USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
A beginning might be made even with scanty means; one depart- ment with one teacher might realize and embody this unique concep-
622
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
tion, this idea of a school which should emphasize the pleasure of knowledge, the delight of clear notions and correct thinking; this plan of a school which should become a part of the city's inner life, a per- manent monument of our conviction that minds are realities, and that. while they often develop without force or solicitation or reward, and even in spite of the most adverse circumstances, they still welcome and seek a chance to become and to be.
This design was regarded by the trustees as a solution of their per- plexities. There was no longer any talk of letting the fund accumulate till a beginning could be made on a large scale, of establishing a kin- dergarten, ot uniting with the Friends' Academy, of transferring the fund to the city, of teaching what every factory and work-shop teaches.
There remained the question what subject should be taught. It was the conviction of Mr. Potter that special stress should be laid on the study of the English language, particularly of those aspects of it which are quite necessarily omitted from consideration in the brief school life of most. This should include, among other things, the history of the language and of the people that have spoken it. Anglo-Saxon should be studied, where there was adequate preparation, philologically, that is, in the relation of its phenomena to one another and to kindred phe- nomena in allied languages; or where this was not possible, popularly, that is, with a view to forming in the student's mind a picture of the language and of the meaning of its sentences in contrast with later Eng- lish. With reference to this end, but also as independent branches, French and German should be taught. A course in drawing and paint- ing was added to the preceding; and these were all the branches that were introduced in the first year of the school's existence.
Simultaneously with the consideration of these questions the trustees had been occupied with the selection of a suitable person to give effect to their views. July 19, 1882, Francis B. Gummere was appointed Master of School. It was a fortunate choice. His intelligence, his learning, his energy, his enthusiasm, and particularly his skill as a teacher, had approved themselves in other fields, at Heidelberg, where he took his degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and afterwards in the Friends' School in Providence, and at Harvard University. He aroused at once an interest in his own department of English Philology and His-
623
THE SWAIN FREE SCHOOL.
tory. Samuel Lepoids was appointed teacher of French. He was highly recommended by his pupils and patrons in Newport, R. I., and elsewhere. Arthur Cumming, of Exeter, England, who was well known as artist and teacher, having long had charge of the art instruction in the public schools, in the Friends' Academy, and in private classes, was made teacher of Industrial and Decorative Art.
The school was opened October 25, 1882, in what had been the resi- dence of the Swain family, on the corner of County and Hawthorn streets. The main features that marked the simple ceremonies of the opening exercises, were addresses by the Rev. William J. Potter, the Rev. Henry F. Harrington, superintendent of public schools, and Dr. Francis B. Gummere. A letter was read from the Hon. Lincoln F. Brigham, president of the board of trustees. A portrait of William W. Swain, presented to the school by J. Malcolm Forbes, esq., of Milton, hung on the wall. The work of the classes with a membership of eighty began the next day in that portion of the building which had been set apart for the use of the school. The rest of the house was occupied by the family of the master of the school.
In the year 1883-84 three new branches of study were introduced : Normal Methods under the charge of Louisa P. Hopkins, who was a successful teacher and suggestive writer on educational subjects ; Latin and Greek, to be taught by Andrew Ingraham, principal of the Friend's Academy ; and Chemistry, under the direction of Nathaniel Hathaway, analytical chemist, graduate of the School of Mines, Columbia College.
Besides the regular instruction, lectures were given under the direc- tion of the school, by Prof. E. Emerton on "Luther," by Prof. Adam S. Hill, on " English in the Schools," and by Dr. Albert B. Hart on " The Foundation Stones of the American Union." The number of students had increased to one hundred and twenty.
In 1884-85 a room was hired in the Robeson Building on Second street, and fitted for the chemistry class. A room was also procured in the highest story of the Eddy Building on Union street, for the better accommodation of the Art Department.
Arrangements had been made with Prof. A. B. Hart, of Harvard College, for the delivery of a course of lectures on American History, and a syllabus of the course was issued; but owing to the illness of
624
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Prof. Hart, the plan had to be given up. In 1885-86 a series of Emergency lectures was given at the school, according to the plans of the Massachusetts Emergency and Hygiene Association, by Dr. William M. Swift and Dr. William H. Taylor. Mr. Rudolph Lantzius-Beninga was employed to give a few lessons in German pronunciation. In July, 1886, the engagement of Samuel Lepoids as teacher of French termin- ated and Prof. Lepoids went to Haverford College, Pennsylvania. The department was reorganized and Henry R. Lang, an accomplished scholar, was appointed teacher of German and the Romanic language. A course in mathematics was added and assigned to Andrew Ingraham.
In May, 1887, Dr. Gummere resigned the mastership of the school. The following extract from Dr. Gummere's letter to the board of trustees and from their resolutions on that occasion will explain this incident :
" Within a very short time I have been asked to accept a full professorship in Haver- ford College, Penn., and take charge of the department of English. This offer with all its advantages, particularly the immediate leave of absence for a year's study in Europe, has received my careful consideration, and I have decided to acceptit. I must therefore lay before you my resignation of my present position. I do this with a most genuine regret. I am deeply interested in the school and have full faith in its foundation, object and plan of work."
"1887, May 16. Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of Mr. F. B. Gummere, as Master of the Swain Free School, we do so with great regret and because we know that he cannot be induced to withdraw it; and that we wish hereby to record and to extend to him, the assurance of our high appreciation of the exceptionally valuable services he has rendered in the organization of the school and its conduct for five years. Called to the headship of a new and unique educational enterprise, the materials for which were uncertain, he brought to the task not only ample equipment of learning, but a rare enthusiasm for scholarship and for the teacher's vocation which make the doubtful experiment a success, inspired in the student a kindred enthusiasm and imparted a new intellectual ambition to the community."
Louisa P. Hopkins had discontinued her classes in the school and had moved to Boston, where she was made a member of the board of supervisors of the public schools.
In June, 1887, Andrew Ingraham was chosen master of the school, and in consequence resigned the principalship of the Friends' Academy.
The whole of the Swain mansion was now appropriated to the use of the school, and all the departments of the school were brought under
THE SWAIN FREE SCHOOL. 625
one roof. In the summer of 1889, Mr. H. R. Lang was given leave of absence to study in Europe; and Hermann Schonfeld, Ph.D. (Leipsic), was chosen to fill the vacancy for the year. In 1890 Mr. Lang took the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Strassburg, and returned to his duties in the school.
As at present arranged the Swain Free School has three depart- ments which embrace together thirteen courses, namely : Greek, Latin, Mathematics, English, History, Geographics, Logic, German, French, Italian, Portuguese. The courses are further divided into sub- courses. A certificate is awarded on the successful completion of any course. This requires, in general, two years. Any one who has finished six courses is entitled to a diploma.
The students are General, when before admission they have pursued a course of study equivalent to that of our best high schools and acade - mies ; Special, when they have been admitted to art or to chemistry without such a course of previous study ; Partial, when as adults they wish to be hearers or spectators merely in any course. The library of the school is meant to be a working library for teachers and students, supplied with accurate and, when possible, original sources of informa- tion, and with such special works and monographs as make positive additions to knowledge.
There is a course of free lectures in English and other languages Thursday evenings during the winter by the teachers of the school and others whom the trustees may invite.
With ages ranging from fifteen to sixty; with no other occupation than school work, or with the cares of household and business ; attend- ing constantly or unable to attend except at rare intervals ; studying for a livelihood or for enlarged experience, both men and women, and girls and boys have appreciated the efforts that have been put forth to learn and to meet their wants, and have helped to make the school a monument to its founder.
The following extracts from the will of William W. Swain are pre- fixed to the circular of the school in each of its annual issues :
" My hope is that the provision herein made will be sufficient for establishing and supporting a school of high character, where the pupils may receive a thorough educa- tion upon the most liberal and enlightened principles, free of any charge of tuition.
79
626
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
" My intention is that the school shall never be in any form or degree exclusive, either religiously or politically, but open for the admission of all whose good character and condition entitle them to share in its benefits, and of this the trustees are to be the sole judges.
"My wish is that this class of scholars (i. e., those whose parents cannot afford to send them to our most expensive schools) have precedence in admission, leaving the de- cision on each individual application to the trustees, who alone are to decide thereon."
Authorities : The New Bedford Mercury, the New Bedford Stand- ard, records of the trustees of the Swain Free School, yearly circulars of the school, Swain family Bible record, kindly communicated by Halleck Bartlett, esq., Worcester, Mass.
Friends' Academy.1-This venerable institution is located west of County street, and between Morgan and Elm streets. It is a day school for teaching boys and girls the elements of ancient and modern lan- guages, of mathematics and of natural and moral sciences, with certain of their applications. Its history dates from the year 1810, when Will- iam Rotch purchased a lot of land on the southwest corner of County and Elm streets, upon which he erected a wooden structure, seventy feet in length, twenty-six feet in width, two stories high and surmounted by a belfry. This building was known to at least two generations as the Friends' Academy. Leading from the gate on County street to the front door was a walk bounded on either side by a row of horse-chest- nut trees, and the yard was enclosed by a high picket fence. A beloved and cherished landmark was this old school, and deep regret filled many hearts, when in 1860 it was sold and removed. The site of the old school constitutes the present enclosures of Edward T. Taber and Samuel P. Burt, and by the church of the County Street Methodist Episcopal society.
From the records of a meeting held September 17, 1810, the follow- ing extracts are transcribed, giving in the original language of the founders an idea of the causes which led up to the establishment of the school :
" A number of Friends at an interview having taken into consideration the great diffi- culty attending the youth of the society called Quakers, in obtaining an education in the higher branches of useful literature in this part of the country, without endangering their moral and religious principles, and feeling an anxious desire that a remedy may be provided for that inconvenience to the rising generation, we, the subscribers, have
I Furnished by Thomas R. Rodman.
627
THE FRIENDS' ACADEMY.
agreed to contribute the sums respectively affixed to our names, for the purpose of es- tablishing and endowing an institution for the instruction of Friends' children, and such others, as it may appear hereafter, as may usefully and safely be admitted therein, in the knowledge of the languages, of mathematics and philosophy, and such other branches of useful literature as hereafter, upon experiment, may be found within the compass and means of the institution usefully to teach. The said institution to be gov- erned by such rules and regulations as the subscribers hereto by themselves, or by their trustees-that may hereafter be appointed for that purpose and for the superintendence of the institution -- may from time to time establish :
NEW BEDFORD, 17th of 9th mo., 1810.
Wm. Rotch, the house and lot, also two thousand dollars, $ 2,000 Wm. Rotch, Jr., five thousand dollars, $ 5,000
Sam'l Rodman, two thousand dollars, $ 2,000
Sam'l Elam, one thousand dollars, $ 1,000
Thomas Arnold, five hundred dollars,
$ 500
James Arnold, one thousand dollars, $ 1,000
$ 11,500
The charter of the institution was obtained February 29, 1812, and is signed by Elbridge Gerry, then governor of Massachusetts. Rules and regulations were established at the first meeting of the trustees, which was held in the academy building October 9, 1812. In the pre- amble it is stated that the " principal design" of the patrons of Friends' Academy is " to diffuse useful knowledge among the members of their own religious society, to guard the morals of the youth placed there for an education, and as much as may be, to encourage piety and religion in their progress in literature." A preference was made for such stu- dents as might be members of, or make profession with and attend the meetings of the Society of Friends " whether they be members of said society or not," and " none others" were to " be admitted to the exclu- sion of such." Candidates for admission were required to read common English authors with facility ; punctuality and good order were required throughout; simple damages were to be assessed for injury done to the building or furniture by any of the students, who should make it known at once to the preceptor, otherwise double damages ; all of the students were to take their turn in ringing the bell, sweeping the rooms or kind - ling the fires, except those excused for bodily infirmity ; the students to "behave with the strictest decorum," and to " attentively look over the portion read." Besides the branches of an ordinary common school
628
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
education, "elocution, the Latin and Greek languages, the elements of ancient and modern history, natural philosophy and mathematics, in- cluding geometry, astronomy and surveying, navigation, etc.," were to be taught and a " memoriter" exercise was recommended. There were to be four vacations with an aggregate of eight weeks. Samuel Rod- man was appointed the first secretary, William Rotch, jr., treasurer ; and William Rotch and James Arnold, visitors. At the annual meeting held May 21, 1813, the same officers were re-elected, Elisha Thornton was added to the number of visitors, and William Rotch was elected president. John Maitland Brewer was appointed the first preceptor of the academy by the trustees, October 9, 1812. He was a native of Framingham, Mass., and graduated at Harvard in 1804. A number of books were given to the academy in 1813 and the office of librarian was created and added to the duties of the principal. Upon the death of Samuel Elam, of Newport, December 3, 1813, the academy received another bequest, consisting of all his printed books and maps. The library which he bequeathed to the academy contained about 1,000 volumes. The committee appointed, in compliance with a request of the testator, reported a " list of such books as in their opinion ought to be disposed of, or exchanged for others better adapted to the nature of the institution." Among the volumes thus excluded were the plays of Shakespeare and Ben Jonson, Bell's edition of the British poets, French plays (1690), Rousseau's works, Woolstoncraft's Travels, French ro- mances and novels of Fielding, Smollett and Defoe. The books retained numbered about 750 volumes, and with those rejected, show that the library of Samuel Elam was a remarkable collection for that day. In 1815 the trustees voted that each of their number should have the priv- ilege of sending gratuitously one pupil, the number of scholars having fallen off in consequence of the " discouragements of the usual pursuits of business in this vicinity," a result of the war in 1812 with Great Brit- ain. Owing to the continued depression generally existing, the board voted on May 23, 1817, to suspend the school for a limited time, the reason assigned for this course being the diminution of the number of scholars. The school was reopened on September 22, 1817, but was again closed March 10, 1820, and did not again reopen until August 13, 1827. In the interval school was taught in the building by several
629
THE FRIENDS' ACADEMY.
teachers, with the permission, though not with the assistance of the board. Upon the reopening of the school, John H. W. Page, who had been teaching there on his own account for a year or more, was ap- pointed principal and the price of tuition fixed at $8.00 per quarter ; the by-laws, rules and regulations were also revised. At the meeting of trustees held November 26, 1830, it is recorded that an eighteen-inch Gregorian reflecting telescope has been received, "a donation to this institution from the late Robert Elam, of Leeds, England." In 1831 the attendance was about thirty five. At this time a lot of land was purchased in the rear of the academy, of Charles W. Morgan, and through the liber- ality of several individuals, " certain fixtures for gymnastic exercises erected thereon." Those who contributed to this fund were Charles W. Morgan, George Howland, Thomas Rotch (of Philadelphia), Joseph Ricketson, John Howland, jr., Nathaniel Hathaway, William W. Swain, Thomas S. Swain, and Joseph Rotch. The average attendance for the six months ending May 18, 1837, was thirty, the progress of all of the scholars having been most satisfactory. At the annual meeting of May 17, 1839, a course of study was adopted for the school, extending over five years, and in conformity with the suggestions of the principal, the trustees voted at their meeting held May 13, 1844, that the scholars taught " from and after the next quarter, exceptions being permitted under certain prescribed conditions, should be females only." The fol- lowing year, however, boys and girls were both admitted as students. During the year 1846 a school was taught in the building for both sexes by Caroline and Deborah Weston, assisted by William P. Atkinson, at the expiration of which the trustees received the building and premises again into their own hands. July 24, 1855, it was decided that an en- tire change in the management and system of the school was necessary and that the academy should be fitted up for two schools, one for boys and the other for girls. Accordingly on September 18, 1855, the school was opened with the boys' department on the first floor and the girls' on the second. A lot of land was purchased on Morgan street in 1856, upon which a new building was erected. It was completed the follow- ing spring and the dedication took place May 7, 1857, when impressive and memorable ceremonies were celebrated. The exercises consisted of an address by William J. Rotch, a prayer by Rev. Wheelock Craig,
630
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
pastor of Trinitarian Church ; a hymn by the young ladies, and an ad- dress to the parents of the young children by Rev. John Girdwood, pastor of William Street Baptist Church ; the Rev. John Weiss, pastor of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, succeeded with an ad- dress to the young ladies of the school. Remarks were also made by James B. Congdon, and Thomas A. Greene, and the benediction deliv- ered by Rev. Spencer M. Rice, rector of Grace Church. In 1860 an ad- dition was made to the new school, the lower story fitted up for the ac- commodation of the school for boys, and the old school abandoned en- tirely, the building being removed and converted into a tenement house. The new building, with the exception of ordinary repairs and slight alter- ations, remains the same as when erected. The consolidation of the male and female departments is complete, and after various changes of policy, the Friends' Academy, by its practice and example, registers its decision in favor of the coeducation of the sexes. No record was kept of the pupils until the administration of John H. W. Page, and no defi- nite figures can be given as regards the exact number of pupils enrolled on the lists of the academy from the beginning to the present time, but from estimates it is judged that at least 2,000, if not more, have received instruction under its care. Although the name of Friends' Academy was taken from the name of the faith of its founders, it has never been known as an exclusive sectarian institution, and its doors are open to students of any and all denominations. The members of the board of trustees and their terms of service are as follows :
William Rotch, 1812-28: Elsha Thornton, 1812-16; Thomas Arnold, 1812-26; Samuel Elam, 1812-13 ; Samuel Rodman, 1812-35; Wilham Rotch, jr., 1812-50; Will- iam Dean, 1812-50; Abraham Shearman, jr., 1812-23; James Arnold, 1812-68; Sam- uel Rodman, jr., 1813-76; Obadiah M. Brown, 1813-22; George Howland, 1817-52 ; Benjamin Rodman, 1817-76; Joseph Rotch, 1823-39; Charles W. Morgan, 1823-61; Francis Rotch, 1823-74; Andrew Robeson, 1823-62; Thomas A. Greene, 1826-67 William R. Rodman, 1830-55; Josephi Grinnell, 1836-55; Samuel W. Rodman, 1838; William R. Robeson, 1838 ; Benjamin S. Roteh, 1838-82 ; Andrew Robeson, jr., 1839- 74 ; William J. Rotch, 1839; William Logan Rodman, 1855-63; Lawrence Grinnell, 1855 ; Thomas R. Rodman, 1856; Edmund Rodman, 1856; George Hussey, jr., 1864- 72 : Horatio Hathaway, 1864; Joshua C. Stone, 1866-69; Leander A. Plummer, 1868; S. Griffiths Morgan, 1870; William Rotch, 1870; Morgan Roich, 1880; Thomas M. Stetson, 1880; Frederick Swift, 1880; Edmund Grinnell, 1880 ; Nathaniel Hathaway.
Presidents of the board. - William Rotch, 1812-28 ; Samuel Rodman, 1828-32 ; James Arnold, 1832-36; William Rotch, jr., 1836-50; Samuel Rodman, 1850-76; William J. Rotch, 1876.
631
FRIENDS' ACADEMY-AIMWELL SCHOOL.
Treasurers of the board .- William Rotch, jr., 1812-50; William J. Rotch, 1850.
Secretaries of the board. -- Samuel Rodman, 1812-27; Samuel Rodman, jr., 1827-37 ; Thomas A. Greene, 1837-41 : Benjamin S. Rotch, 1841-46; William J. Rotch, 1846- 50; William Logan Rodman, 1856-64; Edmund Rodman, 1864.
Principals .- John Maitland Brewer, 1812-17; Moses S. Moody, 1817-18; Thomas A. Greene, 1818-20; John II. W. Page, 1827-29; William Howe Sanford, 1829-31; William Mosely Holland, 1831; David Mack, 1831-36; Isaac N. Stoddard, 1835-37; John V. Beane, 1837-45 ; Simon Barrow, 1845-46; Abner J. Phipps, 1847-58; Ed- ward A. H. Allen, 1855-69; T. Prentiss Allen, 1858-64; (male department), John Tet- low, 1869-78; Andrew Ingraham, 1878-87 ; Thomas H. Eckfeldt, 1887 to date.
Assistants .- (The dates are approximate) Thomas A. Greene, 1817 ; Joseph Congdon, 1820 ; John F. Emerson, William Howe Sanford, Alanson Brigham, Oliver Prescott, 1829; Samuel A. Devens, Samuel Sawyer, George Washington Warren, Elizabeth Dorr, Edward Fabre, 1829; Juha Mack, Joshua Seixas, George Ticknor Curtis, William Mack, Francis B. Gasas, Samuel Mack, Henry Washington Lee, William D. Taber, P. A. Giraud, J. A. Frentin, Edward Seager, M. Moultrop, Nathan D. Gould, George W. Win- chester, 1835; William Mack, Abby O-good, Samuel Beane, Phineas Adamı Beane, F. P. Wierzbiski, Erastus W. Woodbury, James H. Coggeshall, Charles Peabody, Al- bert G. Wicks, Simon Barrows, 'J. B. R. Walker, John B. Garland, William Hathaway, J. B. Edwards, Catherine Kittredge, Mary Ann Willard. Anna W. Weston, Cyrus Bart- lett, J. F. Kelly, John Bennett, Hannah B. Robinson, Minerva Chase, Mary Washburn, 1845; Luke K. Bowers, Climena Wakefield, George H. Fillmore, Ivory S. Cornish, Lorenzo D. Blood, William T. Goodw .1, Abby L. Hitchcock, 1855; Sophia Shepherd, Louisa P. Stone, Elvira Johnson, Martha Russell, Clara Kempton, Cornelia T. Hart, Annie Gordon, Edwin P. Seaver, Wilhanı Gordon, D. J. Butler, John Tetlow, jr., Caro- line A. Hinckley, Emma Saul, Bessie T. Wing, Gabrilla T. Eddy, Andrew Ingraham, Cornelius Howland, jr. Mrs. H. B. Warner, L. Papanti, M. Blanquet, Max. Eppendorf, Max. Richter, Edward C. Dubois, Francis G. Henry, A. C. Maggi, 1869; Celia L. Chase, Mary E. Savery, Lorette M. Furber, Maria S. Eaton, Louisa H. Clapp, 1875; Charles J. Gardner, Caleb A. Burbank, Edward H. Cobb, Charles Monier, Arthur Cumming, J. T. White, Mary T. Spaulding, Maria Maggi, May G. Bonney, Mary S. Locke, Mary B. Seabury, Samuel Lepoids, 1887 ; Grace B. Dodge Maude A. Munson, Marie Pernanx, Alice H. Church, 1891.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.