CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER
SCHOOL
[Illustration: 19th-century portrait of an elderly woman in a dark dress
with a white ruffled collar and lace bonnet, seated and facing slightly
toward the viewer. Signature "S. Pierce" below.]
CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL
FROM 1792 TO 1833
BEING
THE HISTORY OF MISS SARAH PIERCE AND HER LITCHFIELD SCHOOL
COMPILED BY
EMILY NOYES VANDERPOEL
VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE LITCHFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AUTHOR OF “COLOR PROBLEMS”
EDITED BY
ELIZABETH C. BARNEY BUEL, A.B.
PRINTED BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESS
=Cambridge, Mass.=
1903
_Copyright, 1903_
BY EMILY NOYES VANDERPOEL
TO
JANE LORING
WIFE OF PROFESSOR ASA GRAY
AND
GREAT NIECE OF SARAH PIERCE
THIS TRIBUTE TO HER AUNT
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
CONTENTS.
PAGE
ANCESTRY OF MISS PIERCE 1
1792–1793.
Contemporary Notices of Miss Pierce and her School—History of
Litchfield, Woodruff—History of Connecticut,
Hollister—Centennial Address, Church—Centennial Poem,
Pierpont—Letter from Mrs. Cutler 6
1796.
Charlotte Sheldon—Her Diary 10
1797.
Julia Cowles—Her Diary 17
1798.
Subscription List for Building First Academy 19
1801–1868.
Litchfield at the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century—Lucy
Sheldon—Her Diary—Her Letter to her Mother—Reply—Extracts from
her Commonplace Book—Letter to her Brother—Article written by
her 20
1802.
Mary Ann Bacon—Her Diary—Her Compositions—Extracts from her
Commonplace Book 66
1805.
Susan Masters’ School Bill 80
1811–1820.
Miss Pierce’s Histories—Letter from Mrs. Stowe—Names of Prize
Books—Report of Judges for Prize of Merit—Plays by Miss
Pierce—Mrs. Stowe’s Reminiscences of a Play 80
1814.
School Rules copied by Eliza Ann Mulford 146
1815–1820.
Catherine Cebra Webb—Her Diary—Caroline Chester—Her Diary—Extracts
from her Commonplace Book—Eliza A. Ogden—Her Journal to 1818 148
1818.
Address of Miss Pierce at the Close of School in
October—Connection of the Rev. Lyman Beecher and Family with the
School—Poem by Miss Catherine Beecher 176
1819.
Annie Chester—Her School Bill—Mary Chester—Her Letters 188
1820.
George Younglove Cutler—Extracts from his Journal—Writings of Miss
Pierce—Address at Close of Summer Term—A Fragment—Dialogue
between Miss Trusty and her Pupils—Fragments—Verses—The Misses
Lewis:—Diary—Extracts from their Commonplace Books—Alterations
from Copy of Rules of Julia Seymour 192
1821.
Sarah Kingsbury’s Copy of Rules 231
1822.
Mary L. Wilbor (Mrs. Stone)—Extracts from her Diary 234
1825.
Mary W. Peck (Mrs. Edward D. Mansfield)—Extracts from her
Album—Miss Pierce’s Rules—Custom of exchanging Children—Extract
from Paper by Mr. Julius Gay 241
1826.
Terms of Tuition 259
1827–1856.
Notes from the Records of the Litchfield Female Academy, with
Subscription List to Second Academy Building 260
1828.
Extract from Letter of Miss B. C. Robertson to Miss Pierce—Letter
from Mrs. Fanny Smith Skinner to Miss Mary Pierce—Notice of
Semi-Annual Exhibition 268
1829.
Newspaper Advertisements of Academy—School Bill—John P. Brace—His
Indian Ballad—Miss Pierce:—Her Article on Temperance—Her
Poetical Letter written to a Pupil at School 279
1830–1897.
Reminiscences—Mrs. Kilbourne—Mrs. Seelye—Mrs. Curtis—Mrs.
Hunt—Miss Fanny Lord—Mrs. Richards—Miss Spencer—Mrs. Knight—Dr.
Josiah G. Beckwith—Miss Gardiner—Mrs. Farnam—Miss Thompson—Mr.
Perkins 286
1831–1833.
School Bill—Letter of Anna P. Rogers to Miss Pierce—Letter of
Cornelia Tallmadge to Mrs. Henry Tallmadge—John P.
Brace—Addresses on leaving Litchfield Female Academy and on
Assuming Charge at Hartford—Letter of Rose Terry
Cooke—Advertisement of School from Litchfield “Enquirer” of
April 25, 1833 300
1802–1842.
Letters of Miss Sarah Pierce 311
1852–1901.
Two Obituaries of Miss Pierce—Sketches and Notes of the Misses
Pierce and of Mrs. Croswell (their Sister), by Mrs. Asa
Gray—Letter of Miss Mary Pierce—Memories of
Litchfield—“Litchfield Hill,” from “Harper’s Magazine” 320
APPENDICES.
APPENDIX A.—Colonel John Pierce (Miss Pierce’s Brother)—His
Letters—His Almanach 339
APPENDIX B.—Dr. Timothy Pierce (Miss Pierce’s Half-Brother)—His
Letters 361
APPENDIX C.—Population of Connecticut Towns, 1820 394
APPENDIX D.—Lists of Pupils and Subscribers to History 395
APPENDIX E.—Genealogy 448
INDEX 451
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PLATE
I. Miss Sarah Pierce _Frontispiece_
II. John Pierce Brace _Facing page_ 6
III. Embroidery by Charlotte Sheldon „ 10
IV. View of Litchfield „ 14
V. Miss Pierce’s House „ 28
VI. Facsimile of Invitation to a Ball „ 34
VII. Fashions of 1807 „ 36
VIII. Fashion Plate from England, 1799 „ 38
IX. Lucy Sheldon „ 42
X. Water-Color by Lucy Sheldon „ 44
XI. Water-Color by Lucy Sheldon „ 46
XII. Mary Ann Bacon „ 66
XIII. Mary Ann Bacon’s Watch and Jewelry „ 72
XIV. Susan Masters „ 78
XV. Facsimile of Susan Masters’ School Bill „ 80
XVI. Lucretia Deming „ 88
XVII. Elizabeth Huntington Wolcott „ 92
XVIII. Maria Tallmadge „ 96
XIX. Embroidery by Zerviah Miner „ 100
XX. Chart of the History of the World by Mary Ann
Lewis „ 104
XXI. First Known Diploma „ 108
XXII. Mrs. Punderson „ 114
XXIII. Embroidery by Mrs. Punderson „ 120
XXIV. “The Rose of Sharon” „ 128
XXV. Lace made by “The Rose of Sharon” „ 134
XXVI. Julia Chittenden „ 140
XXVII. Embroidery by Julia Chittenden „ 146
XXVIII. Caroline Chester „ 150
XXIX. Chart of English History by Eliza Ogden „ 160
XXX. Church where Lyman Beecher preached „ 178
XXXI. Pen Drawing by George Y. Cutler „ 194
XXXII. Pen Drawing by George Y. Cutler „ 196
XXXIII. Hector and Andromache, George Y. Cutler „ 200
XXXIV. Jane R. Lewis „ 220
XXXV. Bead Bag made by Jane R. Lewis „ 222
XXXVI. Mary Ann Lewis „ 224
XXXVII. Sampler of Mary Ann Lewis „ 226
XXXVIII. Louisa C. Lewis „ 228
XXXIX. Embroidery by Louisa C. Lewis „ 230
XL. Water-Color by Amelia Lewis „ 234
XLI. Painting by Amelia Lewis „ 236
XLII. Map of the World by Amelia Lewis „ 238
XLIII. Lace Veil worked by Mary Peck „ 240
XLIV. Bantam Lake „ 242
XLV. Prospect Hill „ 246
XLVI. Love Grove „ 248
XLVII. Love carrying the World, George Catlin „ 252
XLVIII. Love’s Fall, George Catlin „ 254
XLIX. Costume of 1825 „ 258
L. Costume of 1825 „ 262
LI. Facsimile of Stock Certificate „ 264
LII. The Litchfield Academy „ 268
LIII. Terms for Tuition „ 284
LIV. Mary A. Hunt „ 288
LV. Facsimile of Letter of Mary A. Hunt „ 288
LVI. Litchfield Academy „ 292
LVII. Costume of 1827 „ 296
LVIII. Maria Adams „ 300
LIX. Silhouette of a Litchfield Girl „ 306
LX. Last School Diploma „ 310
LXI. Pathway in front of the School „ 316
LXII. Silhouette of Miss Pierce „ 320
LXIII. Mary Pierce „ 324
LXIV. Ruth Pierce „ 326
LXV. Timothy Pierce „ 360
CHRONICLES OF A PIONEER SCHOOL.
ANCESTRY OF MISS PIERCE.
Whenever we meet with a person who rises above the level of his or her
contemporaries and is noted for larger qualities of mind or heart, we
become curious to know how far these qualities may be inherited from
equally distinguished ancestors. In connection with the rare woman whose
life-work is depicted in these pages we are struck with an interesting
coincidence.
Col. John Pierce was her brother and a prominent figure in the
Revolution, a friend of General Washington, and paymaster of the army at
Ticonderoga. John Pierce, of Litchfield, Connecticut, was her father.
Again, his father was John Pierce, of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Now,
Wethersfield was settled from Watertown, Massachusetts, by men who had
become dissatisfied with the conduct of the Massachusetts Bay Company,
and here again we find a line of John Pierces starting in Watertown and
bringing up in Wethersfield. The first one, John Pierce, or _Pers_, was
made freeman of Watertown in 1638, is spoken of as “a man of good estate
who projected the settlements of Sudbury and Lancaster.” Just before
this we find in England another John Pierce, to whom a patent was
granted by the Crown, February 20, 1620, which is the patent upon which
the Plymouth Company settled after finding that they had landed and were
forced to settle further north than the tract to which their patent from
the South Virginia Company entitled them.
Now, although unable exactly to connect all these different John
Pierces, namely,—
John Pierce, England, patentee, 1620.
John Pierce,[1] Watertown, freeman, 1638.
John Pierce, his son, lived in Boston, Woburn, Mass., and
Wethersfield. Last mention in Woburn, 1649.
John Pierce, his son, born 1644, moved to Wethersfield, then to
Southbury, d. 1731.
John Pierce, his son, b. 1683, moved to South Britain, Conn.
John Pierce, of Wethersfield, there from 1742 to 1764, will proved
1774.
John Pierce, of Litchfield, his son, born 1733.
Col. John Pierce, brother of Sarah Pierce,—
the names being identical even to the spelling, it does not need a vivid
imagination to suppose that their blood may have flowed in the veins of
Sarah Pierce, our heroine, or that she drew her inspiration from, and
shared the qualities of the family of whom Gen. E. W. Pierce wrote:
“Indomitable perseverance is also a trait that marks their character in
every department of life and has generally crowned their efforts with
ultimate success, though attained after repeated and mortifying
failures.” And again, among the armorial bearings of the family is a
dove with an olive branch and the motto, “Dixit et fecit,” “He said and
he did.”
The history of the family in this country fills numerous volumes,
including the variations of the name, such as Pierce, Peirce, Pearce,
Pearse, etc.
Returning to John Pierce, of London, we find he must have been a man of
position and influence which is shown in the first place by his being
able to acquire a patent. Then he is spoken of as a “citizen and
clothworker of London,” and “that renowned clothworker.” He must also
have been a man of daring and adventure as he set sail for America in
the winter, in the month of December, 1821, in the “Paragon,” a vessel
which he had equipped for the purpose and in which he had gathered a
goodly company of passengers and a quantity of freight for Plymouth.
Owing to inclement weather they returned to London in fourteen days with
the vessel badly damaged. Unwisely they ventured out again, in the
following month, one of the worst in the year for mariners, with added
passengers and freight. This sailing was no better than the first, as
they soon met a severe storm which injured both vessel and cargo to such
an extent they had to go back to London. It would seem this loss was
both discouraging and irremediable, as we do not learn that the leader
of the expedition ever tried again to cross the Atlantic, but that he
sold out to pay for his losses and assigned his patent to the Plymouth
Company. At that time so little was known of the Plymouth Pilgrims that
they were known as “Mr. Pierce’s Company.”
We read elsewhere, however, that John Pierce’s enthusiasm for adventure
and colonization must have been shared by his brothers, for Captain
William and Captain Michael came over later. They are the ancestors of
many of the name in this country. That they were men of substance and
education is shown by facts connected with them. Captain William is
stated to be “mariner” and captain of the vessels “Anne,” “Lion,” and
“Mayflower.” In 1623 he brought a noteworthy company to Plymouth. In
1624 he brought the “Winslow” and the first cattle in the “Charity.” In
1625 he was at Plymouth again, in the “Jacob,” bringing “Winslow” and
more cattle. In 1629 he commanded the famous “Mayflower” and conveyed a
company from Holland as far as the Bay on their way to Plymouth. He came
many times in other vessels. In 1636 the first vessel built in this
country and called “Pierce’s Desire” was launched for him at Marblehead,
Massachusetts, and in 1639 he sailed her from Boston to the Thames in
twenty-three days, which would even now be a credit to such a craft and
captain. To him also belongs the credit of bringing to New England from
the West Indies the first cotton, in 1633, and in 1636 the first sweet
potatoes from the same place. He was born in England about 1590 and died
in the Bahamas, July 13, 1641.
Captain Michael Pierce came over in 1645 and fell fighting with the
Indians in 1676. He was one “who never knew fear.”
The first attempt in this country at printing anything in book form was
in 1639, when Pierce’s almanac made its appearance.
On the other side, from her mother, Mary Paterson, Sarah Pierce
inherited both ability and energy.
The Patersons originated in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, where they were of
a substantial character. One of their members, William Paterson, became
prominent in London among trading and financial circles. He was born in
1658 and died in 1719. He was much interested in the treaty between his
own country and England and wrote an able pamphlet entitled “The Union
of England and Scotland.” He is called “the chief projector” of the plan
for founding the Bank of England and conducted many of the negotiations
between the government and the merchants. Later he came to America,
passing some time in the Bahamas, and then conceived a plan for aiding
the commerce of Scotland, called the “Darien Scheme.” Darien was to be
colonized as a trading post, but the plan failed, although Baimester
says that the revival of the scheme in these later days proves
Paterson’s great foresight.
James Paterson, born in Scotland in 1664, was one of the first settlers
of Wethersfield, Connecticut, and there in 1704 he married Mary Talcott.
He, or some of his family, are said to have introduced the use of tin
into this country. He died in 1750, leaving a son, John, born in 1707.
John married Ruth Bird, was active in the army for the King, and rose to
the office of major. He died in 1762. He was the father of Mary
Paterson, who married John Pierce, and also of Major General Paterson,
of whom an able life has been written by Dr. Thomas Egleston, one of his
descendants, and to whom a fine monument has been erected at Lenox,
Massachusetts, where he lived after his Revolutionary career. This Mary
Paterson married John Pierce, and they may have lived with her father,
Major Paterson, at Farmington, Connecticut, after their marriage, as
their oldest child, Col. John Pierce, was born there in 1750. They
probably settled in Litchfield the following year, for it is recorded in
the land records of that place that “John Pierce, of Litchfield,” May
15, 1753, “Bought of Zebulon Bissell ‘my home lot’ 10 acres of land,
barn, and orchard, for £1300.” His father, “John Pierce, of
Wethersfield,” having bought, probably for him, of John Catling, the
previous March, nine acres of land for £305.
“John Pierce, of Litchfield,” appears frequently afterwards in the land
records, but otherwise we know little of him. Besides farming his land
he had the trade of a potter. He is said to have had fifteen children.
Of these we know that Mary Paterson had seven: John, the colonel, who
married Ann Bard; Mary, who married a Strong; Betsey, Anne, or Nancy;
Susan, who married James Brace; Ruth, who married Thomas O. H. Croswell;
and Sarah. After the death of his first wife John Pierce married Mary
Goodman, and three of their children lived to grow up: Timothy, the
doctor, who died unmarried; James, who was in a bank in New York; and
Mary, who outlived all her brothers and sisters.
John Pierce died a few years after the birth of his last child, which
threw the responsibility of the family on the oldest son, and perhaps
accounts for our knowing so little about him. That Colonel Pierce
assumed the responsibility bravely and cheerfully, is evident from his
own letters. He was the head of the family, and advised his brothers and
sisters, particularly Sarah, when she was in New York preparing for the
task which perhaps he had picked out as particularly suited to her
strong character. We are told he sent her and Nancy there, while the
tuition of one of them was paid for by a cousin, Mr. Landon.
Writing of Miss Pierce’s work and influence is needless. The work can
speak for itself and for her, who in her quiet, dignified way became
such a power among her scholars and the community where she lived and
taught, that it extended even to the gay young pupils of the
contemporary law school.
To this end, diaries and compositions, letters, plays, and rules follow,
chronologically arranged, together with the names of as many of the
three thousand pupils that came from north, south, east, and west as
could be gathered. With them are also the names of some of the men they
married. Many of these marriages resulted from the attendance of the
young men and women upon these two contemporary and prominent schools.
The fame, even the knowledge, of these schools have almost died out in
the north, amid the rush and whirl of the active, commercial, and
industrial life; but in the south, from which John C. Calhoun and many
other afterwards prominent men came to study in Litchfield, their
memories and traditions are still alive.
As to her preparation by education and surroundings for the task that
grew in extent and magnitude so far beyond her expectation, we know that
she and her sister Nancy were sent to school in New York with the
express purpose in view of their opening a school in Litchfield; but of
the school they attended, or of what the teaching consisted, we can
learn nothing.
The influence of her stepmother, Mary Goodman, must have been an
inspiration. She appreciated learning so highly that she was one of a
committee of women who appealed to the school board to extend to girls
the same privileges in studies as were enjoyed by the boys. We know also
that about the time the school was started, the year 1792, and for many
years afterwards, the society in Litchfield was such as to be a constant
education to a woman with the receptive mind of Miss Pierce, and it must
have been largely due to that influence that the school studies and
methods developed as they did in the course of years. The adding of many
branches not heretofore attempted by women must have been the result of
an unconscious but phenomenal growth on the part of the teacher. In
later years her efforts were supplemented by those of her nephew, the
son of her sister Susan, Mr. John Pierce Brace, also a born educator,
whom she educated at Williamstown college that he might become her
assistant. From the autographs in the album of Mary Peck, pupil and
teacher in the school, who married Edward D. Mansfield, a pupil in the
law school, the mental quality of the Litchfield society of that day can
be gauged as well as what might be its effect upon the mind of any
bright girl who was thrown constantly in contact with it. The Litchfield
Female Academy, which was begun with two or three pupils in the
dining-room of a young girl teacher, attained, under the guidance of
this remarkable woman, a vigorous life of forty-one years, and proved
itself to be a pioneer on this continent of the higher education of
women.
1792–1793.
CONTEMPORARY NOTICES OF MISS PIERCE AND HER SCHOOL.
We know very little about the early stages of the school, and therefore
the following extracts from contemporary writers give us all that can be
learned about its origin and the reasons for its establishment.
Tradition says it was begun with one pupil in Miss Pierce’s dining-room
in 1792.
[Illustration:
PL. II.—JOHN PIERCE BRACE
]
[_From the History of the Town of Litchfield, by the Hon. George C.
Woodruff._]
“Miss Sarah Pierce opened a School in this town for the instruction of
Females, in the year 1792, which has very justly merited and acquired
a distinguished reputation.”[2] The school continued under her
superintendence for nearly forty years, and its reputation has since
been well sustained by her successors. It was incorporated in the year
1827, by the name of “The Litchfield Female Academy.”
[_From Hollister’s History of Connecticut._]
To this pleasant little village among the hills came the very flower
and nobility of American genius. Here might be seen Calhoun, Clayton,
Mason, Loring, Woodbury, Hall, Ashley, Phelps, and a host of others,
who were preparing themselves for the high places of the cabinet, the
senate and the bench.
The influence of these sages upon the laws of the country was almost
rivalled by the efforts of Miss Sarah Pierce, in another department of
learning. This lady opened a school for the instruction of females in
the year 1792, while the law school was in successful operation, and
continued it under her own superintendence for nearly forty years.
During this time she educated between fifteen hundred and two thousand
young ladies.[3] This school was for a long period the most celebrated
in the United States, and brought together a large number of the most
gifted and beautiful women of the continent. They were certain to be
methodically taught and tenderly cared for, and under her mild rule
they could hardly fail to learn whatever was most necessary to fit
them for the quiet but elevated spheres which so many of them have
since adorned. Miss Pierce lived to the advanced age of 83. She was
small in person, of a cheerful, lively temperament, a bright eye, and
a face expressive of the most active benevolence. She was in the habit
of practicing herself all the theories that she taught to her pupils,
and, until physical infirmities confined her to her room, would take
her accustomed walk in the face of the roughest March wind that ever
blew across our hills. The intelligence of her death cast a shade of
sadness, over many a domestic circle, and caused many a silent tear to
fall.
While these two schools were in full and active life, Litchfield was
famed for an intellectual and social position, which is believed to
have been at that time unrivalled in any other village or town of
equal size in the United States.
[_From an Address by the Hon. Samuel Church, Chief Justice of
Connecticut, at the Centennial Celebration of Litchfield, Aug. 13,
1851._]
A new tone to female education was given by the establishment of a
Female Seminary, for the instruction of females in this village, by
Miss Sarah Pierce, in 1792. This was an untried experiment. Hitherto
the education of young ladies, with few exceptions, had been
neglected. The district school had limited their course of studies.
Miss Pierce saw and regretted this, and devoted herself and all of her
active life to the mental and moral culture of her sex. The experiment
succeeded entirely. This Academy soon became the resort of young
ladies from all portions of the country—from the cities and the towns.
Then the country was preferred, as most suitable for female
improvement, away from the frivolities and dissipation of fashionable
life. Now, a different, not a better practice, prevails. Many of the
grandmothers and mothers of the present generation were educated as
well for genteel as for useful life, in this school, and its influence
upon female character and accomplishments was great and extensive. It
continued for more than forty years, and its venerable Principal and
her sister assistant now live among us, the honored and honorable of
their sex.
John Pierpont in his Centennial Poem (1851), says:
Still, for her shrewdness, must the “Nutmeg State”
As Number One, among her sisters rate;
And which, of all her counties, will compare,
For size or strength, for water, soil or air,
With our good mother county?—which has sown
Her children, broad-cast, o’er a wider zone,
Around the Globe? And has she not, by far,
Out-done the rest, in giving, to the bar,
And to the bench,—for half of all her years—
The brightest names of half the hemispheres?
Nor have “Creation’s lords” engrossed her care;
Creation’s ladies have received their share:—
For, when to Reeve and Gould the former came,
To Pierce the latter:—Pierce, an honored name!
Yea, thrice and four times honored, when it stands
Beside his name, who comes, with bloody hands,
From fields of battle; though the applauding shout
From myriad mouths—and muskets—call it out;
Though by him, armies were to victory led,
And groves of laurel grow upon his head!
Bloodless the honors that to Pierce are paid:
Bloodless the garlands on her temples laid.
To them, reproachful, no poor widow turns;
No sister’s heart bleeds, and no mother mourns
To see them flourish. Ne’er shall they be torn
From off her honored brows. Long be they worn,
To show the world how a good Teacher’s name
Out-weighs, in real worth, the proudest warrior’s fame!—
One of the earliest mentions of Miss Sarah Pierce occurs in a letter
dated September 3, 1793, from Mrs. Dothee Cutler to her sister, Mrs.
Huldah Sheldon, first wife of Dr. Daniel Sheldon, one of the most
prominent physicians of the State. Her little daughter Nancy (aged
eight) had died at Miss Pierce’s school. After writing of her grief at
her loss she says:—
“The amiable Miss Pierce is going home. I fear I Shall be Still more
lonely, but I will try to be cheerful. I esteem Sally for her goodness
of heart. She is a good Girl and I think I Shall not forget her
kindness to me or the attention She paid that much loved child.”
[_Litchfield Eagle, June 23, 1823_.]
The Law School in this place has not for a number of years been as
full and as flourishing as at this time. The names of the Students
will be published as heretofore, at the end of the term, and we
believe the same remarks as to its healthy and flourishing state may
be also applied to the Female Academy.
The reputation of each of these schools stands extremely high.—The
number of either we do not know, but it is believed they have not for
many years been better filled. It will be recollected that each of
these schools have always depended solely on individual effort and
talent, for their success. They have, with the aid of these alone
continued to flourish while others of similar object have dwindled,
remained stationary, or ceased to exist with all the Legislative aid,
or College endowments they could obtain.
1796.
CHARLOTTE SHELDON—HER DIARY.
Charlotte Sheldon was a pupil in Miss Pierce’s school in the early days
of its existence. She was the daughter of Dr. Daniel Sheldon, of
Litchfield, and his first wife, a Miss Judson, of Washington,
Connecticut, who died in 1784 leaving two children, Charlotte and
Daniel, who was afterward Secretary of Legation with Albert Gallatin at
the court of France. Charlotte was born in 1780, and was a “monster in
learning,” as her French teacher quaintly expressed it. When about
seventeen years of age she became an invalid and died in Hartford about
1840. From a little diary of hers kept in the summer of 1796 when she
was just sixteen, the following extracts are taken which show that the
school was still in a formative condition:—
_Tuesday May 10th, 1796_ the weather was so rainy this morning that I
did not expect to set out for Hartford, so I sat down to my knitting
and learnt a very good song called “The Mill Clapper,” of Philo
Roberts. It cleared off this afternoon so we sat off we had some rain
but at night it cleared off beautifully. The air was finely perfumed
with the shad and appletree blossoms. I arrived at Farmington just at
dark and stopt at Mr. Wadsworth’s tavern Mrs. Beardsley was over there
and invited us to Dr. Tods there we directed our march. Tho. I had
much rather have staid at Mr. Wadsworths for I was very little
acquainted with Mrs. Beardsley and was muddied from top to toe. Very
soon after I got there I went to bed.
_Wednesday 11th_ arose rather late staid till about 10 and then sat
out for Hartford. found the riding very bad over the clay hills got to
Hartford about noon dined at uncle Sheldons unpacked my things, went
up to Aunt Hopkins went a shopping. Hardly knew what to do with myself
amid so much noise and confusion. returned to uncle Sheldons.
_Thursday 12th_ election day was ushered in with rain. I ironed out my
gown and some such little matters. dressed myself dined at uncle
Sheldons. then went in his carriage up to Uncle Hopkins. Tho I spent
part of the forenoon in seeing people go by, I found Wealthy Morgan at
my aunts I think her much improved since I saw her last. spent the
evening in singing, etc., with Becca and Nancy.
[Illustration:
PL. III.—EMBROIDERED ON SATIN BY CHARLOTTE SHELDON
]
_Friday 13th_ read in Moral Tales, tho’ I think them rather immoral.
dressed and went to uncle Sheldons intended to have taken a ride but
aunt Hopkins sent word to us that a Miss Mather was there Polly Bull,
and Sally Trumbull. spent the forenoon and evening Harriet Butler
Betsey Woodbridge and Miss Fanning called. There was a swing up garret
and behold we went to swinging Daniel and Mr. Talcott spent the
evening. I like Sally Trumbull. I think her a very pretty girl.
_Saturday 14th._ Today Becca and I took our long wished for ride, we
went as far as Wethersfield Folly we went down to Aunt Woodbridge’s in
the afternoon and drank tea there, we went to the new Court house, it
is the most elegant building I ever saw the portico is very pleasant
read partly thro “Nanine” one of Voltaires plays.
_Sunday 15th_ Finished “Nanine.” went to church in the afternoon it is
a very handsome building we heard a flute and bass viol which Becca
and I mistook for an organ quite a laughable mistake dressed took a
walk down to Uncle Sheldons.
_Monday 16th._ Washed and ironed almost all day went a shopping. read
in Buffon’s Natural History. It has a great number of cuts in it and
is very entertaining. I should like to read the whole of it sung etc.,
etc.
_Tuesday 17th_, Ironed almost all the forenoon mended some stockings,
dressed, went with Becca down to uncle Sheldons, Aunt was gone down to
Mr. Joe Sheldons thither we directed our march and took a very
pleasant walk with her to the point where the great and little rivers
meet returned and drank tea at Uncle Sheldons staid all night.
_Wednesday 18th_ It rained so that we couldn’t return to Aunt Hopkins.
made cousin Mary a baby, she is a sweet little girl. read there an
abridgement of Sir Charles Grandison
_Thursday 19th_, Becca and I waded up to Aunts thro’ the mud drew a
picture for Nancy & painted it in the afternoon Mrs. Fish, Emily
Stilman & Julia Root spent at Aunts Emily staid in the evening I am
very much pleased with her.
_Friday 20th_ Sat out for home, found the roading very bad. Rode as
far as Mr. Lewis’s at Farmington dined there & staid two hours. Mrs.
Beardsley sent Stella over for us, Daniel & I went over, & we
concluded to stay all night. Heard Mrs. Beardsley & Miss Polly Tod
play on the Forte Piano, read in Helen Maria Williams letters, read in
Lavater & looked at the Heads, took a walk with Miss Sally Beardsley
over to the Lewis’s, returned to Dr. Tods played button & went to bed
very early.
_Saturday 21st_ Sat out again for home found the roading better than I
expected, got home about four o’clock went to Miss Sally’s (Pierce) to
carry a letter my face was so burned, I was ashamed to make my
appearance any where felt tired & lazy.
_Sunday 22nd_, Went in the forenoon to meeting. read in the American
magazine & in the European magazine Miss Pierce’s girls spent the
evening at our house & Sally[4] & Julia Tracy.
_Monday 23rd_, Helped about the house all the forenoon went a shopping
with the girls & read history at school got tea & washed the cups knit
the rest of the evening.
_Tuesday 24th_, Read & wrote to the 30th page of the history knit
sewed one of the tags of the fringe onto my cloak
_Wednesday 25th_, Went to school & did what I commonly do there got
above 4 in spelling ironed some vandykes,[5] etc., etc.
_Thursday 26th_, Studied geography at school felt very indolent,
laughed & gaped the greatest part of the time, knit, finished my short
gown.
_Friday 27th_, Began to alter my muslin into a robe which is the most
fashionable dress in Hartford read history took a run up to Miss
Pierces & Mrs. Tracy’s, etc.
_Saturday 28th_, Sewed on my gown all day, wrote all the evening.
_Sunday 29th_, Attended meeting all day, heard two very indifferent
sermons, read in the American Magazine found many good things in it &
among the rest an extract from Mrs. Yearsley’s poem on the slave
trade, took a walk down to the brook it was too cool to be very
agreeable walking finished my gown in the evening.[6]
_Monday 30th_, Washed almost all the forenoon, sewed, began to work
the edges of some ruffles
_Tuesday 31st_, Starched my gown and hung it to dry, sewed, Persuer of
these pages, know that I, the author of them, am not very well versed
in polite literature, thou must expect to find, a dry, uninteresting,
inaccurate, parcel of sentences, jumbled together in a hand hardly
intelligible—this is no news perchance thou wilt say—
_Wednesday, June 1st_, We are once more blessed with a prospect of
good weather, ironed almost all the forenoon, sat some ruffles on to
my gown, went a shopping, bought me a comb, mended some of my cloaths
went to school, & did what I usually do there. All Mrs Tracy’s[7]
family spent the afternoon here Mrs. Tracy is a charming woman, she
has a family of the loveliest children I ever saw, Mr. Gould & Miss
Mira Canfield spent the afternoon & evening I liked Mr. Gould very
much.
_Thursday 2nd_, Cleaned my chamber, sewed, read in the American
Magazine, wrote a letter to Fanny Smith tho I shall not send it to
her, was inattentive & got to the foot in spelling, took a walk with
the girls, & got wintergreen & honeysuckle, had a very agreeable walk,
came home & dressed my hat with honeysuckle & ground pine.
_Friday 3rd_, Sewed almost all the morning, studied a geography
lesson, & recited it, dressed & went to Holmes where I spent the
afternoon very agreeably spent the afternoon & evening at Dr. Smiths
there was a very large circle there.
_Saturday 4th_, Went to school, wrote a curious epistle to Sally
Tracy, wrote a letter to Fanny Smith & copied it, read in Goldsmiths
animated Nature went to the stores 3 times, sewed on my short gown.
_Sunday 5th_ Attended meeting all day, read in Goldsmiths Animated
Nature, I like it very much, many parts of it are quite interesting
took a run in the garden sewed all the evening.
_Monday 6th_ Assisted about house all the forenoon went to school,
hemmed my shawl all round thought some of going to Mr. Bowles in the
evening, but concluded not to go.
_Tuesday 7th_, Bought a skein of silk & wound it hemmed across two
sides of my shawl. button hole stitch, studied spelling, sewed all the
evening.
_Wednesday 8th_, Worked on my shawl, read partly thro’ the Dangers of
the world aloud to Sally Tracy read in Coxes travels, I will give a
short abridgement from his history of the Poles, [The first era of the
History like that of all other European nations is involved in
obscurity. The government was formerly almost an absolute monarchy;
but the king continued to grant privileges to the nobles, untill they
became almost independent, for the king had no other power left,
except the triffling one of confering titles, the kingdom was very
much divided by religious factions. The Dissidents & Papists
maintained warm quarrels], got tea, helped clear away the table, had
the pleasure of seeing Aunt Hopkins, Becca, & Nancy, Miss Sally &
Polly Pierce spent the evening at our house.
_Thursday 9th_, Aunt & family departed for Watertown this morning,
drew some patterns, worked on my shawl, studied a lesson in Guthrie we
got partly through France it is bounded on the North.... Finished
reading the Dangers of the world read in Coxes travels. [The Russians
& other foreign nations fomented the quarrels that existed in
Poland....] Assisted mammy, went up to Miss Pierce’s & borrowed the
Robbers, read partly through it. it is an excellent tragedy. The
character of Amelia is rather inconsistent in my opinion.
_Friday 9th_, Finished the Robbers, the scene in which Charles de
Moore discovers his father in a ruined tower is perfect in my opinion.
Worked on my shawl, read in Coxes travels, Read partly thro the Truly
wise man. Read in Goldsmiths Animated Nature.
_Saturday 10th_, Worked on my shawl, Read the English merchant, a very
good comedy. Read in the World. Went down to the store. Helped get
tea.
_Sunday 11th_, It is quite cold and unpleasant today; attended meeting
all day, Spent the evening at Miss Pierces.
_Monday 12th_, Washed a little. Worked on my shawl. Went down to the
store with the girls. Dressed the flower pots. We had company in the
afternoon & evening, several gentlemen were at our house in the
evening.
_Tuesday 13th_, Wrote a letter, Read in Coxes travels; worked on my
shawl, sewed all the evening.
_Wednesday 14th_, Learned a grammer lesson. Read the story of the
Highlander & partly thro Sophron & Tigranes. Went down in the lot &
got wintergreen, got supper.
_Thursday 15th_, Worked on my shawl. Studied a grammer lesson, parsed,
Read in the World, knit, Read partly thro Macbeth one of Shakespeare’s
best tragedies.
_Friday 16th_, Sewed. Went to school. Read in Cox. parsed. Went down
to get wintergreen. Worked on my shawl. Went to strawberrying. Heard
some very good music a flute & violin. It is a most beautiful evening,
took a walk as far as the corner.
_Saturday 17th_, Sewed. Parsed. Began to read the Recess, a very good
novel. It is founded on the idea that Mary Queen of Scots was
privately married to the Duke of Norfolk & had two daughters Ellinor &
Matilda who are the heroines of the novel, they were educated in the
Recess which was several rooms in an Abbey unknown but to three
persons. Matilda was married to the Duke of Leicester who took shelter
in the Recess from assassins. Took a walk. Read again in the Recess.
_Sunday 6th_ Read again in the Recess. I have finished the first
volume. Attended meeting all day, wasn’t very much edified. Took a
walk with Sally Tracy & Mr. Gould went almost to the mill, had a very
agreeable one. Heard some very good music after I got home. Mr. Tod,
Mr. Holmes & Miss Polly Collins besides several others spent the
evening here, it is a very pleasant evening.
[Illustration:
PL. IV.—VIEW OF LITCHFIELD TAKEN ABOUT 1860
]
_Monday 19th_, Helped about house, knit. Parsed. Read in Coxes
travels, read in the Recess to Sally Tracy & mammy After school
dressed me and went to Mrs. Lords where I spent the afternoon &
evening
_Tuesday 6th_, Washed, Cleaned my chamber, finished my shawl, washed
and ironed it. The colors don’t fade. Helped get supper. Stewed some
currants. Learn’t one or two verses in a song, spent the evening at
Captains Catlins.
_Wednesday 21st_, Went to the Braces & helped clean the room to dance
in, Which took almost all the forenoon Went down in the lot after
bushes & fixed up the room Dressed & danced in the evening, had a
pretty agreeable ball.
_Thursday 22nd_, Parsed, Sewed. Went to strawberrying with Fanny
Pierpont, found a good many.
_Friday 23rd_, Put my closet to rights. Had an invitation to the ball,
spent the rest of the day in fixing my things. Went to the ball, had a
very agreeable one. Came home in the morning.
_Saturday 24th_ Felt pretty dull, Read the second volume in the
Recess, the language was pretty good, I like this volume better than
the first, Tho I think it is not possible, that any person could
suffer as many misfortunes as Ellinor & Matilda, I like the character
of Ellinor better than that of Matilda. there is something very
interesting in her character, I wanted to have it end happily. Went a
strawberrying with Susan Bird.
_Sunday 25th_, Read all the forenoon, Attended meeting in the
afternoon, heard a very poor sermon. Read in the history of Spain, I
think it a very good one, I do not know the name of the author. Picked
a large basket of roseleaves.
_Monday 26th_, Washed a little etc., Made a half handkerchief, took a
walk up to Captain Stantons. Read in the history of Spain translated
to the 15th page in Rousseau’s Emelias. Drew a rose, Read in the
history of Spain in the evening.
_Tuesday 27th_, Parsed. Sewed. Studied spelling. Spent the afternoon
at Mrs. Demings. Walked up as far as Captain Catlins.
_Wednesday 28th_, Fixed up my hat. knit. Drew a landscape. Parsed.
Read in the world. Went after straw berries.
_Thursday 29th_, Knit. Parsed. Studied spelling.
_Friday July 1st_, Sewed. Studied a parsing lesson. Parsed. Went twice
down to Mr. Shetaters, to buy pendals. Had my ears bored, not a very
agreeable operation. knit Read in Coxes travels. got tea, stewed some
currants. Took a walk as far as Mrs Lords.
_Saturday 2nd_, Read in the World. Sewed.
_Sunday 3rd_, Attended meeting in the forenoon & read in the Recess &
in the World in the afternoon Took a run up to Miss Pierces.
_Monday 4th_, Felt doubtful about going to the ball. Went over to Mrs.
Holmes of an errand. Studied a parsing lesson. Parsed. knit, concluded
to go to the ball, fixed my things to go. Went down to the Store
Dressed & went to the ball, had a very good one.
_Tuesday 5th_, Felt rather sleepy, Knit, Washed out the bottom of my
gown. Parsed. borrowed the Transition of a Moment. I like it pretty
well, tho it is not equal to the Recess. read in it till about 10
o’clock.
_Wednesday 6th_, Finished reading the “Transition of a Moment.” Heard
the news of Polly Buel’s death. sewed at school. Parsed. Fixed my
things to wear to the funeral. Dressed & went. There was quite a large
concourse of people. felt rather tired.
_Friday 8th_, Riped my gown which I am going to have altered. Picked
some green peas. Parsed. Took a ride. a very agreeable one. Drank tea
at Mrs. Phelps on Chestnut Hill, got home at sun down.
_Saturday 9th_, Read in the Citizen of the World. picked currants, sat
the table for tea. Read in the Herald. Went up to Miss Pierces of an
errand.
_Sunday 10th_, Attended meeting all day. felt quite sorry to see all
Mr. Buel’s people, racked & tortured, by a cruel sermon & prayer, were
a great many people at meeting. Miss Naby Lewis came to our house
after meeting.
_Monday 11th_, Sewed. Read partly thro Romeo & Juliet. Read in
Othello.
_Tuesday 12th_, Took a walk in the garden, Wrote a scrumptious letter
to Sally Tracy. Parsed. Wrote copy hand. read in Coxes travels.
_Wednesday 7th_, Washed all the forenoon. Went down to the store, &
over to Mr. Smiths, ironed out some calico. swept the school room,
Picked currants & gooseberrys for tea.
_Thursday 8th_, Ironed my gown, cleaned my chamber, Studied a parsing
lesson. Partly learned the words to a song. Picked currants. Wrote
copy hand. Parsed. Read in Coxes travels, Partly learned a tune.
_Friday 9th_, Sewed. Parsed. Went over to Dr. Smiths tried on my gown,
stayed part of the afternoon, Read in Coxes travels, chose sides, Mrs.
Lord drank tea at our house, Went up to Miss Pierces of an errand.
_Saturday 16th_ Went over to Dr. Smiths & tried on my gown Heard Miss
Nabby read in Julia de Roubigne. Ironed about two hours. Went over to
Dr. Smiths
_Sunday 17th_ Attended meeting all day. Heard two excellent sermons
preached by Rev. Mr. Hooker Read in the Female Spectator. Took a walk.
_Monday 18th_, Washed a little. & helped about house Parsed. Read in
Coxes travels. Got tea. Picked currants. Went over to Dr. Smiths.
Spent the evening at Miss Pierces. Heard some very good music after I
got home.
_Tuesday 19th_ Went up to Miss Pierces of an errand Doubled some yarn,
Studied grammar, Read in Coxes travels. I think this a better
opportunity than commonly occurs, to find out the manners of a people.
_Wednesday 20th_, Sewed. Read in the Mirror, The Story of La Roche is
excellent. He makes an excellent prayer on the loss of his daughter.
The description of his situation is beautiful. Read in Coxes travels.
Studied grammar. Drew. Heard some very good music.
_Thursday 22nd_ Read in the Mirror. Had a pair of gloves cut out,
began to make them. Marked a pair of pillow bears. Read in Coxes
travel Spent the afternoon very agreeably at Mrs. Tracys Walked down
as far as Mr. Ozias Lewis’s & back again.
_Friday 23rd_ Sewed on my gloves, Studied grammar. We had company at
our house this afternoon, Spent the evening at Miss Pierces.
_Saturday 24th_ Read in Knox’s essays, I like them very well. Sewed on
my gloves, worked the back of another pair
1797.
JULIA COWLES—HER DIARY.[8]
In the eleventh year of her age. To thee I will relate the events of
my youth. I will endeavor to excel in learning & correct my faults so
that I may be enabled to look backward with pleasure and forward with
hope.
VOLUME 1ST JUNE 26. 1797.
_June 26th, 1797. Monday._ This day I began my diary in which I shall
be sincere in recording my faults, studies & employments. Miss Sally
did not keep. I went to St. Johns.
_Tuesday 27th._ We read in History. The cabal entered into an alliance
with France. The king who had been an enemy with Ormond....
_Friday, June 29th._ I cannot recollect any of the History read this
day. I have sewed, read in History & painted some.
_Saturday, June 30th._ 1797. Went to school, told History, sewed some.
Miss Sally says that I have been a pretty good girl this week. I have
not been offended this week. I have helped Aunt Lewis almost every day
this week.
_Sunday, June 31st._ Went to meeting all day. Mr. Griffin preached. I
do not recollect any of the afternoon sermon to write.
_Monday, 4th Independence._ We read in History. Prince Orange ascended
the throne but was liked by the people as much as before. Miss Sally
did not like this History & exchanged it for Rollin’s History.
_Tuesday 5th._ The first country (as I recollect) that we read of was
Egypt....
_Thursday 6th._ I do not recollect any History that we read to day
only that there was one Punic war....
_Saturday 8th._ Attended school read in the Economy of Human Life.
Sewed some.
_Sunday 9th 1797._ Afternoon attended meeting. P. M. staid at home
because it rained. I do not recollect the text.
_Monday 10th. 1797._ Attended school told History, sewed some. P. M.
spent the afternoon to Miss Pierces.
_Tuesday 11th._ Miss Sally did not keep school. I helped Aunt Lewis
almost every day this week back.
_Wednesday 12th._ Attended school, wrote my Journal. We now began the
second punic war.
_Thursday 13th._ I do not recollect any of the History read to day
only that Hanibal died.
_Friday 14th._ Attended school. We did’nt read History to day,
expected to dance this evening but was disappointed in my
expectations.
_Saturday 15th._ Attended school, read in History, but I dont know
anything what we read. I dont know as I ever shall again.
_Sunday 16th._ Attended meeting all day but do not recollect the text.
read in the Children’s Friend.
_Monday 17th._ In the forenoon told History. P. M. Read History. The
Carthagenians now preparing for war. the women cut off their hair to
make ropes of....
_Tuesday 18th._ Attended school, read History....
_Wednesday 19th 1797._ Attended school. read History. We have finished
1 volume of Rollin’s History....
_Thursday 29._ Attended school, going to dance this evening but dont
know but I shall be disappointed....
_Friday 21st._ Attended school, read History. Danced last evening,
enjoyed the intended pleasure....
_Saturday 22._ Attended school. we did’nt tell History to day. I have
helped Aunt Lewis almost every day this week. Miss Sally says I have
been a pretty good girl this week.
_Sunday 23._ Attended meeting. Mr. Hooker preached. I dont know where
the text was.
_Monday 23._ Attended school, told History, sewed on my shawl.
_Tuesday 24._ Did’nt attend school to day. I helped Aunt Lewis all
day.
_Wednesday 25th._ Aunt Lewis has gone to Farmington to day. Attended
school, read History. We read the death of Cyrus. His son Cambyses
succeeded him.
_Thursday 26._ Attended school forenoon painted. I dont know a word of
the History. P. M. I stayed at home.
_Friday 27._ Attended school, read History....
_Saturday 28th._ Aunt Lewis is expected home to day. Attended school
worked on my shawl. Miss Sally says I have been a pretty good girl
this week.
_End of the 1st Volume._
1798.
SUBSCRIPTION LIST FOR BUILDING FIRST ACADEMY.[9]
By 1798 the school had become of enough importance to interest the
prominent men of the town who got up the following subscription for the
purpose of erecting a suitable building for its use. It was then
dignified by the name of the Female Academy.
We the subscribers do agree to pay the Several Sums annexed to our
names for the purpose of Building an House for a Female Academy to be
placed upon the land of Miss Sally Pierce said Sums to be paid by the
first Day August Next to such person as shall be appointed agent for
the Purpose by the Majority of the Subscribers March 10th 1798.