Nineteenth Century

Frances Vose Emerson 1872 taught literature, rhetoric and history from 1881 to 1886 and was a trustee from 1922 to 1941, when she was voted trustee emerita. She was born in Hudson, OH, in 1855, to Martha Eliza Waldo Vose,… Read More »

Annie March Kilham 1870 took a class in teaching at Wheaton in 1869-70 and remained at the Seminary to teach Latin, English, German, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy from 1870 to 1875 and in 1885-86. A founding member of the… Read More »

Professor J. Lewis Diman, D.D., Professor of History and Political Economy at Brown University, gave the Commencement address.

The Wheaton Seminary Alumnae Association held its first meeting after graduation exercises on July 13. Mrs. Metcalf was elected the association’s first President. Plans for the association were formulated in 1869 by the Class of 1870.

The Reverend Albert Hale Plumb, D.D., of Chelsea, Massachusetts, gave the Commencement speech. An alumna would later write, “We shall never forget Dr. Plumb’s impressive messages to us on Commencement days. He taught us how to live, and I say… Read More »

Mrs. Metcalf tutors Harry Cobb, son of the Steward and Horsemanship teacher. He is the first of about ten young Norton men who enroll during the period of 1872 to 1878, to prepare themselves for admission to college. None of… Read More »

The Rev. Alfred Emerson (1812-1896) served as Wheaton Seminary Trustee from 1872 to 1893 and Treasurer from 1880 to 1891. He and his wife were among Eliza Baylies Wheaton’s closest friends and advisors. Emerson provided fundamental leadership for the Seminary… Read More »

A longtime occupant of the Amen-Gulley House, Mr. Clapp frequently told his niece, Lucille Clapp Zwicker 1937, that he had attended Wheaton, and an F. A. Clapp is listed as having advanced to junior class status in the 1874-5 catalog.… Read More »

The Reverend George Harris of Providence, Rhode Island spoke at Commencement. The Rev. Dr. George Harris, D.D., LL.D. (1844 – 1922) was born in East Machias, Maine, graduated from Amherst College in 1866 and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1869,… Read More »

Annie Austin Emerson, W1871, taught in the mathematics and English branches in 1873 and 1875-76.

Reverend E. B. Webb of Boston, MA, speaks at commencement.

A program of continuing education through home study is offered to alumnae in the subjects of literature, history, natural science, music, and drawing.

Reverend Alexander Twombly of Boston, MA, speaks at commencement.

In 1874, to celebrate the Seminary’s 40th Anniversary, Mrs. Wheaton purchased a 4″ refracting telescope (which is in the Archives) from the famed London firm of John Browning. Local workmen built a small observatory to house it.

Student, Amelia Pond compiles a list of “Rules and Regulations of Wheaton Seminary,” which can be considered typical of seminary life.

Named the 8th official principal of Wheaton in 1876, Miss Haskell brought a different approach and demeanor to the school. Students remembered her as a “Christian Gentlewoman,” carrying herself with elegance and charm.

Reverend Michael Burnham of Fall River, MA, speaks at commencement.

Reverend John L. Withrow speaks at commencement.

Reverend Daniel Merriman of Worcester, MA. speaks at commencement.

A traveling photographer visits Norton, taking numerous pictures of Wheaton buildings and students’ room.