USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Swanzey > The history of Swanzey, New Hampshire, from 1734 to 1890 > Part 18
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During the year a good degree of interest was manifested, but no addition to the church. Sunday School numbered 40 ; average attend- ance 32.
During the year 1881 the church was without a pastor, but by a per- severing effort of the members the Sunday School and social meetings were sustained. At some period in the year the Rev. George A. Tyrrell was secured as pastor, and was appointed the following year as supply.
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During the year 1881 the church was equipped with a full board of offi- cers and committees, and placed in good working order and was again supplied by Rev. George A. Tyrrell up to April, 1883. From Oct. 9, 1882 to May 25, 1885, there are no records to be found. From Sept. 20, 1885, Rev. S. C. Keeler of Keene held one service on Sunday for a time. The first quarterly conference ending April, 1887, reports the pulpit supplied by Rev. C. W. Dockerill and Rev. C. J. Chase on alternate Sundays. At this meeting Luman J. Crouch and Arthur B. Davison were appointed a committee to agitate the subject of building a chapel.
At the fourth quarterly conference hield Oct. 8, 1886, voted to ac- cept the report of the committee which was that the sum of $1232.70 had been raised and a chapel was erected and furnished : all this was done by a persevering effort on the part of pastor and people aided by friends of Westport and those who loved the prosperity of Zion leaving the little church free from debt. All this and more, it is reasonable to believe, might have been accomplished in 1880, had all the members been as zealous as they were in 1887. More money was then raised on subscription and as good feeling existed toward the little church then struggling for existence as when the chapel was built. chapel was dedicated April 6, 1887, and supplied by Rev. C. W. Dock- erill of Winchester with twenty members in full connection and five on probation. During the conference year ending April, 1889, the pul- pit was supplied by Rev. William Woods of Winchester and ten mem- bers were received in full connection and four on probation. At the conference held Feb. 18, 1889, the preacher in charge reports that the chapel had been supplied with a bell by H. Denman Thompson, Esq., for which he was tendered a vote of thanks, while the church and people duly appreciate his generous gift as well as the clear mellow sound of the church-going bell to sacred service calling.
The
The conference year ending April, 1890, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. M. T. Cilley of Winchester. The Ladies' Society connected with the church felt the need of rooms annexed to the chapel in which to meet and serve them as a parlor, dining room and kitchen. Accord- ingly an addition to the chapel in the fall of 1889 was erected and completed in the spring at a cost of $314, and in less than one year they had money sufficient to pay all bills, leaving a surplus in the treasury.
Rev. M. T. Cilley was re-appointed to supply the pulpit the ensu- ing year ending April, 1891. There are at the present time thirty- seven members in full connection and three on probation ; in all fifty- eight persons have been connected with the church. The cost of the
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
chapel, parlor and furniture amounted to $1600. Through the gener- osity of S. Wilson Lawrence of Palmer, Mass., the church received a donation of $50 to be used for the benefit of the poor.
Report says that the late Nancy S. Howard left by will a legacy of $500 towards erecting a M. E. church in West Swanzey if built with- in ten years from her decease.
THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
Among the early settlers of this town there were those who relig- iously classed themselves as believers in the final restitution of all souls. In the cemetery at the Centre of the town is a granite monu- ment with this inscription :
" Gaius Hills. Died June 1, 1804. Aged 31 years.
In life he was a Christian. He was the first in this town who died in the belief that all who die in Adam shall be made ulive in Christ.
Priscilla Cummings, Wife of Gaius Hills, died Feb. 3, 1815. Aged 41.
This monument is erected to their memory by their children, Luther, Clarissa and Albert."
We infer from this that, as a denomination, it dates its origin in Swanzey at about the beginning of the present century or a little before.
Hosea Ballou, the son of Elder Ballou of Richmond, after his con- version to Universalism, being a young man, was wont to hold meet- ings occasionally in school-houses in the south part of the town. After this Revs. Sebastian and Russell Streeter held frequent meetings in school-houses and barns. These brothers spent much of their youth in this town, their father's family residing on the east side of the road opposite the picnic grounds by Swanzey pond. The old house went to decay a score of years ago. Both these men became eminent min- isters in their denomination. Following them Rev. Mr. Hudson of Massachusetts preached occasionally-one-fourth of the time or of- tener-for several years. However, there was no organization till somewhere about 1836, when Rev. Joseph Barber was settled in town, preaching in the Old Meeting house at the Centre of the town, as did Mr. Hudson who preceded him. He was actively engaged in the tem- perance cause, and his earnest lectures on the subject produced a most salutary effect upon the community. He otherwise served the people most faithfully.
Upon his leaving town, his brother Rev. William N. Barber supplied
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his place for some time. Afterward Rev. James Bailey preached more or less.
When Mt. Cæsar Seminary was established in 1842, being in charge of Rev. L. J. Fletcher, he supplied the pulpit for several years, Rev. E. Davis preaching a portion of the time.
Mr. Fletcher was succeeded as principal of the seminary by Rev. J. S. Lee who preached for the society some two years. In 1853 Rev. S. H. M'Collester took charge of the seminary, preaching every Sun- day in the forenoon in the Assembly Room of the Seminary, and in the afternoon, at West Swanzey. This year the Universalist church edifice there was built and another society formed. During his min- istry a church was organized at the Centre, consisting of thirty-three members, and the Parish numbered some fifty families, while at West Swanzey the Parishi was still larger. A Sunday school was organized in each society, numbering more than sixty scholars. Mr. M'Colles- ter's ministry continued for five years when he was obliged to leave on account of his health.
For years these pulpits were not supplied with stated preaching. At lengthi Rev. N. R. Wright was settled at West Swanzey.
The seminary at the centre of the town was now suspended and the Universalist meetings were held altogether at West Swanzey. On Mr. Wright's leaving, there were only occasional supplies till Rev. Emma E. Bailey revived the society and preached to it for two years. Miss Bailey was ordained here.
From 1883 to 1885 Rev. R. T. Polk, who was the settled Universa- list minister at Marlboro, held meetings at East Swanzey in the af- ternoon of each Sunday.
Since Miss Bailey left there have been only occasional meetings at West Swanzey. Most of the former supporters of Universalism have either died or removed from town ; still there are not a few who still incline to the faith.
The right to the use of the old meeting-house was claimed by both the Congregational and Universalist societies, and so far as is known this right was conceded each to the other; but the former society wishing for a place for continuous Sunday worship, in 1835 relin- quished its claim and erected the brick edifice now in use. While there is no record that there was any attempt on the part of any de- nomination to infringe on the rights of others, or in any way injure them, it is a pleasant thought, that, in common with Christians every- where there has been and is an increasing fraternal and Christ-like spirit manifested, a desire to work together and help instead of stand- ing aloof and repelling each other.
CHAPTER VI.
Educational.
EARLY VOTES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS-SCHOOL DISTRICTS-SCHOOL HOUSES. -APPARATUS - SUPERVISION - SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE- BOARD OF EDUCATION-APPROPRIATIONS-DIVISION OF SCHOOL MONEY- HIGH SCHOOL-TEACHERS-TEXT BOOKS-SPELLING SCHOOLS-SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS - SWANZEY ACADEMY -- LIBRARIES - CHAUTAUQUA L. AND S. CIRCLE.
T THE early official records of the town pertaining to schools, school- houses and education in general are exceedingly fragmentary ; and even with the aid of tradition and other collateral helps, only an imperfect history can be written.
The first reference to the subject is the following in the warrant for a proprietors' meeting to be held on the 30th day of June, 1740.
"Art. 5. To choose a committee to hire a school dame to instruct our children in reading." It was voted at said meeting to dismiss the article.
"At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Lower Ashuelot held by several adjournments on the twenty-ninth day of June, A. D. 1743, Voted to adjourn the meeting until the last Wednesday in July next at eight of the clock in the morning to meet at the school-house."
" At a meeting of Proprietors held the last Wednesday of Septem- ber, 1743, at the house of Nathaniel Gunn, Timothy Brown, Eliakim King and Capt. Nathaniel Hammond were chosen a committee to fin- ish the school-house forthwith so as to meet in."
It is probable that the words "to meet in" had reference to holding their religious meetings.
April 21, 1753, a meeting for the union of the churches in Keene and Swanzey was held at the school-house in Swanzey. This house probably stood on the school lot on Meeting-House hill, but when it was built, how long it remained, or of anything further pertaining to it, there is no record. It probably remained and was the only school- house in town, until after the Revolutionary war, and was emphati- cally a town house, used for both secular and religious purposes.
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SCHOOL HOUSE, WEST SWANZEY.
FACING EAST.
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EDUCATIONAL.
March 5, 1771, the town "voted that the sum of eight pounds law- ful money be granted and assigned to hire schooling."
Nov. 22. "Voted that there shall be a school kept this winter in four different places in town at different times, and that Thomas Applin, Joshua Graves, Lieut. Joseph Whitcomb, Capt. Joseplı Ham- mond and Mr. William Carr be a committee to settle and appoint where the said school shall be kept this winter in such places as they shall judge most convenient for the inliabitants."
March 3, 1772. "Voted to raise twelve pounds lawful money to hire schooling."
"Voted, That the town be divided into five districts for keeping school this year."
"Voted, That Thomas Applin, Joshua Graves, Lieut. Jonathan Whit- comb, William Grimes, sen., and Thomas Cresson, jr., be a committee to divide the town into the several districts and make report to this meeting." The meeting was adjourned to May 2nd, at which time "Voted to accept the division of the town into five districts as pre- sented to the town at this meeting by a committee appointed by tlie town. Voted, That each of the aforesaid districts shall have the money which they pay towards the school rate to pay for schooling in their districts as they shall agree among themselves, to lay out the same, provided they lay out the same within a year from this time for schools, and if not laid out within that time to be disposed of as the town shall think proper."
At an adjourned meeting June 1st, the committee reported as fol- lows :- "We the subscribers being appointed a committee to divide the town into five districts for keeping school this year, having considered and consulted upon the affairs, are of the opinion that the following is a just and proper division as we can make, viz. :
That all between the East and South Branches shall belong to one division ; all on the north side of the river and the upper end of the town street so far as to include Mr. Carpenter and Abner Graves shall belong to another division or district ; and the south part of the town street, Mr. Benjamin Brown, Nathaniel Hills, Samuel Wright, Josiah Bramin, Elkanah Woodcock, Nathan Woodcock, Dr. Ham- mond, and Thomas Hammond to belong to another district ; and all that part of the town which was taken off from Richmond (excepting Daniel Warner who belongs to the first-mentioned district) shall be- long to another district ; and all the town west of the aforementioned districts to belong to another division or district. Thomas Applin,
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Joshua Graves, Jonathan Whitcomb, William Grimes, Thomas Cres- son, jr., committee."
At an adjourned meeting, June 2, "Voted, That the above division of the town into districts for keeping a school be accepted."
June 1, 1773. "Voted to build two school-houses for the use of the town."
June 16. "Voted, That one school-house be built by the road as near David Belding's as a committee for building said houses shall think proper; and that the other be built as near the Pond Brook bridge on the north side of the brook as a committee as aforesaid shall think proper.
"Voted, That each of said houses be twenty foot square.
"Voted, That the aforesaid school-houses be built in sixteen months."
Dec. 29, 1773. "Voted, That a school shall be kept part of the time at David Belding's house, and part of the time at the house which was Dr. Nathaniel Hammond's."
"Voted, That such persons as live more than two miles from the place which the school is voted to be kept may have the privilege if they desire, of having the money which they pay to the school rate this year to lay out as they think proper with the approbation of the selectmen, provided they lay it out for schooling within a year from this time."
March 5, 1774. "Voted, That the former votes respecting stating the place for a school and building the school-houses be flung up and other measures come into.
"Voted, That the town be divided into six districts for keeping a school for the future, and that each district shall have the money that they pay to the school rate to lay out as they please, provided they lay it out for schooling within a year from the time the money is granted, but the school in each district shall be free for any person in the town to send their children to at any time.
"Voted, That Jonathan Hammond, Nathaniel Dickinson, Daniel Warner, Samuel Hills, Joseph Whitcomb and Samuel Wright be a committee to divide the town into these several districts and make report to this meeting."
March 31, 1774. "Voted to reconsider the former votes at this meeting in regard to schools. Voted to raise twenty pounds lawful money to provide schooling this year."
March 7, 1775. "Voted, That the town be divided into several dis-
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tricts for keeping a school for the future, as follows, viz. :- One district at the upper or north end of the town, including all on the north or northwest side of Ashuelot River as far down as to take Capt. Whit- comb's farm, and also on the other side of said river including Lieut. Joseph Whitcomb, John Frary, John Follett, jr., Jonathan Uran, Greenwood Carpenter, Wyat Gunn and Abner Graves ; and up the town street so far as to take David Belding, and down the street so far as to take Deacon Hammond. And one district on the east side of the South Branch, including all between the South and East Branches."
The following-named petitioners resided in the southwest part of the town in what is now No. 8 and vicinity.
"We, the subscribers, living very remote from any district where we , might be convenient with a school for our children, do humbly peti- tion that the town would vote us off as a district and grant that the money which we pay towards maintaining a school in this town may be laid out for schooling in the said district as near the centre as may be with convenience.
Swanzey, March 3, 1775.
Israel Day,
Samuel Thompson,
John Flemings,
Jonathan Day,
Patrick Green, Mical Heffron."
At a legal meeting March 7, 1775, it was "Voted, That the above request be complied with during the town's pleasure."
At this meeting Samuel Page, Elijah Graves and Daniel Warner were chosen a committee "to bound out a district in the south part of the town and to state a place for a schoolhouse."
"Voted to raise 20 pounds for schooling."
Dec. 18, 1775. "Voted to apply the twenty pounds which was granted to hire schooling this year toward paying the province tax." 1776. "Voted not to raise any money for schooling."
Jan. 23, 1777. "It was voted that the town be divided into five districts for keeping school this present year, and a committee to make the division consisted of Samuel Page, Jonathan Hammond, David Belding, Henry Morse and William Grimes.
"Voted, That a school shall be kept in each district in proportion to the money assessed on them last year for schooling, and at such time or times and in such place or places, and by such master or masters, as the major part of such district shall agree to with the approbation of the selectmen."
Joseph Day,
Justus Lawrence, Samuel Ware,
Dennis Hafferon,
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
March 4, 1777. At a legal meeting called at the meeting-house but adjourned to the school-house (probably because the latter was warmer and more comfortable), " Voted to raise forty pounds for schooling."
In 1778 fifty pounds were raised for the same purpose, and in 1779 one hundred pounds.
From the following petition from residents in the westerly part of the town we infer that the only school-house in town at that time was the one on Meeting-house hill.
"To the inhabitants of the town of Swanzey. ' Gentlemen-We the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Swanzey, not being conven- iently situated to attend school at the school-house, and being anx- iously concerned for the education of our children, humbly request the favor of being formed into a school district by ourselves, with the lib- erty of building a school-house and appropriating our proportion of school money for the use and benefit of a school in said district.
Swanzey, March 1, 1779.
Clement Sumner, Joseph Whitcomb, Daniel Gunn, Benjamin Ol- cott, Levi Durant, William Hills, Thomas Greene, Abijah Whitcomb, Joseph Whitcomb, jr., John Frary, Joseph Rasey, John Follett, jr., William Carpenter, Benjamin Follett, John Pierce, Charles Grimes, Arthur Fairbanks, Samuel Heaton.",
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Swanzey April 1, 1779, "Voted, That the above request be complied with during the town's pleasure."
1780. "Voted to raise six hundred pounds for schooling."
May 29, 1780. "Voted, That the setting up of schools in the town for the future be solely in the hands of the selectmen according to the directions of the law and likewise the disposal of all moneys raised for schooling, any vote of the town heretofore to the contrary not- withstanding."
In 1781, '82, '83, '84 and '85, "Voted not to raise any money for schooling."
"Voted to grant William Grimes, jr., 140 pounds for keeping school in the year 1775."
1785. "Voted to pay Sarah Woodcock twenty-two shillings for her services in schooling in the year past in this town."
"Voted to pay Daniel Bishop the sum of twenty-two shillings for boarding the said Sarah Woodcock when she kept school."
The foregoing are all the important records pertaining to school matters previous to the close of the Revolutionary war. It will be
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EDUCATIONAL.
seen that our ancestors, while battling with forests, Indians and the mother country, and enduring the hardships incident to pioneer life, did not, and probably could not, give that attention to educational subjects which their descendants have done in more peaceful times and under more favorable circumstances.
Although previous to the close of the war votes had been passed for the formation of districts and the building of school-houses, yet it is probable that at this time only one school-house had been built- that on Meeting-house hill-and that the districts formed were only of temporary construction. Schools had been held in dwelling-houses in various parts of the town under the management of the selectmen and the supervision, perhaps, of the ministers who were well edu- cated and adapted for the purpose. With the return of peace and the advent of more prosperous times, a degree of system and improve- ment in educational matters began to manifest itself, which has grad- ually grown and increased till the present time.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
In 1788 a committee, consisting of Samuel Hills, Joshua Graves, Daniel Warner, Dan Guild, Roger Thompson, William Grimes, James Heaton, Joseph Hammond, jr., and Joseph Cross, were instructed to divide the town into school districts. They reported as follows :
1. "First district to include Mr. Isaac Applin and all between said Applin and Marlborough line, and south of said Applin to Richmond line, and as far north as to take Amazialı Peck.
2. "To go as far south as to take John Starkey, and as far on Boston road as John Whitcomb's, and all on the southerly side of the Branch, and likewise Elijah Osgood and Amasa Aldrich.
3. "All northerly from Elijah Osgood's on the east side of the Branch as far north as Ebenezer Hills, excepting Levi Durant.
4. "All remaining on the east of the Branch to Keene line.
5. "On the west side of the river from Keene line as far south as to take Nehemiah Cummings.
6. "From Nehemiah Cummings bounding on the west side of the river as far south as to take Thomas Green.
7. "From Thomas Green's south bounding on the river to Win- chester line, and all on Winchester road on the east side of the river, up the river northerly as far as to take Charles Grimes.
8. "From Samuel Hills, jr., southerly to take Josiah Prime, and as far south as Richmond line, and to adjoin the seventh district.
9. "From Samuel Hills, jr., westerly to go as far 'north as to take
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Seth Gay and Aaron Parsons, and likewise to take George Hewes, Capt. Aldrich's farm now in possession of Aquilla Ramsdell; and from thence on Richmond line westerly till it comes to the eighth dis- trict.
10. "To take Mr. Nathan Woodcock and to take Charles How and Benjamin Brown, and then on the street as far north as to take Dan Guild's, and as far south on Boston Road as the Pond Brook.
11. "From Lt. Guild's on the town street northerly as far as David Belding's, including Esq. Frink, Mr. Wyat Gunn and Greenwood Carpenter.
12. "Beginning at Mr. William Carpenter's and taking all on Winchester road as far as Mr. Jolin Pierce, including Capt. Joseph Whitcomb, jr., and Mr. Ephraim Cummings, Mr. James Grimes, James Green and the two Mr. Seavers."
This division is the basis of and corresponds largely with the mod- ern numbering of districts, or with that of 1858, and previously, as laid down on the old Cheshire County map which was published that year. The variations are : - No. 1, which comprised the easterly part of the town, a portion of which has since been set off to Troy, and the remaining part of which is uninhabited and now embraced within the limits of No. 2. No. 11, as then described, is now that part of No. 5 which is on the east side of the Ashuelot river. No. 4 in the ancient numbering is now 1 and 4, the division having been made in 1817. In 1827 a committee decided on reuniting the same, but the records do not show that the reunion was ever accomplished. The ancient Nos. 7 and 12 probably embraced the modern Nos. 7, 11, 12 and 13. When the original change or division was made is not known , but probably soon after the beginning of the present century the old No. 11 was incorporated with No. 5, and the north part of No. 7 and the east part of No. 12 was changed to No. 11, leaving the extreme westerly section of the town as No. 12.
In 1827 District No. 11, embracing the territory on both sides of the Ashuelot river at West Swanzey was divided, making the river the division, and constituting No. 11 on the east side and No. 13 on the west side. In 1833 these districts were reunited and remained so till 1845 when they were again divided as before. They were again reunited in 1874 and have continued so since that time. In 1875 several families from No. 6 were by an act of the legislature annexed to the district, and the same year No. 12-"Hard Scrabble"-once a populous neighborhood, but now much reduced, was likewise joined to No. 11, by concurrent votes of the two districts. In 1885 the
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"district system," so called, was by law abolished, and the town sys- tem substituted for it.
SCHOOL-HOUSES.
It is probable that soon after the Revolutionary war, school-houses were built in the vicinity of those now standing in Nos. 5, 8 and 10, and about the beginning of the present century in most of the other districts in town. For many years schools were held in most of the districts in dwelling-houses. The first school-houses were generally small, low buildings plainly constructed with rows of long seats or benches on two sides, generally rising from the floor in the centre to the walls, a huge fire place at one end, and the teacher's chair or desk at the other end. They contained no apparatus, frequently not even a blackboard or map; in some cases there was no wood-shed or other out-building. They were generally crowded with scholars, some of the hill districts that are now nearly depopulated, having from for- ty to seventy each. This was occasioned in part by the large families of children then so common and their practice of attending school at an earlier age and continuing there till older than at present.
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