Historical sketches of Peterborough, New Hampshire : portraying events and data contributing to the history of the town, Part 3

Author:
Publication date: 1938
Publisher: [Peterborough, N.H.] : Published by Peterborough Historical Society
Number of Pages: 332


USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > Historical sketches of Peterborough, New Hampshire : portraying events and data contributing to the history of the town > Part 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39


1826.


Milton Spalding, P.


1832


June.


Francis Bowers,


L.


July.


Lydia Marshall,


P.


Chloe Bowers,


L.


1838


Sept.


Prudence Barber,


L.


Lydia Brown,


L. 1834


Phebe Hadley,


L.


Nathaniel Burnhanı,


L. 1833


Mrs. Robert Swan,


L.


Mary Burnhanı,


L.


I833


Dec.


Phebe Holt,


1830


John Dane,


L.


1833


Nathaniel H. Moore, P.


I851


Deborah Dane,


L.


1833


1829.


Peter Pevey,


L.


1833


Marclı.


Hannah Jolinson, P.


Sally Pevey,


L.


1833


April.


Nathaniel Moore, L.


1853


Margaret Gillis,


L.


Sarah Moore, L.


Stephen Holt,


L.


May.


John Todd, jr. & wife, L.


dis. & rec.


66


Fanny Holt,


L.


*


Polly Dyke,


L.


Louisa Field, P.


1837


Willian Barnes,


L.


1833


Aug.


Mrs. Fannie Howe,


L.


Abigail Barnes,


L.


1833


1830.


Reuhamah Burnham, L.


1833


Ja11.


Mrs. Mary Laws,


L.


Lucretia Fletcher,


L.


1833


May.


Lucy Taggart,


L.


dis. & rec.


Mehitable Low,


L.


1833


Sept.


Margaret M. Batcli- elder,


L.


dis. & rec.


Benjamin Mitchell, P.


1840


. Mary J. Miller,


L.


June


Martha Mitchell, P.


William Abbot, L. 1833


Hannah Abbot, L.


Samuel Ordway, L. 1834


Oct. Reuel Richardson, P.


1851


Martha Bickford,


L.


Horatio N. Field,


P.


Sylvina Field,


P.


1833


Abigail Upton,


P.


Jane Steele,


P.


1854 '


Betsy Steele,


P.


John Field, jr.


Adaline Field,


P.


Sept.


*


Isaac Field, P.


1828


*


ABBREVIATIONS .- Ad. admitted ; * deceased ; L. united by letter ; P. united by profession ; dis. dismissed ; rec. recommended.


James B. Nichols,


L.


*


*


Mary Carley, P.


1834


March. Gilman Dane, P.


14


Peterborough Historical Society Collections.


Oct. Mercy Poor,


P.


Jan.


John Grant, P.


1833


Dorcas Peavy,


P.


1833


Francis Blodget, P.


Bethiah Hunt,


P. 1854


George W. Bancroft, P. 1833


Louisa Hunt, P.


1836


James Holmnes, P.


1841


Gilman Field, P.


John Dyke,


P.


March.


Josiah Coburn* and wife,


L.


*


Nathaniel Burnham, 3d,


P.


1833


Mrs. Sally Gibbs,


P.


=


Mrs. Nancy C. May- nard,


P.


1849


April.


John Nay,


P.


1843


Roxana Porter,


P.


P.


1833


Mary Grant,


P.


1833


Esther Day,


P.


Oliver Woods,


P.


Sarah Moore,


P.


1835


May.


Farnum Holt, P.


1833


Catherine Field.


P.


1835


Stephen Holt, jr.


P.


1833


Hannah Grant,


P.


1835


Mrs. Rhoda Dane, P. 1833


Melinda Dame,


P.


Mary Burnham,


P.


1833


Eliza Cole,


P.


July.


Mrs. Martha Stevens, L.


Elsina Wood,


P.


1838


Mrs. Mary Ann Low, L.


1837


Franklin Griswold,


L.


1833


Sept.


Benjamin Brackett,


P.


May.


Francis Burnham,


P.


1833


=


§ Philip Alexander, Mary Alexander, P. P.


1835


Ebenezer Farring- ton, jr., P.


1833


Oct.


Anna D. Holt,


P.


1833


Francis Burnham, jr., P.


1833


Sarah Grant,


P.


1833


Dec.


Jotham P. Draper, P.


1833


Fanny Jaquith,


P.


1833


1833.


6.


Mary Peavy,


P.


1833


· June.


§ James B. Nichols, L. { Adaline Nichols, L.


1835


Mary Farrington, P.


1841


Eda Farrington,


P.


1832


Mary C. Field, L.


Mary Holt,


P.


1833


1834.


Watson Washburn, P.


Oct.


Christopher Wheeler, P.


Orra Washburn,


P.


Charles M. Smiley, P.


1837


Sally Puffer,


P.


1845


Martha M. Stevens, P.


1837


Eveline Bancroft, P.


Mary A. Field, P.


*


Arianna B. Crane, P.


=


Mary Dodge, P.


A. A. Farnsworth, P.


1851


Sarah Field, P.


1851


June.


Jane Norton,


P.


Nov.


Rev. Josiah Ballard,


L.


P.


P.


1851


Oct.


John F. Stevens, P.


Thomas Moore, P.


1841


William Alcott and wife, P.


1844


Nov.


Lois Collins, P.


*


Mrs. Martlia Studley, P.


Lydia Carter,


P.


=


Elizabeth Hunt, P.


Charlotte Ritchie, P.


1854


John Smith, jr., P.


1835


1838.


Stow Verder, P.


1832


Annah Whiting, P.


Mrs. Betsy Nay, P.


Samuel Cary, P.


Melinda Farrington, P.


1850


Elizabeth Bancroft, P.


1835


Tabitha Field, L.


1848


Lucy Stevens, P.


Hepzibah Oliver,


L.


1850


Elizabeth Emerson, P.


Elizabeth A. Morrison, P.


1841


Elizabeth Wilson, P.


1842


1832. Jan.


Silas Barber,


P.


*


Elvira Fife,


P.


Samuel Maynard, P.


Margaret Spring, P.


Mrs. Sarah Pierce, P.


John Averill, P.


Celinda Hill, P.


1839-[No preaching]


1831. Jan.


Job Hill and wife, L.


1851


Mrs. Betsy Richard- son,


L.


1851


Mrs. Amy Hadley,


P.


.


= April.


1835


Samuel Gould,


P.


1852


Mary Fieid,


P.


*


Mrs. Maria Breed,


L.


1835


July.


Silas Barber* and wife, P.


Betsy Clark, P.


1851


Catharine P. Oliver, P.


1850


Betsy Felt, P.


1852


Beulah Fletcher, P.


Elizabetlı A. Puffer, P.


Cynthia W. Oliver,


P.


1850


Sept.


Elmira Fife, P.


Eli Hunt,


P.


*


Mrs. Mehitable Spald- ing, L.


Nancy Baily,


Martha Thayer,


1837.


=


Mary Farrington,


*


First Presbyterian Church of Peterborough-1856.


15


1840. July. Mrs. Mary Parker, P. 1851


April.


Sarah A. Mansfield, P. 1850


Delura Watson, P. 1853


Caroline P. Allison,


P. 1851


Jesse B. Watson, P.


4€


Nancy C. Gibbs, P. dis. not rec.


Betsy Edes, P.


Caleb F. Wilder, L.


Joseph Carter, P.


John Barber, L.


Elizabeth McCoy, P.


Betsy Barber, L.


July.


John Thorning,


P.


Philip Averill, L.


William H. Hadley, P.


Hannah Averill, L.


William H. Puffer, P.


William D. Locke, L.


J841


Edwin Puffer, P.


Miranda Locke, L.


1841


Elizabeth Edes, Lydia Wheeler, P.


Oct. "


Polly Carey,


P.


Joel Hadley, P.


1841.


Jan. Caroline Hill, P. 1843


Nancy Edes,


P.


Sophia Griffin, P.


John Vose, Diocletian Melvin,


L.


Mary A. Taggard, P.


Esther Cummings, P.


1843


Frances S. Melvin, 1844


Sarah Merriam, P.


Rebecca Richardson,


Olive Smith,


Sarah J. Dunbar, 1853


§ Asa Davis,


Pamela Davis,


I843. Jan. Mary Ann Kimball, P. 1849


Melansey French,


I85I


Lucy Kendall, P.


1842. Jan.


Jane Richardson, P.


David Youngman, L. dis. & rec.


Clarissa Styles,


P.


Mary A. S. Youngman, L.


dis. & rec.


Henry Field, P.


Elizabeth A Taggard,


April.


Joseph Holt, P.


Timothy Holt,


Ephraim Wood, P.


*


Mary Holt,


dis. & rec.


George Allen, P.


George A. Jewett, P.


1852


Levi Nichols,


P.


1851


1844.


Jan.


Almira B. Taggard, P.


Francis Cragin,


P.


Dorithea Banister,


1847


Solon Mansfield,


P.


1850


Frederick A. Mitchell,


William M. Cragin, P.


Martha Mitchell,


dis. & rec.


Charles Barber,


P.


Charles Mitchell, 1851


George W. Stevens,


P.


1854


1846.


Lois Field,


P.


Eliza Carley, Martha Varnum,


Hannah Cragin,


P.


Benjamin B. Osmer, 1856


Harriet Carey, P.


John W. Barber, 1855


Lois Oliver, P.


Nancy Chalice, 1855


Mary Hunt, P.


B. Maxwell, 1855


Jerusha Stevens, P.


Rev. Chas. Greenwood 1855


4 4


Eunice Field, P.


1854.


Minerva A. Cudworth, P.


1851


Mary Butler, 1856


Eunice K. Wood, P.


1856.


Nancy M. Stearns, P.


Sarah Merriam, P.


Total, 355.


Susan R. Stacey, P.


Abigail Bruce,


P.


MEMBERSHIP IN 1856.


Maria F. Drew, Moses Wilkins,


P.


1849


NAME.


RESIDENCE.


Timothy Hunt,


North Fac.


Lucy A. Wilkins,


P.


Nancy Hunt,


Sarah B. Dennis,


P.


Lydia Upton,


South Fac. East Mt.


Betsy C. Stearns,


P.


Sally McCoy,


Eliza A. Stacey,


P.


Mary Bailey,


Abigail E. Stacey,


P.


Mercy Poor,


Dea. Vose's Main St.


Mary Leatliers,


P.


1851


Mrs. Polly Gibbs,


Sarah P. French, P.


Lucy Nichols,


1851


Anna Swan, P.


1851 1853


Mary Miller, Almira Stearns,


Marcus D. Farns- worth, P.


1845


Rosanna Russel,


1853


John Carter, P.


Joseph Glines, P.


Timothy Russel, P.


P. 1849


Elizabeth Farnsworth, L.


1853


1849


P.


July. Mrs. D. P. G. Hadley, L.


Eliza Stacey, P.


16


Peterborough Historical Society Collections.


Roxanna Porter.


Main St.


Mrs. Lois Kimball,


Mrs. Esther Johnson,


North Fac Church St.


Mrs. Mary Hunt,


( Watson Washburn,


Mrs. Jeruslia Stevens,


Poor Farm Temple Road


Orra Washburn, Lydia Carter,


Non res.


Eunice K. Wood,


Nou res.


Betsy Nay,


Nancy M. Stearns, Mrs. Sarah M. Tubbs,


Academy St.


Silas Barber,


West Road


Susan R. Stacey,


N. Fac.


Samuel Maynard,


East St. road


Mrs. Abigail B. Barrett,


Main St.


Mrs. Amy Hadley,


West Road


Mrs. Saralı D. Farnsworth,


Cottage St.


Benjamin Brackett,


Brackett's Pond


Mrs. Jeanette Swan,


N. Fac.


Margaret Spring,


Betsey C. Stearns,


Non. res.


§ Christopher A. Wheeler,


North Fac.


Eliza A. Stacey, Abigail E. Stacey,


N. Fac.


Lydia Wheeler,


Mrs. Elizabeth Powers,


Hunt's Corner


Mrs. Betsy Edes,


Edes' Road


Mrs. Annalı Whitney,


Church St.


Joseph Carter,


Mrs. Beulalı Bryant,


Non res.


Mrs. Elizabeth McCoy,


Non res. East Mt.


Mrs. Elizabeth P. Averill,


West Road


William H. Hadley,


West Road


Caleb F. Wilder,


Edes' Road


William H. Puffer,


Non res.


Betsy Barber,


Main St.


Edwin Puffer,


Philip Averill,


West Road


Joel Hadley,


West Road


Hannah Averill,


Mrs. Nancy Edes,


Edes' Road N. Fac.


Sarah Merriam,


Academy St.


Sarah P. French, Almira Stearns,


Non res.


George Allen,


Non res.


Francis Cragin,


North Fac.


Frederick A. Mitchell,


Edes' Road


Charles Barber,


West Road


Mrs. Lois F. Cannon,


Temple Road.


Eliza Stacy,


N. Fac.


Mrs. Sarah McCoy.


Mrs. Hannah Cragin,


Winne Row


Total 70.


MALES 21.


FEMALES 49.


UNION EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF PETERBOROUGH-1SS6.


[The following brief historical sketch is taken from a little pamplilet containing the articles of faith and covenant of the Union Evangelical Church, publislied in 1886, and is here presented as an appropriate supplement to the foregoing sketch of the First Presbyterian Church, thus taking the history down to the year 1886 when this was written.]


In the year 1858, the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches then existing in this place, with advice of council, agreed to dissolve their respective organi- zations and unite in forming a Union Evangelical Church.


Accordingly an ecclesiastical council (of which Rev. A. Bigelow, of Hancock, was moderator, and Rev. Wm. G. Tuttle, of Harrisville, was scribe), was convened April 21st, 1858, for the purpose of effect- ing the organization. Thirty-six men- bers from the Congregational and twen- ty-six from the Presbyterian Churches of Peterboro', together with two from the Congregational Church in Hancock, two from the Evangelical church in Green- field, and one from the Congregational Church in Dalton, united in forming the new church, which assumed the name of "The Union Evangelical Church."


The first settled pastor of the church was Rev. George Dustan, a graduate of Andover Seminary, who was ordained and installed October 19, 1859. After a very successful ministry of more than a quarter of a century, during which time one hundred and sixty-eight persons were received into church membership on profession of faith, and one hundred and nine by letter, he resigned, and was dismissed December 3d, 1885. The pres- ent pastor, Rev. Austin H. Burr, was called from the West Church, Andover, Mass., January 21st, 1885, and installed the 26th of the following month.


In the summer of 1866, the house of worship was enlarged and repaired, at a cost of nearly $3,000. A donation of $350 was received from individuals in and out of town; the remainder was met by vol- untary subscription and a small tax upon the pews. In the year 1873 a chapel cost- ing some $1,600 was joined to the rear of the main building, and in the year 1SS4 a new and beautiful pipe organ was pur- chased at a cost of about $1,750, to aid in the worship of song.


[ From page 8 to here was published in the Peterboro TRANSCRIPT, June 26, and July 3, 1902.]


East Mt.


Mrs. D. P. G. Hadley,


Cottage St.


Mr. Osmer and wife,


Mrs. Harriet Carey,


Non res.


Polly Carey,


Joh11 Vose,


William M. Cragin,


Mrs. Martha Varium,


Cottage St. N. Fac.


Eunice Field,


Samuel Carey,


Winne Row


THE PETERBOROUGH ACADEMY, 1836-1903.


BY JAMES F. BRENNAN.


[The Peterborough Academy, the history of which is so closely interwoven with our education- al progress, having been conveyed to the town, the record of its existence becomes both historically interesting and materially valuable and of suffi- cient importance, it is thought, to warrant the compiling of the following abstracts from the records of the corporation before its books are deposited in the archives of the state, to the end that these facts may be in an accessible and con- venient form for future reference. The period covered is from 1836, the year of incorporation, to 1903, the year the record books were delivered to the Secretary of State under the decree of the superior court dissolving the corporation. While only a brief synopsis of the records of most of the meetings are here given, matters relating to the formation and closing of the corporation and the transfer of its property to the town, have been dealt with more fully.]


ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.


The Subscribers hereby agree to form an Association, for the purpose of erect- ing a Building for an Academy in Peter- borough, on the lot of Land granted by the Hon. James Wilson, Jr., (1) and to be bound to each other by the following Articles of Association, viz:


Art. 1st. The Capital Stock of the As- sociation shall consist of shares of ten dollars each share.


(1) This land was not granted at this time (1836), it was eight years afterward (1844) when the actual conveyance took place. Seventeen days before the date of these articles of associa- tion, however, Gen. Wilson signed the follow- in agreement to give this lot of land for the pur- pose of an academy :


"Know all men by these presents, that I, James Wilson, Jr , for and in consideration that the citi- zens of Peterborough, or other persons, do by subscription or otherwise, raise a sufficient fund to erect a suitable building for an Academy, agree and covenant with Stephen P. Steele, Timo- thy K. Ames, John H. Steele and Whitcomb French, or other persons who may subscribe for that purpose, to give a piece of land to erect said building upon, near the bridge across Goose Brook, on the road leading from French's Tavern to the Dublin road and upon the east side of said road, which lot commences at a stake and stones 6 rods southerly from the bank of the brook ; thence running due east until it strikes this brook ; thence down the brook to a stone in the corner where said brook enters into the Contoo- cook river ; thence southerly seventeen links to a stake and stones ; thence west twenty-ones rod to a stake and stones upon the road ; thence northerly bounding on the road eight rods to the place began at, and upon demand and for the pur- poses aforesaid I agree to deliver a good and suf- ficient deed of said land.


June 11, 1836.


JAMES WILSON, JR."


2nd. In all transactions relating to the Election of Officers or Agents, the collec- tion and paying in of the Stock sub- scribed, the building, repairing, improv- ing and taking care of the House, the Stockholders shall act together, as one Body, and all questions shall be deter- mined by a majority of votes, allowing and accounting one vote to each share.


3rd. There shall be chosen a clerk to keep the Records of the Association, a Treasurer, a Standing Committee of three or more whose duty it shall be to make all necessary Contracts for building said. house, purchasing materials, and prepar- ing the ground for the same, to make in- stallments on the shares and to determine the times of payment, and as Agents of the Stockholders, to do all things neces- sary for Carrying into effect the objects of the Association, and the said Commit- tee may authorize one or more of their number to act for the whole in such cases as they may think proper.


4th. The Stock shall be paid over to the Treasurer of the Association by such Installments, and at such times as shall be determined by said Committee, and each Subscriber hereby promises to said Treasurer to pay the Installment on his shares accordingly, the money so paid in to be drawn for and disbursed by the Committee.


Done at Peterborough, June 28th, 1836.


Timothy K. Ames IO John Parker I


John H. Steele IC Abel Boynton I


Stephen Felt 5 Job Hill I


Riley Goodridge 5 Joseph Jewett I


William Scott 3 James Scott 2


Stephen P. Steele IO William Fields I


Joel Stone 3 Samuel Gates


2


Henry F. Cogswell 5 William B. Kimball I


William Follansbee 5 Samuel Edes I


Renben Washburn


5 A. P. Morrison I


.


18


Peterborough Historical Society Collections.


Robert Wliite


John Smith


Eben Fairbanks


2 Joshua L. Little


Milton Carter


Whitcomb Frenchi


5


Isaac Edes


2 John Sanders


Samuel McCoy


2 John Steele


William Moore


5 Moody Davis


Samuel C. Oliver


3 George Forbush


Norton Hunt


2 John H. Newman


Abial Abbot


2 Nathaniel F. Laws


Abial Peavey


2


2 A. Cragin


I


Mark Wilder


2


Ashley Loring


I


William Wilson


3 Paul Nelson


I


Samuel Richardson


3


John W. Little


I


Jonas Livingston


2


John Scott 3


Fred'k Livingston


2


Ethan Hadley I


Walter Mckean


I Thos. Payson I trans-


A. C. Blodgett


1 ferred from Dr. Samuel Richardson.


[At the meeting of the corporation, Aug. 5, 1837, it was voted, "that every member, for the purpose of building an academy may become a inember of the corporation by requesting the clerk to mark against his name on the record book the letter A." This letter appears after all the names in the above list with the exception of those of Joseph Jewett, James Scott, Elijah F. Fowler, John H. Newman, Ashley Loring, Paul Nelson, Ethan Hadley and Thomas Payson. The share of Paul Nelson was not paid for, and only half of the A. C. Blodgett share was paid. The Io shares of S. P. Steele were purchased by the corporation from his widow, Mrs. Jane Steele, Jan. 20, 1868, for one dollar each. ]


ACT OF INCORPORATION.


State of New Hampshire.


In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.


An Act to incorporate the Peter- borough Academy.


Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened, that John H. Steele, Timothy K. Ames, Moody Davis, Stephen P. Steele, William Follansbee and their associates, successors and assigns, be and they are hereby incorporated and made a body politic by the name of Peterborough Academy, and by that name may sue and be sued, prosecute and defend to final judgment and execution, and shall have and enjoy all the powers and privileges and be subject to all liabilities incident to Corporations of a similar nature.


Section 2. Be it further enacted, that said Corporation may establish an insti-


5 Franklin Spalding I 5 James Jewett I tution in the town of Peterborough for the instruction of youth, may erect, own I 2 Elijah F. Fowler I and maintain suitable buildings therefor, 1 James Howe and may hold real and personal estate to 2 any amount not exceeding ten thousand 2 dollars, and that all gifts, donations, be- 2 I I 2 quests and legacies that may from time I George Shedd to time be given or bequeathed to said institution, may be received, held and possessed by said Corporation.


Section 3. Be it further enacted, that the capital stock of said Corporation shall be divided into shares of ten dollars each, and in no case shall the shares be liable to any assessment whatever, and in all the elections of officers and agents, or in any of the concerns of said Corpora- tion, not otherwise provided for, in their by-laws, or articles of Association, there shall be counted and allowed one vote to each share.


Section 4. Be it further enacted, that John H Steele, Timothy K. Ames, Moody Davis, or any two of them, may call the first meeting of said Corporation, to be holden at some suitable time and place in the town of Peterborough, by notifying the members thereof at least ten days prior to said meeting, by post- ing written notifications at two or more public places in said town, and may at that or at any subsequent meeting duly notified, make rules, regulations and by- laws not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this State, and may appoint or choose such officers or agents as they may think proper and prescribe their duties.


Section 5. Be it further enacted, that nothing in the foregoing Act shall be construed to prevent this or any future Legislature from altering, amending or repealing the same as the public good may require.


C. G. Atherton, Speaker of the House of Representatives.


James Clark, President of the Senate. Approved Dec. 28th, 1836,


Isaac Hill, Governor.


ABSTRACT OF RECORDS.


The first meeting of the corporation


Joseph H. Ames


19


The Peterborough Academy, 1836-1903.


was held at Col. Whitcomb French's Tavern, Saturday evening, Feb. 18, 1837; organized by choosing John H. Steele, moderator, Dr. Samuel Richardson, sec- retary and Stephen P. Steele, treasurer; act of incorporation was accepted; voted to build a house for an academy, 47 by 30 feet, according to plan of John H. Steele; Moody Davis, Timothy K. Ames and Henry F. Cogswell chosen to superintend the building and to collect from stock- holders such sums at such times as they might judge expedient and necessary; Rev. Abial Abbot, Dr. William Follans- bee and William Moore (2) elected a com- mittee to draft by-laws; building com- mittee authorized to call future meetings and treasurer was authorized to procure from Gen. James Wilson a deed of the land on which the house was to be built. The committee subsequently called for the payment of 50 per cent. of the stock subscribed to be paid before May 1st, 1837.


May 3, 1837, Henry F. Cogswell chosen chairman; by-laws reported by the com- mittee accepted; voted, "to establish in the town of Peterborough an institution for the instruction of youth, which shall be known by and called the Peterborough Academy," also voted, "that the build- ing, which is about to be erected on the lot of land given by Hon. James Wilson, Jr., be for the use of the Peterborough Academy as soon as it shall be prepared under the care and direction of the stand- ing committee;" Rev. Abial Abbot, Rev. Levi W. Leonard and Samuel Abbot, elected a committee to engage an instruc- tor, fix the price of tuition, course of in- struction and books to be used, as soon as the house was ready; Dr. Samuel Richardson, Dr. Wm. Follansbee and Timothy K. Ames were elected a commit- tee to ascertain the number of scholars that would attend the commencement of the academy.


July 29, 1837, meeting adjourned to


Aug. 5, 1837, when report of building committee was accepted and they were constituted a standing committee until the November meeting; $100 appropri- ated for philosophical apparatus and $25 for leveling and preparing grounds.


Nov. 15, 1837, building committee were requested to furnish a written report of the money expended; report of commit- tee to procure an instructor was accept- ed, stating that they had engaged Nathan Ballard, teacher, who remained only one year, at $3.50 per scholar. A term of eleven weeks, began Aug. 21, 1837, at which date the academy was formally opened with appropriate exer- cises; philosophical apparatus was pro- cured for $180, of which sum the corpor- ation voted $100 and $89.25 subscribed, of which $77.75 was paid, leaving a small balance due; adjourned to Dec. 1, 1837, at which date the building committee made the following report of the expense of building the academy:


Contract with Capt. Henry F. Cogswell, $1200.00 Alterations from first contract, 75.00


Philosophical Apparatus, as per vote, 100.00


Moody Davis, as per bill,


James Jewett, 5.50


13.02


T. K. Ames, 36.37


Robert Leathers, 12.50


Milton Carter, -


5.50


Capt. Henry F. Cogswell, as interest, 5.08


$1452.97


The treasurer's report showed that 150 shares at $10 each had been subscribed, amounting to $1500, which was declared by building committee payable in two assessments, $750 May 1 and $750 Aug. 1, 1837.


A standing committee of twelve, con- sisting of Rev. Abial Abbot, Rev. Levi W. Leonard, Rev. Elijah Dunbar, Rev. Joshua Barrett, Samuel Abbot, James Wilson, Jr., Jolın H. Steele, Thomas Payson, Dr. Samuel Richardson, Dr. Wm. Follansbee, Dr. Daniel B. Cutter and Dr. Albert Smith elected to engage an in- structor, regulate price of tuition, desig- nate time of vacation and length of terms, direct what studies and books were to be adopted, examine school, have entire charge and report annually.


(2) This William Moore carried on the machin- ist business here for many years and died in 1848, his nephew, of the same name, born in 1844, was an instructor in the academy in later years.


20


Peter borough Historical Society Collections.


Nov. 21, 1838, adjourned to Nov. 27, nothing transacted except report of treasurer.


Nov. 20, 1839, at this annual meeting only Rev. Abial Abbot, Dr. Wm. Follans- bee and the clerk, Wm. Moore, were present; adjourned to Nov. 25, at which latter date only Mr. Moore appeared, whereupon he reported: "as a matter of course, I transacted all the business and adjourned without date."


Nov. 18, 1840, report of treasurer ac- cepted showing $5.83 in treasurer's hands, of which the Peterborough Lyceum paid $1 for use of the house.


Nov. 24, 1841, among the items shown in the treasurer's report for this year was cash from the Baptist society by Thomas Payson and for use of academy for sing- ing school $1; voted, to charge not less than 50 cents for each meeting, when used for other than literary and scientific pur- poses, the person applying to be responsi- ble for damages.


Nov. 23, 1842, no report of treasurer or standing committee was presented; voted that a committee consisting of John H. Steele, Wm. Follansbee and Wm. Scott take charge of academy.


Dec. 11, 1843, meeting adjourned to Jan. 6, 1844, when it was voted that David J. Clark be authorized to take a deed of the land on which the academy now stands as soon as he can convenient- ly and report at the next meeting; voted that the committee on the house be au- thorized to repair the same.


Nov. 20, 1844, voted to sell the acad- emy and the land thereto belonging on condition that Gen. James Wilson be first satisfactorily paid for the land, the vote by shares being 60 yes, 7 no; this was the last meeting at which a standing committee or trustees of twelve were elected, their duties having thereafter been assigned to a standing committee of three; a motion was made that John H. Steele be a committee to ascertain from Gen. Wilson if he was willing to have the house sold and the sum that would compensate him for the land, this aroused considerable opposition and a




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