USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > History of the town of Pittsfield, in Berkshire County, Mass., with a map of the county > Part 3
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There are now fifteen district schools in town, the central district having been divided in 1830, into three, called the Centre, East Centre and West Centre districts. Three schools had been taught for some time in the original dis- trict. Repeatedly $1600 have been appropriated by the town for all the schools, including the interest on the school fund. This year the town has appropriated $1750 for the common schools in addition to the interest on the school fund and the amount receivable from the State. They re- ceived from their own fund the last year, about $120, and from the school fund of the State, $126 58. Should they receive as much this year, the amount of money thus pro- vided for the schools will be almost $2000.
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These schools are taught by males in the winter and by females in the summer, with the exception of that in the present Centre district. In that there are two schools, a common school, and now a select school, both taught in a convenient brick building on Fenn street. Since 1799, for considerable portions of the time, the town has patronized by grants of money, a grammar school. One has been taught from time to time in the school house just mention- ed; and this year the town has appropriated $500 for the support of a free school of a higher order. This is done to meet the State law, requiring towns of 500 families to sup- port such a school.
THE FEMALE ACADEMY, OR SEMINARY; NOW FOLLOWED BY THE YOUNG LADIES' INSTITUTE.
The Female Academy, usually styled the Female Semi- nary, owed its origin immediately to the successful efforts of Miss Nancy Hinsdale, in instituting a select female school here. This excited so much interest that a number of gentlemen, in 1806, erected a building for the use of the school. In February, 1807, they procured an act of incor- poration, allowing them to hold property, the annual in- come of which, exclusive of the building, should not exceed $1200. Miss Hinsdale instructed it after the incorporation until about 1813, having at first about forty scholars, and towards the close, eighty or ninety. Miss Eliza Doane, of Boston, instructed it from 1814 to 1818. Other ladies in- structed it for shorter periods. For a number of years, the large room, (prepared for the purpose,) in the lower part of the building in South Street, previously occupied by the second Congregational Society, was used as a school-room for the young ladies.
With a view to the improvement of the institution, the proprietors, in 1826, erected a large three-story brick build- ing nearly opposite the school-room, for the accommodation of a principal and a boarding establishment, with convenient apartments also for study. The design was to enable the pu- pils from abroad to procure board with the family of the prin-
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cipal, and to enjoy continually the benefits of his care and ex- ample. After April, 1827, the Seminary was placed under the superintendance of a gentleman, assisted by accomplish- ed female teachers. The English course of study was in- creased : the pupils were instructed also in Latin, Greek and French, and in music. They were particularly instructed in morals and religion, and the influences of the Spirit, in repeated instances, accompanied their labors. The pupils, collected from the town and vicinity, from different, and some from distant parts of the country, varied in number, from ninety to one hundred. The principals were the Rev. Eliakim Phelps, Mr. Jonathan L. Hyde, and Mr. Nathaniel S. Dodge. Mr. Phelps instructed it from April, 1827, un- til the autumn of 1828. He had previously been pastor for a number of years of the Congregational church in Brook- field, and for a time, principal of the Female Seminary in that town. He was afterwards pastor of the Presbyterian church in Geneva, N. Y. Mr. Hyde instructed it from Nov. 1828, to April, 1834. Before coming to this place he had been engaged in the instruction of youth in the State of Georgia, and in the city of New York. Mr. Dodge, a na- tive of Haverhill, graduate of Dartmouth College, instruct- ed it after Mr. Hyde, until sometime in 1841.
The Institution has received a new name, that of the " Young Ladies' Institute," and is instructed in the buildings formerly occupied by the Berkshire Gymnasium, briefly de- scribed in the following paragraph :
In the close of 1826, Lemuel Pomeroy, Esq., purchased the charming site on the east side of North street, occupied by the Government of the United States as a cantonment,* during the late war with Great Britain, for the purpose of establishing a gymnasium or high school. The year after, he erected upon it three large three story brick buildings ; one for the principal, and one for the boarding house; the other containsa large school-room, recitation and lodging rooms. There are also lodging rooms for the students in the other buildings. These stand on a line, facing the south, " overlooking an extensive garden and pleasure grounds of
* See Appendix, Note A.
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uncommon beauty, ornamented with trees and walks." They also command a beautiful view of the village and surrounding hills and mountains. The gymnasium was opened in the latter part of 1827, (though not incorporated until 1829,) by Rev. Chester Dewey, formerly Professor of Natural Philosophy, Mathematics and Chemistry, in Wil- liams College. It was conducted hitherto by him, as- sisted by competent teachers, on the general plan of the European Gymnasia. The pupils were taught the va- rious English branches of education, and in ancient and modern languages. Much attention was paid to moral and religious instruction, as well as to science. The Gym- nasium ceased its operations in 1836, on the removal of the Principal to Rochester, N. Y., whither he was called to preside over the "Collegiate Institute" of that city.
In November, 1841, the Young Ladies' Institute was opened by the Rev. W. H. Tyler and lady, in the build- ings occupied by the Gymnasium. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler were previously principals of the "South Carolina Female Institute," at Barhamville, near Columbia, S. C., and earli- er still, of the Academy at Manlius, N. Y., to which place Mr. T. went directly from the tutorship in Amherst College, of which he is an alumnus.
The centre building of the three erected for the Gymna- sium having been burned down, the remaining two, ample in their dimensions, and uniform in appearance, were con- nected by a corridor two hundred feet in length, and were otherwise admirably fitted up for the purposes of a day and boarding school.
Associated with Mr. and Mrs. Tyler are eight accomplish- ed teachers in all the various departments of a complete female education. The teacher of French, Drawing and Painting, a native of France, and for some years instructor in Dartmouth College, and E. G. Tyler, A. M., the associ- ate principal, are permanently connected with the Institu- tion. The last named gentleman, as well as his brother, is a graduate of Amherst College, and he also received an appointment to the tutorship there.
The desirable location of the Institute, its liberal arrange-
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ments and advantages, and the high character of its teach- ers have given to it an extensive and enviable reputation. The present number of its pupils is eighty, of whom more than half are from abroad, and with the teachers, are in- mates of the family of the Principal. And this complete family organization is justly considered one of the most effi- cient means of exerting that healthful, moral and social in- fluence so essential in Institutions for the young.
The following is the report of the Examining Committee of the Institution for 1843 :- " The subscribers have just com- pleted their duties as an examining committee of the Young Ladies Institute in Pittsfield, under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, as Principals. The examination was continued from day to day, and in its character was a thor- ough, laborious examination, rather than an exhibition. In the result we were most unaffectedly gratified ; and we feel warranted in saying, that no pains have been spared by the Principals or their assistant teachers. In the points of order, decorum, appropriate and lady-like behavior, the pupils left us nothing to regret. For accuracy, thoroughness of schol- arship, and promptness in recitation, few schools in the land, if any, could surpass it. The committee took a share in all parts of the examination, and were abundantly satisfied that the pupils understood the principles and foundations of learning. While music, drawing, painting, and what are usually denominated the ornamental branches, have all the aid and advantages which are necessary, or which could be desired, we were happy to see that languages and the math- ematics, even the severer parts, were the test of scholar- ship. In addition to all, the school has, during the past winter, received such tokens of the approbation of Heaven, that it would be ungrateful in us not to acknowledge it.
" We sum up all we have to add by saying, that daugh- ters placed in this school will have all done for them that patience, perseverance, conscience and skill can do, to lay the foundations of character that is thoroughly and sym- metrically educated." J. TODD,
D. S. DICKINSON,
G. N. BRIGGS.
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THE DILLINGHAM SCHOOL-NOW THE SELECT FAMILY BOARDING SCHOOL OF MR. NASH.
The private school of Mr. Charles Dillingham, in South street (commenced in June, 1826,) had a high reputation. The lads, limited in age from six to fourteen years, and in number from thirty-five to forty, were boarded in his family and enjoyed at all times his care and company, whose large house and adjoining buildings afforded them ample accom- modations. They were mostly from Philadelphia, (where Mr. Dillingham was several years a teacher in the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb,) and from New York and Albany. They were instructed by him and three or four assistants in the common and higher English branches, in modern lan- guages and in Latin and Greek.
Mr. Dillingham died Dec. 15, 1834, aged 35 .* His rep- utation was high as a teacher, and his death greatly lamented.
Mr. Robert M. Chapman, who had before been an assist- ant to Mr. Dillingham, a student at the time in the Episco- pal Seminary in New-York, took the school and continued it on the same premises until Oct. 1838. Mr. Chapman is now an Episcopal clergyman, and minister of the church in Vandeusenville, in Great Barrington.
Rev. J. Adams Nash, a native of Conway, graduate of Amherst College, who taught a select school five years in the city of New York, and was then settled over a Presby- terian church in Binghamton, succeeded Mr. Chapman.
Mr. Nash is the Principal and Lester M. Clarke, A. M. Associate Principal, as the school is now organized. There is connected with it also, a teacher of French and a teacher of Penmanship. The design is to make the school " strictly a Select Family Boarding School; adapted to combine with thorough instruction, the social, moral and religious influ- ences of a well regulated, Christian family; and to furnish a resort, where parents, who, for any reason, cannot educate
* See Appendix, Note B,
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their sons personally, may place them with safety and ad- vantage." Such schools are needed by some parents in different places, and by many who dwell in cities. For the object in view the location could hardly be better. Though within the limits of a large village, and enjoying its advan- tages, it is remarkably retired. The pupils could hardly enjoy more quietness, and be more secure from temptation in the most remote and scattered settlement. The buildings are well fitted for study, and the grounds in the rear for recreation. " The course of instruction embraces Greek, Latin, French, Mathematics, Vocal Music and Drawing, together with all the branches of a thorough English educa- tion. This course is varied, at the option of the parent, with a view to prepare the pupil for college, or for the active pursuits of life." And lest the number of scholars should be too great for their highest advantage, it is to be restricted hereafter to twenty. This has been about the average number since the connection of Mr. Nash with the institution, and they are to be between the ages of seven and sixteen. They are received into the family of the principal, and such as are from a distance, and desire it, can remain in the family during vacation. The terms are two, twenty-two weeks each. This is a good school.
MISS HINSDALE'S SELECT SCHOOL.
In May 1843, Miss Fanny Hinsdale, neice of the celebrated instructress, who was so successful many years since in ex- citing attention to female education, opened a select school in the room formerly occupied by the Female Seminary, designed especially for the instruction of Young Ladies, though boys under seven years of age are admitted. She is assisted by two female teachers, and the pupils are instruct- ed in the English branches, in Algebra, Latin and French. There are two terms in the year, and the number of scholars the present term is about forty, mostly Young Ladies.
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BERKSHIRE MEDICAL INSTITUTION.
In the year 1822, a Medical School was established in this town, through the enterprize and liberality of a few in- dividuals of the County of Berkshire. That it was judicious, and that the public wants demanded such an institution, is evident from the number of students who have resorted to it for a professional education.
An act of incorporation was obtained in 1823, authorizing the Trustees to establish a Medical College, and in connex- ion with Williams College, giving the power of conferring medical degrees, under the same rules and restrictions as are recognized by the University of Cambridge.
Subsequently, a grant of 5000 dollars was made by the Legislature, for the purpose of aiding the laudable objects of the institution. Also authority was given to establish a Lyceum of Natural History, an Eye Infirmary, and a Gen- eral Hospital. The success of the enterprise has far exceed- ed the anticipations even of many of its friends. The num- ber of students has averaged annually about 100, and amounts now to about 150.
By an act of the Legislature, passed in 1837, the Berkshire Medical Institution is constituted an Independent Medical College, and degrees are conferred by the President, Trus- tees and Faculty of the Institution. A Board of Overseers is appointed, consisting of the Trustees of the Institution, the President and Secretaries of the Mass. Medical Society, the Senators of the Commonwealth from the four western dis- tricts, ex officio, and other distinguished gentlemen from various parts of the Commonwealth. Thus is the Berkshire Medical Institution emphatically a State Institution.
Graduates of the Berkshire Medical Institution are entitled to all the privileges and immunities which have been granted by the Legislature to the medical graduates of Harvard Uni- versity ; and by a vote of the Mass. Medical Society passed
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in May, 1837, the graduates of the Berkshire Medical Inst. are entitled to admission as Fellows of that Society, without fee or an examination. More than 600 graduates of the Berkshire Medical Inst. scattered over the United States are now in the successful practice of medicine.
In this Institution particular attention is given to the study of Pathology : and to its credit, it may be said, here was established the first distinct professorship of that branch in the United States.
A School of Medicine is continued throughout the year, in which medicine, in all its branches is taught. The year is divided into a Lecture Term and Reading Term. The annual course of Lectures commences on the first Thursday of August, and continues fourteen weeks. The remainder of the year is occupied by the Reading Term, and consists of daily recitations in all the branches of medical science, and medical dissertations by the students.
The Library, the Anatomical Museum, and the Cabinet of Minerals, are all very respectable-the buildings belong- ing to the Institution consist of a large boarding house, and an edifice for lecture-rooms and other purposes connected with the interests of the Institution. Recently, an associa- tion of the Alumni of the Institution, and the Students at- tending the lectures, has been formed, with the design of in- creasing the advantages for the acquisition of medical sci- ence, and promoting the interests of the Institution. The Association gives to each member a diploma, and admits all former graduates of the Institution as honorary members. At the Commencement of the Institution, in connection with the exercises of that day, the Alumni have public ad- dressess on subjects connected with the science of Medi- cine.
The Faculty of the Berkshire Medical Institution have been a working Faculty, and the reputation of the students for close application, diligent study, and correct behavior, is not surpassed by any Medical college in the country.
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A Clinique is held every Saturday, during the Lecture Term, when operations in Surgery are performed, and medical advice is given by the Professors, gratuitously. ,
The first President was Josiah Goodhue, M. D., of Hadley, a distinguished physician, who deceased in 1829. The next President was Zadoc Howe, M. D., of Billerica, an active member of the profession, who resigned his place in 1836. In 1837, on the change of the charter so as to make the Institution an independent Medical School, Hon. H. H. Childs, M. D., one of its most active founders and support- ers, was chosen its President, thus adding to the duties of his Professorship the responsibilities of its presiding officer. Since the founding of the Institution, Dr. Childs has been a devoted and successful professor, annually presenting his course of Theory and Practice. With him there is now associated only one of the professors at first appointed, the professor of Chemistry &c., the other professorships having several times changed their incumbents. At the present time the Institution is supplied with an active and efficient Faculty.
1159732
Henry H. Childs, President of the Corporation.
Alonzo Clark, Dean or Secretary of the Faculty.
FACULTY .- H. H. Childs, M. D., Professor of Theory and Practice and of Obstetrics.
C. Dewey, M. D. and D. D., Professor of Chemistry, Botany, and Natural Philosophy.
Hon. H. Hubbard, A. M., Professor of Medical Jurispru- dence.
Gilman Kimball, M. D., Professor of Principles and Prac- tice of Surgery.
. B. R. Palmer, M. D., Prof. of Anatomy and Physiology.
Alonzo Clark, M. D., Prof. of Pathology and Materia Medica.
Timothy Childs, Demonstrator of Anatomy.
The influence of all the public schools and literary insti- tutions here is very great. They presuppose a high regard
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for literature and the welfare of the rising generation among the inhabitants. In addition to the libraries of professors and principals, opened for the benefit of the members of these schools and institutions, and the libraries of private gentlemen, there are some public libraries. There was for- merly one in the east part of the town connected with Dal- ton, called "Union Library," established in 1796. This was dissolved in 1808. There is now one in the west part of the town called the "Social Library" founded in 1825, and containing 175 volumes. There is also in the village, "The Young Men's Library," commenced in 1832, contain- ing about 400 volumes. *
NEWSPAPERS.
A printing press was set up here as early as 1787. In May following, a weekly paper was issued, styled the "Berk- shire Chronicle." Precisely how long this was published I am unable to state. Another paper was set up afterwards, but discontinued some time before the establishment of the " Pittsfield Sun," by the Hon. Phinchas Allen, in Septem- ber, 1800. Some time after this the Berkshire Reporter was published here for several years. The Berkshire American was commenced in 1826, and in Feb. 1827, removed to North Adams. The last number of this paper was issued about June 1834. The Argus succeeded the American at Pittsfield, was edited by Henry K. Strong until March, 1829, and then by Samuel W. Bush until Sept. 1, 1831, when it was united with the Berkshire Journal, at Lenox. This paper was afterwards called the Journal and Argus until Sept. 4, 1834, when it assumed the title of the Massachu- setts Eagle.
Four weekly papers are now published in Pittsfield ; the " Pitsfield Sun," already mentioned, edited by the Hon. Phinehas Allen and son; the " Berkshire County Whig,"
* See Appendix, Note C.
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begun March 11, 1841, Henry Hubbard, Esq. editor ; "The Berkshire Eagle," moved here from Lenox in 1842, the late Massachusetts Eagle, present editor, Charles Montague, and the "New England Cataract and Berkshire and Franklin Washingtonian," editor, J. D. Bonner, begun in June last.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS-CONGREGATIONALISTS-BAPTISTS METHODISTS-EPISCOPALIANS.
The earliest settlers of this town were very generally, if not universally, Congregationalists. By the act of the Gen- eral Court, granting the township, the inhabitants were re- quired to lay out a house-lot for the support of the ministry, " which should draw a sixty-third part of said town in all future divisions," and "to build and finish a suitable and convenient house for the public worship of God, and settle a learned orthodox minister," within a given time.
In conformity with this act a house-lot was laid out, be- ing No. 13, and lying to the north-west of the public square; and a part of square No. 7, (113 acres) to the north-west of this, considered as being of the first quality of lands, and a part of square No. 44, (112 acres) at the north-east corner of the town, being of the third quality. These lands were for some time wholly unproductive. In 1767 an effort was made to clear a part of the house-lot. In the early part of 1774, a petition was sent to the Legislature for liberty to lease out the ministry lands, which seems to have been granted : for in July of that year it was voted "that the town do consent to alienate and convey the ministry lot, No. 13, agreeably to the statute of the Province for that purpose." About the same time the lot was sold to Dr. Timothy Childs and Col. John Brown, for 3001. The other lots were sub- sequently sold. A portion of the avails of these lands has been lost, or converted to some other purpose than the sup- port of the ministry. From these avails the Congregation- alists have now only $700. They have, however, a legacy from Woodbridge Little, Esq. who died in June, 1813, of $500, and another from John R. Crocker, who died in Octo-
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ber, 1826, of $476,94. Deacon Daniel Crofoot, who died in August, 1832, willed to the society $500, to go into their hands upon the decease of his widow. When this sum shall be received, the Congregationalists will have a fund of $2176 94. The society have also a Parsonage.
With respect to the building of a house for the public wor- ship of God, and the settlement of a minister, the proprie- tors at their first meeting, after they were incorporated, Sept. 12, 1753, voted to raise 40l. lawful money for building a meeting-house, and assessed 3s. on each settling lot for the support of preaching. In May following, it was voted " that the meeting-house should be thiry-five feet by thir- ty." In August the town resolved to go on and build the meeting-house without delay ; they also voted " to hire Mr. Smith," who had probably preached to them for a time " as a probationer." This year the assessment was doubled for the support of preaching ; and the prospect was that the people would soon have the ordinances of the gospel statedly ministered to them. But the occurrence of the second French War dissipated this prospect for several years.
The Mr. Smith employed in 1754 was the Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, who settled in 1775 in Sharon, Ct., father of the Hon. John Cotton Smith, formerly Governor of that state, and late President of the American Bible Society. He was a native of Suffield, Ct. and graduate of Yale Col- lege. He studied theology in Hatfield, and for some time in 1752 or 3 instructed an Indian school in Stockbridge. As a clergyman he ranked high among his brethren.
In October, 1758, the people voted to hire preaching, and in the latter part of 1759 a Mr. Clark was procured to preach to them for a season. In August, 1760, Mr. Ebenezer Guernsey, who had preached to them four months, was in- vited to settle with them conditionally. This call he nega- tived, but supplied them further on probation, and was in- vited a second time to settle with them. This call he also declined in January, 1761. Mr. Guernsey returned to Durham, his native town, and finally gave up the ministry.
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In August of this year the inhabitants invited Mr. Enoch Huntington, of Windham, Ct., to become their minister. Mr. H. declined their invitation because he felt it to be his duty to settle at Middletown, where he had a call at the same time, though he expressed to the people his convic- tion that his temporal prospects would be best at Pittsfield. He was much distinguished for classical learning. A broth- er of his, Dr. Joseph Huntington, was minister in Coventry, Ct .; another brother, Hon. Samuel Huntington, was a num- ber of years Governor of that state.
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