History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 55

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 55

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

was built in Baldwinville by the district in 1850, and another one by the town in 1883. The Otter River School-house was built by the district in 1860, with an addition made by the town in 1877. A public hall was also secured over the school-room by contributions from the people of the neighborhood. The older school-house in East Templetou was built by the dis- trict about 1834; the newer one by the town in 1874. The town hall and school-house, in one building at the Centre, were built by the combined action of the town and district, in 1844.

Until the year 1826 the superintendence of the schools, in a legal point of view, seems to have been vested in the selectmen ; but practically, the work was done chiefly by the minister. At the special request of Dr. Wellington, the town, in 1811, chose a com- mittee to assist him in examining school-teachers. A committee consisting of one person for each district was chosen, in 1815, to assist in examining the schools, and to recommend "certain useful classical books." Similar committees were afterwards chosen at different times. But still the chief part of the work devolved upon the minister. In 1826 towns were required by law to choose three, five or seven School Committee- men ; and ever since that time the superintendence of schools has by law devolved upon that body. In 1857 the number of School Committee was fixed at three, or some multiple of three, and the term of office ex- tended front one year to three years, one-third of the number being chosen each year. In this town there have been several persons who have served the town for a long period in the care of the schools. Rev. Charles Wellington, D.D., partly by virtue of his duties as minister, and partly by special election of the town, gave fully thirty years of service. Rev. Lewis Sabin, D.D., was elected for thirty-two con- secutive years. Rev. Edwin G. Adams had twenty- two years of service, and Rev. Gerard Bushnell six- teen years. Dr. J. W. D. Osgood served ten years; Captain Samuel Lee, eight years; Colonel Leonard Stone, Joseph Mason, Esq., and Gilman Day, Esq., each served six years, and Charles Church, five years. In times nearer the present, E. C. Farnsworth, Esq., has served five years, V. P. Parkhurst, Esq., seven years, and Francis Leland nine years. Of the present Board of School Committee, Mr. Ingalls has com- pleted five years of service, Mr. Hosmer six years, and Mr. Blodgett nineteen years. Several other persons have served on the School Committee from time to time, for short periods of less than five years each.

The appropriations for schools were of necessity small in the first years of the existence of the town. There has been a somewhat steady increase in the amount from the earlier to the later periods. The first sum granted for schools was in 1763. A sum a little more than the equivalent of thirty dollars was granted in 1764. The amount of the grant had been increased to three hundred dollars at the end of the century and to one thousand dollars in 1841. It

reached two thousand dollars in 1856, three thousand dollars in 1866, and for the last six years the sum has been four thousand and seven hundred dollars. It should be borne in mind that in the earlier times the school money was supplemented by gratuitous sup- plies of fuel and sometimes by the teachers boarding successively with different families in the district. In the original division of lands in the township one lot was reserved for schools. This school lot, which was No. 36, lying in the southerly part of the town and containing Cook's Pond, was sold at auction, by vote of the town, in 1769, for about one hundred and eighty-seven dollars. This, with some money to be obtained from the sale of " pew-ground " in the meet- ing-house, was to be kept as a school fund; but the money seems to have been used for other purposes. The town also received $3,337.74 as its share of the surplus revenue distributed by the United States in 1837, and it was voted to keep it as a fund, the income of which was to be applied to the support of schools. For some three years the income was so used, but the town had pressing need of money and even the prin- cipal of the fund was applied to other uses.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS .- Some public-spirited citizens of this town, impressed with the feeling that there was need of more ample provisions for higher educa- tion, formed an association and established a private high school in Templeton. The school met a public want and was largely attended. Many persons still live in the town who retain pleasant recollections of their connection with this school. The school was so fortunate as to begin its course under the instruction of an earnest, enthusiastic teacher, who had great skill in arousing the attention and compelling the pupil to think-the important aim of all true teaching. Jacob Bachelder was principal of the school from the time of his graduation from Dartmouth College, in 1830, to the year 1835. He was afterward principal of the Lynn and the Salem High Schools, He was for some years librarian of the Lynn Public Library. He was a man of unusual vigor of intellect and per- fect integrity.

Mr. Martin Snow Newton and Mr. Daniel B. Park- hurst were successively principals of the school for a brief time. Mr. Sylvester Judd was the last principal of the school, coming here in 1836. He was afterward, for thirteen years, a Unitarian minister in Augusta, Maine, and the author of a well-known story of New England life, entitled "Margaret." The school was suspended in 1837.

In the twenty years next following there was no High School continuously kept; but some enterpris- ing teacher, on his own responsibility, would keep a private High School for one or two terms in the town hall, or the school-room next the Common. Such a school was kept at one time by William Barrows, and at another time by William H. Earle.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS .- The Templeton High School was the first public High School in this town,

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and was established in 1856. The first term was kept in the autumn of that year in the grammar school- room, at the Centre Village, with fifty-one pupils. The present principal of the school, II. F. Lane, began his long period of service with that first term, and has been the principal of the school, with the exception of one term, to the present time. The second term of the High School was kept at Baldwin- ville, in the spring of 1857, under the instruction of Mr. L. W. Russell, who has been for many years past the principal of a grammar school in Providence, R. I. An assistant teacher has been employed in terms when the attendance was largest, and thirteen young ladies have served in that capacity from one to three terms each ; another, in these latest years, has ren- dered such assistance during twenty-one terms.

Until 1866 there were only two terms of the school each year; from that time to 1873 there were three terms each year; afterward there were four terms yearly. These terms were kept alternately in the different villages of the town.

It has been the aim of the High School, during all the years of its existence, to have its studies and train- ing so arranged and administered as to promote activity of mind, self-control, self-direction, and a conscien- tious regard for duty. The persons who have been members of this school are scattered widely over the country. The country towns perform a service of great value to the community in preparing persons for lives of intelligent activity in the larger towns and cities to which they soon depart. About one thou- sand persons have received instruction in the Tem- pleton High School.

In 1886 a High School was established at Baldwin- ville for the greater convenience of those living in the northerly part of the town. Mr. E. B. Vining has heen the only principal of that school,

TEACHERS AND GRADUATES .- Some of our teach- ers have had long periods of service in our schools. Mrs. Lucy Richardson spent nearly her whole active life in teaching, earlier in the public schools, and later in a private school which she had established at her own home near the Common. Miss Maria Cutting has completed thirty-nine years of service as teacher in the public schools of this town.

Miss Margaret Leland has had many years of expe- rience in the public schools in different parts of the town. Miss Henrietta Sawyer, whose earlier years of service were in the schools of her native town, is a veteran teacher in Washington University, at St. Louis. The present teacher of the Templeton High School has just completed his thirty-second year of service in that school. Many other teachers have had quite long periods of service, and it would be a suit- able tribute if their names could be included in this enumeration.

Many of the youth of this town, having sipped at the fountains of knowledge opened for them here, have taken deeper draughts elsewhere. In the later

years a score of young ladies have completed courses of study at our normal schools. Several have availed themselves of the advantages offered by the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary.

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded by a citizen of this town. George I. Alden, who was a graduate of the Lawrence Scientific School, has been a professor in this institution from its founda- tion in 1868. Charles Parkhurst, Samuel S. Jennison, Fred. L. Dudley, Charles H. Wright, William H. Kirschner and Fred. S. Hunting have pursued courses of study in this institution. George S. Stone is a graduate of the State Agricultural College at Am- herst. George S. Gates received instruction at the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Md., and entered the navy. Charles Wellington Stone graduated from Harvard College in 1874. He has a private school for boys in the city of Boston, and also conducts a summer school at his Templeton residence. Edward W. Chase is a graduate of Amherst College. He has been principal of High Schools in Ohio, and at present is teaching near Chicago. George I. Jones graduated from Harvard College in 1871, and has been engaged in the book publishing business in St. Louis and at present is employed in Chicago. George M. Bartlett is a graduate of Washington University, St. Louis, and is now secretary and treasurer of that institution. Lucas Lee Baker is a graduate of Har- vard College of the class of 1883. He has ever since been engaged iu teaching, and is at present principal of the High School in Holliston, Mass. His brother, Byron E. Baker, entered college in the same class, but died before the completion of his course.

Journalism has not often been chosen as a life-work by our young men. But Edmund Hudson has gone from the quiet life of his native village to mingle in the stirring scenes of the national capital, and make a daily record of the doings of law-makers and Presi- dents. In those days of stirring excitement, preced- ing the first election of Lincoln, he was just entering upon his studies in the High School. Too eager to begin life's work to wait for an over-long course of study, with much energy he set about learning the stenographer's art. He was for a time a reporter of news for different Boston papers. For several years he has led a very busy life as Washington corre- spondent of the Boston Herald, and editor and pub- lisher of the Army and Navy Register. He also pub- lished a weekly paper at Washington called The Capital.

Most of these young men whose names have been enumerated as having obtained a higher education do not now count in the census lists for Templeton. The historian, however, rightly classes them among the products of the town, knowing, as he does, that these country towns are the perennial fountains whence come the supplies of physical energy and mental vigor for our cities.

In the earlier part of the century there were several

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

young men who were successful in obtaining a higher education. Oliver Baker was a graduate of Yale Col- lege, and engaged in teaching in some Southern State. His brother, Otis Baker, died before the completion of his course in the same college. Amos J. Cook was a graduate of Dartmouth College about the year 1801. He was an intimate college friend of Daniel Webster, and succeeded him as principal of the academy in Fryeburg, Maine, in which position he remained for more than thirty years. Charles Goodnow was a graduate of Amherst College, and was for a time principal of a school in Concord, Mass., and after- wards a lawyer there. Christopher C. Baldwin was the son of Capt. Eden Baldwin. He pursued his studies at Leicester Academy and Harvard College, and then studied law as his profession. He practiced law in Worcester, Sutton and Barre. But his mind was more satisfied with scientific and antiquarian re- search than with legal contests, and he gave much time to such investigations. In 1831 he was chosen librarian of Antiquarian Library at Worcester. Noth- ing could have been better suited to his tastes, and he was admirably fitted to perform the duties devolving upon him. In 1835, when on a journey for antiqua- rian research in the State of Ohio, he lost his life by the overturning of the stage on which he was travel- ing. He was only thirty-five years of age. His friend, William Lincoln, of Worcester, son of Gov. Levi Lincoln, delivered a very interesting public ad- dress, which was printed, commemorative of the life and work of Mr. Baldwin. Charles W. W. Welling- ton, sou of Rev. Charles Wellington, graduated from Harvard College iu 1846, and wasa book-keeper in the city of Boston. He died in 1880.

This town has not been wholly wanting in those who have been skilled in the use of the pencil and the brush ; artists have found at least a temporary abode among these hills. Lucas Baker had a natural apti- tude for drawing and painting, and by careful and diligent cultivation has become highly skilled in the practice of those arts himself and in teaching them to others. He was for ten years instructor in drawing in the public schools of Boston. For the last few years he has been one of the instructors in the Art School of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, but still keeps a home in Templeton.

Miss Adelaide R. Sawyer was for some years a resi- dent of Baldwinville. She drew portraits in crayon. Afterwards she gave attention to the production of ideal designs in figure. Some of these productions became very popular and met with a large sale. "The Better Land," "Our Hope," "Our Joy," "The Empty Sleeve," " Myrtle Hazard," were titles of some of the most-widely known of these representations. For a time she was teacher of crayon drawing in the Boston Academy of Art. Sarah Goodridge had natural gifts and tendencies leading her to the work of an artist. She became noted as a painter of miniature portraits, had an office in Boston, and some of the most dis-

tinguished people of New England were her patrons. Elizabeth Goodridge (Stone), sister of the preceding, was also skilled in the same kind of work. Their early home was at the house now occupied by Mr. Briggs, near the Ware River Railroad station.

LIBRARIES .- Successful efforts have been made at various times to furnish a supply of reading matter through the agency of libraries. Quite early in the history of the town a private library was established by the Templeton Union Library Association, the books of which were distributed among the share- holders half a century ago. In the early part of this century there was a private library known as the Social Library. The Ladies' Social Circle, an organ- ization connected with the First Parish, began to gather a library in the year 1835. This has gradually increased by yearly additions until it now numbers about twenty-four hundred volumes. Books are de- livered only on Sunday to annual shareholders, who pay a yearly fee of fifty cents. For many years this has been a prosperous library, and it still continues to be such. The books are kept in a room specially de- voted to that purpose in the chapel which adjoins the church edifice. A library society was organized in East Templeton in 1854, which has gathered a library numbering upwards of one thousand volumes. The several religious societies of the town have Sunday- school libraries containing books more especially adapted to the younger people. The books are generally carefully selected and diligently read. The State Board of Education, in accordance with an act of the Legislature of 1843, furnished each school dis- trict throughout the State with a school library. These contained many valuable books, but they soon ceased to be used, as there was no provision for keep- ing up a lively interest by the addition of new books. A fund was given by Miss Abigail Locke for the establishment of a ministerial library for the use of the minister of the First Parish, and to be kept at the parsonage. This library already contains books of much value. The income of the fund permits annual additions to be made.

In 1854, Dr. George C. Shattuck, of Boston, gave five shares in the Boston Athenaeum to the town of Templeton, as a token of regard and affection for his native town. The terms of the gift as expressed by the donor are: "That the Selectmen of the town, for the time being, shall permit the use of the five shares, from year to year, by any five persons resident in said town, to be selected by them from the classes of clergymen, physicians, lawyers, and scientific farmers and mechanics; it being understood that the said shares themselves are to be forever inalienable." And further, Dr. Shattuck anticipated the annual assess- ment of five dollars a share, by paying a sufficient sum in advance to provide for that, and thus securing to inhabitants of Templeton the perpetual privilege of taking out books, on the shares, from the extensive and valuable library of that institution. For so val-

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uable and lasting a gift, the town passed a vote of thanks in acknowledgment of "their grateful appre- ciation of his munificence in conferring this franchise upon the town, which has the honor of numbering him among her most distinguished and useful sous." This proves to be a very valuable supplement to the other reading facilities enjoyed by the town. Rare and costly books can thus be consulted which it might not be easy to reach in other ways.

The Boynton Public Library was first opened to the public in September, 1873. The fund for its support was the gift of David Whitcomb, Esq., late of Wor- cester, but formerly engaged in active business in this town. In 1868 he gave to the town of Templeton, in the name of John Boynton, who was his former part- ner in business here, the sum of four thousand dollars, to establish and maintain a Free Public Library, for the use of the inhabitants of the town, to be known and called the Boynton Library. In 1885, Mr. Whit- comb gave an additional sum of four thousand dol- lars for the same purpose. In the case of both sums, one-half of the annual income is to be applied to the increase of the principal, until each sum shall have reached the sum of five thousand dollars. The library fund will thus ultimately become ten thousand dol- lars. The income is to be wholly applied to the pur- chase of books and periodicals. By a provision in the deed of gift, the trustees of the library are the chair- man of the Board of Selectmen, the town clerk, the School Committee, and three other persons elected annually by the town. H. F. Lane has been the li- brarian from the opening of the library. For twelve years the library was kept in some upper rooms con- nected with Mr. Blodgett's store. In 1885 the town appropriated two thousand dollars for the erection of a library building, which was completed and occupied in September of that same year. The library now contains thirty-three hundred volumes, and is in- creased by yearly additions. More than twelve thou- sand issues of books are annually made to six or seven hundred persons, scattered over the whole town. The Templeton Historical Society, in an upper room of the library building, has begun to gather a collec- tion of books, papers and articles which would throw light upon the history of the town and community.

CHAPTER XXIII.

TEMPLETON-(Continued.)

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.

The First Church-The Baptist Church-The Trinitarian Church-The Universalist Church-The Methodist Church-St. Martin's Church- Memorial Church-Ministers.

IT should be borne in mind that in the towns of New England, in early times, the affairs of town and church were united. The church was one of the in-

stitutions of the town. The meeting-house was built and owned by the town. The minister was paid from the town treasury, the amount being voted annually in town-meeting. The meeting-house also was made to serve as a place for holding the town-meetings. The tithingmen were chosen at the annual town meet- ing with the other town officers. When there were about twenty families in this township they deter- mined to build a meeting-house which should be fifty feet long and forty feet wide. It was placed on what is now the Common, a little southeasterly of the pres- ent church edifice, and was the first house of worship in the township, which then included Phillipston as well as what is now Templeton. This edifice was used for about fifty years, until the year 1811, when the present church edifice was built.

This first meeting-house was raised July 3, 1753, in the presence of a large number of people, some of whom had come from towns so far distant as Sterling. The frame of this house was of chestnut, and the trees of which it was made are said to have grown wholly on the spot of ground now known as the Common. At the time of building this house the region imme- diately about was a forest. The building of the meeting-house was performed by Mr. John Brooks, of Sterling. The timber was furnished by the proprie- tors, and also the glazing and pulpit. A few years later the town made an appropriation toward finishing it, and the whole cost of the structure to proprietors and town was about two hundred and twenty-five pounds-equivalent to seven hundred and fifty dollars.

The first church in this town was organized Decem- ber 10, 1755, and on that day Rev. Daniel Pond was ordained as the first minister. He was a graduate of Harvard College of the class of 1745. Generous pro- vision was made by the proprietors and people for the ordination. People came in large numbers from the neighboring settlements to attend the exercises. The newly-erected meeting-house was completely filled. It was a day of festivity and enjoyment for the people and their visiting friends. But the ministry of Mr. Pond was of short duration. Difficulties arose be- tween him and the people. A council was called which, after two days' deliberation, recommended his dismission. In 1759 he removed to West Medway and engaged in teaching, receiving pupils at his house. Several persons preached as candidates, and among them the Rev. Ebenezer Sparhawk, who preached for the first time Nov. 29, 1760. After preaching a year both minister and people were so well satisfied with each other that his ordination took place Nov. 18, 1761. In 1764 he built and ever after lived in the honse which in later years has been known as the " Wellington " house. He had a long and useful ministry of forty years, dying of apoplexy, November 25, 1805. He is reputed to have been a person of superior mental ability and exact scholarship, cour- teous and dignified in his manners and warm in his friendships. His funeral sermon was preached by the

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Rev. Dr. Payson, of Rindge. During Mr. Sparhawk's ministry about twenty members of the First Church withdrew to form the Baptist Church.

Rev. Charles Wellington was ordained February 25, 1807. The old and first meeting-house was still in use, hut efforts were now made to build a new one, and the work was entered upon in 1810. The new church edifice was dedicated September 18, 1811, Dr. Wellington preaching the sermon. And now for the first time a bell was obtained and placed in the belfry. Three new ones have been successively procured as the former ones became defective. The old meeting- house was then moved to the southwesterly corner of the Common, and for about thirty years was used as a town house and place for public meetings. In these early times the minister was expected to have some oversight of the schools, visiting them and examining teachers, and Dr. Wellington attended to these duties for many years, sometimes with the help of a committee chosen by the town for such purpose. The fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Wellington's settle- ment here was pleasantly and appropriately celebrated in 1857. He remained the minister of this church, respected and beloved by all, until his death, which occurred August 3, 1861.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 55

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576