I spend a good amount of time searching the internet for material and content that relates to the life of Laurent Clerc. I am always amazed at what can be found and the obscure and not so obscure references I can find. This one, about a convention of the New England Gallaudet Association (video) gives us a sense of Laurent's retirement activities and the connections he continued to make in the Deaf community after no longer was at the Asylum. This article was found on the Library of Congress website and was from a publication, The Worcester Spy, in Worcester, Massachusetts, about 70 miles Northeast of Hartford, CT.
-Laurent-
“Something new under the sun, so far, at least, as this city and vicinity is concerned, occurred
yesterday, in the meeting at Washburn Hall,
of the third convention of the “New England Gallaudet Association of Deaf Mutes” Though not so noisy as some other meetings, we have never attended one where a more general interest pervaded the whole body, or where a more marked attention was paid to the efforts of the orators and we class it decidedly among the most interesting of the many occasions of public gathering, which the present Autumn has given rise to, in this city. The exercises of the occasion were in the language of signs, as taught at the several institutions for the education of deaf mutes, with spelling on the fingers, of proper names and such words as could not conveniently be expressed by signs.
Rev. T. H. Gallaudet of New York, son of the late Rev. Dr. Gallaudet of Hartford, whose mother was a deaf mute, and whose wife is one also, acted as interpreter, for the benefit of those who hear, and do not understand the sign language.That the speakers, if so they may be termed, were well understood by the mutes, was abundantly manifested by the simultaneous applause which broke forth in all parts of the hall, whenever anything was expressed, calculated to call forth such manifestations.
Among those whose faces we were happy to recognize on this occasion, were Rev. W. W. Turner, the faithful and indefatigable Principal of the Asylum at Hartford, and Rev. Laurent Clerc (newspaper wrongly stated he was a clergyman), the associate, dating from the foundation of that institution, of the two former principals, and of the present one till within quite a recent period. The pleasure that beamed from the faces of the mutes, and the cordial greetings which they gave to these, their old instructors, on meeting them again, after separations of greater or less duration, were very affecting, and drew tears from many eyes, not “used to the melting mood.”
After prayer by Rev. John O. David of New Hampshire, the President, Thomas Brown (video), of
West Henniker, N. H., made the opening address, welcoming those present to the social enjoyments of the occasion. J. P. Marsh of Roxbury was then introduced, as the orator of the day. He said he was happy to see assembled, in the central city of New England, so large a body of brethren. Mr. Marsh then proceeded to give a brief sketch of the life of the late Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, the great pioneer, to whom all of them were so much indebted for the advantages now enjoyed, in the means of education of the deaf mutes. Mr. Gallaudet was born in Philadelphia, December 10, 1787, but resided at Hartford after the age of 13. He graduated at Yale, with high honors, in 1805, and after six years of literary labor, became a theological student at Andover, and commenced preaching in 1814. While at home during vacation, he became interested in a little bright deaf and dumb girl, named Alice Coggswell, fond from this circumstance is dated the subsequent distinguished devotion of Mr. Gallaudet to this philanthropic cause. By the aid and encouragement of Rev. Dr. Cogswell, father of Alice, and other influential citizens of Hartford and other places, Mr. Gallaudet was enabled to visit Europe for the furtherance of the noble cause he had espoused, and sailed accordingly in 1815, visiting London, Edinburgh, and Paris During this visit he was introduced to the celebrated Abbe Sicard, the head of the Paris Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and his two favorite pupils, one of whom, the venerable Laurent Clerc, came with him, on his return to this country, and became bis associate in the Hartford institution, and is now present at the age
of seventy-three years.
From Abbe Sicard, Mr. G. learned all the modern improvements in the mode of education of those unfortunates, and in 1815, after a residence of one year in Europe embarked for home in company with his friend and assistant, Mr. Clerc. [The allusion to Mr. Clerc was received simultaneously with the most rapturous applause, from all parts of the audience, showing how well they all understood the sign language.] After his return, Mr. Gallaudet, with the cooperation of his associate, labored arduously to introduce the new system of instruction here, and finally succeeded in opening the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, at Hartford, April 18, 1817, and served as its Principal till 1830, after which time he devoted himself to founding new schools in other localities, and to writing Scripture biographies.
In 1838 he became chaplain to the Connecticut Retreat for the Insane, and served till death.
September 26,1850, the graduates of the institution founded by them at Hartford, presented to Messrs. Gallaudet and Clerc each a beautiful silver pitcher, in token of their estimation. At the meeting where the ceremony of presentation took place
were congregated a great number from abroad, and the occasion will be long remembered by them, as the death of Mr. G. took place one year thereafter. He died Sept. 10, 1851. On the 6th of September, 1854, a monument, twenty feet in height, costing $2500, was erected in his memory.
Lewis Weld, for thirty one years a pupil of Mr. Gallaudet, died Dec. 30, 1853. Three other of Mr. Gallaudet’s early disciples still survive, as follows
Dr. H. A. Peet, LL. D., President of the New York Institute for the Deaf and Dumb at Poughkeepsie; Prof. C. Bartlett, of the same institute; and Rev. William W. Turner, Third Principal of the American Asylum at Hartford, now present.
Mr. Marsh also alluded to two distinguished deaf mute survivors—Prof. Wilson of the American Asylum, and Prof. J. A. Spofford of the Ohio Institution. Mr. Clerc is now the oldest teacher of the deaf and dumb in this country, and, probably, in the world. He resigned his office in the American Asylum, Sept. 18,1856, at the advanced age of 71, to rest from his labor.
An interesting account was given, by Mr. Marsh, of Mr. Clerc’s accidental acquaintance with an uncultivated Chinese man, in 1818, whom he taught the use of the sign language,'greatly to the astonishment and delight of the Chinese man, who was before ignorant of any system of language, by which he could communicate with the people of this country. Mr. Marsh referred to the formation of the New England Gallaudet Association, at the time of the erection of the monument to Mr. Gallaudet, at Hartford, Sept. 6, 1864. He then drew a comparison between the present time and the period when there were no educated mutes in the country. Now, there were none uneducated— such are improvements within Hartford there were then no institutions out of Connecticut for the education of deaf mutes; now two thirds of the States have them,where all may be educated to fit themselves to get comfortable livelihoods. Mr. Marsh closed by illustrating the advantages derived by deaf mutes from education in literature, science, the arts, religion & and recommending his brethren everywhere to visit conventions for instruction and social intercourse, as a means of binding themselves together in social relations, and finally alluding again to Mr. Gallaudet, he said future generations would rise up and call him blessed.
Mr. Clerc was then introduced to the audience, whom he addressed as children, and to whom he recommended the holding of frequent meetings like this, and suggested the holding of a national convention at some central point. He was very enthusiastic and eloquent in his remarks, which were very highly applauded.
John Carlin, of New York city, spoke at some length, drawing a very amusing contrast between this Convention and the celebrated “radical convention” lately assembled at Rutland, Vt. The meeting was then addressed in a very eloquent manner by Prof. W. W. Turner and others, and after a benediction, adjourned for dinner.
THE DINNER.
The members of the Convention, generally, partook of a dinner, provided (or the occasion, at
the Lincoln House, at which place a large portion of them have their quarters. After satisfying the animal's wants, the intellectual feast was duly inaugurated and carried out. We have no
room for such details as we should like to give.
In brief—
The first sentiment offered was by Mr. Brown, the President of the Association, in honor of those gentleman of Hartford by whose liberality Mr. Gallaudet was enabled to visit Europe preparatory to establishing the Asylum at Hartford, Responded to by Mr. Turner.
The second was by Mr. Clerc, as follows The State of Massachusetts —famous for her liberality and benevolence toward public institutions.
The next toast was to the Association by Mr. Amos Smith, followed by the following from Mr. Win. M. Chamberlain, The memory of our benefactor. Gallaudet—We loved him ere the tomb’s cold seal. Wrestling on his brow. And still, though distant from his grave, We love his memory now.
By Mr. Gallaudet: The gratitude of deaf mutes towards those who have been providentially led to labor on their behalf— An evergreen tree, bearing perennial fruits.
The sixth toast was by Mr. T. J. Chamberlain, to the Press.
The seventh was by the same, to the Orator of the Day. Responded to by Mr. Marsh.
The eighth was by Mr. John O. David to the American Asylum. Responded to by Rev. Mr.Turner, who closed with a sentiment to the graduates of that institution.
The eleventh was in honor of the interpreter, and responded to by him.
The twelfth was by Mr. Carlin of New York,in compliment to Mr. Clerc, who responded thereto.
The thirteenth was to the Landlord.
Mr. T. J. Chamberlain then gave—The Ladies. —Their beautiful faces and benignant smiles are visible music to the deaf and dumb.
The fourteenth sentiment, by Mr. George Homer to the President of the Association, brought
the exercises of the occasion to a close. The memory of this social festival, we trust, will remain fresh upon many a mind, for long years to come. The public meeting of the convention will be at 8 1-2 o’clock, this morning.
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