USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Corinna > A brief history of Corinna, Maine, from its purchase in 1804 to 1916 > Part 5
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Among the early residents, besides those already mentioned, at whose homes the children gathered to attend school were Seth Knowles and Benja- min P. Winchester. The first school- house built in Corinna was near the residence of Mr. Knowles. It contained a large fireplace and the boys cut the green logs which were burned in it.
Webster's Spelling book and Pike's or Daboll's Arithmetic, were the most common text books used.
Christopher Page was one of the early teachers. In later years, Robert Knowles and Levi Lucas of St. Albans were among the most noted teachers. Mr. Knowles enjoyed a wide reputation in this section as a mathematician. He was the first station agent after the Maine Central railroad built the branch through to Dexter.
In 1833, the number of scholars was 575, and the available school funds were 841/2 cents per scholar.
It is interesting to note some of the expenditures of the school board for that year: District No. 1, "Paid Au- gutus Smith, $26 for teaching, number of scholars, 56." District No. 2, "Paid Eliza Rich, $10 for teaching. Paid for boad of mistress, $9.60. Paid John D. Smith, $14," and, again, "Paid $8.75. Paid Harrison G. O. Weston, $20.23 for teaching, number of scholars, 68. District No. 7, (Corinna Villa ze), paid Rebecca Hinds, $12 for teaching. Paid James Hawes for board of mistress, $12.96, number of scholars, 85." An- other item was the amount of $1.50 paid to Rev. David Steward for carry- ing school mistress home.
The old brick schoolhouse at Morse's Corner is one of the landmarks of the town and has sent out its full quota of men and women who have stood for what is best in public and private life. It was built by the first generation of
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
MORSE'S CORNER OLD SCHOOLHOUSE 1180119
Corinna's settlers and has been in almost constant use since until within a very few years when the small num- ber of pupils in the district rendered it advisable to discontinue the school there.
Corinna Union Academy.
In a catalogue of Corinna Union academy published by the trustees in the year 1871-72, is the following his- tory signed by D. Stewart:
"In the spring of 1851 Dr. Jacob S. Elliott, Dr. P. M. Fisher, Isaiah H. Lincoln, Esq., James Hawes, Esq., and Horace Wentworth, headed a sub- scription for the twofold purpose of building a house, and for securing a permanent fund for the future use of the school. The house was built and ready for a school in September of that year.
"In the winter of 1852 the trustees obtained a charter of incorporation from the legislature, and the institu- tion became the child of the state, but was left by its Alma Mater to strug- gle on as best it could till 1861, when one-fourth of a township of timber- land was donated by the state. For
this liberality from the state we are chiefly indebted to the indefatigable efforts of Dr. Benson of Newport, then a senator from Penobscot county in the legislature of that winter. Our schools, with few exceptions, have been a success. From the halls of
our institution have gone forth a goodly number of Maine's best school teachers, besides the many gone to other states, to do us credit. So say the numerous reports that reach us from abroad. We have had a large share of good teachers in our school, but the year just closed, under Prof. D. H. Sherman, in point of numbers and efficiency of teaching, has ex- celled any school we ever had be- fore."
An Academy Established.
As Corinna grew in size and impor- tance as a settlement, the interest in its school system increased until somo of the more thoughtful of its citizens felt the necessity of a higher school training for their children and deter- mined upon the establishment of an academy. Accordingly they pledged themselves to pay a sum of money towards the erection of a building and maintainance of teaching, and Corinna Union Academy was founded. That was in the early part of 1851. The first recorded meeting was April 29, 1851.
The following committee was chosen to erect a building: Jacob S. Eliot, James Hawes, Jotham S. Pratt.
The first board of trustees chosen was: J. S. Eliot, P. M. Fisher, Jr., James Hawes, P. M. Fisher, Horace Wentworth, Jotham S. Pratt, Isaiah Lincoln, David Jones, Campbell Bach- elder. Mr. Eliot was chosen president
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
and P. M. Fisher, Jr., secretary of the board.
Two funds were started, teaching and building, and the subscriptions totaled $2,339, not including five casks of lime, donated by one townsman.
Paul Fisher Jr., served as secretary of the trustees until he left town, June 12, 1852, at which time his father, Dr. P.
M. Fisher, became
secretary and served until April 25, 1857, Later he was secretary from June 8 till July 6, 1861.
L. F. Ireland, F. E. Day, O. L. Jones, Dr. F. L. Redman, G. H. Young, C. T. Moses, J. H. Winchester, Dr. A. K. P. Smith, H. D. Ridlon, B. A. Smith.
Teachers and Salaries.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Walker were the first teachers of the school. They were followed not long after by Hon. Llewellyn Powers, who later became governor of Maine. Unfortunately the records do not give a complete
CORINNA UNION ACADEMY
Trustees.
The trustees elected to fill vacancies were as follows: Campbell Bachelder, Isaiah Lincoln, Sumner Burrill, Nathan J. Robinson, J. H. Sawyer, John G. Emery, David Steward, Benjamin C. Moor, T. R. Gardner, Luther Young, Nathaniel Mullikin, Volney A. Sprague, James M. Footman, John M. Rack- liffe, Dr. John Benson (Newport), Mark F. Hamilton, Joel Young Dr John Billings, William w. Nutter, Elam P. Burrill, Anson Fisher, Eld. I. Damon; Sumner B. Titcomb, J. T. House, Dr. A. H. Richardson, Liba Jones, J. P. Nelson, A. R. Ireland, James H. Burgess, A. J. Richardson, J. P. Tash, Joseph Smith, P. J. Curtis, Henry Young, Joel C. Pease, Edwin Folsom, F. E. Sprague, A. M. Burton, M. P. Hamilton, J. H. Shepherd, W. I. Wood, C. A. Gray, A. R. Day, Hon. D. F. Davis, Bangor, honorary member, Hon. C. C. Burrill, Ellsworth, honorary member, A. R. Day, Bangor, honorary member, Will I. Burrill, J. C. Smith,
list of the teachers. Prominent among them were Prof. Sawyer and Prof Sherman.
On May 14, 1853, It was voted to have a fall and a spring term provided they could secure a teacher "for tui- tions only." The committee appointed to hire the teacher was James Hawes, Jacob S. Eliot and Paul M. Fisher. At a meeting dated "Jan. 2, 1854, at one of the clock P. M.," the above vote was reconsidered and it was voted to procure a teacher for the spring terni provided not more than $40 be used from the school fund.
April 29, 1854, it was voted to pay Mr. Chickering $33.50 for teaching the spring term. At the same meeting it was voted to pay out of the school fund interest not more than $50 per year for teaching.
April 28, 1855, it was voted to pay J H. Sawyer for a bell rope, $3.25, and for teaching, $50 up to Sept. 1, 1855. Aug. 18, 1855, it was voted that J. H. Sawyer teach the fall and the spring term on condition that if he
37
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
taught only the fall term he should have what he made from tuition, but if he taught both terms, he should re- ceive an additional $25 at the close of the spring term.
In September, 1855, Jacob S. Eliot resigned as treasurer of the board and Benjamin C. Moor was elected to suc- ceed him.
May 3, 1856, it was voted that the terms should be 12 weeks each. This term length was extended two weeks each at the trustee meeting of the "First Saturday of August, 1856." The tuition was "28 cents, 30 cents and 33 cents per week, according to the studies pursued."
At this meeting it was voted "That David Stewart and Paul M. Fisher be a committee to make arrangements for lectures at the Academy on Wednes- day evening of each week during the term and also to invite gentlemen and ladies to attend the examination of the school near the close of each term and make such remarks as the individuals invited may deem proper."
The secretary was authorized to ad- vertise the school in "The Gem" (Gem Gazette), and The Jeffersonian (The Commercial).
April 25, 1857, it was voted to ray David Stewart's expenses to Augusta to intercede for a donation for the school, a sum of $6.25.
Dec. 15, 1857, Volney A. Sprague was chosen secretary in place of Dr. Fisher, who was then out of the state.
Academy Grants.
The legislature of 1861 donated to the four academies at Corinna, Mon- mouth, Limington and Monson one township of land, Dr. John Benson was appointed a committee to confer with representatives of other three academies.
Isaiah Lincoln, Campbell Bachelder and Volney Sprague were authorized to sell the one-fourth township given to Corinna Union academy.
March 30, 1864, it was voted by the trustees to give J. H. Sawyer $30 to pay rent for a house provided he move to Corinna. April 12, 1866, Dr. John Benson moved the following resolu- tion: "That the confidence of this board in the faithfulness and untiring devotion of J. H. Sawyer as principal of this academy, remains unabated, and we hereby tender to him our thanks for the special interest he has manifested during the present term. for the welfare of his pupils as well as the care of buildings." Rev. David Steward then moved, "That we donate $20 to Mr. Sawyer out of the money in the treasury, not otherwise appro- priated, as a further compensation for his services last year.
Benj. C. Moore became secretary of the board March 24, 1869.
Uncle Ben Moor was closely allied to the interests of Corinna Academy dur- ing its early days and was also asso- ciated with the home lives of many of its pupils. It was then customary for the village people to board the students and Uncle Ben's rooms were always taken. He lived where Warren Knowles now lives. There were study hours then as now and the young men were strictly forbidden calling on the young ladies during those hours. Several of the young ladies rented a large room at Mr. Moor's house, and because the old gentleman was inclined to be slow of hearing as well as slow of motion, the young people often held secret gather- ings at his home after study hours and have been known to escape through the window when discovery seemed imminent. Mr. Moor was a favorite with the young people.
Oct. 20, 1868, the board voted to pay T. W. Parker $13 for the fall term. The following spring term they paid Mr. Warrin $30, and for the board of the teacher during the fall of 1870, $53.75.
Prof. D. H. Sherman stands out as one of the most prominent of the acad- emy's faculty and as one of the most eccentric also. He was a man of su- perior education and intelligence, an author of text books, quite an author- ity in astronomy which was a favorite study, a natural born teacher. He built up the school until he filled the building with students. He was very thorough in his teaching methods and pupils were inspired by his enthusiasm. On meeting a stranger with whom he desired to converse, he would walk up to the stranger and exchlaim, "My name's Sherman; what's your name?"
He was far from a success as a fi- nancier, and we find one vote of the trustees as follows: "Voted to loan Prof. D. H. Sherman $200, taking se- curity on the telescope." The telescope was purchased by the professor and kept on hand for use of the pupils. It was his custom to take the pupils star gazing, and he gathered his band together by blowing a horn. Those of the villagers who had retired for the night did not appreciate his signal sys- tem.
April 26, 1871, it was voted to thank Mr. Sherman for his faithful servicc. It was further voted to hire him fo .. the spring and fall terms at a salary not to exceed $20 per month.
During his declining years, Prof. Sherman was without money, and two of the alumni of C. U. A., ex-Gov. Davis and ex-Gov. Powers, material- ly assisted their old friend.
In March, 1871, C. E. Young was paid $20 for teaching and for the fall term including interest, $25.62. There were also two payments to Prof. Sherman of $20 each.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
Sept. 15, 1871, Prof. Sherman was paid $25, another payment was for $12.50 and for the spring term, $24. April 18, 1872, he received $16. April 23, 1873, E. D. Pratt received $25. April 3, 1874, Benj. W. Hawes re- ceived $25. April 22, 1876, H. Marble received $6. Oct. 1, D. H. Sherman re- ceived $25 for a half term. Dec. 6, he received another $25. Nov. 2, 1876, I. R. Worth received for the fall term, $50. July 6, 1877, he received $40 for the spring term. Oct. 26, 1877, H. E. Trefethin received $40 for the fall term. Oct. 24, 1879, Mr. Piper re- ceived $25.
A committee of three, J. P. Nelson, A. H. Richardson and Joel Young, were appointed to confer with Mr. Piper in regard to a college prepara- tory course. A course was drawn up and adopted May 16, 1879, at which meeting it was voted to hire Mr. Piper at the rate of $100 for three terms provided Mr. Piper should furnish the wood for the school and keep the glass in repair. Mr. Piper accepted. The course as laid out follows:
College Preparatory Course: Can- didates for admission to this course are examined in reading, spelling, English grammar, arithmetic and geography.
First year-First term: Latin, Latin grammar, arithmetic, English gram- mar. Second term: Latin grammar, Latin lessons, algebra, U. S. history. Third term: Cicero, Greek grammar and first lessons in Greek.
Second year-First: Caesar, Greek grammar; first lessons in Greek, and Punctuation. Second: Caesar, Greek grammar; first lessons in Greek and physiology. Third: Cicero, Greek grammar; first lessons in Greek.
Fourth year-First: Aenead of Virgil, Anabasis, Latin and Greek Literature. Second: Sallust, Homer"s Iliad and Latin Prose Composition. Third: Homer, Higher Algebra, Reading from Bacon and Review.
Classical Course: Candidates for ad- mission to this course are examined in reading, spelling, geography, Green- leaf's Practical Arithmetic, English Grammar, History of United States and Greenleaf's Elementary Algebra as far as radicals.
First year-First term: Latin Grammar, Latin lessons, Algebra and English Grammar. Second: Latin Grammar, Latin lessons, Geometry and Rookkeeping. Third: Latin Grammar, Latin lessons and Ancient Geography.
Third year-1st: Cicero, German, Natural Philosophy, first half Chemistry, last half of English Latin. Second: Cicero, German and Chem- istry. Third: Aenead of Virgil, Ger- man, Botany and Moral Science.
Fourth year :- First-Aenead of Vir- gil, Mental Philosophy, Botany (first half), Astronomy (last half) and Zool- ogy.
Second-Aenead of Virgil, Mental Philosophy, Astronomy and Geology.
Third-Sallust Evidences of Chris- tianity, reading
from Shakespeare, Milton and review.
Students completing this course with the exception of the Latin language, will receive a scientific diploma.
W. B. Piper, principal, Miss V. L. Johnson, preceptress.
Calendar: Fall term beginning Mon- day, Aug. 18, 1879; spring term, be- ginning Monday, Feb. 9, 1880; sum- mer school term begins Monday, April 26, 1880; examination of classes, Wednesday, June 30, 1880. Term, 10 weeks each.
Board of trustees: Rev. David Stew- art, president; Joel Young, Rev. J. P. Nelson, E. P. Burrill, A. H. Richard- son, M. D., Libby Jones, B. C. Moor, A. R. Ireland, Anson Fisher, B. C. Moore, secretary; E. P. Burrill, treasurer.
Examination committee, Rev. J. P. Nelson, A. H. Richardson, M. D., Joel Young, A. R. Ireland, janitor.
On April 25, 1881, it was voted that Mr. Piper secure a seal for the Acade- my. May 25, 1885, J. C. Pease re- ceived $50.91 for teaching the spring term. For the fall term he received $52. W. B. Piper taught the follow- ing summer term for $33.33, and the succeeding fall for $48.28.
April 25, 1883 and April 21, 1884, it was voted that the school grounds should not be used for playing ball or any other game between the close of the spring term and the opening of the fall term.
A. M. Burton received $60.25 for teaching the spring term and $50 for the fall. Dec. 5, 1885, J. C. Pease re- ceived $52 for the fall term.
April 25, 1887, F. E. Sprague was empowered to draft a code of by-laws to govern the school. At the same meeting, B. C. Moor resigned his posi- tion as secretary, and was tendered a vote of thanks for faithful services. F. E. Sprague took his place. April 29, 1889, it was voted to let the build- ing for one year as a free high school under certain conditions of repairs. This went into effect May 15, 1889.
M. P. Hamilton was chosen secre- tary of the board April 26, 1890 and is still serving in that capacity.
E. P. Neal received $200 for teach - ing, Nov. 28, 1893.
C. F. Fairbrother was paid $183.33. The same amount was paid L. R. Fol- som, Nov. 9, 1894.
Elliot Walker, the first principal, lived in Newport, and afterwards b6- came judge of probate of Penobscot county.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
Among the alumni of the school are two governors of Maine, a member of the Supreme court, ministers, lawyers, doctors, teachers in colleges and high schools, graduates of many colleges, and men and women eminent in every profession.
Feb. 5, 1913, the trustees received from the estate of the late Levi M. Stewart of Minneapolis, the sum of $8,000, a fund to the memory of the late David Stewart, to be known as the David Stewart fund.
Since 1899, the annual commence- ment exercises have come to mean a great deal to the citizens of the town, and the Alumni Association banquets, which are a feature of the weeks of
commencement, have brought back many of those to whom the old acad- emy on the hill is dear.
Mrs. Sarah Andrews Durfee of Provi- dence, R. I., is a member of the first entering class at C. U. A.
The Stewart Free library has meant much to the prosperity of the school and has been of inestimable value to the town as well.
The academy stands now as it did when the articles of incorporaton were passed as an institution "for the pro- motion of literature, science and morality," and Corinna has a right to feel proud of the work which it has ac. complished.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
CHAPTER X
PROGRESS
PLEASANT STREET, ABOUT 1877
A fair idea of the progress of Corinna since the days of its settlement may be drawn from considering the changes in the postoffice department. We have very few facts as to the earliest days, but it is probable that there were no letters sent or received during those years when relatives and friends were separated from the little world of our settlers by miles and miles of nearly unbroken forest, and with nearest
neighbors farther away than our near- est towns are now. £ However, as the grist mill and later the first rude carding mill and the first stores came into existence, the owners of these es- tablishments must have made trips at long intervals to Bangor to replenish their stock of goods. As these trips were real events in pioneer lives, no doubt all the settlers were aware when one of their number was to venture forth into the world outside and each family availed itself of the opportunity of writing letters to be sent by the traveller and mailed at Bangor. He doubtless brought mail in return.
Postoffice.
Later the stage route followed what is now the old West County road from Newport by the way of Pleasant Vale Corner and so on to Dexter. Corinna
village received its mail by way of a messenger at Pleasant Vale Corner who waited there for the stage.
This stage line brought into ex-
istence at Pleasant Vale a tavern and postoffice. Corinna postoffices had the old-fashioned system of placing letters in a wheel which could be con- veniently revolved by the patrons of the office, and
what a com- fort the arrival of the mail must have been to those curious mem- bers of the little settlement for then they could revolve the wheel until ev- ery letter had been thoroughly in- spected. Perhaps it was fortunate that postals and postcards had not then come into existence.
The early postmasters upon the arrival of the mail used to read aloud the names of the addresses of each letter much as Santa Claus reads off the names of the presents at a Christ- mas tree.
First Postmaster.
The first postmaster was James Hawes, Esq., who lived where T. F. Burrill now resides and was appoint- ed to the office June 7, 1826.
He was followed June 2. 1845. by Robt. Moor, ( ur first store keeper at the village, and like Mr. Hawes, a man of influence in the community.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
PACKSANT ST.
PLEASANT STREET, 1916
Dec. 22, 1848, Mr. Hawes was again appointed postmaster, and served until Jotham S. Pratt received the appointment June 8, 1849. Mr. Pratt erected and was first proprietor of the old Corinna House which was burned only a few years ago. He also ran the carding mill. When he was 14 years old, Joseph Smith, J. C. Smith's father, worked for Jotham S. Pratt in the carding mill for the sum of six dollars per months. The work- ing day of that period of Corinna's history began early and ended late.
Volney A. Sprague, Esq., was ap- pointed Jan. 20, 1853. He practiced law here for many years and was prominent in the affairs of the town. From Corinna he went to Dexter
where he died. While in this town he resided in the Dr. Smith residence on the corner of Main and School
streets which is the oldest
house in
.
the village. It was formerly part of the horse sheds near the old grist mill. The ell was built by . Mr. Sprague.
E. D. Roberts, whose appointment was Sept. 6, 1856, had the postoffice in a part of his store which was on the site of the present postoffice building. He lived where Dr. Redman now lives but in the house known as the Millet house which was afterwards moved' down on School street. Mr. Roberts later in life became totally blind.
He was succeeded Aug. 31, 1861, by Volney A. Sprague.
Seth Morse was appointed his suc- cessor June 29, 1869. Mr. Morse was a trader and his store was at one time situated where J. A. Shaw's store now is. At the time of his appoint-
ment he lived where Elmer Hopkins lives now, and the postoffice was in a building on the site of the Grange hall. Later he kept store in the building where John Trickey was located at the time of the last big fire. Mr. Morse died while in business there.
E. P. Burrill was appointed post- master Oct. 17, 1877. Mr. Burrill was always associated with the busi- ness interests of the town and an active member of the church being a deacon for many years. He was known to everybody as "Uncle Elam" as his wife was called "Aunt Sarah," terms used to express esteem and af- fection. He was long a part owner of the grist mill here. He resided first in the "Beehive," a building which was erected on the site of the Stewart Free Library building by Robert Moore and used first as a tavern, but later be- came a tenement or apartment house. Iie erected the house now occupied by Mrs. G. L. Fassett on Pleasant street, and resided there at the time of his death.
He was succeeded Sept. 24, 1885, by M. P. Hamilton, the present post- master, and had the postoffice in a small building on the north side of Main street. He served until the ap- pointment of Will I. Burrill, June 5, 1889.
Will I. Burrill is now a resident of Oregon. He is the son of the late Stephen S. Burrill, and nephew of the above mentioned Elam P. Burrill. The postoffice under Mr. Burrill, was lo- cated in the east, end of F. B. Shaw's store, which was formerly called, "the Dasher block," because of the false front, shaped like a dasher, which gave
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF CORINNA
MAIN STREET, ABOUT 1877
the appearance of a two-story build- ing to one that was in reality only one-story high.
He was succeeded by A. L. Grant, May 31, 1893. Mr. Grant was a Civil war vetran and for many years pro- prietor of the old Corinna House.
Will I. Burrill was again appointed June 7, 1897, and moved the postoffice to its present location. He was suc- ceeded by William £ Wood, Esq., H whose term of office began Sept. 14, 1907, and ended by the appointment of Mark P. Hamilton, Jan. 5, 1916.
Up to the time of incorporation, the roads were merely logging roads. The first tree cut on town roads was a birch that grew in the eastern part of the town under the hill where David Palmer lives.
The largest pine tree ever cut in this county was cut back of the residence of the late Susan Lincoln Seavey.
The beautiful elm trees on Pleasant street were set out by Daniel Smith, grandfather of J. C. Smith, and the late Elam P. Burrill. Joel Young planted the magnificent elms in front of his old home and also the small grove of oil nut and oak trees in front of the barn. They were planted from the acorns and seeds. Stephen Bur- rill planted many of the maples on Pleasant street.
Two Interesting Ancedotes.
A peculiar incident of the early days of Corinna, which is on record in the files of Penobscot county, is that of a
son of Squire Hawes, one of the early postmasters. The son ran away from home to go to sea and all trace of the boy was lost. A few years passed and the family mourned the boy as dead. One day a young man walked into the Hawes kitchen, and seeing Mrs. Hawes about her work, said: "Hello, Ma."
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