| Name |
Harriet Bulkley Latimer |
| Born |
23 May 1785 |
Connecticut  |
| Alt. Birth |
23 May 1785 |
New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut |
| Christened |
14 Aug 1785 |
Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut |
- Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920
Name: Harriot Bulkley Latimer
Father's Name: Robert Latimer
Mother's Name: Hannah Latimer
Baptism Date: 14 Aug 1785
Baptism Place: Middletown, Connecticut, USA
Volume Title: Volume 069 Part 1 Middletown
Harriot Bulkley, inf. dau. of Robert & Hannah, bp. Aug. 14, 1785
|
 |
Middletown, Connecticut, Latimer Family Church Records
|
| Gender |
Female |
| FamilySearch ID |
MMKQ-925 |
|
|
| 1800 Census |
1800 |
Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut |
- p. 449
Hannah Burnham 01000 - 12111 - 00
Census Analysis:
Female > 45 : Hannah Sage Burnham, b. 1739
Female 26-45 : Hannah Burnham Latimer, b. 1762
Female 16-26 : ?
Female 10-16 : Harriet Bulkley Latimer, b. 1785
Female 10-16 : Maria Sage Latimer, b. 1787
Male 10-16 : Michael Burnham Latimer, b. bef 1791
Female < 10 : Eliza Sinclair Latimer, b. 1798
|
 |
Hannah Burnham family in 1800 Census
|
| Removed to |
1802 |
Vermont |
- From Harriet B Cooke's autobiography, p. 14:
"I was induced, in the year 1802, to exile myself from my early home and take up my residence in the Green Mountain State."
|
| Removed to |
1805 |
Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont |
- From Harriet B Cooke's autobiography, p. 17:
"My removal to Middlebury, in 1805, to join my mother, who had previously removed from Connecticut, and thus once more to complete the family circle, was an important era in my life."
|
| Removed to |
25 Dec 1819 |
Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia |
- According to her autobiography, her husband Milo went first to Augusta about 1817, and then in 1819, she followed with the children.
|
| Removed to |
May 1823 |
Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont |
- According to her autobiography, two years after the death of her husband, she left Augusta to return north. She stopped in Charleston, South Carolina on the way. There she visited her brother's grave. As her mother had re-married, they went via New York to Middletown and by September reached Middlebury.
|
| Occupation |
1825 |
Vergennes, Addison County, Vermont |
| Teacher |
- According to her autobiography, she decided to take up teaching and in 1825 commenced a school in Vergennes, Vermont.
|
| Occupation |
Dec 1829 |
Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont |
| Teacher |
- According to her autobiography, she commenced her school in Middlebury in December 1829.
|
| 1830 Census |
1830 |
| not located. |
- According to her autobiography, she was living in Middlebury in 1830, but I have not located her in the census.
|
| Occupation |
1833 |
Woodstock, Windsor County, Vermont |
| Teacher |
| Removed to |
1835 |
New York, New York County, New York |
- According to her autobigraphy (p. 171):
"I remained in Woodstock only one year, having been induced, by the urgent entreaties of a suffering sister [Eliza Sinclair (Latimer) Patton], to consent to make my home with her during the ensuing winter. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1835, I again changed my address, feeling that truly 'Here I have no continuing city,' and took up temporary abode in New York.
"The nine months I spent in that city were employed in relieving my sister from her family cares and burdens, in teaching her children, and in seeking to find my place among the benevolent operations of the day."
|
| Occupation |
From Jul 1836 to 1858 |
Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey |
| Principal of Bloomfield Female Seminary |
| 1840 Census |
1840 |
Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey |
- p. 373
Robert L. Cooke 201 111 000 0000 - 11(11) (12) 42 120 0000
|
 |
Robert L Cooke and Harriet B Cooke families in 1840 Census
Includes boarding student at Madame Cooke's School. |
| 1850 Census |
16 Sep 1850 |
Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey |
- p. 191
Robert L. Cook 40 M Teacher $9000 Vermont
Carolyn E. " 40 F New Jersey
Sarah L. " 16 F Virginia school
Cornellius L. " 14 M " "
William H. " 12 M New Jersey "
Harriet B. " 64 F Connecticut
... 33 staff and students + 13 on next page
|
 |
Robert L Cooke and Harriet B Cooke family in 1850 census.
|
| 1860 Census |
21 Jul 1860 |
Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey |
- Bloomfield PO, p. 81
Robert L. Cook 50 M Surveyor $15,000 $2,000 Vermont
Caroline E. " 50 F N Jersey
Sarah " 25 F Virginia
Cornelius " 24 M "
William " 22 M N. Jersey
Harriet " 75 F Connecticut
Jane " 40 F Ireland
... 1 servant
|
 |
Robert L Cooke and Harriet B Cooke family in 1860 census
|
| Died |
28 Jan 1862 |
Essex County, New Jersey |
| Buried |
Aft 28 Jan 1862 |
Bloomfield Cemetery, Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey |
 |
Front Entrance of Bloomfield Cemetery
From Findagrave by Lorraine R. |
 |
Monument for Milo Cooke and Family
Photo by Tami Glock at FindaGrave |
| Newspaper Article |
Mar 2002 |
Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey |
| The New Town Crier |
- http://bloomfieldhistorical.org/towncrier/March2002.pdf
The Distinguished "Madam Cook" by Jean Kuras
Her final resting place is on a hillside in Bloomfield Cemetery. Above, a bright blue sky is seen through a tall, leafless oak tree. The inscription tells us her name was Harriet B. Latimer, wife of Milo Cooke, born May 23, 1785 and died January 28, 1862. At the base of the tall spire-shaped marker is carved "RESURGEMUS"."
In 1836, this remarkable woman, well educated, of decisive character, deeply pious and possessing notable executive skills came to Bloomfield. She had previously taught in Vermont and Augusta, Georgia and would now become the principal of the Bloomfield Female Seminary. From 1837 to 1855, her seminar school in Bloomfield was the center of a strong intellectual and religious influence. Under her guidance, the school's distinction grew and was often referred to as Madame Cooke's School.
A building facing the Green, on the site of today's Children's Library, was erected for the splendid sum of $6000 at the urging of a group of men who wished their daughters to have the same educational opportunities as their sons. The two-ans-a-half-story building in the Greek Revival style was considered a grand establishment for its time.
Widowed for many years, Madame Cooke, as she was called, lived with her son and his family in a two-story New England Georgian house, just south of the school, where Sacred Heart Church stands today.
The school achieved a wide celebrity and many youn ladies came a long distance to attend the seminary as day students or boarders. Her students both respected and loved her. Revivals were often held on the school grounds and former students would return again to reminisce about their old school days. The girls sold handmade items at the end of summer term. Boxes of clothing were collected and both money and clothing were sent to missionaries. In the 18 years of the school's existence, several thousand dollars would be raised for missionary work. In her book, "Memories of My Life Work," Mrs. Cooke relates that 16 of her students and teachers became missionaries and many others became teachers and home missionaries. More than 1800 students would obtain their education in Madame Cooke's School.
When Madame Cooke could no longer continue her work, her son Robert took over the school. When she died, he went on for a while but enrollment steadily decreased. The early free public schools had an aristocratic prejudice to overcome but they successfully grew in popularity and reputation. Finally public schools dominated the private schools in the matter of children's education.
After the Bloomfield Female Seminary ended as a school, the buildings became the Park House kept by Ichabod W. Howell. In 188, Judge Amzi Dodd, whose name would later become the Community House, bought the old seminary building and created a lawn on its site. One of the buildings was moved to State Street.
Madame Harriet B. Cooke was a woman whose strong character, intellect and determination influenced leaders, scholars and town families. The time of the academies was a bright period in Bloomfield history and she was an important figure in it.
|
 |
The Distinguished "Madame Cooke" by Jean Kuras
Published in Town Crier of Bloomington, NJ. |
| Book Article |
18 Oct 2012 |
Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey |
- http://www.northjersey.com/community/174809151_Bloomfield_Bicentennial__Schools_in_education.html?mobile=1&ic=1&iphone=1
Bloomfield Bicentennial: Schools
Bloomfield Life
Bloomfield has a long history of education, long before the United States came into existence, according to local historians. There were several one-room school houses throughout the township; and while they were public, they were not free.
Larger private schools would later come into existence. Her name was Harriet B. Latimer, the wife of Milo Cooke, but everyone referred to her as Madame Cooke. The school would be known as "Madame Cooke's School," but in reality, it was the Bloomfield Female Seminary. Cooke came to Bloomfield in 1836, after teaching assignments in Vermont and Georgia, according to the Bloomfield Historical Society.
The building faced the Green, on the site of today's Children's Library, and was built for $6,000 by men who wanted their daughters to have the same educational opportunities as their sons.
Cooke, already widowed, lived with her son and his family in a two-story New England Georgian house, where Sacred Heart Church stands today. Young women came from far and wide to attend the school as day students or live-ins. More than 1,800 students would be educated there during its 18-year existence.
When she could no longer continue her work, her son Robert took over the school. The school continued, but enrollment decreased over time.
In 1849, the State Legislature passed the free school law, and Bloomfield became the first town to build grammar schools, according to "There's a High School in New Jersey: A look back at 100 years of Bloomfield High School," a Bloomfield Educational Foundation booklet printed in 2011.
Charles Moreau Davis' Classical School was among the first private schools built in Bloomfield, according to the historical society. A later building, built around 1850 or 1860, is now a Bloomfield College residence hall.
The first high school, located at 155 Broad St., was erected in 1871 for nearly $30,000. After Bloomfield High School was built in 1911, the original school was turned into Park Grammar School. The former school now houses the district's administration building. It quickly became apparent that another high school was needed to cater to the township's growing size. Money was put aside and property was purchased at the southwest corner of Broad Street and Belleville Avenue for a new high school.
Belleville architect Charles Granville Jones drew up the plans, having designed similar schools in the district since 1892, according to "Bloomfield Old and New," a 1912 book published by the Centennial Historical Committee.
It said: "By far the largest hall in the town, centrally located, having ample entrances and exits and surrounded by practically a fireproof building, it is admirably adapted for public gatherings of a patriotic, political or social character," according to a chapter on the history of education in town, written by William Baldwin. "Such a hall has long been needed and will be greatly appreciated."
Since 1911, thousands of students have walked the halls. It underwent expansions in 1923, 1928, 1964, 1975 and 2007, according to the school district.
The district currently has eight elementary schools. Berkeley School, the oldest in the district at 121-years-old, was built in 1893. Other sources say the school was originally built in 1868 and rebuilt in 1892. Brookdale School was built in 1909; Carteret School in 1914; Demarest School in 1932; Fairview School in 1899; Franklin School in 1926; and Oak View School in 1952, and Watsessing School in 1899.
Bloomfield Middle School was built in 1959, and Bridges Academy at Forest Glen, now catering to special education students, in 1957.
The Bloomfield Education Association, the teachers' union, originally called the Bloomfield Teachers Association, was created in the late 1920s, according to John Shanagher, the current union president. The union represents about 500 teachers.
Other elementary schools, such as Park Grammar School mentioned above, are no longer in existence. Brookside School opened in 1898. The building went through several additions between then and 1980, when it was torn down to make way for condos.
Center School, located only a few blocks away from Bloomfield Center on Liberty Street, was built in 1890. It was later sold to Bloomfield College and turned into Austin Hall. The building later burned down, and a parking lot is there now.
The art deco South Junior High School opened in 1939 and closed in 1987 when North Junior High School was re-christened as the middle school. The Franklin Street school sits idle today. The property has gone through several owners and numerous proposed ventures since it closed.
In addition to a planned condominium complex, senior citizen housing was once proposed. Another plan had the district leasing South Junior High to a private school for special-needs children. Most recently, there were plans to reopen the school if full-day preschool was mandated by the state.
The building is currently owned by Urban Smart Growth, a Rhode Island-based redevelopment firm for a reported $3.5 million. When Urban Smart Growth purchased the building in 2004, the company envisioned converting the 145,000 square-foot edifice into a medium-to-high-end loft development of 116 units, according to the company's Web site. A stale economy has stalled such plans.
Bloomfield College got its start in Newark in 1868 after an influx of German immigrants settled in New Jersey, according to a late adjunct history professor at the college. The Presbyterian Church in Newark started churches with services in German. Needing pastors, the German Theological School of Newark was created at the First German Presbyterian Church.
In 1872, the trustees purchased the former Bloomfield Academy from the First Presbyterian Church, now the Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green, according to professor Robert Burnett, who chronicled the school's history.
The brick building was renamed Seibert Hall in honor of the Rev. George C. Seibert, one of the school's original instructors and who taught at the school until his death in 1902. The building served as dormitory and classroom space. The school later purchased Liberty Hall at the corner of Liberty and Spruce streets, and converted it into a dormitory. It's now the Science Building.
In the late 1800s, the school began to take students from non-German backgrounds but still required students be fluent in German. In 1909, the New Jersey Legislature granted the school the authority to confer bachelor of arts and bachelor of divinity degrees. By 1913, with faculty from other European backgrounds, the school changed its name to Bloomfield Theological Seminary.
After immigration restrictions following World War I and decline in theological training, the state granted it a four-year liberal arts institution, and the school changed its name to Bloomfield College and Seminary. By 1960, the seminary was phased out, and the school later earned Middle States College accreditation.
In the 1930s, women were allowed into the college; Greek life was also established. At the end of World War II, returning troops increased the student count from 32 in 1945 to 216 in 1949. Growth continued into the 1950s and 1960s with a new library, gym, two dorms and science buildings. In 1968, the college and the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing formed the Presbyterian Division of Nursing.
From the beginning, the school took pride in educating minority students, continuing even today helping students with English as a Second Language courses. The college has an agreement with the South Korean government sending English instructors there.
The college continues campus renovations and expansion. Recently, the college signed a five-year lease to occupy more than 15,000 square feet on the mezzanine and the second floors of the historic Frank M. Leo Building in Bloomfield Center. Classrooms, faculty and student lounges, and administrative offices house the college's International Training, Professional Studies and Computer Information Sciences programs there.
Compiled by Jeff Frankel.
|
| Person ID |
I11604 |
New England Hall Families Master Tree |
| Last Modified |
6 Dec 2013 |
1785 - 1862 (76 years)
