Report of the Board of Managers from the Annual Report
of the Educational Home, 1888

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.

The Board of Managers of The Educational Home present their Sixteenth Annual Report to their friends and to those who take an interest in the workings of the Institution.

One very pleasant event during the past year, deserving special note, was the visit of two of the Indian pupils to the Exhibition of American Industries held in London last summer. The two young men thus privileged to go abroad were John Van Metre and Alexander Ransom. Having obtained the necessary consent of their parents and of the United States Government, they were duly fitted out with every thing requisite for their comfort on their voyage across the Atlantic. They sailed in the first cabin of the steam ship British Princess on the thirtieth day of March, and reached England in due time. Here they remained until midsummer when they returned to the Educational Home much benefited by their experience in a foreign land. They took out with them various specimens of the handiwork of the Indian pupils of the Lincoln Institution. The Jury of Awards was pleased to bestow a Diploma in recognition of the skill evinced in this exhibit of Indian industry. Our two visiting pupils went out as the guests of the Trustees of the Exhibition and were the recipients of a generous hospitality.

Our exhibit in the Constitutional Centennial procession last September was considered the best in the first day's parade. We had ten floats and one omnibus, upon and in which were represented the Indians in all stages of social development, from the savage state up to the fully civilized condition. We also showed the product of our farm, our various industries, and the attainment of our pupils in music. They attracted a great deal of attention. Many people learned for the first time from witnessing this display how successful are the efforts to benefit the Indian. Hundreds had never known before what was going on here in their native city towards civilizing the Red man, and many and sincere were the expressions of gratification and surprise.

The report of the manual work done in the Institution during the past year by the inmates shows that this important part of their education has not been neglected. A number of them by these means obtain a knowledge of useful trades, while those employed in the city have opportunities of learning the modes practised in the various business houses in which they are engaged. They thus acquire a practical experience in forming habits of industry, are taught the advantages of personal effort and are stimulated towards self-reliance and support, two of the most important of all the lessons the Indians have to learn, especially as the provisions of the Dawes bill passed in Congress are likely to be accepted by them. The Indian will thereby have all the rights of citizenship. It is of much importance therefore that he should have instruction in business habits and education as well as a knowledge of farming. It is unreasonable and unnatural to expect them all to turn their attention to agriculture. No community can thrive that devotes itself exclusively to one pursuit.

Variety of occupation will tend also to break up the pernicious habit of living in tribes. Experience has shown that people who adopt the tribal or clan relation degenerate sooner or later into vagabonds or outlaws.

It is again our sad duty to record the loss of prominent members in our Board of Council. The death of our late beloved diocesan, Bishop Stevens, is yet fresh in the minds of all. We can add but little to what has been said in honor of his memory. We shall miss his venerable and dignified presence at our annual meetings, where for so many years he acted as our presiding officer.

The sudden death of Mr. John Bellangee Cox makes another gap in our ranks. Snatched away while apparently in the enjoyment of full vigor and health it is hard to realize that we shall not see his face again. Our Institution had no more zealous and loyal friend than Mr. Cox. He was one that could be called upon at anytime and for anything. The high regard and affectionate esteem in which he was held were but fitting tributes to his pure unselfish nature, his mental and moral worth, his genuine Christian character. Though quiet and unobtrusive in manner, he was ever among the first in the hour of emergency, displaying those sterling qualities that are always so characteristic of true manhood.

We would again recognize our indebtedness to our Physician, Chaplain and Lay Reader for their efficient services at all times.

We are also greatly obliged to the Unitarian Dorcas Society, to the Friends' Dorcas Society, and to Miss Lea for work done during the past year.

References

See Thomas Symons Patent table S.3 for an extended deed history of the Ivycroft estate.

and Thomas Symons Patent table S.5 for the Lincoln Institute site details.

See Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian Institute for more general information on the Indian Schools.

1. See references #3 and #6
2. Chester County deed Q9-315 (date:1883-01-31).
3. Philadelphia Times, April 13, 1884. For a shortened version of the article in another newspaper report see here.
4. Montgomery County deed 294-460
5. Chester County deed T10-116 (1890-07-26).
6. Newspaper report - Lincoln Institute 21st annual meeting
7. See 1900 census and ah-nen-la-de-ni's (aka Daniel Le France) autobiography extract. The complete autobiograph can be found at full autobiography
8. Chester County deed S12-40 (1903-06-24).
9. See Mrs. Cox's obituary
10. See Newspaper report - Lincoln Institution's Work, dated 4 February 1907
11. Chester County deed M15-269 (1919-06-13).
12. See newspaper report Charity will Resume its Original Purpose
13. Chester County deed K16-598 (1924-07-11) and Montgomery County deed 926-444
14. Chester County deed T25-270 (1954-01-15).

Acknowledgements

Roger Thorne provided support and significant documents from his collection. Meg Weiderseim performed newspaper searches.

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