USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon, from the grant of the township by the legislature of Massachusetts in 1735, to the present time > Part 3
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1 See Note QQ.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
record, not more than fifteen were added to the church in full communion, though many more "owned the covenant."'
The remains of Rev. Mr. Stimpson were deposited in the cemetery near the centre of the town. Not even a rude stone marks the spot, where lie the re- mains of the first minister who ever statedly proclaim- ed the gospel in this town. A little mound of earth, only, tells the stranger some one lies there, where tra- dition says the first minister was buried.
After the death of Mr. Stimpson, the church and town were in a destitute state only about ten months. Then Rev. Joseph Brown, educated at Harvard Col- lege, was ordained pastor of the church, May 24, 1769. There was no extensive revival of religion during his ministry ; yet there were considerable numbers receiv- ed into the church by profession, and by letters from other churches. Mr. Brown held his office about thirty years.
About the close of his ministry, there was much difficulty between him and his people. After much altercation, trouble, and expense, he was dismissed December, 1799.2 As the records of the church dur- ing the period of his ministry are lost,3 it will, perhaps, be better to forbear a recital of the origin and progress of the unhappy state of affairs, which led to the dis- solution of the connection between pastor and people.
1 Rev. E. L. Clark's centennial Sermon, preached in Winchendon Dec 22, 1820. See Note RR. 2 See Note SS. 3 See Note TT.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
The pastor and most of those to whom he ministered, have, ere this, gone to give up their account to Him i who is the Judge of all the earth.
After a space of about one year and six months, Rev. Levi Pilsbury, educated at Dartmouth College, took the pastoral charge of the church. He was ordained June 24, 1801. He continued his labors till the pe- riod of his death, which /occurred April 5, 1819, in the 48th year of his age, and 18th year of his minis- try.
฿ Mr. Pilsbury's labors were greatly blessed to this people ; and there are many now, who hold his name in affectionate remembrance. During his ministry the church and people enjoyed a good degree of prosperi-
ty. There were one or two powerful (though they cannot, perhaps, be considered extensive, or general) revivals of religion, which are now remembered with lively interest by the elder members of the church. During the second year of his ministry, 20 or more were added to the church by recommendation and original profession.
In June, 1810, the number of church members was 130-55 males and 75 females. In May, 1815, it was only 107-30 males and 67 females.1
After the death of Mr. Pilsbury, the church was
1 Rev. Mr. Clark in his centennial Sermons, 1820 (in M.S.) says, "It does not appear that there has been a general revival of religion in this place since the gathering of the church ; yet the church has been con- tinued and blessed, the subject of church discipline has been regarded, several members, from time to time, have been admonished, and several for their disorderly conduct, have been excommunicated."
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
destitute of a settled minister about eighteen months ; and after making several unsuccessful attempts to set- tle another,1 the people were united in the choice of Rev. Eber L. Clark, to be their pastor. He had pre- viously been settled in Chatham, Conn., and Granby, Conn.
Mr. Clark was installed pastor of this church, Oct. 13, 1820. He was dismissed at his request by vote of the church, Jan. 2, 1835. The doings of the church, in granting his request, were afterward con- firmed by a mutual council.2
During Mr. Clark's ministry, the church was greatly increased. According to the records, over eighty were added in the year 1822; and but three years passed, during his labors here, in which there was not some addition to the church by profession.
. After the close of Mr. Clark's ministry, the church was destitute of a pastor until March 2, 1836, when Rev. Daniel O. Morton, who had before been settled at Shoreham, Vt. and at Springfield, Vt. was installed. Mr. Morton continued pastor of the church till June 29, 1841, when Mr. Morton having resigned his of- fice, and the church having accepted the same, his connection with this church was dissolved by a mutu- al council.3
While Mr. Morton was pastor of this church, there were received into its communion, by profession and
1 See Note UU. 2 See Note VV.
3 See Note WW.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
130
recommendation from other churches, about members.
For several years the church and society now re- mained without a settled pastor, the pulpit being sup- plied by various individuals. Meanwhile, a portion of the church and society united in forming a new soci- ety in the north part of the town, and consequently separated from the first Congregational church and society. The formation of this new church and the evidence of novelties of other denominations, have much reduced this in numbers and in wealth, although the society is still abundantly able to support the in- stitutions of religion. After the division of this church and the separation of a portion of its members, which occurred in 1843, the church remained without a pastor for about three years. Rev. Benjamin Rice, however, was the stated supply for about two years.
On the last Sabbath in June, 1846, Mr. Malachi Bullard, Jr. the present pastor, commenced his labors among this people. Having received and accepted a call from the church and society to settle with them as, their pastor, he was ordained, Nov. 19, 1846.1
The following have held the office of Deacons of the first church. Richard Day, Abel Wilder, Moses Hale, Samuel Prentice, Levi Moor, Amos Heywood, Israel Whiton, Desire Tolman, George Coffin, Paul Raymond, Reuben Hyde, John Cutter and Levi Prentiss.
1 See Note XX.
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HISTORY OF , WINCHENDON.
The society at present, labor under the embarras- ment of a house of worship which very much needs rebuilding or repairing. The present place of wor- ship, erected in 1792, is, probably, the oldest house of worship which has not been remodelled in this re- gion : and although it might be desirable for antiqui- ty's sake to preserve the original as it is, yet more im- portant reasons seem to demand some alteration and improvements, which, it is now expected, will soon be made.
Baptist Church and Society.
About 50 years ago a Baptist church and society, in the southwest part of Winchendon, were organ- ized, which likewise included some members living in the southeast part of Royalston. Rev. Mr. Symonds was settled and continued their pastor many years. After Mr. Symonds' dismission, they had successively, Rev. Messrs. Cooper, Brown and Dunn. They have now no pastor.
Methodists.
About the year 1800 was the beginning of the Methodist operations in this town. Being Episcopal in their church government, their desk is supplied by such preachers as the Conference from time to time may place upon the circuit. They have had many worthy itinerant and local preachers. The present preacher is Rev. Mr. Gordon.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Universalists and Unitarians.
There are a few Universalists and some Unitarians in this town, who, respectively, have meetings and preaching occasionally among themselves.
North Congregational Church.
The Winchendon North Congregational Church was organized on the 7th day of December, 1843, by an ecclesiastical Council.1 The church consisted of sixty-six members regularly dismissed from the first Congregational church in Winchendon, and one mem- ber from the Congregational church in Rindge, N. H. An invitation to settle with them in the gospel minis- try, was then extended to Mr. A. P. Marvin, a licen- tiate of the New London (Ct.) Association, and a graduate of the Seminary connected with Yale Col- lege. This invitation being acceded to, religious ser- vices were held in the new sanctuary, on the 10th day of January, 1844. In the morning the church was dedicated to the worship of the triune God; and in the afternoon, the ordination exercises were held.2 Soon after, brethren Reuben Hyde and Ebenezer But- ler were by the church, appointed Deacons. The number of this church at the present time, Sept. 25, 1848, is one hundred and seven.
Early Settlers.
The population of this town has, from the first set- tlement furnished emigrants to other towns and other States. Great indeed, has been the emigration from
1 See Note YY. 2 See Note ZZ.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
this town for the last sixty years. Yet the population of the town has gradually increased in numbers from its settlement to the present time ; but much more rap- idly of late than at any former period, on account of the mechanical and manufacturing establishments, from which a large number find employment and support.
The following persons were among the early set- tlers as appears from the records. The first catalogue exhibits, at one view, those who were here at differ- ent times for 10 or 12 years prior to the incorporation of the town ; the other, in like manner, for 10 years subsequent to that event. The date against each name shews the time when he is ascertained to be here, although some of them may have arrived some- time previous. To fix the dates at which the differ- ent families came into the place, and the particular places where they settled, is no easy task. Some, and perhaps many of the first settlers, who had fami- lies, were in the place a part of one or two seasons before they removed their families. If all the partic- ulars were known, it would be difficult to say when and where certain persons became permanent inhabi- tants ; and it is much more difficult now when most of the facts are lost. An asterisk is prefixed to the names of those persons in the following list, concern- ing whose permanent settlement there rests uncer- tainty.
Richard Day, 1753 *Abijah Smith, 1753
*Thomas Wilder, 1753 William Moffatt, 1753
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
*Thomas Berry,1 1754
Jeremiah Stuart, 1762
*Thomas Jewett,2 1754
Reuben Wyman, 1762
John Darling, 1754 Thomas Sweetland, 1763
Benoni Boynton, 1754
Daniel Bixby, 1763
Thomas Brown,
1755
John Moffatt,
1755
Theoph's Mansfield, 1764 Seth Oak, 1764
Jacob Gould, 1755
William Oak, 1764
*Nathan'l Burnam, 1755
Silas Whitney, 1764
*Charles Tuttle, :1756
Stephen Choate, 1764
Henry Hodgkins, 1757
Nathaniel Bixby, 1764
Samuel Crag, 1757
Amos Spring, 1764
John Brown, 1757
Jonathan Foster, 1764
Gabriel Pouchey, 1758 Joseph Boynton, 1765
Nathan Pouchey, 1758
Joseph Stimson, 1765
William Hodgkins, 1758
Reuben Burnam, 1765
David Poor, 1758
Joseph Fuller, 1758
Abner Hale, 1766
Samuel Titus, 1761 James Murdock, 1766
Timothy Darling, 1761
Levi Bixby, 1766
Rev. Dan'l Stimson, 1762 James Mansfield, 1766
Jonathan Stimson, 1762
Thomas Rugg,
1766
Ephraim Stimson, 1762
Richard Bailey, 1 1766
Abel Wilder, 1762
Isaac Stimson, F :1766
Daniel Goodridge, 1762
1
Dudley Perley, 1767
David Goodridge, 1762 . John Cheney, 0 10 :1767
Barthol'ew Pearson, 1762 ! William Porter, 1767
1 It appears from the records of the Proprietors, that Col. T. Berry at- tended nearly all the meetings of the Proprietors up to Mar. 10, 1756, whether held at Ipswich, Lunenburg, or Ipswich Canada, and that he owned a house here, which was fortified
2 Thos. Jewett owned a house here, which was fortified.
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Simeon Burnam, 1765
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
John N. Parmenter, 1767
Moses Foster, 1770
Richard Pearson, 1767
Jesse Fox, 1770
Thomas Gary, 1767
Samuel Noyes,
1771
Jonathan Bixby,
1767
James Noyes,
1771
Amos Merriam,
1768
Jonas Bradish,
1771
Thornton Barret,
1768
Gideon Fisher, 1771
Micah Bowker, 1768
Rev. Joseph Brown, 1768
Timothy Kneeland, 1771 Stephen Boynton, 1771
John Boynton,
1769
John Porter, 1771
Thomas Sawyer,
1769
Joseph Fay, 1771 1.
Peter Joslin,
1769
Edward Payson,
1771
Abijah Stimson,
1769
John Homer,
1772
Ebe'er Sherwin, sen. 1769
Matthew Knight,
1772
Solomon Bigelow, 1769
Zebulon Conant,
1772
Eli Smith,
1769
Francis Bridge,
1772
Phinehas Wheelock, 1769
Samuel Mason,
1772
William Joiner,
1769
Ephraim Gale, 1772
John Joiner,
1769.
Ephraim Sawyer,
1772
Lemuel Sarjent,
1769
Antipas Dodge,
1772
Moses Hale, 1770
Levi Nichols, 1773
Jacob Hale,
1770
Miles Putnam,
1773
Amos Hale,
1770
Joseph Wilder,
1773
Gershom Fay,1 1770
Thomas Beals,
1773
Robert Bradish,
1770
Daniel Joslin,
1773
John Chamberlain, 1770 €
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Ebenezer Smith,
1773
John Day, 1770
James McElwain,
1773
Daniel Gould, W 1770
David Brown,
1773
1 Gershom Fay was carried as a pauper to Northborough in 1773.
Amos Edmands,
1773
Israel Green,
1770
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Nathaniel Brown, 1773
Roger Bates, 1773
Jonathan Evans, 1773
Levi Carter, 1773
Ebenezer How, 1773
Daniel Balcom, 1774
Samuel Steel,
1773 Samuel Spring, 1774
Josiah Baldwin, 1773
Ezra Hyde, sen. 1774
William Whitney, 1774
Jona. Broadstreet, 1774 Eben'r Sherwin, 2d, 1774' David Stoddard, 1774
Nathan Green, 1774
Richard Day lived where Rev. Malachi Bullard now lives. He came here from Lunenburg, and was one of the first who removed his family into the place. As early as 175- he opened a public house, which was the first opened in the township. He was an industrious, enterprising man, and was frequently em- ployed in the public business of the place. In March, 1763, about three months after the church was or- ganized, he was chosen a Deacon, which office he sustained till his decease in 1774.
John Darling lived where Jason Keith now lives, and was one of the first who removed his family into the place. He afterward lived where Calvin Good- ridge now lives.
Charles Tuttle lived where Simon Tuttle, sen. now lives.
Gabriel Pouchey, of French descent, was taken prisoner at Cape Breton in the French war-after- ward came here-lived in a small house which stood where Lyman Raymond's house now stands. He died 1775.
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HISTORY OF WINC HENDON.
David Poor lived where Simon Poland now lives. Timothy Darling lived near where James Murdock afterward lived-near where Henry Keith now lives. Jonathan Stimson lived where John Esty, sen. now lives. He afterward lived on the place now owned by Elisha Beaman, where he was killed by the fall of a tree blown down by the wind.
Abel Wilder, whose father was Thomas Wilder, removed from Leominster-lived where Josiah Brown lately lived. He was an active and enterprising man, and was one of the most distinguished and influential citizens of the town. Called early to public life, he became acquainted with public business, and for about 30 years anterior to his decease, he sustained some of the most important offices in the gift of his fellow cit- izens. He was chosen a Deacon in Nov. 1767. He was Captain of a Company of Militia. During several years he filled the office of Town Clerk, and served in the capacity of Selectman, and was for years a magistrate in the place, a Representative to the Gen- al Court, and a Senator from 1786 to the close of his life. He died in Jaffrey, N. H. of the small pox, Nov. 1, 1792.
Daniel Goodridge removed from Lunenburg, and lived where the poor-house now is.
David Goodridge's house stood near where his grand- son Jonas Nutting now lives.
Bartholomew Pearson lived in a small house which stood where Geo. S. Coffin's store house now stands. He died March 20, 1766.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Jeremiah Stuart first settled where Dea. Samuel Prentiss afterward lived. He removed to the place where Phineas Parks, sen. now lives.
Theophilus Mansfield was the first Town Clerk.
Seth Oak lived in a house which stood where Eber Arnold afterward lived, west of the bridge and long causey. He was a Capt. in the army of the Revolu-
tion. He afterwards removed out of town.
William Oak lived east of the bridge and long causey, in a house which stood where Phineas Ball now lives.
Amos Spring and Samuel Spring lived in a small house which stood where Ephraim Murdock, Esq. now lives. They removed out of town.
Jonathan Foster lived where Barzillai Martin now lives.
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Joseph Boynton lived where his son Daniel Boyn- ton afterward lived.
Abner Hale lived where Rev. Levi Pilsbury after- ward lived-where the widow Pilsbury now lives.
James Murdock lived where Henry Keith now lives.
Levi Bixby lived in the north-westerly part of the town, about one-fourth of a mile east from where Samuel Brown now lives.
James Mansfield lived in a small house near the. burying ground.
Thomas Rugg lived about 60 rods west of where Dea. Samuel Prentiss formerly lived. He removed out of town.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Dudley Perley removed from Boxford, and lived where Joseph Whitney, sen. now lives.
Amos Merriam lived in a house which stood on land which Newall Wyman now owns.
Rev. Joseph Brown lived in a house in which Rev. Malachi Bullard now lives.
Thornton Barret removed from Hopkinton-lived in a house which stood where Jacob Wales, Esq. more recently kept tavern.
John Boynton lived where James Payson afterward lived-where Cyrus Grout now lives. He was Capt. and afterward Colonel in the time of the revolution.
Peter Joslin, sen. lived in the northwest part of the town, in a small house which stood a few rods west of where the house of Samuel Brown, 2d, now stands.
Ebenezer Sherwin, sen. lived where the widow Bigelow now lives.
Eli Smith lived on what is now called the Thomas place.
Moses Hale removed from Boxford-lived in the house where Seth Maynard now lives. He was chos- en Dea. after Dea. Day's decease.
Jacob Hale removed with his family from London- derry, N. H. lived a few years in a block house, which had been occupied as a garrison, on land now owned by his son, Nathaniel Hale. He afterward built and lived in a house which stood where his grandson, Merit Hale now lives.
Amos Hale came to this town from Boxford, and lived where Capt. John Raymond now lives.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Robert Bradish removed to this town from Leicester. John Chamberlin removed to this town from Tem- pleton, lived in a small house which stood about 50 rods east of where Dea. Samuel Prentiss formerly lived. He afterward lived with his son, Benjamin Chamberlin in a small house which stood on land now owned by Oliver Lovejoy, where he was killed by the fall of a tree.
John Day, son of Dea. Richard Day, became of age in 1770, and lived in the house in which James Murdock, 2d, now lives.
Daniel Gould lived in a house which stood where Benjamin Brown, sen. afterward lived.
Samuel Noyes removed from Andover, and lived in a house which stood on the hill north of Capt. Geo. Alger's house.
James Noyes lived in a house which stood where Capt. Geo. Alger now lives.
Jonas Bradish came here from Templeton.
Edward Payson came from Rowley. He lived in a house which stood where Barzillai Martin now lives.
Matthew Knight lived at the tavern house which stood where Wm. B. Whitney's house now stands.
Francis Bridge lived where Asa Perley afterward lived.
Levi Nichols kept a public house where Capt. Oli- ver Adams' house now stands.
Miles Putnam lived in a small house which stood where Geo. S. Coffin's store-house now stands-and owned the gristmill and sawmill on that place ..
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Amos Edmands came from Framingham. His house stood a few rods westerly of where his son, Artemas Edmand's house now stands.
Joseph Wilder came from Leominster. He lived in a house which stood near the house where his son Capt. Luke Wilder now lives. He was Capt. of a Military Company.
Ebenezer Smith lived where Isaac Grout afterward lived.
James McElwain lived in a house which stood where his son James McElwain now lives.
David Brown lived where his grandson, Wm. Brown Esq. now lives.
Jonathan Evans lived in a house which stood where Benj. Wilder's house now stands.
Samuel Steel lived where John Crosby now lives. He removed out of town.
Ezra Hyde came from Newton. His house stood near the house of Elisha Hyde, his grandson.
William Whitney removed from Weston. The house in which he lived, where his grandson Joseph Whitney, 2d, now lives, stands near the line between this town and Gardner.
Jonathan Bradstreet lived in a small house which stood where Lyman Raymond now lives.
Ebenezer Sherwin, 2d, came of age about 1774- lived where the widow Sherwin now lives.
David Stoddard removed from Cohasset. His house was near where his grandson, Levi Stoddard, lives.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Daniel Balcom's house stood where his grandson, Lincoln Balcom, now lives.
Schools.
In the first settlement of this town, schools were very much neglected, as is generally the case in new townships. It is probable that something was done by private individuals at an earlier period, but during the first year of its incorporation, it does not appear that there was any school in the town. The first appropriation found on record was at a town meeting, Sept. 4, 1765, when the town voted to have a school in (the centre of) the town, and to have 8 dollars, paid out of the land tax, laid out in schooling.
In 1766 the town granted for schooling $20-in 1767, $13-in 1768, $20, and then voted, that the extreme parts of the town have their proportion of schooling by themselves, they providing a place and a keeper.1 In 1769, $13,33-1770 to 1775, from #24 to $67 yearly, 1777-1780 from $100 to $92,00 yearly, to be paid in paper currency. From this view of the subject, we are enabled to judge of the oppor- tunities which our fathers enjoyed for acquiring an education. The difficulties attendant upon the first settlement, and the burdens of the revolutionary war, prevented that attention to education which would otherwise have been given it.
After the close of the war, the cause of education received more attention, and from that period to this,
1See Town Records.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
our schools have been improving. At the present day we have eleven school districts, each of which has a good school house. The house in district No. 2, is calculated for two schools.
In 1781-5, the town granted $120 yearly, which then was $20 to each district, to be made equal money in 1784,-1786-8, $167 yearly,-1789 -1805, from $200 to 450 yearly,-1806-22, $500 yearly,-for several years up to 1844, $1000 was annually appropriated,- 1845, $1100,- 1846-47, $1200,-1848, $1500.1
In the year 1845-6 our schools were kept in the summer 31 months 14 days, by 12 female teachers, and in the winter 21 months 21 days, by 9 male and 3 female teachers; making the aggregate length of the schools 59 months and 7 days. The number of scholars of all ages that year was, in summer, 407, in winter, 510.2 In 1848, the number of persons in the town between the ages of 4 and 16 years is 541.
Winchendon Academy.
This institution originated in the liberality of Ephraim Murdock, Esq.
The Academy building, which is a finely propor- tioned edifice, was erected in the summer of 1843, with the intent of having it used for a high school or Academy, for the benefit of the town and vicinity, as
1 See Town Records. Returns for 1845-6.
2 See Abstract of the Massachusetts School
5
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
long as there shall be a suitable school sustained in the building-without any rent or other compensation than keeping the premises in repair.
The building is 30 by 40 feet, two stories high, with a projection in front, supported by 4 large fluted columns standing on stone pedestals ; and inclosed in a yard with a substantial railing on stone posts, and ornamented with shady trees, and a gravel walk through the centre.
The donor has also erected a large and convenient boarding house, and a stable, for the benefit of the institution. The expense of the buildings, including the yard, is between three and four thousand dollars. Also about $400 has been laid out by the pro- prietors, for furniture and apparatus for the Academy and boarding house.
The lower story of the Academy is to be used ex- clusively for a school-room,-the upper story or hall to be used for lyceums and such other purposes' as the proprietors may think proper.
The institution is incorporated, the charter giving the power of holding property to the amount of $10,000.
Its design is to furnish facilities for instruction in the higher branches of English education, and the ancient and modern languages usually taught in Academies.
The first academic term was held in the autumn of 1843, under the care of Mr. John G. Giles, a gradu-
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
ate of Dartmouth College. During succeeding years, the Principals have been as follows :- Mr. Levi O. Stevens of Burlington College, Mr. Stephen F. Kel- logg and Mr. Charles L. Brace, both of Yale College. Since the month of August, 1847, the Academy has been under the superintendence of Mr. A. H. Mer- riam, a graduate of Dartmouth, and an experienced teacher.
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