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 7
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Dr. Bartlett inadequate for so grave an occasion, and that they might be improved and enforced by exhortation and sug- gestion from herself. At her request, therefore, the preceptor called on his way to school, and kindly received those sugges- ' tions, and did not resent the dear old lady's intimation that the care of a thing so precions as a grandson of her's would be a heavy burden upon his shoulders, as it was also an honor bestowed upon himself.
The preceptor was Jesse Kimball, of the graduating class of 1819 at Dartmouth college. In person, lithe and active, com- mouly pacing the school-room, a book in oue hand and a ruler in the other, while he listened to the recitations of the scholars, or questioned, or explained, which he commonly did with gaiety, and often with lond mirth. Hle cheered us with flattery, or terrified delinquents by his frowu, binding ns all to himself, as to our best friend. I had never a question of his being the best manager of boys and young men I have ever known.
He was assisted in the summer by Miss Ruth Morse, of the Lebanon family of that name, a bright and beautiful young lady. They came and went always arm in arm, as was the fashion of the day.
The following were, according to my best memory, among the students of the Academy, under Mr. Kimball; but it is possible that some few of them did not appear till Mr. Porter's year :
Andrew S. Wood, chief justice of New Hampshire.
Dr. Hibbard, of Lisbon.
Levi Bartlett, who practised medicine in the interior of New York.
Horace N. Soher, a lawyer in that state.
Robert Stevens, of East Haverhill or Piermont, a lawyer in the same state.
Everett Wheeler, of Orford, who died in New York city perhaps twenty years ago.
Warren D. Gookin, of Haverhill, whose varied adventures and fortune might pass for romantic fiction. He died in New York.
Sammel A. Burns, of Rumney, who died in Plymouth, having
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passed the most of his life in teaching in Charleston, South Carolina.
Benjamin W. Bonny, from Littleton, who became a lawyer of distinction in New York.
Perhaps the most remarkable of all was Nathan Clifford from Rumney. He paid his way by doing work in Mr. Nelson's family, studied law with Mr. Quincy, opened an office in Maine, was early elected a representative to the legislature of that state, canvassed with success for the speakership, and thence pro- ceeded through many honors to the supreme bench of the United States, where he bore the character of an upright judge, an able jurist, and a public man of most courteous and win- ning manners.
There were David Clough Webster and Walter Russell, both from Plymouth, John Poor of Landaff, and many others who were prepared at that school for the respectable lives they led. And there were a few dunces. One of them produced a com- position in the following words :
"On Arithmetic."
". Arithmetic is a very good thing indeed. If one does not study Arithmetic he will get cheated out of his wits. But if one studies Arithmetic, he will not get cheated ont of his wits."
There was a small group of sweet girls, about my own age, attending the Academy. It is painful to think how many of them died early, whatever one may think of the value of extended life. Among these were Emily Towle, Eliza Wood- ward, Harriet Merrill, and Mary and Sarah Bartlett. Their varied charms distracted me, and I addressed to them in turn rhymes most archaic in struetme and in sentiment, if not origi- nal, yet conseerated by the tradition of lovers from the days of Eden. These children read .. The Sorrows of Werther," " Charlotte Temple," and similar records of fietitions love and disappointment, and they told how they wept over them; and when I defied their pathos, and for a test read one of them without a tear, I was denounced as a " hard-hearted wretch." It seems now rather remarkable that children so young were reading the Waverley novels, at that time coming out in rapid
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succession, yet such was unquestionably the fact ; for I remem- ber their quotations of those books.
My grandmother, whose house became my home for several years, was the widow of Capt. Joseph Bliss, of the Massachu- setts line in the Continental army, who, at the conclusion of the Revolutionary war, retired to this frontier, and addressed himself to the pursuits that seemed to give best promise of a living. In short, he kept an inn and a shop for the retail of varieties. To this latter branch his widow succeeded, and having disposed of its grosser part, continued while she lived to deal in ladies' wares with fair success.
Among the earliest results of my observation of these sur- roundings was the discovery of a system of religions form, dogma and sentiment, differing in various subtle aspects from the empassioned usages and thoughts in which I had been feebly trained. I certainly was amazed that no one in Haverhill seemed to recognize Christmas as a holy festival, and the boys even did not know that it entitled them to gifts, to phun pud- ding, and exemption from the tasks of school. I found, on the other hand, that religion, in thought and in action, was the very nerve of the social life of the place; that it was spread over the entire week, and not focussed upon the Sunday, although strongly accented on that holy day, and made to shine by means of three solenm meetings and a Sunday-school. It is a benediction to remember in this connection the dear, saintly Mrs. Peabody Webster, so true in friendship, so gentle in man- ners, and so thoroughly conscientious in every act and in every forbearance. At the first shadow of each Sunday evening, she might have been seen with a candle on a brass candle stick, on her way to the "conference," as the third meeting was then temmed. It was so announced from the pulpit, to be held " at the school-house at early candle lighting."
But my earliest idea of eloquence was derived from the ser- mons of the Rev. Mr. Blake of Piermont, who certainly pos- sessed that gift. His discourses were extemporaneous. He began in a low tone, dropping word after word at long intervals, in a manner that attracted the anxions attention of the listener, while he seemed to be searching for the thoughts that never
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failed eventually to come with burning effect, and for the rhap- sody that in due season arrived, and carried away the preacher and his congregation with a tempestuous force, that was in strong contrast with the dull proprieties of the contemporary pulpit. It is said that he concluded his funeral sermon on Emily Towle by reciting the Soliloquy of Cato, in Addison's tragedy.
The house at the south end of the common, which for more than 20 years was the residence of Mr. Bell, was in 1820 occu- pied by Mr. George Woodward, assistant clerk of the superior court. He was a man of rare refinement, and of manners most courteous and gentlemanly. He was very fond of music, and seemed disposed to extend its harmonies into all his rela- tions.
The two physicians were Ezra Bartlett, who had political aspirations, dressed well, and had a gentlemanly air; and Edmund Carleton, a deacon, who was an ardent minister of calomel, then a recent invention. He wore a queue.
Imprisonment was then a legal remedy for debts as small as $6.66. But the liberty of the jail-yard, embracing all the grounds within half a mile, could be had by giving security to keep within it.
Ephraim Kingsbury was register of deeds, and Moses Dow of probate ; and both had held office so long that it was not easy to imagine others in their places. Dow was in person stout, and in movement slow, and would sit for hours so still that he seemed to be asleep.
Kingsbury was of comely proportions ; his pale face denoted refinement, reserve, and the infirm health that made him irrita- ble. I remember him and his cleanly office, redolent of paper, and of the folios that covered the walls, and its temperature regulated with the care demanded by the precarious conditions of his health.
The lawyers were Nelson, a man of well-known probity and a safe counsellor. But he was slow of speech and was not often heard in court. Sloan saw his way to the wealth he cov- eted. He was of a cheerful mind, well stored with anecdote and other material of free and easy conversation. Bell, in the
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course of eight or nine years of practice had gained the highest rank of his profession.
Sylvester T. Goss, about the year 1820, set up his " Book and Stationery Store" and " Printing Office " and began the . issue of his weekly paper of many names. A copy of the paper and the printing press that produced it might at this day hold doubtful contest for supremacy as a curiosity.
In the autumn of 1820, Mr. Porter succeeded Kimball as preceptor. He was a man of preternatural inactivity. He sat in his chair tilted back through the hours of the school, a silent listener to the recitations, and I cannot remember an event of his year in school except that on one occasion he stopped in his prayer to cry ont to Oliver Kingsbury to " be still," and on another, he shook Josiah Nelson for not casting out the nines. He was succeeded, at the end of the year, by Mr. Andrew Mack, whose incumbency extended to a time so recent, that my reminiscences could probably add nothing to what many others remember concerning him. I shall therefore limit myself to one anecdote, which seems to indicate somewhat of an opinion that prevailed at the time, and was shared by him. He called me to his desk one day, and asked me if I was at a " dance " on an evening named. I replied that I was; and explained that it was a daneing school kept by Mr. Pushce. " Does your father know that yon attend that school?" "Certainly," said I, " I do so by his express direction." After a brief silence he replied in a most plaintive tone, "Sad affair ! Sad affair ! You may return to your seat."
The only pianoforte I ever saw in Haverhill was at Dr. Bartlett's, although I have a faint impression that there was one at Mr. Dow's, and another at General Montgomery's. The absence of such instruments, however, was not a grave priva- tion, for seenlar music was limited to a few twiddling songs like " The Campbells Are Coming " and " I Won't Be a Nun," and was far from edifying. Sacred music was taught by Gordon Webster (who also taught the district school during college vacations) and was performed after a fashion at meeting on Sundays. Ben Coon beat the drum, and Levi Bartlett played the flute ; and on summer evenings often attracted a throng of
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boys and idle men to follow them in martial form about the common.
The dandy in 1820 wore his trousers very short and very large., His hair was eut " pumpkin-shell," but this fashion was followed at a distance by less advanced beaux, who made their forelocks ereet themselves like the flames of candles, while their side locks were eurled round the finger or other thing to give them shape. Pomatum or tallow was copiously applied to preserve those desirable forms. Your ladies of fashion wore a hat of straw, with the back half of its broad brim cut away, leaving the front half to project, and, being tied down at the corners, to create a shadow that was certainly as becoming as the modern display of unshaded beanty. Short dresses came in later, awaiting, perhaps, the epoch of the fair ankles they revealed. High heels were desired by the fair creatures, and indulged in by such as did not fear the stern rebuke of my grand-mother, who averred that they were incom- patible with a graceful walk, and were of themselves an atro- cions deformity. She dealt only in such shoes as were without heels.
I very much fear that these recollections may appear for those whose amusement they are recorded, to be too frivolous to be offered for that purpose. And yet so nearby do I cherish the distant and receding images -- that people, that time, and place-that if I could trust my small descriptive faculty, I should include in the picture gallery, the forms of many worthy persons whom I have not named. They served their genera- tion in their respective vocations, as well as by their example of moderation in their desires, integrity in their dealings, in the sweet charities of neighborhood, and in the general reciprocity of benefits that dignify society, and endear its members to one another.
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HIFSTINGTON PORTER SMITH
Was born in Rye, N. IL., Jan. 1, IS37. Ilis father, Rev. Bezaleet Smith, was at that time pastor of the church there. Mr. Smith. attended Haverhill Academy in the fall of 164 with V. T. Hartshorne. These boys had a room fitted up for them at the head of the stairs in the old Academy building. Mr. Smith raug the bell and took care of the building For his room rent and tuition. le and Hartshorne were the only students from ont of town that term. After teaching school two months at East Haverhill, he went to learn a business, and is now a sne- cesslut wholesale woolen goods merchant in Boston.
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF EDWIN A. CHARLTON.
II. PORTER SMITH.
"The self-made man is the best- made man because he is a God-made man." The self-made man finds his niche and fills it, which is the chief end of man. Such a man sees his calling, pursues it, and is successful in it. Happy the institution of learn- ing that has this sort of a man at its head. Happy indeed the youth who comes under his care and training. A man of this sort was the principal here for a year, commencing Septem- ber, 1854.
Prof. Edwin A. Charlton was born in Littleton, N. H., Sep- tember 29th, 1828, and died, widely known and greatly be- loved, in Brodhead, Wisconsin, November 14, 1896. His father had not large worklly possessions, and his son, like many a youth who has risen to distinction, must depend upon his own efforts for an education. The struggle was often hard and discouraging, but along the uneven way he found friends- in truth -- made them. One of these friends was the Hon. Harry Bingham, under whom he prepared, in part, for college. HIe entered Dartmouth in 1850. Class honors were not in vogue in his day, but Mr. Charlton's record at graduation placed him among the first third in the class numbering fifty- seven.
My acquaintance with him commenced in the fall of 1853, his last year in college. Many years his junior, unlike him in all the graces of his symmetrical character, he gave me in my youth his invaluable friendship, and his interest in his old pupil
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never grew dim, but rather brightened with the lapse of years. I came with him to this academy soon after his graduation, but could only remain through the fall term. There had been no school .for some years.
Mr. Charlton had been warmly recommended to the trustees by such men as President Lord, Professor Putnam, and others for the position of principal. To awaken an interest in the school needed a man of marked ability. Judge Morrison and Deacon Merrill were on your board of trustees at that time. No better men could be found to make the selection; no better selection could have been made to revive and build up the school. Gentle in spirit, manly in bearing, a born instructor, he must have won the respect and love of every pupil. His discipline was mild but most effective. I well remember one of his reproofs. A youth of exuberant spirits, there was an over- flow of it in the class one day. " Smith," said the principal, "yon had better maintain your dignity." The words and the significant look took me by surprise. I did not then suppose that I had any dignity to maintain, and as I now look back through the vista of forty-three years I am quite sure that I had none. But the teacher made me feel that I had, that I was something more than a mere boy. He taught his scholars to respect themselves. They were made to feel that a transgres- sion of the rules rebounded to their injury, sure to hurt them more than any one else. But he had in full measure " sweet charity, that plant divinely nursed." Abundant reason has he who prepares this brief sketch of a beloved teacher, to say this. I recall his devout spirit at the morning prayer, which im- pressed more than would appear on the surface, those who apparently were indifferent to religious things. As an in- struetor and writer he was clear, concise, and inspiring. While here he prepared a book entitled, " New Hampshire as It Is." It was published by Tracy & Sanborn of Claremont, and met with good success. He left here to take charge of the academy at Gilmanton, N. H. In 1857 he was called to Lockport, N. Y., to take the principalship of the Union school. Here he remained four years, teaching with marked success. From this position he was called to the vice-principalship of the Union
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school of Schenectady, N. Y., where he remained until the sum- mer of 1862. In March of this year he was married to Ellen Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Alfred Hohnes, of Lockport, N. Y., and in the fall returned to Gilmanton to again resume the duties of preceptor of the academy. However, he re- mained only one year; the board of education of Schenectady offering him the place of city superintendent of schools, he re- turned to that city and resided there for five years. Receiving an urgent call to come to Anburn, N. Y., as city superin- tendent of schools and principal of the high school, he accepted it, but the climate did not agree with him, and after two years of successful and agreeable work, he was peremptorily bidden by his physician to try another climate. Being invited to the presidency of the First State Normal school of Wisconsin, at Platteville, he resigned his position in Auburn, and went West in the fall'of 1870. He remained in this school eight years and a term, when he permanently retired from the teacher's profes- sion. In the spring of 1879, he purchased the Brodhead hule- pendent, a weekly paper published at Brodhead, Wisconsin. Under his management this paper gained a large circulation and became a power for good. Though not engaged in the actual work of the schoolroom, Mr. Charlton did not lose his interest in education. How highly his work was estimated is shown by the fact that in 1884, his former pupils in the Normal school made him a life member of the National Educational association. Mr. Charlton was for many years an invalid, and mere living had for him no attraction, yet he bore life's burdens uncomplainingly and even cheerfully for others, and his only regret at parting was that he could no longer serve them.
These words are written of an old teacher in the full knowl- edge of his own modest estimate of himself. He would say of them as Hohnes said on an occasion :
" In the tribute of the hour I see Not what I am but what I ought to be."
These and words more fitting should be said of his gentle- ness, his gentle manliness, his unbending integrity, his fine literary taste, his regard for all that was lovely and of good
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report. Quiet; patient, faithful at his post of duty, he has left us the rich legacy of a good name.
"Far may we search before we find A heart so manly, true and kind; But not around his honor'd nrn Do nearest friends and kindred monrn. The many eyes his care hath dried Pour at his name a bitter tide, And oft shall fall the grateful dew For benefits the world ne'er knew."
REV. JAMES A. MCLAREN.
Born at Bay Fortune, Prince Edward Island, Sept. 26, 1864. Studied in Haverhill in '86 and 'S7. Graduated Bangor (Theo- logical Seminary ), '90. Studied at Andover, Mass., in '93. Pastor Central (Congrega- tional) Church, Attleboro, Mass., and stu- dent in Brown University . '93 to '96. Studied in Yale '5, and the same year became pas- tor of the First Congregational Church, Racine, Wis., where lie is now established.
HOMAGE TO OUR ALMA MATER.
JAMES A. MCLAREN.
We gather in loving devotion, . Our fondest tribute to pay, On spirits thrill with emotion, Upon this glad festival day. All hail to our dear Alma Mater, Thy century's crown is complete, With love, that to none can be greater, Our homage we lay at thy feet.
A century gone, with its changes, Its conflicts, its trials, its strife; With all that affection estranges, Or dampens the ardor of life. Yet thon livest-our precions Mother, More glorious in modern atttire,
With love that can flow from no other, Thy children to bless and inspire.
We've heard thy sweet voice in the distance, Like music inviting us home; And in spite of all care and resistance, Back to thee, dear Mother, we've come. How oft 'mid the conflict so dreary, We've longed for thy safety and rest .; Once more life seems glad, sweet, and cheery, As we lay our tired heads on thy breast.
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We entered thy portals in youth, To be drilled for the battle of life; Thou hast helped us in honor and truth, To stand firm 'mid the conflict and strife. - For all that thy wisdom hath taught us, Of seience, and letters to know, For all thy example hath wronght us, Glad homage forever we owe.
We would not tell tales ont of school, Nor secrets that slumber divulge; Nor do we at all as a rule, In personal allusions indulge.
But some things are too sweet to forget, And return with this glad festal day, We think of them oft and regret, That we cannot enjoy them for aye.
As jolly were teachers, as pupils, When school hours were off, as you know; They played tennis and ball without seruples, And one champion batter was " Joe." There were Millie and Mary and Mollie- The sweetest I ever have seen; George, Jimmy, and Johnny so jolly, And helpful (?) to Principal Beau.
And the lads fell in love with the lasses, With the blue eyes and sweet rosy cheeks; How devotion increases in the classes, Through the sweet Days and beautiful Weeks! But somehow it vanished like mist, And the boys were unable to pin it, Like a blossom by sunbeams once kissed, Though pupils and teachers were in it.
School love is a pretty romanee, But not so enduring as reckoned; For the victim awakes from its trance To the more lasting bliss of the second. But while fate tears fond purpose asunder, And youth's plans are broken and crossed, "Tis sweet, wherever we wander, To recall that we've loved, though we've lost.
I remember the " Board," with its meetings Always so harmonions and calm;
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The kind words and friendly greetings Of Chapman and good " Doctor Sam." Aud to others, beloved and endeared To our hearts, I would love to refer, The venerable Spalding revered, The great-minded, good Bittiuger.
Oh, still may the clear light of knowledge Be seen from sweet Haverhill afar; To illumine the pathway to college, To shine like some lovely star! Let the dark night of ignorance be brightened By the clear light of knowledge divine; Let the children of men be enlightened, That our country in beauty may shine.
For her teachers, so true, so kindhearted, Whose devotion we often recall, Who their best unto us have imparted, Our tears in silence oft fall. For her daughters, so sweet. so devoted; Her sous, so brave, loyal, and wise- The former for beauty so noted- Our prayers like sweet incense arise.
For the people, so true, that surround thee, By refinement and culture made great; For a century's treasures that erown thee- O prettiest spot in the state ! We thank Thee, O glorious Giver! For all that Thy goodness imparts; Dear Haverhill's engraven forever On the tablet of all loving hearts.
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FRED P. BATCHELDER.
PARTING HYMN.
FRED P. BATCHELDER, CLASS OF 1882. Schoolmates all, we're gathered here to-day, From atar gaily returning, Heart for heart and hand clasp yearn- ing, Glad with hope we're gathered here to-day. Gathered all, gathered all, From afar we're gathered all, Gathered all, gathered all, For it is our glad " reunion " day.
Fond recollections we brought to-day, Lightly our hearts timed for singing, Gaily, with youth's praises ringing, Fond recollections we brought to-day. Welcome all, welcome all, To our feast we welcome all, Welcome all, welcome all, For it is our glad "reunion " day.
Mem'ries dearer will we carry away. Lovingly hearts in ns burning, Sadly our steps backward turning, Mem'ries dearer will we carry away. Fare thee well, fare thee well, Now we say our last " Farewell." Fare thee well, fare thee well, Father bless us as we say " Farewell."
Now lift up our hearts in grateful praise, For the mountain and the meadow, For life's sunshine and its shadow, And the mem'ries of our old school days. Alma Mater, fare thee well. Alma Mater, loved and true, Alma Mater, fare thee well, May God ever bless both ns and yon !
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MISS KATHERINE MORSE, Chairman of the Town School Committee.
MISS MARY LOUISE POOR, Recording Secretary. FRED ELLIOT JENKINS, Baritone Singer.
GEORGE R. KIMBALL, Marshal.
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PEARSON HALL.
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