USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Dracut > History of Dracut, Massachusetts, called by the Indians Augumtoocooke and before incorporation, the wildernesse north of the Merrimac. First permanment settlement in 1669 and incorporated as a town in 1701 > Part 19
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THE OLD NAVY YARD SCHOOLHOUSE
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DRACUT CENTRE SCHOOLHOUSE
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CHAPTER XIII. SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS.
O UR forefathers realized the value of education, and as early as 1647 a law was enacted requiring every town- ship in which were fifty householders to provide a schoolhouse and employ a teacher, and all towns having 1,000 freeholders should provide a grammar school. It is uncertain how early schools were established in the town, but we have unofficial records which show that the Rev. James McGregor taught a school in town in the winter of 1718-19. The earliest town record relating to the subject is that on October 1, 1736, an agreement was signed as follows:
"We, the subscribers in the town afore sd agree with Mr. Phineas Stevens of Andover to keep a Reading and Wrighting scool In Dracutt three months Beginning on or about the 20th of this Instant October for which he Is to Receive twelve Pounds In Bills of Creddit as witness our hands
PHINEAS STEVENS
EDWARD COLBURN
Selectmeu of
JOHN VARNUM
JOHN BOWERS
Dracutt"
In 1738, it was voted "to hire a school for reading and writing to be held two fifths of the time at the west end, two fifths at the east, and one fifth at the north end." May 18, 1750, it was voted "to keep the school at one place in Dracut this present year." As there were no buildings especially for school use it was voted to keep the school at Ephraim Hildreth's house. March 5, 1787, it was voted to lay out the school money in "eight different squadrons," another name for school dis- tricts of which the first mention occurs in 1780. There were the Sawyer squadron, the Nor'East squadron, the Hill squadron and others. In 1790, it was voted to divide the town into six districts which later were increased to thirteen.
In 1755, the town voted "that if the inhabitants of the southwest part of the town will vote to build a school house on
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the land of Dea. Edward Coburn on the north side of the road betwixt Deacon Edward Coburn his house and Samuel Coburn's house, that they shall have the school kept there according to their proportion of the taxes." As in the next year the town voted to accept the schoolhouse, it is evident that one was built. In 1821, Ephraim Coburn conveyed to the First School District "a tract of land" where the schoolhouse has formerly stood. The condition was that "the district should build a schoolhouse on said land." This building is now occupied by the Coburn Mission.
As it was erected by the district and not by the town, the action is not recorded on the town books and the omission has led to the error that the building was the original one instead of the second. Pawtucketville was District No. 2 and had two ·school buildings, both of which are now standing. There were no settlements about here requiring a schoolhouse, as until the bridge was built it was open country, but later as the families increased a new building was demanded and a district formed. The first building was moved from Lowell and at first located near the river, but about 1825 was again moved to its present position on the west side of the Mammoth road, near the ceme- tery. The lot secured for the building was a large one, includ- ing the land where the later one stood. This building was moved a few rods away and was converted into a cottage, and a new and more modern one was erected on the site. This section was annexed to Lowell in 1874, and the building has been used as a library, reading room and club room. The Collinsville district was in existence before the Pawtucketville section required a schoolhouse, and was formerly district No. 2. but now is No. 3.
There have been three school buildings, all of which are now standing. The first one is located in Varnum's survey of 1831 as "three rods from Daniel P. Coburn's and 38 rods to Hugh Jones'." It is still standing in the same location and forms a part of the barn now at the residence of Mrs. George B. Brown. The old windows which were at the west end of the building still remain and can be seen from Mammoth road. On the west side of the Mammoth road and nearly opposite this building there is a tenement house which was for many years the second schoolhouse which was two stories in height to accommodate
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the increased population of the village. When the present school building was erected, this building was removed a few rods and sold. The present building was originally a four-room house, but later on addition was made, increasing its capacity.
The Navy Yard was District No. 4, formerly No. 3 West. This district has had five school buildings. In 1828, the district purchased a lot of land on Pleasant street, near Riverside street, of J. B. Varnum. In the deed reference is made to the location as "where the old school house stood." The building erected on this lot after its purchase, is now used as a dwelling house, but retains its original shape with the exception of the removal of the belfry. About 1865, a new two-story building was erected on a lot a little to the east of the old one. This was afterward burned. After the annexation of a part of the town to Lowell in 1874, a new schoolhouse was built north of the village on Parker Avenue, resembling in general shape the one at Collins- ville. In 1906, owing to the increase in the number of pupils, a two-room building was erected on Sladen street, near Pleasant street, and is called the Goodhue school.
District No. 5, formerly No. 3 East, has had four school- houses. The first was nearly opposite the First Congregational church building on Tan House hill. June 4, 1798, Jonathan Taylor conveyed to William Hildreth land and buildings, now the Blanchard Hospital, "reserving liberty for the school house to stand on the land it now stands on as long as the said school house shall last." The second building stood on land now a part of the Hildreth Cemetery nearly opposite Sutherland street. The third building stood on the east side of Hildreth street and was built about 1831; it was called the old red school- house. The fourth was built after 1870 and stood on the west side of Hildreth street near Pleasant street and west of the com- mon but the annexation of a large part of the district to Lowell made it of no value for school purposes and it was sold and is now a dwelling house. The district which included Christian hill was formerly No. 6 and the first schoolhouse stood on the west side of Tenth street, about 75 rods north of the Fay build- ings on land of Ephraim Wood. When it was no longer needed for school purposes, Stephen Wood, a brother of Ephraim, moved it to Marsh hill and occupied it with his family. The
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HISTORY OF DRACUT
second building, after some controversy, was erected on Tenth street about 1834. It was built of brick and was sold in 1847 to Joseph R. Tibbetts, who taught a private school, but is now used as a dwelling house. The district then purchased the build- ing on Myrtle street, formerly owned by the proprietors of the Central Village Academy. In 1851, this section was annexed to Lowell.
New Boston district was the new No. 6 and has had three schoolhouses. The first stood on the triangle at the junction of the Old Meadow road and Hildreth street, south of the Crosby buildings. A description of this building will apply to others of the same period as the same general plan was followed: It was square with a four-sided pitch roof, the roofs forming a point in the center. It had an enclosed porch which contained hooks for clothing and hats. The teacher's desk, raised a step from the floor, was opposite the door, and in the center of the room was the floor where the classes stood at recitations, while on each side of the room were desks and seats for the scholars. The center floor was level, but at the outer wall it was raised forming an inclined plane. The tops of the desks were of oak plank, two inches thick, and the seat for each desk was attached to the desk in the rear. A board extending the whole length of the building on each side against the wall formed seats for the older pupils. The building was sold about 1870 and removed to Lowell.
The second house was located across the road, a few rods northwest of the first one, but it was destroyed by fire about 1875. The third house was like the second, built in more modern style and located on Hildreth street, on land belonging to the Foster farm. After a few years of occupation as a schoolhouse, the number of pupils diminished until the town decided to close the school and transport the children to the school in the Navy Yard district, and the building was sold and removed to Colburn avenue, where it is used as a residence. The district at the Center was No. 7, but in 1790, it was designated as No. 4. This is the first building in the district of which there is any record and in the last year named it was voted to set the schoolhouse "between Isaac Fox's Cyder mill and the road to Wiuthrops meadows" which was the present Methuen road. Isaac Fox
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lived on the farm known as the Archibald Varnum farm and later owned by George D. Coburn. As this building became un- suitable for the increasing population of this vicinity, a new one was built on the common at the intersection of Broadway, Arling- ton and Willard streets. As the erection and care of the build- ing was under the supervision of the district, no records are to be found on the town books, and it is only from other sources that information in regard to dates of building can be found and in most cases these dates cannot be determined with accu- racy, but it is known that this building stood on this common as early as 1831. This building becoming antiquated, a new one containing two rooms was built nearer the center of the district, and after a few years' use was remodeled and the lower rooms used for the town office, and the library and museum were located in the upper rooms.
The extension of the electric road to the Center again in- creased the number of families and the new building was not suitable for school purposes, so it was abandoned and a new one built on modern lines near the end of the car line. Marsh hill was District No. 8. There was no building for many years which was used for a schoolhouse, but the children were taught in the farmers' houses. In 1753, the school master was David Fox, Sr., whose son David, Jr., was a revolutionary soldier. His farm was the one now owned by Mrs. Eben T. Fox and the school children met at his house for instruction. Three quarters of a century later the school was kept in the farm house on the same farm then owned by his grandson, Samuel Fox. The first schoolhouse in this district was built in the old style already described, and was standing in 1831. At that time it had been newly built. The building with woodshed covered the lot, thus leaving no place for a playground or yard. About 1855, the floor was lowered to a level position and the desks rebuilt. In 1880, a new one was built, so placed that there was a school yard in which the children could exercise. In a few years the town discontinued the school and transported the pupils to the Center. It is now used as a residence.
In those earlier years the boys were taught to bow to the teacher when entering the schoolroom and the girls to "drop a
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courtesy," while out-of-doors they must bow respectfully to any one who passed by the school.
The Kenwood District was No. 9. The first schoolhouse stood a few rods east of the cross road leading north to the Methuen road. It was on the north side of the road and until recently the doorstep marked the spot. The land upon which it was built was donated by Samuel Varnum 4, son of Joseph 3, who purchased the Prime lot which was the sixteenth lot on the river.
The second building was located nearer the present one, but soon became too small for the rapidly increasing population and a new one, built in 1900, which was enlarged in 1911, and a bell weighing 350 lbs., placed upon it. No. 10 was called the Jones' district and was situated between the Center and the Methuen line. The first building, so far as is known, stood on Broadway, further east than the present one. It was built in the same style as the earlier ones were but, unlike the others, there were heavy oak timbers on each side of the aisle with mor- tices into which the desks were set and over which the scholars must step to reach their seats. The chimney projected down- ward into the room about two feet and was supported in its place by hangers fastened to the overhead beams. After 1860, the building was repaired and to some extent its interior features were changed, but when the school was discontinued it was very dilapidated. It was sold and used for several years as a dwell- ing house but was later destroyed by fire.
After transporting the pupils to the Center for a time, a new building was erected at the corner of Broadway and the cross road leading to Burns' hill. District No. 11 was the Black north or East Dracut district. There have been three schoolhonses in this district. The first one becoming. after several years, unfit for use, a second one was built on the same lot of land, and when a new one was built the old one was used as a club house. The third one was recently built on a more modern plan with large playground, it stands on the opposite side of the road from the lot where the first ones stood.
The district numbers have been changed at various times. In 1830, the numbers were. No. 1, the west part of the town; No. 2, Collinsville; No. 3 West, the Navy Yard village; No. 3
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East, Hovey square; No. 4, the Center village; No. 5, Kenwood ; No. 6, East Dracut ; No. 7, New Boston; No. 8, Marsh hill; No. 9, Broadway; No. 10, Christian hill. In 1851, when annexed to Lowell, the last named was number 6.
The building of Pawtucket Bridge caused a new district to be formed, which until annexation was No. 2, and the numbers of some of the others were changed. In the last annexation the West Dracut, Pawtucketville and Hovey Square districts ceased to exist, but the numbers of the other districts remained unchanged.
During the first century of the existence of the town the length of the school term each year did not exceed three months. The winter months were the ones when the boys could best be spared from the work on the farm and these were considered sufficient to give the pupils an education. In each room there was a large fireplace which, while furnishing abundant heat, was able to warm the room but little as the most of the heat escaped up the chimney, but by collecting about the fireplace they could be kept comfortable. There was an abundance of wood and it was the duty of the older boys to keep the fireplace well filled. Later, when stoves were introduced, the room was more evenly heated. No janitors were employed but the boys attended to the kindling of the fire and shovelling the snow, while the girls swept the floor.
It was customary for the teacher to report in writing to the Superintending School Committee a list of the names and ages of the scholars, a list of the studies, number of weeks in a term and compensation received. A few of these reports have been preserved and from them information has been gathered relating to early school days. None earlier than 1817 are to be found and while from old people we learn that before this time only reading, spelling, writing and arithmetic were taught, these reports inform us that grammar and geography classes were formed and, in one school, a history class existed. Other studies are given as "testament," "alphabet," words of one syllable and words of two syllables. The number of pupils in the town would average about forty to each district.
In 1830, there were ninety-nine who were taught by one teacher at the Navy Yard village. The highest salary paid was
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$5 per week, including board and was paid to a graduate of Dartmouth College. Other male teachers received $3.50 per week including board, which was reckoned at $1.50 per week. Female teachers received, besides their board, $1 per week and, in one district, the sum of 92 cents per week was paid. A teacher sometimes "boarded around," living a specified number of days with each family. In some instances when the school money was expended, the teacher would remain a few weeks to teach pupils who desired further instruction, receiving their compensation from the parents of those attending. Private schools would also be opened in the spring and autumn months which were benefi- cial to the young people and which were well attended. In 1860 Josiah S. Phillips taught a private school for several terms in the vestry of the Old Yellow Meeting house and had good success.
The schools have been conducted under both the town and district system. Under the last named system a Superintending Committee composed of three was appointed who had a general oversight of the schools. They examined the teachers and accepted or rejected them as the case might be, they selected the text-books which were owned by the pupils and recommended certain lines of studies. In addition to the general committee, the district would select a man who was called the Prudential Committee. He employed the teacher, subject to the approval of the general committee, purchased supplies and kept order when unruly scholars refused to obey the teacher. They also attended to the expenditure of the money allotted to each district by the town. The schools at the present time are conducted on the same general principles but differ in detail.
Dracut, with three other towns in the vicinity, employs a Superintendent while this town appoints a general committee of nine at its annual meeting. This committee assigns certain duties to each of the members, certain ones purchasing supplies, others attending to transporting of pupils, others having charge of repairs, the Superintendent overseeing and advising when necessary. This system was adopted in 1881. Truant officers are also appointed who attend to absentees. The town employs Supervisors of Music and the Manual Arts are also taught. Until recent years no pianos were provided or music as a study
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taught. Scholars sang songs led by the teacher or one of the older scholars. Exhibitions are now given in which the scholars display specimens of drawing, leather and burnt-wood work, etc., which they have prepared.
For several years preceding and following 1850, the school committee prepared reports which the town clerk entered in the town records, but which are now embodied in the annual printed report of the town. In 1829, the amount appropriated for the support of schools was $600; in 1858, $1,500, and in 1919, $31,800.
Dracut has seven school buildings, valued as follows: Center, $14,000; Collinsville, $14,000; Parker Avenue, $10,000; Kenwood, $10,000; Goodhue, $8,000; East Dracut, $4,000; Broadway, $2,000.
In 1911, penny savings banks were introduced in each school as an encouragement to the cultivation of habits of thrift and the money deposited in the Savings Banks. By this system, pupils may deposit in small sums which are entered in a deposit book to their credit.
It is in order to mention another private school which, although the building was located in Pelham, the pupils were principally from Dracut. The length of the school term, while extending over a period of six months, was an improvement over the earlier three-month period but still unsatisfactory. A private school was opened having a Spring and Fall term. In 1853, Capt. Gilbert Coburn of Pelham, N. H., whose farm was partly in Dracut, built a schoolhouse on his land, employed a teacher and gave notice that for a small weekly fee scholars would be received. The parents of the children living in the vicinity realized the advantages of this arrangement and the house was soon filled. While the Marsh hill and New Boston districts furnished the greater part of the scholars, some came from other districts, securing boarding places on the neighbor- ing farms. The extra instruction thus received was of great benefit in later years to these pupils.
CENTRAL VILLAGE ACADEMY
In 1833, a number of the citizens of the Centralville district which, in 1851, became annexed to Lowell, perceiving the need
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of better educational facilities for the children, formed a com- pany which was incorporated March 1st, of that year, under the name of "The Proprietors of the Central Village Academy." The president was Joseph Bradley. Benjamin F. Varnum was treasurer and Jefferson Bancroft, secretary. June 6, 1833, they purchased of Elisha Fuller, Josiah B. French, Joshua Bennett and Joseph Bradley four lots of land comprising 18,400 square feet, "bounded westerly on Chestnut and easterly on Elm streets"-these are now Myrtle and Beech streets-on condi- tion that a building for school purposes be erected in one year from the date of deed, and a school maintained for at least five years. The price paid for the land was $1,200.
The school was opened in 1836 with Isaac Witherell, A. M., as principal and numbered ninety-one pupils. The building was commonly known as the Dracut Academy and is described as follows: "It was a plain two-story wooden building with square belfry on the end of a pitch roof; it stood end to the street and well back from it: there were two deeply recessed entrances in the end with a window over each door; an orna- mental casement in the gable completes the picture. It looked as much like a country church as a school house. A good sized bell with a brisk, cheerful voice called the school morning and
afternoon. Robert L. Read 'pulled the bell' but many willing hands were ready to help, even the girls thought it rare fun to cling on and be pulled up as the bell swung over." Succeeding Mr. Witherell as principals, were Benjamin F. Butler, Rev. Mr. Cutler, Rev. Cyrus Mann, William G. Russell, Rev. John C. Ingalls, Henry F. Durant and Charles Morrill.
The school seems not to have met with the success that was expected and the number of pupils diminished. Gen. B. F. Butler in his book says: "In the autumn of 1839 a vacancy occurred in a small academy in the town of Dracut across the Merrimack river, and the trustees asked me to take charge of the school. For my services I was to receive the tuition paid by the pupils and that depended upon the number of scholars. It was a queer school. There were twenty-one scholars about sixteen of whom were boys. The large portion of them were pupils who had found cause to leave the schools in Lowell, gen- erally not because of their virtues. They ignored all discipline
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and had routed the former preceptor. I, by habit of mind, was a disciplinarian so that it happened at the end of three weeks I had lost eleven scholars out of my twenty-one, but no one of them had gone away without a thrashing, the remembrance of which would last him a lifetime."
The school passed under Free Will Baptist control and an effort was made to conduct it along more practical lines. From an advertisement in a Lowell newspaper of June, 1842, we quote : "The location of this school is surpassed by few if any in New England. There is connected with it a large and con- venient boarding house, a workshop, a small track (sic) of land and a cap shop for the ladies, so that individuals, both male and female, may in part at least, defray their expenses if they choose." In 1843 the building was purchased by the district (then called No. 6) and the district school established therein. After the annexation of Centralville to Lowell, in 1851, the city had a grammar school in the building until it was superceded by a more commodious brick structure. The old academy build- ing was then removed to Bridge street where it was occupied by the Woods, Sherwood Co. from 1866 to 1910. It is now owned by Miss Martina Gage.
A list of the names of the pupils who attended the academy in 1836 has been found in a circular which has been preserved and in which many names are found of residents of the city at a later period in its history.
Directors Joseph Bradley, President Hon. Benjamin F. Varnum Jonathan Morse, Treasurer Joshua Bennett Humphrey Webster
Secretary Jefferson Bancroft
Trustees
Kirk Boot, Esq. Rev. Theodore Edson Elisha Bartlett, M. D.
Joshua Swan, Esq. Rev. Amos Blanchard Joseph B. Varnum, Esq.
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William Austin, Esq.
Luther Lawrence, Esq. Dr. Jesse Fox
John Clark, Esq. Oliver M. Whipple, Esq. Hon. Nathan Wright
Teachers Isaac Wetherell, A. M., Principal Mrs. Isaac Wetherell, Assistant Miss Sarah A. Copland, Teacher of Music
Pupils-Male Department
Joseph Bradley, Haverhill Charles F. Reed, Lowell
William H. Bradley, Dracutt Augustus Bradley, Dracutt William Brown, Lowell George W. Coburn, Dracutt Joseph B. V. Coburn, Dracutt James M. Coburn, Dracutt David Dana, Jr., Lowell Ebenezer Hanchett, Jr., Lowell Fisher A. Hildreth, Dracutt James F. Huntington, Lowell Joseph G. Kittridge, Lowell Moses L. Knowles, Lowell Daniel Mansfield, South Reading
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