USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hanover > History of the town of Hanover, Massachusetts, with family genealogies > Part 11
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In 1893, he became professor of the Greek language and litera- ture in Vanderbilt University, where he has remained ever since. His Alma Mater gave him her degree of Ph. D., in 1890, and his adopted University created him D. D., in 1901. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society.
In 1895 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Asiatic society and, in 1904, he was chosen to deliver an address at the Congress of Arts at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, held at St. Louis, com- monly called the St. Louis Exposition. In 1905, he was a repre- sentative to the International Congress of Archaeology , held at Athens, Greece.
His editorial work and the books he has written up to date (1906, Jan. 1) are as follows :
Ancient Persian Cuneiform Inscriptions.
Cæsar's Gallic War.
Greek Gospel of St. Matthew.
Greek and Roman Mythology.
The Art of Translating.
Herodotus and the Empire of the East.
Mycenæan Troy.
Urbs Beata, or Vision of the Perfect Life; a series of 30 ad- dresses to young men.
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Numerous articles in Philological Journals.
He is senior editor of an Oriental series in 14 volumes, not yet entirely published. He married Mary B. Wells of Hartford, Conn. He has no children.
Hon. Jedediah Dwelley, one of the authors of this history, is more truly than can perhaps be said of any other citizen, one of the fathers of the town. He was born and has always lived in Hanover. The date of his birth is February 28, 1834. He is the son of Lemuel and Sarah J. (Bailey) Dwelley, who lived on Union street. Mr. Dwelley is a descendant of Richard Dwelley, who came to this Country prior to 1854, and was a soldier in King Philip's War. Mr. Dwelley's education was obtained in the public schools and at the Hanover Academy, under the teaching of Mr. McLauthlin.
At the age of twenty-five, he was chosen selectman of his native town and served in that capacity for thirty years. During the Rebellion he was Chairman of the Selectmen, the youngest chair- man in the State.
For twelve years he was a member of the school committee and was such when the high school was started. He was one of the committee under whose direction the present town hall was built.
For nine or ten years he was special County Commissioner and County Commissioner for twenty-seven years, the greater portion of that time being the chairman of the board. Under his official care the Plymouth Court House was enlarged and remodelled, the jail built, the Brockton Court House built, and more roads and bridges built than under any man who ever held the office.
He was a member of the several boards of commissioners to build, start and foster the Truant school at Walpole, for the Coun- ties of Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol. He was representative to the General Court in 1865 and senator from this district in 1873 and 1874.
No man who has lived in the town has been so long and so intimately connected with all that is best for the town and its interests.
He has been the friend in need of every man, woman and child in town who needed a friend and his own language describes ac- curately his character, when he said: "If it can be truthfully said that I have loved mercy and dealt justly, personally, this would seem to me greater honor than to recount my years of official ser- vice."
He married Elizabeth A., the daughter of Silas Hollis of Han- over, and has one child only, a daughter Josie, now the wife of Rev. Melvin S. Nash, one of the present board of school committee.
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CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATION. PUBLIC LIBRARY.
By Jedediah Dwelley.
EDUCATION.
With the exception of professional men, there were few, if any, residents of the town who had, previous to 1850, received a college education. Yet Hanover, in common with other towns, has ever considered the education of the youth as of paramount importance.
As early as 1663, the General Court at Plymouth recommended that the several towns and townships within its jurisdiction should take some course by which every town should have a schoolmaster for the training of children in reading and writing.
In 1677, it was enacted that "Foreasmuch as the maintenance of good literature doth much tend to the advancement of the weak and flourishing estate of societies and Republiques. This Court doth therefor order : That, in whatsoever township in this Gov- ernment consisting of fifty families or upwards, any meet man shall be obtained to teach a Gramer Scoole, such townshipp shall allow at least twelve pounds in currant marchantable pay to be raised by rate on all the Inhabitants of such Towne; and those that have the more emediate benefitt thereof by theere childrens good and general good shall make up the residue necessarie to maintain the same; and that the profitts ariseing of the Cape Fishing, here- tofore ordered to maintaine a Gramer Scoole in this Collonie, be distributed to such Townes as have such Gramer Scooles, for the maintainence thereof ; not exceeding five pounds per annum to any such Towne unless the Court Treasurer or others apointed to manage that affaire see good cause to adde therunto to any re- spective Towne, not exceeding five pounds more per annum; and, further, this Court orders that every such Towne as consists of seventy families or upwards and hath not a gramer scoole therein shall allow and pay unto the next towne which hath such Gramar scoole kept up amongst them, the sum of five pounds p. annum in
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current merchantable pay, to be levied on the Inhabitants of such defective townes by rate and gathered and delivered by the Con- stables of such Townes as by warrant from any Majestrate of this Jurisdiction shall be required."
We have but little knowledge of what system there was for ed- ucating the youth who resided in what is now the town of Hanover, previous to its incorporation. Neither Mitchell nor Deane throw much light on the subject.
As early as 1700, Scituate raised a small sum towards supporting a free school, and James Torrey was appointed to teach the children and youth to read and write, on condition that he be paid 20 shil- lings in money for each and every person sent to the school, the parent or master engaging to pay fifteen shillings of the said twenty, the town having agreed to pay the other five shillings and "those that send any child to the school shall provide books, pen, ink, and paper."
In 1704, "The Town directed the school to be kept one third of the year at each end of the Town and one third in the middle."
In 1711, "The Town provided that the Selectmen should provide but one grammar school, and that to be kept in the middle of the Town and not to be removed."
In 1712, "The Town ordered three schools, one in the middle and one at each end, appropriating 32£ for that in the Center and 16£ each for the other two."
In the Act incorporating the Town of Hanover, the customary stipulation, of the establishment and support of a school, was in- serted, and, accordingly, March 2, 1727-28 it was "Voted to keep a. school this year at three places, where the Selectmen shall think best," and 27£ 10s (old tenor) was assessed for its support. It does not appear who the teacher was at this time. The school was kept in private houses, and those of Joseph Cornish (who lived on Hanover street, west of Washington street), and of John Bailey, (who lived opposite the house of Frank Stockbridge on Main street), were used for the purpose.
In 1729, the town "Voted 50£ for school purposes." In April, 1730, "a standing school" was voted, "at or near the Meeting: House," and, May 18, provision was made for building a school- house of wood. This first schoolhouse stood near the centre of the town.
In 1734, a schoolmaster was appointed, and Barry says of him : "1734, May 14, Richard Fitzgerald was voted 'schoolmaster'; and he continued to teach in the town until his death in 1746. Where
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Mr. Fitzgerald originated I have been unable to learn. He seems to have been a man of talent, well skilled in the languages, especially Latin, and to have taught with good success. He was an instructor in Scituate, before his settlement in Hanover, and had the honor of preparing for the University the Hon. William Cushing, LL. D., who graduated at Harvard college in 1751, and was educated for the bar under the care of the celebrated Jeremy Gridley of Boston, for many years attorney general of the Province of Massachusetts. We consider the town highly favored in secur- ing the services of so valuable a man early in its municipal career ; and, under his judicious training many were reared who afterwards became distinguished in the town and state."
Mr. Fitzgerald lived on what is known as "Woodward Hill"; the cellar of the house in which he lived being still visible.
In March, 1746, a movable school was voted, "to be kept the first three months at the schoolhouse by the meeting house; the next three, at or near the house of John Studley (who lived near the Four Corners) ; the third term, at or near the house of David Jenkins (who lived on Union street, at the end of Pine street) ; and, the last term, at or near the house of Isaac Hatch (who lived on the corner of School and King streets)."
June 27, 1748, a movable school was voted, to be kept, from December 16 to March 16, at the new schoolhouse, near Silvanus Wing's (on Circuit street) ; from October 1st to December 16th, at or near the dwelling-house of Benjamin Stetson's (on Main street, where John S. Smith now resides), the residents of that quarter to provide the place; from August 1 to October 1, at or near William Dwelley's (near the junction of Elm street with Broadway), the residents of that quarter to provide the place; and, the remainder of the year, at the schoolhouse by the meeting house. October 31, 6£ 10s were voted to John Barker for boarding the schoolmaster in 1747, and 4£ 10s to Silvanus Wing, and 6£ to John House, for the like purpose.
In 1750, the record shows that Joseph Cushing was "school- master," and the same year a moving school was voted. Nov. 27, 1750, "Voted to Margaret Fitzgerald 18s 8d for boarding Joseph Cushing, schoolmaster, last winter." This is the first time that Mr. Cushing's name appears on the records as a teacher, and he continued to serve the town in that capacity, a part of the time for several years. "He is the gentleman who afterwards bceame distinguished in the history of the State, and whose services we shall sketch in our Chapter on the Revolution." It may be well to
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state here, in passing, that the Margaret Fitzgerald above men- tioned was the widow of the schoolmaster, Richard Fitzgerald.
In 1752, Luke Stetson (a son of Benjamin Stetson) was named as one of the masters for that year; bills of board for twenty-six weeks, being credited and allowed, and his own bill for services. He continued to teach for several years. Mr. Stetson and Mr. Cush- ing were both, probably, pupils of Mr. Fitzgerald and received from him valuable aid, qualifying them for the positions they held. Luke Stetson taught nine months in 1751-52 for 18£, he paying his own board.
March 9, 1772, a committee was chosen to divide the town into four quarters, and determine where each schoolhouse should stand. They reported as follows : "First: That the schoolhouse by the meeting house in the middle quarter, so-called, stands as conven- iently to accommodate said quarter as we can place it. Secondly : The schoolhouse in the east quarter is equally convenient in loca- tion. Thirdly: In the north quarter, or on Curtis street, we recommend the removal of the house northward, between the . dwelling-houses of Joseph Bates and Caleb Sylvester. (This was located probably near the brook which crosses the street near the present residence of J. Howard Brooks). Fourthly: In the westerly quarter, we recommend either the removal of the present schoolhouse to a spot of plain ground between the dwelling-houses of Isaac Hatch and Stephen Randall (near School street), or the erection of an additional house between the dwelling-houses of Eliab and Benjamin Studley's (on Pleasant street), the time to be equally divided between said two schoolhouses."
March 15, 1784. The selectmen were instructed to hire a grammar schoolmaster for three months, and Mr. Thomas is named as one of the teachers for this year. At the same meeting, Joseph Brooks, Joseph Ramsdell, Jr., Robert L. Eells, and Timothy Rob- bins, with the three selectmen, were chosen to divide the town into four quarters ; and it was voted, "That one quarter shall not send their children into another school quarter."
In 1799, the town raised the sum of three hundred dollars for the support of schools.
In 1808, the school districts were numbered as follows: The Meeting House District, No. 1; Broad Oak, No. 2; Upper Forge (or South Hanover) No. 3; Drinkwater (School street) No. 4; Beech Woods (probably Pleasant street) No. 5; Curtis street, No. 6; "Snappet," No. 7. In 1831-32, the Curtis street District was divided, the southerly part being called No. 8.
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March 8, 1819. A school committee was chosen consisting of the "three selectmen, and all the ministers in the town, together with Ebenezer Curtis, John B. Barstow, Robert Salmond, Caleb Whiting, Elisha Barrell, Jr., Paul Perry, and Elijah Wing." November 1, 1819. "This committee was discharged, and a new one chosen, consisting of Rev. John Butler, Rev. Calvin Wolcott, Rev. Seth Chapin, Aaron Hobart, Esq., and Dr. Joshua Studley."
In 1827, a general committee of seven was chosen, and also seven persons as a prudential committee, one for each district.
Previous to 1800, it would seem by the records that the selectmen employed the teachers. There could have been little supervision, and it is doubtful if under the circumstances, any was needed. The schools were mixed, the youngest and oldest occupying the same room, and independent character was developed. The school term was short, and the boys (most of them), after reaching the age of ten, enjoyed the advantages of schooling in the winter term only. About the beginning of the nineteenth century, the records show that there was an effort made to have a degree of independent supervision, and persons whose title was usually given as "school committee," were elected.
In 1827, a prudential committee of one person for each district was elected. This person selected the teacher for his district, and had the general oversight of the school property. This system of choosing a prudential committee was continued until 1858.
For three quarters of a century at least, after the incorporation of the town, the schoolhouses were erected and paid for by the town, and for half a century afterwards the houses were constructed and paid for by the residents of the respective districts.
About 1850, under an enactment authorizing the same, the town purchased of the districts the school lands and buildings and, since that date, the cost of constructing and maintaining the buildings has been borne by the town.
Until the establishment of the high school, in 1868, the schools of Hanover were ungraded. This high school, for several years, was taught by a single person and cared for the more advanced and older pupils. The work has been one of steady progress. Begin- ning with one teacher, with very little apparatus or any system of grading, this school has gradually advanced, until now it is well equipped, and has a good standing among the high schools of the Commonwealth. Great credit is due the several school committees who have given unselfish, devoted, and intelligent labor for its ad- vancement. The teachers have been well trained for their work,
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several of them to-day occupying broader, but not more useful fields. Mr. John G. Knight was the first principal. With a devotion to his chosen work which neer faltered, he laid deep the foundation of this successful institution.
Mr. Robert N. Millet is the present gifted teacher, having been the principal for several years. Mr. Nash gave the longest contin- uous service as principal, having served from 1878 to 1891, in- clusive. His influence in this position was elevating and en- during.
Hanover Academy.
For more than a half century the Hanover academy served a most useful purpose, and a large number of Hanover youths were graduated therefrom, many of them becoming distinguished in the various walks of life.
The first academy building was constructed about 1808, and stood west of the Center meeting house, near the junction of Center and Hanover streets. 3 This building was sold and removed to the Four Corners, and is now occupied by William S. Curtis as a drug store.
The second building was erected in 1828, and stood on Broadway not far from the residence of J. W. Beal. This building served its purpose until 1852, when it was sold and removed to High street in Duxbury, and is now in use as a public hall.
In 1851, a more beautiful and commodious house was erected and dedicated March 2d, 1852; and this was occupied for academy purposes until 1900, when the property passed into the hands of the town of Hanover, and has since been used for school purposes, both grammar and primary grades being taught here.
Barry gives an interesting history of the academy, and its preceptors up to 1852, and the Rev. D. B. Ford in his "History of Hanover Academy" has given a full and instructive narration; and as this book is in popular use and circulation, it seems unwise for us to enter more fully into the subject.
It may be proper, however, in closing this brief reference to the academy, to quote one stanza from
"A Tribute to the Hanover Academy" (Written by George Russell Dwelley, one of the graduates.) "Suggested by the announcement that the Academy Building was to be sold." "Our Hanover folk, in their guesses at truth,
Deemed the best none too good for their innocent youth,
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So, with foresight of students to come by the score, They built in their faith one academy more. What a blessing it was ! And what blessing it brought To the many it raised to new levels of thought ! What friendships it fostered ! They live till to-day In that kingdom within us which knows not decay; How its influence grew, as its graduates spread,
Making life more worth living, and death the less dread !"
The above is the merest summary of facts in relation to educa- tion. Certainly before the incorporation of the town the advan- tages of the youth must have been extremely limited. Books and newspapers were rare, and many of the children, if they attended school at all, must have walked many miles for the purpose. Yet there were but few who could not read and write.
The influence of Horace Mann gave an impetus to the cause of popular education which was strongly felt by the parents of Hanover, and there has been no backward step.
Perhaps no gathering in the town has been more significant. than that held in the Episcopal Church on September 3rd, 1838, at which addresses were delivered in favor of a normal school and a resolution passed approving a plan to raise in the several towns, in the county the sum of ten thousand dollars, to provide a school building and apparatus for the same.
Among the speakers at this meeting were Horace Mann, Ichabod Morton, Robert Rantoul, Rev. George Putnam, John Quincy Adams, and Daniel Webster, the latter saying that, if he had as many boys as ancient Priam, he would send them all to the public schools.
Previous to 1850, but few of the residents of Hanover graduated from the colleges or the higher institutions of learning, but since that date the number has been large. We have not attempted to give the names of such graduates but from the colleges, the normal schools, the Institute of Technology, and other schools of recog- nized standard, the number of graduates can probably be counted by the hundreds.
So many of Hanover's students have attained prominence in their chosen professions that to present the names of all is forbidden and to select a few will seem invidious.
To a few of the sons and daughters of Hanover the gift of poetry was granted, and it seems not inappropriate to here men- tion the names of some of these with a selection from the works of each.
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William P. Duncan, a lawyer and son of Rev. Abel G. Duncan, was born in Hanover. He was invited to write a short poem for our Old Home Week Celebration in 1903 and he did so. It was his "swan song" as he died before the week ended.
Home Week.
· O memory ! fond memory ! From out thy storehouse bring to me
Things new and old, both sad and sweet, As we unroll life's page complete ; Shadows and lights of bygone years Give retrospect of smiles and tears.
The happy home-life of the child, The mother's loving voice so mild- The sweet confusion of each day, Blending the hours with work and play,
Come to our hearts with wondrous grace And clear remembrance of each face.
And so "Home Week" brings back those times Expressed to you in simple rhymes.
Dear schoolmates ! some are here to day And some have fallen by the way : We hail the living, mourn the dead As we recount the years now fled.
George R. Dwelley, whose life work was that of a schoolteacher, was born in Hanover, a son of Lemuel Dwelley. He graduated from Harvard college in 1853 in the class with President Eliot, He also was invited to write a short poem for the same celebration.
The Return to the Old Home.
From far and near we meet today And cherished years recall, When none was gray and life was May, And home was all in all. Fair now the fields we used to range, The sky as clear a blue;
There's little change to aught that's strange, Except in self and you.
We've had elswhere the world's caress,
New homes where sunlight streams,
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And scarcely less of happiness Than flushed our early dreams ; Yet to our hearts the old home's bound By first love's tender ties ; The very ground that girds it round, Has memories we prize.
God bless our homes both new and old, Give them enduring charm; And all they hold within their fold Protect from threat of harm. And, when this life has lost its worth Because of failing powers, In place of earth, through second birth, Make homes in Heaven ours.
Helen Hall Keith was born in Hanover, a daughter of Benjamin B. Hall. Her poems have been numerous. We select this one, which was written on the death of a friend, as being one of the best :-
Gracie.
Oh, lovely, dreaming face, Unmindful of the hours, Half smiling in thy place, Asleep amid the flowers. Oh perfect peace ! Oh rest complete ! Life hath no slumber half so sweet.
A light, beloved one, Shines on thee from afar,
Ours is the dying sun, Thine is the morning star ; And softly Coes the dawn arise
On pallid lips and slumbering eyes.
Angelic forms are nigh, In shining garb they stand, Love beams from every eye, Love thrills in every hand ; And thou ! Oh Fairest of the Fair We give our darling to thy care.
For her no tears shall fall,
For her no sigh be heard,
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The prison-bars were all That held the captive bird; And life's short song forever done, The white-winged spirit seeks the sun. Oh, Saviour, just and kind ! Be thou our staff and stay ; And gently lead the blind Upon life's devious way, Until the heavenly morrow, when We find our loved and lost again.
Clarence L. Howes, a physician, son of W. R. Howes, M. D., came early in life to Hanover with his father-a student, "guide, philosopher, and friend." We have permitted the doctor to make his own selection.
DAS WIEDERSEHEN. 1899. Song of the Old Grad.
Many years have passed away
Since we left Old Amherst;
Leaving us their tokens gray Since we left Old Amherst.
Time hath many changes wrought;
Time hath joys and sorrows brought ;
Time hath bated ne'er a jot Of our love for Amherst.
Happy were those early days When we were at Amherst;
Pleasant were the college ways When we were at Amherst. Joy of youth was then our own; Hope upon our pathway shone; Learning beckoned from her throne. Happy days at Amherst ! Oft, in darkness and dismay, We have turned to Amherst; Faint our courage, drear the way, We have turned to Amherst, Felt her touch new strength bestow, Heard her voice our fears o'erthrow, Seen the sun in splendor glow On the Shield of Amherst.
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Now, by life's hard lessons taught, We come back to Amherst; More than half its battles fought, We come back to Amherst; Come these treasured scenes to view ; Come where cherished friendships grew ;
Come to bathe our souls anew In thy beauty, Amherst.
Sing we then, with hearty cheer : Hail to thee, dear Amherst! Alma mater, mother dear, Hail to thee, dear Amherst! May we live in loyalty To the truth that makes us free,
So may we prove true to thee, True to thee, dear Amherst.
Lorenzo D. Perkins, a son of Ozias Perkins, was born in Hanover. He was a vigorous writer and his poems showed the sweetness of his disposition and the sympathy of his nature. The spring which is the subject of this poem is located just south of School street and but a short distance from the schoolhouse of his boyhood days.
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