Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-24

to have been the most regular in con
ducting meetings at the Old Academy.
and Father Samuel Hance was one Of
their leaders. From these meetings
grew Branlywine Methodist Episcopal
Church, which was organized in the
school building on November 10Th, 1857,
when Charles MUore, George W. Sparks,
George Tally, Lewis Weldon, William
Todd, Garrett Megan. John H. Cause,
John S. Kennard and John S. Crossley
were elected trustees. The Rev. viii
liam G. Kennard of Ashury Church
was pastor In the following year the
congregation removed to it's new edifice
at Twenty second and Market streets.
When the Mormon agitation was
before the country in the 40's, some of
that sect desired to hold meetings in
the Old Academy and after some dis
cussion, were given the privilege As
a result OF their efforts, two Brandy
wine young men, Spencer Wiltbank
and Wesley Dyer, 30 the writer is in
formed. Joined them. Afterwards. the
Mormons made their headquarters at
the Hall of Science, which stood at
Seventh and Shipley streets, more re-
Gently the site of the Wonderland
Theatre. The sect used to have bap-
tisms in ths north race a stones throw
above Market street.
Another sect which held its propa-
ganda meetings in the Brandywine
Academy was that of the Milleritea.
According to their belief then the
world was to come to an end in
| lS43. Their meetings attracted specta-
| tors, but did not win many converts,
and when ths world failed to end at
the time specified, the Milerites went
away.
Beyond it's use for educational and
religious purposes, the old building
has had a miscellaneous experience
From about 1854 until within few
years, it was polling place at elections
| and many warm dispute has arisen
within the shadow OF its walls. For
years, say from 1882 to 1892, 1t was the
headquarters of the Edward l.. Martin
Democratic Club. A dispute arising
as to the clubs right to the building,
the organization was finally forcBd tc
seek other quarters. At one time ar
eccentric individual made his home in
the building; at another, temperance
society met there. In recent years il
has been the scene of church entertain
ments.
Although at one time the question
was raised as 10 whether the build
ing could be used for other than schoo
purposes, the title still remains in th,
Mayur and Council, and the building
is under the control OF the public build
ings committee of City Council. l
was last used as public school abou
1870, when Miss Addie Ufmy, now Mrs
Eli Mendinhall, and Miss Anna NJ
Downing, now Mrs. William Harper
were the teachers. Mrs. Mendinhal
recalls fail she had as a result OF th,
breaking of the bellrope while she wa
ringing the schoOl bell. For shor
time the Board of Education had
night school there. and the building i
now used for kindergarten of which
Miss Clara CLARK is tbs teacher.
So much for the history OF the Brandy
wine Academy whore many of our sine
prominent citizens obtained thei
only schooling. One would scareei.
call il a handsome structure; it j
rather plain than handsome. But
strongly built of native stone, with tn
historic associations of its varied par
in the political, religious and educa
tional life of the community, it stand
to day monument to the sturdy, far
sighted and public spirited characte
of it's founders
At this conclusion of the paper vot
of thanks was rendered to Mr.. Palmer
on motion of Judge GruOh.