History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 37

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 37

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On the night of November 29th 1878, by a fire, the origin of which was never satisfactorily explained, all above the second floor of the central school building was destroyed, and the lower floors were much damaged by water. Steps were taken at once to rebuild, temporary quarters, in the mean time, having been provided for the school in the town hall, the basement of the Universalist church, and the Union Mills building, corner of Main and Union streets, so that the building was again ready for occupancy before the close of the summer term, 1879.

In the hall of the central school the annual graduation exercises are held, at the close of the winter term, in April, at which time also the promotions are made.

The high school department occupies three rooms on the second floor and two rooms on the third floor; three rooms on the second floor and one on the first floor are devoted to the grammar grades, while the remaining five rooms of the first floor are used for the primary depart- ment. The records pertaining immediately to the schools are kept in the office in this building.

The old building in Green street was occupied to the extent of its capacity, and for a time a primary school was maintained in the rooms in the rear of the Catholic church. This Green street building was erected in 1818, but it was not large enough for the increasing wants of the district. Therefore, in 1872, a new brick two-story building was erected on the same site, and formally named the "Johnson School," in honor of Edwin F. Johnson, formerly mayor of the city, and president of the Board of Education, a gentleman noted for his pub- lic spirit and interest in the cause of education.

This structure is well lighted, ventilated, and fur- nished, has an ample basement, but not extensive grounds. The same care is taken here as at the Central, with re- gard to the health of teachers and scholars, and in the summer just passed appliances were put in to heat the whole building by steam. There are on each floor three

* The seheol house in the East Long Hill District requires more than a passing notice, en account of its antiquity. It is n small one story building, with very thick walls constructed of small stones. No record exists as to its beginning, and it nnte-dates by many years the memory of the oldest Inhabitant. Whether it was always used for school pur- poses is not known.

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rooms, two of which are occupied by the grammar grade, and three by the primary; one room is at present unoc- cupied. Scholars are promoted from this school to the the next higher grade at the Central.

The school house on South Main street, the only re- maining school of the district, was built in 1860, and consisted of a one-story brick structure, with one room. The roof was raised and an additional story, and a school room was built, in 1880. This school is unfor- tunately situated, and has but little more land than is covered by the building. It is used only for the lower primary grades, promotions being made to the next higher grade at the Central.

The district is divided into sub-districts for each school, so that all the scholars of the grade of the school in the sub-district where they reside are required to attend that school. During a large part of the time, since the for- mation of the city district the principal of the Central School has been also superintendent of all the schools in the district.

The number of teachers at present employed by the district is 23; the number of scholars attending the schools of the district last year was 974; the number graduated in 1884, II; the whole number enumerated was 1,424; a large number of whom are in private schools and the parochial schools of St. John's (R. C.) Church. The total cost of maintaining the schools of the district during the year ending August 31st 1884, was $22,455.71.

The schools of higher grade are well supplied with philosophical, astronomical, and chemical apparatus, and books of reference of later date; while a respectable li- brary is owned to which additions are made each year.

While there have been many changes in the Board of Education, there have been comparatively few in the of- ficers. The following gentlemen have filled the office of president of the Board: Rev. Cyrus H. Fay, 1857-58; Rev. J. L. Dudley, 1858-59; Rev. F. J. Goodwin, 1859-60; Edwin F. Johnson, 1860-62; Benjamin Douglas, 1862-68; Robert G. Pike, 1868-74; Rev. Frederic Gardiner, 1874-77; Elisha B. Nye, 1877-79; George W. Atkins, 1879-80; Robert G. Pike, 1880-82; George H. Hulbert, 1882-84; George A. Coles, 1884.

The following is a list of the secretaries: Walter S. Carter, October 1857 to January 1858; Elisha B. Nye, January 1858 to 1859; Patrick Fagain, 1859-60; Dr. George W. Burke, 1860-78; D. Ward Northrop, 1878- 80; Wesley U. Pearne, 1880.

The offices of treasurer and clerk of the district are combined in one. Hon. Daniel W. Camp was elected clerk and treasurer in October 1857, and was annually re-elected until his death, which occurred in August 1877. Charles F. Browning was appointed to fill the vacancy, and holds the office at the present time.

SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- The main sources of support of the schools are: (1) Appropriations by the State, (2) Incomes of State and private funds, (3) Taxes.

As was said in the beginning the State has always been

very liberal in her support of the schools, and likewise stringent with regard to the duties required of her sub- jects.

In October 1700, the State granted to the towns, under certain restrictions, from the funds paid by them into the treasury, forty shillings on the thousand pounds to be used by them for the maintenance of the public schools. This statute afterward with the change of currency was made to read "two dollars upon every thousand." In October 1754, this allowance was reduced to fifty cents per thousand; in October 1766, it was increased to one dollar per thousand, and in May 1767, it was restored to two dollars per thousand. This law remained in force for many years, but was subsequently changed to appro- priate a stated sum to the weaker districts whose share of the income of the school fund was small. In 1871 an appropriation of fifty cents per capita of the enumeration was made, which was increased in 1872 to one dollar and fifty cents per capita. This statute is in force at present, and the appropriation is known as the " civil list appropriation."

In 1733 the State appropriated the avails of the sale of "certain western townships " (being seven townships in the county of Litchfield) to the support of the public schools. Also in 1766 an act was passed granting, for the same purpose, the arrears then due of an excise on liquors and tea, which had been imposed some years be- fore, also the interest of the excise money then collected, and in October 1774, the principal of such excise was granted for the same purpose. The use of these moneys for any other purpose was prohibited under heavy penalties.

The " School Fund," so-called, is a fund arising from the sale of lands in Ohio known as the Western Reserve. By an act passed in May 1795, the principal sum arising - from this sale was made a perpetual fund, the income of which was to be divided among the several school societies, in proportion to their respective assessment lists, for the support of schools, and to be forfeited if misapplied. In 1821 the method of distribution was changed to a per capita division of the net proceeds on the enumeration-which method is in force at the pres- ent time.

THE TOWN DEPOSIT FUND .- In 1836 the United States Congress, there being a surplus in the treasury, passed a statute providing for the deposit, under certain condi- tions, of all this surplus except a stated sum with the several States, or at least with such as would comply with the conditions, in proportion to their respective representation in both houses of Congress. Connecticut speedily made such enactments as would enable her to comply with the requirements of the Federal statute, and received her proportion of the fund. This money was, in turn, deposited by the State, under similiar conditions, with the several towns, in proportion to their respective population. The conditions of deposit were: Ist, That the money should be considered as a deposit in trust for the State; 2d, That at least one-half of the income should be appropriated to the support of the common schools;

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MIDDLETOWN-SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

3d, That the town should make good any deficiency that might occur through mismanagement or otherwise; 4th, That the town should repay the whole or part of the fund, when called for, to the State.

In 1861 a statute was passed requiring the whole in- come of this fund to be appropriated to the support of schools. How well this town fulfilled the conditions may be judged from the fact that the original fund long since disappeared, and exists only on paper; the town, however, pays the amount of yearly interest toward the maintenance of the schools.

THE DONATION FUND .- This fund is peculiar to the town of Middletown, and its income is distributed among the districts formerly included in the First Society, i. e. all the present town except the four Westfield districts. The origin of this fund is found in the will of Rev. Samuel Stow, once a preacher in Middletown, who died in the year 1704. The will is recorded in the Probate records at Hartford. The inventory of his estate, which was made by Nathaniel Stow, Ebenezer Hubbard, and Noadiah Russell, showed that he owned several tracts of land, amounting in the whole to thirteen hundred and sixty- eight (1368) acres.

The will was executed August 13th 1702,-was very long and numerous in its bequests, or directions for the division of his property, among which was the following:

"Item: as to a parcell of land at the Screights Hill containing seven hundred twenty-four acres and a half, more or less, being an hun- dred and fifty-three rods in breadth and two miles and a half long,-cut- ting on highway west, and on undivided land east,-on Thomas Wet- more's south, and Mr. Giles Hamlin's land north:

"I give all this to my sonn and heir Samuell Stow, the sonn of my sonn John Stow, advising him with the advise of his Father or some of his friends to give an hundred aeres to some publick good of the Town at one of the corners of it in a square dimention."

The whole of this land was appraised at only thirty-six pounds sterling,-seven hundred and twenty-four acres for less than two hundred dollars!

It is understood that this gift for the public good be- came the nucleus of the present donation fund, to which was added, in 1734, the estate given by Jasper Clemens, as shown in the following extract from the town records, December 24th 1734:

"Voated: That Mr. Geo. Beekwith or those that shall challenge the es- tate given by Mr. Jasper Clemens to the use and benefit of a scoall for Mid-town shall have all the right given by said Clemens in his last will and testament to the said seoall.

" Viz. That for three hundred and fifty pounds moncy, he or they giv- ing Bonds with surety or sureties for the money for a reasonablo time with the interest, If he or they doe not pay the money down and the in- terest of s'd money to be paid from year to year until the principle be paid, and Giles Hall Esq. and Jabez Hamlin Esq., with Capt. George Phillips are hereby fully empowered to give and execute lawful con- veiance of s'd land, and the interest of the money to be from year to year disposed of aeeording to the will of said Clemens,-passed in the affirmative by a unanimous voat."

The income from the rental of the lands and money which constituted the donation fund belonged to the First School Society of Middletown. In process of time the available assets of this fund were collected and in- vested in twenty-four shares of the Middlesex County National Bank, in which form the fund has remained for many years. This fund is held by a board of self-per- petuating trustees, originally appointed by the State Leg- islature, and now consisting of Samuel T. Camp and Dr.

George W. Burke (there being one vacancy), the latter acting as treasurer, and annually distributing the divi- dends among the several school districts.

The apportionment of the several funds is made upon the annual enumeration, and both the town and city dis- tricts receive their respective shares of each.

A " capitation tax " also furnished some funds for the support of schools. This was an assessment on the scholars, uniform for each grade, and based on attend- ance. It was discontinued in 1861.

The last source of income is taxes. Each town is re- quired by law to raise a sum equal at least to one dollar on the thousand of its assessment list. This amount is raised in Middletown, but the amount annually paid for the support of schools in excess of the income from State and other funds is more than the tax levied. Since the town has jurisdiction over the territory of the city school district, the tax so raised from property within the dis- trict is paid into the district's treasury; in addition thereto the city school district also levies annually a tax of about two dollars on the thousand.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS .- It is difficult, from the nature of private schools, to procure much that is reliable or satis- factory regarding their history. It is doubtless true that during the years when schools were primitive, and the means of higher education more scarce, teaching was a part of the work of the minister; and that as the popula- tion increased there arose a demand for instructors in lines of study calculated to prepare young men for col- lege, and to lay the foundation for some special profes- sion or business. At the same time, with the increase of business, and the growth of the town in importance, it became a center whither many youths from other towns and counties were sent to complete their education, under competent instructors, or to prepare for the more complete and extensive work of a college course.

Among the earliest of these instructors was the Rev. Enoch Huntington, the fourth pastor of the First Church, a graduate from Yale College in the class of 1759, dis- tinguished for scholarship during his college course, and for remarkable intellectual ability afterward. During his long and successful pastorate, there were under his instruction a very large number of youths, who, in after years, gave evidence of the value of his early training. Among these may be mentioned President Dwight of Yale College. Others who were engaged in this work were: Chauncey Whittlesey, graduate from Vale in 1764, and Jonathan Ingersoll, Yale, 1766; both of whom were noted for their ability and qualifications. Doubtless others of equal ability succeeded them, whose names are now lost. Prior to 1800, Rev. William Woodbridge opened and carried on for a number of years, a school for young ladies. During the first portion of the present century a school for the instruction of both sexes was opened by Elijah Garfield, of Lee, Mass., but later on he instructed youthis only who were desirous of preparing for business or college.

A school for boys was opened in the building on High street, opposite the college, known as the " Webb House,"

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and later on as the "De Koven House," by Isaac Webb, a graduate and tutor of Yale College. This school was successfully carried on by Mr. Webb for a number of years, and until his death, which occurred in 1842. Among his pupils was Rutherford B. Hayes, afterward president of the United States.

About the year 1825, a school for young ladies was opened and maintained for a number of years in the building on the southwest corner of Court and Pearl streets, now known as St. Luke's Home, by Miss Mary Ann Bartlett. It seems that this school was quite suc- cessful, and was extensively patronized.

In 1835, Daniel H. Chase, LL. D., opened in the city a school which was called "The Middletown Institute and Preparatory School." This school was most suc- cessful for many years, and was patronized, not only largely by the people of this town, but numbers of stu- dents came here from other places and countries. This school numbered about 80 pupils, including many Span- iards and Cubans. The building on the west side of Main street, below Grand street, formerly known as the " New York Hotel," was the home of the non-residents, and the building, just north and in the rear of this, now used for a dwelling, contained the school rooms. The school was well equipped, and had two distinct and ex- tensive courses of study, one preparatory for college, and the other designed to furnish a finished education, second only to a college course.

This school was continued until 1870, when it was closed.

Dr. Chase also conducted, from 1840 to 1843, the Mid- dletown Female Seminary. He was succeeded by his brother, Sidera Chase, who continued it until 1848, when it seems to have been discontinued. Probably this "seminary," or "institute " as it was called, was carried on in the same building before occupied by Miss Bartlett.

About 1850, Rev. Josiah Brewer, then residing in the house now occupied by Hon. Benjamin Douglas, on South Main street, opened "The Middletown Female Semi- nary." The school was held in a brick building, then standing north of the residence, and it seems to have been a school of more than ordinary facilities for furnish- ing a complete education for young ladies. Some years later the school was moved to the Union Mills building, corner of Main and Union streets, and about 1856 was discontinued.

Shortly afterward, a school of similar character was opened in the same place by Miss Maria Payne. This school was subsequently moved to a new brick building erected on Broad street, near William, by General J. K. F. Mansfield. Miss Payne continued here, with excel- lent success, until 1868, when she gave up the control. The school was conducted a year or two by other parties, when it was discontinued.

In 1859, Rev. Henry M. Colton opened a boys' school in the stone building on High street, known as the "Starr House." This school was continued until about 1870.

In 1875, James H. Bradford, formerly superintendent

of the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, opened a quasi military school for boys, called " Bradford's Stu- dents' Home," in the "Webb House," on High street. After about two years this school passed into the hands of Rev. B. A. Smith, and was conducted as a select school for younger children. In 1883, the control of this school was assumed by the Misses Patten, who still re- tain it.

In 1884, Edwin H. Wilson, late superintendent of schools in the city school district, opened a school in the building formerly occupied by Charles R. Alsop as a res- idence, corner of Washington and North High streets, for a limited number of boys and youths, designed to furnish an advanced grammar school education. It is known as " The Wilson Grammar School."

Westfield Falls Home School, a church summer boarding school for boys and a day school for both sexes, was opened at Westfield in May 1884. The institution is pleasantly located, and is under the principalship of its founder, the Rev. G. Henry Smith, A. M.

The parochial schools of St. John's R. C. church, and Captain Partridge's military school, are not mentioned, because they properly belong to other topics, and may be found in another part of this work.

CHURCHES OF MIDDLETOWN.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF MIDDLETOWN.

The first public religious services in Middletown were said to have been held under a large elm tree, near the entrance of the old grave yard, and it is probable that, prior to the erection of the first meeting house, the peo- ple worshipped in private houses. The following is a copy of the first vote of the town, of which any record exists:

"Feberary the 10th 1652. It was agreed at a meeting at John Halls hous to buld a meeting hous and to make it twenty fot square and ten fot between sill and plat, the heygt of it."

This house, which was soon built, stood in the middle of Main street, near its northern end, and was surrounded by palisades; a protection against the savages which was then considered necessary.

The exact time when the organization of a religious society was effected cannot be definitely ascertained; but it was probably soon after the first settlers came, for church membership was then a necessary qualification for citizenship, and town privileges were granted to the people here in 1651.

Not long after the commencement of the settlement, Rev. Samuel Stow, a graduate of Cambridge College, was employed as a candidate for the ministry. The fol- lowing extract shows that, for a time, his ministrations had been acceptable:

" A vote of ye towne 20 of August 1657, whether it be the mind of ye towne to continue mr. Stow amongst us lookinge at him as in conveni- ent time to call him to office. God in his providence make way there- unto. It was concluded by ye towne that he should continue among us for that end according to ye vote above written."

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Dissatisfaction, however, appears to have arisen, for on the 3d of February 1668:

"It was agreed in a towne meeting that ye towne should appoint a towne meeting wherein (some able helpe being agreed upon and at- tained) mens reasons shall be given for and against mr Stow's continu- ation and they are willing to act as ye rule shall appear.

"November 27, 1658. It is agreed at a towne meeting that wee should seeke out for help in the ministery."

The following action was taken the next year:

"At a towne meeting Octr the fift, 1659. the inhabitants of Midle- towne being met together did manifest by a vot that they did not desire Mr Stow's continuance amongst us, in thee work of the ministry with reference to calling him to ofice. At the same town meeting Willyam Harres and Robeart Warner wear chosen by the towne to treate with master Bowers of new haven consarning his afording hellp to uss in the ministery."

The General Court took action in the matter in 1660, as these records of their proceedings show. The follow- ing is a record of the proceedings, March 14th 1660:

"This Court haveing heard and considered the difference twixt ye Towno of Middle Towne and Mr. Stow and their allegations and an- swers, doe judg and determine that ye people of Middle Townc are free from Mr. Stow as their engaged minister. That the people of Middle Town shall give to Mr. Stow Lrs Testimonial according as was drawn up and presented by the Worshipfull Gouenor in ye Court. And Mr. Stow is not infringed of his liberty to preach in Middle Towne to such as will attend him until there be a settled ministry there.

"It is ordered by this Court that ye people of Middle Towne shall pay vnto Mr. Stow for his labour in ye ministry the year past *401. wch is to be paid him by the 10th of April next."

On the 4th of October 1660, the General Court took final action relative to the dismissal of Mr. Stow, as ap- pears by the record:

"It is ordered by ye Court respecting Mr. Stow of Middle Towne, there appearing such vnsutableness in their spirits that Middle Towne shal have free liberty to provide for themselves another able, orthodox and pious minister as soon as they can who is to be approved by Mr. War- ham, Mr. Stone, Mr. Whiting takeing in ye help of ye Wor'll Gournr and Mr. Willis w'ch being done Mr. Stow is to lay down his preaching there, the said Town giueing Mr. Stow Testimonial Lrssuch as the Gent forenamed judge fit. In ye meantime the Towne to allow Mr. Stow his vsual stipend he continuing the exercise of his ministery as formerly."

Mr. Stow relinquished the ministerial office, and re- sided in the town as a private citizen. Under the date of May 25th 1661, appears this record:

" Whereas upon divers agitations before ye Generll Court between mr. Stowe and ye inhabitants of Middletowne the Court did declare that ye towne of Middletowne are free from Mr. Stowe as their en- gaged ininister & ye Court appointing a Comittee to further a setled ministric in that place & after long endeavorers by ye people there to procure them a minister, there appears a probability of their obtaining of Mr. Collins for that purpose. The Comittee doth approove of their proceedings therein, &c., of his acceptance of their motion, & accord- ing to ye minde of the Court doe adviso both Mr. Stowe & all the in habitants of Midletown to a loving X carriage to Mr. Collins & frindly compliance with each other, that ye memory of all former differences may be wholly buryed & that Mr. Collins may have all duo encourage- ment in ye worke of the ministry, that he is called nnto in that place, & yt ye long desired comfortable & peaceable setlement of Midletown may be obtained, wch is the desire of the Comittee appointed by the Genll Court to promote the setlemnt of tho ministry there Hartford Decembr 6th 1661. " MATHEW ALLEN.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 37

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818