Long gone are the days of ladies’ schools—dedicated institutions where women and girls were taught everything from etiquette and elocution to secretarial skills and domestic management. These schools served as vital stepping stones for women seeking refinement, education, and social opportunity in eras when formal schooling options for females were scarce.
In 1791, one of Sag Harbor’s earliest newspapers, Frothingham’s Long Island Journal, featured an advertisement for a “young lady’s school” opened by Asa Partridge in what was then spelled “Sagg-Harbour.” This marked the founding of the first private school in Sag Harbor—a significant milestone in the village’s educational history.
Among the skills taught was elocution, the art of clear and expressive speech, a valuable skill for young women of the time, often tied to social mobility and personal poise.
I often wonder where the hall that housed Asa Partridge’s school once stood. If you have any insight into its location—or better yet, a current photo of the property—I’d love to know!
By 1805, the school had come under the direction of a Mr. Moody, though Asa Partridge continued to serve as a trustee alongside four other men, suggesting he maintained an active role in its operations.
Records indicate that Asa owned land in what was referred to as the "Common" area of Sag Harbor. In 1818, he expanded his lot—located north of the property of Pelletiah Fordham and along what was then known simply as the “highway,” possibly Main Street—by purchasing 14 additional feet of frontage for $29.51.
It’s believed that this site later became home to the Meyer & Sons store, which stood on the property as of 1924. This connection offers a fascinating glimpse into the layered history of Sag Harbor’s built environment.
By 1850, Asa Partridge—then retired—owned property valued at $10,000, equivalent to roughly $400,000 today. Between 1849 and 1851, his land was gradually sold off to Sheriff David R. Rose, Charles Douglas, and E.M. Cooper.
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