USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Surry > History of the town of Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire : from date of severance from Gilsum and Westmoreland, 1769-1922, with a genealogical register and map of the town > Part 22
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To the Inhabitants of Surry,
In compliance with your request at our last annual meeting your In- specting Committee beg leave to make the following
REPORT
of the schools in the several Districts in this town, to wit:
Reading and Spelling as often as time and opportunity permit, ap- pear to be the invariable practice of each Scholar through each of the several schools.
The School in the Middle District under the tuition of Mr. Jonathan Robinson, Jr. consists of about 40 Scholars from 5 to 19 years of age, of whom,
12 are studying Arithmetic, principally beginners.
3
Geography, pretty well versed.
3
Grammar, new beginners.
22
Penmanship, two new beginners. Alphabet, none.
The School in the North District under the tuition of Mr. Hezekiah Newcomb consists of about 50 scholars from 5 to 20 years of age, of whom,
8 are studying Arithmetic.
3 Geography.
7 " Grammar.
30 Penmanship. Alphabet, none.
The School in the South District under the tuition of Miss Mary Darling, (alias Lathrop) consists of about 30 Scholars from 6 to 17 years of age, of whom,
10 are studying Arithmetic, principally beginners.
4 Geography, doing well.
214
HISTORY OF SURRY
5
Grammar, new beginners.
12
" Penmanship.
4
" Alphabet.
The School in the South-West District under the tuition of Mr. Royal Watkins consists of about 25 scholars from 5 to 19 years of age, of whom,
2 are studying Arithmetic, pretty forward. . 2 " Grammar, considerable forward.
11 " " Penmanship.
2
Alphabet.
The orders, regulations and improvements which appeared in each of said schools discovered not only the assiduity of the Scholars, but like- wise the abilities and dispositions of the several teachers to discharge and perform the duties incumbent on them as instructors; and meets the approbation, and merits the applause of
Perley Howe
David Shaw Inspecting Committee.
Sylvester Smith
P. S. Your Committee put questions to several of the Scholars in each School, and so far as they have received answers they are satis- factory and pleasing.
March 1820.
The following report of the Inspecting Committee chosen March 1820, was given March 1821:
The Committee for Inspection of the Schools in Surry ask leave to report: They have attended to their duty and have inspected the sev- eral schools twice the winter past; once in the month of January, the last visit near the close of the schools; considering it the duty of the Inspectors to give Instruction to the teachers and encouragement to the scholars. We find the schools all under good regulations, ambitious to excel in the various branches commonly taught in English schools with good instructors who have appeared to use their best exertions for the promotion and instruction of the youth committed to their care; good understanding and harmony have appeared to exist between the in- structor and their scholars and the people in general. We herewith sub- mit to you the following schedule;
The North school, under the instruction of J. Rawson, consists of nearly 70 scholars.
4 Grammarians, quite forward; 2 have made considerable profi- ciency.
12 in Arithmetic, and occasionally 20, several are considerable for- ward.
5 in Geography who are very forward.
40 in Writing, some of those considered writers, are occasionally at- tending to English Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, etc.
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EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Between 20 and 30 small scholars, some in reading and the spelling book, some small taught in words of a few letters.
The Middle school, Jonathan Robinson, Jr. Instructor consists of nearly 60 scholars.
11 in Grammar, 6 of them very good Grammarians; the others have made some proficiency.
14 in Arithmetic, 6 of whom have been through Adams Arithmetic and have a good knowledge of the Theory and Practice, the others principally beginners.
13 in Geography, 7 of whom can answer correctly most of the ques- tions in Geography; the others have made some proficiency.
37 in Writing, a number of which attend occasionally to other studies.
About 12 or fifteen in Reading in the Spelling book; some in spelling, but two in the Alphabet.
The South school, Calvin Hayward, Instructor, consisting of about 40 scholars;
6 in Grammar, some very forward.
6 in Geography, part of which are very good Geographers.
10 in Arithmetic, one of which has been through Adams Arithme- tic, the others principally beginners.
20 in Writing, some of which attend occasionally to other studies.
About 10 or 12 in the small classes; some reading in the Testament, and reading in the Spelling book, some in Spelling, and most of the small classes can recite most of the pieces commonly taught small schol- ars with accuracy.
The South-West school, Royal Watkins, Instructor, consisting of about 35 scholars.
3 in Grammar, two of which are very good Grammarians.
4 in Arithmetic, two of which have gone through Adams Arithme- tic; Pikes Abridgement and are good Grammarians and Geograph- ers; two new beginners.
3 in Geography, two of which are the above mentioned.
17 in Writing, some occasionally attend to other studies.
10 in small classes and the Alphabet most of which recite the pieces commonly taught small scholars.
All of which is respectfully submitted by your Inspecting Committee.
Sylvester Smith Eli Dort Inspecting Committee.
Ichabod Crane
Surry, March 1, 1821.
It is interesting to note in these Reports, there were about 145 pupils in town 1819-20, and 205 in the year following.
For some years around 1850-60, a County Superintending School, or com- missioner was employed to visit and inspect the schools throughout Cheshire County. Mr. Bennett of Winchester filled this position for several years be-
216
HISTORY OF SURRY
ing succeeded by Col. Herbert B. Titus of Chesterfield, who later became an officer in the Civil war. Dr. S. H. McCallester of Marlboro, N. H., was at one time commissioner.
In 1833 the town voted to raise $20.00 in addition to the requirement by law, for schooling in town that year.
The following is a partial list of those who served as Supt. of schools in Surry 1859-1884 :
Isaac Brown, George W. Britton, George K. Harvey, Dr. William H. Por- ter. Francis F. Field, Susan F. Ellis, Mrs. Maggie G. (Fawcett) Field, and Mrs. Sabrina W. (Perry) 'Britton.
The North, or School District No. 1.
The first school house in this district was probably built during the sum- mer of 1785 at the corner of the Carpenter and Great Road, 16 x 20 feet in size. No record has been found to indicate whether it was in the north or south corner of the roads mentioned, but on the map we have shown its site as being on the north side, No. 105.
At a town meeting held Aug. 25, 1806, it was voted not to purchase the "old school house in the North District" nor hire the same for the use of the town's poor. 'This is the only instance found in the town records respecting this school house, and doubtless refers to the one built in 1785, which prob- ably had been unused for several years prior to 1806.
The second school house to be erected in this district was about 1792, which was in use until 1854, when sold to Mrs. J. G. Britton who had it moved to the village and is now the front portion of Mason A. Carpenter's house. This building when erected was 20 x 28 feet and stood on the exact site where Mr. Shaw later built his sugar house, on the west side of the road near Shaws Corner, and in 1840 this building was painted red, and had a "four-way" pitch roof.
The tax assessed to build this school house has been found on an old paper and is as follows:
A true copy of the North District School-house Tax bill delivered to Thomas Smith, collector of taxes, for the year 1793.
Samuel Hills
Asa Wilcox
Selectmen.
Baxter, Simon
£1:18: 2
Holmes, Calvin 7: 7
Baxter, William
11: 2
Holmes, Lemuel Jr.
5: 5
Carpenter, Jedediah
1: 1:1 Hayward, Abner
4: 2
Carpenter, Jedediah Jr.
5: 0
Hills, Samuel
14: 4
Carpenter, Charles
8:10
Isham, Benjamin
8: 7
Carpenter, Aaron
5: 5
Isham, Ebenezer
4: 2
Crane, Abiah
18: 1
Marvin, John
12: 4
Field, Moses D.
1: 5: 4
Parker, Samuel
5:10
Field, Moses
4: 2 Porter, Benjamin
4: 2
Holmes, Lemuel
4: 2
Messer, Timothy
13: 2
Holmes, Asa
1: 0: 5
Redding, John
9:10
Holmes, Timothy
5:5
Reed, David
6: 5
217
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Smith, Thomas 11: 5
Streeter, Daniel
8: 8
Smith, Thomas, Jr. 8: 2
Willcox, Asa
10:10
Smith, Ichabod
1: 3: 0 Willcox, Obadiah 13: 3
Smith, Stephen
12: 5
Willcox, Obadiah Jr.
5:3
Smith, Daniel
0: 8: 6
Willcox, Gaylord
5: 5
Scovel, Henry
9: 4
Willcox, John
3: 5
Stone, Job
4: 2
Streeter, Zebulon
19: 4 Sum total
20: 5: 4
The third and present school house erected in this district in 1854 was only two or three rods north of the second building. The following is a paper found among the town records:
"To the Selectmen of the town of Surry,
Whereas the school house lot in school district No. 1 in said town is so located as to be inconvenient and unjust to the subscribers, legal voters in said district who are aggrieved thereby, we therefore request you to appoint a committee to examine and report upon the same, and to cause a new and more equitable location and record thereof to be made according to law."
Surry, June 1st 1854.
Warren Carpenter
James Britton John A. Britton Hiram Britton
(Signed)
David Shaw
Horace B. Shaw
Samuel Long Hollis Wilcox.
Teachers would be rare indeed today who could be induced to take one of those old-time-schools. The winter terms were always taught by men teachers until about 1845. A blacksmith's apprentice while attending this school about that time resorted to strategy to escape the severity of a flogging. His leather apron under his outer clothing was however discovered by the master, who increased the measure of punishment because of the ruse.
No complete list of those who have taught in this district is at hand. Al- fred Munn of Gilsum taught here in 1792, for which he received six pounds; Hezekiah Newcomb in 1819-20; J. Rawson 1820-21. Lewis B. Monroe, who later wrote the "Monroe Reader," taught here about 1840. He later founded the Monroe School of Elocution in Boston-now Emerson college.
In 1849, 56 scholars attended this school; 35 in 1857, and from 11 to 17 in recent years.
THE MIDDLE OR SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 2.
The first school house built not only in this district, but in the town was erected on the east side of the road opposite the village cemetery, and was built probably during the summer of 1770. This building was in use until 1792 or '93, and what finally became of it has not been ascertained. March 5,
218
HISTORY OF SURRY
1792 it was voted that "each school district shall build a school-house." Un- der this vote the second school house to be erected in this district was prob- ably built during that summer; in fact at a special town meeting held on the 23d of May it was voted "to accept the doings of the School committee of their doings in the Middle School District, in regard to building a school house" and to "raise 33 pounds, ten shillings to pay for said school-house." This committee had at this time selected the location for the new building and the size, equipment, etc. It is understood the house now standing, where the late Benjamin C. Crosby lived in his old age, is the second school house erected in this. district. It is 22 x 32 feet in size.
An article in town meeting March 22, 1804, "to see if the town will move the school house east of the meeting house farther south, onto town land," no action was taken, hence, it is probable the old school building was still stand- ing at that time.
On Dec. 21, 1829 a meeting was called "to see if the district will raise money to build a school house or repair the old one." From the records, it ap- pears there was some discord in building and locating the new school house, but it was finally decided to build on a plot of land taken from the farm of Otis Daggett. May 5, 1830 Mr. Daggett sold a lot 40 feet square for Num- ber 2 school house; "the southeast corner of this lot is 30 feet north of an elm tree which stands about 15 rods south of the old meeting house." The present village house was built during the summer of 1830, and in September follow- ing a school meeting was held "at the new school house" at which time it was voted to "raise money to pay for the new school house now built."
It appears an illegal transaction took place in some of the several school meetings held in connection with the building of this new school house and a meeting was held March 19, 1831, making the same "legal." At this meeting it was voted, "to fence the school house yard" and "to accept of the former sale or disposal of the old school house belonging to said District." At a meeting Sept. 14, following, there was a bill of expense of $180.86 "for build- ing and finishing the new school house"-also voted $8.00 to purchase a pair of andirons, a fire shovel and tongs. Some time prior to 1850 a stove was in- stalled to heat the building in place of the old "fire-place."
The door to this building was on the south side near the southwest corner where the entry and woodshed were located. North of this room was the cloak-room entered from the school room, which included the remainder. The teacher's desk was on a platform at the east end of the room in front of which was the broad center aisle. The desks would accommodate two, and some- times three, small pupils, all facing the center aisle; the lads on one side and the lasses, opposite. A board attached to the north and south walls of the room served as a back seat for the "big scholars."
So numerous were the pupils, in less than 20 years it was a serious prob- lem whether to repair the old or build a new school house. Finally at a meet- ing April 18, 1857, it was voted to move the building to the west about 26 feet and to build an addition of 12 feet on the east end to be the same width as the present school house, and fit up the out-side and in-side; also voted to raise $200 for the same, and $25 to purchase more land to the west. The day the old building was moved, the men of the district turned out and held a "moving bee." The work which had taken 10 years of consideration was ac- complished in a few hours.
219
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
At this time the door, entry and wood-shed were placed at the east end of the building; new one-pupil-seats replaced the old, all facing the east; later, and for the past 40 years, the pupils sit facing north. In 1856 an overheated stove started a fire, with slight damage.
David Shaw and Daniel Leonard taught the village school prior to 1800 and Jonathan Robinson, Jr .; Dr. John Petts, S. Harrison Porter and his brother, George P. Porter, and many others taught here before 1860. Men were usually employed to teach the winter terms before and for some years after the latter date, and it was common practice for the teacher to "board around," as late as 1845. In 1847 it was voted "to sell the boarding of the summer school teacher to the lowest bidder." We have no record at hand of the price, the teacher, or "quality" of board that summer.
In 1850 about 60 scholars attended this school and a few years later over 70 pupils were enrolled one winter term. During recent years from 16 to 23 have attended this school.
Of the women teachers in this school from 60 to 70 years ago, none were more successful or taught more terms than Miss Persis E. Harvey.
The following is copy of a small leaflet which she presented to each scholar at the close of school. Names in parentheses indicate married surname :
-MEMORIAL-
CATALOGUE
PUPILS IN DIST. NO. 2,
in Surry, For the Term commencing May 5th, and closing July 12th, 1856.
PERSIS E. HARVEY, Teacher.
Ella F. Adams
Abbie H. Adams (Shumway)
Hattie L. Adams (Martin)
Emma J. Adams (Humphrey)
Louise J. Benton (Norton)
Mary E. Poole (Carpenter)
Sarah C. Pond (Raymond)
Mary L. Blake Hattie M. Britton (Carpenter) Mary E. Britton
Aurilla F. Pond Mary L. Rugg (Patten)
Josephine A. Carpenter (Joslin)
Ellen M. Carpenter (Kingsbury)
Celuda J. Tufts (Wilcox)
John Henry Allen
Hattie R. Carpenter (Emmons) Sarah J. Carpenter (Comstock) Emma A. Crosby (Deane)
Ira E. Blake Charles W. Britt
Fannie E. Crosby (Mansfield)
Charles E. Britton
Elbridge W. Britton
George B. Britton
Jasper H. Carpenter
Mason A. Carpenter
Frances L. Cushing (Darling) Carrie A. Durell (Howe)
Lucy A. Durell (Perkins) Relief S. Horton (Mason)
Georgiana F. Joslin (Cummings) Kate I. Joslin (Field)
Sarah J. Mansfield
Emma L. Poole (Carpenter)
Sarah E. Stone (Longley)
220
HISTORY OF SURRY
Frank DeW. Carpenter
George W. Stone
Eugene R. Carpenter
Charles G. Stone
John Walter Cushing
Sidney D. Tufts
Willie T. Joslin
Chandler A. Wilbur
George F. Mansfield
George F. Wilbur
Stephen F. Mansfield
Eddie I. Randall
Charles K. Wilbur.
THE SOUTH OR SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 3.
As early as 1777, at which time the division was made, a school apparently had been established in this district. As no vote for building a house prior to 1792 appears upon the records, it is possible that Samuel McCurdy's tavern served as a school house.
March 5, 1792, Voted that each school district shall build a school house. And on,
May 23, 1792, Voted to accept the doings of the South School district committee of their doings to build a school house in that district, also, Voted to raise 24 pounds, 17 shillings for Sd house, to be raised in that district.
The first building in this district was erected in 1792 or '93. The following tax bill was the final payment on this school house:
"A true coppy of the South Destrict School Hous arrearage tax bill. Samuel Hills, Asa Willcox, Selectmen, Feb. 6th, 1794.
A list of those taxed :- William Barron, William Barron Jr., John McCurdy, James McCurdy, Samuel McCurdy, Samuel McCurdy Jr., Ben- jamin Carpenter, Amasa Carpenter, Benjamin Carpenter Jr., Edward Crandell, Calvin Hayward, Elias Hayward, Hannah Hayward, Sarah Hayward, Sarrel Hayward, Sylvanus Hayward, Robert Phinley, Zach- arius Watkins and-Sanburn. Total tax, £1:13:7."
This building, was destroyed by fire within a few years and in its place a new one was erected.
In 1798 it was voted to accept the chimney in the South School House as now built. From this we suspect the chimney in the first house was defective and caused the fire which destroyed the first building.
March 17, 1800. "Voted to accept the South School house now built" and to raise $124.64 to defray expense of the same. In all probability this was for the second building erected in this district which stood near a large rock on the west side of the present highway, three or four rods north of Frank E. Ellis' barn. * In it was an old time fire-place, of sufficient size as to accomo- date a log three feet in length, and this house was in use for about 40 years.
The following is from a slip of paper found in the town records :
"Surry December 1, 1802.
To Samuel Allen Treasur for the Town of Surry, you are direct'd to pay to Capt. Calvin Hayward (School house Tax Collector for the year
* The late William H. Woodward of Keene attended this school when a mere lad, and he has supplied many details given in this history.
221
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
that the Schoolhouse in the South Destrict was lost by fire) -Eight Dol- lars & fifty Cents it being Money that the Town Voted to Joseph Holms and others.
Saml Hills
Selectmen
$8-50 Nathan Estabrook of Surry."
No other reference to this fire has been discovered and this record is ob- scure as to the year the house was destroyed, but it probably occurred in 1797 or '98.
March 19, 1835, a school meeting was held in the old house, to see if the district would vote to raise money to build a new school house, or repair the old. It was voted to build a new school house, and a committee was chosen for that purpose.
Edmond Woodward gave a plot from off his farm for the new house, "so long as it should be used for school purposes." The size of this building was 21 x 26 feet, and was in use until about 1889. At the March 1915 town meet- ing it was sold at auction to Frank E. Ellis for $40 who moved it the May following, and it is now his carriage house.
The following item has been found among the town papers :
"Surry February 24, 1798,
Rec'd of Samuel McCurdy, Jr. twenty-one dollars & seventeen cents in full for keeping a school in Surry South District ten weeks and three days. I say rec'd by me, (Signed) Daniel Leonard, School Master."
Calvin Hayward, Dr. Henry Robinson, Aaron H. Livermore, Calvin May, Amasa May, Daniel Buss, Haskell Austin and George Barnett and others taught here between 1800 and 1860, also a long list of female teachers.
THE SOUTH-WEST OR SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 4.
This is now known as the "West Hill School" and the present school house is the fourth located in this district. As early as 1780 Roger Conant was chosen collector of the school tax in this district. Soon after certain inhabi- tants in the edge of Westmoreland and Walpole petitioned the town to be al- lowed to attend this school. Levi Hancock was collector of the school tax in 1800 the amount raised by Surry being $14.83 for that year. Doubtless taxes from adjoining towns considerably increased the amount of school money.
The first school house is supposed to have been erected in 1792 or '93, prior to that time probably they used a dwelling house. This building stood on the north side of the present road leading to Westmoreland being at that time near the junction of roads leading to Surry, Keene and Walpole, via., the "old stage road." Here the building stood for more than 25 years. On Dec. . 1, 1821 a bill was presented for $25.61 to be paid by "the inhabitants of the South West School District, for the purpose of moving and repairing the School House in said District" which "sum must be paid before the first of March next." The second site was in the field northerly of Walter H. Brit- ton's barn and only a few rods below the pasture wall near where the old county road ran at that time.
222
HISTORY OF SURRY
This school house was accidentally destroyed by fire at which time it ap- pears to have been practically useless;
"An old school house on Surry hill was destroyed by fire last Wednes- day (Dec. 9, 1835). The books burnt were worth $30.00 it is said, and of more value than the house. If so it is time it was burnt or pulled down."
-Keene Sentinel.
March 26, 1836, Philip Thomas sold a lot 28 x 36 feet in the southwest cor- ner of his pasture for the new and third school house which was built that summer. This was on the east side of the present road just above the fence, 60 rods, or so, north of Walter H. Britton's house.
In order to better accommodate the scholars in this district this school house was taken down in 1883 and rebuilt on a lot of land Elijah B. Mason leased Sept. 14th, of that year to school district No. 4, and where the building now stands.
The following is a list of men in this district who paid tax for moving and repairing the school house, 1821: David Allen $2.54; Daniel Allen $1.78; Joseph Allen $1.22; Daniel Abbott .77; Benjamin Britton $2.55; Benjamin Carpenter $2.18; Levi Hancock $5.01; William Ritter .70; Stephen Stimson .50; Royal Watkins $2.51; Warren Wilbur $1.72; Elizur Wright .50; Moses Wright $2.24; Oliver Wright .89; Oliver Wright .89. Total $25.61.
Royal Watkins, Joseph B. Abbott, John K. Joslin, Ellery Merriam and many others taught in this district 60 or more years ago.
About 25 scholars attended this school in 1850 and seven in 1919.
THE WEST SCHOOL DISTRICT
This district was maintained only from 1803 until 1811. A small school house was built in 1803 or '04 which stood on the north side of the "Joslin road" a short distance beyond the corner, west of Edward H. Joslin's dwell- ing house. The following petition presented at town meeting March 7, 1803, was granted:
"We, the Subscribers, request leave to show that with regard to Schooling we are so situated that the advantages of schooling our Chil- dren are not equal to the Money we expend for that purpose and that by being formed into a District by ourselves we shall be more suitably accomodated -. We therefore request that we may be set off from the Districts to which we at present belong and formed into a school Dis- trict with sufficient power and authority to build and repair a house for the purpose of schooling if after mature deliberation you shall see fit. Surry, March 1, 1803.
Thomas Harvey, John Stiles, J. Cheever Fowler, Jonathan Harvey, Asahel Harvey, Cyrus Harvey."
Jonathan Harvey collected $10.75, school tax in 1806; a similar amount was collected other years. In 1804, by request, J. Cheever Fowler and Benjamin Smith were set off into the South West District.
March 12, 1811, another petition to the town became necessary:
223
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
"That said West District is so small and the money so trifling that they cannot support a school but a very short time in a year, but if they should be annexed to the Middle District it would very well con- venience them.
Levi Fuller Jonathan Carpenter Jonathan Harvey
Peter Joslin Jonathan Robinson David Stone
Asahel Harvey
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