USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Durham > History of Durham, Maine, with genealogical notes > Part 7
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ELDER DANIEL ROBERTS was born in Durham July 16, 1790. Was converted in 1803 under the preaching of Joshua Soule, afterward Bishop of the M. E. Church. In 1812 he married Abigail, daughter of George Goodwin of Durham. He started for Indiana in 1817. Arriving at Pittsburg in the early summer of 1818, he constructed a boat, put his family on board and descended the Ohio River to Cincinnati. Here, in 1819, he united with the Christian Church and was ordained to preach the Gospel. In 1820 he settled in Dearborn County, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in Sparta, Ind., June 24, 1882. His wife died fifteen years before. They had twelve children, only two of whom survived him. His son, Judge Omar F. Roberts of Aurora, Ind., has furnished a published Memorial Discourse of the life and character of his father, written by the Rev. L. H. Jameson, D. D.
Though he was comparatively poor and dug his living out of a little farm, he preached the Gospel over sixty years without any compensation in money, refusing it when offered. It is thought that he baptized fully three thousand persons, fifty-five at one time in the dead of winter, with the mercury down to zero, and the ice ten inches thick. He performed the work in less than an hour. In 1830, at the request of Gen. Harrison, he preached on the doorstep of the General's residence, at North Bend, Ohio, to an immense audience. Gen. Harrison
REV. JONATHAN TRACY.
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pronounced the discourse one of the finest he ever heard, and faultless from an oratorical point of view. His voice was well adapted to preaching in the open air. In the course of his ministry he organized upwards of two hundred churches. No man in his region of country was more esteemed, nor exerted a more salutary influence.
REV. CHRISTOPHER TRACY, born 2 Oct. 1758 in Fal- mouth, was baptized by Elder Benjamin Randall in 1781, and was one of the original members of the Free Baptist Church in Durham, of which he remained a member till his death. He was ordained 31 Aug. 1808. He was an Evangelist, a well educated man for his times, of excellent judgment and earnest as a public speaker. He had four sons who were licensed to preach, only one of whom, Jonathan was ordained. He died in Durham II Nov. 1839.
REV. JONATHAN TRACY, oldest son of the above, was born 28 Dec. 1782 in Durham. Moved to Minot, now Auburn, when a young man. Ordained 24 Feb. 1828. Was called "Scripture Tracy" for his remarkable familiarity with the Bible. He baptized between 700 and 800 converts, and one time 45 through a hole cut in the ice. Was an earnest advocate of temperance and anti-slavery. Died at Wales, Me., 24 Jan. 1864, aged 81 years. The text at his funeral was I Cor. XV. 58. "Steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Two of his grandsons, Rev. A. P. Tracy of Vermont and Rev. Olin H. Tracy of Boston, entered the ministry of the Free Baptist Church. He was the father of Ferdinand Tracy now living in Durham. The portrait here presented is from a daguerreotype taken when he was eighty years old.
REV. ASA McGRAY, though born in N. Yarmouth 18 Sept. 1780, moved to Durham with his father when he was a small child. He married Susanna Stoddard, in Durham. She was born in Charlestown, Mass. He first joined the Methodists. He afterward united with the Free Baptist Church and was ordained 26 Sept. 1814. He removed in 1816 to Windsor, Nova Scotia, and died there 30 Dec. 1843. He was a successful evangelist and organizer of churches. The text at his funeral was II. Sam. iii. 38. "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?"
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REV. DANIEL PIERCE was born in Durham. Licensed to preach in the Baptist Church in 1816. Ordained pastor of Lisbon Church in 1818. He had pastorates also in Greene and Wales. Was preaching occasionally in 1845. He married Abigail Additon.
REV. EBENEZER BLAKE, son of William and Sarah (Chandler) Blake, was born in Durham 27 April 1786. Was converted in the great revival at Methodist Corner in 1804. Joined the N. E. Conference in 1807 and preached as an itinerant 47 years in Maine, N. H., Mass., and Conn. "He was an active, laborious and successful minister." He died at West Bridge- water, Mass., 2 Jan. 1868.
REV. DANIEL LIBBY, son of Daniel and Mary (Hoyt) Libby, was born in Durham 22 Feb. 1804; m. 9 Aug. 1832 Eunice R. Wheeler of Dixfield. Although he was blind he educated himself for the ministry of the Cong. Church. Was first settled at Dixfield. Afterward preached at Minot. He died 4 May 1839.
REV. JOHN MILLER was born in Durham 13 May 1806, and died there 5 Dec. 1869. He was converted in 1829 and began to preach with the Methodists, in 1837. He afterward joined the Free Baptists and continued a good and acceptable minister with them until his death. He felt especially called to preach to the poor, and his labors were fruitful. He was a man of much prayer, strong faith, fervid love, and deep piety. One of the first sermons I remember was preached by him, in which he drew an illustration from an old Welsh preacher, of Mercy staying the hand of Justice.
REV. DAVID NEWELL, son of William and Anna (Hoyt) Newell, was born at Durham 20 Jan. 1805. Was pastor of five Free Baptist churches. Baptized 200 persons. Married 27 Aug. 1825 Jane S. Brackett. Two sons died in the army during the Rebellion. He died in Gorhanı 2 Mch. 1891.
CORNELIUS DOUGLAS was born in Durham 12 June 1778. He became an eminent preacher in the Society of Friends. Moved to Ohio. His farm supported him, and he traveled as a preacher extensively at his own expense. Was some time Supt.
REV. JOHN MILLER.
NATHAN DOUGLAS.
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of an Indian Mission School in Kansas. He died 7 Aug. 1885 and was buried in Bloomington, Ohio. He married 23 Jan. 1820 Phebe Nichols of Berwick, Me., who died 7 Nov. 1886.
JOSHUA DOUGLAS was born in Durham 8 Sept. 1794. He married Jane Adams II June 1818. He spent most of his life as a farmer in Durham. He was recommended as a minister by the Society of Friends 21 Nov. 1854. He labored successfully as an evangelist at home and abroad. He was a man of eminent piety, respected by all. He died 21 Jan. 1881 and is buried in the cemetery near the Friends' Meeting House in So. Durham.
NATHAN DOUGLAS, son of David and Waite (Hawkes) Douglas, was born in Durham 18 Jan. 1812. He married 2 Oct. 1834 Lucy, dau. of Isaiah and Deborah (Philbrook) Day. He begun preaching among the Friends at the age of 22, and has been for half a century the principal minister of the Friends in Durham. His labors have been very satisfactory at home and abroad, and have resulted in great good. He has visited nearly every yearly meeting of Friends on this Continent. He is respected and beloved by all who know him.
DAVID DUDLEY, son of Micajah and Susanna (Forster) Dudley was born in Durham 15 April 1794. He married Eunice Buffum who was born in Berwick, 1796. He died in Gardner, Johnson Co., Kansas. "He was," says Eli Jones, "a well approved minister in the Friends Society, and traveled extensively in this country in the work of the ministry." He was famed as an eloquent preacher. He lived in China, Me. 8 ch.
REV. MARK B. HOPKINS, born in Durham. Joined Maine Conference in 1840 and served as an itinerant in East Maine till 1850. He died in Bloomfield 3 June 1859.
REV. JAMES CUSHING was born in Durham 9 Jan. 1809. Entered Maine Conference in 1831, was stationed successively at Eliot, Bethel, Saco, Kittery, Newfield, Cornishville and Berwick. Located in 1850 at South Berwick and carried on the jeweler's business. Moved to Waupun, Wis. and d. s. p. 1880. He married (1) Sarah A. Fernald of Kittery. (2) Elizabeth Raynes of So. Berwick. (3) Mary E. Raynes of So. Berwick.
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REV. ANSEL GERRISH, son of James and Susannah (Roberts) Gerrish, was born in Durham 25 Feb. 1804. Married Phebe Beal. Entered the Maine Conference of the M. E. church in 1827. Served at Kennebunkport, Shapleigh, Scarboro and Rumford. Located in 1831. Became a physician. Died in Portland, Me. His son, James William Gerrish, was a surgeon in U. S. army.
REV. GEORGE PLUMMER, son of Henry and Wealthy (Estes) Plummer, was born in Durham 7 April 1826. Licensed to preach in the Free Baptist Church March 1856. Ordained 22 Dec. 1861. Pastor in Durham five years, at Lisbon Falls five years, at Freeport one year, at W. Bowdoin one year. Has baptized sixty, married 190 couples and attended 636 funerals. After 1883 he preached principally in destitute places. Was member of Maine Legislature in 1859. Married (1) 4 April 1850 Almira J. Coffin ; (2) 21 Oct. 1881 Eliza Eacot. He died at Lisbon Falls, 17 June 1897.
REV. ALPHA TURNER was born in Durham 12 June ISI4. Licensed to exhort in 1843. Received into the Maine Conf. in 1851, and for 35 years filled some of its least remunerative appointments with great success. I knew him well. He was a moral hero. He had been a sailor in his youthful days, and was fond of illustrating spiritual truth by analogies drawn from the sea. He was a hard worker, very fervent in prayer, liberal in thought, of kindly disposition. He married (1) 9 Jan. 1840 Abigail Hutchings of Portland. (2) 28 June 1855 Dorcas S. R. Roberts of Cape Elizabeth. He died at Cornish 6 Jan. 1897.
REV. WILLIAM H. CRAWFORD, born in Pownal 4 Oct. 1821, was brought up in Durham. Admitted to Maine Confer- ence in 1844 and served important charges in the eastern part of the state till 1870, when he was superannuated. He was a very godly, useful and beloved pastor and preacher. Died 18 Feb. 1889. His son, Rev. George A. Crawford, is Chaplain in the U. S. Navy.
REV. JAMES BARBER CRAWFORD was born in Durham 22 Dec. 1828 and died in Bucksport, Me., 31 March 1869. He got his education at Kent's Hill at the price of much
REV. GEORGE PLUMMER.
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REV. FREDERICK HOWARD EVELETH, D.D.
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toil and sacrifice. He began to preach in 1862, and joined the East Maine Conference in 1866. He was for ten years Principal of The East Maine Conf. Seminary at Bucksport. "He was an incessant worker. With ability to teach he united power to win, and this power was used to train souls for heaven. He was not satisfied merely to cultivate the minds of his pupils, but aimed to impress the higher obligations of life. As a preacher his earnest address enlisted the sympathies and won the affections of his hearers."
REV. GEORGE A. CRAWFORD, born in Durham 1820. Entered the Maine Conf. in 1846 and was stationed at Stowe. He did not remain long a member of the Conference, but preached often as a local preacher. He was steward of the seminary at Kent's Hill several years. When postmaster at Brunswick he supplied the church at Harpswell. He taught school in his early days in Durham. He was a good teacher, a man of piety and benevolence, very social by nature and highly esteemed everywhere. Sickness ended his days in sadness, 25 Sept. 1878.
REV. HORATIO M. MACOMBER was born 22 June 1814. He joined the Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1834 and was successively stationed at Pembroke, Robbinston, Lubec, York, Eliot, Dam's Mills, Hollis, Cornish, Gorham, and Kennebunkport. In 1844 he located, became a dentist and practiced a long time in Lynn, Mass. He died in Indiana about 1890. He was a preacher of good ability, natural grace, and unblemished character.
REV. JAMES H. SAWYER was born in Durham. He became a preacher in the Universalist Church, but was principally employed as a teacher in Corinna Academy. The details of his career could not be obtained.
REV. FREDERICK HOWARD EVELETH, D. D., was born in Durham 21 Mch. 1843. He fitted for College at Hebron Academy and graduated at Waterville College, now Colby University in 1870, and at Newton Theological Institute (Mass.) in 1873. In September following he sailed for Burma as a missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union. He
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labored in the Burman Mission at Toungas until 1885, with the exception of a visit to America in 1879. In 1885 he went to Rangoon for literary work on a new edition of the Burman Bible first translated by Adoniram Judson. He published several books in Burmese, such as "Old Testament Biographical Sketches." Illustrated, Rangoon, 1886, 8vo: "Burmese Pocket Dictionary," compiled from Dr. Judson's Dictionaries, Rangoon, 1887, 8vo; "Preparation and Delivery of Sermons," Abridged and Translated, Rangoon, 1896, 8vo. He again visited America in 1887 and again in 1889-90. From 1890 to 1896 he had charge of the Burman Mission at Sandoway. In the spring of 1896 he removed to Dusein, a suburb of Rangoon, to assume the duties of Professor in the Burman Department of the Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1898 Colby University conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
He married. 14 June 1873, Mattie Howard, dau. of the Rev. J. F. Eveleth of Eden, Me. They have two sons, Frederick Shailer, who graduates in 1899 from the School of Medicine of Boston University, and Charles Edward, a student at the Worcester, Mass., Polytechnic Institute.
REV. EMERSON H. McKENNEY, son of Abel and Ann (Miller) McKenney, was born in Durham 23 Oct. 1841. Was admitted to Maine Conf. in 1867. In 1873 his health became impaired and he moved to Lynn, Mass. He supplied churches at Saugus, Essex, and Wilmington during the next ten years. Died at Saugus 17 Feb. 1884. His wife was Eliza S. Hasty of Durham. m. 28 June 1867.
The Conference Minutes say he "was a holy man, and a successful minister. All who knew him respected him. His last sickness was severe, but the end was victorious."
REV. GREENLEAF H. BOWIE, son of David R., was born in Durham 2 Oct. 1840. He began preaching in 1860 as a licensed preacher of the M. E. Church. In 1868 he removed to Phippsburg and united with the Free Baptist church. Was soon after ordained and has served churches at Georgetown, Small Point, Hodgdon, etc. Is now at Patten, Me. Is a godly and useful man. Has preached 105 funeral sermons. In 1866 he married Annie Norton of St. George. They have had eight children of whom seven are living.
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yours cordially
Everett S. Stackpole
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REV. STANFORD MITCHELL was born in Durham 3 Nov. 1840. In the Civil War he served three years in Co. C, 8th Me. Regt, most of the time in S. Carolina. He entered the ministry of the Universalist Church and being an excellent singer has been employed for twenty years in Evangelistic work as preacher and vocalist. He has also been active in Temperance work. Was last stationed at Caribou.
REV. GEORGE LEAVENS, though not born in Durham, was brought up in the family of William Stackpole. He enlisted in the Civil War and lost an arm in the service. Fitted for College at Edward Little Institute, Auburn. Spent some time at Waterville College. Graduated at the Theological Seminary at Rochester, N. Y. Married Sarah, dau. of Dea. Willian Dingley. Served one or two Baptist Churches in Maine. Died 21 March 1874, aged 31 yrs. 2 mos. Two sons died young. A daughter, Lou, married Mr. Wheeler and lives in Somerville, Mass.
REV. EVERETT S. STACKPOLE was born in Durham II June, 1850. He was educated at the "Little Red School- house" till fifteen years of age. He then spent two years at Edward Little Institute, Auburn, fitting for College. Graduated at Bowdoin College 1871. Began to teach at age of sixteen, and taught winter and fall terms in Durham, West Minot, No. Gray, Yarmouth Academy, Hartland Academy, Brewer High School and Brunswick High School. Thus he paid a large share of his college expenses. After graduation he taught one year at Washington Academy, East Machias, and three years as Principal of the High School in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Graduated at the School of Theology of Boston University in 1878 and at once entered the ministry of the Maine Conference of the M. E. Church. He was assigned to the poorest station in the Conference, Kingfield Circuit, where the salary paid the preceding year was $120. His first year's salary in the ministry was $300. The circuit included three townships, and he made occasional trips to regions thirty miles beyond. He was stationed successively at Lisbon, Woodfords, Westbrook, Batlı and Portland. In 1888 he became Director of a Theological School in Florence, Italy, for the training of Italian preachers, and continued in that work till 1892, also editing for one year
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an Italian religious monthly paper. In 1892-3 he studied Theology at the University of Berlin and traveled extensively in Europe, Egypt and Palestine. He rejoined the Maine Conference and preached at Auburn 1894-8. He is now pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Augusta, serving also as one of the Chaplains in the Insane Asylum and in the Soldiers Home at Togus. He has published, besides many newspaper articles and several tracts in Italian, "Four and a Half Years in the Italy Mission," "The Evidence of Salvation, or the Direct Witness of the Spirit," "Prophecy, or Speaking for God," "History and Genealogy of the Stackpole Family," and a "History of Durham." He received the degree of D. D. from Bowdoin College in 1888.
He married in New Hampton, N. H., 20 Aug. 1878 Lizzie A. Blake, dau. of the Rev. Charles and Lucy A. (Knowlton) Blake. They have one son, Everett Birney Stackpole, born in Lisbon 11 Dec. 1879. He is a member of the class of 1900, in Bowdoin College.
REV. BENJAMIN F. FICKETT, son of Simon and Lydia (Sawyer) Fickett, was born in Durham, 22 Feb. 1850. Joined the M. E. Church in 1867. Admitted to the Maine Conference in 1890. Has served at Andover, Bethel, Wilton and Phillips. Has been very successful in building church edifices and in adding to the membership of the churches served. He is a man of good sense, earnestness, and native ability. He married (1) 12 Sept. 1877 Clara A. Morse of Bath, who died 9 May 1878; (2) I Oct. 1881, Zephie A. Rowe of Georgetown, who has contributed much to his success and helped to win for both a host of friends.
REV. EDGAR LINDLEY WARREN was born at Durham Nov. 3, 1858. He was educated for a journalist and served on the Kennebec Journal. He was for a time official reporter of the Maine Senate; also correspondent of the Boston Herald. He graduated from Andover Theo. Sem. in 1886, and spent another year in special study. He has been pastor at Claremont, N. H., North Attleboro, Mass., Westerly, R. I., and is now pastor of the Cong. Church in Wolfboro, N. H. His ministry has been unusually fruitful. He married (1) 10 Sept. 1890, Josephine Weeks of W. Durham. She died 15 Mch. 1893. His second wife was Edith Gilbert Crow of Hampton Falls, N. H.
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REV. CHARLES HENRY STACKPOLE.
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REV. CHARLES HENRY STACKPOLE was born in Durham on lot 112, 29 July 1864. He fitted for College at Edward Little High School, Auburn, and graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of 1884. He then taught four years in Edward Little High School. Graduated from the School of Theology of Boston University in 1891 and has preached two years at Bradford, Mass., and four years at Peabody, Mass. He is now pastor of the Stanton Ave. Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Mass. He is a popular and successful preacher.
He married, 5 June 1895, Maude A. Rolfe of Auburn who had been associated with him as teacher in the Edward Little High School.
REV. HENRY JACKSON NEWELL, son of James and Susanna Newell, was born in Durham 12 May 1819. He was educated at Kent's Hill and at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. He was ordained to the ministry 7 July 1844 at Newport, R. I. He had charge of a school in Batesville, Pa., until about 1855, when he went to Little Rock, Ark. Here he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and continued in teaching till the Civil War, preaching occasionally. He suffered persecution and loss of property during the Rebel- lion, and narrowly escaped with his life. His wife, who was Hattie Hutchings of Batesville, Pa., and children died, leaving him alone and penniless. He died 10 April 1889.
REV. JOHN VINING NEWELL, brother of the one last mentioned, was born 26 April 1829. He began his ministry in a Conference of the M. E. Church in Penn. in 1852, and has con- tinued in the same Conference until the present time. He is now afflicted with paralysis at his home in Throop, Pa.
REV. ENOCH F. NEWELL, son of Daniel and Emily K. (Harmon) Newell, was born in Durham 2 Dec. 1842. Was for a time a student in North Yarmouth Academy. Enlisted at age of eighteen and was in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, being wounded at Gettysburg. He married 15 July 1865 Etta M. Toothaker of Pownal. After living a short time in Illinois and Wisconsin he settled in Michigan in 1870. In 1878 he entered the ministry as a member of the Michigan Conference of
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the M. E. Church and has preached every Sabbath since except one. He is reported of as standing high in his Conference and having success in his work. He is at present stationed at Edwardsburg, Mich. Has had five children of whom two sons and two daughters are living.
REV. J. H. TOMPSON, son of Joseph and Hannah (Rice) Tompson, was born at Methodist Corner July 9, 1847. He left Durham at the age of seven years and lived in Yarmouth and Lewiston. By resisting for some years the conviction that he must be a preacher his preparation for the ministry was delayed. He graduated at Kent's Hill in 1875 and at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1878. He has served several charges in the New England Conference with marked success and is now stationed at Highlandsville, Mass. He married, 10 Oct. 1880, Fannie F. Reade of Dighton, Mass. and has had four children.
REV. HENRY H. MORRILL, son of Frank and Sarah N. (Newell) Morrill, was born in Durham 6 Jan. 1860. Moved with his parents to Lewiston in 1869, and to Cambridge, Mass. in 1874. Was educated in the schools of those cities and at Har- vard University, where he graduated cum magna laude in 1882. Took three years of post-graduate study at Harvard. Went West and studied for the ministry of the Episcopal Church. Ordained at Salina, Kansas, 19 Sept. 1888. Is now Rector of St. John's Parish, Clinton, Iowa. He married, 16 Nov. 1884, Carrie Emily, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth Barrington of Cam- bridge, Mass. They have one dau. b. 18 July 1888 at Holton, Kas.
The following were local preachers, but we are unable to say whether they were ever ordained, Eben Ruby, Robert Bowie, Henry Plummer and Andrew Blethen.
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SCHOOLS
VI. SCHOOLS
At the first town meeting held in Royalsborough Feb. 24, 1774 O. Israel Bagley, William Gerrish and Stephen Chase were chosen a committee to "pick out a lot for a Scule lot." If any school existed in Royalsborough before this date it was held in some private house. Tradition says that there was a school in the house of O. Israel Bagley and this is confirmed by an entry in his Account Book, March 8, 1779, " payd Danil Wizwell the chool master 7:10:0; to 3 weaks and three days 10:10:0." In 1780 the town meeting was held at the school-house. This is its first mention. It was built by Benjamin Vining on his own land, lot 71, and both house and land were bought of Vining by the town in 17SI. March 16, 1780 it was voted "to have School this year and to muve Scull according to pools." This points to the conclusion that schools had been held in private houses in different parts of the town. A little later the same year it was voted " to take that money that was voted for School to Defray town charges." The town was heavily burdened with taxes for the Revolutionary War. Schools were suspended. Sept. 12, 178I voted "to have School this winter." The next year $100 in silver were appropriated for schools, two-thirds to be expended in summer and the rest in winter.
After the purchase of Vining's school-house the public school was held there. Soon the southern part of the town began to ask for a school of their own. May 5, 1783, " voted not to Sett of the quakers to have School by themselves but to have the advantage of the town School." The next year, however, it was decided to have school three months during the winter and that the people "on the eastern side of Joseph Noyes River brook" have one-third of the $40 raised for schools. Thus the town was divided into two districts by the stream in the southern part of the town running through the "Great meadow." March 27, 1785, the following vote was passed, "Beginning at Christopher
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trases and Down to the grate meador Pond Down the mast Road to the goer voted to have School this year the hole of the year or 12 months. Voted to muve the School in foer Parts of the town at mr. Thomas Parsons and hear at this hous (Vining's School House?) and at Mr. Joshua Strouts and in the South west part of the Plantation."
There are no records for the next four years. In 1789, at the first town meeting of Durham, forty-five pounds were voted to schools. In 1790 it was voted to divide the town into six school districts, three on each side of the Great Meadow, and to build five more school-houses. This vote was reconsidered at a subsequent meeting, and the town seems to have decided to leave the building of school-houses to the respective distriets. April 4, 1791, the town voted that the "School be Divided into Seven Distriets, Three on the eastern Side of the Great Meadow and Four on the Western Side of the Meadow," and that the Selectmen divide the school and money as they see fit. The appropriations for schools steadily increased till in 1797 they reached $266.68 and in 1803, $400.
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