USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 40
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"4th mo., 1777, Moses Farnum, Moses Brown, Thomas Lapham, Job Scott, Elisha Thornton, Samuel Aldrich, George Arnold, Ante- past Earle and David Steere are appointed to draw up a plan for establishing a free school among Friends."
This committee reported, two months later, that the donation of Rachel Thayer be used toward the support of a school; that subscrip- tions for that purpose be received at each preparative meeting; and that a teacher be procured at once. It was further recommended that proper measures be taken in regard to the places for holding the schools, the pupils who should attend, the rules which should govern them and the teachers to be employed. The report was given a favor- able acceptance and the meeting appointed a school committee, which was probably the first in northern Rhode Island. It was composed of Thomas Steere, Moses Farnum, David Steere, Moses Brown, Ezekiel Comstock, Benjamin Arnold, Rufus Smith, Daniel Cass, George Smith, Samuel Aldrich, Gardner Earle, David Buffum and Thomas Lap- ham, Jr.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Under their direction schools for the poor were taught and the way was paved for a general free.school system, to be maintained by the towns. The time for such a movement seemed to have come in 1800, when the town of Smithfield voted an appropriation of $2,200 for the maintenance of 24 schools, which should be free to all. This measure appears to have met the approval of a majority of the citizens, for a similar sum was voted, for the same purpose, in August, 1802. But for some reason there was brought about an antagonistic sentiment which was so strong that a special meeting was called the following month, and the vote was repealed. This action discouraged the friends of free schools, and for some time their support, by the town, was not attempted. But through the zeal and enterprise of some pub- lic-spirited women, a free school was maintained several years more. In other localities the more progressive neighbors united and had pri- vate schools in their houses, sometimes with success, but at other times, with the indifferent teachers in charge, these schools were mere travesties. However, the general effect was good, and when the benefits of an education, as revealed in the academies which were now maintained, became apparent, there was formed an unchange- able purpose that all should enjoy the privilege of attending school. This determination became so strong, after 1820, that it forced the acceptance of free schools as permanent institutions of the town.
The first of the academies which helped to create this sentiment was located near Slatersville, and the genial and learned Elisha Thornton, the Quaker minister of that period, was the principal. For 30 years prior to 1800 he labored there untiringly to promote the cause of education, and succeeded in imparting mental and moral en- lightenment to many young men who afterward took up the work in other localities as teachers or as active patrons of free schools.
In its own locality the academy at Cumberland Hill radiated an in- fluence which was equally conspicuous. The impress of such teach- ers as Doctor Ariel Ballou and Ira B. Peck was potent in developing a sentiment favorable for general education; and after these princi- pals had retired from the academy and became business men of Woonsocket, they were among the most active in promoting free schools of the town .*
The old Smithfield Academy at Union Village exerted a more direct influence upon Woonsocket than either of the foregoing, and was, practically, for many years, the high school of the place. For a long time it maintained the distinction of having cabinets of miner- als and chemicals equal to those of Brown University, and had also fine apparatus. The institution had its origin in an act of the general assembly, passed in February, 1810, when Peleg Arnold, Richard Steere, Ezekiel Comstock, Joel Aldrich, John N. C. Baxter and David
* Ira B. Peck became distinguished as an author of genealogical works, and was also a noted antiquarian.
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Aldrich were incorporated as the trustees of the Smithfield Academy, with power to hold property to the amount of $5,000. The act also authorized Peleg Arnold, Marcus Arnold and George Aldrich to raise by lottery the sum of $1,500 for the erection of buildings. This lot- tery was divided into two classes, the first being managed by George Aldrich and Arnold Paine. It was not successful, and the receipts were not enough to cover their personal expenses. The second class was managed by George Aldrich and Marcus Arnold with more fort- unate results. They were able to pay all expenses and half the cost of building the academy. The other half was paid by Joel Aldrich, who subsequently lay claim to the ownership of the building; and when it was abandoned for school purposes it was sold by his heirs, the purchaser removing it to convert it into a dwelling.
In 1811 the school was opened with David Aldrich, a son of Joel, as the teacher. He died in 1814, and Josiah Clark was the next teacher, remaining but a short time. John Thornton was the next principal, and remained six years. He was a son of Elisha Thornton, the former principal of the old Slatersville Academy, and like his fa- ther was a learned man. But unlike his father he was severe in his manner and methods, which affected his popularity.
The next principal was George D. Prentice, who afterward became so favorably known as the poet-editor of the Louisville Journal. He is remembered as a successful teacher and genial companion, who de- lighted to ramble over the hills when not in the school room. It is said that besides "teaching the young idea how to shoot," he was an expert at shooting with the pistol at marks in the woods. Caleb Ward Wilson was another esteemed teacher, but soon relinquished the place on account of poor health. Christopher Robinson was a suc- cessful principal, abandoning the teacher's profession for that of the law, which opened for him a wider field for the exercise of his talents.
The principalship of James Bushee, being so long continued, gave the most character to the academy. He took charge of the school in 1830 and remained until 1853. After his retirement the mission of the academy appears to have been ended, and it was soon after perma- nently closed. Mr. Bushee was a thorough educator and labored effectively in moulding the character and directing the mental train- ing of hundreds of youths who attended his school. He removed to a neighboring state, but in 1882 returned to Union Village, and for six years taught a small private school. Here, near the scenes of his former labors, he died December 20th, 1888, aged 83 years. A fine row of linden trees, which he had planted, marks the site of the old academy.
Under a condition of things which had limited the attendance at school to but a few, there was naturally a preponderance of ignorant youth, uncouth if not vulgar in manner, and having but a vague idea of the relations which should exist between pupil and teacher. When
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the free school system here went into effect the population was in a process of development, reaching a point where physical development was considered paramount to mental culture, and hence the first teachers of these schools were not especially noted for their learning. One of the chief requisites which they must possess if they wished to be employed was muscular development, so that they could effectually control their schools. But, happily, a better state of affairs soon pre- vailed, and " book learning" among teachers and pupils was given a proper place in the economy of school government. The standard for qualification on the part of teachers was elevated, and the com- munity learned to esteem those whose skill and not their strength enabled them to " keep" school.
When the free schools were established there were within the limits of the present city of Woonsocket eight districts, two on the old Smithfield side and six on the old Cumberland side. In the for- mer part the schools were taught at Globe and at Bernon. At the latter place a building was leased from the old Woonsocket Company in 1832, which was used for more than 30 years, and the schools taught in it were generally excellent. In 1876, a new site for the Bernon school was secured on one of the hills on that side of the river, where a very fine brick structure was erected, which was first occupied in September, 1876. Seven years later the value of this property, on Grove street, was reported as $14,808. The old school house site has become the property of the Presbyterian church.
The fine school house at Globe was built in 1841, and for 17 years the schools kept in it were supported chiefly by the state fund, there being, consequently, but short terms. Later more interest was mani- fested and longer terms were taught by better teachers. In 1874 a very fine new school edifice was erected for this part of the town on Providence street at a cost of more than $15,000. This house was ap- propriately dedicated April 22d, 1875, and the surroundings have since been improved.
On the Cumberland side there were in 1828 three districts, which were soon subdivided until there were six districts. Of these, No. 1 embraced that part around the " falls." Dexter Ballou was the com- mittee man and there were 198 pupils. No 2 included first Social and Jenckesville, but the latter being set off was called No. 17. There were 74 pupils and Nelson Arnold had charge of the affairs of this district. No. 2 had Smith Arnold as committee man and 70 pupils. No. 3 em- braced the country part of the town, with 84 pupils and Reuben Dar- ling commmittee man. In 1838 district No. 19 was formed out of No. 1, there being 145 pupils, and Ariel Ballou was the committee man. Two years later the sixth district was formed out of No. 2 (the "Social ") and was called No. 20. Joseph Smith was the first com- mittee man. In none of the above districts was there a noteworthy school building, and several of them rented houses for school pur-
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poses. In 1845 the pupils in the six districts numbered 1,015 and $997.95 was used in the support of the schools,
The following year a movement was set on foot to consolidate dis- tricts Nos. 1, 19, 2 and 20, but the end was not accomplished until the fall of 1849. November 30th, that year, the organization was fully ef- fected, and the first officers chosen were: John Boyden, moderator; Olney Arnold, clerk; Elijah B. Newell, treasurer; Christopher Robin- son, Bethuel A. Slocumb, Robert Blake, trustees. Meantime, a high school building was being put up for the use of the new district on a large lot donated for this purpose by Edward Harris. It was a frame, 47 by 50 feet, three stories high, and cost, when fully completed, about $13,000. The first school in it was taught in the winter of 1849, and it was used until its destruction by fire October 16th, 1875. At that time the property with its fixtures was valued at $25,000. The school was then transferred to the brick block of the Social Company until a new house could be erected. The present high school is on the old site, which has a central location on high ground. It is a stately two story edifice, erected in 1876 by Nathaniel Elliott, after plans drawn by General William R. Walker, of Providence, and cost to complete nearly $40,000. The material is pressed brick and stone, resting on granite foundations, forming a most substantial structure, 74 by 78 feet, with extending entrance ways, making the entire length 105 feet. The interior of the building is divided into eight spacious rooms, which are finely finished and well supplied with furniture of modern con- struction.
In other parts of the city school buildings of pleasing architecture have in recent years been erected, and in 1889 there were in all 14 buildings whose aggregate value was about $150,000. These school houses were known as the High School, on Boyden street, Grove street, Providence street, Hope street, North Main street, Social street, Jenckesville, Arnold street, High street, Fairmount, Park avenue, Clinton street, Summer street and Union, on Mendon Road; and in these buildings 45 teachers were employed.
The consolidation of part of the districts of the town proved so sat- isfactory that efforts were made as early as 1876 to form a complete union of all the districts. But that desirable result was not secured until half a dozen years later. At the June town meeting in 1882 the Reverends Charles J. White, Eugene E. Thomas, Charles .Nason, Al- exander Anderson and Joseph L. Miller were appointed a committee, instructed to report on the feasibility of the consolidation, which was strongly recommended by them. An act was passed by the general assembly in January, 1883, authorizing the measure, and the consum- mation of the union has been attended with the best results. The standard of the schools has been elevated, and still greater proficiency has been attained. The course of study pursued in these schools is very comprehensive, and the graduates from the high school give evi-
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dence of a training equal to that of other first-class schools. From 80 to 90 pupils are enrolled in this school yearly. The principals have been men of learning and reputation as teachers, whose services have usually been properly recognized. Among them have been Joseph Smith, William H. Farrar, H. R. Pierce, Charles A. Chase, Martin A. Way, Benjamin Baker, A. J. Eaton, Miles Whittlesey, William F. Palmer and J. W. V. Rich, the latter, with three associate teachers, having charge of the school in 1889.
In 1888 the enrollment of pupils in all the schools was 2,697 and there was an increase in the percentage of attendance, while the inter- est in the cause of education was noticeably greater. This condition has, to a considerable extent, been brought about by the systematic and well-directed labors of the superintendents of the schools. Those who have so served have been the Reverends Ebenezer Douglas, Rob- ert Murray, Jr., C. J. White, E. E. Thomas, Mr. Nathan T. Verry and the present energetic superintendent, Frank E. McFee. In the dis- charge of these duties he has the hearty support of the school com- mittee, composed, in 1889, of L. L. Chilson, chairman; George A. Smith, clerk; James S. Read, Edgar M. Slocomb, Dr. Robert G. Reed, Frank E. Farnum, William L. Whipple, Aram J. Pothier and James Murray.
The appropriations for the support of the schools have been ex- ceedingly liberal, in recent years never being less than $20,000, and being from all sources available, in 1888, as much as $34,196.33. A portion this amount has been set aside for the maintenance of even- ing schools free to all who may choose to attend. These schools were first opened October 4th, 1885, to continue 50 evenings per year, with three sessions per week. More than 300 persons, of ages from 15 to 50 years, have availed themselves of the advantages of these schools by being regular attendants. In many instances the rudiments of a common school education have thus been acquired, and the utility of the schools has been so fully recognized that they have become a part of the educational system of the city.
The establishment of a manual training school is also projected, several funds for that purpose being available. One of these was created by the will of Rachel F. Harris, dated January 27th, 1846, in which she bequeathed, in trust, to Edward Harris, John Boyden and Ariel Ballou, 30 shares of the P. & W. R. R. Company's stock for such a school. At a later day Dexter Ballou bequeathed 15 shares of the same stock for a similar purpose, and the accrued value of these funds was, in 1889, about $20,000. Much of this interest in these matters was inspired by the Reverend John Boyden, who is remembered to this day as one of the most devoted friends of popular education that Woonsocket has ever had. For more than a quarter of a century he labored earnestly and wisely, when the system of free schools was yet in its infancy. His example has been worthily followed
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
by many citizens, zealous in every good work, who have here ad- vanced the cause of education to its present enviable position.
At Woonsocket the value of the public library as an adjunct of education was early admitted. For 30 years after 1800 a small but well selected library was in existence, and near the same time the "Social Library" was maintained in northern Cumberland. Both served their purposes well, preparing the way for the more compre- hensive libraries which were established as their successors. The first of these was the Carrington Library. About 1850 Samuel S. Foss, the public spirited editor of the Patriot, began discussing the matter in his paper and urged the creation of a fund to be used in founding a library, which should embrace the best books of the day, and which should be accessible to all upon the payment of a small fee. Public interest was awakened, and Edward Harris told the editor that he would give $500 toward an enterprise of that character, provided an .equal amount would be subscribed by the citizens. The proposition found an eager acceptance and the fund was soon assured. The an- nouncement of this fact prompted George S. Wardwell, the manager ·of the Hamlet Mills of the Carrington estate, to submit another propo- sition: That the estate would donate another $1,000 provided that the library should bear the name of Carrington. This proposition was also accepted by the people of Woonsocket. These $2,000 constituted the fund from which arose the Carrington Library Association, of which Edward Harris was the first president. He held that position several years, and in 1855 his associate officers were Reverend John Boyden and George S. Wardwell, vice-presidents; Charles E. Aldrich, treasurer; Sullivan Ballou, secretary and librarian. At that time the library had 3,000 volumes, which were free to those who had been constituted members by the payment of two dollars per year. In 1863 there were 3,891 volumes in the library and the association had 124 members. There were also 13 patrons who had paid $100 each for that distinction. After the Harris Institute was established, under such favorable auspices, it was not deemed expedient to maintain separate organizations and the affairs of the old library were merged into the new.
The Harris Free Library owes its existence to the public spirit and generous munificence of Edward Harris, and it will perpetuate the memory of him who did so much to advance the prosperity and well- being of Woonsocket. Several years after the Carrington Association had been formed, he withdrew from it to project and execute plans for an institution of greater proportions and more extensive scope. As a preliminary of this object he erected, in 1856-7, the Harris Insti- tute building in which to provide a place for his enterprises as well as to secure an income for their maintenance. In 1863 he secured the passage of an act by the general assembly incorporating Ariel Ballou, Oscar J. Rathbun, Joseph E. Cole, Samuel S. Foss and Reuben G.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Randall as the " Harris Institute," and in June of that year he pre- sented these trustees with a deed of the foregoing property, to be held for the purposes expressed in the act. This property was valued at $70,000, and it was stipulated that the revenues arising therefrom should secure privileges which, under moderate restrictions, might be freely enjoyed by all the citizens of Woonsocket and vicinity. In September, 1863, the trustees organized by electing Doctor Ariel Bal- lou president, R. J. Randall, secretary, and O. J. Rathbun treasurer. In 1889 the latter was the president, and R. J. Randall was both secre- tary and treasurer. Of the five original trustees Samuel S. Foss died in 1879, and his place was filled by the election of Francello G. Jillson. The vacancy caused by the death of Doctor Ariel Ballou in 1887 has not yet been filled, leaving but four members in the board.
In 1865 Edward Harris added to his previous gift a donation of $2,500, to be expended for books, which, with the rentals from the building, were used in purchasing about 4,000 select volumes for the library, in rooms prepared for it in the second story of the Institute. "This was formally opened to the public in October, 1868, and was the first free library in the state. The absorption of the Carrington Library increased the number of volumes several thousand, and in 1878 there were 9,166 volumes. In July, 1889, there were 11,744 books, on every department of literature, some of them rare and costly. The circulation of the library for the year ending June 30th, 1889, was 26,092 volumes. F. G. Jillson was the first librarian.
In 1873 a large reading room, supplied with the best periodicals of the times, was added to the library, which was thereafter kept open daily instead of twice per week as before. Mrs. Ellen M. Bosworth now became the librarian, and held that position until March, 1884, when she was succeeded by the present efficient incumbent, Miss Anna Metcalf. The reading room is well patronized, and the taste for reading which it has created has caused a corresponding demand on the books of the library. These agencies, together with the meet- ings and lectures of the Woonsocket Lyceum, held in this hall (and which have been some of the best features of the Institute) have been means of culture whose influence on the community has been truly elevating and refining.
It has already been stated that the first settlers of the Woonsocket regions were Friends and their descendants; and for more than a century the Quaker meeting house was the only place of public wor- ship that was maintained. The site for this house was selected largely on account of its central and accessible location for those who were to worship in it, being near the widely-known Woonsocket Cross Roads, now Union Village. It is outside the city of Woonsocket, but adjacent thereto, and as its entire history has been an inseparable part of this community, a brief account of it is here given.
In 1719 an acre of ground was purchased on the old Providence
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road, at the place called the "Dugway," for a burial place for the Friends. Besides being centrally located, the conditions of the soil were here favorable for such a purpose, the land lying on the hillsides and secluded enough to give it that privacy which we so well like to associate with the resting places of our dead. Upon part of this lot the meeting house was built, and the records pertaining to this mat- ter are as follows :*
"10th mo. (December, O. S.) 9th, 1719. Whereas, this meeting has had a matter in consideration about building a meeting house at Woonsocket, on the burial ground lately purchased, have concluded to build a meeting house twenty feet square, and John Arnold is ap- pointed to build the same, the heighth thereof left to him."
"5th mo., 1720. John Arnold is desired to furnish boards to seal the same."
"11th mo. 9th, 1721. John Arnold is desired to go on and finish the same."
"10th mo. 10th, 1727. It is concluded by this meeting that a small meeting house be built, adjoining to the meeting house at Woon- socket."
" 4th mo. 11th, 1728. John Arnold and Thomas Smith appointed to procure suitable stuff for the same."
"1st mo. 28th, 1736. It was concluded to finish the little meeting house."
" 7th mo. 30th, 1738. Thomas Smith and Ichabod Comstock were appointed to complete the work."
These minutes of the monthly meeting indicate how difficult it was to provide a meeting house, and show how long continued were the efforts to build a small addition to an extremely plain house. The trustees, at the time the purchase of the land from John Arnold was made, for a consideration of ten shillings, were Samuel Wilkin- son, Jr., Samuel Comstock, Jr., and Samuel Aldrich.
After the lapse of a few years the capacity of the meeting house was found inadequate, and in 1755 a larger ell, 20 by 30 feet, was built in place of the small one. Twenty years later this was removed and a building, 32 by 32 feet, was erected in 1775. In a repaired con- dition that house was used nearly 75 years; but the spirit of modern improvement had by that time made so much progress that the quaint old building was remodelled throughout. A further surprise awaited the members after these improvements had been made, in 1849, when Edward Harris, Welcome Farnum and Joseph Almy provided green blinds for the windows. So the house stood until May 12th, 1881, when it was destroyed by fire, the loss being estimated at $2,000. A contract was soon after entered into with John B. Fountain to erect a new house on the site of the old one, to cost $4,000. This was a frame building, 36 by 50 feet, with a high basement for the use of the Sun-
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