January , 1 774 . ( 1 775 ) At the Town Meeting held on March 14 , 1 775 , it was " V o f oted unanimously, that One Acre and an half Land in the Town Commons at the North End o f the Town , may be ' taken up for the Use o f the new Academy lately erected on s d ' land . V oted , that Lewis Ogden E sq r , William Camp , Isaac ’ Ogden Esq Capt . Anthony Rutgers , Joseph Hedden Jun r , o f Samuel Hayes , and Joseph Alling , or any four them be a Com mittee to out lay one Acre and an half o f Land , for the Use of the " Academy in such Manner as they shall think proper . In N i the ew York Journal or the General Advert ser for ’ 23 1 775 Rivin on s N w k az March , , also in gt e Yor G etteer for the same date , the following announcement appeared : " The ACADEMY lately erected in a healthy part O f the o f pleasant town Newark in New Jersey, about eight miles from o the city Of New York , will on the third day f April next, be fit for the reception o f the masters proper for the instruction o f youth , and o f such children as can with conveniency lodge and board therein .