Orange County Directory 1878-9
Port Jervis
The schools of Port Jervis consist of an academy and five union free schools, under the charge of Prof. A. B. Wilbur, an efficient teacher who has followed the profession of teaching since 1858 with the exceptions of two years spent in the Union service during the late war.
The Mountain House School is the Academy, located on Main st, bet Mt. William and Clark sts. Main Street School, located on
Main st. cor Sullivan St. Church Street School, cor Church and Hammond. Riverside School on Thompson st. nr Water st. and Germantown School; in Germantown on Main St. St. Mary's Parochial School, taught by the Sisters of Charity in basement of Catholic Church, located on Ball st. bet Fowler and Sussex sts. The schools of Port Jervis are in a very flourishing condition, and her citizens are proud of then as they well may be.
Besides the public schools already mentioned, although not classed as a school, it may well come under the head of educational institutions, is St. Marys Orphan Asylum, founded in 1871 by the Rev. Father Nilan, and by him placed under the charge of the Sisters of Charity. The institution was founded, as its name would imply, to give to orphan children a home and proper care and attention, to train and instruct them into ornaments of society. In I875 a law was passed having for its object the same ideas as lead to the founding of this institution, whereby the orphan children of Catholic parents have instruction and care. This institution has also the orphan children from the Alms House of the county under their charge. The asylum is located upon Ball St. bet Sussex and Fowler sts, the building is of brick, commodious and well arranged. The Sisters are prepared to receive children and instruct them in common and higher branches, music, both vocal and instrumental, to any desiring such, and also to give instruction in plain and ornamental needlework. This asylum is a branch of the Academy and Convent of Mount St. Vincent on the Hudson, a short distance from New York. Sister Matilda is the superioress in charge since Father Nilan placed it in care
of the Sisters. The Parochial School is also under the care of the Sisters. There are at present between forty and fifty children in the asylum. For terms and course of instruction, inquiries should be addressed to Sister Matilda, St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum, Port Jervis.