USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Atkinson > An address before the alumni of Atkinson (N.H.) Academy, August 24, 1887 > Part 1
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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01815 5637
GENEALOGY 974.2 C659AT
Incon Academy
887
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
ATKINSON ACADEMY.
AN
ADDRESS
BEFORE THE
ALUMNI OF ATKINSON (N. H. ACADEMY
AUGUST 24, 1887.
BY HON. WILLIAM COGSWELL, M. D.
WITH AN
ACCOUNT OF OTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THE OCCASION.
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE ALUMNI.
MANCHESTER, N. H .: PRINTED BY JOHN B. CLARKE. 1887.
ADDRESS.
BY HON. WILLIAM COGSWELL, M. D.
MR. PRESIDENT :
We turn back the pages of history for one hundred years. We stand at this reunion amid the happy and suggestive memories of the past. Amid the greetings and rejoicings of long-separated friends we seem to feel the presence of those who in the earlier time were familiar with these classic halls and academic shades. We bring to mind the names of those who laid the foundations, and we rejoice in a history in which noblemen have wrought. It gives us honest pride to read the story of those who long ago conceived the plan of an institution which should be an honor to the town and an increasing blessing to the world.
The Academy bears an honorable name. The first settlers of this town were men of strong character. They were closely associ- ated with those who moulded the destinies of the rising Common- wealth. In the provincial history they were the confidential advisors of Governor Wentworth and his council.
Theodore Atkinson, the Governor's secretary, a judge in the provincial courts, a man of large wealth and great power in the government, was an intimate friend of the fathers of this town. He owned large real estate here. The town was named for him. The Academy was honored with the same name.
I call your attention to the peculiar difficulties in which Atkinson Academy was founded, and to the character of the founders. This Academy, which has flourished for a century, was not founded by the superfluous wealth of some benevolent man. It was not simply a benefaction which was located here, but it was an idea which had its origin in the minds of the fathers who were men of broad
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ADDRESS.
views, and they formed plans for the future. They planted this Academy amidst trials and struggles, and without great wealth, by their wisdom and care they nourished its growing life. They were deeply sensible of the fact that all future prosperity, the character of citizenship, and the stability of civil and religious institutions must depend on the nurture of the youth. The first thing which they recognized as a necessity was the church. The reason they gave in their petition for a separate town was that "by reason of the great distance of their dwellings from the meeting- house, they undergo many and great difficulties in attending the public worship of Almighty God." The first thing they did was to worship God in the house of Nathaniel Cogswell. The next year they built the church in which they worshiped seventy-seven years.
When they had built the church they divided the town into three districts and hired the school-master. This was only the preparatory work. There was but one academy in New Hampshire when this school had its inception. Three schools received incorpo- ration at an earlier date; this was the second in operation.
The Revolutionary struggle had just closed. In the beginning of that war, ten years before the birth of this school, this pledge was presented to the people of the town:
" We do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, with arms oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies against the United American Colonies."
Every man in Atkinson signed the pledge, and through the years "when the earth was crimsoned with blood" they gave themselves to the conflict till victory was won. The situation was rendered more trying by the stress of the times. The war just ended had left the country a legacy of debt with small resources. Paper money had depreciated, taxes were heavy, expenses of govern- ment were still larger, prices were high. The feeling of the people was intense, conventions were held, and resolutions passed and petitions presented to the General Court for help and for redress. It was the time of Shay's rebellion in Massachusetts, which had its origin from these causes.
The people complained of the salaries of officials, of the aristoc-
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racy of men in power, of the extortion of lawyers, of the burden of taxes, and of the wide-spread distress. Mobs gathered about court-houses, and for a time the peace of the country was in great peril. But the strong men who founded this institution were not driven from their purpose by these events. They saw in these things a new argument for the education of the future citi- zens. They knew that these things were temporary and would in a few years pass away. If the foundation of character can be laid in the minds and hearts of the rising generations, the future of the state is secure.
The petition for the charter of the Academy was dated January, 1791, and "humbly showeth" the object of the institution to be the " encouragement of morality and literature." The act of incor- poration, dated February 17, 1791, gives voice to the thought which originated the Academy :
" A virtuous and learned education has ever been esteemed highly conducive to promote the happiness of mankind: an enlarged mind being the only sure barrier against the many evils which disturb the repose of individuals and the tranquillity of states, and the mind of man being most susceptible of virtuous principles, and useful and ornamental knowledge, at an early period of life."
The Academy was organized for the promotion of "piety and virtue, and the instruction of youth in the English, Latin and Greek languages ; in writing, arithmetic, music, and the art of speaking; in Geography, logic and Geometry as opportunity may permit." Its trustees were: The Governor and Council of State, ex officio ; Hon. Nathaniel Peabody ; Rev. Stephen Peabody ; Peter Clement ; Benj. Stone; Dr. William Cogswell; Rev. Giles Merrill, Plaistow ; Ezekiel Gile, Esq., Plaistow ; Hon. John Calfe, Hamp- stead ; James McGregor, Londonderry, preceptor, ex officio.
Three names deserve special mention among the founders. The first is the minister of the town, Rev. Stephen Peabody, a graduate of Harvard College, a man of original genius, his frame strong and muscular, a man of great physical might, his bearing dignified, and his manners befitting the gentleman of the olden time. He was a man of invincible purpose and dauntless energy, who believed in God and believed in the true dignity of manhood. He loved his country and served it with fidelity. He had scarcely been settled
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in his ministry when he was appointed chaplain in the army.' His reply was characteristic :
" To Hon. Matthew Thornton, Chairman of Com. of Safety for N. H .:
" SIR, - Yours of the 18th lately came to hand, in which I have an invitation from the Honorable Com. to engage as Chaplain in the service of my country. The proposal was new and unex- pected, my domestic affairs unfavorable. But the honor of the invitation, the justice of the cause, and my desire to promote the weal of America and her freedom from a state of vassalage out- weighs personal embarrassments. Therefore, with gratitude and self-diffidence I have concluded to undertake the service."
(Dated August 14, 1775.)
Further notice will be made of this honorable man in connection with his pastoral work.
The second founder is Hon. Nathaniel Peabody, the son of an eminent physician, having in his veins the blood of John Rogers, the martyr. He was a rare man. He never attended school, but was educated by his father, studied medicine, began practice early, and settled in this town. He was commissioned justice of the peace and of the "quorum." It was his duty, in this latter office, to hold court with two other justices, and to examine by oath into all offences and misdeeds against the welfare of the State and the safety of persons, and this court was clothed with authority to restrain and punish evil men. It was an office of great importance, and was given to trusted men. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel before the battle of Lexington. He was the first man in New Hampshire who resigned the king's commission on account of political opinions. He helped to capture the fort of William and Mary at Newcastle. He was delegate to conventions to consider the "alarming situation of public affairs." He rose rapidly in office, was representative to the General Court, was one of the council of safety at the time when the lives of men were in the greatest peril, the highest gift in the hands of the General Court. He was appointed adjutant-general, and went under Gen. Whipple to the defence of Rhode Island. He was at Bennington to care for the troops under Gen. Stark. He was a member of the Continental Congress. He was made major-
* The date of his settlement was November 25, 1772.
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ADDRESS.
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general. His labors were incessant. He wore out his life in the service of his country. His look was imperial. He impressed the people, and even strangers regarded him as a superior man. He was fond of dress, a fine horseman, sustained a showy equipage, a man of quick perception, ready in invention, prompt in action, his memory tenacious, his reason clear, his wit caustic, and he was the master of resistless ridicule. He was a terrible foe. If he some- times failed to carry his own plans, he never failed to destroy his adversary ; but he was just in his official dealings with men. He loved his country supremely. He was devoted to the interests of his town, and he gave to the formation of Atkinson Academy his wisdom and strength and his money. His material benefactions would have been much larger if his revenues had not been dimin- ished by the depreciated currency, and by the losses incident to his self-denying public career.
The third honored name is Dr. William Cogswell. His father, Nathaniel, had eight sons, every one of whom served in the army. William, who was a student with his brother-in-law, the Rev. Jona- than Searls, of Mason, could not behold this mighty struggle be- tween the mother country and the colonies with indifference. Though at that time only fifteen years of age, he left his classical pursuits and entered the army of the United States, June 19, 1776, as a private in a company commanded by his brother, Capt. Thomas Cogswell. He continued in the service one year. Worn down by the fatigues and hardships of the campaign, he returned to his father's house. As soon as he had recovered his health he commenced the study of medicine and surgery, under the direction of Dr. Na- thaniel Peabody. Having completed his course of medical prepara- tion, he was, at the age of twenty-one, appointed, July 19, 1781, surgeon's mate to Governor Eustis, and three years after, at the reor- ganization of the army by Washington and Congress, was appointed, June 20, 1784, chief medical officer of the United States army, sta- tioned at West Point.
When the liberties of his country were gained he returned to his home, and passed the remainder of his life beloved and honored by all. "His mind acutely discerned men and things. It was im- proved with useful science and disposition to do good. As a physi- cian he was judicious, careful, attentive ; no extravagance in practice
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ADDRESS.
mor in price marked his course; no poor widow ever complained that she 'had spent all her living on this physician, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.' As a magistrate he encouraged no vexatious litigations, nor aided the knavish in their fraud or vio- lence. As a Christian professor he was uniform, steady, and firm as a rock. In his last sickness he was resigned, humble, patient, and so he fell asleep." *
These three men were a host. They had differing elements, which supplemented each other. The plan for a school had its inception in the conversations they held while laying plans for the well-being of the town. Few days passed when these three men did not meet. Three spirits were congenial. They read the future as prophets. They studied the condition of society as men who worked not merely for the present time, but for posterity.
THE FIRST ACADEMY.
It was no small undertaking to raise and equip a building. Neither of these men had large ability to raise money. The parson had a farm which was rough, only in part fenced ; he had his own house to build, and his salary in 1787 was only seventy-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence. To this was added ten cords of wood. The salary was paid in barter. The journal of the pastor shows that he received all kinds of farm produce, and lumber and flax and labor, and largely "store pay" at Atwood's, with a large supply of cider and somewhat of rum. His ability to pay money was limited. Gen. Peabody had large landed estates, but his debts had accumulated during the war, and he was often in need of money to pay the ordinary expenses. Dr. Cogswell had a good medical practice, but the people paid their doctor much as they did their minister. Under these circumstances it was a heroic thing for these men to go forward in building. It cost them self-sacrifice, but they did it with cheerfulness.
The first academy was located on the eastern corner where the road to Salem diverges from the road to Haverhill. The land was given by Dr. Cogswell ; the building was framed at Bassett's. It was a modest one-story house, with large chimney and spacious fire- place. It was begun during the summer of 1786. When the
* Extract from a sermon by Rev. John Kelley.
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frame was ready, on the 18th day of September, 1786, the people gathered for work, "handling rocks and underpinning."* " It was a fair day." Heaven smiled on the labor. Three days later they were still at work, and the journal of the pastor reads : "I went over and gave them a bottle of rum in grog. On the 23d the frame is up, and they are boarding it fast."
There was some delay in the completion; work was for a time suspended, probably for want of funds. During the next season work was resumed, the house was finished and put to its use, and it served its purpose well for fifteen years, covering the time of teach- ing by Masters Moses Lovett Neal, Daniel Hardy, Samuel Moody, Silas Dinsmore, and Stephen Peabody Webster, who bore the pas- tor's name and married his daughter Polly. During the time of service of Master Jolin Vose, on the 16th of November, 1802, “just after two in the morning, we were alarmed with the cry of fire ! and found the Academy all of a light fire inside." It was supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Even during the fifteen years of its existence the Academy had attained an enviable name. Pupils had been gathered from towns far and near, and when the sad news went abroad that the humble edifice was in ashes, it caused grief to a large number of young men and women who had received their education here, and who now were prominent in all the walks of life. The school had exerted an important and salutary influence on New Eng- land life. Good thoughts had been dropped in the minds of the pupils, like golden kernels in a fertile soil, which had grown to fruit- age in life and cliaracter.
Pupils came from other towns, and the school gained an early fame. The teaching of the school was religious. The Bible was read, prayer was daily offered to God, the school kept the Sabbath in the house of the Lord. The duties of citizenship were incul- cated, manners were taught, respect for age, the civilities of social life, and the graces of society were not omitted. Boys lifted their hats in the presence of elders, they made a bow and the girls dropped a courtesy on entering or leaving the school-room. The school refined manners while it developed the intellect and the heart. The expense of attending school has always been moderate. The tuition at first was six shillings per quarter, after two years
* Parson Peabody's Journal.
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ADDRESS.
nine shillings. The price of board was, in the beginning, four shillings, six pence, then six, afterwards seven. It was not an easy thing to establish even this low "rate." At a meeting of the trustees, after the house was finished, some staid outside, declaring this was a wicked plan to collect money .* The exciting topic at the store and at the parson's house was this matter of " rates." It is said in the faithful "journal " which delineates these lines that the people " got high " over it. But the men who guided the enterprise were firm in their purpose, and the feeling subsided; and when it was ready for occupancy, a goodly number of pupils paid their entrance fee, and Master Neal was installed as the preceptor. Doubtless he was alone at first, but he soon received Mr. Cox as his assistant.
THE PLAN FOR BOTH SEXES.
The school was founded on a broad basis. Its purpose was the " encouragement of literature and virtue." By literature they meant education or culture of mind. Physical culture was easily gained in the resolute battles of life. The clear air of this healthful town and the manly exercise in felling trees and digging rocks, and subduing the stubborn lands, withal the practice of the gentler art of husbandry, gave to the hardy race strength and vigor and en- durance of body. They were determined to add to this the culture of the mind and the heart. It was in their minds that the school should be open to all classes and to both sexes. In this last partic- ular this school is a pioneer. The question was a new one, whether it is expedient to educate the boys and girls in the same classes and under the same teachers. It was not easy to unite at once in any plan for the two sexes in one school. Exeter and Andover had set the example the other way. Public sentiment was largely in that direction. It is very evident that some of the people in this town were slow to adopt the new plan. It appears that Mrs. Colby was engaged to teach in the spring of 1787. Her school was for both sexes. It was kept in Parson Peabody's house. She was engaged because the "Academy was not ready." But her school continued for some time after the preceptor had gathered his school in the new building, and was undoubtedly a school for
* Parson Peabody's Journal.
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ADDRESS.
girls. Atkinson might have had a female academy if the school of Mrs. Colby had continued. The first four years of its life the Academy was a school for boys only. But on the 25th day of July, 1791, Parson Peabody sent his daughter Polly, and with her entered Elizabeth Knight, Lucy Poor, and Hannah Atwood. This was the last term of Master Hardy. Master Moody taught only one term. Beginning August 1, 1791, seven young women were added to the list. But the next quarter, beginning November 22, under Master Dinsmore, the roll contained fifty-five names, all boys. The next quarter he had seven young ladies among his pupils. There were long and frequent discussions about the rules which should govern the school. Doubtless this subject of the co-education of the sexes was one of the things which entered into the discussion. After the young women had once taken pos- session they were most welcome and the policy of the school was fixed, and this has been one of the most delightful features of the institution. One of the honored pupils, Governor Kent, speaking after many years, gave this testimony :
" If I were to be a boy again, and go to Atkinson Academy, I should hope to meet the young, intelligent, beautiful, and pure girls whose presence and society did so much to mend the manners and improve the hearts of the somewhat rough specimens of incipient manhood on the opposite benches."
The first exhibition occurred October 14, 1789 .* Public feeling divided on the first public exhibition. It was under Master Neal. Great preparations were made. The master imprudently consulted no one, but arranged his programme according to his own taste. It was held in the old church which stood on the east side of the burial ground. A tent was raised at the west end of the church. A great company gathered at the parson's house ; many came from neighboring towns. The procession formed, "the pupils in front, then the Preceptor, assistant and the Trustees, and other gentlemen. The scholars on each side opened, and we went in and took the elder pew and pulpit. Stephen began with a Latin oration and spoke it well, then followed a number of diverting scenes, with singing till it grew dark. Adjourned three quarters of an hour. Our house was thronged, we ate, drank and returned and spent the evening in
* This account taken from Parson Peabody's Journal.
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diversion. Some pieces were improperly introduced and gave umbrage. The General did not attend, he was incensed at Neal." Parson Allen complained that the exhibition was profane, obscene. The town was filled with excited discussions. The trustees held frequent meetings. It led to the termination of the preceptor's term of office. He was paid ten dollars a month, but said it was " well worth twelve." His school had been successful, but he was not in hearty accord with the men who had originated the institu- tion, watched over its interests, and were responsible for its future. These trustees had not built this school for the purpose of com- mitting it to the care and judgment of any school-master. They were jealous of its good name.
THE PASTOR AND THE SCHOOL.
The relation of Parson Peabody to the school was peculiar. He often visited it. He was secretary and treasurer. His house, more than all others, was the one where the pupils boarded. He was the ruling spirit in the town. Men feared him and they loved him. The times were quite unlike our own. The parson was a man of the world, busied with a multitude of cares and used to every kind of labor. He owned a farm, which he cultivated diligently. He raised cattle and horses, he took an honest pride in the white- clover honey which his own bees gathered. He grafted trees for all the neighborhood. His fences were built with his own hands. The rocks still lie in the old stone walls where he laid them. The graceful elms which now guard with stately grandeur the house where he dwelt were planted by his care. He drove his sheep with his neighbors' to be washed, and he says, "I furnished grog and that paid my shot." He was at home in all labor and he was familiar with all trades. He had a barter account with every man in town. He entered the labor of life with rare enthusiasm. He sang at his work ; his voice was rich and strong and of wonder- ful compass and flexibility. As he rode about his parish on his favorite horse all the woods were made to echo with the melody of sacred song. He entered into the minute details of every man's common life, and he passed with no effort from common society to the room of the sick, where he conversed about God and his grace, and of the sweet rest which follows mortal toil; and the holy prayer
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he offered filled the house with a consciousness of heavenly expe- rience which lingered there after the man of God had retired .* His wife was a helpmeet; she spun her flax and wool; she wove the flannel for the household ; she could make cloaks for the neigh- bors ; she made her own butter, and cheese, and soap, and from the blossoms of her garden she distilled a rose-water which was known far and near. She had a rare gift in conversation. Her presence in the parish was helpful in all things. She healed strife; she was a constant blessing to the sick and the poor ; her hospitality was such that her house was always thronged.
" She stretched out her hands to the poor,
" Yea, she stretched out her hands to the needy."
It was beautiful to look on the parson and his wife as they entered the church on Sabbath days. His form was commanding, tall, erect, his hair curly and black, his features dark. He wore a large three-cornered beaver hat, a large single-breasted coat, long vest, snow-white stock ; and he wore knee-breeches and black silk stockings with knee-buckles and shoe-buckles in silver. The con- gregation rose as the pastor and his wife passed up the aisle, and when the service ended they remained standing as he passed out, bowing and smiling in pleasing recognition to those on either side. Parson Peabody was a faithful man of God. His reading was from Edwards, and Dodridge, and Baxter. His sermons were of the justice of God and the gospel of his Son. His second wife was the widow of Rev. John Shaw, of Haverhill, a sister of the wife of President John Adams, a lady of great accomplishment, whose influence in refining the people is still felt. Many a young man did she render thoughtful ; in many a young woman did she awaken lofty aspirations after excellence. Her daughter married Rev. Joseph B. Felt, D. D., who has been one of the most honored patrons of this institution.
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