USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Cheshire County, New Hampshire > Part 13
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There is no record of public schools previous to 1770. This year the proprietors voted that William Barker, Isaac McAllister, and Richard Robberts be a committee to expend the interest of the school-lot in schooling the children. During the following winter, several schools were kept in various parts of the town, one of which was in the house of Phinehas Farrar, under the direction of William Barker, as committee. Who the teacher was, is not certainly known, but it is supposed to have been James Brewer. Another school was kept in Silas Fife's neighborhood, but in whose house, or by whom taught, we have no information.
No school-houses were built in town until long after this period, so of course the schools- which were of but few. weeks in duration- were kept in private rooms, and even these few weeks' schooling could be afforded only once in two or three years.
A vote was passed, April 10, 1777, to divide the town into four equal squadrons for schooling. Jedediah Tayntor, Silas Fife, David Wheeler, and Theodore Mann, were chosen a committee for this purpose. On the 23d of June, this committee submitted the following report, which was accepted : -
Beginning at the Centre Line at the East Side of the town thence running through the town ; then Beginning on said Line Between the Sixth and Seventh Lots; thence Running on said Line to Fitzwilliam for the North End Beginning at the South East Corner of Lot No. Sixty nine, thence Running Westerly to the North East Corner of Lot Nº 53; thence turning South to the South East Corner of Lot 53, thence Run- ning West to the town Line.
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
In 1778, the town raised £100 for schooling. This sum was dealt out sparingly, for we see by the report of the treasurer in 1780 that only £25 had at that time been expended. It may at first appear strange that no more attention was paid to the subject of education, but it must be remembered that the war of the Revolution was the subject which principally engrossed the public mind. From 1782 to 1787, small sums were raised at different times for schooling, and probably expended under the direction of the selectmen.
In 1788, a vote was passed "to squadron out the town anew for schooling "; and Oliver Wright, Reuben Ward, Phinehas Farrar, Ebenezer Temple, and Moses Tucker, were chosen to make the division. We have no doubt that this committee attended to the duties assigned them, but their report cannot now be found.
On the 15th of December of the same year, the town voted that "Each Squadron should build thereon School- houses as near the Centre as possibly could be convenient."
"Voted that the Selectmen shall appoint the Place to build in case of Disagreement in any Squadron in Town." · "Voted that the Selectmen shall make the Rate for each Squadron."
" Voted that every School House shall be built by the first of December next."
But it would seem that some of the squadrons neglected their duty in this respect ; for in a warrant for a town-meet- ing, four years afterwards, an article was inserted "to see what method the Town will Take with those squadrons that have not provided their school-houses sufficient to keep school in." In relation to this article, the town voted "that the school squadron which Daniel Cutting and others belong to, have until the first Day of may next to finish their School House, and if not Done by that time, the Selectmen are to build their school house and assess them to pay for the same."
In 1789, an effort was made by a few individuals to estab- lish a Grammar School; but, when the town was asked for
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money to aid the cause, it met with an unfavorable reception, and nothing further was done in relation to the matter.
During the next five years, the population increased so rapidly by the arrival of new settlers that it was found necessary to redistrict the town, as those on the outskirts could receive but little benefit from the present arrangement.
At a meeting April 21, 1794, the following were chosen a committee for that purpose : Lieut. Oliver Wright, Lieut. Reuben Ward, Deacon Stone, Gideon Newton, Robert Worsley, Hugh Mason, Theophilus Howard, Moses Tucker, and David Wheeler.
This committee divided the town into eight districts, three of which fell within the limits of the present town of Troy ; namely, the south, south-east, and south-west districts.
The North-east District was by far the largest in town. Besides the present District No. 1, it contained all of that part of the town which was set off in 1812, as a portion of the new town of Roxbury. The following is a list of those who composed that district in 1794: -
Bartholomew Grimes.
David Wilkinson.
Sylvanus Nye.
Ziba Nason.
William Banks.
Josiah Lewis.
Benjamin Mayo.
Ebenezer Belknap.
William Collins.
Timothy Kimball.
Amos Cummings.
Nathaniel Furber.
Charles Holman.
Joseph Foster.
Oliver Parmenter.
Gideon Newton.
Jacob Phelps.
Daniel Cummings.
John Day.
Timothy Johnson.
Putnam Phelps.
Paul Fifield.
James Gleason.
Asa Brewer.
Enoch Foster.
John Whittaker. John Tozer.
Stephen Foster.
Samuel Hemenway.
Jesse Hunting. Israel Richardson.
Joshua Learnard. Isaac McAlister.
Widow Rebecca Lewis.
Samuel McAlister.
Ebenezer Hemenway. Daniel Emerson.
David Dufor.
Ebenezer Herrick.
Asa Metcalf.
Jona. Flood Sonthwick.
Israel Greenlief.
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
The first school-house in this district was situated a little north of the Walter Capron place, on the east side of the road.
In 1812, when Roxbury was incorporated, no division was made in the district; but all continued to go to the same school until about 1815, when the school-house was destroyed by fire. It was then thought best to divide the district ; the Roxbury part building a house near the Guild place ; and the Marlborough portion, one of brick on the site of the present school-house. About 1845, this became unfit for use, and the present one was built soon after. .
North-west District .- This district comprised all of the present No. 2 and No. 8. In 1794, it contained the follow- ing list of voters : -
John Buss.
Phinehas Farrar, Jr.
Benjamin Thatcher. Stephen Woodward.
Phinehas Farrar, Esq.
Abijah Tucker.
John Farrar.
Abel Woodward.
Jonathan Frost.
Abijah Woodward.
Ebenezer Rhodes.
William Lincoln.
Ebenezer Rhodes, Jr.
Caleb Emerson.
Thomas Page.
Samuel Collins.
John Page.
Timothy Harvey.
Libbeius Page.
John Harvey, Jr.
Kimbear Harvey.
John Wiswall.
Robert Converse.
John Converse.
Daniel Gage. .
Samuel Stearns.
Jedediah Tayntor.
Moses Tucker.
When the first school-house was built, it is impossible to state, as we find no records earlier than 1797. The house was situated on lot No. 39, a little west of David Wilkinson's shop, which land was leased to the town for that purpose by Abijah Tucker, under date of 1789. As the school-house was standing on that spot at this date, it is probable that it had been but recently built. This house was a rude structure compared with those of to-day. It was about twenty or twenty-two feet square, rough boarded, but never clapboarded. The walls of the interior were finished
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with pine boards. On the west side was a fire-place large enough to admit wood four feet in length. On the other three sides were the seats and benches for the scholars. The seats were very simple in their construction, being hemlock slabs which run the whole length of the room. These were placed the flat side up, and were supported by round sticks for legs.
In rude structures like this, our ancestors obtained the rudiments of an education, little dreaming of the comforts and privileges to be enjoyed by their descendants in these latter days.
Perhaps it will prove interesting to our readers, if we here present them with a copy of the proceedings of the school- meeting of 1797, which is the first we have any record of in this district :-
At a meeting of the North Westerly School Squadron April 5th 1797. Proceeded as follows,
First Made Choise of John Buss Moderator
2ª Made Choise of Jonathan Frost Clark
3ª Chose Jonathan Frost
Simeon Newton Commity Kimber Harvey
4th Voted to take one Quarter of the Money for a Woman school the Present Year.
5th Voted that the Woman School Begin the Middle of May Next. 6 Voted that Nabby Converse be Imployed to keep the woman school if she can be had.
7th Voted that the Present Commity be a Commity to Recon with the former Clark.
Sth Voted that no Child be Permited to Bring any work to school of any kind.
9th Voted that those People that Send Children to school Shall Pro- cure wood to supply the School.
10th Voted that the commity be Impowered to Imploy a Mistress and hire her Boarded,
11th Voted that this Meeting be Dissolved.
Attest JONATHAN FROST & Clark JOHN BUSS, Moderator
The price of board was for many years determined by vendue, the teacher being boarded by the one who would do
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
it the cheapest ; the price sometimes going as low as sixty cents per week. When this was the case, the teacher was sometimes reminded, as she sat at the table, that the sum received was hardly sufficient to pay for her board, and for this reason she must partake sparingly.
The wood was sometimes obtained in the same way, although for a time the custom prevailed that "every man should bring two feet of wood for each scholar that he sent to school," and "that every man should chop his own wood, that he brings to the school-house."
In 1807, the old house having become unfit for use, the district voted to build a new one. The work of building was set up at auction, and struck off to Daniel Gage for the sum of one hundred and seventy dollars, and the old school- house. It was voted that the building should be con- structed as follows : -
It is to be twenty-six feet long and twenty-four feet wide nine feet & a half Posts. Six windows twenty-four lights in each 6 by 8 inch Glass, two rows of Gallery seats on three sides of the house with one small seat in the front with an alley in the centre of the seats. And it is to be arched or crowning over head 9 inches. It is to have four feet Entry way ; the floor to be laid with two inch plank. The walls of the house to be ceiled as high as the bottom of the windows; with a good brick Chimney laid in lime & is to be two feet & a half on the back of the fire place. And to be plastered over head and the walls down as low as the bottom of the windows. The entry way is to be ceiled and plastered over head; the closet on the opposite side of the chimney is to be ceiled and plastered over head with shelves convenient. The out side of the house to be inclosed with a square roof and well shingled & the body of the house is to be clapboarded & painted with Spanish Brown & trimed with white lead paint. And to be underpined with split stone & a good door stone also window shutters to each window, with a lock and key on the front door. There is to be a writing desk & the hearth is to be laid with stone.
This house was located on the site of the old one, and when completed was quite comfortable and convenient in its arrangement, as compared with others of that day. Having prepared a suitable place for the instruction of their children, . the parents were not unmindful of the spiritual interests of those under their charge; for at a meeting of the district,
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October 31, 1807, they voted "that the School Master teach the Schollars the Catechism once a week," also " Voted to have the Bible introduced into the School."
In 1823, the district chose Asa Frost, William Ward, and John Wiswall to visit the schools, at such times as they might think proper, to superintend the prudential affairs of the district, and to advise in the settlement of any difficulties which might arise in the school. From this time until 1839, a committee was chosen annually for this purpose.
As the population of the district increased, the school- room became so crowded that in 1833 it became necessary to divide the winter school; and for the next seven years, or until the building of the new school-house in 1840, the primary department was kept in private houses. As the village continued to grow, the pupils increased to such a number that the school-house was found wholly inadequate to the wants of the district, and in 1840 it voted to build a new house, which was located on land of Simeon Whitcomb, near the Brick Church. This was built at an expense of about seven hundred dollars, and was large and ample in its accommodations.
The old house was sold to Charles C. Hemenway who removed it to Lowellville and converted it into a dwelling, and is the main part of the house now owned and occupied by William Richardson.
In 1850, the district was divided by setting off all that part east of the bridge, near where Warren W. Richardson now resides.
In the summer of 1864, the district received from Rev. William C. Whitcomb a generous present of a bell for their school-house, which from that time to the present has con- tinned to do good service, not only in calling the children from their sports to the halls of learning, but also to ring in the anniversary of our Nation's Declaration of Independence.
In 1872, the number of pupils had so increased that it was found impossible to accommodate them in the over- crowded school-rooms. At the same time, some of the dis- tricts on the outskirts of the town had become so depopu-
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
lated that it was with difficulty they could support a school. By many, it was thought advisable to unite these districts, and form a graded school. The subject was warmly dis- cussed at the annual town-meeting, the result of which was a vote to unite with District No. 2, and build a school-house suitable for the convenience of the schools, and for the accommodation of a town high school, the expense of which was to be equally divided between the town and the district. This would probably have been carried into effect, had they been able to agree on the location for a house; but failing in this, at an adjourned meeting, the town reconsidered their vote, and refused to do anything further in the matter.
The district held several meetings, at which the subject of building a school-house was discussed, but, being very much divided in opinions on the subject, the matter was for a time allowed to rest. At a special meeting called for that pur- pose, March 31, 1874, the district voted to build, and chose committees for procuring plans and locating the house. After holding several meetings, it was decided to build on land of Elisha O. Woodward. The lot containing three- fourths of an acre was purchased for $1,500. The house is large, commodious, and furnished with many of the modern improvements. It is 70x36, two stories in height, and sur- mounted with a cupola and vane. On the first floor are two rooms, one 35x26 feet, the other 35x30 feet, containing forty-eight seats each. These rooms are separated by a hall running the entire width of the building. On the second floor there is one room 35x32 feet, containing fifty-six seats, and one 35x26 feet, which is at present used as an ante-room. It is finished throughout with chestnut, and cost, including grounds, $8,000. The bell was removed from the old house, and placed upon the new one ; and the old building with grounds was disposed of at auction for $795, and is now the property of the Congregational society, and used by them for a chapel.
CENTRE DISTRICT.
This district comprised all of No. 3, or Depot District,
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No. 4, and a part of No. 6. The following citizens were voters there in 1794 :-
Richard Roberts.
Jonadab Baker.
Joseph Sweetser.
Walter Capron.
Richard Tozer.
Josiah Woodward.
Silas Raymond.
Elijah Frost.
Phillip Sweetser.
Joseph Wellington.
Hezekiah Hodgkins.
Joseph Wellington, Jr.
Peletiah Cummings.
Francis Barker.
Isaac Cummings.
Thaddeus Parmenter.
Oliver Wright.
Benjamin Frost. John Haven.
Amos Hodgkins.
Rev. Halloway Fish.
Ebenezer Temple.
Jacob Woodward.
Joseph Follett.
Daniel Woodward.
Luther Newton.
Jonathan Bemis.
Asa Pratt.
The school-house was situated at the corner of the roads, a little south-west of the old meeting-house. In 1808, it was removed to the east side of the Common, near the Pound. This was burned in January, 1827; and for the next two winters the school was kept in the house which was formerly owned by Isaac Cummings being kept by him for a tavern.
During this period, efforts were made to fix upon a location for a school-house. The district was large, and it was a difficult matter to decide upon a spot which woukl convene all alike, and at last it was decided to build as near the centre of the district as possible, and was accordingly located at the fork of the roads, near where J. Merrill Davis now resides. In 1840, the district was divided: two new districts were made, and a small portion was annexed to No. 6.
District No. 3, or Depot District, was set off from the old Centre District in 1840, in which year the present school- house was built.
District No. 4 was made from the south part of the Centre District in 1840. The school-house is situated near the residence of George Lovering. The number of pupils in this, like other farming districts, is rapidly decreasing : and
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
where once was a well filled school-room, only six or eight children can now be found.
District No. 5 .- This district for a long time bore the name of the "Six Nations." It derived its name from the fact that within its limits there resided six men, with families so large that they were suggestive of the ancient Israelites. In these six families, there were no less than sixty-four children. In 1794, the district was composed of the following citizens : -
William Tenney.
Benjamin Hazen.
Theopilus Howard.
Alexander Fish.
Kendall Bruce.
Melezur Grant.
Bezaleel Baker.
William Grant.
Jonathan Capron.
Ebenezer Jennings.
David Capron.
Asa Porter.
Daniel Whitney.
Benjamin Whitney.
Widow Flood.
Benjamin Goodenow.
Benjamin Dole.
The first school-house was located on the opposite side of the road from the present one. This was given up in 1827, and the present house was built. This has been kept in good repair, and is the best school-house in town outside of the village.
The East School Squadron, or District No. 6. - This dis- trict in 1794 was composed of eleven families, as follows :
Ilenry Hunt. Thaddeus Hastings.
Seth Harrington.
Francis Hastings.
Luke Newton.
Calvin Stone.
Timothy Bemis.
Shubel Stone.
Jeremiah Bemis.
David Bemis.
Eliphalet Stone.
The first school-house stood in the pasture north of the house of Samuel Jones. This, like others of that day, was but a rude affair, and at the commencement of the present century had become unfit for use. Consequently, in the year 1800, the school was kept at the house of Timothy Bemis, the same now owned by Samuel Jones. Mr. Bemis received four shillings per week for the use of his house.
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SCHOOLS.
This price being considered too dear, the following year the schools were kept at the house of Luke Newton who charged but thirty-three cents per week. The second school-house was built in 1801, and was situated on the north side of the present highway, on the line between the farm of Samuel Jones and the one since owned by Curtis Hunt. This house was 20x24 feet, 10 feet posts, and surmounted with a square roof.
This was very comfortable in its arrangement, and was erected at a cost of about one hundred and sixty dollars. The old school-house was sold to Calvin Stone for $8.75. In 1840, the farms which are now owned by A. T. Woodward, R. S. Frost, Benjamin Cushing, and the Moses Hunt place, were annexed to this district.
The old school-house being somewhat out of repair, it was decided to build a new one, which is the same now in use ; and, unless this district becomes more thickly populated, it will last as long as they will need a school-house, for, where once could be counted sixty children, there are scarcely enough now to make a school.
District No. 7 .- This district was known for many years as the " Robert Worsley District." It was never very large or populous. In 1794, it contained but eight families, and only ten voters, as follows :-
Samuel Sargent.
William White.
David Thurston.
James White.
Benjamin Thurston. Daniel Ball.
David Thurston, Jr.
William White, Jr.
William Greenwood.
Robert Worsley.
The present school-house was built in 1828. Previous to this, the schools were kept in private dwellings.
District No. 8, or Lowellville District. This was set off from District No. 2 in 1850, and at that time it contained twenty families. The school-house was built in 1850, at a cost of $390.87.
School-teaching is one of the noblest callings. The true teacher is a benefactor to the race. He makes impressions
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
and sets in motion influences which are lasting as the mind. With what emotions of pleasure and gratitude do we call to mind the teachers of our youth! Many of them have passed away, but their memory is precious.
Of those who have borne their part toward building up the common schools in this town may be mentioned Benja- min Whitney, Sen., Levi Gates, Sen., and Nathan E. Wild. Mr. Gates had a thorough knowledge of arithmetic, but knew nothing of grammar; while his esteemed friend and neighbor, Mr. Whitney, though good in grammar, knew but little of arithmetic. Mr. Whitney used to wonder how Mr. Gates could get along so well in teaching without a better knowledge of grammar; while Mr. Gates expressed equal surprise at the success of Mr. Whitney who was so lacking in the science of arithmetic.
Col. Cyrus Frost, now more than eighty years of age, began teaching in the winter of 1818-19, and followed it, with greater or less intervals, for more than twenty years. He taught at least twenty-four terms, and was known far and near as a good manager of schools. Twice he was called to finish out schools where others had failed. He says: "I did the best I could. The first school I ever taught was the stillest. I did not flog but little, -some two or three times in the first school I taught, and occasionally since, but a great many without striking a blow. I had one scholar once, that no teacher before me could get along with without flogging. An old teacher (Capt. Whitney) asked me, 'How is it you get along with that boy, for I have heard that you have not flogged him this winter?' I told him that I came to the conclusion that he had been flogged too much, and I thought I would try a different plan, and só I appealed to his manhood." He taught two terms in Newton, Mass., after he was forty years of age. At that time, the Rev. George H. Hepworth, now of New York City, then a lad of ten years, was one of his pupils. He also taught in this town after he was fifty years old.
Capt. Asa Frost, a brother of Cyrus, taught several terms in this and neighboring towns, and is said to have been an excellent teacher.
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Luther Wiswall who is now a Congregational minister in Maine, Benjamin Whitney, Jr., and Levi Gates, Jr., taught many terms, and were quite prominent in our common schools. Jonas Whitney, a brother of Benjamin, Jr., was a teacher of considerable note. He was a graduate of Dart- mouth College, and taught the higher branches. For a number of years he followed teaching in New York State, and later in St. Louis, where he died some years since. Jairus Collins, Esq., commenced teaching in 1835, and has taught nearly thirty terms. Rev. Sullivan H. McCollester, A.M., is one of our most prominent and successful teachers. He has for several years been President of Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio. Henry Clay, son of Calvin Tenney, has been a prominent teacher of both district and high schools in this and other towns. Rev. Charles E. Houghton, although not a native, was for several years a resident in town, and taught many terms, not only of district but high schools, with good success. He is now a Congregational minister in Auburn, N.H. Joseph C. Mason and Joseph C. Shattuck were both successful teachers, and are at present engaged in the cause of education at the West, the former as Superintendent of Public Schools in Missouri, and the latter as State Super- intendent of Public Instruction in Colorado.
Among the female teachers who have been successful in their calling, we may mention Nabby Converse, who taught many terms before the commencement of the present century. She is said to have been self-educated, and possessed a great faculty for teaching small children. She died in 1803. Atossa Frost, daughter of Col. Joseph Frost, and Miss Cynthia Farrar, daughter of Phinehas Farrar, Jr., were noted teachers. They both went as teachers and mis- sionaries to Bombay. The former married Rev. Cyrus Stone. Hannah Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, Sen., was a graduate of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. She followed teaching for many years, not only in this town, but in Ohio. She afterward married Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor, and died at Troy, Ohio, February, 1875. Ellen Herrick, daughter of Jeremiah Herrick, taught with good success
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