History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 108

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714

USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 108
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 108

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).

· In 1731 it was " Voted that the selectmen be em- powered to hire a schoolmaster one-half of the year."

In June, 1737, there was an article in the warrant " to see what you will do concerning a school," but as there is no action recorded, it is not probable that there was any school that year.

In 1739, " Voted that there should be a moving school, and that every party that hath the benefit of the school shall provide a house to keep school in, and that the moving school shall be at the discretion of the Selectmen of the Parish."

From 1739 to 1751 regular school appropriations were made, and in the latter year the question of a new school-house was agitated, and was a "lively" issue at many subsequent town-meetings. In 1751 the people were invited "to see if they will do anything concerning building a school-house in the Parish," and in 1752, to see if they will vote to build two school-houses. It will be observed that the town is spoken of as the parish for many years after its incorporation, and were there nothing but the records of the town clerks to guide us, we should infer that Rye continued to be a parish of Newcastle long after it is known to have been separate.

In 1756 there were local dissensions and jealousies, and a first-class school row all over town. It finally culminated in a proposition "to see if the parish will vote the school money shall be divided, and let each party hire a schoolmaster according to their liking," and in 1757, "To see if the parish will settle

the school in two places or settle the school at the Centre." The voting at the meeting was slightly contradictory, as will be seen by the following record :

1st. Voted that the school should be kept in the centre of the parish.

2d. Voted that the school be kept one-half of the year to the eastward of the meeting-house.

3d. Voted that the school be kept in two places above the meeting-house.

Such voting as that sets at defiance the funda- mental law of physics,-that two bodies cannot oc- cupy the same space at the same time. How the difficulty was finally adjusted does not appear, but in March 23, 1761, it was "voted that the school should be one-half above and the other half below the meeting-house."

In 1764 some unexpected fit of liberality seized upon somebody, for there was an article in the war- rant "to see if they will buy a school-house and lot with a house on it, or build a house for a school- master." The disease didn't spread, however, and, of course, the schoolmaster's house wasn't built. It is certain, however, that there were two school-houses built in town some time between 1764 and 1784, for in the latter year there was an article in the warrant " to see if the Parish will build a school-house or repair the old ones," and at a subsequent meeting the same year it was "voted that the selectmen re- pair the school-houses and put them in order." This proves that there were then at least two houses, and that they had built and knocked into a condition to need repairs since 1764. The school boys of those days were, in common parlance, a pretty tough set, for in two years from that time it was found neces- sary to build anew again, the repairs of 1784 being rather short-lived.

In 1786 it was " voted there shall be a new school- house built where the old one now stands between Mr. Johnson's and Mr. Nathan Knowles'." The cost was €14 9s. 6d.

It was but partially finished, however, for in Jan- uary, 1789, we find an article in the warrant "to see what the town will do to finish the school-house by N. Knowles;" but as the school-house fever had somewhat subsided, no action was taken upon the matter.

In April of the year it was voted "that there be winder sheters at the south school-house by N. Knowles." The recording of the vote indicates that a schoolmaster was quite as much needed as " winder sheters."

In 1791, " Voted to build a school-house at the east end of the Parish." Cost, £34 188. 7d.

In 1796, " Voted the town shall be divided into 2 equal parts for to hire schools for each District."

In 1797, "Voted the Selectmen shall keep 18 months school, the school to begin the 1st of May at both school-houses, and keep on five months, and shall begin the middle of November, and keep on

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

four months." After this there are no recorded votes worthy of special mention until 1816, when it was " voted that no scholar below the meeting-house shall go to the upper school, and none above the meeting-house shall go to the lower school."

In 1826 two brick school-houses were built in what are now the South and West Districts, and in 1827 two more were built in the Centre and East Districts, at an average cost of some $400 or $500 each. In 1827 the town was divided into two districts, each containing two school-houses. 1n 1833 the selectmen divided the town into four districts. In 1845 the town was redistricted, and the boundary lines defined. In 1854 it was "voted that the town convey by deed or otherwise to each school district the school-houses located in the same for their specific use," since which time every district has been entirely independent of the town in regard to the management of its local affairs. Within three years a new school-house has been built in the West District at a cost of nearly $2000, and the South and East have been repaired at an aggregate cost of $1100; they are all in good order now, and are a credit to the intelligence and liberality of our citizens.

The amount of money appropriated for school pur- poses in 174I was £20; in 1744, £25; 1749, £60; 1792, £92; 1795, $177 ; 1797, $378; and in 1805, 8467, which is the largest amount previons to 1825. From that year the amount gradually increased to $600, $700, 8800, $900, and finally in 1870 to $1200, the present appropriation. Unlike most other towns in the State, the money is equally divided between the four districts, and thus every scholar in town is placed upon exactly the same footing in regard to the privi- leges of our schools.

Up to the time of redistricting the town the select- men retained supreme control of all school matters, and hired the teachers when the people did not choose them in open town-meeting, which it appears they did in our early history. Among the incidental expenses of the schools, the bills for wood were nota- bly large, the old-fashioned fireplaces requiring a large amount in cold weather. The annual expense was from $25 to $43, and that for only two school- houses, and when wood was very cheap. Among other "incidentals" was the regular charge for "going after teachers," from which it is inferred that the "applications" for a situation as teacher were not as numerous as at present. The usual expense for " going after teachers" was about $2, but in 1800 the selectmen had a bill of $6.25 for hiring a school-mis- tress. Inasmuch as this item was abont three times the usnal amount, it must have been that the year 1800 was not a good year for "school-marms," or else the extra $4.25 was for constructive damages inflicted upon the selectmen's modesty.

Of the teachers the records furnish but little in- formation. The only person mentioned is Christopher Gold (probably meaning Gould), who was in 1762

elected to keep school for six months. We hear no more of him until March, 1773, when it was "voted not to hire Master Gold any longer," from which I infer that he taught most of the school time during the intervening eleven years. Through the courtesy of Thomas J. Parsons, Esq., I am able to furnish from his private records the names of several of the teachers of previous generations. Among them may be mentioned Joseph Parsons and Richard Webster, who taught in 1786 and 1787; in 1789, '90, and '91, Peter Mitchell and John Carroll; in 1783, James Dane; in 1794, John L. Piper. After them came at various periods Samuel Willey, John French, a Mr. Sherburne, Noah Burnham, John W. Parsons, Rich- ard Webster, Jr., Joseph Dalton, Joseph Dame, Levi Merrill, Noah Wiggin, Thomas J. Parsons, John A. Trefethen, and scores of others whose names are more or less familiar to you. The wages paid ranged from ten to twenty dollars per month exclusive of board, the earlier teachers being paid in the English cur- rency.

Dr. John W. Parsons taught school and practiced medicine at the same time. Whenever he was called upon to attend the sick the children were dismissed and sent home. Sometimes after teaching school all day he would walk over to North llampton to attend his patients there, returning home on foot in the evening.

One of the old teachers, Levi Merrill, who taught at the East school-house, boarded at the house of a prominent resident of the district, and, as sometimes happens in such instances, formed an intimate ac- quaintance with one of the daughters, which speedily ripened into something decidedly like courting. The old man was opposed to the match, and in order to break up the arrangement refused to board the teacher at the next term of school. He went to one of the neighbors to board, and a little boy who attended school was employed by the teacher to carry letters to the fair damsel whenever the coast was clear, and the window was raised a little for a signal. The boy was handsomely rewarded for carrying the mail by being let off from all the whippings he was supposed to de- serve, and still lives at threescore and ten to relate the story. He has held many positions of honor and trust in his town and State, and is familiarly known as "Squire Parsons." Contrary to all the cases laid down in the novels for our guidance, the teacher didn't marry the girl after all, but only fanned the latent love into a little flame, and then completely extinguished it by marrying another woman.

In later years Hall Locke is widely remembered for his scholarly attainments and eccentric manners. In addition to his other accomplishments, he could do some first-class swearing whenever he thought the oc- casion demanded it, or whenever the school grew a little too noisy. At one time he had reasons for pun- ishing a boy who is yet living, whose hair in his youthful days was about the color of my whiskers

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RYE.

(red). Seizing his ruler he "went for" that young- ster for the purpose of "reasoning" with him by the only process then known among teachers. The boy, however, did not desire to be whipped just then, so he snatched his hat, darted out of the school-house and started off, with Locke following after in hot pur- suit. The master was a little lame, and the boy soon put a safe distance between himself and his dreaded enemy. As Locke saw him slowly but surely slipping out of his reach he flung his ruler after him with all the energy of a passionate man, and yelled ont, " Oh ! you little yaller-headed -, if I could get hold of ye, I'd fix ye!"

Of the supervision of the schools the machinery was much more cumbrous than at present. The committeemen's visit was regarded as an event of great importance, and a vast amount of dignity was embodied in their long faces and stand-up collars. I had hoped to obtain a complete list of my predeces- sors, but the inexcusable negligence of the town clerks has rendered it impossible.

The first committee on record is that of 1798, when it was " voted that Rev. Huntington Porter, John Car- roll, and Col. Joseph Parsons be a committee to in- spect the schools."

The next year (1799) the same committee were re- elected, and the whole board of selectmen in the bar- gain. Now, ladies and gentlemen, it is bad enough to send all the selectmen besides is pushing matters to that point " where forbearance ceases to be a virtue."

In 1827 the State passed a special act in regard to the supervision of schools, since which time most of the small towns in New Hampshire have elected a committee consisting of only one person. From 1827 to 1856. by the most shameful remissness, there is no record whatever of school officers. How many blighted hopes and cherished ambitions slumber in that twenty-nine years of unrecorded greatness can never be fully known. Men who put on a bran-new shirt-collar, and submitted to every indignity of the toilet, who faced frowning schoolmasters and gig- gling school-girls, endured it all in vain, and have not even the poor boon of their names upon the town's parchment! After this, what is fame? In 1857, Charles J. Brown was elected superintendent committee, and was elected again in 1859-60, 1863, '64, '65, and '66. Levi T. Walker was elected in 1858, and again in 1861-62. Thomas J. Parsons was elected in 1867, and re-elected in 1868; G. H. Jenness was elected in 1869.

In all systems of school discipline, until a compar- atively recent date, force was the controlling power. Every pupil was looked upon as a subject over which the master was the supreme ruler, and no king on

his throne ever wielded a more despotie power. The idea of self-government in school never entered the heads of those old champions of the birch and cow- hide. Brute force and that alone was relied upon to conquer and keep in subjection the natural hilarity of yonth. Under such management every school-room became a place to be shunned, and its occupants only went there because they felt obliged to. Every boy hoped and prayed for the day when he should feel able to " lick the master." That one word " master" tells the whole story between the past and present school civilization. No one then thought of being a teacher simply.

The punishments were frequently severe, and some- times absolutely brutal. The stick, the ruler, and the rawhide were used for the most trifling offenses, and were always viewed as the necessary means of pre- serving even the semblance of good order. Every boy who had life and "snap" enough in him to elevate him above the level of a fool expected a daily whip- ping as much as he expected his supper, and felt really disappointed if he didn't get it. In my school-days it was considered sufficient punishment for any ordi- nary misdemeanor to be set back among the large girls,-a kind of punishment that has been aptly sty led capital punishment, and a kind that the most of us felt able to endure.

Upon one point all the records are conspicuously silent,-the absence of all intimation that woman had have one committee, it is worse to have three, but to- anything to do in the management of public schools under the old system. Our forefathers had not out- grown the idea that in all the practical avocations of In 1812 the committee consisted of Rev. H. Porter and Dr. Joseph Parsons; in 1813, Col. Thomas Goss, John W. Parsons, and Peter Jenness. life woman should be regarded as a subordinate and not as an equal. Hence if a man had a large family of children to educate, he did the best he could for the boys, and encouraged the girls not to meddle with " book larnin'."

Ecclesiastical History .- The town of Rye1 origin- ally formed a portion of Portsmouth, Greenland, Hampton, and Newcastle. It was formerly called Sandy Beach, and after Newcastle was formed be- came a parish of that place. It was incorporated April 30, 1726. Prior to this time the town was des- titute of a settled ministry of the gospel, the people attending public worship in the neighboring towns as was most convenient. The first petition for the formation of a new district, whereby they might en- joy the benefits of the gospel ministry, was under date of 1721, as follows :

" Petition for a new District or Precinct, 1721.

" To his Excellency Sammuel Shinte Eeq" Capt. Gen1 and Governor in chief in and over his Majties Province of New Hampshire &c. To the Honble the Council & House of Representatives, now conven'd in Gen11 Assem- bly in & for sd Province:

" The humble Petition of sundry the Inhabitants living about Sandy Beach, partly in New Castle, Hampton & Portsmouth, humbly sheworth :

" That your Petitioners. the subscribers hereof, have for these many years past lived under great inconveniences as to their having the free

1 So named by reason of some of its first inhabitants coming from a town of the same name in England.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

benefit of the gospell, most of us Living at great Distances from our Re- spective meeting-houses, especially those belonging to New Castle ;- for that besides the great Distance wee live from thence, there is the great Inconvenience of a Ferry, by the Reasons of which for near halfe the yeare, Wee the Masters of families that are best able cannot but now and then attend upon the publick worship of God (as in Duty wee are bound) and when wee Doe, It is many times late within Night e're wee cau reach our habitations : And besides this great inconvenience to ourselves, there is much greater happens to the greatest part of our families (viz.) onr women and children, who can rerely attend at all or not above two or three times in the yeare, and then but those that are groun to years; for our younger children that should imbibe in the precepts of the gos- pell with their milk, cannot attend notill groun to some years: Wee having four, five & some more than eix miles, besides the Ferry ; And wee cao now count amongst ns above two bundred and forty or fitty souls, and not oue third capeable to attend as wee are now circumstanced : And we think ourselves capeable to maintain a minister of the Gospel, and to give a Competent Liveing, as our neighbouring Pa'shes & pre- cincts do :

" Therefore wee, yonr humble Petitioners prays that we may be set off a p'ticular precinct (from Mr. William Seveys and westward by the sea- eide as far towards Hampton as the little Boars head or Little River, and back into the Country about three miles & a halfe or so far as in your wisdom shall ser meet) and that we may be impowered to make and raise all our own Taxes and gather them: So prays your bumble Peti- tioners.

John Lock

William Marden

William Wallace

Nennah Beary

John Brackett

Nathaniel Beary

Thomas Rand

William Beary

Joshua Foss

Sammel Beary

Edward Lock

Samuel Dovost

Saml Seavy

James Fuller

Sanıl Rand

Hez. Geubins, juo.

Thos Raud, jun.

Saol Wallis

Jos. Seavy

Nehemiah Berry

Elias Tarlton

Richd Rand

Jeremiah Jorden

Thus Edmunds

Elex Simes

Edwd Lock

Benja Seavy, Jun.

Jao Moor

Nathl Berry

Benja Seavey, jno

Francis Lock

James Randall

Joho Garland

Thos Jennes

Stephen Berry.

Isaac Liby

Jonathao Lock

Jacob Liby

Saml Donst

Eben Philbrick

Eben Berry

Saml Lock

Philip Pain

Richard Jannes

Saml Bracket

Ab'nı Liby

Saml Seavy, Jnu.

W'm. Seavy, tertins

Jao Nolee

Wiu. Webster

Jno Lock

James Shinte

Jno Lock, jun.

Wm. Seavy, jun

James Mardell

Sanıl Berry

Solomion Doust

Wm. Gammon

Christ Pamer

Stephen Mardeu.

Tho, Genuine

Vote and Remonstrance of Portsmouth against the Petition from Sandy Beach, 1724

Att a Publick Town Meeting held in Portsmo the 20th Apr 1724,

Vot'd That ye Prayer of Sandy Beach so far as it Relates to this Town is highly unreasonable & yt Coll. Plaisted & Capt. Phipps Esqr & Mr. Wur. Fellows be a Comittee io behalfe of sd Town to appear before ye Gorr & Councill upon ye hearing of ye ed Petition & Remonstrate against ye Sanie & Implead yo Petition's generally so yt there may be no further curtail- ing or Dividing of ye sd Town; which is already Reduc'd to very narrow limits, by New Castle, Greenland & Newington, & yt ye Committe be Impower'd to imply an Attorney io ye Premises if there be occasion.

True Copy-Test.

Josh. Peirce, Towa Clr.

21ª Apr 1724.

1 So called from the circnuistance that a party of Indians, after an attack npon the people on the " Plains" at Portsmouth, 26 June, 1696, encamped and took breakfast ou the declivity of a bill dear the bounds of Greenland and Rye. The hill retaine the name to this day .- Brew- ster's Ram. 'Ports. Vol. I. p. 73 .- ED.

And for preventing the Difficulties and Hardships which wee have for

a long time labour'd under, and for the advancement of the glory of God and good of souls, wee the subscribers hereof humbly prays your Hour eod the Honourable the Councill that wee may be sett off a Particular District or Precinct for the maintaining a minister with the Priviledges of carying on the affairs of a Town or Parish according to the Bounde hereafter Exprest or as your Hon's jn wisdom shall see meet, viz. To Begin att Sampsons Point and Run south west to the Road from Seaveys to ye Bank and then on the Southerly side of the Road by Capt. Wal- ker's and Capt. Langdon's to the Road that goes to Breakfast1 Hill (Exclusive of that part of Capt. Walker's and Capt Langdon's Land that now lyeth in Portsmonth,) and on the southerly side of the Road from between Capt. Langdon's and Slopers farms to Breakfast Hill to the Road from sd Sandy Beach to Greenland, and theo on a South west line untill it meet with Little River in Hampton Bounds, and then on the Easterly xide Little River to ye Sea, and then round by the Sea Side to ye Place where itt Began, and that all the Land that Elias Tarleten and Jeremiah Jorden and Abraham Libby enjoy may be poled off to sd Town or Parish herein mentioned, wee having been at the charge of Building a Meeting house by the consent and att the charge of most of the In- habitants within the Bounds herein mentioned : hopeing your Hon" will griot so Reasonable a Request for so good Eud, and your Petitiou- ere shall ever pray &c.

Jotham Odiorne

Nathl Rand

Wm. Seavy

Wm. Lock

War. Wallis

Wm. Marden

Hech Gennios

Jos. Lock

Tho. Rand

James Seavy

Phillip Payne

Wm. Berry

Jno. Gennine

Ez. Noles

Richd Gennine

Josha Foss

Richd Go88

James Lock

B. Sevey

James Marden

William Lock

Richard Goss

Nicolas Hodge

Ebenezer Berry

James Fowler

Joseph Brown

Samnel Seavey

Francis Lock

Samuel Luck

Jetliro Lock

Isack Libe

Stephen Beary

Sacob Libe

John Knowles

James Lock

Hezekiah Jennee

Ebener Phibrick

Jolın Jennes

William Seavey

Chris : Palmer

James Seavey

Samnel Sevey

Samnel Rand

John Lock, jr

Semmel Brackett

Joseph Lock

Joseph Seavey

Nathanel Rand

Thomas Rand

Samnel Dovst

B. Seavy, jun

Sammel Wallis

Moses Seavy

Willm Sevey juu.

Petition to be set off as a new Parish or District, 1724.

To the Hon ble John Wentworth, Esq" Liv' Govr and Commander in Chief iu and over his Majtye Province of New Hampshire in New England, and to the Honble the Council for ad Province:

The linmble Petition of the Inhabitants living in that part of New Castle called Little Harbour and Sandy Beach, and the Inhabi ants liv. ing at the Eastward of the Little River comonly so called, att the Eas- terly end of Hampton, next Sandy Beach, and sundry others of Portemo Living near the sd Saudy Beach humbly Sheweth :

That there being sixty families or upward within the Precincts above named who having for a long time lived att a great Distance from any meeting house where the publick worship of God has been carried on, and most of us having great familys which very Rare above one or Two of a family can go to the House of God for the greatest part of the time by Reason of the Distance we live from any meeting house, and thereby the greatest part of our familys have been Deprived of the Dispensation of the Gospell. and there has been allmost a famine of the word and worship of God amongst ns, theire being near four hundred eonla wherof not above the sixth or seventh part can attend sd worship which is very Predntiall to the glory of God, and Destructive to our Eternall wellfare, for the greatest part of ue thus to be brought up in Ignorance which ie a Greater Griefe to ns than we can herein Express, and the only canse of addressing yr Honr and the Honble the Council hereio.

463

RYE.

The first meeting-house was erected in the year 1725, the church organized July 10, 1726, and the first minister, Rev. Nathaniel Morrill, was ordained Sept. 14, 1726. The following is a list of the pastors from the organization of the church to the present time : Nathaniel Morrill, ordained Sept. 14, 1726-33; Sam- nel Parsons (aged eighty-two years, great-grandfather of Thomas J. Parsons), Nov. 3, 1736, died Jan. 4, 1789; Huntington Porter, Dec. 29, 1784, colleague, died March 7, 1844, aged eighty-nine years; Bezaleel Smith, May 13, 1829, colleague pastor, dismissed July 12, 1841, died May 15, 1879; James F. McEwen, Dec. 1, 1841, to April 8, 1846 ; Israel F. Otis, July 4, 1847, to April 24, 1866; Silas Leach, Oct. 4, 1867, to Dec. 11, 1870; Jeremiah K. Aldrich, May 14, 1873, to Nov. 16, 1876; Willis A. Hadley, Aug. 21, 1878, to Jan. 1, 1879; J. W. Kingsbury, present supply. Since Mr. Otis there has been no settled pastor.

The third and present church edifice was erected in 1835. The present deacons are Jonathan Locke and John S. Remick.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Methodist Episcopal Church in this town was organized March 11, 1839, and October 9th following this house of wor- ship was dedicated. The following is a list of the ministers : Moore McCurdy, Cushing, and Osgood, 1839; James T. Adams, 1840-42; Henry Deans, 1843; Abraham Palmer, 1844; - Blodgett, 1845; D. W. Barber, 1846; J. C. Allan, 1847; Mr. Wallingford, 1848; Mr. Blodgett, 1849; A. Heath, 1850-51: I. F. Adams, 1852; D. Macendo, 1853; John F. Adams, 1854; E. Lagro, 1855-56; J. W. Adams, 1857-58; N. F. Bailey, 1859-60; Mr. Chase, 1861-62; W. H. Stewart, 1863; G. W. T. Rogers, 1864-66; Abraham Folsom, 1867-68. Mr. Folsom was the last pastor of this church. The society became too weak for the support of a minister, and the church building was consequently sold to the town, and is now used as a town-house.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 108

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1714

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714