Guide to the Student Essay of Theodore Pierson 1830 MG 993
TABLE OF CONTENTSDescriptive Summary |
 1830 52 Park Place Newark, New Jersey 07102 Contact: NJHS Library (973) 596-8500 x249 library@jerseyhistory.org https://www.jerseyhistory.org © 2004 All rights reserved. The New Jersey Historical Society, Publisher Inventory prepared by Laura Ruttum as part of the “Farm to City” project funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Finding aid encoded by Danielle Kovacs. February 2004. Production of the EAD 2002 version of this finding aid was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Finding aid written in English. Biographical NoteTheodore Pierson attended Mendham Seminary, which was probably either an academy for boys established by William Rankin or the Hilltop School established by Ezra Fairchild. The school founded by William Rankin was on Seminary Lane, and sent students on to college, to teach, to become ministers, lawyers and physicians. In contrast, the boarding school founded by Ezra Fairchild appears to have been a school primarily for younger boys. The presence of Ezra Fairchild’s name on the inside cover of the essay, however, indicates Hilltop School as the more likely of the two. The school began in the Phoenix House, but was soon moved to a building opposite from the Hilltop Church. One visitor to Mendham in 1852 expressed astonishment at the level of education of the farmers from the town, of which a familiarity with Latin and Greek were examples. His comment was met with the observation that “…they were educated at Mr. Fairchild’s well-known school and were drilled in the classics as well as in manners.” Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Content NoteThis collection consists of one hand-sewn volume dating from April 8, 1830. The volume contains an essay entitled “Emancipation of the Slaves,” that was written by Theodore Pierson, a student of Mendham Seminary of Morris County. The essay attacks the institution of slavery from a moral standpoint, and draws attention to the discordance between the concept of freedom so prized by Americans, and their denial of this freedom to their fellow men. Pierson addresses the danger of merely abruptly emancipating the slaves, arguing that the majority of the population are not properly prepared for freedom. He argues that slaves should be taught to read and that each slave should be “…taught his duty to God and man and thus be fitted for future emancipation.” Return to the Table of Contents RestrictionsAccess RestrictionsThere are no access restrictions on this collection. Photocopying of materials is limited and no materials may be photocopied without permission from library staff. Use RestrictionsResearchers wishing to publish, reproduce, or reprint materials from this collection must obtain permission. The New Jersey Historical Society complies with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code), which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions and protects unpublished materials as well as published materials. Return to the Table of Contents Return to the Table of Contents Administrative InformationCustodial HistoryThe source of this collection is unknown. Preferred CitationThis collection should be cited as: Manuscript Group 993, Theodore Pierson Student Essay, The New Jersey Historical Society. Return to the Table of Contents |
