USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 24
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 24
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The next teacher was Rev. Robie Morrill, who taught in 1766. He had been dismissed as minister on the 9th of December, that year, and engaged at once in teaching. [See Biog.]
In 1768, the name of Moses Morse appears upon the records. The appropriation of money was sufficient to employ him three months.
280
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
[1782.
The records convey no information in regard to schools from 1768 to 1777.
It is altogether probable that schools were taught; for a com- munity so keenly alive to progress as that of Boscawen would not willingly deprive themselves of educational facilities.
In 1777, though nearly all the able-bodied men were in the army, and the women had to do a large share of the work in the fields, a school was taught by Nathaniel Atkinson.
In 1778, Nathaniel Atkinson and Mr. Henry were employed as teachers. The amount paid for schools shows a liberal appropria- tion, when the circumstances of the time are taken into account.
In 1779, a school-mistress was employed,-the first in town ; but the name of the lady does not appear upon the records.
In 1782, Mehitable Hidden began service as a teacher. She was a resident of Boscawen, living on Fish street. Of her sex, hers is the first name on the record. It is not known that she taught more than one term. Possibly she could not manage the roystering youths, who would be more intent upon kicking each others' shins, or pulling out handfuls of hair, than in giving attention to study. It was not in the nature of things that there should be much conning of books, for few of the scholars were in possession of text- books, or even a spelling-book. One reading-book served for a whole class. Then arose a teacher,-Rev. Caleb Bingham, born in Con- necticut, 1757, a graduate of Dartmouth, 1782, and established a school for young ladies in Boston, 1785,-who felt the need of school-books. He set himself to work to provide a series, and is- sued six in all, which had a remarkable sale. The " Young La- dies' Accidence " passed through twenty editions, and there were issued not less than one hundred thousand copies. Of the "Child's Companion," about one hundred and eighty thousand copies were sold; of the " American Preceptor," six hundred and forty thousand; of the " Columbian Orator," about one hundred and ninety thousand; of the "Youthful Catechism," one hun- dred thousand; of "Juvenile Letters," twenty-five thousand-in all, one million two hundred and fifty thousand. Prior to the publication of these volumes there were no school-books worthy the name.
Not only were books wanting, but school-houses. Apartments in private houses were used. There were no desks, and the seats
281
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1783.]
were planks, resting on blocks of wood, without backs or other support. The school-rooms often were lighted by one window only. It required a firm hand to deal with sixty or more stal- wart young men.
The wonder is, that any woman had the courage to attempt the task. Quite likely the citizens did not consider " school-marms "' a success, for no other female name appears till 1791, when Miss Phebe Knight, a young lady who had just moved into town from Newbury, taught the school on Little hill. That she was a suc- cessful teacher is evident from the fact that she continued to teach till her marriage to Mr. Nicholas Moody.
From that day to the present, female teachers have done their full share in educating the successive generations. During the remaining years of the century, the "school dames " were Phebe Knight, Lydia Varney, Mary Thurston, Mary Stickney, Nabby Jackman, Olive Baker, and Sally Gerrish.
The educators of a community occupy a responsible position. They mold character; they do much towards making or marring the future man. They take charge of the mind and the heart at their most plastic period. They are mind-builders. They hold the future well-being of the community in their hands; and in a history of a town which has moved steadily upward to a higher plane of civilization they should have honorable mention. It has not been possible, however, to obtain more than a partial list of names. Those teaching prior to the year 1800 were,-
1761. Rev. Mr. Varney [see Civil Hist. ].
1766. Rev. Robie Morrill [see Biog. ].
1767. Rev. Nathaniel Merrill [see Civil Hist. ].
1768. Moses Morse.
1777. Nathaniel Atkinson.
1778. Mr. Henry.
Col. Joseph Gerrish [see Gen. ].
1779. A school-mistress.
1780. Moses Burbank.
Jonathan Atkinson. 1782. Mehitable Hidden.
Richard Morse.
1783. Jonathan Thurston. James Tillan.
282
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1790.
1784. Ephraim Wood, of Lebanon, on King st.
Josiah Burbank, on Water st.
William Fisk, Putney dist.
Jonathan Atkinson, on High st. James Tillan.
1785. Ephraim Wood, King st.
Josiah Burbank, Water st.
Master Brown, on Corser hill.
Joseph Wood, Fish st.
William Fisk.
Tristram Sayers, Battle st.
1786. Nathaniel Knight, King st. and Water st.
Josiah Burbank, Battle st.
1787. Rev. Robie Morrill, King st.
Master Graham, Water st.
Master Carpenter.
Nicholas Elliot.
Nathaniel Knight.
Ephraim Wood.
Somersby Pearson.
Daniel Burbank.
Master Evans.
The last named was from Warner, and was a strict disciplina- rian.
SCHOOL MONEY.
"Lower School Dist
Fish st
£20-5-2 6-17-11
Water st
17-1-11
Corser Hill
12-15-10
Pleasant st
5-19-8
West of Blackwater
5-14-7
Long Pond
3-16- 4
High st 7-10-4"
1789. Josiah Burbank, Corser hill.
Eliphalet Little, Battle st.
Enoch Little, Corser hill [see Biog. ]. Enoch Little, Putney.
Joseph Atkinson, Water st. [see Gen. ].
1790. Moses Kelley, King st., of Salisbury.
283
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1793.]
Master Webber.
1791. Rev. Robie Morrill.
Phebe Knight [see Biog. ], Little hill.
Sally Pearson, of B., High st.
Oliver Davis, Corser hill, of Warner. He was a fine bass sing- er, and sat at the "head" in the singers' seats. After teaching many years, he opened a store in the house now occupied by Geo. Little.
1792. Hannah Jackman, King st.
Edmund Carleton, Water st. Born in Haverhill, Mass., grad- uated Dartmouth, physician at Haverhill, N. H. Married Anna, daughter Capt. Peter C. Coffin. School was taught in the north- west corner room of Capt. Coffin's house, Water st., now owned by Mr. Colby.
Enoch Little, Little hill.
Mary Thurston, Little hill.
Oliver Davis, Corser hill.
Rufus Anderson, High st. He was father of Rev. Rufus An- derson, of Boston, for many years secretary of American Board of Foreign Missions.
Lydia Varney, High st.
Somersby Pearson, Fish st.
Silas Stickney.
Stephen Potter.
Moses Kelley, of Salisbury, Corser hill.
Phebe Knight, White Plain.
(From selectmen's book.)
" Paid Saml Corser for use of school room 16-6"
The first appropriation for Bashan was made this year,-£2 10s.
"Paid Daniel Cass for the use of his house to keep school in-18 shillings.
" Paid John Jackman for boarding School Daim South end Long Pond 1-4-0"
The names of Hannah Jackman and Phebe Knight appear as " school daims " the first after Mehitable Hidden in 1782.
1793. Daniel Burbank, White Plain.
Mary Thurston, Little hill.
284
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. [1797.
Enoch Little, Little hill.
Oliver Davis, King st.
David Quimby, Fish st.
1794. Mary Stickney, Little Hill.
Moses Coffin, Little Hill. He resided in the house now occu- pied by Jabez Abbott.
Hannah Little [see Gen. ].
School Dame Foster.
Daniel Burbank.
1795. Ezra Carter, Corser hill.
Lydia Varney.
Oliver Davis, High st.
David Quimby. Mary Stickney.
Polly Varney, Little hill.
1796. Oliver Davis, High st.
Nabby Jackman, Water st.
Moses Coffin.
Lydia Varney.
1797. Oliver Davis, King st.
Olive Baker.
David Quimby, Water st.
Nabby Jackman, North Blackwater.
Anna Danforth, Bashan.
Moses Thurston, Little hill. He taught many years, and was known through life as " Master Thurston." He was a severe disciplinarian. One of his instruments for maintaining discipline was a leather ferule, composed of two pieces of hammered sole- leather, with sheet lead stitched between them. On one side he punched four holes, on the other five. He usually asked a culprit which he would have,-four holes, or five. If the trembling urchin said four, Master Thurston usually gave this reply :
" For fear of making a mistake I will give you both."
Each stroke left an array of blisters, the size of the holes, on the aching palms.
He taught several years in West Salisbury. It was a turbulent school, and it used to be jocosely said that the surrounding farms never would have been cleared of alders if Master Thurston had not been employed as teacher.
1
·
285
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1809.]
Such severity of punishment as was administered by Moses Thurston was a part of the system of the time. Not every master was so severe, but the scholars were rude and turbulent, and a mas- ter who could not wield the ferule stood little chance of success.
1798. Master Evans, King st.
Oliver Davis, Corser hill.
Lydia Varney, White Plain.
Nabby Jackman, Little hill.
1799. David Story, Fish st.
Master Howe, King st.
Rufus Anderson, High st.
Master Hoyt, Water st.
Master Sawyer, Little hill.
Rev. Moses Sawyer, of Salisbury, graduated Dartmouth col- lege, settled in Henniker, and in Saugus, Mass., died in Ipswich, Mass.
Sally Gerish, Little hill.
Thomas Shepard, Putney.
Lydia Varney, Corser hill.
David Quimby, N. Water. Philip Colby, Corser hill.
THE NEW SCHOOL LAW.
Not till 1809 was there any general improvement in the schools [see p. 169]. The appointment of a superintending committee, the great interest taken in education by Rev. Mr. Wood, Rev. Mr. Price, Ezekiel Webster, Nathaniel Green, and others, gave a new impetus to the cause of education. Select schools were taught by young gentlemen from Dartmouth college. The old theory, that a man must be a master, gave place to the new idea that he must be a teacher. Rewards of merit were found to be more potent than the ferule to stimulate the scholar. There was a marked improvement during the second and third decades of the century. The schools, the whole community, moved to a higher plane.
Under the new law the schools were placed under the control of a superintending committee, consisting of Rev. Samuel Wood, Rev. Ebenezer Price, and the selectmen,-Stephen Gerrish, Jo- seph H. Morrill, and Peletiah Peaslee.
286
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
[1809.
The committee voted to visit the schools " the second Tuesday after their commencement, and the Tuesday preceding their close, and to this end public notice shall be given the Sabbath before such visit."
In the estimation of that generation, education and religion were closely allied. Men must be intelligent to be good citizens and Christians.
" Voted that three of the committee (there being five) shall attend each visit, extraordinaries excepted. And should the case happen that but two, or one, shall be able to attend, after such public notice, it must be considered as the proper visit, and no new appointment can be made.
"As no person can be permitted to engage in a school without certifi- cates of his or her qualifications and good moral character, it is the united opinion of this committee that while some reputable grammar school master and minister of the Gospel, or Preceptor of an Academy, &c., certify his or her qualifications in the various branches of litera- ture, the selectmen are the proper body to certify the Moral character of the person ; and we shall therefore govern ourselves accordingly."
The first visitation of the committee was made May 16, 1799, to School District No. 6, Little hill.
" 1809. May 16. No. 1.
" Tuesday, the committee according to public notice visited the school district No. 6 Little Hill under the care of Miss Mary Gerrish 32 children. Books, Spelling book, Preceptor, Geography, Grammar, Bible & Catechism."
The catechism of the Westminster Assembly of Divines was as much a text-book as grammar. It was found in the New Eng- land Primer.
" May 234 No 2
" Tuesday-visited the School in No 2 Water street under the care of Mrs Sally Martin, 35 children Books, Spelling book Preceptor, Geography, 1 in Grammar 1 writer. The bible not used & catechism not yet introduced. This School under disadvantages.
" May 30 No 7.
" Tuesday A. M visited School at White Plain under the care of Miss Sally Pillsbury, 25 children, Books, Spelling book, Testament & Cate- chism The scholars young, but ambitious & very observant of order.
" No 3
" Same day A. M. visited School on Corser Hill under the care of Miss Phebe Thurston, 50 children 35 girls. Books, Columbian Ora-
287
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1809.]
tor, Geography, Testament Catechism, some writers, but none in gram- mar.
" May 31
" Visited the School on King street under the care of Miss Eunice Morrill 37 children, 24 girls, Spelling book, Preceptor, Geog, Gram- mar. Bible catechism some writers.
" June 5 No 5. Visited the School on Fish street under the care of Miss Apphia Gerrish 13 children. Books, Three in Geog, one in Gram- mar, Rest in Spelling, Catechism used but none in the Bible. This School is young & backward.
" No 4
" Same day visited High street School under the care of Miss Betsey Worcester 26 children. Books-Spelling Websters 3d, Preceptor, Geog'y, Bible, Catechism, 1 in grammar mostly young.
" June 13 No 9
" Visited Long Pond School under the care of Miss Mary Parker 37 children Books, Spelling B. one in Webster's 3d P & one in the Bible. No Grammar, Geog y or Catechism-or writers. A pleasant num- ber of schollars who have been under the disadvantages of poor instruc- tors a miserable government & want of books.
"Same day P M No 8
" Visited Bashan School, under the care of Miss Abigail Allen 13 children Books, Spelling Bo. Webster's 3 P & Catechism. None in Grammar Geogy, or writing, the School well governed & the children ambitious.
" This day the committee compleated the first course of visits. In them they have endevored to ascertain the real state of each school at its commencement; to make those observations & propose those excite- ments to the children, which would be most likely to promote their fu- ture improvement ;- also to counsel & advise the several Instructresses when needed to that government & mode of instruction which would be most useful.
" We found in the several schools 268 children, as yet not accommo- dated with suitable school books; but generally well provided with capable Instructresses & under that order & tuition which promises much advantage to the children & great satisfaction to their Parents & at once shews a very wise appropriation of property for the educa- tion of children under the sanction of law.
Ebenr Price Scribe."
These were summer schools, attended only by the youngest children. It will be noticed that arithmetic is not mentioned among the text-books. Mental arithmetic was not introduced till
288
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
[1809.
about the year 1830. Its introduction produced great excite- ment. Many of the parents opposed it, on the ground that it would confuse the minds of the children, and would lead to insan- ity ! The geography in use was that published by Rev. Jedediah Morse.
The winter schools were attended by the boys, who in summer were obliged to work on the farm. Many of them were stalwart young men. A true view of the state of education at the time may be obtained by comparing the summer and winter terms.
WINTER TERMS.
" Dec 4 No 2
" Tuesday. Visited Water street. Jacob Sanborn Master children 43. 1 in abs, 14 in spelling book, 11 in Preceptor, S in Geog, 12 writ- ers, 3 in arithmetic & 3 in grammer. The Bible not introduced. Good order in the School & the Master well recomended.
" Dec 5 No 9
" Visited Long Pond School, Charles Parker Master. Children 32. Well provided with suitable books, 1 in letters 3 in 2 syllables, 13 in easy lessons 9 in Preceptor 6 in Geog, 2 parsed Grammar, 1 in arith- metic. The Master very modest. The School not quite reduced to order.
" Dec 12 No 4
" Visited Iligh street James Chadwick master. Children 30. Some deficiency in books, 1 in letters, 1 in 2 sylables, 2 in plain reading, 5 in 3 sylables, S in Preceptor 13 in Geog, 14 writers, 1 in Arithmetic & 1 parsed English. The Master very easy in instruction & government.
" Same day No 5
" Visited Fish street Miss Mary Eames Instructress. Children 16, 1 in Abs, 4 in two sylables, 2 in plain reading, 3 in Preceptor, 6 in Geog, 1 in Grammar, 6 writers, & 1 in Arithmetic. None in the Bible. The school not yet organized, the School Mistress capable.
" Dec 19 No 1
" Visited King street School. 58 children, Enoch Corser Master. The School not quite organized, 24 read in Geog well except 7, 19 in Preceptor generally backward. The above 43 read Bible once a day, 4 in three sylables dull, 3 parsed correctly & 2 beginners, 26 writers mostly good, & 5 in Arithmetic forward.
" Dec 20 No S
" Visited Bashan School: 20 children Dan1 Smith Master. The School not as yet formed to order, 10 writers very good, 2 in abs, 1 in monosylables, 2 in three sylables, 1 ditto better, 2 in 2 sylables & very
289
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1827.]
well, 1 read the Hist of Indian Wars acceptably, 2 in Preceptor new Schollars & backward, 4 in English reader too fast, 4 in the Art of Reading well-1 committing grammar & 2 parsed accurately, none in Arithmetic. The Master's deportment good.
" Jan 15 No 3
" Visited School Corser Hill 61 children 20 girls 41 boys, Benjamin Gookin Master.
1st Class 15 in Geog.
2ª C 6 in Webster 3 P.
3d C 12 in Preceptor.
4th C 4 in Testament.
5th C 11 in Spelling, 4 Syl. well.
6th C 9 in 4 sylables 1 in 2 sylables 2 in letters
20 writers, 10 in arith & 3 in Grammar. School well arranged & governed.
"Feb 14th No 6
" Visited School Little Hill 52 Schol. Well arranged in a new & commodious School house under the care of Mr Smith
1 class 3 in 2 sylables
2 4 in 3
3 4 in Poetical lessons Spell B. well.
4 10 in Preceptor
5 4 in English Reader-well
6 27 in Geog-some too fast, others slow.
17 parsed grammar. 33 Spelt in Dict'y, Girls better than boys
4 in Arithmetic. 26 in writing. This School promises fair.
" Feb 9 No 10
" Visited this School under the care of Mrs Sally Martin 16 children This School is backward, being quite a new District, but well arranged & very ambitious."
SUMMARY.
"Your Committee are presented with a very pleasing prospect, in the recommendment of the several Schools in town in the winter term. There are two Instructresses and seven Instructors whose qualifica- tions are very apparent in the order & arrangement of the schollars as well as in the variety of studies introduced.
" In those schools where books were very deficient now a good supply of new & suitable books are introduced.
19
290
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
[1829.
" We observe a change of schollars, many young men & women in the place of Smaller ones who cannot attend. In this course of visits we have room to believe the winter term will be satisfactory to the dis- tricts & greatly to the advantage of schollars both great & small."
The reports of the superintending committee from year to year show a marked progress. Arithmetic becomes a fundamental study. Morse's Geography, instead of being a reading-book, is used as a separate study. The "English Reader" takes the place of the American Preceptor. The Catechism disappears. The English Reader, Thomson's Seasons, Young's Night Thoughts, and Paradise Lost, become " parsing books."
During the second and third decades of the present century, "select " schools were kept on Corser hill, Little hill, and the Plain. Students from Dartmouth college were usually employed. Thus gradually the plane of education advanced.
BOSCAWEN ACADEMY.
The need of permanent educational facilities of a higher grade was keenly felt, and measures were taken to establish an acade- my. The sum of $1,136 was subscribed for the erection of a suitable building. Joseph Chadwick gave the land upon which the building was erected, conveying it to the following named gentlemen, who had consented to act as trustees : Rev. Samuel Wood, Rev. Ebenezer Price, John Greenough, Henry Gerrish, Isaac Gerrish, Thomas Coffin, Hezekiah Fellows, Simeon B. Little, John Farmer:
March 29, 1827. At a meeting of the trustees, it was voted to apply to the legislature for an act of incorporation. Academy building was erected during the year. Rev. Dr. Wood, beside making a generous donation, gave the shingles covering it,- shaved by his own hands.
The bell was the gift of Daniel Webster. Ezekiel Webster gave liberally to aid in the construction of the building, which was erected by Capt. William Abbot.
The school went into operation the last Wednesday in April, 1828, Miss Sarah Crocker, preceptress, whose compensation was $3.50 per week.
Feb. 11, 1829. The trustees voted that the committee proffer an instructor $150, and the tuition of the male department. The
291
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1856.]
committee made a contract with Mr. Jarvis Gregg as Principal for four years on the above terms, the tuition being fixed at $3 a quarter,-he providing fuel and his own board.
Rev. Mr. Wood, Rev. Mr. Price, and Ezekiel Webster, Esq., were chosen a committee to fix upon the solid branches of learn- ing.
Oct. 28, Voted, that the approbation of the trustees be given to Miss Crocker, at the close of the public examination, and that it be conveyed to her in writing.
Miss Crocker taught a female department in the spring of 1828. The male department was opened by Mr. Gregg in either the sum- mer or fall term,-there being two terms during the year. The number of pupils during the term was eighty-six.
Jan. 19, 1829. The trustees voted unanimously, "that the thanks of the Board be presented to the Hon. Daniel Webster for his very generous donation of a suitable bell for our academy, and that the President communicate the same in the manner he shall deem the most respectful."
In 1830, Mr. Gregg was released from his contract, and was succeeded by Mr. Charles Kittredge.
LIST OF INSTRUCTORS.
1828. Miss Sarah Crocker.
1829. Jarvis Gregg.
1830-32. Charles Kittredge, Miss Sarah Crocker.
1833. Miss Parker.
1834. Miss Axtell.
1835.
Mr. Breed Batchelder.
1836. Mr. Breed Batchelder, Miss Sarah Foster.
1837. Miss Gray.
1838. Mr. Nathan Ballard.
1840. Joseph L. Lord.
1841. - Spaulding.
1856. Jonathan Tenney.
The trustees, in 1856, voted to loan the building to Mr. Tenney for a term of twenty years, the lessee having the right to make such alterations in the building as he might deem necessary. Ex- tensive alterations were made, and the school became widely
292
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
[1872.
known as the Elmwood Institute. In 1868 the lease was can- celled by mutual agreement.
In 1870, the building was rented by the trustees to School Dis- trict No. 1, on annual rental of $125. In 1872, it was voted that " in the opinion of the trustees it is for the interest of all concerned that the academy building and grounds be disposed of, the avails invested, and the increase appropriated for educational purposes.
" Voted to sell the building and grounds for $2000, with the condition that the bell shall not be disposed of, but kept in the building as at present."
The funds thus obtained were invested in 1874 in the Penacook Savings Bank, the principal never to be withdrawn without the consent of a majority of the district.
PENACOOK ACADEMY.
The citizens of Fisherville, feeling the need of better educa- tional privileges than those furnished by the towns, in the winter of 1866 established the Penacook Academy.
The first meeting for organization was held January 26. The following week the stockholders voted to proceed with the erection of suitable buildings. Hon. William H. Gage generously con- tributed a large lot of land.
The school was opened November 6, the same year. The first board of instruction consisted of M. Weed, A. M., Mrs. Mary A. Weed, and Miss Eliza T. Moore. Prof. Weed died June 28, 1867, and was succeeded by A. C. Stockin, A. M., who was succeeded in the spring of 1869 by J. F. Fielding, A. M. In the summer of 1870, Hiram B. Lawrence, A. M., was elected prin- cipal. Prof. E. C. Allen succeeded to the principalship in the fall of 1872. In the spring of 1875, A. C. Hardy, A. M., took charge of the school, changing its name, to specify its design and plan, to Penacook Normal Academy. Its curriculum was made very much broader, and the course of study greatly enlarged; and the academy was put upon a footing that made it the peer of any school of its class in New England. The school was arranged in five departments,-Preparatory, Normal, Business, Scientific, and Classical. The board of instruction was enlarged from three to nine. Competent teachers were employed.
Thus, by the liberality and energetic action of the trustees of
MIKECHNIE SC.
Penacook Academy.
293
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
1712.]
the institution, the people are in the enjoyment of superior edu- cational privileges.
MUSICAL EDUCATION.
The education of a community does not embrace merely those branches of learning taught in the public schools and academies : it includes the general culture of the community,-the advance- ment of art. Music has been classed in times past as one of the " fine" or "polite " arts, but in these later days it has come to be recognized as a branch of general education.
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