Abner Jackson Journal 1858-1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:46:55 +0000

This photo was taken by J. G. Vail.

The End

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:52:56 +0000

The complete Journal of Abner Jackson, as we have it, is now available on the blog.

July 4th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:51:01 +0000

We had a few crackers fired off last evening over at College, but very little noise. Perfectly quiet to-day.

June 30th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:50:23 +0000

I cannot but think with solemn feeling that this is my last Sunday but one in Hobart College, where I have gone in and out with chief responsibility, for over ??? years… It is a day of solemn and sad thoughts – only one day more (one Sunday more) in that Chapel. After that, if I ever see it again, it will be only as a visitor! May God in His mercy forgive the sins of wandering thoughts, coldness and in devotion which I may have committed, and all others known or unknown, which I have committed in that holy place.

June 20th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:49:24 +0000

Hartford.

Bishop Williams and the Professors had requested the students to be in front of the College Chapel at five o’clock, when I was to be presented to them. We all went out from the Vestry and the Bishop presented me to the students in a very cordial speech. Prof. Brocklesby then spoke in like terms – commending me warmly to the students as one who was entirely worthy of their confidence – one who knew every rope of the ship – one who understood the whole structure of the College from turret to foundation. The students cheered heartily. When I ended speaking, they were presented to me individually by Prof. Brocklesby.

June 19th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:48:05 +0000

Go out in a boat to see the race between the Alpha Delta Phi boat, Meerschaum and the Sigma Phi boat, Ariel – a three-mile row. The Alpha Delta Phi’s beat by two minutes and one second – bad beat. The scene on the lake was very gay – a great many boats out filled with gentlemen and ladies. Mr. Bogart of Aurora, presented a flag to the victors, with a neat speech. The water was a little rough, which was against the Sigs – their boat lying low in the water.

June 16th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:45:52 +0000

Received assurances from the Trinity Professors, and some of the Alumni, of warm support in my plans for the College.

June 15th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:45:03 +0000

Strong expressions of regret and friendly appreciation from Dr. Schuyler.

I got Bishop Williams’ official notification of my election this morning. I got every vote on the first ballot. The feeling was strong, Bishop Williams said; no President had got so strong a vote since Bishop Williams’ own election in 1848. He wrote a most cordial private note, saying it was the fulfillment of the wish of his life. He asked me to meet him at Evening Prayers at Trinity College on Thursday, the 20th. inst. I telegraphed him I would do so.

I also wrote my official acceptance to take effect July 16th.

June 12th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:42:30 +0000

Board of Trustees met at four. After some preliminary business of routine, I asked Bishop Coxe to take the Chair and I explained at some length the considerations which had led me to offer my resignation – my long and intimate connection with Trinity College (twenty-four years in all, four as a student, over twenty as an officer) my relations to the Alumni and friends of the College, and hence a peculiar ability to serve it.

The secretary read my resignation. Dr. Shelton, after a long pause, began to speak of my Presidency as having united all voices in and out of College in its praise, so I thought it best to retire, and I took quite a long walk. When I came back, I found the Trustees were on the organization of the College.

They finally appointed a committee of seven, with power to choose a president, and to make any changes in the College deemed advisable. They were evidently bent on radical measures – to make the College a unit. They accepted my resignation very kindly, and said all sorts of good things of me (as I was told by Bishop Coxe) during my absence.

The committee of seven- Bishop Coxe, Doctors Shelton and Schuyler, James C. Smith, and Mr. Douglas (Dr. Dix and Mr. Swift belong to this Committee) met at the close of our meeting, and met again in my study in the evening.

June 9th, 1867

Linda Clark Benedict — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:39:45 +0000

Finish writing my resignation of the Presidency of Hobart College.