Janitors of DickinsonJanitors of Dickinson College in the nineteenth century were incredibly well-known by students and served as a prominent part of students' experiences at and recollections of Dickinson.
They had a broad range of tasks they were required to complete. In addition to performing cleaning duties in classrooms and dormitories that custodians today must do, janitors of the nineteenth century were also required to sweep in students' rooms and make their beds. |
|
According to the 1830 Dickinson College "Statutes," janitors were required to ring the college bell at the faculty's request, start and put out fires in classrooms and the Chapel in the winter, attend faculty meetings to summon students and "wait on the Board of Trustees," employ people to fix damages in buildings, and paint all walls, including those to the outhouses, every vacation. The janitor was even responsible for ensuring vendors did not sell their products on campus. These various jobs forced the janitors to be a larger part of students' lives because they were continually interacting with them. Students did not just see the janitors in the hallways of their dormitories or in classrooms; they also saw them patrolling outside for vendors, tending to fires in all rooms in all buildings in the winter, and cleaning in students' rooms. The college also required janitors to live on campus. This meant that they were interacting with students not only when on duty, but also when they were relaxing, eating, or getting ready for bed.
Janitors were required to be male African Americans. While not required, many of the janitors were also former slaves. Their race and often former slave status caused students to have a more patronizing paternalistic relationship with the janitors. Students felt comfortable talking to the janitors and often found themselves thinking about them when reminiscing about their college days. [1]
Janitors were required to be male African Americans. While not required, many of the janitors were also former slaves. Their race and often former slave status caused students to have a more patronizing paternalistic relationship with the janitors. Students felt comfortable talking to the janitors and often found themselves thinking about them when reminiscing about their college days. [1]
Payment of Janitors
Front of the 1873 payment vouchers. Courtesy of the Dickinson College Archives.
|
Back of the 1873 payment vouchers. Courtesy of the Dickinson College Archives.
|
In May 1873, three payment vouchers were made out to janitors of the college. The three recipients were Sam Watts, Robert Young, and George Norris. These payment vouchers are important because they reveal the names of three of the janitors working in 1873. In addition, they also prove that the college employed both literate and illiterate janitors. While Sam Watts and Robert Young signed their checks, signifying their ability to write, George Norris marked his with a cross. The shaky cross Norris drew implies that he was illiterate because drawing crosses was a common way for illiterate people to sign documents in the nineteenth century.
|
Additional Janitors
|
Dickinson College employed many more janitors than this project will address. In addition to Henry Spradley, Sam Watts, and Jim Powell, the college employed at least four others: Reverend Robert Young, Judge Watts, George Norris, and Andrew Beal.
According to a satire piece in the 1882 Microcosm, in addition to Henry Spradley and Robert Young, there were six other janitors. The West College janitors were Shirley, Kurnel, and John, while the East College janitors were Bud, Bob, and Charlie.
|
|
Sources
[1] Dickinson College "Statutes," 1830, Dickinson College Archives, pp. 13-15.
