USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > History of the "Old High School" on School Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1828 to 1840 : with a personal history of the teachers : also, the names of 265 pupils, with their history in part : with portraits and a sketch of the building > Part 2
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2I
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
fore the close of this term to show that tittering boy behind you how to do his work.' Well, I came to life again and worked. Towards the last of the term the boy who laughed at my misfortune asked the teacher to solve a problem for him, and he told him to go to R -. He went and the problem was solved. I have seen many teachers at their work since those days, but have never seen one who worked harder or accomplished more than did the teachers of the old High School. And I believe that with all the advan- tages of the present graded schools boys are no better fitted to fight the battles of life than were the boys of the old High School. I am a resident of Saginaw, Mich., and here I have a family and home. I hereby invite any and all of the ' old boys' to call and see me and shake hands with me. We are about to drop out of line, all of us. Let us do so in good order, and
"' Like one that wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.'"
One of the scholars, now an esteemed missionary in the East, writes from Constantinople, Turkey : "Mr. Hebard was a fine scholar, very gentle and amiable in his character and conduct towards the scholars, who consequently became very much attached to him, so that at the close of his term of service, in token of their esteem, they presented him with a set of books of the value of nearly fifty dollars. Though Mr. Hebard's personal character attached members of the school to him, there were rogues among them as always, some of whom, notwithstanding the general favor with which he was regarded, dug a pit in the path by which he must approach the school, and, concealing it, watched for his expected fall into it. He fell, but wisely taking no notice of the incident, put the rogues to shame before the school. The roguery was not repeated. The High School gathered its pupils from different parts of the town (which at that time included the present limits of Chicopee) and in those early days, in the winter season the out of school hours were
22
HISTORY OF THE
scenes of fierce snow-ball fighting between 'Hillers' and ' Streeters,' as the scholars from the different localities were distinguished." As the rebellious spirit was still exhibited among the boys, he further writes: "The coming in of Mr. Simeon H. Calhoun very soon restored order to the school, and fixed himself in the affection of the scholars. He gave them fair warning that their conduct in school would determine his rule over them, whether it should be mild or severe. He gave them good specimens of both kinds ; the very severe on occasions when it was called for, and the rule of kindest love for those who sought it by obe- dience to the rules of the school. None of those in the school during Mr. Calhoun's era ever speak of him but in the most affectionate terms, and, widely as they have been scattered since their school days, they have retained most loving remembrance of him. Mr. Calhoun's decided Chris- tian character, manifested both in the school and in his gen- eral influence in Springfield, and which asserted itself in his subsequent career as a tutor in Williams College and as a missionary in Syria, was the charm that drew all hearts to him."
One of the " bright boys," now a resident of California, writes : " I well remember the floggings Mr. Calhoun used to give me (and I guess I deserved them), but his succes- sor, a most excellent teacher, taught only one term, during which the boys made it uncomfortable for him. I think it was during his term that he organized an evening school in order to further improve our minds, and at which a Jack o'lantern was placed on top of the mineral case, and one evening-and it was the last with lighted candles-ink stands and bullets were thrown about the room and through the windows, the old box stove near the door was covered with tallow and -, and several lengths of the stove pipe, which ran the entire length of the room, was let down on the desks, causing the school to be dismissed the next morning and giving us a half holiday. Once brickbats were hung under the floor, suspended by a string close to
23
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
the foot of the stool ; one boy would draw up a brick, which would strike the floor from underneath with a loud thump. The teacher would start out to find where the noise came from, and as he neared the spot a loud noise would again be heard at the other end of the room. Then he would start for that locality, and when he arrived there the noise would again be repeated at some other place in the room. Finally, as the noise seemed to come from below, the teacher visited the cellar and there saw to his amazement several bricks suspended by strings from the floor above. On returning to the school room he called up R- L-, a nice boy, who was never engaged in any mischief, and asked him if he knew of any one who made the noise. He said that he did and gave the boy's name [this boy was the 'bright boy' of California]. The teacher questioned this boy and he acknowledged that he was one of those who made the noise. The teacher then asked him if he knew of others that had helped to make the disturbance. He told him that half of the school had, and he mentioned a few names- they afterwards became prominent citizens in Springfield, Mass., and the city of New York. They were asked about it, and though their answers seemed to be satisfactory to the teacher, they were not honorable to the boys. I was dismissed, which caused a row and a meeting of the school committee the next day, who after an investigation decided to let me go back, but the teacher said if I did he would leave. The result was that I was dismissed for the balance of the term for telling the truth and the other boys retained their seats by - I amused myself at the old brick school house in the rear of the old Town Hall, with Master Kirkham (William) for a few weeks and then went back, the teacher aforesaid at the old High School having retired.
" When Mr. Vaille took the school he came in the first morning with a handful of switches and commenced using them the first day, and if my memory is correct a promi- nent merchant of your town, now deceased, got the first dose."
24
HISTORY OF THE
One of the pupils (though " Bliss"-ful the reading of these pages may add to his joys) writes from the " City of Churches by the Sea " :-
" The town was divided into the 'Hill' and the ' Street' interest. The result was a vote diminishing the appropriation, which brought about the resignation of Mr. Story Hebard. The salary which he formerly had was cut down and he resigned. The attachment of the pupils to him was so very strong that the boys rebelled against the teacher that was hired in his place. They took advantage of the teacher's ignorance of the names and when the roll was called answered to wrong names or did not answer at all, and when his back was turned some of them crept out on their hands and knees, and every device was practiced to embarrass him. The monitors who were appointed and sat on the platform with the teacher, to mark any delinquent and report the same, did not do so, as they were rebellious. When Mr. Simeon H. Calhoun became the teacher, he was wise enough to have one of the committee who knew the names of most of the scholars present when the roll was called at the commencement and close of the school, so that the boys who had run out of school were caught. After a few days in which he let the boys have their own way, he said, 'Boys, you have ruled long enough, and now it is my turn.' And with a determined and severe treatment he brought the school into subjection. The revolt was uni- versal, it had no leaders. The committee suspended three of the pupils, which was unjust, and they were received back by Mr. Calhoun. The school became harmonious and united ; he was loved and obeyed, and during his adminis- tration there was a revival of religion in progress."
One of the genial scholars residing in the Rocky Mount- ain region writes : " While I cannot recall any particular pieces the boys used to speak on Saturdays, I feel my ribs rising at the comic and amusing speeches which at that long time ago set them in motion. Brevity with some was closely studied, wit and comic would be mingled with
25
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
words and looks. The stage scare in others was amusing to those who had passed the ordeal, while a few whose budding ambitions looked forward to the thrones of power, or senatorial honors, or a residence in the White House, assumed a dignity unsurpassed. The studious Ames Wells, the genial spirited Horace Lee, the sunny Henry Chapin, the well poised John Pynchon, and many others most kind and friendly, troop before me as I write."
One of the scholars now residing in Western New York writes: "Simeon H. Calhoun is remembered with affec- tionate respect, a man of equable temper, not harsh though constitutionally Puritanic, not letting down to levels of boyish relaxation but holding to the dignity of his office, a sample of the best old-time school-masters. As I remember, he showed no difficulty in teaching morals, leaving unsaid all religious dogmatism ; and in this teaching his influence compared with that of others must have been decided, but how could one man do much (anything) with such a hetero- geneous crowd as we were? Besides the differences as great as could well have been sixty years ago in a New England town, we had fellows all the way from flounderers in the three R's, to such fittings for college as those times called for."
There were two factions among the boys, and consider- able rivalry existed between them as to which side should win in the ball games or in an engagement in the trial of tour de force.
Those boys living on the "Hill" were known as the " Hillers," and those on Main street were called "Street- ers." The former were environed by the presence of Uncle Sam's gleaming guns, whose shot (fired by the war-worn veterans of the Revolution) went and left their mark on the " Wait Mon-u-ment,"and dispersed the misguided men of Daniel Shays, so that this event in their youthful minds raised their spirits as they were inclined. While the latter lived mostly in the foggy atmosphere of "Hasseky Marsh," which did not promote a spirit of aggressive valor, though many of them were obliged to pass daily by the "old
26
HISTORY OF THE
Pynchon Fort," whose walls had defied King Philip's warriors,-taught an object lesson that inspired them with ardor in contest with their opponents.
The " Water-shop " boys were true and steady,
While the "South-end " boys were always ready. The "North-end " boys were prompt to action And had desires to break the factions.
The boys from the neighboring towns Who kept aloof with air profound
And did not join the friendly fray, Stood aghast,-and went their way.
The neutral ground was the place Where they sometimes met, face-to-face.
The games of base ball, wicket, and foot ball were held on the "old goal" lot, now the " High School lot," State street, the " Oliver B. Morris lot," now Temple street, the "Jonathan Dwight lot," now West State street, the "Col. John Worthington lot," now West Worthington street, and the " Col. Israel Trask lot," now occupied by residences on the east side of Elliott street.
Edmund Dwight, a native of this town and an eminent Boston merchant, was the donor of several silver medals, which were given out to the most proficient scholars at the public exhibitions held in the old Town Hall on State street. Among the donees were John B. Stebbins, whose medal bears this inscription :-
ADJUDGED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AS A REWARD OF MERIT TO JOHN B. STEBBINS.
Obverse :---
SPRINGFIELD
HIGH SCHOOL.
With the representation of two quill pens and open book. No date given.
27
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
Another medal was received by Morgan Appleton, the father of Julius H. Appleton, president of the Riverside Paper Co., Holyoke, Mass. Inscription :-
ADJUDGED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AS A REWARD OF MERIT TO M. APPLETON, 1831.
Obverse :-
SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.
With the representation of two quill pens and open book.
Marshall B. Blake, of New York, writes : " I have a relic of the school in the shape of a silver medal dated 1829, awarded me, I know not for what, at a public exhibition given by the school in the old State-street Town Hall."
Edwin E. Bliss, now missionary at Constantinople, Turkey, was a recipient of one of the medals.
The following roll of members of the old High School was found in the old Bowdoin & Carew store building on the " Hill " in 1865. It is supposed to have been left there by William Hyde, Esq., a lawyer who at that time had an office in the building, and was one of the School Committee in 1832 :-
28
QUARTERLY ABSTRACT
OF THE DAILY RETURNS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE QUARTER BEGINNING JANUARY 16, 1832, AND ENDING MARCH 31, 1832 .- S. H. Calhoun, Instructor.
This return is to be completed on the last day of the quarter, and delivered to the general committee as soon after as may be. The account of each scholar's proceedings as exhibited by the daily account will be transferred to this sheet in the total, and the column of proficiency is to be filled upon a general review of the progress of each scholar.
ABSENCES.
OTHER BRANCHES.
REMARKS.
NAMES.
WHEN ENTERED.
DAYS.
HALF DAYS.
GEO.
GR.
AR.
Hazen White,
4-4
6-6
John Bangs,
3-3
1-I
Absent by sickness.
John B. Stebbins,
13-13
5-5
James Goodman,
3-3
7-7
4-4
Tolerable.
J. Bryant Hatch,
I-I
I-I
I-I
I-I
12-12
Francis A. Bates,
3-3
7-7
I-I
George B. Blanchard,
I-I
4-4
15-15
Josiah B. Chapin,
John Ranney,
John A. Emery,
I-I
I-I
6-6
George Colton,
2-2
I-I
4-4
John Colton,
Not Good.
Richard Burt,
15-15
10-10
6-6
George Lloyd,
8-4
6-6
I-I
Edmund Bates,
I-I
7-5
1-0
James Wells,
Good. Tolerable.
Bradford K. Pierce,
II-II
2-2
Henry Bliss,
9-8
12-13
19-19
Walter Bates,
2-2
6-6
I-I
Francis C. Bliss,
5-5
6-6
7-7
James D. Brewer,
2-2
5-5
II-II
Noah Walker,
I-I
I-I
Chapin Kingsbury,
I-I
I-I
James Hubbard,
I-I
6-6
I-I
Samuel O. Gay,
5-5
8-8
9-9
66
Horace Ferre,
6-6
10-10
Artemas Bigelow,
AGES.
TARDINESS. NO. OF TIMES.
PROFICIENCY.
YRS.
MOS.
Good.
Henry Morris,
Thomas Bliss,
Good.
Left March 24.
HISTORY OF THE
William Hatch,
66
Joseph Brown,
II-II
Tolerable.
Tolerable.
Good.
Left March 19.
Tolerable. Good.
‹‹
66
ABSENCES.
AGES.
NAMES.
WHEN ENTERED.
DAYS.
YRS.
MOS.
John Wait,
Lewis Stebbins,
3-3
1-I
Lester Sikes,
66
Edwin Rogers,
2-2
8-8
6-6
Henry Chapman,
I-I
I-I
I-I
Tolerable.
Chauncy Hubbard,
I-I
4-4
3-3
Jonathan Boylston,
I-I
3-3
2-2
Benjamin Richardson,
2-2
I-I
7-7
66
Jackson Stebbins,
I-I
6-6
Daniel Pomeroy,
I-I
8-8
Tolerable.
James G. Allen,
66
Henry Comstock,
I-I
Charles W. Chapin,
Good. 66
Roswell Chapin,
I-I
I-I
I-I
I-I
Not Good.
George Schipper,
I-I
2-2
Ephraim W. Bond,
I-I
3-3
Roswell Lombard,
I-I
R. W. Kirkham,
I-I
8-8
Joel D. Barber,
I-I
II-II
George Jones,
9-I
4-3
6-6
Haskell Goodman,
4-2
6-5
I~I
Daniel Pynchon,
8-2
3-2
Not Good.
Rodolphus Attleton,
9-7
10-10
5-5
Samuel Chapin,
I-O
3-2
7-7
Charles Childs,
12-7
4-3
Morgan Appleton,
3-3
2-2
2-2
Edwin E. Bliss,
I-I
8-8
3-3
I-I
4-4
I-I
66
R. Edward May,
4-4
3-3
8-8
William Harding,
3-3
7-7
12-12
66
I-I
I-I
Tolerable.
Oliver Sexton, H. Dexter Chapin, Samuel P. Lee,
4-4
3-3
I-I
46
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
Left March 17. Left March 27.
I-I
Good.
Tolerable.
Edwin Taylor,
Left March 15.
29
Left March 15.
George Osborn,
9-9
Dexter Wells,
Peter R. Potter,
Esek Sanders,
Charles W. Rice,
3-3
Left March 19; bad boy.
Tolerable. 66
Good. Not Good. 66
Tolerable.
I-I
Good.
George B. Morris,
Joseph C. Pynchon,
PROFICIENCY.
OTHER BRANCHES.
REMARKS.
GEO.
GR.
AR.
Good.
66
B. F. Warner,
Good.
HALF DAYS.
TARDINESS. NO. OF TIMES.
30
HISTORY OF THE
The following invitation to the " old boys " was duly honored and respected :-
Dear Sir: Many of the graduates and former members of the old High School in Springfield are desirous of gathering together in a social union all who were connected with the school at any time from its organization in 1828 to its discontinuance in 1840-that among the scenes of their boyhood they may renew early friendships, recall pleas- ant memories of their Alma Mater, and " Know again the happy visions of their youth."
The undersigned, having been appointed a committee to make arrangements for the meeting, extend to you a most cordial invitation to participate in the festivities of the occasion, and hope that for " Auld lang syne " you will not fail of being present. The day named for the gathering is Thursday, the 21st of August.
An early reply is requested, addressed to the Secretary of the Committee.
*JAMES D. BREWER,
JAMES B. HATCH,
JUSTIN BENTON, ABIJAH W. CHAPIN,
ALFRED BOOTH,
JOHN KIMBERLY,
WALTER BATES,
*JOSEPH C. PYNCHON,
*GEORGE B. MORRIS,
*CHARLES O. CHAPIN,
*HORACE C. LEE, WARREN MILLS,
*SAMUEL BOWLES, JOHN B. STEBBINS,
EPHRAIM W. BOND,
BENJAMIN K. BLISS,
CHARLES W. CHAPIN,
*JAMES G. ALLEN,
*A. D. BRIGGS,
*HENRY R. VAILLE.
*LESTER SYKES,
SPRINGFIELD, July 3, 1856.
JAMES KIRKHAM, Secretary.
The following notice of the re-union appeared in the Springfield Republican of August 22, 1856 :-
THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL RE-UNION .- The gathering of scholars in the old High School on School street-from 1828 to 1840-and their dinner together at the Warriner House, on Thursday evening, formed a very interesting and to the participants a delightful episode in the history of the week. About one hundred responded to the call, full one-third coming from distant homes to be present. There was a considerable representation of the first scholars in the old school, including Thomas N. Dale of Paris, France, Messrs. Blake and Pot- ter of New York, Emery of Boston, Goodman of Hartford [now of
* Deceased.
DR. JOSEPH C. PYNCHON.
3I
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
Boston ], with James D. Brewer, Joseph C. Pynchon, John B. Stebbins, and others still residing in Springfield. Ephraim W. Bond of this city presided at the tables, and after the repast pertinently and elo- quently opened an agreeable round of speeches, to whose interest mem- ory gave many an interesting incident of old times, and the well-springs of local and personal affection many a pleasing and touching tribute. William B. Calhoun, as one of the fathers of the school, and the brother of its most renowned teacher, was present among the invited guests, and spoke with earnestness and interest to several practical points in the past and future of the educational history of Springfield. Mr. Parish, as principal of the present High School, and more as 29 years ago at the age of 18 teacher in the old district school house back of the Masonic Hall, and there the instructor and graduator of the first class that entered the old High School, was called up, and entertained his old and new friends with pleasant reminiscences and suggestions. There followed a pretty general relation of "experience" in the "old brick school," and the sitting was prolonged with pleasure to all to a late hour. L. V. H. Crosby, the celebrated vocalist, who was one of the old boys, was of the party, and entertained the company with a taste of his quality in the musical line. Altogether, it was a rare occasion for those who were of it, and full of pleasure to the mere spectators. Good must grow out of this meeting-good to those who have thus met-good we hope to the literary character and educational fame of Springfield.
The following are the names and brief biographies of 265 pupils that attended the old High School. Of these I IO have died, their ages aggregating 5,419 years, an aver- age of nearly 50 years.
JOSEPH C. PYNCHON .- Entered Amherst College in 1832 but left after two years to enter Williams College, and grad- uated in 1836. He then went to Georgia as teacher in an academy, returned to Springfield in the autumn of 1839. Studied medicine with the late Dr. Josiah H. Flint and Dr. David Smith, Sr. In 1840 he attended the Harvard Medical School, and in 1841-42 the Medical University of New York, graduating in 1843. He practiced medicine in this city for two and one-half years, and then retired from the profession. Was a representative in the Legislature in 1849; member of the common council in 1853 from Ward Two.
32
HISTORY OF THE
Member of the school committee three years. In 1852 was treasurer of the old Hampden Fire Insurance Co., and its president until the close of its affairs, made necessary by the heavy losses incurred by the fire in Portland, Me., in 1866. Was treasurer of the Five Cents Savings Bank in 1856, and its president until his death. He was senior member of the firm of Pynchon & Stickney, insurance agents. He died April 9, 1889, aged 74.
BRADFORD K. PIERCE, Newton, Mass .- Graduated at the Wesleyan University in 1841 ; entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was stationed at Wal- tham, Mass., in 1843, Newburyport, Mass., in 1844-45, and in Charlestown, Mass., 1847. Agent of the American Sun- day School Union from 1845 to 1856. A member of the Massachusetts Senate in 1856. He was successful in establishing the State Industrial School at Lancaster in 1856, was the superintendent and chaplain until 1862. From 1863 until 1872 he served as chaplain of the House of Refuge on Randall's Island, N. Y. He was the editor of Zion's Herald from 1872 to 1888, and trustee of Wellesley College from 1876 to 1889. He died April 19, 1889, aged 77 years.
CALEB HOPKINS .- Learned the joiner's trade. He built the first house in Plainfield (now Brightwood) for Lucius M. Carew. In 1835 he went to Manchester, Conn. In 1837 he removed to Ellington, Conn., where he now resides. Was a builder and contractor for a number of years. In 1858 he was elected probate judge, and re-elected for twelve consecutive years. In 1875, upon the opening of the Con- necticut Central Railroad, was station agent for five years.
CHARLES EMERY. - Born in Springfield, Mass., in 1816, and attended the old High School on School street, from its opening, in 1828, until 1831, when he left to follow the sea, after the example of his father and grandfather. His first voyage was made as a boy on the ship "Eclipse," from Salem to Manilla and Canton. He sailed on his 15th
CAPT. CHARLES EMERY.
34
HISTORY OF THE
before. He made another voyage to Para, and thence went to Manaos, 1000 miles further up the Amazon, for the purpose of establishing a branch for a rubber-house of Boston in the heart of the rubber country. After remaining there more than two years he returned home in June, 1882, and has since lived quietly with his family in Dorchester, whither he moved from Springfield in 1843.
For two or three years past Capt. Emery had been pres- ident of the Boston Marine Society, composed almost entirely of old ship-masters, to which he devoted much time and attention, and in which he was associated with his old friend, Capt. Robert Forbes, who died recently in Boston. Capt. Emery's rugged, strong, kindly face will be sadly missed by his many friends here and in Boston. He was a typical sea captain of the old merchant service, that fast vanishing class of fine old men, who delight in recalling the memories of the old days when they sailed the high seas, before steam had supplanted the slow sailing ships.
Captain Emery leaves a wife, who came from Exeter, N. H., two sons, clergymen in the Episcopal church, and six daughters. He died at his home, Dorchester, Mass., Jan- uary 3, 1890, at the age of 73.
ARTEMAS BIGELOW .- In 1838 botanized in Alabama ; 1839 visited Texas. In 1839-41 botanized and geologized in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Vir -· ginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. In 1842-43 studied law. In 1844-49 engaged in farming. In 1849-52 botanized and geologized in Alabama. In 1852-56 teacher of natural sciences, Wesleyan Seminary, Newark, N. J. In 1858 super- intendent of Passaic Chemical Works, N. J. In 1862 erected chemical works on the Hudson, near Fort Lee. In 1869 taught in Farrand's Collegiate School. Erected for Balti- more Copper Company works for the manufacture of sul- phuric acid. Teacher of Latin and Greek in Harrison's Polytechnic School, New York city. In 1881 manufacturer of chemicals, Newark, N. J.
35
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
THOMAS N. DALE .- Went on a whaling voyage ; was absent three years. On his return he engaged in the busi- ness of selling buttons and tailors' supplies. Soon became the leading tailors' trimming house in the United States. As an importer he went to Paris, France, and having an elegant mansion there he dispensed a princely hospitality, especially to Americans. He owned a residence in New York, and a handsome villa in Newport, R. I. In 1855 he engaged in the manufacture of silk braids and bindings at Newark, N. J. In 1862 he removed his manufactory to Paterson, N. J. He built the " Dale mill" at a cost of $185,000. He was a member of the board of trade, and the first vice-president of the Silk Association of America from 1876 to the time of his death. He was a member of the United States Centennial Commission for New Jersey. He was one of the pioneers in originating and devising plans for the introduction of technical instruction as necessary for the success of American industries in order to compete with those of the old world. Mr. Dale resided at the time of his death (July 17, 1879, at the age of 66) with his son, Thomas N. Dale, Jr. This affecting incident occurred at his death : "He left the dinner table and went to his study, taking a newspaper with him. A member of the family wanting it sent his little granddaughter, three years old, to get it. She not returning for some time, another one of the family entered the room and found the little girl play- ing with the listless hand. 'Grandpa's asleep,' she said, ' I can't wake him.'" Nor could any one arouse him from that death sleep, the result of a stroke of paralysis.
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