USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holland > History of the town of Holland, Massachusetts > Part 10
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Be it a weakness, it deserves some praise, We love the play-place of our early days; The scene is touching, and the heart is stone That feels not at that sight, and feels at none. The wall on which we tried our graving skill, The very name we carved subsisting still; The bench on which we sat while deep employed, Though mangled, hacked, and hewed, not yet destroyed; The little ones, unbuttoned, glowing hot, Playing our games, and on the very spot; As happy as we once, to kneel and draw The chalky ring, and knuckle down at taw; To pitch the ball into the grounded hat, Or drive it devious with a dexterous pat; The pleasing spectacle at once excites Such recollection of our own delights, That, viewing it, we sccm almost to obtain Our innocent, sweet, simple years again. This fond attachment to the well-known place, Whence first we started into life's long race, Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, We feel it c'en in age and at our latest day.
William Cowper
THE SCHOOL MASTER.
Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way, With blossomed furze unprofitably gay, There, in his noisy mansion, skilled to rule, The village master taught his little school. A man severe he was and stern to view,- I knew him well and every truant knew; Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace The day's disasters in his morning face ; Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee At all his jokes for many a joke had he; Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned.
Oliver Goldsmith.
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
THE SCHOOLMISTRESS
Ah me! full sorely in my heart forlorn, To think how modest worth neglected lics; While partial fame doth with her blast adorn Such deeds alone as pride and pomp disguise; Decds of ill sort, and mischievous emprise; Lend me thy clarion goddess! let me try To sound the praise of merit ere it dies; Such as I oft have chanced to espy,
Lost in the dreary shades of dull obscurity.
In every village marked with little spire, Embowered in trees, and hardly known to fame, There dwells, in lowly shed, and mean attire, A matron old, whom we schoolmistress name; Who boasts unruly brats with birch to tame; They, grieven, sore, in piteous durance pent, Awed by the power of this relentless dame; And ofttimes on vagaries idly bent For unkempt hair, or task unconned, are sorely shent.
William Shenstone.
What facilities for schooling had the children of the East Parish enjoyed, as a part of South Brimfield? That Holland proceeds to redistrict her territory is proof that she regarded the old districts as inconvenient and inadequate. That this question came up so soon after she was incorporated proves the importance of good school facilities in the minds of the patrons and voters. No question is more vital to the progress of a town. At a meeting held Sept. 8, 1783, two months after Holland was incorporated, it was voted "to choose a committee to view the situation of the district of Holland to divide the same into proper school districts." The committee chosen was Jonathan Wallis, Jonathan Cram, Jonas Blodgett, Abel Allen and Gershom Rosebrooks; to which was added at the same meeting, Alfred Lyon and John Wallis. These committeemen
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THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
were to divide the district into school districts and say how many there should be. They reported in favor of four; the northwest, the northeast, the southeast and southwest. This divi- sion was a wise one and was accepted without opposition. Now comes the proof that the East Parish of South Brimfield before it was incorporated into Holland had only two school districts. At a meeting held Oct. 27, 1783, it was voted, "that the two south school districts and the two north school districts shall dispose of the two old school houses as they think most con- venient and proper." This proves that Holland had two school districts prior to its incorporation. One in the north part and one in the south part. But where did they stand? Residents on the east side of South Meadow road were allowed to send their children to Meadow District, South Brimfield and pay their school tax there. Joseph Smalledge, Joseph Smalledge, Jr., and John Munger were allowed this privilege. No doubt that was where their children had been going before. This eliminates these families as to school site even when they built the old building, and would allow its being placed further eastward. In 1789 we find a vote to build a "bridle road from Dr. Thomas Wallis' to the south school house." A road was built, it is conceded, from Dr. Thomas Wallis' to where later the southeast school house stood, and we are inclined to be- lieve the school houses referred to in the vote of Oct. 27, 1783, one of them stood at or near the site near the Underwood place. The north school house, we believe, stood near the corner west of Dwight E. Webber's place for an old map, 1795, gives a road from that point to a point near Alexander's dam, and a statement from an old record gives that impression.
But where does the district now build its four school houses ? At the meeting, Oct. 27, 1783, it was voted: "That each school district shall have ye libertye to prefix places and build their own school houses." Also voted "that each dis- trict may choose a committee to transact business for said dis-
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
trict, and build, or cause to be built, such school houses as said districts shall agree upon." Here is surely the freedom of pure democracy. But where each district did build its school house is not designated, nor have we any means of knowing to a certainty except in one case, viz .: The south- east district. When later, 1803, it was voted to build a new building in this district it was voted to build upon the old site. When the four school districts built their school houses according to vote of Oct. 27, 1783, the buildings were of wood and not being painted soon became antiquated by wear of the weather upon the outside; and by rough usage from the inside. Only by this means is it explicable why the district should re- build its school houses again so soon, for we find them at work on this problem in 1800. It is probable that the sites of those built in 1783 were as follows: The southeast district near Benjamin Perrin's house; the southwest district on the old road near what became the Rockwell farm; the northwest dis- trict near Henry Webber's place and the northeast school house at the four corners below the town hall.
Fortunately for historical reasons, the town clerk incor- porated in his minutes, the allotment of families as fixed by the committee, together with valuation of each district. Whether these represent all the households in the district, or only those who had children to attend is not stated. They make a total of fifty-eight families. The assessed valation is also given for each school district.
Southwest
James Marcy
Lt. Daniel Burnett Capt. Jacob How Silas Smith
Benjamin Smith John Hinds
Northwest
John Walis
Henry Webber
Samuel Webber
John Ballard ..
Daniel Thompson Jonathan Wallis
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THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
Southwest
Darius Hinds
William Wallis
David Wallis
John Belknap
John Belknap Jr.
Lt. Jonathan Cram
Lt. Edward Webber
David Bugbee Benjamin Beal
David Anderson
Caleb Blodgett
Solomon Blodgett Lt. Jonas Blodgett
to be the northwest school district.
Valuation 805 pounds, 3 shillings.
Northeast
Southeast
Andrew Webber
Archibald Graham
John Perrin
Joseph Bruce
Ichabod Goodell James Frizell William Belknap
Antipas Bruce
Jonathan Blanchard
Jonathan Belknap
Benjamin Perrin
Capt. Nehemiah May
Joshua Clark Abel Allen Eliphalet Janes
Rufus May
Lt. John Rosebrooks
James Paddock Alfred Lyon
James Ames
Capt. Phillips
Benjamin Webber Dr. Thomas Wallis
to be the northeast school district
Valuation 742 pounds, 5 shillings
to be the southeast school district Valnation 734 pounds, 0 shillings.
With the advent of a new century and the demands of a real need Holland agitates the question of improved school facilities ; the southwest district had set in motion the question
Joseph Smalledge
Joseph Smalledge Jr. Joseph Marsh
Reuben Webber Asa Partridge
to be the southwest school district
Valuation 622 pounds, 7 shillings.
Northwest
Gershom Rosebrooks
Ethelbert C. Lyon Asa Dana Daniel Thompson
John Graham
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
by getting a vote of $500, and it little dreamed that it would become the vietim of a vote that would terminate, temporarily, its separate existence, for Holland was divided again into school districts, viz .- northwest, northeast and southeast, and this lasted for two or three years, but the four distriets were restored in 1803. But the frequent meetings in those years and the con- stant agitation of the question proves the opposition to the three-distriet plan.
There seems to have been a misunderstanding, and a con- flict of authority which led to appeal to the court to settle. We find that the school districts had appealed to the town to aid them in building their school houses and the town had voted money for that purpose. The northeast distriet had by itself made a contract with James Fuller to build its sehool house and it was being built when Holland assumes charge of the construction and James Fuller builds both the northeast and southeast district school houses. The priee for southeast was forty-five pounds, twelve shillings, to be paid in live stock good and merehantable at cash price. It was voted to sell the old building near Sarel Perrin's house at auction, and Nehem- iah May bid it off for $6.75, and it was voted to divide the proceeds between the northeast and southeast districts for their new school buildings.
The plan was proposed of putting one school house on the common near the church but this was defeated, not being cen- tral enough to its patrons, and we judge that the northeast building was erected in the northwest eorner of the four corners below the present town hall.
The northwest school building was ereeted at this time and stood on a ledge south of the present road about fifteen rods from Bickford cottage. It was built of briek with the ends north and south, with an extension upon the north end, for woodshed and entry, the door to the entry being on the
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THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
east side, and the road passed the north end of the school building then. What fine times the school children must have had playing around that little pond, sailing boats in summer and skating in winter. Convenient for the children it must have been a source of great amusement.
The floor of the school room was inclined, or built like an amphitheatre, the seats at the south end being highest, while each row of desks being one step higher than the row in front, while the teacher's desk stood near the door at the north end of the room. Mr. Dwight E. Webber began his school days in this building and gave us this description. The road passed the north end of the building eastwardly down the hill joining the present road where now is a gravel pit. When this building was abandoned, the new wooden building north of the present road had been built. The brick used for the building were probably made in Holland and burned near where Mr. Hebard's summer cottages now stand.
The old red school house as we knew it stood on the brow of the hill. It was built in 1847. Not many remember when this was built, but pupils now living who attended it hold it in affectionate remembrance. This district always was finan- cially stronger than either of the others and enjoyed a prestige therefrom. The old school house has recently been sold (1912) to Ernest A. Bickford of Worcester, who has moved it north- easterly a few rods and transformed it into a summer cottage, having been abandoned for school purposes by vote of the town in 1883.
The northeast school district as before stated had a new building in 1800 erected at the four corners below the town hall. In 1828 it was regarded as advisable to build again and the building was put a few rods north of the old site on the same side of the road. This is the building wherein the Rev. Washington Munger taught and the one shown on a map, 1830, at the state archives. When this building was given up, 1847,
(10)
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
the new one was erected near where Mrs. Freeman B. Blodgett now lives, east side of the road, to accommodate the children of Fullers village. Freeman B. Blodgett attended school in it as shown by the school register for 1848. He later became an efficient teacher in the schools of Holland serving many years in that capacity. His strong point was arithmetic and many of those who were his pupils speak affectionately of his worth as a teacher. This building was sold in 1901 at auction to Freeman B. Blodgett for $2.00. It had not been used for some years.
The southeast school building of 1803 has been described. In 1828, the district had its new building and again in 1847. This is the only building that now (1913) remains as it was built as to its exterior. It was sold in 1897 by vote of the town. It has been transferred again and Oliver L. Howlett is the present owner.
The southwest school distriet lost its identity by vote of the municipal distriet from 1800 to 1803, when by a vote it was restored. This was done by voting that Thomas Dorral, Robert Henry, John Smalledge and Simeon Munger should have their school money to send their children to Meadow Dis- triet, South Brimfield. These families lived (see map) at Nos. 92, 90, 89, 88. It is interesting to notice how they divided the district into three school districts, so we give the recorded bounds with related votes.
The northwest distriet, beginning at the northwest corner of James Fuller's land in the Brimfield line, thence on said Fuller's west line to the pond, thence southerly to the south- west corner of the burying ground, thence south to the road thenee westerly in said road to the old meeting house spot, thenee westerly to the southwest corner of Ebenezer Weather- bee's land on South Brimfield (Wales) line, thenee northerly to Brimfield line, thenee easterly on Brimfield line to the first mentioned bounds.
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THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
The northeast district is bounded as followeth: Beginning at the bridge east of Simeon Munger's in the road between said Munger's and Ebenezer Morse's, thence running easterly and bounded on a brook until it strikes the Quinnebaug River so- called in Morgan Meadow; thence a straight line to Mrs. Hol- lowday's house; thence northeasterly in the road that leads to Zephaniah Gibbs' to the Sturbridge line; thenee northerly on said Sturbridge line to Brimfield line; thence westerly on Brim- field line to the northwest corner of James Fuller's land ; thenee bounding on northwest distriet until it comes to South Brimfield line, thence bounded on said line and the road from thenee to Holland to the first mentioned bounds on the bridge aforesaid.
Committee for dividing Holland into school districts :
Col. Alfred Lyon, St. Hollowell Perrin, Ensign David Fay, Robert Henry, Lt. Abel Allen, Timothy Anderson and Ger- shom Rosebrooks.
Southeast Distriet.
All the rest of the District of Holland to be in the south- east distriet of schooling, except James Marey, Thomas Dor- ral and Simeon Munger.
MEETING MARCH 9, 1801.
Voted to have the District of Holland in three school dis- triets according to the before mentioned bounds in the before mentioned warrant.
Voted that the before mentioned Thomas Dorral, Simeon Munger and James Marey have their money annually to carry to South Brimfield or any other place for the purpose of school- ing their children, where they can be better accommodated than they can be in Holland, and also be excused from building any school houses in Holland.
Voted, to raise 135 pounds, twelve shillings, to pay for school houses now built in this (town) district, and cost of suits.
Voted, that the northeast and southeast districts have an equal proportion of money that shall be raised annually.
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
The four districts were restored by vote of the town at meeting held April 25, 1803.
Voted that the three school houses now built in town be school district houses.
It is probable that adverse judgments in lawsuits men- tioned brought the town to vote a restoration of the south- west district, as above stated, and the school building was erected probably on the site near what later became the Rock- well homestead. See map, No. 76. The town returned to its duty and the agitation ceased. One of the teachers that the southwest district secured was Daniel H. Chamberlain, who later became governor of South Carolina during re-construc- tion days. It was his first effort at teaching, and he was regarded as a success by the patrons. He came to town and visited the scene of his early efforts, greeting the friends of early days with great cordiality. One unacquainted would never believe that a school house stood on the spot where he taught for the site is part of a forest now. The site was changed to a posi- tion back of Elisha Marcy's house in the pasture and on the Stafford turnpike. In 1891 the building was sold and ruins of the foundation are all that remain to mark the spot.
The old school district system, while it accomplished much, did not meet the need of our modern life. It fostered neigh- borhood broils and rivalries and each school district was a petty political centre. It was upon the whole a wise move, educationally, when the state by legal enactment abrogated the prudential committee for each district and placed the schools solely under the care and jurisdiction of the town committee. Some towns sought to evade the law by having as many town school committeemen as they had school districts, one of this committee being elected from each district. Holland reluc- tant to part with her cherished school system used this means to evade the law. Finally a more stringent law was passed, which outlawed the old district system in toto. About this
149'
THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
time (1869) a committee was appointed to see if a good title to the Baptist church could be secured for a town hall. (See town hall.) In 1877 it was voted to have the southeast, south- west, and northeast schools taught for the summer in the town hall; and in 1883 it was voted to put the four schools into one to be taught in the town hall. This completed the consolida- tion of the schools.
With consolidation of the schools effected, the district school houses stood empty, relics of days gone by. Unused they would soon go to ruin. We find effort made soon to sell them. The school house for the southwest district was sold, 1891. The school house for southeast district was sold, 1897. The northwest school house, 1912. The northeast school house was sold, 1901.
Goodby to democracy carried to excess ; but "with all her faults we love her still."
In a town warrant, April 2, 1894, Article 19, we find the following :- To see if the town will vote to unite with Brim- field, Monson and Wales or with one or more of them to em- ploy a superintendent of schools and appropriate money for the same according to Chapter 431 of the Acts of 1888, and the subsequent amendments.
The above question was re-opened April 6, 1896, article 17, when it was :- Voted, to accept the provisions of Chapter 431, acts of 1888, and subsequent amendments relating thereto.
The town committee, occasionally visiting the school, could not possibly do the work, i. e., supervision. It would re- quire a man professionally trained for the work, or one who had had long experience in the classroom as well as in adjust- ing the different grades.
For small towns this could be done by forming superin- tendencies, two or more adjacent or nearby towns being under the same superintendent, when neither alone could afford to
150
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
have his service. Warren, Wales, and Holland united for that purpose and have had the following superintendents :
First, Albert Robinson in 1899.
From 1899 to 1903 no superintendent.
1903-1906 O. H. Adams
1906-1910 Parker T. Pearson
1910-1913
Wesley E. Nims
1913-1915 Albert J. Chidester
The old district schools as such are antiquated and out- lawed. They served their day and generation well. They would have served the public better had they not been hornet's nests of faction, which trained politicians among the voters, but often defeated instruction for the pupils. When harmony prevailed under wise and efficient teachers, good progress was made, otherwise chaos reigned. Young men from seventeen to twenty years frequently attended in the winter, and young women too, and this made the district school a social as well as educational centre, which, with its school exhibitions, de- bates, etc., furnished mental stimulus for young and old near home, and the tender memories of pleasant and profitable hours spent in that way formed ties that held the young in their native town. Nor were the school houses always strangers to the voice of worship. Neighborhood prayer meetings were sometimes held in them with benefit to many and the strength- ening of the church. It satisfied the normal social cravings of the young and obviated the isolation of rural life as it now is ; and it is a fair question whether this be not the great cause for deserted rural homes. It certainly has been contributive to that lamentable condition now existing. Our sociologists and legislators should find a substitute for it as powerful, as helpful, and as attractive. Until it be found the young men and young women of the farm will seek the larger towns and cities for the social life and opportunity which they crave. Thus consolidation of the district schools with the evil and dis- comforts of transportation, has not been an unmixed good.
TEACHERS WHO HAVE SERVED HOLLAND (Taken Old Home Day. August 24, 1913.)
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THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
Yet we would not have the old district school system back again. It would be pitable now to see young men and young women of sixteen to twenty years floundering along in sub- jects that boys and girls of twelve to fourteen years of age in our grammar grades easily master, due to regular attendance and careful grading as well as the increased length of the school year, and improved methods of teaching. Time is now too precious; life is too short. Holland wishes to give her scholars a good grammar school education. This is her aim and a wise one. When that is done many of her pupils should seek en- trance into Brimfield Academy, or other schools doing high school work. For this, the preparation should be ample. Many pupils from Holland in years gone by, having graduated from that academy or elsewhere have found entrance into class rooms as teachers and proved their value in that work. That this shall continue to be the case is the purpose of Holland's school committee, and to that end no means or effort will be spared. We give as matter of interest to our readers, a photo of a group of Holland teachers, taken Old Home Day, Aug. 24, 1913, when renewing old acquaintances and associations, by kindness of Mr. John H. Noyes of Brimfield.
Following is a list of the names of the persons in the teachers' photo taken Aug. 24, 1913.
Back row, left to right-Mr. John H. Noyes, Mrs. Addie (Hor- ton) Howlett, Mrs. Mary (Wallis) Thresher, Mrs. Emma (Blodgett) Moore, Mrs. Elvie (Wallis) Roper, Mr. Eliot H. Brown, Mr. Fred Bissell, Mrs. Olivia (Parker) Kinney, Miss Martha Cutting.
Middle row, left to right-Mrs. Mary ( Webber) Church, Mrs. Caroline (Carpenter) Colburn (Died), Mrs. Harriet (Rob- bins) Back, Mrs. Caroline (Howlett) Macallister, Mrs. Nancy (Shumway) Webber.
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
Front row, left to right-Miss Mabel G. Fuller, Miss Louisa M. Howlett, Mrs. Fannie (Butterworth) Parker, Mrs. Ella (Blodgett) Webber, Mrs. Ada (Blodgett) Hebard.
The following is a copy of the school register for the term and year given.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT Yrs. Mos. Yrs. Mos.
John R. Wallis 17-2 Charles A. McFarlin 10-3
Horace Wallis Jr. 18-9 Dwight E. Webber 17-5
Henry W. Orcutt 15 William Butler 11-11
John A. Orcutt 13-8 Charles Cutler 16-4
William G. Orcutt 10-5
James Polley 11-11
William A. Webber
15-5
Mary Wilson 14-3
William HI. H. Bennett 6-5
Mary Boyle 9-5
Samuel P. Jennison, teacher
Length of term, 3 months
Wages of teacher $13 per
month.
Year 1847-48.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT
Winter term (Dec. 6-Mar. 28) 1847-48.
Yrs. Mos.
Yrs. Mos.
Euniee B. Fuller 19-5 Josephine Drake 9-5
Augusta A. Fuller 18
Mary A. Darling 6
Freeman B. Blodgett 16-7
Charles D. Ballard
3-8
Joseph C. Kendrick 16-7 George T. Ballard 6-5
Auldin L. Fletcher 16-4 Elbridge G. Drake 5-11
Charles B. Babcock 17-8
Clement F. Drake 6-3
Jarad L. Lamb 19-10
Asahel Darling 3
Salem T. Weld 17-3 John Cutler 5
Eliza A. Ballard 10-7 George H. Cutler
6
Mary Anderson
14-8 Wilber Davis 6
Elizabeth C. Moore
14-5
Henry M. Howard 5
Calvin M. Moore 11-3
George H. Ober 6-2
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