State School Home for Colored Soldiers' Orphans

History of Bridgewater School

Text taken from pages 439-441 of Pennsylvania's Soldiers' Orphan Schools.

BRIDGEWATER SCHOOL.

THOUGH the orphans of colored soldiers were included in all the provisions made by the State for the education and maintenance of destitute soldiers' orphans, yet no school was established for that purpose till the system had been in operation for several years. A few of that class had been gathered into the Home for Colored Children at Maylandville, Philadelphia; but further than this nothing had been attempted. In 1866, the Philadelphia branch of the Freedman's Aid Society called public attention to the neglect, and, as a result, in the following year, an Act was passed by the Legislature, authorizing the establishment of a school for the needy children of colored troops who had been killed in the late war.

To assist the Superintendent of Soldiers' Orphans in carrying out the provisions of this Act, the Freedman's Aid Society just named purchased a building in Bucks county, known as Bristol College, a large, beautiful, commodious, and substantial brick edifice, located on the banks of the Delaware, and commanding a fine view of the river and the surrounding country. To this is attached thirteen and one-half acres of excellent land, two-thirds of which are under cultivation, and the remaining third is a beautiful lawn shaded with trees, and is used as a play-ground.

But it was not sufficient merely to provide a beautiful and attractive home-school. The colored orphans scattered all over the State, had to be searched out and brought to it. For this purpose, funds were also furnished by the same society which had procured the home, and one of its members, B. P. Hunt, Esq., in the spirit of self-sacrifice, nobly gave several months of hard toil to seek and save the lost.

In June, 1868, the school was opened under the control of the Freedman's Aid Society. Mr. Isaac N. Flint was chosen to take the immediate charge of the institution as Principal, and provided with an able corps of teachers and other assistants. Mr. Flint's heart was in the work, and he entered upon his labors with high hopes and becoming zeal. After a trial of nine months, he became discouraged with the many difficulties which beset him, and resigned. He was succeeded by Mr. Archibald Batters, who also resigned after a stay of eight months. For a short time succeeding his resignation, the school was without a Principal, and, wanting in an efficient head, did not prosper satisfactorily.

Hitherto the Aid Society had employed Principal, teachers, and all other employees. Now it withdrew its supervision, and rented the property to Mr. James Stitzer, who was recommended as a suitable person for the position by the then Superintendent of Soldiers* Orphans. The members of the society, though no longer officially connected with the school, did not cease to manifest a deep interest in its success, and have ever remained its steadfast and generous friends.

When Mr. Stitzer took charge of the school, it was in a disorganized condition, and discipline had to be established. Many repairs were made, and the buildings, beds, etc., were thoroughly renovated. Notwithstanding the many and great difficulties that had to be met at the outset, the Principal, aided by his efficient assistants, persevered in his efforts, till the Bridgewater School became, in order, neatness, and fine appearance of the children, the model school of the State. In reaching these results, too much credit cannot be given to the Principal's excellent wife, Mrs. Stitzer, to whose kindness, patience, perseverance, vigilance, and activity the school is greatly indebted for the high standard it has maintained during the last five years of its existence.

The whole number of children admitted into this institution since its organization is two hundred and thirty-six —- one hundred and twenty-one boys and one hundred and eleven girls, of whom eighty-four of both sexes now remain.

To Wm. W. Justice, Esq., and others, of Philadelphia, the school is indebted for repeated favors, among which may be named a donation of two hundred and sixty volumes of carefully selected library books, which have afforded much pleasure and information to the orphans, and helped to cultivate a correct taste for reading.

Morally, intellectually, and religiously, this school compares favorably with any of the class in the State. Many who have enjoyed its advantages, have gone forth to fill positions of trust and usefulness. Quite a number are teaching in the South with great success. It is gratifying to know that the efforts which have been put forth in behalf of the colored soldiers' orphans have already yielded a rich harvest.

We give the names of some of the persons who have been officially employed in this school since its organization, viz.

TEACHERS.

Mr. James Stradling
Mrs. G. W. Stradling,
Mr. D. D. Chapin,
Miss Laura Stitzer,
Mr. Chas. McMahon,
Mr. Ed. Martin,
Mrs. P. J. Umstead,
Miss H. Emma Stitzer,
Mr. David Shultz,
Mr. Frank Foster,
Miss Carrie Dodson,
Miss Sallie Aiken,
Miss Clara Phillips,
Miss Nora Gilpin.

SEWING-ROOM SUPERINTENDENTS.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wildey, Miss Matilda Carter, Mrs. J. Lynch

MATRONS.

Miss Mary J. Moore, Miss Tillie Brown, Miss Lizzie Corbit, Miss Amanda Burrows.

STEWARD.
J. Herbert Stitzer, Esq,

Source

• Pennsylvania's Soldiers' Orphan Schools, Giving a Brief Account of the Origin of the Late Civil War, The Rise and Progress of the Orphan System, and Legislative Enactments Relating Thereto; With Brief Sketches and Engravings of the Several Institutions, With Names of Pupils Subjoined. James Laughery Paul, Chief Clerk of the Department of Soldiers' Orphan Schools, Harrisburg, Penna. Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger, 1876.