USA > Maine > Waldo County > Belfast > History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875 > Part 30
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The only reading-room, excepting during political campaigns, ever sustained here was in connection with the Journal Office. It existed two or three years, having been established Dec. 13, 1850.
The first store exclusively for the sale of books and stationery was opened in November, 1822, by Fellowes & Simpson, in a wooden building on the site of that now occupied by Clark & Fernald, at the corner of High and Market Streets. Their sign was the figure of a Bible. W. R. Simpson succeeded theni. He sold out to Noyes P. Hawes in 1829, who offered a supply of books far exceeding the demand, in the store on Main Street, now occupied by Woods, Mathews, & Baker. John Dorr opened a bookstore here in 1833. H. G. O. Washburn became its pro- prietor five years after, and continued the business at Nesmith's Corner until 1846. He then removed to No. 29 Main Street, which is now occupied for the same purpose by M. P. Woodcock & Son. John S. Caldwell became established in the business here in 1837 : he still continues in the same store on Main Street, where he commenced.
Cook Kimball, from Hallowell, was the first book-binder here : he came in 1826. John Dorr succeeded him.
The Belfast Debating Society was organized in the spring of 1827, and continued to flourish for two seasons. The dispntants appear to have been Albert G. Jewett, William Stevens, Alfred Johnson, Jr., H. J. Anderson, P. R. Hazeltine, Joseph Williamson, and others. The first anniversary was celebrated at the court- house, April 17, 1828, by an address from A. G. Jewett, then a student at law.1 At this period, the capacity of women for educational exercises was recognized. "Two lyceums," says the " Journal " of Feb. 18, 1829, "are now in operation in this village ; but we blush to state that both are composed and directed by females.
1 Waldo Democrat.
21
322
HISTORY OF BELFAST.
The exercises are the reading of interesting articles from periodi- cals, followed by such comments as the members are disposed to make. Our debating society, which has existed nearly two years, has declined as the interest has passed away." Previous to 1830, the only lectures of which any record exists were a course upon Natural Philosophy and Chemistry at the Eagle Hotel, in March, 1826, by Mr. Tenney, and one upon Philosophy at Phoenix Hall, by A. Williams, during the winter of 1829.
On the evening of Jan. 8, 1830, a large number of citizens as- sembled at the court-house, to provide for a course of lectures. The result of the meeting was the establishment of the Belfast Lyceum, an institution that retained its vitality longer than any similar one here before or since. The first officers were William Stevens, president, Oliver A. Washburn, vice-president, Justus Hurd, secretary, J. W. Webster, treasurer. During the year, lectures were delivered March 17, by Mr. Pearl, on Infant Schools ; March 18, by William Stevens ; May 6, by Rev. William Froth- ingham ; May 20, by Judge Alfred Johnson,. on the Application of Natural Science to Animal and Vegetable Worlds; June 10, by Albert Bingham, on Mnemonics; July 9, 15, and 22, by Dr. Hollis Monroe, on Botany ; August 19, by Dr. Richard Moody on the Varieties of the Human Species ; August 26, by Thomas C. Barker, on the Progressive Improvement of the Races; September 16, by James W. Webster, on Paintings; August 5, by Dr. J. P. Alden ; September 29, by Samuel Upton, on General and Useful Knowl- edge; October 13, by F. H. Upton, on Variety and Use of Lan- guage; October 30, by William Stevens, on Influence of Bodily Exercise upon the Mind; November 4, by H. G. K. Calef, on Freedom of the Mind ; and, December 3, by Dr. Richard Moody, on Chemical Affinity. These lectures were varied by debates and readings.
The first anniversary of the Lyceum was observed April 21, 1831, by public exercises at the meeting-house, consisting of an address by William Stevens, and a poem by W. G. Crosby, ac- companied by music from the Belfast Musical Society. During January, a course of lectures on Electricity was given by Dr. J. P. Alden ; followed, February 17, by a lecture by Dr. Moody ; Febru- ary 24, by N. C. Bishop ; March 10, by J. W. Webster ; March 17, by William H. Burrill; March 22, by Otis Patterson, on the Progress of Science ; May 5, by Dr. T. C. Barker, on the Fata Morgana, followed by a series upon Chemistry by the same;
323
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
May 12, by N. C. Bishop, on Temperance ; May 26, by C. H. Up- ton, on Astronomy ; July 14, by C. C. Porter; August 18, by A. Bingham; August 25, by R. Moody ; September 15, by Otis Patterson, on Common Sense ; September 25, by W. H. Burrill ; October 20, by F. Lord ; and November 3, by Dr. J. P. Alden.
In 1832, the only lecturers appear to have been the Rev. Cyril Pearl, August 26 ; and Samuel Upton, December 12. The follow- ing year lectures were delivered, February 8, by S. Heath ; Febru- ary 28, by George Child; April 4, by Samuel Upton ; May 23, by Rev. Silas McKeen ; November 3, by William Stevens ; and, December 26, by Mr. Harrington, on the Steam Engine, illustrated by a miniature railroad and locomotive. June 26, 1834, A. M. Quimby lectured on Electricity and Lightning Conductors. May 26, 1836, Thomas H. Perry commenced a course of chemical lectures. The Rev. William Frothingham lectured before the Lyceum December 20; Mr. McKeen, Jan. 6, 1837; G. W. Swazy, of Bucksport, February 10; and Richard Pike, April 5. During the winter of 1838, a course of astronomical lectures was given by the Rev. Richard Woodhull, of Thomaston.1
From 1838 to 1848, no lectures before the Lyceum were given. The organization, however, was maintained, Hiram O. Alden being elected president, Oct. 30, 1843.
On the 29th of March, 1841, Dr. Thomas C. Barker, of West Prospect, commenced a course of twenty lectures upon Chemistry, at the Academy. During the summer, Major Tochman, a Polish exile, addressed the public upon the character of his countrymen, and their prospects of freedom. Lectures on Phrenology were given, in July, by Mr. Vining ; and on Animal Magnetism, in September, by Dr. Collyer. In May, 1842, the Rev. John Lord delivered a course of lectures of a high literary order upon " The Middle Ages." On the evening of June 23, a Mormon lectured at the court-house, on the doctrine and creed of the " Latter-day Saints ; " and a Millerite at the Methodist Church, upon the Millen- nium. Dr. George W. Ellis delivered a course of lectures upon Phrenology in October. During December, the Rev. Moses Springer, editor of the Maine Farmer's Almanac, delivered an interesting course upon Astronomy ; and Mr. Bailey, minister of the Sailor's Home Society, spoke in behalf of seamen. In 1843, lectures were given during September, by Dr. A. Bartlett, on Phrenology ; October 25, at the Baptist Church, by Elihu Burritt,
1 Journal.
324
HISTORY OF BELFAST.
the "Learned Blacksmith," on the "Policy of Peace; " Nov. 25 and 26, at the court-house, by C. P. Castanis, a native Greek, upon his country and Marco Bozzaris ; during December, a course upon Anatomy and Physiology, by Dr. Calvin Cutter ; by Phineas P. Quimby, upon Mesmerism ; and on the Education of the Blind, by Mr. Bowen, a blind man. In May, 1844, Mr. A. H. Park, a man blind from his birth, delivered a course of lectures, at the court-house, on Astronomy. Albert Merrill lectured on Phonog- raphy, Feb. 18, 1845; and in May Dr. George W. Ellis gave a course on Phrenology, with practical illustrations. Dr. Darling gave six lectures in the month of May, 1846, at the court-house, on Physiology. In November, there was a lecture by Mr. Norton on Astronomy, and one on the Magnetic Telegraph. In February, 1847, Mr. Frederic Sanborn opened the lecture campaign with a course on Galvanism and Electricity, at the Academy. A lecture on Common Schools was delivered at the Unitarian Church, on the evening of May 22, by William G. Crosby, Secretary of the Board of Education. Professor Beal gave several lectures in July on a new method of reading music, called the Numeral Harmony. Lunsford Lane, of North Carolina, once a slave, lectured at the court-house, on the evening of August 13, on Slavery and its Influences at the North. Captain Andrew T. Palmer, who had just returned from Mexico, on the evening of the 24th of December gave a very interesting lecture at Washington Hall on the climate, products, and the social and political condition of that country, and upon the movements of our army, in which he had participated. His lecture was re- peated the following evening.
With the revival of the Lyceum, in January, 1848, weekly meet- ings for discussion were held. Lectures were given, January 25, by the Rev. Edward F. Cutter ; February 15, by the Rev. Joseph Ricker ; March 2, by the Rev. Nathan C. Fletcher; March 14, by Joseph Williamson ; April 18, by the Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Searsport; May 9, by Colonel James W. Webster (in verse); August 1, by W. H. Codman, of Camden. C. A. Wakefield, of New York, lectured, April 20, on the Magnetic Telegraph ; Dr. N. Wheeler, in May, on Phrenology; and, in August, Dr. Samuel Gregory de- livered three lectures on the Professional Education of Women as Physicians. In January, 1849, the Rev. Cazneau Palfrey lectured on " Memory." During the same month, Dr. Young commenced a course on Chemistry. On the 6th of February, Mr. Holt lectured on Palestine ; and, in March, Dr. Josiah Prescott, on Hydropathy.
325
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
In 1850, Mr. Springer gave several lectures, at the court-house, on Astronomy, in the winter; and, in April, Dr. H. G. Darling gave several on Biology and Psychology. In November, Mr. Spencer gave a course on the same topics. Mr. S. F. Green leet- ured in June on the Cultivation of the Memory ; and, in December, Rev. J. W. Hanson, who had just returned from the World's Peace Convention at Frankfort, Germany, which he attended as delegate from this district, lectured on Peace.
At the reorganization of the Lyceum under the new system, Nov. 20, 1850, Ralph C. Johnson was chosen president, Hugh J. Anderson vice-president, and Joseph Williamson, Jr., secretary. A successful course of lectures was maintained during the season of 1850-51 at the City Hall, in Mcclintock's Block, then just completed, and the most spacious room in town. The following were the lecturers and their subjects : December 13, Rev. George Shepard, D.D., of Bangor, upon "Reading; " January 4, George Sennott, of Boston, upon " Popular Delusions concerning the Mid- dle Ages ; " January 10, Rev. E. S. Gannett, D.D., of Boston, upon " Conversation ; " January 17, Rev. E. F. Cutter, of Belfast, upon " Iceland ;" January 20-25, Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, upon " A Grain of Corn," "The Principles of Geology," and " The Art and Science of Mining ; " January 31, N. Abbott, upon "The Equality of Human Conditions; " February 7, Rev. A. L. Stone, upon " The True Mission of Woman ; " February 14, Rev. N. C. Fletcher, npon " The Natural History of Man ; " February 20, Bishop Horatio Southgate, upon "The Domestic Life of the Turks;" March 8, Rev. J. H. Allen, of Bangor, upon "The Problem of the Age ;" March 24, Professor Calvin E. Stowe, upon "The Origin of Letters ;" March 28, Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Searsport, upon "The Province of the Pulpit in Connection with the Affairs of Government." There were other lectures during the year : in May, by the Rev. C. W. Dennison, on California ; in July, by Professor Grimes, on Biology ; and, in August, by the Rev. John M. Spear, on Crime.
For the season of 1851-52, a larger number of distinguished men were engaged. The course opened October 23, by a lecture from Henry N. Hudson, of Boston, upon " Falstaff ;" followed, October 31, by Professor Shepard, of Bangor, upon "Charles James Fox;" November 6, by Rev. T. Starr King, of Boston, upon " Socrates ;" November 13, by Charles C. Hazewell, of
1 This was published complete, in the "Journal " of Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 1851.
326
HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Boston, upon " Roman Slavery ; " November 20, by Rev. William Ware, of Cambridge, Mass., upon "Usefulness of the Fine Arts; " December 4, by a poem upon "Improvement," from Rev. John Pierpont, of Medford, Mass .; December 8, by Rev. A. L. Stone, of Boston, upon " Kossuth and Hungary ; " December 12, by Rev. S. L. Caldwell, of Bangor, upon " Unwritten History ; " December 13, by Rev. William A. Drew, of Augusta, upon " The World's Fair;" February 3, by Rev. S. Judd, of Augusta, upon "The Beautiful ;" February 12, by Rev. Cazneau Palfrey, upon "The Reading of Fiction ; " February 19, by Rev. Joseph Ricker, upon "Earnestness as an Element of Character ;" February 27, by Rev. E. H. Chapin, D.D., of New York, upon "The Social and the Actual ;" March 5, by A. G. Jewett, upon "The City of Paris ;" March 10, by Rev. Theodore Parker, of Boston, upon "The Pro- gressive Development of Mankind."
As the Lyceum system became expanded through New Eng- land, lecturers were unwilling to make engagements away from the line of railroad connection, especially during the winter; + and the third course was not so successful as the former ones. The series for 1852-53 included lectures from Rev. E. G. Brooks, of Lynn, Mass., upon "Our Fathers ; " from Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, D.D., of Boston, upon "New England ;" a poem, entitled "The Scholar's Hope," from Rev. John Pierpont, of Medford, Mass .; and a course of five lectures upon " Civilized Man," by Rev. Henry Giles. These lectures were delivered in Peirce's Hall, which was built during the summer of 1852.
During the season of 1853-54, the Lyceum was addressed, December 20, by Josiah Quincy, Jr., of Boston, upon " The Mor- mons ;" followed, December 28, by William C. Williamson, who delivered a poem, called "Past and Present ;" January 15, by Rev. Charles Rockwell, upon " American Life ;" January 26, by Rev. Samuel Cole, upon " The Elements of Success ; " February 2, by Rev. Charles Allen, of Biddeford, upon "Oliver Cromwell ;" by Rev. Theodore Parker ; by Rev. Henry P. Torsey, of Read- field, upon "The Bible for the Purposes of Mental Culture;" March 3, by Edward Kent, of Bangor, upon " Brazil ; " and, March 9 and 10, by Miss Lucy Stone, upon " Woman's Rights " and the " Political Disabilities of Women." Charles Lowell, of Ellsworth, delivered an independent course of three lectures.
1 Waterville was then the nearest railway terminns, and the stage left here at four o'clock A.M. In making the journey, with the thermometer at ten degrees helow zero, several lecturers were frost-bitten.
327
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
The lecturers for 1854-55 were Rev. Samuel Cole, Rev. Charles Allen, Rev. Theodore Parker, Rev. Henry P. Torsey, William C. Williamson, whose subject was " The Eastern War," and Albert G. Jewett, who gave a personal account of the French Revolution of 1848.
During the next six years, the system of popular lectures did not prove successful in Maine, and no course was maintained here.
During the winter of 1861-62, a course of lectures was given in aid of the Methodist Church, at its vestry. A. G. Jewett in- augurated the course, Nov. 30 : his subject was the "National Crisis." He was followed, Dec. 5, by Rev. H. B. Ridgeway ; Dec. 11, by J. G. Dickerson ; Dec. 18, by Seth L. Milliken; Jan. 1, by Philo Hersey, on " Moral Culture ;" Jan. 2, by William G. Crosby, on "Gossip ; " Jan. 21, by Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Searsport ; Feb. 1, by Dr. Putnam Simonton, of Searsport, on " The Invisible Forces of Nature ;" Feb. 8, by Joseph William- son, on " American Literature; " and, Feb. 20, by William H. Mclellan, on "The Negro in Connection with the Present Re- bellion." Dr. Sanger, of Philadelphia, lectured, Jan. 4, on " Ele- ments of Character."
But two lectures were delivered the following season : one by Rev. E. O. Haven, Dec. 25, on " The White Races of Men in Am- erica ; " and the other by Rev. Mr. Hawes, on " Mutual Improve- ment." During the winter, an old-fashioned Debating Society, over which A. G. Jewett presided, held weekly meetings at Peirce's Hall. It was maintained until the next year.
Rev. E. C. Bolles, of Portland, lectured Dec. 20, 1865, on "Natural Science." Professor W. D. Gunning, in September, 1866, gave a course on Geology. Dr. Isaac I. Hayes, of Boston, lectured upon "Arctic Explorations," Nov. 11, 1867, being the only lecture of the season.
A home course of lectures commenced Dec. 2, 1868, with Rev. Wooster Parker, on " Radicals ;" followed Dec. 17, by Dr. Putnam Simonton, of Searsport, on " Superstition ; " Dec. 28, by Rev. Giles Bailey, on " Books and Reading ; " Jan. 4, by Rev. Dr. Palfrey, on " Government of the People;" Jan. 11, by Dr. Lewis W. Pendleton, on "Common Salt ; " Jan. 18, by Rev. L. P. French, on the " Re- sources of our Country ; " Jan. 25, by Rev. Winslow O. Thomas, on " Life's Battles ; " Feb. 2, by Joseph Williamson, on " The Waldo Patent ; " Feb. 8, by S. L. Milliken, on " Aristocracy ; " Feb. 22, by William G. Crosby, who delivered a poem entitled "The Magic
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Lantern," which he read before a Belfast audience thirty-eight years before ; March 8, by Judge J. G. Dickerson, on the " Prog- ress of Civilization ; " March 29, by David Barker, of Exeter, on " My First Courtship," a poem ; and May 25, by Governor Cham- berlain, whose subject was the " Surrender of Lee."
The opening of the railroad in the fall of 1870 gave new facili- ties for obtaining lecturers from abroad, which were improved by a successful course at Hayford Hall, as follows : Nov. 23, Hon. William Parsons, Boston, subject, "Christopher Columbus ; " Dec. 2, E. P. Whipple, upon "Loafing and Laboring ;" Dec. 19, General James A. Hall, on "The Battle of Gettysburg ; " Dec. 29, Rev. W. H. H. Murray, on "The Adirondacks; " Jan. 5, J. S. C. Abbott, on " The Spanish Court and Nation ;" Jan. 21, Nelson Dingley, Jr., on "The Mormons ; " Jan. 26, John G. Saxe, on " Yankee Land," a poem ; Feb. 2, Professor E. S. Morse, on " How Animals move ; " March 1, Paul du Chaillu, on " Equa- torial Africa ;" March 7, C. C. Coffin, on " The Great North- west ; " March 16, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, on "The Reason Why;" and May 7, by the same, on "Women of the War." Tickets for this course were afforded at two dollars and a half ; for a single evening, fifty cents.
For the winter of 1871-72, the Lyceum committee announced ten lectures, which were commenced, Oct. 26, by Rev. W. H. H. Mur- ray, upon " Deacons ; " succeeded, Nov. 10, by Hon. William Par- sons, upon " Paris before and after the Siege;" Nov. 23, by Pro- fessor E. S. Morse, upon " How Animals grow ; " Dec. 7, by Paul du Chaillu, upon " The Gorilla ;" Dec. 14, by Miss Olive Logan, upon "Nice Young Men ; " Jan. 18, Black's Stereopticon ; Feb. 1, by Rev. A. A. Willetts, upon " Sunshine ; " Feb. 8, by Mrs. Alice Dutton, upon " The Vexed Question ; " March 22, by Wendell Phillips, upou " The Lost Arts ; " March 29, by Colonel T. W. Higginson, upon "The Aristocracy of the Dollar;" and April 12, by Robert Collyer, upon "Clear Grit." Independent of the Lyceumn, original and selected readings were given, Jan. 15, by General J. W. Webster.
The season of 1872-73 opened, Nov. 14, by Rev. Robert Collyer, of Chicago, subject, "Our Folks and other Folks ;" E. H. Elwell, of Portland, lectured, Feb. 20, upon " Pompeii ; " Rev. Mr. Willets, of Philadelphia, Jan. 21, upon " Moonshine ;" and President Chamberlain, of Bowdoin College, Feb. 6, upon " The Battle of Gettysburg." Frederick Douglass gave the last of the course, March 17, upon " Reminiscences of Slavery."
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EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
In 1874, lectures were delivered, Jan. 13, by Miss Anna Dickin- son, upon " Joan of Arc; " and, March 9, by Seth L. Milliken, upon " The Crusades." During September, a course of lectures upon Geology, by Professor W. D. Gunning, took place. A series of ten lectures at the Methodist vestry was opened, Dec. 17, by Rev. C. Stone, D.D., of Bangor, whose subject was "Reading."
BELFAST ACADEMY.
" Sixteen years since," says White's History, which was written in 1827, "the munificence of individual inhabitants caused an edifice to be erected suitable for a public Academy." The act of incorporation, granted Feb. 29, 1808, designated as trustees George Ulmer and Samuel A. Whitney of Lincolnville, Alfred Johnson, Phineas Ashmun, Bohan P. Field, Thomas Whittier, James Nes- mith, Nathan Read, John Wilson, Jonathan Wilson, and Thaddeus Hubbard of Belfast, Oliver Mann and Rev. William Mason of Castine, and Rev. Mighill Blood, and Caleb B. Hall of Bucksport. In the language of the charter, the purpose of the institution was for "promoting piety, morality, and religion, and for the education of youth in such languages and such liberal arts and sciences as the trustees shall from time to time direct." The sum of thirty- five hundred dollars was raised for an endowment, by subscription, principally from citizens : there were, however, some liberal dona- tions from non-residents. Captain Ephraim McFarland gave as the site one and three quarter acres of land on High Street, valued at $500. Subsequently, by paying him $220, this was exchanged for a lot with twenty-eight rods frontage on High Street, and running far enough back to make four acres. The grant was ex- pressed in the deed to be "for the purpose of erecting and main- taining an academy or some higher institution of learning." The lot extended from what is now Elm Street to the Salmond line, and included the premises of James P. White, F. M. Lancaster, James Gammans, and Mrs. William G. Veazie.
By legislative enactment, a half township, of six miles square, from unappropriated lands in the then county of Washington, was granted for the use of the institution. This tract, subsequently known as " Belfast Academy plantation," is now the town of Lud- low, seven miles west of Houlton. By the last census, it contained three hundred and seventy-one inhabitants. Lots were sold to settlers, in 1826, at one dollar per acre; and, in 1840, for one dol- lar and a half per acre. Eleven years afterwards, Hon. James White gave $2,000 for the remainder.
330
HISTORY OF BELFAST.
An Academy building was completed in 1811. It occupied the site of the house owned by Mrs. Veazie, a portion being within the present line of Church Street, and was reached by an avenue from High Street. The structure was of wood, and unpainted. It had a portico and cupola.
Under date of Jan. 15, 1811, the trustees voted "that the Acad- emy be dedicated immediately prior to its being opened, by an introductory prayer, a sermon or oration, and appropriate music, and that the trustees have a public dinner." A formal dedication took place May 18, 1811. An oration was delivered by James Porter, the first preceptor, which, in the language of the vote of thanks passed by the trustees, was " elegant and appropriate." It was also voted "that the thanks of the trustees be presented to William Moody and the other musicians, for their appropriate and highly gratifying performances on the occasion." 1
The Academy was immediately opened under the charge of Mr. Porter, who was a brother of Zaccheus Porter, Esq., coun- sellor-at-law. It is believed that the following succession of teachers is correct : -
1811. James Porter.2 Graduated at Williams College, 1810.
1813. George Downes.3 " „ Harvard
"
1812.
1814. John Bulfinch.4 " "
"
1812.
1815. Henry Bulfinch.5
"
" 1821.
1816-17. Ralph Cushman.6
1817-18. William Frothingham.
1799.
1819. - Putnam. "
1823. Nathaniel Haynes." " „ Bowdoin
1823.
1824. Calvin Holton.8
1828. Luther D. Sawyer. "
"
"
1828.
1836-37. Richard Pike.9 "
"
1 Records of trustees.
2 Mr. Porter afterwards became a clergyman, and settled at Pomfret, Conn., where he died June, 1856, aged seventy-one years.
8 Mr. Downes was for many years a prominent lawyer in Calais : he died in 1869.
4 Mr. Bulfinch read law with Bohan P. Field. He practised law at Union, and then at Waldoborough, where he now resides.
5 A younger brother of John Bulfinch. He died Jan. 28, 1853, aged fifty-five.
6 From Andover Theological Seminary. He became a minister, and died in Wooster, Ohio, Sept. 23, 1831.
7 He afterwards practised law and edited a newspaper in Bangor : he died in 1836.
8 Afterwards a missionary to Africa, where he died in 1826.
9 A native of Prospect, and afterwards minister in Dorchester. He died in 1863.
1836.
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EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1838. Albert Merrill.1 Graduated at Bowdoin College, 1837.
1839-40. Sheridan F. Bates.2 " Middlebury 1837. 1841-42. George W. Field.8 Bowdoin " " 1837.
1846-47. Same.
1847. William F. Bridge.4 "
Harvard
1846.
1848. William B. Edson.5 "
"
1848.
1849. John D. Taylor.6
"
1849.
1850-51. William Osgood.7
"
"
1850.
1852. Wm. C. Williamson. 8
" 1852.
The rate of tuition as first prescribed by the trustees was to be not more than five dollars per term for each scholar, the whole number of whom was not to exceed thirty-five.
When Church Street was located in 1823, it terminated at the north line of the Academy lot, the design being to connect it with High Street by a street running at right angles, thus preserv- ing the square in the centre of which the building stood as a public park. The next year a vote to carry the street across the lot, as it now runs, to the Northport road, was passed, after much diseussion, by a majority of nine. An elaborate protest, fortified with arguments against the continuation, was presented by the trustees at the town meeting; but their remonstrance proved unavailing. The legality of the measure was then tested. As the land had been granted for public uses, it was contended that the town had no authority to lay ont a road over the premises. Accordingly, an action of trespass was commenced by the trustees against William Salmond, who, in 1833, as highway surveyor, had removed a fence from the line of the street. The court beld that the land was liable to be appropriated for a highway, and the street was immediately opened. 9
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