In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the number of applications sets a new record, New Jersey’s new governor expresses support for the new college, and more.

September 13, 1876—James McCosh reports that the number of applications for admission to Princeton reached an all-time high this year: 160.

September 15, 1845—John Tyler visits the campus with J.S. Green and future Senator John Renshaw Thomson, Class of 1817.

September 16, 1747—Jonathan Belcher writes to a friend in London about his arrival in New Jersey, where he has just begun his sojourn as governor after 10 weeks at sea.

I have been received by the good People com’itted to my care with all possible appearance of Respect and Satisfaction and I hope it will be my care to continue it by endeavouring in all laudable ways to render them an Easy happy People who I find unlearn’d and unpolite–and am therefore putting forward the building of a College in this Province for the Instruction of the youth in the Principles of true Religion and good Literature–and I have a good Prospect of bringing it to pass. [sic]

September 17, 1787—Nine alumni of Princeton are present at the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia: Alexander Martin, Class of 1756; William Paterson, Class of 1763; Oliver Ellsworth, Class of 1766; Luther Martin, Class of 1766; William Churchill Houston, Class of 1768; Gunning Bedford, Class of 1771; James Madison, Class of 1771; and Jonathan Dayton, Class of 1776.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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