USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II > Part 93
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Mr. Sturtevant has never been considered in any sense of the term a professional politician, but always interested in the great political questions of the day. He was identi- fied in politics with the Demoeratie party from his first vote until 1852, when upon the agitation of the slavery question he favored the opposition to human bondage, and upon the formation of the Republican party became a supporter of its platform. He has been a subscriber to the educational interests of the city, and always favors public enterprises tending to promote the well-being of society. Although his opportunities for education were limited while young, he cultivated a taste for reading, and during his life he has made himself familiar with the best authors of history.
In the year 1833 he married Abigail, daughter of Captain Lyon, of Northborough, Mass. By this union there were born three children,-Hannah L., died young ; Warner F., a merchant, of Springfield ; and Albert L., at the head of the Stationery Bureau, at Washington. Mrs. Sturtevant died in 1842. For his second wife he mar- ried Nancy II. Ricker, of Bath, N. H. Their children were Mary (died at the age of six), and Abbie Martica.
843
HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
men, who were the general managers of town affairs. Some- times special committees were appointed to look after them ; but school committees as now known date only from 1826-27.
Until the early part of the present century there were few private schools in the town, except for girls, and those were of a temporary character.
In 1812 an academy for both sexes was opened in a building, now used as a dwelling-house, on the north side of Elm Street, a few rods west of the First Church. This school continued until about 1824, and its list of teachers included the names of Benjamin Day, Mr. Lusk, Mr. Olmstead, Mr. Morley, Miss Martha Ely, and J. W. Crooks. Many persons are now living who were pupils at that school. Some written lists of the pupils still preserved contain the names of Maj. E. In- gersoll, of the United States Armory, Henry and James Brewer, many bearing the names of Bliss and Chapin, and others. A Lancasterian or Monitorial school was attempted in 1827, but continued only a year or two.
In 1829 a private school of a high order, for young ladies, was opened, under the direction of an association of gentle- men, in a building, still standing, on the east side of Maple Street, between Union and High Streets. Miss Julia Hawkes, the first teacher, left in 1833 to open a school in Philadelphia, and was followed by Rev. Mr. Eaton. In 1835 this school was succeeded by one taught by Rev. George Nichols and wife, in a building at the southeast corner of Main and State Streets. In the following year it was removed to the build- ing next west of the court-house, on Court Street. In 1840, Mr. Nichols died, and the school, which has continued to the present time, was subsequently taught by Mrs. Nichols, Miss II. S. Avery, Miss Elizabeth Stebbins, Misses Celia and Mary Campbell, Mr. E. D. Bangs, and Mr. C. C. Burnett, the present principal. For many years it has been a school for both sexes, and has been known as the English and Clas- sical Institute.
In April, 1825, the town appointed a committee " to enquire into the existing administration of the town schools, and to digest such improvements in the same as in their judgment may be proper." This committee presented, August 15th, through their chairman, William B. Calhoun, a lengthy and able report, in which they stated that they had pursued their investigations under twelve heads. They complain of limited appropriations, want of system and of supervisory power, and that " none of the schools have kept pace with the improve- ment and advancement in the science of instruction." As to the statute regarding morals and manners, they were " unable to find a single instructor who had ever read the statute or was even aware of its existence." The town chose William B. Calhoun, George Colton, Joseph llall, Jr., Joshua Frost, Frederic A. Orchard, James W. Crooks, and Justice Wil- liams a committee, " to be joined by the stated clergymen of the town," to have charge of and conduct the schools.
For a quarter of a century following this action the schools constituted a subject of much discussion and legislation in town- and district-meetings. It was emphatically the revo- lutionary period of the schools. There are many people now living who have a vivid recollection of the stirring debates of those times, and of the very able advocacy of advanced views of education by leading citizens.
In 1827 the town voted " that it is expedient to establish a high school, to be kept permanently in one place." Land was purchased of Simeon Sanborn on School Street, and a house was erected, in which a school for boys was opened in 1828, and continued until about 1837. The principal teachers of the school were Storey Hebard, S. II. Calhoun, Mr. Mor- ley, Mr. Knox, Henry R. Vaille, J. N. Sikes, and C. C. Bur- nett. Many of the leading citizens of Springfield for the past forty years were pupils of that school.
Springfield was the first place in Massachusetts to employ a superintendent of schools, having elected to that position,
in 1840, Mr. S. S. Green, now professor in Brown University, who entered upon his duties in August of that year. After the second year, the office was discontinued for the want of an appropriation. Mr. Green's two annual reports show him to have been an intelligent educator and an efficient worker in the schools.
In 1841 a high school for the centre district of the town was opened in the school-house on Elm Street, on the site of the present court-house. Rev. Sanford Lawton, who since 1835 had taught a private school in the building now occupied as a book-store, at the corner of Main and State Streets, was the first teacher. 1Ie was succeeded, in 1844, by Ariel Par- ri-li. A new building for the school was erected on Court Street, and dedicated Sept. 9, 18-18.
In 1849 the school committee, Josiah Hooker, chairman, called the attention of the town to the law-then recently passed-requiring towns of 500 or more families to support a high school for the benefit of the whole town. Immediate action was taken, and an arrangement was made with the centre distriet by which such a school was opened May 5th, occupying a part of the school-house on Court Street. The first formal graduation from the school was in 1856, by a class of nine pupils.
Mr. Parrish continued in charge of the high school until August, 1865, when he was succeeded by Rev. M. C. Steb- bins, who continued its principal until July, 1874. The growth of the school having rendered the building on Court Street insufficient for its accommodation, a new and spacious building was erected on State Street, and dedicated Aug. 31, 1874, at which time Mr. W. W. Calhoun, the present princi- pal of the school, entered upon his duties. The cost of the building was $142,000; of the lot, $28,000; total, $170,000. The number of pupils enrolled in the school during the school year ending July, 1879, was 418; graduates, 54.
For several years subsequent to 1850 the school authorities urged the importance of a superintendent of schools. Josiah llooker, Esq., was unceasing in his efforts in that direction until 1865, when the office was re-established, and E. A. Hub- bard was elected to the place. Mr. Hubbard's administration was one of activity, reconstruction, and progress. A new code of regulations and a course of study were prepared for the schools, and much attention given to methods of instruc- tion and management. The accommodations for the school had become insufficient in extent and kind. During Mr. Ilubbard's term of service five spacious and convenient gram- mar-school buildings were erected,-the Hooker school-house on North Main Street ; the houses on Elm, Oak, Central, and Worthington Streets; and the house at Indian Orchard vil- lage. The new high-school building was also commenced. Mr. Hubbard resigned in 1873, and was succeeded by A. P. Stone, the present incumbent.
In addition to the private schools heretofore mentioned, two others have been more recently established,-a day- and board- ing-school for young ladies, by the Misses lloward, at the corner of Union and School Streets, and the Collegiate In- stitute, which prepares young people for college and for busi- ness, established by Rev. M. C. Stebbins in 1874, and now located in the old court-house, on the west side of Court Square.
There has been a steady growth of the schools in numbers and character. In 1840, 1950 different pupils were taught, at an expense of $8917 ; while in 1875, probably the year of the city's greatest population, there were 5600 pupils, taught by 133 teachers, and the current expenses were $115,788. The present value of the school-houses, lots, and furniture is $550,000.
The character and scope of the instruction given in the schools will compare favorably with those in any portion of the State. In the primary schools, covering a period of four years, and in the grammar schools, five years, instruction is
S.44
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
given in reading, spelling, penmanship, arithmetic, geography, English grammar and language, United States history, book- keeping, music, and drawing. The high school, four years, has a classical course preparatory to college, and an academic course, comprising mathematics, the sciences, English language and literature, metaphysics, and political economy, with the ancient and modern languages as optional branches. Evening schools for adults have been supported since 1850, and there is an evening school for instruction in industrial and mechanical drawing.
In the long list of teachers employed in the public schools there are many who have done a noble work for their schools and for the community ; and there are some who have had a fitting recognition of their labors by a long term of service. Mr. Charles Barrows, principal of the Oak Street Grammar School, began his duties in 1839, and has taught forty years. Miss Margaret Bliss taught thirty-six years, at first in the lower grades and then as assistant in the high school, from its organization until her resignation, in 1877. Mr. Parrish was principal of the high school for more than twenty years. Mr. E. F. Foster, of the Worthington Street School, has taught twenty-five years, and Mr. Stratton, of the Hooker School, more than twenty years.
The history of the Springfield schools is a creditable feature in the development of the town and city ; but the necessary limits of this sketch preclude the introduction, from the records, of much material of intense interest. Good schools have been appreciated, and liberal appropriations made; the teachers have found fair social recognition, and many of the ablest citizens have been unwavering friends and advocates of a high order of schools, and have been selected to take part in their management. In the large list of persons who have served upon the school committee there are some whose names are prominent in the records. Among these are William B. Calhoun, Henry W. Lee (late bishop of Illinois), Rev. Sam- uel Osgood, C. A. Winchester, Rev. W. B. O. Peabody, Josiah Hooker (especially active and efficient), Rev. M .G. Clark, S. MeNary, Marcellus Pinney, John E. Taylor, Henry R. Vaille, J. E. MeIntire, John L. King, Rev. William Rice, Rev. S. G. Buckingham, and others. The committee for the current year are John E. Taylor (chairman), A. D. Mayo, William Rice, S. Lawton, Jr., T. M. Brown, L. II. Cone, J. G. Chase, A. M. Copeland, Charles J. Goodwin.
THE UNITED STATES ARMORY.
The United States Armory located in this city is the rep- resentative institution of its kind in the United States, and, with the exception, perhaps, of railroads, no element has con- tributed so largely to the material development and prosperity of Springfield.
The establishment dates its origin back to 1776. In that year Col. David Mason, of Boston, who had distinguished himself in the service of the colonial army, was ordered by Gen. Washington to select a site somewhere in New England for the founding of works for the manufacture of such aminu- nition, etc., as might be wanted. Gen. Washington and the Continental Congress were inclined to locate the works at Hartford, and in fact preparations had already begun at that place for this establishment, when, upon Col. Mason's repre- sentation to Gen. Knox that Springfield was the most suitable place, being easy of access both by land and water, Congress was induced to change the location from Hartford to this place. Col. Mason superintended the starting of the work, and remained in charge five years.
He was well qualified for the duties assigned him, having been an artillery officer in the French war, and the founder of an artillery company in Boston in 1763. He was appointed by the committee of safety, with title of engineer, Nov. 17, 1774, as the most proper person to collect military stores, etc. The cannon which the British endeavored to secure at Salem
in February, 1775, had been purchased by him, and were in his keeping. Fearing further trouble of the same kind, he ordered collections to be stored at Lexington and Concord, which resulted in the battles at those places. Col. Mason died in Boston, Sept. 16, 1794, aged righty-nine.
Immediately after the location of the works was definitely settled, a laboratory where cartridges and fireworks were man- ufactured was started in a barn belonging to Ebenezer Steb- bins, located a short distance north of the present railroad depot. Col. Mason purebased 10 acres of land on the hill, and within two or three years the " laboratory" was transferred from its down-town quarters to the commanding eminence now occupied by the armory buildings. The oldest record in the armory books relates to work done in this " laboratory" in April, 1778, the product of the first week's work being 7584 cartridges. The armory was established by aet of Con- gress, passed in April, 1794, and the first deed of land to the United States was recorded in 1795, and was the sale of one and one-half acres of land near the lower water-shops by Nathaniel Patten, of Hartford, for the sum of $400.
The State granted the general government the right to take 600 acres of land, and in 1800 the town of Springfield ap- pointed George Bliss, John Hooker, and William Ely a com- mittee to sell the government such land as might be needed. The whole grant, however, has not been appropriated. The lands now comprise 300 acres.
As stated above, the armory was established in 1794, and, although the works had been in operation on the hill eight years, in making cartridges, etc., it was not until 1795 that arms were first manufactured. The records of that year show that 40 hands were employed, and that 245 muskets were man- ufactured.
The armory was now upon a sure basis, and its history from that time to the present is that of rapid development in. the manufacture of small-arms. As valuable improvements from time to time in this manufacture sprang into being they were adopted by the armory, and from the old musket to the present perfect breech-loading rifle the Springfield arms have ocenpied the front rank both in Europe and America.
The following valuable table exhibits the number of arms manufactured annually from 1795 to 1878: 1795, 245; 1796, 838; 1797, 1028; 1798, 1044; 1799, 4595; 1800, 4862; 1801, 3205; 1802, 4358; 1803, 4775; 1804, 8566; 1805, 8535; 1806, 2018; 1807, 5692; 1808, 5870; 1809, 7070; 1810, 9700; 1811, 12,020; 1812, 10,140; 1813, 6920; 1814, 9585; 1815, 7279; 1816, 7199; 1817, 18,015; 1818, 12,000; 1819, 12,000; 1820, 19,200; 1821, 13,000; 1822, 13,200; 1823, 14,000 ; 1824, 14,000; 1825, 15,000; 1826, 15,500; 1827, 14,500; 1828, 15,500 ; 1829, 16,500; 1830, 16,500; 1831, 16,200 ; 1832, 13,600; 1833, 12,400; 1834, 14,000; 1835, 13,000; 1836, 13,500; 1837, 14,500; 1838, 15,000; 1839, 10,000; 1840 (to September 30th), 5967; 1841 (to September 30th ), 10,700; 1842 (to September 30th), 9720; 1843 (to June 30th), 4601 ; 1811, 7690; 1845, 12,077; 1846, 14,265; 1847, 11,203; 1848, 15,018 ; 1849, 15,215 ; 1850, 18,155; 1851, 21,000; 1852, 19,800; 1858, 14,500; 1854, 11,000; 1855, 8624; 1856, 3723; 1857, 2015; 1858, 11,198; 1859, 11,500; 1860, 9658; 1861, 18,802; 1862, 102,410; 1863, 217,783; 1864, 276,880; 1865, 195,341; 1866, 200. 1866, cadet rifles made, 500. 1866, rifles altered to breech-loaders (cal. . 50), 2259 ; 1867, 23,880; 1868, 27,848; 1869, 18. 1869, cadet made new, 500. 1870, rifles altered to breech-loaders (model '66), 500; 1870 (model '68), 45,937. 1870, cadet made new (model '69), 310. 1871, rifles altered to breech-loaders, 31,992; 1872, 14,047; 1873 (cal. . 45), 10,015; 1874, 28,839; 1875, 26,002; 1876, 15,144; 1877, 7050; 1878, 13,005.
There have been seventeen superintendents of the armory, as follows, viz. :
David Ames, from 1794 to Oet. 31, 1802; Joseph Morgan, from Nov. 1, 1802, to Oct. 31, 1805; Benjamin Prescott, from Nov. 1, 1805, to Aug. 31, 1813; Henry Lechler, from Sept. 1,
David Ames
DAVID AND JOHN AMES.
Among the prominent manufactures which have conduced most to New England wealth and repute, that of paper stands high.
It began in the very infancy of manufacturing in the Connecticut Valley, and to this day is continued with ardor and success. For more than fifty years, D. & J. Ames' paper was known and used, far and wide, in the United States.
They were sons of David Ames and Rebecca Johnson. The father, first superintendent of the U. S. Armory at Springfield, appointed by Presi- dent Washington, and holder of the office for nine years, came to Springfield from West Bridgewater, Mass., in 1795, and founded the business in a little factory on Mill River.
The elder son, David, born at West Bridgewater, Aug. 25, 1792, married Mary Orr Mitchell, of East Bridgewater, daughter of Hon. Nahum Mitchell.
At maturity he espoused with zeal the occupation he was bred to inherit and advance. To his com- prehensive judgment and indomitable energy the success of the firm was in a great measure due.
Paper of their manufacture was unsurpassed in quality. A lady one day exhibited at his house a specimen of beautiful French note paper, purchased
in New York. He held it to the light, and, to her great astonishment, pointed out the water-mark of his firm indelibly impressed thereon.
John Ames, the junior partner, was born at Spring- field, Sept. 2, 1800, and was distinguished for his inventive faculty.
All kinds of paper were then made by hand. His cylinder-machine, patented in 1822, revolutionized the method, and introduced economy, speed, and power.
He brought out the cylinder washer, the calendar finishing-machine, as well as new ruling- and stamp- ing-machines. What is commonly known as the " Fourdrinier" trimming-machine was also of his invention, but he neglected to patent it, and the glory was assigned to the foreigner.
David and John both yet live, fit and striking representatives of that early generation of great manufacturers which served mankind well by its skill, and set example of thrift and enterprise, by which its followers have amassed colossal fortunes and lined the streams of New England with happy villages ; the products of whose industry commerce bears to every spot on the globe where civilized man has a home.
Amulligan
JOHN MULLIGAN was born in Hartford, Conn., Jan. 12, 1820, and was the first child born of Irish parents in that eity. His father, John Mulligan, was a native of the North of Ireland ; came to this country in the year 1819, and settled in Hartford, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying in 1841, aged forty-three. His mother was also a native of Ireland, coming to this country soon after her marriage. She lived to the advanced age of eighty, and died in 1875.
Their family consisted of five sons and two daughters, of whom only four are living. Mr. Mulligan was the eldest son of this family, and had the advantages of the common schools of Hartford until he was sixteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to Daniel Copeland, of Hartford, a manufacturer of steam-engines and machinery, remaining with him about three years. He was subsequently with Guild & Douglas, of Middletown, Conn., also manufac- turers of steam-engines and machinery, and spent some two years in Philadelphia with William Norris, the eclebrated locomotive manufacturer. During these years he became strongly impressed with the idea of being au engineer, and in 1841, returning to Hartford, engaged as such on a tow-boat called the " William Hall," plying between Hart-
ford and Willimansett Falls. The following season he ran a passenger boat between Springfield and Hartford, ealled " Phoenix," for Hon. C. W. Chapin.
From 1842 to 1852 he was employed as locomotive en- gineer on the Boston and Albany Railroad ; from that time until 1868 as master mechanie of the Connectieut River Railroad ; from the latter date until 1872 he acted as mas- ter mechanic, and also as superintendent, of the same road, and still retains the latter position.
He has been called to fill important offices for many years past, having served in the Springfield city govern- ment,-two years as alderman and five years as eouneilman. In 1878 he was chosen one of the trustees of the Hampden Savings Bank.
Mr. Mulligan owes his present position to his own exertions, his perseverance, integrity, and uprightness in all his business relations ; retaining the confidence, since his start in business life, of all with whom he has been associated.
In the year 1845 he married Lydia A., daughter of Hastings Bridges, of Worcester Co., Mass.
Their children are Mrs. J. M. Fuller and Charles H., superintendent of the Hawkins Foundry, Springfield.
845
HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
1813, to Jan. 15, 1815; Benjamin Preseott, from Jan. 16, 1815, to May 31, 1815; Lieut .- Col. Roswell Lee, from June 1, 1815, to Aug. 25, 1833 ; Lieut .- Col. George Talcott,-acting, -to Oet. 31, 1833; John Robb, from Nov. 1, 1533, to April 15, 1841 ; Lieut .- Col. J. W. Ripley, from April 16, 1841, to Aug. 16, 1854; E. S. Allin,-acting,-from Ang. 17, 1854, to Oet. 18, 1854; Gen. James S. Whitney, from Oct. 19, 1854, to March 1, 1860; E. S. Allin,-acting,-from March 1, 1860, to June 27, 1860; Col. I. H. Wright, from June 27, 1860, to April 25, 1861 ; George Dwight, from April 25, 1861, to Ang. 21, 1861 ; Capt. A. B. Dyer, from Ang. 21, 1861, to Oct. 27, 1864; Col. T. T. S. Laidley, Oct. 27, 1864, to May 14, 186G ; Capt. C. C. Chaffee, Jr.,-acting,-from May 14, 1866, to June 14, 1866; Col. James G. Benton, June 14, 1866, present in- cumbent. The present commanding officers are as follows : Col. James G. Benton, Commandant ; Capt. George W. MIc- Kee and Lieuts. John E. Greer and David A. Lyle, Assist- ants ; Maj. Edward Ingersoll, Ordnance Storekeeper and Paymaster ; E. S. Allin, Master-Armorer.
During the Rebellion the works were run day and night ; 3400 men were employed and 1000 muskets made daily, and the pay-roll amounted to $200,000. The present production is about 100 carbines and rifles per day. The breech-loading model was adopted in 1873, and is said to be the most perfeet breech-loading firearm in the world.
The main building, where the arms are stored, was com- menced in 1846, and completed a few years later. The last building erected was the west building, fronting State Street. The buildings east were originally erected for arsenals, but were subsequently enlarged and made into workshops. The present arrangement of the office building was effected in 1863-64, although the building proper was erected previously. The small dwellings and Maj. Ingersoll's home were built in 1834, and the residence of the commanding officers in 1846. The storehouse was built during the administration of Col. Ripley, and two wings were subsequently added,-one in 1861, and the other in 1863. In the latter year, also, the forge-shops were completed, and in the following year the carpenter-shops and stocking-department were built. The water-shops, where the heavy casting is done, are located on Mill River, and the present main building was erected in 1857. The additions were made in 1862-63.
But one attempt was ever made to capture the armory, and that was by Daniel Shays, Jan. 25, 1787. At this time the arsenal was occupied by Gen. Shepard with a force of 1100 men. The capture of the armory was planned by Luke Day, who, with a force of 400 men, was across the river in West Springfield, and Shays, with a force of over 1000, was at Chicopee. The following message was sent to Gen. Shepard by Day :
"The body of the people, assembled in arms, adhering to the first principles of nature,-self-preservation,-dlo, in the most peremptory manner, demand : Ist. That the troops in Springfield lay down their arms. 2. That their aims be deposited in the public stores, under the care of the janjuer officers, to be returned to the owners at the termination of the present contest. 30. That the troops re- turn to their homes on parole."
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