Page 27
History of Orange County
Town of Montgomery
Page 27
The old academy, originally constructed of slight materials, like all other things earthly, in process of time, became worn out and unfit for the purposes intended, and the trustees judged it prudential to replace it by a new one. The great question was, How could it be done? Where could the funds be procured? At this time (1817) the State was commuting the quit-rents when the inhabitants on the patents asked for it. Mr. Miller, knowing they remained uncommuted on two or three patents in the county, and ever fruitful in expedients, suggested the propriety of a king the legislature to grant them for the erection of a new academy. The thought was a happy one and instantly adopted by the trustees. The application was made and a law was passed in their favor, which cancelled the last patents in this county from all future payment of quit rents, and was the means of building the Montgomery Academy. This grant amounted to $2,000, and the trustees undertook to raise $1,500 by subscription, which they accomplished.
The building of the academy and raising the $1500 became hobbies with Mr. Miller, and he rode them night and day. As connected with raising this money, we relate an anecdote calculated to exhibit his cool perseverance and indomitable nature of character in a small affair, when his heart had been firmly set to accomplish an object. The subscription papers were prepared by Mr. Miller, and made in the form of a little book, convenient to carry in the pocket, and put into the hands of several of the trustees. Mr. Borland and the writer kept theirs in their office, where Mr. Miller was in the habit of calling every day. Some short time after they had been in circulation, he called, and while conversing upon our respective success in raising funds, Mr. H. came in, a gentleman of wealth, and a bachelor who resided about six miles from the village of Montgomery in the town of New Windsor. After he was cleverly seated Mr. Miller leisurely took out of his pocket a large pocket book, put on his glasses, deliberately untied the string and produced his subscription list. Though the fishing ground was properly covered by Borland & Eager, yet he chose to spring his net and try his luck. He addressed himself to Mr. H., saying that the old academy was worn out—that it had done good service in the infancy of the country—that time interests of education required that it should be replaced by a new and larger one, which would confer honor on the town and county—that the funds for the purpose being small, the trustees threw themselves and the cause of education upon the patriotism and liberality of their fellow citizen to raise about $1,500, which they expected to do in a few months—that every gentleman who had been asked had willingly subscribed according to his means—and that he was happy in having the opportunity to present him with the subscription list thus early as they wished all the large subscribers to sign first, etc.,—and at the same time handed him the little book to see what others had signed and what he would. Mr. H., rather slowly and with apparent reluctance, received it, and after a moment’s careless examination, fumbling it over, handed it back, saying that such matters were out of his line of business—that he had no children to educate, and if he had, the academy was too remote from his residence to avail himself of its benefits, and asked to be excused. Mr. Miller received his little book with much courtesy, and expressed himself under many obligations to Mr. H. for his politeness in looking over it, deliberately put it back in the pocket book, which he tied up and replaced in his pocket. After Mr. H. left, Mr. Miller was reminded of his ill success, and admonished that he would get nothing in that quarter. The reply was, ‘‘ Never mind, gentlemen, I will see Mr. H. again on time subject. Mr. H. was a client of the office, engaged in no business, and very frequently in town. Some two or three weeks afterwards, Mr. Miller and Mr. H. accidentally met in the same office, and after the usual compliments of the day were passed, Mr. Miller deliberately put on his specs., drew from his pocket the large pocket book, untied it and produced his subscription list, and addressing himself to Mr. H. recited the same identical speech previously delivered, word for word, sentence for sentence, as if stereotyped for the occasion, with this addition—that he was very sorry he had not had time pleasure of presenting to him the subscription at an earlier day, as he wished certain friends of influence to head the list. A spectator would never have suspected that Mr. Miller had ever seen Mr. H. before on the subject, and Mr. H. being a modest man of few words, said nothing to contradict such an impression. The book was returned accompanied with about the same reply as before made. The scene was truly rich. Mr. Miller was grave and serious as possible, but intent upon accomplishing his object, by a certain mode of procedure. While he was dealing with a shy old fish, equally determined not to touch the bait. You could almost see the workings of the minds of the parties, while the witnesses with great difficulty saved themselves from bursting into downright laughter. After Mr. H. left, Mr. Miller was again reminded of his ill success, and that “ we told you so.” His answer was as before, and that he would see Mr. H. again upon the subject, as he appeared not to have made up his mind fully upon it. The other trustees perceiving how the matter was progressing between the parties, concluded not to interfere, but to await the issue under the belief that it was a hopeless case. Not long after this second interview; business again caused these gentlemen to meet for the third time, and Mr. Miller, with all the gravity and politeness conceivable, produced his big and little book as before, and went over the same speech, word for word, with the least possible variation. When through, he handed the subscription list over to Mr. H., who received it, rose from his chair and said to the writer, “I wish to speak with you." We passed into another room, when he asked the loan of ten dollars, protesting that he might as well pay first as last, as Mr. Miller dunned him every time they met. The money was loaned, the subscription made, and the laugh turned off on others with some effect, who united in it with great gratification. This, though a small incident, shows the nature and determined character of the individual. He knew from the nature of man that the donation was only to be had by
a course, and that in the end Mr. H., to get rid of trouble, would purchase his peace. The whole affair is fresh in the recollection of the writer, inculcates a useful lesson in the transactions of private and public affairs, and is based on the great principles of human nature. No time, place or circumstance would have prevented the presentation of this list, till he had accomplished his object—no word of denial amounting to absolute refusal, accompanied with personal insult, would have deterred or driven Miller from his purpose. Cool and collected, he had made as it were a contract with himself to carry his point, and being well versed in the school of human nature, he knew with moral certainty the chances of success would be favorable in the long run.