The Newtown bee., 1894-06-15

Foote, who fresh from college and with his heart full of love for the work, en- tered upon his duties with all the enthu- siasm, energy and self devotion with which he was possessed, and which he exhibited in such remarkable degree through his ministerial life. He was ably assisted in both the male and fe- male departments, two of his assistants being his sisters, Misses Harriet and Mary Foote.
 One year later, a meeting held Octo- Der l, 1888 the trustees report as follows
 "It is gratifying to the trustees to be able to state that the rent of the Academy and lot adjacent for the year ending this day has been equal to per cent on the capital in- vested, a state ot facts, your committee ven ture to say, not anticipated by the most san quine friends ot the project Your committee, in justice to the principal ot the Academy, feel bound to remark that much of the sue cess indicated by the above facts has been effected by his skill, perseverance and de served popularity as an instructor; his zeal, not only tor his own pecuniary benefit, but with steady eye to the moral effects to be
  well conducted and energetic course ot in struction and discipline has prompted him to unremitting exertious,-the benefits thus re- | sulting we all appreciate and a continuance | of harmony in our councils, coupled with the like skill, perseverance, discipline and promptitude of action, will ensure to us the continuance of the like happy results. Our community had tor many years labored un- der peculiar disadvantages for the want of those facilities of education now offered by this institution, to obviate which the stock holders, with the that zeal and public spiri which the undertaking demanded, have | placed the ample means otinstruction within the reach of all our citizens. Here their sons and daughters may be taught in all the higher | branches of literature at compara lively | tritiing expense. But to perpetuate these ad- vantages requires constant, active and wig orous exertOn on the part of all connected with the institution. Having overcome all the obstacles which at first presented them selves to the undertaking; being out of debt, or possessing available funds sufficient to 1 liquidate all the demands against us; with a | surplus of $4S.77 to be appropriated as the [ stockholders may direct; with buildings all new and only requiring a trifiing expenditure to make them completely furnished, presents | a state Of prosperity in the financial concerns | which must be tlattering to the proprietors and will have a strong tendency to insure the | future success of the Academy. All of which l is respectfully submitted.
 D. V. B. Baldwin,, Trustees. l D. II. Belden,
 Charles Clark, Secretary. l NewtOwn, October 1, 1858.
 The year 1859 was prosperous one for the institution, made so by the uni versal popularity of the principal. The number of pupils increased to l50, a large number being from the Southern states, particularly Virginia. The three years time which MT Foote decided at the outset to devote to the school, had elapsed, at the expiration of the year, he resigned his connection with the Academy and entered upon the work of the ministery. At the close of the school, public exer- cises were held in the Town hall on the ground where the firm of R. H. Beers 65 Co.,, now do business. The hall was crowded with spectators and it was made an occasion of great interest. Frederick Sanford, Mrs George Beers and Mrs William Fairchild are among the few now living who took part in the exercises.
 In the spring of 1840, Rev Levi H. Corson succeeded as principal of the Academy. Besides teaching, he was also hired for the year to supply the pulpit of Trinity church. He employed the sister of the late principal, Miss
 Mary Foote, as his assistant and teacher of the female department, but continued the school only one year.
 MT Corson was succeeded by Rev Thomas T. Guion, graduate of Trinity college, Hartford. He also, though an excellent and devoted teacher, continued in charge but one year and was succeed ed in the spring of l842 by Charles W.
 Wooster, another TriniGy graduate. The school was not so large as in it's ear Her years, and, although it numbered as many as so different students and the principal and his assistants were every
 way worthy of support, yet at the close of the academic year, 1S43, he abandon ed the field.
 He was followed by Amos $. Treat, a
 Yale gradute. His preference was for school in order to devote himself to the practice of his profession, and rose to a prominent place as jurist.
 Elizur W. Keeler was next in charge. 1 If was a hoa rdinU ae wall ar dav cohooI then, many of the pupils coming from New York City and Brooklyn and board ing with the principal. MT Keeler taught several terms and maintained a
 we'll deserved popularity as an efficient teacher
 In the fall of 1852 after an interval ot about two years, during which the build.
 ing was closed, the trustees secured as . teacher, J. Homer French, who came
 from Clyde, N. Y. The reputation MI
 French brought with him for excellence both as a teacher and disciplinarian, was ! so well sustained that in very short
 time after the opening of the school it's
 seats were filled with pupils, most ot
 them from town. Before the close o1 the first year, the building was repaired
 and furnished with revolving chairs, in place of the old time benches, and mod. ern desks. In the spring he opened a , boarding house and, during the second
 year, had large number of pupils and ] boarders from out of town
 At the close of the spring term, April
 1854, there were in attendance 92 pupils. It was during his administration the pub.