Nyack Public School
Late 1800's

John Tallman Smith

As noted in his obituary, John T. Smith was born in Clarkstown in 1826.  He moved to Nyack at the age of 17 to become a cooper "and became thoroughly proficient in that line of work".  He was sexton of the Reformed Church for 13 years and janitor of the public school for 20 years.  It was said that nearly everyone in Nyack knew him.  He died in 1892.

John T. Smith was my 2nd Great Grandfather.

- Ed Rigel, Sr. Gainesville, GA

Mr. Sherwood and Teachers

J. Elmer Christie collection
1875
Sepia, 4 x 6” mounted on linen backed paper with note on back

Mr. Henry W. Sherwood sits in the center of a group of teachers.  All but one are women.

On the back are these notes: “Principal Henry W. Sherwood and teachers 1875.  (The man at the right is John T. Smith, the veteran janitor.)  Nordstrom, in “The Frontier Elements”, calls Sherwood a superintendent.”

Teacher with Class

J. Elmer Christie collection
1875
Sepia, 4 x 6” mounted on linen backed paper

The stern looking teacher stands with a group of 20 intermediate students.  The man on the left is the janitor, John T. Smith.

Superintendent John A. Demarest with Teachers

J. Elmer Christie collection
1888
Sepia, 4 x 6” mounted on linen backed paper

John Demarest sits on the porch and the teachers of the Grammar and Primary departments are gathered around him.

Top Row: Miss Edith Stillwell, John A. Demarest, Mrs. John T. Smith (janitress)
Second Row:  Miss Ida Latimer, Miss Belle Turner, Miss Edith Armstrong, Miss Augusta Tremper, Miss Gertrude Littlejohn, Miss Annie E. Demarest
Third Row: Miss Mattie Latimer, Miss Fannie Wood, Miss Belle Edwards, Miss Elizabeth H. Demarest, Miss Kate Van Doren, Miss Frances Elliott, Miss (Helen) Smith, Miss Minnie Storms, Miss Emma Kiner