USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Woburn > The history of Woburn, Middlesex County, Mass. from the grant of its territory to Charlestown, in 1640, to the year 1680 > Part 40
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"3d. We also recommend that the Holy Bible should be read once each day by such Class as is capable of reading the same, and such parts selected, at the discretion of the Master, as may best suit the age and capacity of the children.
" We also recommend to the use of the Schools the following Books, Viz .- Perry's Spelling Book and Grammar ; Webster's In-
13 Town Records, Vol. LX., p. 438.
14 Town Records, Vol. XII., pp. 66, 68.
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
stitntes, Third Part ; The Children's Friend, Ladies' Accidence, Art of Speaking, Morse's Geography abridged, last edition : one or all of them, as can be made convenient to the Parents, Masters and Children : the mode of teaching them to be left with each Master.
"To such as study Latin we recommend the following Books : viz. Cheever's Accidence, or the Philadelphia Latin Grammar ; Corderius' Colloquies ; Æsop's Fables ; Entropius, Castalio's Latin Testament, Ward's Latin Grammar; Clark's Introduction to making Latin ; Virgil, and Tully ; Greek Grammar and Greek Tes- tament. We also recommend Pike's, Fenning's, Fisher's, or Bonny- castle's Arithmetic ; and to the upper Class, an attention to Eng- lish Composition, once each week or fortnight, as may best suit the convenience of the Master.
"4. We also recommend Jenk's [Jenkin's?] Art of Writing, to be pursued as far as possible by each Master In his School, as being the most easy, concise and plain method ever published. We wish also due attention may be paid to the Paper, Pens and Ink of each Scholar; as 'tis of more consequence that they should be good at the commencement of their writing than when further advanced.
"Fly. We recommend the School to be Classed at the discretion of the Master. We also wish to shew our disapprobation of Corporal punishments ; and recommend as a substitute, Public Admonition, degradation to the bottom of the Class ; and if they continue refractory & stubborn, after all measures are used, we recommend a dismission of such Scholars from the School for such time as the Master may direct, and not [to be] again admitted, unless by a written confession in open School, and a promise of amendment.
" Gly. We recommend that the Catechism be taught in School once a week, especially the Commandments, with their several explanations.
"7ly. We also would recommend, that the Selectmen provide [for] the poor Scholars in each School, Paper, Pens, Ink and Books, at the charge of the Town, if they are poor Orphans, or Children of such Parents, who are unable to provide for them ; so that each Child may have the advantage of a free School, and be made useful to himself and others.
" Sly. We recommend a visitation of the respective Schools by
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
the Ministers of the Town, the School Committee, and the Select- men, on the day previous to each Master's finishing his respective School ; notice being given them by the respective Masters : at which time [there shall be] an Examination of the Scholars, and specimens exhibited of their several acquirements in knowledge, and a Journal of the behaviour of each Scholar shall be shewn by the Master, who shall keep a Book for that purpose : and the Visiting Committee shall give such marks of approbation and dis- approbation as they shall think proper. . . We think a measure of this kind would have a good effect on Master and pupils.
" We earnestly wish the interest, welfare and happiness of the rising Generation : and submit the preceding recommendations to the consideration of the town.
" LOAMMI BALDWIN JOSEPH BARTLETT ZEB. WYMAN REUBEN KIMBALL JOHN WALKER SAMUEL SARGEANT
Committee."
" The Town Voted to accept the above Report : and that the Town Clerk shall Record said Report in the Town Book of Records of Town Meetings; and that the Town Clerk furnish each School master with a copy of said Report at the opening of the Schools, and that each Master shall return said copy to the Town Clerk at the close of his School." 15
On the same day that the above report was read and accepted. viz : May 7, 1792, there was likewise appointed a committee to divide the town into school districts. This committee reported May 28th, as follows :
REPORT, ETC.
" The Committee appointed to divide the Town of Woburn into School Districts, have attended that business, and Report as fol- lows : viz.
" That the whole of the Grammar School be kept in the School house nigh the Meeting house in each Parish in said Town, and to be proportioned according to the sum that each Parish may pay towards the town taxes. Also that there be a School District,
13 Town Records, Vol. XII., pp. 73, 75, 76.
3G*
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
agreeable to a Petition of Mr Josiah Walker and others, to consist of the following persons within the Lines of said District, here mentioned, Viz. James Walker, William Abbot, Isaac Marion, Dea. Timothy Winn, Ensign Timothy Winn, John Kendall, Lt. Joseph Winn, Timothy Winn 3d. William Young, John Bruce jun., Bill Center, Josiah Walker, Josiah Walker jun., Nathan Pierce, Jona- than Tyler, John Bruce, Renben Johnson, Nathan Simonds, Ebene- zer Cummings, Ezra Wyman, Thomas Gleason and Jeremiah Winn." 16 Also that the Districts called Richardson's Row, Button End, and New Bridge, extend and include the same as they formerly have done. Also the West District extend and include the same as formerly, excepting those who are included in Josiah Walker's District. Also that the Second Parish draw out of the Town Treas- ury their proportion of the money assessed for supporting the Schools, in the same proportion as they pay towards the Town Tax, and to be divided into two equal parts (all excepting that part which is or may be appropriated to keep the Grammar School, as afore- said, and those who belong to Walker's District) ; said money to be laid out in the two School Houses proposed to be erected, one for the North District, near the South end of the lane leading to Wilmington by William Carter's ; the other at or near Joshua Ken- dall's, at a place called the Wood Market. Also that the other Districts draw their money out of said Town Treasury, according as they pay towards the town taxes, and lay said money out for Schooling, as the Law directs, and agreeably to the direction of the Town."
" ZEBEDIAN WYMAN r JOSEPH BROWN JOHN WALKER JOSIAH PARKER JAMES REED JESSE DEAN SAMUEL THOMPSON
Committee. 17
Woburn 28th. May, 1792."
Finally, to perfeet its arrangements in regard to Schools, the town built in 1794 and the year following, nine new school-
16 Town Records, Vol. XII., p 74. To this district It was voted, May 6, 1794, to add Mr. Samuel Walker, Benjamin Wyman, John Flagg, Jesse Russel, Robert Douglas, and David Cummings. Town Records, Vol. XII., p. 143.
17 Town Records, Vol. XII., p. 74.
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
houses, one in each of the recently formed districts, at a cost of £580, or $1,933} in all. At its meeting in March 1794, a committee of nine, or one for each district, was chosen for this purpose among others, to view the school-houses which then were, and to estimate the expense of repairing them, or of building new ones, in the several districts. 18 This committee, consisting of Capt. Joseph Bartlett, Mr. Josiah Parker, Lieut. Jeduthan Richardson, Mr. Elijah Leathe, Jr., Mr. Abijah Thomp- son, Mr. Timothy Winn, Jr., Capt. James Reed, Ensign Jesse Dean, and Col. John Walker, reported at May meeting that year as follows: " We recommend to the Town to raise the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, in addition to the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds which was voted [for Schooling] at March meeting, to be appropriated to build School houses in the several Districts." They also recommended to the town, that each district should pay for its schooling that year by sub- scription ; and that this sum of three hundred pounds, when raised, should be appropriated in the following manner, viz :
" The first Parish middle District to have £55. 0. 0. The second Parish middle District to have 45. 0. 0 The West Side 40. 5.0 Richardson's Row 28:17:6
New Bridge 27:17:6
Button End
25: 0:0
Lt. Joseph Winn's [District]
66
25: 0:0
Capt. James Reed
26:10:0
Lt. Jesse Dean
26:10:0
£300:00:0"19
In compliance with this recommendation, the town voted to raise the £300 for the purpose designated in the report. It also appointed the same gentlemen to be a committee to super- intend the erection of the school-houses, cach in his own dis- triet ; to see that the work was completed; and that a deed to
1ª Town Records, Vol. XII., p. 137.
19 Town Records, Vol. XII., pp. 143, 144. Supposing that the £300 raised in May 1795, to complete the school-houses, was appropriated in the several districts in the same propor- t lon as the above, each school-house would cost just double what was first estimated It would.
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
the town of the land on which each school-house stood should be obtained.19
But the people, in their zeal and hurry for building the new school-houses, overlooked or neglected making provision by subscription, as the committee had recommended, for the support of schooling that year. In consequence of this neglect, the town was presented the next year (1795) by the Grand Jury for not complying with the requirements of the law on this head. To avert the penalty in such cases imposed, or to pro- cure the remission or abatement of it, Capt. Joseph Bartlett was employed as agent for the town, to attend the Court at Concord, and there to plead the expense the town had incurred in building school-houses, etc., etc., during the time it was pre- sented, in palliation of its neglect to fulfil the requirements of the law ; but how he succeeded in his agency is not known.20
In the mean while, the building of the new school-houses went on. At May meeting, 1795, the building committee reported, that, in their estimation, it would cost £280 more than had been granted for the purpose in May 1794, to complete them. Whereupon, the town voted £300 " for the purpose of finishing said School houses." It was also voted, if any surplus remained of the £300, above the cost of finishing the school-houses, it should be appropriated to support schooling in them the present year (in addition to the £100 raised in April for the same use) ; and that the building committee should also be " the committee to provide schooling in the several districts the present year." 20
And now the public schools in Woburn, being provided with every needful accommodation, and under the favorable influence of the new regulations, began to flourish as they never had before. And, although for a little while they were checked in their progress by the incorporation of the Second Parish as a distinct town, in 1799, yet they speedily surmounted that obsta- cle in their onward course. Parents have since showed a livelier interest for the education of their children than they
19 Town Records, Vol. XII., p. 143.
N Town Records, Vol. XII., p. 195.
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
formerly exhibited, and have made more liberal grants of money for the promotion of this excellent end. Hence their schools have been multiplied in number; the terms of time which they were wont to be kept have been prolonged; and their children have enjoyed far superior advantages, and more enlarged means and opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge than they heretofore have been accustomed to. And as the town itself has of late years surprisingly increased both in population and in wealth, so there has been a marked and a very rapid pro- gress in its schools, both in the number of their pupils, and in the privileges of instruction which they have afforded.
In this connection, while treating of the public schools of Woburn, it seems an appropriate time and place to give some account of Warren Academy, situate in the midst of it.
This important institution of learning derives its name as well as being from its munificent founder, Isaac Warren, Esq., of Charlestown. That benevolent gentleman, after much delib- eration how he might bestow a portion of the wealth, which a kind Providence had put into his hands, so as best to promote the glory of the Giver, and the good of his fellow-men, came at length to the conclusion, that he could in no way do more for the advancement of these ends, than by making a donation for the establishment of an institution " for the Literary, Moral and Religious Instruction of Youth :" and Woburn was selected by him for the site of this institution, because it was then dis- tinguished by a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God, and an extensive, powerful revival of evangelical religion.
Under the influence of this conclusion, Mr. Warren was led to procure a meeting, February 21, 1827, at the house of his pastor, Rev. Warren Fay of Charlestown, where, in his own presence, and that of Rev. Messrs. Fay and Joseph Bennett of Woburn, the preliminaries of the designed institution were drawn up and agreed upon. After prayer to God, it was there determined to found an academy at Woburn, on the principles of the gospel, denominated " Orthodox or Calvinistic;" intend- ing that it should always be under the instruction of pious Cal-
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
vinistic teachers; and that no others should ever be em- ployed. 21
" A compact was then drawn up, including the form of a sub- scription paper, and stipulating that the three persons above named, Isaac Warren Esq"., Rev. Warren Fay, and Rev. Joseph Bennett, and also the Hon Samuel Hubbard [of Boston] should have the right and power of appointing such persons to be associated with them as Trustees, and forming such bye laws and regulations for the benefit of the Academy, as in the first instance they should think proper." 22
Then, at the time and place above named, Isaac Warren, Esq., subscribed five thousand dollars, on condition that five thousand dollars more should be obtained; and this required sum was secured by the special exertions of Rev. Mr. Bennett, chiefly from among the inhabitants of Woburn.
The Trustees first organized, May 31, 1827, when they chose Isaac Warren, Esq., chairman, Rev. Warren Fay, secretary, and Rev. Joseph Bennett, treasurer. The same day, the Board of Trustees was enlarged by the choice of Benjamin Wyman, Esq., and Capt. Joseph Gardner, both of Woburn; and September 19, 1829, by the choice of Rev. Aaron Warner of Medford.
In pursuance of votes passed by the Trustees at several suc- cessive meetings, subsequently to the above, a building suitable for an Academy was erected on the eminence, since known as Academy Hill, and finished in 1827 or 1828; a preceptor was appointed for one year; the terms of tuition were fixed at four dollars per quarter, except in the case of beneficiaries of the American Education Society, who, it was voted, should receive instruction at the academy gratis; a system of by-laws, pro-
?) To secure the future compliance with thisvote more effectually, it was voted at the annual meeting, August 21, 1835, "That the Trustees intend to sustain the principles on which this Seminary was founded, and to employ none but ' plous Calvinistic Instructors ;' and that it be understood as established in this Board for all future time, that its character shall be Evangelical or Calvinistic; and none but those of the above mentioned religions views shall be eligible to membership in this Board." - (Academy Records.)
12 Academy Records.
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
posed by Rev. Mr. Fay, was adopted, and ordered to be recorded; and the Legislature of Massachusetts was petitioned for an act of incorporation, which was granted, March 10, 1830, and accepted by the Trustees, April 24th, of the same year.22
By the Act of Incorporation it was ordered, that the number of the trustees should never exceed eleven, nor be less than five, at any one time : and the trustees were empowered to fill their own vacancies; to choose their own officers ; to hold funds, to a certain amount, for the benefit of the academy; and to make by-laws and regulations for their own government, and that of the institution under their care.
The by-laws and rules approved and adopted previously to the Act of Incorporation, or subsequently to it, provided
1. That there should be " four vacations in the academy annu- ally, commencing on the Monday next preceding the last Wednes- day of May. August, November, and February. The vacations commencing in May, August and November shall be two weeks each, and the one in February one week."
2. That there should be a stated meeting of the trustees annually, to be held in the town of Woburn ; beside special meetings, that might be called by the Committee of Arrangements. The stated meeting was originally held at the close of the summer term: In 1850, it was ordered to be held at the close of the fall term ; but in 1863, the old arrangement was reverted to.
3. That the officers of the institution should be elected annually at the stated meeting.
4. That there should be, at the stated meeting of the trustees, a publie examination of the students of the academy, on which occasion, prayer was to be offered, and an address delivered by one of the trustees previously appointed. There were also to be examina- tions of the students by the examining committee before the vaca- tion in May and November.
5. The students were required to attend the devotional exercises in the academy on week days, and public worship on the Sabbath.
6. They were forbidden to go out of town in term time without the consent of parent or preceptor ; to enter into any enclosure without the permission of the owner ; to frequent taverns, to use profane language, to practice games of chance, etc., etc.
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
7. The preceptor was directed to read the Holy Scriptures and to offer prayer in the academy morning and evening ; to appoint, with the advice of the examining committee, the exercises of the school, and the books to be studied ; to maintain over the students a constant supervision, in school and out ; to give them kind and faithful advice for direction, or in forming their habits, manners, and deportment ; and habitually to seek their highest intellectual improvement, their increase in "religious knowledge, and the advancement of their spiritual and immortal interests." 22
On Wednesday, June 27, 1838, the academy building was consumed by fire. This at the time, was reputed to be the work of an incendiary. But though a reward of a hundred dollars was offered for the detection of the person or persons who perpetrated the crime, and though several individuals were ex- amined in regard to it, yet no one was ever proved to have been concerned in the commission of it.
A committee was specdily appointed to examine the ruins, who. reported it expedient to rebuild the old walls, as they stood, beginning a few feet from the top. This report was accepted ; a building committee was chosen; and so rapidly, under its direction, did the work of reconstruction proceed, that the new building was ready for occupation by December follow- ing; and the academy, in the course of that month, was opened anew with appropriate exercises, especially with an address, by previous appointment, from Rev. Dr. Fay.22
In the mean while, Rev. Mr. Bennett, who had been appointed and requested to solicit donations in aid of the institution, (especially to replace the philosophical apparatus, destroyed by the fire,) was so successful in his efforts to this end, as to raise above $1,400 by subscription, besides books. Of the money thus generously contributed, it was voted to lay out five hundred dollars upon the purchase of a suitable philosophical apparatus ; and a committee consisting of Rev. Dr. Fay, Rev. Joseph Bennett and George W. Warren, Esq., of Charlestown, was chosen for the purpose. The treasurer also was directed to procure a plain clock for the school-room.22
By the sale in 1857, of the boarding house, and of land at-
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
tached to it, "the invested funds of the Institution were ma- terially increased, and the means of its usefulness were pro- portionably enlarged." And hence the committee on lands, etc., chosen in 1856, and consisting of Gen. A. Thompson, Rev. E. W. Clark, Rev. J. Edwards, George W. Warren, Esq., and Deacon Thos. Richardson, took occasion to report at the an- nual meeting of the board, November 20, 1857, that " while the principal of the fund should be kept good, it is desirable that the income of the fund should be principally employed in putting the Academy building and Grounds around in complete order; in providing in the Building a Room for the Meetings of the Trustees; and also in making an annual addition to the Library and Philosophical Apparatus."
And bearing in mind, " that this new accession to the Fund of the Trustees has been almost wholly derived from the sale of the Boarding House and appurtenances, which was the donation of Isaac Warren Esq. the founder of the Institution, and in addition to his original subscription, both of which were made in his lifetime: It seems highly proper, that the Trustees should provide for a permanent memorial of him, to be placed in the proposed Trustees' room, as a mark of respect to his memory, and in token of his beneficence to this Institution.
" The Committee therefore unanimously propose the adoption of the votes herewith subjoined.
"For the Committee,
G. WASH" . WARREN."
" Voted, That this Committee be authorized, at such time as they may deem proper, to put the Academy Building in complete repair ; to provide a cellar and furnace for the same ; to provide and furnish a room for the use of the Trustees ; and to grade and ornament the grounds about the building in a suitable manner.
" Voted, That in grateful recognition of the liberal endowment inade by Isaac Warren, Esq., the founder of this Institution, the President be requested and authorized to procure on behalf of the Board, a Marble Bust of him, to be placed in the Trustees,. room.
37
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
" On motion made, it was voted to accept and adopt the above Report and the accompanying Votes." 22
List of Preceptors of the Academy.
1828. Mr. Alfred W. Pike.
1831. Mr. Jarvis Gregg.
1831, Sept. 23. Mr. Cyrus Holmes.
1836, Aug. 26. Mr. A. K. Hathaway.
1842. Rev. A. P. Chute.
1846. Mr. Abner Rice. - Mr. Osgood Johnson. Had resigned, Nov. 16, 1853.
1853. Mr. J. J. Ladd.
1859. Mr. E. W. Stone.
1861. Mr. D. W. Sanborn.
1865. Mr. William A. Stone, M. A.
At the Annual Meeting, August 4, 1865, the Board of Trustees was com- posed as follows :
Gen. Abijah Thompson, Esq., admitted 1834. Treasurer.
George W. Warren, Esq., 1835. President.
Rev. Joseph L. Bennett, 1852.
Dea. Thomas Richardson, 1854.
Hon. Horace Conn,
1856.
Rev. J. B. Miles,
1856.
Rev. R. T. Robinson,
1856.
Rev. Joseph C. Bodwell, D. D.,
1862.
Ephraim Cutter, M. D.,
1863. Secretary.
Dea. John R. Kimball, 1865.
Rev. Elihu P. Marvin,
1865.
Rev. Melanethon G. Wheeler, 1865.
Several of the former Members of the Board (as Rev. Aaron Warner) have resigned in consequence of a change of residence; and to others who have deceased, merited tributes of respect have been paid, as follows : To Rev. Joseph Bennett, August 16, 1848. To Capt. Joseph Gardiner, Novem- ber 19, 1858; and to Dr. Benjamin Cutter (for thirty years Secretary) June 18, 1864.
In 1799, an important division of Woburn was effected, viz : the separation of the Second Parish from the First, and its incorporation by the General Court as a distinct town, by the name of Burlington. Attempts for this end had been repeatedly made before, viz : in January, 1733-4, only three years after the incorporation of the parish; and, again, in 1774 and in 1782; 23 but they had all been defeated by the timely and decided oppo-
w l'arish Records, Vol. I., p. 51; Vol. II., pp. 110, 170, 171.
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HISTORY OF WOBURN.
sition of the First Parish. But the measure aimed at in these successive efforts was carried at last. The motion for this pur- pose commenced in this, as in all the preceding instances, in the precinct. At a parish meeting, May 29, 1797, it was
" 1st. Voted unanimously, to take measures to obtain a divi- sion of the town of Woburn, so that the Second Parish in said town might be incorporated into a separate town.
" 2ly. Voted, to choose a Committee of seven persons, who are directed to take such measures as shall appear to them reason- able and proper to obtain said separation. The Committee chosen were
" JOHN WALKER, ESQ., ENSIGN TIMOTHY WINN,
CAPT. REUBEN KIMBALL, MR. EDWARD WALKER,
CAPT. JOHN WOOD, MR. JOHN CALDWELL,
MAJ. JOHN RADFORD.
" 3ly. Voted that the above persons be a Committee, and are directed to collect the minds of all the qualified voters in said Parish, respecting a separation of said town of Woburn."
At an adjournment of the meeting to June 1st, P. M., two more persons were added to the Committee above named, viz : Capt. James Reed and Mr. James Walker.
" 4ly. Voted that the above Committee of nine persons be directed to petition the General Court of this Commonwealth jointly, or by any one or more of them, in behalf of said Parish, and to take and use all reasonable and lawful measures to obtain the object above mentioned. Also voted that the above men- tioned nine persons be a Committee to make and receive in behalf of said Parish such proposals as they may judge proper and expedient respecting said separation.
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