USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Sharon > History of the Sharon Center School Assosication. : from 1871-1907 > Part 1
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A TIFT C RY OJI 1
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AHARON CEWIT P
CHOOL ASSOCIATION 2 . FRO. 14 71 - 1907.
PY
JONE G. PHILIPS.
145
PHI 31495 01669 6112
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The original school-house in Sharon is said to have stood on the spot between the house formerly occupied by Dr. Cirrell
- house huilt by ir. Josiah Johnson, cortionly known as the"choate house", on the westerly side of Forth : din atriet.
But the "old school-house", the oldest known to any partons now living, was situated on the north-west corner of the Congregational Church lot at the end of the present row of horse-sheds. This building in the principal school-house of the town until the new one was built on the corner of School etr. t. You important it was, may be understood from a stat: - right in an obituary to r. samuel wwan, a teacher in 1834 and 5. that wat the early age of seventeen years, re tight a school of eighty-thr e pupils".
The removal of the old school-house and the buildi .. of the new one, naturally caused a line of demarkation bet men the old scholars and the counter ones. Those who had ar lamed school in the old building very properly considered the selves i'm original er duates of the charon Public "chool um casal s to certain recognition from the younger one., & here .f
At VEger cla: s. Greater, Stoughtonha Institute, . flv school organized by r. Sanford aters illings for Der atul of the higher branches of learning, aw begun in Il, ! " nen ets or tes and pupils there had arisen considerable
so the by 1-71, to phile folie holt
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something of the contarion, and developed an impulse to draw more closely together and form a little clan of their own. Py this time also, the thinning out of the ranks by Old Father Time, the Reaper, and the consciousness of increas- ing years, broughtabout a congenial feeling of nearness among the survivors, which prompted the desire to get together once more and renew the association of school days. This pleasant feeling and the desire for fellowship culminated in the fol- lowing interesting manner.
Sometime previous to 1871, Mrs. Amanda Hixson Clapp and Mrs. Hannah Lothrop Leonard, hoth residents of Jamaica Plain , were talking over old times at Sharon, which was the home of their youth, and of how pleasant it would be for the old school- mates to come together again and enjoy a reunion. It was for- tunate, perhaps, that Flmira S. Winship, a young lady from Sha- ron of a later generation, happened to be present with them, otherwise the conversation might have ended in simply this exchange of reminiscenses with no more practical termination. Put she, knowing the interest her mother would fel in the sug- gestion, took it upon herself to invite these ladies to her home in Sharon, sometime during the next, surmer.
And thus it came about that through the hearty approval of "rs. "inship, the old pupils of the Center school were in- vited to meet at her home in Sharon, on August 9th, 1871.
The date 1844 was set upon, and all pupils ho had atten- ded the school before that time, including their families, wore cordially invited to be present. Fifty invitations wore extende
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and thirty persons accepted. Among them as recalled by rs. Winship at the present time, were Amanda Hixson Clapp, Hannah Lothrop Leonard, Henrietta Dunbar Leonard, Sarah Dunbar Kewins, Kary Tlizabeth Johnson Drake, George Dunbar, George R. Mann and his wife Laura Johnson Mann, Flizabeth Johnson White, "illian R. Wann, and his wife Mary Hewins Mann, who had been Foth a pupil and a teacher in the school, Emily Hawes Talbot, Flizabeth Estey Hinckley, her husband and her two brothers George and Thomas Fstey, Charles D. Hixson, Tdwin Richards, Artemus Richards, Emily Hewins Leseur, and several others not definitely recalled.
This gathering seems to have h en entirely informal, nothing had been "out and dried", and no permanent organization was contemplated. It was simply a pleasant reunion of old school-nates gathered together "to talk over old times, and with no more serious purpose than to keep in touch with one another, and not altogether lose the kinship of youthful association. But so ready was the response to the call, and so enjoyable was the occasion, that, before separating, it was voted to meet a- gain, and George Dunbar was appointed president and Mary ". Johnson Drake, treasurer, of an organization to be known as the sharon Center School Association.
The name of the secretary, if one were chosen, cannot now he recalled, and there are no records known to be in exis- tence earlier than the year 1888; but it is ; robable that from this time yearly meetings wre weld, although with no fixed or- ganization - no Ty-Laws - the reunions being voted for succeeding
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years from one year to another, as is the custom at the present time. The recollections of persons now living, however, serves the historian to make some mention of these carlier gatherings.
In 1872, the second meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Winship, and a collation was served in the all in Mr. Winship's factory, and it is recalled that the servers on that occasion were the young people of the winship and Mann families, but no- thing further concerning the details of this reunion can be given.
In the absence of any records it cannot be determined just where and when the meetings for the few following years were held, but the date of the first meeting is undoubtedly correct, as a mention of it has been found in an old private diary. At some subsequent time, it was evidently voted to ex- tend the limit of membership to include all scholars and teach- ers who had been connected with the old school house which was removed in 1852, but nothing is recorded. This loss should teach the younger members a lesson concerning the importance of making a record of interesting proceedings for the benefit of future generations.
several following meetings were held, two or three at Least, with "rs. Charles D. Hixson, and another item from a private diary gives the information that in 1874 on August 20th a reunion of the Center School was arain held at r. Charles winship's. Memory also records a meeting; at the brick house with Fliza Billings Hixon and Sarah 9. Ellis in 1877, and in
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1880 with Joel P. Hewins and his wife, Sarah Dunbar Hewins.
The regular records begin in 1888, when on August 30th "the Sharon Center School Association held its eighteenth an- . nual meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Talbot", and from this date, with the exception of 1890 and 1891, the records for which are missing, there exists a complete record of all the meetings of the association copied in the book down to the present time.
At this meeting in 1888, George Dunbar of Boston, the President appointed at the first meeting in 1871, was in the chair, and sanford waters Billings was the secretary. The re- cords show that sixty-eight persons were present, and at the business meeting the following officers were chosen. It will be of interest to preserve these names:
The President was, George Dunbar of Poston.
The Vice-Presidents were Edwin Richards of Sharon
Mrs. Isaac Newton Linfield of Stoughto
Alden Picknell of Foxboro
Isaac Newton Linfield of Stoughton
Mrs. Fanny E. Holbrook of Sharon
Mrs. Edson Clapp of Jamaica Plain
Mírs. J. Alonzo Leonard
Mrs. Solomon Talbot of charon
Mrs. Emmons Leonard of sharon
Mrs. Albert Hewins of sharon
Mrs. Josiah ". Perry of Sharon
Samuel Swan of Boston
Mrs. John G. Middleton of Sharon Joel Pettee of Sharon
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The secretary das, The Treasurer wis,
Canford waters Fillings of sharon.
Mrs. Flizabethi[. Billings = and there was a committee of six members.
Of these seventeen officers in 18, the mes of but Biz are now left standing upon the roll of membership.
An interesting feature of this meeting was to tarin" of h photograph of the Group by Mr. J. Warren Palbet, a to copier of which are still in existence and highly prized by the fortunate omers.
The proceedings were auch as they are today; a colla- Lion was served in spacious tent; letters were rad, addres- sex nade; stories told; and songs sung.
Considerable time was occupied with the reding of re- Folutions upon the deaths of ambers during the year, an th prov ilin . gentiment was well expressed in the closing vores of one of these resolutions; "As our ranve gro, thin, I. those who remain clin; closer to other."
The reunion of the following year was hed on August 24th with ers. Corodon Spaulding at Canton. "A collection Was called for and all hills, both past and present are paid", the re ords s .. Fifty-seven persons were present " 1] returned to their hours with feelings of delight", to mote amin from the records.
The next recorded meeting was on August 25th, Ist, at de hor of 'r. n . brons Leonard in charor. i ty per- uns were present. The occasion was an enjoyable one and .
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extract from the secretary's report, fill heat, convey in · ral fe line as the friends hade one another good-bye: "The meeting, like its predecessors, was filled to the brim it! delight, tinged with a shade of andress, as w called to wind the names of those who have gone before. This vill al.'s be true at each reunion doubtless, for the ring of our any of Schooldates and teachers must be thi ped by those ho, one by one, shall full by the way. Vet, we will not forsake our met- ins because some are called away from our reunions on earth. we will the rather treasure their memories as they pale on li- fore as, and more firmly and lovingly trust our indul "cut Heavenly father who tenderly leads his children. As the friends one after another wended their way home, it. .... with the promise that the restions in days to home should not be forgotten."
Vearly meetings are from this time recorded, but at exercises were very much the same and but li tle variety ap- pears in the character of the proceedings, no especial inter- est vill attach to any detailed narration o the reunions for the following ten years. Here and there how ver, an item from the records may be referred to as indicating some change of importance. A statement of the places where the subsequent meetings are held will also enable many of the numbers of be nanociation to read between the lines and recall nowy ile- sont memories which could not be recorded in the Secretar 's hook.
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The reunion of 1894 was held with "r. and Mrs D. Web- ster Pettee in Sharon, on August soth. It was voted "that the date of membership he extended to 1861." In a resolution offered to the memory of Pary Francis Ide Kenney it is stated that, "she was one of the four the first originated the idea and expressed & desire for these reunions, a quarter of a century ano."
On August 29th, 1890, the meeting Far ag in held with Mr. and Mrs. Colemon Talbot. The sont was abandoned on ac- count of the threatening weather and "the spacious barn af- forded a most fitting and comfortable place for spreadin:" the tables." Notice was taken of the death of Forge Sunhar, to note from the resolutions: "Flected as our official head nearly a marter of a century ago, his associates have shown their estimation of his fitness for the position by arnally, since then, reflecting him to that office. He was loved ad a schoolmate, respected as . citizen, and as our associate, highly est med. He manifested his interest in our a. rociation and love for his old schoolmates by (with few exceptions) be- ing , regent at all our reunions."
In consequence of the death of this highly estemed and efficient president it was feared by some that the orin- imation must also ceas to exist, but after some discussion, the vote showed that a large majority favored a continuance, and "r. d in Ficharde was elected to fill the vacant chair, and or. George Richards was elected Treasurer.
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The next meeting, on August 27th, 1896, was held at Canton with Mr. and Mrs. William K. Hawes.
The reunion of August 26th, 1897, was held at the Town House in Sharon, and again at the same place August 26th, 1898. At this latter meeting, Benjamin Raynolds was chosen President.
August 31st, 1899, the meeting was at canton with Ir. and Mrs. Hawes for the second time, and on August 30th, 1900, with Mr. and Mrs. Silas A. Stone at their home on Billings Street in sharon.
The association met again at Canton on August 29th, 1901, with Mr. and Mrs. Hawes in "Novelty Hall". At this meet- ing Mrs. H. Rebecca Johnson was chosen Treasurer. A composi- tion written by N. Augusta Randall, a schoolgirl in 1849, en- titled " A Description of sharon", was read by the Secretary. As this was the last reunion recorded by the Secretary, san- ford " ters Billings, the closing words of the record are sit- nificant: "Between four and five o'clock, school mates and friends began to separate and seek their homes, bidding one another good-bye, pledging anew their devotion, and promising that the reunion of 1902 should not be forgotten."
The average attendance at all recorded meetings up to and including the one in 1901, had been fifty-six, and the collections, though small, had been sufficient to cover all expenses.
The loss of the secretary, who so long had performed with willing hands, the work of the association, was keenly felt, and it was the general feeling that a new era had dawned,
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and one which presented nuch uncertaint in prospect.
It was with many forehodings, therefore, that even the most hopeful of the members of the association gathered on August 28th, 1902 at, "Novelty Hall" in Canton with 'r. and "rs. lawes.
It was very apparent that a feeling of depression bore heavily upon all present which it was difficult to shake off. But the hopeful and cheerful temperament of the 1 mented secretary was recalled, the encouraging words of his report of the last meeting were read, and for the second time in the history of the association the sentiment so often expressed by him - looking forward and not backward - prevailed, and it was "voted to hold further meetings". At the business meeting mich followed, John G. Phillips was chosen secret ry. It was voted to ad ten years to the limit of membership, bringing the time down to 1871, and also voted to change the date of the next meeting to the last Thursday in July, the place to be charon.
Obituary notices were offered in memory of canford Waters "illings, the former secretary, and Edwin Pichards, one. of the former presidents of the a sociation.
The attendance at this meeting is not recorded, but Er collection, added to the balance from the preceeding year, amounted to thirteen dollars and fifty-four cents, a hopeful 81 .
with the extension of the time li it for membership,
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more persons had become actively interested in the association, as it was hoped would be the result, and more money was con- tributed. In preceeding years, notices of meetings had been issued upon post cards, but in view of the larger outlook, the invitations to the reunion of July 30th, 1903, were in the form of a printed sheet with a out of the old school house at the top. especial efforts were made to induce members from out of town, who had long since dissolved any connections with their old homes, to come out on this occasion and renew the acquaintances of youth. The argument to this end and expressed in the invitations was: "Let each one who may have any doubt of his welcome argue with himself thus: 'I believe they will be glad to see me for the same reason that I shall be glad to sce them', and hesitate no longer. And remember that each of these opportunities missed, may possibly be repeated indeed, but can never be re-called."
The fact that this meeting would come in "Old Home Week", it was thought would also help very considerably to make the occasion attractive.
The exercises were held in the Unitarian Vestry and a tent was spread on the lawn for luncheon. Letters were read from thirteen absent members, and an original poem from one. Toolve addressed were made and there was music. Benjamin Ray- nolds retired from the office of President with a vote of thanks, and Edmund H. Hevins, a nephew of the first president of the asse- ciation, was elected to fill his place. More than one hundred per- sons were present and the success of the gathering was especially
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gratifying to those who had worked hard to bring it about.
The meeting of August 4th, 1904, held at the same place as that of 1903, was presided over by the Vice-President, Henry F. Talbot, in the absence of the President, and Flaira S. Winship performed the duties of secretary in the absence of t at of-
ficial. Miss Winship also sent out the letter of invitation, to the closing words of which: "Come and see how good it is to breathe the pure air of sharon, to look into the faces of old friends, to talk of happy school-days, and to speak of those who have received their promotion into another class of the Father's school", much of the interest in this reunion may be due. The
dinner tables were spread in the Westry, and the association voted to adopt the table plan for dinner, instead of the basket lunch, for the future. About one hundred and twenty-five per- Bons were present.
Henry F. Talbot was elected President, the exercises
were much as usual and the meeting adjourned with the sin in; of "God be with you till we meet again".
The celebration of "Old Home week" had now become an established custom in Massachusetts and especially in Sharon these occasions, since the first one in 1200, had met with marked success to which the reunions of the Center School As- sociation largely contributed. These reunions occupied the whole of one day and attracted many persons from out of town, and in the evening the quarterly meeting of the historical "o- ciety added much of interest for those visitors, and the two
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attractions evidently had proved a strong inducement for the to accept the opportunities offered and renew and strengthen the ties of old association.
In 1905 another letter of invitation was sent out and the printed sheet was illustrated by a second picture - a newly taken photograph of the present High School building.
On August 3rd the meeting was called to order in the Unitarian Vestry, by the President, Henry F. Talbot, and after the dinner hour had passed and the formal business proceedings had been concluded, the usual exercises of the afternoon fol- lowed. Many letters had been received from absent members, which were read and ten short addresses ver. made.
About one hundred and seventy persons were present, in cluding fourteen of the oldest members of the association, who were over eightyyears of age. Reports of the reunion were print- ed in the charon and stoughton local papers and in the Boston "Globe" and "Herald".
On August and, 1906, the thirty-sixth reunion was ob- sored. At the dinner in the Unitarian westry, one hundred and twenty-five persons wire seated, and the tables were pret- tily decorated with flowers ..
The afternoon progres was carried out in the church :- 1 love and was fully as enfor ble as usual. Perhaps the list of speakers included rather more than usual of those old school- mates no had won success and distinction in public life, hile the social side of the occasion lost none of its accustomed charm.
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It was voted to add another ten years to the limit of membership, thus admitting all teachers and scholars previous to 1882, and Miss Way I. Felt was added to the list of officers as Assistant secretary. Four members were present who had attended school more than seventy years ago.
The records for several years past give evidence that one feature in the exercises which was made especially prom- inent in the earlier history of the association, viz: the read- ing of obituary notices, has become largely obsolete. It is not necessary, however, to reason from this fact that the asso- ciation is less mindful of the loss which is yearly sustained through the passing away of old friends, nor that their memories are less dear than formerly to the older members, but rather that the more cheerful and hopeful spirit is prevailing over the one which formerly cast a suggestion of sadness - a sad- nes more manifest although no more real than now.
This history is brought down to date, but it is by no means closed.
There are now two hundred and eighty-nine names upon the roll of membership, ninety-right from Charon; one hundred and fifty-three from other places in Massachusetts; and seventeen other states in the Union are represented by from one to seven euch.
At the present time in 1907, the association seems to
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be established upon a substantial basis and the prospects ap- i car bright.
It is thirty-six years since the first meeting was held, several of the original members are still actively enjoying the yearly reunions; many new ones have come in, od all are interested. The past of the Charon Center School Association shows an enviable record; the future gives pro ise of nothing lers.
Зат. д. миру L
Sharon Var.g. 1. 1907
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