USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Haverhill > Haverhill Academy, Haverhill, N. H. Centennial Anniversary and Reunion, also dedication of new building, August 4, 5, 1897 > Part 1
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Gc 974.202 H29ha 1770939
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Go
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01096 3657
1794
1897 HAVERHILL ACADEMY,
HAVERHILL, N. H.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
AND REUNION
ALSO
DEDICATION OF NEW BUILDING,
AUGUST 4, 5, 1897.
" Hereafter it will be pleasant to remember these things."
EDITED BY E. BERTRAM PIKE, ASSISTED BY
MISS MARY J. STEVENS, MISS KATE MCKEAN JOHNSTON, REV. C. L. SKINNER, J. C. EDGERLY.
1
CONCORD, N. I .:
PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.
1897.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/haverhillacademy00pike
1770939
WELCOME
THE OLD ACADEMY.
:
F 84238 .39
HAVERHILL ACADEMY, Haverhill, N.H. ... Haverhill academy, Haverhill, N.H. ; centen- nial anniversary and reunion, also dedication of new building, August 4, 5, 1897 ... Edited by E. Bertram Pike, assisted by ... Mary J. Stevens ... Kate Mckean Johnston ... C. L. Skinner, J. C.Edgerly. Con- cord, N.H. , Republican press association, 1897.
171p.
At head of title: 1794. 1897.
REUNION COMMITTEES.
ALUMNI. President.
LYMAN D. STEVENS.
Vice-Presidents.
J. H. PEARSON.
JAMES BROWN.
AMOS TARLETON.
HORACE HUNT.
T. L. NELSON.
D. F. MERRILL.
Recording Secretary.
MISS MARY LOUISE POOR.
Corresponding Secretaries.
MISS KATE MCK. JOHNSTON. MISS MARY J. STEVENS. MERRILL WEEKS.
Treasurer.
PEABODY W. KIMBALL.
Executive Committee.
REV. C. L. SKINNER, GEORGE C. BUTLER, DR. S. P. CARBEE, H. W. KEYES, J. C. EDGERLY, E. BERTRAM PIKE, GEORGE C. CASS, W. O. BURBECK, E. O. LEONARD, JOHN W. MER- RILL, MARY LOUISE POOR, MARY J. STEVENS, KATE MOK. JOHNSTON.
Financial Committee.
N. BERTRAM PIKE, E. O. LEONARD, JOHN D. LOCKE, J. F. BUTTINGER.
CONTENTS.
--
PAGE.
Preface
1]
The Reunion. Programme, first day
28
The Reunion. Story of first day 27-33
Address of Welcome, L. D. Stevens, with biographi- cal sketch 34-38
Reminiscences, J. H. Pearson, with biographical sketch 39-44
Reminiscences, Mrs. M. B. Hook 44-45
Reminiscences, Mrs. Merrill Pearson 49-51
Letter. From B. Frank Pahner
52-54
"Old School-Days," Sylvester Dana
54-59
Letter. From L. C. Morse
60-62
Reminiscences, Daniel F. Merrill, with biographical sketch 62-67
Historical Address, Rev. C. L. Merrill
68-85
Mountain Streams. An Ode, Elizabeth E. Bickford
86-89
Biographical Sketch of Samuel F. Southard
97
The Dedication. Programme . 103
Story of Dedication and Reunion, second day . 104-106
Letter. From Judge Noah Davis 106-109
"The Church and The School," Rev. Wm. R. Web- ster 109-112
Dedicatory Address, Hon. S. B. Page
115-118
Reminiscences, Susan Wade Child .
121-122
Reminiscences, Hon. Arthur Livermore, with bio- graphical sketch 122-129
Sketch of Edwin A. Charlton. By H. Porter Smith
130-135
Poem. "Homage to our Alma Mater," Rev. James A. McLaren 135-137
Parting Hymn, F. P. Batchelder
138
Pearson Hall. Brief sketch of its history
141-142
Extracts from letters received by the Corresponding Secretaries . 145-152
"A Parting Word "
155 156
Reunion Register 157-165
Haverhill Academy, 1897
167-172
ILLUSTRATIONS.
-
PAGE.
The Old Academy
1
J. H. Pearson
9
Hon. L. D. Stevens .
15
Mrs. Robert Jenkins
17
Miss Mary J. Stevens
17
Miss Jennie Westgate
17
Miss Kate MeKean Johnston
17
Rev. C. L. Skinner
19
E. Bertram Pike
21
Mrs. Harriet R. Morgan .
25
Main street, Haverhill, looking south
35
Mrs. Merrill Pearson
17 52 55
Daniel F. Merrill
63
Rev. J. L. Merrill
69 86
Elizabeth E. Bickford
91
Ezra B. Adams .
91
D. Merrill Hildreth
91
Win. H. Barstow
91 93
The New Academy
95
Samuel F. Southard .
99
Dr. S. P. Carbee
101
Rev. W. R. Webster
108
Hon. S. B. Page
114
Corner of North Common, Haverhill 118
View from Haverhill, looking toward Bradford 119
Sasan Wade Child
121
H. Porter Smith
130
Edwin A. Charlton
131
Rev. James A. McLaren
135
Fred P. Batchelder 138
Miss Katherine Morse
139
Miss Mary Louise Poore .
139
B. Frank Palmer
Hon. Sylvester Dana
Rev. C. H. Merrill
J. H. Dunbar
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Lyman Dewey Stevens, son of Caleb and Sally Dewey Stev- ens, was born in Piermont, N. HI., Sept. 20, 1821. Ile fitted for college at Haverhill academy, graduating therefrom in 1839, and from Dartmouth college in the class of 1813. After leav- ing college he was principal of Stanstead, P. Q., seminary in 1813, '11 and '15, and associate principal of Pembroke acad- emy during a part of 1846. While at Stanstead, he decided upon the legal profession as his life work, and began his pro- fessional studies with E. C. Johnson, Esq., of Derby, Vt., and completed them in the office of Hon. Ira Perley in Concord, N. II., and was admitted to the Merrimack County bar in October, 1847. Hle opened an office in Concord, where he has remained to the present time. He was married to Achsah Pollard French in Concord, August 21, 1850, who died July 2, 1863, leaving two children, Margaret French Stevens and Henry Webster Stevens. He was married to Frances Childs Brownell in Now Bedford, Mass., January 20, 1875, and they have two children, Fanny Brownell Stevens and William Lyman Stevens.
Mr. Stevens has held many offices, among them the follow- ing :
Trustee and president of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts; director of the National State Capital bank ; president of the Merrimack County Sav- ings bank ; treasurer of the New Hampshire Home Missionary society ; member of the house of representatives, senate and executive council; presidential elector ; and mayor of Concord for two terms.
MAIN STREET. HAVERHILL, LOOKING SOUTH.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
-
HON. L. D. STEVENS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- The history of the century now closing furnishes indisputable evidence that the educational welfare of New Hampshire has derived no greater benefit from any of her schools than from her academies.
Instruction in the classics, in the higher branches of an Eng- lish education, and in preparation for college, was almost wholly confined to the academies, until about the year 1854. That the people of New Hampshire placed a high value upon these institutions, is abundantly shown by the fact that one hundred and fourteen academies have been chartered by its legislature since New Hampshire became a state.
Among these honored and most useful educational agencies, Haverhill academy achieved a conspicuous position and has accomplished a work worthy of the highest praise. Being the seventh academy incorporated in our state, she has made a his- tory which her alumni and friends may review with a just pride and satisfaction. They who love her do well to lay aside their usual vocations and come from their homes, scattered over the land, and lay at her feet the offering of their loyalty and love as the one hundredth year of her existence places on her brow its crown of veneration. No one, I am sure, can read the pre- amble of the act of her incorporation, as it sets forth the high and noble purpose for which this institution was designed, and the broad and liberal curriculum which she should offer to her students, without feeling his enthusiasm for her kindled anew. This is its language :
" The end and design of said institution is, and shall be, to promote religion, piety, virtue, and morality, and for teaching and instructing youth in the English, Latin and Greek lan- guages, in writing, music, and in the art of speaking, in geog- raphy, logie, geometry, mathematics, and such other branches
-
8
CONTENTS.
Fred. Elliot Jenkins.
139
George R. Kimball
139
Pearson Hall 141
Congregational Church, Vestry, and Parsonage
143
William Learned Hinds
145
View of Court street, Haverhill
153
View of South Main street, Haverhill
153
View of Hotel and North Main street, Haverhill
153
View of Moosilauke from Haverhill
153
Corner of North Common, Haverhill
153
View of New Academy Building
167
9-10
JJ. IL. PEARSON.
PREFACE.
About the middle of 1893, after a full century of existence,. Haverhill academy found itself for the first time in possession. of an endowment fund. For an even hundred years this grand old school, endowed only with the hopeful enduring spirit of those noble men who hewed the timbers of its first home from the primeval forest, had been quietly doing its noble work, struggling against many discouragements, forced at times for want of funds to close its doors, but never giving up the fight.
Nearly three years passed after the death of Samuel F. South- ard in May, 1893, before any active steps were taken to apply his bequest for the benefit of the academy. But in the spring of '96 the town of Haverhill voted to join the trustees of the acad- emy in erecting a new $10,000 building, just south of the old academy, on the site of the recently-burned residence of the late George W. Chapman.
No sooner had the new building been started, or become a certainty, than the disposition of the old academy building be- came a troublesome and much-discussed question. It was de- clared unsafe by some, and there were many (of a practical and economie turn of mind), who advocated that it be torn down and sold.
But fortunately for those who held the old academy's battered walls, cracked chimneys, and rough-worn floors in tender re- membrance, arguing that it should be preserved for the sake of "Auld Lang Syne," a champion for their cause appeared at this time in the person of Mr. J. H. Pearson, of Chicago, an old Haverhill boy and former student, who offered to take the old building and put it in thorough repair for a library and village hall. The offer was quickly accepted, and so promptly carried into execution that before the new building was completed, the old academy stood no longer a useless, cracked old building, but a substantial, beautiful village hall and library, remodeled and refitted throughout.
Ever since the new building had been determined upon, the
12
PREFACE.
hope had been strougly entertained by some of Haverhill's pub- lie-spirited citizens of holding a rennion of forsder students of the old academy and the dedication of the new building at one . and the same time .* Mr. Pearson's generons offer gave new courage to those who cherished this hope, and new impetus to the project at its very start.
A meeting was called early in November, 1896, to talk up this matter, and, though not largely attended, was enthusiastic, and resulted in the appointment of an executive committee to under- take this work ; which, after long months of hard, up-hill strug- gle, aud many discouragements, resulted in one of the happiest and most successful events in the history of the beautiful old " shire " town, and its time-honored institution.
To tell the plain and happy story of this rennion, for the ben- efit of the many who could be present in spirit only ; to help keep forever fresh, in the memories of those participating, the glad happenings of its two cloudless days, and to perpetuate the historical record of the first one hundred years of old Haverhill academy, for the lasting benefit and enconragement of the pres- ent and future generations, is the purpose of this book, and the earnest hope of its editor.
It is fortunate indeed that the generosity of two former towns- men and students should have furnished an occasion which ren- dered it possible to snatch the fast-fading history of one of New Hampshire's most time-honored educational institutions from the dimming past, and through the faithful memories of her old alumni, leave it a clear and tangible record.
It has been no short nor easy task to collect and compile the speeches, essays, letters, and sketches which appear in the fol- lowing pages. Many of the happiest remarks and reminiscences given during the reunion were extemporaneous, and could not be reproduced ; while many others who have been requested to contribute to this souvenir record, have failed to respond. By reason of limited space, it has been absolutely necessary to abridge many of the essays and letters, some of them quite severely, but in so doing it has been our endeavor to leave ont nothing that was relevant to the reunion or history of the acad- emy.
It was our first thought to preserve only the actual events of
* Miss Elizabeth A. Sloane was the first person to make any move toward putting this idea into tangible form .- ED.
13
PREFACE.
the two-days' programme, in as inexpensive a book as possible ; but as the nature and volume of its contents became apparent, and the expressions of interest from all sides made it evident that something more than a cheap pamphlet was demanded to commemorate so important and successful an occasion, we decided to increase the illustrations and contributions, taking the risk of finding a sufficiently-increased demand to offset, par- tially, at least, the increased cost.
It must be borne in mind that there was no fund for this work, and that all the labor and expense of correspondence, compilation, and editing has been done without compensation, and that the editors are dependent upon the sale of the book itself to cover the actual expense of printing.
It is unavoidable in a work of this kind that some mistakes and omissions shall have occurred, and for these we bespeak, in advance, your lenient criticism. . Do not charge them to lack of care in preparation, but remember that where so many are inter- ested, it is impossible to fully satisfy all.
If our efforts shall serve, even in a slight degree, to keep bright the memory of pleasant bygone days and dear faces ; to maintain the renewed interest, awakened by the reunion, in Haverhill and her academy ; and to pass on to the historian of her next centennial anniversary a elear story of her first, we shall be fully compensated, and more.
The EDITOR.
HON. L. D. STEVENS.
Erce .
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MRS. ROBERT JENKINS, Head of Entertainment Committee. MISS MARY J. STEVENS, Corresponding Secretary.
MISS JENNIE WESTGATE, Head of Committee on Decorations. MISS KATE MCKEAN JOHNSTON, Corresponding Secretary.
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REV. C. L. SKINNER, Chairman Executive Committee.
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E. BERTRAM PIKE.
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THE REUNION. -
FIRST DAY .- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1897.
Pearson Hall, 11.00 o'clock.
MUSIC.
PRAYER.
Address of Welcome
Hon. L. D. Stevens.
Response . Mr. J. C. Eagerly.
Song, " The Windmill," Longfellow . Gustarous Tuckerman.
Fred Elliott Jenkins.
Reminiscences Mr. J. H. Pearson.
Reminiscences Mrs. M. B. Hook.
Paper
Mrs. Merrill Pearson.
MUSIC.
1.00 o'clock, banquet with post-prandial exercises.
Congregational Church, 7.80 o'clock.
MUSIC.
Reminiscences Mr. D. F. Merrill. Solo, " Heart's Delight " Gilchrist.
Mrs. Harriet R. Morgan.
Historical Address . Rev. JJ. L. Merrill.
" Bedouin Love Song " P. A. Shuecker. Fred Elliott Jenkins.
Reading, " The Rescue " Charles Reude.
Miss Nellie P. Nichols.
()de
Miss Elizabeth Bickford.
a. " At Parting" Rogers.
Solo, 2 b. " Cradle Song" Hauser. (c. " Pearls of Gold " Thon. . Mrs. Harriet R. Morgan.
. Selected.
Beading
Miss Nellie P. Nichols. MUSIC.
MRS. HARRIET R. MORGAN.
--
THE REUNION.
After nearly two weeks of hiding, the sun came forth in full splendor on the morning of August 4th, and invested the old historic town of Haverhill with all her wonted beauty, making glad the hearts of those who had worked faithfully and hard for long months to prepare for the events of these two days.
Only those who have seen Haverhill in her summer glory can realize the supreme beauty with which Nature has endowed her. Who has looked down her wide, level streets, shaded with graceful maples and mighty ehs; out upon the broad green meadows at her feet, where the Connecticut traces a shimmer- ing silvern pathway through their midst, carrying on its bosom changing pictures of Vermont's green-clad mountains that tower above its western banks; or back across her broad upland fields and woodlands to where old Moosilauke stands sentinel in the east, stern and forbidding in the clear light of dawn, majestie and inviting, bathed in the sunset's purple glow ; then lets the eye rest nearer, on the two broad " commons" in the heart of the village, tree-bordered, green as emeralds, and en- closed with the familiar old white fence :- who has looked forth on this scene, under the changing light and shadow of a perfect August day, and can deny that Haverhill has been favored by Nature above all of New England's host of beautiful villages ?
Such a day greeted the throng of former students that re- turned to look once again on these old scenes of beauty and dear associations, this first morning of the reunion.
Many visitors from distant points had arrived the preceding day, and the morning trains and private carriages brought many more. Groups of old friends, reunited after long separations, were gathered here and there, and the streets presented a scene of joyousness and animation that thoroughly aroused the old
28 MORE
HAVERHILL ACADEMY.
village from its lethargy, and will never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to witness it.
A few minutes before 11 A. M., the hour set for the opening exercises, the old bell-the bell that had rung so clear and strong for three generations of Haverhill's children-pealed forth its summons to gather, once again, the former students of the old academy. What dear associations and tender mem- ories were borne in on those who listened to its familiar tones that morning ! At 11 o'clock the old building, now known as Pearson Hall, was filled to overflowing.
The meeting was called to order by the Rev. C. L. Skinner, who introduced the Hon. Lyman D. Stevens, president of the Alumni Association. After congratulating the alummi that the sun shone so benevolently "upon the morning of that day to whose coming we have so long looked forward, and upon which so mmch thought and care has been bestowed," President Stevens requested the Rev. C. II. Merrill to offer prayer.
After the prayer, President Stevens delivered his address of welcome, which was responded to by J. C. Edgerly. The full text of these addresses, together with the others on the pro- gramme, will be found in the following pages.
At the close of his remarks, Mr. Edgerly introduced a resol- tion that the thanks of all friends of Haverhill academy be ex- tended to the man through whose mmificence they were enabled to gather on this occasion in the old academy building, so finely fitted up for the purpose. This resolution was adopted unani- mously and with much enthusiasm.
At this point, Mr. J. H. Pearson suggested that, as the " boys " and "girls" present seemed to be in very exuberant spirits, the chairman might need some assistance in keeping order, and he therefore presented him with a gavel, which he could use if need be ; for which President Stevens thanked him in behalf of those present.
After Longfellow's " The Windmill," arranged by Tuckerman, had been sung by Mr. Fred. Elliott Jenkins in a very ereditable manner, the chairman invited the audience to listen to " Remi- niscences " by "our large-hearted and generous friend, J. II. Pearson, Esq., of Chicago."
29
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
The next number on the programme, " Reminiscences," by Mrs. M. B. Hook, was read by her daughter, Miss Hook, as, owing to failing health, Mrs. Hook was unable to be present.
One of the academy's oldest living students, Mrs. Merrill Pearson, then read an interesting paper, in which she recalled many instances of her school-days in the early history of the academy.
The morning exercises were then closed with music by the orchestra.
The recess intervening between the close of the morning ex- ercises and the banquet was pleasantly passed by the old stu- dents in renewing old bonds of friendship, and telling of the varions happenings in their lives since the old days in Haverhill.
At 1 o'clock, all repaired to the banquet, spread in the dining and library rooms of Pearson Hall, where a scene met their eyes that will long be remembered,-six long tables ranged down the rooms, covered with snowy linen and loaded down with a seemingly inexhanstible supply of good things, such as Haverhill's famous cooks know how to make, and beautifully decorated with flowers and ferns.
Covers were laid for three hundred and fifty, and some of the tables had to be reset.
The banquet proved one of the events of the reunion, and too much cannot be said in praise of the head of the committee having it in charge, Mrs. Robert Jenkins, to whose untiring efforts and good management its success was very largely due.
About 2 : 30 r. M. the company again assembled in Pearson llall to listen to post-prandial exercises. After calling the as- sembly to order, President Stevens announced the first toast, "The Trustees of the Academy." Dr. S. P. Carbec, president of the board of trustees, made a fitting response, giving a brief history of the academy, and referring feelingly to some of the old trustees,-Ezra Bartlett, Dr. Phineas Spalding, and other men of like standing, saying that in his opinion the character of these men had much to do with the high position the acad- emy had always held among institutions of learning in the state.
30
HAVERHILL ACADEMY.
The next toast, "The Teacher," was responded to by Prof. C. H. Morrill, principal of Brigham academy, at Bakersfield, Vt., a former principal of Haverhill academy. Mr. Morrill's remarks were eminently fitting for the occasion, and were · thoroughly enjoyed.
An interesting letter from Prof. B. Frank Palmer was then read by Mrs. L. D. Stevens.
The Hon. Sylvester Dana of Concord, a student of more than sixty years ago, was next called upon, and his reminis- cences, which will be found in the following pages in full, were both interesting and amusing.
Rev. Levi B. Rogers, in responding to the toast, " The Church," referred to the difficulty of speaking upon this grave and reverend subject in the proper spirit. He spoke feelingly of the strong influence exerted for good by the academies, and the debt the church owes them. He paid a touching tribute to his old teacher, Mrs. Hook, and expressed regret that she was unable to be present. In.closing, he expressed a hope that the good work accomplished by the academy in the past might be carried on to a still greater degree in the years to come.
Mr. William HI. Barstow, being next called upon, said that although he had traveled for many years throughout the United States, yet there was no spot so dear to him, nor any whose beauty appealed to him so strongly, as Haverhill. He congrat- ulated the townspeople on their new' academy building and the many other improvements in the village, and closed by express- ing a hope that he might live to be present at some future an- niversary of the Academy.
Rev. C. II. Merrill, being invited to add a few words, re- ferred, with much feeling, to his old teachers, Miss Buswell and Miss Cooper, and gave an amusing but tender sketch of the little "Cooper Institute." He said, in brief, that though he had received the best of instruction after leaving Haverhill, he felt that he owed more to the teachings instilled by these two teachers than to all his subsequent education.
The next toast, "The Second Century of the Academy." was ably responded to by Hon. S. T. Page of Manchester, in a very bright and witty speech, that kept the audience in an
31
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES.
uproar, but which contained a great deal of thought for serious reflection, as well as much that was amusing.
By request of the chairman, Mr. J. C. Edgerly then read a letter from Mr. Luther C. Morse, of Vanderbilt, Cal., a former 'student, who was unable to be present.
The toast to "Haverhill" was greeted with prolonged ap- plause, and was responded to by Mr. Ezra B. Adams. Although Mr. Adams had no opportunity to prepare his remarks, having been asked to respond to this toast only a few moments before called upon, yet they were most appropriate, and deeply touched those who have a true affection for old Haverhill. He sug- gested that with a slight change the words of Daniel Webster in his famous reply to Hayne would be appropriate in speaking of Haverhill, " Massachusetts needs no encomium from me, there are Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, and there they will remain forever," and added, " So I say Haverhill needs no encomium from me, for here are her beantiful hills, mountains, meadows, and river, and here they will remain forever." He spoke of the rare beauty of the scenery around Haverhill, and of her former citizens, in the following words :
" As I came up on the cars and across from Newbury. the words of the poet came to my mind :
' The hills, the everlasting hills, How peerlessly they rise; Like earth's gigantic sentinels Discoursing in the skies.'
" When I think of the grand and noble men and women who have lived here, I cannot but think that they, as well as the beautiful surroundings of Nature, have done much for the bene- fit of this place. Time will permit me to speak of only a few of them.
' Col. Charles Johnson, noted for good deeds and bravery, lived here. His house was a fort during the Revolutionary War. He was out one day alone, on an important mission, and passing through the woods cut a stick ; of a sudden he came upon a company of Hessians, who shouted he was their prisoner; he raised his stick and smote the sword from the
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