USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 38
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* The poor attendance at the Prospect School is due to the prevalence of Diphtheria.
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SCHOOLS.
substantial looking brick building, two stories high, built of pressed brick with brown free stone trimmings, and is alike an ornament to the city as it is a monument to the energy and zeal of the Catholics.
It cannot be said there was complete unanimity among the Catho- lics regarding a parochial school, and there was some little backward- ness in sending children there at first. The school, however, has been its own argument against the prejudices, and is now in a most flourish- ing condition, having 450 pupils. The 450 pupils represent one-third of the Catholic children of the city, but as the rooms are all full, the other two-thirds must wait till another parochial school is built for them. Of the 450 pupils attending 275 are girls, 175 boys ; the small propor- tion of boys being easily explained by the fact that a rule of the sisters' school is that no boy over fourteen years shall attend.
St. Patrick's parochial school has eight rooms, each presided over by a sister. the Sister Superior hearing two or three of the advanced classes in one of the large halls and superintending the whole. From the little tots who are learning their a, b, c's to the young ladies who are taking the same as a high school course, all seem excellently taken care of, and parents are much pleased with their progress in their studies. There can, however, be but very little difference in their lessons and those given in public schools, comparison showing that scholars of the parochial school may be a little ahead of the same grade in the public school in some studies, and correspondingly behind in others. Differ- ent text books are used altogether, but no material variation can be seen. Little more religion enters into the programme of the sisters' school (for a parochial school is always a sisters' school) than in the public schools. There is a class in catechism, Catholic hymns are sung, and it is natural that, sisters and pupils being of the same religion, the teachers should inquire into and see that those under their charge attend to their re- ligious duties.
One thing noticeable in all sisters' schools, is the entire separation of the boys from the girls. This is usual in all Catholic schools, and St. Patrick's parochial is no exception. The boys are taught in rooms oc- cupied by boys alone, one-half the play-ground is reserved for them, and in this particular case the east side entrance is for them to come and depart by, while the girls are confined to the use of the west side.
408
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
If a boy behaves badly he may be punished by being compelled to sit in a girls' room or play on their side of the ground, and if a little girl should be so unladylike as to misbehave she must take her punishment by associating with boys for awhile.
Conspicuously upon entering a room in the parochial school is seen the " Roll of Honor," written on the blackboard, with the names under it of the pupils who are fortunate enough to be on this list To have one's name on the " Roll of Honor " seems to have a distinction worth striving for, judging from the numbers seen, and it requires work, too, for one must have been perfect in lessons and deportment the week previous to merit this reward, not to mention that they must have had no absent or tardy marks against their names.
One advantage of the sisters' school-and surely it is an advantage- is the sewing class. Every Friday afternoon books are put away in the girl's rooms, work in another phase is brought out, and industrious fingers ply the needles, always under the kindly direction of the careful teachers. Specimens of the girl's handiwork are shown, and pretty laces, tidies, fancy work and plain sewing give evidence of their dili- gence as well as of the spirit of their true femininity. The parochial school, like the public, has its visiting days, when the sisters are espe- cially glad to have visitors, but any day that the school is open parents and friends-as well as the curious, if there be any-are at liberty to visit and are cordially welcomed.
THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF NAZARETH .- With the advent of a parochial school came another new feature, for though seen more or less upon our streets from various places and on various missions, not until August, 1887, could any sister of charity claim this city as her home. The parish having built a school it was necessary there should be teach- ers for it. Then it was these sisters were sent for, and without an- nouncement of any kind a quiet body of these true women came here to their duties. Meeting them on the streets as they go to and from school and church, with their quiet, unobtrusive manner, their modest, sombre costume, in an unostentatious way they have become part of the city.
Among sisters, as many other organizations, there are different or- ders. Those who are now in this city, and belong to St. Patrick's par-
409
SCHOOLS.
ish, are Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, and have for their patron saint Vincent de Paul. They come from Louisville, Ky., where the mother home is. To become a Sister of Charity of Nazareth it is necessary to be a woman of good moral character, and to be between the ages of sixteen and twenty-eight years, no one being taken who is under sixteen or over twenty-eight. The dress of the order is entirely black, except in house or school, when the black bonnet is removed and the white one, which is always worn underneath, is shown. A white linen rol- ling collar around the neck also relieves the sombreness of the cos- tume.
In the convent on Bartlett street the twelve sisters who comprise the little band in this city are happily at home. Nine are busy at the school all day, and the other three find plenty to do at the convent, one or two being busy with music pupils. The convent is conveniently and com- fortably arranged, and the sisters cheerful and contented. Everything here is as regular as clockwork from the time the sisters rise in the morning until they retire at night. There is a time for work, for prayer, for recreation and for meals. Work is reduced to a minimum, as each sister has her alloted share to do every day. The whole is managed by the Sister Superior, who is the head of the house as well as of the school.
There is a pretty little chapel in the convent, and every week-day of the year mass is said by one of the priests. The altar of the chapel is pure white, tastefully draped with white, and on either side are statues of different saints in white marble. On the altar, too, are always fresh flowers, gathered from the little conservatory that is on the east side of the convent. In a niche in the front hall is a large French bisque statue of Mary, mother of Christ, before which a red taper is always kept burn- ing.
The convent itself is nicely situated, and a valuable piece of church property. Beside being a credit to the parish it is a compliment to the foresight and business abilities of the pastor, Rev. Father McClure.
ADELPHIAN ACADEMY .- About the middle of August, 1844, two young men, brothers, who had just finished their collegiate studies, came into town, entire strangers, without letters of introduction or money, and opened a school in a building owned by Major Nathan Hayward,
52
110
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
south of the hotel and quite near the " Old Unitarian Church." They commenced with thirty students, September 4, 1844, and steadily in - creased in number as follows : the first term they had forty-six students ; second term, fifty ; third term, ninety-six ; fourth term, sixty-nine ; fifth term, one hundred and twenty-one. The second year the building proved inadequate to their wants, and the church above named was pro- cured for the same purpose. The school continued in favor and was doing well, when a meeting was held to consider the propriety of erect- ing a suitable building for the permanent establishing of the academy. Three thousand dollars was agreed upon as the amount needed to ac- complish the object. Failing to get enough subscribed, the project was abandoned for a time. Struggling against adverse circumstances, and after much thought and many solicitations to go elsewhere, they con -. cluded to remain at North Bridgewater, now Brockton, and to make that town a permanent home. A small hillock of about four acres, a short distance north of the railroad depot, was purchased, which they called Montello, upon which they erected buildings suitable for the pur- pose, involving an expenditure of nearly ten thousand dollars. The friends of the enterprise made them a dedicatory visit soon after the completion of the buildings, and presented them with a valuable bell for the academy building. In the spring of 1847 an act of incorpora- tion was granted to the proprietors with corporate powers. The fol- lowing is a copy of the act :
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assem- bled, and by Authority of the Same as follows:
Silas L. Loomis, L. F. C. Loomis, Nathan Jones, and their associates and successors, are hereby made a corporation by the name of the Adelphian Academy, to be estab- lished in the town of North Bridgewater, in the county of Plymouth, with all the pow- ers and privileges, and subject to all the duties, restrictions, and liabilities set forth in the forty-fourth chapter of the Revised Statutes.
This corporation had permission to hold real estate to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars, and personal estate to the amount of ten thou- sand dollars, to be exclusively devoted to the purposes of education.
Approved March 11, 1847.
The following were elected officers of the institution : Joseph Syl- vester, president ; Lafayette C. Loomis, secretary ; Silas L. Loomis, treasurer ; Hon. Jesse Perkins, L. C. Loomis, Josiah W. Kingman, Ed-
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SCHOOLS.
win H. Kingman, David Cobb, Newton Shaw, Silas L Loomis, George Clark, Caleb Copeland, Franklin Ames, and Isaac Eames, trustees.
This institution continued to increase in numbers until a high school was thought of being established in the town, which the Messrs. Loomis supposed might injure their school, when they concluded to close it as soon as it might be done without too great a sacrifice. Thus the acad- emy was brought to a close is 1854, after a term of ten years from its commencement. During this time they had gathered a library of over one thousand volumes and a cabinet of over ten thousand specimens. The following are among those that had taught in that institution:
Prof. Silas L. Loomis, A M., M.D , was a surgeon in the United States army ; Prof. L. C. Loomis, A.M., M.D., was president of the Wesleyan Female College, Wilmington, Del. ; J. E. Marsh, A.M, M.D., surgeon in the United States army ; Rev. Horace C. Atwater, A.M. ; Hon. Isaac Atwater, A.M., chief justice of Iowa ; Rev. J. H. Burr, A.M .; Rev. Daniel Steele, A.M .; J. Mason Everett; E. A. Kings- bury ; Maximilian Hall ; B. A. Tidd ; Miss Emma L. Loomis; Miss Susan T. Howard ; Otis S. Moulton ; Annie E. Belcher; S. M. Saun- ders ; Emery Seaman ; O. W. Winchester, A. B. ; Mrs. Mary A. Win- chester.
The building formerly used as an academy has since been removed to the corner of Centre and Montello streets, near the railroad depot, and is used as a manufactory. It was a three-story building, painted white, with green blinds, and crowned with a cupola for a bell.
NORTH BRIDGEWATER ACADEMY .- This institution was founded by Mr. Sereno D. Hunt, in May, 1855, and was assisted at different times by the following teachers : Mrs. Hunt, wife of the principal ; Miss Mary H. Clough, Miss Clara Kingman, Miss Sarah B. Fiske, Miss E. Marion Hurlbut, Miss Helen Eveleth, Edwin Hunt, A. B., Miss Hattie F. Stacy, and Miss Julia M. Howard.
Mr. Hunt first purchased the building previously used as a house of worship by the " New Jerusalem Society," at an expense of two thou- sand dollars, and remodeled it into a well-arranged and comfortable school-room, and fitted it with modern desks and chairs, of the most approved kind, sufficient for ninety-six scholars, at an additional ex- pense of upwards of three thousand dollars. The first term commenced
412
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
with seventy-five scholars; the second term had over one hundred scholars ; and the average of attendance for the first five years was sev- enty-five scholars per term. After the breaking out of the rebellion, for the last four years of its existence, it had an average of over sixty pupils, and the last two terms were larger than for several terms pre- vious. The building has since been purchased by Charles C. Bixby, esq., and appropriated to other uses.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS .- Among the most prominent of these institu- tions in the town was Mrs. Nathan Jones' school. We take pleasure in recording the fact that for more than thirty years Mrs. Jones kept a private boarding-school for children of both sexes at her residence ; and few there are to be found of the old persons, natives of the town, who have not attended " Mrs. Jones' School " at least for one term.
Deacon Heman Packard kept a select school at the north end of the town, on Prospect Hill, for several years previous to his leaving town for New Orleans, which had a good reputation.
Rev. E. Porter Dyer kept a select school in the town in 1835 and 1836. Mr. Dyer became an orthodox Congregationalist clergyman, and preached at Abington, Hingham and Shrewsbury, Mass. He was born in South Abington, Mass., now Whitman, August 15, 1813; graduated at Brown University in 1833 ; studied theology at Andover, Mass. After preaching in various places as above he retired to his native town, where he died April 22, 1882.
If we are asked to compare the present condition of the schools of Brockton with the past, under the old district system and as a town, our reply would be simply a marked and rapid advance in many re- spects Ever since the establishment of the High school, the pupils have been stimulated to greater exertion, while the standard of educa- tion is higher than ever. When we compare the amounts appropriated to school purposes during the last decade following the inauguration of the city government in 1882, we find $27,023.00 the amount for that year, and ten years later $76,196.06 is the amount appropriated to the uses of schools. In 1882 we find fifty schools, and in 1892 there were one hundred and five schools in the city. In 1882 there were 2,564 scholars between the ages of five and fifteen, and in 1892 there were 4,788 scholars, or not quite double the number of pupils, thus showing
413
SCHOOLS.
a liberal advance in the amount per scholar within a very few years. At present, judging from the reports from year to year of the doings of the school committee, the schools of the city of Brockton bear favora- ble comparison with others similarly situated throughout Massachu- setts, or elsewhere. We notice an improvement in the school build- ings, the methods of ventilation, the comfortable furnishings, and a desire on the part of the management to improve the condition and character of the scholars in every possible manner, which is done by procuring the best teachers to be found, and by adopting the best methods of imparting instruction, in looking after the habits and morals of the scholars, and striving in every way to make good children and better men and women, that the whole community may be elevated to a higher position in society.
A glance at the official list of those who have had the care of the schools, those who compose the school board, we cannot fail to observe that the confidence of the people has been deservedly placed upon the best persons for the official oversight of the interests of the schools, and we should only be doing our duty as a faithful and impartial chronicler, of the educational interests of the city and its success, if we should refer to some of those who have been and still are entrusted with the respon- sibilities of the schools. In the days when the town was divided into small school districts, and few in number, the duties of a school com- mittee were very light in comparison with those who now have the charge. Usually the care was intrusted to the village pastor, the phy- sician or the lawyer of the town. The methods of teaching were much more simple than in later times, and the labor of looking after the teach- ers was much lighter than now. To day school committees are com- posed of persons from every walk in life, and the choice of school offi- cers is not confined to the few educated persons, as formerly, but they are selected from the professional ranks first, and others are selected for their sound judgment in business matters, such as is required in the erection and furnishing school buildings, and other matters pertaining to the welfare of the schools.
The confidence reposed in those who have heretofore been on the school committee lists may be seen in the selection made, and the long terms they have served. Under the old condition of things in North
414
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Bridgewater as a town, we find such men as the Rev. Paul Couch, pas- tor of the First Congregational church, having served the town faith- fully for twenty-four years, from 1838. Rev. Daniel Huntington, pas- tor of the South Congregational church in Campello, held the office for nine years, dating from 1827. Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor of the same church at a later period, held the office of committee for sixteen years, from 1862. Eliah Whitman, esq., was on the board for eight years, his first year being 1827. Later we find Augustus T. Jones, edi- tor for many years, and a graduate of Yale College, serving on the board for twelve years, between 1864-1880. Also Henry A. Ford, who by his early training, education and experience in school teaching, rendered him well qualified to be a member of the committee, between 1851 and 1872, interruptedly for eleven years. Cyrus F. Copeland was an efficient officer for thirteen years. Baalis Sanford, jr., was also a valuable member of the board, one who by his early associations and educational training was well qualified to fill the position to which he was elected for ten years successively from 1875. Hon. John J. Whip- ple was an active member of the school committee from 1875 to 1883, and by virtue of his office as mayor of the city he occupied the posi- tion of chairman in 1886-'87. The following persons have also been chairmen of the board of school committee by virtue of their offices as mayor, viz. : Hon. Ziba C. Keith, Hon. Henry H. Packard, Hon. Al- bert R. Wade, Hon. William L. Douglas.
We should not fail to mention another name, of one, who by his ex- tensive erudition and legal practice was peculiarly fitted to guide and advise in all matters pertaining to the management of schools. Hon. Jonathan White was a member of the committee for fifteen years, be- tween 1867 and 1887, and a portion of that time filled the position of vice-chairman of the same, and one who has also filled many other offices in the town and city of his adoption, as well as in his senatorial district.
We may be pardoned if we mention another, who has for a long time served the town and city in various ways. He was educated in his native town of North Bridgewater, now Brockton, and has had large experience as a teacher and as a business man. The name of S. Frank- lin Packard, esq., has been on the list of the school committee for
S.Franklin Packard
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SCHOOLS.
twenty years, several years of which he has been vice-chairman of the board, and his advice and services have been of great value to the city, and an honor to himself. Mr. Packard was elected in 1874, and has been re-elected to the present time, and is the present incumbent as vice-chairman.
Mrs. Martha J. Farwell, the only lady on the school committee, was elected in 1882, and has given the city the benefit of a well trained mind and active labors in the conduct and management of schools, and particularly in connection with the evening schools of Brockton. She has had a continuous service for twelve years, and is a valued member of the board. In 1885 the school interests of the town had become so large that it required a great amount of personal attention, which a large committee could not so advantageously attend to for the good of the schools. The time having arrived when it seemed advisable that a superintendent be appointed, the committee succeeded in finding one to occupy that position in the person of Barrett B. Russell, esq., a native of Dartmouth, Mass., who has had the general supervision of schools under the advice and direction of the committee, for about eight years. That the committee made no mistake in the selection of a person for that position is generally conceded, and the length of time he has been in the city is the best evidence of his being the right man in the right place. The system and manner in which the committee and superin- tendent have conducted the various schools is generally commended.
Mr. Russell has had large experience of the kind required in the suc- cessful management of schools, having received his early education at Dartmouth Academy, in his native town. Graduated at the Normal School in Bridgewater, Mass., and immediately commenced upon pri- vate courses of study in chemistry and the languages. Taught school in Dartmouth and vicinity, also in Randolph and Dedham, eight years in the Normal School, and was principal of the Oliver school in Law- rence for upwards of five years. Removed to Brockton in January, 1885.
SCHOOL COMMITTEES OF THE CITY OF BROCKTON FROM 1882 TO 1893.
1882. Hon. Ziba C. Keith, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. Hon. Jonathan White, Vice- Chairman. Baalis Sanford, jr., Secretary.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires, 1884.
Term Expires, 1885.
Baalis Sanford, jr.,
Jonathan White,
David L. Cowell
1883.
Hon. Henry H. Packard, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. Baalis Sanford, Secretary.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires, 1884.
Term Expires, 1885.
Term Expires, 1886.
S. Franklin Packard,
Baalis Sanford, jr.,
William A. Sanford,
Cyrus F. Copeland,
Jonathan White,
William Rankin,
Mrs. Martha J. Farwell.'
David L. Cowell.
Arthur E. Kendrick.
1884.
Hon. Ziba C. Keith, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. Hon. Jonathan White, Vice- Chairman. Baalis Sanford, jr., Secretary.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires, 1885.
Term Expires, 1886.
Term Expires, 1887.
Jonathan White,
William A. Sanford,
S. Franklin Packard,
Baalis Sanford, jr.,
William Rankin,
Cyrus F. Copeland,
David L. Cowell, Arthur E. Kendrick,
Mrs. Martha J. Farwell.
This year a superintendent of schools was appointed, who is also secretary of all standing and appointed committees. The regular meetings are held on the last Tues- day in each month, at 7:30 P. M.
1885.
Hon. Ziba C. Keith, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. Hon. Jonathan White, Vice- Chairman. B. B. Russell, Secretary.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires, 1885. Term Expires, 1886. Term Expires, 1887.
Wm. A. Sanford, C. F. Copeland,
Jonathan White,
A. E. Kendrick, S. F. Packard,
W. H. H. Barton,
William Rankin.
Martha J. Farwell.
Francis J. Gìynn.
B. B. Russell, Secretary of the Committee and Superintendent of Schools.
1886.
Hon. John J. Whipple, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. Hon. Jonathan White, Vice- Chairman. B. B. Russell, Secretary.
Term Expires, 1883. Rev. Samuel L. Beal,
Arthur E. Kendrick,
De Witt Clinton Packard.
S. Franklin Packard,
Cyrus F. Copeland,
Mrs. Martha J. Farwell.
Bacalis Sanford
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SCHOOLS.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires, 1886. C. F. Copeland, S. F. Packard, Martha J. Farwell.
Term Expires, 1887.
Jonathan White,
W. H. H. Barton,
Francis J. Glynn .*
Term Expires, 1888. Warren A. Reed,
Roland Hammond,
John Kent.
1887.
Hon. John J. Whipple, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. S. F. Packard, Vice- Chairman. B. B. Russell, Secretary.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires 1888.
Warren A. Reed,
Roland Hammond,
Term Expires 1889. Martha J. Farwell, S. F. Packard, Wallace C. Keith.
1888.
Hon. Albert R. Wade, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. S. F. Packard, Vice- Chairman. B. B. Russell, Secretary.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires 1888. Warren A. Reed,
Term Expires 1889. Martha J. Farwell,
Roland Hammond, John Kent.
S. F. Packard, Wallace C. Keith.
Eerm Expires 1890. Charles W. Robinson, Fred P. Richmond,
Loyed E. Chamberlain.
1889.
Hon. Albert R. Wade, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. S. F. Packard, Vice- Chairman. B. B. Russell, Secretary.
MEMBERS.
Term Expires 1889. Martha J. Farwell, S. F. Packard, Wallace C. Keith.
Term Expires 1890. Chas. W. Robinson,
Fred P. Richmond, Loyed E. Chamberlain.
Term Expires 1891. Warren A. Reed, A. V. Lyon, David W. Battles.
1890.
Hon. William L. Douglas, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. S. F. Packard, Vice-Chairman. B. B. Russell, Secretary.
* Resigned November 30th, and the vacancy filled December 8th by the joint convention of both branches of the city government by the election of Loring W. Puffer.
53
Term Expires 1887. Jonathan White, W. H. H. Barton, L. W. Puffer. John Kent.
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