USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of the town of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire : from the time of the first settlement within its borders, 1640 until 1900 > Part 47
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 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Hampton Falls was not behind the other towns in its interest in school matters. There was probably a school kept here before the town was separated from the old parish, as we find them asking for their share of the school rates, which request was denied. The schoolmaster was said to have performed religious services in the
524
525
SCHOOLS.
church for some little time before the first minister, Mr. Cotton, was settled.
From the earliest incorporation of the town the school was gen- erally kept in two places, which were designated at the parish meet- ing each year. At first the school was kept for five months in a year; afterward, the time was increased to six months or more. The schools received attention at every annual meeting as to where and how long they should be kept, and judging from the votes which were passed, they were considered only as second in interest and importance to the providing of preaching and the support of the minister.
In 1756, it was voted that the grammar school for the parish for the ensuing year should be kept at one stated place, and all those living more than a mile and a half away be allowed their propor- tion of the school money to provide schooling among themselves. In 1:56, John Janvrin was paid sixty-three pounds to keep the grammar school in this town. He probably continued to keep it for a number of years after, as he was rated here until 1762, when he became a citizen of Seabrook.
Mar. 30, 1747. At a meeting of the selectmen to agree with a school- master, we agreed with Mr. John Smith for to keep a grammar school in this parish for ten months, at the rate of one hundred and sixty pounds, old tenor, for a year. The time he is to keep each day is three hours forenoon and afternoon, he to be allowed Lecture days and pub- lick days in the parish,-half a day or a whole day as circumstances shall be.
Mr. Smith appears to have taught in the town three or four years.
1742. Agreed that Meschech Weare keep school six months in the insueing year for £40 0s. Od.
s. d.
1760, Pd. Mr. Merrill for keeping school. 162 15 0
Pd. for schooling on Exeter road. 47 5 0
Pd. for schooling on Drinkwater road. 47 10 6 Pd. for schooling at Byfield. 37 0 0
Pd. for schooling on Hoyt's road. 25 () 3
Hoyt's road was in the west part of what is now Seabrook and was named from Capt. Ephraim Hoyt.
1787. Mr. Nath! Weare began to keep school and to continue keeping for five months at €3 per month. provided he makes the rates and enters them. - 34
526
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
1800, Pd. Schoolmaster Sleeper for keeping school 4 months .. . $40.00 Ditto for boarding himself eight weeks. 9.33
1802, Pd. Schoolmaster Night for keeping school five months and 151/2 days. 60.04
This was probably Caleb Knight, who came here from Boston. We have given the above items from the selectmen's accounts to show something about the price paid teachers in those times, but we know little about the actual amount paid because of the depre- ciated condition of the currency. The terms old tenor, proclama- tion money, and lawful money, do not convey to us any definite ideas. After 1:95, the accounts are kept in the denomination of federal money, which is supposed to be good for its face value.
During the Revolutionary War the schools were shortened but not wholly abandoned. The expense and burden of the war was so heavy that the tax-payers felt unable to supply the usual amount of schooling, but when the war was over we find the schools receiv- ing a great deal of attention. They were now kept in three places and for six months in the year.
We are unable to point, as they do in some towns, to any one teacher who was employed for a long series of years, and whose work and influence did much to form and direct the sentiment of the town. Among the earliest teachers we find the names of Janvrin, Levi Healey, David and Tilton French, and later Jonathan Sever- ance and Prof. John P. Marshall. David French afterward kept a store in Amesbury. Prof. John P. Marshall has been connected with Tufts College since its organization. In 1847, Morrill M. Coffin began to teach school in this town and continued to do so for several years after.
Among the duties of the school teachers prior to 1840 and a lit- tle later was the making and mending of pens. The pens in those days were made from quills taken from the wings of geese. It required considerable skill and experience to make a good pen from such material. The teacher was called upon to make and mend a great many pens in a day. The best pens were made from quills which had been boiled in oil and were called Dutch quills. These were bought in the stores. In addition to this the teacher was ex- pected to set a copy in each pupil's writing book. Many of the earlier teachers believed in corporal punishment and administered the oil of birch with a great deal of unction, sometimes to the injury of the pupil and the indignation of the parents. Jonathan Sever- ance was severe in this respect.
527
SCHOOLS.
The town at its annual meeting chose a prudential committee whose duty it was to hire the teachers, provide wood, etc., receive the money from the selectmen, and pay the teachers. The office of prudential committee was often sought for with the intention of hiring some relative or friend as a teacher. The choice of teacher too often turned on who was committee to hire, and not on the merit of the candidate. The superintending committee was gen- erally elected at the town meeting. If the meeting failed to elect, they were appointed by the selectmen. This committee usually consisted of three: in later years there was oftentimes but one. The duties were to examine and qualify the teachers and to have a general oversight of the schools, visiting them at the commencement and close and as often during the term as inclination and leisure prompted. The day when the committee came in at the close of the term was one dreaded by the scholars. The committee was expected to make some remarks in closing, which were often long and tedious. Rev. Zebulon Jones was a man who was much dreaded as a committee man by the scholars. The superintending commit- tee was often put into a delicate position when teachers had been employed and sent to them to be qualified. While candidates thus sent might pass a good examination as far as their attainments were concerned, yet the superintending committee might feel almost certain that from other causes they would be unsuccessful as teach- ers. To reject the applicant would make hard feelings: to allow them to proceed would mean failure. For fear of making enemies they were generally permitted to pass. Under the law passed in 1885, the same board hire and qualify the teachers, which is a great improvement in this respect.
By the law of 1889, all the text-books used in the public schools of the state are to be furnished at the expense of the several towns. It was also provided that the books should be selected by the school boards, and when text-books had been selected and introduced there was to be no change under five years. Formerly there were fre- quent and repeated changes in text-books, which was a severe tax upon parents and a hardship on those in humble circumstances. The agents of publishing houses would often, by presents to the committee and offering an even exchange for old books, succeed in making frequent changes. It did not make any difference to the agents if their books were introduced at a loss. The after sales soon made up for this, as there was an immense profit on the sales of school books, which sold far above cost. To remedy this the
528
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
legislature passed a law to prevent frequent changes, which cor- rected this evil to a certain extent.
There were no janitors in those early days. It was the custom for the larger boys to take turns in building the fire in the morning in season to warm the house before the exercises commenced .. Just before the school closed in the afternoon the master announced the name of the boy who was to make the fire next morning. The larger boys cut or sawed the wood and fitted it for the stove. The smaller boys carried it in and piled it up. The larger girls swept the house at noon, and were supposed to do it every day and take turns. The broom worn to the quick on one side and running to a point on the other was a familiar object to be seen around the school room where this system was practiced. A new broom soon assumed that shape after a little use.
The summer schools were generally kept by lady teachers, as the children were smaller and easier to manage, but in winter a man was employed. The big boys who had been at work on the farm all summer were often insubordinate and required a strong arm to keep them in subjection. In some cases the boys succeeded in ejecting the master from the schoolhouse, which ended his term of service. Now the winter as well as the summer schools are gen- erally taught by lady teachers. The big boys have become civilized enough to behave without the application of brute force. When any do not yield to proper authority the school board suspend them, and this is not often found necessary.
The free text-book law removes the burden from the individual and places it upon the town, where it is more easily carried. In 1828, a law was enacted by the legislature taxing the discount banks in the state to the amount of one half of one per cent for the pur- pose of raising a fund for the benefit of the common schools. The money thus raised was called the literary fund, and is paid to the towns in proportion to the amount of their state tax. This law is still in operation, and the greatly increased amount of bank capital now in the state makes a large sum to be devoted to the literary fund. The proportion paid to Hampton Falls for 1895 was ninety- five dollars and twenty-five cents.
This town has always been liberal in appropriating money for the support of schools. The instances are few when more money has not been raised than was required by law. This, with the lit- erary fund from the state and the dog tax remaining at the end of every two years, has made an exceedingly liberal appropriation.
529
SCHOOLS.
In 1832, the following vote was passed:
The instructors employed to keep the schools shall be examined by a man who has a liberal education, as the law requires.
SCHOOLHOUSES.
The first we find in relation to a school in this town is a vote passed in a town meeting at Hampton September 22. 1:12. On a request to allow said new parish a schoolmaster. the town declared their mind by the following vote:
That whereas, there is one school appointed by law to be kept in each town, the mind of the town is that the whole town is little enough to maintain the charges of said school, as ought to be kept in the town and therefore shall not exempt any part of the town from paying to the school appointed by law.
If there had been any school kept in Hampton Falls previous to this time it must have been done by voluntary contribution. Where the first schoolhouse was located, or when it was built, we have no means of knowing. In 1:20, October 5, there was a town meeting where the following vote was passed on this article:
That the place for setting the schoolhouse should be on Mr. Stan- yan's hill.
This was rejected by a poll of all the voters. Robert Row, Sr., dissents. This location meant the town common. At the March meeting in 1721-
It is ordered and agreed upon that ye schoolhouse for the parish shall be built & sett on ye hill, near ye place where ye old fort was, commonly called Preseut's fort. All voted. Jacob Stanyan dissents.
This house was probably built near where the new meeting-house was located in 1:68, and where George C. Healey's house now stands. We have proofs that a schoolhouse was there in the early days. The Prescotts lived at that time where Newell W. Healey now lives and on the Brown place opposite. Being some distance from the main settlement. they probably lived in a garrison house, which was then called a fort, to protect themselves from the Indians.
There may have been at this time another schoolhouse at Butler's hill, which is near the residence of Nelson W. Copeland, as we find it voted in 1739-
That the schoolhouse near Mr. Butler's shall be kept in repair at the charge of the parish for the time to come.
530
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
A schoolhouse located there would have accommodated a great many living in the south part of the town, now Seabrook. This school was continued there after Seabrook became a separate town. Reuben Batchelder, born in 1722. said that he attended school there.
There appears to have been a movement at one time to build a schoolhouse on the common near the old meeting-house by volun- tary contribution, and that Rev. Theophilus Cotton was interested in the matter, but the record is silent as to the result. There was, about 1800, a schoolhouse located on the hill below Kenny brook, probably on land now occupied by the new cemetery. When this house was built we are unable to say, but it was there for many years, and was afterward removed to somewhere near the site of the present schoolhouse on the common. A new house was built in its place in 1839. The old one was then removed to Seabrook and used for a dwelling-house. The present schoolhouse was erected in 1811. The house built in 1839 is now used by C. N. Dodge for a grain house.
In 1:55, it was voted that those inhabitants living south of Cain's brook be allowed that part of the school rate raised upon their estates for a school among themselves; also voted that those living above Jeremiah Gove's house be allowed the school rate raised upon their estates. Jeremiah Gove lived on the corner where Sylvanus B. Peryear now lives. This vote applied to those living upon the south road between that point and Kensington line. In 1256, it was voted that the schoolhouse on Exeter road be moved one half a mile toward Exeter, and that the remote parts of the town be allowed their proportion of the school money. The schoolhouse was then moved from its location, near where the meeting-house afterward stood, to a place near Godfrey's corner, where it remained until 1805, when it was moved near to the house of Melcher Ward on the opposite side of the road, a little above where it is now located. In 1818, it was voted to build a new schoolhouse on the location of the old one, and two hundred dollars were appropriated for the purpose. It was built of brick. Joshua Pike was the builder. This house was not comely in appearance, nor had it the classic look such as would indicate a temple of learning. During its con- struction some students of Phillips Exeter Academy who were out for a lark, coming upon this house in the night mistook it for a fort. Supposing that they were in the enemy's country, they proceeded to attack it with stones and other missiles, doing considerable dam-
531
SCHOOLS.
age. They were afterward arrested and made to pay for the injury done. The first school the writer ever attended was in this house.
In 1841, it was voted to build a new schoolhouse upon the spot where the old brick schoolhouse now stands. Three hundred and seventy-five dollars were appropriated for the purpose. Joseph Cram was chosen a committee to build. Mr. Cram built the school- house and in addition finished a hall over it. The town consid- ered that he had exceeded his authority and refused to pay for the hall. It was called Washington hall and was used for singing schools, social meetings, and other purposes, and was one of the greatest conveniences ever located in that part of the town. Mr. Cram should have been paid for it. In the winter of 1854-55 this house was destroyed by fire and the present house was erected upon the same spot the following summer. In 1878 the house was re- moved to its present location on the opposite side of the way, and fitted up with all the then modern improvements and a school yard provided.
At what time the first schoolhouse was built on the middle or Drinkwater road is not recorded. The first house was situated on the southeast side of Cock hill and near its base. Tradition says that a boy named Haskell worked for three days digging around a large stone on the side of the hill, which when sufficiently loosened rolled down and broke through the side of the house. where it re- mained in the middle of the room.
In 1807 Levi Lane. Esq., deeded a small piece of land upon the corner near where the schoolhouse now stands, and the old school- house was removed about this time on to this lot. This house was said to have been a poor one and not adapted to the use it was put to. It was repaired, clapboarded, and painted with Venetian red in 1819, and was used until 1854. This house did duty long after it should have given place to a better one.
The following is from the superintending school committee's report for 1851:
Perhaps a few only of the citizens of Hampton Falls are aware that there is one schoolhouse in town altogether unsuitable for a school- room and something ought to be done forthwith.
In the school report for 1855, the committee regret that parents do not take more interest in visiting the schools, but say that-
Miss Brown, however, has had varions, if not numerous, visitors, for we find in her report to the committee that squirrels, mice, toads,
532
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
and snakes have made their appearance in her schoolroom during school hours, thus having been visited by bipeds, quadrupeds, insects, and reptiles.
It was voted to build a new schoolhouse, which was done soon after. The town at this time had been districted for two or three years. It was felt that the other two districts had very good houses at the time the districting was done, and this one had nothing worthy to be called a schoolhouse, and under these cir- cumstances something should be done to equalize the burden. The town voted three hundred and seventy-five dollars to aid them. The selectmen paid this money over as directed by vote of the town, and for doing as they were instructed they were all defeated on this issue at the next election. This house was repaired and refurnished in 1879.
In 18:1 the south part of the district, having at that time a large number of scholars, became desirous of having a schoolhouse on the south road and wanted the district to build another house there. This was felt to be too much of a burden for the district to assume. A town meeting was called to see if the town would accept the "Somersworth act." which had just been passed, which allowed towns to become one school district. At the second town meeting it was voted to accept the provisions of said act. The town then built a new schoolhouse on the south road, which was a tardy piece of justice. It should have been done a hundred years before.
Before 1850, when the road was built from the schoolhouse to the south road. the children were compelled to come across fields and pastures, and in wet weather their clothes were wet to the knees when they arrived at the schoolroom, which was a serious menace to health and life itself. Since 1821 we have done our school busi- ness as one district and generally in a more satisfactory manner than before. When the legislature passed the act in 1885, doing away with school districts, we had been practically under the sys- tem then inaugurated for a number of years, and thus were saved from the hard feeling which many towns experienced. In some towns much bad blood was stirred up before this act was fully accepted.
POSTOFFICE.
AAs lately as 1812 the nearest postoffices were at Exeter and Ports- mouth. The letters for this town and Hampton were brought from Portsmouth by stage. The postoffice was established at Hampton in 1812, and probably in this town a year or two later. Our first postmaster was Edward Langmaid, who kept the stage tavern and who continued to hold the office until his removal from town in 1823. He kept the office in his house, and the amount of postal matter was at that time small. He was succeeded by Lowell Brown, Jr., who kept the office in the store which was burned and which stood near the brick house. He continued to keep the office until about 1844, when William H. Hills was appointed and re- moved it to the store now occupied by C. N. Dodge. He continued to keep the office a couple of years or so, until his removal from town (he is still living in Plaistow), when Jacob T. Brown was appointed and removed the office to the house of Thomas Brown, which stood opposite Newell W. Healey's. The office was kept here a few months, but the location was found to be inconvenient to the patrons of the office although it was near the territorial cen- ter of the town. It was removed and Cyrus Brown became post- master, keeping the office at the former place. It continued here until 1853. when James W. Green was appointed and removed the office to a store he had just opened which was connected with his house. Mr. Green kept the office until 1861, when Enoch J. Tilton was appointed and kept the office in the present store until 1866, when James W. Green was again appointed until 1869. Then Enoch J. Tilton was again appointed and continued in the office until his removal from the town in 1810. Since the appointment of Mr. Green in 1853 postmasters have generally been appointed on political grounds. After Mr. Tilton's removal George D. Dodge held the office until 1873, when James H. Sanborn was appointed and kept the office until 1876, when Charles C. Green was appointed. He removed the office to the Green store, where it remained until
533
534
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
his death in 1885. Charles N. Dodge was then appointed, and removed the office to his store where it has since remained, and is kept at the present time.
At first the mail, which was small in amount, was brought by the mail stages. This continued until the stages ceased to run, after which the mail was carried upon the cars. A mail pouch was made up in the Boston office, containing the mail matter for the towns of Hampton. Hampton Falls. Seabrook, and North Hampton. This was delivered at the Hampton station by the morning train which arrived at about the same time as at pesent. The Hampton postmaster sorted the mail, putting the Hampton Falls and Sea- brook mail matter into separate bags. This sorting did not usually take over ten minutes. A messenger with a horse and sulky took the two mails to Hampton Falls and Seabrook. waiting until the two postmasters made up the return mail, which he took back to Hampton in season to go to Boston on the train at half past eleven or thereabouts. The North Hampton mail, which was small, was left until afternoon, when it was taken up and exchanged. Charles P. Akerman was the last messenger who delivered the mail in this way.
In 1853, soon after Mr. Green's appointment. the postal cars were put on and the mail was sorted in the cars in a manner similar to that in use at the present time. Before this we had had only one mail per day which came from Boston. Now we receive two mails a day,-in the morning from the west, and at noon from the east. This continued until 1880, when we received a third mail in the afternoon from the west, which we still have, making three mails each day. This has been considered very good postal accommoda- tions for the size of the town. The business of our office has been increasing for a number of years. The salary of the postmaster in 1890 was reported at two hundred seventy-seven dollars and eighty cents. It has probably increased somewhat since that time, and would be much more if all the mail matter of our people was received and sent from this office.
Perhaps those who know nothing of postal matters, except in their present effective, perfected, and efficient service and the cheap- ness and simplicity with which it is now rendered, may be interested to know the rates and regulations which were in force at the time our office was established.
535
POSTOFFICE.
On pamphlets not over 50 miles per sheet, 1 eent.
Over 30 miles and not exceeding 100 miles, 11/2 eents.
Over 100 miles, 2 cents.
Any distance within the state, 1 cent.
On newspapers, not over 100 miles each, 1 cent.
Any distance over 100 miles, 11/2 cents.
Any distanee within the state, 1 cent.
On letters, single, conveyed in the mail by land, not exceding 40 miles, S cents.
Over 40 and not exeeding 90 miles, 10 cents.
Over 90 and not exceeding 150 miles, 12 eents.
Over 150 and not exceeding 300 miles. 17 cents.
Over 300 miles and not exceeding 500 miles, 20 cents.
Over 500 miles, 25 cents.
And for every double letter, or letter composed of two pieces of paper, double said rates. and every triple letter triple said rates, and every paeket weighing one ounee or more at the rate of four single letters for each ounce.
Every single letter passing by sea in the United States packets is S cents, double letters 16 cents, triple letters 24 cents, but 6 cents only are charged for those brought in private vessels, and two eents to be added if conveyed by mail into the country.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.