USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 32
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HAMPSHIRE EAST CONFERENCE.
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In October, 1867, a Sunday-school convention was organized in connec- tion with the conference, and continued thereafter. In 1874, it was voted that the conference recommend to the churches composing it that a collec- tion be taken up by each of them during the year in aid of the sustenative fund for aged and infirm ministers and their families. Oct. 26, 1875, a memorial was adopted addressed to the managers of the Centennial Expo- sition, against the opening of the exposition buildings on Sunday. Oct. 16, 1877, it was " Resolved, that we endorse the recommendation of the General Association at its meeting in 1876, that the churches employ at the sacrament of the supper the unfermented fruit of the vine." In October, ISSo, the church in Whately was dropped from the roll of the conference. In 18S2, the conference heard the report of Rev. Jason Hatch, an evan- gelist employed by the body to do mission work in outlying districts. In 1884, the committee on local evangelization were authorized to carry on their work in the hill towns at the east in such a way as seemed to them advisable, and to assess the necessary expense connected therewith upon the churches. The same year, a memorial was adopted, addressed to the Massachusetts Legislature, requesting that body to pass a law making it the duty of teachers in the public schools to give instruction respecting the evils of using intoxicants, and to make provision for text-books to be used in such study. In 1885, it was voted to send a special invitation to the Sunday-school meeting at Zion chapel to be represented at future meetings of Sunday-school conventions. A new constitution was adopted in IS86.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
EDUCATION IN AMHERST .- SCHOOL BUILDINGS .- SCHOOL DISTRICT REC- ORDS .- GRADING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- THE HIGH SCHOOL .- SUPERINTENDENTS AND TEACHERS .- SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS. -TERMS AND VACATIONS .- PRIVATE SCHOOLS .- MT. PLEASANT CLASSICAL INSTITUTE .- "AMHERST FEMALE ACADEMY."-OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
Amherst is known throughout the nation as an educational center. This distinction is due primarily to the work of its collegiate institutions, but that work has been ably supplemented by the instruction given in its public
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
and private schools. The schools established in Hadley Third Precinct soon after its first settlement were, probably, no better and no worse than those sustained by neighboring communities. It was not until Amherst Academy was founded, in 1812, that residents of Amherst turned their particular attention to educational development. It was nearly a half century later ere the public schools were graded, and the foundations laid for that system of free public education, in which the town has come to take such just pride. Of privately conducted educational institutions, Amherst has been the home of many during the century that is now draw- ing to a close. Some of these have passed away, leaving no records save in the deeds of those whose characters they helped to form ; others yet enjoy a prosperous existence. For obvious reasons, it is impossible to present here any complete or extended list of the "family schools," " boarding-schools," seminaries and other institutions for educational purposes that have flourished in Amherst from time to time. Careful investigation has secured the names, and fragments of information con- cerning some few of these private schools, and these are here presented. Of the public schools the records are more complete.
Of educational work as conducted in Amherst in the earlier years, a brief review has been given in a preceding chapter. The population being scattered over a wide extent of territory, there was a natural division into school districts, but no definite boundaries were assigned to these until 1792. In 1764, when the first school-houses were erected, there were but four districts, a "north," a " south," an "east middle " and " west middle." For many years these districts afforded adequate educational facilities for the inhabitants of the various sections of the town. In 1771, a new school was established at the West street in North Amherst. In 1784, the number of districts was increased to six. In 1838, there were eight districts in the town. In 1864, the town voted to abolish the school districts. Subsequent to the grading of the schools, in 1861, and largely due to that cause, the number of schools was greatly increased, and for many years the town supported not less than nineteen.
The early school-houses, like all buildings, public and private, of the times, were erected at the least expense possible. Such a thing as an attempt at ornamentation was unthought of. The buildings afforded protection from the heat of the summer's sun, and in winter, aided by wood-fires of generous proportion, from the season's cold. They had doors and windows, but no blinds or curtains to keep the sun from shining in the scholars' faces. A row of desks extended around three sides of the school- room, with other rows built across the center. In front of these desks were corresponding rows of wooden benches, generally without backs,
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hard as the nether millstone and worn smooth by the generations of boys and girls who found in them a support but not a rest. Both desks and benches bore witness to the decorative skill of the American boy aided by his jack knife. Scientific heating and ventilation were unknown, but the box-stoves gave forth a generous heat and the wind found ready access around the door and window-casings. The school-houses were frequently built at private expense and afterwards purchased by the town. In 1786, the town voted to allow a reasonable sum to the persons who had built a school-house in the north part of the town on the road leading to Sunder- land; also, to build a school-house in the north-east part of the town. In 1788, £30 was allowed for the school-house in the north-east part of the town. In 1790, it was voted to sell the school-house near Landlord Parsons' tavern at vendue, and to have but three schools in town the coming year. In 1791, it was voted to build two school-houses, one near the Second parish meeting-house, the other in the south part at East street. The appropri- ation made to pay the expense of these two buildings was {So, or some- thing like $200 for each. The following year, a vote was passed to erect a school-house in the South-west district, £40 being appropriated to meet the expense. In 1796, it was voted to build a school-house in the South- east district of the same dimensions as the one that had been burned ; also to build a school-house in the North-west district. Appropriations were made. for the former $300, for the latter $200. In 1798, it was voted to raise $300 for building or purchasing a school-house in the West Middle district. In the same year, later on, it was voted to build a school-house one story high and with two chimneys. In 1799, it was voted that the school-house in the East Middle district be moved to a more convenient spot. In 1804, a vote was passed to build a new school-house in the East Middle district, and in 1806, similar provision was made for the North-east district.
It was but natural that school-buildings erected at an average expense of from $200 to $300 should stand in need of frequent repairs, and serve their purpose but a few years ; yet it is not until a comparatively recent date that the town has thought advisable to spend more money in con- struction and less in repairs and rebuilding. The grading of the schools m 1861, and the establishment of a high school at the center village, tendered imperative the erection of new school-buildings. The school · report for the year ending March 1, 1861, states that high school bonds had been issued to the amount of $12,000, of which $9,500 had been sold tid the remainder were engaged. During the following year, the total unout expended on high and grammar school buildings was $12,836.70. In roq, when the district system was abolished, a committee of eight was
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appointed by the town to appraise the school-houses, lands and property belonging to the various school districts. In 1865, the school-house in District No. 4 (at the " City") was sold to the New London Northern rail- way company ; the following year, a new school-house was built in the district, at a cost, including land, of $1.221. In 1866, the school-house in District No. 3, at South Amherst, was remodeled at an expense of $680.44; during the same year, lightning-rods were placed on all the school buildings, the cost being $213.75.
At the annual town-meeting in March, 1866, the selectmen and school committee were authorized to confer with the trustees of Amherst Academy, and directed to report at a future meeting the expense of repairing the academy building, also to report the expense of other locations for school- houses. The academy trustees agreed to sell the real estate belonging to the academy to the town for $5,000, and to .appropriate the income from the sum received towards the support of a classical department in the town high school. The town willingly accepted this proposition ; in 1868, the old academy building was torn down, and the present Amity-street school-building erected. The cost to the town, as recorded in the annual reports, was, in 1868, $8,010 ; in 1869, $6,711.84. In 1870, a new school- house was erected in the North-west district at a cost of $8,ooo ; the old school-house had been sold to the North parish. In 1871, there were eleven school-houses owned by the town. In 1880, an addition was made to the high school building at a cost of $2,064.72, to accommodate a grammar school. In 1889, the building occupied by the North grammar and intermediate schools was burned. The schools were held for a time in the lecture-rooms of the Congregational and Methodist churches ; after- wards, the grammar school was installed in an unoccupied room in the brick school-house, and a new building was erected at the "City " at a cost of $1,924.82. The last, and one of the most notable additions to the school-buildings owned by the town, was made in 1894. Dec. 5, 1893, the school-house at East Amherst was burned ; at a town-meeting held Dec. 14, a building committee was chosen and instructed to procure plans and estimates for a new building. The committee reported at a meeting held Jan. 24, 1894 ; their report was accepted and they were authorized to erect a brick building, conforming to plans selected, at a cost not exceeding $7,600. The building was completed in readiness for use at the opening of the fall term in 1894, and its entire cost to the town amounted to $9,498.46.
Under the old system, the district stood for much the same in educa- tional and neighborhood matters as did the parish in ecclesiastical affairs. There was this important difference ; the parish assessed and collected its
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own taxes, while the school district expended the sums appropiated by the town, as well as those raised within its own limits.
From the records of the "West Middle" School district, beginning with the year 1826, the following facts are obtained : At a meeting held April 4, 1826, of the inhabitants of the West Middle School district, Artemas Thompson was chosen moderator and Luke Sweetser clerk and treasurer. A committee of five, consisting of William Boltwood, Chester Kellogg, Aaron M. Chandler, W. S. Howland and Elijah Boltwood, was chosen, to view land and ascertain where a suitable place could be had for erecting a school-house, and also to determine whether it would be expedient to erect a new house or repair the old one. At a meeting held April 25, it was voted to build a school-house. A committee was appointed to find the center of the district, having regard to scholars, assessment and distance, also to ascertain where and for how much land to build on might be secured. At a meeting held May 2, the district voted not to repair the old school-house. Voted, " that the district will not tax themselves for the purchase of land to build a school-house on." The district expressed willingness to purchase either the plot of land owned by S. F. Dickinson north of Col. Smith's, or the plot of land owned by David Parsons' heirs near Jacob Edson's. It was afterwards decided to purchase the land owned by Mr. Dickinson. Two committees were chosen to solicit subscriptions for the purchase of land.
May 16, the district voted to spend $25 from money appropriated for summer schools in repairing the old house sufficiently to use for school purposes. At a meeting held June 20, it was voted to build a school- house the present season, that the building should be of brick, two stories in height, and not exceeding 40 by 28 feet. Some of the residents in the district were dissatisfied with the proposed location of the school-building and appealed to the selectmen ; the latter decided that the house should stand on the land purchased. Dec. 25, the district voted to allow the bills presented by individuals and passed by the building committee. Sept. 3, 1827, it was voted to finish the upper story of the school-house, to paint the outside woodwork and whitewash the brick, to build a wood-house, dig a well and put a pump in the well. The prudential committee were authorized to dispose of the old building as they should think proper, but the latter vote was rescinded at a subsequent meeting. The land on which the old school-house stood was sold at auction to Nathan Dickinson for $42.50.
Jan. 17. 1839. it was voted not to unite with other districts to form a union school district. June 6, 1842, it was voted that $25 be assessed on the district, to purchase a library for the use of the schools. April 10, 1848,
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a committee appointed at a previous meeting reported in favor of erect- ing an additional building on the school-house land. April 17, it voted to divide the schools in the district. July 7, 1854, it was voted to unite with the Mill Valley district in providing a suitable place for holding the West high school, under the provisions of the vote passed by the town at its last annual meeting. The name of the district was changed from "West Middle " to " West Center " in 1842 ; after 1847 it was known as " District No. I." The last entry in the record book bears date May 2, 1864.
The records of the North-East School district, from 1826 to 1863, have been preserved and contain matter of interest. At the first recorded meeting held April 27, 1826, Daniel Dickinson served as moderator and clerk. May 5, 1826, Solomon K. Eastman was chosen treasurer and Peter Ingramı committee to superintend repairs upon the school-house. It was voted to raise $40 for repairs and to pay for a stove to be placed in the school-house. March 1, 1829, the district chose a prudential committee, highway surveyors, field-drivers, hog-reeves and surveyors of wood. To this list of officers there were added in subsequent years, surveyors of lumber, tythingmen, and a sexton. A committee of six was appointed, " whose duty it shall be to visit the winter school by at least two of their number once every two weeks during its continuance." At the annual meetings wood was purchased for the use of the schools, the amount needed being set up at auction and sold to the lowest bidder. The average price in the '30's was about $1.50 per cord, but there was a gradual increase yearly until in the '50's it reached $3.00 per cord. March 6, 1831, the district was so greatly pleased with the services of Miss E. Warner as teacher, instructions were given the district treasurer to pay her $6.50 in addition to her stated wages. Feb. 26, 1837, a committee was appointed to prosecute all persons who should damage the school-house in any way.
As early as 1838, the district began to consider the question of erect- ing a new school-house. There was the usual difficulty in deciding upon plans, and the place for erecting the building, as is shown by the following extracts from the records. March 2, 1838, a committee was appointed to prepare a plan for a school-house suitable for the district. Nov. 5 of the same year, a committee was appointed to examine the old house and see if it was worth repairing; if not, to draw plans for a new house, select a place to locate the same and make an estimate of the cost. At a meeting held Nov. 14, it was voted to build a new house and a committee of three was appointed to find a location. This vote was rescinded Nov. 23, and a vote passed to repair the old house. Feb. 8, 1839, the matter of forming a union district with the North-west district for maintaining a high school was considered and the proposition voted down, 84 to 19. Feb. 24, 1840,
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still another committee was appointed to decide on a site for a new school- house. Feb. 28, the district voted to build a new school-house provided a suitable location could be secured at reasonable expense. An offer was made to L. L. Draper of $75 for a piece of land upon his farm, but he declined to sell. March 4, it was voted to call on the selectmen to decide where the school-house should be placed. March 11, votes were passed to buy a piece of land of W. Roberts for $120, and to erect a school-house with two rooms. March 20, it was voted to build the house of brick, one story in height. The building was erected during the summer of 1840, and March 5, 1841, the old house was put up at auction and sold to Alvan Barnard for $34.
March 5, 1841, the district voted to raise and appropriate $25 for pur- chasing and establishing a school district library. Nov. 21, 1842, rules for the management and use of the library were adopted. Every family in the district was given the privilege of drawing one book from the library every second Monday, while every family having one or more members between the ages of 11 and 21 could draw two books. The head of the family was held responsible for the safe keeping, careful usage and return of these volumes. March 1, 1844, the district voted to allow Rufus Adams his proportionate share of the school money for schooling his children in the district in Leverett, near his home. April 9, 1851, a committee of conference between districts numbers 4 and 5 agreed that the first session of the North high school should be held in District No. 4, at the "City ", and the second in District No. 5, at the West street. At the same meeting it was voted to set out ornamental and shade trees on the school-house lot and to build a fence on the south and west sides. The last entry in the record book bears date of 1863.
The records of the North-west school district, from 1841 to 1862, are in existence and contain matters of general interest. In 1841, the district held several meetings to consider the matter of building a new school- house. It was voted first to build of wood, then of brick, then again of wood. Several locations were viewed and priced, and each in turn rejected. .An attempt was made to procure money by subscription to build, in con- nection with the school-house, a hall, to be used for singing-schools, lectures and other public events. In 1842, it was voted to raise $20 for the purpose of purchasing and establishing a school district library. The district reserved $5 to fit up a place for keeping the library, and voted a salary of $6 per year to the librarian. The district succeeded in getting its new « hool-house built in 1845. and voted, July 14, to let Mr. S. V. White have the use of it the coming fall, for a select school, for $12. The building committee was authorized to put a bell upon the house, providing the
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expense should be defrayed by subscription. At a meeting held in 1846, a committee was appointed to exchange the district library for that of some other district. It was also voted to lay on the table an article to see whether the district would let its hall for a dancing school. In 1847, a committee was appointed to have charge of the hall, and instructed to let the same " when they can get anything for it." In 1851, committees from the North-west and North-east districts concurred in recommending that the fall session of the North high school be held in the school-house of the North-east district, and the winter session of the school in the school- house of the North-west district. In 1853, the district appointed a com- mittee to take action to procure pay for the wood burned by the high school that belonged to the common school, and also instructed the hall committee " not to let the high school in the hall the coming winter." The latter vote was rescinded at a meeting held later, and it was voted "to let the high school in the hall this winter, and the high school to make good all the damedge that is done to the same by the high school." In 1861, it was voted unanimously not to favor the abolition of the school districts in town. The records of other school districts of the town may be in existence, but careful investigation has failed to discover them ; the foregoing will serve to show as fully as desirable the nature of the district organizations, and the character of the business transacted at their . meetings.
Soon after 1840, the question of grading the public schools in Amherst began to be agitated. At the outset the proposal encountered strenuous opposition. many believing that the peculiar outline of the town, the extent of its territory, and its division into a number of distinct settle- ments would render the proposed system inadvisable if not impracticable. Yet the old system of "mixed " schools had little to recommend it. The grouping of pupils from five to twenty years of age, and differing more in educational attainments than in years. in one school and under the instruc- tion of one teacher, was little calculated to afford desirable results. In the smaller districts, nearly every pupil might with justice be placed in a separate class, and the multiplication of classes and of studies rendered it impossible for the teacher to do full justice by any.
From instruction in the primer to that in higher mathematics was a step no teacher could take at a moment's notice, and do full justice to himself or to his pupils. It was not until 1860, that the town voted to adopted the graded system in its public schools, and not until the follow- ing year was the work of examining and classifying the pupils undertaken and successfully carried out. The school committee in 1861 consisted of Rev. Charles L. Woodworth, Rev. George Cooke and Dr. D. B. N. Fish.
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The town contained at the time between 700 and Soo pupils of school age .. The task involved in the examination of each pupil and in assigning each to the proper grade required time and patience as well as keen intelligence. The problem was complicated by the fact that, as in all communities, many of the older pupils were not qualified to join the advanced grades, causing dissatisfaction among their parents. That the work was done, and well done, is to the lasting credit of the town and its committee.
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The committee, in their report to the town on the matter of grading the schools, submitted at the annual meeting in 1862, say : " The classifi- cation which has been adopted in the schools, as now organized, is similar to what is practiced in most of the towns of the Commonwealth, in which the schools are graded. * Our standards of examination and class rank will, if well maintained, give us a highly creditable position, and secure to our schools a range of educational advantages as comprehensive and complete as can be found in any of our towns." The committee established one high school, four grammar schools, four intermediate schools and eight primary schools, into which were admitted, at the first, 764 scholars, of whom eight were residents in other towns. The high school, two grammar, one intermediate and one primary were located at the center ; one grammar, one intermediate and three primary at South Amherst ; one grammar, one intermediate and two primary at North Amherst, one primary and one intermediate at East Amherst and one primary at Mill Valley. To the high school grade, 31 pupils were admitted ; to the grammar school, 133 ; to the intermediate school, 195 ; to the primary school, 397. From the center and East Amherst, there were 91 pupils in high and grammar schools, from North Amherst 50, from South Amherst 23. In the intermediate schools, at the center and East Amherst, there were 99 pupils ; at North Amherst, 53 ; at South Amherst, 43. In the primary schools, at the center and East Amherst, there were 195 pupils ; at North Amherst, 103 ; at South Amherst, 99. The average age of pupils admitted to the grammar school grade was 14 years, to the high school grade 17 ..
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