History of the Town of Flatbush

ing been again called to the professorship of languages in Columbia College, resigned his post as chief teacher in the Academy. He appears, however, to have retained nominally, the office of Principal, until December 14th, 1804, and during this interval, attended the semi-annual examinations, exercised a watchfulness over the institution, and lent his aid in the procuring of suitable teachers. At his resignation, in 1797, he presented to the Trustees, the sum of £25, to be appropriated towards defraying the debts of the Hall. Mr. Albert Oblenis, was appointed First teacher, in the place of Dr. Wilson. He continued his connection with the institution, until the year 1806. In the year 1797, an attempt was made on behalf of the Trustees to obtain from the Legislature of the State the privilege of raising the sum of £1,200 by Lottery, with the view of liquidating their debt. A similar effort was made in the year 1809, but no law was passed by the Legislature for the purpose, and the project was abandoned.

An arrangement having been effected by exchange of property, by which the Trustees of the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush came in possession of the lot of land on which the academy is erected, they, on the 29th day of December, in the, year 1797, executed a lease of the same in perpetuity to the Trustees of Erasmus Hall, for a certain consideration, which is named in the instrument.

Dr. Wilson finding it inconvenient to hold the office of Principal of the Hall, resigned the same in the year 1804. His letter of resignation was received at a meeting of the board, held February 9th, 1805, when his resignation was accepted, and the Rev. Peter Lowe appointed Principal. A most respectful letter was addressed to Dr. Wilson on the part of the Trustees, and their acknowledgments tendered to him for his faithful services in the institution.

A little previous to this, viz., in the year 1803, the village school was removed into the academy, and Mr. Patrick Noon the last schoolmaster who was employed in the old school house was discharged. From that time to the present, being a period of about thirty-nine years, the children of the village have been regularly taught in Erasmus Hall.

The instruction in the Academy after the resignation of Dr. Wilson, continued to be conducted by Messrs. Oblenis and Schoonmaker. The latter gentleman resigned in 1805, and was succeeded by Mr. Richard Fish. Adrian Hegeman, Cornelius Van Cleef and John Wyckoff, were assistant teachers about the same period. In the month of September, 1806, Mr. Oblenis resigned the office of First teacher. He was succeeded by Mr. Joab Cooper, who has since become extensively known as the editor of an edition of Virgil. He continued his connection with the Hall, for about two years; when upon his resignation, Mr. Valentine Derry was appointed First teacher. In August 1809, Mr. Derry resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Richard Whyte Thompson, who had charge of the institution for the next five years. Mr. Thompson was a man eminently qualified for this station. He was a thorough classical scholar, and possessed of eminent gifts for instruction. Under him the Academy rose again to considerable eminence, and many were taught by him who are now ornaments in the several professions. During his connection with the Academy, a number of assist-ant teachers were in succession employed. They were John Brannon, Edward Cassidy, Ava Neal, Nicholas Morris, Adrian Hegeman, and some others. Mr. Thumpson resigned his situation as First teacher, in December, 1814. From this time forward, for a number of years,