USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 23
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They were good days for the children too. It brought them into a closer and more intimate relation with the teacher and did them good. I can speak from experience, for I remember when the school teacher boarded, for a week or more, in my own home.
In 1791 the town appropriated £100, to be divided among the school districts in proportion to the money they paid into the treasury, to assist in the erection of school houses. This appropriation was continued for three years.
In order to give better opportunities to those who were aspiring for more instruction, the town appropriated, in 1792- '93, £12 each year, "to the School District in which lives Samuel F. Merrick, Provided they keep a Gramar School six months from the present time and the Inhabitants of the whole town have Liberty to send schollars to said School, said School to be under the direction of the selectmen." The town furthermore voted "that the scholars of such parents as did not furnish one quarter of a cord of wood cut fit for the fire before the first of January, should not be taught at school, and if any teacher violated the rule no order should be given for wages." Dr. Stebbins further says:
"Our schools have been constantly improving. A geography with an atlas was introduced as early as 1820. Dabol super- seded Pike; and Smith, Dabol. It is only in very recent times
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
that boys generally have been rash enough or bold enough to study grammar and geography, or girls hardy and courageous enough to study arithmetic. I remember the first boy who was presumptuous enough to venture on fractions. . . . I believe I was myself the first person who taught Colburn's Intellectual Arithmetic in town; it was in 1828. Gradual improvement has marked them from the beginning. . . . . Posterity will be more grateful for nothing you leave them than for good public schools."
Besides the public schools, there were men in town who taught private schools, where better instruction was given. Rev. Mr. Witter had such a school. He lived on the west side of our main street, just south of the lane that leads off to the west, directly opposite Federal Lane, where Mrs. Thompson now lives. Mr. Witter was pastor here from 1797 to 1814. Rev. Ebenezer Brown taught a grammar school. He was the minister here from 1818 to 1827. In the Glendale, or Colton Hollow district, Elder Alvin Bennett had private scholars, and sometimes taught a public school. Rev. Mr. Warren, of the South Parish, had private scholars until his death. He was pastor there from 1788 until 1829. "By these means, the children of the town," in those early days, "were enabled to obtain a very respectable education without leaving its limits."
On November 8, 1825, the Wesleyan Academy, now known as Wilbraham Academy, was opened for the reception of students, and has furnished an excellent opportunity, for such of our children as desired a higher education than could be obtained in the public schools. Probably we do not half realize the great benefit the Academy has been to our town, in many ways. The closing of the Academy as a co-educational school in June, 1911, was a distinct loss to many of our young people. But the opening of the Academy under its new name of Wil- braham Academy, in 1912, restored to the boys the opportuni- ties of a high school education near their own homes, and we have every reason for wishing this institution a prosperous future.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
In the conducting of the business matters of our public schools, previous to 1875, the "School District" system pre- vailed.
The voters in each district held an annual meeting and elected a Prudential Committee, who had charge of the selection of teachers and all other matters in connection with the carrying on of the work. The bills which they presented, after being approved by the town school committee, were paid by the town.
If a new schoolhouse was built in any district, the expense was met by a tax assessed on the residents and property in that particular district. The district system was abolished in 1875, the town purchasing the property of the twelve school districts, at the appraised value of $16,531. The tax rate that year was $28 on $1,000. But of the $27,979 raised, $16,547 was remitted to the taxpayers of the several school districts. In 1872, draw- ing was first taught in the public schools. The school com- mittee, in their report to the town for that year, say, "What a revolution! instead of a child being punished for acting out his nature in drawing pictures in school, as 'in days of auld lang syne,' he is now commanded to do it." And they also say, that in accordance with the law, "we have introduced Bartholomew's Drawing Cards, during the winter term."
The instruction in drawing was given by the teachers in the different schools until 1896, when the town made an appropria- tion for that purpose of $100, and also an appropriation of $150, for the teaching of music, and a special teacher was employed in each branch, who gave instruction in all the schools, which practice has been continued to the present time. In 1892, the people in the several districts, acting with the school children, procured flags for every school building.
As the children care for these flags and raise them over their buildings, they will be reminded of the great achievements which have been made in our country, and we trust they will be an inspiration to them, to do well their part, as they enter into the larger life which increase of years brings to us all. In 1893, the town began to pay the tuition of the high school pupils
290
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
at the Wesleyan Academy, twelve attending in the fall term, and fifteen in the winter. In the same year, Miss Mary L. Poland began her long service as superintendent of schools, in a district consisting of the towns of Ludlow, Longmeadow, Hampden and Wilbraham, giving to the schools of each town the benefit of skilled supervision, and her work has proved generally successful and satisfactory. Since the closing of the Academy as a co-educational school, the girls of our town, who desire a high school education, find it necessary to attend the high schools in Springfield, Palmer or Ludlow, as most con- venient for them, and some of our boys are attending the schools in those places. During the past year, twenty-six have attended the schools in those towns, and five have attended the Wilbra- ham Academy. The total expense for high school and academy tuition for the past year has been $2,468.50. About one-half of this expense will be refunded by the state.
The following table shows the amounts appropriated by the town for school purposes, the amounts expended, and the num- ber of scholars for the years mentioned.
Town Report
Appropriated
Expended
· Number of Scholars
for Year
1883
$2,075.00
$2,415.00
234
1893
2,750.00
3,943.00
240
1903
4,350.00
6,705.00
241
1913
6,970.00
11,271.00
252
It will be understood that there are some sources of revenue for school expenses, in addition to the amount appropriated by the town.
In the historical address, delivered here in 1831, by Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, after speaking of the small amounts allowed by Springfield for schooling in the Mountain Parish, previous to 1763, he says, substantially, "Those insignificant sums, do not compare with the seven hundred and fifty dollars we are spend- ing this year for schools." And Dr. Stebbins said in his cen- tennial address, "Never, probably, were the public schools in better condition than today. Gradual improvement has marked
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
them from the beginning. There is yet, however, abundant room for improvement, and you will make it. This year you pay seventeen hundred and forty-two dollars for the support of your schools, in the midst of a terrible civil war, while only twenty years ago, in 1840, in a time of profound peace you paid not half as much-only eight hundred dollars. Onward! the path grows brighter and brighter."
It is interesting and of value, to recall these items from the past, and compare them with conditions as they exist at the present time, and feel assured that we have made some progress, and that the path towards a higher education for our children, has grown "brighter and brighter."
I copy another message that comes from the past. In an account book, kept by one of our school teachers, of her receipts and expenses, while teaching school in another town in 1834, I find that she received $150 for the year's salary. After deduct- ing the amount she paid for board and other expenses, she writes,
"Settled with Mr. Smith my whole account being $49.85. I have now after paying Mr. Smith and the money also I paid for necessary expenses $52.26, but $81.40 is what I should have had now, if I had not expended any."
In 1881, a law was enacted by the legislature, giving women the right to vote for members of the school committee upon the payment of a poll tax. Mrs. S. F. White has the honor of being the first woman to be elected a member of the school committee in our town. She served for the years 1890 and 1891.
Miss Evanore O. Beebe was elected a member of the com- mittee in 1905, and has served continually since that time.
ON JUNE 14TH 1912
THE GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS WERE HELD IN THE ACADEMY FISK HALL
In anticipation of the approaching anniversary of the incor- poration of the town, the school committee, assisted by the district superintendent, prepared an interesting historical
SCHOOL CHILDREN REPRESENTING SOME OF THE EARLY CHARACTERS. Reading from left to right.
-
-
-
*1. Comfort Warner, by Rosina Whiting. 2. "Parson's Rose," by Marion Hardy.
*First child born in Wilbraham.
1. Indian Girl, by Edith Powell.
2. Rev. Noah Mirick, by Harland Green.
3. Mary Newell, by Olive Green.
4. Dea. Nath'l Warriner, by Walter Pease.
SCHOOL CHILDREN REPRESENTING SOME OF THE EARLY CHARACTERS. Reading from left to right.
1. Rev. Noah Mirick, by Harland Green.
2. Mary Newell, teacher, by Olive Green.
3. Dea. Nath'l Warriner, by Walter Pease.
1. Indian Girl, by Edith Powell.
2. Rev. Noah Mirick, by Harland Green.
3. Comfort Warner, by Rosina Whiting.
4. Mary Newell, by Olive Green.
5. "Parson's Rose," by Marion Hardy.
6. Dea. Nath'l Warriner, by Walter Pease.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
exercise for the occasion. Scenes from the ancient life of the town were presented by the great-great-grcat-grandchildren of those early settlers. Clad in "ye ancient garb," therc appeared representatives of the "Worthy and Revd Noah Mirick," "Good Deacon Warriner," "Faithful Teacher Mary Newell," and others who have won our cstecm and affection because of the work they wrought here in those days of long ago.
The following is a copy of the
PROGRAMME
Song: "Battle Hymn of the Republic," Oldtime School. Miss Mary Newell, Teacher.
CLASS IN ANCIENT HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Song: "The Landing of the Pilgrims."
History of the Middle Ages of Wilbraham.
Part 1. 1636-1741. Part 2. 1741-1763.
Hymn. Choir Leader, Deacon Warriner.
Volume II. Part II. 1741-1763.
Song: "On Springfield Mountain."
Volume III. 1763-1787.
Song: "Shays's Rebellion."
Volume IV. Part I. 1787-1863.
Song: "Marcus Lyon."
Volume IV. Part II. 1787-1863.
Poem: "Of Wilbraham."
Jennie
Poem: "A Song of the Mountain" Tupper Dowe
Valedictory. From Address of Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins. "Portuguese Hymn."
Awarding of Diplomas. "The Star-Spangled Banner." Salute.
THE SOUTH WILBRAHAM ACADEMY
About 1850 an Academy was started at South Wilbraham, with George Brooks as first principal. With some interruptions the school was continued for thirty or forty years, having at times forty or more students, but was discontinued several years ago, and the building is now the Town House.
295
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
REPRESENTATIVES FROM WILBRAHAM TO THE GENERAL COURT AT BOSTON
The following is a list of the Representatives sent to the General Court from 1786 up to the present time. From 1763 till the Revolutionary War, the town voted with Springfield for Representatives :-
1786-88, Phineas Stebbins.
1833, Stephen Stebbins.
1789-92, None.
1834, Abraham Avery and Stephen Stebbins
1793-94, John Bliss.
1795, None.
1835, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Knight.
1796-1803, John Bliss.
1804, None.
1805, Phineas Stebbins
1806, None.
1837, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Wood.
1807, Wm. Ringe and Solomon Wright.
1838, Jesse W. Rice, M. D. and Wm. V. Sessions.
1808, None.
1809, William Ringe and Augustus Sisson.
1840, John Newell
1810, Augustus Sisson and Walter Stebbins.
1842, John Carpenter.
1811, Walter Stebbins and Abel Bliss, Jr.
1843, Samuel Beebe.
1812, None.
1845, No choice.
1846, Voted not to send.
1814-15, Robert Sessions and Joseph Lathrop.
1848, None elected.
1816, Robert Sessions and Moses Burt.
1817, Robert Sessions and William Wood.
1851, S. C. Spelman.
1818-19, None.
1852, No choice.
1820, Abel Bliss.
1853, Philip P. Potter.
1821-23, None
1854, John W. Langdon.
1824, Abel Bliss.
1855, John Baldwin.
1825, Voted not to send.
1856, John B. Morris.
1826, Abel Bliss and Dudley B. Post.
1858, Rep. from Longmeadow, Dist. No. 3.
1827, Abel Bliss and Robert Sessions.
1859, Wm. P. Spelman, Dist. No. 3.
1828, Luther Brewer.
1860, Rep. from Longmeadow,
1861, Joseph McGregory,
1862, Rep. from Longmeadow,
1863, Walter Hitchcock, 66
1866, John M. Merrick
1868, William R. Sessions,
1870, Ira G. Potter
1872, Ephraim Allen, 66
1874, Francis E. Clark
1830, William S. Burt and Jacob B. Merrick
1831, Moses Burt and
Wm. S. Burt.
1832, Abraham Avery and Wm. S. Burt.
1844, Voted not to send.
1813, William Clark and Joseph Lathrop.
1839, Stephen Stebbins.
1841, Marcus Cady, M. D.
1847, John Smith.
1849, No choice; two meetings for the purpose.
1850, Roderick S. Merrick, second meeting.
1857, Roderick Burt, Dist. No. 3.
1829, Luther Brewer and Jacob B. Merrick.
1836, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Knight.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
1877, Horace M. Sessions.
1881, Chauncey E. Peck.
1885, Moses H. Warren.
1888, Henry Clark.
1892, Sumner Smith
1894, Jason Butler 1900, Charles C. Beebe. 1909, E. W. Wall, died. Clarence P. Bolles.
It appears, that from about the year 1800 to 1839, the town of Wilbraham was entitled to send two representatives to the legislature each year; from 1839 to 1857, one each year; from 1857 to 1877, one every other year. Since 1877, the opportunity to send a representative has been gradually diminishing until the present time, when we are permitted to nominate a candi- date only once in about ten years.
Previous to 1866, the year in which the representatives were elected is given. Beginning with 1866, the year in which they served is given.
TOWN CLERKS OF WILBRAHAM
1741-55, David Merrick, 1842, John McCray.
Prec't Clerk. 1846-47, Roderick S. Merrick.
1756-63, Isaac Brewer, 1848-49, Soloman C. Spelman.
Prec't Clerk.
1850, Jesse W. Rice.
1763-73, Ezra Barker.
1851-52, Luther B. Bliss.
1773-78, James Warriner.
1853-54 Horace M. Sessions.
1779-80, Noah Warriner. 1855, Roderick Burt.
1781-85, James Warriner.
1856, Ralph Glover.
1785-86, Pliny Merrick.
1857-58, William P. Spelman.
1786-90, Samuel F. Merrick.
1859-60, H. Bridgman Brewer.
1791-92, John Buckland. 1861, Howard Staunton.
1793, Daniel Dana.
1862, James Staunton.
1793-1805, Robert Sessions.
1863-4, John M. Merrick.
1805-10, Philip Morgan.
1865-6, Gilbert Rockwood.
1810-11, Augustus Sisson.
1867-8, Francis E. Clark.
1811-12, Abel Bliss.
1869-70, Sullivan U. Staunton.
1812-14, Philip Morgan.
1871, Robert R. Wright, Jr.
1814-20, Moses Burt.
1872, Chauncey E. Peck.
1820-24, Calvin Stebbins.
1873-4, William P. Spellman.
1824-25, Luther Brewer.
1875-9, Erasmus B. Gates.
1826, William Wood.
1880-5, Charles E. Stacy.
1827, Luther Brewer.
1886-9, W. E. Stone.
1828, John McCray.
1890, Henry Cutler.
1829-36, Sylvanus Stebbins.
1891-7, Charles E. Stacy.
1837-38, Luther Brewer.
1898-1902, Frank A. Fuller.
1839, Luther B. Bliss.
1903-8, Edwin W. Wall.
1840-41, John M. Merrick.
1909-, Wm. H. McGuire, Jr.
297
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
LIST OF PHYSICIANS
John Stearns.
Daniel Ufford.
Gordon Percival.
Edwin McCray.
Samuel F. Merrick.
Marcus Cady.
Judah Bliss.
Abial Bottom.
Abiah Southworth.
Stebbins Foskit.
Converse Butler.
James M. Foster.
Luther Brewer.
Horace G. Webber.
Jacob Lyman.
W. H. Bliss.
Elisha Ladd.
A. O. Squier.
Gideon Kibbe.
Arthur L. Damon.
Jesse W. Rice.
George T. Ballard.
John Goodale,
DIVISION OF THE TOWN
And now we come to the parting of the ways.
In ordinary life, about half the population of the world are privileged to change their names at least once, and a great majority of such persons accept that privilege, and seem to enjoy the experience. And so it came about in the history of our town, that the south part wished to change its name. It was nothing new.
In 1766, and again in 1768, there was an article in the warrant for the town meeting as follows: "To see if the Town will give Liberty to the Inhabitants of the South part of Wilbraham that they have Two Months Preaching in the winter season upon their own Cost." The article "was passed in the negative." But those who desired a change were not discouraged, and the question came up again and again. In 1772, a petition was presented, and as it gives some light on the conditions which then existed I insert it.
July 20th 1772 Petition by Asa Chaffee and in behalf of others. Presented to the town to set off the south part of the town as a town by itself, says (very much condensed) "We have 47 families in the part asked for and 20 young men-exclusive of Wales as it is called which borders upon us-tis not any dissatisfaction with our Rev. Pastor or offense taken with ye Chh-our distance from meeting is so great, ye season a great part of ye year difficult, and we so unable to keep Horses & Furniture that it is truly ye case that far ye greater part of our Families are obliged to stay at home .- and well knowing what a tendency staying from Public Worship has to indispose people therto-tis a continual greaf to us. that so many in our families are obliged to stay at home on Sabbath days."
298
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
This petition brought an article into the warrant as follows: "Art. 3d, To see if the Town will vote off the South end of the Town as far north as the south side of Othinel Hitchcocks lot (on the west to Middle Road, then on north side of Abel Kings lot to Monson) to be a Town by ourselves." The town clerk adds, "an unintelligible article." No action was taken on it. The division of the town into two parishes in 1782, relieved the situation for a time. In 1840, there was an Article, "9th To see if the Town will vote to divide the Town on the line of the parishes in case they do not build a Town House." "Voted not to divide the Town." But at last, after more than a hun- dred years from the time when a division of the town was first presented, on November 6th, 1877, the town again voted on the question. The vote was taken by roll-call, and was at a town meeting held in South Wilbraham. Out of 203 votes cast, only 19 voted against division. On March 28, 1878, the Legislature passed an Act incorporating the present town of Hampden. Good-bye, old friends. There was many a wordy battle between the two sections at different town meetings, but, considering the nature of man, and all the conditions which surrounded us, we worked fairly well together in those by-gone days. At the town meeting held April 1st, 1878, three days after the passing of the Act, "The new town of Hampden was invited to participate in the meeting in all but voting for town officers." Showing that harmony and good-will prevailed between the two sections. The same feeling of good-will has continued through all the years since then.
THE MEMORIAL TOWN HALL
I have no desire to revive, or to keep alive, any of the feeling which existed in different sections of the town on this subject, some twenty-five or more years ago. But I feel that a brief statement of some of the facts should be made, as part of our town history.
The question of building a Town Hall had been considered by the voters for many years. I have found articles in the warrant for town meetings in 1838, 1840 and 1844 relating to that
299
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
matter. The article in the warrant calling the meeting in 1840 reads: "To see if the Town will vote to locate the Town House, if they agree to build one, on the Green so called near the house of John Adams." At the April meeting in 1885, the following article was in the warrant:
"Art. 16, To see if the Town will vote to erect a monument to the memory of the men of Wilbraham who died for their country in the war for the preservation of the Union, and make all necessary appropriations, and choose a committee to carry the same into effect."
A committee of five was chosen to consider the matter and to report at a later meeting. About a month later the committee reported in favor of building a Memorial Town Hall, and that it be located on the lot where the Soldiers' Monument now is, which is very near the exact centre of the town.
The town accepted the report, voted to build and chose a committee of five to proceed with the work. At that time the lot was owned by James B. Crane of Dalton, whose mother was daughter of Gaius Brewer, who had lived on the lot for many years and until his death in 1843, when the place was occupied by his son John, until his death in 1860. The committee pur- chased the lot of James B. Crane for $500, his brother, Zenas M. Crane, also of Dalton, paying one-half of the price, as a present to the town.
The committee selected a plan for a building and received bids for its erection.
But there were some in town who desired a different location, and a petition was presented to the Court, asking for an in- junction to restrain the committee from going on with the work, claiming that the action of the town was illegal.
The hearing on the petition delayed matters until about the first of January, 1886, when the Supreme Court declared that the action taken by the town was legal.
A meeting of the building committee was held January 21st, 1886, and three bids were received for doing the work: One from Joseph Hayden of Springfield for $10,000; one from the
300
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Flynt Building & Construction Co. of Palmer for $9,060; a bid which I presented was lower than these, and the contract was awarded to me for $8,475. The winter of 1886 was very mild, and the excavation for the walls and basement was soon completed. The walls were to be of red sandstone, rough ashler work, to about four feet above the ground and then of brick.
The stone for the foundation was drawn from an abandoned quarry on the west side of West Street, about opposite where Dr. James M. Pease now lives.
The stone for the rough ashler work, above the ground, was procured from the quarry at Sixteen Acres. The walls were all completed to four feet above the surface of the ground early in April. At the April town meeting, after a long discussion, the town voted to accept the work that had been done and to go on and complete it.
The meeting was continued to about nine o'clock in the evening when, some of the voters having gone home, a motion to reconsider prevailed, and it was voted not to build.
Weary with the long strife, those who favored the project gave it up, and we have no town hall'yet. A lawsuit was necessary before the contractor received pay for the work he had done, and it was about three years before the matter was settled.
The expense to the town was a little more than $3,000.
THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY
In March, 1870, the first horse-car was run on the street railway in Springfield, and in 1890, part of their system of street railways was equipped with electric motor cars and the use of horse power was discontinued as rapidly as possible and the "trolly" system adopted. The lines were gradually extended and, on September 17th, 1901, the electric cars began running regularly through the north part of our town. Efforts have been made by our citizens to have the line extended along Springfield Street to our centre village, and thence to North Wilbraham to connect with the present line there, but without
301
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
success so far. The Street Railway and Excise tax received by the town for the year ending February 22nd, 1913, was $4,518.15.
THE TELEPHONE
A private telephone line was constructed from North Wilbra- ham to our centre village by Dr. S. Foskit and the Wesleyan Academy, and was in use in 1880. About 1884, Dr. H. G. Webber made use of the line. The charge at first was about $30 per year, but about 1886 the price was raised to $100 per year. The subscribers declined to pay the charge and the telephones were removed.
In 1903, the public line was built and was in use about the middle of January, 1904.
On the 1st of January, 1914, there were about 106 subscribers on the several lines radiating from the "Collins House" at North Wilbraham, and the welcome tinkle of the "telephone call" is now heard in many of the homes throughout the entire territory of Wilbraham.
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