In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a member of the Class of 1858 pays for tuition and fees, a false report of a war ending causes confusion, and more.

August 7, 1842—An observer praises the graduating class for holding their farewell dinner without alcohol. “Friend” writes to the Daily National Intelligencer,

“Such a scene we have never before witnessed in the classic shades of Princeton, although it has been our lot ‘many a time and oft’ to be present at the parting ‘heart-warm fond adieu’ of a senior class.”

August 10, 1767—Philip Vickers Fithian, Class of 1772, writes a letter to his father with a special request: “that I may be put to School.”

August 11, 1856—Francis Gregory Wood, Class of 1858, pays his bill for the semester: $123.50 for tuition and fees (roughly $4,600 in 2023 dollars).

August 12, 1945—Students line up to ring the Nassau Hall bell in celebration after a false report over local radio that Japan has surrendered, ending World War II. After being told of the error, they return “dejectedly to their rooms.”

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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