A wedding

     Charles Taze Russell and Albert Delmont Jones must have been quite close at one time. Here in January 1878 we have CTR attending Jones' wedding and serving as an Attendant. Of course, with Jones, this marriage was to be the first of several. From The Portsmouth Times (Ohio) for 19 January 1878:

Australia - 1938

 Beyond the era we usually consider, but it's interesting.

Annie needs this for her research

 If you have a scan, please forward it to me.

Zoller, J. (1960). The Teachings and Evolution of Doctrine of the Jehovah's Witnesses as Found in Watchtower Literature from 1879-1960 (Doctoral dissertation, University of Ottawa).

Ann Eliza's will

 

     When checking the internet for information about CTR’s mother, Ann Eliza Russell, there is conflicting information about her death in genealogical research sites. Some say she died in Pittsburgh and others that she died in Philadelphia.

     What is not in dispute is that she was buried in the family plot in the Allegheny Cemetery on Sunday 27 January 1861 just two days after her passing on Friday 25 January. Also that her business was then based in Philadelphia.

     The notice of death in the Pittsburgh Gazette for Saturday 26 January 1861 states that she died on the Friday afternoon at 2.30. The funeral would be from her brother’s home the next day, Sunday. While she could have died in Philadelphia, the note of the exact time of death in the newspaper suggests she died at her brother’s home. Although a continuous rail link from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh did now exist, the train part of the journey alone would have taken 13-15 hours. It all indicates that Joseph, Eliza and the children had no proper base in Pittsburgh at the time, and also suggests that her brother Thomas and his family helped care for her in her final days.

     Supporting the idea that she spent her final days in Pittsburgh is her last will and testament. It was prepared on 18 December 1860.

     The will states that she was “of Pittsburgh” and that her husband was now doing business as her agent in Philadelphia. While not conclusive on its own, it does suggest she was preparing the will in Pittsburgh and that Joseph was not with her on the day.

     The wording of the will shows it was not written at home with neighbors called in as witnesses. This was professionally prepared by a law firm, and the contents and wording suggest that her brother, Thomas, may have been with her, since much of the document features his role as executor. She obviously knew she was seriously ill and the will was to put her affairs in order and make provision for Joseph and the children. Although the attorney who prepared the will is not named (which apparently was quite common) the two who signed as witnesses, Jas. R. Reed and Thos. N. Murray, are listed in Thurston’s Pittsburgh Directory for 1860-1861 as clerks. The inference is that James and Thomas were law clerks, working in the same office, and were simply called in to witness Ann’s signing. Again, this supports the location as Pittsburgh.

     As noted above, in the will she is presented as the business owner, and Joseph is called her agent in Philadelphia. The point of the will was that she had assets in her own right, likely inherited. The main thrust of the document was to settle outstanding debts still hanging over them from their 1855 business failure. This would help Joseph back on his feet financially.

     Below is a transcript of the complete text of the document as written, with original spelling and capitalization preserved as closely as possible.

I, Ann Eliza Russell of Pittsburgh Allegheny County Penn. wife of Joseph L. Russell, who is now doing business as my agent in the City of Philadelphia Do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.

1st I give and devise to my Brother Thomas Birney of the City of Pittsburgh, his heirs and assigns, in trust for the uses hereafter mentioned, All the lands owned by me in the state of Iowa, and County of Franklin, viz The North East Quarter of Section No Eight (8) in Township No Ninety One (91), North of Range No twenty (20) west of the Fifth principal Meridian containing One hundred and sixty acres or thereabouts. To sell the same at as early a date after my decease, as in his opinion a fair price can be realized therefor; and on receiving the proceeds thereof or within a reasonable time thereafter to appropriate the same as follows To wit:

2d To appropriate to his own use such amount as will be a reasonable compensation for his trouble and expense in effecting sale thereof and maki distribution, as also to the amount of One hundred and fifty dollars additional, for money at sundry times heretofore by him advanced to me or my husband.

3d The rest and residue of the Proceeds arising from sale of the land aforesaid to be appropriated to payment or pro rata discharge of the debts due by my said husband or owing by him at the time of his failure in the year AD 1855, so far as may be made known to him the said Thomas Birney or his heirs, within twelve months from effecting sale as aforesaid. And for the purposes aforesaid I hereby nominate and appoint the said Thomas Birney my sole Executor, with full power to sell, execute and deliver a Deed or deeds for said described land without the intervention of any Court or order therefrom.

In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and seal this 18th day of December Anno Domini 1860.

Ann Eliza Russell

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testatrix as her last Will in our presence who at her request in her presence have hereunto signed our names as witnesses. 

Jas. R Reed

Thos. N Murray

Sworn June 11 1861

     It should be noted that the debts settled included money loaned by Thomas Birney in their time of need at the time of their 1855 disaster.

     Joseph and the children came back to Pittsburgh to stay and build up a substantial dry goods business, both in Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, and Federal Street, Allegheny. CTR grew up and expanded the businesses. The rest as they say is history.

An Interview from 1879

 

Taken from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for 11 August 1879.

THE FINAL DAY

The Millerites Say the World Will be Destroyed by Fire To-day – A Comforting Interview With an Alleged Second Adventist,

     

The first part of this article reviewed the history of Second Adventism and William Miller, not very sympathetically. One strand of Adventism had reportedly predicted the end of the world by fire for the day of the article, August 11, so a reporter was sent out to interview a Second Adventist for comments. He settled on CTR.

     This is the transcript of that interview from the second part of the article.

 

     A reporter of this journal started out last evening to look up a Millerite or Second Adventist, for the purpose of obtaining more definite information concerning the big conflagration. Among the persons sought out and interviewed was Mr. C. T. Russell, of Cedar avenue, Allegheny. That gentleman was informed as to the reporter’s mission, when he said:

“In the first place, I am not a Second Adventist; secondly, I don't believe the world will be burned to-morrow; and, thirdly, I don’t believe the world will ever be literally burned with fire. My expectation is that the present, or Gospel age, will end much the same as the Patriarchal and the Jewish age. The Jewish age, you know, ended with the death of Christ, when the Gospel age commenced, and this will be succeeded by the millennium, when Christ will reign on earth. The change will not be manifested by any such demonstration as the burning of the earth.”

     “That is certainly a comforting assurance,” said the reporter; “but where do you find anything in the scriptures to sustain your assertion?”

 “In Ecclesiastes, 1–4: ‘One generation passeth away and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever.’”

     “Is it not stated somewhere in the Bible that the earth shall be devoured by fire?”

“It is, but I understand the word ‘fire’ to be used symbolically. We find in Zephaniah iii.—‘Wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.’ This describes the fire that is going to burn the earth; it is the fire of jealousy—symbolic fire—and while it destroys the kingdoms the masses of the people will be left alive, and they are to be blessed after their time of national trouble.”

     “How are they to be blessed?”

“In the book of Daniel it is written that ‘the kingdom of God will take the place of earthly kingdoms.’ In Revelation, also, is this text: ‘The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord, and He shall reign forever and ever.’ I hold that the survivors of the Gospel dispensation will be associated with Christ in the heavenly kingdom which is to take the place of the earthly kingdoms.”

     “Will that kingdom be on this earth?”

“Yes. This passage from Daniel, vii.–27, shows it: ‘The kingdom and dominion under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.’”

     “Will the ruler of this kingdom be visible on the earth?”

“No. ‘The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.’”

     “How could the king rule and yet be invisible?”

“The same as Queen Victoria rules India. She is not in India, but she rules it.”

     “You say you are not a Second Adventist, Mr. Russell. What do you call yourself?”

“People of my faith have no denominational name. We are simply Christians, and are opposed to denominational names.”

     Thanking Mr. Russell for his cheering information that the world would not be burned to-day, the reporter hurried back to send out the gratifying intelligence to the people.

Update of the Update – And if you really want to help.

I’m still recovering from my fall. Next is a visit to the orthopedic surgeon. My left hand is “out of order” and very painful. The overall pain has slowed down my already slow moving work. 

Volume three will have a final chapter with updates and corrections to the two prior volumes. At my age and declining health, it will be a true accomplishment to finish volume three. So revised editions of volumes one and two are unlikely, but the same can be accomplished with a chapter noting corrections and additions.

That also means that preparing an index is overwhelming. SO, WHO WANTS TO MAKE A COMBINED VOL. 1-2 INDEX?  Anyone? I hope.

On the good side, I’ve spent the morning sorting and organizing a pile of Zion’s Watch Tower, scattered issues from 1898 and 1918, about twenty various issues. These included most of 1902 and about a third of 1904.

Last Will and Testament of Joseph Lytle Russell

The final LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of Joseph Lyle Russell (CTR’s father) was made in July 1896, and was witnessed by three Watch Tower adherents. It made bequests to all his family members, his wife, and three surviving children. It would become a bone of contention to his wife, Emma, as perhaps evidenced by the three witnesses having to sign another statement at the end of December 1897 that Joseph Lytle was of “sound mind and memory” when they witnessed the will. It shows that Joseph owned various parcels of real estate and investments which he valued in total at around thirty thousand dollars, which would be worth well over a million dollars today. This of course would be prior to any debts that had to be settled out of the estate.

There are two copies of the will, one filed in Florida and one in Pittsburgh. There is only slight difference in wording between the two caused through human error in copying. The transcription below is based on the Florida copy, preserving original spelling, punctuation and capitalization.

 

This is the Last Will and Testament of Joseph L. Russell, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania being of fair bodily health and of sound and clear understanding, and knowing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life, do hereby make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

First: I desire that all debts owing by me including funeral expenses be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as convenient may be. My Estate Real and Personal I at present estimate at about Thirty thousand dollars and I will name my investments affirming an estimate of their values as follows.

House and lot No. 188 Jackson St Allegheny valued at $5000.

House and Lot No. 190 Jackson St Allegheny $5800 less mortgage of $2500

House and Lot of leased ground No. 80 Cedar Avenue Allegheny valued at $5000

House and three Lots at Tarpon Springs Florida valued at $3000.

Twenty five acres of land Tarpon Springs Fla. 2500.

160 acres of land Polk County Florida - 800.

180 shares of stock in the Pittsburgh Kaolin Co. (valued at 5.00) 900.

Notes of W. D. Griffin Kinders Florida - 600

Household and Personal Property — My Entire Estate Real & Personal I hereby dispose of as follows:

First: To my beloved wife Emma H. Russell I give and bequeath in her own name and right the House and Lot No. 190 Jackson Street Allegheny subject however to Mortgage of $2500 dollars. I also give and bequeath to my wife Emma H. Russell the House on leased ground No. 80 Cedar Ave. Allegheny Pa., also one hundred Shares of Stock in the Kaolin Company of Pittsburgh Pa. par value fifty per share.

Second: To my beloved daughter Mabel Russell I give and bequeath in her own name and right, when she is twenty one years old the House and Lot No. 188 Jackson Street Allegheny Pa., also forty (40) Shares of stock of the Kaolin Company of Pittsburgh Pa. Also one half of our household furniture and our bedding and one Upright Piano and my own Gold Watch all in her own name & right.

Third: To my beloved Daughter Margaret M. Land I give and bequeath in her own name and right one house and three lots in the Town of Tarpon Springs Florida, also 25 acre of land adjoining the Town of Tarpon Springs. I also add  forty shares of stock in the Kaolin Company of Pittsburgh Pa.

Fourth: To my beloved son Charles T. Russell I give and bequeath one hundred and sixty acres of land in Polk County Florida – also thirty shares of stock in the Railway and Dock Construction Company of New York City, all in his own name & right.

Fifth: With reference to the Bequest I have made to my daughter Mabel Russell in the event of her death before she is twenty one years old, she still being single and unmarried then my desire is that all of my Bequests that have been made to my Daughter Mabel Russell shall revert to her Mother. But in case my daughter Mabel Russell should be married and have issue before she is Twenty one years old, then in that case she still retains all these Bequests I have made to her and in her own name & right as originally intended.

Sixth: I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Charles T. Russell to be my Executor and my wife Emma H. Russell to be my Executress of this my Last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I hereby affix my signature this tenth day of July 1896.

Joseph L. Russell (seal)

Witness:

Signed and sealed in presence of

E.C. Henninges (seal)
J.A. Bohnet (seal)
Mrs. O.A. Koetitz (seal)

 

 

The Music Business

     Although we think of the Russell family running dry goods stores in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, they actually had a number of business interests over the years. One curiosity, which has been covered here before, is a music shop.

    There is sheet music for a song The Evening Prayer. It clearly states it was published by J L Russell and Son.

     

This song and its history is covered in a post here:

     https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2018/06/evening-prayer.html

    We now know a bit more about this venture.

     In 1872 J L Russell and Son were at 83 Fifth Avenue. They also owned or rented the property at number 85. For several months they attempted to get a tenant. For example, from the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette for 28 May 1872:

     The key point reads:

“This is a rare chance to get one of the best locations in the city. Inquire of J L RUSSELL & SON, No. 83 Fifth Avenue.”

     This notice appeared for some weeks until the property was used by the Pittsburgh Music House, run by the Russells.

     From The Pittsburgh Commercial for 11 September 1872:

“New music, music books, pianos, reed and pipe organs, drums, fifes and campaign songs, J L Russell and Son.”

     Further advertisements from succeeding weeks (16 September, 4 October) gave the 85 Fifth Avenue address, but omitted the Russell name. You could also buy:

“Elegant Celeste organ(s) on easy terms, a square Grand piano at the lowest figure – or any popular ballad or Strauss Waltz...all the new music and instruction at lowest prices...”

     They soon added music publishing to their range. From The Pittsburgh Post for 16 December 1872:

     The full story of this music (along with the score for those who want to play it) can be found in the links given above.

     The last reference as yet discovered to the Russell’s Music House enterprise involved another piece of sheet music. Now into 1873, from the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette for 20 February 1873:

     This music survives in the Library of Congress and you can download it complete if you so wish, although the surviving library copy only carries the names of publishers in Philadelphia and Boston.

     The song was credited to JAMES GILES, but the lyrics were a poem that appeared as a filler in numerous newspapers between 1870-1883, usually anonymous but occasionally credited to JOSEPHINE POLLARD.

     The opening line gives a flavor of the work:

‘Twas milking time and the cows came up from the meadow...”

 

     It would seem that the music business didn’t flourish, and the Russells continued expanding the dry goods business, working in other areas like scrap metal, and probably most lucrative long-term, real estate.

     But that is another story.

Carnone

 

     This is one of those (to me) mysteries that I would appreciate some feedback on.

     The question is, would a long-time elder of an Irish Presbyterian Church be illiterate?

     It comes from researching CTR’s family history. CTR’s father, Joseph Lytle Russell, was one of ten children who survived to adulthood. We know that one of them, Fannie Russell, never left Ireland, and married Alexander Harper. The church where they were married was probably Carnone – which is quite near the border between Londonderry and County Donegal, which feature on grave markers and obituaries for Charles Tays and Joseph Lytle Russell. This whole area was awash with Scots immigrants at one time, and the name Russell is quite prevalent (although no tie-ins as yet to CTR’s family).

     The surviving marriage registers for Carnone start in 1836 which is too late for Alexander and Fannie. But two of their children are in the baptism register, which has survived from 1837. They are:

William James Harper (son of Alexander Harper and Fanny Russell) born on 18 June 1838.

Sarah Harper (son of Alexander Harper and Fanny Russell) born on 17 April 1843.

     Sarah is never heard of again, which strongly suggests she died young, but we can trace James Harper down through the years.

     In the disbursements of Charles TAYS Russell’s will, there is a share for William James Harper, Broxton, Donegal County, Ireland.

     In the Carnone Churchyard there is a pillar for William James Harper and his immediate family. He died in 1920 aged 82, which lines up the dates for the right person.

     His death prompted a brief story in the Belfast Telegraph for 3 March 1920.

     So he has been a ruling elder in the Carnone congregation for 38 years. It is a long family tradition – his eldest son is now an elder there, and crucially his father was “a ruling elder in that congregation for 37 years.” That would have to be Alexander Harper, formerly married to Fanny Russell, CTR’s aunt.

     This would make William Harper one of CTR’s cousins.

     When Fanny died there was a brief note in the Londonderry Sentinel for 14 June 1867:

12 June at Carnone, Mrs Alexander Harper, aged 55 years.

     On the civil registration death certificate supplied to me by the Ulster Historical Association, we note that her husband Alexander was present at the death. But note how he signed.

     Unless he had broken his arm or something, that makes him illiterate.

     And yet in his son’s obituary in 1920 Alexander is credited with being a “ruling elder” for 37 years.

     It just doesn’t sound right to me.

     What do you think?

 

Notes on why research done

     The main purpose of this line of research is part of an ongoing attempt to find out exactly where in Northern Ireland the Russell family came from. Searching for the sister who never got away was one line of enquiry. Of course, just because Fannie married Alexander and lived in the Carnone parish at one point does not mean she was born there, but in those far off pre-railway days, people often did not travel very far to meet people, marry them, and spend the rest of their lives with them. Historically, Carnone and surrounding parishes suffered a declining population during the 19^th century as many chose (or were forced) to leave the area for pastures new, including America.

Russell's Theology

Updated 

The following is found in the October 15, 1908, Watch Tower. Conflicting interpretations are found in 'the literature.' Please read it carefully. How do you understand this?

The divine purpose in the redemption provided was to bring a blessing to all the families of the earth-a release from sin and death conditions and a return to divine favor to all who would be obedient; hence our Lord's work did not end with the application of his merit to those who were accepted of the Father as members of his Body. Rather the sacrifice was allowed to continue on a larger scale-a sacrificing of the Church, the members of his Body being counted as a continuation and a completion of our Lord's own personal sacrifice. When all the members of this great mystical Body shall have suffered with him”-when he as the great antitypical High Priest shall have offered up not only himself but us, his adopted members, then justice will have all that it ever demanded and much more. It will have the one great valuable sacrifice of Jesus and additionally the sacrifice of his members-144,000 justified through faith in his blood, whose sacrifice the Apostle declares to be in God's sight holy and acceptable.”-Rom. 12:1.

Would it be right for justice to accept 144,001 sacrifices when only the one was really demanded? We answer, Yes. Justice is not hindered-divine justice would not be stopped from receiving all of those sacrifices in the manner arranged. Justice could not have demanded more, however, nor accepted less, than the one perfect life. We are to remember that none of these sacrifices was demanded nor compelled by justice merely a high reward for faithfulness was held out for the time. Our Lord was attracted thereby and For the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.” 

As a matter of fact the divine plan through him opened the door of opportunity to others who have His spirit (disposition) during this Age, to a limited fore-ordained number, which we believe to be 144,000. Their sacrifice was not demanded. It was voluntary and because they saw riches of grace and .divine rewards which they esteemed to be their privilege to attain. Thus in the divine plan the world has been redeemed much less directly than we may have imagined, but much to our advantage, in that it has permitted us to become members of the Bride Class, members of the Body of the Great Mediator, whose work throughout the Millennial Age will be that of Intercessor and· Go-between and Mediator between God and men-the world in general. We, who now come in under this arrangement as members of the Body, members of the Seed of Abraham,” members of the Great Antitypical Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, Judge, are as his members under his supervision yielding up our lives in sacrifice during this Age, and these sacrificed lives counted in with his constitute the blood of The Christ, which seals the New Covenant between God and the world. That New Covenant will not be sealed until all the blood of the Great Mediator has been shed. Then Head and Body, Bridegroom and Bride, we shall be presented before the Father and the blood of the Great Christ, as shown in the types of Leviticus, will then avail for the cancellation of the world's sin, even as the blood of Jesus now avails for our sins.

James Gray of the Moody Bible Institute wrote:

“It is in the extra-Scriptural teaching on the atonement that the greatest harm is done, for Millennial Dawnism makes the Church a part of the Redeemer in His redemptive work. It wrests that transcendent doctrine of the believer’s oneness with Christ, to make it appear that we are part of the ransom price for sin. ...  Roman Catholicism has never uttered greater blasphemy than his concerning Him who ‘appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.’” – J. M. Gray, The Errors of “Millennial Dawnism”

Thoughts. Was he right? 

Various

 

Some of you know that I took a bad fall. I’m still suffering the effects, sleeping more than usual and not up to working much. So, if you have a blog post you want me to consider, please send it on. Also, you may want to further Jerome’s research. It’s excellent, and adds important detail that doesn’t fit in the Separate Identity narrative.

I would appreciate your comments on this: I have many vintage anti-Watchtower booklets. Among these are many from the 1940s. As is true of most anti-Witness controversialist material they are full of poor reasoning, lies, ad hominem, and stupidity. But they are historical documents, and some add detail to the narrative. I’m considering republishing them in an annotated edition.

I hesitate to do this given their offensive nature. But they ARE part of our history. What do you think?

Now on to other things. A recent email said: “WTS has been trying to remove and cleanse their history, and it's becoming harder to find old documents.” I want to state here that this is total nonsense. One cannot expect them to oppose their own theology. But they do not buy up, erase, or otherwise hide documents. One can find every Watchtower, Awake, Consolation, Golden Age, booklet and book they ever published. Most are online; the rest are available through interlibrary loan or direct request to the institution owning the material.

No ethical academic would call Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult. Those who fear them, who cannot refute their doctrine except by repeating that they do not agree use the term to color the Witnesses in shades of black. That is the same thinking behind the Catholic Inquisition. And there ARE clergy and anti-cult writers who would gladly burn Witnesses at the stake if the law did not prevent them.

Assume personal responsibility. The person who wrote the email I’ve mentioned did not like the restrictions Witness theology places on its adherents. You cannot fornicate, steal, use illegal drugs, or misbehave in other ways. Fine. You don’t want to live under those restrictions, just don’t. No-one is forcing you to do that. 

Alexander Turney Stewart

Alexander Turney Stewart was the founder of the department store as we today know it. Born in 1803 he used a legacy to invest in Irish linens and opened a store in New York in the early 1920s. He grew to be a multi-millionaire. His story is told in Wikipedia.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Turney_Stewart

The reason he appears here on this blog is because there are connections with CTR’s family. They may go back to the old country, Ireland, or if not, to the Russell family’s early days in America.

Among CTR’s family were three Uncles who all went to America, and they all had connections with Turney Stewart.

Uncle Charles TAYS Russell’s obituary mentions Stewart.

The obituary states he received his early lessons in active business from A T Stewart. That could be anything from a tutelage to working in Stewart’s New York store.

Uncle James Russell (who bought the grave plot for the family in the Allegheny cemetery) ran a boarding school and academy in Elmwood Hill, Bloomingdale, New York for around 20 years. For most of those years his newspaper advertisements said a prospectus could be obtained from A T Stewart’s Broadway Store. (Did Stewart help with finance?)

And third – Uncle Alexander who spent most of his American life in New York and New Jersey had a daughter named Cornelia born in 1840. A family history document says she was “named for Mrs A T Stewart” – who was indeed a Cornelia

So there are at least three connections between CTR’s Uncles and the multi-millionaire Stewart. The last one about the name Cornelia suggests the link were not just business, but personal.

There is a chain from Stewart’s Irish linen store and dry goods in New York, to Charles Tays’ Russell opening something similar in Pittsburgh, to his brother Joseph Lytle joining him, to CTR taking over that type of business and selling shirts.

Unfortunately few documents from Stewart’s business empire have survived today, so it may never be possible to join all the dots.

Unless anyone out there has more information? 

James

This material is a proposed chapter for a future book on the History of the Russell family.

As with the previous extract (see post from January 28) comments are welcome, either here or send back-channel to Jerome.

The Aunt Sarah document that is the starting point for this article can be examined here in an earlier draft of this material:

https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-russell-family-tree.html

    

     James was the oldest of the ten children of James Russell and Fannie Grier who survived to adulthood, and was born c.1796. His register of death from 1847 simply states that he came from Ireland. He will have been one of the first to go to America if not THE first, paving the way for others. His history, as given by Aunt Sarah, suggests a possible trail-blazer, a patriarch of the family, but he ended up in Pittsburgh and died comparatively young, five years before CTR was born. Aunt Sarah tells us that James married Sarah Ann Risk. We learn elsewhere in the document that the Risk family were Episcopalians in Faun, Ireland (which is most likely Fahan in County Donegal), and father George Risk (married to a Sarah) was an excise officer. We also note from the history of Alexander Russell, who we will come to later, but who married Sarah Ann’s sister, Margaret, that James and Sarah were already a married couple in America in Elmwood Hill, New York, by 1832.

     James’ history gives a field for more research. Quoting directly from Aunt Sarah:

“James was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, conducted his Collegiate and Commercial Institute at Elmwood Hill, Bloomingdale, N.Y. now included in Central Park near West 103^rd Street.”

     So he started his education in Dublin but then “conducted” an institute in New York.

     Trinity College, Dublin, was founded in 1592. Famous alumni include James Ussher (he of Bible chronology), literary figures like Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith and later Oscar Wilde, philosophers like Edmund Burke, and statesmen like Eamon de Valera. it was specifically founded as an educational institution for Protestants who supported the established church. That meant Anglicans; non-conformists like Presbyterians would have issues.  However, James was to take the faith of his wife and her family and become Episcopalian. As for Roman Catholics, they were basically barred by a required oath until 1793. Matters were then relaxed somewhat and religious tests were abolished by Act of Parliament in 1873, at which point the Irish Catholic Bishops banned their flock from enrolling. The matter was not finally resolved until 1970.

     By the time James enrolled Protestants of all shapes and sizes could attend. The original emphasis on theology gradually broadened to include a whole range of subjects, including mathematics, medicine, law, science and engineering.

     The enrolment records for Trinity have survived. Examining lists of those who enrolled between 1803 and 1829 (which are in two volumes covering 1803-1814, 1815-1829) there are twenty Russells in total on the books – but only one James.

     This solitary James was entered for enrolment on 3 November 1823 and “put on the books” as the register puts it, on 22 November 1823. His tutor is listed as W. Harte.

     At this time, if this was OUR James he would have been in his late twenties. One might expect the James Russell in Aunt Sarah’s account to have attended college a little earlier in life. However, this is the only James found in extant enrolment records for Trinity College, and they do appear to be very comprehensive. It seems likely that James returned to Ireland from America for a short while for some of his education. As we will see when discussing Alexander Turney Stewart in the chapter on Charles Tays Russell, some people did travel back and forth across the Atlantic at this time if they had good enough reason to do so.

     According to Aunt Sarah the institute that James was involved with was called the Collegiate and Commercial Institute at Elmwood Hill, Bloomingdale, New York. There were some name changes over two decades but always with James G Russell at the helm.

     The New York papers, particularly The Evening Post ran a prospectus and advertisement for this for a good number of years. On the next page is one example, taken from the paper for 10 September 1835. As the reproduction is quite small, the details will be reviewed on following pages.

     The school had been established at its present location for the past eight years. That would take us back to around 1827.

     It was a boarding school for young boys. There were four classes covering four years, and the wide range of subjects included: Spelling, Reading, Writing, Mathematics (including book-keeping), Geography, Elocution, Mythology, Astronomy, and History (particularly of the United States). If a young person stayed to the final year they could enjoy:

 “Logic, Belle Lettres, Natural and Moral Philosophy, Chymistry (sic), Political Economy, with an explanation of the Constitution of the United States, and of the State of New York.”

     There were extra charges for those who needed Greek, Latin, French, Spanish and Drawing. The terms per annum were not cheap but did include “Board, Tuition, Washing and Mending.”

     To offer these services for four classes, which one assumes ran concurrently, would require the hiring of staff.

     The principal (James G Russell of Elmwood Hill) explained the regime:

“It is exclusively a Boarding School; and no pupils are admitted but such as will board and reside in the family, and under the constant supervision of the principal, and pursue the prescribed course under his immediate direction. The discipline of the school is mild and parental, but sufficiently energetick (sic) to secure the performance of the prescribed duties; but it has been a favourite object to dispense with corporeal punishment, and substitute the incentive of emulation, a sense of honour, duty and propriety. Principles of piety and morality are constantly inculcated without interfering with the tenets of any particular sect. The family of the principal, and the pupils, attend the Episcopal Church.”

     It noted in passing that “a small item is charged for pew rent.”

     One trusts that this was a step-up from Dotheboys Hall in Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby.

     Of particular interest is the announcement that ran at the end of the advertisement for many years that those who wanted a prospectus or more information could obtain such from Messrs. A.T. Stewart and Co., 257 Broadway. We will see when discussing Charles Tays Russell that his obituary has him working either with or for Stewart when he came to America. There was obviously a long connection between Alexander Turney Stewart and some of the Russell family, even if we can’t join all the dots today.

     The advertisements for a New York boarding school featuring James G Russell go right back to 1820. James would have been about 25 years old at the time.

     The first known appearance of James was in The Evening Post for 9 June 1820.

     The heading was ACADEMY AT STATEN ISLAND and it announced its opening. It offered the usual subjects and noted that:

“A limited number of young gentlemen, not exceeding 12 years of age, can be accommodated with boarding, washing and mending in the family of the teacher.”

     The location was on the northeast side of Staten Island. James’ hype concluded:

The local situation of the academy, in point of beauty, convenience, and salubrity of air, is surpassed by none. The subscriber flatters himself that the above advantages, joined to his own exertions, to promote the improvement and regulate the morals of those committed to his care, shall entitle him to a share of the public patronage.”

     It was signed JAMES G. RUSSELL and had references from a Naval Officer and two Health Officers.

     It looked very much like a start-up operation. However, the date does suggest that James was the first of his generation to travel to America, therefore able to help younger family members when they arrived. Charles Tays Russell, for example, was only about 16 years old when he made the trip in 1822.

     By 1824 James’s Academy had moved to the “rear of the Dutch Church” and was advertised as a “Boarding School at Bloomingdale.” (The Evening Post for 7 May 1924; unless otherwise indicated, all further references to James’ school will be from this paper).

     In 1825 (9 May 1825) it was “J. G. Russell’s Boarding School” which was “now open for the accommodation of six or eight young Gentlemen.”

     The advertisements then disappeared for nearly two years, which may supports the assumption that James went back to the old country to do courses at Trinity College, Dublin.

    When James reappeared in 1827 (3 April 1827) he announced a relocation of his Boarding school, and revealed his “object is to establish a s  elect school, exclusively for boarders, the number of whom is limited to 20.”

     The idea of the school being “select” – with a specific class of clientele as a target – comes over in the promise:

“French and Spanish are taught by a highly approved teacher, who is detained as a permanent resident in the family, with a view to render the French, as much as practicable, the language of the family.”

     Again, it sounds very much like a start-up venture, or a re-start-up. It ties in with his 1935 announcement (already reviewed) that the school had operated in its present form for the past eight years.

     By 1930 (27 November 1830) it had become ELMWOOD HILL JUVENILE INSTITUTE  with James G, Russell as principal, and was now linked to Mr A T Stewart’s premises at 257 Broadway.

   The 1931 advertisement (28 May 1831) show the number accommodated to have risen to about 40, with extensive enlargements underway to expand further. By now it sounds like a success story.

    In 1932 (21 September 1832) the name changed again Now it was ELMWOOD HILL BOARDING SCHOOL (Six miles from City Hall, New York). James noted for prospective new clients:

“The number of pupils and limited and select, and none are admitted but such as reside with the family of the principal, with whom they fare at a common board, and by whom they are treated in all respects as children in a well regulated and Christian family.”

     By 1834 (6 August 1834), yet more improvements to the buildings made it possible to expand the business and accommodate additional pupils. Circulars with more information were still available from A T Stewart’s emporium.

     The 1835 advertisement has already been reproduced in full and discussed above. By now the name Aunt Sarah remembered, ELMWOOD HILL COLLEGIATE AND COMMERCIAL INSTITUTE was featured and remained in place (with just one slight tweak) for the rest of its history.

     So James G  Russell’s Collegiate and Commerical Institute was a success story, pitching its services to the wealthier classes who could afford the ever increasing fees.

     As noted earlier, Aunt Sarah’s source document gave a brief snapshot for James in 1832. He is well established in America, married to his own Sarah and living in Elmwood Hill, New York. Aunt Sarah records that:

“James and Sarah having no children ‘adopted’ Thomas Russell, son of (his brother) Alexander.”

     This Thomas Russell was born in 1833.

     It would appear that young Thomas joined the family of boarders at the Elmwood Hill School.

     James’ history leaves a number of questions for which we may never have the answers. Why did he start a Boarding school in 1920? Why was it in New York? Once the school was up and running it should have been quite profitable, but how was he able to fund such a venture initially?

     It all seems to have come to an abrupt end in 1840. The advertisements for the Elmwood establishment suddenly disappeared in May 1840, never to return.

     The final advertisement had a slight change of title:

     The reference to “the last ten years” suggests yet another change of venue from back in 1830. As always, more information was available from A T Stewart’s.

     But for all its appearance of a flourishing going concern, that was it.

     What happened next we do not know. We assume this might be when James and Sarah moved from New York to Pittsburgh, to join his younger brother, Charles Tays. We don’t know why they moved and we don’t know what they did when they got there. Was the master plan to start another school, or did James just work for his brother? We do know that he and Sarah returned to New York at one point but both were to die in the Pittsburgh area.

     As far as Pittsburgh was concerned, the first fairly positive sighting of James was in 1843.

     On Monday, 16 October 1843 The Pittsburgh Daily Post newspaper published a list of letters waiting at the Post Office for collection. It was a new feature of the newspaper that, regrettably for researchers, had only started that year.

     In the paper for 16 October, and repeated over the next two days, there was a letter waiting for James.

     We can reasonably assume this is the James who is married to Sarah. Next to him in the list, also with a letter to collect, is his brother, Joceph (sic) L(ytle) Russell. A few weeks later in the issue for 18 November 1843 the list included Charles T(ays) Russell, so it appears that all three brothers were in Pittsburgh together by 1843. We will return to Joseph and Charles later.

     James evidently intended Pittsburgh to be became a permanent home because in 1846 he bought one of the first grave plots to go on the market in the new Allegheny Cemetery. He obviously had sufficient funds to do this. He and his extended family were going to stay there. Forever. Literally.

     However, before this happened, there was one final try back in New York. From The Evening Post for 2 October 1845.

     James called himself “a graduate of a distinguished University” and offered accommodation for six boys in his own home at 227 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. It was almost a repeat of his first advertisement back in 1820. And the contact for more information was still A T Stewart and Co., Broadway, NY.

     It may be that declining health for both James and Sarah was why this last try was short lived. Within a little over a year Sarah would be dead, and in a little over two years, so would James. They would die in the Pittsburgh area and be buried in the plot James had bought in 1846 at the Allegheny Cemetery.

Insert material on the Allegheny cemetery and the Russell family plot. Adapted from:

https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-russells-and-allegheny-cemetery.html

     The Allegheny Cemetery charter laid down strict legal provisions for inheritance of family plots. They would first go to children (James and Sarah did not have any) then to parents (who are assumed to be long dead in the old country), and then to brothers and sisters. Over the years ownership of the plot would pass first to James’ brother Charles, and then to his brother Joseph and finally to his son, CTR.

     In summary: of Thomas and Fanny Russell’s ten children who lived to adulthood, James appears as the oldest, the firstborn. He may have been a pioneer, perhaps the first of the family to travel to America, specifically to New York. By Aunt Sarah’s account he was well educated. By his own testimony he was “a graduate of a distinguished University.” What might he have accomplished had he lived? But sadly, he was to die comparatively young, several years before CTR was born. Hence, he was to be forgotten by history.

IMPORTANT ADDENDA TO POST ON JAMES RUSSELL

Since posting the above a significant alteration needs to be made. When and if this is incorporated into a book on the Russell Family History, the chapter will be rewritten to reflect the latest information.

I asked Trinity College if they had more information on James Russell who studied there. They have come back to me with full information on the James Russell who was admitted as a student in 1823. The problem is that this James is 15 years old and checking his history has no connection to our story.

This is the only James in the register for the relevant period. So although Aunt Sarah said “James was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland,” there is no primary documentation to support that. Trinity College (Dublin) records are quite comprehensive, and it would seem that James Grier Russell is not there. In the New York Evening Post for 2 October 1845 James described himself as “graduate of a distinguished University, and long known in New York as an efficient teacher.”

The type of education offered by his boarding school suggests he would need that level of education unless he just employed qualified teachers of the day. He doesn’t say which university he graduated from and, on reflection, I suspect that if it had been as prestigious as Trinity College, Dublin, he might have said so.

So what happened? Did someone exaggerate along the way? Or did Aunt Sarah, writing over half a century after the events, just assume something from second and third-hand comments and get it wrong?

There is a lesson to never take anything for granted. And my thanks to Trinity College for eventually looking up the fuller picture and taking the time to get back to me.

It is a disappointment, but as far as is humanly possible, what we write has to be accurate.