USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Swanzey > The history of Swanzey, New Hampshire, from 1734 to 1890 > Part 19
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In later years these plain structures have gradually given place to those that are more inviting to the scholar, and attractive to the passer- by. The long, rough, unpainted, whittled seat and desk, with numer- ous inscriptions and hieroglyphics pencilled and pictured on them, have passed away and in their place we have the neat and finished single or double seat, and the trim and polished desk. Instead of the old fireplace are stove and the steam heater. Blackboards are in every school-room ; nearly all have maps and charts ; some have globes and other apparatus. In 1854 a set of Holbrook's common school ap- paratus was purchased for No. 2, which for several years did good service, and about the same time a like set was used in No. 10.
The first blackboard used in our schools was made by Capt. Ahaz Howard and introduced by Joseph Hammond, jr., teacher in district No. 6 about 1833. Mr. Hammond also first taught singing in the same school.
Of the nine school-houses now in use all but two, Nos. 1 and 5, have recreation or play rooms, withi conveniences for warming for the com- fort of the children ; all are painted outside and inside except No. 1, which is of brick. All have blinds to the windows, and suitable wood rooms connected with the buildings. That in No. 1 was built in 1833 ; No. 2 in 1877 ; No. 4, 1850 ; No. 5, 1880 ; No. 7,1870; No. 8,1880; No. 9, 1877 ; No. 10, 1840, enlarged and remodelled, 1858, and again
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
remodelled in 1883 ; No. 11, 1875 ; No. 12, "Hardscrabble," 1821 and abandoned in 1875. The old school-house of a generation ago in No. 2, standing about one-fourth of a mile south of the present house, was abandoned in 1867, and a nice house built on the present site. This was burned in 1877, when the present two-story structure was erected. Its bell was donated by Geo. W. Oliver of Syracuse, N. Y. The house in No. 11, the largest in town, adapted for three or even four schools, was erected in 1875 and dedicated Nov. 12. The cost, in- cluding insurance was $5,843. It is 36 by 70 feet, two stories exclu- sive of basement, which is used for stcam-heating purposes, storage of fuel, etc. The land on which it stands, a yard of about threc-fourths of an acre, was a joint gift by Isaac Stratton, A. S. Kendall and O. Spraguc.
For the purpose of equalizing taxation among the different districts, on changing from the "district" to the "town" system in 1886 the se- lectmen appraised the school-house property as follows :
No. 1,
$510.00
No. 7, " 8,
*715.00
" 2,
2,250.00
615.00
" 3,
35.00
(water)
62.00
(money )
270.00
(money)
8.00
No. 4,
258.00
No. 9,
540.00
" 5,
485.00
" 10,
702.00
" 6,
32.00
" 11,
4275.00
Total,
$1,0757.00
The school-house in No. 3 was abandoned in 1885, as being unsuit- able for school purposes, and measures were adopted for building again on another location, but before the plans were executed, the town sys- tem came in vogue, and the scholars of the district have since attended at No. 2. The "money" in the district was that raised for rebuilding. The house in No. 6 also being somewhat dilapidated, on the advent of the present system it was decided to unite the school with No. 11.
SUPERVISION OF SCHOOLS.
The general management and supervision of the earlier schools were in the hands of the selectmen. In 1827 the legislature passed a law requiring the towns to choose, or the sclectmen to appoint, both superintending and prudential committees. But previously to this time, in March, 1825, Farnum Fish, Henry Baxter and Luke Bennett
AUTOGLYPH PRINT, W P. ALLEN, GARDNER, MASS.
SCHOOL HOUSE, NO. 8.
ON MAPLE HILL.
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EDUCATIONAL.
were chosen a committee to inspect schools in the west part of the town, and Ephraim K. Frost, Daniel Wetherbee and Elijah Sawyer in the east part.
1826. Voted not to choose a superintending committee.
In 1827 the town was divided into two sections, and by-laws per- taining to schools were adopted. William Read, Samuel P. Applin and Reuben Porter were chosen a committee for the eastern section and Luke Bennett, Hiram Bennett and Clark Wilson for the western.
In 1828 it was "voted that the prudential committee be chosen by the respective districts."
1831. "Voted, That the prudential school committees be instructed in hiring teachers to bargain with them to teach 26 days for a month."
1833. Voted to dispense with committees visiting schools.
From 1827 to 1845 the town records fail to show the appointment of any superintending school committee ; nevertheless, it is inferred that such appointments were made as there were sometimes articles in the town warrants "to hear the report of the superintending school committee."
1846. Voted that the selectmen take the statute for their guide in appointing superintending school committee ; and D. P. French, Jo- seph Hammond, jr., and Benjamin Read were appointed.
1847. Jos. Hammond, jr., A. A. Ware and William Read were appointed.
1848. D. G. Mason and Jos. Hammond, jr., appointed for the west part of the town.
1849. Rev. E. Rockwood, W. Adams and Caleb Sawyer.
1850. Rev. D. G. Mason.
1851. Rev. E. Rockwood, D. G. Mason, W. Adams.
1852. Rev. E. Rockwood, W. Adams.
1853. A. A. Ware chosen by town, which has since been the meth- od of electing.
1854. D. L. M. Comings.
1855. S. H. McCollester, D. L. M. Comings.
1856. D. L. M. Comings and A. A. Ware.
1857. A. A. Ware, S. H. McCollester.
1858 to 1862 inclusive, Dr. D. L. M. Comings.
In 1862, Dr. Comings, having enlisted as surgeon in the army, A. A. Ware was appointed to fill vacancy, and likewise chosen by town in 1863-4-5. In 1866 Dr. Geo. I. Cutler was chosen, and likewise every successive year till 1876, when A. A. Ware was chosen. In 1877 and '78 Dr. Cutler was again elected, and from that time till
13
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
1885 both Dr. Cutler and A. A. Ware were chosen, Dr. Cutler having the general supervision of the west part of the town and Mr. Ware of the cast part.
In 1886, the district system having been superseded by the town system, and the office of both superintending and prudential commit- tees having been abolished, and a board of education consisting of three persons substituted therefor, Dr. G. I. Cutler, A. A. Ware and Benjamin Read were elected the first members of the Board ; Dr. Cut- ler being elected for three years, Mr. Ware for two and Mr. Read for one. Each one has since been reelected for three years, the time prescribed by law. In 1890 Rev. H. Woodward was elected.
Members of the school superintending committee are entitled to a reasonable compensation for their services. It was sometimes per- formed by the clergymen and others gratuitously. In 1830 the sum paid was $30.67; in 1831 it was $15.26. In 1846 Rev. D. P. French was paid $1.50, and William Read $2.50. For thirty years previous to 1886 the sum paid was about $50 per year whether the office was held by one or two persons. The Board of Education, performing the duties of both superintending and prudential committees have re- ceived some more than $100 per year.
For about thirteen years previous to abolishing the district plan tlie school money was divided by giving to each district twenty-five dol- lars, and of the remainder, one-half according to the valuation and the other half by the number of scholars.
In 1878, $400 was appropriated for a High School, and two terms were held, one in the fall of 1878 at the centre of the town taught by J. W. Cross, jr., and the other the following spring at West Swanzey, managed by D. W. Pike. The experiment was not entirely satisfac- tory and has not been repeated.
SCHOOL TEACHERS.
Very few of the citizens of Swanzey have ever made school teach- ing their principal vocation. It has been engaged in by many for a few months or years preparatory to entering upon some other business. Until within tlie last forty years the winter terms of school, of about ten weeks each, were generally taught by male teachers, and the sum- mer terms of the same length by female teachers. It was quite com- mon for teachers to "board around" among the different families of the district, the board being given for the purpose of lengthening the school. Since 1850 most of the schools, winter as well as summer, have been taught by female teachers. The wages paid for teaching is now more than double what it was forty or fifty years ago.
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195
EDUCATIONAL.
Among the earlier teachers in Swanzey are the names of William Grimes, Gaius Cresson, Farnum Fish, Timothy Thompson, David Prime, Paul Wright, James Henry, Virgil Maxey, Samnel P. Applin, William Read, Joel Ware, Samuel Belding, Samuel Hills, Reuben Hills. Amos F. Fish, William Wright, Joel Eaton, Joseph Hammond, jr., Sarah Woodcock, Melinda Hale, Asenath Hills, Dolly Whitcomb, Prudence Lane, Susan Stanley, Arvilla Stanley, Mary Fish, Caroline Fish, Wealthy Belding, Chloe Holbrook, Eliza Parker, Prudence Hills, Malinda Read and Maria Aldrich.
TEXT-BOOKS.
Among the old text-books used were the old "Third Part" in read- ing, by Noalı Webster, published in 1790 ; the "American Preceptor" and "Columbian Orator," by Caleb Bingham published respectively in 1794 and 1797 ; the "English Reader" by Lindley Murray ; the "American First Class Book" and "National Reader" by John Pier- pont, and the "Easy Lessons" and "Sequel to Easy Lessons," by Joshua Leavitt ; "The Scientific Class Book," "Webster's" and "Lee's" spelling books ; "Pike's," "Adam's," "Colburn's" and "Emerson's" arithmetics ; "Alexander's" and "Murray's" grammars.
In our primitive schools little attention was given to geography, and still less to grammar ; the time of the pupils being devoted chiefly to reading, writing and arithmetic. There are those among our older citizens who claim that the scholars of those days left the public schools with a better practical knowledge for the ordinary duties of life than those of the present day with all our machinery and modern appli- ances which we praise so highly.
Notwithstanding the multiplicity of text-books in later years only three spellers have been used in our schools for more than sixty years : "Lee's," the "North American" and "Swinton's." The "North Amer- ican" by Rev. L. W. Leonard, a citizen of our county, was in use nearly forty years. Adams written arithmetic (twice revised) by Daniel Adams, another resident of this county, was used without change nearly the whole of the first half of the present century. Since the exit of Adams', Burnliam's, Greenleaf's, Robinson's and the Frank- lin's series have been used. Reading books have been oftener changed. Those of Pierpont were followed by Porter's Rhetorical, Russell and Goldsbury's, Town's, Town and Holbrook's, Sargent's and the Frank- lin series.
The free text-book system by law came into operation in 1890. The old-fashioned evening spelling schools of one and two generations ago,
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
were interesting if not profitable occasions. Though having no place in town records they are well remembered by our older citizens. The practice of "choosing sides" and "spelling down" and many of the incidents connected therewith were hugely enjoyed by the young peo- ple who wanted a "good time."
SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS.
About the year 1855 a Town Common School Association was or- ganized, which continued in successful operation for several years. Committees, teachers, scholars and friends of education generally com - bined their efforts and held weekly evening meetings during the win- ter months in most of the districts in town, at which gatherings there were discussions, lectures, essays, recitations, singing and such other exercises as were calculated to increase an interest in and promote the · efficiency of the schools. The superintending school committee in his report of 1859 (the first printed by the town) says "The Town Association has been in successful operation during the past winter, adding greatly to the progress and elevation of the school system. We have, by agitating the most glaring evils in our schools, in those meetings, almost banished them from our midst, such as whispering, tardiness and getting excused from school duties on frivolous causes."
The Mt. Cæsar Seminary and Swanzey Academy was founded in 1843, and was largely under the control of the Universalist denomina- tion. Suitable buildings for school and boarding purposes were erected, the former by a stock company, the shares of which were ten dollars each. It flourished for a few years, but the interest in its welfare soon waned, and it shared the fate of other similar institutions in Cheshire County, the high schools in the larger towns having to a great extent taken the place of the academies. The original trustees were Carter Whitcomb, David Parsons, Lyman Parker, Edward Goddard, Virgil A. Holbrook, Israel Applin, Leonard Whitcomb and John Stratton of Swanzey ; Jona. Robinson, Surry ; Nicholas Cook, Richmond ; Calvin May, Gilsum ; Rev. J. Barber, Alstead ; Rev. B. Smith, Stoddard ; Rev. T. Barron, Winchester ; Rev. E. Davis, Marlboro ; Rev. Josiah Marvin, Westmoreland ; Rev. S. Clark, Jaffrey ; Thomas Little, Nel- son ; J. Stearns, Walpole ; Mark Cook, Chesterfield ; Ivah Newton, Hinsdale.
The school opened in September with Rev. L. J. Fletcher as princi- pal and L. W. Blanchard, assistant. The next year, P. R. Kendall and competent teachers in music and drawing were added to the list. Among other instructors who succeeded these were H. A. Pratt, Rev.
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EDUCATIONAL.
J. S. Lee, F. A. March, A. M. Bennett, M. E. Wright, Rev. S. H. McCollester, L. F. Pierce and Burrill Porter. It ceased to be a de- nominational school several years before its final collapse. The semi- nary building is now owned by the Mt. Caesar Library Association, and the boarding house is now Butrick's hotel.
LIBRARIES.
In addition to the church and Sunday School libraries spoken of in Chapter V, there also have been libraries connected with neigh- borhood or branch Sunday Schools at East Swanzey, at Westport and in districts Nos. 1, 8 and 9. The books of these libraries were mostly of a religious character, suitable for Sunday reading and designed principally for children and youth.
In 1802 the "Swanzey Social Library" was chartered by the legis- lature. It contained standard works, biographical, historical, religious and miscellaneous. It is supposed to liave flourishied for many years, but the interest in it waning, the books were sold at auction in 1846. Amos Bailey was the last librarian.
In 1850 a village or district library, containing works similar to those last named, was formed at West Swanzey and about the same time another in district No. 9.
In 1873 a library of like nature was commenced at East Swanzey. All these were small and were sustained but a few years. The books of the E. Swanzey Library were purchased of the stockholders by Al- bert B. Read and given to the Mt. Cesar Union Library Association. This association projected and largely controlled by the ladies of the central and easterly parts of the town, adopted May 14, 1880, the following Constitution :
We, the undersigned, in accordance with Chapter 151 of the Gen- eral Laws of New Hampshire, do form ourselves into a society to be known as the Mt. Cæsar Union Library Association, whose object shall be the formation and perpetuation of a Public Library in Swanzey ; for the purpose of promoting general intelligence, good morals and a pure literature among our citizens. We therefore agree to abide by the following regulations :
ARTICLE I. The officers of this Association shall consist of a Presi- dent, two Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, eight Di- rectors and five Trustees, with the exception of the Librarian to be chosen in such manner as the society may direct.
The Trustees to consist of two gentlemen and three ladies, to hold their office one year, and the other officers six months, or until others may be chosen in their places.
198
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
ART. II. It shall be the duty of the Directors to devise ways and means for the purchase of books, to have in conjunction with the Presi- dent, the general oversight of, and to make arrangements for all so- ciables, festivals and other public gatherings which may be had to raise funds for said Library ; to direct how all money belonging to the society shall be deposited and used ; and to make arrangements for the proper keeping of the books.
ART. III. It shall be the duty of the Trustees to have the general oversight of the Library ; to carefully select and purchase the books ; to examine all sncli as may be given to the society ; to choose or elect a Librarian ; and make all needed rules and regulations by which the Librarian is to be governed in the performance of her official duties ; to personally examine the Library from time to time, and report its condition at each semi-annual meeting to the Directors, and make such suggestions as they think necessary ; and to make and occasionally revise for the benefit of the society a well-arranged catalogue of the books.
ART. IV. No book shall be admitted to the Library without the concurrence of a majority of the Trustees ; neither shall anything be received of a sectarian, political or immoral character.
ART. V. The Trustees shall at no time expend a greater sum than is in the treasury, and the sum may be limited by a vote of the Presi- dent and Directors.
ART. VI. Each member of the Association shall be allowed to choose one book for the Library and if said selection be found to be in accord- ance with Art. Iv, it shall be accepted and purchased.
ART. VII. No officer except the Librarian shall receive any compen- sation for his or her service ; and the pay of the Librarian shall be determined by the Directors, subject to a vote of the society.
ART. VIII. Any person residing in School Districts, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10 shall, upon paying annually to the Treasurer or Librarian 25 cents, be a member of the Association and entitled to all the bene- fits of said Library.
Any person living outside said limits, if desiring to become a mem- ber of said Association, may upon application to the president or any director, and the president and directors by a majority vote shall admit such persons, subject to the same rules and regulations as other members.
ART. IX. No member shall be assessed for money to be used for any purpose whatever; and the directors shall limit the trustees to a sum less than that in the treasury.
ART. x. This Constitution may be altered or amended, or additions
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made to it, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any ap- pointed meeting, provided the proposed change be submitted to the society in writing at least four weeks before action shall be taken upon the same.
Subsequent amendments to this constitution included school dis- trict No. 1 within the limits of the Association, and gave all school teachers within said limits while teaching, and all clergymen while stopping temporarily within said limits, the free use of the books. The words sectarian and political have been stricken from Art. IV, and all officers are to be chosen for one year instead of six months.
Since the formation of the Association it has been presided over by Mrs. R. H. Belding, Mrs. L. J. W. Carpenter, Mrs. K. R. Stanley, Mrs. J. W. Merrill, Mrs. Lucia Whitcomb, Mrs. A. G. Hills, Mrs. Clara M. Lane and Mrs. M. A. Haskell.
Continued prosperity has attended the efforts of its members. By means of voluntary donations, and a series of sociables, festivals and literary entertainments, funds have been raised for constant additions to the library. It now contains about 1000 volumes.
May 16, 1885, Mr. George Carpenter presented by deed of quit- claim to the Association the old Academy building subject to the fol- lowing provisions :- "Thatit shall always remain where it now stands ; that it shall never be sold or transferred under any circumstances whatever ; that it shall never be used for a hotel or lodging house ; that it shall never be used for the sale or use of any intoxicating liq- uors or drinks whatever ; that it shall never be used for dancing, card playing, gambling or skating. It shall never be used for any immoral purpose whatever ; but it shall always be kept for literary purposes and for the promotion of knowledge and intelligence among the inhabi - tants." The deed also gives, with certain limitations, the "Chautau- qua Literary and Scientific Circle" now formed, or any other literary societies hereafter formed, also the "Ladies' Society" the use of the building ; "and as long as the United States remain free and independ- ent the boys in the neighborhood shall have the right unmolested, to ring the bell on each succeeding Fourth of July."
The gift was accepted by the Association and measures were promptly taken for remodelling and repairing the building adapting it to its designed purpose. Several of the former students of the Academy, and those that were once residents of Swanzey and now interested in her welfare, were invited to lend a helping hand in the enterprise. The cost of remodelling, etc., was about $1200 raised by voluntary contributions.
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
In October, 1886, the Association voted to take the hall in the third story of the building and convert it into an antiquarian room. Since that time a large number of relics, valuable for their antiquity and as mementos of the past, have been given by a multitude of donors, forming a collection already large and constantly increasing.
For "Stratton Free Library" see "George W. Stratton," Chap. X. The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle or People's Col- lege, is another agency in the interest of the education of the people, young and old, having its headquarters at Buffalo, N. Y. A branch of this institution, the "Ashuelot C. L. S. C.," was organized in this town in Oct., 1883. Its presidents have been A. A. Ware, Rev. B. Merrill and W. C. Belding; secretaries, Miss E. R. Bailey, Mrs. L. J. W. Carpenter and L. Lowell Belding. About 30 persons have availed themselves of its advantages, several having completed the prescribed four years' course. A similar organization, "The Crescent Circle," was formed in West Swanzey in 1887, with Dr. G. I. Cutler as president. Its secretaries have been Mrs. E. J. Cutler, Mrs. Mary Snow and Miss Cora B. Hubbard. Both circles have been prosper- ous.
FACING > Z
EAST
ER
D
AUTOGLYPH PRINT, W P ALLEN, GARDNER, MASS.
SCHOOL HOUSE, EAST SWANZEY.
FACING EAST.
I
CHAPTER VII. Highways and Bridges.
BOSTON ROAD-EARLY LAYOUTS-SPECIMEN RECORD-SUNDRY ROADS, BUILT WHEN-OLD TURNPIKE-RATES OF TOLL-"CALIFORNIA" ROAD -- "WIL- LIS" ROAD-BRIDGES, WHEN BUILT ; COST OF CONSTRUCTION-HIGHWAY SURVEYORS-PRICES OF LABOR.
T HE first highways of the town were little more than foot and bridle paths, gradually developed and adapted to the use of the rude vehicles of the early settlers.
June 11, 1735, the proprietors " Voted, That there be a man chosen to Joyn with the Committee Chosen by the Upper Township to look out a Convenient way to the Two Towns on the Ashawelot River. Voted that the man that shall be Chosen be allowed Ten shillings a Day for his Services in Looking Said way."
"Voted, That Mr. Jonathan Miles be the man to Joyn with the Com- mittee of the Upper Township to Look out the way as above laid."
At a meeting held at the house of Ephraim Jones in Concord, March 31, 1736, " Voted, That Messrs. Nathaniel Mattoon of North- field, Ephraim Jones of Concord, and James Houghton of Lancaster be a committee to lay out and clear a way through said township to Earlington" (Winchester).
Oct. 27, 1736. "Voted, That Mr. Jonathan Miles be allowed for his service in looking out and marking a way to Townshend the sum of twenty five pounds one shilling."
This road to Townshend was doubtless built about this time, and is what is referred to in later records as the "Boston road," extend- ing from Upper to Lower Ashuelot, and through the southern and eastern parts of the town substantially where the old Troy Hill road now is ; passing the J. W. Murphy farm, the old Clark place (now in Troy), which was for many years a hotel, through the west- ern part of Troy, the entire length of Fitzwilliam, and through Win- chendon to Townsend. It was built thus early for the reason that Massachusetts, then claiming a part of what is now New Hampshire and Vermont, had forts and settlements on the Connecticut river at
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
Great Meadow (Westmoreland) and at No. 4 (Charlestown), and wished for avenues of communication to these places and the fron- tiers of Canada. During the Indian wars after this, the road was extended to Crown Point on Lake Champlain. The whole of it was a military road, built primarily for the transportation of munitions of war from settlement to settlement.
"At a meeting of the proprietors of the Lower Township on Ash- uelot River being duly notified and met at the house of Capt. Nathan- iel Hammond in said township Sept. 7, 1737, Voted To lay out a road four rods wide on the south side of William Carr's [Zina Taft's ] lot to the South Branch."
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