SMITH, Seymour [1779-1863] -- American scholastic benefactor

Seymour Smith, the founder of the Institute which bears his name, was born August 7, 1779, in the town of Pine Plains. He was one of twelve children - six sons and six daughters - born to Peter and Sarah Smith, who were among the earliest settlers of this town. The father of Seymour Smith was born in 1729, and lived during the French and Indian wars and the subsequent struggle resulting in our national independence, like all pioneers he was poor, and his sons were thrown upon their own resources in early life. The advantages for an education were limited then. There were fewer authors and books than now, and it is a reasonable presumption that the difficulty and lack in this regard produced on the mind of Seymour an impression never to be effaced, and had some influence in determining the munificent bequest to his native town. He died in Germantown, Columbia County, November 26, 1863, and lies buried in the cemetery in Pine Plains village.

The Seymour Smith Institute, a quite celebrated institution of learning, was incorporated here in 1874. The first Board of Trustees was as follows: Walter W. Husted, Frank Eno, Jonas Knickerbacker, Phoenix N. Deuel, John A. Herrick, William S. Eno, Henry Myers, John A. Thompson, Harman W. Pulver, John Righter, Leander Smith, Ury Hicks; President, Walter W. Husted; Secretary, Frank Eno; Treasurer, John A. Thompson.

This building was erected to carry into effect the bequest of Seymour Smith, who bequeathed his entire estate to the town of his birth, "for the special purpose of aiding said town in establishing an Academy for the promotion of science and useful knowledge."

The Institute is under the control of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. The school was opened in the spring of 1879, with some sixty pupils, and thus far [1882] has had a successful existence. The building of the Institute was erected in 1877, and is a wood frame, 40 by 68 feet, two stories and a mansard in height, resting on a high brick basement, making four stories, including basement and mansard.

The corps of instructors is as follows:-

Rev. Abraham Mattice, Principal, Ancient Languages; Lyman H. Hoysradt, Mathematics and Sciences; Julius Nehab, Ph. D., Modern Languages; Mrs. Harriet C. Smeallie, Preceptress, Grammar, Drawing, Oil Painting; Harry B. Conklin, Assistant in English Department; C. Louise Gainer, Common English; Margaret V. D. See, Musical Instructor.

Smith, James H., History of Dutchess County, New York, p.231 (D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, NY; 1882) (Heart of the Lakes Publishing, Interlaken, NY; 2001 ISBN: 0-932334-35-0)