USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Chester > History of Chester, New Hampshire, including Auburn : a supplement to the History of old Chester, published in 1869 > Part 16
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Auburn > History of Chester, New Hampshire, including Auburn : a supplement to the History of old Chester, published in 1869 > Part 16
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After 1870 one has to gather information regarding the schools largely from the Town Reports. These are really very interesting as well as instructive. If the portion devoted to schools could be taken from each town report of Chester from the earliest times, and these bound together in one volume, it would make a remarkably interesting book for anyone who should care to read about the progress of schools. Besides the regular account, district by district, the name of each teacher and a short report of her work, there is also a valuable little sketch,- in some cases, I may say, a little sermon,- directed to the townsfolk. Here one may study people; what can be more interest- ing? I have enjoyed very much going over these reports and con- sidering the character of the writer of each.
Chester has many times been fortunate in the people that have helped advance her schools. For example, there was Dr. James F. Brown, who was always so much interested in the Chester Academy. In his report, submitted to the public in 1873, we read these lines: "The best interests of the town would be vastly promoted if the school could be supplied with funds so that it would be permanent. It is quite the fashion for rich men to endow schools and colleges,- Mr. Simonds of Warner left $4000 for a school in that town, and Mr. Emerson has left a large sum to Hampstead for the same purpose." With what manly simplicity his words foreshadow his own modest gift to this town in 1908, when he left $5000 for that very purpose of helping to establish the Chester Academy on a firmer basis !
Again, there is the report of the fine and sensible doctor, Lafayette Chesley, 1878. With his plea for greater preparation on the part of the teachers, and also for more animated and interesting methods of teaching facts, his report, and especially the conclusion of it, is still throbbing with living truth for the present day and age.
It appears that Mr. Charles A. Wilcomb was the superintending school committee for a number of years, and his reports are char- acteristically direct. In 1879 he sounds a warning to the townspeople, inasmuch as "the present custom of prudential committees
gives such freedom in selecting teachers, that oftentimes . personal interests are allowed to decide their choice, while others .
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better qualified receive no notice at their hands." The term "pru- dential" was used in that early order of 1647, and referred to a custom which continued in Chester until 1885. It was very practicable in early times when there was so much ground to be covered and first-hand personal knowledge of the situation was most desirable. Prudential committees chosen for the different districts with one superintendent to oversee all the schools was the order, until their place was taken by the triple school board, who managed the business of the schools from year to year until 1919, when it was voted to engage the services of a superintendent, for the benefits of his special training and experience in the modern rural school problem. The school committee is still a very necessary element, however, and continues to render faithful services for the advancement of Chester schools.
In the report of 1881-82, I find a paragraph that might very profitably be printed anew in each yearly report, for the need of the adjuration it contains is unceasingly true all over the country :
"Taxpayers, you ought to take more interest in the school; it is your money, and you should watch its expenditure zeal- ously. It ought to be unnecessary to urge upon parents the duty of personally inspecting their workmen's work; but visit- ing schools is quite out of fashion, while criticisms, based generally upon exaggerated reports of very good, but very fallible, children, are altogether too fashionable. Troubles between parents and teachers generally arise from misunder- standings, easily righted, if, in a spirit of charity, a personal examination is made of reports."
Mr. Charles A. Wilcomb ( for the above paragraph was also penned by him) was a man of real sagacity and common sense. He was both a scholar and teacher himself, but more than either he knew the town, the needs of the town, and the townspeople. He is one of the persons still living, to whom Chester owes something of her reputation for being a town of educated and thoughtful people.
Reports follow, drawn up by Miss Harriette A. Melvin, who with her fine understanding of teaching both as an art and as a practical science pointed the way to many a young and hopeful pedagogue. Those who listened to her received many a lesson in real teaching, for she herself was that great personality: a real teacher. It is not possible to continue these gleanings from the town reports of Chester : there are too many equally worthy of a place, so that one would have to continue right down to the present day, if one had any idea of presenting the reports adequately.
A study of the various teachers who have taught in the Chester schools also gives one pause. How can one treat of them? If I named over those who influenced me most, you, my friend, would wish I could have interviewed you, and named also certain other ones who taught you, and to whom you acknowledge a great debt. At first I had thoughts of gathering together a list of some of the most noted teachers, but I gave it up. Some of those who wielded the greatest influence were not the most noted, and as I could not slight them, I decided that I could do no more than pay tribute to them as a class, and let each person remember for himself.
Although I myself have found my task of looking through the annals, in a study of the school history of Chester, a real joy, I cannot pass very much of it on to my readers. I can only advise them that they go and read likewise. A sufficient idea of all that has been done .
Bay, Chase Fr.
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for the cause of education in the little town of Chester can only be acquired by a loving study of the notes recorded year by year on paper, or perhaps by a review of the work of people who laid the foundations of their education in this town. If the majority of people who owe their schooling to Chester are honest and industrious, and if there are a creditable few who have been inspired to continue on the road of scholarship pointed out to them in their early years, let those who have been intrusted with the care of Chester schools have some credit for it.
SCHOOL-LIFE IN CHESTER.
While we do not find in the school annals of Chester mention of the late Gerry W. Hazelton as a teacher, it seems appropriate to record here a few items from the pen of this venerable and genial friend which will throw a welcome light on the school life of the early days.
"The first teacher I remember," says Mr. Hazelton, "was my aunt Sophia (Cochran). We called her aunt Sofy, accent on the last syllable. She taught me the letters of the alphabet and disciplined me with her slipper. This was very early in my career. Later I remember our teacher was Maryette Murray (Addie Flagg's mother), a sister of Mrs. William Tenney. The next teacher I recall was a Miss Rogers, who boarded with Mrs. Shirley and taught a select school. Mary and Amelia Morse and Hannah Bruce were among her scholars. This must have been about 1838 or 9, I think. The first school master I remember was Frank Wetmore.
The Wetmore family came to Chester prior to 1840 and bought the old Phelps farm south of Hall's village. There were three sisters and two brothers in the family. Frank was a good teacher and was retained two or three winters. He was succeeded by Luther Fitz, father of Isabelle, also a good teacher. I had been punished so often by Wetmore that father told me he would give me a quarter if I man- aged (italics ours) to escape punishment during the term taught by Mr. Fitz. Somehow I managed to earn the quarter, but I fancy it was a close shave." Evidently, parent and teacher did not conspire to save that quarter ! "Then came Perley S. Chase, an excellent teacher, and after him Rev. J. W. Poland. He was the first teacher to urge me to continue my studies and get a thorough education. I recall him with real affection. Parker Morse proved to be a very faithful and satis- factory teacher and was the last one under whom I attended the district school. The district embraced at that time a large number of scholars. It took in all the families from the Wilcombs to Deacon Tenney's, and nearly all had children.
At the close of each term an entertainment was given and I recall that on one of these occasions John A. Hazelton was Goliath of Gath and I was the stripling David. The dialogue of the part of Goliath was bold, boastful and defiant and the adversaries were supposed to retire from the combat. What happened to Goliath is reported in the ancient record, to which you are referred.
Another teacher, Greenleaf Clough of Sandown, conducted a select school between the summer term and winter term, I think in 1840 or 41. He was a good teacher and popular with the scholars. I remember him very well because he boarded at our house.
When I think of the families living in the district when I was a youngster, and of the home life of that period and the kindly relations among the neighbors and the pleasant and orderly social conditions which prevailed and the interest taken by the parents in the district
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school, I am glad to recall that I was reared in such a community and was for many years a scholar in the district school on Walnut Hill."
REMINISCENCES BY MRS. MARY (TENNEY) BARTLEY.
For those of us who were born at Walnut Hill, at the farthest point from the. Village, school-life, of necessity, began in our own homes; two or three families sometimes combining, as there was always an uncle, aunt or cousin ready to conduct such a school, and a good one it was, too, invariably.
When we were old enough to take the long walk up the hill to the old school-house, which stood even a little farther up than the present one, "going to school" was indeed an event. We started at half past eight, with our noon luncheon well packed, as it was a whole-day affair ; but we did not shrink from its hardships, as we always had good teachers, often natives of the district, and such jolly school-mates that the days did not seem long.
Although we had our regular allotment of school terms, as "Dis- trict No. 7," we were not satisfied without supplementing it by oc- casional private schools. There was always a Hazelton, a Chase or a Tenney avaliable for such a position as teacher.
How well I remember the stimulating teaching of Gerry Hazelton, as he discoursed upon the Shakesperian readings we came across in our "Readers !"
We were especially fortunate, too, in having, for a whole year, in our own home, the services of Uncle Charles Tenney, who has just retired from some years of teaching in which he engaged, instead of in preaching, for a few years on account of health conditions.
He not only devoted his time to the education of the family but received such of the neighboring young people as chose to avail them- selves of the unusual opportunity. He offered to us many new subjects which we were just at the age to devour. Latin and French, Math- ematics and Astronomy were treated as entertainment, rather than as drudgery.
I do not recall the date of the building of the new School-House, but I do remember the farewell re-union of all old scholars, within reach, to celebrate the occasion: how, with feasting and songs and laughter, we spent hours in the old building and then marched down to the pine woods in the pasture opposite, where we lingered, till the day was done. Would that such a celebration might be repeated in this year of 1922 !"
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SCHOOL TEACHERS
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SCHOOL TEACHERS OF CHESTER.
The difficulties of meddling in "family affairs," combined with those incident to writing these sketches so far removed from the sources of information, have made it no small task to contribute to the new History of Chester a chapter on Teachers which should be accurate, complete and worthy of the subject. The writer is, therefore, conscious of the disappointment that awaits those who expect in this chapter a fitting continuation of the very delightful chapter on the same topic compiled by Benjamin Chase. It is a matter of regret that his work, "History of Old Chester," is so rare as to be available to but few of the present generation. For interest and accuracy, that work is indeed a classic; and one almost feels that the passing of many great family names and many simple customs indicate retrogression on the part of the dear old home town. But "the world moves," and with the advances in all lines of science comes of necessity the loss or neglect of most of the elements of that simple life which seems to have been one great cause of the greatness and goodness of the men of the past century and a half.
Very early in the history of Chester, excellent private schools were maintained for young ladies "to finish their education" and for small children. The kindergarten plan was virtually in use here long before it was much known in America.
Mrs. Hale, wife of the Rev. Mr. Hale, Susan (Hazelton) Orcutt, Louise (Chase) Hazelton and Fannie (Chase) Montgomery, Mrs. Messer, Lucy (Robinson) Whitehouse and Joanna Pickett were popular private school teachers for children. Nathaniel Emerson conducted for a long time a somewhat noted private boarding school for boys in his own home (now the Nathan W. Goldsmith place). His patrons were mostly wealthy families of Boston, who sent their sons to him for preparatory studies before entering college. His sister, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke, conducted a similar school for young ladies, where Mrs. S. F. Learnard (then Miss Clara Blake Morse) and many others of the good mothers of Chester were given training of the highest type. Chester seems to have been at that time rather an aristocratic old town, like Salem, Mass., noted for its "dame schools."
It should be taken into account that the present boundaries of Chester comprise far less territory than those of the time described by Benjamin Chase. The purpose has, therefore, been to include in these sketches only the names of those teachers who were natives of the present town of Chester. A few exceptions will be noted, of those born elsewhere whose very early training was received in Chester, or whose professional career was specially indentified with our town.
If teachers and pupils of the present day wish for a view of the typical district school house of long ago, perhaps no better one could be mentioned than that given by Benjamin Chase (page 296-8) of the "outfit" in District No. 13 (later No. 15 in Auburn). Fifteen by six- teen feet, six feet stud; three windows of nine panes each (later, four) ; walls ceiled; door opened into the room, and was furnished with a wooden latch and string; writing benches of planks; slabs with legs for seats. The "Master" had a chair and a pine table in the center, and "Master Russel" swayed a scepter in the form of a hickory switch long enough to reach every scholar in the house, Green wood was used, which was out in the snow until wanted. The chimney was so
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constructed that the smoke came down into the house, instead of rising. So that it took a considerable part of the forenoon before the house was warm, the scholars meanwhile rubbing their eyes on account of the smoke. By this time the mantel-piece is on fire, and some one must get snow and quench it. (And yet under such conditions they were prepared for college !)
There are features of the school life of those times which tend to make one say that the years have brought retrogression rather than progress. The simple life had virtues which seem to be difficult of cultivation in the midst of modern conditions. We are glad, however, that opportunities and comforts have greatly increased; that the hard benches and the switch long enough to reach every pupil are things of the past; that good books and inspiring lectures are open to all; and that the willing pupil may learn from his teacher, not only the specific facts needed for business or professional life, but also those lessons for the heart which shall produce the greatest of all ends of education, namely, high moral character.
The compilation of these facts has been a pleasure, as well as a task; and the writer is honored in having been asked to make some contribution, imperfect though it must be, to the new history of our venerable town.
Thanks are due to many friends for assistance in the collection of the data here presented, but especially to Miss Martha T. Learnard and Miss Celestia S. Goldsmith.
With apologies in advance for all errors of omission and of com- mission, this chapter is commended to the kindly consideration of the reader.
BELL.
The seven children of Dr. John and Mary Bell, whose home for many years was on the Derry road, in the house known in recent years as the Underhill place, had experience as teachers. Soon after the death of Dr. Bell, the family removed to the West and there applied themselves to educational work, Maud Bell especially meeting with remarkable success. The following brief items have been gathered regarding this well-known and highly respected family :
ALICE BELL (m. Boothroyd), taught two years in rural schools in Colorado, and one year in the Loveland, Colo., graded schools.
ANNIE BELL taught in the schools of Chester and Windham; also in Pinewood and Fort Collins, Colo.
BESSIE BELL taught eight years, largely in college, academy and normal school. Her subjects were French, German, History and Literature, in which she received part of her training abroad. She taught one term in Auburn and several years in the Auburn, Me., High School; then as first assistant in the Farmington, Me., Normal School ; later at the Agricultural College in Fort Collins, Colo., as Professor of Languages.
JOHN BELL taught in Fort Collins, Colo., and Midway, Utah, under the auspices of the Congregational Home Mission Board; later at Blackfoot, Idaho; then served as Superintendent of Schools at Grandview, Idaho.
LUCY BELL, (m. Benson) taught at Linenath, Colo., and also in the grade schools of Denver, Colo., for a short time.
MAUD BELL, (m. Crandall), taught in the grade schools of Auburn, Me., five years; in the Potsdam, N. Y., Normal school one year; then several years at the Norwich, Ct., Free Academy. She was Professor of History and Literature in the Agricultural College at Fort Collins, Colo., ten years. Part of her excellent training was
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gained in Europe. She was married to Prof. Crandall of the Uni- versity of Illinois, and lived at Urbana until her death in 1915. They had three children, Charlotte, Richard and Elizabeth.
She was a woman of strong, beautiful character and endeared herself to a large circle of friends with whom she was associated in her educational work.
SAMUEL BELL was a teacher for a short time in a rural school in Colorado.
BROWN.
ALICE BROWN, famous as a writer of short stories and poems, was once a teacher in Chester, and, while a native of Hampton Falls merits a place in the records of Chester teachers. Indeed, the town may well feel honored that a writer of such high merit was a teacher here, and doubtless exercised a most wholesome influence over her pupils. The Town Reports of 1879 contain her name as teacher in District No. 8, where she taught two terms. Charles F. True was the Prudential Committee in that district at that time, and C. A. Wilcomb was the Superintendent of Schools. Two lines of comment on Miss Brown's work read as follows: "Well qualified, with experience Miss Brown will be among the best of teachers. Fine progress was made under her instruction." Soon after the close of school in District No. 8, she opened a private school for advanced scholars in the old academy building, much to the gratification of the public. The hope was also expressed that she might continue such a school in Chester. While this is not the place for extended comment on her life and work, we may state that Miss Brown attended the common schools of her native town until she was fourteen years old, when she entered Robinson Female Seminary, at Exeter. After teaching for a short time the urge to write was so strong that she resolved to devote her entire time to it. She began with the short story and few American writers have excelled her in this form of fiction. Her first volume of stories was entitled "Meadow-Grass," stories that had appeared in various magazines. The spirit of the writer may well be inferred from the initial lines of "The Artisan:"
"O God, my Master God, look down and see If I am making what thou wouldst of me."
FRANCIS BROWN, A. M., D. D., Congregationalist, son of Benjamin and Prudence (Kelley) Brown, was born in Chester, Jan. II, 1784; graduated from Dartmouth College, 1806; tutor in the family of Judge Elijah Paine of Williamstown, Vt., 1805-6; studied for the ministry, 1806-9; ordained at North Yarmouth, Me., Jan. 1I, 1810; dismissed Sept. 10, 1815; inaugurated President of Dartmouth College, Sept. 27, 1815; received the degree D. D. from Hamilton College 1819; died at Hanover, July 27, 1820.
Author of Address on Music, delivered before the Handel Society, Dartmouth College, 1809, 1810. Ordination Sermon of Rev. Allen Greeley, 1810. Sermon before the Maine Missionary Society, Gorham, 1814. Calvin and Calvinism defended, 1815. Reply to Rev. Martin Peter's Letter relating to Calvinism, 1815. Sermon delivered at Con- cord before the General Association of N. H., 1811. Fast Day Sermon, 1812. Declaration of War against Great Britain, 1812. Sermon State Fast, 1812. Thanksgiving Sermon, 1813. Evils of War, 1813. Sermon, State Fast, 1814. Ordination Sermon of Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf at Wells, Me., 1815. Sermon before an Ecclesiastical Convention, Concord, 1818.
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CHASE.
FRANCES H. CHASE, (m. Montgomery), daughter of Josiah and Adaline (Ayer) Chase, was born in Chester, and attended the public and private schools in her native town. She was a student at Hampton Falls Academy, was graduated from The Literary Institution at New Hampton in 1849. She taught both public and private schools, in Chester and Derry. From 1852 to 1857 she taught French, German and Italian at Pembroke Academy. From there she went to Elmira College, in Greenville, Illinois, where she taught for several years.
GEORGE S. CHASE, son of Josiah, and Adaline (Ayer) Chase, was born in Chester. He attended the public schools, and the Academy in his native town, and was a student at Pinkerton Academy; was graduated from Newton Theological Seminary, where he fitted for the ministry-(See Ministers). He taught in Raymond, in Greenville, Illinois, and for several years was principal of Hebron Academy, Derby, Vt.
HIRAM CHASE, son of Josiah, and Abigail (Shaw) Chase, was born in Chester, attended the public and private schools of his native town, and was graduated from Union College in 1844. He taught in the South.
JAY WARREN CHASE, son of Josiah, and Adaline (Ayer) Chase, was born in Chester. He attended the public schools and Academy of his native town, and the Academy at Hampton Falls and taught very successfully in the public schools of Corinth, Vermont.
JOHN CARROLL CHASE, son of Charles and Caroline (Chase) Chase, was born in Chester July 26, 1849. Educated in the public schools of Auburn, and Chester Academy and graduated at Pinkerton Academy, Derry, in 1869. Taught school in Salem, Byfield, Mass., and one year at a grammar school in West Newbury, Mass., and later was a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
LOUISE JANE CHASE (m. Hazelton), daughter of Josiah, and Adaline (Ayer) Chase, was born in Chester. She attended the public and private schools, and the Academy in her native town, also the Academy at Hampton Falls. She taught both public and private schools in Chester, and in other towns in New Hampshire.
PERLEY SMITH CHASE, son of Josiah, and Abigail (Shaw) Chase, was born in Chester where he attended the public and private schools; was graduated from Brown University in 1842; taught in Chester and elsewhere, and afterward practiced law-(See lawyers).
COOLIDGE.
ELIZABETH BOYER COOLIDGE. Few names are more deeply cherished by the pupils of a half century ago than that of Elizabeth Boyer Coolidge. Born in Lynn, Mass., she removed to Chester with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Coolidge, at the age of six years. She may rightly be called a native daughter, despite her "foreign" birth, and, indeed, one who not only loved her old home town, but proved her love by her contributions in a life of devoted service. In a copy of "The Meteor," a publication of high merit and short life, under date, July 28, 1863, Miss Coolidge wrote reminiscences of Chester in a most delightful style, and spoke of the "earnest long- ings" for a higher education that filled the breasts of many of the young people; and of the gratification of those longings in the incorporation of Chester Academy in 1853. She was graduated from the Academy and at the age of 15 began teaching, a work which she was to continue with marked success for 56 years. Her earliest experiences were at the school of her own home district; at the
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