USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > Peacham > Caledonia County grammar school, Peacham, Vt. Report of the commemorative exercises, August 11-12, 1897 100th Anniversary > Part 6
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Time would fail me to speak of Evarts, and Chassell, and Christie, and the Chamberlins, and Merrill, and the Worces- ters, and Bartlett, and Lord, and Chase, both father and son, and Bradlee, and Rix, and Miller, and Pearson, and Morrill, and Thompson, and Watts, and Tirrell, and Cambridge, and others whose names even I have not time to mention-all these have done a work here in this humble school among the green hills of Vermont which shall last long after their monuments have crumbled into dust. Many of the forty-one principals have reached eminent distinction in their chosen callings, in law, politics, theology, teaching and the various departments of business. Volumes might be written of these and their benefactions to mankind.
Who shall estimate the mighty influence of these faith- ful and cultured men upon the hundreds and thousands who have gone out from these scholastic halls, carrying the impress
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of their genius into the varied activities of the world as they have worked out their destiny in every land and in every clime.
Gladly would I bring in review the earnest Christian lady assistants who wrought so unobtrusively but effectively during all these years, but time forbids. Some are yet living and fill- ing responsible positions; others have finished their work, but will long be remembered for what they have done.
Of one principal who from 1867 to 1895 rattled round in the place filled by so many able men for three-quarters of a century, I may not speak; but the hundreds and hundreds of young ladies and gentlemen who, during those twenty-eight years pursued their studies in the Caledonia County Grammar School, it is not my purpose to pass by in silence. In the prime of life, most of them to-day, they constitute a glorious army whose elastic tread is felt the broad earth around, as it marches forth on its imperial mission to bless and benefit man- kind.
Of the five who in 1893 were the first to receive the school's diploma three even while we speak, just graduated from three different colleges, are buckling on the armor for the world's conflict-while the other two, Cora Sargeant and Lillian Moody, in their promising girlhood, before entering upon their college course, were called to pass through the "gate of suf- fering" and to enter a life of higher activity in the service of the Infinite Father."
Were the duty mine to day to select the best material for an ideal school, the most level headed, the most sensitive to honor, the most loyal to high ideals, the most ambitious, the most courteous, the most just in all the relations of school life, I know not where I could find it outside that band of youth who for twenty-eight years made up the personnel of this Academy. Beyond my own family and kindred, I have formed no ties so strong, so enduring, so satisfactory. If ever in the vicissitudes of time I find myself bereft of fortune, of friends, of kindred, of all that men count dear on earth, there can never be torn from my recollection and my heart the kindness, the sympathy, the helpfulness, the charity, which were given me and mine, in such unstinted measure, for twenty-eight long years.
I think it was the purpose of the founders of the Academy to furnish a free school to all pupils in the county, but they soon realized the cost of such a school, and at their annual meeting in November, 1797, they voted that each pupil entering school on or after Dec. 1, 1797, should pay one shilling per month in advance for procuring wood for winter, purchasing a book for records and other contingent expenses of the school, and all persons who apply for admission not in the county, pay four shillings per month in advance. At their annual meet- ing in November, 1798, they voted that each pupil pay twenty- five cents per quarter for the purpose of procuring globes and for other necessary expenses. This is the first record I find of
MISS ABBY L. HITCHCOCK 1852-1855
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using our present system of dollars and cents in money mat- ters. At the annual meeting of the Board the next year we notice a vote to make the tuition seventeen cents in advance for each quarter to cover the expense of an addition to the Academy. At the annual meeting of the Board in September, 1800, they passed a very significant vote, far reaching in its consequences.
"Voted 5th that the several engagements entered into by the Inhabitants of the Town of Peacham, as proposed in the memorial of William Chamberlin to the Legislature of this state, in their behalf, being the conditions on which the grant fixing the County Grammar School in said Town was made, have been fully and Punctually fulfilled."
At the same meeting the Trustees voted to make the tui- tion one shilling per quarter in advance for procuring wood and making up the deficiency of the funds for the salary of the Preceptor, and that the school year should be forty-eight weeks in length. Think of that, youth and maiden, who often find yourselves so tired at the middle of the term that you have to leave school!
In 1801 I find the first mention of an assistant in the Aca- demy. Probably the Principal had no help before that date. The next year we find this entry in the secretary's book: "Voted that the committee appointed to superintend the Pru- dential affairs of the Institution be authorized, at their discre- tion, to employ a Female Assistant to the Preceptor to instruct Young Ladies in the several Branches of Female Education."
In 1803 mention is made in the treasurer's book of paying Miss Clarissa Bates for teaching in the Academy one year the sum of $120.00 and $10.00 for traveling expenses. Later on the names of Mrs. Emma Cole and Miss Sally Whitcher appear with the princely sum of $3.00 per week and traveling ex- penses. In 1810, Miss Ruth Skeele, the first girl born in Peach- am, received the sum of $2.50 per week, including board.
Up to the year 1803, the Trustees had received nothing for their services. At the annual meeting for that year they voted to pay each member one dollar per day and expenses, and that they should bring in their account for past services at the next annual meeting.
In 1804 the Board voted to make an addition to the Aca- demy sufficiently large to accommodate those who wish to study the languages and the sciences, and that the expense be defrayed in part by an additional tax on the students of twenty-five cents each, to be paid at the commencement of each quarter. In 1805 it was voted that the tuition of scholars from other counties be the same as formerly, and that each scholar from this county shall pay fifty cents at the beginning of each quarter for the year ensuing. At the annual meeting, 1809, the Trustees passed this vote: "That the tuition for the year ensuing for the Inhabitants of the County be twelve and one- half cents per month. and for non-residents studying the Jan-
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guages sevety-five cents per month, and for English scholars fifty cents per month."
At the annual meeting held in 1812, "Voted that the Tui- tion to be paid by Scholars belonging to the County, for the year ensuing, shall be twenty-five cents for every six weeks, to be paid at the commencement of each term; and that Stu- dents in the Languages, and Females attending to Painting and Embroidery, belonging out of the county, shall pay seventy- five cents per month; and English Scholars, belonging out of the County, fifty cents per month."
In 1819, it was voted that each scholar in the county pay twenty-five cents every six weeks, and all others pay seventy- five cents for the languages and fifty cents for English. In 1820 the tuition was again changed. It was made $1.50 for common English and $2.00 for higher branches, but each scholar should pay for at least half a term. Scholars in and out of the county were put upon the same basis. In 1825 the tuition was lowered one-half, but the next year it was again raised to $1.25 for higher studies, and $1.00 for common Eng- lish per quarter. Five years later it was again raised to $1.50 and $2.00. But an advancing civilization makes everything dearer and in 1833 the tuition was changed to $3.00 for higher branches and $2.00 for lower, per quarter.
In 1842 the Board voted themselves $1.50 per day and ten cents mileage, which is the sum at present. In process of time the tuition was raised to $3.00 for common English and $4.00 for higher studies. At last, in 1892, the highest figures were reached, namely, $4.00 for the lower studies and $5.00 for the higher. These are the figures at the present time, and they are considerably lower than in most schools.
There have been practically three different buildings during the one hundred years. Of the first building, enlarged at dif- ferent times, I have already spoken.
As the school was nearing its half-century mark it experi- enced that "tired feeling," caused by so much useless climbing of Academy Hill. All contention between the two sides of the hill for advantage had ceased; the building was getting rheumatic and ill-adapted to its purpose, and, all assenting, it was determined to build a new edifice on this side of the hill, in the village. Again the town, as usual, came nobly to the rescue. The Trustees proposed to build a new house, pro- vided the citizens would subscribe $500. The money was raised without difficulty. After much shrewd manoeuvering on the part of the Board for a title to a site in the midst of the vil- lage the present excellent location was secured. The lot being too small, Gov. Mattocks donated a slice from his garden.
As nearly as I can ascertain from the secretary's book, the Trustees put in $2,000 of their money and, after using the $500 subscribed by the town, found themselves minus about $400, which they managed in some way to pay.
The building was finished in 1843. It answered its pur-
REV. A. BOUTELLE Secretary, 1851-1865
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pose very well for forty-three years, enlarged, remodeled, re fitted and refurnished at various times.
In outward appearance it was far more imposing than the present structure. The old scholars miss the handsome Doric pillars in front which gave the building a classic air.
Three years after the erection of this building occurred the celebration of the semi-centennial of the school. A brief minute which the Board directed the secretary to make, an "Order of Exercises" of the day, and a highly appropriate ode written by Oliver Johnson, the able associate of Garrison in the anti-slavery cause and the steadfast friend of this school and his native town, are all that remain of that occasion save what is treasured in the memories of our oldest inhabitants.
In 1885 it became necessary to repair this building. The Trustees disliked to use their capital for this purpose, but they saw no other way, and at their annual meeting in 1885 they voted $250.
The day of the meeting Hon. John B. Gilfillan of Minne- apolis, a former pupil, who has won fame in Congress and fortune in the West, happened to be in the village. Learning of the purpose to repair his old Academy, he desired to see the edifice. The secretary went over the building with him. He at once saw that $250 was wholly inadequate to make the need- ed repairs. He offered to pay an additional $250, provided the town would contribute a like sum. While Peacham, always ready to pay anything for her school, was fumbling for her pocketbook, Capt. Charles Stuart, a lively, breezy Westerner, a native of Barnet, happened along, and particular pains was taken to call his attention to the needs of the school. Upon looking the building over he condemned the whole structure, except the four granite stones supporting the pillars. He said he would give $300, provided $3,000 could be raised from any source. A meeting of the citizens was called, these proposi- tions made known, and it was voted enthusiastically to accept Capt. Stuart's proposition. Dr. Ferdinand Blanchard, an ex- pert in such matters, was selected to canvass the town. He soon succeeded in raising the sum of $1,300 from Peacham, and immediate vicinity. Encouraged by this success a committee was appointed to prepare circulars in order to appeal to the alumni. It was the first appeal ever made to them, and the re- sponse was exceedingly generous and hearty. $2,000 was speed- ily pledged. At a public meeting a committee was appointed to construct the best building they could with the money. Mr. Martin S. Hidden was chairman and, being a skilled mechanic, he was, by general consent, instructed to take sole charge of the work. By the middle of the fall term of 1886, Mr. Hidden had the house ready for occupancy. He kept a strict account of everything, always giving and taking receipts. If the same money could be expended more economically or judiciously, no one has yet discovered how.
Aside from the lands in the different towns of the county, granted by charter, the school has received but few funds dur-
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ing its hundred years. Early in the century, Mr. James Orr of Barnet left as a legacy to the Academy a farm valued at $1,000. In 1850 Dr. Josiah Shedd gave the institution good notes amounting to $1,000. In his communication to the Trustees, bestowing the donation, he calls it a "semi-centennial gift."
His purpose was to increase the fund so that the school should be upon a "more independent and stable foundation." He says: "It is my intention that this donation shall not be expended, but remain a permanent fund, the interest only being annually expended." He further adds: "In all cases when there is a prospect that the number of scholars will require it, a competent female Teacher should be employed the whole time." The Board gave him a vote of thanks, which is the last record made in the secretary's book by Rev. David Mer- rill.
On his death Dr. Shedd increased his legacy to $2,000 and his wife, Mrs. Lydia Shedd, daughter of Gen. Chamberlin, left the further sum of $1,000, the interest only to be used in pay- ing the tuition of indigent students.
Dr. Shedd and wife are well remembered by some of the older alumni, but there are many who do not realize their deep interest in this school, and how much is due to their fore- thought and generosity. Even dead, their works do follow them.
Thus, Alumni and friends, have I invited you to walk with me five times to-day down the century, that we might take a rapid survey together of the principal events that have transpired during this busiest, most progressive epoch.
First, we noticed the men who started the town on its career, and some of the results of their perseverance and far- seeing wisdom. Next, we took a survey of the Trustees as they have appeared upon the scene. In our third trip we glanced at the Preceptors as they passed in rapid review before us. Our fourth journey brought to our recollection the different Academy buildings in which human mind has been wrought upon in preparation for the world's after work, and our last walk disclosed the benefactors who gave of their substance to help on the good work. Let us make one more journey that we may take a farewell glance at some things that cause a smile when viewed in the broad light of this latter part of the 19th century, that we may witness the change of thought and ideas brought about in the lapse of one hundred years, and pay a little tribute to the school's greatest mental product.
The methods employed by the earlier Trustees for receiv- ing pupils were often unique. Before the Academy was built they voted this: "All Inhabitants of the County of Caledonia shall be admitted as pupils, for the year ensuing, who are so far instructed in the English Language as to be capable of reading a sentence Intelligibly, so as to study English Gram- mar to advantage." As early as 1810, the Board voted that "No person shall be admitted who shall not have attained the
HON. T. S. PEARSON Principal, 1852-1856
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age of eight years." The same year they voted that "No per- son shall be admitted to learn to write who cannot write a legible hand." It is very certain that the only two college men among the secretaries never could have been admitted under this ruling.
The Board were always desiring an exhibition, but the rec- ords show that they had the greatest difficulty in keeping the boys within the bounds of orthodoxy, for this same year we read this resolution: "Resolved that there shall be every year at the time of the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees an Exhibition in which the male scholars shall be the only per- formers, and that the pieces to be spoken shall be selected by the preceptor and submitted to the inspection of the prudential committee."
At another time they felt obliged to adopt the following rules :
"First-That no female character be admitted. Second- There are to be performances by candle light. Third-That at the Exhibition of the school in May the preceptor shall fur- nish the prudential committee with the Compositions intended to be exhibited, and no piece shall be exhibited which is not approved by them."
At another time the Board voted "that for the purpose of supporting Order and decency and defraying the expense at- tending Exhibitions No persons Shall be admitted except such as are specially invited by the Board without Tickets of ad- mission, which shall be Delivered to Grown Male persons at 9d. each and for 4d. for females and Children."
A little later we notice another vote to the same import: "Voted that the Exhibition for the year ensuing be regulated so as to Exclude Tragedies, Comedies and other Theatrical Performances."
All these feverish votes and significant resolutions por- tended a great crisis impending. At an adjourned meeting of the Board, held Oct. 7, 1811, they immediately proceeded to the following business:
"Voted: First-That the Conduct of Moses Hall, Ephraim Elkins, Thaddeus Stevens, Samuel Merrill, Peter H. Shaw, Isaac Parker, Wilbur Fisk, David Gould, Thomas Weston, Hezekiah R. Cushing, Lyman Martin, Abel Walker and Abiel Hall, Pupils in the Academy, in refusing on the day of publik exhibition. the being 4th Day of Sep- tember last, to proceed in their Exhibition in the day time while the Board were waiting to see their performance, was conduct highly reprehensible. And that their proceeding to exhibit a tragedy in the evening of said Day contrary to the known rules and Orders of the school and the express prohibi- tion of the preceptor were a gross violation of the rules and bye laws of the institution, tending to subvert all order and subordination in said school and to disturb the peace of soci- ety, and that They be required to subscribe the following Sub- mission, viz .: We, the Subscribers, Students in the Academy at
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Peacham, having been concerned in the Exhibition of a Tragedy on the evening of the 4th of September, 1811, contrary to the known rules of the Board of Trustees On reflection are convinced that we have done wrong in not paying a suitable respect to the authority of the board and hereby promise that as long as we continue students at this Academy we will ob- serve such rules as the Board may prescribe."
All the miscreants signed this paper except Moses and Abiel Hall.
What became of those twelve students of the Caledonia County Grammar School concerning whose early discipline the Trustees were so careful and so faithful? Tradition says they all, or nearly all, turned out useful and worthy men. Some reached exalted station and one became our greatest alumnus, the pride and glory of the school. Remembering what human nature is, we may conjecture that the boys were chagrined by their humiliation, but not all showed it. Judge Parker certain- ly did not die early of a broken heart, for he lived to the age of ninety-two and furnished, in one of his boys, a trustee and president of the Board for many years. Abel Walker yet lives in his stalwart, worthy sons, who have always been an honor to Caledonia County. Dr. Fisk won world-wide fame as a great preacher and leader in the Methodist denomination. Hon. Samuel Merrill became an eminent lawyer in the West, and gave the name, Indianapolis, to one of our great inland cities.
David Gould became a man of prominence in the com- munity in which he lived.
But Thaddeus Stevens, the ringleader of this refractory band of performers, took his humiliation less philosophically. Wilful, headstrong, he yielded only because he could do nothing else; but it was probably the last time his imperial will ever bowed to the will of man. Poor, lame, his only sup- port his hardworking mother, his one overmastering, burning desire was to secure an education.
One day a fire occurred at school and burned up the books and hat of Stevens. Coming down the hill, bareheaded, he met one of the citizens whom his contemporaries called Jack Mat- tocks, but whom all positively call Gov. Mattocks. The General handed the boy ten dollars, saying: "Here, Thad, take this and buy some books and go to college without a hat."
He completed his fit, but never forgot his chagrin. I used to hear the older men of this town, who knew him well, say that after he reached national renown, although they often invited him, they never could get him back to Peacham to make a speech. Poor Thad! Even while he was undergoing the humiliating act of signing that paper in the presence of those hard-hearted, uncompromising Trustees, pledging himself never more to act a part in any tragedy in the Academy, there had already been decreed, in the mind and will of Omnipotence, one of the awfulest tragedies of human history, and in that tragedy Thaddeus Stevens was destined to act a leading part on a stage of which not America alone, but all the world, were to
HON. E. C. CHAMBERLAIN Treasurer, 1856-1870
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be spectators. After leaving college, as soon as he could earn his way, he prepared himself for the bar, and made the great state of Pennsylvania his home. In the political ground-swells of that State we finally see him in the Legislature.
His poverty, his early struggles, and his hard lot taught him to make his life work one constant, never-ceasing battle in behalf of the weak, down trodden and oppressed of every race and color. His career in the Legislature was at the time when Pennsylvania was in the formative state in regard to her educational system. Stevens at once espoused the cause of the youth and the public school.
With tireless, unflagging energy he wrought, day and night, to bring within the reach of all the boundless blessings of the free public school. The turning point had come. It was in the House of Representatives at Harrisburg. Every- thing looked as though the bill destroying the free school would pass. Stevens rose to make, perhaps, the greatest foren- sic effort of his life. He was forty-three years old, in the very prime of his majestic manhood. Soon every whisper was hushed in that great presence. Every eye was riveted upon the great orator. Every ear was strained to catch the slightest word that fell from the lips of the Caledonia County boy as the fires of his genius flashed forth while he pictured the meas- ureless evils that would follow in the wake of ignorance and vice, and the boundless blessings that would follow in the train of the free school. It was as if Webster were pleading the cause of Dartmouth College, his cherished Alma Mater; or Burke were impeaching Warren Hastings of high crimes and misdemeanors in the great historic hall of William Rufus. He ceased, and before the vote was taken every one knew that the free school was secured to the great Keystone State, forever and forever. Thaddeus Stevens was now famous, but he was not yet thoroughly prepared for the great tragedy that was to open upon his native land.
True, David Chassell, D.D., and the Academy Lyceum here in Peacham, had done the intellectual part well, but there was yet a moral preparation which should fit him for the great part he was soon to take.
I have called him headstrong, wilful. He cared nothing for the conventionalities of life, nor did he consider whether his meat and drink would make his brother to offend. The Lord had to finish with him what the Trustees had failed wholly to accomplish.
There was in his neighborhood a society of young men, and Stevens was one of them, organized for personal enjoyment. They played cards and drank rum.
One night one of Stevens's companions got so much en- joyment into him that two associates had to take him home. He was so drunk that his helpers could not get him upstairs, and left him to sleep off his drunken stupor. When his wife came down in the morning she found her husband dead. Stevens was inexpressibly shocked. He took an axe and broke
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in the head of every liquor cask in his cellar, and from that hour was a teetotaler.
1849 found our boy who could never again play in any tragedies, comedies and other theatrical parts by candle light here in Peacham, in the House of Representatives of the Thir- ty-first Congress. There were giants in those days in. the American Congress. For nearly two decades he was associ- ated with the greatest intellects this country has ever pro- duced, always excepting the Revolutionary epoch.
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