Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-07-30

The OLDEST COLLEGE GRADUATE IN THf
UNITED STATys.-The question as to the old
est living American graduate, writes the
Rev. Charles j. Warren in the O5serrer, is
not likely to be again agitated. Let Prince
ton have the honor, and long may the name
of Elbert Herring appear on her catalogue
without the asterisk prefxed. The agitation
of this matter has, however, awakened de-
sire to obtain correct list of all living
Alumni of American colleges who were
graduated prior to !S0l. Research and
correspondence justify he following record :
Ebert Herring, New Jrk. aged 80, Prince
ton, 1895; Horace Binney, Phladel phia
aged 954, Harvard, 1857; the Rev Thos
Williams, Providence, r l., aged 95 %,
Yale, 1900. Until recently the list contain
ed the name of Willard Hall, of Whining
ton, Del, aged "a, Harvard, 1893; but he
has Iassed beyond and above earth's labors,
joys and honors. Judge Herring, whose
name leads the above list, and whose life is
so nearly co-eval with our nations independ-
ence, is the Oldest living American graduate,
and probably the Oldest lawyer in the world.
lie studied law with that oracle of iurispru-
dence, Samuel Jones, father of the late JUS
tlNt VI NtiC Stllt wis 10 inc
bar when Oliver Ellsworth was Chief JUS
tice Of the United States, and was appointed
judge in early life, probably when George
Clinton was Governor of New York.
The high estimation in which he was then
held Is shown in the fact that he was select
ed to pronounce the funeral oratiOns on the
death Of Governor and Vice. President George
Clinton, and to perform the same service
on the death of Governor Dewitt Clinton.
with both Of whom he was intimately
acquainted. Before Judge Herring was
eight years old he was placed in the cele-
brated academy on Greenfield Hill. Conn,
and was three years under the special tute-
lage and instruction of Yale's great Presi-
dent, the Rev. DR.. Dwight. At fourteen he
entered Princeton College, and Is the only
scholar living who received the personal in
tluence of that eminent divine and statesman.
the Rev. Dr. Wither-poon Full fourseore
years he has now worn college honOrs-long-
er than any graduate known, except one.
llaryard's Triennial has this remarkable |
record "l74G, Elyardus Augustus Holyoke. |
Mr.. MD. LID, IA ct MINIS Praeses
'ls29.' Did any other man ever carry a /
college diploma eighty-three years?
Thursday, July :, was Judge Ierring'S /
birthday. \ large number Of /
personal friends and graduates from Princeton
and other colleges, clergymen, civilians.
etc, paid him their respects
at his residence. many Others
Gov Tilden and Lieut.-Gov Dorsheimer.
Charles O'Conor and ex-Chancellor o.
). IlalStead, of New jersey. Letters ofcon-
graduation were read from Mr. William
Cullen Bryant, the Rev. DR.. Z. W. Cham
Ders, the Rev Professor Cameron, of Prince
ton. Henry NJ. Alexander, ESQ. and Others.
Judge Herring entertained his friends
with diguihed ahd5ility, conyersel freely
lnd inteligently upon many past public
vents, and the eminent men, politicians.
tate>men and diyines. who We're his seniors
n active life, and excrted leading influence
q the State and Nation during the early
art Of this century. lie appeared to be in
'xcellent health, and, to visitor, seemed to
nave retained TO a remarkable degree his in
cllectual faculties, acquired knowledge.
memory and mental activity, only needing
lhy-ical yig1r to enable him to practice
gain at the bar, or preside on the bench As
u days Of yore. ~ the names OF his class
aatc- were read 90 him from tie catalogue.
lie remembered end related some event in
he history os ,oAe peculiar characteristic of
early every one.