USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, 1736-1900, with genealogies > Part 21
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Your institutions for educational purposes consist of six school districts with as many school houses and schools all well endowed, where the pri- mary branches of education are well taught. In Powers Institute you have a high school in successful operation, with a fund for its support, and with a convenient, tasteful and eligible building, where your children can ac- quire the higher branches of education.
But in order to render your means of education and social progress com- plete, you need a public library; a want that has often been felt and ex- pressed by the people of your town. To supply that deficiency, I propose to give to the town of Bernardston the sum of one thousand dollars to es- tablish a free public library therein and one hundred dollars a year for ten years, (if I shall so long live) for its enlargement. Also the sum of five hundred dollars for the erection of a suitable fire proof library building.
220
GIFT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Provided, however, that the town shall at a legal meeting accept of such donations, with the following conditions, viz., Ist. That said library shall be forever free for the use of all the people of Bernardston, for the teach- ers and students of Powers Institute, and for those families who reside in the adjoining towns who are regular and paying members of any religious society in Bernardston.
2nd. That said library shall be controlled and managed by a board of trustees, consisting of the town clerk, school committee and selectmen, ex officio, of the town of Bernardston ; of all the resident clergymen and physicians of said town and of twelve other persons to be chosen by ballot at a legal meeting of the said town of Bernardston, and after the first elec- tion to be chosen at the annual town meeting in March, and to hold their offices for three years, one-third of said number to be elected annually, six of them shall be from the respective school districts, and three at large, and any person who shall give the sum of one hundred dollars for the en- largement of said library shall be an honorary trustee for life.
3rd. That the town of Bernardston shall authorize the selectmen to pay annually for the services of a competent librarian who shall be appointed by the board of trustees aforesaid; to pay for a full insurance against loss by fire of said library, library building, and the furniture therein, and to pay such a sum as the trustees shall deem sufficient for the repairs of the library building, and the books and furniture therein, so that the same shall be kept in a good condition.
4th. That no religious sect, political party, or any other combination of that kind, shall ever pervert said library to its own particular uses, the pro- motion of literature, art, science, religion and human happiness being the main objects of its foundation.
Hoping that the foregoing donation with the conditions annexed, may be acceptable to the people of Bernardston, and that the library thus estab- lished on the first Centennial Anniversary of the Incorporation of the town, . may prove of inestimable value to all the people for ages to come, is the devout prayer and ardent wish of your friend and servant,
HENRY W. CUSHMAN.
Bernardston, Aug. 20, 1862.
Amid the applause which followed the reading of this communi- cation, but one feeling and sentiment was expressed. Thankful- ness and appreciation of the magnitude of the gift, coupled with a just feeling of pride that in its author was a true son of the noble old town. Could anything have been more appropriate to com-
221
CLOSE OF CELEBRATION.
plete the festivities of the day than that such an institution as this was designed to be, and so handsomely endowed, should be pre- sented in such manner as not only to be a benefit to those of the present generation, but also to their children's children ?
There was a notable number of old people present, the oldest person present from Leyden was Mrs. Nancy, wife of Capt. Ezra Foster, ae. 81 years; Briggs Potter and Chester Hastings, over 70 each, also represented that town.
From Bernardston the following named persons over 70 years of age were present : Rufus Guellow, 90; Mrs. D. Hale, 87; Mrs. Lydia Goodale, 86; Letitia Field, 83; Lydia Mitchell, 86; Reuben Park, 81; Phoebe Merriam, 82; Widow Clark, 80; Mrs. Sanderson, Israel Bagg, 85; Mrs. Ormilla Marsh, 70; Marian Scott, 75; Phoebe Good- rich, 75; Anna Parmenter, 74; Mrs. Bradley, 75; Margaret Wells, 70; Tartia Dickinson, 77; Doct. John Brooks, 79; Joseph Slate, 73; James Butler, 72; Cyrus Briggs, 73; Jesse Field, 70; Z. C. Newcomb, 70; Horace Atherton, 71: Simon Edwards, 75; wife, 72; Simon Shel- don, 75; Ralph Cushman, 79; T. B. Hoyt, 76; Mrs. Lucinda Slate, 75; George Thompson, 75; Samuel Howe, 77; Levi Park, 76; Mrs. Eunice Slate, 79; Lurena Chapin, 76; Lovina Hale, 78; Triphena Pratt, 77; Caroline Root, Seorim Cushman and wife, Mrs. Jason Brown, Mrs. Thomas Snow, Alpha Ryther, over 70.
During the delivery of Mr. Cushman's address, just as he uttered the words, "might makes right," the platform upon which he was standing, and the president and several others sitting, went down with a crash. Fortunately no one was injured, and after a hearty laugh the speaker proceeded, and it is only safe to suppose that such incidents but added zest to the occasion.
The celebration surpassed the expectations of even the most san- guine, and not one in the large audience but felt the better for the revival of old associations and the renewal of old acquaintances, and as they separated, each to his or her own home, resuming once more the duties which led them in greatly diversified paths, they could but have felt that they were the better off for having once more revisited the home and recalled the old familiar scenes of their childhood days. Each could but exclaim, "It was good to have been there."
CHAPTER X.
CUSHMAN LIBRARY-SCHOOLS.
In the present age of progression, one of the important factors in education is the establishment and maintenance of a thoroughly good collection of volumes, not only from the current literature of the day, but also such from the pens of older writers as seem best adapted to the needs of those for whose benefit the library is de- signed. Especially is this true of a town which is in any degree an educational town. Among the first to recognize this truism in this place was Lieut. Gov. Cushman, and with characteristic disin- terestedness he determined that those with whom he was daily associated, those who had become so near and dear to him, should reap the benefits accruing from the establishment of such an insti- tution in their midst. A perusal of the preceeding chapter reveals the definite form assumed by his thought. Such a magnificent gift could but have deeply touched the hearts of the townspeople, especially as mature consideration must have shown not only how much it meant to them, but also to future generations.
On the sixth of September following the announcement of the gift, a town meeting was held. It was unanimously voted:
"That whereas a communication, proposing a gift of money for the pur- pose of establishing a free public Town Library, was presented to the in- habitants of Bernardston, by the Hon. Henry W. Cushman, on the occasion of the Centennial Celebration of the incorporation of the town, Aug. 20, 1862, therefore,
Voted, by the inhabitants of Bernardston, in town meeting assembled as follows, -
ist. That we accept the aforesaid valuable present of 'One thousand dollars to establish a Free Public Library in Bernardston, and one hundred dollars annually for ten years for its enlargement; and five hundred dollars for the erection of a suitable fire proof library building,' (making a total of twenty-five hundred dollars) with the conditions and provisions there-
223
CUSHMAN LIBRARY.
unto annexed; and we hereby engage faithfully and truly to abide by and carry out the same, according to the true intent and meaning of the gen- erous donor thereof.
2nd. That we hereby, for ourselves and our posterity, who are to be long benefited by this judicious liberality, tender our gratitude and thanks to the Hon. Henry W. Cushman for this munificent gift which does so much to render our 'means of education and social progress complete.'
3rd. That future generations may be reminded of the origin of an insti- tution from which they as well as ourselves will obtain so much that con- duces to true improvement and lasting happiness, we hereby direct that the library thus established, shall forever be called the ‘CUSHMAN LI- BRARY.'
4th. That the Hon. Henry W. Cushman be an honorary Trustee for life, of the Cushman Library.
5th. As we recognize the wisdom and sagacity of dispensing bounties like the present during the life time of the giver, we will endeavor so to conduct the management of the Library as shall conduce most effectually to the good to be derived from it by ourselves and our children, and most evince our constant gratitude to its donor.
6th. That a copy of the foregoing votes be presented by the Town Clerk to the Hon. Henry W. Cushman, and also furnished to the Greenfield Ga- zette and Courier for publication."
The building is of brick, 36 feet and eight inches long, and twenty-five feet wide, two stories in height, and in its design is well adapted for its purpose. The lower story is occupied by the library proper, a small reference or reading room, and a safe built into the walls near the entrance, furnishing a fire-proof reposi- tory for books and papers. Through the liberality of Hon. John Sanderson, the upper story was added and done off into a hall known as Sanderson Hall, and by his heirs presented to the town in April, 1900. This for several years was utilized for small gath- erings, and may be still so used, or as additional library room, as circumstances should require. The window caps and sills, also the pilaster capitals are of brown sandstone, while over the door, in letters of the same appears "Cushman Library." Others became actively interested in the enterprise so that upon the completion of the building contributions to the books purchased out of the fund given had increased the number to nearly two thousand, and
224
DEDICATORY PROGRAM.
by the yearly additions made, that number has been increased to 6690, (1901), works of fiction, juvenile, history, travels, miscellan- eous, science and mechanics, poetry, theology; moral and religious, agriculture, art and architecture, reference, Government records, reports, messages and documents, law, being included.
The dedicatory services were held upon the first anniversary of the gift, August 20, 1863, and were as follows :
Ist. Singing by the choir, Anthem.
2nd. Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. D. Wright.
3rd. Prayer of Dedication, by Rev. H. B. Butler.
4th. Singing by the choir of the original hymn by Rev. J. B. Green,
THE DAWN OF BETTER DAYS.
Welcome, dawn of better days,
Welcome to our glens and braes,
Welcome Knowledge, claim thy bays, Claim, and wear for aye.
Let us raise a joyous song,
Let the hills the sound prolong,
Rising from a grateful throng, Welcome, Wisdomi's sway!
Now let darkness backward flee,
Folly here must homeless be,
Error, exiled, none may see, In the coming light, Better days for truth have come,
She with us shall find a home,
Bigot hate shall soon lie dumb, Baffled by the Right.
Now let grateful thanks ascend,
Thanks to Him our Heavenly Friend,
Who a generous soul did send Here to bless us all. Bless us here with knowledge frec,
Bless the race, if faithful we;
Better friend we'll never see, Blessings on him fall.
5th. Address, by Hon. Geo. T. Davis.
6th. Singing by the choir of an original hymn by Dr. John Brooks.
7th. Poem, by Fred P. Brown, of Williams College, formerly of Powers Institute.
8th. Prayer by Rev. G. L. Ruberg.
9th. Singing by the choir.
Ioth. Benediction by Rev. C. N. Merrifield.
CUSHMAN LIBRARY AND POWERS INSTITUTE.
-
225
CUSHMAN LIBRARY.
The townspeople can but realize the sentiments so beautifully expressed by Dr. Channing, when he wrote :
"It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds, and these invaluable means of communication are in the reach of all. In the best books great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours. God be thanked for books. They are the voices of the distant and the dead, and make us heirs of the spiritual life of past ages. Books are the true levelers. They give to all, who will faith- fully use them, the society, the spiritual presence of the best and greatest of our race. No matter how poor I am, no matter though the prosperous of my own time will not enter my obscure dwelling. If the Sacred Writers will enter and take up their abode under my roof, if Milton will cross my threshold to sing to me of Paradise, and Shakespeare to open to me the worlds of imagination and the workings of the human heart, and Franklin to enrich me with his practical wisdom; I shall not pine for want of intellectual companionship; and I may become a cultivated man, though excluded from what is called the best society in the place where I live."
Nobly have our people testified their appreciation of their valu- able library by choosing and placing where it cannot fail to catch the eye of all who enter, this most appropriate expression of Chan- ning's, "God be thanked for books." The librarians have been:
1. Noyes Barstow, M. D., elected
1863.
2. Rev. G. L. Ruberg,
Apr. 1865.
3. Rev. T. A. Merrill,
Aug. 1865.
+4. William Dwight, M. D.,
Apr. I866.
+5. Rev. Stillman Barber,
Mar. 1873.
+6. Mrs. A. R. Cushman,
Apr. 1874.
+7. Mrs. M. D. Bardwell,
1876.
8. Fannie A. Bardwell ( Mrs. Chas. Parsons),
1877.
9. Nellie M. Hale (Mrs. Walter E. Nichols), 66
1884.
IO. Carrie M. Slate, 66
1886.
II. Mrs. Mary A. Kenney,
Aug. 1888.
12. Nellie R. Haskell,
Apr. 1889.
13. Rev. D. H. Strong,
Sept. 1889.
14. Rev. R. E. Birks. 66 Apr. 1900.
+ Deceased
SCHOOLS.
As in their emigration to this country, the Pilgrims sought lib- erty of thought and action in religious and eventually in civil mat-
226
SCHOOLS.
ters, so one of their first duties subsequent to their settlement was the establishment of their church and schools. In the one they and their children might enjoy without alloy, the expounding of doctrines concurrent with their own train of thought; in the other the youth might receive an education unbiased by such sectarian influences as were exerted to a greater or less degree in their trans- atlantic home. And still further extending their liberal ideas, they resolved that the schools should be equally approachable by all, in a word that they should be free. Into such channels of thought and action did the tyranny to which they had formerly been sub- jected, turn their thoughts. Free schools had their origin in our grand old Bay State. In marked contrast to the stand so early taken by her puritanic settlers, were the sentiments expressed in 1671 by Sir William Berkley, first Governor of Virginia, in a letter to the English King, "I thank God there are no free schools nor printing presses here, and I trust there will not be this hundred years; for learning breeds up heresies and sects and all abomina- tions. God save us from both." What an eloquent plea for the introduction of the very things he so strongly condemns, for what is more to be desired than that knowledge should be as freely dif- fused as the very air we breathe? . As the latter in its purity is essential to bodily well-being, so is absolute purity and freedom of thought conducive to highest mental condition, and upon what more than this does the true establishment and maintenance of the best principles of our State and National governments depend ? The dissimilitude of puritanical and tory ideas on this subject is most excellently portrayed by a comparison of this quotation from Sir William's letter with the words of Rev. John Robinson to the Pilgrims before they left Leyden for their future and unknown . home. Above all things he charged them to build churches, estab- lish schools, and read the Bible without sectarian prejudice, for, said he, " I am convinced that God has more light yet to break forth out of His holy word. Receive such light gladly."
In many places the first instruction imparted was by the minis- ter upon secular as well as religious subjects. Doubtless this was true in our town in some measure. The first discussion relative to the foundation of a school system arose in 1769. In 1770 there
227
FIRST SCHOOLS.
was granted to the several school districts of the town the sum of two pounds, proportioned as follows :
School at Connable's, 7 shillings. 66 Hasting's, 13
Dea. Sheldon's, 26
Lieut. Severance's, 14 64
At a town meeting held in December, 1770, six pounds were ap- propriated for the use of a school, and the town fathers were in- structed to provide a place and appoint a time for keeping the school. In 1771 it was ascertained that there were "90 children in town who want schooling," hence one shilling four pence each was voted, or a total of six pounds. Again in December, 1772, there is recorded that the town voted "to raise one shiling and six pence for each schoolar in town for schooling, which is seven pounds ten shillings, and that boys from six to sixteen years of age, and girls from six to twelve years of age shall be reckoned as schoolars, and that the schoolars at ye south end of ye town, up as far as Major Burk and Daniel Loomis on ye river, and on ye east side of ye town up as far as Amasa Sheldon's, shall go to Mr. Remembrance Shel- don's house to school; and that all ye schoolars on ye hill from Mr. Wright's north, shall go to Sergt. John Severance's house to school; and that all ye schoolars from Benjamin Green's north, and so out to Simon Edwards, shall go to Samuel Connable's house to school and that those people in ye west part of ye town may have a school where they can agree, and if the money that has been raised and is now being raised for schooling is not expended for that purpose in the term of one year from this time, the schoolars shall not be entitled to said money."
What a contrast is here presented to the methods in vogue at the present! In the majority of cases, school-life is hardly consid- ered as much more than thoroughly begun at what is here set down as the limit of scholarship. Very narrow minded and penurious would the youth of to-day consider those in authority should they see a vote so restricting what they have come to consider as their just rights and privileges; and yet, it was with just such advan- tages as these that many of the foremost men of former times ac- quired their educations. Knowing how precious was the time
228
SCHOOLS PRIOR TO THE REVOLUTION.
allotted them, they were taught to and did utilize it to the utmost. A little later on, in early manhood, supplementing it, perhaps, by an hour of study snatched here and there from the performance of a hard day's work, or possibly either late at night or by rising at an earlier hour than that prescribed by the traditional early ris- ers of olden time.
Another fact is here noticeable which shows the spirit of liberal- ity which prevailed in our town. From the very first, girls were admitted to the privileges of the schools. In colonial days, many contended that their education should be limited to a thorough mastery of domestic duties. Book learning was considered super- fluous. Take the town of Medford for instance. It was not until 1776 that the subject of female education was noticed, then only in this manner: "Voted that the master instruct girls two hours after the boys are dismissed," and at this time their schools had had an existence of 80 years. Ten years later girls were granted the privilege of attending schools during the three summer months. It did not take our town any such length of time to realize the need of educated women, hence we find boys and girls up to a certain age sharing the same educational advantages, and the re- sulting facts proved the efficacy of the method.
At a meeting held by adjournment at the house of Mr. Elijah Sheldon, December 20, 1773, it was voted "that all the Schoolers South of Ens'n Sheldon's and Daniel Loomis's shall go to one School, also that all the schoolers from Mr. Wright's north on ye hill shall go to one school, that all the schoolers from Benjamin Green's north shall go to one school, that all the schoolers at Beaver Meadow and Frizzell Hill go to one school, also that those school- ers joining on Colraine be allowed their proportion of money for Schooling." April 17, 1772, for his services as teacher, Zebulon Allen received the sum of 1-12-0-0 .; May 29, 1773, Widow Shad- dock, 1-17-4-0; June 22, 1774, there was paid to Mary Cunnabell for "keeping school," 1-15-0-0; to Huldah Sheldon, for the same, 2-8-0-0. These four persons were undoubtedly the instructors of the youth of the town prior to the Revolution.
From this time until 1784, nothing appears upon the records to indicate that anything was done in the matter of education. Ow-
229
DIVISION INTO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
ing to the unsettled condition of the country, and the active part which the town assumed during the Revolutionary strife, is it not safe to suppose that the money hitherto appropriated for educa- tional purposes was now freely given to the support of the colonial cause, which as we have seen, the inhabitants of the town so warmly espoused ? Another reason may be found in the fact that in many cases, the fathers of the families being away in the service of their country, so many of the youth may have been obliged for the time being to have assumed the duties usually devolving upon their elders, as to render the number of scholars too small to continue the schools advantageously. After the beginnings made in educa- tional matters, we can hardly explain a cessation only by some such hypothesis. As we consider the probable financial condition of the most of the residents at this time, we can readily understand how they might not be able to meet all the demands for outside matters. Be that as it may, there must have been a good and suffi- cient reason for even a temporary suspension.
As we have seen, the custom hitherto prevalent was for the schools to be kept at private houses, the financial standing of the town not being such as to warrant the erection of school buildings. An effort toward progression was made when, in 1784, it was or- dered that the town be divided into four school districts, and that each should build a school house, or provide a place in which to keep the school at its own expense. The division was as follows : the south-east part of the town as far west as Joseph Denio's and Capt. Burnham's, taking in Mr. Wright's, Hezekiah and Joel Chap- in's, Jonathan Sheldon's and Ebenezer Slate's families, should con- stitute one district, and their school house should stand in the road by the south-west corner of Caleb Sheldon's farm. The north-east district extended west to Ball Mountain, south to Calvin Bliss's. The school house was to stand in the road south of Lieut. Sever- ance's where Elias Parmenter's road comes into the road that leads from. Lieut. Severance's to the meeting house. The north-west district was to contain all north of John Burk's west of the river, and all north of Daniel Loomis's on the east side, to Ball Mountain. The school house was to be located south of the lane that leads from the road to Samuel Connable's. The school house in the south-west
230
FIRST SINGING SCHOOL.
district was assigned a position in the sawmill yard. At this time it was also voted that the public money be divided by the assessors on the common list of each district, and that each district have their proportion by this rule. The districts, as will be noticed, coincide very closely with the present division. Two years later a little change was made in this plan, owing probably to some little dissat- isfaction having arisen. The south-west district was to divide and become two districts "provided they can agree among themselves, otherwise the whole of the west street from Joseph Hale's south and west inclusive, shall be one district." The inhabitants from Oliver Parmenter's to William Thayer's and John Coat's on those roads, and all east and south of those roads, are to comprise one dis- trict and the place for their school house is at the cross of the road leading "to Northfield on the one hand and Caleb Sheldon's on the other." Capt. Burnham and Joseph Denio were to be annexed to the south-west district. "Hill from Mr. Wright's north make two districts, Mr. Edwards' house to be the dividing line and he shall have liberty to annex himself to which district he shall choose and that the centre from Mr. Wright's to Mr. Edwards' of the south dis- trict shall be the place for their school house. The north district school house shall be set under the hill on the road leading to Mr. Daniel Slate's, if the majority choose it, if not on the top of the hill."
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