| Women's Education Home Page |
Colonial Heritage | Female Curriculum | Student Life | Teaching | Religion, Race, Culture | Academies & Seminaries | Clements Library Home Page |
| Inventory of Exhibit Sources | |||||||
Records from Clermont Academy, Clermont New York, 1834Wilson Family Collection | Academies were private schools that taught elementary and secondary subjects. However, the educational background of students varied so widely that classes were organized around a textbook, rather than age-related grades. The teacher, called a preceptor, determined the appropriate studies for each student on admission. In general, academies admitted "any qualified scholar," although, at the time, this meant that African American children were not admitted and academies did not admit girls before the 1780s. Academies charged tuitions and that meant that certain families could not afford to educate their children. 1 In New York, the state distributed state aid to academies that were approved by and supervised by a board of Regents. To acquire state aid, the academy trustees would have to seek incorporation through the state legislature and meet Regent's requirements for state aid. This letter outlines this process. Until 1843, the board of Regents subsidized academies by the number of male students. Emma Willard petitioned the state legislature to obtain state support for female education in this context. 2 The Clermont Academy Papers were compiled by a historian investigating the history of the academy. The collection includes many other letters, records, and broadsides. This webpage presents a letter from the attorney to the prospective trustees and a broadside from 1836. This letter is transcribed literally, duplicating spelling and punctuation, except when to do so would obscure the meaning. |
||||
|
Clermont Academy Dear Sirs, I have drawn up a few Resolutions which if deemed proper may be submitted by the meeting of subscribers to the Academy— I deem an act of Incorporation necessary to the present and future advancement of the Institution, and presume there can be no difficulty in obtaining One -- Notice of the intended application must be published in the Argus and a County paper. The Gentlemen of your neighborhood will see the propriety of obtaining early a large number of subscribers both from near and the neighbouring towns— I have no objection to be named one of a Committee to apply to the Legislature for Regents – the number may be 7 and include some of our farmers who I think are greatly interested. To prevent the Exclusive use of the Academy for any Religious Society and to which I would object it appears to be necessary to make it inter [unclear] the regulations of the Trustees can require some security in case of any injury done and can prescribe the times &tc. Should the Preambles & Resolution be approved It would be well that all should sign them as the ground work and authority for the Committees to proceed and with a copy of which they should be furnished – As I have no farther interest in this matter than a wish to unite in a laudable undertaking, I trust it will be at all times conducted in a spirit of Liberality and harmony Yours with much regard, Edw. F. Livingston Febr 4th 1834 |
||||
| Return to Top | |||||
|
|||||
| |||||
| Return to Top | |||||
Sources Cited | |||||
1Sizer, Theodore R., ed. Age of the Academies. Classics in Education Series. No. 22. New York: Teachers College Press, 1964. 1Marr, Harriet Webster. Old New England Academies Founded before 1826. New York, Comet Press, 1959. 1Marr, Harriet Webster. Atkinson Academy: The Early Years. N.p., 1940. 2Hough, Franklin. Historical and statistical record of the University of the State of New York, during the century from 1784 to 1884. Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons & Co., printers, 1885. This excellent study describes the academy and college system in New York State. | |||||
| Return to Top | |||||