In his book, MacLean quotes from President Green’s Notes on Samuel Blair, Jr., written in 1812, that “at that time a youth of higher promise was not to be found in the American Church.” Green has it on good authority that Blair tendered his resignation as soon as he heard that Witherspoon would accept and that Witherspoon wrote him an appreciative note. This whole business was truly something of a nightmare for the Blairs. 27, 1769-John Blair resigns as Professor of Divinity and as Trustee and moves to Wallkill, New York, to become pastor of the Presbyterian Church there. John Blair steps down as Vice President but remains Professor of Divinity.Īpril 6, 1769-Letter is received from John Blair offering to resign the Professorship of Divinity to relieve the Board of Trustees of the cost if Witherspoon will take over the Professorship. 17, 1768-Witherspoon inaugurated-salary 350 pounds. At the beginning of the next term John Blair takes over oversight of the college aided by 3 tutors.Īug. 10, 1767-Money for only one professorship is requested from the New York and Philadelphia synods. On this date a letter is received from Samuel Blair, Jr., who declines Presidency. 9, 1767-Stockton has learned that Witherspoon will now accept at the salary proposed earlier. Both New York and Philadelphia Synods are represented in these choices-Hugh Williamson (Phila.) as Professor of Mathematics and Jonathan Edwards (NY) as Professor of Language.ĭec. Two other professorships are awarded but never acted on. He accepts Vice Presidency until next Commencement Samuel Blair, Jr., is nominated President of the College and Professor of Rhetoric and Metaphysics. 2, 1767-John Blair is chosen Professor of Divinity and Moral Philosophy. 30, 1767-Letter from Witherspoon arrives, declining the presidency (his wife objected). 20, 1766-John Blair elected to Board of Trustees. Tennant to continue as pro-tem president. 19, 1766-Witherspoon is chosen as the next president and a letter advising him is prepared to be delivered by Richard Stockton. William Tennant is to act in place of President Findley, who has died, with power and authority of president. This is how John MacLean, tenth president of Princeton, tells it, relying on the minutes of board meetings: The story of how Witherspoon became president of Princeton and its effect on the Blair family is quite remarkable. William Tennant was elected president pro tem, but John Blair ran the college. He also was named vice president of the college and acted in the role of president while the board tried to convince John Witherspoon to come over from Scotland and take over. His uncle, John Blair, became a member of the Princeton board in 1766 and became the college’s first paid professor in 1767. He then moved to Boston to become pastor of the Old South Church of Boston at a very young age. His son, Samuel Blair Jr., was a remarkable young man who graduated from Princeton in 1760 and became a tutor there from 1761 to 1764 during which time he wrote the first account of the college. was a member of the board of trustees from 1746 until he died in 1751. The beginnings of the College of New Jersey trace back to 1746, when a charter was obtained from acting New Jersey governor John Hamilton. Of the two brothers, Samuel was said to have been the more fiery preacher, but both were well liked and respected individuals.Įarly History of the College of New Jersey Indications were that his father was too. Blair, though grave in facial expression, had a good sense of humor, was known as a wine bibber, and was a very tolerant man. We don’t know their physical attributes, but if they resembled John Blair’s son, John Durburrow Blair, they were tall and spare in stature and had brown eyes and reddish brown hair. And finally, both had much to do with the early history of Princeton University (the College of New Jersey in those days). Both married young, had multiple children, and both died young, Samuel at the age of thirty-nine and John at the age of fifty-two. John followed Samuel as pastor of the church and head of the school that Samuel had founded at Fagg’s Manor in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Both became Presbyterian ministers and educators of the New Side, preaching revival and “conversion” in lands that were only recently opened to settlement. They were both educated at William Tennant’s Log College in Neshaminy, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a precursor to the College of New Jersey. Born in 17, respectively, in Northern Ireland, the brothers Samuel and John Blair were brought to America while still young boys. This much we know about the Blair family of Fagg’s Manor.
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