USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Windham > Windham in the past > Part 15
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"JOSIAH CHUTE, JOSIAH WEBB.
"A true Copy attest
JOHN GALLISON, Town Clerk."
At the annual town meeting, held April 3, 1809, $500 was voted for the schools; and in 1810, $700; a like sum in 1812; in 1813, $500.
At a meeting, held Mar. 1, 1814,
"Voted, Jonathan Hanson, Noah Read, Thomas Chute, John Hussey, Timothy Robinson, Ebenezer Allen, Meshach Purinton, Nathan Pope, Rowland Rand, Reuben Robinson, Joseph Allen, Curtis Swett, Nathaniel Cobb, Elijah Hanson, Ezekiel Hanson, Robert M. Mayberry and John Swett, be set off into a District to be known by the name of the Centre School District."
Also, "Voted, Mary Anderson, Montgomery Anderson, Noah J. Senter, Anthony Proctor, Israel Hodgdon, Isaac Stevens, Daniel Waterhouse, Ephraim Hodgdon, Joseph Fuller, William Hanson, Enoch Chesley, Nathan Goold, Daniel Hall, Comfort
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Hall, Moses Petengall, John Petengall, Ezra Goold, Nathan Petengall, Abner Goold, Jonathan Goold, Stephen Hall, Eben- ezer Proctor, Sarah Varney, Thomas Varney, Benjamin Goold, Israel Hodgdon, Jr., Samuel Waterhouse, Simeon Goold and David Proetor be set off into a Distriet to be known by the name of the Union Distriet."
Also, "Voted seven hundred dollars for the schools."
At a town meeting, held April 3, 1815, "Voted, one thousand dollars for support of schools.
"Voted, that the Rev. Gardiner Kellogg, Hezekiah Frost, Noah Read, Chase Stevens and Joseph Pope be a general ex- amining Committee for the year ensuing, that all School Masters shall procure a Certificate of their having a good Moral Char- acters, good and Legal literary Qualifications, and being suitable persons to teach a good English School, that the Certificates shall be signed by at least three of said Committee; that the select men are prohibited from paying any School District any part of the School Money till the School Committee man of that District deliver to said Select Men such Certificate as a Voucher ; that it shall be the duty of said General Examining Committee to visit each School in Windham at Least twice each winter, and to give such directions to each School Master relative to the several modes of instruction as they shall deem advantageous to the Town and to purposes of Education ; that the said general Committee may divide said Districts into sections, each Com- mittee man to take a seetion to visit, if said Committee shall deem that measure most advisable; that the requisite Certificate as aforesaid, be dated before each School begins in order to entitle any District to its Money.
JOHN GALLISON, Town Clerk."
The foregoing is the first mention we find of what was after- ward known as the Superintending School Committee in Wind- ham. These gentlemen were considered to be the most learned men then in town and were all greatly interested in the welfare of the common schools. Since that time it has been the custom, at each annual meeting, to elect a committee of three to superin- tend the school affairs.
The writer well remembers the awe with which these dig-
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nitaries were regarded by the average pupil, as, with slow and stately tread, they filed into the schoolroom and took their places behind the teacher's desk; and with what fear and terri- ble forebodings we awaited their questions in regard to our proficiency in the different branches then taught. Then how glad we were when the ordeal was passed and we were dismissed without suffering positive shipwreck! They were good men and had the real interests of the school at heart and performed the duties of their office without fear or favor; and although times have changed and different modes of instruction have been adopted in recent years. still our schools bear the impress of the carly teachers and school offieers of this town.
In 1817, it was found advisable to revise the limits of the school districts, and a committee was appointed for that purpose, who reported at a meeting May 4, 1818, as follows :
"The Committee that was appointed to revise the limits of the several School Districts in the Town of Windham, ask leave to report that they attended to that duty and consider it expedi- ent to define the limits of the several School Districts as follows, Viz :
"One Distriet, beginning at the corner of Westbrook and Windham, on Presumpscot River, running thenee by Westbrook line to the East corner of the lot on which Joseph Hawkes now lives, thenee N. W. to the road near Peter Morrill's, thenee S. W. by said road to the road between Peter T. Smith's and James Gowins land, thence N. W. by said road to the N. corner of the lot on which Ebenezer Freeman now lives, thence S. W. by the line of said Freeman's land to Presumpscot River, thence to first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to form one School District, and known by the name of the first School District in Windham.
"One . Distriet beginning at the West corner of the first District on Presumpscot River, running thence N. E. adjoining the first District to the N. corner of the lot on which Ebenezer Freeman now lives, thenee on the same course to the N. E. line of the lot on which John Mayberry now lives, thenee N. W. to the N. corner of the lot on which John Mayberry 2d now lives, thence Westerly to the corner of the lot that Hezekiah Smith
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now owns, thence S. W. on the rangeway to the N. corner of lot No. 17, and continuing the same course to Presumpscot River, thence by said River to the first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to form one District, to be known by the name of the Columbian School District in Windham.
"One District beginning at the W. corner of the Columbian District, running thence N. E. by said District to the N. corner of Hezekiah Smith's land, to the N. W. corner of the lot on which Josiah Chute now lives, thence S. W. to the N. corner of the lot on which John Gallison now lives, thence Southerly to the N. corner of lot No 3, thence on the line between No. 3 and lot No. 1, to Presumpscot River, thence by said River to the first men- tioned bounds, all within said limits to form one District, to be known by the name of the second School District in Windham.
"One District beginning at the W. corner of the Second Dis- triet running thence by the said second District to the N. corner of the lot on which John Gallison now lives, thence to the W. corner of the lot on which Noah Read now lives, thence N. W. to Pleasant River, thence down said River to Presumpscot River to the first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to form one District to be known by the name of the third School District in Windham.
"One District beginning. at the mouth of Pleasant River, where it runs into Presumpscot River, running thence N. E. by Pleasant River to the E. corner of the lot on which William Mayberry now lives, thence N. W. to the S. corner of the lot on which Francis Mayberry now lives, thence N. W. to Presump- scot River, thence by said Presumpscot River to the first men- tioned bounds, all within said limits to form one District to be known by the name of the fourth School District in Windham.
"One District beginning at the west corner of the fourth District, running thence by the said fourth District to Pleasant River, thence to Ditch Stream, so called, thence by said Ditch Stream to the place where the Ditch mill formerly stood, thence Westerly to the north corner of lot 131, thence west to Pre- sumpscot River, thence by said River to first mentioned bounds, Excluding the S. E. half of the lot on which Isaac Mayberry now lives, all within said limits to form one District and be known by the name of the fifth School District in Windham.
"One District, beginning at the N. corner of the third Dis-
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triet on Pleasant River, running thence by said third District to the west corner of the lot on which Noah Read now lives, thence to the N. corner of the Lot on which John Gallison now lives, thence N. Easterly to the N. corner of the lot on which Josiah Chute now lives, thence on a direct line to the E. corner of the lot on which Jonathan Hanson now lives, thence on a direct line to the S. corner of Lot No. 2, on which Stephen Hall now lives, thence by the road to the S. corner of Lot No. 1, cn which Ebenezer Proctor now lives, thence on the line be- tween Ebenezer Proctor and Nathan Pope's land to Pleasant River, thence by said River to first mentioned bounds, includ- ing the S. E. half of that lot Isaac Mayberry now lives on, all within said limits to form one District, and known by the name of the Central School District, in Windham.
"One District, beginning at the N. corner of lot on which Moses Hanson now lives, running thence on a direct line to the N. corner of the lot on which Josiah Chute now lives, thence to the N. corner of the lot on which John Mayberry 3d Dow lives, thence to Westbrook line at the S. corner of the lot on which John Lowell now lives, thence on Westbrook and Fal- mouth line to the Duck Pond, thence by the side of said Pond, to the head thercof, thence on a direct line to first mentioned hounds, all within said limits to form one District, and be known by the sixth School District in Windham.
"One District, beginning at the W. corner of the lot on which Ebenezer Proctor now lives, at Pleasant River, running thence up said River to the N. E. line of lot No. 87, near the Ditch Stream, thence on a direct line to the N. corner of lot No. 40, on which James Hawkes, Jr., now lives, thence on a direct line to the N. corner of the lot on which Moses Hanson now lives, thence on a Direct line to the S. corner of lot No. 2. on which Stephen Hall now lives, thence by the road to the S. corner of the lot No. 1, on which Ebenezer Proctor now lives, thence by the line between Ebenezer Proctor and Nathan Pope's land to the first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to form one District, and be known by the name of the Union School District in Windham.
"One District, beginning at where the line of lot No. 87, crosses Pleasant River running thence S. Easterly on a direct line to the N. corner of the lot, No. 40, on which James Hawkes,
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Jr., now lives, thence N. E. by the road, to the E. corner of the lot on which Stephen Robinson, Jr., now lives, thence by the road, to the corner near Joseph Legrow's, thence N. W. by the road between Joseph Legrow's and Ebenezer Hawkes' land to Pleasant River, thence by said River to the first mentioned bounds all within said limits to compose one District, and be known by the name of the Seventh School District, in Wind- ham.
"One District, beginning at the bridge over Pleasant River, called Chase Stevens' bridge, running thence S. E. by the road to the top of Manchester's hill, so called, thence N. E. to Gray line, thence N. W. on Gray line to the road near Maj. Joseph Staples', thence S. W. to the S. W. line of the lot on which Maj. Joseph Staples now lives, thence on a direct line to Wins- low's Mill, so called, on Pleasant River, thence by said River to the first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to form one District, to be known by the name of the Eighth School Dis- triet in Windham.
"One District, beginning at the N. corner of the 8th Dis- trict near Maj. Joseph Staples', running thence S. Westerly by the line of the 8th District to Pleasant River, thence down said River to the Ditch Stream, thence by the Ditch Stream, to Little Sebago Pond, thence by said Pond to Gray line, thence by Gray line to the first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to com- pose one School District and to be known by the name of the ninth District in Windham.
"One District, beginning at the E. corner of the 8th District, on Gray line, running thence S. W. to the road near Ichabod Baker's land, thence by said road to the E. corner of the lot on which Stephen Robinson now lives, thence S. W. by the road, to the middle of the lot on which Jonah Austin now lives, thence S. E. through the middle of said lot to the S. E. line thereof, thenee N. E. to Gray line, thence by Gray line to first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to compose one District, and be known by the name of the Tenth School District, in Windham.
"One District, beginning at the E. corner of the 10th Dis- triet on Gray line running thence S. W. to the E. corner of the lot on which James Hawkes, Jr., now lives, thenee S. E. to the head of the Duck Pond, thence by said Pond to Falmouth line, thence by Falmouth line to Gray line, thence by Gray line to
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the first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to compose one Distriet to be known by the name of the Eleventh School District in Windham.
"One Distriet, beginning at the E. corner of lot on which Joseph Hawkes now lives, running thenee N. W. to the road near Peter Morrill's thenee S. W. by said road, to the road be- tween Peter T. Smith's land and James Gowen's land, thence by said road to the N. corner of the lot on which Ebenezer Freeman now lives, thence N. East to the east corner of the lot on which John Mayberry now lives, thenee on a direct line to the S. corner of the lot on which John Lowell now lives, thence on Westbrook line to the first mentioned bounds, all within said limits to compose one Distriet to be known by the name of the Twelfth School District in Windham.
"All of which is most Respectfully Submitted. Windham May 4th, 1818.
NATHAN GOOLD, JOSIAH WEBB, WILLIAM BROWN.
"Voted to accept the report of the above Committee.
JOHN GALLISON, Town Clerk."
Of these fifteen distriets, three were given names instead of numbers, viz .: Columbian, Central, and Union ; and, for sev- eral years, they were so called. But in the progress of time, it became necessary to again revise the limits of the distriets; and, sometime previous to 1840, this was done, and three new distriets were formed, making a total of eighteen. In 1872, one other distriet was added, making the number nineteen. These distriets were numbered from one to nineteen, and the old names were abolished. The Columbian distriet became Number Nine, the Union district was numbered Fifteen, and the Central, Six- teen, by which numbers they were ever afterwards known.
All school districts in Maine were declared to be eorpora- tions by the State laws, and were granted powers sufficient to enable the inhabitants to transaet all matters pertaining to school affairs very much as they saw fit. Shortly after the annual town meeting in March, the Agent would notify the legal voters of his distriet by posting a written notice on the
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outer door of the schoolhouse, seven days beforehand, for them to meet and transact all business for the ensuing year. At the appointed time, the voters would assemble and prepare for ac- tion. The Clerk would then call the meeting to order and read the warrant, after which a Moderator was chosen to preside over the deliberations, then a Clerk was elected and finally an Agent, and frequently one or two committees for some special duty. This being done, the meeting would be declared open for the discussion of any question relating to the welfare of the school. Sometimes this part of the session would cause considerable excitement, and there might be no little ill feeling caused by a disagreement on the part of some of the voters, in the vain attempt to decide some trivial matter. The amount of sledge- hammer eloquence that would then be exhibited was, to say the least, amusing. But, as all things of an earthly nature are said to have an end, so these disputants, having talked them- selves hoarse, would finally subside into silence, and the meeting would adjourn sine die.
The Agent was supposed to be the chief executive officer of the corporation, it being his duty to make and return to the authorities a list of all scholars in his district from four to twenty-one years of age, to hire the teachers, provide the fuel, and make all necessary repairs on the buildings; in short, he was the general utility man of the precinet.
But two terms of school were kept each year, one in the summer and another during the winter months. The first was usually presided over by a woman teacher, the latter by a man; sometimes, however, a woman would be employed for both terms, but this was, by no means, the general rule.
The course of study consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, and geography. Occasionally, a few of the more advanced pupils would add algebra a part of each term.
The money voted annually for the schools was divided among the several districts, according to the number of scholars each contained; hence, the ones having the greatest number received a larger proportion of the school money, and, conse- quently, were enabled to have longer terms than their less for- tunate neighbors.
This method continued in practice until 1893, when the Leg- islature abolished the district system; and, according to the
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present laws, each school has terms of equal length, with a uni- form course of instruction in each grade. This arrangement has been found of great advantage to the rural towns, and our public schools are now in a more prosperous condition than ever before.
Schools for instruction in the higher branches have at various times been established in Windham, all of which were successful in their day.
We have already mentioned the Friends' Academy, which Thomas L. Smith, Esq., in his town history, says, "was the first and only one erected in the town." This, however, is a mistake, as it is a well-known fact that Chase Stevens, at one time, had an Academy on the Ray farm, near the mouth of the road lead- ing from the Main or River Road to the present village of Malli- son Falls, where he taught the higher branehes for several years. Unfortunately we have no records showing the precise time when this school was established, but it must have been at an early period in the town's history. In his boyhood the writer knew several aged men, who, in their youth, had been students at the old academy, and they all spoke in the highest possible terms of Mr. Stevens as a faithful and efficient teacher. He was born in Falmouth (now Portland), Sept. 4, 1746, and died in Windham, Apr. 6, 1819.
On Sept. 1. 1839. William Warren, a native of Waterford, Maine, came to Windham and taught a high school for three months, during which time he supplied the Congregational Church, at that time destitute of a pastor.
As a teacher, Rev. Mr. Warren was an unqualified success, and, during his stay here of about ten years, he served almost continuously as one of the superintending school committee.
A few years later Josiah B. Webb taught a high school in the briek schoolhouse known as "Knight's" in District No. 6. This was about 1846. Thereafter he kept the school in operation each fall for some years. Mr. Webb was a fine teacher, and many of his pupils afterwards filled important stations in the community.
Rev. Edwin S. Elder, a few years later, had a large and flourishing school which was kept in a chapel that stood on the Main Road in District No. 1. where he taught the higher branches.
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In the fall of 1864, Joseph W. Knight of Standish opened a high school in the town hall at Windham Center. Mr. Knight was a rare instructor and was greatly beloved by his pupils.
The Friends of Windham have always been noted for the interest they have taken in the education of their young mem- bers. The monthly meeting here has a fund, the income of which was formerly used to support an annual term of school about twelve weeks in length, where, under competent teachers, the pupils were fitted to enter their more advanced denomina- tional schools at Vassalborough. Me., or Providence, R. I.
The Windham High School, established by the State laws of 1893, has been a success from the first, although its usefulness has been somewhat injured by lack of suitable accommodations. since it was obliged to be held in the old Town House for many years.
At the annual meeting in 1910 the town voted to raise eight thousand dollars for the purpose of building a high school building. A large lot was purchased, and the work of building was at once begun. This progressed so favorably that, on No- vember 28, 1910. the new edifice was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. It is located in the pleasant village of Windham ('enter and is a large and commodious building of two stories in height. finished and furnished in a thoroughly modern
-
High School, Windham, Maine
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fashion. It is an honor to the old sixteenth township, whose citizens have a right to be proud of their work.
During its existence as a separate municipality, Windham has been the home of many persons, who have gained more than a local celebrity as educators and professional men. Among these we may mention Noah Read, noted as a disciplinarian ; Nicholas Anthoine, of whom it was said "that he knew a great deal about everything under the sun;" Stephen Webb, a man of rare intelligence, whose grave and dignified exterior eon- cealed a heart full of the warmest sympathy for the timid pupil, while his few words of commendation were long remembered with the most fervent gratitude. There were also his brother, John Webb, who never failed in his endeavors to ineite the most backward student in the elass to make more earnest efforts for improvement in scholarship; Oliver and Daniel W. Dole, both deservedly popular with all classes of pupils; Thomas Bodge, Jr., a fine mathematician ; John A. Bodge, afterwards a Free Will Baptist elergyman; Noah IIanson; Timothy Kennard, a most excellent teacher, but a man whose quaintly humorous sayings used to create a great deal of merriment in the school- room. In addition, we may name John W. Goodell, famous for his management of unruly schools; Edwin Mayberry; William F. Hall; Amos B. Hall, of honored memory; Nelson B. Loveitt : William B. Hamblen; Peter R. Hall, and Jacob brown, both of whom afterward became lawyers. Later eame Benjamin Morrill; Oliver H. Lowell, the brave eaptain, who fell. while leading his men against the foe at Gettysburg; George F. Ilanson ; Francis Winslow; John J. Bodge; Lorenzo T. Chase ; Elihu Libby; Peter A. Bodge; Edwin S. Elder; William A. Larry; Hiram C. Hawkes ; Clarenee W. Proetor, and Frederick H. Dole. Among the female teachers of note we may mention Sarah F. Dole, Huldah R. Hawkes, Abbie II. Little, Mary A. Smith, Sarah P. Webb, Margaret Loveitt, Betsey A. Hanson. Harriet Jones, Anna Hoag, Sarah A. Lowell, Abbie L. Larry, and Mary A. Webb. Of the present corps of instruetors in Windham, we have no need to speak here. Suffice to say that they are an able, faithful and efficient body of gentlemen and ladies, earnest and energetie in their work; and, under their management, the schools are better than ever before at any period in the town's history.
CHAPTER VIII
WINDHAM IN THE REVOLUTION
The causes that operated to produce the rupture between this nation and the mother country are well known to every American citizen and need not be discussed at this time; suffice it to say, that tyranny and oppression, on the one hand, and a sturdy determination to resist, on the other, brought about a long and eruel war, that finally resulted in the independence of the feeble colonies.
The inhabitants of Windham, though few in number and poor in purse, were. nevertheless, extremely jealous of any infringe- ment on their rights and liberties, which they elaimed were guaranteed them as British subjeets, and which had been violated by unjust measures enacted by the home parliament.
Seeing, therefore, that a war was inevitable. they made preparations as early as 1773, when, at a town meeting held Feb. 16th of that year. it was
"Voted, to choose a committee to aet on anything the town may think proper, in answer to the letter of correspondence sent by the town of Boston to this town, eoneerning the infringe- ments which are mad upon the rights and privileges we ought to enjoy, and to do any thing the town may think proper in answer to said letter."
Richard Mayberry. Z. Hunnewell, Caleb Graffam, Thomas Trott. William Knights, and Hugh Crague were chosen a com- mittee for the above-named purpose. The meeting was then adjourned to Feb. 25th, when the committee reported as follows, their report being accepted and ordered to be recorded in the Town Clerk's book :
"To the worthy gentlemen who are the committee of corre- spondenee for the town of Boston:
"Gentlemen: We who are the committee for the town of Windham, have considered your pamphlet which you sent to
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this town, and we report as follows: We understand that many towns older and much more capable of judging of affairs than we are, have fully investigated the subject; therefore we think it needless for us to be very particular in the affair. But we fully agree with you, gentlemen, in your sentiments concerning the liberties and privilege which we ought to enjoy, and the infringements which are made on the same. We. the people of Windham. have suffered much by the Indians, and did expect no other from them if we fell into their hands. But little did we think that unconstitutional and unbearable measures would be taken by those whom we depended upon to protect and de- fend our interests and privilegs, both civil and sacred, even to bring us and our posterity into the greatest bondage, slavery and misery that people can well be under, even equal to or greater than the Egyptian bondage.
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