The history (Written in 1844) of Judson College – the fifth-oldest women’s college in the United States

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THE HISTORY OF MARION SKETCHES OF LIFE

in Perry County, Alabama

By S. A. Townes

“Vive La Bagatelle.”

MARION, ALABAMA

Printed by Dennis Dykom

1844

Preface and

Appendix continued

THE JUDSON FEMALE INSTITUTE

To the reputation our town has acquired, as a seat of learning, the Judson Institute has certainly contributed no inferior share. Though not, in regard to time, the eldest of our Seminaries, let in point of numbers, facility for instruction, fame, and moral and intellectual power and influence, it holds no subordinate rank.

THE FOUNDERS.

A large number of the citizens of Marion and of Perry County, united in establishing this Seminary, but the following named individuals must be regarded as the most conspicuous among its Founders: Edwin D. King, the brothers James L. and Langston , L. Y. Tarrant, and his sisters, Mrs. J. A. Barren and M. C. Griffin—H. C. Lea,  G. W. Brame, J. Lockhart, W. E. Blassengame, and J. B. Nave.

WHEN OPENED.

The Institute was opened in ”January. 1839, under the care of the Rev. Professor M. P. Jewett A. M. & Lady. Additional Teachers were employed in the April following. The School commenced with fourteen scholars, but the first term of five months closed with forty-seven. The second term presented a catalogue of seventy-one; the third of seventy. From this time, the plan of having only the session of ten months during the year, was adopted. During the first scholastic year, there were present one hundred and eighteen pupils; second year, one hundred and forty-three; third, one hundred and thirteen; fourth, closing August 1, 1844, one-hundred and thirty. The whole number of different pupils who have been connected with the institution since its establishment in 1839, is about three hundred.

Judson -The First Jewett Hall burned in 1888 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

A Collection of PERRY COUNTY ALABAMA PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES & GENEALOGIES VOLUME II

SEMINARY EDIFICE

The school was commenced in a wooden building, since occupied by the Howard Institution, and recently destroyed by fire. The Trustees being determined to place the institution on a permanent basis, resolved to erect an edifice every way worthy of a noble design. Accordingly, a site was procured, elevated, commanding and beautiful, in the eastern part of the town, and in the winter of 1840, a splendid brick edifice was completed, crowned with cupola and spire, overlooking the town and adjacent country, and with the merry peals of its fine-toned bell daily waking the slumbering echoes, and summoning the fair daughters of Alabama to its classic halls.

Judson College, Marion, Alabama ca. 1900 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

The bricks employed in the construction of this edifice, are of the very best quality, made of a most excellent clay, thoroughly burnt, and promising unusual durability. The wall is commenced about nine feet below the surface of the earth, is there five feet in thickness, and is two feet thick, at the third story from the foundation. Constructed of such materials, in a manner so solid and substantial, it is not surprising that the building should be regarded with admiration, During the three years and a half which have elapsed since its completion, not a seam or a crack has appeared in any part of the walls The edifice presents a front of 108 feet in length, the main building being four stories high, including the basement, and the wings each three stories. The centre extends back sixty feet. The building contains rooms for the family of the Steward, Dining Hall, with store rooms, wash rooms, Trunk rooms, Parlor, Library, School Room, forty feet square, Study of the Principal, Drawing and Painting Room, room for the Primary Department, Recitation Rooms, Music Rooms, Teachers’ Rooms, Study Hall for boarders, extensive Dormitories, &c. &c. The whole edifice is well lighted and ventilated, enjoying at all seasons and at all hours of the day, the cooling breezes of a most salubrious atmosphere. It is also protected from the effects of electricity by an excellent lightning rod, well set up. The grounds around the Institute are extensive, and the lapse of a few years will render them very beautiful.

ACT OF INCORPORATION

The Trustees having now established the Judson on a firm and enduring basis, preceeded to obtain a charter from the legislature, to enable them the more successfully to carry out their plans. The Act of Incorporation was passed in the winter of 1841. It gives the Trustees full power to confer Diplomas on young ladies who honorably complete the prescribed course of studies, and grants to the Board ample privileges and immunities for the happy prosecution of their labors.

Under this Act of the Legislature, eighteen young ladies have already received the honors of the Institute.

Judson photograph of graduates of Judson College in Marion, Alabama ca. 1900 (ADAH)

TRANSFER TO THE ALABAMA BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION

In the autumn of 1842, a tender of the Institute to the Baptist State Convention was made by its principal proprietors— and at the next meeting of the Convention, in 1843, this transfer was formally completed. The object of this arrangement was to promote the objects of education at large, throughout Alabama, and particularly to concentrate upon the Institute the affections of the Baptist denomination. The liberality of the Founders in thus relinquishing their right to an exclusive control over the institution, was duly appreciated, and it is believed, the arrangements will be productive of great good to those for whose benefit it was particularly intended, and to the community at large, The value of the property thus placed under the guardianship of the Convention, is between twenty five and thirty thousand dollars. The actual cost of the buildings and grounds was about $22,500. Other property connected with the Institute, will raise this mount to more than $25,000.

FACILITIES FOR INSTRUCTION

It has been from the first, the determination of the Board of Trustees, to place the Judson Female Institute in the front rank, among the best institutions of the United States. In prosecuting their high aims, they have, in the first pace, prescribed a Court of Study, of the most liberal and elevated character. At the foundation of this course lie the common English branches, in which the instruction is thorough, practical, and extensive. In the Primary and Preparatory Departments, a firm foundation is laid for the superstructure, which is afterwards reared in the Junior Middle and Senior Classes. The studies in these classes conduct a young lady through an English and scientific course almost equal to that furnished to young men in our Colleges. A feature which is peculiar to this institution, or at least found in no other in this State, is this: a knowledge of one of the Ancient or Modern Languages, is an indispensable pre-requisite for obtaining a Diploma. An extensive, thorough, and admirable English education, may here be secured by every pupil, but the Honors of the Institute will be awarded only to those who have added to this an acquaintance with some other language than their vernacular. This is insisted on, because the study of a foreign language is an admirable means of mental discipline, a kind of discipline which can be acquired in no other way; and because the study of another tongue, the Latin or the French, for example, imparts to the student a more thorough knowledge of her own language; and, again, because the increasing intimacy between this country and others, renders an acquaintance with the French, Spanish or German highly desirable. The Trustees withhold a Diploma from the young lady to whom fortune or indolence forbids the mastery of the whole course of study, because they will not render the Honors they bestow worthless, by offering them on terms too low and easy. The graduates of the Judson must toil long and arduously, range through widely extended fields of literary and scientific research, climb rugged steeps, and scale giddy heights, before they can reach the temple of their Minerva.

Another point worthy of notice is, the number of Teachers constantly employed in the Institute. This has always been large, and in future, is to be larger than ever before. The faculty of Instruction and Government, next year, will consist of nine persons, two gentlemen and seven ladies. It is the intention of the Board to engage none but teachers of the highest literary, moral and social qualifications. Such can be obtained only by the payment of very high salaries, and these have been cheerfully given. The Professor of Music receives a salary of $1500 per annum, and the other teachers a compensation proportionally liberal.

Judson Carnegie Library at Judson College, Marion, Alabama ca. 1900 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

It is believed no Seminary in the country offers equal advantages in the Music Department. Where ladies only are employed, however accomplished they may be, the same thorough and scientific instruction cannot be given. This will be evident, if it be recollected, that all the Female Teachers of Music in our schools themselves, were taught by gentlemen. They never thought of becoming accomplished players, by taking lessons of ladies alone. Young ladies, then, who are pupils in the Judson, have all the advantages which the Teachers in other Seminaries have ever enjoyed.

In addition to a large, commodious, and splendid edifice, an elevated course of study, and a corps of experienced and skillful instructors, the Trustees have provided the institute with a Library of about 300 volumes, (besides the Library of the Principal, containing 400 volumes;) a cabinet of Minerals, Shells, Curosities, &c., consisting of several hundred specimens; a good Astronomical and Philosophical Apparatus; and a large collection of Maps, Charts, Plans and Atlases, ancient and modern.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY

The Institute derives its name from the talented, pious, devoted Mrs. Judson, whose heroic energy and overwhelming sufferings, on an errand of mercy to the perishing heathen, have embalmed her memory in the hearts of millions. It was planted in prayer, and has been watered with the tears of many Christian fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, who have invoked upon it the choicest blessings of Heaven. These fervent applications have not been in vain. Four revivals of religion have been enjoyed in the institution during the five years and a half of its existence, bringing into the fold of the great Shepherd, many tender lambs. All the members of the class that graduated in 1842, were hopefully pious; of the eight that received the Honors of the Institution in 1843, six were professors, and one among the graduates at the late Anniversary.

The religious exercises attended in the Institute are, morning and evening devotions, the worship of the Sanctuary on the Sabbath, the Sabbath School on Sabbath morning, and the Bible Class, on every Monday morning. In addition, the Principal spends one or two hours each Sabbath evening, with the Boarders, superintending their Biblical studies, or their religious reading, engaging with them in Sacred Music or in religious conversation, and similar exercises. In all the religious instruction communicated, sectarianism is carefully excluded, the duties of practical piety alone being urged. The large number of Methodist and Presbyterian pupils, always find their feeling sacredly respected, the sole desire of the Instructor being, to lead them to the Cross of Christ, not to proselyte them to a sect. It may be added, in this connection, that the majority of the Teachers have always been Presbyterians.

These notes respecting the Judson, might be greatly extended, but for additional information, the reader is respectfully referred to the catalogue for the year just closed.

SOURCE

The Alabama Historical Quarterly, Vol. 14, Nos. 03 & 04, 1952.

A Collection of PERRY COUNTY ALABAMA PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES, GENEALOGY REPORTS VOLUME I

This E-Book reveals the relationships between the TUBB, MAHAN, FORD, MCCAULEY, OAKES, WATTERS, EDWARDS, BENNETT, RADFORD, WHITE, WALLACE, OSBORN, MAYES and ABERCROMBIE. Notes and sources are included. Genealogy reports with all supporting evidence, wills, and deeds when available are included.

Many of these families’ descendants moved to Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas. Descendant surnames include: ABERCROMBIE, ALLEN, ANDERSON, APPERSON, ATCHISON, AUBREY, AYCOCK, BAILEY, BAIN, BARNES, BARNETT, BARTON, BATES, BEATY, BEECH, BEEMAN, BELL, BENNETT, BENSON, BIGGS, BILLINGSLEA, BILLINGSLEY, BILLINGSLIE, BLASSINGAME, BLEDSOE, BLEVINS, BLUFF, BOLLING, BOND, BOONE, BOUNDS, BOYD, BRADLEY, BRADSHAW, BRANDON, BRANTLEY, BRELAND, BROOME, BROWN, BRYAN, BUCKLEY, BURRIS, BURROUGHS, CAIN, CAPSHAW, CARDING, CARPENTER, CARR, CHANCELLOR, CHANDLER, CLAIBORN, COBB, COLE, COLEMAN, COLLINS, COMER, COOK, CORBIN, CORLEY, CORNELIUS, COSBY, COTTINGHAM, CRANE, CRAWFORD, CREEL, CROSS, CROTWELL, CROW, CULPEPPER, CUMMINGS, CUNNINGHAM, DANIELS, DAVIS, DAY, DECKER, DENTON, DERDEN, DIGBY, DONAGHEY, DONAGHUE, DOW, DRIVER, DUNCAN, DUNLAP, DUKE, EARLE, EASTMAN, EDWARDS, EILAND, ELLIOTT, ESPETH, FAIR, FALCON, FARRAR, FIKE, FINDLEY, FISHER, FLOYD, FOGARTY, FONDREN, FORD, FOSTER, FREELONG, FRINKS, FULLER, FULTON, GARNER, GARY, GIBBONS, GILL, GLAZE, GOGGINS, GOODWIN, GORDON, GOULDS, GOWEN, GRAHAM, GRAYSON, GREEN, GREGG, GRESSETT, GRIFFIN, GROSS, GULLEY, HACKWORTH, HALL, HAM, HAMBRIGHT, HAMBURG, HAMMOND, HANSON, HARBOUR, HARLAN, HARRIS, HARRISON, HARTLEY, HARVEY, HAYES, HEARD, HENLEY, HENRY, HENSON, HEATLEY, HENDRIX, HERRING, HICKS, HIGLEY, HOGUE, HOLBROOK, HOLLAND, HOLLIFIELD, HOPKINS, HOPPER, HOWARD, HUBBARD, HUBERT, HUDSON, HUFF, HUNTER, HUTTO, IVY, JACKSON, JACOBS, JAMES, JENKINS, JOHNSON, JOHNSTON, JONES, KELLY, KEMP, KENNON, KILGORE, KILLLINGSWORTH, KING, KOEN, KUYKENDALL, LANCASTER, LANHAM, LEACH, LEE, LEFTWICH, LESTER, LOCKETT, LONG, LOWERY, LUMPKIN, LUNDY, MABREY, MAHAN, MARTIN, MASON, MATTHEWS, MAYBERRY, MAYES, MAYFIELD, MAYS, MCCAMMON, MCCAULEY, MCLEOD, MCCULLOUGH, MCFADDEN, MCGOWEN, MCILVEEN, MCMAHON, MEDDERS, MEGGS, MEIGS, MELTON, MIDDLETON, MILLER, MILLOTT, MILLS, MIREE, MIXON, MOFFATT, MONROE, MOODY, MOORE, MORGAN, MORRIS, MORRISON, MORTON, MOSELEY, MURRAY, NALL, NALLEY, NEWMAN, NIX, NORMAN, NULL, OAKES, OAKS, OGLEE, OLIVER, ORENBAUM, OSBORN, OSBORNE, OSBOURN, OSBURN, OTT, PACE, PAGE, PALMORE, PARRISH, PATRICK, PERRY, PHILGREEN, PHILLIPS, PIPER, PITTS, PLUMMER, POLLY, POOLE, POTTS, POUNDS, POWERS, PRATT, PRICE, PUCKETT, RADFORD, RAGSDALE, RAILEY, RAMEY, RAWLS, READ, REDMAN, REED, RESTER, REYNOLDS, RICE, RICHARDSON, ROBINSON, ROGERS, ROLISON, ROSS, RUFF, RUTHERFORD, RUTLAND, SANDEFER, SANDERS, SANDERSON, SANFORD, SAWYER, SENST, SEYMOUR, SHEVERELL, SHIELDS, SIDERATOS, SMITH, SMITHERMAN, SNEAD, SPLAWN, SPROTT, STANLEY, STEVENS, STEWART, STONE, STOVALL, STURDIVANT, SULLIVAN, SUMMERLIN, SUTTLE, SWAIN, TABOR, TANNER, TATUM, TAYLOR, TEPPER,TERRY, THROWER, TIPTON, TUBB, TUBBS, TURNER, UNDERWOOD, VAN DYKE, VARNELL, WAKEMAN, WALDROP, WALKER, WALLACE, WALLS