USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.) from the grant of Ipswich Canada, in 1735, to the present time > Part 20
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In 1819, the town chose a committee,-H. G. Newcomb, Daniel Henshaw, Ezra Hyde, Jr., William H. Cutler, and Jacob Woodbury -to inspect the schools ; and directed that they " attend with the min- ister to examine the masters and mistresses respecting their qualifica- tions, when requested by the minister, and recommend such books into school as they think best."
The next year, 1820, the appropriation for schooling was cut down to $500; the committee was partially changed, by putting Dr. Mat- thias Spalding and Lieut. Luke Parks, in the place of Messrs. Cutler and Hyde. Several families in what is now Spring Village district, were set off to the north district. These were William Tolman, James Martin, Seth Prouty, and Nathan Wood. As there was no road from their houses to the north school-house, until several years later, the chil-
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dren must have gone " across lots." Probably there was a bridle or a cart path through the woods.
In 1821, the Waterville school district was formed. The families in it were those of Jacob Hale, Daniel Hale, Jonas Bradish, Jr., Nathan- iel Hale, Jacob Hale, Jr., Asa Hyde, Benj. Fry, Alpheus Guy, Ste- phen Emery, Richard Thomas, John Newhall, Phinehas Ball, Asa Hale, Phinehas Ball, Jr., Thomas Kimball, William Robbins, Jr., Stillman Hale and Lewis Robbins.
It will not be necessary to give the names of the school committee from year to year. There was constant change in the names except in the case of the minister. The Rev. Eber L. Clark bad now taken the place of Mr. Pillsbury. The gentlemen who were on the committee, from time to time, between 1820 and 1830, were, in addition to those already mentioned, Messrs. James M. Fuller, Thomas Bennet, Jr., Luke Heywood, George Alger, Moses M. Reed, William Brown, Reuben Hyde, Reuben Harris, Richard Stuart, William Tolman, Dr. Alvah Godding, Gilman Day, Jacob Wales, Foxwell N. Thomas and Elisha Murdock. Some of these were on the committee but a year or two ; others, many years in succession. In the year 1826, the committee con- sisted of eleven ; generally, of three or five.
In 1828, for the first time, the town omitted to choose the pruden- tial committee, and voted that each school district choose their school agent in a district meeting appointed for that purpose. This practice of allowing the districts to choose agents to spend the town's money, when they were not accountable to the town, was continued for nearly forty years.
In 1829, Elisha Murdock was put on the school committee. With the exception of a few years when he was absent, teaching school, he was a member of the committee until he resigned in the year 1863. The appropriation for schooling, this year, was $600. It was continued at the same figure for several years.
SECTION 3 .- NEW ARRANGEMENT OF DISTRICTS.
The population had increased to such a degree, and become so dis- tributed, that a new arrangement of districts had become necessary. At an adjournment of the March meeting, April 4, 1831, it was voted that the Hale school district-No. 9, Waterville-have an equal share
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of the school money with the other districts in town. This made nine districts. How the school-house was built, is not specified in the Rec- ords. The author has been informed that the house was built by sub- scription.
On the 11th of May, a committee of one man from each school dis- trict was chosen, " to see if any alterations in any of the school districts are necessary, and if any, what alterations, and report at the adjourn- ment of this meeting." The committee were as follows, the number in- dicating the district to which the member belonged. 1. Col. Benjamin Adams; 7. Capt. Israel Whitcomb; 5. Joseph Whitney; 3. Capt. John Forristall; 10. Capt. Joseph Robbins; 2. Ephraim Murdock, Esq. ; 9. Richard Stuart ; 6. Jacob Woodbury ; 8. Capt. George Al- ger. These numbers are given as they are known to the present gen- eration, and printed on Whitney's map. There could not have been a No. 10, as there were but nine districts. This committee made a re- port, which the town did not adopt ; but the matter could not rest, be- cause there was need for more accommodation.
Accordingly in 1832 it was voted " to set off the inhabitants of the Spring Village, and others, into a separate school district, with the same privileges as the other districts in town." This made the number of districts equal to ten, and no alteration has since been made, except the formation of No. 11, and the discontinuance of No. 6. The final arrange- ment will be given on 'a subsequent page.
In 1833, the sum devoted to schooling was raised to $700. 'The same sum was granted the next year, when it was voted, that the school committee,-Messrs. Clark, R. Harris and Elisha Murdock, “ visit all the schools in town, and that they be paid a reasonable price for their services." This action was probably prompted by the Act of the Legis- lature, requiring that schools should be visited as often as once a month, and providing for their pay. From this time, school inspection became more efficient.
In 1834, June 12, a committee of one in each district was chosen " to examine the bounds of the several school districts, and ascertain wheth- er the town is lawfully districted ; if it is not, to district anew. This committee reported, and on the first of September, the districts were numbered as they have stood ever since, with the exception that No.
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8 was, in 1839, divided into two, one of which was No. 11, and that No. 6 was discontinued in the year 1853. More correctly, it was sus- pended.
In 1837, it was voted to divide the school money, 8700, equally among the several school districts.
At a meeting held April 1, 1839, the prudential committee of the several school districts, were authorized to contract with teachers for their respective schools. The sum devoted to schools was $900.
The following gentlemen served on the school committee more or less, from 1830 to 1840 : Rev. E. L. Clark, D. O. Morton, Warren Cooper, and Richard Swazey, Doct. Fay, and Messrs. William Brown, Elisha Murdock, Reuben Harris, Levi Hancock, Warham Rand, and Luther Richardson.
SECTION 4 .- NEW DIVISION OF SCHOOL MONEY.
At the annual meeting, March 2, 1840, the town voted to divide the money appropriated to schools, in the following manner: " Divide one- half of the money raised for the support of schools equally among the several districts in town, and the other half according to the number of scholars in each district, between the age of 4 and 21 years. The next year it was changed to 4 and 16 years, and the scholars were to be num- bered on the first of May, by the joint action of the school and pruden- tial committees. This year $1000 were appropriated for schools. The same sum was continued a few subsequent years.
In 1844, $1100 were granted for education. At the March meeting, the question of dividing the money came up again, when a committee of one from each of the eleven school districts was chosen " to investi- gate the subject of the division of the school money ; said committee to report at the adjournment of this meeting. Chose the following per- sons from the districts as they are numbered : 1. Benjamin Wilder ; 2. Elisha Murdock; 3. Seth Tucker, Jr .; 4. Joseph Watson ; 5. Eb- enezer Butler; 6. Jacob Woodbury ; 7. William Brown; 8. Luke Rice ; 9. Moses Hancock ; 10. Edward Loud ; 11. Joel Sibley. At a meeting on the 19th of March, remarks were heard from several mem- bers of the committee. The matter was adjourned to the first of April, when the following Report was presented. It was mainly prepared by Messrs. Brown and Murdock, who had served on the school committee
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many years. It is given here, although the plan is now superseded, because it illustrates the character of the town. The design was to give each child in the town an equal chance, and it certainly was as fair an arrangement as ever came under the notice of the writer. By it, the districts that were favored with the greatest pecuniary ability, helped the weaker districts to enjoy equal school privileges. The Report was read, when the town, on the 16th of April, voted to adopt it, as follows :
" A portion of your committtec have attended to the duty assigned them. 2nd agreed upon the following Report.
That the money raised by the town for the support of schools, be divided among the several districts according to the number of scholars, in the man- ner following, viz :
That each district numbering less than 40 scholars, be allowed to draw for 45 scholars.
That each school district numbering between 40 and 50 scholars, be allowed to draw for 50 scholars.
That each school district numbering from 50 to 90 scholars, draw for their whole number.
That each school district numbering over 90 scholars, draw for 90 scholars only, unless their number exceeds 100 scholars, in which case they shall draw for their whole number ; and that the amount received from the Massachusetts School Fund, be divided equally among the several school districts as formerly."
The town then voted to divide the school money agreeable to the report of the committec. This arrangement, with slight modifications. remained till the districts were abolished.
At a meeting held on the first of April, an effort to divide the sec- ond district, and call the new one No. 12, was defeated. This propos- al was renewed on the 16th, and again defeated. The people had be- gun to get an idea of graded schools.
In 1846, the town granted $1200 for schools, besides the sum re- ceived from the State. In 1848, the appropriation for schools was 81500. In 1849, the sum of $15, to help district No. + defray their expense for a school district library, was granted.
The following were on the committee between 1840 and 1850. Rev. Messrs. Rice, Dunn, Pettee, Marvin, Tracy, Bullard, and Messrs. Mur- dock, Richardson, Godding, Brown, Moses Hancock, Emerson Whit- zey, John C. Eddy, Abel E. Parks, and Henry Perley. Some were chosen for a single year, and others continuously.
A
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The subject of abolishing the districts was referred to a committee, who reported to a meeting held on the 13th of March, 1852, " 1, that, in their opinion, it is not expedient to alter the limits of districts No. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11; 2, that No. 6 should be abolished, and its inhabitants should be set to 1, 5 and 7." The grant for schools was cut down to $1400.
SECTION 5 .- HIGH SCHOOL.
The first distinct movement for a High School was made in 1851, when, on the 10th of November, on motion of Rev. A. P. Marvin, a committee of fifteen, one at least in each district, was raised, to take the subject of a High School into consideration. The committee con- sisted of the following persons. Rev. John Storrs, Rev. A. P. Marvin, Messrs. Edward Loud, Stillman Hale, Amos Wheeler, B. O. Tyler, Elisha Beaman, Joseph White, Ebenezer Butler, Jacob Woodbury, William Brown, C. C. Alger, Moses Hancock, Levi Parks and Joel Sibley. The committee reported on the 31st of January, 1852. The Report on the subject of a High School, prepared mainly by Rev. John Storrs, was long and interesting. No action was taken by the town at this meeting.
It was doubted by some whether there were families enough in the town to lay it under obligation, by law, to support a High School. In order to settle this point, one of the committee went over the town care- fully, and found that the families numbered considerably over five hun- dred. This fact was brought before the town, at the proper time.
At a meeting on the 26th of May, 1852, the Report of the High School committee, and a substitute presented by Mr. Marvin, were re- jected, and the matter was indefinitely postponed. But the project would not stay postponed, and it came up again on this wise. Ephraim Mur- dock, Esq., had erected a building called the Winchendon Academy, in the year 1843, which had been used, without charge, for academical purposes, about ten years. Many of the youth belonging to the town, and quite a number from other places, had here enjoyed good advan- tages for mental improvement. The first teacher, under whom the build- ing began to be used as an Academy, in the autumn of 1843, was Mr. John G. Giles, a graduate of Dartmouth College. He was followed, in succeeding years, by Mr. Levi O. Stevens, of Burlington College, Mr. Stephen F. Kellogg and Mr. Charles L. Brace, of Yale College,
AMINCHENDON ACADEMY
1
Established in 1843.
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and Mr. A. H. Merriam, of Dartmouth College. After him, came the Rev. Mr. Willmarth, an accurate scholar, in the modern as well as an- cient languages. Mr. Kellogg is a prominent lawyer and public man in Connecticut. Mr. Brace has a wide reputation as an author and philanthropist. All were faithful to their duties. In 1848, Mr. Hyde wrote as follows of the Academy, in his History.
" The benefits of the institution are already manifest. Many hundreds, of both sexes, have already derived great advantage from it; and the desire for a higher and more thorough education has been excited in many a youthful breast. If it shall be sustained according to its praiseworthy design, it will be the source of manifold blessings to the community."
A view of the Academy may be seen on another page. It is 30 by 40 feet, and two stories in height. A boarding house was also erected, to be for the convenience of scholars from other places. The cost of both buildings was between three and four thousand dollars.
The design of Mr. Murdock was liberal and praiseworthy. When the law was passed requiring towns containing five hundred families, or twenty-five hundred inhabitants, to supporta High School, it was seen that an Academy would not be needed ; whereupon Mr. Murdock in- serted a provision in his will, by which the Academy building was left to the town of Winchendon, on condition that it should be used for ed- ucational purposes.
In view of this will, the testator having departed this life, a commit- tee of five was appointed on the 30th of April, 1853, " to look into the will of E. Murdock, Esq., respecting the Winchendon Academy." They reported on the 25th of May, when it was voted " to accept and adopt the proposition made by Ephraim Murdock, Esq., the testator, in his will, and establish a school." It was moved to reconsider this vote ; but the motion was negatived. The way was now prepared for the es- tablishment of a High School, and accordingly, on the 3d of August. the town, acting on an article " to see if the town will establish and main- tain a High School," it was voted "that the school committee be instruct- ed to procure a teacher in order to commence a term of school in the spring." At the annual meeting, March 6, 1854, upon motion, it was voted to appropriate $125, for supporting the spring term of the High School, to be expended by the school committee. At this time, the first term of the school was in session, and since that date, the children of
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the town have had the advantage of a good High School without inter- ruption. In furtherance of this object, a vote was passed on the 3d of April, as follows :
" To provide a High School for all the children of the town thirteen years of age, and upwards, for a term of ten weeks, commencing in September, and another term of ten weeks, commencing not far from the first of December, of the present year. Provided, that if those scholars who are of the requisite age, are not numerous enough to fill the school, younger children may be admitted at the discretion of the committee."
A grant of $200 was made for the support of the High School. It was then voted that a committee of eleven, (one from each of the schools in the town,) in addition to the school committee, be appointed to ma- ture a town school system, with all necessary details. The school com- mittee were Messrs. A. P. Marvin, Elisha Murdock and Henry Per- ley. The members from the districts were as follows: 1. John Storrs; 2. Ephraim Murdock, Jr., and Alvah Godding ; 3. Seth Tucker, Jr., 4. Maynard Partridge ; 5. Ebenezer Butler ; 7. Lincoln Balcom ; 8. C. C. Alger; 9. Ezra Porter ; 10. Reuben Harris; 11. Minot Patch. It was also voted " That $75 be taken from No. 2, $20 from No. 3, and 820 from No. 9, and appropriated for the support of the High School." This was done because these three districts, being contigu- ous to the High School, derived the greatest advantage from it. At the - same meeting, Rev. John Storrs and B. O. Tyler, Esq., were added to the school committee.
The enlightened liberality of Esq. Murdock deserved grateful rec- ognition from the town, whereupon, on motion of the chairman of the school committee, the following preamble and resolutions were unani- mously adopted.
" Whereas, the late Ephraim Murdock, Esq., in his last will and testament, bequeathed to the town the building known as the " Winchendon Academy," in order that it might be used for a High School for the benefit of all the children of the town, of suitable age and qualifications, therefore,
Resolved, in full town meeting, that the aforesaid bequest be and is hereby received. according to the intention in which it was made, to be used in ac- cordance with the intention of the testator.
Resolved, that the late Ephraim Murdock, Esq., by his far-sighted liber- .
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ality and generosity, as evinced in making the aforesaid bequest, merits the grateful respect and remembrance of the inhabitants of this town."
SECTION 6 .- TOWY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
On the 13th of November, the committee appointed to mature a town school system, reported the following plan, which was adopted.
" 1. Resolved, that henceforth the school system of this town, shall con- sist of the usual district schools, and a High School.
2. That the High School shall be provided with teachers competent to give instruction in the languages, as well as in the higher branches of an English education.
3. That the High School, as well as the district schools, shall be for the benefit of the children and youth of the town exclusively, excepting at such times as the school committee shall think it for the interest of the school to ad- mit scholars from other places. And at such times, they shall have the power to do so.
4. That the interests of education require the appropriation of $1800 for the support of the schools during the ensuing year.
5. That $600, more or less, ought to be appropriated for the support of the High School.
6. That the remainder, with the money from the State School Fund, be applied for the support of the district schools.
7. That the division of money shall be according to the existing plan, with this exception, viz : that $50 be taken from district No. 2, $10 from No. 3, and $20 from No. 4, and divided among the other districts equally."
The reason for this last provision was this. Districts 2 and 3 being near the High school, their children derived the greatest benefit from it ; while No. 4, or Spring Village, was enabled to keep its school in session several weeks longer than the other districts, because it drew money for sixty or seventy scholars. It was only fair to deduct some- thing from its share, according to the old plan.
In August, 1853, the Selectmen were directed to paint the _Icade- my building, and put it in good repair. Also, to fence in and repair around the Academy.
At the March meeting, in 1855, the town granted $1800 for edu- cation, according to the above recommendation. At this meeting there was much excitement about the school committee. Two of the com- mittee, Messrs. Murdock and Marvin, were especially obnoxious be-
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cause they had not fallen in with the measures of the " American," or " Know-nothing" party, and declined to require the children of Ro- man Catholic families to read the Protestant version of the Bible, or be excluded from the schools. They followed a course which was af- terwards substantially adopted by the Legislature, and has been in op- eration ever since, with the general approbation of the people of the State. At the time, however, the two members of the committee above named, were subject to much unpleasant censure, and even odium. At the election, the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Rev. Silas Piper, Rev. A. Baldwin, E. S. Merrill and Bethuel Ellis, Esqrs. Mr. Murdock was re-elected by a small majority. He and Mr. Ellis de- clined to serve. Whereupon the town, after considerable discussion in open meeting and privately, re-elected Messrs. Murdock and Marvin, and the excitement subsided. The affair is referred to here, because it exhibits a phase of the times.
In 1858, $2000 were granted for schools ; of which $575 were for the High School. It was also voted that the prudential committee should not employ the school teachers.
In 1859, the grant for schools was raised to 82200, and the com- mittee were instructed to build a wood-house and privy, for the use of the High School. Messrs. A. W. Buttrick, and George B. Raymond were added to the committee.
The following persons were on the committee between 1850 and 1860 : Rev. Messrs. John Storrs, A. Baldwin, Silas Piper, B. F. Clarke, T. H. Dorr, and A. P. Marvin, and Messrs. Elisha Murdock, Edwin S. Merrill, D. L. Morrill, and Isaac M. Murdock, besides a few others mentioned in preceding pages.
The grant for schools in the years 1860 and 1861, was the same as in the preceding year, $2200. In 1862, the second year of the war, when many were out of employment, and money was scarce, the ap- propriation was reduced to $1600, but as wages were somewhat lower than usual, the schools, including the High School, were kept in session nearly as long as usual.
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Murdock, on account of illness, resigned his office as a member of the school committee. No man since the in- corporation of the town, unless possibly Rev. Joseph Brown, had ever served so long as a member of the committee ; none had ever been more faithful in the performance of duty, or felt a deeper interest in the
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welfare of the young. It was fitting, therefore, that the town should depart from its usual course so far as to pass a resolution expressive of its sense of Mr. Murdock's services. At a meeting held on the 6th of April, his resignation having been reluctantly accepted, on motion of one of his colleagues, it was unanimously
" Resolved, that the thanks of the town be rendered to the Hon. Elisha Murdock, for his faithful and acceptable services as a member of the school committee during the term of twenty-six years ; and that this vote be entered upon the records by the town clerk."
The mover offered a few remarks, in which he said, in substance, that Mr. Murdock deserved the thanks of the town for his long-contin- ucd and faithful service as a member of the school committee. He had been associated with him about nineteen years, and in all that time there had not been a word, and probably not a thought, of difference between them, in relation to the schools. Mr. Murdock was a man of cautious but independent mind, accustomed to think for himself, and so was a valuable associate. Though a man of large business, which engrossed his time and periled his health, no occasion could be recalled when he failed to meet any exigency which required his attention. Be- sides visiting the schools, and examining teachers, as the law required, he was ever ready to leave his business, at a moment's notice, if there were trouble in any school, however remote, which demanded his pres- ence. He shirked no responsibility, and never failed to sustain his as- sociates when exposed to undeserved censure. He loved the children, set them a good example, and without ostentation or pretence, did much to promote their happiness and prosperity. Those who have served with him, have learned to esteem him more and more, and feel that his resignation will be a great loss to them, and to the town.
The grant for schools in 1863, was raised to $1800, as the people began to learn how to bear the burdens of the war. In 1864, the sum was 82200. The next year, 82500 were granted. In 1866, the grant was 83000, and in 1867, it was raised to 83500, and in 1868, to $3800.
SECTION 7 .- THE DISTRICT SYSTEM ABOLISHED.
The question of abolishing the districts had been occasionally re- ferred to in town meetings, previous to the year 1865, but it had never been pressed upon the public attention. It now came up for inquiry,
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and at the annual meeting, March 6, a committee was appointed to consider and report on the subject. On the 20th of May, they report- ed, when the subject was re-committed. At a meeting on the 3d of June, the committee reported against the measure, and the town voted not to do away with the district system. On the 5th of March, 1836, the Selectmen were authorized " to divide the scholars in No. 8, be- tween Nos. 7 and 11, as convenience requires."
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