Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America., Part 27

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett
Number of Pages: 450

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America. > Part 27

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In 1780, the town voted " one month's schooling at the school-house near John Burbank's." A little later, and the record began to brighten, when a school committee was chosen, in addition to the minister and the seleetmen, who were, ex officio, members of the board. This committee consisted of Capt. Nathaniel Thurston, Ens. James Kimball, Nathan Burbank, and Dea. Seth Jewett. They not only ercated a committee, but voted to raise £340 to defray all town charges, and voted to have two months' schooling in the new school- house near the Rev. Mr. Allen's, desiguating January and February as the months to be used for that purpose.

Following this improvement, a code of regulations was introduced for the more systematie management of the schools. From this advanced step, constant progress was made in the modes of education, and the common-school system became accepted here as elsewhere. The schools in this town now take rank among the best in the Com- monwealth. A high school was established in 1866, though the requirements of the State law did not compel it, the number of fam- ilies in town not reaching five hundred. The school has adopted a four years' course, aud has already attained a high position. The districts have also been abolished, and a system of graded schools introduced. The statistics show that, in amount appropriated for sus- taining the educational interests, in proportion to the number of scholars between the ages of five years and fifteen years, Bradford takes rank as the sixth town in the county, and the forty-ninth in the State.

Tracing the line of intellectual development in these communities, growing up in the midst of a combination of adverse conditions, a philosophical wonder and a metaphysical mystery constantly present themselves, while the astonishing fact of the superior power of the interior forces over all external and visible elements and conditions, is a source of constant surprise and amazement. While the rude and imperfect courses of education were in progress, thought was ever active, and aspirations for higher things were constantly pressing from within, outward, and demanding more perfect realizations. It was under these circuinstances that an IDEA forced itself to the surface, and was simultaneously surrounded by the best minds in the town ; which was that of founding an academy, which should give to the rising generation better educational opportunities, and it was the real- ization of that ideal which supplied the stimulus which at once greatly aided the general cause of education.

The advantages of the common school had become a realized fact, -

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

and the thoughts by day, and the dreams by night, were for higher and better things. Following thinking and dreaming, the subjeet became the theme of discussion at the social evening gatherings, till a crystallization of plans began to appear. At one of these friendly meet- ings of leading men and women in Bradford, early in March, 1803, education became the principal topic, and the naked question, " Why should not Bradford have an academy of its own?" was squarely put, and as squarely answered. The record of the historian is, that "as these people in their sleighs glided homeward that night, over the wild snow-banks that overlooked the Merrimae, and their bells jerked out shrill musie on the keen March air, the cozy riders, wrapped com- fortably in homespun, had already practically founded Bradford Acad- emy." There was no delay ; no putting off till next year ; for the rec- ord says, " At a meeting of a number of the inhabitants of the First Parish in Bradford, March 7, 1803, It was Mutually agreed upon that a Building should be ereeted for an Academy, and the persons there assembled became subscribers, to defray the Charges of building said House, in the sums affixed to their Respective names."

This agreement received abont thirty signatures, and $1,218.80 was the amount of the subscriptions. To this, additions were promptly made, the site for the academy selected, and within three months from that " 7th of March Resolution," the building was completed, a precep- tor and preceptress engaged, the school formally opened, and the first term of twelve weeks completed, with fifty-one pupils. This was the quiek and noble beginning of a literary institution which has since become known in every State in the whole Union, and has become the alma mater of thousands who have found spheres of labor and influ- enee, and homes in all quarters of the world.

In 1804, the number of pupils was inereased to eighty-seven, of whom sixty were females. It was in this year that the institution was incorporated, and took its place among the educational forces in the Commonwealth. Brilliant as this movement really was, it was not nnattended by perplexities and discouragements, alike shared by the association sustaining it, and those ealled to exereise the fune- tions of teachers. The first preceptor received but eighty dollars and board, for a term of twelve weeks ; and the compensation of Miss Hannah Swan, the preceptress, was three dollars a week and her board. At a later time, the compensation of the principal was re- dneed to four and a half dollars per week.

To aid the school, an endowment was thought necessary, and the snm of $1,450 subseribed, though not actually paid in; bnt the inter- est was seeured by a sure guarantee. At times, things moved heav- ily ; some beeame cool in their support, and a diseontinnation of the en- terprise was here and there suggested. This was the situation in 1807, when the warm-hearted friends rallied again, and an outside annual ineome of $72 was secured to the academy for twenty years, but was needed and paid for only five years, at which time the school became fully established and independent, among the educational institutions of the country.

A great drawback to the sueeess of the academy, was the frequent change of preceptors, of whom there were thirteen, whose aggregate administration extended from June, 1803, to December, 1814, a pe- riod of eleven years and six months. These men were worthy men, but not professional teachers, and only two of them became such. The compensation was not sufficiently attractive to invite to perma- neney of occupation, and they were attracted to other callings. Six of the number entered the ministry, and two beeame merchants. Change in preceptors was, of necessity, attended by change in poliey and modes of instruction, which seriously interfered with settled plans ; and sneeessive ruptures of this nature tended to weakness.

The Rev. Samuel Walker, a native of Haverhill, was the first precep- tor; his sueeessor was Mr. Samuel Greele, a native of Wilton, N. H., who subsequently became a merchant. The Rev. Dr. James Flint, a native of Reading, was the preceptor in 1805, who was succeeded by the Rev. Abraham Burnham, D.D., a native of Dunbarton, N. H. He

was a man of educational and religious mark. Following him, was Mr. Isaac Morrill, a native of Needham, who was followed by Samuel Peabody, Esq., a native of Boxford. His successor was the Rev. Daniel Hardy, a native of Bradford, who was followed by the Rev. Luther Bai- ley, of Canton ; and he was succeeded by the Hon. Samuel Adams, of New Rowley, now Georgetown. Mr. Richard Kimball, of Bradford, was the next preceptor, and was the first and only one who had been edu- eated in the academy. His suceessor was the Rev. Eben Peck Sperry, of New Haven, Conn., who vacated the position for the Hon. Nathaniel Dike, of Beverly. After him, came Daniel Noyes, Esq., who, in after years, was widely known as a druggist in Boston. He was a firm friend of the institution, and held position on the Board of Trustees twenty-four years, where his energy and prudent counsel accom- plished much for the success of the institution. This chapter of changes brings the suecession down to the fourteenth and last pre- eeptor of the academy.

On the 12th of December, 1814, following in the footsteps of thir- teen predecessors, whose united official relations had extended through eleven years and a half, Benjamin Greenleaf, of Haverhill, assumed the duties of preceptor, which he held till April 6, 1836, a period of about twenty-two years, when the institution eeased to be a mixed one, and has since been known as " The Bradford Female Academy." Mr. Greenleaf was afterwards principal of the Bradford Teachers' Semi- nary till 1848.

Benjamin Greenleaf was a man of mark, and of peculiar parts, who soon attained a high reputation as a successful teacher and pioneer in the cause of education, and at length attained the position of a veteran in the work. He was born Sept. 25, 1786, and was a descendant from Edmund Greenleaf, born in England in 1600, and emigrating to Amer- ica in 1635, making his settlement in Newbury, now Newburyport. His father was a farmer, and was one of the patriots of Revolutionary days, whose attachment to the cause of American independence gave to it loeal strength and dignity.

His early opportunities for education were very limited, but he im- proved them to the best advantage ; and although finally becoming a distinguished teacher in mathematies, he did not know the multipli- eation table at the age of fourteen. Though not a man excessively abonnding in words, he possessed a peculiarity of expression which gave great foree and point to what he said ; and he was always famous for his laeonie and quaint expressions.

In speaking of his early efforts to obtain an education, he onee said, " If I ever offered up an earnest prayer, it was for rainy days, that I might betake myself to my books." Like Horace Greeley, instead of spending time in the sports usually attractive to youth, he was usually found on winter evenings in his study, the spacious chimney-corner of the farm-house, reading by firelight. His spare pennies were in- vested in books, in which was eentred his pleasure ; and in reference to the accomplishments of his youth, he was aeeustomed to say he " eould neither sing, swim, skate, or danee."

In 1805, at the age of nineteen, he commeneed preparation for eol- lege at Atkinson, N.H., spending portions of each year in teaching. At the graduation exercises at Atkinson, in 1810, he was the valedie- tory orator, and one of the managers of the ball in the evening; but it appears that this amusement was not particularly attractive to him, for, on a subsequent occasion, he entered in his diary, " Had an invi- tation to a ball ; conelude it would be folly to attend." He entered Dartmouth College Sept. 29, 1810, and graduated in 1813. In col- lege he excelled in mathematics, and there ealeulated and sketehed the transit of Venus, being the first to work that problem in Dart- moutlı College.

After his gradnation he became the teacher of a grammar school in Haverhill, and from there passed to the preceptorship of the Bradford Academy, in 1814. With the entrance of Mr. Greenleaf to that institution, in an educational sense, his life became the life of the academy, while in its religious tone and tendeney, its career and

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

destiny was more particularly shaped by the female influences con- nected with it.

When Greenleaf stepped over its threshold it was to commence his labors with only ten pupils, so unfavorable to growth had the pre- vious frequent changes in teachers been. The number increased to thirty in a few months, which was followed by constant growth, till in 1817 it had risen to one hundred and forty-seven. The time had then arrived for a catalogue, which is now a curiosity of past days, it being "a single sheet, poster form, dull yellow, and untrimmed, eleven inches by eighteen." Miss Hasseltine was then preceptress, and of the pupils, eighty-seven were females and sixty males.

As a teacher, Mr. Greenleaf had the elements which led to popu- larity and success, and during his career had under his care more than three thousand pupils, including among them a large number who became eminent men, filling and adorning the highest positions in life. One of these, the Hon. Ira Perley, Chief Justice of the State of New Hampshire, has very accurately presented the characteristics of his preceptor. Of him he says : "His manners were not much regu- lated by artificial rules of politeness ; but he had, what is most impor- tant, great real kindness of heart, and habitual regard for the feelings of others. His loud voice and abrupt address were, perhaps, the more remarked from their contrast with the easy self-possession and calmer dignity of the excellent lady who presided so long over the other department of the school. He had drilled himself, as well as his pupils, very faithfully in Latin and Greek books which he taught, and his tastes did not lead him a great way beyond. He took greater pleasure in solving knotty problems in mathematies than in the perusal of Latin or Greek classics. Mr. Greenleaf was an uncommon genius, in the sense of having peculiarities entirely his own, in the structure of his mind, the contour of his head and face, the expression of his countenance, his utterance, his manners, his motions, all his ways."

He is invariably described by all who knew him as entirely devoted to the business of teaching, as a good disciplinarian, and a thoroughly honest man, wholly incapable of disguise or false pretences, with moral and religious principles firmly established and made the guide of his life. Dr. Crowell, of Haverhill, says of him : "His discipline was peculiar to himself, being an odd mixture of ridicule, sarcasm, and moral suasion, with a wholesome seasoning of corporal punish- ment. This was administered, not with the conventional rod, but with anything at hand ; an old iron spoon, used for melting the soft metals, or a piece of iron .or zinc. A smart rap over the knuckles with these formidable appliance would illustrate physics in a manner not taught in the books."

It has been truly said of Mr. Greenleaf that he was more than a local teacher; he was a public educator. He was an early and efficient advocate of the normal school system, and while a member of the State Legislature, in 1837, 1838, and 1839 was an earnest and enthusiastic advocate of legislative measures for the promotion of education, introducing orders there for a geological survey of the State, and also for a natural history survey.

He was also a pioneer educator in the natural sciences by illustrated public lectures. As an author, he was extensively and eminently known, publishing works on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonome- try, practical surveying, rules of syntax, and other valuable works. Millions of these works have been published, and have for long years ·been the text-books in the schools. His literary labors fully justify the statement already made, that in an educational point of view, the Bradford Academy was largely indebted to him for the ultimate triumphs it achieved. Mr. Greenleaf was a man full of purposes and plans, as an educator, and his vital energies endured to the last. With mind unimpaired, and without a struggle or groan, he passed over to the other shore on the twenty-ninth day of October, 1864, at the ripe age of 78 years.

The retirement of Mr. Greenleaf from the academy, in 1836, closed

the institution forever after to the admission of male pupils, and Miss Abigail C. Hasseltine, who had already been preceptress there for twenty-one years, became the principal of Bradford Female Academy. Since 1828, there had been an entire separation between the two departments, with the direction of the female department substan- tially in the hands of Miss Hasseltine. A sister of Miss Hasseltine became the wife of Dr. Adoniram Judson, and gave her life to the missionary enterprise in India. Her education was accomplished at the Bradford Academy, and at that time the religious sympathy and interest connected with the school all pointed in the direction of fos- tering the missionary spirit. A powerful revival had moved the hearts of many young people there, and a religious enthusiasm had been awakened. Many of the associates of Miss Hasseltine had been converted, and among them Harrict Atwood, afterwards Harrict New- ell, who became committed to the missionary interest. Subsequently the conversion of Miss Hasseltine placed her in full religious sympathy and interest with her associates, and the missionary spirit, of neces- sity, became the ruling religious thought which surrounded this literary institution.

The decided religions character of the school was favorable to its success, at that time, and it grew strong with the advance of years. The remarkable executive ability of Miss Hasseltine, united with excellent qualities as a teacher, commanded the confidence of the patrons of the school, and its suceess became fully established. The old academy had become unequal to the practical wants of the institu- tion, and a new Academy Hall was erected and consecrated to the purposes of Christian education on the 15th of April, 1841. In 1853, the semi-centennial was celebrated, which drew together many of its friends from abroad to enjoy the jubilee, which concluded with a banquet, at which fifteen hundred were gathered. In 1848, Miss Hasseltine resigned her position as principal, and was succeeded by Miss Ellison, but returned again in 1849, on the resignation of Miss Ellison, being associated with Miss Crocker as assistant principal. In 1852, however, the principal retired again, and was succeeded by Miss Crocker, who soon resigned ; and her place was filled by .Miss Gilman, who held the position till 1858. The next principal was Miss Abby Hasseltine Johnson, having sole management, but associated with Miss Hasseltine as honorary principal, at liberty to come and go at pleasure. In 1866, a re-union of the friends of the academy took place, at which it became certain that a new academy would be built for the accommodation of the increasing number of pupils ; and measures were at once taken to secure the necessary funds for its con- struction. The subscriptions were liberal, and the preparatory work was at once entered upon. In the meantime, the venerable and beloved principal began to show signs of sinking beneath the infirmitics of age and the burden of years ; and in June, 1866, she was thrown from a carriage, by which she sustained severe injury upon the head, from which she never fully recovered, though able to participate in the pleasures of the re-union. Infirmity and disease, however, had gained fast hold upon her, and on the thirteenth day of January, 1868, she passed to her repose, at the age of eighty years, after having been connected with the academy as preceptress and principal for full fifty years, exerting a measure of influence which can never be fully estimated. From an intimate acquaintance with her for many years, her physician, Dr. George Cogswell, said of her, " Without any hesi- tation, I place Miss A. C. Hasseltine among the remarkable women of the world."

In 1869, the new academy and dormitory was completed, and dedi- eated in May, 1870, the occasion being one of great rejoicing by its friends and patrons. Its location is near the centre of the town, upon an eligible swell of land, containing about twenty-five acres, twelve acres of which are covered by a thrifty growth of wood, forming a beautiful park ; and the remaining portion being embraced in a mag- nificent esplanade, stretching its slope from the edifice to the verge of the street, where it reaches a solid granite face-wall, extending

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

along the whole front line. At the entrance to the grounds on either side, are massive granite posts, three feet square, composed of Cape Ann, Coneord, and Nova Scotia granite; and fountains are distributed through the grounds.

The edifiee is two hundred and sixteen feet in its front line, in shape erueiform, and four stories high. In its construction it is finely adapted for its intended use, and is supplied with all the appoint- ments which belong to an establishment of this character. The grounds have already been extensively improved and adorned. From its site is a full view of the entire eity of Haverhill, and of the Mer- rimac valley for many miles, presenting a picturesque and charming prospeet.

Till 1875, Miss Abbie H. Johnson remained as the principal, when she resigned. Her suecessor and present principal, Miss Annie E. Johnson, is successfully condueting the institution. Dr. George Cogswell has for forty years or more been intimately connected with the management of its business affairs, and was chairman of the build- ing committee for the ereetion of the hall in 1841, and for the dormi- tory in 1869.

The fame of this institution is wide-spread ; and for many years it was the leading female academy in New England, and now stands in successful competition with the institutions of a similar character which have made their appearance in later years. Its influence upon the edueational interests of the town has also been highly beneficial.

In 1821, Merrimac Academy was established in the East Parish, which has also had a sueeessful eareer. The division of the town in 1850 transferred this to Groveland, which then become the new town. That and other interests whose history stretches haek to the time when the two communities were one, will be noticed more at length in the sketeh of that town. A post-office was established here in 1811.

CHAPTER III.

PERILS OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN - FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR - THE REVOLUTION - THE TOWN IN THE REBELLION.

The early history of Bradford is invested with the peculiar interest surrounding nearly all colonial towns, though its record may not be so full of thrilling events as communities more exposed during the days of Indian invasion. The river was a protection, the skulking savage preferring to make his dashes where there was an opportunity to retreat, without exposure to the cover of the wilderness. Fear and solicitude, however, continually surrounded the people, and they occasionally suffered from their murderous invasion.

On the 3d of May, 1676, immediately after an attack upon Haver- hill, the house of Thomas Kimball of this town was attacked, and Kimball killed. Mrs. Kimball and five children were taken eaptives. Their names were Joanna, Thomas, Joseph, Priseilla, and John. This house was situated on the Boxford road, and the site, with indi- eations of the cellar, may yet be traced. Mrs. Kimball and her ehil- dren were afterwards liberated, through the influence of Wannalaneet, chiet of the Pennaeooks, who were friendly to the English, though Mrs. Kimball, with her nursing infant, was twice condemned by their eaptors to be burnt, and the fires lighted for their torture and death.

This outrage was committed by three converted Indians, Symon, Andrew, and Peter. The tradition is, that their intention was to kill somebody in Rowley, whom they claimed had injured them ; but, the night being far spent, they abandoned their purpose, and, instead, perpetrated a slaughter in Bradford. Symon was the leader, being very bloodthirsty and revengeful. He openly threatened the life of Mrs. Kimball if she ever returned to her home, which led her to petition the Governor and Council for the protection that would en- sure her safety.

This is the principal historie record of Indian brutality within the township of Bradford ; but, in common with all the colonial settle- ments, the inhabitants shared in the fears and solieitude which were constant attendants upon frontier life, and there was an ever-ready co-operation in supplying men for common defence against the skulk- ing and murderous invaders. The record by Winthrop, as contained in Gage's history of Rowley is, that "Sept. 1, 1642, by warrant to Ipswich, Rowley, and Newbury, to disarm Passaconamy, who lived near Merrimack River, they sent forth forty men, armed. the next day, it being Lord's day. But it rained all day, as it had done divers days before, and also after ; so they could not go to his wigwam, but they came to his son's, and took him, which they had warrant for. They, fearing the son's escape, led him in a line ; but he, taking an oppor- tunity, slipped his line, and escaped from them. The warrant was issued because there was suspicion of a general conspiraey of Indians against the English. Each soldier received one shilling per day, (Lord's day ineluded, on account of the extremety of the weather, ) and the officers double. They were out three days."

Bradford then being embraced in the township of Rowley, was in- cluded in that call; and, doubtless, some of the inhabitants on the " Merrimac lands " participated in that seout, as they also did in other armed marches and conflicts for the common defence ; but, the eom- munity eseaping from any general massacre, and there is a leanness in the record of what was done, and of the participators in the service.

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Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America., Part 27

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett Number of Pages: 450

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett
Number of Pages: 450