USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Milton > The history of Milton, Mass., 1640 to 1877 > Part 34
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334
HISTORY OF MILTON.
Average number of scholars for the year
1808. . . . 35. 1814 . . . . 35.33|1820 . . . . 15. 1857 .. 33. 1809. .. . 33. 1815. . . 35,33 1821 . . . 18. 1858. .34.3
1810. .32.66.1816 . . .34.66 1822. . 10.7
1859 22.
1811. . . 23.66 1817 . . . . 33.33
1860. . 26.4
1812. 24 1818 . . . 27. 1856 .... 29.
1861 .. . . 26.6
1813. . . . 41.66 1819 . . . . 17
The average number of these twenty-one years, thus reported, is twenty-eight pupils annually.
It detracts in no small degree from the value and interest of this statement, and is a matter of regret, that we fail to find a record of the names of those who, from year to year, passed through this institution. It is believed that but one catalogue has ever been issued. A large portion of our own citizens, many from other towns in our Commonwealth, and many from other States have enjoyed its advantages. It enrols among its alumni those who stand in the first ranks of business and social life. Its representatives grace the Pulpit, the Bench, the Army, and the Legislative Halls of the nation. Many of its graduates were conspicuous in the last great struggle of our country for right and freedom.
That veteran officer, Major-General Edwin Vose Sumner, who fell in the conflict, received his early training at the Milton Academy.
One of our young men, whose brief career was equally brill- iant, Lieut. Josiah H. V. Field, went out from a nine years' course of study, in Milton Academy, to West Point ; and thence early into active service, joining Gen. Hunter on his exhaustive raid through Virginia, in the high position of "Senior Ord- nance Officer for Western Virginia," only to faint beneath the crushing burden, and to yield up his life for his country.
Not a few of the living graduates are equally deserving of worthy mention for noble and self-denying service in behalf of their country.
Through the kindness of the Hon. James M. Robbins we are able to furnish the names of the following individuals who were pupils with him in Milton Academy during the early period of its existence : -
Thomas Crehore, Milton. William Holbrook, Jeremiah S. H. Boies, “ Caleb Hobart, 66 James M. Robbins,
Arthur Fessenden, Roxbury. Thomas Wetmore, Boston. Francis W. Winthorp, Dudley Walker, Milton. Edwin V. Sumner, 66
335
MILTON ACADEMY.
John Fuller, Roxbury.
Silas Davenport, Canton.
William P. Lunt, Quincy.
Robert Tucker,
Jonathan Cobb, Dedham.
William H. Bass, Randolph.
Col. John Gay,
60
Benj. C. Cutler, Roxbury.
Thomas T. Forbes, Milton.
Benj. C. Parker,
Boston.
Robert B. Forbes, 66
Charles Parker,
T. Thacher Wadsworth, 66
James Parker, 66
Elijah Tucker,
At a somewhat later period were the following: John Gorham Palfrey, William P. Greenwood, Judge Frederick Vose, of Wal- pole, N.H., and Gov. William Barrett Washburn.
Under the tuition of Thomas Snow were the following schol- ars : Edwin Battles, Wyatt Dickerman, and Josiah Warren Talbot, of Stoughton, Mary Brewer, of Dorchester, and many Milton pupils. Mr. Snow is recalled by his living pupils as possessing the finest mould of character, and a most exact appre- ciation of his scholars, - the quality and bent of their minds, and the treatment and influence needed by each.
We have received from Mr. E. J. Marsh, of Leominster, Mass., one of the few among the teachers still living, a list of pupils during his service of five years, and also interesting reminiscences of the school in his day, which we would gladly insert here did we aim at anything in this simple narrative except a bare statement of facts.
Mr. Marsh is a graduate of Middlebury College. In a life devoted to teaching he has fitted more than one hundred young men for college. He commenced his work in Milton Academy May 26, 1840, and continued until August, 1845. His career at Milton was a successful one. A larger number of scholars was connected with the school under his teaching than under any other teacher of whom we have a record; and his pupils, some of whoni now live among us, testify to his thorough practical instruction, the benefit of which they are now reaping.
LIST OF PUPILS, 1840-1846.
Henry L. Pierce, Stoughton.
Mary E. Tucker,
Milton. 66
Abbie P. Baker, Lincoln.
Orilla Hager,
Julia Bemis,
Sally Tileston, Dorchester.
Katharine Tileston, 66
Elizabeth Fairbank, 66
Mary Jane Greenwood, 66
Lucy Hollis, Milton.
Mary L. Glover, Ann E. Davenport,
Abbie V. Tucker, 66
Cynthia Beals,
Elizabeth Ann Wadsworth, 66
Catharine Davis,
Mary E. Vose, 66
Catherine E. Tucker, Elizabeth Ann Reed, Susan Sumner, Laura Wheelock, 66
Georgianna Davis, 66
John D. W. Williams, 66
Robert Mackey, Boston.
336
HISTORY OF MILTON.
Louisa J. Gannett, Milton.
Martha Crossman,
Harriet Durell,
Edward Henry Adams, Milton. Ebenezer Campbell, Seth Durell,
Susan Cornell, 66
Henry Thayer,
Adelaide Cornell, 66
George Thayer,
Fannie Campbell, 66
J. Walter Reed,
Edwin D. Wadsworth, 66
John F. Ware, Dorchester.
Lewis R. Tucker, 66
Jesse Tucker, Milton.
George Heywood, Concord.
Dean Swift,
James Gerrish, 66
William Wadsworth,
Joseph Gerrish,
William Tufts,
George M. Baker, Lincoln.
Eben Tufts,
Webster Smith,
Franklin Davis, 66
Francis Smith, 60
Rufus W. Sumner,
John B. Tileston,
Dorchester.
Thomas Hollis, 66
William E. Tolman,
Charles W. P. Nichols, 66
Benjamin Lyon, 66
George K. Gannett, Alfred R. Glover,
Benjamin F. Crehore, 66
Benjamin Swan,
66
Edward Collins,
George Swan,
66
Charles F. Swan, Dorchester.
Francis Ruggles,
George Swan,
John J. Glover, Quincy.
James G. Vose, Milton.
Samuel G. Savil,
Everett C. Banfield,
William W. Ware, Cambridge.
This catalogue contains the names of individuals who would confer honor upon any institution : Col. Paul Revere, the brave and true, who gave up his life for his country; Everett C. Banfield, the distinguished attorney ; Hon. Henry L. Pierce, ex-Mayor of Boston; Rev. James G. Vose, D.D., Professor at Amherst College, and now pastor of a leading church in Provi- dence, R.I .; John B. Tileston, the well-known publisher; William E. Tolman and Francis Swan, honored and successful teachers ; George M. Baker, model farmer; Edward Collins, of the United States Army.
Could we thus bring before the eye the names of all the alumni of this institution, through its whole work of seventy years, the wide-spread power and influence of Milton Academy might, in some measure, be realized.
TEACHERS AND OFFICERS.
It is ascertained from the testimony of those who were scholars in the Academy during the first decade of its existence, that Preceptor Pierce was a thorough classical teacher, and was very successful in fitting students for Harvard University. Many of his pupils were from the first families of Boston and the neighboring towns, and a large proportion of them passed
Lawson Brewer, 66
John Reed, 66
Francis Swan,
Paul Revere, Boston.
337
MILTON ACADEMY.
through college and became professional men. Milton Acad- emy soon rose to a high reputation as a thorough and successful school; and this high tone of character has been sustained through its entire history, with occasional periods of embarrass- ment and decline.
Hundreds of young men have passed out from its instruction into the various colleges of our land. Among its corps of four- teen teachers, whose names are herewith perpetuated, besides numerous assistants, have been acute minds and warm hearts, earnest in the work of educating the youth of this community.
As the first years of the Academy were full of promise, so the last years seem to have been among its brightest.
In 1854 the Trustees guaranteed a salary of $750 per annum, and a large percentage of all income from tuition above this sum. Mr. Edwin Clapp was engaged as teacher, and the tuition was raised to $10 a term. During the ten years of his success- ful service the income was larger than ever before, amounting for one year to $1,363.
Mr. Sereno D. Hunt, who followed Mr. Clapp, was equally successful during his short term of service.
In this high tide of success both teacher and Academy build- ing were transferred to the town of Milton, and, for a time, Milton High School assumed the position of Milton Academy.
By a provision in the " Act of Incorporation," a majority of the Trustees must consist of men who are not citizens of Milton. Most of the Trustees have, therefore, been inhabitants of neigh- boring towns. That the interests of the institution have fallen into faithful hands may be seen by the long line of illustrious names embraced in the catalogue of Trustees, which is presented without a single omission.
Dr. John P. Spooner, of Dorchester, held the office of Treas- urer for thirty-four years, faithfully managing the finances of the Academy during a period of its greatest depression, and by his persevering efforts greatly ministering to the life and pros- perity of the institution.
The Hon. Edward H. Robbins was unanimously chosen the first President of the Board of Trustees in 1798. This office he retained for thirty-two years, until his death; always approving himself the faithful friend, wise counsellor, and assiduous helper of Milton Academy.
In 1830 Dr. Amos Holbrook was appointed to the office of President and continued in this position until his decease in 1842.
In 1842 the Hon. James M. Robbins succeeded Dr. Holbrook as President of the Board of Trustees, which office he held
338
HISTORY OF MILTON.
until 1884, when he resigned on account of feeble health. Col. William H. Forbes was chosen as his successor.
PROSPERITY AND ADVERSITY.
That the Academy has been reasonably successful must be apparent to all who have observed its history. It has outlived many of its contemporaries. If it has not kept pace with the more celebrated institutions of its kind, such as Andover, Leicester, Exeter, and others, it is because no one has appeared as its benefactor, which has been otherwise with those favored academies. Milton Academy has lived by its own untiring efforts. Since its organization, or the very first years of its life, no person has contributed a dollar to its encouragement or sup- port. Had this institution been placed on a financial basis equal with that of other kindred institutions within the Com- monwealth, its career might have been equally brilliant.
On several occasions it has been suspended for short periods, only to rise again into new life.
In 1867 the town of Milton established a High School, free to all its youth, and with the offer of a larger salary than the Academy could give, secured the services of its Principal as their teacher. At this point the Academy was suspended, and the Academy building was leased to the town of Milton for a term of years, expiring July 1, 1880. During the period of suspension the Board of Trustees was kept full and in working order, ready for any new work.
REESTABLISHMENT OF THE ACADEMY.
The question of reopening the Academy at the expiration of the lease to the town of Milton had many times engaged the attention of the Trustees. It was fully debated at the annual meeting, July 2, 1879, and resulted in the appointment of a committee to solicit funds for the endowment of the school.
This committee decided to lay the matter before the citizens of the town and vicinity, and for this purpose a mass meeting was called at the Town-Hall, Dec. 13, 1879. The meeting was well attended by the Trustees and by the friends of education in the town and vicinity. Addresses were made by the President of the Board of Trustees, by Rev. Dr. Morison, Gamaliel Brad- ford, Esq., Hon. Edward L. Pierce, Prof. James B. Thayer, President Eliot of Harvard College, and others. The spirit and tone of the meeting favored the reopening of the Academy, with an endowment sufficient to establish and maintain a school of the highest order for girls and boys. Meantime, the old Academy
OL6 ACADEMY
LACROIX
NEWACADEMY
339
MILTON ACADEMY.
building being deemed insufficient in point of room and facilities for study to meet the wants of the contemplated school, and its location not the most convenient for the pupils who would be likely to attend such a school, at the annual meeting of the Trustees, July 3, 1883, it was voted to sell the Academy building, with the two and a half acres of land under and around the same, to the town of Milton for the sum of $3,000.
Conditional subscriptions to an endowment fund for the school were obtained to the amount of $50,000 and upwards, and at a special meeting, May 22, 1884, the following plan of action was presented by the subscribers to said fund for the consideration of the Trustees : -
PLAN OF ACTION.
1st. That this fund be placed in the hands of three Trustees, who shall buy land, and build suitable school buildings thereon.
2d. Keep the remainder of the endowment fund, after paying for such land and buildings, safely invested, and collect the income thereof.
3d. Give the frec use of said land and buildings, and pay over the net income of the remainder of said endowment fund to the Trustees of Milton Academy for four years from Aug. 1, 1884, and for such further time as may at the end of said four years be agreed upon ; and the Trustees of said Academy shall agree to, and shall for said time, maintain a good and suit- able school in said buildings and keep said buildings and land in good re- pair and condition, and shall for the purposes of such school use both the income of the endowment fund and also all the income from the property now or hereafter belonging to said Academy.
4th. If, at the end of said four years, or further time agreed upon, a majority of the Trustees of the endowment fund shall decide that it is best to do so, they shall transfer and convey to the Milton Academy all the property then held by them as Trustees, with and under such conditions and restrictions as shall be decided upon.
5th. But if at the end of such time they decide that it is not best to so transfer and convey to Milton Academy such property, they shall dispose of the same in such manner as a majority in interest of the subscribers to said endowment fund, or their legal representatives, shall decide. The Trustces of said Academy shall, during such four years and further time, have full charge and management of said school, and of said land and buildings, and of the expenditures of said net income of the endowment fund.
The above informal proposition, looking to the reviving of the Academy, was carefully considered, and it was voted there- upon to accept such proposal when formally made.
At the annual meeting of the Trustees, July 2, 1884, on motion of Mr. Roger Wolcott: -
Voted, that as the Trustees of the endowment fund do hereby, by their committee, make the informal proposal presented at the special meeting May 22, 1884, a formal one, the said proposition is hereby accepted.
.
340
HISTORY OF MILTON.
A suitable tract of land was secured on Randolph avenue and Centre street, and a building was erected for the school, which, in all its appointments, may be styled a model school- house.
In September, 1885, Milton Academy started in the new quarters, with a corps of four teachers and upwards of forty pupils.
PURPOSES OF THE ACADEMY.
The Academy gives careful attention to the instruction of the youngest pupils, and has therefore arranged a PRIMARY DEPARTMENT, which is placed in charge of an experienced teacher. The INTERMEDIATE or Gram- mar grade occupies four years, and brings pupils forward to the beginning of their COLLEGE PREPARATORY or HIGH SCHOOL course, when they may begin an ancient or a second modern language. The entire course of the Academy is thirteen years in length. Pupils may enter the primary class at the age of five, and, if regular in attendance, and always gaining pro- motion from class to class, will be ready to receive the diploma of the Academy and to enter college at the age of eighteen.
COURSES OF STUDY.
The courses of study for the PRIMARY DEPARTMENT include: (1) Oral Lessons, intended to stimulate observation of simple objects, and to en- courage the use of language in describing them; (2) Language Lessons, including Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Declamation; (3) The simplest oral exercises in French; (4) Arithmetic up to short division ; (5) Physical Exercises.
In the INTERMEDIATE of GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT the course is, through- out the four years : (1) Elementary Science, or lessons on plants, animals, metals, minerals, natural phenomena, and the heavenly bodies, and on the rudiments of physiology and hygiene; (2) English Language, including Reading, Writing, Composition, and Declamation, and, in the last year, the elements of Grammar; (3) French, with conversation, reading from easy books, and the beginnings of Grammar; (4) Arithmetic up to percentage, simple interest and discount, and including the Metric system ; (5) Geog- raphy ; (6) in the last year, History of the United States.
On completing the work of the Intermediate Department, pupils, if wishing to fit for college, must begin Latin. Such pupils will take the COLLEGE COURSE, which will conform to the requirements of Harvard Col- lege. This course contemplates the study of (1) Latin, during its six years ; (2) Greek, during the last three years; (3) French, continued during the entire period, so as to reach fully the required proficiency ; (4) English, including the reading by each class of the books required that year, Composition, Spelling, Declamation, and Grammar; (5) Mathemat- ics, including Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry; (6) Ancient and Modern Geography and History ; (7) Botany and Physics.
Pupils not desiring to prepare for college will take the HIGH SCHOOL COURSE. This includes (1) English Language and Literature, with Gram- mar, Declamation, and Composition ; (2) History of the United States and England, Ancient and Medieval History, History of Special Periods, Civil Government of the United States, and of Massachusetts ; (3) French, con- tinued, extending to the study of the grammar and literature, with frequent
341
MILTON ACADEMY.
conversation and composition in French ; (4) Latin or German (optional) ; (5) Science, including Physiology and Hygiene, Botany, Physics, Chemis- try, Astronomy, Geology ; (6) Mathematics, including Arithmetic, Single- entry Book-keeping, Algebra, Geometry; (7) Political and Physical Geography ; (8) Elementary Political Economy.
TUITION.
In Primary Department
$60.00 per annum. .
" Intermediate "
.
90.00 66 66
" Advanced
120.00 66 66
Payable semi-annually, in November and March.
TRUSTEES OF MILTON ACADEMY.
Names.
Residence.
Date of Election.
Fisher Ames, Esq.,
Dedham,
1789.
William Aspinwall, Esq.,
Brookline,
Samuel Bass, Esq.,
Randolph,
Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D.D.,
Franklin,
66
Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, D.D.,
Dorchester,
66
Rev. Zachariah Howard,
Canton,
66
Rev. Joseph Mckean,
Milton,
66
Rev. George Morey,
Walpole,
Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D.,
Roxbury,
66
Rev. Thomas Thacher,
Dedham,
66
Hon. Stephen Metcalf,
Walpole,
Hon. John Reed,
Bridgewater,
66
Hon. Edward H. Robbins,
Milton,
Hon. Ebenezer Thayer,
Moses Black, Esq,,
Quincy,
1800.
Isaac Davenport, Esq.,
Milton, 66
66
Dr. Amos Holbrook,
Rev. Edward Richmond, D.D.,
Stoughton,
1808.
Rev. John Pierce, D.D.,
Edward Dowse, Esq.,
Dedham,
1809.
Rev. Peter Whitney,
Quincy,
1812.
Hon. Josiah Quincy,
Henderson Inches, Esq.,
Milton,
1814.
Rev. Stephen Palmer,
Needham,
Thomas Williams, Esq.,
Roxbury, 66
1822.
Rev. Thomas Gray, D.D.,
Rev. William Richie,
Needham,
Samuel H. Babcock, Esq.,
Milton,
1823.
Samuel P. Loud, Esq.,
Dorchester,
1824.
Joseph Greenleaf, Esq.,
Quincy,
1830.
Francis Amory, Esq.,
Milton, 66
Joseph Rowe, Esq.,
66
Hon. John Bailey,
Dorchester,
1831.
Abel Cushing, Esq.,
66
66
Hon. John Ruggles,
Milton,
66
66
Jeremiah Smith Boies, Esq.,
1806.
Brookline,
66
Joseph Morton, Esq.,
Braintree,
342
HISTORY OF MILTON.
Date
Names.
Residence.
of Election.
Rev. Benjamin Huntoon,
Canton,
1834.
Dr. John P. Spooner,
Dorchester,
1837.
Rev. Joseph Angier,
Milton,
1838.
Rev. F. Cunningham,
66
66
Rev. Samuel W. Cozzens, D.D.,
66 1839.
Rev. Alvan Lamson, D.D.,
Dedham,
Hon. James M. Robbins,
Milton,
1840.
Rev. William P. Lunt, D.D.,
Quincy,
1842.
Hon. Thomas French,
Canton,
66
Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, D.D.,
Boston,
1845.
Dr. Edward Jarvis,
Dorchester,
66
Samuel Adams, Esq.,
Milton, 66
1847.
Rev. David Dyer,
Dorchester,
Asaph Churchill, Esq.,
Leonard Everett, Esq.,
Canton,
1851.
Rev. Richard Pike,
Dorchester,
1856.
Hon. R. B. Forbes,
Milton,
1857.
Hon. William S. Morton,
Quincy,
Rev. T. T. Munger,
Dorchester,
1858.
Rev. Albert K. Teele, D.D.,
1863.
Rev. Thomas J. Mumford,
Dorchester,
1867.
Jonathan H. Cobb, Esq.,
Dedham,
.6
Dr. James S. Green,
Dorchester, 66
1877.
Dr. James Morison,
Quincy,
1878.
Col. William H. Forbes,
Milton,
66
Prof. James B. Thayer,
Cambridge,
Gamaliel Bradford, Esq.,
Grantville,
66
Amor L. Hollingsworth, Esq.,
Milton,
1879.
Roger Wolcott, Esq.,
Boston,
Miss Harriet Ware,
Milton,
J. Malcolm Forbes, Esq.,
66
1884.
Samuel Gannett, Esq.,
66
66
Charles P. Ware, Esq.,
Brookline,
1886.
PRESIDENTS OF MILTON ACADEMY.
Date
Names.
Residence.
of Election.
Hon. Edward H. Robbins,
Milton,
1798.
Dr. Amos Holbrook,
66
1830.
Hon. James M. Robbins,
66
1842.
Col. William H. Forbes,
1884.
TREASURERS.
Names.
Residence.
Date of Election.
Samuel Bass, Esq.,
Randolph,
1798.
Jeremiah S. Boies, Esq.,
Milton,
1806.
66
Rev. John D. Wells,
Quincy,
1850.
James H. Means, D.D.,
Charles M. S. Churchill, Esq.,
Milton, 66
Hon. Henry L. Pierce,
W. J. Ladd, Esq.,
Rev. John H. Morison, D.D.,
343
MILTON ACADEMY.
Names.
Residence.
Date of Election.
Henderson Inches, Esq.,
Milton,
1818.
Isaac Davenport, Esq.,
1821.
Samuel H. Babcock, Esq.,
1828.
James M. Robbins,
1840.
Dr. John P. Spooner,
Dorchester,
1842.
Rev. Albert K. Teele,
Milton,
1876.
SECRETARIES.
Names.
Residence.
Date of Election.
Rev. Joseph McKean, D.D.,
Milton,
1798.
Dr. Amos Holbrook,
1809.
Rev. Edward Richmond, D.D.,
Stoughton,
1816.
Abel Cushing Esq.,
Dorchester,
1833.
Rev. Joseph Angier,
Milton,
1839.
Rev. Samuel W. Cozzens, D.D.,
66
1847.
Rev. David Dyer,
Dorchester,
1850.
Rev. Richard Pike,
66
1852.
Charles M. S. Churchill, Esq.
Milton,
1863.
Rev. Albert K. Teele, D.D.
66
1876.
TEACHERS OF THE OLD MILTON ACADEMY ..
Names.
Date of Election.
Date of Resignation.
Salaries.
Rev. Warren Pierce,
1807
1817 \ $800 for 5 years. Tuition
and farm for 5 years.
William Reed,
1817
1821
$600 per annum.
Joseph R. Hill,
1821
1822
$500
Moses Webster,
1822
1827
Tuition, house, and farm.
Calvin Howe,
1827
1828
[School suspended for one year.]
Thomas Snow,
1829
1835 Tuition, house, and farm.
[School suspended for part of the year- Mr. Colburn taught one term.]
William H. Ropes,
1837
1838
Tuition, house, and farm. 66 66
Charles Edwards,
1838
1839
[Suspended from August, 1839, to May 26, 1840.]
E. J. Marsh,
1840
1845
Tuition, house, and farm.
Ariel P. Chute,
1845
1846
66
66
Ezra Ripley,
1846
1848
66
.€
[Suspended from February 17, 1848, to August 27, 1849.]
Christopher A. Green,
1849
1851 Tuition and house.
[Suspended from August, 1852, to April, 1854.]
Edwin Clapp,
1855
1865 Salary of $750 guaranteed.
Sereno D. Hunt,
1865
1866 Tuition and house.
1844.
Rev. John H. Morison, D.D.,
344
HISTORY OF MILTON.
OFFICERS, 1886 AND 1887.
President.
William H. Forbes.
Secretary and Treasurer. Albert K. Teele.
Executive Committee.
W. H. Forbes, Miss Harriet Ware,
W. J. Ladd, J. B. Thayer.
Trustees.
Rev. J. H. Morison, D.D., Boston.
Rev. A. K. Teele, D.D., Milton.
Dr. James S. Green, Dorchester.
Hon. Henry L. Pierce, 66
Col. William H. Forbes,
Milton.
Prof. James B. Thayer,
Cambridge. 66
Gamaliel Bradford, Esq.,
Roger Wolcott, Esq.,
Boston. Milton.
Miss Harriet Ware,
J. Malcolm Forbes, Esq.,
Samuel Gannett, Esq., 66
W. J. Ladd, Esq., 66
Chas. P. Ware, Esq.,
Brookline.
Teachers.
Samuel Thurber,
Principal, 1886.
H. O. Apthorp, A.M.,
1887.
Miss Lucia Bartlett,
First Assistant.
Miss Margaret J. Thacher,
Second Assistant.
Madame McLaren,
Teacher of French.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 1800.
If the prevalence of private schools in the early part of the century in any degree turned the attention of the people from the public schools, or diminished the number of those who otherwise would have attended them, it nevertheless created a sentiment and inspired a zeal in the great subject of education which counterbalanced any such apparent loss. Our public schools, through the century, have kept pace with the growing numbers, intelligence, and thought of the times.
In the year 1800 the town's appropriation for its schools was $666.66; since that time it has advanced with a constantly accelerated increase, until in 1886 it has reached the sum of $19,347.42. The school records of the last of the seventeenth
345
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
and the first of the eighteenth centuries are incomplete; but, so far as can be learned, there is but one instance in the whole history of the town of a retrograde movement in school appro- priations. The appropriation of 1847, which rose from $2,000 in 1846 to $2,300, fell back in 1848 to $2,000, but rose again the next year.
The schools were kept in the same sections of the town, and under the same conditions, except the combination of the two wards in the west end of the town, -Brush Hill and Middle street into one school, located on Blue Hill avenue, where the West school-house now stands. This took place in 1812, when the brick school-house was built called the " Old Brick," which was removed when the present house was built, in 1870. This school has had the benefit of many excellent and distinguished teachers. Col. Jesse Pierce was the teacher here in 1814, 1815, and 1818, boarding at Major Atherton's. In 1816 and 1817 he taught the school on Milton Hill, boarding with Daniel Briggs. Col. Pierce had also three brothers who taught in Mil-
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