The Anthonys were broad and liberal in religious ideas, and in 1826, when bitter dissensions regarding the divinity of Christ arose among the Quakers, they followed Elias Hicks and were henceforth known as "Hicksite Friends." This controversy divided many families, and on account of it the orthodox brother, Elihu Anthony, insisted on removing their aged father to his home in Saratoga, N.Y., to the great grief of Humphrey, who claimed that the old gentleman was too childish to know whether he was orthodox or Hicksite and ought not to be taken to "a new country" in his declining years Hannah Anthony was ambitious for her children and insisted that they should be placed where they might have better educational facilities than in the little school at home.
Humphrey thought the boys could manage a farm and the girls weave good cloth and make fine cheese without a boarding-school education.

He finally yielded, however, and Daniel and two daughters were sent to the "Nine Partners," that famous Quaker boarding-school in Dutchess county, N.Y.At the end of a year, Daniel, who was about nineteen, had made such rapid progress that he was appointed teacher.

The quaint certificate given him by his associate teachers is still in existence and reads: This may apprize the friends & relatives of D.Anthony, that, during his residence with us, he has been an affectionate consort, excellent, consistant in the School, of steady deportment and conversation, being an example for us to follow when we are separated.

We sincerely wish his preservation in all things laudable and believe we can with propriety hereunto set our names.
Elihu Marshall, Charles Clement, John Taber, Stephen Willitz, Henry Cox, Frederick A.Underhill, William Seamen.
There is a still more highly valued testimonial from the principal, the noble and dignified Richard F.Mott, who was held in loving reverence by all the distinguished Quaker families that confided their sons and daughters to his wise and tender care: Daniel Anthony has been an assistant here & we can aprise his friends that he has faithfully discharged his duty in that particular, has been a very agreeable companion & his conduct remarkably correct & exemplary, which, joined to his pleasant & obliging disposition, has gained him our esteem & affection.
We sincerely wish his prosperity, spiritually & temporally, & shall gratefully remember him and his services.
On behalf of the sitting-room circle, R.F.

MOTT.
Boarding School, 4 M., 1 D., 1814.
The profession of teacher did not appeal to hard-headed Humphrey Anthony, and when Daniel came back with his brain full of ambitious projects and with a thorough distaste for farming, and his sisters, with many airs and graces and a feeling of superiority over the girls in the neighborhood, Father Anthony declared that no more children of his should go away to boarding-school.