USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > History of the town of Palmer, Massachusetts, early known as the Elbow tract : including records of the plantation, district and town 1716-1889 > Part 28
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Asa Bates had a tavern a short distance to the east, 1797-1810, when John Sedgwick built and opened his famous hostelry at Shearer's Corner.
STORES .- No mention is made on early records of grocery or dry goods stores. The latter were not required, as families produced
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
their own clothing and bedding, and the former must have been small affairs, managed mostly by barter.
William Tupper had a store at the Old Centre in 1790. This was afterwards Hamilton & Upham's, and for a long time Hamil- ton's.
P. R. Ruggles opened a store at Three Rivers in 1826.
Emelius Bond had a store at Bondsville as early as 1829, which flourished for many years.
The first store at Palmer Village was opened by Amos C. Bill- ings in 1838 or '39.
THE EASTERN HAMPDEN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
[Prepared by O. P. ALLEN.]
· This society is not an exclusive institution of Palmer, yet it had its inception in the town and was fostered by its citizens in its infancy and has since had its home in the town of its birth. For some years before the organization of the society, occasional exhibi- tions of cattle and horses were held, the first one of which we have any particular account was held in Thorndike, Nov. 5th, 1851. There were sixty-one pairs of oxen exhibited, and a few horses were speeded on the street. No premiums were offered. It was a mutual assemblage of farmers to compare notes on cattle and have a pleasant time. After the matter had been discussed for some years, the Eastern Hampden Agricultural Society was organized at . the Nassawano Hotel in Palmer, Oct. 17th, 1853, with these officers : President, Col. Cyrus Knox of Palmer ; vice-presidents, Francis F. Smith of Monson, Alfred Homer of Brimfield, Joseph Ramsdell of Warren, Willard Andrews of Ware, R. Dorman of Belchertown, Jonathan Burr of Wilbraham, D. L. Atchinson of Ludlow, Whitman Munger of Wales, E. G. Fuller of Holland, Benjamin A. Burleigh of Palmer; directors, Col. Elias Turner and A. Blodgett of Palmer, J. W. Smith and Warren Fuller of Monson, Chandler Fenton of Brimfield, Elias Hall of Ware ; secretary, M. W. French of Palmer ; treasurer, M. K. Ferrell of Palmer. The first exhibition was held at Palmer, Oct. 25th, 1853, in the open fields near the residence of Col. Cyrus Knox. The fair for vegeta- bles and fancy works was shown in the vestry of the Congrega- tional Church, where it was continued for many years. The day was a raw one for the season, but the cattle from many hills and the people from many homes flocked to the scene, so that at 10 o'clock the fields allotted for the exhibition were crowded with cat- tle and human beings. There were 146 pairs of oxen, which with
MAJOR B. F. MORGAN.
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INDUSTRIES OF PALMER.
other entries of stock made an an aggregate of 338 head of cattle. There were 50 horses also exhibited. The cavalcade of teams on the streets made a fine display. The trotting course was the main street, from the railroad bridge near the Weeks House to Shearer's Corner or just beyond, making a fair mile track. The agricultural dinner was served at the Nassawano Hotel, when Landlord E. B. Shaw acquitted himself well for the occasion. The after-dinner speeches combined humor and words of encouragement for the future success of the society just formed. The success of this, the first fair of the society, augured well for the future. At this time Eastern Hampden teemed with cattle, red cattle being the favor- ites. Many farms had 50 head, and some, like the famous farm of Major Morgan, had 120 head of cattle. It was only necessary to select the best from each farm to get together a fine exhibition at any time. At this first exhibition no money was paid for pre- miums-they were merely nominal. There were no receipts of money, as the entire exhibition was free. This was the humble be- ginning of a society which has since become strong and prosperous. When the second fair of the society was held an admittance fee of ten cents was charged at the vestry, which realized $39; the ex- penses of the society were $41.85. In 1855 there was collected for male membership, at one dollar each, and from female members, at fifty cents each, the sum of $63.75, and from admission to the fair in the vestry $70.80. This year the society made some awards in the shape of whips and plated ware, costing in all $39.11. The total expenses were $84.61. For three years the society had held its fairs without aid from outside, and could give little in the way of premiums. In 1856 the society voted to take measures to be- come an incorporated body. This was effected by an Act of the Legislature passed May 5th, 1856, as follows : "Alonzo V. Blanchard, J. K. Knox, Alonzo N. Dewey and Alfred L. Con- verse, their associates and successors, are hereby made a corporation by the name of the Eastern Hampden Agricultural Society, for the encouragement of agriculture and the mechanic arts, by premiums and other means, in the town of Palmer, in the county of Hamp- den, with all the powers and privileges and subject to all the duties, liabilities and restrictions of other agricultural societies established in this commonwealth; and they are hereby authorized to admit members from the towns of Palmer, Ludlow, Monson, Brimfield, Wilbraham, Wales and Holland and the city of Spring- field, in the county of Hampden ; Belchertown and Ware, in the county of Hampshire, and Warren, in the county of Worcester. Said society shall be entitled, on the same terms as other incor-
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
porated agricultural societies, to receive annually out of the treas- ury of the commonwealth such sum as any other incorporated agri- cultural society may receive under the provisions of chapter 42 of the Revised Statutes, notwithstanding the restrictions of section seventh of that chapter."
With its enlarged field of action, the society entered upon more prosperous times and with a greatly increased membership from sur- rounding towns. The capital stock of the society was placed at $3,000, or 600 shares of $5 each. The stockholders gave their notes for the shares they desired, and were required to pay interest annually on the same. The original society numbered 88 male and 8 female members. The incorporated society had 136 stock- holders and 13 female members.
The new society met and organized Sept. 5th, 1856, under its charter, and made choice for president A. V. Blanchard, treasurer Col. Cyrus Knox, secretary J. K. Knox. Before dissolution the old society voted to make a donation of all its effects to the new society.
The first exhibition under the charter was held October 14 and 15, 1856, on grounds adjacent to the new trotting park near Park street. The exhibition was a success, and on the second day there were some six thousand people present, partly to see the fair and partly to witness the horse trot, which was under other auspices. There were paid out in premiums at this fair $208.78; the receipts from all sources, including $377 from the state, were $565. At a special meeting of the society held October 13, 1860, it was made evident by a statement of Col. Knox that the society had been working on a wrong basis, in the matter of giving notes for shares of stock. It was then voted that all persons receive back their notes upon the payment of interest due on them. It was voted that the capital stock, number of shares and value of the same should remain as before, but that in order to become members of the society the shares of stock must be paid for in cash. This necessary action vitiated all claims of former members. Quite a number of the old members at once became stockholders in the re- organized society, which started off with about one hundred mem- bers. November 1, 1862, the society voted to buy the Palmer trotting park of J. M. Converse for $2,300. These grounds were located on and near what is now known as Park street. For the first time since its organization the society now had an enclosed home of its own. For the next ten years this park was used by the society for exhibition purposes. In 1872 the growth of the village seemed to demand the park for building lots, and it was sold for
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INDUSTRIES OF PALMER.
$7,000 to M. W. French and Albert Burleigh, who divided it into fifty-one lots and sold them to parties who have since nearly cov- ered the ground with desirable houses. The same year the society purchased a desirable lot of land one-half mile east of the village from James Gamwell, which was fitted with a half-mile track, an exhibition hall, cattle pens, etc., and surrounded with a fence, where the exhibitions have since been held. Within a few years the park has been surrounded with a substantial fence, a judge's and a grand stand have been erected, all at a cost of nearly $4,000. The society is in a prosperous condition, and its annual fairs form a great attraction to the people of Eastern Hampden. For some time it has paid out $1,000 annually in premiums. The present list of stockholders is 275. The number of ladies who belong to the society is 225.
The present officers of the society are : President, H. P. Holden of Palmer; Vice-Presidents, W. M. Tucker of Monson ; C. E. Dewey of Palmer ; Secretary and Treasurer, O. P. Allen of Palmer ; Directors, Geo. Robinson of Palmer, J. M. Converse of Palmer, B. P. Aiken of West Brookfield, H. D. Vaille of Monson, D. R. McCray of Hampden, A. S. Geer of Belchertown, Winslow Fos- kit of Brimfield, W. M. Green of Wilbraham.
Delegate to State Board of Agriculture : Dr. William Holbrook of Palmer.
The following is a full list of Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, and Delegates to the State Board since the organization of the Society.
Presidents : Col. Cyrus Knox of Palmer, 1853 ; Austin Fuller of Monson, 1854-5 ; A. V. Blanchard of Palmer, 1856 ; Dr. Samuel Shaw of Palmer, 1857 ; Joseph Ramsdell, Jr., of Warren, 1858-9; Sherman Converse of Monson, 1860-1; S. C. Herring of Brim- field, 1862 ; J. K. Knox of Palmer, 1863 to 1866; W. W. Cross of Palmer, 1867 ; J. K. Knox of Palmer, 1868 ; Dr. Wm. Holbrook of Palmer, 1869-70 ; J. S. Blalr of Brimfield, 1871-2 ; Dr. H. P. Wakefield of Monson, 1873 to 1876 ; Col Jacob Stever of Palmer, 1877 ; Dr. H. P. Wakefield of Monson, 1878 ; Dr. Wm. Holbrook of Palmer, 1879 ; C. E. Dewey of Palmer, 1880; W. M. Tucker of Monson, 1881 ; Dr. Wm. Holbrook of Palmer, 1882 to 1887 ; H. P. Holden of Palmer, 1889.
Treasurers, all of Palmer : M. K. Ferrell, 1853; Col. Cyrus Knox, 1854 to 1862 ; D. Knox, 1863-4; Enos Calkins, 1865 ; J. W. Comins, 1866 ; L. Dimock, 1867-8.
Secretaries, all of Palmer : M. W. French, 1853 ; Dr. Wm. Hol- brook, 1854-5; J. K. Knox, 1856-7; Geo. Robinson, 1858-9 ;
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
D. Granger, 1860-2 ; J. H. Blair, 1863-5; J. W. Comins, 1866 ; J. F. Holbrook, 1867-8.
Secretary and Treasurer combined, all of Palmer : O. P. Allen, 1869; C. C. Shaw, 1870; Geo. Robinson, 1871 to 1876 ; O. P. Allen, 1877 to 1889.
Delegates to State Board of Agriculture, in the order of service : Sherman Converse of Monson, H. S. Ward of Monson, J. S. Blair of Brimfield, Hiram Converse of Palmer, Dr. H. P. Wakefield of Monson, Wm. R. Sessions of Hampden, Dr. Wm. Holbrook of Palmer.
CHAPTER VII.
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION.
B Y reference to the Act of 1733, establishing the Elbows Plan- tation, it will appear that no provision was made for raising money for the support of schools. By a law of the Colony, passed in 1642, the selectmen of towns were required to look after the children of parents and masters who neglected to train them up " in learning and labour." And a law was passed in November 1647, ordering that every town containing 50 families should pro- vide a school where children might be taught to read and write. But these statutes applied to towns, and the Elbow Tract was a plantation. And the Proprietors and Grantees appear to have understood that their powers and privileges were limited to such as were expressly named in the Act. The only officers elected were clerk, treasurer, assessors, collectors, and a committee on lands, roads and bridges. And taxes were levied only to pay the minis- ter, build a meeting-house, and defray the " necessary charges," as specified in the Act. That this view was the one commonly accepted by all parties in interest, is evident from the fact that in the bill reported June 1747, "For erecting the Plantation into a District," an express proviso was inserted authorizing the raising of money for the support of schools.
School Lot. By the Act of 1733, it was enjoined that there be laid out in some suitable place, a lot of one hundred acres, "for a School." This lot was surveyed and laid out May 28, 1735, " on the east side of Dumplin Brook." The intent of this proviso- which was commonly inserted in the incorporating Act of all planta- tations and towns-was to encourage the people to provide means of educating the children. The School Lot was public property, to be leased to the best advantage to some responsible citizen, who would cultivate it and pay the annual rent, or take care of the wood by cutting and selling the old growth, and paying the proceeds into the treasury. This annual income was supposed to be devoted to school purposes, but would of itself go but a little way toward supporting a school.
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
The first mention of a school on our records, is under date of March 9, 1750. An article in the warrant read : "To see if they will have a school master and grant money for that pupose." " Voted in the Negative."
April 22, 1751, an article in the warrant was " To see if they will agree to provide a school, to grant money for that purpose, and chuse a committee to manage ye said affair, and give them their instructions." Voted in the Negative. It is not necessary to believe that the settlers lived here for twenty years after the plantation was established, without some means of schooling. Family instruction was enjoined, both by the statutes, and by public policy, and parental prompting. Neighborhood instruction was a common custom of the time. No public money was granted to pay the school master ; but in all probability, Steward Southgate, Barnard McNitt, James Brackenridge, or William Scott, who appear to have been the best scholars among the early settlers, gave lessons to the older boys in winter ; and their wives gathered the neighbor's little children with their own, in the home kitchen, during the summer months, and taught them to read, write and cypher ; and were paid for the service four pence or six pence per week. The only necessary inference from the negative votes just quoted, is, that the people refused to be taxed to pay for a professional school master.
As already intimated, public schools were not reckoned a public necessity, at that date. Learning sufficient to read the Scriptures, and cast accounts was considered obligatory, and instruction to this end was required of parents and guardians ; but the expense was mainly a private charge. The Public Free School, as we now understand the term, was not a germ, but a growth of our free institutions. And the growth was gradual, and the full fruitage comparatively late. In few of our towns were such schools estab- lished at the date in question ; in many of them their establishment dates within the present century. Towns hired school rooms or built school houses, provided teachers, and granted money sufficient to meet a part of the charge of tuition, and parents paid the balance.
Our local school system took its rise with the organization of Palmer into a District. And the fact that public schools were es- tablished before school houses were built, made it necessary that they be kept at private dwellings, and is confirmatory of the con- clusion that such a custom had prevailed in past years. An article in the warrant of Oct. 18, 1752, was " To agree upon some certain method of keeping a school in this town this present year; and also to state the places where it shall be kept ; and also ye length of time
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at each place that shall be kept ; and to grant so much money to be raised as may be thought needful to defray ye charges of ye same." On this article, "Voted for a school in ye following four Quarters of this District the sum of £2, 13, 4 lawful money, to- gether with what is allowed us or falling to our share of fines lying in ye county treasurer's hands. Voted to divide ye said money into four equal shares, to be apportioned as follows, viz .: To ye south- easterly corner of ye District, beginning at Barnard McNitt's and running a northerly line taking both James Moors, John Glassford and Brackenridge, there following the roads easterly taking in El- well, Parsons & Applin. The second Quarter, being ye northeast- erly Quarter, taking in all without ye line of ye southeast Quarter, beginning at Hunters, Deacon Smiths and McMitchells, and goes straight line to the north side of the river, taking in William English. The third Quarter comprises the north and northwest part, taking in Nilson, Shearer, Dunkin Quinton and Robert Lam- berton, then turning north following the road from ye Meeting- house as it goes to Tackels, and so all the north side of Ware river. The fourth and last Quarter is the southwest corner, following ye line of the northeast corner as it goes by Glassford's, and fol- lowing ye road by ye meeting-house, and all south and west of ye road that goes to Tackels. Voted that each Quarter meet to- gether, and appoint some convenient place within the same to keep school in, as they please and most convenient for them ; and after they have had ye school so long as to spend their share of ye money they apply to ye treasurer for the same-provided ye school be kept between this time and next March. And if either of ye Quarters neglect to lay out its share of the money before March next, it is not to have the benefit of it ; but said sum is to be kept in the treasury as a supply for ye next year of school."
The sum of £10, 14, 4 was granted to carry out the foregoing plan of a school. And this continued to be the annual grant till 1769, when it was raised to £13, 6, 8. School masters only were employed; and it is believed that the same master taught the school in the several Quarters, a term of six weeks or two months in each successively, thus going the round in six or eight months, and con- stituting what was then known as a "moving school." Teachers' wages were low, and so continued for many years. In 1774, Robert Brown agreed to keep the school on the east side of the Potaquatak for one pound, twelve shillings and eleven pence-and waited two years for his pay. As late as 1805 Lyman Walbridge taught the winter school in the southwest district, and his wages for the term were $9.62.
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
In 1764, the town was partitioned into five school Quarters, the new one being called the Meeting-house Quarter.
In 1789, a committee divided the territory into nine school dis- tricts, as follows: "The Meeting-house Quarter, taking in Dea. John McMaster, Clark McMaster, James Williams, John Thomson, Shadrick Thomson, John Hill, Thomas Hill, Wm Man, Lieut. Joshua Shaw, George Brackenridge, Wm Fleming, Noah Shaw, James Smith, Doctor Jabez Lamb, Joshua Foskit, Thomas Quin- ton, William Warriner.
2. Lieut. Thomas McClanathan's Quarter, including himself and Steven Blackmar, Joseph Smith, Robert McMichell, Luke Hitch- cock, Mr. Champney, Robert Smith, Lieut. James Smith, Deacon John Smith, James Shaw, Gordon Sedgwick.
3. Lieut. Urijah Ward's Quarter, taking besides himself Robert Brown, Samuel Samson, Samuel McClanathan, Ephriam Gates, John Lamberton, William Merrit, Joshua McMaster, Widow Bacon, Simeon Bacon, Samuel Blackmar.
4. Capt. David Spear's Quarter, including Capt. Spear, Capt. Patrick Watson, Wm. McDowell, John Shaw, David Spear, Jun., Henry Thomson, Noah Thomson, Asa Hamilton, Jonathan Moors, Timothy Ferrell, Elijah Darling.
5. Francis Brackenridge's Quarter, Mr. Withington, Lieut. An- drew Adams, David Fleming, David Fleming, Jun., John Rogers, Jesse King, Timothy Brainard, Judah Ferry, Joseph Chapin, Capt. David Shaw, Samuel Shaw, Rufus Trask, John Fisher, James Hamilton, Mr. Colston, Capt. Sylvanus Walker.
6. The Row Quarter : Rev. Moses Baldwin, Deacon Thomas King, Lieut. David King, Lieut. John King, Aaron Merrick, Samuel Blodget, Jonathan Cooley, Gideon King, Benjamin King, Wm Scott, Esq., Doctor Calvin Scott.
7. Southwest Quarter : Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. Wm Scott, Capt. Robins, John Shearer, Jun., Samuel Abbott, Hugh Moor, Hopestill Cleveland, Gideon Graves, John Shearer, Simeon Graves, David Roberts, David Moor, James King, Lemuel Blackmar, Daniel Graves, John Bachelor.
8. Timothy McElwain's Quarter (known as the Point Quarter): himself and Wm. Shaw, John Allen McElwain, Roger McElwain, Simeon Ferrel, Josiah Ferrel, George Wood, Joseph Darling, Widow Smith.
9. Lieut. John Hamilton, Robert McMaster, Hugh McMaster, Wm. McMaster, Joshua Parsons, Wm. Smith, Isaac Cummings.
In 1798 the Row Quarter was divided into two districts, making ten in all.
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SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION.
School Houses. Schools were established long before school houses were built. And it was found to be a serious and perplex- ing question to determine who should be at the charge of erecting the houses and where they should be placed. The first attempt to settle this question was made in 1758, six years after a school was set in operation, when Samuel Frost, John King, William McClanathan and Seth Shaw were chosen " a committee to settle a school house in each Quarter-if the people cannot agree among themselves-at the Quarter's cost." But conflicting interests could not be harmonized, and the vote was not carried into effect. Nine years later, i. e., in 1767, the town voted to raise by assessment 60 pounds, to be expended in building a school house in each district for keeping school. Also voted that Ens. Samuel Shaw, David Spear, James Brackenridge, Thomas King, James Smith, Jun., and Robert Ferrill be a committee to plot a place in each district to build a school house on, when it happens so that either of the dis- tricts cannot agree on a place themselves. And if any district neglects to build a school house when duly warned thereto, then the said committee is directed and empowered to build a school house for such district, and each district shall have the benefit of all the money assessed on them in the usual form." School houses were built in most of the districts soon after this date, though the house in the Centre was not finished till 1782. In 1850 the num- ber of school districts was 13, and this continued to be the division till the district system was abolished in 1869.
The school lot, before described, was sold in 1792, and the money appropriated towards paying for the new meeting-house, with the proviso that it be replaced into the town treasury "when the town find it necessary." There is no record of its replacement.
Annual Grants for Schools. 1752, £10, 14, 4, and the same sum till 1769, when £13, 6, 8 was raised; 1775 to 1780, £14; 1780, 350 pounds, depreciated currency; 1781, £15 silver money; 1784 to 1795, 30 pounds; 1795, 170 dollars; 1797, $250; 1804 to 1825, $400 ;* 1825 to 1831, $500 ; 1832 to 1834, $600; 1835 to 1836, $750; 1837 and 1838, $900; 1839, $1,200 ; 1840, $1,000; 1841 to 1843, $1,000; amount actually expended for schools in 1842, $1,539.40 ; 1843, $800 and the interest of the Merrick fund t and the Surplus
* March 10, 1823. The town voted that Samuel Perry and Russell Jenks have liberty to draw back their proportion of school money for the last year, and to draw their proportion of school money for the present year and lay it out as they please.
+ Aaron Merrick, Esq., bequeathed to the town the sum of $850, the annual interest of which was to be appropriated for the benefit of schools and to be divided equally to the several districts. Unless specified, the annual town grant was exclusive of the income of this fund. The fund, unim- paired, is now in the savings bank.
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
Revenue ; 1844, same as last year ; 1845, $1,200, $300 to be equally divided among the districts and $800 on the valuation; 1846, $1,200; 1847, $1,200; 1848, $1,200; 1849, $1,250, $1,200 to be divided on the valuation and $50 among the small districts, at the discretion of the assessors ; amount actually expended for schools this year, $1,355.38 ; 1850, $1,650, $250 to be divided equally to the districts and $1,400 on the valuation ; 1851, the town voted to raise $2,000 to support the common schools and $600 to support a high school the ensuing year; $300 of the school money was placed in the hands of the School Committee, to be divided among the districts at their discretion, and $1,700 to be divided on the scholar. At the April meeting the town voted to establish a high school, to be kept the first six months at Thorndike, three months at the Depot and three months at Three Rivers, provided a suitable place be provided at each village, free of expense to the town ; in- come of the Merrick fund, $49.62. 1852, $2,000, which continued to be the annual grant for the district schools till 1860. In 1855 the interest of the Merrick fund was $99, and the amount received from the State was $168.72. The total sum expended for schools was $2,491.33. 1860, $2,800; 1861, $2,300; 1862, $2,400; 1863, $2,700, and the same sum in '64 and '65; 1866, $3,500; 1867, $3,500; 1868, $4,000 ; 1869, $4,000. This year the district system was abolished and all the schools put in charge of the School Com- mittee. 1870, $4,500 ; 1871, $4,500; 1872, $5,000; 1873, $5,000, to which was added the interest of the Merrick fund, $57, the amount received from the State, $245.47, and the dog tax, $368.62, making in all the total of $5,671.09 ; 1874, grant $6,000, amount expended $7,005.21; 1875, $8,000; 1876, $7,500; 1877, annual grant $6,500, repairs $600, contingencies $600, interest of Merrick fund $52.27, dog tax $298.56, tuition of foreign scholars $47.50, total $8,351.13; 1878, $7,500; 1879, $7,500; 1880, $9,000. A new school house was built at Thorndike, at the cost of $2,033.61. 1881, $9,500; addition to the Depot Village school house cost $2,500 ; total school expenditures, $14,381.68. 1882, $10,000, a new school house built at Three Rivers costing $3,500. 1883, $10,000 ; a new school house built at Wire Mills. There were maintained this year the high school at Depot Village, 1 grammar, 1 intermediate and 2 primary ; at Three Rivers, 1 grammar, 2 intermediate and 3 primary schools; at Bond's Village, 1 grammar, 1 intermediate and 2 primary ; at Thorndike, 1 grammar, 2 intermediate and 2 primary ; 1 school at Palmer Centre, and a school in the out dis- tricts, viz., the Shaw, Shorley, Whiting and Mason. 1884, $10,000; 1885, $10,000 ; 1886, $10,000; 1887, $10,500, and for
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