Rutgers University - Scarlet Letter Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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year 1791 saw Queen's moved to a small frame building at George and Livingston Streets, where a monument now commemorates the event. And, finally, in 18o9, the trustees purchased a site and engaged john McComb, a noted architect, to design Old Queen's building in order to bring the college to that pitch of public utility which the present view of things seems to encourage. A In an era of hard times soon after the completion of this structure, the Dutch Reformed Seminary was brought to New Brunswick to give the college a strong supporter. Two decades later, in 1825, Colonel Henry Rutgers became interested and donated the bell which still rings out from the cupola in Queen's building. When looking for a name more in keeping with the spirit of American independence, to replace the misnomer, Queen's, the trustees naturally selected Rut- gers College in honor of the rich philanthropist. A great increase in enrollment brought with it the first fraternity, Delta Phi, in 1845, and from that time forth the Greek-letter groups flourished. Holy Hill took shape after the students complained to the church of the crowded conditions in Queen's in the hot summer of 18 56.-Rutgers was selected as the land-grant college of New jersey at the close of the Civil War, and the increased funds available per- mitted establishment of the Rutgers Scientific School, now known as the College of Agriculture. Many buildings were added in this cen- tury, including Geology Hall, Kirkpatrick Chapel, New jersey Hall, Winants Hall, Ballantine Gymnasium, and the Voorhees Library. Rutgers, outstanding contribution to American sports sprang from the form of soccer played by groups of students in the early 'sixties. By 1869, rules had been evolved, and on November 6th a large crowd of spectators lined the fences of College Field, Where the gymnasium THE ILLUSTRATIONS on the opposite page recall the early days of Rutgers. The view at the top shows Queen's Campus in 1848. Colonel Henry Rutgers Qcenter riglztl had donated his bell by that time. Hardenbergh flower rightl had long since' passed away, as had Frederick Freling- huysen Qcenter leftj and john Taylor flofwer lefty, first and second tutor of Queen's College, respectively. 8

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l. THE STORY OF RUTGERS George the third, by the grace of Gad, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, E9'c. To all to whom these presents shall come, greetings: Whereas our loving subjects being of the prot- estant reformed religion . . . thinking it necessary and being desirous that a College might be erected within this our province of New-Jersey . . . presented a petition to our trusty and well-beloved William Franklin, Esq., governor and commander in chief, in and over our Province of New-Jersey . . . for a charter . . . we are willing to grant this reasonable request. FROM SECOND ROYAL CHARTER RUSTY and well-beloved Governor Franklin may have taken theioriginal charter of Rutgers, granted in 1766, to his grave, for it has not been seen since he fled from the province a scant step ahead of the angry rebels. Consequently, Rutgers historians must be content with the Second Royal Charter of 1770, quoted above and pictured at the left. The charters were only the final links in a long chain of events, however. This old, old college had its real beginning in the mind of one Theodore Frelinghuysen in 175 5. Following up unfruitful letters to the Classis of the Dutch Reformed Church in Amsterdam, the colonial promoter made the long sea voyage to the Netherlands to plead the case for his project. His death after the return voyage left the task in the hands of a vigorous young minister, Jacob I-lardenbergh, who, incidentally, married Frelinghuysen's widow. Constant efforts won their reward on November IO, 1766, when King George III of Eng- land granted the Hrst charter and the college was named Queen's in honor of the royal consort, Charlotte. The Sign of the Red Lion, a fine old colonial tavern situated at the corner of Albany and Neilson Streets, first housed the infant col- lege, and eighteen-year-old Frederick Frelinghuysen, nephew of old Theodore, was appropriately enough appointed 'the Hrst tutor. The 7

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