St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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eriginally intended for the Governor's mansion, but described in the letter as a melan- choly and mouldering monument, was des'gnated as the proposed collegiate edifice. This building is now McDowell Hall, the central one of five buildings constituting St. John's College. The Revolution interferred with the carrying out of the plan, but in 1784 the charter of St. John's College was granted, two years after a like charter had been given for the establishment of Washington College at Chestertown, on the Eastern shore. It was intended by the terms of the charter that the two colleges thus founded should constitute one university under the name of University of Maryland. By an act of 1785, the property and funds and students of King William's School were conveyed to St. John's College. Among the chattels passed to the college were a number of quaint and curious volumes brought over by the Rev. Dr. Bray from England, and which still remain in the library of St. John's. On November 11, 1789, the college was formally opened, and the dedication per- formed with much solemnity, all the public bodies being in attendance, and forming a long procession from the State House to the college hall. Among those who were active in promoting the welfare of the college in its infancy are to be found, John Carroll, the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of America 5 the Right Rev. Thomas John Claggett, Protest- ant Episcopal Bishop of Maryland, and other eminent divines of the Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. Tradition says that the name King William's School was changed to St. John's College to suit the ideas of the patrons of that period. Among the students of that early period are to be found the names of George Washington Park Custis, a stepgrandson, and Fairfax and Lawrence Washington, nephews of George Washington, also, of Francis Scott Key, who entered St. J ohn's, November 11, 1789, and graduated in 1796. On Friday morning March 25, 1791, President Washington, attended by the Governor of Maryland and a number of citizens, visited St. John's College, and expressed much satisfaction at the appearance of this rising institution. Almost all the noted families of Maryland, and of other States, have in some way, and at some time, been connected with the college. In order to establish the college under the terms provided for in the charter, private subscriptions amounting to 810,000 were collected, and to provide a permanent fund for the further encouragement and establishment of the college, the Legislature enacted that the sum of 191750 C5B8,750D current money be annually and forever hereafter given and granted as a donation by the public to the use of the college. With this aid the college went forward under Dr. John McDowell, the first president, in its work of educating men, till January, 1806, when the Legislature, by a majority of only six, withdrew the annuity, and the visitors and governors of the college were com- pelled to announce that the college must close. Within the brief period of thirteen years, from 1793, when the first class was gradu- ated, to 1806, the names of four Governors of Maryland, six United States Senators, five members of the House of Representatives, four judges of the courts, one Attorney-General, 21

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Pinkney Hall +,

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one United States District Attorney, one Auditor of the United States Treasury, six State Senators, fifteen members of the House of Delegates, besides foreign consuls, officers of the army and navy, physicians and surgeons, distinguished lawyers Cincluding one Chan- cellor of South Carolinab, college professors, etc., are to be found among the names in the register of the Alumni. In 1807, Rev. Dr. Bethel Judd was chosen principal, and the work, though grievously hampered by the action of the Legislature, was partially con- tinued, and in January, 1812, 31,000 of the annuity was restored. Rev. Dr. Henry Lyon Davis served as principal from 1820 to 1824, and the Rev. Dr. William Rafferty from 1824 to 1831. In 1831,Rev. Dr. Hector Humphreys was appointed principal, and by his persevering efforts and personal influence with the members of the Legislature, asum of 32,000 Was added to the annuity, provided the Board of Visitors and Governors should agree to accept it in full satisfaction of all legal or equitable claims they might have or be supposed to have against the State. k The Board consented, and the deed of release was executed and entered upon the records of the Court of Appeals. At the same time, the Governor of the State, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the Judges of the Court of Appeals Wereniade ex-oflicio members of the Board, indelibly aflixing to the college the character of a State institution. In 1833, the principal was authorized by the Visitors and Governors to collect a fund of 330,000. About 311,000 was raised, and in June, 1835, the corner-stone of Humphreys Hall was laid with impressive ceremonies. Chancellor John Johnson, a distinguished Alumnus, was the Orator, Frgm this time on there are lists of graduates for each year except 1843, '45, '48, '51 and '54, until 1855 when the college was reorganized, and in the same year Pinkney Hall was 22