The New London Literary and Scientific Institution was founded in 1853. It had been established by a group of leading men of the Baptist denomination who saw the need for a literary Institution of high order in the state. The First Annual Catalogue of the Institution was published in 1854. Samuel’s older sister, Miss Martha J Carr, is listed as Teacher of Modern Languages, Painting and Drawing in the Female Department although she is noted as having resigned and about to be replaced in the Winter Term.
Student rolls list Samuel M Carr of New London and Eunice W. Keller of Machiasport, Me as students of the college – they may very well have been members of the founding cohort. There were over 300 students enrolled in the Institution with an average term attendance in the first year of 120. About 40% of the students were women.
Samuel Carr (1854, 1855) was enrolled in the 3-year Classical course which is described as a preparation for entry into college. The course content included Latin Grammar and Literature, Greek Grammar and Literature, Roman Antiquities and Ancient Geography. Carr’s friend George Knowlton was enrolled in the other option, the English Course, which included subjects of a more scientific and practical orientation.
Eunice W. Keller (1854, 1855, 1856, 1857) was listed as a student from 1854 till 1857, the year of her marriage. The Womens English Course included a wide variety of subjects: Latin Grammar and Literature, Algebra, Physiology, Rhetoric, French, Natural Philosophy, Botany, Geometry, Political Economy, Trigonometry, Geology, Natural Theology, Chemistry, Mental Philosophy and English Literature. Eunice was indicated as a Music student in the 1857 roll.
