History of Jefferson College: including an account of the early "log-cabin" schools, and the Canonsburg Academy; with biographical sketches of Rev. Matthew Brown, D.D., Rev. Samuel Ralston, D.D., Rev. Matthew Henderson, Rev. James Ramsey, D.D., Rev. John H. Kennedy, Rev. Abrm. Anderson, D.D

Front matter

QLlt^ S'75

CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 1924 073 426 367

Chapter I. Introductio N— L Ochjabin 80h00i.s

JPizge.

Character of First Tyestem Ministers— "When aud by whom *' Log-Cabia" Schools begun — Sfir. Dodd's School on Ten Mile and in Washington — Mr. Smith's School at Buffalo — ^Dr. M'Millan's School at Chartiers 5

Chapter II

By 'Whom the Academy founded — ^DaTid Johnston, first teacher — Dr. liFMillan's position at first — THh « Log-Cabin" School merged into Academy — ^Movement of Synod of Virginia— Bedstone Presbytery selected Canonsbnrg — ^Interesting ceremony of opening Academy — Persons engaged in it — ^First student, Robert Patterson ; stetch of his life and ctaracter — Notice in Pittsburgh Gazette — Oontributions for Academy — Specimen of their character — Ch^ler in 1794 — ^Pirst Tmste«s — ^Petition to Legislature in 1796 — ^Teachers, Mr. Johnston, Mr^ Samuel Miller, Mr. Moxmtain aud Mr. Stockton — ^Action of Presbyteries— Literary Sodelies — Contests — Secret affiliated Societies „ 17

Chapter III. The Acadeut Becoming A Goxleoe

Trustees and Officers — ^Another Petition to L^slature — Judge JEJgar — ^Presbytery of Redstone — Old Mr. Patterson's account of Academy in 1798 — ^Rules aud Regulations — Colonel Canon's death and character — Legislative aid— New Movement to get College Charter — ^Act of Trustees, about conditions of preaching in Academy — ^Members added to the Societies — Change of Constitution in 1798 — Names of Trustees — Charter of Jefferson College, in 1S02 — Why called after Mr. Jefferson — Grood reasons for the name — New Trustees — New rules — Mr. Watson, first President ; his death and character — Mr. Bunlap elected President ; his character. 45

Chapter IV. •history Of Jefferson College F E O Si 1804

Graduates of 1804 — .Ross' Latin Grammar — Account of Ross-~Book<ase for the Societies; reminiscences about it — Graduates of 1805 and 1806 — Presbyterian and Associate Presbyteries successfully appealed to for aid — Gem Hamilton's success at Congress — ^Iiyunction of the Board upon Drs. M'MiUan and Dunlap— Graduates of 1808 — First communication firom Board of Washington College; result — ^Dr. Ralston chosen President of Board — Dr. Murdock's report about conference with Washington Committee — Graduates of 1809 — State of Finances — Death and character of Judge McDowell — Trustees' rule for order of procession at commencement — Description of an " ExhihUion" or College Commencement, in«oldtim3s." «.« 69 iv CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE V.

NEW PRESIDENTS AND "COLLEGE WAU." Page,

Dr. DQnlap and tlie Board— Graduates of 1810— Dr. Dunlap resigns— Graduates of 1811 and 1812— Dr. Wylie elected Principal — About Ezekiel Hannah's will- Graduates of 1813, 1814 and 1815 — New negotiations with the Board of Washington College — Various conferences — Final failure in attempt to unite the colleges — Much sharp shooting, on Itoth sides, but none killed, and few -wounded — Reflections on the whole case — Eev. R. Johnston, a trustee for seventeen years — Sketch of his life— Dr. Wylie resigns^Dr. Wm. M'MiUan succeeds him — Dr. Mjithew Brown — Remarkable circumstances connected with his election - 85

Chapter VI

DR. M. BEOWN'S PEESIDENCT.

A new era in the state and prospects of JeflTerson College — Dr. Brown's extraordinary character and qualifications — Connection of Jefierson College with Jeffei> son Medical College in Philadelphia^^aco& Green, Esq^. — Literary Societies in diihculties — Theological Seminary of the Associate Presbyterian Church established at Canonsburg— New College buildir^ in 1829-32 — Ciids in the life of Dr. M'MillaD; Death of his old friends, Prof. MiUer and G. Piicliie, Esq. ; their lives and character — Agricultural labor provided for students by a College farm; its ultimate failure; reflections about it — Recent movement by Synod of Pittsburgh for ^Ecclesiastical supervision — Its failure ; reasons— Aids to be sought in investigating that whole subject — General conclusion of the whole history, Ill

Chapter VII. Soue Account Of The Liteeabt Societies Of Jefferson College

History of Philo Literary Society. ^ 139

History of Franklin Literary Society „ 154

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Biographical sketch of the late Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D 180

Biographical sketch of the Rev. Samdel Ralston, D. D 192

Biographical sketch of the Rev. Matthew Henderson 234

Biographical sketch of the Rev. James Ramsey, D. D 252

Biographical sketch of the Rev. Abraham Anderson,D. D 283

Memoix of the late Kev. John H. Kennedy, A. M_ „ 353

Appendix

Dr. M'Millan's Manuscript 4I3

Importance of Colleges and of Classical Education — Early history of Collegiate Institutions, „ 418

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COLLEGE.