USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The town and city of Waterbury, Connecticut, from the aboriginal period to the year eighteen hundred and ninety-five. Volume II > Part 54
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On February 10, 1883, he married Mary Rose Reardon, who sur- vives him. There are no children.
JOHN A. MORAN.
John Andrew Moran, son of Andrew and Margaret (Heffernan) Moran, was born in Waterbury, August 1, 1846, and at the age of thirteen entered St. Charles college, Ellicott City, Md. He remained there for six years, with a view to fitting himself for the Roman Catholic priesthood. He afterward decided to give up the priest-
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hood, and became connected with the Catholic university at Montreal, Canada, as a teacher of English. After two years he removed to New York to study law, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. After spending a year in a lawyer's office he went to Cuba as a tutor in a private family, and remained there six years. He was for a considerable period a tutor in Waterbury, where he fitted several young men for college, and in 1891 became principal of the Bishop street school. He was a prominent member of Carrollton council of the Knights of Columbus; also of the Choral society. He died October 18, 1892.
ANDREW MORAN, at the time of his death, November 13, 1892, had resided in this country fifty-two years, most of that time having been spent in Waterbury. For the last twenty years of his life he was janitor of the high school, in which office he was upright, kind and obliging. He married Margaret Heffernan in 1845. Of their several children, none are now living.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN THE CONNECTICUT SYSTEM-PRIVATE ACAD- EMIES - THE SECOND WATERBURY ACADEMY, 1825 - BUILDINGS, LIST OF TEACHERS, REMINISCENCES-THE "COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE " -ST. MARGARET'S DIOCESAN SCHOOL - REV. DR. RUSSELL - THE CONVENT OF NOTRE DAME-THE ENGLISH AND CLASSICAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS-ITS TEACHERS AND PUPILS - REV. DR. JENNINGS - THE HILLSIDE AVENUE SCHOOL AND CORPORATION-LIST OF THE SMALLER PRIVATE SCHOOLS-KINDERGARTENS-THE CHAUTAUQUA CIRCLE-UNIVERSITY EXTENSION-JOHN E. LOVELL.
I T has already been shown, in the chapter on education in Volume I, that in the original organization of public instruc- tion in New England provision was made for a school of higher grade than the common district or neighborhood school. It was decreed by the General Court of Connecticut in 1644 that any town- ship containing a hundred or more families should "set up a gram- mar school." Although in 1672 the original requirement was re- laxed, and the decree limited to " the head town of each county," grammar schools or Latin schools were nevertheless pretty gener- ally established. But by degrees, where there was difficulty in establishing a grammar school in a town, it became common for the minister of the parish to fit young men for college in his own home, or for a college graduate to open at his own risk a temporary school for pupils whose parents desired for them a more advanced course of study than could be obtained in the district school. In such places, if there were a few men, or even one man, of public spirit and energy, an academic institution would sooner or later spring up, toward the support of which donations or bequests would be made, and for which corporate powers and perhaps grants of lands would be secured from the legislature. Under such condi- tions as these, academies came to rival and largely to supersede the town grammar schools. The process had gone on for some time, when, in 1824, attention was drawn to the fact through the appeals of James G. Carter, and the friends of public schools at once begun to make strenuous efforts to restore the earlier policy of providing public high schools for boys and girls.
With these facts before us, we can readily understand the origin of the two Waterbury academies-the earlier one, whose history is
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given in Volume I, and the second, whose history follows here- and also the decline of the latter and its supersedure by the high school, of which an account has been given in the preceding chapter. Here, however, as in other large towns, there has been a demand which neither the district schools nor the high school could alto- gether supply, and to meet this demand private schools have been from time to time established. Some of these have been incon- spicuous or short-lived; others have exerted a prolonged and posi- tive influence upon the intellectual and moral development of the community. The history of these private schools, beginning with the second academy, is given in the present chapter.
THE SECOND ACADEMY.
The academy which had served Waterbury as its highest seat of learning since 1785 proved at length inadequate to the needs of the town. About 1800 the old building was converted into a dis- trict school - house (see its history in our first volume). The second or new academy was estab- lished in 1825, the building being FREE placed on the lot now occupied by the City hall. This building was of stone and was erected by an "asso- ciation," whose first meeting was held at the house of Israel THE SECOND ACADEMY, BUILT IN 1825. Coe, August 27, 1824. The shares of the association were valued at five dollars each, and there were ninety-three subscribers. The first trustees were Anson Sperry, Bennet Bronson, Israel Coe, Jesse Porter and Joseph Bron- son (2d).
Early in October, 1825, Asa M. Train opened the school. In December of the same year the voters of the West Centre district gave the academy the use of their bell'until they should call for it.
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The loan was evidently appreciated, for the bell, which weighed 125 pounds, was rung with so much vigor that it became cracked, and had to be replaced. The second bell was eventually transferred to the High school of the new Centre district, and was melted in the fire by which that building was destroyed in 1870.
In 1828 the upper room of the academy was finished off by certain members of the First Ecclesiastical society, at a cost of $150, and a vote was passed "giving said society the use of the room, three evenings of the week, for conferences, singing meetings, prayer meetings, and such like." For many years the "academy upper room " was the public hall of the town. Political caucuses, campaign meetings, lectures, magic lantern shows, concerts, public vaccina- tions (for kine pox), discussions by debating societies, justice's courts, civil authority meetings, and all other conceivable public assemblies were held there.
The old stone building and its surroundings remained without much change until 1842, when nearly $2000 were raised by subscrip- tion to repair and enlarge it. A brick building was erec- ted in front of the older structure and connected with it, and the two thus joined were used for school purposes until 1849, when the edifice was sold and convert- ed into a dwell- ing house. The history of the THE ACADEMY AS REMODELLED IN 1841. high school, which succeeded it, has been given in the preceding chapter.
The teachers in the academy from 1825 to 1849 were as fol- lows :
Asa M. Train, 1825-26. He came from Enfield, Mass., married in Waterbury, settled afterwards in Milford as pastor of the Second Congregational church, and died there in 1863.
Enoch Colby, 1826-27. He came from Bradford, N. H., afterward studied medicine, and died in 1849.
William Bonney Sherwood, 1827. He was afterwards licensed to preach, and died at Greenwich in 1845.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Eliot Burwell, 1828-29. He became a physician, settled in Buffalo, N. Y., and died there.
Frederick I. Mills, 1829-30. He died in 1830.
Jeremiah Peck, IS30-31. £ He was afterward widely known as the " Country Miller;" he resided at Northfield, and died there.
John Milton Clapp, 1831-32. He came from Ohio, and went to Charleston, S. C., where he became editor of the Mercury, and died there in 1867.
Isaac W. Warner, IS32-33. He belonged to Plymouth, and was afterwards principal of an English and German school in Brooklyn, N. Y.
William Magoun and Fisher A. Foster, 1833-34. The former was the first tutor of Wesleyan university. The latter studied law, practised in the south and the west, and was editor of several newspapers. In 1874 he resided in Washing- ton, D. C.
Corydon S. Sperry, 1834-35. He came from Bristol. He studied medicine, married in Waterbury, engaged in business here and in New York, and died here in 1856. (See pp. 261, 264, 291.)
Oscar L. Shafter, 1835-36. He came from Townshend, Vt .; he afterward studied law, removed to California, was elected a judge, and died in Europe in 1873. He was a popular teacher and a brilliant man.
George William Cooke, 1836-37. (See page 274.)
Walter Clarke, 1837-38. He studied theology, was settled in Canterbury, Hart- ford, New York city, and last at Buffalo, N. Y., where he died in 1871, greatly respected and lamented. The Rev. George A. Bryan (see elsewhere) was his assistant.
Seth Fuller, 1838-43. He was the first teacher who took the school with the idea of making teaching a profession. He was successful and beloved by the whole community. His death, in 1844, was regarded as a public calamity. A monument was erected to his memory in the old burying ground, which has since been removed to Riverside cemetery. It bears this inscription:
"Seth Fuller, a Graduate of Yale College, and Late Principal of the Waterbury Academy; Born at Newton, Mass., 1807; Died March 12, 1844. Erected as a Testi- mony of Gratitude and Affection by his Pupils."
Mr. Fuller was assisted for a time by Dr. T. S. Gold; also by John Kendrick (for whom see elsewhere).
William Smeaton, 1843-45. He was afterward a teacher in New York city.
Charles Fabrique, 1845-49. (See page 510).
The women who were connected with the academy either as principals or assistants are as follows:
Lucia Leavenworth (afterward Mrs. A. M. Train), Elsie Powell (afterward Mrs. Calhoun), Eliza Field, Anna Bronson, Jane Bartholomew (afterward Mrs. B. F. Leavenworth), Eliza Grilley, Mrs. Seth Fuller, Mrs. Charles Fabrique; also a Miss Goodyear and a Miss Shuttuck.
The list is probably incomplete.
Through the greater part of the period preceding the establish- ment of the high school, a "man's school" was maintained during the winter months only. During the summer there was generally (but not always) a school taught by a woman, and attended by
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PRIVATE SCHOOLS SINCE 1800.
young boys and girls. The instruction of the large boys was thus left to be prosecuted in the winter only. The younger generation may be interested to know what was the character of these 10. Eloquence. schools which may be Frederick Perkins. 11 Change is not Reform. Nelson J. Welton; y, 12. The Mural Effects of Intemperaure, supposed to have Franklin Farrel. ORDER OFEXERCISES 13. Tribute to the Heroes of the Revolution. Ara I .. Fabrique. molded the minds and 11. Lunitatom of the amount of Pensions. Charles H. Seymour. 15. Address at the completion of the Bunker Hill EXHIBITION .. Monnurat. shaped the destinies of Calvin Carter. '16. Colloquy-The Past, the Present, and the Fu- ture C. H. Noymour. the community for at Autentiturien, Contemporary. · C. Carter, N. J. Welten. Agrat , 19-43 . F. FarTrl. least a quarter of a WATERBURY ACADEMY, 17. Epilogue. Frankhn B. Perkins. -- century. Tried by a MUSIC. APRIL 94, 1916.
very moderate stand- ard I do not think much can be said in their
43; CH'IN OFFDE-FEINP -- DIFERGIRY.
favor. There were some 3 good teachers, in fact 13, Colloqus-The Drbatiuz fiub. <- RARTE FIRST. .. Brlines. t. t. fate .. . Sweeth. a considerable number MUSIC. Sporth. of very good ones, and Oratorical Selections. - Wm. I. Hinman. there were many faith- 3. Dar Vative Land. Edwin Atkins 3. 4 Address to the Patriots of the Revolution. PART SEEDAD. . Martin L. Almond. ful and industrious 1. Evin. Speech of Hannibal to the first 5. Enkigy on Hamiltont. Edwin S. Hitchwack. nian Army. pupils who gained no 6, Adamit and Jefferson. 8. Hayod's Reply to Web-ter. George W. Hoved. 2. Tribote to Washington. Charles II. Geiers Franklin M. Praha George Vern MostC. 1. The Passing of the Rubicon. small advantage, but ---- 7. Freessity of Resistance. 3. Pus's Reply to Walpole. 4. Thr Two CuM- 6. Howh of Han:iltun. Martin Katı nough Nelson Brossier there was no vital Thomas C. Horas .. 2. Rulla's Speech to It + Pornvinas. 1. South Carolina during the Revolution. Charts Sia : Đã Từ- Rich Man and Poor Man. The Cataract. school life. Hardly one Homy SIG: 11. thur Native Land , Colloqr-Vanker in Early of the first dozen of 12. App atin toby off of threees. teachers taught so much as a year; several AN ACADEMY PROGRAMME OF 1846. THE ORIGINAL IN THE POSSESSION OF S. E. HARRISON. but a few months. Their object was tem- porary employment. Yet while they were here the entire direc- tion of the schools, the system of instruction, the selection of text books, indeed all the school management, was left to their care .* The system of discipline was severe, according to the custom of the time. Boys were beaten on the palms of their hands with heavy clubs or rulers of hard wood until their hands were black and blue, and this was the punishment for offences of by no means an
* Two large (I think twenty-four inch) globes-one terrestrial and the other celestial-were at one time procured, and were kept for years in a closet under the stairs, where the animals of the constellations on the celestial globe were a source of great amusement and comfort to the youngsters imprisoned in the closet for various small sins. Beyond this they were of no great use, and finally I think some youthful geologist punched holes through them with a broom handle, perhaps for the purpose of testing the then recent theory of internal fire, or may be, like Simple Simon's experiment on his mother's bellows, " to see where the wind lay."
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aggravated kind .* Naturally the pupils regarded the teacher somewhat as a common enemy; and if pins could be put in his chair, or if he could in any way be made uncomfortable without too much fear of detection, he was pretty likely to suffer. On the whole, with the one exception of the modern multiplication of text books, we have very little to regret in the changes that have taken place. The pranks that boys have played in that old academy (the girls too, for that matter), the troubles of teachers, the corn-pop- pings and candy-pullings, the youthful flirtations and happy love- makings, could fill volumes.
ST. MARGARET'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
"The Waterbury School association " was formed in 1864 with a . paid-in capital of $26,500, subscribed by citizens of the place, for the purpose of establishing a girls' school. This was accomplished largely through the influence of the Rev. R. G. Williams, who (as well as Mrs. Williams, before and after her marriage) had had consid- erable experience in teaching. The property on the corner of Grove and Cooke streets, formerly the homestead of the late Samuel Cooke, was purchased, buildings were erected, and the school was opened in the autumn of 1865.t Mr. and Mrs. Williams conducted it for four years; and were succeeded by Elizabeth E. Earle, pre- viously principal of the women's department in Madison univer- sity, Wis. At the end of one successful year she was married to the Rev. George F. Magoun, D. D., president of Iowa college. Ellen J. Smith then became principal for two years, and was suc- ceeded by Lucy S. Winston, who also remained two years.
The undertaking, although very useful to Waterbury, was not financially successful, and a debt of about $50,000 had been incurred. This, together with the difficulty of finding a suitable teacher, resulted in closing the school for a year. Meantime, by a general subscription of citizens interested in the enterprise, a sufficient sum was raised to pay off the debt, and the property was presented to the Episcopal diocese of Connecticut for a Diocesan school. A charter was obtained, June 8, 1875, under the name of St. Marga- ret's School for Girls. The Rev. Francis T. Russell, at that time
* In the open lot adjoining the academy, where the Scovill house now stands, was a large apple tree bearing usually a full crop of rather tart, but to boys, pleasant flavored apples. I am afraid the crop was of no great value to the owner.
+ The first prospectus of the school was a pamphlet of 12 pages, entitled "Collegiate Institute for Young Ladies, Waterbury, Conn., 1865." The directors of the corporation were F. J. Kingsbury, president ; C. N. Wayland, scretary and treasurer ; Charles Benedict, J. C. Booth, S. M. Buckingham, C. H. Carter and A. S. Chase. Three departments, an elementary, an academic and a collegiate, were proposed.
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PRIVATE SCHOOLS SINCE 1800.
associate rector of St. John's parish, was appointed rector of the school, and it was opened under the new name in September, 1875.
In addition to about $80,000 given by the citizens of Waterbury, the school has received, either for scholarships or for general pur- poses, $25,000 from Mrs. Cornelia H. Boardman of New Haven, $2000 from the Misses Edwards of New Haven, $1000 from Mrs. Henry Perry of Southport, $5000 from the children of the late Mrs. Olive M. Elton of Waterbury, in memory of their mother and in recognition of her interest in the school, and from J. W. Smith a
ST. MARGARET'S SCHOOL, 1895.
chapel organ, as a memorial of his son. Under the Rev. Dr. Rus- sell's charge, with the foundation above named, the school has been self-supporting and has maintained a high standard. The number of pupils is usually about 150, of whom from forty to fifty are board- ers and the others day pupils.
The death of Mrs. Russell, in 1889, was a great grief to all who were or had been connected with the school. Her influence was of a kind which can hardly be described. Her very quiet and retir- ing manner might have led a casual observer to suppose that it was not great, but those who came nearer knew that it permeated and
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
molded the whole life of the school. Her title among the inmates was the House Mother, and every girl felt that she had found a sec- ond mother in her. Her intellectual gifts were of a high order, but her extreme-one might almost say, excessive-modesty hid them from all but the nearest friends.
In 1891 Dr. Russell associated with him as principal Mary R. Hillard, a former pupil of the school, whose experience as a teacher, largely in the school of Miss Porter in Farmington, had specially qualified her for the position. The failure of Dr. Russell's health, soon after, led him to devolve the entire management of the school upon Miss Hillard, and she has since filled the position most suc- cessfully. Dr. Russell still retains the rectorship, and since 1893 his restored health has enabled him to take some part in the instruction.
The high character of the school and the beauty of its situation have given it a reputation which attracts pupils from all parts of the country.
THE REV. R. G. WILLIAMS.
Robert G. Williams was born in New Hartford in 1817. He graduated from Amherst college in the class of 1835, and from Princeton Theological seminary in 1847. He preached in Congre- gational churches in Woodbury and Birmingham, and during the war for the Union became captain of Company G, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery.
As already stated, the "Collegiate Institute for Young Ladies " was opened largely through his influence. He and his wife, Mrs. M. E. Williams, were its first principals. On retiring from Water- bury they removed to Castleton, Vt., and Mr. Williams became prin- cipal of a school in that place. They removed in 1883 to Amherst, Mass., and opened a school there, with which Mr. Williams was con- nected at the time of his death. He died February 16, 1894.
THE REV. DR. FRANCIS T. RUSSELL.
Francis Thayer Russell was born June 10, 1828, in Roxbury, Mass. His father, the Rev. William Russell, was born and educated in Scotland, and came to America as a teacher in 1819. He was an accomplished linguist, and soon after coming to this country pub- lished a Latin grammar for beginners, known as Russell's Adam's Latin Grammar. He taught for a time in Savannah, and later in New Haven, Boston and other places, and always with success ; but having become interested in elocution, he turned his attention wholly to that study, and achieved in it a wide reputation. He
HISTORY OF WATERBURY,
molded the whole life of the school Her title among the inmates was the House Mother, and every girl felt that she had found a sec- oud mother in her. Her intellectual gifta were of a high order, but hoe extreme-one might almost say, excessive-modesty hid them from all hut the nearest friends.
In 1501 Dr. Russell associated with him as principal Mary R. Hillard, a former pupil of the school, whose esperience as a teacher, largely in the school of Miss Porter in Farmington, had specially qualified her for the position. The failure of Dr. Russell's health, soon after, led him to devalve the entire management of the school upon Miss Hillard, and she has since filled the position most suc- cessfully. Dr. Russell gem mentorship, and since 1893 his restored health bas Mo lage some part in the instruction
The high cherdeter of the school and the b. we situation have given it a reputation which altriwis papils from marru of the country.
THE REV, R. G WILLIAMS.
Robert G. Williams was born in New Hartford in 1817, He graduated from Amherst college in the class of 1835, and from Princeton Theological seminary in 1847. He preached in Congre- gational churches in Woodbury and Birmingham, and during the war for the Union became captain of Company G, First Connecticut Hoayy Artillery.
As already stated, the " Collegiate Institute for Young Ladies" was opened largely through his influence. He and his wife, MIrs. M. E Williams, were 115 hrst principals. On retiring from Water- bury they removed to Castleton, Vt., and Mr. Williams became prin- cipal of à school in that place. They removed in 1883 10 Amherst, Mass, and opened a school there, with which Mr. Williams was con- nected at the time of his death. He died February 16, 1894.
THE REV. DR. FRANCIS T. RUSSELL
Francia Thayer Russell was born June 10, 1828, in Roxbury. Mass, His father, the Rev. William Russell, was born and educated in Scotland, and came to America as a teacher in 1819. He was an accomplished linguist, and soon after coming to this country pub- lished n Latin grammar for beginners, known as Russell's Adam's Latin Grammar. He taught for a time in Savannah, and later in New Haven, Boston and other places, and always with success ; but having become interested in elocution, he turned his attention wholly to that study, and achieved in it a wide reputation. He
Francis S. Rusle,
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PRIVATE SCHOOLS SINCE 1800.
married Ursula, daughter of the Rev. Luke Wood, who was at that time pastor of the First church in this place.
Francis T. Russell was educated partly at Phillips academy, Andover, Mass., but mostly by his father, whom he early began to assist in his elocutionary teaching. In this he proved so compe- tent that at the age of seventeen he had the entire charge of classes composed of men in middle life and engaged in professional work. He received his theological education at the Berkeley Divinity school, Middletown, and was ordained deacon in 1854 and priest the following year.
He was for nine years rector of St. Mark's parish, New Britain, for five years professor at Hobart college, Geneva, N. Y., for two years rector of St. Stephen's, Ridgefield, and for seven years asso- ciate rector of St. John's in this city. From this last named posi- tion he was called in the summer of 1875, to become the rector of the newly organized St. Margaret's school.
Mr. Russell has never given up his elocutionary work, but through all the years of parochial and school service has found time to deliver lectures and instruct classes in the General Theo- logical seminary, New York, in the Berkeley Divinity school, in Trinity and Hobart colleges, in St. Paul's school, Concord, N. H.,- in so many places, in fact, that it is hard to find a professional man who has not been at some time under his instruction. His public readings also have been numerous and popular, and as the pro- ceeds of these have been almost entirely devoted to charity he has been enabled to assist many a feeble parish, crippled philanthropist and needy family, to the great delight of the recipients and the giver. (For the list of his published writings, see the chapter on literature.)
On October 25, 1855, Mr. Russell married Mary Huntley, daughter of Charles and Lydia (Huntley) Sigourney of Hartford. She was a lady in whom were united executive capacity, excellent judgment, great kindness of heart, unmeasured self-sacrifice in behalf of others, much literary ability, a faculty of keen observa- tion, and withal a modesty so self-depreciating that it was only to the few who were brought into close relations with her that her precious qualities were revealed. She died July 20, 1889 .* Their children are: Gordon, born October 10, 1856; Huntley, born Sep- tember 1, 1858; and Sigourney, who was born October 9, 1861, and died June 20, 1880.
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