Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-08-15
PouEtney.
RIPLEY FEMALE COLLEGE PROPERTY.

RIPLEY FEMALE COLLEGE PROPERTY.
1t is known to the people in this vicin-
ity that the Ripley Female College of
Poultney was established by the Troy
Conference of the Methodist denomina-
ton, about the year 1885, as the Troy
Conference Academy-that up to 1856
it was a very fourishing institution, so
far as patronage was concerned, yet was
embarrassed with a heavy debt, created
in the outset in erecting the building.
BY reason of this debt, whether wisely
or unwisely we do not say, the Confer
ence decided to dispose of the property,
and did convey it to Rev. Joshua Poor
in 1865. 1t then became a private en-
tcrprise. In 1868, the property was con-
veyed to Rev John Newman, D. d. who
thercupon changed it to an institution
for the education of young ladies, and
has since been known as the Ripley Fee
male College, in honor of w. Y. Ripley,
Esq, of Rutland. Dr. Newman realiz-
ing that there must be change of pro-
prietorship in a few years, on account of
his age and health, resolved to restore
the institution to its original owners, the
Troy Conference, and last winter made
to them proposition, which in sub
stance was, that he would convey the
property to trustees of the Conference
upon such terms as might be agreed up
on, or he would choose a man, the friends
Of the purchasers choose another, and
the two so chosen to choose another, and
the three fix the price Of the property,
which he would receive and convey the
property. This proposition came before
the last annual session of the Troy Con-
ference, at Saratoga Springs, and they
decided that they,as a body, could not ne
gotiate for the purchase of the property,
but if individuals, friends of the institu-
ton. would purchase it and present it to
the Conference clear of debt, they would
accept it, and the presiding elders Of the
several districts in the conference were
appointed a committee to receive over
lures.
In pursuance of that action a meeting
was called by the presiding elders and
friends at Joslin Hall. Poultncy, August
18th. The citizens of Poultney assembled
and a very respectable number Of clergy
men and laity of the denomination re-
siding within the limits of the Confer
ence. The meeting was organized by
the appointment of Rev. Samuel Mere
dith. pastor Uf Congress street church.
Troy, n. y, chairman Barnes Frisbic.
of Poultney, secretary. Hon. Merritt
Clark and Barnes Frisbic stated briefly
the action which tie citizens of Poult-
ney had taken in the premises, the sub
stance Of which was, that the citizens
had pledged the sum of ten thousand
dollars, with a proviso that the Confer
enCe purchase the college property and
re-establiSh a school.
4 committee Of appraisal was appoint
ed, in accordance with DR.. Newman's
proposition, consisting of John J. JOslin.
Merritt Clark. of Poultncy. and Julius
r. Pomegoy, Esq, of New York. This
committee after consultation appraised
the whole property. including building.
265 acres of land. furniture. library. ap-
paratus, etc, mt $4,000 The report
was accepted aud adopted The meeting
adopted the following resolution
Res0!ced, That a committee OF six lay
men, one from each district in the Con
ference, he added 10 the committee of
presiding elders, to devise WAYS and
means for raising $4,000 To purchase
the Ripley College property.
J. r. Pomeroy Of New York, at large;
L. r. Avery, of the Troy district J.W.
Osburne. of the Albany district; Hon.
Q. F. Thompson. of the Cambridge dis
trict Andrew Williams, of the Platts-
burgh district and William II. Poor. of
the Burlington district, were appointed
as that committee.
The town Of Poultnpy offers $40, 900
for the contamination of this enterprise.
Dr. Newman S5.00O-S2 900 he gives to
the town and $4,000 to the Conference
50 it viii be seen that the Conference
will have to raise the sum of S32, 900. 1t
now seems quite probable that the Troy
Conference Academy will be resuscitat-
ed, and the school re-estabishcd under
the patronage and control of the Metho-
dist denomination, which our citizens
very much desire. OBSERVER.