USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Grafton > History of Grafton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its early settlement by the Indians in 1647 to the present time, 1879. Including the genealogies of seventy-nine of the older families > Part 21
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At the Merriam District, in the summer term, the school was taught by Miss J. L. Case ; in the fall by Miss N. A. Hayward ; in the winter by Miss Irene A. Fay. These teachers labored diligently for the improvement of their scholars, and with a good degree of success, especially in the summer and fall terms.
The several schools of the New England Village District were under the care of the same teachers through the year. The first department was in charge of Miss Jane E. Warren, of whose ability as a teacher we have expressed ourselves in the reports of previous years. Great praise was due to the teacher for her labors in behalf of the scholars. Not only did she instruet them in the usual branches of school study, but also in politeness and good manners. Miss L. M. Bel- lows was the teacher in the second department. She had some experience, and was a good disciplinarian. Her school was orderly, and the examination at the close of the sum- mer and fall terms showed that it had made good improve- ment. The third department was under the charge of Miss S. M. Goodrich, who, as in former years, labored faithfully
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and successfully for the welfare of her scholars; and the promptness with which they performed their various exer- cises was very commendable to both teacher and pupils. This we consider among the very best of our primary schools.
The school at Saundersville was fortunate in again securing the services of Miss Angusta Taft. She had charge of the school through the year. It was large during the summer and fall, averaging fifty-five pupils; and the committee would award to the teacher great credit for her fidelity to her numerous charge. Good order, promptness and accuracy in their recitations, characterized the pupils through the year. In the winter, through the liberality of Mr. E. Sannders in warming an extra room, the school was divided into two departments, Miss Taft continuing in the first, which she carried thirongh successfully, and Mrs. M. J. Webb taking charge of the second or primary department. Mrs. W. was eminently successful with her little school.
Mrs. H. A. Copp, who had taught the Waterville school the previous year with so much success, was again seenred for the past year. A good school was expected; and the expectations were realized.
The committee, in their report on the condition of the school-honses in the Second and Eighth districts, say : " It is high time, we believe, for the people in these districts either to apply to these buildings the axe of the destruction- ist or the skill of the reconstructionist for the purpose of displacing them by better ones, or of rendering them more convenient, comfortable and attractive than they are at pres- ent. Perhaps the description which a certain poet gives of his old school-honse will not, in all its particulars, apply to these ; but we never enter them without thinking of that ancient edifice of which he says :-
. A high desk ranged around the room, with many a penknife haeked; The windows rattled with the wind, their panes were out or cracked ; The benches, made of saw-mill slabs, withi auger holes and pegs,
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Had neither backs to lean against, nor place to rest the legs ; The dingy ceiling overhead, looked like a little sky, 4 For there, as thick as shining stars, stuck paper pallets dry ;
No maps or globes to meet the eye, no blackboard on the wall ; The house, a relic one might think, had stood since Adam's fall.'
But the work of improvement is going on. Since our last report was made the people in district No. 2 have done a noble thing in expending several hundred dollars in im- provements on their school-house. It is now a neat, pleas- ant, convenient structure."
In 1867, at the Centre, Miss Jane E. Warren had charge of the first department ; Miss N. M. Fernald took charge of this department in the winter. Miss M. L. Hewett had charge of the second, Miss Katie Harrington the third, and Miss Clara Putnam the fourth.
At Leland District, the school was under the care of Miss N. M. Whitney, during the summer term ; in the fall, Miss E. C. MeClellan had charge of it. She also commenced the winter term, but, owing to sickness, she was obliged to resign her position at the end of the second week, and Miss L. A. Searles taught during the remainder of the term. A better school-house, a larger number of scholars, and as a consequence, more enthusiasm on the part of both teachers and pupils, have made this a far better school than it was a few years ago.
At George Hill Distriet, Miss S. J. Leonard was the teacher of the school through the year ; and considering that it was her first attempt at teaching, and that she labored under the disadvantage of beginning in her own district, she succeeded very well. The closing examination was quite satisfactory to all who were present.
At the Farm District, the school was taught through the year by Miss J. H. Allen, a teacher of much experience. She had taught this school for a number of ternis before, and the committee found at the close that she had lost none of her vigor and efficiency as a teacher.
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At Keith Hill District, Miss E. S. Leland was the teacher of the school in summer, fall and winter. The school was larger than usual, averaging thirty-four.
At Farnumsville, in the first department, Miss C. L. Nichols, who had taught the school successfully for many terms, had charge of it in the summer and fall terms, and discharged her duties to the satisfaction of all parties. Miss L. E. French was the teacher in the winter term, fully sus- taining the interest, and giving proof of her fidelity to the pupils committed to her care. The second department, com- posed largely of children of foreign parentage, was under the care of Miss A. B. Wheeler, and was a very good school.
At Brigham Hill, the summer term of the school was taught by Miss Mary Adams. Miss Mary T. Coburn taught this school in the fall term. Under her faithful and judi- cious care the scholars made good progress. The winter term was under the charge of Miss Emma F. Bellows. She graduated from the State Normal School.
At Merriam District, the school-house was remodeled and much improved during the year. A marked improvement in the school itself has been the agreeable and natural re- sult. The school was taught through the year by Miss N. A. Hayward, whose faithful, earnest and successful efforts to elevate its character have been appreciated by the parents and the committee.
At New England Village ; the schools in the three depart- ments in this district have sustained their good reputation, especially the Primary School, taught by Miss S. M. Good- rich. On account of the illness of Miss L. M. Bellows -teacher of the second department, who was compelled to resign in the third week of the fall term-Mrs. R. A. Thayer taught her school the remainder of the year. Both of these teachers discharged their duties conscientiously and well, and the school, notwithstanding the interruption, was a success. The first department was taught in the spring
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term by Miss M. N. Walker, and in the fall and winter by Miss N. M. Fernald. These teachers were experienced, capable and well qualified for their work.
At Saundersville and Waterville the same teachers were employed as last year.
In 1868, the schools in the Centre were all under the same teachers as in the previous year.
The summer term of the Leland District school was taught by Miss Enima MeClellan, with her usual ability and success. Miss Mattie N. Allen taught the fall term. This was her first effort at teaching. The winter term was taken charge of by Mr. Perley Goddard, the prudential committee Good progress was made in study.
The George Hill District school was taught both in the summer and fall by Miss Irene Fay, with a good degree of vigor and success. Miss Nellie M. Fernald had charge of this school in the winter. The general appearance of her school was. good.
Miss Abbie M. White had charge of the Farm District school for the year. Miss White was energetic and apt as a teacher, and interested in her work. The school-room was always found neat and cheerful ; the scholars prompt and thorough.
Miss E. S. Leland, the teacher of last year, continned to have charge of the school in the Keith Hill District.
Miss Loresta French taught the first department of the Farnumsville District school, in the summer and fall, and Miss Emma Bellows the second. The winter term of the first department was taught by Mr. Charles Searles, and the second by Miss Mattie N. Allen.
Miss E. L. Dwyer had charge of the Brigham Hill Dis- trict school.
Miss Sarah Leonard was teacher in the Merriam District in the summer, and Miss E. F. Golding in the fall. They were very fair schools. Miss N. A. Hayward taught the winter term with her nsual ability and success. On account of the
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sickness of the teacher the school closed without an examina tion.
The Waterville school was taught by Miss R. A. Law- rence, a very efficient teacher.
The schools at Saundersville were under the same teachers as last year. Miss N. M. Fernald had charge of the first department of the New England District school in the summer and fall. She labored hard and faithfully for the best interests of the school. Miss L. Young had charge of this school in the winter. She was an active and en- ergetic teacher, and the improved condition of the school clearly demonstrated her ability to teach and govern.
The second department was tanght in the summer by Miss S. A. Russell. On account of sickness she was com- pelled to resign a few weeks before the close of the term, so that the school was of but little profit. But the very successful manner in which Mrs. R. A. Thayer conducted the fall and winter terms inade ample amends for this loss.
The third department was tanght in the summer by Miss S. Goodrich ; in the fall by Miss E. Rockwood, and in the winter by Miss M. A. Gavren.
In the committee's report for the year was the follow- ing :-
"In regard to our public schools; after careful thought and some- what extensive observation, we are prepared to earnestly recommend the abolishing of our present district system, and the placing of all our schools under the more immediate care of the town; with such changes in school buildings, agents, officers, and other incidentals as are neces- sary to carry this into effect. By so doing, we not only retain our annual state appropriation-otherwise no longer ours-bnt, as we believe, greatly augment the working force, the interest and success of our schools."
In 1869, repairs were made upon the school buildings and ont-houses on Keith and George Hills, at Farnumsville, Waterville, and on the High School-house, including the fence and yard, at an expense of $2,500. In the latter there was a new floor laid; the students' desks raised ;
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a furnace substituted for the stove ; the entire school-room renovated ; the old and shaky fence replaced by a new and strong one ; the well made useful ; the out-buildings and grounds put into a decent and attractive condition. Throughout the town the teachers' desks in each school- room have been furnished with the text-books used therein, at an expense of eighty dollars and twenty-eight cents, with call bells, clock where needed, and every black-board reslated.
Of the schools in the Centre the first department was under the charge of Miss E. McClellan ; the second under Miss M. L. Hewett ; the third nnder Miss C. Putnam ; and the fourth under Miss M. N. Allen and Miss L. French ; all excellent teachers. Of the New England Village schools, the first department was taught by Miss A. E. Rockwood and Miss M. J. Metcalf. In the second department every term furnished a new teacher. The several sessions were taught by Miss E. McClellan, Miss E. F. Spaulding, and Mrs. R. A. Thayer. The past efficiency of the last teacher in this school was a pledge of success for the winter, and needed no additional commendation. The third department was in charge of Miss E. Daniels for the whole year. It being her first experience in teaching.
At Saundersville in the first department Miss A. Taft taught. The thoroughness and critical training of this school was very commendable.
In the second department Mrs. M. J. Webb kept the school for the year, holding it well in hand, and calling out the increasing ambition of her little flock. In the first department of the Farnumsville school each term supplied a new teaclier, as follows :- Miss A. White, Miss E. F. Bellows, and Mrs. L. Spalter. In the second department there were also three teachers, viz. :- Miss E. F. Bellows, Miss E. Aldrich and Miss E. F. Spaulding. At the Leland District Mrs. S. E. Aldrich had charge for the year.
Miss E. Dwyer taught the school at Brigham Hill through-
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out the year. The attendance was small. Other schools may offer more attractions to the teacher, but none will furnish larger opportunity for educational tact.
The summer term of the school at Waterville was taught by Miss J. H. Allen with her former efficiency and success. Mrs. Copp had charge of the fall and winter sessions. She was an energetic and thorough teacher, maintaining good discipline, and keeping up a full attendance. The closing examination was saddened by the accidental drowning of one of the scholars.
Sickness interrupted the attendance, and therefore ad- vancement, of the Merriam District school. Towards the close of the year the school was almost broken up by the measles, which, with the sickness of the teacher, prevented the closing examination. Miss M. Whitney taught this school through the year.
The " Farms " school this year did well. Orderly deport- ment, steady advance, and a good degree of enthusiasm were its main features. This department of the public schools was under the charge of Mrs. Henry Wesson for the entire year.
For the first two-thirds of the year Miss Irene Fay taught the George Hill school, and the committee regretted that sickness at home prevented her continuing in the school-room for the remainder of the time. Miss M. N. Allen had charge during the winter. One scholar was expelled for insubordination.
The summer and fall terms of the Keith Hill school were taught by Miss E. Keith, the winter by Miss H. E. Horn. " There would seem to be a little disproportion of the defiant in boy-nature in the allotment to this department, which infelicity has been a check in the advance that the school might otherwise have mnade. The expelling of one scholar, and the general efficiency maintained during the latter portion of the year, are bringing the school into a more orderly, quiet, and prosperous state."
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In 1870, by the increased appropriation, the schools were extended to thirty-four weeks, instead of twenty-nine. The teachers employed were as follows :-
CENTRE DISTRICT .- First Department .- Spring Term, Miss E. C. Mc- Clellan; Fall Term, Miss E. A. Kendall; Winter Term, Mrs. A. F. Chandler. Second Department .- Spring Term, Miss M. L. Hewitt; Fall Term, Miss H. E. Horn; Winter Term, Miss Caroline Hewitt. Third Department .- Miss C. M. Putnam, for the year. Fourth Department .- Miss L. French, for the year. NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT .- First Depart- ment .- Spring Term, Miss A. E. Rockwood; Fall Term, Miss Harring- ton, and Miss M. I. H. Allen, for the remainder of the year. Second Department .- Miss Lucia Young, for the year. Third Department .- Miss E. Daniels, for the year. SAUNDERSVILLE .- First Department .- Spring Term, Miss A. F. Taft; Fall Term, Miss Taft; Winter Term, Miss E. L. Pickering and Miss A. F. Taft. Second Department .- Mrs. M. J. Webb, for the year. FARNUMSVILLE .- First Department .- Spring Term, Miss E. A. Kendall; Fall Term, Mrs. L. A. Spalter; Winter Term, Miss M. L. Warren. Second Department .- Miss E. F. Bellows, for the year. BRIGHAM HILL .- Spring Term, Miss M. L. Allen; Fall Term, Miss Ella Sawyer; Winter Term, Miss I. F. Taylor. WATER- VILLE .- Mrs. H. A. Copp, for the year. FARMS .- Miss M. E. Mason, for the year. MERRIAM .- Spring Term, Miss L. J. Young; Fall Term, Miss Young; Winter Term, Miss S. J. Leonard. GEORGE HILL .- Spring Term, Miss I. A. Fay; Miss M. N. Allen, for the rest of the year. KEITHI HILL .- Spring Term, Miss H. E. Horn; Fall Term, Miss E. L. Pickering; Winter Term, Miss A. B. Smith and Miss J. G. Norton. HIGH SCHOOL .- Mr. Eoward Malley, Principal; Miss J. E. Warren, Assistant.
" The varied success with which these teachers have prosecuted their work, has depended largely upon the nature of their particular field of labor, as well as the tact and talent with which they were endowed. No fact is more apparent than that all the good qualities for successful teaching are seldom combined in one individual. Hence, the partial or total failures of any are not, necessarily, a just cause of disparagement, providing there has been carried into the work a conscientious purpose, and an honest application of studies. Some suggestions that promise a still wider usefulness for the High School were made in the last report which have been in part carried out, and it is hoped will he completed cre long. The change then proposed was to be made with no additional expense for teaching; accordingly it will be noticed that in the appro- priation usually asked for the High School alone, we have embraced the Grammar school also; and as the reasons for the organization of this department were discussed in the report of 1869-70, the above reference to the fact is sufficient. The truth is, your committee are thus persist-
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ent, becanse, in common with every other citizen they confess to a little local pride in being able to say to our youth, as they are passing their last days of study, 'you shall have at home every opportunity for a thorough, practical, academic training, such as any other town equal in its thrift, progressive spirit and population can offer.'
The school in Leland District was discontinued at the commencement of the year and the property disposed of at public sale. This step was deemed advisable, as most of the scholars could be equally well accom- modated at Saundersville and much could be saved in expense. The few who are incommoded can readily see that it is one of those cases where generous sacrifice is promotive of the public good.
Your committee would respectfully recommend to the town, the rais- ing of the same sum for schools this year as last; the appropriation usually given to the High School to be used for the High and Grammar schools. Also that money be raised for the purpose of erecting a suita- ble school-building at Farnumsville, and if it be thought practicable this year, for Waterville also. These two districts are sadly in need of school accommodations. The town should also take into consideration an item of expense, which we trust will not be large, for putting the npper room of the High School building in condition for a Grammar school."
In 1871, the following was the list of teachers :-
HIGH SCHOOL. - Spring Term, Mr. Edward Malley, Principal ; Miss J. E. Warren, Assistant; Fall and Winter Terms, Mr. Henry Tatlock, Prin- cipal ; Miss H. P. Dennis, Assistant for 3 3-5 weeks of the fall, and the whole of the winter term. GRAMMAR SCHOOL .- Fall and Winter Terms, Miss J. E. Warren, Principal. CENTRE .- 1st Department .- Spring, Miss M. E. Whiting and Miss C. J. Marshall ; Fall and Winter, Miss L. I). Stockwell. 2nd Department .- Spring, Miss C. Hewitt; Fall, Miss A. White part of the term, and Miss J. Putnam the remainder; Winter, Miss J. Putnam. 3rd Department .- Spring, Fall and part of Winter, Miss C. Putnam, remainder of Winter, Miss E. Mcclellan. 4th Depart- ment .- Miss L. French, the entire year. NEW ENGLAND .- 1st Depart- ment .- Spring, Miss J. M. Allen ; Fall and part of Winter, Miss M. F. Park; remainder of Winter, Miss J. M. Allen. 2nd Department .- Spring and Fall, Miss Lucia Young; Winter, Miss Lucy M. Bradish. 3rd De- partment .- Miss Ella G. Daniels, the entire year. SAUNDERSVILLE .- 1st Department .- Miss A. F. Taft, for the year. 2nd Department .- Mrs. M. J. Webb, for the year. FARNUMSVILLE .- Ist Department .- Spring, Miss I. A. Fay ; Fall and Winter, Miss A. M. Spalter. 2nd Department .- Miss E. W. Bailey for the year. KEITH HILL .- Spring, first week, Miss J. G. Norton, remainder, Miss K. C. Fuller; Fall, Miss I. A. Fay ; Winter, Miss J. G. Norton. GEORGE HILL .- Spring, Miss M. N. Allen; Fall, Miss H. A. Little; Winter, Miss N. Covell. MERRIAM .- Miss L. J.
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Young, for the year. FARMS .- Miss M. A. Mason, for the year. WATER- VILLE .- Spring and Fall, Mrs. H. A. Copp; Winter, Miss A. J. Spurr. BRIGHAM HILL .- Spring, Miss.J. O. Bowers, part of the term, and Miss J. Dennis, the remainder; Fall, Miss J. Dennis; Winter, Miss A. G. Dwyer.
" It is very'gratifying to your committee to report at last from a Grammar school, now well established and efficiently trained. Nearly two years since, the town authorized the School Board to make the alterations needful for fitting up the hall over the High School for this purpose. The way was not open, however, for carrying out this vote, until last August, when the armory was removed, and the work of alteration commenced. The refitting and furnishing of the room itself for school purposes, as well as the alterations that were necessary to conform to the general plan in the front of the building, were all done under the supervision of your committee, who were greatly indebted to the judg- ment and good taste of Mr. Reuben Taft for one of the most convenient and attractive school-rooms in the town. As to the school itself, its success has already placed it be- yond an experiment, and its quickening influence is a stimu- lus throughout the town. The closing exercises of the winter term evidenced the effect of hard work and patient drill, the only sure conditions of success. The good order, the general air of neatness, and the manifest attachment of pnpil to teacher were not otherwise than we should have ex- pected towards one who has taught so long and well. The attendance, particularly for the winter termi, is very com- mendable ; but four tardy marks are recorded during that term, and thirteen are reported for the same time as neither absent or tardy. The course of study in this school embraces two years. At the close of the next fall term, it is expected that the advanced class of about twenty will be prepared to enter the first year of the High School."
In 1872, the teachers were as follows :-
HIGH SCHOOL .- Mr. Henry Tatlock, Principal; Assistants, Misses N. Maria Fernald, L. M. Dodge and J. E. Putnam. GRAMMAR SCHOOL,-
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Miss J. E. Warren. CENTRE DISTRICT .- 1st Department .- Spring and Fall, Miss Abbie Morse; Winter, Miss Abbie F. Eastman. 2nd Depart- ment .- Spring, Miss J. E. Putnam ; Fall, Miss E. L. Dwyer; Winter, Miss E. G. Searle. 3rd Department .- Spring, Miss E. L. Dwyer; Fall, Miss E. G. Searle; Winter, Miss E. S. Billings. 4th Department .- Miss L. E. French, the entire year. NEW ENGLAND. - Ist Department .- Spring, Miss M. H. Allen; Fall, Miss Abbie F. Eastman; Winter, Miss M. H. Allen. 2nd Department .- Miss Lucia Young, entire year. 3rd Depart- ment .- Miss L. J. Young, entire year. SAUNDERSVILLE .- 1st Depart- ment .- Miss A. F. Taft, the year. 2nd Department .- Spring, Mrs. M. J. Webb; Fall, Miss C. I. Powers; Winter, Miss E. W. Bailey. FARNUMSVILLE .- Ist Department .- Miss A. M. Spalter, the year. 2nd Department .- Spring and Fall, Miss E. W. Bailey ; Winter, Miss E. F. Farnum. KEITH HILL .- Miss Jane R. Albee, the year. GEORGE HILL .- Spring and Fall, Miss N. A. Coville; Winter, Misses C. M. Crocker and F. C. Carpenter. MERRIAM .- Miss M. N. Allen, the year. FARMS .- Spring, Miss M. E. Mason ; Fall, Miss E. F. Farnum; Winter, Miss I. F. Boyden. WATERVILLE .- Spring and Fall, Mrs. H. A. Copp; Winter, Misses Marion Benedict and L. N. Taft. BRIGHAM HILL .- Spring, Miss A. G. Dwyer; Fall, Miss M. E. Mason; Winter, Miss N. A. Coville.
" The schools in Farnumsville are to be congratulated in at last getting into neat and convenient school-rooms. The new house was opened for ocenpancy at the beginning of the fall term. The same teacher has been retained for the first department through the year. The winter term was not so successful as the spring and fall, owing to interrup- tions the first few weeks by reason of insufficient heating apparatus. This difficulty was remedied as soon as circum- stances would permit. One scholar was suspended for will- ful insubordination ; and yet there has been a marked up- lifting of this school during the year, and the pupils, with reason, have the ntmost confidence in their teacher. The first two terms in the lower grade exhibited the growing tact of the teacher who has had the school nearly two years in charge. The children have become ambitious and sprightly in study and recitation. We regretted that a more difficult school necessitated the temporary transfer of this teacher. Her successor labored under the same disadvan- tages at first-of a cold room-as in the other department.
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