USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > History of Manchester, formerly Derryfield, in New-Hampshire : including that of ancient Amoskeag, or the middle Merrimack Valley, together with the address, poem, and other proceedings of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of Derryfield at Manchester, October 22, 1851 > Part 78
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The second school house to stand on the Highway between Capt. Samue Moor and Enos Webster on the north side of the spring that runs Cross the Road and to be Called the Union School House.
The third school house to stand on the highway between Archibald Grant and Major John Webster to be set within six Roods of the spot where the School House is Now Fraimed and to be called the Freedom School House.
Derryfield July 7th 1798.
John Stark, John Ray, Samuel P. Kidder, John Webster, John Goffe,-Commitee.
This division remained for 20 years. The teachers of those days so far as can be ascertained were-1791, Jonathan Rand .- 1792, Edward Blodget, Stephen Potter, and Frederick Has- tings. 1793, William White and Peter Severens. 1794, John Tufts and Peter Severens. 1795, John M. Laughlin. 1796, 1797 and 179S, Samuel Moor, Jr. 1799, Samuel Moor, Jr., and Matthew Reed.
Mr. Rand was the first teacher in town of whom any record can be found. The wages paid were from $8, to $12, per month. The highest sum paid per month from 1791 to 1801, as appears from the selectmen's book, was "to Samuel Moor, Jr., twelve dollars for keeping school in the lower district one month." And for this sum it is highly probable he boarded himself, as it was in his own district !
At the annual town meeting, March 8, 1808, the '.Messrs. David Flint, Isaac Huse, John G. Moor, John Stark Esq., and Capt. Perham," were chosen a. committee "to divide; the town into five districts for the purpose of schooling."
The commitee performed their duty but there is no record of it except that five districts were subsequently recognized in the transactions of the town.
This division remained while 1818, when that part of District No. 3 below Capt. Joseph Moor's, at Moor's village, was set off, and designated as No. 6, and the part of No. 1, above the Ray farm was set off, and called No. 7. This division remained while 1840, saving that the upper part of No 2, was cut off and designated as No. 8. In 1840. the population had so increased, that a new division became necessary, and the selectmen agreeable to a vote of the town, made such division
744
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
and made report of their doings to the town, Nov. 2, 1840. The report was as follows ;
"The selectmen to whom was referred the subject of the division of the town into School districts.
REPORT That in attending to the duties of their appointment they have caused an examination of the records of the town to be made and have been unable to find any such record of the present division of the town into School Districts as is required by law, And Therefore consider it important that a di- vision of School districts be made by the town and a record thereof made so as to prevent in future any occasion of dispute in relation to the subject.
On examination they have been led to believe that the arrangement of the districts heretofore acted upon is in most particulars as convenient as any which can be made, and it will be found that not many changes are recommended. In some instances where there has been a change in the situation of things an attempt has been m de to adapt the form of the districts to the present circum- stances of the people.
They recommend for the adoption of the town the following vote, namely,
Voted That the town of Manchester be divided into nine School Districts and that the said districts be numbered and bounded as follows to wit
District No. 1. Beginning at the north angle of the town on the bank of the Merrimack river thence southerly and bounding by said river to the north west corner of John Ray's farm thence easterly by the north line of said Ray's farm to the north-east corner of the same thence on the same course to Ches- ter original town line thence northerly to the southeast corner of the town of Hooksett thence northerly by Hooksett line to the place of beginning.
District No. 2. Beginning at the north west corner of John Ray's farm being the southwest corner of district No. 1, thence southerly bounding on Merri - mack river to the old ferry road near the Samuel Hall's place thence easterly by the said ferry road to land owned by David Young thence easterly and southerly by said Young's land to the aforesaid ferry road thence easterly by said road to the southeast corner of the Amoskeag Company's land the ge northerly and easterly by said Company's land to Chester original town line thence northerly by said Chester line to the southeast corner of district No. 1 thence easterly by said district No. 1 to the place began at.
District No. 3. Beginning at the southeast corner of district No. 2, on the bank of Merrimack river thence southerly bounding on siad river to the north- west corner of William P. Webster's farm to the old river road thence on the same course to the line between David Webster, Junior and Jonas Harvey's land thence northerly to the northwest corner of said David Webster's land thence on the same course to John G. Brown's land thence easterly by said Brown's land to Chester original town line thence northerly by said town line to David Young's land thence westerly by said Young's land to a point due south of the southeast corner of district No. 2, thence north to said corner thence westerly by said district No. 2 to the place began at.
District No. 4. Beginning at the southwest corner of district No. 3, at Mer- rimack river thence southerly bounding on the river to Litchfield line thence southeasterly by Litchfield line to the line of Londonderry thence northerly to the northwest corner of said Londonderry thence easterly on the line of said Londonderry to the southeast corner of land owned by the heirs of Na- thaniel Moor deceased thence northerly by the east line of the said heirs' land and David Webster, Junior's land to the southerly corner of district No. 3, thence westerly by said district No. 3, to the place of beginning.
District No. 5. Beginning at the southeast corner of district No. 4 on the north line of Londonderry thence easterly by Londonderry line to the Main- moth Road thence northerly by said road to Coburn's brook and down said brook to great Cohas brook thence across said last mentioned brook and in a direct line to the easterly corner of Israel Merrill's land being the southwest
745
DIVISION INTO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
corner of a piece of meadow owned by Jonas Harvey thence northerly by the east line of said Merrill's land and James McQueston's old farm to Archibald Gamble Jr.'s farm thence westerly to the southeast corner of Isaac and John Huse's wood-lot numbered eight thence northerly by said Lot No. 8 Eighty rods. Thence westerly in a direct line to the northeast corner of Amos Wes- ton Jr.'s Land lot No. seven thence westerly by said Weston's Land to Chester old line. Thence southerly by said Chester line to the southeast corner of district No. 3 and southerly by district No. 3 and district No. 4, to the place began at.
District No. 6. Beginning at the southwest corner of the town of Hooksett thence southerly and wes erly by districts No. 1 and two to Humphrey's brook thence up said Brook to the old road lending from the town house to Amos- keag village thence east to Chester original town line thence northerly by said Chester line to Moses Davis's Land thence easterly and northerly by said Da- vis's Land to the Mammoth road thence northerly by said road to the south line of the Jerem'ah Johnson place thence easterly by said Johnson place to the southeast corner thereof thence northerly to the southeast corner of Lot number Thirty thence northerly by the east line of Lots numbered Thirty and one hundred and two to Hooksett line thence Westerly by Hooksett line to the place begun at.
District No. 7. Beginning at the northeast corner of district No. 6, on Hook- sett line thence southerly and westerly and bounding on districts numbered six and three to the no thwest corner of Amos Wes on Junior's farm thence easterly and southerly by district No. 5, to the northeast corner of the same thence easterly by the south line of Archibald Gamble Junior's arm to the Mammoth road thence on the sime course to Samue! Gamble's Land. Thence northerly by Samuel Gimble and Thr mas Gamble's Land to the Samuel Brown farm thence e isterly by said Thomas Gamble's Land to the southeast corn. r of Joshua Corning's farm thence northerly by said Corning's farm to the north- east corner thereof thence in a direct line to the southeast corner of No. 21 thence northerly by the e ist line of Lots number d 21, 35, 37, and 46 to Hook- sett line thence westerly to the place of beginning.
District No. 8. Beginning at the east shore of Massabesic pond on the line between Israel Webster and Nathan Johnson's land thence westerly on the line between lots to the east line of district No. 7. Thence northerly by said district No. 7 to Hooksett line thence easterly by Hooksett line to the north- west corner of Chester thence southerly by Chester line to Massabesic pond thence wester y and southerly by the pond shore to the place of beginning.
District No. 9. Bounded northeasterly by Massabesic pond on the east by Che;er and Londonderry on the south by Londond rry on the west by dis - tricts numbered five and seven and on the north by district No 8.
Amos Weston, Jr., Selectmen
J. T. P. Hunt, of
Hiram Brown. Manchester.
'This division remains the same at present, save that No. 6 has been annexed to No. 2, and a part of Nos. 8 and 9 have been set off and formed into a new district, designated as No. 6, and Piscataquog has been added as district No. 10, and Amoskeag as district No. 11. In districts No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10, school houses have been built since the division in 1840, one in each district ; while in District No. 2, innumerable ones have been built to meet the wants of the thriving commu- nity within its limits. Many of these have been tempora- ry structures of wood, moved from one locality to another,
746
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
sometimes located for the time being upon lots hired of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, and at others upon lots be- longing to the District, but in whatever location intended, mere- ly to answer a temporary purpose. Of these, it is next to im- possible to give any satisfactory account. There are others however of a permanent character, that demand a particular notice. Of these the first one in point of time, is the one at the corner of Lowell and Chestnut streets. This was built in 1841. under the direction of Messrs. Daniel Clark, E. A. Straw, and Alonzo Smith, the Building Committee. The lot contain- ing 10,000 square feet, was given to the District by the Amos- keag Manufacturing Company. The building is a plain one of brick, without any pretentions to architectural beauty, two sto- ries in height, and 62 feet in length, by 49 feet in width, and cost $3,000. The state of the district in 1841, and 1842, may best be learned from the report of the Prudential Committee of that year, as follows ;
The Prudential Committee of School District No. 2, in Manchester respect- fully report that the new school house in said district was so far completed about the middle of July, as to admit of being used for the schools. The schools were soon after commenced, and they were continued with the usual vacations thirty-two weeks. The large hall of the new school house has been used for the school for the more advanced pupils of both sexes. It has been under the care of Mr. David P. Perkins, assisted by Miss P. Wheeler. The the number of scholars has been greater than the Hall is calculated to contain. The number of seats, allowing two pupils to each of the larger desks is 132 and the school has nearly averaged that number, while the number present has sometimes risen to 170. The two rooms on the first floor have been used for schools for smaller children. The west room under the care of Miss L. A. Shepherd, assisted by Miss E. J. Moulton. The east room for the most part under the care of Miss E. E. Brown, assisted for a time by Miss Bunton. Ow- ing to a disappointment as to the teacher expected to take charge of this school, and the illness of Miss Brown, several ladies were temporarily employed in charge of it, which was felt by the Committee as a misfortune. Both of these rooms have been for the most part excessively crowded. The school in the old school house near the falls commenced about the first of July, and was continued with usual vacations, 24 weeks, under the care of Miss Harriet Crosby. The number of scholars in this section of the district is small and their privileges have been greater than those of the scholars in the village. The Committee have fre- quently visited these schools. and are gratified to have it in their power to ex- press their satisfaction at the manner in which they have been conducted. The instructors succeed in maintaining good order, which the Committee consider of the first importance in a school, and they are aware it is a task of great difficulty when so large a number is brought together. A good degree of interest in their studies has been excited amongst the pupils, and the classes have made pro- gress in their studies, in a degree very honorable to themselves and the teach- ers. The Committee are satisfied and they think that the District has reason to be satisfied, that everything has been done for the improvement of the schools by the instructors which their +ituations and the imperfect accommo- dations rendered practicable.
The Prudential Commit' ee have found themselves obliged to do many things for the school house, which more appropriately belonged to the building Com- mittee, and would doubtless have been done by them if the sum appropriated
747
REPORT OF PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE.
had been sufficient. They have procured the stoves and furniture now in use in the building, and the district will no doubt feel the necessity of making pro- visions for paying for the same, as they are aware the school money cannot be legally diverted to this purpose. After a season's trial, the Committee are of the opinion that the large hall should be divided, and two schools be kept, one for the most advanced pupils of each sex, under sepa ate teachers. Two schools should be taught in the rooms below for the next class in age and im- provement of the scholars, and new school houses should be erected for the ac- commodation of the younger scholars, on a cheap plan. Of these, one should be placed on the west side of the main street, for the accomodation of that neighborhood; and one at the south part. If Janesville neighborhood be add- ed to the district a house will be needed in that quarter. The Committee are satisfied that the school-houses now belonging to the district are wholly insuf- ficient for the number of scholars and that the difficulty cannot be remedied in any way but by building new schoolrooms. The brick school house, and in- deed all the school houses should be secured by substantial close shutters at least where there are no blinds, when they are not in use, a circumstance of which the committee have been reminded by the necessity of repairing a great number of squares of glass, wantonly broken in a vacation. The committee have added a statement of their account which they hope may be satisfactory to the district. They also add a table prepared by the teachers of the number of scholars, the nature of their studies and other circumstances, supposed to be interesting. The registers of the schools are also presented for the use of future teachers and it is hoped may be long preserved amongst the records of the District.
March 30th, 1842.
S. D. BELL, J. M. ROWELL, I. C. FLANDERS,
Committee.
On the 30th of July 1842, District No. 6 having been added to District No. 2, by vote of the town, the district procured a lot for a school house of Mr. John Hall, at Janesville, and built a house upon it for the acommodation of the scholars in that section. September 10th following, the district purchased the lot on the corner of Manchester and Chestnut streets, of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, containing 7500 feet, for the sum of $500, and built a school house for the acom- modation of the New Primary Schools.
On the 23d, day of May, 1844, the district purchased of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the lot on the corner of Merrimack and Union streets, for $650, containing 12600 square feet and erected thereon a house for two Primary schools. The 5th day of September, 1845, the district bought of the same party, the lot on Spring Street, for $1,700, containing 13,600 feet of land. This lot was intended more particular- ly for a Grammar School
March, 30, 1846, the district authorized the Prudential com- mittee to expend the sum of $200, for apparatus for the various schools. At the same meeting it was voted to put in operation
7.48
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
a High School for boys and another for girls, or both in con- nexion.
The Prudential committee accordingly made arrangements for a High School for boys and girls in the second story of the house at the corner of Lowell and Chestnut streets. Mr. J. W. Ray, then of Auburn, was the first Principal. He was suc- ceeded by Mr. Amos Hadley of Bow. Mr. Hadley was suc- ceeded by Mr. J. P. Newell, then of Pittsfield, and his success- or was Mr. Johnathan Tenney, who resigned in 1855 and was succeeded by Mr. Newell who has charge of it at the present time.
On the 23d day of June, 1846, the District bought a school lot on Park street, containing 10,500 feet of land, for the sum of $1200, and commenced erecting a building of brick upon it forthwith. This house was completed in 1847 ; is two stories in height, 80 feet in length, by 52 feet in width, and has four primary school rooms on the first floor, and a room for a Grammar School on the first floor.
On the 7th day of May, 1847, the District purchased of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the lot on the corner of Bridge and Union streets, for the sum of $500, and placed up- on it a house of wood for the accommodation of a Primary, and and a Secondary school.
In 1848, the District built a house of brick on the lot on Spring street. It is a substantial, handsome structure, two stories in height, 80 feet in length by 46 feet in width, with a projection in front 17 by 53 feet. It is fitted up for four Pri- mary schools on the first floor, and a Grammar School on the second floor.
On the 10th day of May, 1849, the District purchased of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the lot on the corner of Concord and Beech streets, for $500, containing 13,500 square feet.
In 1850, an attempt was made to build a High school house, and a lot was purchased at the corner of Concord and Union streets, of John Coe, Esq., for that purpose ; but subsequently the District voted not to build said house, and ordered the lot to be sold at public auction. It was accordingly sold to Geo. M. Flanders, Esq.
On the 21st day of June of the same year, the District bought of S. P. Greeley, the lot at Janesville, upon Lowell
749
SCHOOLS.
street, for the sum of $400. This lot was for the accommoda- tion of the school house at Janesville, the other lot bought of Mr. Hall, not being in a suitable location.
In 1853, the District built the Intermediate School House of brick at the corner of Manchester and Union streets. It is two stories in height, 48 feet in length, by 42 feet in width, and is fitted for two Primary Schools upon the first floor, an Intermediate school upon the second floor, and a Truant school in the attic. This is a handsome substantial structure.
On the 4th day of May, 1855, the District bought of Mr. Luther Aiken, the lot on the corner of Manchester and Wilson street, for $625, containing 16,000 feet, and built upon the same a house of wood, one story high, and 40 feet square. This house is on "Wilson's Hill," so called, and is fitted up for a Primary, and for a Middle school.
At the annual Meeting in March 1856, the District voted to raise $10,000 for constructing a brick house upon the lot on the corner of Merrimack and Union streets. This is now being built, and is to be two stories in height, 68 feet in length, by 45 feet in width.
In June 1855, a law was passed by the Legislature, pro- viding for the election by the Mayor, Aldermen, -and School Committee, of a Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion, for the City of Manchester. On the 6th day of August of the same year, James O. Adams, Esq., was elected to that office for the term of two years, in accordance with a provis- sion of the Act.
Mr. Adams entered immediately upon his duties, and in February 1856, made his first report, which fully shows the state of the schools at that time.
From this report it appears that
"During the third and fourth terms, there were in session forty schools, in which there were forty-eight teachers, and not far from 2300 scholars in the fall, and 2500 in the winter. The schools were classed as follows :
Primary,
16,
Teachers,
16.
Winter,
15,
15.
Middle,
7,
7.
Miscellaneous,
14,
15.
Winter,
15,
16.
Grammar,
2,
7.
High,
1,
3.
-
40,
48.
They are distributed in the several school districts as follows :
District No. 1, has
1 Miscellaneous School.
" 2 13 Primary Schools.
51
750
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
7
Middle Schools.
5 Miscellaneous Schools.
2 Grammar Schools.
1
High School. Miscellaneous School.
3
4
5
.‹‹
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
10
1
2
Primary Schools.
€6
has summer and fall terms 1 Primary School."
THE ATHENEUM, AND CITY LIBRARY.
This institution :so creditable to our city, was established in the winter of 1844. It has been seen in a former chapter that a Library had existed in the town, from 1795 to 1833. This library was established by a number of gentlemen of this town and vicinity, under the name of the Proprietors of the Social Library in Derryfield. In 1802 Dec. 6. it was incorporated, when the original constitution having been lost, a new one was adopted, and an acknowledgment or pledge was signed by members as follows :
We the subscribers acknowledge ourselves to be members of the Derryfield Social Library Company, and promise to Conform to all rules and regulations which may at any time be adopted by the society, while we remain members of said society.
""James Griffin, Philip Hazeltine, John Dickey, Stephen Worthley, Peter 'Hill, Asa Hazeltine, David Fint, Reuben Sawyer. Ephraim White, Joseph Far- mer, Jr., James Parker, Jesse Baker, Moses Hazeltine, Amos Weston. Isaac Huse, John Proctor, Elijah A. Nutt, John Hall, John Frye, Nathan Johnson, Daniel Hall, Jr., John Dwinell, Samuel Jackson, Nathaniel Conant, Phinehas Bayley, John Perham, Benja. F. Stark, Samuel P. Kidder, Wm. Walker, Israel Webster, James Nutt, Wm. Perham, David Webster, Job Rowell, John Rays Samuel McAllaster, David Adams, Phinehas Petengail, Ephraim Stevens, Jacob Chase, John Stark Jr. Samuel Moor Jr. Stephen Moor, Joseph Moor Robert Hall, Samuel Gamble, Asa Hazeltine."
In 1827, according to the receipt of the last Librarian on re- cord, it contained 92 volumes, of which number were some ex- cellent works, viz :
The Spectator, Goldsmith's Animated Nature, Marshall's Life of Washington, Newton on the Prophecies, Hunter's Sacred Biography, Cook's Voyages, Arabian Nights Entertainments, the Fool of quality, and the like.
The Library seems to have flourished until about 1827, when
1
1 1
1
11
1
Miscellaneous School.
751
ATHENEUM.
at the Annual meeting in November, the last board of Directors were chosen, viz:
Ephraim Stevens, Jr. Lieut. Job Rowell, James Griffin.
Samuel Jackson Esq., was chosen Librarian. No quorum seems to have met after this date. At the annual meetings of 1828, 1829, and 1830, the Libraian commenced his records thus ; "Only a few of the Proprietors met," and the record of 1832, reads thus ;
"Monday, Nov. 5th, 1832.
A few only of the Proprietors met and agreed to adjourn to Saturday, the Sth day of December next, at 4 o'clock, P. M. SAMUEL JACKSON, Librarian."
This was the last meeting of the association, and it is under- stood that the proprietors divided most of the books of any value among themselves.
The design of the Atheneum was to furnish a Library, Read- ing Room, and Museum, for such of our citizens as were wil- ling to contribute of their means for the support of such ob- jects. The first meeting of the members of the Atheneum, was on the 19th of February, 1844. The meeting was held at the Insurance Office of the Amoskeag Fire Insurance Com- pany. At this meeting measures were taken to establish a Li- brary forthwith, and an invoice of books was purchased in March following, amounting to $415,46 and comprising 683 volumes for the Library.
At this time, and subsequently, gentlemen connected with the institution made many acceptable donations, and loans of books for the Library, and curiosities for the Museum. A Reading Room was established at the same time in connection with the Library, containing many of the best news-papers and periodicals of the day. In 1844, the association took the corporate name of the "Manchester Atheneum." In 1846, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company made the Athe- neum a donation of $1000, and the same year the Stark Mills made them a donation of $500. In 1850, the Manchester Print Works made them a donation of $500. So that in 1854 the Library contained 2953 volumes. In March of this year, Frederick Smyth Esq., in his inaugural address as Mayor, called the attention of the City Government to the propriety of es-
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