USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 14
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"At a meeting of the subscribers for building the foregoing Academy, on the 30th of August, 1798, it was voted; 1. That they will give fourteen hundred dollars to Robert Bennett to erect said building, agreeable to the plan exhibited by the Rev. Mr. Weston. 2. That Joseph Bates and Isaac Shearman be a committee to complete the contract with Mr. Bennett, to purchase a lot for said Academy, and to superintend the building until completed, and to allow them 21/2 per cent on the amount, in full compensation for their trouble."
"August 30, 1799. Met together, and the major part being present, chose Levi Jenne, moderator for this meeting, and voted, 1. That Isaac Shearman and Joseph Bates be a committee to purchase lumber to build the fence and outhouses, purchase a bell, employ a painter, and to attend to do what further may, in their mind, be necessary for the reception of a school by the first of October next. 2. That Robert Bennett and Noah Stoddard be a committee to engage instructors for said Academy. 3. That we, the proprietors, consent
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to pay Robert Bennett the sum of $96 for the additional expense of building the tower to the Academy."
The Proprietors' Records. - We present here the principal points of the Proprietors' Records, from the opening of the Academy to its sale in 1841. At a meeting held on April 18, 1800, it was voted that nine visitors be chosen for the present year. Seven of these were clergymen. In 1801, the annual meeting was scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 23d. It was adjourned to March 5th, and then still further adjourned to March 19th. Isaac Shearman, Joseph Bennett, John Alden, and Nicholas Taber were chosen a standing committee, this committee to visit the school in this academy once a fortnight. In 1802, Capt. John Alden became agent to engage preceptor and preceptress. At the annual meeting held on January 27, 1806, the Proprietors' committee, Isaac Shearman, Jethro Allen, and Nicholas Taber, were empowered to let the Academy to as- semblies for from $3 to $5 per night as may appear proper to them, according to the company assembled. Within ten years from the opening of the Academy an attempt was made to sell the property. Interest seemed to wane. At a meeting held on January 7, 1810, Killey Eldredge was elected moderator, Killey Eldredge was elected clerk, and Killey Eldredge was elected treasurer. Voted; that the Proprietors' committee, Levi Jenne, Nicholas Taber, and Jethro Allen be directed to sell the house, the New Bedford Academy, at public auction. At the meeting held on January 27, 1815, it was voted the whole care of superintendence of the Academy be placed in the hands of Joseph Bates. On April 29, 1816, it was voted that the commit- tee are directed to let the Academy for religious meetings for any persuasion, the preacher being of a good moral character, for the con- sideration of $2 for each meeting, to be paid on receiving the key, by the person that may apply, he being holden to pay all damages oc- casioned the house by said meeting other than common wear. Zach- eus M. Allen was clerk at that time. At the meeting held on January 29, 1819, it was voted that the Academy shall be let for religious meetings, provided the preacher sustain a good moral character, fifty cents being paid for each and every meeting. On June 19, 1821, it was voted, authorizing the committee, Joseph Bates, Noah Stod- dard and Samuel Borden, to let said Academy by the year, for one year commencing the 16th inst., if they can obtain $57.50 for the same. In 1822, and again in 1823, the price was $30 per year. At the meeting held on February 20, 1825, the following persons were chosen to visit the school monthly : - Rev. Mr. Gould, Joseph Tripp, John A. Hawes, John Johnson, Warren Delano, Bartholomew Taber,
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N. Alden. It was voted at a meeting held on March 4, 1831, to rent the Hall for religious meetings, and the lower rooms for schools.
On December 20, 1831, article II was considered, which was as follows: - "To see if the Proprietors will let the Academy for the purpose of holding Town Meetings, and it was voted that the Proprietors of the Fairhaven Academy hire the Hall to the Town for the purpose of holding Town Meetings for the compensation of eight dollars for each meeting. Voted that Joseph Tripp be authorized to buy the desk now in the Hall for the use of the Proprietors of said Academy. On January 3, 1833, it was voted that the treasurer be authorized to obtain the consent of all the Proprietors of the Academy and lot, and offer the same for sale at public auction on the first Saturday of June next, at 2 o'clock P. M. On April 5, 1836, it was voted that the annual rent for the Hall in the Academy, for the pur- pose of holding Town Meetings, shall be $40. On Saturday, April 24, 1841, it was voted that the Proprietors' committee be authorized to advertise and sell the Academy and lot at public auction, at such time as they may think advisable. The property was sold that year.
The "Fairhaven" Academy. - After February 22, 1812, it was advertised as follows: "FAIRHAVEN ACADEMY. The inhabi- tants of the town of Fairhaven and its vicinity are informed that the Academy will be opened on the first day of June, under the super- intendence of Mr. Gamaliel Oulds, a gentleman of great classical knowledge."
The New Bedford Standard, more than fifty years ago de- scribed the Academy, and this description is as true today as it was a half century ago. It stated in part : "The old, building has never changed in any respect since it was first built, except on the second floor. It had, and still has, two rooms on the lower floor, that on the west side of the corridor for the boys, and the east side for the girls. A visit to either of these old rooms today is seemingly a step out of the present, backward to the days of our grandfathers and great- grandfathers. There are the same old benches and desks at which sat the old-time teachers and his old-time pupils, ranged in tiers on each side of the central aisle, three rows on each side, and arranged facing inward. There were four desks in a row, with benches to accommodate two pupils at each."
Public High School. - Although the old high school building was razed in 1920, yet there are photographs of different views of this building to acquaint the oncoming generations with its exterior
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appearance. Its story has been told many times, and is practically as follows: - The Methodist Society of New Bedford was founded in 1820: that of Fairhaven as a branch of the former, due to a de- cision, in 1829, to build, possessed a completed edifice in 1830, be- coming self-supporting and independent two years later. For nearly two decades they worshipped here, that is, until April, 1849, when they purchased the property at the northeast corner of Center and Walnut streets, built in 1841, and vacated by the Center Congregation- al Church which had disbanded.
The trustees of the Methodist chapel, on Main street, sold it to Nathaniel Church and James Tripp, 2d, in 1849. In the warrant for the town meeting, held on April 7, 1851, article 10 was as fol- lows: - "To see what action the town will take in relation to the establishment of a high school or schools." In July 1851, this Methodist chapel was purchased by the town for $1,000. The build- ing was raised one story, and Fairhaven had, at little expense, a high school building that existed, without much change, for many years.
Bring Slate and Pencil. - Candidates for admission to this institution of learning were obliged to undergo an examination. Un- der the date of April 13, 1852, we find the following: - "FAIR- HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL. The school committee will be in ses- sion for the examination of applicants for admission to the High School, on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, April 19th and 20th, at 2 o'clock, at the High School House. Applicants must be present at the time, furnished with SLATE AND PENCIL. To be ad- mitted they must pass a satisfactory examination in Reading, Spell- ing, Geography, Grammar and Arithmetic as far as through Interest.
(Signed) Sam'l L. Ward, Chairman."
Early Graduates. - Our former high school opened on January 26, 1852, and began immediately to prepare for college. In the Report of the School Committee, for the year ending March 31, 1855, we read: - "We are gratified in being able to say that two scholars, John D. Taber and Isaac Delano, have been prepared for college, and last fall entered honorably at Middletown and New Haven."
In the newspapers of the day we learn that Isaac Delano, of Fairhaven, was graduated at Yale in 1858, and that John D. Taber, M. D., formerly of Fairhaven, died in Providence on August 7, 1861, aged 27 years. His remains were brought to Fairhaven.
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The diploma, awarded to Isaac Delano, on the 20th day of Oc- tober, 1854, signed by the Principal, M. L. Montague ; by the Chair- man of the School Committee, Samuel L. Ward; by the Secretary of the School Board, Jonathan Cowen; among the first certificates ever given by the Fairhaven High School Committee, is in the pos- session of the writer.
The names of the high school graduates, of fifteen classes, in the early years of that institution, are as follows :
1857-1858. A. Hayden Lambert, Charles H. Morton, Almira V. Bracy, Mary D. Chace, Emilia A. Liscomb, Lucy A. Reynard.
1858. John A. Fitch, Elbridge G. Morton, Louisa F. Bowen, Sarah F. Cox, Abbie P. Gifford, Adeliza T. Jenney, Louisa C. D. Stoddard, Annie E. Tripp, Carrie L. Tripp.
1859. Eliza P. Church, Lydia M. Church, Lucy A. Damon, Ellen P. Hamblin, Carrie M. Perry, Annie E. Stackpole, Lois P. Taber, Annie Wood.
1877. Charles Edward Alden, Mauritia Annie Babcock, Myra Arm- ington Barney, Mary Alice Butler, Alice Claire Butman, Emma Louise Church, Henry Alden Delano, Sarah Lewis Ewer, Sarah Elizabeth Fairchild, Carrie Howe Howard, Emma Maxwell Jenney, Edgar Webster Marston, Anna Barstow Robinson, Clara Almy Shaw, Charlotte Holt Stetson, Olive Grey Stetson, Edwina Arlett Stowell, Julia Etta Bradford Swift.
1878. Eben Lloyd Akin, Bessie Louise Allen, Elizabeth Mackie Allen, Otis Bradford Bryant, Alice May Delano, Emma Trafton Delano, Elizabeth Stevens Delano, Emma Lothrop Dunham, Ella Clifton Nye, Lizzie Byron Pratt, Addie Sumner Taber, John Huttlestone Taber.
1879. Laura Anne Barney, Anne Freeman Bryden, Mattie Louise Hanna, Helen Augusta Wing Hathaway, Jane Emeline May Marston. Mary Athalia Nye, Horace Kimball Nye, Lillian Mazel Tripp, Elizabeth Hubbard Severance.
1880. Clara A. Bourne, Annie C. Rogers, Carrie E. Jenney, Kate A. Galligan, Kate M. Quirk, Esther E. Kendrick, Clarabell Stone, Sam- uel C. Kenney, Charles S. Dunham, Herbert E. Sullings, John T. Hanna.
1881. Mary E. Akin, Mary E. Haney, John B. Jenney, Annie E. Morse, Annie W. McAlice, Lizzie N. Babcock, Thomas H. Fair- child, Minnie N. Keith, Ella R. Simmons, Carrie F. Sampson, Fan- nie J. Barney, Lillie E. Jones, James R. Swift, Sadie L. Stetson.
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1882. Lucia R. Allen, Ida E. Cundall, Charles D. Cundall, Everett H. Jenney, William H. Macomber.
1883. Mamie Smith, Susie Damon, Sey E. Allen, Nellie Jackson, James Galligan, Lizzie B. Sanford, Myra Dwelley, Emily A. Eddy, Henry H. Allen.
1885. Bartholomew G. Akin, Allen W. Haskell, Emma C. Reccord, Annie N. Wilkie.
1888. Ethel L. Warren, Lizzie G. Mackie, May B. Hathaway, Alice P. Coggeshall, Lulu H. Loomis, Emily P. Allen, Helen B. Copeland. 1894. Annie May Nye, Clifford Perry Delano.
Graduations. -- Although the names of many of the early grad- uates of the Fairhaven high school, together with a number of grad- uations in detail, are accessible, we present only two of the latter, both graduations having taken place more than seventy years ago.
Class of 1869. - Ten years before the publication of The Star, a four-page program, each sheet measuring 514 by 81/4 inches, with the following wording of the first page, was circulated :
"Exercises at the Annual Exhibition of the Fairhaven High School, conducted by the Graduating Class, Friday evening, March 12th, 1869, at 71/2 o'clock."
The graduating class began its career at the High School as the "Fourth Class," and consisted then (the last part of 1865) of twenty- five pupils, the graduating class gradually dwindling to twelve mem- bers.
It may be interesting to recall the names of the boys and girls in that "Fourth Class," which consisted of seven boys and eighteen girls. Of these, ten girls and two boys were graduated in the class of 1869. As they entered the high school enrollment, they were as follows :
Frederic S. Bradford, Joshua H. Delano, William D. Eldredge, Daniel W. Kendrick, Henry C. Leavitt, Henry D. Taylor, Marcellus P. Whitfield, Etta E. Alden, Sylvia T. Bisbee, Orianna C. Brown, Addie E. Burke, Annie H. Delano, Ella S. Delano, Susie A. Delano, Martha A. Dunham, Mary E. Fairchild, Melora B. Handy, Addie T. Hersey, Martha G. Jenney, Ella F. Morton, Fannie A. Purrington, Maria F. Tripp, Sibyl M. Whitfield, Sarah F. Winsor and Lurania L. Wood.
These boys and girls, filled with ambition, enthusiasm and anticipation, were about to experience one of the grandest thrills in life ; they were to graduate from the Fairhaven High School which
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had been instituted seventeen years before. The hour of the momen- tous event had arrived, and the audience had assembled.
The programme (so-spelled) consisted of sixteen numbers, the majority of them being essays. No. 1, "The Scholar's Hope," by Fannie A. Purrington. Miss Frances A. Purrington and Henry M. Hacker, Jr., of Lynn, were married in Fairhaven on June 18, 1873. No. 2, "The Voice of Years," by Maria F. Tripp. Miss Tripp was the daughter of Hervey Tripp, who lived at the northwest corner of Center and Green streets. No. 3, Recitation, "The Pilgrim Fathers," by Annie H. Delano. Miss Delano and Frederick A. Manter were married in August, 1891. Mrs. Manter died on June 11, 1941, aged 89. No. 4, "Wonders of Creation," by Ella F. Morton .. Miss Morton was the daughter of Elbridge G. Morton, Sr., and married John W. L. Hillman on July 16, 1873. Mrs. Hillman died in September, 1933, aged 82. No. 5, "Present, Past and Future," by Sibyl M. Whitfield. Miss Whitfield was the daughter of Captain William H. Whitfield. She married Joseph C. Omey, of Acushnet on December 4, 1873. No. 6, "Chronicles," by Annie H. Delano. No. 7, "Advantages for Education" by William Delano Eldredge. Mr. Eldredge married Guilelma Penn, daughter of Seth S. Swift, and died in 1906 in his 55th year. No. 8, "Earth's Benefactors," by L. Lizzie Wood. No. 9, Recitation, "If We Knew," by Addie E. Burke, the daughter of Daniel and Susannah Burke, and sister of Herbert D. Burke. No. 10, "Know Thyself," by Mary E. Fairchild, daughter of Dr. Isaac and Emma Fairchild. She married Herbert E. Longley in 1881. Mrs. Longley died in January, 1914, aged 62. No. 11, "Treasures of the Ocean," by Minnie A. Eldredge. Miss Eldredge wrote the "Parting Song" for this occasion. Later she married Joseph Ladd. No. 12, "Prophecies," by Ella S. Delano. Miss Delano was the daughter of Captain Jabez Delano, Jr., and married Edward G. Tallman on November 6, 1872. She died in 1933, aged 83. No. 13, Declamation, "Spartacus to the Gladiators," by George Cox. George Cox, Hervey Tripp and George Coffin were the lads who, when about 10 or 12 years of age, conducted a fair for the inmates of the hospital at Portsmouth Grove. The proceeds were $15 although the price of admission was only one cent. Hervey Tripp and George Cox played on the Union baseball team, with George Henry Tripp as southpaw pitcher, in the summer of 1869. No. 14, "Agriculture," by William Burgess. No. 15, dialogue entitled, "The Greatest Plague in Life." No. 16, Valedictory, by Addie E. Burke.
Musical numbers, eight in all, were interspersed, those participat-
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ing being Mary E. Fairchild, Fannie A. Purrington, Ella F. Morton and Maria F. Tripp.
The Centennial Class. - To commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Centennial Exposition was held in the city of Philadelphia. Fairhaven was having its customary exhi- bition that Centennial year. This was expressed in the Standard as follows: - "FAIRHAVEN. Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, Phoenix Hall was packed yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, February 29, 1876) with a large audience assembled to hear the exercises of the graduating class of the Fairhaven high school. Judg- ing by the close attention paid to the various parts of the programme, the frequent expression of pleasure visible on the faces of the audience, and the hearty applause bestowed on the youthful aspirants as each appeared on the stage before us, we should say that the people were well paid for their exertion in coming. The exercises consisted of nine original essays, read by the girls, and four orations also original, pronounced by the boys of the graduating class ; also four selected readings and the presentation of diplomas. The average of excellence in composition was notably good, and betrayed careful thought in preparation. The subjects were as follows: - 'They who Ponder shall Reign,' Gillingham ; 'Character,' Abbie Allen ; 'Education,' Carrie Hanna; 'Fraudulent Wealth,' Manter; 'The Rising Sun,' Sallie Church ; 'Life is made from Little Things,' Louise Robinson ; '1876,' Nye; 'Civility,' Annie Card; 'He Labors in vain who Strives to Please All,' Sarah Hathaway; 'Influence of Association,' Dwelley ; 'Worries,' Alice Robinson ; 'Chronicles of the Class,' Nettie Stetson. They were very well received, while the 'Prophecies' by Emma Da- mon elicited much merriment and approval. Music by the school gave variety to the entertainment. The diplomas were presented by Charles H. Morton, Esq., Sec. of the School Committee with a few well chosen remarks, after which Rev. Messrs. Manchester and Stod- dard made very happy addresses. Rev. W. S. Hawkes then addressed the audience in behalf of the Committee, and closed the exercises with prayer and benediction. The young ladies very sensibly decided 'to graduate in calico,' and we should judge that material to be especially appropriate for the purpose if it is as becoming to all wear- ers as to those of yesterday. The list of the graduates is as follows : - Abbie Fearing Allen, Annie Bowman Card, Sarah Elizabeth Church, Emma Ayres Damon, William Henry Dwelley, Jr., James Love Gillingham, Carrie Elizabeth Hanna, Sarah Elizabeth Hathaway, Frederick Allen Manter, Joseph Keith Nye, Alice Russell Robinson, Louise Boughton Robinson, Annette Briggs Stetson."
CHAPTER XII
Libraries and Related Institutions
An Old-Time Institution. - In THE FAIRHAVEN STAR of January 23, 1886, we read of a library existent in this town one hundred and nineteen years ago. We quote: - "AN OLD-TIME INSTITUTION. Through the courtesy of Mr. Roland Fish, we have recently been shown the record of the organization of the Fair- haven Library. The organization was effected on the evening of December 15, 1828, at a meeting of young ladies and gentlemen, held at the house of Levi Jenney, Esq., for the purpose of forming them- selves into an organization for mutual instruction in the various branches of education." The officers chosen were: - Dr. Julius S. Mayhew, Director ; Jesse T. Briggs, Associate Director ; Isaiah F. Terry, Secretary ; Jabez Delano, Librarian ; Charles Drew, Treasurer.
On the 12th of January, 1829, Hiram Tripp and Roland Fish were appointed to secure a room for the society. Rev. William Gould, pastor of the Congregational church and a principal of a private school, offered the use of his hall for the purpose.
Circulating Library. - Water street and Middle street were the business locations of former generations. Here were found the grocery stores, the dry goods stores, the hat stores, and the book stores of the town. To illustrate this, let us read an advertisement of more than a century ago. "NEW BOOK STORE, at the sign of the GOLD WATCH, Middle street, Fairhaven, may be found a general assortment of Books on theological, scientific and miscel- laneous subjects. Ledgers, journals, day, writing, and memorandum books. Stationery, paper, quills, ink wafers, sealing wax, etc. Also pocketbooks, wallets, courtplaster, tooth brushes, hooks and eyes, and a great variety of fancy articles, together with a good assortment of school books, slates, pencils, indelible ink, visiting cards, ivory combs, portable pens, etc. (Signed) Lebbeus Bailey. Fairhaven, December 2, 1831." It was afterwards advertised as the Fairhaven Bookstore.
In the Mercury, under the date of Fairhaven, May 2, 1832, we find the following: - "CIRCULATING LIBRARY. A few hun- dred volumes have just been arranged for the above purpose at the BOOK STORE of Lebbeus Bailey, and are now ready for circu- lation."
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Social Libraries. - Fairhaven has had library opportunities in the past, through the invitations extended by the proprietors of the New Bedford Social Library, with the library rooms over the office of the New Bedford Institution for Savings. This library had about 5,000 volumes, and had acquired many books of the New Bedford Lyceum which, like the Fairhaven Lyceum, had a library and a librarian. In a description of the library, under the date of October 15, 1842, the proprietors stated the following: - "The facilities of intercourse with the neighboring towns, especially with Fairhaven, render it nearly as accessible to their citizens as to ours."
The proprietors of the First Social Library in the town of New Bedford (including Fairhaven) advertised under the date of July 7, 1809. There was a Reading Room in the Village of Fairhaven in May 1814.
School Libraries. - In the Fairhaven school report printed in 1846, we find the following: .. "LIBRARIES. Perhaps it is not generally known, that in many of the schools there are libraries, containing valuable books for the free use of the pupils. We infer this ignorance from the fact, that these libraries are but little used. Now the object of forming them was, to diffuse general information among the youth, and incite in them a desire for reading. To secure this object, parents should co-operate with the teachers, to induce the children to take out books, and see that they are read. We would, therefore, recommend to parents not to neglect the advantages fur- nished by the libraries ; and for their information we would state that these may be found in Districts No. 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19."
Oxford Lyceum. - From the record of the minutes of the meet- ing held to form the Oxford Lyceum, we' find that a meeting of the inhabitants of Oxford Village was held at the Stone Schoolhouse on Friday evening, September 23, 1842. Oliver S. Irish presided, and Eben Akin, Jr. acted as secretary of the meeting. These two, with John M. Howland, were appointed a committee to draft a constitution for the Lyceum. On the adjourned date, Tuesday, September 27th, so few were present that further adjournment was necessary. On September 30th, the constitution, drafted by the committee, was ac- cepted. It was voted that no assessment was to be made on the mem- bers save for fuel and lights. Let us reflect that at this time the Stone Schoolhouse was comparatively a new structure, having been erected about 1830. Another committee drew up the by-laws.
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On Monday evening, October 5, 1842, the following officers for the Oxford Lyceum, to serve one year were elected : - President, Oliver S. Irish; Vice-President, John M. Howland; Secretary, Joseph N. Peck; Treasurer, James M. Allen; Librarian, Lorenzo A. Mace.
This Oxford Lyceum was strictly a literary organization. Any person, receiving a majority of votes and signing the constitution, might become a member. Children under 15 years of age had no vote. The object of the Lyceum was indeed praiseworthy, as the members, by precept and example, agreed to endeavor to promote intelligence and virtue, a good understanding and a friendly social intercourse among the different members of the community, not only at the regular meetings but by kindly informing one another of their errors at all proper times and places, and any person whose conduct was inconsistent as a member of the institution, after due labors, might be expelled by a majority present at any regular meeting. Any member, who absented himself from three regular meetings without being able to render a reasonable excuse, was subjected to the dis- cipline of the society.
The original 25 members were: Ebenezer Akin, Jr .; Oliver S. Irish ; John M. Howland; Joseph N. Peck; James M. Allen ; Mary Ann Neil ; Charity P. Allen ; Jane G. Allen ; Elizabeth B. Akin ; Elihu Wood, Jr .; William M. Irish; Lorenzo A. Mace; James S. Gorham ; Lemuel C. Wood ; Amelia Allen ; Susan A. Cannon ; Arthur Cox, Jr .; Sarah A. Swasey; Lydia D. Swasey; Mary A. Spooner; Elizabeth P. Cox; Benjamin B. Swasey ; Harriet A. Spooner ; Cyrus Bartlett and Nancy C. Neil.
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