USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of Boston, the metropolis of Massachusetts, from its origin to the present period; with some account of the environs > Part 37
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This was the forty-ninth house, built for the worship of God in Boston. Since the organization of the city government, several other religious societies have been formed, of which we shall speak in a subsequent chapter.
* The interior of St. Paul's is remarkable for its simplicity and beauty, and the materials of which the building has been constructed give it an intrinsick value and an effect, which have not been produced by any imitations of the classick models, that have been attempted of bricks and plaster in other cities. The erection of this church may be considered the com- mencement of an era in the art, in Boston ; and although from its situation it is somewhat obscured, the beauties it displays have already had a sensible influence on taste in archi- tecture : and those who are aware of the importance of this art, in giving form to our city, will consider themselves under the highest obligations to the disinterested and high-minded individuals of the committee, by whom this church has been designed and erected, and will not withhold the meed of praise from the architect and artists, who suprientended the construction of it.
348
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
CHAPTER LIX.
" Whate'er the humanizing Muses teach ; The godlike wisdom of the temper'd breast ; Progressive truth ; the patient force of thought ; Investigation calm, whose silent powers Command the world ;- these all are theirs."
THE earliest trace of our system of free schools is to be found on the Boston records, under date of April 13, 1635, where it is stated to have been 'agreed upon that our brother Philemon Purmont shall be intreated to become schoolmaster, for the teaching and nurturing of children with us.' Whether Mr. P. consented to serve the town, does not appear :* but another person, Mr. Daniel Maude, was ' also chosen' to the office of ' free-school master' in August, 1636.
The first provision for the support of schools seems to have been made by voluntary contribution. There is a subscrip- tion recorded, on the last leaf of the oldest volume of town records, which, though the first line is illegible, is plainly dis- cerned to be ' towards the maintenance of - free Schoolmaster.' It is headed by ' the Gov. Mr. Henry Vane, Esq.' who puts down £10, as do also the Dep. Gov. Mr. John Winthrop, and Mr. Richard Bellingham. Forty-two other persons subscribe according to their ability, some 30s. and some as low as 4s. making in all about the sum of forty pounds. In 1641, the income from Deer Island was appropriated for the school's use ; and in other years the rents of that and other islands were devoted to the same purpose. Under date of 1645, Gov. Winthrop notes in his Journal, that ' divers free schools were erected,' and observes that, at Boston, they made an order to allow forever £50 per ann. for the master, and a house,- and £30 to an usher, who should also teach to read, write, and cipher-and the charge was to be defrayed 'by yearly contribution, either by voluntary allowance or by rate of such as refused.'
Mr. Maude was a minister, and soon removed to Dover, N. H. His successors in the school were probably a Mr. Wood- bridge (mentioned Dec. 2, 1644,) and Mr. Robert Woodman- sey, whose name appears on the records, April 11, 1650. On the 12th of March, 1666, Mr. Daniel Henchman was employ-
* First Church rec. Jan. 6, 1639, Philemon Purmont was dismissed to join Mr. Wheel- wright and others at Piscataqua.
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HISTORY OF BOSTON.
ed ' to assist Mr. Woodmansey in the grammar school and teach children to write.' Mr. Woodmansey was succeeded by Mr. Benjamin Thomson, 'a man of great learning and wit, well acquainted with the Roman and Greek writers, and a good poet.' He was chosen Aug. 26, 1667, to officiate for one year, and appears to have continued in the service of the town, together with Mr. Henchman, until Jan. 3, 1671, when he resigned, and Mr. Ezekiel Cheever took the principal charge of the school. Mr. C. had been a distinguished in- structer, in various parts of New England, and his reputation was not diminished by his career in this place : under him the Grammar-school of Boston attained the rank of ' the prin- cipal school of the British colonies, if not in all America.'
Several persons had been licensed to keep private schools ' to teach children to write and keep accounts ;' but there is no reason to suppose that there had been more than one pub- lick school, prior to 1684. In April, 1683, the town voted to provide two schools, and to allow £25 per ann. for the sup- port of each, with the understanding 'that such persons as send their children to the school, that are able, should pay something to the master for his better encouragement.' And, Nov. 22, 1684, ' Dea. Henry Allen and Capt. Frarye made a return, that, 'according to a former order they had agreed with John Cole to keep a free school, to teach the children of the town to read and write, for one year from the first of this instant November, for which the town is to pay him £10 in money, and £20 in country pay as money, or at money price.' This was the first of the free writing schools, and Mr. Cole seems to have been as much respected and beloved in his department, as Mr. Cheever was in his.
The original Latin school-house was located on the North side of School-street, at the south- east corner of the Chapel burying-ground, nearly opposite to the present school-house. One of the writing schools was kept in Court-street, and the other, we suppose, at the north part of the town .*
A Grammar school was opened at the North end, in 1713, agreeably to a vote of March 11, 1712. It was located on Bennet-street, on the lot now occupied by the Eliot school,
* In the Hutchinson MSS. we find the following order of Gov. Andros, dated Boston, the 24th of May, 1687. " By his Ex.'s command. Upon the petition of Joshuu Natstock, and recommendation of many of the inh. of the N. part of the town of B. I do hereby appoint the said Joshua to be master of the publick school there, and to have and enjoy such profits and benefits and advantages as have been heretofore paid and allowed to his predecessors." It was a favourite object with Randolph to have all the schools supplied with masters of the per- suasion of the Church of England. When Andros's power ceased, the town lost no time in voting, (Records, June 24, 1689,) that the custom and practice of managing free schools be restored and continued.
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350
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
which the town purchased of Mrs. Susanna Love. The house was built by Capt. Thos. Hutchinson (father of Gov. Hutch- inson,) at his own charge. Recompense Wadsworth was the first master.
A free writing-school was built, in 1718, on the same lot, on Love-lane,by Thos. and Edw. Hutchinson, as executors of the will of Foster Hutchinson, and went into operation the next year. Mr. Jeremiah Condy was appointed master.
In 1717, a south writing-school was established, and loca- ted ' on the Common over against Mr. Wainwright's,' that is, near the corner of West and Common streets. The first mas -. ter's name appears to have been Amos Angier.
These two Grammar and three Writing Schools were the only publick schools in Boston, before the Revolution. They were under the inspection of the selectmen and 'a certain number of gentlemen of liberal education, together with some of the reverend ministers,' whose custom it was to make an annual report to the town of the state of the schools. In : 742, when the population of the town was 16,332, there were re- ported (as present June 23, 1741,)
At the South Writing-school 73 At the South Latin-school 94
Queen-St. 73 North
65
North 230 Total --- 535
At the visitation, July 1, 1772, there were present 823 scholars. During the siege, the town schools were suspend- ed : a few children attended the instructions of Mr. Elias Dupee, who remained in Boston, and gratuitously devoted himself to his employment of a teacher, in which he took pe- culiar delight. November 8, 1776, there was a vote of the town, that the schools should be opened under the direction of the selectmen ; and we soon find them all in successful op- eration. In March, 1785, a writing school, to be located far- ther south than that in the Common, was established, and Mr. Samuel Chency was formally inducted into the office of mas- ter, on the 26th of April following. He was charged to hear the children read the scriptures occasionally, and teach them the catechism once a week, besides instructing them in wri- ting and arithmetick. The number of children reported pre- sent, May 23, 1785, was only 564 : both the Latin schools having together but 64 pupils ; Queen st. and the North W. each, 150 ; Common, 119 ; Cheney's, 81. At this time the rule was adopted, that no children be admitted to the writing schools, under seven years of age.
The concerns of the schools were conducted in the usual train until the year 1789. On the 23d of Sept. that year, a committee was appointed, of one from each ward, to draft a
351
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
new system of education. Their report, which was made and accepted, Oct. 16th, recommended the plan, which has since been pursued and improved. They proposed to continue but one (the south) Latin Grammar school. and to establish three reading schools, in apartments separate from the three writing schools. Candidates for admission were required to be 7 years of age, 'having previously received the instruction usual at women's schools.' Children of both sexes were to be admitted, boys for the year round, and girls from April to October, ' to be taught to spell, accent, and read prose and verse, and also to be instructed in English grammar and com- position.' A committee of twelve, was proposed to be chosen annually ; who, in conjunction with the selectmen, should exercise all the powers which the laws of the state or votes of the town had delegated to selectmen or school commit- tees. The execution of the system was immediately com- menced, by the appointment of the First School Committee, Oct. 20, 1789.
The elements of geography and astronomy were soon add- ed to the studies of the English grammar schools ; and the in- crease of population and the rising reputation of these semi- naries in a little time demanded more ample accommodations for the numerous pupils who resorted to them. In 1790, a wooden building of two stories was erected on the north side of School street (now Court square) calculated for the accom- modation of 200 scholars in each story. In 1792, the old school houses at the North were taken down and a two story brick building erected on the same spot. These two buildings were occupied by the Centre and North reading and writing schools. The South reading school was accom- modated in Nassau (now Common) street, and the South writ- ing at the corner of West and Common streets.
In 1800, there were seven publick schools in operation, in which seven masters were employed on salaries of $666 66 cts. and an allowance of $200, together with seven ushers at $333 33 cts. with an allowance of $100. The town tax in that year was $61489,25 and the charge for schools $11100,85. In the spring of 1804 another reading and writing school were opened in the new brick school house at the corner of Hawkins and Chardon street. In 1806, the number of scholars belong- ing to all the schools was 1760 : boys 1030, girls 730.
In process of time it had been found that the rule requir- ing applicants for admission to be able " to read the English language by spelling the same," had operated to the exclu- sion of a large class of children, whose parents were unable or unwilling either to instruct them, or to give them a private education. Sunday schools were revived in the town, in the year 1816, in which it was the object of the managers, besides
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352
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
conveying religious instruction, to fit their charge for the English grammar schools : but the number, which needed to be thus fitted, proved to be so great, that many citizens be- came desirous that something should by done be the town to- wards the same object. A petition was presented, that free schools might be established for children between the age of four and seven years. A committee was appointed to ascer- tain the number of children, throughout the town, who did not attend any school, and the number that attended private schools, and this examination resulted in the establishment of the Board of Primary Schools, by a vote passed June, 11, 1818. This board was at first composed of three gentlemen, from each ward, chosen by the school committee. with pow- ers to establish a suitable number of schools, appoint teach- ers, and have the general superintendence : the increase of the schools has rendered it necessary to increase the num- ber of the committee, which now consists of one member for each school, together with a standing committee of seven and a treasurer. 'The board is subdivided into district commit- tees. It is the duty of each member frequently to visit bis particular school and to report its state to the district commit- tee, to which he is attached, and they report the state of all the schools in their district to the standing committee, whose duty it is to visit all the schools, semiannually, and make a general report, which is sent, after its acceptance by the Primary Board, to the school committee. The effect of this system, which has been executed with untiring assiduity and unvarying regularity, never perhaps excelled, has been to raise the tone of general instruction and moral improvement in the great mass of our population. The children are here committed to the care of female instructers, who are selected from the worthiest in point of moral and literary qualifica- tions ; and the poorest receive the same attention as is be- stowed upon the more wealthy, of whom many are sent to the primary, in preference to the private schools : and the whole may be 'fairly said to be more carefully taught, and more effectually watched and guarded in their characters and con- duct, than the same number of children of the same age ever were before.'
The complete success, which immediately attended the in- stitution of primary schools, produced a very strong feeling in i favour of publick education, and created a seasonable oppor- tunity for gratifying the wishes of those who had been long calling for a school, in which such as have not a desire, or lack the means to pursue a collegiate education, might receive instruction in some branches of great practical importance, usually taught only at colleges. The plan for the establish- ment of the English Classical school (now called the English
353
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
High school) was brought forward in the School Committee, June 17, 1820 ; the town adopted it in the course of that year, and the school went into operation, in May, 1821. The principal instructer was Mr. Geo. B. Emerson. The higher branches of mathematicks,natural and moral philosophy, nat- ural and civil history, natural theology and evidences of christianity, composition, declamation, and instruction in the French language, constitute the course pursued at this school. No boy may be admitted under 12 years of age, and none remain more than three years. By the present regulations of the school committee, there is to be at least one instructer to every forty pupils .* -
In the autumn of 1821, the basement room in the Fort-hill school was fitted up for an experiment on the plan of mutual instruction, and about 150 children, (who with few exceptions were too old for the primary schools, and unqualified to enter the E. grammar schools) were admitted. Full liberty was al- lowed the instructer to adopt such parts of the system as were suitable to our state of society, and to make such improve- ments as circumstances might suggest. The number of boys that attended was seldom less than 90, nor that of the girls less than 70.
This school was kept in operation about two years, and ful- ly justified all reasonable expectation. One hundred and sixty children were taught the same branches by one master, as are taught in the grammar and writing schools by two. The inspection and direction of this school was at first confided to a sub-committee of the Primary Board, by whom the experi- ment was originally proposed. In 1823, it was assumed by the School Committee, in whose hands it died, on the resigna- tion of the enlightened gentleman, who consented to assist in organizing the school, and to take charge of it for the first .year or two.
The people of the north part of the town were disappointed that a school had not been built for their accommodation in 1818 ; at the close of the year 1821, they renewed their pe- tition, and one of the last acts of the town of Boston, as such, was a provision for the erection of the English grammar and writing school, now called Hancock school, in Hanover-street, which went into operation, June, 1823.
* The English Classical school was commenced in Derne-street school-house : in 1824 it was removed to the new building at the corner of Pinckney and Centre streets.
t The Adams school was opened in 1817 : Boylston school, April 20th, 1819 : Bowdoin School, in 1821 : South Boston, in 1822. There had been a publick school at S, Boston some time previous.
45
354
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
Under the city charter the care and superintendence of the publick schools devolves on the School Committee, which body is composed of one member chosen in each ward, to- gether with the Mayor and Aldermen. A course of study for the various schools is marked out, and rules established for the government of the scholars,and instructers,and committee. The system, if closely pursued, must insure a rigid attention to all the interests of the schools. In addition to regular vis- its to each school by the sub-committee who have it in charge, all the schools are visited semi-annually by the general committee, accompanied by the authorities of the city, the parents and friends of the pupils, and other persons interest- ed or invited. The summer visitation has been aptly called the City Commencement. The ambition of the children is excited to display their several acquirements to the best ad- vantage, and the exhibitions at the Latin and High schools may be truly said to fall little short of similar exercises at College. Three of the best boys in each of the schools an- nually receive, on these occasions, a silver medal, " the gift of Franklin," as " a reward of merit." The girls also receive rewards at the expense of the city. The emulation excited in the contest for these marks of distinction is confined to a laudable ambition, and, by its happy effects on the discipline of the schools and on the character of the scholars, evinces the wisdom of the great man, who bequeathed these memo- rials of his love to his native town .*
* The amount of compensation to all the instructers, from June 1, 1824, to June 1, 1825, was 50,953 dols. 35 cts. Other expenditures for schools 3,665 d. 47 c. Total amount 54,618 dols. 82 c. The estimates for the same purposes and the erection of a new school-house, for the current year, amount to 73,000 dollars.
The number of pupils in all the schools in Aug. 1823, was 5863. In this summer of 1825 it has been ascertained to be
In the Eng. Gram. Schools
1763 boys,
1322 girls.
50 Primary
1361
"
1300
3124
2682
African
53
41
"
3177
2723
Latin
175
E. High
145
"
Total
3497 boys,
2723 girls = 6,220
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355
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
CHAPTER LX.
" Only add Deeds to thy Knowledge answerable, add faith, Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love, By name to come call'd Charity."
THE formation of a society in Boston for promoting useful knowledge had been in contemplation for many years, but the design was never vigorously pursued till the end of the year 1779, when many gentlemen in various parts of the coin- monwealth determined to use their endeavours to have one formed upon a liberal and extensive plan, and at the same time to have it established upon a firm basis by the sanction of the legislature. And, to the honour of our political fathers be it spoken, although the country was engaged in a distress- ing war, they immediately adverted to the usefulness of the design,and incorporated the society by the name of The Amer- ican Academy of Arts and Sciences. The charter was granted May 4, 1780. The design of this institution was declared to be ' the promotion and encouragement of the knowledge of the antiquities of America, and of the natural history of the country, and to determine the uses to which the various pro- ductions of the country may be applied ; to promote and en- courage medical discoveries, mathematical disquisitions, philo- sophical inquiries and experiments ; astronomical, meteoro- logical, and geographical observations ; improvements in ag- riculture, arts, manufactures, and commerce ; and, in fine, to cultivate every art and science, which may tend to advance the interest, honour, dignity, and happiness of a free, indepen- dent, and virtuous people.' The Academy has published memoirs of its transactions, in four 4to volumes, of which the last appeared in 1821. Its sessions are held in Boston, and its valuable library is deposited in the Athenaeum.
Since the institution of the American Academy, numerous societies have been formed, which have confined their atten- tion to some of the particular objects embraced in the Acad- emy's plan, such as, the American Antiquarian, the Massa- chusetts Medical, the Historical, and the Agricultural Societies.
The Massachusetts Historical Society was incorporated, Feb. 19, 1794. The design of this institution is to collect, pre- serve, and communicate materials for a complete history of this country, and of all valuable efforts of the ingenuity and industry of its inhabitants. In pursuance of this design, they have already amassed a large collection of books, pamphlets,
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HISTORY OF BOSTON.
and manuscripts. The library and museum of the society are deposited in a spacious apartment over the arch in Frank- lin-street. They have published their Collections in twenty- one Svo. volumes, which include Hubbard's History of New England, and Johnson's Wonder-Working Providence. The foundation of this society was originally suggested by the late Rev. Jeremy Belknap and Mr. Thomas Wallcut : it was at first supported by the labours of a few, and not sufficiently favoured by the publick : it has since enrolled among its members many of our first scholars, and now claims a very considerable reputation among the literary institutions of America.
The Boston Library Society was incorporated, June 17, 1794. The object of the associates was to make a collection of books in the sciences and general literature, for popular use ; more particularly of those works, which, from their cost- liness or peculiar value, are not generally found in private collections, and cannot conveniently be obtained by individu- als of moderate fortune. The plan has been diligently and successfully pursued, and with the aid of occasional dona- tions, the Library is now as complete in works of general util- ity, as any similar institution in this part of the country. The books amount to about 6500 volumes, and their number is continually increasing. To gratify the increasing taste for foreign literature, a collection of the best French authors has been added : many recent and valuable English works have been imported the present season. For some years after the Library was founded, the shares were not transferable, and subscribers had only the use of the library for their lives ; consequently, by the death of original proprietors, many shares have fallen into the common stock, which has given to the shares of present proprietors a value far beyond their cost. It is computed, that a share at the present price gives a property in the common stock greatly exceeding the cost of a share, exclusive of the value of the Hall, which is the prop- erty of the corporation. The price of a share is $25, subject usually to an annual tax of $2, for the increase of the Library and the charges of maintaining it. This assessment is deter- mined by the major vote of the proprietors. Shares are now transferable, and do not cease at the death of the proprietor. The Library is open at the Hall over the arch in Franklin- street, on the afternoon of Thursdays, and the forenoon and afternoon of Saturdays, for the delivery of books.
The Columbian Library, kept in Boylston-Hall, is estab- lished on principles somewhat similar, and contains 4500 volumes .*
" There are also in Boston about six Circulating Libraries, containing extensive assort- ments of modern literature, open to publick use at very moderate charges.
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HISTORY OF BOSTON.
THE ATHENEUM. For several years, individuals in this me- tropolis had expressed their wishes that there might be es- tablished here a publick reading room, to be kept constantly open, and to contain all the valuable journals, foreign and domestick periodical publications, books of general reference, and other works adapted to such a place of resort. It was thought that an establishment of this kind would receive lib- eral support. Having these impressions, a society of gentle- men, who conducted a literary publication, (the Monthly Anthology,*) in the year 1806, issued proposals, in which they engaged to provide a room of the forementioned descrip- tion, open at ten dollars annually to each subscriber. The subscription list was soon filled with a large number of re- spectable names. In consequence of this success, it was de- termined to extend the plan by adding a library to the foun- dation.
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