USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Lakeville > History of the town of Lakeville, Massachusetts, 1852-1952; one hundredth anniversary of the town of Lakeville > Part 10
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1896-Alice P. Cormack, Annie L. Goodrow, May E. Dennie (one week) and Maud E. Wing.
1897-Maud E. Wing and Abbie E. Cudworth.
1898-Chloe Macomber and Abbie E. Cudworth.
1899-Abbie E. Cudworth and Ida Magoon.
1900-Ida Magoon and Ada Pierce.
1901-Ada Pierce and Helen A. Whitmore.
1902-Helen A. Whitmore.
1903-Helen Whitmore, M. F. Ryan, E. A. Hafford, E. F. Wagner and Mertie Jenkins.
1904-Mertie Jenkins and Maude E. Brackett.
1905-Maude E. Brackett and Norma I. Baker.
1906-Norma I. Baker.
1907-Norma I. Baker and Mertie Willis.
1908-Mertie Willis, Ida Clapp and Mary E. Parks.
1909-Ida M. Clapp, A. Gertrude C. Daly and Sarah E. Sewal !.
At the close of the fall term there were only nine pupils and it was decided to transport them to the Parris Hill School.
In 1912 the Canedy School was re-opened and K. Frances Dunham, Clara W. Eaton, Helen C. Dustin and Alice S. Hawes all taught that year.
1913-Mary E. Walling.
1914-Laura E. Stoddard.
1915-Laura E. Stoddard.
1916 and 1917-Again no school .-
1918-Eva Shannon.
1919-
1920-Mary A. Downey.
1921-Mary A. Downey.
The spring term of 1922 was not completed because of scarlet fever.
1923-
1924-The Canedy School house was burned early in November.
SEARS SCHOOL - No. 8
The school in District Number 8 seemed to possess the faculty of locomotion, moving from one point in the district to another, thus reversing the usual order of things. Instead of the children going to school, we have the schoolhouse going to the children.
In the report of the school committee for 1875 it says: "School- house No. 8 (Sears) has been burned the past year and that only a small number of children attended."
In the winter of 1856 school was not kept, due to the fact that there was no money.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
The Sears School was on Freetown Street, on the left side about a quarter of a mile beyond the railroad bridge.
In 1857 the teacher's name was not given in the report, but instead a report of the prudential committee was given. E. S. Ashley and J. C. Haskins were on that committee for the Sears School. The report says that school was held for twenty-four weeks at a cost of $58.47 and that $18 was spent for the teacher's board for twelve weeks. Some of the teachers who taught at the Sears School are as follows:
1853-54-55-56-Catherine Bishop.
1857-Report of the prudential committee.
1858-Theodora F. Ashley.
1859-Sarah A. Pickens.
1860-61-62-63-Reports are unavailable.
1864-Lucy A. Ashley.
1865-66-67-Fanny H. Howland.
1868-Lizzie G. Winslow.
1869-70-Annie L. Parris.
1871-Amy L. Anthony and A. F. Macomber.
1872-A. F. Macomber.
1873-Emma B. Macomber.
1874-Chattie H. Strobridge and Seth Macomber.
1875-1. Hattie Peirce.
1876-P. Hattie Peirce, Amy H. Peirce and Lizzie C. Edminster. 1877-Lizzie C. Edminster.
1878-Eudora Lawrence. Jennie M. Thomas and Cora J. Pickens.
1879-Alice V. Winslow.
1880-Eliza M. Peirce.
1881-J. Nellie Peirce
1882-Minnie A. Cummings and Chester Ashley.
1883-84-Edgar O. Leach.
1885-Report unavailable.
1886-Alice C. Ryder and Mrs. Hannah J. Harper.
1887-E. M. Chamberlain.
1888-Jennie P. Washburn.
1889-Jennie P. Washburn and Ada D. Anthony.
1890-No report of School No. 8 in the town report.
1891-Ralph H. Anthony.
1892-Jerusha H. DeMaranville.
1893-Alton W. Reed.
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SCHOOLS
G. HASKINS SCHOOL (The Mystery Schoolhouse) - No. 9
In the report of the school committee for the first year which was 1853, and for the second report, 1854, there was a Number 9 school. It was called the G. Haskins School. In 1853 Sarah E. Evans was the teacher and Miss S. B. Thatcher taught in 1854. No one knows the location of this school. From the district number which was 9, it would seem that it would be between the Strobridge School, which was No. 10, and the Sears School which was No. 8. If so, it would be in the vicinity of Parris Hill. There was a George S. Haskins, the son of Cephas Haskins, who was postmaster for many years. This George Haskins was selectman and assessor for about ten years and he lived in the Haskins neighborhood but that does not seem to connect with this school.
In 1870, Ellen Haskins was paid three dollars for a room in which to keep school, and in 1871, the next year, a Julius C. Haskins was paid three dollars for a room in which to keep school. This Julius Haskins lived in the Beech Woods section of the town, so it could be possible that it was his home.
THE BEECH WOODS SCHOOL - No. 10
The Beech Woods schoolhouse was located on what is now Peirce Avenue and can be seen today across from the Alton Hoard Place.
Town reports list the following teachers:
1853-Tirza S. Morse and Sarah A. Tinkham.
1854-Miss Ashley.
1855-Mary M. Cushman (summer) and Palmie R. Canedy (winter).
1856-Clementine L. Ashley.
1857-C. B. Parris, on the prudential committee.
1858-Jane A. Canedy.
1859-Sophia A. Townsend (summer) and Josephine P. Atkinson (winter).
Beech Woods School, which until this time had been District No. 10, was changed to District 9. In 1864 and 1865 in the same Town report the teacher at Precinct was Hannah T. Mont- gomery; but Hannah T. Montgomery was also listed as the
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
teacher in District No. 9, Beech Woods, for both summer and winter. As the schoolhouses and school districts were changed so many times, it would be very easy to make a mistake in the records.
1865-66-Lucy F. Morse.
1866-67-H. T. Montgomery.
1867-68-Mary F. Paull (winter) and Amey L. Parris (summer).
1869-No report.
1870-Lizzie B. Hathaway.
1871-72-H. T. Davis (summer) and Samuel H. Richmond (winter).
1872-73-Ellen H. Akin and Hannah N. Dillingham.
1873-74-M. W. M. Vaughan and George R. Randall.
1874-75-Alice C. Flanders and Seth Macomber.
1876-Mary T. Pierce, Seth Macomber, Miss E. R. Bliss and Joseph F. Donham.
1877-78-Frank Copeland and Mary L. Burt.
1878-79-Lizzie C. Edminster.
1879-80-Frank Copeland.
1881-Lizzie C. Edminster, spring; Annie F. Richmond, fall, and Leavitt C. Caswell, winter.
1882-Mary A. Strange, summer; Ida E. Gardner, summer, and Bessie Chase, winter.
1883
1884-Nellie W. Winslow, summer, and Belle F. Whitaker, winter.
1885-Chester Ashley and Annie L. Soule.
1886-Addie W. French and Alice C. Ryder.
It was about this time that the Canedy schoolhouse was moved north on County Street, opposite Kingman Street, and the Beech Woods School was sold. The parents from the Beech Woods District refused to let their children attend the Canedy School at its new location. In 1886 and 1887, there being no schoolhouse belonging to the town within the limits of School District No. 9, a room was hired in the private home of Moses Parris on County Street. Mr. Parris was grandfather of Mrs. Eliza Chase and Mrs. Olive C. B. Washburn. School was kept in the front room of Mrs. Chase's home on Parris Hill. The next year, 1888, the Montgomery Schoolhouse was moved to School Street and the school was called the Parris Hill School. Mary S. Fisher was the teacher in 1886 and 1887, the year that school was taught in the private home.
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SCHOOLS
PARRIS HILL SCHOOL
The Montgomery schoolhouse had been moved to the short street running from County Road to Peirce Avenue, afterwards called School Street. About 1888 this school, the Parris Hill School, was opened.
The list of teachers follows:
1888-90-Mary S. Fisher.
1891-1892-Mary S. Fisher and Alton W. Reed.
1893-94-95-Alton W. Reed.
1896-Virtue Bowerman, Ethel Cannon and Alton W. Reed.
1897-Virtue Bowerman and Lillian M. Blinn.
1898-Lillian M. Blinn and Susie M. Allen.
1899-00-01-Susie M. Allen.
1901-02-Pamela Caswell.
In the fall of 1902 there were 35 pupils at the Parris Hill School, while only 20 seats were available. Some of the children were sent to Canedy School and the dressing room was remodeled to seat some of the pupils.
1903-Eunice Pierce.
1904-Eunice Pierce and Alice E. Howe.
1905-Alice E. Howe.
1906-Alice E. Howe and Mary A. Nannery.
1907-Mary A. Nannery, Mrs. John Belden and Nellie F. McAulifte.
1908-Nellie F. McAuliffe.
1909-Nellie F. McAuliffe and A. Gertrude Daley.
1910-A. Gertrude Daley.
1911-P. J. Almira Forbes and Eunice R. Pierce.
1912-13-14-15-16-17-Eunice R. Pierce.
1918-19-20-Mildred C. Tinkham.
1921-Bertha Hammond.
1922-Amy P. Staples and Bertha Hammond.
1923-Bertha Hammond and Mildred Tinkham Lang.
1924-Mildred Tinkham Lang.
It was at this time, 1924, that the South Lakeville School was opened.
STROBRIDGE OR MONTGOMERY SCHOOL-No. 11
At first the Strobridge School was District No. 11 and was located on Kingman Street at the head of Montgomery Street. Later the district was changed from 11 to 10. In 1879 or 1880
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
the Strobridge Schoolhouse was moved to Montgomery Street, at the head of Hill Street. In 1853 Matilda P. Briggs was the teacher. In 1854 and 1855 no school was in session at the Stro- bridge School. In 1856, Martha L. Hathaway taught in the summer and Susan C. Strobridge taught the winter term. In 1857 Benjamin H. Strobridge was the prudential committee. In 1858, Myra F. Paull taught the summer term and there was no school that winter. Other teachers have been:
1859-C. Angeline Williams and Martha E. L. Bosquet.
1864-Hannah T. Montgomery and L. Frank Montgomery.
1865-Sarah B. Winslow and Louisa Montgomery.
1866-Sarah B. Winslow.
1867-The prudential committee for that district was John Williams. Mrs. Benjamin Strobridge was paid three dollars for the use of a room for school. Charity H. Strobridge and Nellie C. Strobridge were neither absent nor tardy during the winter term. (School was kept in their own home.)
1868-Mattie L. Hathaway.
1869-Addie R. Lawrence.
1870-71-Eudora M. Allen.
1872-Eudora M. Allen and Addie R. Lawrence.
1873-Addie R. Lawrence and Mary E. Evans.
1874-Hattie A. Harris and Mary E. Evans.
1875-Idella M. Stephens and Irene E. Hathaway.
1876-77-Ella M. Pierce.
1878-Frank Copeland and Eliza M. Pierce.
1879-Ella M. Pierce,
1880-Annie F. Richmond taught the fall term.
Records show that at this time the Strobridge School, which had been moved to Montgomery Street and was now called the Montgomery School, was discontinued. About 1888 the Mont- gomery schoolhouse was moved to Parris Hill and became the Parris Hill School.
THE PRECINCT SCHOOL - No. 12
The Precinct School was located on Precinct Street between the church and the old store of Frank B. Williams. In 1853 when Lakeville was separated from Middleboro, the district number was 12, but in 1855 it was changed to No. 10, and the next year changed again to No. 11. In 1880 School No. 10, which was the
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SCHOOLS
Strobridge School, and No. 11 were united. The Precinct school- house was sold for $45. While the Strobridge schoolhouse was being moved to its new location, the scholars from the Precinct School (which at that time were very few) were to attend the Haskins No. 2 until the Strobridge School was ready.
Precinct School
After sixteen years (1896), the Washburn School No. 4 was moved to Precinct and school re-opened under District No. 4. In the fall of 1912 the pupils from Precinct School came to the new Assawompsett School.
Some of the teachers have been:
1853-Adeline V. Wood and Charlotte Barstow.
1854-A. A. King for the summer and B. L. Wilder for the winter.
1855-Sarah B. Thatcher and Samuel Miller, Jr.
1856-Harriet S. Monroe and Myra F. Paull.
1857-The prudential committee was Martin L. Caswell but the name of the teacher is not given.
1858-Mary E. Mason and Rhoda Miller.
1859-S. K. L. Bosquet, summer and winter.
1864-Hannah T. Montgomery and J. Frank Montgomery.
1865-Sarah B. Winslow and Louisa Montgomery.
1866-Rhoda Miller.
1867-Rhoda Miller and Mary A. Montgomery.
1868-Mattie L. Hathaway and Cordie E. Perkins.
1869-Julia M. Tinkham and Ida G. Decker.
1870-Ida G. Decker and Hattie A. Barrows.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
1871-Lizzie G. Winslow and Hattie A. Barrows.
1872-Lizzie G. Winslow and Ellen H. Akin.
1873-Ellen H. Akin and Josephine R. Randall.
1874-Abbie H. Harris and P. Hattie Peirce.
1875-Alice S. Church, Abbie L. Bassett and Alice Shepard.
1876-Mary T. Pierce and Nellie F. Lovell.
1877-Nellie F. Lovell and Mary L. Burt.
1878-Mary L. Burt and Amelia F. Keen.
1879-Hattie S. Thatcher.
At this time the school was closed and sold.
In 1896 the Precinct school was re-opened in the Washburn schoolhouse which had been moved to Precinct; the teachers being Delia R. King- man and Louise H. Sampson.
1897-Louise H. Sampson.
1898-Louise H. Sampson and Fannie McDonald.
1899-Fannie McDonald.
1900-Fannie McDonald.
1901-Fannie McDonald, E. F. Dunham and Grace E. Wood.
1902-Grace E. Wood and E. Frances Dunham.
1903-04-Frances Dunham.
1905-Frances Dunham and Lydia B. Denham.
1906-Lydia Denham and Edith C. Holland.
Until 1912 when the scholars went to Assawompsett School, Edith C. Holland continued to be the teacher.
TOWN HOUSE SCHOOL
In November, 1908, a primary school was opened in the Town House to accommodate the first three grades from Upper Corners and the Neck Schools. There were 23 pupils the first year. As the school was temporary, and the Town House used for other purposes, no desks were put in, but low tables and chairs were used.
The first teacher was Flora Keene. In 1909 Flora Keene and Edith G. Jenkins were teachers. Edith G. Jenkins taught again in 1910. In 1911 Edith G. Jenkins and Jessie L. Paine were the teachers. In 1912 Jessie L. Paine taught until June and in thẻ fall the Assawompsett School was opened.
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SCHOOLS
ASSAWOMPSETT SCHOOL
In 1912 the Assawompsett schoolhouse was built at a cost of $10,500. The building had four class rooms, a committee room and a teachers' room. The building committee included Henry L. Pember, Alton T. Hoard and Zebulon L. Canedy. The building of this up-to-date schoolhouse elim- inated nearly all the district schools.
In 1913 a number of pictures were given to the Assawompsett School by Mr. and Mrs. Sidney T. Nelson, Mrs. Arthur Rotch, Mrs. Thomas Beaton, Mrs. Fred Shockley, Mrs. Myra A. Hammond, Mrs. Cornelia Cook of New Bedford, Mrs. W. L. Wright of Brockton and Mrs. Annie P. Kelly. The pupils and teachers gave two pictures. A clock for the front of the building was given by Mrs. Rhoda M. Peirce. A large American flag of the Spanish American War era was pre- sented by the family of the late E. T. Pierce Jenks. The school savings bank was started in November of 1912 under the auspices of the Lakeville members of the Cabot Club.
The teachers at Assawompsett School have been:
1912-Elizabeth H. Benson, Esther M. Barnes and Edith L. Robinson.
1913-E. H. Benson, E. L. Robinson and Gladys M. Harris.
1914-E. H. Benson, E. L. Robinson, Betty A. Burkhead and Sadie Feathstone. 1915-E. H. Benson, M. Alma Philips, Sarah Thurston and Myrta Chadwick. 1916-17-E. H. Benson, M. A. Philips, S. Thurston and L. Stoddard.
1918-E. H. Benson, M. A. Philips, Anne McFarlin, Hilda Booth and Emily Daniels.
!919-E. H. Benson, A. McFarlin, H. Booth and E. Daniels.
1920-E. H. Benson, A. McFarlin, Marie Quelle, Madeleine Burgess and Mar- garet Bowen.
1921-E. H. Benson, A. McFarlin, Marie Quelle Begley, Anne Andrews and M. A. Sampson.
1922-A. Andrews, Mildred Holloway, M. A. Sampson, Julia McGinness and M. Jeanette Tobey.
1923-24-A. Andrews, M. Holloway, M. A. Sampson, J. McGinness and M. J. Tobev.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
1925-26-27-28-29-30-31-A. Andrews, principal; M. A. Sampson, J. McGinness and M. J. Tobey.
1932-33-34-A. Andrews, M. A. Sampson, M. J. Tobey and Katherine Caswell. 1935-36-37-A. Andrews, M. A. Sampson, M. J. Tobey and Leona M. LeDoux. 1938-A. Andrews. M. A. Sampson. K. M. Caswell and Wilhelmina B. Vinal. 1939-40-41-42-43-44-45-A. Andrews, M. A. Sampson and Mearl A. Tribou. 1946-47-48-49-Benjamin J. Bump, principal; A. Andrews, M. A. Sampson and Mearl A. Tribou.
1950-Benjamin J. Bump, principal; A. Andrews, M. A. Sampson, Mearl A. Tribou and Madeleine Wood.
1951-Benjamin J. Bump, principal; A. Andrews, M. A. Sampson, M. A. Tribou, Madeleine Wood and Robert Balentine.
1952-Joseph C. Kunces, principal; A. Andrews, M. A. Sampson, M. A. Tribou, Madeleine Wood, Robert Balentine and Gladys E. Snow.
MUSIC SUPERVISORS
1934-48-Wirt B. Phillips.
1940-41-Luther Churchill (guidance and training for teachers).
1941-42-Frederick Winters.
1942 (6 months)-Mary A. Doherty.
1942-43-Olive M. Spaniol.
1943-44-Antoinette Garrett.
1944-46-Marion Hartley.
1951 to present time - Eunice Sherman.
ART SUPERVISORS
1928-29-W. Loring Adams, art supervisor.
1942-44-Stella Morrison, art supervisor and instructor of sewing and manual arts.
1947 to present time-Stella Morrison.
MANUAL ARTS
Anne Andrews and Benjamin J. Bump began in 1946 to instruct girls and boys in the upper grades in sewing and shop. In 1951 two special subject teachers were appointed: Gertrude Colvin for sewing classes and Malcolm DeMoranville for instruction in general woodworking.
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SCHOOLS
NORTH LAKEVILLE SCHOOL
At the annual Town Meeting held in March 1915, it was voted to erect a new schoolbuilding at North Lakeville to take the place of the old Miller Schoolhouse. A two-room building was built,
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North Lakeville School
each room accommodating forty pupils. The members of the building committee were Alton T. Hoard, Sidney T. Nelson and Myra A. Hammond. The town appropriated $5000 and $110 was received from the sale of the Miller schoolhouse. The teach- ers have been:
1915-Effie D. W. Tucker.
1916-Effie D. W. Tucker and Helen Holmes.
1917-18-19-Pearl M. Comstock and Bernice M. Reed.
1920-21-Myra Andrews and Catherine Crowell.
1922-23-24-25-Myra Andrews.
1926-Mvra Andrews, Wilhelmina B. Vinal and Dorothy Stiles.
1927-W. B. Vinal and Madeleine Duncklee.
1928-29 -- 30-31-32-W. B. Vinal and M. A. Tribou.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
1933-34-35-36-37-W. B. Vinal and Katherine Caswell. 1938-39-40-41-M. Jeanette Tobey and Leona M. Shea. 1942-M. J. Tobey, Mary Hildreth and Alice E. Norris. 1943-M. J. Tobey, Marie A. Begley and Alice E. Norris. 1944-45-46-47-48-49-50-51-52-M. J. Tobey and M. A. Begley
SOUTH LAKEVILLE SCHOOL
At the 1925 annual Town Meeting held March 2, it was voted to appropriate $12,000 for a schoolhouse and lot in the western part of the town to take the place of the Canedy School. The building committee consisted of Leavitt C. Caswell, George Northcott, Leslie H. Norton, Edwin A. Staples and N. Merrill Sampson.
South Lakeville School
The teachers are as follows:
1926-Annie D. Lee and Mabel R. Woodward.
1927-Annie D. Lee, Mabel R. Woodward and Katherine Caswell.
1928-29-30-31-Katherine Caswell and Mabel R. Woodward. 1932-33-Madeleine P. Wood.
1934-35-36-37-38-Madeleine P. Wood and Mearl A. Tribou.
1939-40-41-42-43-44-45-46-Wilhelmina B. Vinal and Madeleine P. Wood. 1947-48-49-50-Madeleine P. Wood and Gladys E. Snow. 1951-Gladys E. Snow and Miriam E. Edwards.
1952-Miriam E. Edwards and Alice E. Norris.
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SCHOOLS
THE NEW ADDITION TO ASSAWOMPSETT SCHOOL
In the 1928 Town report, Arthur B. Webber, then superin- tendent of schools, pointed out the crowded conditions at Assa- wompsett School and recommended building an addition. In 1930 his report stated, "Despite the unwilling- ness of the town to con- sider an addition to the Assawompsett School, it would seem wise to re- new the plea."
In 1932 a School In- vestigation Committee was appointed consist- ing of Henry L. Pember, Joseph C. Turner, Ed- ward E. Langshaw, Frank T. Orrall and Leslie H. Norton. They did not recommend an addition at that time.
It was only a short time after George R. Austin was selected to the position of superintendent of schools that he, likewise, recommended additional class rooms.
In 1945, a committee was appointed for the purpose of secur- ing plans and specifications to enlarge and renovate the Assa- wompsett School. The committee included Ralph W. Baker (who later was chosen chairman by the committee), Alice E. Norris, W. Hollis Blackburn, Henry L. Pember, Wallace C. Wilkie, Chester Ashley, William J. Begley, Albert H. Heineck, Anne L. Washburn, Leslie H. Norton and Wallace E. Washburn.
Mr. Austin acted as executive officer to the committee that met in formal session twenty-one times and with the members gave numerous additional hours in conferences, inspection trips, etc., while the work was in process.
It was at a special Town Meeting that $170,000 was appro- priated for the construction of the addition to the Assawomp- sett School. This meeting was held March 28, 1949. It was called
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
to order at the Town Hall, but, because about fifty voters were outside and could not get into the Town Hall, it was voted to adjourn and reconvene at the Precinct Church. The votes were collected in an old tea-pot, therefore this has been referred to as the "tea-pot election". Work was begun on the building at the end of August 1949.
In June the new addition to the Assawompsett School was used for the first time, the event being the graduation of the Class of 1950. In the fall of 1950 the school was opened for regular classes.
The new addition includes two classrooms, a room for the combined purposes of library, domestic science and lunch-room, a kitchen, a service room on the lower floor, an all-purpose room which serves for general gymnasium and for auditorium activ- ities, indoor toilets and a modern heating plant.
THE LAKEVILLE PARENT - TEACHER ASSOCIATION
In 1937, the Lakeville P. - T. A. was organized. Since that time it has been most active and has successfully brought parents and teachers together to work along constructive lines for the benefit of the schools. Citizens from all parts of the town have become better acquainted with one another by attending P. - T. A. meetings.
Members worked hard for the new addition to Assawompsett School. For this they helped with cash donations toward neces- sary equipment for the cafeteria and auditorium.
Many worthwhile projects have had P. - T. A. assistance or sponsorship, including: T. B. X-ray, tonsil and well-child clinics; hot soup for lunch at North and South Lakeville schools; teen- age recreation; books, records and pictures for all the schools; the milk program, and a canvass for a record player and amplifier.
The presidents were as follows:
1937-39-Mrs. Francis Baker 1945-47-Mrs. Leroy Washburn
1939-41-Edward J. Shea
1947-48-Mrs. Albert Heineck
1941-42-Mrs. Charles Whitney
1948-50-Mrs. Harold Peck
1942-43-David C. McSweeney 1950-51-Charles Colvin
1943-45-Mrs. Clarence Staples
1951 -....- Mrs. Edmund Vera
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CHAPTER IX
HOUSES
THE WARD HOUSE
HE old Ward House of Lakeville was one of the first built in this region, but the exact date of its erection cannot be determined. It is located on the corner of Crooked Lane and Stetson Street.
Ward House
The original house, which forms the east part of the building as it now stands, was small and was made of oak planks spiked onto the sills and beams, that it might serve as a garrison-house for protection against the Indians.
The Plymouth County records show that Robert Sproat of Scituate, in 1711, conveyed part of his estate to his son James Sproat. The following year, 1712, we find him a native of
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
Middleboro. A record is preserved, of a deed, conveying the other portion of his Scituate estate to his son, Ebenezer. James Sproat must have inherited his father's property in Middleboro, Lakeville at that time being a part of Middleboro.
By a deed conveyance dated March 6, 1737, he gave this prop- erty in the West Precinct of Middleboro, to his son Robert Sproat. In 1778 Robert Sproat conveyed by deed this same property to his son, Zebidee Sproat, a man of more than ordi- nary taste for those times. Zebidee Sproat disposed of this prop- erty to William and Ebenezer Nelson who, in 1806, sold the · same to General Ephraim Ward.
While the property was in possession of Zebidee Sproat, he planted trees around the house and laid out a terraced garden with choice plants and shrubs. He also made additions to the original house, one of which is of considerable historical interest. Being an ardent opposer of King George, he was most active in Revolutionary work, and engaged with others in sacking the house of Judge Oliver, Justice of the Colony of Massachusetts in Nemasket. The Oliver house was well built, having been brought framed from England.
Mr. Sproat, before the house was burned, took off some of its inside doors, which he carried home and used for the doors, panels and ceilings of his new rooms. Seventeen doors are thus introduced into two bed-chambers and an upper entry-way. Tradition has it that, for his various misdemeanors against his family and the public welfare, Mr. Sproat was later in life drummed out of town by his indignant fellow-citizens and that the daughter-in-law of Judge Oliver joined vigorously in the music to which he was forced to march. An interesting story of her wrongs was written by his wife, injured Hannah Sproat and published by her, as a broadside ballad, to be sung to a mournful tune and sold for five pence.
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