USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > East Haven > History of East Haven > Part 5
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1
THE UNION SCHOOL.
57
Public Schools.
Emeline A. Curtis and William H. Chidsey. At this meeting the legacy of John W. Thompson was accepted, and L. F. Richmond, E. F. Thompson and R. H. Coe were appointed a committee of investigation relative to a suitable site. On February 14 an adjourned meeting was held and the committee reported on five different sites, three on High street, one on Main street, and the lot owned by D. W. Tuttle, next to the Dillon place. A vote was passed thank- ing the committee and they were discharged as a committee on site, but were continued to investigate disputed claims against the Thompson estate. D. W. Tuttle was appointed to secure legislative action relative to bonding the district. March 21 Henry T. Thompson, Albert Forbes and E. Gilbert were appointed a building committee. The Street lot on High street, just north of the Stone Church on the east side of the road, was selected. The said plot of ground was to cost $2,000 for 120 feet front. At this meeting it was voted to build a brick schoolhouse with not less than four rooms.
On April 18 a vote was taken rescinding a previous vote selecting the Street lot, and May 2 the New Haven Board of Education was appointed, as the law directs, to select a site. July 13 the New Haven Board reported that they had selected a site on the north- west corner of a proposed highway extending west of East Haven Green, and on the Hemingway-Kirkham land. July 24 the site as fixed was changed, by more than a two-thirds vote, to the farther south end of the Hemingway lot, the lot to be 100 by 200 feet. September 26 a special meeting was called and held to reconsider and rescind all former votes relating to
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History of East Haven.
a new site and a new schoolhouse. This proposition was defeated by a decisive majority, and at a meeting held January 16, 1896, it was voted that the treasurer give bonds in the sum of $5,000.
A special meeting was called February 5, 1896, "to change the site as now fixed." The proposition was defeated. On February 25 a meeting was held to consider plans and specifications, and March 19 the building committee was given carte blanche powers to build a new brick schoolhouse with four rooms, to cost approximately $6,000. The committee was also instructed to furnish the same. The mem- bers of the Board of Education of New Haven, by a committee consisting of S. R. Avis, F. A. Betts, J. T. Manson and W. I. Conner, rendered their services gratuitously, for which a vote of thanks was passed.
The following is a copy of Mr. Thompson's letter :
"EAST HAVEN, CONN., Apr. 27th, 1896.
"TO WHOM THIS MAY COME:
"Ground was broken for the school building on Wednesday morning, April 22nd, 1896, by Leonard B. Smith, and the excavation was made by him and Edmund B. Woodward. Brown & Berger are the architects, and R. Redfield & Son subcontractors for the building of the foundation walls; L. V. Treat and Sons, mason builders; D. C. Sperry, carpenter and joiner; and the Fosket & Bishop Co., plumbers and deal- ers in heating apparatus; all of whom are the contractors with the Union school district for the building and all of the superstructure. Ebenezer Gilbert and Albert Forbes are associated with me as building committee.
"HENRY T. THOMPSON, "Chairman of Building Committee."
59
Public Schools.
[From the New Haven Journal and Courier.]
THE CORNER STONE LAID OF EAST HAVEN'S EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLAR SCHOOL BUILDING-A SPLENDID SITE AND A FINE BUILDING-THE SCENE AT THE CORNER STONE LAYING YESTER- DAY AND THE EXERCISES-THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX IN THE CORNER STONE.
Yesterday was an ideal spring day, and although the sun was not altogether in a cloudless sky, yet the weather was well nigh perfect.
At II oclock in the forenoon, April 28th, 1896, the corner stone of East Haven's new school building was laid with the assistance of Mr. Redfield, one of the contractors. The princi- pals were Messrs. Thompson, Andrews and Bradley, chairman of the building committee, and presiding officer of the Union school district officials, and secretary of the board of educa- tion, in the order named.
L. D. Chidsey, a native of East Haven, born within a stone's throw of Lake Saltonstall, gave the box, which was covered by a granite slab from the East Haven shores of Long Island Sound.
The services were unostentatious. When the box was placed in position heads were uncovered, and the secretary of the school board said: "May God's blessing attend those who assemble here."
When the school building is completed and formally set apart for school purposes, which will be in September next, the exercises will be of a noteworthy character.
A portion of the contents of the box, which was prepared gratuitously for the occasion by Sheahan & Groark of New Haven, is as follows :
The name of every scholar in the public schools (attested by the autograph of the teachers, Misses Lord and Woodhull) at 9.15 o'clock on the morning of the 27th inst .; a letter from Henry T. Thompson, Esq., chairman of the building committee; the roster of the New Haven Grays; state report of the state board of education; a statistical account of the public schools in East Haven by C. W. Bradley, secretary; a document from the state board of health; an original notice of a school meet- ing dated January 30th, 1896; list of officers and students of
60 History of East Haven.
Yale University; catalogue of the State Normal Training School; manual of the Congregational church in East Haven; list of church officers, with the names of the two pastors, Rev. Mr. Cook and Rev. Mr. Clark; annual town reports of New Haven, East Haven and Branford; public acts, State of Con- necticut, 1895; Connecticut School Register; Fast Day procla- mation of Governor Coffin; class day exercises Hillhouse High School; Beckwith's Almanac 1896; a copy each of the Journal and Courier, Evening Register, Morning News, Daily Palladium, Evening Leader, New Haven Union, Shore Line Times, Branford Opinion, Connecticut Republicaner, Catholic News, New York Tribune and Journal of Commerce; a list of the East Haven town officers; a democratic town ticket, also a republican ticket; a program of Washington's birthday anniversary exercises celebrated at the Hyperion theatre on Saturday, February 22; the names of large tax payers in New Haven, April 27th, 1895; the autograph of Mrs. Andrews, postmaster in East Haven; and a copy of the Daily Florida Citizen, sent from Jacksonville by Mrs. Grace A. Bradley, sister of L. S. Bagley, and formerly a teacher in the public schools in East Haven.
PASSING OF THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSES. THE OLD YELLOW SCHOOLHOUSE.
The old yellow schoolhouse was not the crown
That capped the highest hill in town,
It stood on the public square, And although its gables were not so fair,
Yet it calls to mind those former days, Our grandsires trod on learning's ways ; 'Twas where they ciphered numbers through, And solved by Dibble's aid deep problems hard to do,
Then found, in games to boyhood dear, Escape from study too severe; In forest shade, and on Saltonstall mountain the wolf to spy, Adown the hills and on Thompson's meadow the sled to fly; In near-by field with ball and bat, To play at "two and three old cat";
Public Schools. 61
And then as fox, with pace not slow, To chase Mrs. Tyler's geese across the green and through the snow. That men should teach the winter school,
Became the universal rule; Much brawn the teacher must possess, Though he might have of knowledge less,
The switch was large and toughened through
And freely plied whenever due. One thing promoted discipline, And held the roguish nature in, It was the never failing rule: Two strokes at home, for one at school.
The old yellow schoolhouse was a place where met Staid learned men of every set; The doctor came, the lawyer, too, And clergyman, each with his cue; But 'twas the school committee man Who terrified the little clan. Just twice he came in every term To tell them what and how to learn, And show the school, and teacher, too, How very, very much he knew.
How generous teachers then were found They aired sparebeds the district round ! To spend those long cold wintry nights, Oft teachers went on queer "invites." At close of school one winter's day A bonny lass was heard to say : "We've butchered pigs and killed the fatted cow, We're ready for the teacher now."
This boarding round was not all vain, The child's and parents' hearts they'd gain; And were they what they ought to be, The family life, in some degree, Would rise, expand, and nobler be.
-
-
62 History of East Haven.
Among our teachers, not a few Were noble souls as e'er we knew;
In school they more than science taught,
They taught manhood's worth in life and thought, And if we could, we'd let them know How through our lives their teachings flow.
But they'll not lack their meed of praise; Their work will live in other days, And with an influence sublime, Will leave its mark throughout all time.
By CHARLES W. BRADLEY, Secretary School Board.
UNION DISTRICT SCHOOL HOUSE. Monday, August 31st, 1896, 2 o'clock p. m. PROGRAMME. William H. Robinson, Chairman
Music
Branford Military Band
Invocation
Rev. D. J. Clark
Music
Branford Military Band
Presentation of the Building .... By the Building Committee, Henry T. Thompson, Chairman.
Acceptance in behalf of the District
Dwight W. Tuttle
Approval by the Board of School Visitors
Grove J. Tuttle
Music
Branford Military Band
Remarks
Horace L. Day
Address
Charles H. Fowler
Closing Ode. Tune: "America."
COMMITTEES. Dedication.
Mrs. William H. Robinson. Albert H. Page.
Miss Lottie E. Street.
Henry T. Thompson.
William H. Robinson. Dwight W. Tuttle.
Frederick L. Hawkins.
Ebenezer Gilbert.
Public Schools. 63
Reception.
Ebenezer Gilbert.
William H. Robinson.
John S. Tyler. Edmund B. Woodward. Augustus Street.
Leonard R. Andrews.
Programme.
Miss Lottie E. Street.
Dwight W. Tuttle.
Henry T. Thompson.
Music.
Mrs. William H. Robinson.
Henry T. Thompson.
Collation.
Albert A. Page Frederick L. Hawkins.
In the library of the new school building are twenty- five new volumes of "The Encyclopedia and Diction- ary of Arts and Sciences and General Literature." This work is a very valuable and timely addition to the new equipments of the school. There is something more to say, of a pleasant nature, about these books. Information is given that they are the gift of William H. Robinson, Chairman of the Union District School Committee.
The parting of the ways, from the old to the new, had now come. A new era and a greater interest in schools were manifested on all sides. After eleven years of successful operation, the people saw and felt the necessity of just doubling the size of the house and number of rooms of the Union schoolhouse. When school opened in September, 1907, eight rooms were the number instead of four. East Haven now numbers only two school districts, the first, or Union, and the Foxon. The remnant of the South End district, left after annexation of the west part of the
64 History of East Haven.
town, was taken by the Union district through legis- lative action. An abstract from the school report of the year ending July, 1907, says:
"With the completion of the new addition to the school building, and affairs adjusted to meet the enlarged facilities, it is confidently expected that the town will have a school plant that will compare favorably with the New Haven schools. In fact, it is absolutely essential that we should maintain the same standard, as in no other way will it be possible for our scholars to pass the examinations for the High School. In reviewing the events of the past year, it is with a feeling of sincere sorrow that we record the death of Frederick L. Hawkins, which occurred June Ist, 1907. He had been a member of this Committee from its inception, and for six years was its Secretary. His high sense of duty, strength of character and many personal charms made him one of the . most respected and efficient members of the Committee and community. All with whom he came in contact will hold only the most pleasant memories, and those who knew him best realize keenly that the loss is almost irreparable."
"L. W. THOMPSON, "Secretary Town School Committee."
It must not be supposed that East Haven people have been unmindful of the benefits of educational advantages. The public schools have been kept up with regularity and efficiency, so far as circumstances would permit. The schools of the town have always been largely supplemented by those outside its borders. There is scarcely a family but what has had represen- tatives in the city schools and private institutions, at a greater or less distance from home.
More space has been given to this subject than may be thought necessary, but the regret has been so often
Public Schools.
65
expressed and the fact deplored, that so little has been recorded of the details and records of building the Stone Church, that it is thought pardonable to trans- mit to posterity a more minute narration of a move- ment second only to the church. East Haven is becoming more thickly populated, and with . the increase of inhabitants greater advantages of all kinds will be secured, and with its good beginning schools will take first rank in the future. Mr. Charles W. Bradley, secretary of the Board of School Visit- ors, in his last report before he removed from town, gave a parting shot, which it may be well to remember. He said, "If there was sufficient gratitude in the dis- trict, there would be an educational institution known as the "J. Woodward Thompson School."
YALE GRADUATES, EAST HAVEN, INCLUDING FAIR HAVEN, TO 1882 .* Academic Course.
Class.
Professions followed.
Dana Goodsell,
....
Theology.
Owen Street,
1837
Theology.
Samuel Miles Brown,
1844
Teaching.
Charles S. Hemingway,
1873 Teaching.
Charles Ives,
1874
Law.
F. Howard Hemingway, 1875 Business.
James Smith Thompson,
1877 Law.
Charles H. Levermore, 1879
President Adelphi College.
Edwin C. M. Hall,
1880
Medicine.
E. Otis Hovey
1882
Natural Science, Geology.
Lincoln D. Granniss,
1906
Educator.
* In 1882 Fair Haven and the western part of East Haven were annexed to New Haven. After 1882, East Haven grad- uates only are recorded.
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History of East Haven. YALE UNIVERSITY.
Law Course.
Charles Holt Fowler,
1861
Dwight Williams Tuttle,
1867
Grove J. Tuttle, 1875
S. W. F. Andrews,
1875
Rev. Edwin E. Hall,
1875
Scientific Course.
Frink Mansfield Smith,
1887 Civil Engineering.
Irwin Granniss,
1896 Medical.
Charles W. Holbrook, 1896 Medical.
CHAPTER III. ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
HE inhabitants on the east side of the Quinnipiac, from their first settlement, attended public worship at New Haven, but with great inconvenience, labor and danger. They were obliged to leave home early in the morning, travel through the woods on unmade roads, and then cross the ferry, which was often dangerous. During the Indian wars and commotions, the women and children, on the Sab- bath, were collected together at one house in the neighborhood, under the protection of a guard, while some part of the families attended public worship in New Haven, and for many years the men were required by law, under the penalty of a fine, to appear at meeting with their arms, ready for battle. Similar inconveniences attended the transaction of their busi- ness at New Haven. It was natural for them, there- fore, to anticipate advantages from being organized as a distinct parish from New Haven. With zeal they prosecuted this object. In the year 1678 they peti- tioned New Haven for their consent to become a distinct village, and for some other privileges. Not succeeding that year, on the 18th of August, 1679, they renewed their application, which resulted as follows :
"At a town meeting held in New-Haven 29th Dec., 1679- and for the village on the East side those inhabitants gave in
68 History of East Haven.
. their propositions to the Committee, which they desired might be granted, which were-
I. That they might have liberty to get a Minister amongst them for their meeting, and keep the Sabbath in a way as they ought.
2. That boundary might be granted them as high as Muddy River.
3. That they have liberty of admitting inhabitants among them, for their help in the work and maintenance of a Minister.
4. That they may have liberty to purchase some lands of the Indians, near Mr. Gregson's, if the Indians are willing to part with it.
5. That what land of the Quinnipiack is within Branford stated bounds, the right of the purchase may be given them.
6. Lastly, that they may be freed from rates to the Towne when they shall have procured a Minister."
This business was referred to a committee, to report at the next meeting.
"At a Town Meeting, held in New-Haven, 29th Decr. 1679- the inhabitants of Stoney River, Southend, and some others, on the East side of the River, having formerly made a motion, and for several reasons therein expressed, to have liberty among themselves, to procure a minister to preach the Word and administer ordinances among them, and several other particulars, as in their petition more fully appears; the Towne at their request appointed a Committee to examine and prepare matters against some other meeting; and after some consideration of the business, did prepare an answer, and made return to the Towne at the aforesaid meeting which is as followeth.
"I. That they be encouraged and have liberty granted to get a Minister to settle amongst them as soon as it doth appear they are in a capacity to maintaine a Minister and uphold the ordinances of Christ.
"2. That when they are settled in a village way with Ministry, they have liberty to admit their own inhabitants for the future, but to attend to such cautions and considerations
-
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Ecclesiastical Affairs.
for the regulation of their settlement, as may consist with the interest of religion, and the Congregational way of the Churches, provided for, to be upheld.
"3. As to the purchase of land of the Indians near Mr. Gregson's farme; New-Haven being bound in covenant to supply the Indian with land for planting when they need, how far liberty to purchase lands of them may consist with that engagement, unless with due caution, is to be considered.
"4. For the Quinnipiack land now within the town of Bran- ford, and was at first bought by us, and never payed for by Branford to us, that the Towne would grant unto them our right, the better to enable them to treat with Branford for enlargement on the purchase money due, with the considera- tion that New-Haven hath been long out of purse.
"5. For the payment of rates to New-Haven, that they be freed from it when they are settled in a Village way with Ministry.
"6. For Commonage, that the stated Commonage be at liberty on that side of the River within their limits, for the use of New-Haven as hitherto, and what shall remain for commonage within be agreed upon.
"7. That the inhabitants of New-Haven, that live in the Towne, and have propriety in land on the Indian side, whilst they so continue, pay their rates to New-Haven as hitherto.
"8. That their bounds shall be the north side of Alling Ball's farme, by a line from the River as his line runs untill it meets with Branford line, above Foxon's; and that the farmers above that line be left at liberty to contribute to the Ministry with them, and such not to pay to the Ministry at New-Haven, whilst they so do, until further orders."
After the town had heard the considerations of the committee in answer to the inhabitants on the east side respecting the village, the town approved and confirmed it to be their order by vote.
Agreeable to this grant, the village applied to the General Court for a law to locate and incorporate them as a society. That transaction will appear from
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History of East Haven.
the following documents. So early as May, 1667, they had requested this privilege of the General Assembly, when they resolved,
"Upon the Motion of the Deputies of New Haven, this Court grants the Towne liberty to make a Village on the East side of the East River, if they see it capable for such a thing, provided they settle a Village there within four years from May next."
"A General Court of Election held at Hartford, 13th May, 1680. In answer to the petition of John Potter, Samuel Heminway and Eliakim Hitchcock, that they might have liberty (they having obtained consent of New-Haven) to become a Village and to set up a distinct Congregation there, with liberty to invite and settle an orthodox Minister amongst them." (Col. Rec.)
According to this grant, the village immediately proceeded in making arrangements to obtain a preacher.
"17th January, 1681, They appointed John Thomp- son and Samuel Heminway to speak with Mr. James Alling to know his mind in reference to his settling with us in the work of the ministry.
"At the same meeting the Village granted 100 acres of land to the encouragement of the Ministry amongst them. The one half of which they give to the first minister that shall settle with them in that worke. And the other half for the standing use of the University here forever. And that this last fifty acres, given to the Ministry, shall not be given away to any, either by major vote or otherwise."
The committee applied to Mr. Alling, who served them several months, but contemplating a long journey, he declined their invitation to stay longer with them. The committee reported this to the village
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Ecclesiastical Affairs.
meeting, and "they then agreed to look out some other meet person, to carry on the worke of the ministry here. They directed their Committee to renew their application to Mr. Alling and if unsuccessful, then goe to Mr. Harriman, and treat with him, and desire his help in the Ministry amongst us, and further, to give him an invitation to a settlement in the worke of the ministry amongst us. It was also ordered that Matthew Moulthrop, and John Potter doe set out five acres of the land upon the Green, formerly granted, the one half for the Ministry, and one half for the first Minister that shall settle with us, and they are to leave the spring clear for a watering place for cattle. It is also agreed that the 95 acres to the Ministry, and the minister that shall settle with us, the one half of it shall be laid as near home as may be, and the other half upon Stoney River."
Mr. Harriman was employed, and the village raised by tax £50 for his support-"current money with the merchant." And they gave him a formal call in November, 1683.
"They also voted to proceed immediately to build a house for the minister, and to finish it in a year." This they attempted to accomplish by a subscription, which is a specimen of the public spirit of the village at that period.
"A Catalogue of the persons, together with the several sums they (this day) promise freely to con- tribute towards building the minister's house and fenc- ing the home lot which are as follows :
James Denison £20 00 00
John Thompson 20 00 00
Samuel Heminway 20 00 00
.
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History of East Haven.
Nathaniel Hitchcock 10 00 00
Thomas Smith
10 00 00
Eliakim Hitchcock 6 00 00
George Pardee
5 00 00
William Luddington
5 00 00
Thomas Pinion
2 10 00
James Tailor
1 10 00
William Roberts
1 10 00
Robert Dawson
2 00 00
Isaac Bradley
1 00 00
"Matthew Moulthrop will do what he can. John Potter also. Joseph Abbot, 25 rods of rail fence about the home lot."
"The house is to be 36 feet long and two stories high. And to be set on the side of the Green, west of Matthew Moulthrop's." The house, however, was not built at that time, and it is probable that Mr. Harriman did not continue long with them, as they seem not to have proceeded in the Society plans after 1684 or 5. For in 1686, they are mentioned in a land affair, as having returned to their former connection with New Haven. Unhappily, there is a chasm in the village records from April, 1685, to December 23, 1703. At a meeting held at the last-mentioned date, "The Inhabitants voted to take up their Village grant; and appointed a committee to manage the concerns of the Village in order to a settlement, according to the General Court grant, and informed New-Haven of their design." They pursued that object, and in September the next year, appointed a committee to prefer a petition to the General Assembly, to meet in October at New Haven. A petition was presented and met with success.
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Ecclesiastical Affairs.
"At a General Assembly at Hartford, May 1704. This assembly having considered the petition of Capt. Alling Ball and John Potter, inhabitants on the East side of the East River, in the Township of New Haven, moving, that whereas this Assembly did formerly grant that they should be a distinct society, and have liberty to call and settle a Minister amongst them, when they should find themselves able to maintain the ordinances of God in a suitable manner, and that they doe apprehend that they are able so to doe, that, therefore, this Assembly would please to grant them certain privileges, and other matters and things for their encouragement, and enabling them to goe forward with that worke; this Assembly for divers weighty reasons doe see cause to referre the further consideration of their petition to their General Assembly in Oct. next. And if the inhabitants of New-Haven doe not appear, at the said General Assembly, and there make their pleas, then the petition shall be granted, with this restriction, that the propriety of lands shall not be concerned with." (Col. Rec.)
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