Trenton Academy facts for kids
Trenton Academy was a private school in Trenton, New Jersey. It taught children from ages 4 to 16. The school was open for over 100 years, from 1781 to 1884. You can find the Trenton Public Library there today.
History of Trenton Academy
In 1781, important people in Trenton wanted to help education. They started a company to support a new school. This company was like a business where people bought shares. The people who owned shares chose a group of leaders called trustees every year.
By 1785, the school officially became the "Trustees of Trenton Academy." After 1789, students who finished their studies received a special certificate. To get this, they had to be good at English grammar. They also needed to know at least two subjects like Algebra or Math.
Other subjects included Geography, History, and Logic. Students also learned about how people think and act. They read famous books in Latin, like Caesar's Commentaries. They also read books in Greek, such as the New Testament or Homer.
In the late 1790s, the Academy held a lottery to raise money. This helped them get funds for the school. In 1800, they rented part of a church's land. They used this space to open a school for girls.
In 1807, the school leaders made a rule. Students were not allowed to shoot guns on school grounds. In the winter of 1815-1816, the Academy helped the Methodist church. They let the church use the building for one of the first Sunday schools in the country.
The school was very successful for many years. Many important people and leaders from Trenton went to this school. In 1847, a new building was built for the Academy. The school also lowered the cost of tuition.
By 1870, George R. Grosvenor was the principal. The trustees at that time included Thomas J. Stryker and Gregory Anthony Perdicaris. In 1881, the school had nineteen students. After 103 years, around 1884, Trenton Academy closed its doors. The Trenton Public Library now stands where the school once was.
Notable Alumni
Many well-known people attended Trenton Academy. Here are some of them:
- William L. Dayton
- William Lewis Dayton Jr.
- Ion Hanford Perdicaris
- Samuel R. Gummere
- William S. Gummere
- John Storey Chambers
- Joseph L. Naar
- Washington Roebling
- J. Hart Brewer
- Charles Skelton
- Daniel Bailey Ryall
- Gershom Mott
- William E Hoy
- James Hoy Jr.
