Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/470

LXXVIII.

The Commencement of 1767 was not held until ^Novem- ber j the reason for the delay, however, is not stated in the record. 10 November had been appointed " and eight days more being judged necessary to prepare the students, it is put off till next Tuesday." The six graduates were Jacob Bankson, who spoke the Salutatory Oration ; James Cannon, a native of Edinburgh, who became professor of Mathematics in 1773 ; Francis Johnston, afterwards Colonel of a Pennsylvania Regiment in the Revolu- tion, and Receiver General of the Pennsylvania Land Office from 1781-1800; John White Swift, the Valedictorian; Edward Tilghman, a native of Maryland, afterwards a leading lawyer at the Philadelphia Bar; and Joshua Maddox Wallace, a grandson of Joshua Maddox the Trustee who had died eight years before : young Wallace shortly became a tutor in the College. 1 Alison, Andrews, Dungan, Patterson and White of the class of 1765, were made Masters in course. " The honorary degree of Bach- elor of Arts was conferred on Joseph Hutchins, of Barbadoes, formerly a student in this College." But the great achievement of the occasion was conferring the honorary Master's Degree on "Mr. David Rittenhouse, of Norriton, in this County, 2 on account of his great Knowledge in Mechanics, Mathematics, Astronomy and other liberals arts." The Provost's remarks when admitting him to the Degree, he enters on the minutes : The Trustees of this College (the Faculty of Professors cheerfully concurring) being ever desirous to distinguish real merit, especially in the 1 "An elegant Dialogue written in verse by Thomas Coombe, B. A., was also spoken on this occasion and an ode set to Music was sung by Master John Bankson, with great sweetness and propriety, accompanied by the Organ, under the conduct of a worthy son of the College (viz : Mr. Hopkinson) who has often shown his Regard to the Place of his Education, by honoring it on public occasions with his ready service. The Band belonging to the i8th or Royal Irish Regiment, was kindly per- mitted by Col. Wilkins to perform the Instrumental Part of the Music." Minutes. Francis Hopkinson, Samuel Powel, and Hon. James Hamilton had arrived home on 23 October in the Pennsylvania Packet. Pennsylvania Gazette, 29 October, 1767. Mr. Coombe's Dialogue in Verse was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette of 26 November. 2 Norristown : This portion of Philadelphia County was afterwards set oft as Montgomery County.