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Dr. Isaiah Blair
d.15 Sep 1808
Facts and Events
| Name |
Dr. Isaiah Blair |
| Gender |
Male |
| Marriage |
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to Unknown |
| Death? |
15 Sep 1808 |
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References
- Chapter 10 - Steel Semple, in Morgan, James Henry. Dickinson College : the history of one hundred and fifty years, 1783-1933. (Carlisle, Pa.: Dickinson College, 1933).
Kline's Carlisle Weekly Gazette in its issue of October 3 following this first commencement gives a full account of it, and while there were some curious features possibly, there is no hint that anything in bad taste had been spoken by Nisbet in his address to the class. One may wonder whether Rush's correspondent did not write Rush what the latter would probably like to hear, or at least magnify what Nisbet said. The Gazette said:
On Wednesday, the 26th ultimo was held the first Commencement for degrees in Dickinson College.
The Trustees, having obtained leave to use the Presbyterian Church on this occasion, the exercises with which a crowded assembly of ladies and gentlemen were very agreeably entertained, were exhibited in that large and elegant building.
At 10 o'clock in the morning, the Trustees, Professors & the several classes of students in College, proceeded in order from the College to the Church. When all had taken the places assigned them, the Principal introduced the business of the day by prayer. The following orations were then announced.
A salutatory oration, in Latin, on the advantages of learning, particularly of a public education, by Mr. John Bryson.
An oration on the excellency of moral science by Mr. John Boyse.
An oration on the importance and advantages of concord especially at the present crisis of the United States of America, by Mr. David M'Keehan.
An oration on taste, by Mr. Isaiah Blair.
An oration on the advantages of an accurate acquaintance with Latin and Greek classics, by Mr. Jonathan Walker.
After an intermission of two hours, the following exercises took place in the afternoon.
An oration on the pleasure and advantages of the study of history, by Mr. David Watts.
An oration on the nature of civil liberty, and evils of slavery and despotic power, by Mr. Steel Semple.
An oration on the various and wonderful powers and faculties of the human mind, by Mr. James Gettings.
The degree of Batchelor of Arts was then conferred by the Principal on the following young Gentlemen, viz: John Boyse, John Bryson, Robert Duncan, Isaiah Blair, Jonathan Walker, David Watts, David, M'Keehan, James Gettings and Steel Semple.
This was immediately followed by an address of the Principal to the graduates in which they were affectionately exhorted to prosecute their studies with zeal and diligence ... and to conduct themselves in future life in such a manner as might render them useful citizens, blessings of their country, and an honour to the College in which they were educated.
A valedictory oration in praise of science, and of the worthy patrons of literature, concluded with suitable addresses to the Trustees, Professors and Graduates, was pronounced by Mr. Robert Duncan.
The business of the day was concluded with prayer by the Principal.
The young gentlemen performed all these exercises with a propriety and spirit which did them great honour, reflected much credit on their teachers, and gave ground to hope that the sons of Dickinson College will at least equal in useful learning and talents, those of any other seminary.
- Newspaper: The Washington Reporter News (19 Sep 1808)
On Thursday morning last, Dr. Isaiah Blair, of this town. He has left to deplore his irraparable loss, a widow and eight children. As a friend he was a warm and unalienable- as a neighbour, kind and benevolent, and in his profession respected and eminent. The charitable attention (as a professional man) to the afflicted poor who fell within his view, is of itself a sufficient encomium on his virtuous life. On Friday eve. his remains were attended to the grave by his weeping relatives, and an immense concourse of sympathising friends.
- Dr. Isaiah Blair was a native Carlisle; his name appears first on the assessment-roll in Washington in the year 1800 as a physician. He was a graduate of the first class at Dickinson College in 1787. He became a trustee of Washington Academy, and was appointed the first secretary of the board of trustees, and to the honorary professorship of medicine, at the organization of Washington College. His office was opposite Morris Tavern. He died Sept. 15, 1808.
- Cumberland, Pennsylvania
GLEN, GABRAEL, farmer, Big Spring, Westpennsbro.
November 15, 1791. April 26, 1793.
Wife Jane.
Daus. Jane, Rachel and Rebecca, minors.
Land in tenure of Dr. Isaiah Blair.
Sons William, David and Alexander, minors.
Land at late William Laughlin's line.
To Robert Walker's line.
Exs: Wife Jane and Benjamin McKeehan.
Guardians of children: James McKeehan and Dr. Isaiah Blair.
Wit: Isaiah Blair, Gennet N. Blair, Mary McGaughey, David McKeehan. E. 290-293.
- Biographical Annals of Cumberland Page 205
William Blair, the grandfather of Andrew, was a trustee of the Carlisle Academy as early as 1781. He was also a trustee of the Associated Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, and with two others, in 1796, purchased from the Penns the ground upon which to erect that church, a stone structure which is still standing on South West street, for L6. Afterward this was long known as the “Seceder church.” This William Blair died at Carlisle on Dec. 7, 1802, at the age of seventy-three years, and is buried in the family plot in the “Old Graveyard,” sacred ground, given by the Penns to Carlisle for a place of burial. It is not known when his wife, Mary Cowen died. She may be buried by the side of her husband, but there is no tombstone indicating that she is. William Blair’s son, Dr. Issac Blair [ie. Dr. Isaiah Blair], was a member of the first class that graduated from Dickinson College. He located in Washington, Pa., where he practiced his profession until his death. His son, Dr. Alexander Blair, succeeded him.
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