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Give me an educationThe rules of Wesleyan University were very clear. "The College bills are payable at the close of the term, and must be regularly paid, or satisfactorily secured for each preceding term, before the student can be admitted to the instruction of the following term." The realization that he would not be able to complete his college courses and graduate with his class must have been a devastating blow to James Griffing. But there was just no doubt about it...he was deeply in debt and couldn't afford to pay for the recently completed term. With too much pride to go to the University Board and seek special dispensation, he resolved to leave the University and teach school until he could raise the needed capital for his senior year. And
so in the fall of 1849, instead of joining his chum George Stillman in Room 54
of the College Dormitory, James traveled home to Owego by way of the newly
completed New York and Erie Railroad. For
nearly three months, James visited with his family and became reacquainted with
his childhood friends. Ironically,
James was probably staying at his mother's when one of the biggest catastrophes
ever to hit Owego occurred. On
September 27, 1849, over 100 buildings in downtown Owego were destroyed in a
fire. Whether James and his
neighbors from Tioga were called to help fight the blaze or not is unknown as
neither he or his relatives ever wrote about the incident. In
the hope of securing a teacher's position at the Wyoming Seminary in Kingston,
Pennsylvania, James traveled in company with his sister Permelia to New Troy
where their sister Clarissa and her husband, Rev. Charles W. Giddings, were
stationed. Unfortunately he arrived just as the vacancy in their teaching staff
was being filled, so he made his way back up the Susquehanna River to Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania,
where he had been previously invited to open a select school. The
once sleepy little county seat,
twenty miles northwest of Wilkes-Barre,
was experiencing rapid growth due to the
recent resumption of work on the North Branch Canal. Soon
its diminutive population would swell to over 10,000
inhabitants as the canal laborers took up quarters. And with them
would come their highly illiterate children. Could anyone succeed in teaching these miscreant juveniles? James was determined to try. On
November 7, 1849, he walked into the local newspaper office in Tunkhannock and
asked the publisher to squeeze the following notice into the paper. Select School The subscriber would respectfully inform the people of this place & vicinity that he intends to open a select school on Monday, November 12, [1849] in the room formerly occupied by Mr. C. P. Miller. [1] Having had considerable experience in teaching, he hopes to be able to give satisfaction to all those who may favor him with their patronage. Terms per quarter -- Spelling.
Reading. Writing. Arithmetic and Introductory Geography... $1.50 For References: A couple of days later, James sat down to write his beloved Augusta a letter: Tunkhannock,
Pennsylvania Dearest Friend Augusta, Having just taken possession of my studio, I seat myself to pen the first lines to one who ought to be among the first claimants. I was sorry that I could not have a longer visit with yourself personally whilst on my visit home as there are a good many things I should have been glad to talk about, but circumstances seemed to be unfavorable. When another opportunity shall offer itself, I know not. Consequently, I shall be obliged to use the only alternative -- viz, the pen. I have been wondering what your mother would think of my neglect to call there and what construction others would place upon the same neglect. I certainly hope they will attribute it to no bad motive for truly had I time, no engagement would afford me greater pleasure than a good long visit among old acquaintance and friends. And I felt that after so long an absence from my good old mother as if I ought to spend as much time with her as possible. Home, I think, never before seemed so near to me, and a mother’s tender care and oft-repeated acts of regard were never before so fully realized. Never, no never, can I ever expect to repay my great indebtedness to her, or ever furnish an equivalent for but few of the innumerable kindnesses so oft repeated toward me. With slight exceptions, my last visit home was by far the most pleasant of my whole life and since that time, everything has moved along just in the most suitable and agreeable manner possible. Sister [Permelia] and myself were detained one day in town, which furnished me with the opportunity to call upon many old friends. We were considerably interested in passing over the Pennsylvania hills, as it was all new ground to us. Passed on our way Mt. Vernon [Pennsylvania]. Did not see the tomb of [George] Washington anywhere nor his residence. Asked an old woman where the mountain was. She answered, “On the top of the next hill.” But I guess it heard of our coming and stepped aside for I saw nothing of it. [2] Tarried for the night at [Leonard] Searle's Hotel [in] Montrose [Pennsylvania]. [3] Came across Miss Martha Totten there who is employed as a teacher in their family. Called in the evening at a friend of hers whose friends reside in Westchester, Connecticut where I taught [select school] last winter. So [you see] that the time passed very agreeably. Next morning our company in the stage was a Methodist minister who was on his way to [see] Brother [Charles W.] Giddings on a visit from the Northern part of the [Wyoming] Conference. He was a lively fellow – great talker – and added much to the pleasure of our journey. We arrived at New Troy [Pennsylvania] in the evening [and] took them entirely by surprise as they did not know of my coming home.
The next day
we visited [the
Wyoming Massacre] Battle
Monument erected in commemoration of the slaughter of about 300
We also visited Kingston Seminary, which is truly in a very flourishing condition. The Principal, Rev. Mr. [Reuben] Nelson, [4] I think to be one of the very best of men. They had just been filling the vacancy among their teachers so that I missed the position I hoped to secure. And as there had been a teacher of painting and landscape drawing in that vicinity, I concluded to come to this place and try my luck in a select school as I had been solicited to do so. I am not certain what luck I may have although the prospects seem to be somewhat flattering. Arrived here just in time to crowd a notice in one of the weekly papers and expect to commence operations next week. There are no gentlemen schools in the place and no public schools. There are two ladies select schools, one of which is taught by Miss Payson [that] is well patronized. Tunkhannock [Pennsylvania] is the County Seat of Wyoming County, is about one-third as large as Owego [New York] was, is completely hemmed in on all sides by high hills, and is inhabited principally by active, energetic men. There are a great many strangers in town today come to take contracts on the North Branch Canal, which are let out at this place on Monday next. This canal extends nearly through Pennsylvania and is to intersect the New York & Erie Railroad. The society of young people is not very large, yet the Methodist minister informs me that there are some choice fellows here. Religion as in many places is at rather a low ebb, yet I am glad to learn that there are a few who are earnestly trying to make their lives serviceable in the cause of Christ. And you know it only needs the will to make the humblest instrument truly efficient in arresting the torrent of vice, and substituting in its place virtue & happiness. Never in my life did I ever have a more intense desire to live to purpose. It does seem upon a review of the past as if my life had been almost a blank as far as anything good is concerned. Pleasures of sense, short-lived in themselves, and which can afford no permanent enjoyment have been allowed too great a sway in controlling my actions, whilst the welfare and happiness of others and also of myself have been almost entirely overlooked. Hereafter I hope to have every energy more constantly directed towards accomplishing something useful. Have just been out on a walk with the minister, Rev. Mr. [Henry] Brownscomb. He appears to be an excellent man [of 33 years -- a native of England -- and] a zealous devoted Christian. Tonight I expect Br. [William] Reddy in town on his way to quarterly meeting. Hope I may see him. I suppose by this time you have finished your visit at Newfield [New York]. How did you leave the folks, and when? Have you determined where you will stop through the winter? I hope it may be in some pleasant place. Sister Permelia purposes to attend school in New Troy [Pennsylvania] this winter. They have a very flourishing academy there and I almost received a promise from her to go to the Mount Holyoke Seminary next fall. And I believe she would, could she have company. Now friend Augusta, what would you say to accompanying her? It is the place where Miss Woodbridge graduated [and is] one of the best female seminaries in the country. And you know it is managed so that a young lady almost pays her own way. I think certainly within about $60 a year, which you know is but a trifle when thrown in the balance against an education. I am extremely anxious that sister [Permelia] should go through with a course of study. I am confident that it will greatly enlarge her opportunities for enjoyment, enhance in her estimation the claims of God upon her powers, and much more extensively widen her sphere of influence and usefulness. And I should truly be glad if you could make arrangements to finish your course of study, for I believe after all that next to a good disposition, there is nothing which is better calculated to sweeten all the associations of domestic life than a good education; nothing which will better qualify us to fill the sphere God designed we should occupy than this; nothing better calculated to elevate all our desires far above the pleasures of sense and place them more earnestly upon our present and future interests; nothing which causes all the powers of the soul to approximate nearer to the character of the Being who gave it; nothing which will prove a source of greater satisfaction and happiness in life and afford more ample consolation in time’s trying hour than this. I mean not an intellectual education merely, but would also include moral and physical. These combined develop all the powers and afford these rich and desirable results. For my own part, at best, I know I shall accomplish but little in endeavoring to qualify myself to answer life’s great end, yet I hope ever to be in possession of a spirit, cheerfully and willingly to do whatever may seem to be [my] duty and I look forward with a great degree of interest to the time when with the person of my choice, I shall be enjoying all the pleasures of the domestic circle. I am anxious to have it one of the happiest circles on earth and to contribute to this, feel willing to make almost any sacrifice and forgo a thousand promises of pleasure and I am confident that these are about the feelings that actuate your own bosom. I should be right glad, friend A, if you would suggest anything to me that in your opinion would tend to enhance the enjoyment of our future years. Frankly and freely and with the most implicit confidence may you ever unbosom any of the feelings of your mind, confident in the assurance that the one who professes to love you will ever prove your warmest and most faithful friend, and will never betray a single confidential feeling expressed to him. I neglected to ask you whether your parents were made acquainted with my proposals to you and, if so, what were their feelings upon the subject for I should dislike much to take a step that would tend in the least to create dissatisfaction or embitter the cup of life’s future enjoyment. Please mention when you write. I wish, friend A, you would open a correspondence with [my] sister Permelia. I think you will find her an agreeable correspondent and I am sure it will do her good to write. Her address is Wyoming P.O., Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Have you yet heard from Hancie [Abbey]? Please remember me to her when you write. Now do not fail to write me the earliest opportunity. I don’t care how long a letter. Give all the news and believe that I shall ever remain affectionately yours, -- James By
December, 1849, the Union was facing a major crisis. The South was moving toward secession, and the North, shouting for the
Wilmot Proviso and denouncing the evils of slavery, was fomenting the rising
tide of Southern passion. Sectional
rivalry had been violently accentuated by the outcome of the Mexican War. With the newly purchased territories of California and New Mexico came
the question that most congressmen had feared would finally rip the Union
asunder. Should slavery be allowed
to extend into the new territories? The
newspapers in Tunkhannock and every other small town in America carried front
page news each week with flaming editorials and news from Washington on the
controversies over the rendition of fugitive slaves, over the selling of slaves
in the District of Columbia, and the Wilmot Proviso. Amidst
the flurry of these national events, James sat down to write good friend Augusta
a letter, who was just starting to teach a Select School of her own in Newfield,
New York: Tunkhannock,
Pennsylvania Beloved Augusta, The people having all left the house, I find myself at this hour after the labors of the day seated to converse with my old friend A. Tuesday evening at my boarding house has been appointed an hour of prayer when a few devoted ones meet together to engage in that occupation so becoming such dependent creatures as ourselves. It has been an uncommonly solemn time this evening. An all wise Providence in this place has lately removed from a large circle of endeared friends a fond Mother. Today her earthly remains were consigned to the narrow house to await the voice of the resurrection morn. Tonight her afflicted husband has been in our meeting unburthening all his soul before God. Oh when the nearest earthly ties are severed! When a young Father with six lovely children are bereft of one towards whom affection seemed as strong as life itself. When a whole flood of bitter supplication does not furnish the least relief or tend to heal the wound occasioned by such an affliction. When earthly friends try in vain to console the heart so overflowing with grief, how very appropriate to unbosom all to that Being who alone is perfectly able to satisfy every want and pour consolation into every bereaved soul. Yet Oh! how very many will not allow health and prosperity to witness in them Christian activity and zeal (the very best time in life to do good) but wait until they are reminded of their cruel neglect by the hand of affliction. This had been the case with the Father this evening and then to hear the bitter lamentations over his past course of life and occasionally allude to his great bereavement was truly affecting and solemn. I think it has truly been a profitable lesson to me and I hope will lead me to improve the present, which is the only time granted unto us, far better than I have hitherto done. I was right glad to receive your letter and to hear of your pleasant location. I am confident that you will find it much more pleasant there than where you had the other application. Whether upon the whole it will prove more profitable I am unable to say; this however will depend entirely upon yourself. I received a letter last Friday from [my sister] Permelia. She does not speak of the academy there in very flattering terms. Says the regulations are miserable and the scholars very backward. Thinks she will not attend only this term, after which she contemplates starting a select school in the village on her own hook. She asks my advice upon the subject. I hardly know what to tell her as I would a thousand times rather she would attend school, providing she can attend a good one. But I have always thought that a poor [school] was worse than none and believe I shall recommend teaching for the present. She did not say the first word about Mt. Holyoke, [5] yet I do hope her zeal has not in the least abated. I was right glad to hear the probabilities in your case, and also that you were to be favored with the society of your cousin R. That's just right! I am confident that you will never be more satisfied with any step in the course of your whole lives. Were I to have my choice between a good education and an heirship to John Jacob Astor's Estate, I would say at once, give me an education. The expense, to be sure, will be something to your parents, yet what is that in comparison to the benefits derived not worth mentioning. Money by parents cannot be more justly and properly appropriated -- that is, if you rightly appreciate and improve your privileges. I have been making some inquiries about the school and have learned that the applicants for admission were so numerous that it was necessary to make an early application in order to secure an entrance. I have a catalogue of the school at Mount Holyoke at Middletown which I think gives all necessary information. You can easily secure one by sending a letter to the principal or almost any of your friends who have attended there of late. Now friend A., don't for nothing abandon the idea of completing a course of study somewhere.
You inquire how I am pleased
with my [select] school. I think I should like it better if it were not so large. I have
now seventy on the record and am obliged to secure the services of one of my
scholars as an assistant who pays her tuition in this way. To look in upon us,
you would not think we presented much the appearance of a select Have just finished reading the life of Hannah More [8] and was highly entertained and could but wish that I was in possession of her spirit. Have commenced reading Rollin's Ancient History and like it much thus far. In the meanwhile, have endeavored to devote some attention to my course of study at Middletown. These long winter evenings furnish much time for reading and study which I think far better than to occupy all my leisure visiting. However, I must call and see Miss Payson occasionally, and last Saturday afternoon had a very pleasant visit at the Presbyterian ministers -- Rev. Mr. [Cornelius Rutser] Lane -- who I think will eventually become her husband. I have been looking every day for a letter from home but thus far it has been in vain. Have not heard from a single correspondent in that vicinity since I left. Was right glad last week to receive a letter from chum [George Stillman]. He purposes to remain in Middletown this winter without going out to teach. How I do wish I might be with him where I can have free access to our Society libraries there. I hear there is considerable disturbance in the Presbyterian church at Owego occasioned by the return of Mr. [Samuel C.] Wilcox who intends to preach for the abolition part of the church, wherever they will secure a place. This I think will cause a division in the church and result in the erection of a new house for worship. [9] I should think it would make Mr. Hays feel very unpleasant. Did I tell you in my last that I had received a letter from [my] brother Daniel which informed me that he had just buried an infant son, John Jacob Griffing? That good Being only allowing it for a brief time to open its eyes upon this wretched earth, then bore it away to that more congenial clime where it shall be forever free from all earth's sorrows and cares. How much I wish to see him & his. You spoke of making a visit out home during the holidays. How I do wish it was so that I could meet you there at that time, but it happens almost in the centre of my term so that I can not leave my school very well. Besides, I wish to have every day count. It seems like a great while before I shall be permitted to see you again. I should like much to enjoy a good long visit. Yet when shall I? It will be necessary for me to go as direct as possible to Middletown when I finish here, which I think may not be until the first of May. Brother Daniel desires that I should come by way of Baltimore which will be about as cheap as any way, but I think it quite doubtful about going that way. Has R. commenced attending school yet? How are you pleased with the business [of teaching in Newfield, New York]? [10] Have you any studying any of the higher branches? At what are the Cox girls engaged? Have you ever called at Dr. Estabrooks? He used to be a schoolmate of mine. I think he married Francis Catlin's cousin. He used to be a fine fellow. Dear friend A, don't fail to write soon. Tell me all about the folks and about yourself. And feel no reserve in unbosoming any cares or troubles that may occupy your mind. I shall ever hope you find in me a person who would be the least to betray any confidants. You may ever repose in me. I am very sorry that distance forces us to employ this cold method of conversation which I hope may not long be the case. I hope you will be perfectly free to advise me in anything which you may deem for my good. Please pardon any defects you may observe in this scroll, remembering that most of it was written after most of people were locked in the embrace of Morpheus. [11] Believe me ever your most faithful, -- J. S. Griffing P.S.
I expect this will reach you just in time to wish you a Merry Christmas. I
neglected to ask you whether you had taken any horseback rides of late. I should
be glad if the next time you rode out you would come by way of Tunkhannock. I
think I may safely look for you. [1] C. P. Miller, first President of Wyoming National Bank. Born in Cayuga Co., N.Y. in 1819. Formerly a merchant. He married Celestia Karrick, of Candor, Tioga County, N.Y. [2] James is trying to be humorous, knowing full well that Washington's tomb and residence is in Virginia, not Pennsylvania. [3] James Griffing and his sister Permelia stayed at the Inn in Montrose, PA run by Leonard Searle (1808-1880) and his wife, the former Lydia Dimock (1811-1880). According to the History of Susquehanna County by Emily C. Blackman, Searle's hotel was consumed in a fire on 26 February 1870. Living in the Inn at the time of James' visit were Lydia's parents, 73 year-old Elder Davis Dimock and 68 year-old Betsy. Born in Rocky Hill, CT, Elder Dimock came to Susquehanna County, PA in the early 1800's and organized the Bridgewater Baptist Church in 1808. He remained affiliated with that church until his health failed in 1847 when he resigned. He is credited with organizing Baptist churches in Auburn, Rush, Middletown, Choconut, Great Bend, Harford, New Milford, Jackson, Gibson, Dimock, and possibly elsewhere. Since he did not mention it in his letter, it is doubtful that James realized that Elder Dimock, a Baptist, and his father, Rev. John Griffing, a Methodist itinerant who served on the Bridgewater Circuit in 1820-1821, aggressively competed with each other in recruiting converts to their respective churches. According to Rev. George Peck, the Methodist itinerant who served the Bridgewater Circuit in the preceding year, "Elder Davis Dimack [Dimock] was firmly entrenched in his stronghold at Montrose, and from that point spread himself as widely as possible in all directions; and wherever he came he was tolerably sure to strike a blow at Methodism. We heard him preach on a week day in Springville, and were chagrined to hear him fall upon 'the Methodists' in a style of misrepresentation and abuse....He had any amount of confidence, but was most lamentably ignorant." Source: History of the Wyoming Conference, A. F. Chafee, 1904, p.52. [4] “Rev. Reuben Nelson… was the founder and for thirty years the principal of the Wyoming Seminary of Kinston, an eminent divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church; also general agent and senior publisher of the Methodist Book Concern, of New York. He was born at Andes, Delaware Co., N.Y., December 13, 1818. At the age of fifteen he joined the church, and from that moment his whole life was devoted to the interests of his beloved church… When barely seventeen years old he was licensed as exhorter, and commenced to hold prayer meetings and give exhortations. Such were his efforts here, that the next year he was licensed to preach the Gospel. Rarely has one so young been thus commissioned, but this youth was crowned with the type of soul and energy, love of his fellow man and devotion to holy duty, that his selection was eminently wise and proper. He traveled and labored, faced the storms, the cold and heat, and trusted God, and was ever improving each passing moment in advancing his education; he had to make personal amends for the want of early opportunities in the schoolroom. This self-made man, and self-educated, became a great educator, and founded a high order of institution of learning… At the age of twenty-two (1840), he accepted the chair of acting principal of the Otsego Academy, Cooperstown, New York. In August of the same year he was admitted on trial into the Oneida Annual Conference, and appointed the third minister in charge of the Otsego Circuit. In 1841 he was appointed third preacher on the Westford Circuit. These clerical duties were fully performed without interfering with his work as principal of the academy. In 1842 he was admitted to full membership in the Conference, and he was ordained of the order of deacon at the same time he was made principal of the Otsego Academy. A painful and partial paralysis of the vocal organs soon after compelled him to resign, as he could not speak loud; the affliction existed and grew until 1843, when his name was placed by the Conference in the list of superannuated preachers, and for a period his clerical labors ceased. He could not remain idle, so part of the time he taught Latin and Greek, preparing young men for college, communicating in whispers. In 1844 the Oneida Conference founded at Kingston, Pa., the Wyoming Seminary, and Dr. Reuben Nelson was made principal. Here he found congenial work, and for twenty-eight years it went on unremittingly. No educational institution was ever conducted to better success, and he made it the chief center of education in the famed Wyoming Valley…” Source: History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, H. C. Bradsby, 1893. [5] Mount Holyoke Seminary. One of
the first and most prestigious women's colleges in the United States. It was one of the few schools available to girls in 1849 where
mathematics and philosophy were in the curriculum. [6] The "Dutchman six inches out of his pantaloons" may well have been a 15-year old German born bricklayer named Shockenson who appears in the 1850 US Census under the name "Shockensay." He lived in a household with two older men, also bricklayers, by the name of John Carrey and John Code of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. Go to Select School Ledger. [7] A couple of months prior to James' arrival in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, the Wyoming County Bible Society held its annual meeting at the M. E. Church in Tunkhannock. During that meeting, a report was made on the efforts to distribute bibles to the citizens of the county, whereupon commentary was entered into the public record regarding the general lack of education and religion. It was reported that, "in Wyoming county was discovered a settlement of eight families, of whom seven were destitute of the Scriptures. Here were found persons who had been married twenty years and never had a Bible -- ignorant of their own age and their children's. Such communities are vicious of course; in fact, Rum abounds. Many could not read, yet being unable to throw off their social nature, they are compelled in the absence of innocent, rational and improving means of social intercourse to resort to cards, as best suited to persons of their capacity and intelligence, in order to waste the time redeemed from labor and intended for improvement." -- Wyoming County Whig, September 12, 1849. [8] Hannah More. One of several
lady 18th Century British authors who extolled Victorian moral virtues. [9] In April 1846, the Rev. Samuel C. Wilcox resigned from the Presbyterian Church in Owego due to a conflict with the elders over the issue of slavery. According to Solomon W. Gladden, it stemmed from his asking the congregation to pray for "our brethren in bonds." In April 1849, Rev. Wilcox was urged to return to Owego from his station in Massachusetts by a splinter faction of the Presbyterian church sympathetic to the anti-slavery cause. In returning to Owego, Rev. Wilcox organized a Congregational Church instead. The following obituary was lifted from an unknown Massachusetts newspaper following Rev. Wilcox's passing in 1854: THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1854 Another Watchman has fallen on the walls of Zion. The Rev. Samuel Carlos Wilcox, of Owego, NY, on Sabbath, March 26th, departed to his heavenly rest. He was born in Sandisfield, MA in 1808. As he was the eldest of a large family of children, his mother being a widow, much of the responsibility of the family devolved upon him. He wanted to become a minister; apparently there was no way by which his cherished wish could be realized without much sacrifice. His mother made it a subject of special fasting and prayer for a week, and at the close of the same said, "So, my son, it can be done; we must practice more self-denial. God will take care of us." Immediately he entered Lexon Academy, to prepare for College; then entered Williams College, and graduated with honor in the class of 1835. On leaving college, he spent some time in teaching. He studied theology at Auburn. He preached some months after being licensed, in Berkshire, NY, from which place he was called to succeed Rev. Charles White, D.D., as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Owego, who was invited to the Presidency of Wabash College. Here he continued for four years, a faithful and laborious minister. Afterwards he was settled over the Congregational Church of Williamsburg, MA, where he continued several years. Some of his former church at Owego, feeling that the cause of Christ would be advanced by the organization of a new church, called him to be their pastor. He devoted his time and energies for the good of this new enterprise. His health failed him in the spring of 1853, during a revival of religion; and the summer following, he resigned his charge, and established a school for boys, one and a half miles from Owego village. But he gradually declined in health, so that this his cherished object was not fully realized. He was confined to bed only two days. [10] Augusta Goodrich was teaching a Select School in Newfield, New York during the winter of 1849-50. [11] Morpheus. The Greek God of
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