The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-03-30
PRINCBTON'S FIRST head
Life and Work Of the Great
President and Preacher,
Jonathan Dickinson.

UOu0Lu0U DlChluSOus
Jonathan Dickinson, the first president
of Princeton College, was the second
child of Hezekiah and Abigail Dickinson
He was born April %, 1858. at Hatfield.
Mass, and was graduated at Yale Col
lege in 1905; entering that institution
probably in the first a of its existence.
Where he studied theology, and by
whom he was licensed to preach, is I'M
known. He came to East Jersey when
only twenty-one years of age, his at
tention having been called to the va
cancy in the Independent Church, Eliza
beth. by some of his wife's relatives.
His marriage to Joanna Melyen must
have taken place early in the spring of
100, shortly after his call to Elizabeth.
The ordination took place on September
29, 1903. He was thus placed in charge
Of a very important position. It was
upon what might almost be called the
outpost of civilization: there was no
church beyond this to the westward.
The field he occupied was a large one;
beside the main settlement it included
Woodruff's, Lyons. Connecticut and
Williams farms, and the struggling set
Elements beyond these.
1t was not long, however, before he
took high rank in his profession, such
was his industry and ability. His salary
during these years was the munfficent
sum of $50 supplemented by "House,
Glebe and perquisites of marriages"
His connection with the Presbyterian
Church probably dates from 1717, when
he joined the Presbytery Of Philadelphia,
at their meeting in Woodbridge, in Apri,
of that year. The church he represented
was formally connected with the Synod
chosen Moderator.
He did not neglect his duties as a citi-
zen and we find him casting his lot with
his townsman in defense OF their nome
staads as against the p~retensions OF the
East Jersey proprietors. Here he also
showed himself an Invaluable ~conseior
and organizer in defense Of popular
rights. I,
The period in which HI lived and
served the church was notable for the
prevalence of skepticism. 1t was fash
ionable to decry both inspiration and
revelation. The tendencies of the pulpit
were to latitudinarianism in doctrine
anu DIdCllC6, dli : y 1880
to beat back the waves of error by
preaching to his people in a learned, dis
eliminating and logical manner.
In 1916 he was again engaged IN a
controversy upon E~piscopacy, put IN
spite of all these exciting causes, he was
not in%attentive to the spiritual wants OF
his people. He preached and worked
most faithfully. Many of his sermons
were printed and had a Wild circula-
ton.
In 174o. with Pemberton of New York,
and Burr of Newark, he was the means
OF attracting attention to the religious
wants of the Indians. and Azaflah Hor-
ton of Connecticut Farms, was ordained
to this work through his influence. Two
years later, David Brainerd was also en-
gagged for this cause, and sent as a mis-
sionary to the Indians near New Lc-
banen, n. Y. In 17H Brainerd was or
ldained at Newark for a Mission at the
forks of the Delaware and found IN
Dickinson a devoted friend.
1t was about this time that events Sc
shaped themselves as to lead up 70 the
founding of the college. Mr.. Dickinson
had long felt the necessity of a collegiate
institute more accessible than Harvard
or Yale, for the colonies this side of New
England. The course pursued by the
authorities of Yale College, in denying
to his young friend, David Brainerd, his
degree, on account of a slight irregular
ity, and for whom he and Burr had both
interceded in vain, determined him to
establish, if possible, a college in New
Jersey.
Something had been lone already. by
the friends Of the Log College at Nesha-
miny. Pa. Mr.. Dickinson, it is credibly
reported, had for years taught q classical
school, or at least received young mefi
into his house, to fit them for the min
istry.
nod as early as 1879, to obtain aid from
Great Britain, for this object; Mr.. Dick
: inson being on the ommitte for this
purpose, 'Fbut the war breaking out"
with Spain prevented it. At length. APP
plication was made for "a charter to in
corporate sundry persons to found a
college,"
The application was successful, and it
was granted, under the great seal of the
Province, October %, 1746. Notice of
the event and Of the Intentions Of the
York ssWeekly Post Boy, No. III, dated
February 2, 1867, as follows:-
Whereas a charter with full and am-
Majesty, under the Seal of the province
of New Jersey, bearing date the 22d DC
tober, 1746, for erecting a College within
the aid Province, to Jonathan Dsekin-
and Aaron Burr, Ministers of the Gospel,
and some other Gentlemen as Trustees
of the said College, by which Charter
equal Liberties and Privileges are secar-
gu 10 tN6ly DS4iOiAAiAidtsSt " i1cs
any different religious Sentiments not
wfthstandtng.
..The said Trustees have, therefore,
Thought proper to inform the Public,
thai they design to open the said College
the next spring; and to notify to any
person or persons who are qualified by
preparatory Learning for Admission. that
some time in May next at latest they
may be there admitted to an academic
education"
notice is thus given:-
.sThis is to inform the Publick that the
Trustees Of the College of New Jersey
nave appointed the Reverend Mr.. Jona-
than Dickson PRESIDENT OF the said
tsCoiledge, wfich WIFI be opened the fourth
Week in May next, at Elizabethtown; Al
which Time and Place, all Persons sust.
aDiy qualified may be admitted to an
Academic Education"
AT the time specified the first term OF
sstne College of New Jersey was opened
at Mr.. Dickinson's house, on the south
side of the Old Railway road. directly
west of Race street. Caleb Smith, OF
B~rookhaven, Long Island, a graduate of
Yale College in t74S, and now in the
18th year of his age, was employed as
the first tutor. Enos Ayres. afterwards
q Presbyterian minister at Blooming
Grove, Grange county, N. " Benjamin
Chestnut, an Englishman. and suisse
<y1lent}y of RreSbVteTV of New RrunS-