USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Windham > The history of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham country). 1719-1883. A Scotch settlement (commonly called Scotch-Irish), embracing nearly one third of the ancient settlement and historic township of Londonderry, N.H > Part 18
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In March, 1809, the district then and now known as District No. 5, was legally constituted by that name, probably by a new law of the State. Sept. 20, 1809, Districts Nos. 2 and 3 were united and named No. 2, which continues to the present without
150
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
much change. Nov. 20, 1809, No. 4 was made a district. What is now No. 1 was formed by uniting two districts about this time. November, 1811, No. 6 was made a district with about the same bounds as at present, but probably with a different number. There was some illegality about this business, and in March, 1812, Districts Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 were constituted (about as they exist to-day) "according to law." By a State law, the town was districted, but the districts as now constituted were in obedience to the following vote, and subsequent action of the town.
Sept. 16, 1843, it was voted to divide the town into school districts "agreeable to the Revised Statutes," and a committee was chosen for that purpose as follows : -
Christopher Morrison. David Armstrong. James P. Hughes.
Robert M. Campbell. Solomon Marden. Robert Morrison.
Henry Baldwin.
In March, 1844, this committee, having divided the town, submitted their report, which was adopted, and the districts as organized at that time exist to-day without essential change.
FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSES.
It is probable that at least two school-houses were built before the French war, or as early as 1750, although no positive evidence can be adduced. Tradition and allusion assert that such was the fact. School-houses were then built by subscription of individuals, and not by tax.
In 1768, eight years after the close of the war, James Wilson, of Londonderry, gave the selectmen and their successors a deed, " In consideration of the Love and Regard I bear to the Parish in Windham," "I give, grant, etc., a certain tract of land of five acres, said land to be dedicated for the use of a school in said Windham." This land was located in the southeast part of the town, near the house of Isaac Emerson. It was woodland, and no income came from it. In 1795 the town voted to sell it, and it was sold in 1798. For a time it was incorporated with the ministerial fund, but afterwards it was withdrawn, and used to defray the annual expense of the schools, so that the will of the donor was indirectly and poorly executed.
Rev. Loren Thayer, who investigated this question some thirty years ago, says in manuscript: "The first school-houses were in Nos. 1 and 2. The only tradition I have found as to the location of the first school-house in town says it was in District No. 2, south of Fessenden's mills on Golden Brook. It must be in that district or in District No. 1." He states that "an individual eighty-four years of age told him that he had seen the first school- house, and that it was too old for use when he began going to school, which was about 1773." Supposing this to have been occupied twenty-three years, it would place its erection at 1750, or eight years after the town's incorporation.
151
FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSES. - MODERN SCHOOL-HOUSES.
DISTRICT NO. 1.
There have been five school-houses in this district. The first must have been built soon after the town's incorporation, and, according to Rev. Mr. Thayer, was either the first or second school-house erected in town. This was destroyed by fire, with loss of school-books, not far from 1760.
The second one was an old house in 1795. It stood at the foot of the hill about half-way from the house of L. A. Morrison to E. O. Dinsmoor's on the west side of the highway. An apple tree by a pair of bars marks the spot where it stood, and it strikes its roots deep into the soil made rich by the ashes from the fires which glowed in the ancient fire-place. This house must have been built about the time of the French war. It was a wooden building, covered with feather-edged boards, and not clapboarded. The inside walls were ceiled with boards from the ground floor to the floor overhead, and there was no plastering whatever about the house. It had a large stone chimney, with a fire-place large enough to burn wood four feet in length, and with room enough left for scholars to stand at each end and warm themselves. The seats for scholars were made of slabs from the saw-mill, with wooden legs and no backs. All the tools required in their con- struction were a saw, an axe, and an anger. The desk for writing was a long bench about four feet wide, similar to that of a car- penter. The house had but one door, and through it one entered the school-room. May 28, 1801, it was moved to the place now occupied by Henry J. Richardson's honse, where it was used in the summer season, when it was sold to Luke Woodbury, of Salem, and moved off. It was standing a few years ago.
On the union of the two districts, the northerly and southerly portions of the present district, a new house was built. It was raised Sept. 4, 1802, and stood where the present house stands. The boys cut the wood which was burned in the large open fire- place. Long seats and desks were in this house, and there was an inclined plane from the floor to the back seats. This house was burned one afternoon in 1823, and the scholars' books were lost.
In 1823, the "old brick school-house" was built, which is so familiar to the residents of the town of this generation, and around which cluster so many fond and tender memories of school days,-memories of never-to-be-forgotten friends whose voices are hushed, and over whose faces has spread a deeper quietness than that of sleep. This was similar to the former one, and the back seats were reached by three steps from the floor. The teacher's desk was reached by four steps, and fronted the door, and under it many a luckless lad was put as a punishment. Here the boy, Charles S. Kimball, was put, so full of fun, frolie, and wit, whom we all so well remember, who ate the master's dinner, and pricked with a pin Master Miltimore's legs to find which was the
152
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
wooden one. He ascertained. Into this house, with woe-begone countenances and dripping locks, entered a now prominent physi- cian in New Hampshire, and a skilful mechanic in New York, after they had resurrected themselves from under some two feet of the walls of their snow fort, beneath which they had been completely buried by their numerous antagonists. The defence of the fort was heroic and manly, but the besiegers were too many, and the siege too long continued for the success of the defenders.
This house was demolished in 1863, and the present commodious building erected at an expense of over two thousand dollars. James C. Steele was the master workman. The brick-work was done by a native of the district, William Park, Sr., of Boston. It was dedicated Dec. 31, 1863, addresses being delivered by Rev. Augustus Berry, of Pelham; Rev. D. C. Babcock, of Salem; and Rev. Loren Thayer, of this town. It was built of brick, with half an acre of land adjoining, and is creditable to the district and the town.
DISTRICT NO. 2.
The first school-house stood upon the sand-hill between the houses of Mrs. James Burnham and John W. M. Worledge. After this ceased to be used in winters, schools were taught in private houses for thirty years. The second stood near Joseph L. Cottle's, between his house and Golden Brook. It was never finished, and was used only in summer. This district was then called the Row. On the union of the two classes, which now form No. 2, a third was built a few yards southeast from where the present house stands. This was in 1810 or 1812. This house was demol- ished in 1853, when the present one was erected, at a cost of $1,400. This is the first modern one in town; it is light, well- proportioned, and reflects great credit upon the citizens of the dis- trict. James W. Smith, a native of the district, was the architect and builder. It was dedicated Dec. 8, 1853, and an able address was delivered by Rev. Loren Thayer, the then minister in the town.
DISTRICT NO. 3.
The early school-houses here, as in other parts of the town, were built by subscription, and not by a public tax. Its earliest house stood where the guide-post now stands, at the corner of the roads, between William H. Armstrong's and Caleb B. Clark's. It was a small, unplastered, unfinished building. It still exists, and is now used as a corn-house or tool-house by William H. Armstrong. It was built at an early date, and persons still living have attended school in it. Some have claimed that it was the first school-house in town, which is impossible. Another house was built on the highway, a short distance northeast of Caleb B. Clark's house. It was not an expensive one, and when old was destroyed by fire. The present house was built at a cost of $500
153
FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSES.
in 1852, and dedicated in August of that year. According to manuscript of Rev. Loren Thayer, written in 1853, the first school-houses in Nos. 3, 4, and 5 were built before the Revolution.
DISTRICT NO. 4.
The first house stood between Mrs. Sally Clark's and the house of Ephraim MeDaniels. Anciently here, as elsewhere in school- houses, there were large chimneys and great fires, and a heap of ashes on the outside of the house. And that the fragments might be gathered up and nothing be lost, they were disposed of for spirit, and a treat ended the school. In these latter days we have grown wiser and have relinquished the custom. The second one was used till 1856, when the third and present one was built at an expense of $900, and dedicated Dec. 28 of that year.
DISTRICT NO. 5.
There have been four school-houses. The first stood between Charles W. Campbell's house and Butler's Mills. That section is known as the "Stone Dam " neighborhood. The second stood on the grounds occupied by the present one. The third also stood here, was abandoned in 1860, taken down, and a new one, the fourth, built that year at a cost of $900, which was dedicated Jan. 4, 1861.
DISTRICT NO. 6.
There have been but two in this district. The first was a small red building, finished in 1815. It was once repaired. It was bought of the district by Rev. Loren Thayer, and fitted up into a tenement, and still stands upon the Thayer farm. The house now standing was erected in 1857, costing $1,200. William Anderson, a native and resident of the town, was the builder.
DISTRICT NO. 7.
The present one is the only school-house ever possessed by this district. The district is small, and it is very creditable to them. It was built in 1853, and dedicated Sept. 4, 1853. Cost, $500.
It is a matter for congratulation that all our school-houses are comparatively modern, in good repair, well lighted, well heated, and furnished with proper school furniture, which is a wonderful improvement on "ye olden time." This town, in respect to the excellence of its school-houses, probably stands as high as any in the county.
Much has been done for education besides fulfilling the require- ments of the law. Appropriations have often been made by the town above that required by law; subscription schools have been common ; and occasionally a high school would be kept in the
11
154
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
centre of the town, which scholars would attend from all parts of Windham.
In 1839, John Nesmith, Esq., of Lowell, Mass. (since lieutenant- governor of Massachusetts), gave cach school district a library of fifty volumes, at a cost of $175.00. (See chapter on Libraries.)
The whole number of scholars in town in 1829 was 301.
SCHOOL FUNDS. - COST OF SCHOOL-HOUSES.
In 1852, Samuel W. Simpson gave District No. 2 a school fund of $1,000. He gave $500 to two other districts, to which they added an equal amount, making a total of $3,000. A school lot was formerly given by James Wilson for the benefit of schools.
During the last forty years, facilities for education have won- derfully increased. Since 1850, 86,500 have been expended in town by the erection of a new school-house in each district.
HIGH SCHOOLS.
For many years the high school, kept every fall at the centre of the town by some college graduate, was a great help and benefit to many of the young people. It awakened an interest in educa- tion in them which was life-long.
SCHOOL TAXES, 1789 TO 1809.
Taxes assessed, raised, and appropriated for schools under the school law of 1789 and until 1809: -
1790, £27. 38. 4d.
1796, £42. Os. Od.
1797, 8122 00
1801, 151 55 1792, 42 0 11 1798, 125 48
1805, 222 71 1793, 40 17 8
1799, 124 11
1806, 206 32 1794, 43
0 10 1800, 169 42
1807, 209 81 1795, 41 13 8 1801, 162 19
1808, 314 53
1802, 1 26 1803, $149 79
MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL TAXES, FROM 1809 TO 1828.
Previous to 1809, school affairs were managed by "heads of classes," one in each school district. That year a new dispensation in town came into being, which continued till 1827, and in addition to heads of classes, an "examining committee," or committee of inspection, of from three to seven persons, were chosen at the annual March meeting, whose duty it was to visit and examine all the schools in town at convenient times. This committee do not appear to have had much power over the teacher, or to have been for the purpose of examining teachers, but to inspect the schools.
It did not require a high degree of education in those days to be a teacher. By the law of 1808, any teacher, male or female, inust bring a certificate of good moral character from the minister or selectman of the place to which the applicant belonged, and
1791, 28 18 4
155
COMMITTEES FOR INSPECTING THE SCHOOLS, 1809-28.
also a certificate from some educated person, that the applicant was qualified to teach such school. The qualifications of school- mistresses were, that they "should be able to teach the varions sounds and powers of the letters of the English language, reading, writing, and English grammar." The law did not require female teachers to be able to teach arithmetic. The law was changed in 1827 so as to require all teachers to be able to teach arithmetic and geography, and subsequently was included history.
MONEY RAISED AND APPROPRIATED FOR SCHOOLS, 1809-29.
1809, 8286 10 1814, $305 46 1819, $346 64
1824, $331 82
1810, 274 76 1815, 308 79 1820, 358 43
1825, 333 73
1811, 275 49 1816, 302 06 1821, 325 51 1826, 332 01
1812, 257 89 1817, 306 83
1822, 328 45
1827, 334 21
1813, 319 31 1818, 201 05
1823, 334 31 1828, 333 81
COMMITTEE FOR INSPECTING THE SCHOOLS, FROM 1809 TO 1828. (One or more for each district. )
1809. Rev. Samuel Harris, No. 1; William Smith, No. 2; Samuel Senter, No. 3; Capt. John Campbell, No. 4; James Davidson, No. 5; John Hemphill, No. 6.
1810. Samuel Armor, Henry Campbell, Jr., William Smith, David Camp- bell, Robert Clark.
1811. Rev. Samuel Harris, David Gregg, Henry Campbell, Robert Clark, Samuel Senter.
1812. Dea. Robert Dinsmoor, Capt. John Campbell, Gawen McAdams, David Gregg, John Hemphill.
1813. Dea. Robert Dinsmoor, William Smith, Ensign Nesmith, Capt. John Campbell, Capt. William Gregg, William McKeen, Dr. Joseph Scobey.
1814. William Smith, Samuel Armor, John Hemphill, Dr. Joseph Scobey, Capt. John Campbell, Dea. JJames Davidson, William MeKeen.
1815. Dea. Robert Dinsmoor, John Davidson, Capt. Jacob M. Nesmith, Capt. John Campbell, Dea. James Davidson, William McKeen, Robert Park.
1816. Samuel Armor, William Smith, John Hemphill, Capt. John Camp- bell, David Gregg, William MeKeen, John Nesmith.
1817. Samuel Armor, William Davidson, Capt. Barnet Hughes, Capt. John Campbell, Capt. William Gregg, Jolm McKeen, Thomas Nesmith.
1818. Samuel Armor, William Davidson, John Hopkins, 2d, Capt. John Campbell, Samnel Davidson, John Nesmith, Alexander Wilson.
1819. Samuel Armor, William Smith, Capt. Barnet Hughes, John Betton, Dea. William Davidson, Moses Duston, 2d, Robert Park.
1820. John Nesmith, Isaac McGaw, John Hopkins.
In the warrant for the annual meeting of this year was an article "To see if the town will direct the school committee annually chosen to visit the several schools in said town at least twice during the term of their keeping, once at their com- mencement and once at their close, to examine into their progress, mode in learning, and report annually. The town voted upon this article, "That the committee shall not visit the schools agree- able to said article."
156
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The article, which was " To see if the town will direct said com- mittee to recommend books for the use of schools as they think best adapted to that purpose," was dismissed. The article to see what compensation the town would allow the committee for services, was dismissed. To say that such legislation was not creditable to the good sense of the voters, or to their public spirit, is passing it over very lightly.
1821. Sammel Armor, Dea. Robert Dinsmoor, Rev. Samuel Harris. The first school report I find upon the records is for this year.
1822. Rev. Samnel Harris, Jeremiah Morrison, Alexander Park, Jr.
1823. The town declined to choose a committee. The selectmen, David Armstrong. Isaac Cochran, Jeremiah Morrison, inspected and examined the schools, and judging from the report, they were never more faithfully attended to. They made their report the following spring, 1824, which was accepted. It is a judicious one, couched in plain, simple, terse language, and abounding in good points in regard to the schools.
1824. Rev. Samuel Harris, Dr. James W. Perkins, Samuel Armor.
1825. Jeremiah Morrison, Dr. James W. Perkins, Rev. Samuel Harris.
1826. Dr. James W. Perkins, Perkins A. Dodge, Alexander Park.
1827. Dr. James W. Perkins, Daniel C. Davidson, Samuel Harris.
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEES.
In 1827 the school law was changed, and "examining com- mittees" existed no longer. The law made it obligatory upon towns, at their annual meeting in March of each year, to elect or appoint a Superintending School Committee of not less than three persons, who should examine all candidates as to their qualifica- tions for teachers, and visit and examine all the public schools of the town at least two times during the year. This law was after- wards changed, and towns were allowed to elect by ballot one or more persons for this committee. It was the custom in this town for many years to choose three persons for this committee. Latterly the duties have usually been performed by a committee of one. Since the passage of the law in 1827, they have often been appointed by the selectmen, though frequently elected by ballot.
MONEY EXPENDED FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FROM 1828 TO 1882.
1829, $307 24
1812, 8325 96
1855, $548 00
1868, § 869 35
1830, 296 68
1843, 321 25
1856, 512 00
1869,
680 44
1831, 123 45
1844, 303 10
1857, 512 20
1870,
661 85
1832, 431 04
1845, 328 88
1858, 511 10
1871, 958 10
1833,
399 41
1846,
330 00
1859, 512 03
1872, 1,063 94
1831, 302 72
397 61
18-18,
312 96
1861, 606 79
1871, 014 34
1836, 299 04
1849, no record.
1862,
593 99
1875,
1,027 70
1837, 295 65
311 17
1851,
330 00
1861,
574 40
1877, 1,030 02
1839,
298 35
1852,
330 00
1865,
579 60
1878, 835 76
1840, 305 97
1853,
433 55
1866,
601 71
1879, 1,051 39
1841, 317 86
1854, 506 72
1867,
596 73
1880,
1,059 18
1881, $1,056 60
1850,
308 15
1863,
575 88
1876, 961 45
1838,
1847, 319 64
1860, 535 98
1873, 972 23
1835,
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THE STATE LITERARY SCHOOL FUND.
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE, FROM 1828 TO 1882.
1828. Isaac MeGaw. Rev. Jacob Abbott, Jeremiah Morrison.
1829. Rev. Calvin Cutler, Rev. JJacob Abbott, David Armstrong.
1830. Rev. Jacob Abbott, Rev. Calvin Cutler, Isaac MeGaw.
1831. Isaac MeGaw, Rev. Jacob Abbott, Rey. Calvin Cutler.
1832 and '33. Isaac MeGaw. Alexander Park, Dr. Milton Ward.
1834. Isaac MeGaw. Rev. Jacob Abbott. Daniel L. Simpson.
1835 and '36. Isaac MeGaw, Alexander Park, David Armstrong.
1837. Isaac MeGaw, David Armstrong, Dr. A. F. Putnam.
1838. Jeremiah Morrison, Dr. A. F. Putnam. Isaac MeGaw. 1839 and '40. Rev. Calvin Cutler, Dr. A. F. Putnam, Isaac MeGaw.
1841. Rev. Calvin Cutler, Alexander Park. Jacob Harris, 2d.
1842. Rev. Calvin Cutler. Isaac MeGaw. JJacob Harris, 2d.
1843. Isaac MeGaw, Jacob Harris, 2d, Rev. Calvin Cutler.
1844. Isaac McGaw, Jacob Harris, 2d. Dr. A. F. Putnam.
1845. Isaac MeGaw, Jacob Harris, 2d. Robert Bartley.
1846 and '47. Rev. Loren Thayer, Rev. Samuel Harris, Dea. Rei Hills.
1848 and '49. Rev. Loren Thayer, Isaac MeGaw, Jacob Harris, 2d.
1850. Rev. Loren Thayer, Robert Bartley, Robert B. Jackson.
1851.
Rev. Loren Thayer, Robert Bartley, Jacob Harris, 2d.
1852.
Rev. Loren Thayer, Dr. Ira Weston, Jacob Harris, 2d.
1853. Rev. Loren Thayer, JJacob Harris, Dr. Ira Weston.
1854. Rev. Loren Thayer, Dea. Rei Hills.
1855. Rev. Loren Thayer. The Superintending School Committee's
report was printed this year for the first time.
1856-64. Rev. Loren Thayer.
1865. Dr. Charles S. Boynton.
1866 and '67. Benjamin E. Blanchard.
1868. Dr. George H. Greene, Rev. Joseph Lanman.
1869. Rev. Joseph Lanman.
1870-73. Dea. Rei ITills.
1874-78. Rev. Charles Packard.
1879. Dr. Daniel W. Dimock.
1880-82. Benjamin E. Blanchard.
THE STATE LITERARY SCHOOL FUND.
In 1828, the Legislature passed a law by which all banks in the State were taxed at the rate of one half of one per cent on their capital stock for the support of public schools. The money thus raised was to be divided among the towns in the proportion that each town paid of the State tax.
Since that date the law has several times been changed, in respect to the amount of money to be raised for the support of schools. From 1808 to 1828, cach town was required by law to raise $70 on each dollar of the town's proportion of the public taxes for support of schools. In 1827, the percentage was increased to $90. Previous to 1842, the amount to be assessed on a town's proportion of the State tax, was increased from $90 to $100 upon each dollar of a town's proportion of that tax; this percentage was again increased in 1852 to $135, and at the present time it is $350. So now (1881) "the public schools are sup- ported by the proceeds of the State Literary Fund, and by a town tax on polls and ratable estate of $350 for school purposes for
158
IIISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
every dollar of State tax which such towns are required to raise. The State (Literary) Fund is distributed in the proportion of the number of scholars not less than five years old last reported as attending the public schools not less than two weeks; the town fund according to the valuation of each district for the year."
We raise annually by tax some eight hundred dollars ; this with the Literary Fund money, and the unused "dog-tax" money remaining in the treasury, which has been appropriated for schools, and the funds in several of the districts, places our edu- cational system upon a very flourishing basis.
MILITARY SCHOOL.
Having closed the account of our common schools, mention will be made of a military school which bnt few of the present residents of Windham ever heard of. Among the companions of that wild, strange, eccentric man, F. L. Bissell, founder of "Bis- sell's Camp," was Major Dudley, reported to have been an officer in the 1812-15 war. He came to town in May, 1823, and was here several years. He was well versed in military tactics. He established a military school for the soldiers of the town, which was well patronized by those who loved the military profession.
159
HIGHWAYS. - CHARACTER OF FIRST ROADS.
CHAPTER XIII.
HIGHWAYS. - HIGHWAYS LAID OUT BEFORE THE INCORPORATION IN 1742. - THE " RANGE" ROAD, JAN. 24, 1739. - FIRST IHIGHWAY FOUND ON TOWN RECORDS, NOV. 2, 1742. - LONDONDERRY TURNPIKE BUILT 1805. - MAMMOTH ROAD, 1831. - IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD-MAKING. - FIRST GUIDE-POSTS, 1794. - THE TOWN SUED, 1846. - THIE LONG WRIT, NINETEEN AND ONE HALF FEET IN LENGTH.
THE first nominal highways were only paths used for the con- venience of the early settlers, and marked by blazed trees. As the settlement increased and travel became greater, legal high- ways were laid out, and oftentimes as the "old path now goes." Time, and the ever-changing population of the town, and the homes of the people, have changed the old highways. They are given up entirely, with few exceptions, or have been so altered that it is utterly impossible to locate them. The town has legis- lated a great deal upon this subject; the records are full of the petitions and votes to build new roads, and the laying out of a number of highways, which were never constructed.
Many of the first highways in town were laid out before its incorporation, and while Windham constituted a part of Londonderry.
The roads were rough, little more than paths passable for horses. Wheeled vehicles did not exist in the early settlement. After many years, a rude kind of ox-cart occasionally might have done service here, as it did in a neighboring town. The following occurrence took place in " ye early times " in a neighboring town. A man made an ox-cart. He cut down an immense maple tree, and sawed or cut off pieces of sufficient width, and being round they constituted the wheels. Making holes in the centre through which the wooden axle-tree was put, his vehicle was soon in run- ning order. It was a very rude affair, and at every revolution of the wheels, when the cross-grain of the wheels was brought against the axle-tree, it made an unearthly screech. This was a new inven- tion. A neighbor lived a short distance away. One morning his ears were saluted by the most hideous noises imaginable. By no process of reasoning could he account for them. They continued without cessation. He was greatly alarined, and attributed them to supernatural agency. He thought the time of final reckoning was upon him, and he went into his house and, contrary to his practice, took his Bible and read it. The day was spent by him in prayer and reading the Scriptures. Towards evening a neigh- bor called to see him, and found him in a very curious frame of
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