Log College
Encyclopedia
The Log College was the first American
Presbyterian theological seminary located in what is now Warminster, Pennsylvania
. It was founded by William Tennent
and his son Gilbert Tennent
and operated from 1726 until William Tennent's death in 1746.
The Log College was about 20 feet long and 20 feet wide. It was very plain according to George Whitefield
's journal. The term 'the College' was meant in derision originally.
.
The known graduates include Charles Beatty, Samuel Blair, Samuel Finley
, William Robinson, John Rowland
, Charles Tennent, John Tennent, and William Tennent Jr.
Gilbert Tennent
did not graduate from the Log College. Dr. John Redman was the only known graduate not to enter the ministry. He chose to enter into medicine instead.
in 1896). From its inception, under the guidance of Presbyterian minister Jonathan Dickinson, Princeton focused on a broad range of the liberal arts and sciences, in contrast to the Log College's explicit preparation for the ministry.
However, soon after Princeton was founded, a number of Log College men joined their New Side brethren from Yale and Harvard in support of the new venture. Six months after the granting of Princeton's charter in October 1746, and shortly before classes started in May 1747, Log College alumni Samuel Blair, Samuel Finley
, and William Tennent, Jr., along with adherents Gilbert Tennent
and Richard Treat
, accepted election as Princeton trustees. Finley later became the fifth President of Princeton University
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Presbyterian theological seminary located in what is now Warminster, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It was founded by William Tennent
William Tennent
William Tennent was an early American religious leader and educator in British North America.-Early life:Tennent was born in Mid Calder, Linlithgowshire, Scotland, in 1673. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1695 and was ordained in the Church of Ireland in 1706...
and his son Gilbert Tennent
Gilbert Tennent
Gilbert Tennent was a religious leader. Gilbert was one of the leaders of the Great Awakening of religious feeling in Colonial America, along with Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield...
and operated from 1726 until William Tennent's death in 1746.
The Log College was about 20 feet long and 20 feet wide. It was very plain according to George Whitefield
George Whitefield
George Whitefield , also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican priest who helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain, and especially in the British North American colonies. He was one of the founders of Methodism and of the evangelical movement generally...
's journal. The term 'the College' was meant in derision originally.
Graduates
The number of graduates is unknown, but is thought to be about 18 or 20. All of the graduates were adherents of the New Side in the Old Side-New Side ControversyThe Old Side-New Side Controversy
The Old Side-New Side Controversy occurred within the Presbyterian Church in Colonial America and was part of the wider theological controversy surrounding the First Great Awakening. The Old and New Side Presbyterians existed as separate churches from 1741 until 1758. The name of Old Side-New...
.
The known graduates include Charles Beatty, Samuel Blair, Samuel Finley
Samuel Finley
The Rev. Samuel Finley , 1763 DD University of Glasgow . Evangelical preacher and academic, he founded the West Nottingham Academy, and was the fifth president and an original trustee of the College of New Jersey from 1761 until 1766.-Family and students:Finley was the...
, William Robinson, John Rowland
John Rowland
John Rowland may refer to:*John Rowland , English footballer*John Rowland , Welsh footballer*John A. Rowland California pioneer*John G. Rowland , American Governor of Connecticut...
, Charles Tennent, John Tennent, and William Tennent Jr.
Gilbert Tennent
Gilbert Tennent
Gilbert Tennent was a religious leader. Gilbert was one of the leaders of the Great Awakening of religious feeling in Colonial America, along with Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield...
did not graduate from the Log College. Dr. John Redman was the only known graduate not to enter the ministry. He chose to enter into medicine instead.
Relationship to Princeton University
It is not accurate to say that the Log College was an antecedent of the College of New Jersey (which changed its name to Princeton UniversityPrinceton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1896). From its inception, under the guidance of Presbyterian minister Jonathan Dickinson, Princeton focused on a broad range of the liberal arts and sciences, in contrast to the Log College's explicit preparation for the ministry.
However, soon after Princeton was founded, a number of Log College men joined their New Side brethren from Yale and Harvard in support of the new venture. Six months after the granting of Princeton's charter in October 1746, and shortly before classes started in May 1747, Log College alumni Samuel Blair, Samuel Finley
Samuel Finley
The Rev. Samuel Finley , 1763 DD University of Glasgow . Evangelical preacher and academic, he founded the West Nottingham Academy, and was the fifth president and an original trustee of the College of New Jersey from 1761 until 1766.-Family and students:Finley was the...
, and William Tennent, Jr., along with adherents Gilbert Tennent
Gilbert Tennent
Gilbert Tennent was a religious leader. Gilbert was one of the leaders of the Great Awakening of religious feeling in Colonial America, along with Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield...
and Richard Treat
Richard Treat
Richard Treat was an early New England settler and a Patentee of the Royal Charter of Connecticut, 1662-Early life and ancestors:...
, accepted election as Princeton trustees. Finley later became the fifth President of Princeton University
President of Princeton University
Princeton University is led by a President selected by the Board of Trustees. Until the accession of Woodrow Wilson, a political scientist, in 1902, they were all clergymen, as well as professors. President Tilghman is a biologist; her two predecessors were economists.-Presidents:# Reverend...
.