The Lebanon Valley Historical Society and the New Lebanon Library will be presenting a talk, “Searching for Jesse Torrey,” on Monday, September 15, at 7 pm.
Dr. Jesse Torrey was the founder of the free public library movement in the United States. In 1804, at the age of 16, he established the Library of the “New Lebanon Juvenile Society for the Acquisition of Knowledge.” This organization was the first free lending library in the nation and became the present New Lebanon Library. Dr. Torrey’s passion for education drove him to petition Congress for a network of free public libraries and schools across the country, enlisting President James Madison to his cause.
While in Washington DC, Jesse became struck by the abusive treatment of slaves. He wrote a book about slavery which is now an important archival work in African-American studies. He worked ardently for the humane treatment of slaves and for a government-purchased redemption program. He also collaborated with attorney Francis Scott Key to try to secure the restitution of liberty to illegally captured freed slaves.
A physician by trade, Jesse Torrey wrote a dissertation about contagious diseases, advocating treatment by innovative remedies. He also petitioned congress for the establishment of a national botanical garden for medicinal purposes. As an educator, he developed original and practical systems of teaching English, reading and spelling.
Frances Bonner and Anne Nardacci, descendants of Jesse Torrey, will be the presenters. They will talk about their extensive and meticulous research into original texts in the National Archives, congressional records, the NYS Museum Archives and Library and many other institutions. They will share their discoveries about the life and work of this accomplished and intellectually independent man.
The presentation will take place at the Forge, at the Mount Lebanon Shaker Site, on Shaker Road in New Lebanon. Please call 518-794-9177 for directions.