Hamill Family Papers

Samuel McClintock Hamill was born in 1812 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He entered Jefferson College in 1830 and graduated with distinction. He later received a Doctor in Divinity from Hanover College in 1864.

In 1837, Alexander Hamilton Phillips sold the Lawrenceville Academy (now The Lawrenceville School) to Dr. Hamill and his brother, Reverend Hugh Hamill. Dr. Hamill renamed the School the Lawrenceville Classical and Commercial High School. He then amended the curriculum to include math and science as a response to increasing industrialization. In the mid-18th century, eight new subjects - geography, English grammar, algebra, geometry, ancient physical geography, English composition and United States history - were added to the School’s curriculum when they became Princeton admission requirements. Dr. Hamill helped establish the first extracurricular activities at Lawrenceville. The first literary society, the Calliopean Society, was followed shortly by the Philomathean Society. These were followed by the Young Men’s Christian Society, a Bible Society and the Temperance Society. He also oversaw the creation of the first alumni association.

In 1879, the residuary legatees to the estate of John Cleve Green, agreed to purchase the School from Dr. Hamill for $25,000 and asked him to continue as principal until they could find a new head of school, which they did when they secured the services of James C. Mackenzie. Dr. Hamill gave his last commencement address in 1883. On September 20, 1889, at age 77, he died in his sleep.