Background
David Jones Dove was born in 1696 or 1708 in Portsmouth, England, where his father was a tailor. He was the son of David and Mary Dove.
David Jones Dove was born in 1696 or 1708 in Portsmouth, England, where his father was a tailor. He was the son of David and Mary Dove.
Dove was a surely in two marriage cases in 1728 in Chichester, where he taught grammar for sixteen years before coming to America. He arrived with his wife in Philadelphia in 1750 and applied for a position in the newly founded Academy. The trustees appointed him English master for one year, beginning January 7, 1751, at a salary of £150. Franklin quickly recognized his unusual abilities. The English school grew in numbers and he was given two assistants. Encouraged by his success he opened in September 1751 an academy for young ladies. The trustees of the Academy, however, thought that these new cares caused him to neglect his work in the English school and in February 1753 they reluctantly accepted his resignation which took effect in July. Richard Peters, once a student of Dove’s, said that he was a “sarcastic and ill-tempered doggerswer to all the Dunces of the Medley and their Abettors. He continued his school in Germantown until 1768 when he was again in Philadelphia conducting a school on Front St. In the spring of the following year he died and on April 4, 1769, was buried in Christ Church burying ground.
Richard Peters, once a student of Dove’s, said that he was a “sarcastic and ill-tempered doggerswer to all the Dunces of the Medley and their Abettors.
Dove was a surety in two marriage cases in 1728 in Chichester.
