USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1630, to the present time, 1855 > Part 28
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287
EDUCATION.
invited to lecture in each of the New England States. I went to Portsmouth, Concord, Nashua, and Keene, N.H .; to Providence and Newport, R.I .; to Hartford, Conn .; to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. I went through our own State, holding conventions at the large central towns. All this time I seemed to have little real success. I began to despair. I returned, after two years of excessive toil, to my professional duties, concluding that the time had not yet come for this great movement. One evening, in January, 1837, I was sitting reading to my family, when a letter was brought me from the friends of education in the Massachusetts Legislature, asking me to lecture on my hobby subject before that . body. I was electrified with joy. The whole heavens to my eye seemed now filled with rainbows. January 18th came, and the hall of the House of Representatives was perfectly full. I gave an ac- count of the Prussian system ; and they asked if I would lecture again. I consented, and, the next evening, endeavored to show how far the Prussian system could be safely adopted in the United States.
"Here my immediate connection with the cause may be said to stop ; for one of my auditors, the Hon. Edmund Dwight, after this, took the matter into his hands, and did for it all a patriot could ask. He gave $10,000 for the establishment of Normal Schools, on cou- dition the State would give as much. This happily settled the matter. A 'Board of Education ' was established, and they found the man exactly suited to the office of Secretary ; and at Worces- ter, Aug. 25, 1837, I had the satisfaction of congratulating the American Institute, in a public address, on the realization of wishes which they had for years cherished. Mr. Mann entered upon his labors that day ; and the results are gladdening the whole country. May God still smile on this cause of causes, until schools shall cover the whole world with knowledge, and Christianity shall fill it with love !
" My friend, do not misinterpret my letter by supposing that I originated these ideas. Oh, no! They were picked up by me in Europe. There had been an attempt at a teachers' seminary at Lancaster ; and the American Institute, unknown to me, had dis- cussed the subject before I was a member ; and the idea was not a new one. All I did was to bring it from Europe with me, and talk about it, and write about it, until the Old Colony adopted it. I hope the many early friends I had there will believe me when I say, that, without their generous and steady co-operation, I should have failed in my plans. The Normal Schools are of Prussian origin ; but let us not mourn on that account. The beautiful foun- tain of Arethusa sank under the ground in Greece, and re-appeared in Sicily ; but I have never read that the Sicilians mourned for the appearance of that foreign blessing among them.
" Bespeaking your patient forbearance under this epistolary inflic- tion, I am, as ever, yours, truly, CHARLES BROOKS."
288
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
In 1837, voted to continue the primary schools through the year.
To show how promptly our town took the form and pressure of the times, we need only state the appropriations annually made for the support of the schools ; and, beginning with 1832, they stand thus : -
For 1832 . $1,200
For 1838 1840
$2,700 3,000
"
1833
1,400
"
1834
1,500
" 1842
3,200
" 1836
2,250
" 1850
4,309
1837
"
2,500
" 1854
7,169
It will take but little arithmetic to prove that here was an increase in appropriations, within ten years, beyond all for- mer precedents, and beyond the ratio of increase in numbers or wealth in the town. Medford partook so fully of the new enthusiasm for the improvement of its schools, that in 1853 it stood twelfth on the list of towns in the county, and twenty- fifth in the Commonwealth ; paying, at that time, $6.04.7 per head for each child in town between the ages of five and fifteen.
1840: The age at which pupils were admitted to the pri- mary schools was four years ; and they could not remain in the grammar schools after they were sixteen.
April 3, 1843: Voted to build a schoolhouse, in High Street, upon land bought of John Howe. This house was to be sixty feet by forty ; three stories high ; of wood, with brick basement ; and its cost limited to $4,500, - to be called the High School.
" The Course of Study in the High School shall embrace four years, and be as follows : ----
CLASS 4.
1. Review of preparatory studies, using the text-books authorized in the Grammar Schools.
2. English Grammar, to the completion of Syntax and Prosody, including Rules of Versification and Analysis, and their ex- emplification ..
3. Ancient and Physical Geography. ? To be pursued conjointly, and by the
4. Worcester's General History. same geographical divisions.
5. Algebra, to succeed Arithmetic.
6. Hitchcock's Book-keeping - 3 lessons a week.
7. French Language. 2 " "
CLASS 3.
1. Algebra and book-keeping completed ; after which, -
2. Legendre's Geometry.
,
289
EDUCATION. 1
3. Whately's or Blair's Rhetoric, with Syntactical and Prosodiacal Exercises, and exemplifications of Rhetorical Rules in Read- ing and other Lessons.
4. Bayard's Constitution of the United States.
5. Gray's or Parker's Natural Philosophy.
6. French Language, continued.
7. Drawing, -two lessons a week.
CLASS 2.
1. Davis's Trigonometry, with its applications to Surveying, Navi- gation, Mensuration, &c.
2. French Language, continued.
3. Drawing,
4. Natural Philosophy, completed.
5. Olmstead's or Norton's Astronomy.
6. Wayland's Moral Philosophy.
7. Paley's Natural Theology.
8. Physiology, commenced.
9. Cleveland's Compendium of English Literature.
" The Spanish, Italian, or German Languages may be commenced by such pupils as in the judgment of the master have acquired a competent knowledge of the French.
CLASS 1.
1. Modern Languages, continued.
2. Intellectual Philosophy.
3. Astronomy in its higher departments.
4. Whately's Logic.
5. Mechanic's Engineering and higher Mathematics.
Either of them at option of pu- pil, with aprobation of master.
6. Botany.
7. Geology, or Natural History, generally.
8. Chemistry.
9. Physiology, completed.
" The several classes shall also have exercises in English Com- position and Declamation."
May 12, 1849 : Voted that both the schools at the West End shall be " annual schools."
March 4, 1850: Voted to build a schoolhouse on the south side of the river.
March 7, 1853 : For support of schools, $5,400. Same day, voted to build a new schoolhouse in Salem Street.
March 10, 1851: Voted to build a schoolhouse in the west part of the town, and that $2,000 be appropriated for said purpose.
The inhabitants of West Medford, desirous of having a
37
290
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
schoolhouse more ample in its dimensions and more classic in its appearance than the town's appropriation would pro- cure, cheerfully united in adding to it, by subscription, the sum of nine hundred dollars. This sum was raised by resi- dents of the " West End ; " and they who were most able to give, gave with abounding liberality. The building com- mittee were Messrs. Charles Caldwell, J. B. Hatch, and J. M. Usher ; and they spared no pains in procuring a skilful draughtsman. Mr. George A. Caldwell was the master- builder.
On the 6th of August, 1851, the corner-stone was laid with appropriate religious and literary exercises. Edward Brooks, Esq., presided, and made the opening remarks. Prayer was offered by Rev. E. K. Fuller; and then an origi- nal poem was spoken by a pupil, followed with short speeches by neighbors and friends. The house is placed between Irving and Brooks Streets; on the hill, where pure air comes from the heavens, and pure water from the earth, -the one securing a healthy ventilation, and the other as healthy a digestion.
On the 22d of December, 1851, a day chosen in honor of the Pilgrim Fathers who landed at Plymouth, the house was dedicated. The company was numerous, and the enthusiasm great. Prayers were offered by Rev. Dr. Ballou, the senior pastor in the town ; and the dedicatory address was delivered by the writer of this history, and afterwards published by re- quest. An original poem, strikingly adapted to the occasion, was recited by a lad eight years old. Before the crowd sepa- rated, the chairman proposed from the committee that the school should be called the BROOKS SCHOOL. This was voted by acclamation ; and thus ended our literary festival.
We wish it were in our power to name the teachers of our public schools, who have filled their high and sacred office through many years with such distinguished fidelity and success. Usage forbids this ; but let every such teacher be assured that he has a reward infinitely higher than the applause of men.
There were twelve female and four male teachers employed by the town in 1854. The schools are reported as in excel- lent condition. The following abstract of the monthly reports of the teachers embraces the whole of the year 1854: -
291
EDUCATION.
SCHOOLS.
Whole No. of
different scholars.
Average number.
Average
Attendance.
No. of
Tardinesses.
No. of
Dismissions.
No. of
Days' Absence.
No. of Corporal
Punishments.
High School .
70
62
60
4
322
423
2
Centre Grammar School
85
68
62
271
62
1055
46
Everett Grammar School
102
81
77
324
225
1479
9
Brooks Primary School
56
44
35
317
148
769
95
Union-street Primary School .
53
44
39
201
64
903
129
Everett Primary School
57
50
46
726
362
1081
339
Salem-street Primary School
46
43
39
391
101
998
193
Park-street Primary School .
50
46
42
617
273
736
407
Union-street Alphabet School
72
59
50
1032
75
1768
263
Everett Alphabet School .
70
53
47
154
180
1267
204
Salem-street Alphabet School
65
60
49
620
72
1798
266
Parks-street Alphabet School
72
58
49
384
103
1418
428
*Brooks Alphabet School
26
26
20
87
16
112
8
Totals .
824
694
615
5128
2003
13,807
2389
* This School was kept only two months.
TOTAL EXPENSES FROM FEB. 15, 1854, TO FEB. 15, 1855.
For salaries of teachers
$5,490.64
Fuel .
616,45
For repairs and incidental expenses
. 1,031.73
$7,138.82
ACADEMIES.
Medford has been famous for its excellent private schools. So early as 1790, Mr. William Woodbridge opened one for young ladies and boys, providing board in his own family for many who came from Boston and other places. He seemed to have discovered, what is now so commonly known, that the surest way of having a select and full school was to ask the highest price. At first he met with some success in teaching, but more in salary, and educated several of the first females of the State.
His academy was kept in the house formerly occupied by Colonel Royal. At one time he had ninety-six girls and forty-two boys. His sister was associated with him, and one male teacher. He had no objection to inflict corporal punish- ment on females ! He was greatly given to wild speculations in trade, and seemed to carry something of this spirit into his schoolroom. Hc had no system of teaching, and let any
?
292
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
pupil read from any book he pleased. Such teaching would not secure long patronage ; and Mr. Woodbridge relinquished school-keeping for baking, and failed also in that business, in Charlestown. He then moved to Connecticut ; and we lose sight of him.
Mr. Joseph Wyman, of Woburn, who had kept the public school in Medford, built the house now owned by the Bige- low family, and there opened a private school for boys and girls. He taught only a few years.
Mrs. Susanna Rawson succeeded Mr. Wyman, and opened a boarding-school for girls in the house which had been occu- pied by him. She was a lady of uncommon attainments, apt in teaching, and able to govern. Her school deserved its high popularity ; and that its numbers were great, may be inferred from the following vote of the town : -
" May 12, 1800: Voted that the second and third seats in the women's side-gallery in the meeting-house be allowed Mrs. Rawson, for herself and scholars; and that she be al- lowed to put doors and locks on them."
This lady was quite an authoress ; and one of her novels had extensive circulation.
Mrs. Newton succeeded Mrs. Rawson, occupying the same house from 1803 to 1806. She was a native of Rhode Island, and sister of Gilbert Stuart, the painter. Her success was so great at one time that she had sixty pupils, some of whom were foreigners, and many of them from neighboring States. Some of her pupils became distinguished ladies in New England. She removed to Boston, and continued her school there.
Dr. Luther Stearns (H.C. 1791) opened a classical school, first for girls, and afterwards for boys and girls, in his house, which fronted the entrance of Medford turnpike. This was a boarding-school ; and but a few children of Medford attend- ed it. Dr. Stearns had been tutor of Latin at Cambridge, and ever showed a preference for that language. His school was filled with children from the first families of New England, with now and then a sprinkling of French and Spanish blood. A kinder heart never beat in human bosom ; so kind and tole- rant as to forbid that imperial rule and uncompromising decision so needful for a troop of boys. He prepared many young men for college ; and some of us who are of the num- ber remember with delight his mildness and generosity.
Dr. John Hosmer opened a private academy, for boys,
293
EDUCATION.
about the year 1806, and, by persevering fidelity, gained reputation. He built the large house on Forest Street lately occupied as a boarding-house, and superintended the amuse- ments as well as the studies of his boarders. He was not one of those of whom it is said, Tanto buon, che val niente. He was perhaps less of a scholar than a disciplinarian ; yet he made skilful mathematicians and accomplished linguists, because he made students. He taught his pupils the force of this sentence : Sic volo ; sic jubeo ; stat pro ratione volun- tas. He was neither severe nor unreasonable; for, under a soldier's sternness, there nestled something of a lover's good- will.
Miss Ann Rose, of London, opened a day-school, for girls, in May, 1811; and, in November, 1812, she, and Miss Hannah Swan, of Medford, converted it into a boarding- school, and soon found their house filled with young ladies from the best families in the State. The good influences of this academy can hardly be over-stated. Uniting extensive literary accomplishments with the highest moral qualifica- tions, these ladies performed their legislative and executive duties with dignity and quietness, and labored to give that instruction which develops all the powers for health, useful- ness, and station. They have lived to receive showers of blessings from grateful pupils. Fide et amore.
Mr. John Angier (H.C. 1821) opened a boarding-school, for boys and girls, May 1, 1821, and took the same house which Dr. Hosmer had formerly used. Having already acquired a reputation as teacher, and being as highly esteemed as he was well known in Medford, his success came early and copiously. He devoted his whole mind and time to his duties, and had a crowded school as testimony to his fidelity and usefulness. For twenty years his school grew in popu- larity ; and there was general regret when his health com- pelled him to resign it in 1841.
During his teaching, he had five hundred new scholars ; some remained seven years with him. Among his pupils, he counts Chief Justice Gilchrist, of New Hampshire ; and Justice Benjamin R. Curtis, of the Supreme Court of the United States.
The many of both sexes whom he has sent forth rejoicing in the way of knowledge and virtue will ever remember him with deepest gratitude. Fideli certa merces.
The private boarding-school for young ladies, taught for
.294
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
twenty-four years, with signal success, by Miss Eliza Brad- " bury, was deservedly ranked among the most useful semina- ries within the neighborhood of Boston. Devoting herself to the most substantial and important branches of education, she produced the most durable and happy results. Her pupils were mostly from other towns, and several of them from the most elevated families. Fortiter, fideliter, feli- citer.
Other private schools, less extensive in numbers and of shorter duration, have done their share in the good work, and been a credit to the town. For more than half a cen- tury, the excellent schools of Medford have presented a strong inducement for strangers to settle among us. Cour- tesy forbids me to designate by name that private classical school taught by a well-tried and successful instructor ; and those private boarding and day-schools for young ladies, which have had such auroral beginnings. May they have unbroken success !
MEDFORD LITERARY INSTITUTE.
This interesting society was formed, March 10, 1853, by several intelligent and enterprising young men, for their advancement in literature. They began well, and have pro- ceeded with enthusiasm. At their anniversary exhibitions, the Town Hall is always crowded. Forti et fideli nihil diffi- cile.
MEDFORD SOCIAL LIBRARY.
This excellent institution was established about 1825, and has been silently doing its good work ever since. Turell Tufts, Esq., bequeathed to it five hundred dollars, the inte- rest of which must be expended annually for the purchase of valuable books.
The constitution says, "The design of the society is to form a collection of books strictly useful, promotive of piety and good morals, and for the diffusion of valuable informa- tion. Books of a light and unedifying character shall not be admitted." Price of a share, one dollar ; annual tax, fifty cents. Each proprietor may take out two volumes at a time. " Any person, by paying ten dollars or more at one time, may become an honorary member for life, entitled to take out books as a shareholder, but without tax or assessment."
295
EDUCATION.
The selection of books, thus far, has been marked with scholarly taste and Christian principle ; and, should the town adopt this library, and enlarge it to meet the wants of the entire population, and make it free to all, it would be a bene- faction of inconceivable value.
" WEST MEDFORD LYCEUM AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION " was established by the zeal of Mr. T. P. Smith, and was incorporated in 1852. Mystic Hall, built by him, has been used for lyceum lectures and similar purposes. Valuable books, contributed at first by distinguished individuals from abroad and by neighbors, laid the proper foundation for a useful and free library.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
Each of the religious societies in Medford has expended money freely for the purchase of books suited to children. The libraries contain, on an average, three hundred volumes ; and the books are selected with judgment and taste. Addi- tions of new books are made every six months ; and the older books are often given to destitute schools in the country.
TEACHERS' LIBRARIES.
The commentaries and histories which explain the Sacred Scriptures are gathered into libraries for the free use of the Sunday-school teachers, and are also used as manuals in the Bible classes.
LYCEUM LECTURES.
These seem to have become an institution. Where socie- ties have not been formed, for the purpose of securing lecturers, towns have taken up the duty, and large annual subscriptions have been made. Thus the ablest scholars have been brought before the community, and have instructed and charmed thousands by their learning and eloquence. Med- ford early adopted the prevalent system ; and, for several years, has enjoyed, through the winter, a weekly lecture from the circle of favorite orators. The Town Hall has been filled, and the most friendly feelings promoted. As each itinerant
296
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
lecturer prepares but one address in a year, he selects the most engrossing topic ; and then, with great study, condenses into one hour all the philosophy, wit, and pathos he can com- mand. The pyrotechnic batteries of thought are loaded with surpassing skill. The consequence is, that the assembly is kept at the highest point of intellectual excitement during the time of the address. Thus an extraordinary standard of public speaking is erected, which the Sunday congregation applies with fatal injustice to the one hundred and six ser -. mons which the stated preacher is annually compelled to bring before the same audience.
Instrumentalities for further education are needed in Med- ford. A town-library would be of exceeding value to thou- sands, who cannot buy, and will not borrow, the standard works they wish to read. Wherever such libraries have been established, they have created a taste for study, have brought the rich and poor together, have worn away sectional and sectarian asperities, and united a town in the noblest aims. What can be wiser than to bring the best results of the maturest minds within the reach of the inquisitive youth or the Christian philanthropist, of the ambitious mechanic or. the pious mother ?
A deepening moral responsibility rests on Christian repub- lics. We are addressed on every side by emphatic voices. Our Pilgrim ancestors, from the Rock of Plymouth, call to us from the invisible past, and command us to follow up the two great principles of the church and schoolhouse which they have bequeathed to us in trust. So, too, from the invisible future, do coming generations call to us, ere they arrive, beseeching us to provide for them that instruc- tion which shall make them equal to all the demands of an advanced civilization. Shall we be deaf to the commands of our fathers, or the prayers of our children ?
TUFTS COLLEGE.
This is the first college on this continent, or in the world, which has been created by the combined efforts, and con- trolled by the exclusive agency, of the denomination called Universalists. It intends to take the motto of the age, - Onward, upward. It begins under the most favoring auspices,
TUFT'S COLLEGE .
297
TUFTS COLLEGE.
and will aim at the highest results. Medford looks upon it as an object of peculiar interest within its borders. The selection of president and professors is a fortunate one ; and, believing that the denomination will be true to itself, we can anticipate numbers of intelligent and virtuous young men, who, in their old age, will look back with gratitude and joy to the happy and prosperous years they spent at Tufts Col- lege in Medford. Year after year, under the divine guidance and blessing, may this nursery of learning and virtue send forth those who shall hasten the coming of universal light, universal liberty, and universal love !
The following account has been kindly furnished us by the president : -
Tufts College originated in a movement among Universal- ists in the United States, who felt it important that the deno- mination to which they belong should take a more active part in the cause of liberal education. Some ten years ago, a number of them met in convention, at New York, to adopt measures for establishing a college. For this purpose they ordered a subscription to be opened for $100,000, as the minimum sum. The enterprise, however, was delayed for some years. At length another meeting of the convention was held, at which the Rev. O. A. Skinner, now of Boston, was appointed agent to obtain and collect the subscription. In the summer of 1851, he gave notice that the amount of $100,000 was subscribed ; and a meeting of the subscribers was held in Boston on the 16th and 17th of September of that year. The trustees chosen at this meeting selected Wal- nut Hill, near the line between Medford and Somerville, for the site of the college. To this selection they were in some measure influenced by the offer of twenty acres of land on the summit, by Charles Tufts, Esq., of Somerville, and also by the offer of adjoining lots by two public-spirited gentlemen of Medford. In gratitude for a munificent donation by Mr. Tufts, the name, Tufts College, was adopted.
In the spring of 1852, a college charter was granted by the Legislature of this Commonwealth. Under the provisions of this charter, a board of sixteen trustees was subsequently chosen, of which Mr. Oliver Dean, M.D., of Boston, is pre- sident. In July, 1852, Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer, D.D., of New York, was elected, by the trustees, president of the col- lege ; but, he declining to accept the office on the terms pro-
38
--
298
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
posed, Rev. Hosea Ballou, 2d, D.D., of Medford, was chosen, in May, 1853, to fill the vacancy.
The corner-stone of the present college-edifice was laid, in form, on the 19th of July, 1853, after an able address, deli- vered on the spot, by Rev. A. A. Miner, of Boston. The building was finished in the spring of 1854. Mr. S. F. Bry- ant was the architect. It is a plain structure, of brick, one hundred feet by sixty feet, and sixty feet high, containing a chapel forty feet by thirty-three feet, and a library-room forty feet by twenty-two feet, besides recitation-rooms, lecture- rooms, society-rooms, offices, &c., but no dormitories : these last will be provided in a boarding-house which is to be be erected next summer.
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