USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Ashburnham > History of Ashburnham, Massachusetts : from the grant of Dorchester Canada to the present time 1734-1886 with a genealogical register of Ashburnham families > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
An early house in the fourth district, built above eighty years ago, stood in the mill-yard of Cyrus A. Jefts. The present house was built in 1838. A few years before the close of the past century, a school-house was erected about two hundred yards north of the residence of Benjamin E. Wetherbee. The next house in this vicinity was located about as far west of the residence of Mr. Wetherbee and was burned almost forty years ago. In 1848 a two-story brick house was built on the present site. This house was burned in 1865. The new house, commodious and substantial, was built in 1867. Another ancient school-house was erected on the old road to Winchendon and near the Frederick Crosby place. Many years ago it was removed or a new one built near the Astor House. Later the centre of population was in Burrageville where rooms were rented for the accommo- dation of the school. In 1882 the present house was built. A portion of Number Seven has formed a part of several geographical districts. Tradition stoutly affirms that in very early times, for the accommodation of a large section of the town, there was a school-house west of the saw-mill of Isaac D. Ward and on an old road leading from and north of the meeting-house in North Ashburnham. The tradition is prob- ably in accordance with the fact and it is also certain that one hundred years ago a house was built on a road long since discontinued, and about eighty yards north of the residence of Nathaniel R. Butler. The house was burned in 1812. Immediately another was built north of the village of North Ashburnham at the junction of the Rindge road
313
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
and a road now discontinued. In response to changes made in the boundaries of the district the house was removed to a point on the road leading from the Deacon Jones' place to the present site. The house near the residence of Henry Tuckerman was built in 1850, and is situated two miles from the centre of the original district. The first sehool-house in the eighth district, built at an early date, was located on the Stearns road, a short distance from the present house. It was burned in 1814 and its sueeessor built the follow- ing year. The school-house in the ninth district was so thoroughly constructed at the organization of the distriet that attentive repairs have continued its preservation. The school- house provided in Lane Village at the organization of the district was continued until 1852 when the present substan- tial house was erected.
The commencement of the present century was the begin- ning of a new era in the cause of popular education. The efforts of the past had taken root for a more vigorous growth, and many happy changes occurred within a few years. In most cases, to learn to read, write and spell, with some knowledge of the rules of arithmetic, was all that had been attempted. The text-books in use previous to 1800 were not numerous, and of a most primitive character. Dil- worth's and Perry's Spelling-Book, and Pike's Arithmetic would cut a sorry figure in the school-room at the present time. Late in the past century, Webster's Reader found its way into the school-room, as well as a small abridgment of Morse's Geography, which gave the briefest description of the earth's surface, and contained many startling faets. Alexander's Grammar was in the hands of only the most advanced and ambitious pupils. In any mention of the books of the period, the New England Primer must not be omitted. This volume of diminutive size, filled with wholesome truths,
344
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
was found at every fireside, and was received in the school- room as a reading-book and safe counsellor. Every Satur- day, and sometimes more frequently, the entire school was required to " say the catechism," as found in this little volume. These exercises, and the truths inculcated, are not forgotten by the aged among us, but are shining brightly in their waning years. To them education, in an intellectual sense, was simply the measure of mental force, furnishing facilities to action, while these moral instructions were seized upon to direct and be the guiding principle of their lives.
From an early date the most successful teachers in the public schools have been natives and residents of this town. Within the limits of this chapter it would be impossible to name even those who secured an enduring reputation in the traditions of the town. As early as 1790, Hon. Samuel Appleton, then of New Ipswich, was an instructor one term at least in the first humble school-house on the old common. Captain Caleb Wilder, portly in form, genial in manner, yet firm in discipline, was a successful teacher many years. Master Jesse Stearns, the physical counterpart of Mr. Wilder, upright in bearing and incisive in manner, was em- ployed in several districts. His fame as a teacher is familiar to the traditions of several towns in this vicinity. These worthies were succeeded by Hosea Green, Eleazer Flint of Winchendon, Stephen Wyman of Ashby, Artemas Longley, Ebenezer Frost, Hon. William B. Washburn, Hon. Amasa Norcross and many natives of Ashburnham whose dis- tinguished labor will be noticed in the family registers.
It has been stated that the first appropriation made for schools in 1767 was eight pounds. With the exception of the years 1768, 1769 and 1776, in which no appropriation was made for this purpose, the town raised twelve pounds . annually until and including 1777. In 1778, £40; 1779,
345
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
£200; 1780, £1000; 1781, £4000 were respectively voted, but on account of the rapid depreciation of the currency during the Revolution, the schools did not receive any sub- stantial benefit over the former years. For several years after the Revolution £50 was annnally raised and then the amount was increased from year to year until in the year 1800, $300 was appropriated, and the gradual increase to the present time is briefly represented in the sums raised through the decades of the present century : 1810, $400; 1820, $500; 1830, $500; 1840, $900; 1850, $1400; 1860, $1700 ; 1870, $3000; 1880, $2800. From 1872 to 1875, $3500, and from 1880 to 1884, $3000 has been appropriated for the schools of the town.
From the first the amount of school money was determined by the town, but the vote was only the united voice of the districts. The tax was assessed and collected by the officers of the town because they could most readily and accurately proportion the amount each person should pay, but the school money was received and expended by the agents of the districts. Beyond the slender assistance of the towns, the public schools, in their infancy, were not the growth of public support nor the creation of State legislation, but were spontaneous in the several communities to meet the demands . of each. Our common school system has clearly originated with the people. The perfection of our code of school laws rests in the fact that it is not creative but that it has rather seized and solidified the most advanced methods and the fullest measure of public sentiment. The law has seldom introduced new forms and unfamiliar methods, but has been content in the encouragement and support of those at once familiar and approved by the people. The schools have con- tinually been in advance of the statutes.
346
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
The settlers in the towns in this vicinity divided them- selves into communities of convenient proportions, which existed upon the slender authority of the town for sixty years before the law vested these school districts with cor- porate power. The towns, in behalf of the districts, con- tinned to raise money for the establishment and maintenance of schools a long time before there was any statute compel- ling an appropriation which had been uniformly and cheer- fully made. The town, and later the several districts, built school-houses and subsequently the law gave them permission to continue a laudable practice. The people in the capacity of a town chose " committees to visit and inspect the schools " many years before the statutes made mention of a superintending school committee. True, law has given uni- formity and perfection to our school system, but the whole of it has sprung from and has first been tested and approved by the people.
Various methods for the division of the school money among the districts have been employed. A few years cach district has received an equal share of the annual appropria- tion without regard to the tax paid by the district or the number of scholars attending school. This system was succeeded by a division according to the number of scholars and also on the basis of the wealth or the tax paid by each . district. After a trial of one and then another of these antagonistie systems for several years, a compromise was adopted which led to an absolute division of the greater part and a discretionary division of the remainder of the school appropriation.
From 1868 to 1875 the town maintained a high school one or more terms each year with a reasonable measure of success. The schools were assembled in the basement of the armory and in the school-houses in the first and eleventh
347
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
districts. The teachers were Samuel J. Bullock, Melvin O. Adams, Charles E. Woodward, Fred W. Russell, Francis A. Whitney, Martin HI. Fiske, F. T. Beede, Mary A. Sawyer and E. A. Hartwell.
Commencing with the inauguration of Cushing Academy in 1875, the youth of this town have enjoyed the benefit of a permanent high school. For several years the town paid one thousand dollars and at present is paying seven hundred dollars annually to the academy for the maintenance of a high school department without tuition from resident pupils.
The prudential affairs of the districts, including the employment of the teachers, were conducted by the select- men until 1778. At this date the town proceeded to choose a prudential committee, or agent, for each district and con- tinued to exercise this authority for fifty years. Not until 1828 were there any district organizations. The laws of 1827 introduced many substantial improvements. By it the distriets were permitted to assume the control of their local affairs, and towns were required to choose annually a com- mittee of supervision. Previous to this date the choice of a superintending committee was optional with the towns. Commencing at an early date three or more persons, styled " a committee to visit the schools," were chosen nearly every year, but under the operation of the new law the committee of supervision was vested with increased authority and dignity.
The first committee "to view " the schools was chosen in 1793. It included the minister, the selectmen and Joshua Smith, Stephen Randall, John Adams, Jacob Willard and Enos Jones. In the years immediately following, to Joseph Jewett, William Pollard, John Whiteman, Ezra Dana, William Stearns, Elisha White, Dr. Abraham Lowe, Thomas Adams, Timothy Crehore, Isaac Whitmore, Francis
318
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
Lane, Joshua Townsend, Amos Wetherbee and Samuel Wilder was committed the supervision of the schools.
During the first decade of the present century there is no record of the election of a superintending committee. Com- mencing in 1811, with the exception of four years, from three to nine persons have been annually elected ; introduc- ing new names each year the roll of the committee is the register of a legion. The names of those who have served two or more years, the date of their first election and the term of service are appended : Rev. John Cushing, 1811 (4) ; Caleb Wilder, 1811 (7) ; Jesse Stearns, 1811 (5) ; Ivers Jewett, 1811 (6) ; Dr. Abraham Lowe, 1811 (3) ; Jacob Harris, 1812 (2) ; George R. Cushing, 1813 (9) ; Caleb Ward, 1815 (3) ; Jacob Harris, Jr., 1816 (2) ; Dr. Abraham T. Lowe, 1818 (2) ; Jonas Willard, 1818 (2) ; Charles Stearns, 1820 (3) ; Rev. George Perkins, 1826 (4) ; Hosea Green, 1826 (2) ; Thomas Bennett, 1826 (2) ; Colonel Enoch Whitmore, 1826 (3) ; John C. Glazier, 1828 (3) ; Gilman Jones, 1829 (2) ; Ebenezer Frost, 1829 (12) ; Rev. George Goodyear, 1833 (4) ; George G. Parker, 1833 (2) ; Rev. John W. Case, 1835 (2) ; Dr. Nathaniel Pierce, 1835 (3); Dr. William P. Stone, 1838 (3) ; Jerome WV. Foster, 1839 (8) ; John A. Conn, 1841 (10) ; Elliot Moore, 1841 (3) ; William P. Ellis, 1845 (3) ; Rev. Elna- than Davis, 1847 (3); Dr. Alfred Miller, 1848 (10) ; Rev. Josiah D. Crosby, 1850 ( 11) ; Francis A. Whitney, 1850 (16 ) ; Edward S. Flint, 1855 (3) ; Levi W. Russell, 1856 (2) ; Hosea F. Lane, 1857 (3) ; Charles W. Burrage, 1857 (3) ; Albert H. Andrews, 1858 (4) ; Dr. L. L. Whit- more, 1860 (4) : Henry Tuckerman, 1860 (3) ; John W. Fay, 1860 (2) ; Asher Moore, 1860 (4) ; Ohio Whitney, Jr., 1861 (3) ; Samuel Howard, 1862 (3) ; Dr. Theron Temple, 1864 (3) ; Charles E. Woodward, 1865 ( 11) ; Dr. Harvey D.
349
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Jillson, 1867 (3); Rev. Daniel Wight, 1870 (3) ; Nathan Eaton, 1870 (8) ; Wilbur F. Whitney, 1870 (10); Rev. Leonard S. Parker, 1872 (5) ; Marshall Wetherbee, 1873 (3) ; Charles F. Rockwood, 1876 ( 6) ; Prof. James E. Vose, 1878 (3) ; Fred D. Lane, 1880 (5) ; Mrs. Mary S. Barrett, 1880 (3).
CHAPTER XIII.
TIIE CUSHING ACADEMY.
INCIDENTAL FEATURES OF THE ENDOWMENT. - THE WILL OF THOMAS PARK- MAN CUSHING. - THE TRUSTEES. - PROGRESS OF EVENTS. - WINCHES- TER SQUARE. - THE EDIFICE. - DEDICATION. - THE SCHOOL FUND. - JEWETT HALL. - THE CROSBY SCHOLARSHIP. - LIBRARY AND APPARATUS. - PROFESSOR PIERCE. - PROFESSOR VOSE. - BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PAST AND PRESENT.
THE causes, which led to the endowment of Cushing Academy and its establishment in Ashburnham, are not adventitious. . In the mission of the school the ministry of the father is renewed in the munificence of the son. Illib- eral and ungenerous would be the thought that by a single act of beneficence on the part of Thomas Parkman Cushing the academy bearing his name was founded. An impulse of princely benevolence without the means to sustain it, or the wisdom to direct its course, is unavailing. The pre- requisites to the endowment of Cushing Academy were a life of toil, supported by habits of frugality, and the wisdom displayed, in the conditions of the bequest, was the fruitful thought of a sagacious mind. When the youth left the parental roof engaging at an early age in the activities of life, the seminary was deferred only by the measure of a lifetime, and as often as his thought returned to the place of his nativity and the familiar scenes of his childhood, its location in Ashburnham was assured.
350
351
THE CUSHING ACADEMY.
The events of the past, the utility of the present and the possibilities of the future can be most elearly presented in an unpretentious narrative of what has been done and what is contemplated by the trustees who have faithfully and suc- cessfully executed the express desire and have created in substantial form the image of the matured thought of Thomas Parkman Cushing. With meteoric splendor, the Cushing Academy did not spring into existence. Like the sturdy oak its growth has been slow and solidified. Its character and features, cemented and hardened by the lapse of years, are strong and enduring. The visible origin of the institution is the will and testament of Mr. Cushing, dated July 30, 1850. In its provisions it is a most happy alliance of wisdom and philanthropy, of liberality and prudence. There is no shadow of an impulse. It is the language and it carries the impress of a conclusion. It is apparent that every clause of this beneficent document was formulated and clear in the mind of its author before it was written. Nor need we invoke the license of imagination to presume that on some of the hills in Ashburnham he was accustomed to behold in the clear lines of reality the completed edifice on which the thought of his mind was so vividly inclined ; that he beheld the established seats of learning shedding their beneficent rays of light and knowledge over a wide expanse of country, and that with his mind thus allied to the future, his appeal for the cooperation of others was the prayer of an earnest purpose that these influences should not fade with the lapse of years. -
The language of the testator in the eighteenth item of his will is evidence that his plans were fully matured and "that he was earnest upon the subject of education as the saving grace of the republie."
352
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
And, whereas, it is my opinion that the stability of our Laws, and the safety of our Government, the right direction of our Republican Institutions, the preservation of virtue, and of good morals : and, in short, the well-being and happiness of society, depend in a great degree upon the general diffusion of practical and useful knowledge among the people, I am particularly desi- rous of using a portion of the estate with which God has blessed me, for the promotion of so important an object as that of improving the education, and thus of strengthening and enlarging the minds of the rising and of future generations. Hoping that others having similar views and opinions, will hereafter cooperate with me towards effecting the same great and desirable end : my Will, therefore, further is, That two schools or seminaries of learning, shall be established and forever continued in my native town of Ashburnham, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ; entirely distinct, and separated from each other by a distance of at least a quarter of a mile - the one for males of over ten years of age, and the other for females of over ten years of age. And for the foundation and endowment of these schools, I give to the Executors hereinafter named, and to their successors forever, in trust only, as follows.
Following with unfailing precision of statement and having appealed to the cooperative philanthropy of others, the donor enumerates several specific bequests " for improving the education and thus strengthening and enlarging the minds of the rising and of future generations." In regard to the magnitude of the bequest it is sufficient in this connection to state that in round numbers ninety-six thousand dollars was placed to the credit of the Cushing Academy immediately after its organization under the charter of 1865. The founder of our academy did not fail to provide for the future. With implicit confidence in "the judgment and discretion of the trustees " and in " the wisdom and foresight of the Legisla- ture " his advisory wishes are clearly set forth.
353
THE CUSHING ACADEMY.
And, in order to render the seminaries of learning herein estab- lished more efficient and extensively useful by an enlarged founda- tion, it is my further Will that the Trustees hereinafter named, shall diligently and promptly invest the several sums herein given to them, in trust, as they may be realized, for the foundation of said seminaries in such funds and securities as they in their dis- cretion shall think best, and reinvest the income of the same during the period of ten years after my decease. When that period shall have elapsed, my further Will is, that the Trustees, hereinafter named, shall apply for, and obtain from the Legislature of this Commonwealth, a suitable Act of Incorporation or Charter, under which all the business and affairs of the schools herein founded may be conducted forever. The details of the Act, such as the number of Trustees under it, how they shall be appointed or elected, so as to insure as far as possible in perpetuity, a succession of honest, honorable, judicious and intelligent men ; the guards to be adopted to prevent the waste or loss of the property belong- ing to the institution, etc., etc., I leave to the good judgment and discretion of the Trustees hereinafter named, and to the wisdom and foresight of the Legislature.
The trustees selected by the testator were Rev. Dr. Francis Wayland, a brother of his wife ; Hon. Heman Lincoln, who married his sister ; William D. Sohier, Esq., for many years his legal adviser ; and Hon. Charles G. Loring. Mr. Sohier resigning, the appointment of the remaining gentlemen was approved and the will confirmed by the Probate Court December 26, 1854. The immediate control of the fund was committed by his associates to Mr. Loring. In accordance with the express desire of Mr. Cushing, ten years having elapsed, an act of incorporation was secured in 1865, and the trustees of the will were succeeded by a board of trust created by the charter.
The trustces, thirteen in number, with power to fill vacancies were as follows : Rev. Dr. Francis Wayland of
23
354
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
Providence, R. I. ; Hon. Alexander H. Bullock of Worcester ; Rev. Josiah D. Crosby ; Rev. Asa Rand ; Hon. Ohio Whit- ney, Jr. ; Jerome W. Foster, Esq., and George C. Win- chester of Ashburnham ; Dr. Abraham T. Lowe of Boston ; Ebenezer Torrey, Esq., Hon. Alvah Crocker and Hon. Amasa Norcross of Fitchburg ; Rev. Abijah P. Marvin and Isaac M. Murdock of Winchendon. At the organization of the board, September 6, 1865, Rev. Dr. Wayland was chosen president, Mr. Torrey treasurer and Rev. Mr. Crosby secretary. Upon the death of Rev. Dr. Wayland, he was succeeded by Governor Bullock July 10, 1867. As none of the original fund could be used for building purposes, the board of trust early decided to build whenever the accumulations would be found sufficient. Under the sagacious management of Mr. Loring and his able successor, Mr. Torrey, the fund accumulated beyond the most sanguine 'expectations.
In the mean time the trustees clearly perceived that the school could be organized earlier, by several years, if only one edifice was erected. After mature deliberation, and mindful of the provision of the testator that while there was to be only one institution but accommodated in two school buildings, separated from each other by a distance at least of a quarter of a mile, they obtained the unqualified consent of the heirs and of the executors of the will to a modification of the plan of the founder in a single provision. The separate education of the sexes in schools and seminaries was more warmly advocated at the time the bequest was made than in later years. The tendency of public sentiment which probably influenced Mr. Cushing with equal force appealed in another direction to the board of trust.
In 1873 the accumulation of the fund was found sufficient to meet the expense of a suitable school edifice, and while
355
THE CUSHING ACADEMY.
the location of the building was under consideration, the question was happily solved by the liberality of George C. Winchester who presented the corporation the site of the institution with ample grounds for the accommodation of the school which, in appreciative recognition of the donor, has received the name of "Winchester Square."
The academy and the square having other names would be held in less esteem. The park and the building are a memo- rial of the first and the second ministers of Ashburnham. The analogy is complete. Rev. Jonathan Winchester laid the foundations of a church and defined a field of labor. Rev. John Cushing builded in fair proportions on a site selected and a structure begun. These venerable names, living in the memories and history of the town, are together perpetuated through the thoughtful tributes of their descendants.
While under the general control of the board of trustees, the construction of the school edifice was referred to George C. Winchester, Ebenezer Torrey and Jerome W. Foster. In 1871 Ohio Whitney, who was the efficient superintendent of construction, was chosen to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Foster. The entire cost of the building and the furniture was $92,611.75.
The material of the building, one hundred and thirty-two feet in length and fifty-two feet in width. is granite and brick. Above a light and commodious basement of granite are two spacious stories of brick with granite trimmings, surmounted by a Mansard roof which encloses a principal hall extending the length and breadth of the building. There are projecting turrets at the corners and a lofty central tower which contains a heavy bell and an expensive clock. In symmetry of outline, in elegance and thorough- ness of construction and in the convenience of all its appoint-
356
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
ments, the edifice of the Cushing Academy is equalled by none in this vicinity. Facing the rising sun, and overlook- ing the village and the spreading valley below, it occupies a commanding site and will long remain a conspicuous figure in the landscape and in the continued annals of the town. The building was mainly completed during the year 1874. It was substantially furnished the following season and dedicated September 7, 1875. Addresses were delivered by Governor Bullock, president, and by Rev. Mr. Crosby, Rev. Mr. Marvin, Hon. Amasa Norcross and Professors Hubbard and Thompson of the board of trust. A liberal course of study had been arranged and the school was opened the following day.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.