Centennial history of Westtown Boarding School, 1799-1899

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1899 Excerpt: ... BUILDING A HOME. 35 CHAPTER HI. BUILDING A HOME. THE location having been agreed upon, preparations for building were commenced. A tenant was engaged for the farm in order that some income might be derived from the cleared portion. Edward Churchman was the first incumbent. Out of the abundant woodland must come all the lumber for the buildings. At the time of the purchase only a small portion of the farm had been cleared. Not only that which is timbered at the present day, but much of that which has since been brought under cultivation, was then covered by a dense growth of forest trees of a size and age now represented by a few trees in the "South woods." A contract was made with one Silas Greene "to cut out of the woods such timber as shall be requisite for a sawmill, frame and finish the millwright work in a masterly manner." Workmen were also engaged to attend to other parts. During the summer of 1795 the sawmill was completed. The dam was near the northern boundary of the farm, where its remains may yet be seen; the race may be traced around the western base of Walnut Hill, the site of the mill is plainly marked, and the miller's house is now used as a tenant house. During the winter of 1795-6 numerous logs were cut and hauled to this mill, and from it came almost all the lumber used in the early years of the school. SLOW PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 37 On the 17th of Eighth Month, 1795, the General Committee met at the farm to inspect the improvements. Only twelve out of a possible forty-seven were present. Many important questions claimed attention. On the 18th, the number having increased to fifteen, the subject of the erection of a suitable building and the determination of an exact site were under consideration. The minutes state that "they viewed the em...