USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Acushnet > History of the Town of Acushnet, Bristol County, State of Massachusetts > Part 10
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SITUATION OF ACUSHNET The town of Acushnet is situated in the southeasterly section of Bristol county, about fifty-five miles south from Boston. Its only steam railway facilities are furnished by the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, which lies about a mile west of its western boundary. The land is generally even, and the soil in most parts well adapted to agricultural purposes. The underlying geological formation is feldspathic and granite. Most of the
Photo. by A. H. McCreary, Phila.
FAIRHAVEN ROAD In front of Franklyn Howland's premises.
land is high, well drained and admirably suited for residences. The highest point of land is Perry Hill, on the easterly side of the town, which, though but a mile from the river, is about one hundred and fifty feet above sea level. From this point there is a charming view of the sur- rounding country. This elevation has been selected as one of the stations of the U. S. Trigonometrical Survey. In the valley to the westward is the beautiful Acushnet river, which flows southerly into New Bedford harbor at the head of Buzzards Bay.
Acushnet possessed a charming scenic location, and it does now, as all residents and those who have observed its delightful situation and sur- roundings well know. Particularly attractive is the southerly section of the town that lies on the east slope of Acushnet valley.
The unobstructed views from Fairhaven road, which lies parallel with the river, on the rise of land, are delightful. Across the beautiful stream the city of New Bedford has a frontage of six miles along its shore, and as it stands on a high slope of land the perspective is admira-
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ble. Especially brilliant and fascinating is the display when the cotton mills, which extend almost connectedly along one half of this shore line, are lighted for evening work. And doubly beautiful is this illumination when just at nightfall these thousands of lighted windows are reflected from the mirrored surface of the river. If produced at great expense at some grand affair, this would be applauded as a gorgeous spectacle-and thus it is along the shore and on the bosom of lovely Acushnet river.
Another charming view of the Acushnet river and valley and the town east of them can be seen at the reservoir on Mt. Pleasant in New Bedford.
The outlook, extending from the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzards Bay at the southeast, thence along the valley of the Acushnet northerly over the country to the very high elevation at Perry Hill, is one of the finest panoramas of mingled landscape and waterscape that exists in Bristol County.
Regarding the lovely and picturesque scenery along the Acushnet river a critic wrote half a century ago that :
"Rivers of no greater merit than ours have been celebrated in history and song. Few are probably aware of the picturesque beauty which it affords. But such is the case. There are views upon our river which would attract the eye of the most fastidious lover of nature."
BUSINESS AT THE BEGINNING The new town was chiefly an agricultural tract and community, and as such possessed the advantage of close proximity to a fair market for its products in the growing city of New Bedford, although that town was then passing through a season of discouraging depression in the gradual failure of the whaling industry. In this it had been the foremost port in the world. On this business its life and success had almost solely depended. A com- plete change of productive industries became necessary, and attention was turned to cotton mills. The business was gradually transformed from the procuring of whale oil to the production of cotton fabrics-from a whaling city to a spindle city. To accomplish this required time and industry and money and courage, but by the remarkable enterprise and push and perseverance of its capitalists, business men and others then and later, the change became a success, and New Bedford has the great distinction of ranking first in the United States in the manufacture of fine goods and fine yarns. It ranks second in the number of spindles in its cotton manufactories. There were in operation in 1906, 2,000,530 spindles in the forty-seven mills with a total capital of $19,389,000, and employing 20,440 operatives. The famous Wamsutta mills are the largest of these corporations, having a capital of $3,000,000. The par value of all shares is $100. One of these mills is now selling for $400, another for $300, and
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several for over $200 per share. The population of the city is about 85,000, making it a good market for the milk and garden truck which are the chief products of the suburban towns.
Acushnet was financially handicapped in having no railroad or water shipping facilities within its boundaries, consequently there were but few industries and their combined revenue to the town was small. Besides, being separated from New Bedford by a river and not connected with it by rail, caused its real estate to be non-productive, except for agricultural
P
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH T. BROWNELL, "WOODLANDS."
purposes ; consequently the valuation for tax revenue was small, and its commercial and manufacturing enterprises have not thriven as they would have under more favorable conditions. Notwithstanding these obstacles, our little town has made a creditable showing in its corporate financial affairs, in the increase and successful management of private business enterprises, and the 'production of men and women who have attained commendable prominence in various pursuits of life, as will be shown on subsequent pages.
THE FIRST TOWN MEETING The petition for the first town meeting of the legal voters of Acushnet was signed by Edward G. Dillingham, Levi Wing, William R. Worth, George T. Russell, Sr., James Hammett, Charles H. Adams, Benjamin Wilson, David R. Pierce, Joseph R. Wing, Godfrey C. Macomber and Cyrus E.
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Clark. The meeting was held in the engine house, then and now standing on the north side of the highway in the village, nearly opposite the Methodist parsonage house, on the fourteenth day of March, 1860.
About every citizen of the youngest township in the Commonwealth was present to witness the first movement of its government machinery. Most everybody was jubilant over the victory the divisionists had won, and the leaders of the movement were especially happy. Jones Robinson was chosen moderator and Jabez Wood was elected town clerk, collector, and treasurer. The other important offices of the town were filled as follows : Selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor: Cyrus E. Clark, Benjamin Wilson and Benjamin White. School committee: Jabez Wood for 3 years, Rev. Philip Crandon for 2 years, and George P. Morse for 1 year. The first constable was Philip A. Bradford. Surveyor of lumber : Samuel B. Hamlin. Surveyor of land : Cyrus E. Clark. Fire wardens : George T. Russell, Sr .. and William R. Worth. Board of health: Gideon Nye and Lewis S. Pope. Committee on accounts: David R. Pierce, William Brownell, James D. Burt. It is an interesting coincidence that Fairhaven came into existence at the beginning of the 1812 war and Acushnet began its career near the outbreak of the Civil War.
As this petition calls for a separation "by the known line that sepa- rates Accushnett village from Apponegansett," it might have been thought not of importance that it should be carefully defined.
There were two petitions in aid of the foregoing :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives :
The Petition of us the Subscribers, inhabitants of Acushnet Velige in Dartmo, humbly Sheweth, that Whereas there has Ben a petition presented to your Honors praying yours Honors to Incor- porate Sd. Vilage into a Seperate Town, and as we have not had opertunity to Signe Sd. petition we take this method to Express our Desire that the Town of Dartino. may be Devided, and would pray yours to Sett off and Incorporate acushnet Vilage into a Separate Town.
James Cushman
Joseph Kersey
Jonathan Cushman
Josiah Drew Junr.
John Chadwick
William Hathaway
Amos Merrihew
Bailey Grinnell Mitchel Pope
Silvanus Hathaway
Jethro Allen 2d
Saml. Spooner
William Spooner
Moses Washburn
Caleb Spooner
George Weston
Ezra Chaffee Timothy Fogg
lettis Washburn
The following are the signatures on the other : Levi Jenne Nathaniel Hathaway Richard Hammond
Nutter Piper
Samuel Weston Levi Doane
its
hial
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Levin Stott Nathl. Pope Thaddeus Stetson
Samuel Annable
Benja. Blossom Benjamin Blossom, Jur.
Robert Hathaway
Elisha Copeland
Loring Taber
Joseph Bennt David Cushman
Joseph Hathaway
Joseph Blossom
Reuben Hathaway
Joseph White Saml. White
This petition was granted and the new town incorporated and named New Bedford, not South Bedford, as was first proposed. . It included all the territory of the old town east of the present west boundary of the new town. This was the first of the four offsprings of Old Dartmouth. The birthdays of the four offsprings are as follows:
New Bedford was incorporated by an act of the legislature dated Feb. 23, 1787. The territory included present New Bedford, Fairhaven and Acushnet.
Westport's date of incorporation was July 2, 1787. This left the present township of Dartmouth.
Fairhaven became a town Feb. 22, 1812. It included present Acushnet.
Acushnet was the last and smallest child. It came into independent existence Feb. 13, 1860, when Dartmouth, the mother town, was 196 years of age.
It is rather surprising that this is the only town that had the good fortune to be christened by the name of one of the three bands of Indians that formerly inhabited the lands of ancient Cushena. There were forty- three different ways of spelling this name in writing and print to choose from. The one selected was Acushnet.
TOWN OFFICERS
It will be of interest to know the names of all the inhabitants of the tract now included in this town who have served
as town officers. To do this it is necessary to begin at the incorporation of Dartmouth in 1664. All elected after 1859 were, of course, officers of the town of Acushnet.
TOWN CLERKS Acushnet furnished a town clerk for the original town of Dartmouth and one for Fairhaven before it was divided.
John Taber of Acushnet served in 1709-10, when Acushnet was part of Dartmouth.
Jabez Taber of Acushnet was town clerk in 1817-18-19, when Acushnet was part of Fairhaven.
The above were the only residents of Acushnet who served as town clerks from 1664 to 1860.
The following are the only town clerks New Bedford township had
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until it was divided in 1812. They are given here because they have not been found in print.
John Pickens from 1787 to 1792.
Lemuel Williams from 1792 to 1800.
John Proud from 1800 till 1815. These persons were residents of present New Bedford.
TOWN CLERKS, COLLECTORS AND TREASURERS At the organization of the town government of Acushnet one person was chosen to fill the three offices of town clerk, treasurer and collector. This practice has prevailed to the present time. The following persons have served the town in these positions. Dennis Mason stands at the head of the list in length of service-twelve years.
Jabez Wood, 1860-61-62-63-64-65.
Benjamin White, 1866-67-68-69-70.
George P. Morse, 1871. George F. Glasse, 1872.
George P. Morse. 1873-74-75-76-77-78-79-80-81.
Caleb Slade. 1882-83-84-85-86-87-88. Dennis Mason, 1889-90-91-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99-1900.
Alden White, 1901-02-03-04-05-06.
SELECTMEN Of the persons whose names are given below those previ- ous to 1860 may have held the office of selectman only, but subsequent to that date the selectmen were also assessors and over- seers of the poor.
Hathaway, Arthur, 1682-83-84.
Hathaway, Thomas, 1700-50-54.
Taber, Philip, 1701-02-16-19-20 21- 22-25-26.
Taber, Jonathan, 1743-46-47.
Mandell, Moses, 1744 and 1745.
Hathaway, Thomas, 1750-54.
Swift, Jireh, 1751-52-53-55-57-58. Hathaway, Jethro, 1756.
Spooner, Walter, 1759 to 1771 and Davis, Daniel, 1837-38. 1788 to 1796 inclusive.
Spooner, Aulden, 1778 to 1780,
1797 to 1803, 1807 to 1811 in- Eldridge, Martin L., 1857.
clusive.
Pope, Edward, 1782.
Cornish, Hannaniah, 1786.
Hathaway, Stephen, 1788 to 1792 inclusive.
Bennett, Joseph, 1789-99 and 1803. Taber, James. 1816-17-18-19-20-21- 22-23.
Whelden, Joseph, 1816-17-18-19-31- 32.
Taber, Jabez, 1829-30 .:
Nye, Gideon, 1833-39-40-41. Clark, Cyrus E., 1834-35-36-42-43- 46 to 51 inclusive, 1853-54.
Mendall, George, 1844 and 1852.
Mendell, Ellis, Jr., 1845 and 1850.
Hawes, John, 1857-08-09-60. Robinson, Abiel P., 1858-59.
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Just one dozen different men have been on the board of selectmen since the incorporation of this town-forty-seven years. The longest service was by Walter Spooner- twenty-two years.
Clark, Cyrus E., 1860-61-62-63-64-65.
Wilson, Benjamin, 1860-61-62-63. Died Aug. 8, 1897.
White, Benjamin, 1860-61-62-63-67-68-69-70-72-73-87-88.
Taber, Pardon, Jr., 1863 and each succeeding year until 1885. Died Nov. 22, 1884.
Spooner, Walter, 1863 and each succeeding year until 1887 excepting 1879. Died March 3, 1887.
Tuck, John, 1871.
Morse, Joshua, 1875-76-77-78.
Leonard, Ebenezer, 1878-79-80-81-82-83-84-85-86-87-88. Resigned on account of ill health.
Mendall, Noah F., 1885-86-87-88.
Douglass, Moses S., 1888 to 1906 inclusive. Declined to serve longer.
Leonard, Eben F., 1889 to 1906 inclusive ..
Taber, Henry F., 1889 to 1906 inclusive.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE The figures after the names indicate the number of years the person was elected for.
1860. Jabez Wood, 3. Philip Crandon, 2.
George P. Morse, 1. 1861. William Spooner, 2.
1870.
Leonard Keene, 3. Jonathan Taber, Jr., 2.
1871.
Ansel White, 3.
1872.
George F. Glasse, 3.
Marcus Ashley, 1. Walter Spooner, 2. 1862.' Marcus Ashley. 1863.
1873. Burrage Y. Warner, 3.
George P. Morse, 2.
Jabez Wood.
1864.
1874. Edward R. Ashley, 3. 1875.
Amos R. Haswell, 3. George T. Russell, Jr., 1. 1865.
George P. Morse, 3. 1876.
Burrage Y. Warner, 3. 1877.
Charles L. Russell, 3.
1878.
George P. Morse, 3. 1879.
George T. Russell, Jr., 2. Burrage Y. Warner, 1. 1880.
Thomas E. Braley, 3. ,
1881.
Caleb Slade, 3,
George P. Morse. 1866.
Richard Davis, 3. Frederic W. Wing, 1. 1867. Frederic W. Wing, 3. 1868.
Walter A. Davis, 3. Augustus White, 2. Charles L. Russell, 1. 1869. Charles L. Russell, 3.
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1882.
Perez S. Doty, 3. 1883.
Thomas E. Braley, 3. 1884. Caleb Slade, 3.
1885. Frank T. Howland, 3. 1886.
Edward W. Ashley, 3. 1887.
Caleb Slade, 3. 1888.
Augustus White, 3. 1889.
Edward W. Ashley, 3. 1890.
Charles M. Morse, Jr., 3. 1891.
Charles M. Morse, Jr., 3. 1891.
Daniel T. Devoll, 2. 1892.
George J. Parker, 3. 1893.
Daniel T. Devoll, 3.
1894.
Charles M. Morse, Jr., 3. 1895.
George A. Macomber, 3. 1896.
Thomas Hersom, Jr., 3. 1897.
Ida F. Leonard, 3.
1898.
William C. Ashley, 3. 1899.
Thomas Hersom, Jr., 3. 1900. Thomas J. Robinson, 3. 1901. William C. Ashley, 3.
1902.
Edward W. Ashley, 3. 1903.
Thomas J. Robinson, 3.
1904.
William C. Ashley, 3.
1905.
Emery E. Cushman.
1906. Albert S. Jenney.
Ida F. Leonard has the distinction of being the only woman who has served on the school committee of the town.
SURVEYORS OF The persons whose duty it was to construct and repair HIGHWAYS
highways of the town were called surveyors of high- ways till 1900, since which time they have been known as road commissioners.
1860.
Burt, Joseph D .; Hall, Gardner; Taber, Jonathan; Thornton, Chester. 1861.
Burt, Joseph D. ; Hammett, James ; Morse, Edward; Omey, Joseph C .; Potter, Thomas Jr.
1862-63.
Hammett, James; Morse, Edward.
1864.
Morse, Edward; Omey, Joseph C. 1865-66.
Morse, Edward; Spooner, William A. 1867.
Morse, Edward; Wing, Levi.
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1868.
Blackmer, Seth M .; Jennings, Latham T.
1869-70.
Morse, Joshua; Spooner, William A.
1871.
Allen, James R .; Dillingham, Edward G .; Hall, Gardner; Morse, Albert S .; Morse, Charles M .; Morse, George P ..
1872.
Dillingham, Edward G .; Jennings, Latham T .; Morse, Albert S., Morse, Charles M .; Morse, Joshua. 1873.
Dillingham, Edward G .; Morse, Albert S .; Morse, George P. 1874.
Morse, George P .; Sherman, James R .; Wing, Andrew J .; Wing, Samuel.
1875.
Braley, Bradford ; Nye, George W .; Wing, Andrew J .; Wing, Samuel. 1876.
Mendall, Noah; Warner, Burrage Y .; Wilson, Benjamin; Wing, Andrew J.
1877.
Brightman, Asa M .; Warner, Burrage Y .; Wing, Andrew J .; Wing, Samuel ; Wilson, Benjamin.
1878-79.
Mendall, Noah; Warner, Burrage Y .; Wing, Andrew J .; Wing, Samuel ; Wilson, Benjamin.
1880.
Morse, Charles M .; Warner, Burrage Y .; Wing, Andrew J .; Wing, Samuel ; Wilson, Benjamin.
1881.,
Cory, Samuel; Morse, Charles M .; Warner, Burrage Y .; Wilson, Benjamin ; Wing, Andrew J.
1882.
Benjamin Wilson, Samuel Cory, Jr., Burrage Y. Warner, Andrew J. Wing, Alexander Albro.
1883.
Benjamin Wilson, Samuel Cory, Jr., Burrage Y. Warner, Andrew J. Wing.
1884.
Benjamin Wilson, Andrew J. Wing, Moses S. Douglass, Augustus White, William II. Drake.
1885.
Benjamin Wilson, Andrew J. Wing, Noah F. Mendall, William H. Drake.
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1886.
Benjamin Wilson, Andrew J. Wing, Noah F. Mendall, Asa M. Brightman.
1887.
Benjamin Wilson.
1888.
Benjamin Wilson, Latham T. Jennings.
1889.
Gustavus L. Bennett, appointed by the selectmen. In 1890 the town voted to have three road commissioners, one of whom should be elected each year for a term of three years.
1890.
Charles M. Morse, 1 year; George A. Fuller, 2 years; James C. Gammons, 3 years.
1891.
Noah F. Mendall, 3 years.
1892.
George A. Fuller, 3 years.
1893.
James C. Gammons, 3 years. 1894.
William G. Taber, 3. years. 1895.
George A. Fuller, 3 years.
1896.
James C. Gammons, 3 years. 1897.
William G. Taber, 3 years. 1898.
The town voted to put the roads under the superintendence of a single road commissioner which plan has been in operation to the present time. James C. Gammons served in this capacity in 1898-9. 1900-1-2-3. George S. Crocker in 1904-5. James H. Cobb. 190€
CONSTABLES Our little town has had constables enough to keep order which they have succeeded well in doing.
1860.
Philip A. Bradford; Zacheus H. Wright.
1861.
Zacheus H. Wright; Reuben Mason. 1862-63-64.
Reuben Mason ; Philip A. Bradford.
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1865.
Philip A. Bradford; Benjamin Wilson.
1866.
Philip A. Bradford; John M. Hammett. 1867.
Orin S. York ; John M. Hammett.
1868.
James Warren ; Latham T. Jennings.
1869-70-71-72-73.
James Warren and Loring Potter.
1874.
Thomas Hersom, Sr.
1875.
Thomas Hersom, Sr .; Andrew J. Wing. 1876.
Sylvester Pratt; Philip A. Bradford; James Warren.
1877.
Sylvester Pratt; Philip A. Bradford; Moses S. Douglass. 1878.
Phillip A. Bradford; Alexander O. Pierce; William M. Holmes ; Stephen White.
1879.
Sylvester Pratt; Philip A. Bradford; Alexander O. Pierce; Stephen White.
1880.
Sylvester Pratt; Philip A. Bradford; Alexander O. Pierce; Stephen White.
1881.
Philip A. Bradford; Alexander O. Pierce; Gustavus L. Bennett; Eli W. Pierce.
1882.
Philip A. Bradford; Sylvester Pratt; Eli W. Pierce; Alexander O. Pierce.
1883.
Philip A. Bradford; Sylvester Pratt; Eli W. Pierce; Enoch Bennett. 1884.
Philip A. Bradford; Sylvester Pratt; Enoch Bennett; Eli W. Pierce. 1885.
Sylvester Pratt; Eli W. Pierce; Walter Taber. 1886.
Sylvester Pratt; Walter Taber; Joseph A. Burt.
1887.
Sylvester Pratt; Walter Taber; Joseph Burt.
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1888.
Sylvester Pratt ; Charles L. Devoll. 1889.
Sylvester Pratt ; George A. Fuller. 1890-91 .
Sylvester Pratt; Abram L. Dillingham.
1892-93.
Sylvester Pratt; George A. Parker. 1893-94.
Philip A. Bradford; Sylvester Pratt. 1894-95.
Sylvester Pratt; Henry F. Taber; Charles F. Edwards. 1895-96-97-98-99-1900.
Sylvester Pratt; Charles F. Allen.
1901-02-03-04.
Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle. 1903.
Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle; Frederick J. Braley.
1904.
Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle; Frederick J. Braley. 1905.
Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle; Henry A. Jackson. 1906.
Sylvester Pratt ; Charles P. Cottle; George F. Parker.
BOARD OF HEALTH A board of health was chosen at the first town meeting consisting of Gideon Nye and Lewis S. Pope. Since that date there have served on this board Benjamin T. Wilbur, Richard Davis, Benjamin White, Walter R. Spooner, Charles M. Morse, Jr., Joseph T. Brownell, Sylvester Pratt, Joseph R. Davis, George J. Parker, Edward R. Ashley, Fred. H. Robinson, M. D., Edward W. Ashley, Noah F. Mendall, John R. Thompson, Henry Bartlett, Emery E. Cushman, Frederick O. Tripp.
AUDITORS At the first town meeting of Acushnet William Brownell,
David R. Pierce and James Burt were chosen to audit the accounts of the town for the ensuing year. Since that date the following persons have served in that capacity : Jones Robinson, Richard Davis, Abial P. Robinson, Benjamin White, Walter R. Spooner, Benjamin T. Wilbur, Edward W. Ashley, Daniel T. Devoll. Joseph T. Brownell was elected in 1891 and is the only person who has been auditor since that date.
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)
PRIVATE SCHOOLS Several private boarding and day schools were maintained within the limits of this town between the year 1825 and 1850. Those who desired a better education than the town provided could obtain it in these schools which were better equipped for the work. Sketches of four of these are given below.
UNION SEMINARY An extensive educational enterprise was developed on Fairhaven road. In 1844 Gideon Nye and Jireh Swift, doing business at Swift's corner, now the Post Office building. together with John R. and Obediah Davis entered into a combination to erect a building to be used exclusively for educational purposes, for boarding and day pupils. Land for this purpose was purchased that year of Francis D. Williams. The lot contained fourteen acres and was located on the east side of Fairhaven road about half a mile north of the present south line of the town. The premises are now owned by the writer. The plan of the building was a two story structure, the width 22 feet and the entire length about 60 feet. A section of this contained a reception and other rooms and a tenement for the principal. A part of the building stood on the spot of the present dwelling. From the north- east corner of this section an ell extended to the northward which was used for recitation rooms and a dormitory for students. The institution was named "Union Seminary." The building contractors were Messrs. Wilber & Bradford, who commenced the work of construction in the spring of 1844. From the cash book containing entries in relation to building and furnishings, now in possession of the heirs of John R. Davis, Jr., it appears that some of the furniture for the school was pur- chased in October, 1844. There is no evidence, however, in this or other record' books of the seminary, that it was open for pupils till the autumn term of the following year. Persons who were students there in 1846 assure me that Alonzo Tripp was the first and only principal the seminary ever had, and the first payment of salary to him, entered on the books, was made in August, 1845, and no payment to teachers was made previous to that date. A piano was brought to the seminary in June. 1845. These very conclusively fix the date of the opening of the school. The reason for this long delay is nowhere explained. But when the educational work began it is said the equipment for its prosecu- tion was fine.
Alonzo Tripp was born in Harwich, Mass., March 14, 1818, son of Captain Samuel and Betsey (Walker) Tripp. His early education was limited to the public and private schools of his native town. He became a sailor and had passed through the grades of service from cabin boy to commander before he was twenty years of age, all this time a diligent student of books. He gave up the sea and then became a student at Philips Academy, Andover. Later he taught school at South Dennis and
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then had charge of the South Yarmouth Academy, which position he resigned to assume the principalship of Union Seminary at the age of 27 years. Here he was ably assisted by his efficient young wife, who was Abbie, daughter of Captain David Baker of Dennis, Mass. Mr. Tripp's salary the first year was $500, and it was subsequently raised to $700 per annum.
The following persons are recorded as teachers at the Seminary : Sabina Robbins, Aurelia Head, Climena Wakefield, Mary H. Munsell, Priscilla Alden, Maria A. Baker, Miss Payson, Mary Livermore, Mr. S. H. Peterson and Mr. J. G. S. Hitchcock. Miss Payson was a daughter of Dr. William Payson at Parting Ways. Miss Baker, who was a blind sister of Principal Tripp's wife, and Miss Alden, taught music. Miss Wakefield had charge of the girls' department. The average pay of the teachers was $150 per annum and board. Most of the students were from southeastern Massachusetts. Among them were the following persons: Akin, Lucy; Albert, Abby; Allen, Gideon.
Barker, F. A .; Barker, Robert T .; Bates, Deborah; Bennett, Robert.
Clark, A. C .; Clark, E. F .; Coggeshall, Frederick ; Comstock, Joseph ; Cook, Gilbert M. S .; Cook, Maria; Cox, Arthur; Cox, Lizzie P .; Cox, William ; Crane, Frederick ; Cranston, Mary.
Gibbs, Clara ; Gibbs, Lucy ; Gifford, G .; Godfrey, Mary.
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