Minerva's Diary - A History of Jarvis Collegiate Institute

Despite rote-learning, recitation, ungraded classes,
uncomfortable backless benches and poor lighting, students
profited under the tutelage of Marcellus Crombie for fourteen
years. In December, 1852, he died and was buried in St. James'
Cemetery
following the funeral service which took place in the
school.*7 His son, Ernestus, who had been the first assistant,
applied for the post vacated by his father, but on New Year's Eve
the Board rejected his application and resolved:
That Mr. E.N.A. Crombie be continued in his
present situation and have charge of the school till
further action be taken by the Board and that the
school be opened at the usual time after Christmas
vacation. and that a committee be appointed to
consider what changes be made tn the staff of the
Grammar School .
Rev. Jennings presented the committee's report to the
Board in March, whereupon it was decided to hire one headmaster
and one assistant. Dr. Michael Howe of Galt was
appointed principal in April, 1853, and William Clark became his
assistant. €9
i.
1 Durham, Lord, Report on the Affairs of British North America.
2 "The Home District School," Upper Canada Gazette (Jan. 17, 1839).
3 Upper Canada Gazette (Oct. 10, 1839).
4 Hodgins, J.G ., Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada, 1835-
1855, (Toronto: L.K. Cameron, 1894-1908).
5 Cochrane, H., op. cit.
6 Hodgins, J.G., op. cit.
7 The Globe (Dec. 23, 1852). Most Jarvis histories record the death of Mr.
Crombie in 1853, but 1852 is correct.
8 Minutes, Toronto Grammar School Board of Education (Dec. 31, 1852).
9 Minutes, Toronto Grammar School Board of Education (March l, March
22, April 7, 1853).
Rev, Dr. Michael Howe, who became headmaster in 1853, was a tall
gentleman who had acquired a rubicund nose due to many years of
snuffing. His forced resignation in 1863 was due to •'rumours affecting
his character".
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