USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 60
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
it. It does not appear what was done with this petition, nor is there any mention on the records of the grant referred to in it. The first schoolmaster in Providence, of whom any memorial remains, was William Turpin. When he came is not known, but he was here on the 11th of June, 1684. on which date he executed an agreement with William Hawkins and Lydia, his wife, to furnish Peregrine Gardner with board and schooling for one year, for £6, and to re- ceive his pay in provisions at stipulated prices. The course of in- struction was to comprehend reading and writing.
In January, 1685, Mr. Turpin petitioned the town that a certain grant of land which had years before been offered for the encourage- ment of a schoolmaster to settle among them should be laid out to him. No memorandum remains to show whether the petition was granted or not, but Mr. Turpin continued to reside in the town for many years, holding the offices of representative to assembly in 1722 and 1723, town clerk in 1727, and town treasurer ficm 1722 to 1736, and again from 1743 to 1744, in which year he died. In January. 1696, John Dexter, William Hopkins and others petitioned the town for a piece of land on Dexter's lane or Stampers' hill, on which to erect a school house. The petition was granted, but we know noth- ing definitely as to the further progress of the enterprise.
When the proprietors divided the land lying on the west side of North and South Main streets into warehouse lots they left a lot op- posite the west end of the court house parade for a school lot. The first reference to it is on the plat of the warehouse lots bearing date in 1747. How long it had then been set off cannot now be ascer- tained. Nor can it be learned at what date a school house was erec- ted upon it. The first notice of it that diligent search of the town records reveals is in 1752. In that year Nicholas Cooke, Joseph Olney, Esek Hopkins, Elisha Brown and John Mawney were appoin- ted "to have the care of the town school house, and to appoint a master to teach in said house." The school committee men the fol- lowing year were: Nicholas Cooke, John Mawney, Nicholas Brown, Elijah Tillinghast and Daniel Abbot. The next year the school house was leased by the town to Stephen Jackson, schoolmaster, from March 1st, for three months. No further reference is made to the matter until 1763, when the town clerk was directed to lease the house again. The schoolmaster probably received all his compensa- tion from his pupils. The town, as a corporation, simply furnished a room at a fixed rental.
There were at least two other schools in town as early as 1763. Mr. George Taylor, in 1735, had the use of a chamber in the state house to keep a school in; and in 1751 Gideon Comstock, Alexander Frazier, Joseph Potter, Thomas Angell, James Field, Barzillai Rich- mond and Nehemiah Sprague had permission to build a school house on the west side of the river, "on vacant land a little above
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Joseph Snow, Jr.'s, dwelling house, the street being wide enough." They asserted that they had then subscribed enough to erect a house. After the court house was burned in 1758 the town people endeavored to possess themselves of the lot on which it had stood, in lieu of the one on Main street. Notwithstanding the court house lot had been originally granted only for the use of a "colony house," and the school house lot only for a school house, in February, 1765, these diffi- culties were overcome, and a committee of the town transferred the fee of the latter and received the fee of the former.
In 1767 the town again took up the subject of education, with the apparent design of providing schools for all the children of the in- habitants. At a town meeting, December 8th, they resolved to pur- chase or build three school houses for small children and one for youth, to provide instructors, and pay the expense from the treasury, and these schools were to be under the supervision of a school com- mittee. Committees were appointed-John Brown, John Jenckes, Nathaniel Greene, Charles Keene and Samuel Thurber on locations for the houses and contracts for their erection; and Darius Sessions, Samuel Nightingale, Jabez Bowen and Moses Brown on regulations for building, supporting and governing the schools. The plan so generously laid was defeated, however, by vote of the people in town meeting, in January, 1768. Some extracts from the plan reported by the committee, and thus rejected by the vote, largely, it is said, of the poorer class of inhabitants, are of peculiar interest, and we quote them:
"It is hereby enacted that four school houses be erected or pur- chased within the compact part of this town as scon as may be. That one be purchased, or a new one built, on the west side of the great bridge, at or near the place where the school house at present stands; that one be erected at the southerly part of the town, in the back street, near Power's Lane; that one other be built at the northerly part of the town, in the back street, near Richard Brown's lot; and that one larger one be erected on the lot where the old court house formerly stood. The three small ones not to cost more than three hundred pounds, lawful money; to be built of wood, and pretty near the form and dimensions of that one over the great bridge already built."
" That the school house already built on the west side of the great bridge shall remain under the direction of the present proprietors till such time as all the other houses shall be finished and fit for the reception of scholars; that then all the four houses shall be furnished with masters at the expense of the town."
" That every inhabitant of this town, whether they be free of the town or not, shall have and enjoy an equal right and privilege of sending their own children and the children of others that may be under their care for instruction and bringing up to any of all of the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
said schools. And that each and every scholar, before they be ad- mitted into any of the small schools, shall have learnt their letters and acquired some acquaintance with spelling. And before they be per- mitted to enter the larger school, they must have gained consider- able knowledge in reading and writing, and that all those who may be thus qualified shall and may be admitted to all the advantages of education that may be taught in either of the respective schools."
" That not exceeding two hours in each day shall be taken up in the large school in perfecting the scholars in reading, accenting, pronouncing and properly understanding the English tongue. That the remaining school hours shall be employed in teaching the chil- dren and youth in writing, arithmetic, the various branches of mathe- matics, and the learned languages."
" That the masters in each school, during the common school hours, shall be obliged to give a constant attention to the duties of their offices, and not engage in any employ that might impede the due instruction of the youth under their care, and also that they keep up in their several departments a strict, but not passionate and severe discipline."
The plan of what may be termed a liberal provision, for the time, being thus rejected, the town resolved to build one brick school house, 30x40 feet and two stories high, to be located near the court house. The plan for raising funds for this building was that the pro- ceeds of the school house lot sold in 1765 should be increased by £100, to be raised by tax, and £182, 17s. should be raised by volun- tary subscription. The sum to be raised by subscription was prob- ably equal to the sum provided by tax and the proceeds of the old school house lot. In the house so built the town agreed to support a free school, to be under the direction of a committee of nine, of which the members of the town council were to be er-officio a part. This plan failed because of a lack of subscriptions, and on the first day of February a town meeting voted to apply the money from the old school house lot to the erection of a school house, and increase it as far as it could be by subscriptions. The subscription was filled by the middle of July, and John Smith was appointed to build the house. This building was erected and stood for many years. The town had the ownership of the lower story, while the proprietors held the upper story. Subsequent to this the town frequently appointed masters to keep school in their part of the house, and passed rules and regulations for the good government of both the schools kept in it. A school committee was also frequently appointed, which visited these schools occasionally, as well as the other private schools kept in the town.
School matters were managed in this weak, half-hearted and gen- erally unsatisfactory manner for several years. "Whipple Hall," a wooden school house, which had been erected near the north end of
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Benefit street, together with the " brick school house," was in 1785 placed in charge of the town at a rental fee, and the town undertook to maintain schools in them. All monies which should be received of the state, or of the United States, for damage done to the " brick school house " during the revolutionary war; all rents that should be received for market house cellar, chambers and stalls, and all wharf- age to be received on the market house lot, were set apait asa fund for the support of public schools. The funds thus obtained were scarcely more than sufficient to keep the houses in repair, so that the public school was not yet realized.
In 1791 some of the citizens petitioned the town to establish free schools, and the petition was referred to the school committee. The presence of the Rhode Island College in the community, and the influence of its active and earnest President Manning, were factors which kept the question of free public schools in a state of unrest despite the strong conservative element in the community which would not allow the progressive plans which were from time to time resolved upon, to go into actual effect. The school committee reported noble plans for building a number of school houses and supporting schools in them, but they were left to slumber indefi- nitely. In September, 1792, the town again resolved to establish free schools, and directed the town council to carry into effect the report of the committee of the previous year. But again conservatism blocked the wheels of progress, and nothing was done. There were at that time 1,265 male white children under 16 years of age in the town. For several years after the date last mentioned frequent directions were given for the repair of the " brick school house " by the town, and for the drawing up of regulations for the schools, but nothing more appears to have been done about free schools. In Sep- tember, 1795, the town again resolved to establish "schools for the free education of the children of the inhabitants of the town, and that the expense of supporting the same be defrayed out of the town treasury." Nothing, however, was accomplished of practical value.
In October, 1798, the Providence Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers appointed a committee to "enquire into the most desirable method for the establishment of Free Schools." The committee recommended application to the general assembly. A petition was accordingly prepared, asking the general assembly to make legal provision for the establishment of free schools in the several towns of the state. This petition was signed by John How- land. Joel Metcalf, William Richmond, Peter Grinnell, Richard An- thony, Grindall Reynolds, Samuel Thurber, Jr., and Nathan Fisher, who composed the committee. The memorial was presented by the representative from Providence at the February session in 1799, and the subject was referred to a committee who reported by presenting a bill at the June session. The bill was printed and referred to the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
freemen for instruction. In October following it was passed by the house, and in February, 1800, it was concurred in by the senate, and thus became a law. It met with great opposition in the assembly and among the people, and in February, 1803, it was repealed. But the repeal came too late to deprive Providence of the benefit of free public schools. The " dead center" of opposition had been over- come, the wheel of progress had been fairly started, and it was not to be easily reversed.
Soon after the passage of the act in 1800 the freemen of Provi- dence recommended the town council to provide school houses and regulations for the free schools of the town. They voted a tax of $6,000 and other monies, proceeding from the sale of certain lands called the " Walker lots," and from the "Great Bridge Lottery," to be appropriated to school purposes. "Whipple Hall," which stood on the site later occupied by Benefit street grammar school, was bought by the freemen and some $500 expended on it for repairs- The " brick school house " was also bought and fitted up more per- fectly. A new house was built in Transit street, and another new house was built on the west side of the river, on a high hill near the present corner of Friendship and Claverick streets. On the 26th of August the freemen appointed a school committee, who were an advisory body only, to act in association with the town council in matters pertaining to the schools. This committee was composed of the following persons: Jonathan Maxey, Enos Hitchcock, Stephen Gano, William Jones, James Burrill, John Howland, Jabez Bowen, David L. Barnes, Amos M. Atwell and John Carlisle. Rules and regulations for the government of the schools were adopted, a copy of the rules and regulations of the schools of Boston having been procured, and many hints being obtained from that. From the regu- lations thus adopted we copy the following:
"The good morals of the youth being a matter of the highest consequence, both to their own comfort, and to their progress in use- ful knowledge, they are strictly enjoined to avoid idleness and pro- faneness, falsehood and deceitfulness, and every other wicked and disgraceful practice; and to conduct themselves in a sober, orderly and decent manner, both in and out of school.
" The principal part of the instruction will consist in teaching spelling, accenting and reading both prose and verse, with propriety and accuracy, and a general knowledge of English grammar and com- position; also, writing a good hand, according to the most approved rules, and vulgar and decimal fractions, including tare and tret, fel- lowship, exchange, interest, &c.
" The books to be used in carrying on the above instruction are Alden's Spelling Book, 1st and 2d parts, the Young Ladies' Accidence, by Caleb Bingham, the American Preceptor. Morse's Geography abridged, the Holy Bible in select portions, and such other books as
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
shall hereafter be adopted and appointed by the committee. The book for teaching arithmetic shall be agreed on by the Masters."
All the preliminary arrangements having been made, the four schools were opened on the last Monday in October, 1800. The most encouraging circumstances attended the opening of the schools. The number of scholars was greater than had been anticipated. The schools were all well filled with pupils, and that in the fourth district, which included the west part of the town, was soon so full that it became necessary to set off a part of it to the second district, in Meeting street. Still the school in the fourth district continued so large that the second story of the school house was finished for school purposes, the vestry of the Beneficent Congregational church meanwhile being temporarily hired to accommodate part of the school. By the 23d of December following the opening of the schools there were in attendance 180 pupils in the first district, 230 in the second, 240 in the third, and 338 in the fourth, making a total of 988 pupils, out of a population of 7,615. These schools were under the charge of four masters, each of whom received a salary of $500 per annum. Four " ushers " or assistants were also appointed at a salary of $200 each. An auxiliary school was also soon established in the fourth district, and a teacher appointed for it, at a salary of $400. Thus the annual amount paid for tuition alone was $3,200. This ar- rangement continued till 1812. The number of scholars attending the public schools during these twelve years rarely, if ever, exceeded 800. From 1812 to 1818 there were five schools, each having a mas- ter and an usher, with salaries the same as before. In the latter year the town council increased the salaries of the ushers to $250 each.
In 1819 a stone school house, standing near the Summer street grammar school building of a later date, was built one story high, a second story being afterward added. In October, 1819, the west part of the town was divided into two districts, the fourth retaining the old school house and the fifth occupying a new house in Pond street. This arrangement did not increase the number of schools, as that in the second story of the fourth was now removed to the fifth. From that time to 1824 the schools and teachers remained the same in num- ber. In 1824 an additional teacher was employed, at a salary of $300, to take charge of a part of the school in the first district, in a separate room. Thus the schools remained until 1828.
In 1828, an "Act to establish Free Schools " throughout the state was passed at the January session of the general assembly. A vigor- ous attempt was then made to reorganize the school system of this town. A sub-committee was appointed, consisting of Francis Way- land, Jr., William T. Grinnell and Thomas T. Waterman, who were to take the whole subject under consideration and recommend such alteration and improvements as they might deem necessary. A
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
very able and exhaustive report was made by them on the 22d of April. This prepared the way for several important changes. A town meeting, to act under the new school law, was held June 2d, 1828. The school committee was now increased in number to 21 members. One of the first acts of this committee was to establish primary schools in all the districts-the first effort in the direction of graded schools. The primary schools took pupils from four to seven or eight years of age. The primary schools were provided with fe- male teachers, whose annual salary was $175 each. and they had each from 60 to 80 pupils. It soon became necessary to employ an assist- ant in each school, and their salary was $100 each. Previous to 1828 no special provision had been made for colored pupils. A few had attended the public schools. In that year a school was established for them, with one male teacher, on a salary of $400 a year.
In 1835 the salaries of masters were raised to $600; of ushers to $300; of primary teachers to $200; of their assistants to $125; and of the master of the colored school to $450. Female assistants in the grammar schools were first employed in 1836. As vacancies occurred among the ushers they were filled by the substitution of lady assist- ants, two in number, at a salary of $175 each. The resignation of all the ushers had in a year or two given room for the employment of lady assistants in all the grammar schools. In August, 1835. the question of establishing a high school for the benefit of the advanced pupils of the city was urged by the school committee, but the city council, after discussing the question, pronounced it " not expedient at this time."
Early in 1837 the Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers memorialized the city council, representing the condition of the schools as ineffective, and setting forth by facts and figures cited, and logical arguments, the need of a re-organization of the system. A committee was appointed to report on plans, but their report was not approved. Another plan was presented, but this was also rejec- ted. The people had now become aroused to the needs of the time, and in the election of council members and aldermen in 1837 special reference was had to this question. The result was the election of a city council, a large majority of whom were in favor of an entire re- organization of the public school system of the city. A sub-commit- tee was appointed in August, who visited the schools in Boston, Salem, Lowell and New Bedford, and, after gathering what useful hints they could from them, reported a plan for re-organizing the system, which plan was under discussion, in the face of much oppo- sition, for several months. The plan was at length reduced to an ordinance, and after some amendments and alterations, was passed by the city council April 9th, 1838. This act provided for the estab- lishment of a high school, six grammar schools, ten primary schools and two schools for colored pupils. All instruction given in them
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
should be free to the children of the city. The high school was to be under the care of a preceptor and one or more assistants; each grammar school was to be under the care of a master and at least two female assistants, or one male assistant, at the discretion of the school committee; each primary school under the care of a principal and one assistant; and each colored school under a principal and an assistant, whenever, in the opinion of the school committee, the as- sistant was needed.
Contracts for the erection of all the school houses contemplated in the ordinance were soon made. The office of superintendent of public schools was meanwhile created, and Mr. Nathan Bishop was appointed to that office, and he entered upon the discharge of his duties August 1st, 1839. Early in the year 1840 thirteen of the new school rooms were completed. At the commencement of the summer term in that year all these rooms, containing accommodations for about 2,000 children, were opened for the reception of pupils. Al- though several of the new school houses contemplated in the ordi- nance had not been completed, yet the new school system dates the commencement of its operation from the first day of June, 1840. At that time a large number of additional teachers were appointed, and the new scale of salaries was for the first time allowed.
The average number of children attending the schools from 1819 to this time (1840) each year was as follows: 1819, 830; 1820. 846; 1821, 796; 1822, 845; 1823, 812; 1824, 852; 1825, 806; 1826, 744; 1827, 886; 1828, 1,000; 1829, 1,260; 1830, 1,205; 1831, 1,127: 1832, 941; 1833, 1,129; 1834, 1,222; 1835, 1,266; 1837, 1,536; 1838, 1,717; 1839, 1,740.
Thus it will be seen the number of scholars in all the public schools of the city had never exceeded 1,740. The first day on which the new system went into operation, in 1840, more than a thousand pupils entered the public schools who had never been to one before. The number of scholars increased every month, as the prejudice which had long existed against public schools was gradually re-
moved. All the rooms were soon crowded to excess. The city council was soon called upon to establish additional primary schools and to erect houses for their accommodation. Within two years the number of scholars in the public schools was more than double that in attendance under the old system. The grammar schools were so full that many pupils who were prepared to enter upon the course of studies therein pursued could not be admitted. To provide for this class a new grade, the intermediate, was introduced into the system. This took in the lowest classes of the grammar schools and the high- est classes of the primary schools. Before the close of the year 1842 all the new school houses required by the public school ordinance were completed, except the building for the high school. The ex- pense of erecting these school buildings was so much more than was expected that a strong opposition was raised against building the
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high school, and the question was submitted to a vote of the city. The result was a large majority in favor of its erection. The build- ing was now begun, but before its completion efforts were again made to prevent its being used for a high school. A city hall was wanted, and a petition to the city council, praying them to repeal the portion of the school ordinance that related to the high school, and appropriate the new building to the uses of a city hall, was industri- ously circulated, but without avail. The building was completed, and its dedication took place on the 20th of March, 1843. The house was built by Tallman & Bucklin, of this city, architects, at a cost of about $8,000. Its site, on an elevated lot at the head of President street, was purchased of Sally Thompson in 1839 for $5,500. The whole cost of building, site, grading, curbing and other incidentals was $21,484.79. The superintendent of schools became at the com- mencement the principal of the high school, with four assistant teachers. The four assistants with which the school began were: Henry Day, Albert Harkness, Esther J. Coburn and Mary Williams.
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