USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holland > History of the town of Holland, Massachusetts > Part 11
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Mary Z. Sykes
14-7
Minerva Weaks 8
Sarah A. Sykes 13
William O. Lynn
4-4
Mary J. Robbins 13-8
Joseph F. Sykes 5-8
Caroline W. Kendrick 11-6
Emeline M. Lynn
5-5
153
THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
Yrs. Mos.
Yrs. Mos.
Mary A. E. Kinney 13-2
Anna M. Ober 10-6
Judson H. Town
13-7
Julia W. Hyde 16-4
James M. Frizell
9-2
John Gates 16-6
Hariet L. Frizell
8-4
Phebe Webber
8-8
Ezra Bowin 12-3
Eliza P. Weaks 12-7
Charles E. Putnam
10-11
Albert Sykes 3
Willis F. Williams
14-7
Randolph Davis 9
Wyles W. Williams
10-7
John Adams
7
Wesley Williams
10-7
Hollowil Marcy
7
Jno. R. Davis
10-4
Wealthy Fletcher
11
Francis Ober
8-4
Francis E. Kinney 6-8
Oliver P. Kendrick
S-1
Emily E. Sykes
8-2
Average attendance, 361/2
Louisa W. Sykes
11-2
Harriet E. Robbins
7-4
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT
Yrs. Mos.
Yrs. Mos.
Mary Ann E. Kinney 12-10
David S. Corban 11-2
Sophronia May 11-11 Albert Corban 8-2
Harriet C. Howlett 10-8 Caroline A. Corban 5-11
Eliza A. Ballard 10-3 William E. Baker 6-9
Josephine Drake 9-1
Newton Wallace 6-1
John J. Corban 3-7
Joanna Corban 13-5
Jane P. Butterworth 5-2
Susan E. Butterworth 3-5
James B. May 9-11
Charles C. Church 10-10
William W. Howlett 8-2
Merrick C. Brackett 9
Grosvenor May 7-5
Francis E. Kinney 6-5
Hollowil P. Marcy 6-6
George T. Ballard 6-2
Charles D. Ballard 3-4
Oscar C. Marcy 4-11
Henry A. May 5-1
Eunice M. Fletcher 12
Wealthy S. Fletcher 9-2
Elizabeth Fletcher 7-10
James C. Fletcher 4-10
Mary R. Baker 4-8
Mary J. Howlett Teacher. Term Aug. 16-Nov. 19, 1847 Wages of teacher $6.00 per month.
Length of term 3 months.
Sarah Moore 9-2
John W. Robinson, Teacher Wages $18 per month
Length of term 17 weeks.
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
Yrs. Mos.
Yrs. Mos.
Aurelia Colburn
18-8
Nelson B. Olds
3
Betsy Colburn
16-8
Isaac Burley 5-5
Lucinda Olds
12
Elbridge Colburn
15
Caroline Howlett
11-7
Martin Williams 5
Elizabeth Marcy
12
Emeline Back
5
Caroline Butterworth 10-7
Mary A. E. Kinney 13-9
Ellen E. Haradon
11-6
Francis E. Kinney
7
Almedia Colburn
10-9
Palmer S. Underwood 12-7
Olive B. Olds
8-8
Willard Butterworth 5
Elizabeth Fletcher
8-5
David Butterworth 9
Amelia Olds
6-3
Gilbert Williams 10
Sarah Marcy
8
Year 1848
Mary Williams
7-6
June 12-Ang. 22
Lucy T. Marcy
4
Caroline E. Haris,
Myra Williams
3-5
Teacher.
Caroline Marcy
4
Length of term, 10 weeks.
Melloyn Haradon
2-8
Total enrollment, 33.
William Howlett
9-2
Average attendance 27.
Merrick Brackett
10-9
Wages of teacher $5 per mo.
Hollowell Marcey
7-5
Board was given by the
Oscar Marcey
5-8
district.
James C. Fletcher
5
By comparison of the registers it will be observed that there was disregard of school district lines.
TOWN HALL
The first town meeting of the district of Holland after its incorporation, was July 24, 1783. It was held in the church on the hill above the old parsonage (Mr. Silas Fletcher's) as indicated by the town warrant. The church was the great centre of social, political, moral and spiritual life of towns in those days. And yet a meeting of that sort scems strangely out of place in a church today, because the voters are so diverse in feelings and opinions. Towns have felt the neces- sity of having a town building or hall in which the voters
155
THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
could meet and transact the town business. Diversity of sym- pathies, of opinions, and of faith, rendered this inevitable. Some towns held to the custom of meeting in the church much longer than others. This was especially true of towns not sub- ject to radical change in population. Towns where home- steads pass from sire to son and remain for generations in the same family name are conservative. This conservatism may act as a preservative of the best life of the town.
Such we believe was the case with Holland. It held to the custom of holding its town meetings in the church for nearly one hundred years, simply because there was no decided demand for a town hall, nor do we find an indication that one was wanted for about sixty years after it was incorporated. After the new church was built (1835) the old church stood on the common unused. Naturally the question of converting that into a town hall would come up when one or more town meetings had been held there. A committee was appointed to investigate the condition of the building and report, 1837. Their report was adverse for we find a vote (1838) to build a town house. It did not materialize, however. Town meeting was held in the Baptist church sometimes.
Building a town hall was avoided by holding town meet- ings at Holland Inn, paying one dollar for the privilege, 1839. This led to the sale of the old church building, 1839, to Willard Weld for ten dollars. Town meeting was held once in a while in the Baptist church and in 1842 a town meeting was held in a horseshed. In 1848 the Baptist church was closed to use as a Baptist church for lack of support. They tried, ten years later, 1858, to sell it to the Congregationalists after their church was burned but failed to effect a sale.
An article was in the town warrant for a meeting, April 5, 1869, "to see if the town will vote to build a town house or take means to obtain the Baptist meeting house and convert the same into a town house; or act anything relating thereto
156
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
when met." At the meeting the town took action as follows: Voted, "To build a Town House using the old Baptist meet- ing house as far as it will go, if it can be legally and lawfully obtained." Further discussion of the probable cost led to a re- consideration of the above vote, for we find "Voted, to recon- sider the above vote." Also :- "Voted, to pass over taking means to obtain the Baptist meeting house."
At a town meeting held Nov. 2, 1869, at Kinney's Hall it was-"Voted, to accept the report of the committee that were chosen to see if they could obtain a good title to the Baptist meeting house." From the report it is evident that the Baptist society had to reorganize before their meeting house could be transferred. When reorganized, the society passed the follow- ing vote. "Voted to give the Baptist meeting house with the land belonging to the same to the town of Holland if said town will repair and convert it into a town house, provided anyone in said town could have the privilege of holding meetings in said house when not ocenpied for town purposes; or for schooling.
Orrin W. Brown, Lewis C. Howlett, Committee.
At a meeting of the town, it had been voted to buy the Baptist meeting house property if it could be secured for a sum not to exceed $200.
Through the work of its committee the town secures it as a gift with nominal provisions. This indicates splendid work on the part of the committee. At the same meeting it was-"Voted, to accept the Baptist meeting house as a gift from the Baptist Society." Also "moved that a vote of thanks be extended to the Baptist Society for the gift of the Baptist meeting house." Carried. The said meeting house became town property by deed of gift, April 4, 1870.
At a meeting held March 25, 1870, and in anticipation of the Baptist meeting house becoming town property it was-
157
THE SCHOOLS OF HOLLAND
"Voted to raise two hundred dollars to aid in defraying the expense of repairing the meeting house."
At the town meeting held April 4, 1870, it was voted to choose a committee of three to superintend the repairing of the old meeting house and not to expend over $500, and to be finished by Oct. 1, 1870.
George L. Webber, Wm. A. Robbins, O. W. Brown,
Committee of Repairs.
Holland had now a town house, and the use of part of it for school purposes was a result, the product of circumstances.
Much credit was due to the committee who secured such an acquisition for the town on such terms. Lewis C. Howlett was chairman of the purchasing committee and it was regarded as due to his tact and foresight that it was secured as a gift. A vote of thanks was passed for the gift and for the service of the committee. Holland had been eighty-six years without a town hall and of that eighty-six years the churches had sup- plied the need nearly sixty years. The next thing was to re- pair the building and bring it into condition for town use.
It is to be regretted that no picture of the building as it was when used as a church is now available; but we are told that it had a belfry without steeple built outside of and attached to the front end of the building and that it never had a bell, but that the deck for the bell extended some higher than the ridge pole. The entrances to the church were at the base of the tower.
When repairs were made to use it for a town hall, the tower was removed and a floor has been put in making it a two story building, of which the room up stairs is used for town hall. The room down stairs is used for a school room now as noted in Chapter on Schools. Recently an outside stair way has been put on to avoid accident in case of fire. Thus what was the Baptist Church is meeting now a two-fold need.
CHAPTER IX
HOLLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
That the people of Holland were interested in having access to good reading material, evidence is not wanting. Miss Louisa M. Howlett has in her possession a book on the fly leaf of which is inscribed "The Property of the Holland Social Library Company." which would indicate that a Library Company was formed of those who wished to have good ma- terial to read. It was probably done by each subscribing a specified sum per unit of time. A subscription library is bet- ter than none, but it is not apt to last long, for the subscribers get dissatisfied, and then comes the sale of their stock. This seems to have been the sequel of the Library Company referred to, and Miss Howlett's grandfather, Loring Chapin, became the recipient of the book as a present from his mother, bear- ing date Feb. 10, 1816. The book is a copy of Oliver Gold- smith's "A Citizen of the World." Who were in this com- pany, how many volumes their library contained, how long it lasted, we have not been able to learn. It is creditable that such a Library Association was formed. School libraries may have taken its place so that the gap between the dissolution of that company and the beginning of a public library was not wholly void. In 1892 it was voted to accept of the provisions of Chapter 347 of the acts of 1890, and secure the state fund for a public Library. Here was the beginning of what is now Holland Public Library. The first Board of Trustees for the Library were elected as follows,-H. E. Wallis for one year; F. B. Blodgett for two years; and L. H. Howlett for three years. Mr. Ralph Howlett was elected and served as the first librar- ian. A room was partitioned off on the lower floor of the town hall in which to keep the books. Year by year the number of volumes grew, by purchase with the town appropriations, and
HOLLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
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HOLLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
by the state aid, as well as by gifts from friends, that the town soon had the nucleus of a very useful library. So much interest was felt in the library as a valuable asset to the town that when an article was inserted in the town warrant for the annual meeting in April, 1911, "To see if the town will build a public library," it was voted unanimously to build a public Library, and the selectmen were chosen a committee to appoint a committee of three to investigate cost, inspect plans and re- port at an adjourned meeting to be convened at the call of the committee. The selectmen gave the following as their selection for committee upon plans :- John F. Hebard, Arthur F. Blodgett, Andrew J. Bagley, all of them well qualified for the work in hand. The work of getting plans for a building suited to Holland's needs was a task of no small proportions. The visiting of libraries in other towns, and the inspection of plans seemed only to make the question more complex, until the services of the State Architect, Mr. J. R. Coolidge, Boston, Mass., were sought. He recommended to the committee the plans which were finally presented to the town, July 31, 1911, for acceptance, and which the town wisely accepted. A build- ing committee was now chosen, consisting of John F. Hebard, Oliver L. Howlett, and Andrew J. Bagley. It was voted unan- imously to empower the town treasurer to borrow the sum of $1,800 for the purpose of erecting a new library building in the town of Holland. This sum together with cash in hand available for such purpose amounted to about $2,200. The town also voted to pay the sum of $200 on the principal and all accrued interest until the $1,800 be fully paid. It was also voted that a committee of five be chosen to solicit funds for the library foundation, grading, etc. Oliver L. Howlett, John F. Hebard, E. M. Bennett, Louisa M. Howlett, Andrew J. Bag- ley. This committee secured a sum adequate to the purpose from the sons and daughters of Holland for the foundation, and the building committee made a contract with Mr. John A.
160
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
Conway of Warren, Mass., for erecting the building, which is the pride of the town and the admiration of all who have seen it; so appropriate to the town, to its purpose, and to its sur- roundings, that it has been much admired. Its total cost was $2,104.62, and contains now (1915), over 1,600 volumes. It was dedicated August 24, 1912, at an "Old Home Day" cele- bration, the occasion bringing together many friends of the town. Mr. J. R. Coolidge, the architect, made remarks ex- planatory of his reasons why he planned such a building for Holland, which were heartily appreciated. Unexpended bal- ance of appropriation, $20.38. Miss Zaidee M. Brown of the Massachusetts Library Commission, who had been in town for a few days cataloging the books made a few remarks explain- ing the method of cataloging, how simple it would be to find the book wanted, and expressing the hope that Holland would continue to increase her library material, and suggesting methods of doing it. Now that the town had such a fine library, she hoped the citizens would make good use of it.
Dr. Edward Hitchcock gave a short address, which for suggestive points made and genial good fellowship is worthy of note. He spoke as follows :- "To be allowed to speak be- fore. an assemblage of this kind, would be a distinct honor for anyone. To me it is especially so because the occasion is so essentially Holland's, their old home-coming day, and to be allowed to speak here, we of the little brown house by the pond feel that in this way you are showing a willingness to take us in as Hollanders. And we have been taken in by you, and we are grateful to those who have accepted us and have given us the glad hand of welcome.
We are here today to dedicate a library; a library well- built, comfortable, attractive and located just where it should be, between the church and the townhouse, and overlooking the town. It should influence your Sunday services, your local government and your home lives; all should be the better for
161
HOLLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY.
it; and if you are not better Christians, better citizens and better workers because of it, the sooner you realize the fire insurance it carries the better.
It is not necessary, you know, to read many books. Pres. Elliott says that a good working library for any man can be held on a five foot shelf, and yet there are but few books written from which we cannot get some good. Books may be resolved into two kinds; those which mainly interest, please and amuse, and those which instruct. Both have their place. To the farm- er, who wishes to know the experience of others in rotation of crops, the value of commercial fertilizer, or how to raise sheep to profit, the latter is a necessity, for I care not how old you are in your business there is no man or woman who cannot profit by the experience of others, and he is a fool who thinks he cannot.
But this same man who realizes his need for help to ac- complish the purpose of his work, has times when his mental machinery won't operate; when he is head-tired as well as foot- tired and it is then that a chapter or two of a novel, a bit of Mark Twain, or of phonetic Josh Billings will make him forget to feel tired.
Yes, a library is a fine thing for every town and I know of no better use to which the cost of this one could have been put- only use it. Pretty as it is, it would be a miserable waste if you do not use it. As a business matter, the erection of this building and equipping it with books is a good venture. It shows that the Hollanders know the beauty of their surround- ings and are anxious that its material advantages should be equal to or better, than those towns less favored by nature. It shows the awakening of a public spirit and furnishes a central interest in which every man, woman and child should share. We do not all think alike in religious matters, and in politics we have individual preferences (although I think to Holland be- longs the distinction of being the only town of the state to send in a solid vote for one Presidential candidate at the recent pri- mary ;) but in the library we shall all find what we want.
So it stands here not as a building of stones, clapboards and slates. It stands for more than these. It stands for the de-
(11)
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
sire of the people,-the builders,-for growth. It stands for education, advance, and healthy relaxation. It calls for a bigger, better town. It demands better enforcement of the laws. It calls for better citizenship and for a closer man-to-man touch. You have built your library. You have in so doing advertised your intentions. Now let us live up to the building on the hill.
You remember old Rip Van Winkle who went off in the woods and slept for years, and returning, did not recognize his old home town, so much had it improved. I wonder, if in years to come, could we then look back-but we leave that thought unfinished and in closing, I give Rip's toast which he gave to Sleepy Hollow while drinking the Schnapps a kindly hand had offered, "Here's to you all; your wives and children. May you live long and prosper." And then we'll add may this day be the best in Holland's history."
The dedicatory address was by Rev. Martin Lovering, pastor of Holland Congregational Church.
Welcome to the visiting friends and all who wish the pros- perity of Holland. Another year has gone by, a year of en- couragement and promise as well as achievement. Gratitude is felt for kindly gifts received from our friends for the library. We still need more, and if our friends have it in their hearts to give more, it will be thankfully received. The soliciting com- mittee, of which Mr. Hebard, I believe, is chairman, will talk with those who wish about it.
Whereas last year only stakes indicated the place of the library, today you see the finished structure. I congratulate the architect for the excellent taste shown in the position and plan of the building, its harmony with its sister buildings about it, its neat and tasteful simplicity, with just enough of ornament to enhance its modest beauty. Step inside, the interior is splendid- ly adapted to the uses to which it is to be put. Its appointments are commodious, comfortable and convenient. It is Holland's contribution to 20th century enlightenment and progress. I congratulate her that not one dollar of a millionaire has been donated for its construction. It is the expression of her own
163
HOLLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY.
spirit to the progress of the time, and, considering the re- sources of the town it is a generous one.
MAY TAKE SATISFACTION.
But if anyone be inclined to criticize it and say, "It is only a widow's mite in the treasury of publie good, and public ser- vice," let it be said that just here is where Holland may take satisfaction. Of her it may be said as it was said of one who rendered a loving service to our Lord, "she hath done what she could," and done it nobly, and its value is enhanced by the spirit that prompted it.
However, Holland is widowed and poor because of what she has given to other towns and cities, of her sons and daughters, and can there be a more precious gift, and one to her more cost- ly ? Many have gone out from here and become identified with the life and activity of other places. They have made good, too, to use the modern expression, which proves how great a loss it was to her when they went. Regrets are useless. Going or staying she has only good will and a "God bless you" for all her children. Yet Holland was poorer in wealth and population by what she had given to the growth of others. She was giving her own strength her own living. When railroads put out of busi- ness the old stage coaches that used to pass between Worcester and Hartford and passed through here to and fro, Holland lost easy and regular communication with the outside world and much of the power and prestige that attracts prospective citizens went also. She suffered the decline that other towns for a like reason have suffered. But with the railroad now in process of construction, she will have better facilities of transportation. Signs multiply that she is beholding the dawn of a brighter day. All honor to those who in the days of her decline had the courage and the patience to maintain her an independent township. It will be a source of satisfaction to them now to see her growth, which I think the coming years will surely bring. Then will other hands build upon the foundations which we have laid, and other hearts lovingly and appreciatingly take up the work and carry it on until it joins that river of human good which empties into the ocean of human advancement whose boundaries, if in- deed there be any, only the Infinite Creator knows.
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
GENEROUS AND LOVING SPIRIT
We are about to dedicate this building for a free town library. But in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground" or the building which stands thereon. The generous and loving public spirit of the forefathers of Holland has already done that, and the building has already taken on the sacred charac- ter of its surroundings. The exposition of God's word, prayer and praise have been heard in this place for nearly 120 years. Yonder stood the church, to which they bent their steps at the hour of worship, and when that became unfit or unsuited to their need yonder stood the new church which became the center of their social and religious life, and when that was destroyed by fire they replaced it by another, of which and its blessings we are the natural heirs. But some preferred to wor- ship God by loyalty to a faith expressed in slightly different terms, and by a different form of baptism and they built yonder building, a church then and from it came forth the voice of Christian worship as loyal and fervent as the other. But through no fault of theirs, lack of worshipers and supporters compelled them finally to close its doors to worship, but they gave it to the town for Christian uses, a hall for civic purposes and Christian education of which we are the natural heirs also. This library building then has already taken on a sacred charac- ter and purpose by association with her sister buildings, and from this hallowed ground, donated by the forefathers and set apart for eivic and saered purposes, we can but ratify, what the hallowed lives and memories of more than a century has already done. Let us with reverent and thankful hearts consecrate ourselves to the forefathers' ideals of civie life and Christian duty, and devote this building to the glory of God and the service of man.
The dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. C. B. Bliss, pastor of the Hampden Congregational Church, and son of a former pastor of the Holland Congregational Church.
The Old Home Day for 1913, Aug. 24, and 25, was also a very pleasant affair, bringing a crowd together. The Spring- field Republican had a reporter on the ground and we give
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HOLLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY.
the days' proceedings as reported in that paper. The speech of Major John Anderson will be of special interest for he has since then passed away and that was his last visit to Holland, which, although not his birthplace, yet was the home of his boyhood and young manhood, and Holland will cherish his memory, not only for what he was and what he achieved, but for his well-known and respected ancestry, residents of Hol- land in its early history. The following is the report of Sat- urday's exercises, Aug. 24.
, HOLLAND'S OLD HOME DAY
RENEWAL OF OLD FRIENDSHIPS
Address by John A. Scheuerle
Bright skies and favoring weather smiled on the celebra- tion of old home day yesterday in Holland, a town small in numbers but great in its hospitality and in the quality of its con- tributions to the world in the men and women it has sent out. Although the township stretches over a goodly area the popu- lation has decreased to less than 150 inhabitants, who have contended with the disadvantages of remoteness from the railroad and centers of industrial life. But in spite of its de- cadence in numbers and wealth and its isolated situation, the town has sturdily maintained its essential character as a type of the best New England life and as a staunch political unit in the maintenance of state and national government.
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