Friday, November 22, 2013

1873-74 Catalogue of Westbrook Seminary at Westbrook, Maine [now Portland, Maine]


1873-74 Catalogue of Westbrook Seminary, located on Stevens Plains in Portland, Maine.

An alphabetical list of everyone mentioned in the catalogue appears at the end of this post.  

When the institution was founded, the land it sits on was part of Westbrook, Maine, but over time the border changed, first, in 1871, placing the institution within the boundaries of the new town of Deering, Maine, which had split off from Westbrook, and then, in 1898, within the boundaries of Portland, Maine, when Deering was annexed.

The engraving below shows, from left to right, the Church, Goddard Hall, Dining Hall, Hersey Hall and the Seminary Building.


The catalog measures 9" x 6" and contains 32 pages listing names of the Trustees, the Board of Instruction, the Examining Committee, the Board of Visitors, Current students and Graduates dating back to 1863.


The catalog was printed by the Tucker Printing House at Portland, Maine, in 1874.


Trustees
President, Hon. Samuel F. Hersey, Bangor
Vice-President, David Torrey, Esq., Deering
Hon. Israel Washburn, Jr., Portland
Hon. N. G. Hichborn, Stockton
Rev. G. W. Quinby, Augusta
Hon. Sidney Perham, Paris
C. S. Fobes, A.M., Portland
Oliver Moses, Esq., Bath
Rufus Dunham, Esq., Deering
Hon. L. L. Wadsworth, Jr., Calais
M. B. Coolidge, A.M., Portland
Rev. W. R. French, A.M., Brunswick
Hon. A. C. Denison, Mechanic Falls
Rev. A. Battles, Bangor
Rev. J. C. Snow, A.M., Auburn
W. W. Harris, Esq., Portland
C. P. Kimball, Esq., Portland
N. K. Sawyer, Esq., Deering
C. E. Morrill, Esq., Deering
Ara Cushman, Esq., Auburn
Treasurer, Charles Fobes, Esq., Portland
Secretary, Grenville M. Stevens, Esq., Deering


Board of Instruction
G. M. Bodge, A.M., Principal; Prof. of Mental and Moral Science
I. B. Choate, A.M., Vice Principal; Prof. of Latin and Greek
Rev. H. C. Leonard, Prof. of Belles Lettres
F. L. Bartlett, Chemistry & Physics
M. Johnson,Mathematics, and Business Department
G. A. Quinby, Prof. of Music
Mrs. Helen Boothby, Preceptress
Mrs. S. P. Choate, Drawing, Painting and French
Miss J. E. Bodge,Rhetoric and Composition
Miss L. A. Hoyt, Teacher of Music


Examining Committee
Rev. A. Battles
C. S. Fobes, A.M.
M. B. Coolidge, A.M.
Board of Visitors
Hon. Israel Washburn, Jr., Portland
Rev. A. A. Miner, D.D., Pres., Tufts College
Rev. W. R. French, A.M., Brunswick
Rev. W. E. Gibbs, A.M., Portland
Rev. C. R. Moor, Augusta
Rev. G. W. Quinby, Augusta
Hon. Sidney Perham, Paris
E. W. Stone, M.D., Deering
Rev. J. C. Snow, A.M., Auburn
H. Q. Wheeler, Esq., Deering
Rev. C. Weston, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Rev. Z. Thompson, Mechanic Falls
Rev. W. W. Lovejoy, Orono
Emery O. Bean, Esq., Readfield

Two pages detail the history of the Seminary.


Historical Sketch.
"The Westbrook Seminary had its birth in a resolution passed by the Kennebec Association of Universalists, in its annual session at Greene, September 29, 1830." - Rev. William A. Drew, in Gospel Banner of April, 1870.

"This Convention provided for a meeting at Westbrook, to take into consideration the matter of a classical school, or seminary, 'digest a plan for the same', and taking measures for accomplishing the object.  Revs. W. A. Drew, of Augusta; S. Brimblecom, of Norridgewock; W. I. Reese, of Portland; Hons. C. Holland, of Canton; J. Dunn, Jr., of Poland; S. Gardiner, of Bowdoinham; Elisha Harding, of Union; Maj. R. Russ, of Farmington; Dr. A. Pierce, of Greene; Gens. Thomas Todd, of Portland, and J. Herrick, of Hampden, were appointed to address the public upon the subject.  There was considerable discussion in this convention, as to location; Waterville, Winthrop and Westbrook, were named, but finally, as there was no similar institution in New England (or indeed, as far as known, in the world), it was thought to make the school as accessible as might be, to Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and it was established at Westbrook.  According to appointment, a meeting was holden at Stevens' Plains, October 27, 1830, Dan. Reed, of Lewiston, was chosen president, and Daniel Winslow, of Portland, secretary.  It was voted to adopt a constitution, and petition the next Legislature for an act of incorporation.  This was obtained, and the Westbrook Seminary incorporated, and the following trustees appointed: J. C. Churchill, F. O. J. Smith, Daniel Winslow, Nathan Nutter, William Slemmons, Moses Quinby, Josiah Dunn, W. A. Drew, D. McCobb, G. W. Tinker, Alfred Pierce.  Those, with others allowed by the Charter, met the following May, and organized as follows: Hon. J. C. Churchill, president, Daniel Winslow, vice president and secretary, Hon. F. O. J. Smith, treasurer.  The Universalist convention, which met in June, at Farmington Falls, endorsed the plan and purpose, and appointed Rev. Messrs. Drew and Brimblecom, to address 'our Religious public', on the subject.  Mr. Brimblecom, was at that time in charge of the parish at Stevens' Plains, and was one of the most earnest workers in collecting funds, and pushing the matters of the Seminary toward completion.  He was at that time associate editor of the Christian Pilot, and mentions in the issue of May 23, 1833, 'that the building is now in progress.'  In the spring of 1834, a 'brick building, 37x70, two stories high, with a cupola,' was erected on land generously given by Z. B. Stevens [Zachariah B. Stevens], and O. Buckley, Esq., cost of building about $7000.

"The first term commenced June 9, 1834, with Rev. Samuel Brimblecom, principal, Rev. Alvin Dinsmore, assistant.  Board was secured in private families, in the neighborhood, at $1.25 to $1.75 per week.  Mr. Brimblecom resigned in the fall of 1836.  Between this time and 1839, Mr. Furbush had charge of the school, a portion of the time.  In 1839, John K. True, was chosen principal, and remained until December 1842; to him the following principals succeeded.  In 1843 Moses B. Walker, and George W. True; 1844, E. P. Hines; 1846, G. W. Bradford; 1849, Rev. L. L. Record; 1851, Mr. Nathaniel Hatch.  Rev. J. P. Weston, came to the charge, in March 1853.  The school had been closed for several terms, and was in a very low state.  Mr. Weston gave it new life, and it began to show permanent strength.

"Chiefly through Mr. Weston's untiring efforts, money was raised for building and furnishing Goddard Hall.  He resigned in the fall of 1859.  From that time, the school was under the charge successively of Messrs. C. S. Fobes, S. B. Rawson and G. B. Ames, until Rev. S. H. McCollister, took charge in the spring of 1861.  Under his care, the institution continued to prosper.

"Rev. J. C. Snow, was called, in 1869, and under his wise and energetic administration the school was established upon its present basis.  Hersey Hall and the new dining hall were built, new steam apparatus put in, and other improvements made, to the total amount of $40,000.  Mr. William A. Post came in 1872, and administered affairs ably until his resignation, in the fall of 1873.

"G. M. Bodge, A.M., was called to take charge in the spring of 1874, and the school is greatly prospering under his care.

"The institution provides two courses in the Collegiate Department, and confers the degree of Laureate of Arts, upon all young ladies, who successfully pass examination in a classical course, and Laureate of Science, in the scientific course.  In the Academic Department, Diplomas are granted in two courses, English and College Preparatory.

Details on the Education offered at Westbrook Seminary: (click on an image to enlarge it)




Many pages contain the names of current and former students, too many to list here.  Below, an alphabetical list of the surnames of students, faculty, trustees, etc., with extra information, including residences.  If you notice a surname or surnames you're researching, leave a comment asking for the additional information in the catalogue.

AAaronsonEEatonLLaneRRand
Abbott [2]Elder [2]LaraRecord
AdamsElliottLarrabee [3]Rice
AldenElwellLawtonRichardson [3]
Allen [3]Emery [2]LeachRing
AlmyEsterbrook [2]Leighton [2]Roberts [3]
Andrews [2]FFarrLelandRobinson
AnthoineFernald [2]Leonard [3]Rose
Appleby [3]FerrisLibby [8]Roulstone [2]
Atwood [4]FilesLittlefieldRussell [3]
Ayer [3]FillebrownLordRyder
BBacheller [2]FishLovejoySSawyer [5]
Bailey [5]FlintLoweShannon
BakemanFobesLufkin [2]Shaw
BakerFogg [2]MMatthewSmall [5]
BallouFoglerMaxfieldSmith [2]
Bartlett [4]Foster [2]MayberrySnow [6]
BartonFrench [3]MayoSouthard [3]
BatesFryeMcCartySpaulding
Battles [2]FullerMcClenchSprowl [Snow]
Beale [4]Furlong [2]McGilveryStearn
BeanGGibbs [2]McIntireStern
BeaneGibsonMcKenneyStevens [7]
BeldingGinnMcLellan [2]Stockton
BerryGoddardMelcherStone [2]
BlakeGoodridgeMerrill [2]Stover [2]
Bodge [2]GooldMildram [2]Stowell
BodwellGould [2]MinerSwan [2]
Boothby [2]GowellMoorSwasey
Bradford [2]GraffamMorrill [4]TThombs
BrettGreenMorris [2]Thompson [2]
BrownGreenleaf [2]MorrisonTibbetts
BuckGriggMosesTobie
BuckleyGulliferMosherTorrey [2]
Bucknam [2]GunnisonMoulton [4]Totman
Buffum [2]HHall [9]NNashTrafton
CCahoonHamilton [5]Nealley [2]Trask [3]
CardHansonNewman [4]Treat
CarterHarmon [3]Nichols [4]True. [4]
Cartland [2]Harris [2]Nickerson [2]Tubbs [2]
ChadbourneHartNoyes [4]Tucker
ChadwellHarwardOO'Brion [2]Tukey
ChadwickHawkes [2]Oakes [3]VVarney [2]
ChapinHersey [2]OsborneVaughan [4]
ChaseHichborn [4]OtisVickery [3]
Choate [2]HillOwen [2]Virgin
Clark [4]HitchbornPPaineWWadsworth
Clifford [2]HobbsPalmerWalker
Cobb [3]HoldenParlinWarren
CoburnHooperPartridgeWashburn [2]
CoffinHopkinsPayson [2]Weare
ColcordHowe [2]PeabodyWebster
Coleman [2]HoytPeakes [2]Wells [4]
Collins [2]HubbardPeckWeston
CoolidgeHumphreyPennell [2]Wheeler
CousensHunt [3]Perham [2]Whitney [2]
CramIIrish [2]Perry [2]Whittier [2]
CrockerJJacksonPhilbrickWilson [2]
Cushman [2]JaquisPierce [4]Wing [2]
DDe Shon [2]JenkinsPollardWinslow
DearingJennessPolleysWood
DenisonJohnson [2]PrattWoodbury
DennisonJonesPrayWoodman
DevereuxJordan [3]Pride [2]Woodsum
DimockKKelleyPulsiferWork
DoleKimballQQuinby [4]
DugginKing
Dunham [5]Kittredge
DunnKnight [5]
DuranKnowlton
Dustin
Dyer [4]

IWestbrook College Historic District
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