USA > New York > Suffolk County > Bridgehampton > Sketches from local history > Part 6
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SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
This was built in the year 1842 at a cost of $471.00. It stood there until the year 1891, when it was sokl and moved to Narrow Lane for a dwelling house. and another school house built on the same site at
-
Third School House in District No. 9, 1842-1891
a cost of $2,500. This last house was sold and moved to Wainscott for a chapel in the year 1908. Then it was that the next school house was built on the corner of School Street and Church Lane. The lot cost $1.500, and the house $10,000.
School District No. 8 (Hay Ground)
The oklest school house of which I can find any record in this district, stood on what is now the high- way or street, about opposite the home of the late Charles Strong, on the Hay Ground Road, the site of which was pointed out to me by the late Edward M. Rogers.
This building was about 15 by 20 feet in size, both roof and uprights were shingled, one door to the west, three windows on either side, and a huge chimney and fireplace at the east end. This fireplace was large enough to hang three kettles on the crane. which swung from one side, and wide enough to take in a whole cordwood stick tour feet long. The andirons were of such ponderous size that a fourteen year old boy could hardly lift one of them, and the tongs were in keeping, both as to size and weight.
There was a board floor, but neither wall nor ceil- ing. The furniture consisted of slanting tables with seats or benches on either side of the room, for the smaller children, and a double row of desks through the center of the room lengthwise, for the older pupils. The teacher's desk stood before the fire-
place. This house was in use until about the year 1830, when it was sold and moved some distance to the west to a colored settlement, and used for a dwelling house.
Timothy Halsey, Jr. known as "Master Tim", was born in 1764, and died in 1811. He was the son of
Hay Ground School House, District No. 8, 1830-1891
the first Timothy, and his home was in Scuttle Holc. now the home of William Haines. ( 1800 map). He taught schoo' 'a this locality for a good many years. much of the time in Hay Ground. I think my grand- mother, Elizabeth Tuthill Rogers and her brothers and sisters attended his school. He was an excellent teacher for those days.
Jesse Halsey, (see 1800 map) the son of Lemuel. ( 1750 map) related the following story of an inci- dent while attending school in this old school house when Master Tim was teacher.
"For punishment at school one day, one of my schoolmates was given the generations of Shem to commit to memory as follows: Eber, Peleg. Reu. When called up before the august Master to recite. the poor boy rendered it thus : Angle, Pangle. Row. The irate Master reaching for the boy's collar with one hand, and for the ever present sappling with the other, exclaimed, while vigorously plying the rod. Aggle. Paggle the Devil, go to your seat."
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SKETCHES FROM LOC.M. HISTORY
This old house was used until about the year 1830. when the second house was built about where the present school house stands. Daniel S. Halsey taught school here when I was a boy, and at an earlier date Abraham Halsey of Water Mill. This house was sold to James H. Rogers about the year 1891, who moved it to his farm, and a new school house built. This one stood until 1912 when it was sold to John Kale, and the present house built. I am not sure but I think the second house was built by Deacon Jeremiah Haines.
I here give a list of the scholars for the term from September 28th. 1795 to March 15th. 1796, kept by Timothy Halsey, in Southampton. This was Master Tim, and it was in the Hay Ground District. . \n account of the school kept by Timothy Halsey for £ 33. 35, 4d.
Names No. Days Names No. Days
James Rogers
IOI Phebe Brown 2.4
Hiram Lupton
IOI Silas Cooper 58
Polly Halsey
91 David Loper S
Susanna Rogers
41 Hobart Halsey 134
Mary Rogers
33 Ananias Cooper 100
James Woodruff
48 Luther Corwithee 99
James Topping
109 Stafford Squires 78
Phebe Halsey
128 Jubal Tarbell 82
Jasper Halsey
68 Jane Halsey II
Luther Rose
17 . Jeremiah Haines 26
Stephen Talmadge
67 Hannah Rose 34
Sullivan Cook
1124Hannah Howel
14
Daniel Jennings
98 John Rogers. Jr.
90
Wilman Halsey
107 John Cook. Jr. 46
Mary Paine
15 Phebe Tarbell 20
Anthony Ludlow
47 Peleg Rogers 78
Halsey Woodruff
61 Squire Sandford 52
Shadrach Topping
17 Harriet Halsey 87
Sally Miller
34 Stephen Topping 100
Wheeler Cooper
51 Malby Rose 100
Stephen Rose
46 Job Haines I2
46
Abrm. Baker
135 Catherine Halsey 120
Samuel Cook
140 Samuel Brown
74
Hezekiah Halsey
43 Hannah Cook
45
Ezekiel H. Rogers
72 Austin Haines
92
Elnathan Topping
48 Luther Loper 64
John Squires
59 Herrick Aldrich
47
Names No. Days Names No. Days
Frederick Halsey
69 Abrm. Woodruff
Catherine Rogers
9 Martin Rose 61
Ludlow Halsey
15 Polly Rogers
S
Agnes Corwithee
8 Hannah Rogers
IS Jolm Lupton 16
Job Woodruff
7 Abram Miller +
Dan'l Talmadge
86 Steva Rogers 12
Nathan Rogers
114 Elizabeth Rose
-S
Halsey Cook
69 Silas Corwithee
105
William Corwithee
31 Sally Lupton
8
Susanna Halsey
26 Silas Woodruff
72
Frank Brower
5 William Rogers
97
Polly Lupton
19 Hannah Ludlow
21
Harriett Cooper
43 Elizabeth Ludlow 20
Stephen Haines
S Folgier Halsey
22
Rogers Woodruff
101 Puah Tarbell 43
Elias Ludlow
48 Stephen Rose
Zuba Rogers
39 David Haines
Peleg Cooper
109 Sylvanus Halsey
James Terry
50 Trustees of Sd. School.
Herme Halsey
16
School District No. 18
As early as 1750 a small dwelling house was owned and I presume built by Sylvanus Sandford. on the small orchard lot opposite the home of the late Henry H. Sandford on Butter Lane. At Syl- . vanus Sandford's death it went to his son, Maltby Sandford. I do not know how soon, but after a time it became vacant, and was then used as a school house. We do know it was used as such in 1810. for Edward Sandford was one of the pupils. . \t a much carlier date than this my grandfather. Gab- riel Halsey, the children of the Loper. Mitchel. Woodruff and Corwithe families attended school here. This was used as a school house until the year 1824, when the new house was built on the triangu- lar lot opposite the residence of Silas W. Corwith. Jr., on the westerly side of Huntington Path.
The following is a copy of the minutes of the first school meeting held in this district.
Jesse Halsey
17 Hugh Halsey
"At a meeting of the freehoklers and inhabitants of the 18th common school district held at the house of Mr. Silas Woodruff, Jr., on the 29th of April. 1824. Mr. Jesse Woodruff was chosen moderator, Jason Loper, Clerk.
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Jane Corwithee
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL, HISTORY
7.73.1
North District School House, District No. 18, 1824-1903
"Voted that Gabriel Halsey. John Corwith, Jr., Jason Loper be trustees for the ensuing year. Jared Loper, Collector.
"The site of the school house voted to be at the head of the lane called Mitchell lane.
"Voted that this meeting be adjourned until the 27th of May next. at 7 ock P. M. at the house of Silas Woodruff.
"Agreeable to adjournment a meeting was held at the house of Mr. S. Woodruff, on the evening of 27th of May, 1824. Silas Woodruff chosen Chair- man. Jason Loper, CLK.
"It was moved and seconded that the vote for the Site of the school house should be reconsidered & that the site should be at the Northeast corner of Mr. Corwith's orchard lot."
The following is a true list of materials used and cost of same for this school house, also the bill for labor :
"to 2300 shingles at 161/2 doll's. & 40 pik. at 1 8 $46.28
to cartage of 5 loads at 2/6-freight 3.50 5.00
to 1 M. ft. mercht. boards at $11.00. 1 1.00 to 285 it. refuse boards at 7 dell's. 2.00
to z casks lime at 14/' carting /6. 3.56 to wrought nails 8 4 I.O.4
to 8 lb. cut nails, 57 cts. .57
to nails
to, 500 feet spruce beards at 12 doll's. 6.00
00: 53 3 4 lbs. cut nails 3.80
10 30 lbs, of nails 2.50
to hinges, screws & nails 3.54
1.i bex glass 3.121%
io liused ol 6 914 lbs. led 2. 191/2
spirits turpentine 1/ brick & hair 1.0612
Hooks staple & hasp 8/ 1.00
· Door handle 4/ .50
Stove & pipe 9.59
to 2000 lath at 13/ 3.25
to 20 lbs. do. nails at / rocts 2.00
to 5 days maison work at 6/ 3.75
to inside door handle & screws. .75
to cash paid Jeremiah Haines for building House 58.00
$170.981/2"
At the last named site the house was built, the district buying the building material, the above be- ing a true copy of the original list, and Jeremiah Haines was employed as builder. His labor bill amounted to $58.00. The total cost of the build- ing was $170.981/2.
A few years later this house was moved to the hill near the residence of the late Melvin Edwards. The location of this site is shown on the 1850 map.
The Edwards house was not there at that time. but was built later by Thomas Edwards, and the land where the school house was placed was at that time common or Town land. When the school house stood on this site, Miss Abigail Halsey ( later Sweezcy) taught school there ..
The house stood on this site until 1853, when it was moved to the corner of Silas Corwith's lot on Butter Lane (see map for 1900). While here it was enlarged to meet the needs of the district, and remained on this site for just fifty years or until 1903, when the present school house was built, and the old house sold to Samuel E. Edwards, who moved it to his farm where it still stands It was sold for $72.00.
The first boy who ever attended school in this house was Richard Cook. His father though a res- ident of Hay Ground sent him to this new house. "because the old one in Hay Ground (the one I have already mentioned previously in this chapter ) was so old, cold and dilapidated." The above was told me by Mr. Cook himself, about the time the new house was built in District No. 18, in the year 1903.
.
John Cooper, quite a noted teacher in his day. taught school in this district for some time. He
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SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
was a very bright man and a great athlete. Many of the boys in the schools at that time were from some Orphan Asylum or House of Refuge, and were a pretty tough lot.
The former teacher had had some trouble with these boys, so the trustees decided to employ Cooper as teacher. When school opened the first day. Cooper was there, and part of his equipment was a good bunch of Hickory saplings, which he stood in the corner by his desk, and told the boys what they were for. He hoped he should not have to use them. but if occasion required, they would be handy.
He displayed another feature that had an equally geod effect upon these incorrigible youngsters. He boarded with Jesse Woodruff at this time ( the place owned by the late George H. Miller). When he went to school, it was said, he always went across the lots, and never touched a fence going either way.
He could jump and clear every fence with great ease, and with little apparent effort. This had such a soothing effect upon the boys that he never did have any trouble.
Later, this same teacher was employed in Sag Harbor. One of his pupils was the son of a prom- inent man of that town, who sought protection from punishment for any misdemeanor, under the social prestige of his father. One day, upon being reprov- ed. made answer : "You had better not touch me. I guess you do not know who I am. I am Colonel 's son." Whereupon Cooper gave him a good trouncing, and then told him, "Now, you can go home and tell Colonel , that liis son is a d -- n Tool."
Charles W. Dickinson was another teacher in this school. Henry H. Sandford when but a big boy. was one of his pupils. He was very uneasy, and hard to keep quiet during school hours, so Dickin- son adopted a novel method to keep him still, and not distract the minds of the students from their lessons.
Part of the school equipment was a tin pan used to bring chips from the wood pile, with which to Kindle the fire. Henry was called up by the side of the teacher's desk, made to stand on a piece of broom stick, or round stick from the wood pile, and on his head was placed the tin pan full of chips.
All was quiet for a time, but he soon tired. and
sought to change his position, when the roller car- ried his feet from under hiin. The tin pan flew and Henry measured his length on the floor.
Miss Mary Gertrude Hildreth and Miss Mary Topping also taught school here; also Charles Hl. Hildreth and Daniel S. Halsey.
School District No. 13 (Brick Kilns)
While writing about the schools in this section. I think perhaps I had better mention a district school of which but little is known. This was formerly School District No. 13. Some woukl say that is an unlucky number, no wonder it came to naught, but in its day it filled a very important place in our local history. It was known as the Brick Kiln District and the school house was located on what was later known as Peter's Garden, at the junction of the Brick Kiln Road and the road leading to the beach at Noyack Bay.
"School at the Brick Kilns February ye Ist. 1796 cont. to March the 15th. 1796 taught by Daniel Gibbs at Seven Dollars pr. month."
Names No. Days Names No. Days
Elizabeth Mary Hand 38
Stanborough 38 Jane Hand 38
Zernvian Hand 38 Patience Edwards 38
Fanny Hand
38 Russel Edwards 38
Sandford
29 John Edwards
Isaac Edwards 38 ye 3rd. 29
Elizabeth Edwards
38 Lucretia Edwards 38
Jerema Edwards
38 Dan'l. Edwards 38
Joseph Edwards 28 Sayre Stuart 38
Abigail Stuart 38 Nathan Stuart 21
Nicholas Payne 30 Henry Edwards Jr. 30
James Talmadge
25 Elias Howei
2
Polly Bennett
2
John Edwards
Josiah Hand
Henry Edwards
Trustees
Water Mill School District 1
I am confident that there was a school house in Water Mill that was built about 1740 to 1750 but I can find no record to prove this. One elderly man in that locality told me, from what he remembered hearing the old people say, there was a school house at an early date somewhere on the Cobb Road. This is the extent of my information.
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
The school house that is marked on the 1850 map. "was built in the fall of 1812. but school did not open until January ist, 1813, with Hugh Hal- sey ( later Judge) as teacher. His salary for the first quarter was $30. and I think he boarded him- self." This was from the diary of Daniel Hil- ·Areth ...
ouse was used until the year 1870 when it Id to Frank Benedict, who moved it north of the railroad for a tenant house, here it stood for sonte years, and finally was destroyed by fire. The next school house was built in 1870 and was used
Clinton Academy, East Hampton, built 1784
for some years, when it was rebuilt and enlarged into the present school house.
In this district have been a number of teachers whose ability and influence should be recognized. I cannot name all who should come under this list. but will name especially Miss Elizabeth Burnett and Abraham Halsey.
It has been, and still is, the opinion of a goodly number of men whose ability and experience should give them a right to know and judge discreetly. that there never was a time in the history of schools and educational advantages in this State. when there was more thorough and efficient work done in preparing students for college and the higli- er educational pursuits, than in the days of the dis- trict schools and academics.
The oldest academy in this State was Clinton Academy in East Hampton built in 1784 among whose alumni were many noted men.
Southampton Academy, 1831-1893
In 1859 a stock company was formed in Bridge- hampton, consisting of 50 shares of $25. each, to build and establish an academy in this place. This was built on the east side of Ocean Road, opposite Mill Hill.
The first trustees were five in number as follows : Edwin Rose, Silas W. Corwith, William Darius Halsey. Alanson Topping and James L. Haines. ilding was a two story frame structure, the lower story to be used for the school and the upper story for a hall.
Ichabod Sheffield Seabury was the architect and builder. School was opened in the fall of 1859 with Albert White, of Southampton, as teacher or prin- cipal, who taught one year. He was followed by. Samuel Herrick, who also taught one year. Then Albert White taught another year. Then came An- drew E. Warner, of Chester, Conn., who taught for five years, or from 1862 to 1867. He was the first principal that I remember, and that was from the fact that he used to come to my Father's home and bring a small organ, on which he played to lead the company in singing.
The Rev. George R. Howell succeeded Warner. then came the Rev. William Lawrence, each of these teaching one year. Then Edwin Hedges taught for three years. This brings us to 1872.
That year Prof. Lewis W. Hallock began a very successful career as principal of this academy. In 1875 this institution was incorporated under the Board of Regents of the State of New York, and the name changed to "Bridgehampton Literary and Commercial Institute." At this time Prof. Charles 11. Howell was the efficient and highly respected as- sistant principal, and this school became one of the
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SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
most prosperous institutions of learning on all Long Island, and deservedly so.
The bell in the old academy was bought with the proceeds of an exhibition or play given by the students, and is at this time in the custody of the Hampton Library, and may be seen in the Art Room of that Institution.
Prof. Hallock taught here until 1908, when the school was discontinued, and the building sold. Abra-
. ham Osborn buying one half, moved it to Poxabogue for a dwelling. Arthur Hallock bought the other half and moved it to the north side of Sagaponack Road, near Sagg Swamp, where it now stands.
There were numerous private schools throughout this entire section from the time of the first settle- ment. On the map for 1850 may be seen the loca- tion of the schoolhouse of Andrew Fordham, a most efficient teacher, and a remarkable penman, as is evi- denced by the penmanship of so many of his pupils. He was the son of John Fordham, the blacksmithi. (see 1800 map) in Hay Ground. This house was afterward bought by Charles Topping and m' to Mecox (see maps for 1850 & 1900).
Miss Emma Rose taught a school in her Father's house in Hay Ground (Dr. Rufus Rose). she also taught embroidery and sewing and the making of samplers, many specimens of the work done under her instruction may be seen in the homes in this community to this day. She was a sister of Col. Edwin Rose.
Miss Sophronia Topping (later Burnett ) taught a private school in Poxabogue. The Misses Nancy and Maria Halsey also taught for years in their home on Ocean Road, now the Peck property next to the Kahle home. It was in this house many years later that they were assaulted by Charles Rugg. (of Maybee murder fame).
Mrs. Nancy K. Hedges and her daughter Maria taught for many years in their home on Lumber Lane, and Miss Susan Beard (later Corwith) was a very successful teacher in Bridgehampton for some years, as was also Miss Katherine P. Halsey. who had a class of young ladies in this place, and taught in the room that was formerly the law office of her grandfather, Judge Hugh Halsey. (see map for 1850). On this same map may be seen the loca- tion of the home of Miss Ruth Corwith, on Mit- chel's Lane, who taught school there some years,
Bridgehampton Academy, 1859-1907
and Miss Elvira Sandford, when a little girl, at- tended her school. Miss Corwith afterward mar- ried Jason Loper.
Back of where James S. Havens' blacksmith shop stood and west of the J. Havens' house on the 1900 map was a select school kept for a time by a Mr. Gray, brother of the Presbyterian minister, and I think others kept school in this building after Mir. Gray went away. Some think this may have been part of the old "Two Chimney School House." I doubt it, though it is possible it may have been.
In Water Mill, Miss Abigail Halsey and a Miss Burnett both kept select schools.
In the early days the school houses were used for other purposes than day schools. Religious services were often held in the different districts.
The late Judge Henry P. Hedges said that when he was a boy, the general election was held in the school districts. The Town Meeting was held in East Hampton. This was entirely new to me, and I have since wondered if that method applied only to the township of East Hampton. He being a resi- dent of that town ought to know.
In closing this chapter on schools. I wish to quote from an old spelling book in my possession.
In the year 1693, by act of the Colonial Legisla- ture the name of Long Island was changed to "The Island of Nassau."
I have a "Guide to the English Tongue." by Thomas Dyche. "School-master at Stratford Bow. London, Published in 1730." On the fly-leaf of which is written :
"Edward Howell, His spelling book, given hin
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SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
by the Society In England for the propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and Delivered to him by said Societies School Master at Bridgehampton on the Island of Nassau, In the Colony of New York, (Nork) North America. January 13th, 1734- 5.
By Edward Davis."
Then are the following inscriptions :
"Edward Howell, His Book, Given him by his Father, December Ye 2, 1742."
"Ezekiel Howell, His Book, Given him by his Father, December Ye 2nd, 1763."
This Ezekiel was the ancestor of the Howell family of Poxabogue. His father was the Edward mentioned above. This Edward's father and grand- father were both named Richard, and going back to the next generation we have the Edward who was the first settler in the Southampton colony by that name, and the one who built the first watermill at Water Mill.
CHURCHES AND MINISTERS
The Church history of this locality has been so fully written by the different historians that it ap- pears superfluous to dwell upon that subject. The Hon. Henry P. Hedges has covered the ground thoroughly. The Rev. George R. Howell made it almost a life study. Mr. James T. Adams gives a full account of the Churches and their history. What more can be said on this subject? I am just going to make a few comments, and relate a few incidents concerning the Churches and their Minis- ters from the date of the first colony, to the year 1900, the date of the last map.
We have always been taught to revere and honor the Pilgrims, but when we look into and study their history, and note the manner of treatment they met- ed out to those who differed from them, especially in their religious views. I am led to believe that the
Site of First Church in Bridgehampton on Bridge Lane
First Church in Bridgehampton (Sagg) 1671
little band that settled in Southampton must have been about the best men of all the Massachusetts Colony. I think as a rule they were religious, but by no means wild fanatics.
The first church was of course built in Southamp- ton, and was the only one in the Colony for many years. After the land from Water Mill to Saga- ponack had been settled on, for at least 30 years, the people all went to Southampton to church. The first church in Bridgehampton was built on Bridge Lane about the year 1671. (the exact date is not known) angl stood 14 rods west of Sagg Pond on the north side of the road. (see 1700 map ). In size it was 25 by 35 feet, with a thatched roof, and a fire- place. Ministers from Southampton as a rule, came . to Bridgehampton and conducted services quite fre- quently. There was no regular minister until the spring of 1694, though there had been for some
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SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
time a desire on the part of many to have this sec- tion set off as a separate parish, and have a minister of their own.
On August 24th, 1686, it was voted "That ye In- habitants of mecox and sagaponack that is eastward of the wading place shall be Released from paying their proportion of the yearly maintenance of Mr. Whiting from October next upon condition that if they shall be without a minister there at Sagaponack for the space of a year," etc. (Mr. Whiting was the minister at Southampton). We know that they did pay their proportion of the yearly maintenance referred to until the year 1694. we also know that by an Act, passed May 16th. 1699. Bridgehampton was made a "Distinct Parish."
There is little doubt but that the church people had written to the Massachusetts Colony as to pro- curing a minister for the Bridgehampton Church. I here quote frem a letter written by the Rev. William Vesey. (The man for whom Vesey Street in New York City was named.)
"I have been a com- municant of the Church of England ever since I was 15 years, and after I had my Degree in the College of New England. by the advice of some of our Church ( not being of age to receive Orders ) I preached six months in Sagg. two years at Hemstead, in this Prov- REV. WILLIAM VESEY First regular Minister in First Church ince. ( where I presume my life and doctrine were no disservice to our Church ) and after that, three months in the Church in Boston at the request of Mr. Miles and the Church Wardens, and then in the 24th. year of my age I was called Nov. 2nd, 1696, by the Church Wardens and Vestry of the City of New York to officiate as Minister persuant of an Act of Assembly as will ap- pear in the enclosed minutes of the said Vestry: . Ic- cordingly I departed hence for England, and there was honored by the University of Oxford with the Degree of Master of Arts. July 12th. 1696, ordained Priest the end of AAugust following, and the same
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