USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 53
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James Lincoln Hurd is a descendant of Joseph Hurd, of Hurdtown, brother of Moses Hurd who married Mary Stiles. Joseph-David B .- Edward C .- James Lincoln-John Schrader Hurd.
All the Dover Hurds are descendants of John and Priscilla Alden. Jacob Hurd was a trustee of the Dover public school in 1831, and later. His signature may be seen in the old record book, as chairman of a meeting held April 5, 1842.
On February 6, 1911, Mr. John W. Hurd donated the land for a park, to be known as Hurd Park, in front of the Hurd homestead on Blackwell street. The Common Council accepted the gift. The park consists of six acres and more. On October 12, 1911, Hurd Park was formally dedicated with appropriate exercises held on the ground in front of Mr. Hurd's house. Mr. Hurd sat in his house and witnessed the proceedings.
Mr. Wm. H. Baker has a specimen of pen work made by Stephen Hurd, who was a Dover teacher about 1807-8. It shows the names of members of the Baker family and is beautifully illuminated in color. This Stephen Hurd, then, is the earliest Dover teacher of whom we have any trace. He was a brother of Dan and Major Joseph Hurd, who founded Hurdtown. He married Lydia Fairchild. He afterwards went to Sparta, built a store there and became a prominent citizen. He died about the age of thirty, leaving a family. George W. Hurd, of Abilene, Kansas, a lawyer, is a descendant. The old Hurd house in Sparta is a notable
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mansion, with hand-carved mantels. A facsimile of this pen work by Stephen Hurd would be of interest, in color.
P. 313 .* The first store in Dover was kept by Canfield & Hunt near the Depot of the C. R. R., about 1810. The next store, a small one, was kept by Moses Hurd, Senr., near the old school house on the corner of Dickerson and Morris sts., it burned down.
The Moses Hurd who came to help John Jackson in 1722 might have been 20-25 years old then, 1722. If he lived to be 90, he would have died in 1792-1787. The Moses Hurd who married Mary Stiles could have kept a store in 1820-1831. He died 1831-was he Moses Hurd, Senior?
* Munson's History, Morris Co.
THE OLD SCHOOL RECORDS OF DOVER.
The book of earliest record for the Dover schools begins thus: The following is a summary account of the Minutes kept by the Trustees &c of the Dover Common School District up to the Annual Meeting, April 6th, 1840, taken from a Book in the possession of A. Doty Esq.
The first record of a meeting was August 15, 1831, when Aaron Doty, .Wm. Ford, Samuel Hicks Jun., Stephen Conger and Jacob Hurd were appointed Trustees. A public Meeting 8th Feb'y, 1832. It was resolved that the Trustees use all lawful effort to secure the school house. That the expenses be defrayed by Subscrip- tion & Each Subscriber pay in proportion to his State, County & poor Tax. The Trustees were incorporated the 16th Feb'y, 1832, as follows :-
To all to whom these presents may come, greeting-That we, the subscribers, Trustees appointed according to law by an association of persons in the Village of Dover in the township of Randolph, in the County of Morris, for the promotion of learning, according to the act entitled an act to incorporate Societies for the promotion of learning, do hereby certify under our hands and Seals that we have taken on ourselves the name of "The Trustees of the Dover School House."
As witness our hands and Seals, the Sixteenth day of February, A. D. 1832. Signed, Aaron Doty, William Ford, Sam'l Hicks Jun., Stephen Conger, Jacob Hurd. Witnesses-James Ford, Benj. F. Harrison.
Endorsed on the book :- "Rec'd in office, September 19th, 1832, and recorded in Morris Co. Record for Religious Societies, &c, folio 63. Daniel Day, Clk.
Under the Common School Act passed Ist March, 1838. The Township Com- mittee of Randolph, consisting of Messrs. Daniel P. Merchant, Jabez L. Allen, & F. B. Dalrymple, the Public School District of Dover was set off & bounded as follows, viz .-
Beginning at the bridge over the Dell Brook near Elizabeth Vail's on the line of the Township of Hanover & Randolph-from thence to the house of Stephen Conger's-thence to the house of Ezra B. Sanderson-thence to the house of Widow Chrystal's-thence to the house of Josiah Hurd's-thence to the Harvey House- thence to Washington Forge and on the boundary line of the Township of Randolph to the place of beginning, including the house beforementioned & all the inhabitants within said boundaries. Said committee also appointed a District Meeting to be held on the 28th May, 1838, for the election of Trustees, agreeable to said Act.
First Annual Meeting under the Act of March I, 1838, was held 28 May, 1838. When the Trustees, Jacob Hurd, Titus Berry, Aaron Doty, James Ford, Sidney Breese, who were elected the 9th April preceeding were re-elected. Resolved, that Seventy-two (72) days of instruction shall be considered a quarter.
Among those who were elected trustees from time to time, we find the names of Joshua Butterworth, William Winters, Th. B. Segur.
.April 8, 1840. it was resolved that the acts of the Trustees be recorded in a book, and Mr. Jacob Hurd presented the Trustees with "this book, which cost seventy- five cents." An account of all monies, contracts, and taxable inhabitants was also ordered kept. A meeting was called, at Jacob Hurd's house, at 7 o'clock in the evening of the next Saturday, at which the taxable inhabitants were to express their wishes in reference to building a school House &c.
April 10, 1840, Mr. John O. Hill was engaged as Teacher at One dollar & seventy-five cents per quarter for each scholar who may attend sixty-six full days. April II, the Trustees were requested to have a School House built on the site of
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the present one or near it, provided they are satisfied that the ground belongs to the District. It was decided to build a house of two rooms, by a vote of 17 to 4.
April 20th it was reported that there were 136 children between the ages of 5 and sixteen. It was found that 43 desired a Male Teacher, 49 desired a Female Teacher, and 12 were undecided. being a total of 104 children, whose parents voted on this question. It was resolved to employ a female teacher, to assist Mr. Hill. Miss Stickle was engaged.
July 3d, Miss Antoinette Magie was employed.
July 16. Resolved unanimously that the ground which has long been occupied by the District be run out and described by a Surveyor and entered by the Clerk on the Books. Also resolved to build a school house 42 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, 12 ft. posts, and finished 10 ft. in the clear, with a hall across the west end, 8 ft. wide, with 5 windows in the rear and 4 in front, of 24 lights 8 by 10 each.
Oct. 22, 1840. Mr. Joseph H. Babcock was employed as Teacher. Some addi- tions to the school house were ordered, such as a cupola for a bell, on the end over the hall. The specifications for building are given in detail, Oct. 28.
Nov. 7, 1840. Mr. Hurd officiated as salesman, when the old School House was bid off to Abyram Prudden for $26., being the highest bid offered. Conditions : the House to be moved off within a week and the money to be paid when called for.
March 5, 1841. Mr. Babcock was requested to continue "teaching after the present quarter expires and that he be allowed two dollars per quarter for each scholar. He to board himself and collect his bills.
June 3, 1841. Agreed to allow Mr. Searing $150. for finishing the new school house. On the second of November, 1840, he had secured the contract, as the lowest bidder, at $700. "and would subscribe $50." June 3d, a ladder was ordered, "to get up inside."
June 14, it was arranged that the school should "neat" Mr. Babcock $100. per quarter, no more, no less.
Sept. 17, 1841. Mr. Searing presented his bills amounting to $850.
Dec. 6, 1841. Mr. Julian M. Loveland was employed "to teach our school." The days in a quarter are now reckoned as 66. Charges for tuition, 16 shillings per quarter for reading, writing and arithmetic, and 18 shillings for higher branches,- the parents or guardians directing what their children or wards shall study. Payment is guaranteed to the teacher for persons who are unable to pay their bills. This is one step towards a free school. An assistant teacher is to be engaged by the "said Teacher."
Resolved that said Teacher receive the wood that may be wanted and measure it and allow the common price in the village for such wood, that he have it cut and prepared for the fire, and charge the whole and also for pail, brooms &c to those who send, in proportion to the number of days sent.
1842 Feb'y 19. Mr. John C. Lewis was employed as Teacher.
April 5, 1842. The following were elected trustees :- John M. Losey, Enos T. Peck, James Ford, Sidney Brees, & Elias Garrigus. Autograph signature, Jacob Hurd. James M. Fleming, Sec.
April 8, 1843. The school was offered to Mr. Babcock. He refused. It was then offered to Mr. Lewis. He accepted.
April 7, 1845. The price to be paid for Oak wood for the use of the school was fixed at 20 shillings, and the other wood in proportion. E. T. Peck, Sec.
April 11, 1846. Employed Mr. Franklin W. Pease and his wife to teach our schools. Mr. Pease is to occupy the school House and Mrs. Pease a room in the Academy. The price of tuition for all common branches of education to be Two Dollars per scholar per Quarter of 66 days and if he teaches the higher branches he is to make his bargain for teaching such studies with the Parents or Guardians of the scholars taught.
He is to have a Public examination of the schools at least once in six months, and is to use all diligence to protect the school House and property therein from destruction or damage, and to see that particular care is taken to preserve the Books belonging to the scholars.
April 9, 1847. Mr. Pease and his wife were employed for another year. April 3, 1848. They were again employed.
March 6, 1849. The Trustees gave a call to Mr. Stiles of Morris Township to take charge of our school.
April 7, 1851. B. C. Magie, chairman. Charles Sammis, Secretary. Resolved that the Trustees take necessary action to become incorporated.
April 10, 1851. Mr. Martin I. Lee from Great Barrington, Mass., was employed as Teacher, to have $100. for three months, if his school does not average over
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sixty scholars. An assistant teacher to take charge of smaller scholars in the hall of the House, as soon as the weather will permit.
June 3, 1851. Mr. Doty stated that for want of room he had made an arrange- ment with Mrs. Whittlesey and Miss Ross to take thirty scholars each at One 25/100 dollars per quarter, subject to such an agreement with parents as they might make, which was confirmed.
The census showed 267 children between ages of 5 and 18. Mr. B. C. Megie is now Town Superintendent, and is requested, with Mr. Doty to prepare a certificate of boundary of the district for the purpose of incorporation.
July 1, 1851. Mr. Lee unanimously requested to remain. July 17. Mr. Lee asks to have his sister as assistant teacher. Oct. 27, 1851. Mr. Lee reported that he had too many scholars, both for the convenience of the house and for the preservation of his health. Trustees ask him to do the best he can and they allow him $125. a quarter and for Miss. Carpenter $37.50.
Jan. 13, 1852. Mr. Berry reported that he could get the school House painted for $25., which was appropriated for the purpose, also $17.06 for 3 Tons & 1378 1bs. of coal.
Miss Jeannette Chapman is now assistant teacher. Mrs. A. C. Whittlesey and Miss Isabelle Ross are taking pupils for the town.
April 3, 1852. The trustees agree to employ Mr. Lee and Miss Chapman another year. April 5. Discuss the propriety of enlarging the school-house.
April 19, 1852. Articles of Incorporation and Boundaries of the District are given.
May 6, 1852. The trustees are authorized to enlarge the schoolhouse. James Searing to do the work, making a double house with door in the center, and changing the old hall into a recitation room, leaving a vestibule entrance. The addition to be 26 ft. by 24. Full specifications are given. Insured for five years, for $1000.
April 7, 1853. Miss Chapman applied for the privilege of teaching a feemail School in Dover District School Number one for the year 1854 & 1855. Agreed to employ Miss Chapman at fifty Dollars per quarter, * * to be subject to the male teacher or in other words the male teacher is to take the over site of her School. Martin I. Lee is still the male teacher.
July 27, 1854. As Miss Chapman had "voluntarily resigned" Mrs. Lee was asked to take her place on the same terms.
Dec. 13, 1854. An order was made out to Mr. Lee for two weeks services as Teacher. Also an order to Mr. Cox for $125. Also an order to Miss C. Cox, for fifty dollars for one quarter's services each for teaching public school.
April 2, 1855. Mr. Cox made a report showing the evils of non-attendance during the time he has been teaching in this place. He also proposed that the district purchase a copy of Webster's quarto Dictionary. Agreed. (This was Hugh Nelson Cox.)
April 7, 1856. Rev. A. M. Palmer is Town Superintendent. John Sanford elected trustee in place of Wm. L. Young. The Town Superintendent reported the reception of Dictionary from the State.
May 6, 1856. H. N. Coxe was Secretary of the meeting.
(There is no reference to W. Irving Harvey, whose Roll Book of The Dover Academy for Oct. and Dec. 1856 has been found.)
The next meeting recorded is April 6, 1857.
S. T. Ives Esq., Sec. of Board of Trustees, having died 30th Sept. ultimo and no record of proceedings of the Board having been found either in this Book or elsewhere, nothing farther than reports of Trustees and Superintendent can be furnished as records of the past Year's business.
Dover, Apr. 7, 1859.
John A. Wilson.
The next entry is Dover, Apr. 4th, 1859. Annual Meeting On motion J. A. Wilson was elected to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of S. T. Ives Esq., Term to expire in April, 1860.
The next entry is Dover, April 2, 1860. J. H. Neighbour chairman and D. F. Calkins, Secretary. I. W. Condict was chosen in place of John A. Wilson, as trustee.
M. H. Dickerson. April 7, 1862. D. A. Derry was elected trustee for three years in place of Seats in primary room ordered changed. The "elevated seats" (in tiers) were taken out. Most of the new seats were donated by persons who had "sustained a private school in the basement of the Presbyterian church for the last two years, but for sundry reasons had ceased to continue the school longer."
The reason why the School in the basement of the Presbyterian church was relinquished was-"The Dover Select School,' growing out of that enterprise, was
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started in Prospect street in the village of Dover, and superseeded it. The lot for this institution was purchased in the spring of 1860 and the school house buildings erected during the following summer. The school was opened in Oct. following, under the care of Mr. Wm. S. Hall.
April 7, 1866. At the Annual Meeting held April, 1863, I. W. Condict was re-elected for three years. No minutes of that meeting were kept. This book of records was lost and only recovered yesterday, April 5, 1866, when it was recovered by myself, my attention being called to it by the present teacher of our public school, Mr. James Cooper. Not only was this book lost, but all the documents belonging to the school. These have not yet been recovered.
In the Spring of 1864 a new book of record was procured and regular records kept. I. W. Condict.
April 4, 1864. Titus Berry, Chairman; D. F. Calkins, Sec. Resolved that the trustees be directed to call the attention of teachers to the importance of protecting with increased care the school house and other property of the district.
April 16, 1864. Trustees met at the office of J. H. Neighbour Esq. Present Daniel Derry, James H. Neighbour, and Isaiah W. Condict. Organized by appointing J. H. Neighbour chairman and I. W. Condict secty.
Mr. L. W. Burnet, the present teacher, having for the last three weeks been unable to attend to the school on account of sickness and having failed to furnish a substitute during his illness, it was unanimously Resolved that the school be declared vacant and that the secretary inform Mr. Burnet by mail of this resolution.
Resolved that James Cooper be engaged to teach the school for the term of one quarter and that the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars be paid for such service.
During the progress of the quarter the trustees as a body visited the school and were favourably impressed with the good order of the school and the interest mani- fested by the scholars in their studies. Besides the above visit both Condict and Derry had spent some time in the schools. The Trustees feel that the primary department needs greatly cards for object teaching, and it was resolved that they be procured as soon as conveniently can be. The primary department is under the care of Miss Augusta A. Dickerson, who is engaged for the current year. On the 18th of August one set of Willson's Mounted Charts and cards were procured for the use of the schools.
On the 10th of August it was resolved by the Trustees to increase the pay of each teacher twenty dollars per quarter, making Mr. Cooper's salary $145 per quarter and Miss Dickerson's $70 per quarter.
1865 Feb. 14. Mr. Cooper rendered a list of nineteen names of scholars residing out of the district, attending the schools, coming mostly from the neighborhood of the Sweeds mine in Rockaway township ; these were excluded from farther attendance on the schools.
1865 June. It was resolved to adjourn the school during the months of July and August. School commenced September 11th, 1865.
1865 March 28. The attendance in Mr. Cooper's room numbered between forty and fifty pupils. I examined carefully and somewhat extendedly the following classes-Two in Mental Arithmetic; two classes in Practical Arithmetic; one class in English Grammar and two classes in Spelling lessons.
The Arithmetic classes acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner. They evinced great familiarity with the definitions of the science; analized readily all the mental examples given them; and the whole review was alike creditable both to the Teacher and the pupils.
The Grammar class knew their definitions well and were at no loss to answer the various questions as to the definitions and rules of syntax.
The exercises in Spelling, on the part of a few of the scholars, were well sustained; but I regret that a due regard for candor compells me to say that this exercise was very far from being satisfactory to the examinor or creditable to the school. The error in teaching has been two fold Ist Too long lessons for the capacity of the scholars and consequently but imperfectly memorized. 2d Too little attention to such words as are of common everyday use. I. W. Condict, one of the Trustees.
In the advanced department of the school, the average daily attendance has been about sixty scholars. Twenty, or 1 /3 the number pursue English Grammar, Geography, Arithmetic, definition of words with exercises in reading and penmanship. Forty or 2/3 of the no. are engaged in the branches enumerated without Grammar. The text books in use in the school are Fitches Geography, Smith's Grammar, Robinson's Arithmetic, Sanders Series of Readers and Spelling book. The average number
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attending the Primary School is Fifty-three. This department was taught by Miss Augusta Dickerson.
The Advanced department has been under the care of Mr. James Cooper, a resident of this township. Both schools were open during the months of April, May, June, September, Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan., February and March. 12 weeks in a quarter.
April 2d, 1866. A committee of three was appointed to confer with Mr. Henry McFarlin to settle definitely the boundaries of the schoolhouse lot. Messrs. Sidney Breese Titus Berry and Maj. T. J. Halsey were appointed said Committee. Trustees authorized to enclose said yard with fence and gates.
1867 April 19. Miss Dickerson closed her connection with our school this day, Mr. Cooper closed his connection with the school on the third day of July.
July 22, Miss Hattie Searing commenced school as teacher of the Primary de- partment.
September 9th, Mr. David S. Wortman of Succasunna Plains took charge of the advanced department at a salary of $700. a year. The year to consist of Forty-four weeks and five days to the week.
1867 Sept. 2d C. B. Gage, chairman. Question, Is it advisable at this time to select another site for a new school House?
1868. Mr. Wortman relieved from his contract of teaching. School offered to Mr. James Cooper.
1868. April 20th. John S. Lamson employed to teach. John Seward Lamson commenced teaching May 4th, 1868 and closed his connection with the school July 24th, 1868. July 24th Miss Hattie W. Searing closed her connection with the school.
Aug. 31, 1868. Employed Mr. W. H. Thompson to teach. Miss Orlie L. Minton to teach Primary department.
Sept. 7, 1868. A committee appointed to select a lot for a new school house.
Minutes of a Special adjourned School Meeting, Nov. 23, 1868. A Committee of four was added to the former committee to select a site for a new school building, viz .- George Richards, E. A. Stickle, A. Elliott, Henry McDavit.
1868. Dec. I .- Committee on school site reported. Two lots on Gold street were reported unsuitable. Two lots in the rear of the Private School property on the Hill were reported unsuitable on account of the steep hill. A third lot is near the Methodist church, 100 ft. in Sussex St., 200 ft. in McFarlan St., and 100 ft. in Pequannock St.
Mr. McFarlan proposes to exchange this lot on even terms for the other school lot on Morris St. The Committee recommends this exchange, and quote Mr. Pitney's opinion as to their legal rights in the old site, to this effect :-
The ground has been occupied and used for about seventy years. (That is, since 1798.) No fence has ever enclosed the grounds. There are no definite limits to the lot. The District has no paper title to the land. The District was never incorporated prior to 1852. The subject involved in much difficulty. A case for the Chancellor. The District cannot make good its title, as a transmissible title.
"The more reasonable ground upon which to place the possessing rights of the District is that of Dedication. This obtains when any proprietor of lands permits the public by any of its authorized agents or otherwise to take possession of his lands and use them for public purposes and acquiesces in such use and also when a proprietor by maps and plots published and acted upon by the community, sets apart a portion of his lands for streets, roads, public squares, sites for churches, schoolhouses and the like. This is generally done to enhance the value and quicken the sale of his other lands.
Such act or acts is called a dedication or gift to the public, and is irrevocable as soon as it is used for the purpose for which it was originally dedicated.
When such use ceases, the land dedicated reverts to the original giver.
The village of Dover furnishes a notable instance of dedication.
The elder McFarlan owned the greater portion of its (Dover's) present site and many years ago laid it out in streets and building lots. Sales were made of the lots bounding in the sides of those streets and the streets were then dedicated to the public.
Should Dover become depopulated and the public no longer have occasion to use these streets, the right to take of the soil of the streets would revert to the Mc Farlan family and estate, subject to a private right of way over the same in favor of the owner of the lots sold off. The public can use these streets only for the purpose of streets. It cannot devote them to agriculture or building.
Here is probably the origin of the possessing right of the School District in the School House grounds.
They were given by some old proprietor or rather taken from the Quaker (?)
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proprietors of East Jersey for a School House and when they cease to be used for school purposes will revert to the original giver or his heirs.
I am aware that the old school trustees before incorporation under this act may have been held to be a quasi corporation, to have corporate existence for certain purposes, as to bring a suit and the like; but I think not such corporate existence as is requisite to enable them to be the depository of a transmissible title in fee simple. For such purpose they must be indissoluble, while in truth it is notorious that the simple unincorporated School District might be divided or abolished against its wishes at the pleasure of the proper authorities.
For these reasons I think the trustees of the District cannot convey to a stranger a reliable title to the premises in question.
Nov. 28, 1868.
H. C. PITNEY.
This report was adopted.
Resolved that the trustees of this District be and are hereby authorized to sell and convey all the right, title, and interest of the District in the School property now occupied by them to Henry McFarlan for Five Hundred Dollars and accept from him a conveyance for a lot near the Methodist church, 100 by 200 feet for the same consideration.
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