USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Ashfield > History of the town of Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts from its settlement in 1742 to 1910 > Part 17
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Desirous that there should be in Ashfield a permanent memorial of my dear husband, of such character as to promote the best interests of the community, and to connect his name
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
with its permanent life, I propose to present you in trust, the sum of seventy-five hundred dollars, for the following objects: I wish with this sum a memorial building, to be called the 'Field Memorial Hall' of the Sanderson Academy, should be erected under your charge, suitably designed and arranged to afford proper accommodations to the Academy for the library, for the existing museum and such other collections as may be added to it, and for such other cognate objects as it may seem wise for you to provide for. I trust that arrangements may be made by which the Library shall be free to all who may wish to make use of it, and shall be open whenever in your judgment it can be of service. My husband had very much at heart Free Libraries. I purpose at some future time to add to the Library the bulk of the collection of books belonging to my husband and myself, a large collection of photographs, many interesting oil paintings and our collection of bronzes.
The trustees took action in the matter at once, and after thorough consideration as to the site of the new building, de- cided to locate it upon the three acre lot which had already been given by Mr. Field. The new location would not perhaps be as convenient, but would have the advantage of ample and pleasant playgrounds for the pupils, at such a distance from the street and dwellings as would not be a disturbance to the citizens. The building was designed by Howard Walker, a Boston archi- tect, and the plan approved by the trustees. On advertising for bids, it was found that no contractor was willing to complete the building for the sum given. It was then proposed to leave out the gymnasium building and shed, but Mrs. Field was un- willing that this should be done, and advanced $1,500 more, making $9,000 in all for the buildings. The contract was then awarded to Mr. H. Worden of Hoosac Falls, the lowest bidder, and satisfactorily completed by him in the fall of 1888. Mrs. Field gave other sums towards enlarging the grounds, furnishing the building, etc., which raised the total amount to more than $10,000.
The building was formally dedicated July 24, 1889. A. D. Flower, Esq., presided on the occasion, Frederick G. Howes read an historical sketch of the Academy and Mr. Curtis gave an address.
201
THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY
In September of that year the school was opened in the new building.
Mrs. Field was not satisfied to have the institution remain as an Academy, partly supported by tuition paid by the pupils. She desired to make it free to all the children of the town of a suitable grade. In order to do this she proposed to pay over to the Academy annually for two years the sum of $500 provided the town would raise a like sum and make the school free, after- wards she would place on trust a sum, the income of which would equal that amount. Besides the sums received from the fairs and dinners, there came frequent gifts from the Norton and Curtis families, from "Friends, " from Mrs. Field and from natives and citizens of the town. Mrs. Field deeded her Cross Hill Cottage place to the trustees which was afterwards sold to Mr. Farragut and Mrs. Curtis for $7,500.
In 1903, Alvan Sanderson, a nephew of Rev. Alvan Sanderson, the founder, died and left the Academy by will about $5,000. It was the earnest wish and effort of Mr. Norton to add every cent that could be spared above the annual expenses, to the permanent fund. This fund now amounts to about $23,000, and is cared for by the "Trustees of the Sanderson Academy School Fund," consisting at present of Messrs. Church, Boice and Urquhart.
Since the opening of the school in 1879 for three terms in a year, in the old Academy, the teachers were as follows: C. A. Fisk, 1879-84; Wm. S. Cooper, 1884-85; Stephen Ryder, Carl M. Scott, Charles H. Clark, 1885-86; Phebe P. Hall, 1886-88; Bertha Chase, 1888-89; Martha E. Hersey, 1889- 96; Orren Henry Smith, 1896-1900; F. C. Hosmer, 1900- 02; Morton A. Sturtevant, 1902-05; Walter H. Fletcher, 1905-06; Burton W. Sanderson, 1906-07; Nahum Leonard, 1907-10. The assistants were Carrie I. Doane, 1889-92; Lucy E. Keith, 1892-93; Louise Dickinson, 1893-94; Nancy K. Hubbard, 1895-96; Nellie A. Smith, 1896-97; Amelia S. Ford, 1897-1911; Julia A. Kelley, 1904-05; Amelia C. Boy- tano, 1907-09; Bertha Nead, 1907-08; Faye C. Dame, 1908- 09; Olive H. Hubbard, 1909-10.
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
We have no accurate record of the number of pupils previous to 1889. Since that time the yearly attendance has been as follows:
Year
No. Pupils
No. Grads.
Year
No. Pupils
No. Grads.
1889
48
0
1900
38
6
1890
48
0
1901
31
7
1891
40
3
1902
30
3
1892
40
11
1903
32
0
1893
37
8
1904
35
14
1894
37
3
1905
30
7
1895
37
16
1906
27
1
1896
39
6
1907
54
7
1897
40
9
1908
55
5
1898
41
6
1909
58
7
1899
30
5
1910
69
5
1911
76
16
Mr. C. L. Judkins, the newly elected superintendent, in the winter of 1907, after thoroughly satisfying himself of the worth and advantages of the Academy and High School in this town, took pains to acquaint the surrounding towns with these ad- vantages, resulting in an increased attendance, as the list shows. Two years later he became satisfied that if the capacity of the building could be increased and certain improvements made, the number of pupils could be increased to eighty or a hundred. To obtain funds to do this he opened correspondence with all who were supposed to be interested in the Academy, with the result that nearly $6,000 was raised. Mr. M. M. Belding gave $2,000, the town voted $1,000, the trustees, $500, and about $2,500 was raised by Mr. Judkins in contributions from outside parties, ranging from $25 to $200.
The library was moved to the lower room of the town hall, so that the whole building could be utilized for the school, giving in the upper story an assembly room capable of seating cighty- five pupils, and a physical laboratory, while in the lower part are two recitation rooms and a chemical laboratory. Modern plumbing and steam heat were put in the building.
With all these changes, it ought not to be forgotten that the Fields were the greatest pecuniary benefactors of the Academy,
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THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY
having given in all over $20,000, and that the Academy was erected by Mrs. Field as a memorial building to her husband. The grounds should still bear the name of the "FIELD OF SAN- DERSON ACADEMY" and the upper assembly room should not lose the name of "FIELD MEMORIAL HALL OF SANDERSON ACADEMY."
The trustees who labored for years so faithfully in the in- terest of the Academy and who have now passed away must not be forgotten. Moses Cook, Rev. Lewis Greene, Chauncey Boice, Charles F. Goodwin, Alvan Hall, Charles Howes, and Henry S. Ranney were earnest workers in this institution. After the death of Mr. Ranney in 1899, the following testimonial was presented and read by Professor Norton at a meeting of the Directors and placed upon the records of the Board.
In the death of the late Henry S. Ranney, Sanderson Acad- emy has suffered as grave a personal loss as could befall it. For more than forty-five years a member of this Board, and for twenty-two years its President, Mr. Ranney gave to the Acad- emy the full benefit of those qualities of mind and character which made him one of the most useful and respected citizens of Ashfield. His sound judgment, his liberal disposition, his intimate acquaintance with the affairs of the town all combined to make his services to the Academy of special value, while his genial and kindly spirit, his ready friendliness and his even temper won for him the warm and affectionate regard and respect of his associates.
Desirous that an expression of their sense of his worth and of their own loss should appear upon their Records, the Trustees of Sanderson Academy adopt the foregoing words in place of any formal resolution, and desire the Secretary to enter them upon the Records.
LIBRARIES IN ASHFIELD
In 1815, an association called the Second Social Library was formed in town. Tradition says, and the name would imply that a library existed prior to this, but there are no records and no definite information regarding it, although there is some evi- dence it was in South Ashfield. The first meeting of the Second Social Library was called for by a petition signed by fourteen
204
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
persons. The preamble to the constitution reads as follows:
Being governed by motives of social as well as of private interest, and being sensible that no body of men whatever can unite together in a compact like this without certain rules and regulations whereby they are to be directed and governed, therefore, We, etc.
The first officers chosen were Ephraim Williams, moderator; William Bassett, clerk; Jonathan Lilly, Jr., collector; Capt. Roswell Ranney, treasurer; James McFarland, librarian, the books to be kept at his house. (Mr. McFarland lived where Otto Jacobson does.) Meetings of the members were to be held quarterly, when all the books were to be brought in and others drawn. The books were to be looked over, fines imposed and paid. Books could be drawn between the meetings at any time after returning the books drawn. At first, only one book could be drawn on a share, later, three. None of the officers received any salary. Even the librarian furnished rent, heat, light and services free until 1843, when the librarian was voted $2.00 a year for "taking care of the library." Of course, in the early years the number of books was small and could be easily moved, and the library migrated from one house to another as one after another of the prominent citizens would consent to have the care of it. After three years' sojourn with Captain Mc- Farland, the other librarians that followed were Horatio Bartlett, William Williams, John C. Baldwin, Dr. Atherton Clark, Dr. Jared Bement, Alvan Perry, Capt. Joseph Upton. From 1839 to 1843, L. C. Sanderson; 1843 to 1847, H. S. Ran- ney; 1847, back to L. C. Sanderson, where the library was kept in his shop for fourteen years with Mr. Sanderson for librarian.
The price of shares at the beginning was $3.00, and the annual tax, 50 cts.
Besides the librarians mentioned, some of the other principal supporters of the library were Capt. William Bassctt, Jonathan Lilly, Jr., Capt. Roswell Ranney, Col. Nehemiah Hathaway, Joseph Griswold, Capt. Thomas W. White, Rev. Dr. Thomas Shepard, George Bassett, Daniel Howes, Marcus T. Parker, Wait Bement, Esq., Thomas C. Sears.
205
THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY
The library seems to have been well conducted on business principles, and the by-laws were strictly enforced. The re- turned books were carefully examined, the fines rigidly and impartially imposed, and cheerfully and promptly paid by the patrons, who realized that the money would go for the good of the library to which they were always loyal. As specimens, we note a few of the fines recorded, which were evidently in the times of tallow candles.
Dr. Atherton Clark Greas 614 cts.
Charles Adams turning down a leaf 3 cts.
Capt. Bethuel Lilly damage . 9 cts.
Abner Rogers dirt, grease and tearing 39 cts.
Elijah Paine Esq., dirt 3
cts.
Capt. Justus Smith not returning 50
Capt. William Bassett dirt .
8
cts.
Daniel Forbes turning down two leaves ·
6 cts.
Abel Williams dirt in Cook's Voyages 10 cts.
Austin Lilly dirt in Boswell's Life of Johnson 3 cts.
Eli Eldredge Jr., dirt in Life of Washington 12
cts.
cts.
The fines were carefully and conscientiously graded from 3 to 50 cents.
Among the first hundred books bought were Hume's History of England, Bancroft's Life of Washington, Rollins' Ancient History, 8 Vols., Cowper's Poems, Irving's Works as published, Scott's Works, 6 Vols., Vattel's Law of Nations, Life of Frank- lin. Later, Dickens' Works as fast as published, were pur- chased, and care was taken to furnish only the better class of books. The library was well patronized and had a strong edu- cational influence. The Librarian's book, where the books were charged to different individuals, shows that a good class of reading was selected. Not a few men and women acquired a good general knowledge of history and English literature as well as of other subjects. Joseph Hall, uncle of Charles A. Hall, Principal of the Hartford High School for twenty-five years, also Principal emeritus until his death, once said, "That old library kept down in Sanderson's shoe shop did more for me than the Academy ever did." It is indeed a serious question
206
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
whether the little library of five hundred well selected volumes was not of more real valuc than our library of six thousand volumes, with the disposition and fierce demand for only the light and fleeting fiction of the day as reading.
After the election of R. H. Ranney as librarian and the re- moval of the books as before noted, the next entry is by Mr. H. S. Ranney, his son having enlisted and gone to war. It is as follows: "The time for the annual meeting, Sept. 2nd, 1862, passed without the meeting being held. (Note .- The lack of interest in the meeting may be attributed to the great attention to the war forced upon us by the slave holding Rebels.)" During the war the meetings were kept up with only a small attendance and little interest until November 28, 1866. Mr. Ranney as secretary has this entry:
The members, or owners of this Library purchased books and kept the business along until Nov. 28, 1866, when a meeting was held by common consent, and it was then Voted: to dispose of the books and property of this Library. The books were divided into ten piles-and then the choice in the piles of books-or bunches of books-was set up to the highest bidder, until all the lots were thus distributed among the owners. The whole number of books thus disposed of was over 450-and the number of owners of shares was ten. The fact of there having been a new Library just established in this town, called "The Ashfield Library Association" rendered it unnecessary and undesirable to con- tinue this organization longer in existence, therefore Voted: That this Library Association which has had an honorable and useful existence for over half a century, be now dissolved. This vote was passed unanimously.
A true record of said meeting,
Attest H. S. Ranney, Secretary.
Our new summer residents, Charles Eliot Norton and George William Curtis, had noted the decline of the old library, and November 9, 1866, partly through their influence a meeting was held which resulted in the formation of a new organization called the Ashfield Library Association. Rev. Lewis Greene was elected president, Rev. E. C. Ewing, secretary. Most of
₹
207
THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY
the members of the old library turned in their books, Messrs. Curtis and Norton gave quite a quantity of books and each gave a lecture for the benefit of the library, the proceeds amount- ing to $132. The shares were placed at $5 each, with an annual tax of $1. In less than six months, sixty shares were sold and the library placed on an excellent footing. A pleasant room was hired over Mr. Almon Bronson's store, (now Mr. Henry's) and Miss Miranda Smith appointed librarian at a salary of $25 a year. The library became a popular institution. Mr. Addison Graves by bequest in his will gave $100, Mr. George C. Good- win $50, for its support, and Mr. Alonzo Lilly $50 for the pur- pose of buying shares for those having large families who did not already have the privilege of the library, these families to be selected by Mr. George Bassett. In 1882, Mr. Lilly placed in the hands of three trustees, Mr. Charles Howes, Mr. Chaun- cey Boice, and Mr. Charles Lilly, the sum of $1,500, the annual income of which was to be used for the benefit of the library. In a letter to the trustees regarding the fund he says:
Feeling an interest in the disposition you may make of this money, I have been looking around for securities, but find none I like as well as the credit of the town of Ashfield. As the in- terest arising from this money to the town is returned to it again, or rather to its own Library, (in which every man, woman and child in Ashfield is so largely interested,) I will not doubt that the town will consent to receive this money as a loan, for an indefinite time, and to pay a just and generous rate of interest semi-annually for its use. The aid this interest will give, to- gether with the larger aid that the inhabitants of the town can give by becoming subscribers to it, will give a prosperity and perpetuity to the library, in which the town may justly take great pride.
In view of the fact that by the payment of a very small sum of money, every inhabitant of the town can become a stock- holder, entitling him to the reading of fifty or more volumes each year, (a library of itself), I cannot doubt that every in- habitant will feel it his duty and pleasure to become a patron. No town can afford to be without a library, and it should be a good one.
Truly yours,
Alonzo Lilly.
208
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
The town accepted the loan and for several years paid 6% per annum for the use of the money, thus giving $90 for the benefit of the library. In 1887, through an unwise policy, under the plea of economy, the rate was reduced to 4%, thus giving the library only $60. In 1881, there being a convenient room in the second story of the old Academy, it was proposed to remove the library to that place. There was some opposition, but it was carried by a vote of 26 to 11. At an adjourned meeting two weeks later; a vote to reconsider was lost by a vote (in person and by proxy) of 65 to 17, and the library was moved.
In 1887, the following letter was received from Mrs. John W. Field:
Cross Hill Cottage, July 27, 1887.
Mr. F. G. Howes,
Sec. and Treas. of the Library Association of Ashfield.
My Dear Sir :-
As Mr. Wadhams, President of the Library Association, is not in town, I address myself to the Association through you. In offering to the trustees of Sanderson Academy a sum of money, $7,500, to be expended for educational purposes to the advantage of our town of Ashfield and its vicinity, I had also a purpose expressed in full in my letter to them regarding the Library which I now state to you in greater detail.
I wish to provide a spacious room for your Library, where I now desire to place a large portrait of my husband of very great merit as a work of art, and in the winter to place there a large number of water colors, oil paintings, photographs, reclaiming them for the cottage in the summer time, and these will at my death belong to the Library Association, together with a large number of valuable and interesting books and some bronzes of beauty and interest, on the condition that the Library be con- stituted a free Library for the people of Ashfield.
My husband, to honor whose memory is my purpose in this proposal, was very much interested that libraries should be free.
The sympathy which has been shown me here leads me to hope that you will understand the force of my desire in making the above condition, and that you will gratify me by arranging to comply therewith.
Yours Respectfully and Truly,
Eliza W. Field.
209
THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY
At a special meeting of the Association held August 5, 1887, it was Voted: "That we tender to Mrs. Eliza W. Field our sincere thanks for the proposition contained in her letter to this Association, and that we appreciate not only her kindness to this institution, but also her generosity in wishing to make it free to all the inhabitants of the town. Voted: That it is the expression of this meeting that the Association should accept the proposition of Mrs. Field, with the condition that if at any future time there seems to be no adequate income for the proper support of the library, a sufficient sum may be charged for the use of books to prevent the decline of the library, and that the sum paid for the use of books be still continued until an equivalent sum from some other source takes its place. Voted: That Mrs. Field's letter be entered on the records of the Association, in connection with this vote."
At the annual meeting, October 5, of the same year, it was Voted: "That in order to further the carrying out of Mrs. Field's proposition, we hereby offer to rent the library to the town for the free use of all its inhabitants under the by-laws and regulations of the Association, for the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars per annum."
At a special meeting called June 7, 1889, the following letter was read:
To the Directors of the Ashfield Library Association.
Gentlemen :- In a letter bearing date of July 19, 1887, Mrs. John W. Field presented the Trustees of Sanderson Academy a certain sum of money for the purpose of building a new Acad- emy, with instructions to furnish a room in said Academy build- ing suitable for the use of the Library Association for the Library, provided the Library be made free to the citizens of the town. The building is now completed, and in it, on the second floor a room for your use free of charge on the above condition. Trusting it will meet with your approbation,
We are, very respectfully, Archibald D. Flower, for the Ex. Com.
It was then voted :
That we accept the above invitation and remove the library to the new Academy building, it being understood as a con- tinuation and carrying out the vote of the Association taken
210
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
Aug. 5, 1887, in response to Mrs. Field's proposition recorded on page 22. Voted: that the time and manner of moving the books be left with the directors.
From the records of the annual meeting the same year we quote:
Whereas the Library Room provided by Mrs. J. W. Field in the new Field Memorial Building of the Sanderson Academy and High School of Ashfield has now been occupied and applied to its intended use, the Ashfield Library Association at its annual meeting on the 2nd of Oct., 1889, Resolved, that not only for themselves but in behalf of the town at large they request Mrs. Field to accept this expression of their gratitude to her for her devoted interest in all that concerns the welfare of the town, and especially for her generosity and wise forethought in providing and furnishing with all its various appliances so convenient, commodious, and beautiful a library room for the free use of all the people of Ashfield.
With the exception of two years when absent, Mr. Curtis gave an annual lecture for the benefit of the Library, in all, twenty-three lectures, the results from which amounted to about $1,400. In the Secretary's book, under date of October 5, 1892, is the following entry:
We desire to place upon permanent record our recognition and grateful appreciation of the valuable services rendered this institution by the late George William Curtis. In connection with Prof. Norton he was instrumental in the formation of the library, and for twenty-five years he has been its constant benefactor and friend; not only helping us by his donations and eloquent annual lectures, but by the kindly interest he has shown in all plans for making the library a means of help and improvement to the people of Ashfield."
Professor Norton also gave valuable aid by donations of books and by lectures and readings.
President G. Stanley Hall has given nine lectures for the benefit of the Library.
Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Field, busts of Professor Norton and Mr. Curtis, also a portrait of Mr. Alonzo Lilly have been placed in the library room.
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THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY
In a letter acceding to the request of the directors for this portrait, written in the trembling hand of his ninetieth year, Mr. Lilly says, under date of November 13, 1889:
Your esteemed favor of 19th ult. at hand, requesting my portrait to be placed upon the walls of the Ashfield Library. I have always felt a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of my native town, and since I left it in 1820 at the age of twenty years, I have never failed visiting it but four times, at least once each year. As nothing could afford me more pleasure or be of more value to my friends and neighbors of my native town than a good Library, I availed myself of the opportunity to give at different times small aid. I feel a delicacy in complying with your request as others have so generously for a like and valuable purpose given many times in excess of the small aid given by me; but as you have requested my portrait I cannot refuse, leaving it to you to do with it as you may see fit.
Permit me to say to the good people of Ashfield, give your children all the benefits the Library and Academy can afford (better to them than gold), and with some legitimate object in view, and willing hands to work, their prosperity and success in life are assured.
Respectfully yours, Alonzo Lilly.
Rev. Lewis Greene was president of the Board from 1867 to 1884, Rev. J. Wadhams for three years, Dr. G. R. Fessenden from 1888 to 1900, J. M. Sears to 1909. Wait Bement, Esq., was secretary and treasurer from 1867 to 1881, Moses Cook from 1881 to 1885, F. G. Howes from 1885 to 1909. Mrs. Eliza A. Coleman was librarian after Miss Smith, from 1867 to 1884, Miss Julia A. Williams from 1884 to 1907, Mrs. Maude Dodge to 1909.
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