USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Leeds > History of the town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine, from its settlement June 10, 1780 > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
17
258
HISTORY OF LEEDS
From this time we find no records until March 20, 1837, when a petition to George Lathrop, Esq., directing him to notify the petitioners to meet at the town-house, April 15, to organize the first Universalist Society of Leeds, was signed by Israel Her- rick, Asa Rose, B. Millett, Jr., William P. Millett, O. J. Frost, Solomon Lathrop, Benjamin Millett, Thomas W. Bridgham, Franklin B. Leonard, Samuel More, Isaac Pratt, Eben Stinch- field, James K. Stinchfield, Isaac Boothby, John Carver, James Stinchfield, Jr., Aaron Dwinal, Barnabas Davee, Elias Lane, Robert Crumett. In 1836 the Baptist meeting-house had been jointly repaired by the Universalists and Baptists, and an agree- ment made whereby the Universalists were to occupy the house the fourth Sunday in each month. The society was duly organ- ized, a constitution adopted, Israel Herrick elected clerk and :assessors, etc., chosen.
It is most probable that the following were pew owners in the repaired church : Alexander Jennings, Aaron Dwinal, Samuel More, Solomon Lathrop two, Giddings Lane two, Eben Stinch- field, John D. Millett, Benjamin Millett, Jr., Israel Herrick, Lemuel Sumner, Ira Lamb. Isaac Pratt, Isaac Boothby, Robert Crumett.
Constitution.
We, the undersigned members of the First Universalist Soci- ety in Leeds agree to the following as the constitution of said society :
Art. Ist. The object of this society shall be the promotion of religion and morality amongst ourselves and our fellow-men.
Art. 2d. The annual meeting of this society shall be held on the Saturday next following the first Monday in April in each year for the choice of officers for said society and at such place and hour of the day as the assessors by legal warrant shall direct.
Art. 3d. The officers of this society shall consist of a moder- ator for the time being, a clerk, a board of assessors, a prudential committee, a treasurer and collector. All of these officers with the exception of the moderator, shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting or until some others are chosen in their stead.
Art. 4th. A meeting of this society may be called at any time by the assessors if seven members shall in writing require them to do so.
Art. 5th. Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may adjourn.
Art. 6th. Any person wishing to unite with us in the object of this society and believing in the truth of the sacred Scriptures and sustaining a good moral character may by being introduced or recommended by a member of regular standing be admitted a
259
HISTORY OF LEEDS
member of this society by a vote of the majority of the mem- bers present at any meeting of this society and subscribing to this constitution. And no member shall be excluded but by a major- ity of two-thirds present.
Art. 7th. No person of immoral habits shall ever be admit- ted to a membership in this society and it shall be a sufficient cause of admonition and ultimately of expulsion if any member shall contract such habits.
Art. 8th. Any article of this constitution, the first and seventh only excepted, may be altered at any annual meeting of this society by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
And now commending ourselves, our families and our friends, with our brethren of the human race, to God, who is able to build us up in his most holy faith and prepare us for the purity and blessedness of his heavenly kingdom, we subscribe our names to this constitution and agree to abide by the same and by the rules and regulations of this society.
George Lathrop, Alexander Jennings, Eben Stinchfield, Caleb Wing, John D. Millett, Lemuel Sumner, George D. Lathrop, Israel Herrick, Benj. Millett, Isaac Pratt, Samuel More, Solo- mon Lathrop, Asa Rose, Aaron Dwinal, John Carver, Robert Crumett, Wm. P. Millett, Isaac Boothby, Barnabas Davee, Franklin B. Leonard, Giddings Lane, Ira Lamb.
In April, 1843, Giddings Lane, Israel Herrick, S. More were elected assessors, Samuel More, John D. Millett, Isaac Boothby a committee "to see whether the agreement entered into between the societies relative to the occupancy of the meeting house is binding." This was the commencement of a long and serious contest for the title of one-fourth of the house, culminating in a suit brought by the Baptist society against Perry Grant for malicious trespass in breaking open the meeting house for Uni- versalist service. From the decision of the supreme court in favor of the Baptist ownership an appeal was taken.
The decision in favor of the plaintiffs was made in 1871 on the ground that under the act of incorporation of the Baptist society there could be no legal transfer of any of its property. In 1872 an elegant Universalist meeting-house containing fifty- two pews was built at a cost of $5,000, and Nov. 10, 1873, Isaiah B. Additon, Giddings Lane, Horace Herrick, B. Davee, R. Jen- nings, Charles S. Gordon, Lewis Churchill, H. L. Millett, Wil- lard Lathrop, Rollins S. Loring, J. F. Jennings, L. H. Sumner and W. B. Sumner petitioned H. M. Brewster, Esq., for a war- rant enabling the "Stockholders of the Leeds Centre Parish Church" to make an incorporation, which was effected Novem- ber 18, when Giddings Lane was chosen clerk. He held that office until his death, when his son, G. W. Lane, succeeded him. Rev. Otis H. Johnson, of Jay, preached every fourth Sunday
260
HISTORY OF LEEDS
from 1869 to 1879 and part of the time every other Sunday. He was succeeded by Revs. Barnes, White, Cutler, Smith and Gould. At the present time meetings are held during the sum- mer season only. There are a great many people in town who claim to be Universalists, but from lack of interest or other rea- sons do not attend meeting.
CHAPTER IX.
CHURCHES.
"The First Freewill Baptist Church" in town was organized at North Leeds, Feb. II, 1829, by Elder Abizer Bridges. The original members were, Joshua Tupper, Warren Howard, Lucy Tupper, Mercy Dunham, Julia A. Stanley, Almira Turner, Mar- tha Grant, Anna Additon, Deborah Bridges, Eliza Bridges. It belonged to Bowdoin Quarterly Meeting, and in 1836 had a membership of 75-the largest in its history. The Union Chapel was erected in that place on that date, one-half of which was owned by this society, one-fourth by the Methodist society and one-fourth by individuals of the Baptist and Campbellite (Chris- tian) faith. From the church record we quote: "Dedicatory Exercises of Union Chapel, North Leeds, Convened at the Chapel on 16th day of November, 1836; II o'clock A.M.
"Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Daniel Hutchinson ;
"Reading Scripture, by Elder Walter Foss ;
"Dedicatory Prayer, by Elder Allen Barrows;
"Sermon, by Elder Daniel Hutchinson;
"Address to Society, by Elder Allen Barrows;
"Concluding Prayer, by Elder Walter Foss ;
"Sacred Music, led and conducted by John Gould, Esq., in an able and devotional manner on the occasion."
Prior to the completion of the Chapel the Free Baptists held their meetings in school and dwelling houses, but from this time their meetings were held in the house of the Lord every second Sabbath. From 75 members in that year, but 8 were on the rolls in 1891, yet the church was then recognized by the Quarterly Meeting. With the death of its deacon, Francis Davis Millett, which occurred in 1893, its identity was lost. Other deacons were Joshua Tupper, Warren Howard and George Gould. Those of Campbellite or Christian faith were not many; yet, for several years they held meetings in the chapel their allotted por- tion of the time. Rev. Greenwood C. Gordon was their pastor.
QUAKER SOCIETY.
In 1807, on Quaker Ridge in Leeds the Quaker Society erected a house of worship where they held meetings many years. In later years it was removed about one mile west,-
262
HISTORY OF LEEDS
near their cemetery where it remained for a time, when it was again moved farther west to a place nearly opposite the dwell- ing of Stephen Welcome. Among the members and prominent supporters of this society were the Baileys, some of whom removed to Winthrop, whose children engaged in the manufac- ture of oil-cloth. Gradually the members decreased in number until the society lost its identity, and about 1869 the house was sold, torn down and carried away.
SCHOOL-HOUSE, WEST LEEDS.
CHAPTER X.
SCHOOLS OF LEEDS.
In common with the early settlers of other New England towns, the people of Leeds, upon its first settlement, showed their interest in education by giving liberally of their means to establish a free public school system.
In 1801, upon the incorporation of the town, at the first town meeting, $200 was voted for the support of schools, and Joseph Day, Levi Bates, William Gilbert, John Jennings, Oliver Randall, and Obadiah Pettengill were chosen a committee to manage school matters.
In November of the same year it was voted to accept the divis- ion of the town into districts made by the. selectmen and that each district draw its own money. In 1802 and 1803, $300 was voted for schools. In 1803, Elder Thomas Francis, Abiel Daly, and George Turner, Jr., were chosen to inspect schools and teachers.
From 1803 to 1860 when $1050 was raised for schools, the amount raised each year was increased as the means of the people increased and as the town gained in the number of its pupils. In 1868, 1870, and 1871, the maximum amount of $1200 was raised. At the present time ( 1901) $1,000 is voted by the town for common schools.
By a law passed in 1820, not less than 40 cents per each inhabitant in the town was required to be raised for school pur-
. poses. By another law passed in the same year, if a district received less than $35 as its share of the school funds, all of it might be expended for a school taught by a mistress but if more than $35 was received, two-thirds must be expended for a school taught by a master. Quite a different state of affairs from what exists at the beginning of the 20th century, when 99 per cent. of the teachers of the state are women and where in Leeds the past year but one male teacher was employed. In 1825, the law requiring the employment of male teachers was changed and it was left to the discretion of the district officers as to whether a master or a mistress should be employed.
In 1853, the amount required by law to be raised for schools was increased to fifty cents per inhabitant of the town. In 1854 it was increased to sixty cents per capita. In 1866, to seventy- five cents, and in 1868 to one dollar. In 1872, it was-changed to eighty cents, as it remains at present.
J
264
HISTORY OF LEEDS
It will be seen that one of the first things done by the town relative to schools, was the division of the town into districts. At first, nine districts were formed, but later as the population increased the number was changed to twelve, which was the number in 1893, when the districts were abolished by law of the state.
As the early settlers of Leeds, as of other New England towns, were pre-eminently a religious people, it is but natural that we should find the first teacher of a school in Leeds to be Elder Thomas Francis. Other early teachers were Elisha Syl- vester, Parsons True, Benson Caswell and Lloyd Gould. Of a little later period we find the names of Barnabas Davee, Ste- phen R. Deane, Seth Howard, J. C. Stinchfield, Joseph Gott, Henry Woodman, Rodolphus and Florius Jennings among the men as having taught many terms in town. Among the women who taught much were Mrs. Diana Wing Gilbert, Sallie Stinch- field, Mrs. Hannah Pollard and her sister, Kate Knapp.
Of the conditions existing at this time and the lack of nearly everything considered necessary for good teaching at present, a graphic description is given by the late Stephen R. Deane in the history of Leeds schools, given in the history of Androscoggin County and is as follows :-
"The acquisition of a common school education sixty years ago was often attended with difficulties of which scholars of the present age know nothing. Many districts had no school houses. I recollect attending school for a short time in three neighboring districts where the schools were kept in winter in a room in some dwelling house, and in summer sometimes in a shop, a corn house and in one instance on the big barn floor. The district in which I lived had no school house till several years after I ceased to be a scholar. The district lay on two roads nearly parallel to each other and about a mile apart, with no road within its limit to connect them, so the people could never agree upon a proper site for their house to stand. The school room was furnished with seats made of planks or slabs long enough to reach from end to end and from side to side of the room. The desk for writing was of like material, fastened to the walls (usually on three sides of the rooms) so that the scholars when writing were obliged to turn their backs to the teacher and face the wall, the window, and, too often, the dark- ness; for windows were neither large nor plenty, one or more corners of the room being too shady for the pupil to clearly dis- cern the plummet lines under his copy. It was thought that for a boy to be able to perform all the hard problems in Kenney's arithmetic was about all he ever need to know of mathematics. Reading, writing and geography were to be studied but gram- mar was considered too effeminate and quite useless unless the
265
HISTORY OF LEEDS
boy aspired to become a teacher. Girls learned spelling, read- ing and grammar but arithmetic was regarded for them much as grammar was for boys.
"Ambitious mothers provided their daughters with a square of nice linen for the foundation of a sampler on which the let- ters of the alphabet, figures, her age, and other things (accord- ing to the fancy of her teacher and her skill) were to be wrought in needle work. There were but few who made teaching a business, and in general nothing beyond a common school edu- cation constituted their literary qualifications. The school fund was small and apportioned to the several districts according to the number of scholars in each."
The school-houses contained large fire places but a stove was unheard of. It was customary for green wood to be hauled to the school-house in large ox-sled loads, and there fitted for burn- ing by the large boys. With this arrangement for heating, it was no surprising thing for the front row of pupils to be burning their faces while the back ones were nearly freezing.
Such a thing as a blackboard was unknown. To Mrs. Han- nah Pollard belongs the honor of having and using the first one in town, while Francis Lathrop stands second, owning one which he used in the different schools where he taught.
The wages of the teachers seem very small compared with those received by the teachers of to-day. The women received fifty cents a week and their board, usually secured by boarding around. The mistress who got seventy-five cents a week was looked upon as receiving large wages. The men teachers were usually paid from $8 to $14 a month.
The teacher, master or mistress, to be successful had to have the ability to discipline and maintain order, sometimes by main strength. The schools numbered from sixty to eighty, with many of the pupils young men and women. In one school, that at West Leeds, eighty-five pupils were enrolled one term. That was rather more than one teacher or one school house could accommodate and those under twelve were sent to another house and furnished with a school mistress. In such schools it was no light task to keep order unless the teacher possessed unusual powers of mind or muscle.
In 1873, the legislature provided by law that any town sus- taining a high school should receive from the state one-half of the amount actually expended for wages and board of teacher in such school to an amount not exceeding $500. If the town did not take advantage of this offer, any district might do so, provided that only two such schools should be maintained in one town.
In the year that this law was passed (1873) the town of Leeds took advantage of this offer by the state and raised the
266
HISTORY OF LEEDS
liberal sum of $400. With this sum, two schools of sixteen weeks each were held in different parts of the town that fall.
In 1879, the aid by the state to free high schools was tem- porarily withdrawn but in 1880 it was restored, though the max- imum amount a town could receive was reduced from $500 to $250. Notwithstanding, a school of this nature was held nearly every year, either by vote of the town or by money raised in some district until 1897, when the law raising the grade and requiring all applicants for admission to be examined, had the effect of discontinuing the free high school in Leeds. The great help'to the people of the town by the maintenance of these schools cannot be overestimated. The saving in expense to many families was great as their children attended school in their own town at slight expense instead of being sent out of town to academies or other schools at much greater cost. Then also a. large part of the pupils were those who would have considered their education complete if the means of gaining a knowledge- of the higher studies had not been placed at their own doors. There is no question but what the free high school law did much for the intellectual advancement of the town. Among some of the teachers of the first free high schools were John Hoffman, Forest L. Evans, Lord, now city superintendent of schools in Portland, and Harrison Pratt, a native of Turner, and a teacher of unusual ability. Nearly all these early teachers were college graduates or undergraduates.
Some of the later teachers were James S. Norton, a normal graduate, and a very successful teacher both in methods of instruction and discipline.
To Miss Adelia J. Webber, who taught many terms of high and common school in town, many of our young men and women ascribe their thorough training in many things and their ambition to secure more of an education than the schools of the town could give. By them she is considered their benefactor in a large measure.
Miss Lettice B. Albee, of Bates College, also taught several successful terms of free high school in town.
In 1887, W. R. Pettengill, E. T. Clifford and E. E. Additon served the town as S. S. Committee. This was the last year in which a committee had entire charge of the schools of Leeds.
The following year a supervisor was chosen. The schools of the town made the usual advancement in 1888 and 1889, under the supervision of E. E. Additon.
In 1890, a radical departure from the established order of things was made by the election of Laura M. Sylvester, a grad- uate of Farmington Normal School and a successful teacher of experience, as supervisor. She was the first and so far the only woman to hold this office in Leeds. She served with credit to-
267
HISTORY OF LEEDS
herself and town during the first year of her management of the schools that the free text book law went into effect. The fur- ยท nishing of free text books was made compulsory upon the towns. in 1890. Much good has resulted from this law to this town.
Miss Sylvester was succeeded by Frank H. Herrick as super- visor. He served during the years of 1892 and 1893. It was. in the first year of his supervision that pupils who were regular in their attendance had their names printed in a Roll of Honor in the town reports. This new idea did much to secure the regular attendance of pupils.
In 1893, the town voted that the supervisor employ the teachers, which Mr. Herrick did to the satisfaction of the town.
The school this year, becoming very small in the Additon district, was closed and the pupils conveyed to West Leeds. The school has not been opened since.
It was in 1893 that the Androscoggin County Teachers" Association was formed. By invitation of W. W. Stetson, then Superintendent of Schools in Auburn, the supervisors of the towns in the county were asked to meet at the county buildings in Auburn, for the purpose of forming an association, having for its object the improvement of the schools of the county. There were present the superintendents of Lewiston and Auburn, the supervisor of Turner schools, J. H. Conant, and the super- visor of Leeds schools. The association was formed and plans made for three public meetings during the fall, two in Leeds and one in Turner. The first, held at Keen's Corner, was largely attended and very successful. Of the others, one was held at Leeds Center and one at North Turner.
In 1894, the law passed in 1893, to abolish school districts went into effect. This and the succeeding two years the schools- were again under the management of E. E. Additon. Several terms of free high school were successfully held during this time. The school at North Turner Bridge was attended by so few pupils that it was closed by Mr. Additon and conveyance furnished to Gould's Corner. This arrangement has continued since.
The public educational meetings, begun during Mr. Her ... rick's term of office, were continued by Mr. Additon, two very successful meetings being held, at both of which W. W. Stet son, State Superintendent, was present. At the close of Mr. Additon's three years in office the schools were in a prosperous. condition.
In 1897, W. H. Bishop, a teacher of ability and experience had charge of the schools as Superintendent.
The following year, 1898, W. E. Gould, M.D., assumed their management.
In 1899, F. H. Herrick was elected Superintendent, as also, in 1900 and 1901.
268
HISTORY OF LEEDS
In the spring of 1900, the S. S. Committee, A. L. Thomas, P. H. Deane and E. A. Russell, recommended that a course of study be adopted and the schools graded. As soon as possible a course of study was arranged and in the fall of 1900 went into effect. When the work of the eight grades into which the course is divided is completed, the pupils are fitted to enter a high school or academy. The present year, 1901, it is expected that a class of seven will graduate and receive diplomas as hav- ing completed the work of the primary and grammar grades. Already an improvement in the work of the schools is noted as a result of the adoption of the course. The change has received the hearty support of the citizens of Leeds.
A society, composed of teachers and those interested in the welfare of the schools was formed in the spring of 1900 and received the name of the Leeds Educational Club. Its meetings are held at the beginning, at the middle and at the close of each. term of school. Subjects relating to school are discussed and original papers by the members presented.
A public educational meeting was held in the fall of 1899, on Quaker Ridge, in which the three towns of Leeds, Greene, and Turner participated. The superintendents and teachers of these towns were present and many citizens. An interesting program was given. W. W. Stetson, State Superintendent, was in attendance and gave valuable assistance.
School Improvement Leagues have been formed at North Leeds, which school has been named the Washington School, and at Quaker Ridge, which is called the Longfellow School. Books for the use of the schools have been procured, pictures to hang upon the walls and other improvements made.
The teachers in the different schools in the spring of 1901 are as follows :--
North Leeds, Washington School, Mrs. Kittie Russell.
Gould's Corner, Miss Addie F. Woodman.
Otis, Miss Lucy M. Foss.
West Leeds, Miss Marion T. Bishop.
Brick, Miss Mabel L. Dyer.
Curtis Corner, Miss Alice B. Lindsay.
Longfellow School, Miss Estella M. Johnson.
Keen's Corner, Miss Mable D. Lincoln.
CHAPTER XI.
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Leeds has produced a goodly number of professional men; as many, perhaps, as most N. E. towns with no greater num- ber of inhabitants. In the list are included a very few names of early settlers who were not born in the town, yet resided therein most of their lives. Most have been graduated from colleges in the State, some of whom we are uninformed as to place. Of medical men, the average of production has been one every four years; of lawyers, one every eight years; of minis- ters, one every four or five years. It will be-observed that many more have been produced than required for home use; thus the legitimate claim is laid, that Leeds has furnished a surplus and is entitled to a seat of honor with towns in her class.
PHYSICIANS.
Bridgham, Thomas W.
Daly, Abial, first in the town.
Foss, Simeon.
Foss, Cordellus, graduate Bowdoin Medical College.
Gould, J. F., graduate Harvard Medical College.
Gould, E. T., graduate Bowdoin Medical College.
Gould, W. E., graduate Bowdoin Medical College. Gould, Frank.
Howard, V. R., graduate Bowdoin Medical College.
Jennings, R. G., graduate Bowdoin Medical College.
Knapp, Cyrus, graduate Bowdoin Medical College, Class of 1825.
Loring, R. S., 45 years active practice in Leeds. Millett, Asa.
Otis, Amos, graduate Bowdoin Medical College.
Parcher, Sewall, graduate Bowdoin Medical College.
Stinchfield, Thomas B., graduate Bowdoin Medical College.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.