History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 100

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Glee Club-Five young ladies and two gentlemen, In u carriage appro- priately decorated.

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The procession moved from Broadway and marched through School, High, Main, Beach, King, Pleasant and South Streets to the tent. It was intended to march to Pigeon Cove, but the heat was too oppressive, rang- ing from 80 to 90° in the shade during the day. The streets were very dusty ; there had been several days of hot and dry weather. Several members of the ar- tillery company had sunstroke, and required medical aid. A little past one o'clock P. M. the procession reached the pavilion at Allen's Head, where a boun- tiful collation had been provided by the ladies ; the tables were verily loaded with good things. After the divine blessing was invoked by Rev. A. C. L. Ar- nold, the chaplain of the day, the company were welcomed by the president to the viands before them. The collation ended, the president of the day, Hon. James Haskell, called to order, when the chaplain again addressed the throne of grace in words appro- priate to the oceasion ; then Lemuel Gott, M.D., read the Declaration of Independence, after which the president introduced the orator of the day, C. M. Ellis, Esq., of Boston, in a few complimentary re- marks. The subject of the oration was a review of the early history of New England, showing how the idea of constitutional liberty was prominent in the minds of our forefathers, and were bequeathed to their descendants; they welcomed fugitives from tyr- anny from every part of despotic Europe, whether that tyranny was political or ecclesiastical. Fugitives from slavery were their every-day visitors, and there- by the flame of liberty was fanned into surpassing brightness. He considered that this spirit of liberty was endangered in our time by causes obvious to all ; but he believed in its ultimate triumph, and foresaw the day when, as a nation, we shall be free indeed. " That day has come; we are now a free and united nation. Give God the glory !" Mr. Ellis spoke one hour and a half, and had the close attention of the audience. Then an hour was spent in social inter- course and short speeches, in which many joined. David Kimball, Esq., of Boston, a former townsman, was introduced as toast-master. Some of the many toasts offered were as follows :

The President of the United States and his adminis- tration. " May they fear God and keep his command- ments."

Washington. " May we emulate his patriotism and remember his virtues."

The orator of the day. "May the spirit which he has this day inspired be long felt."

The Hon. Charles W. Upham. " Our Representative to Congress, the firm friend of freedom."

The Press. "May its mighty influence ever be wielded on the side of freedom."

The Gloucester" Artillery. Responded to by Wil- liam HI. Dann.

The Chelsea Brass- Band. " May they live to blow long for the gratification of their patrons."

The Ladies of Rockport. " May they make better wives than their mothers."

Mr. Ellis responded to this, declaring that were it not for the influence of the mothers he should con- sider it a libel. But, inheriting their virtues and emulating their excellencies, it might be possible.

Many of the toasts were responded to very appro- priately.

After the procession had partaken of the collation the entire company were invited ; there was an abun- dance of food for all, and quite a quantity was left over and was distributed the next day to the needy. David Kimball, Esq., donated a large quantity of Chinese explosives to boys, which increased their joy. A salute was fired in the morning and atsun-set by cannon provided for the occasion.

During the evening there was a grand display of fireworks, and the band discoursed most excellent music. By unanimons consent the celebration of the 4th of July, 1854, was veted a success.

SCHOOLS .- Soon after John Pool located at Sandy Bay he sent his oldest son to Beverly to attend school, so that he might be qualified to teach the younger members of the family. It is more than probable that the children of Richard Tarr became his pupils, as those two families were the whole pop- ulation of the village for a few years. The first that we know of a school-house in Sandy Bay is that in the year 1725 (there were from eight to twelve families in the village). The commoners set off to them about one acre of land in the centre of the vil- lage, upon which they were required to erect a school- house, " to keep a good school in for the godly in- struction of children, and teaching them to read and write good English." The school-house was built the same year; it was of logs, and was located near where the Abbot house now stands. The parish, about the year 1853 or '54, granted to Rev. Ebenr. Cleaveland a portion of this parish land for a build- ing-lot, upon which he erected his dwelling-house, which he occupied many years, in which his wife died in 1804, and himself in 1805. It is now the Abbot house, but greatly changed. This caused the taking down of the school-house, and the removing of it to the northerly eorner of the now Congregational- ist meeting-house yard, and that location it occupied until it was taken down in 1797. The late Ebenr. Pool, our antiquarian, attended school several terms in the old log school-house. Dr. James Goss, who settled in his profession in Sandy Bay about 1792, taught school in this, the first school-house in Sandy Bay, several terms. The town has been privileged for several years, and is at the present time, in having a descendant of his a successful teacher in one of its public schools.

About the year 1760 John Pool (a son of the first John) built a school-house at his own expense on Groat Knoll. The name indicates the price paid (one groat). This building was occupied for school

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

purposes quite a number of years. Then it became the residence of James Parsons and family until the death of himself and wife. She was a descendant of the first Pool. It is now occupied by one of their de- scendants -Aunt Benlah.

In October, 1735, Gloucester First Parish was di- vided into three school districts, but then these three districts had but one school, which moved around from district to district. Each was to provide a room for the school, and in default thereof, would lose its term for three years, that being the time occupied in its cirenit. Under this each district enjoyed several months' school privilege each year, except Sandy Bay, which, on account of the small amount of its tax rate, could have only three months' school in two years. This state of the public schools probably continued until the Revolutionary War.

In the year 1797 fifty-eight men united and built the proprietors' school-honse at Sandy Bay at a cost of twenty-seven dollars per share,-one thousand five hundred and sixty-six dollars. When completed the proprietors by vote instructed their committee to em- ploy as teacher a college-educated man. A Mr.

same size was built about the same time on Hale's Point. It was located a short distance westerly of the residence of Addison Knowlton, and was sold to him after the district system was abolished. He razed it to the ground, and used the material to some extent in putting an additional story to his dwelling- house.

About the year 1818 or '20 Deacon Jabez R. Gott, who had pursued the business of teaching several years, occupying rooms in private houses for that purpose, built a school-house on Mount Pleasant Street at his own expense, and taught a private school therein several years with good success; finally sold it to the district, and afterward it was sold, and occupied as a dwelling, and is doing good service in that line to-day. A few years after Dea- con Gott sold his school-house the district built about one-half of the present Mount Pleasant School- honse.

The first school-house at Pigeon Cove was built about 1797 or '98, on the corner of Granite Street and Goose Lane. It was about twenty-five feet square, one story and a hip roof. It has been raised Cummings was engaged, and taught several terms. and otherwise enlarged and improved, and is now His custom was to open the school with prayer; he proved to be an efficient teacher. The school kept in that house during all the years of its history was generally of a high order. Wm. Whipple, Esq-, taught more than twenty years with good success. Rockport High School was inaugurated in this house, and from there, after a few years, it moved to its present location. Some years since this house was abandoned for school purposes, and was removed to make place for the vestry of the Congregationalist Society. It is now on School Street, a few rods southerly of its former location, and has been supplied with a more modern roof, and is otherwise improved and changed, and is now the residence of Leverett Smith. the residence of Mrs. John Murry. At a later day, say about 1830, Pigeon Cove was divided into two districts, and a school-house was built near the now residence of Alpheus Goodwin. It was sold and re- moved about the year 1870, and was changed into a dwelling-house, and is the property of the heirs of the late Alpheus Pierce. In the early days of Sandy Bay, in fact, up to about the year 1824, a portion of the public-schools were kept in private houses ; and since that day private schools have been so kept. From 1797, when the log school-house was taken down, to 1808, there was no public school building in Sandy Bay. The next first one built was in the Middle District in 1808, and this was the first district In 1804 the town of tiloucester availed itself of a law of the Commonwealth, and divided its territory into eleven school districts, three of which was in Sandy Bay. school-house in Sandy Bay. The school privileges in this locality were very meagre in the early days of its settlement, as we have seen. At one time there were but three months of public school in two years, but In ists the commoners made their last grant of land in Sandy Bay, which was a lot for a school- house in the Middle District; it was located near the site of the Sandy Bay House stable. The house was built soon after. It was about twenty-eight feet guprej one tory, with a hip roof; it was occupied for school purposes until 1850 or '51, when the dis- triet built the large school-house on Broadway. After this it was moved a short distance westerly on Beach Street, and perupied awhile for a dance-hall ; after- wand for a grocery Fore : finally, about 1860, perished by fire. probably this vicinity was as well provided for as other sparsely-settled places, where the people were possessed of such limited means. We have evidence of the in- terest of the fathers in the education of their chil- dren when, at the time the proprietors' school-house was built, at a cost of more than one thousand five hundred dollars, the whole tax valuation of Sandy Bay was hardly sixty thousand dollars. And then they would be satisfied with none other than a college- educated man for a teacher. Between the years js20 and 1830 the town grammar school made an occasional three months' visit to Sandy Bay. This The present Main Street school house was built by the School district in 1824, since which time it has bet changed somewhat, but not to any great ex- tin. It is ms dothe good service as a primary chanel room. V di triet school house of : bout the was brought about by the determined and united efforts of the citizens of Sandy Bay, aided by their friends in Gloucester proper, who at times wished for the Sandy Bay voters to aid them in some favorite project. By the same means the annual town-meet-

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ing was adjourned to this village several times-a sort of log-rolling process.

When Rockport was incorporated there were six school districts within its limits,-four at the South and two at the North Village. The whole amount raised by taxation for tuition and fuel the first year of Rockport's history was eight hundred dollars.

There were at this time seven district school- houses, two of which were in District No. 1.

The report of the School Committee for 1840: says " Our school-houses in general are commodions, and reflect much honor upon the town. The schools have been, on the whole, as well managed, and have exhibited as much improvement as usual. The av- erage attendance has been as great as in past years."

In the year 1850 District No. I built the present school-house on Broadway, now occupied by a primary and intermediate school ; its cost was more than five thousand dollars.

In the year 1855 the town voted to abolish the dis- trict system and adopt the graded, and to purchase of the several school districts their school property. This was done at a cost of eight thousand six hundred and seventy-five dollars.

In their report for that year the committee say : " Although, for want of suitable accommodations, it was found impossible to adopt the system of graded schools in its entireness, the committee believe that the experiment has demonstrated that it possesses many advantages over the old district system; and they do not hesitate to say that the schools of 1855-56, taken all in all, have been fifty per cent. better than they were the preceding year, 1854-55." Therefore, it appears there were good results by this change of system.

This change soon opens up or presents a call for an advance. The committee, by their report of 1856-57, say, "We would suggest before closing this report, that the improvement made by the scholars since adopting the system of graduated schools has occa- sioned the call for one of a higher grade than we have hitherto had. This want should be met, not only for the benefit of the class of scholars that would be entitled to its privileges, but also of those that remain in the grammar schools."

In accordance with the suggestions made by the committee in previous years, and also in accordance with their own judgment, the School Committee, in the year 1857, established a High School in the pro- prietors' school-house, which they leased in behalf of the town, and furnished it at the town's expense. Miss M. A. Cogswell, of Essex, who had been success- ful as a teacher in other schools of the town, was engaged to teach this new school, at a salary of three hundred dollars for the school year of thirty-six weeks. Sixty scholars appeared for examination; forty-nine passed satisfactorily, and were admitted to the school-fifteen males, thirty-four females.

The whole amount expended for schools this year, 1857, including tuition, rents, repairs, fuel and care of school property, was $3421.89. Previous to this, viz., in the year 1849, there was a High School organ- ized in the vestry of the Congregationalist Society, two terms, Benjamin Giles teacher. The school was continued the next year, but for the lack of system and by an injudicious vote of the town, it was discon- tinued the third year.

The first school-house built by the town, in its corporate capacity, was the one in Phillips Avenue, Pigeon Cove, in 1857-a two-story house, and cost $2963.59. Beach Street School-house was built one story in 1860, at a cost of $1439.71. The High School house was built one story in 1865, and cost $4046.54; it was enlarged in 1869 by raising it and putting a story underneath, at a cost of $2608.90.

Pigeon Hill School-house, two stories, was built in 1871, at a cost, including the lot, of $4343.95.

The town has now seven school-honses, four of them two stories, and all of them in fair condition ; there is one school occupying a hired room (this, probably, is a temporary arrangement), and a school occupying a room in the town hall-at the present time fourteen schools in all, with twenty teach- ers. There was a winter school for young men estab- lished in 1862, and was continued in successful oper- ation until the close of December, 1886, when, by action of the committee, it was discontinned-it may be for good reasons-probably it will be re-opened next winter. This school, upon the whole, has been a useful institution by furnishing to young men who must work during the other school terms an opportu- nity to prepare themselves for future usefulness. Many of them appreciated the privilege and improved their opportunity.

The whole amount expended for school purposes during the year ending March, 1887, including tui- tion, free text-books, repairs, care of school property, fuel, salary of committee and incidentals, was $8,- 142.01.

During the years 1876, '77, '78, Rev. Henry C. Leonard was appointed superintendent of the public schools, he receiving the entire pay, and served in that capacity very acceptably during those years ; the other members of the committee served gratni- tously. lle died March 12, 1880, respected and be- loved.

The foregoing is an imperfect history of the schools of Sandy Bay, from its first settlement, and of Rockport, until the present time. It appears that the citizens have always had a commendable interest in the edu- cation of the children and youth, and have, according to their ability, generally made liberal appropriations for that purpose. Good results have been achieved, which have been realized to some good extent, but undoubtedly will appear more and better in the com- ing years.

For quite a number of years in the past, it is also

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

true of the present time, nearly all of the teachers of our public schools were born and educated in these schools. The education here gained has been supple- mented, in many cases, by a season at Westfield or Salem (State Normal).

In the year 1840, the year Rockport was incorpora- ted, its valuation was $460,814; appropriation for schools, $800. 1850: valuation, §632,586; appropri- tion for schools. $2500. 1860 : valuation, 81,313,688; appropriation for schools, $2500. 1870: valuation, $1,634.152; appropriation for schools, $6000. 1880: valuation, $1,973,719 ; appropriation for schools, $5900. 1886 : valuation, $2,022,102; appropriation for schools, $8350.

The above appropriations since 1860 include tuition, care of school property, fuel, repairs, salary of school committee, free text-books-every item of expense, excepting the building of houses.

Number of children between five and fifteen years in 1586, 715 ; population of the town in 1885 was 3888.

ROCKPORT RAILROAD. When the Gloucester Branch of the Eastern Railroad was being constructed, and at divers times after it was opened for travel in 1847, the question was agitated by our most promi- nent citizens and business men of extending the road to Rockport. The Easteru, though earnestly so- licited, could not be induced to so extend it.

Ezra, Eames and other citizens of Rockport obtained from the Legislature a charter under the name of the " Rockport Railroad Company," to construct a rail- road from the terminius of the Gloucester Branch to Rockport.

In the year 1885 the Eastern Railroad Company proposed to the Rockport Railroad Company if they would build the road and make all of the necessary connections by switches or otherwise with the track of the Gloucester Branch, keep the road-bed in good order, assume the risk of accidents that might oe- cur upon said Rockport road (excepting those arising from the negligence of the Eastern Railroad) ; also furnish a suitable engine-house, turn-table and water nt the terminus of the road, provide a ticket-seller, switchmen, brakemen and all other operatives neces- sary, excepting the men on the train,-agree that they will run all their passenger and freight trains over the Rockport Railroad, connecting with all reg- ular trains over the Gloucester Branch, and will con- vey all the freight and passengers over the Rockport road for the term of five years from the time said Rockport road shall be in good running order with- out charge or remuneration.

In case the parties cannot agree upon what terms the road shall be run at the end of five years, both parties agree to leave the question to referees mutu- ally chosen, whose decision shall be tinal. Notwith- standing this liberal offer made by the Eastern Rail- road corporation, the shares in the Rockport road were subsched for toa very small amount ; therefore, a de- lay in building the road.

In the year 1860 the town petitioned the Legisla- ture, asking for liberty to subscribe for and take fifty thousand dollars stock in the Rockport Railroad (which had previously been chartered), the prayer of the petitioners was granted.

On the 2d day of April, 1860, at a special town- meeting, it was voted (three hundred and twenty-six yea, thirty-one nay) to accept the act of the Legisla- ture, provided favorable arrangements can be made with the Eastern Railroad corporation.

It was also voted at the same meeting to authorize the town treasurer to hire fifty thousand dollars in sums as wanted to that amount, and issue town bonds therefor.

The Eastern Railroad renewed their agreement as made in 1855, and the construction of the road was put under contract for sixty-three thousand dollars, and work was commenced August 23, 1860,-Gilman & Co., contractors. The road was completed and opened for travel on the 4th day of November, 1861. At this time there was a debt resting upon it of about twenty-eight thousand dollars. It became necessary for the town, in 1862, to petition the Leg- islature for authority to subscribe for and take an ad- ditional sum of twenty-five thousand dollars of stock in the road. The town was so authorized, and at a special towu-meeting on the 7th day of April, 1862, it was voted to subscribe for and take the said amount of stock; the town treasurer was authorized to hire said amount and issue town bonds therefor.

The whole cost of the road, with the buildings, was $91,007.28; town held stock to the amount of $75,000 ; individual stockholders, $13,400; debt remaining, 82697.28,-total, 891,007.28. It is seen that the amount of stock taken did not meet the expense of construction, but this amount was paid from the earnings of the road, but it did not prevent it from paying good dividends. At the close of the five years' contract another was made, by which the Eastern road corporatiou agreed to run all their trains over the Rockport for five hundred dollars per month, our road being liable as in the previous contract. This arrangement was continued nntil February, 1868, when the Rockport road, with all its franchises, was sold to the Eastern at the cost of construction, viz., 891,007.28. It seems the town received over and above the amounts expended for stock, interest, re- pairs and damages sustained $3636.44.

The road was formally opened for travel on Monday, the 4th day of November, 1861. The weather was fine, the cars (it was a free ride) were crowded all day. At noon a collation was served in Johnson's Hall. A reporter says " the tables literally groaned under the weight of good things, and after a blessing was asked by Rev. W. Gale, the company fell to and satisfied the cravings of hunger. The dinner was served by mine host ' Randall,' of the Rockport Hotel, and was one of the best we ever sat down at; there was an abundance of everything and of the best quality."

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After the inner man had been fully satisfied the meet- ing was called to order by Newell Giles, Esq., president of the Rockport Railroad, by a few well-timed remarks concerning the history of the road. He was followed by Mr. Williams, of Salem, a director of the Eastern road, who congratulated the citizens on the completion of this enterprise. Mr. Chase, a former superintendent of the Eastern road, spoke of the progress of railroads from their commencement to the present time. Mr. Howe, a former president of the road, spoke of the enterprise of the town. Hon. Moses Kimball, of Boston, but formerly of Rockport, spoke of the energy of the people of thetown and of the improvements since the days of his residence here. Mr. Kimball closed with the words "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Rockport is marching on."

Benj. K. Hough, of Gloucester, followed Mr. Kim- ball; he contrasted the stage-coach with the railroad, the present with the past. In most eloquent language he alluded to the troublesome times which our country was passing through, and concluded by saying that he believed that the Union would be established on a firmer foundation than before the conflict of arms. Ad- dresses were also made by Hon. F. W. Choate, of Bever- ly, Rev. C. C. Beaman, of Salem, John M. Oxton, of Boston, B. H. Corliss, of Gloucester. At 4 P.M. the meeting closed ; it was a day long to be remembered a high day for Rockport. -

The only accident upon the Rockport road while it was owned by the corporation was on the 4th day of July, 1867; on the afternoon of that day there was a heavy shower accompanied with a high wind. A new engine, "Great Falls," which had not been on the road but a few weeks, was wrecked near the curve at the foot of Groat Hill by running on some cattle owned by John Bray, some of which were killed.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672