Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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Soiled by the hand of limr, a draft of John Rudolph’» chased it. Only the Lancaster Turn Pike, the Railroad estate as it appeared when the Augustinian Father pur- and Spring Mill Road are recognizable today. The Period Before the Civil War When the Civil War came to an end, America's unity and security were established. Much the same might be said for Villanova, despite belying appear- anccs. Under the greatest of handicaps, Villanova had fought the good fight against hardship and bigotry and had come out on top. It had already, wc might say, definitely outlived the liabilities of institutional infancy and had amply fulfilled the fond hopes and wishes of its founding fathers. It was Father Patrick E. Moriarty, O.S.A., Com- missary General of the Augustinian Order in the United States, who, on October 31, 1841, purchased the college property (known till then as the Belle Air Estate) from its owner, John Rudolph, for the sum of $18,000. When we realize that it was not until January 5, 1842, that the Augustinians in the United States were civilly incorporated under the title of The Brothers of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, wc can sec that Villanova is to be closely identified with Augustinian beginnings in this country. For almost fifty years before the purchase of the Villanova site, the Augustinians had been variously active in parochial and missionary work in and about Philadelphia. But it was in close con- nection with their founding of Villanova that they, as a body, began to make their influence felt as a contribution to the general life of America. St. Augustine's, the first Augustinian foundation in Phil- adelphia, was soon to yield to Villanova the title of “mother-house of the Order of St. Augustine in the United States. Upon purchase of the Rudolph estate, plans were immediately put into effect to open a college, to be known as Villanova. There were only five Augus- tinian priests in this country at the time, so one of the Fathers went to Italy to obtain new recruits. At the same time, a Prospectus was issued to announce the fact that the college was to be opened to interest students, and to solicit pecuniary aid. Fr. John Possidcus O'Dwycr returned from Italy with two Americans: Fr. Ashe, a priest, and Rev. Mr. William Harnett, a subdcacon. These three 20

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LATIN VULGATE: emoixTiT cmeamp with t.i HEBREW, CRF.EK. AND OTHER EDITIONS. IN DIVERS LANGt'AGESj THE ENGLISH COLLEGE AT DOW AY. ANNO ifo . purer »»»co»»i i«k »• THE CLEMENTINE EDITION Of THE SCRIPTURES «na iiMttnoiiu nniMtin THE PRINCIPAL DIFFICULTIES OF HOLY WRIT. MINUO AND SOLD »» CARET, STEWART, AND U. ILKC.U. The Rudolph family, the ancestors of Villanova’s for- mer owner, followed the old custom of recording important family events in their Bible. John Rudolph made Belle- Air his home from 1806 until his death in 1838. Before the establishments of a mission at Cobbs Creek in 1828, he used to drive to Philadelphia to Mass each Sunday. Below: This indenture, drawn up between John Rudolph and a near-by farmer named Blackston, stated the terms of employment of the latter’s daughter as a domestic servant in the Rudolph Household. [ HIS INDENTURE ,aa V d ' ■ »• . ds e s 5 eeds' ' y X. 4Sty . - KttS pul hrewtf. Irtl by Ihrw yrtKnu doth sofununJjynd «.! ■ tm (nf . J] mi taari. pul h rwU H v x, i . ' - ' ‘ 1 1... V € +.,| u kirafc .n. tr V. «ad mj«vry of 7%v7T.-. i=J. tkttOx rnirnr Ji »n tpfxcohcr, lu kiw iU •ft ✓ a a V . .V ’ . .,■ s u: fee a • iw snd farv . ted lo ibe fufl «ml sod uiaV C j| Ar c M+Jt A (frdr ?' «i I) : i«n Uk «. « «I spprmdtt k»f uid «iftr ux) iIiiru Ciitbfully XttU mf. i ' r «mi kerp. tbtir baful command ererjr where r »d.:j '«bey, the •N»a da TO .t»m»gr w ber uad niMer snd mmfTM, nor K( h M W done by ‘Stn. «tJm»' l»tiir. oi nork tberroF to her uad r.-. :• and m». m «. «Nr «lull net rreuc her uid inivi snd nmnu i good , rx« lead ibres visrrfally m any. fix KsS wx roman fomicsooo. ace contract matrimony «id» the smd iens, she tte0 nor pixy t conk, dice. or sop «lawful «• “- «hereby her mid ms.ter snd mutret msy h»« duw Jf »M her own good, nor i( gwd f ocVerv reUi Umcr from her laid asivr »nd mnnres. tlx dull nrnhet boy nor wll. »V sh.H nos sbwnt Uridf dsy no» rug bom her tmd ««ms, sr.1 mu m'i ttmu, mmbni ihew ksrt. Me rr r TA Vrt T„ ,Y1 „ s r.«hful spyrmac m«M u dur,ng uV uid Kns... AM) itaLid msivr rr«s dull use » utmom of i „ redraw to teach iM mix tamrucud. lbs u i spyernU. m Ox irsdr an.! «yawof were appointed as the first community at Villanova. On August 28, 1843, the feast of St. Augustine, Fr. O Dwyer as first president celebrated Mass in the parlor of the former mansion, now a Chapel dedi- catcd to the honor of St. Thomas of Villanova, an Augustinian Saint. Classes opened on September 18th. There were seven students the first day. A few days later three more were added. This mere handful was Villa' nova s modest beginning. To assist the three Augustinians on the faculty were a secular priest, Fr. Bonduel, and two laymen, Mr. E. Ansley and Mr. J. Dalton. The subjects taught were English, mathematics, history, Latin, Greek, and modern languages. Chapel, refectory, kitchen, classrooms, and study hall were on the first floor of the main building. The faculty had its rooms on the second floor, while the floor above was fur nished with dormitories for the students, but things ouribhed so well that in a short time new buildings a to be erected to house the incoming students. Yet this prosperity was short lived. In 1844 a wave of anti-Catholicism swept over Philadelphia which finally resulted in the burning of St. Augus- tine s and whose blasts were even felt at Villanova. The Augustinians lost so much during these riots that ,t required all their energies to survive. The college was able to open in 1845, but due to increas- ing difficulties it was forced to close the following February 20th. Plans to reopen were begun immediately. Large aims vvere collected in America and Europe; the lames of bigotry burned low, and things were begin- ning to take on a brighter aspect. The college,