Prattsburgh Central High School - Franklinite Yearbook (Prattsburgh, NY)

Page 9 text:

FRANKLIN ACAIJISMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL o :Q The History of Franklin Academy XYONIJISR why most people show very little interest in the blessings and advantages surrounding them, but show an intense interest after one of these is taken from them. No matter what the reason, this is certainly true of most people. Vl'e have had an instance of that in the recently awakened interest and enthusiasm about Franklin Academy. As long as the building was standing and school was going on in the usual way, almost no one bothered to think about the school, how it was func- tioning, or of what lay behind it. However, since the last of February. when the fire destroyed the structure so well known, and so taken for granted, there has been a sudden and intense interest in the history of tlld Franklin. Iiveryone knows that it was an old institution, but comparatively few have definite facts about its story. It is to supply these facts. about which most people are now curious and deeply inter- ested. that I ani now writing this brief history. The subject of establishing an academy at Prattsburgh was first dis- cussed in ISZZ. In 1823 an adequate sum was raised to start the building. The school was completed in I824, on the plot of ground purchased from judge Porter. The lot joined that given to the Presbyterian church by Hon. Robert Porter. Vl'e owe much to this man for his contributions toward the building and support of Old Franklin. He was the largest contributor toward its erection. It might also be interesting to note that Mr. Porter was the first president of the Board of Trustees of the Academy, a position which he retained for many years. He was a grad-

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9 IiR.'XNKI.lN .'XC.'XIJIiMY Illllll SCIIHHI. ANNIIXI. The Faculty ,qfcllllllllllib IU? lu l'lZQ'hf.' Miss Cecelia Flaherty, Ist and Zllil grades. - Mrs. Iirvia Horton, 5th and 6th grade-sg Miss Laura Pinneo, 7tl1 and Sth gradcs: Mrs. Flora Hiblmrd, 3rd and 4th grades, Smia'a', X110 I0 rlfhfx Mr. Oliver Watkins, 4Ag1'lCllltll1 8Q Miss Vernie Rayton, History, Biology and Clicinistryg Mr. Morris VV. Comstock, Principal: Matlieinutics and Civic Miss Helen Fahy, Latin and Frenchg Miss Ruth Stacey, English and Drawing.

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lo FRANKLIN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL uate of Yale and principal of what is now Hamilton College before he came to this town. In close connection with Judge Porter, we find Dr. Niles who, in addition to making liberal contributions to the building fund, was active- ly engaged in working for its welfare. The reality and success of the school were due to his hard work and untiring energy, more than to any other one cause. The Regents Charter was granted in I824 and the first academic term began under the direction of Wm. Beardsley. A letter written by J. H. Hotchkin to the Prallsbznyzh 1Vcufs in 1889 is interesting on account of the reminiscences of the early days of Old Franklin which it contains. He tells in this letter of his attendance at the 6th annual commencement of Franklin Academy. He said, I was glad in my old age to once more pay my honor to good old Franklin Academy. I was a young lad in 1823 when Judge Porter, Dr. Noah Niles, and my father, all of them collegiate men, raised the question, Why should not Prattsburgh have an academy, and they agreed that on the coming Sabbath my father should announce that on the coming Wednesday afternoon the citizens of the place should meet at the oflice of Judge Van Valkenburg to take up the subject. Then and there was the birth of Franklin Academy. The school was opened with Mr. Beardsley as professor. I was at the opening of school. The classes were all formed at 11:30 o'clock and Mr. Beardsley said, if there was anyone prepared for a recitation he would hear themj My older brother Beriah told him he was ready and he gave him his recitation in Greek. Now bear in mind that the first recitation in Old Franklin was in Greek and she has sustained herself nobly ever since. The following is a list of the subscribers toward the erection of the Academy: Robert Porter, Noah Niles, James H. Hotchkin, Abner P. Lyon, Samuel Price, Jeremiah Potter, Samuel Hayes, J. Van Valkenburg, Israel XNinnie, Stephen Prentiss, Horatio Hopkins, Isaac Hall, Xvilliam P. Curtis, Calvin Bull, E. and B. Bridges, Ezra Chapin, 'F Chapin, Truna 'F Smith, Harry Clark, John C. Higby, Eben C. Olds, VVilliam Wilson, Abijah Burleau, Henry Allis, Moses Niles, Samuel A. Jackson, Boan Hill, Elihue Wales, John Phelps, Jabez Gillett, James A. St. John, L. F. and J. L. I-Iigby, Elisha Pratt, E. 'G Hopkins, John De Golier, George Taylor, Calvin Green, Aaron VValdo, John Smith, Roger Smith, C. 'f W. Gillett, Joseph S. Babcock, John Ingulsbee, Alanson 'lc oon Samuel Turner, Thomas Aulls, Jonathan Barney, Levi Gray, John Lewis, Grattan H. VVheeler, Erastus Skinner, Bishop Tuttle, Jarad Pratt. 1 NOTE: A ' has been placed where there was uncertainty as to part of the name. In 1827 the addition of a separate apartment for women was made. Not until 1853 were the wings added. The Lyceum for young men was organized by the efforts of Vfilliam Pratt and O. P. Fay. The society began with a membership of nineteen and soon came to have over a hundred members. VVe find men on the roll of the old Lyceum who later became prominent in village, town and