Item 104a: A History Written by Unknown on Wilkes Barre Schoolhouse for Women and Girls, Originally Chapman Schoolhouse, , [ca. late nineteenth-early twentieth century]

Item — Box: 15, Folder: 159a

Staff Only

History Written by Unknown on Wilkes Barre Schoolhouse for Women and Girls, Originally Chapman Schoolhouse, , [ca. late nineteenth-early twentieth century]

Dates

Created: [ca. late nineteenth-early twentieth century]

Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities

Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Note/History

General Condition:

Good

Measurements:

7 13/16 in. x 10 3/16 in.

Description:

The following item depicts notes pertaining to descriptions of Wilkes Barre’s first schoolhouse for women and girls. The first note is a description of the history leading up to the formation of the school, indicating where it was first located near the Chapman House on river and Market, brought up to Franklin, alongside the Gilderslough, possibly Gildersleeve, property, and later from Franklin to Union. While it was stationed on Union, the note states that it fell into ruin for a time until it was brought into the possession of the new directors. It was moved to a second floor location, noted as being recognized as the Old Arndt Tavern House, near Northampton. This note concludes that it was the first brick building in the city, markedly named the Allen Jack house. The second note explains that this description is of the schoolhouse, originally built by Isaac A. Chapman for his wife, Rebecca Douglas Jennison Chapman, but was instead later turned into the school. The house is said to have wheels. Issac Abel Chapman made his fortune as a coal operator but was also an inventor, businessman, and publisher of The Gleaner. He is also credited for writing the first history of Wilkes-Barre, “A Sketch of the History of Wyoming Valley.'' The first note records the various locations the schoolhouse was after the Chapman house. The date of the item has been estimated by the life dates of Chapman, the creator of the school in question, allowing for the time between the name designations and a researcher compiling the notes.

Location

Wilkes Barre, PA

Transcription Attempt:

The school-House having gone on wheels from the Chapman House down River to Market- up Market to Franklin and up Franklin to the Gildersloug [Gildersleeve?] Property (rear of which was Bennets) was held as Teacher for a short period by J. W. Stirling (sic) [Sterling] & Robb Owens after which it was soldt. (sic) [sold]-- for a private residence and removed again on wheels up Franklin to Union thence to the North side of the New Canal where it was soon in ruin The school however was taken from position by the Directors and located in the 2nd story of what was known as the Old Arndt Tavern House located on River St about 100 rods short of Northampton St. Exactly opposite the long time Residence of Michael Kinsle from Time Immemorial Undisputed master of all social government in W.B.[Wilkes Barre] This spot with it’s time honored Store House had been was the center of all trade each way upon the Susq[uehann]a- Here the School remained until a better home Was found for it in the “Allen Jack” House one of W.Bs [Wilkes Barre’s] first Brick Structures on South Main St. A new Brick structure was soon after commenced upon the site of the First Academy- was in due time finished but found inadequate having no facilities of drainage- the Necessities of lockage for the New Canal having made the site- inpossible for a School on the Square

In another hand: These above are notes on the first school house for girls; built in Wilkes Barre On River St., Below Union (Known for years as the Jonas Long Home.) Built by Isaac A. Chapman for his wife. Who built the school house in her yard + taught there many years.