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BOSTQN PUBLIC
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HISTORY
or TliK
TOWN OF ABINGTON,
PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS,
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Br
BENJAMIN HOBAKT, A.M.
BOSTON: T . H . CARTER AND SON
18 6 0.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in tho year 1SG0,
By Benjamin IIobart,
lu tho Clerk'* Oflico of Ibo District Court for the District of HaasachuBcU*.
>v
of .
DEDICATION.
I dedicate the following History of my native Town to ray eldest son, Benjamin Hobaut, Jr. As father and son, and as co- partners in business for a number of years, under the hrra of " B. Hobakt & Son," there has always been between us a most cordial unity and friendship ; and although he has been away from me, of late years, on business of his own, in a distant part of our country (California), there has been a continual correspondence kept up between us of the most confidential and sympathetic kind. lie has assured me of the constant continuance of his friendship and regard ; this assurance bos afforded me much consolation in my declining years ; and, as an expression of my grateful feelings towards him, I inscribe to him the following History.
BENJ. HOBART.
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PREFACE..
It is stated in the Introduction to the following History, what the circumstances were which led to its being written. At the solicitation of the Editor of the Abington Standard, a few articles relating to the history of the town were furnished by me for insertion in that paper, without any view to their publication in a book. After about twenty-rive numbers had been furnished and printed, I was solicited by many of my fellow-citizens to . bring together the articles which had been printed, and publish them in a more per- manent form. I issued proposals to see if there would be suflicient encouragement for such an undertaking, and several hundred copies were subscribed for. This seemed to be an approval of what I had written. The idea was to revise and print only what I had furnished for the Standard. But, iu preparing to do this, many other subjects presented them- selves, and a wide field opened before me. I proceeded to add chapter after chapter, until I had more than doubled the size of the book which I had at first proposed. At this time, also, the price of paper and printing had nearly trebled (owing to the war of the Rebellion, then going on). Under these circumstanpes I published a card in the Abington Standard, saying I could not issue the book with the additions and extra cost of printing on the terms proposed, without a great sacrifice. The answer was, so far as I could learn, . " Go on ; we want the book complete." I have acted in
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VI PREFACE.
accordance with this desire of the subscribers, and have fixed the price 'with a view only to cover the cost. This will depeud on the amount of sales, which I must risk.
At the commencement of the work, I had no idea of the labor aud time which it would require to finish it.
It may interest the friends of the undertaking, and citizens generally of the town, to know that I have had the whole bcok stereotyped, and all the engravings electrotyped ; so that hereafter new editions can be issued, errors can be corrected, new pages substituted, and, if need be, revised and oulargcd ; chapters that may have become obsolete, may be excluded, and new ones introduced in their place. Also, new memorials of families, new items of historical facts, aud new engravings of family residences and public buildings can be added.
There is a largo proportion' of the contents of the book which it would not have been possible to get at a much later period. I refer to the information obtained from aged persons, in respect to the first settlement of the town, means of support, customs and manners of the inhabitants, aud modes of liviug, progress of improvement, &c. I should have lost much that is valuable in the book if a feAv very aged persons had been taken away before I commenced it. The Memorials were aided much in their composition in this way.
Iu writing the History, I have availed myself of all the sources of information which I could well command, without deeper researches than I had time and means to make. I leuvo these to future antiquarians. What I have done will, I think, aid them in what remains to be done. I have made much use of '• An Historical Sketch of Abingtou,"
PREFACE. VU
written by my nephew, the Hon. Aaron Hobart, of East Bridge water, nearly thirty years ago. I have taken much from the records of the town since I commenced the History ; from the different Boards of Selectmen, Town Clerks, School Committees, and other town officers. I am much indebted to the present Pastors of the Churches in town, and to Church Committees, for valuable statistics of their Churches and Societies ; to the owners of manufacturing establishments for descriptions of their factories and business ; to spirited individuals for engravings of their family residences and public buildings ; to the officers of Ladies' Societies, estab- lished for benevolent purposes ; to many of the inhabitants of the town, for furnishing memorials of their families and ancestors; and to many aged persons, as referred to above, for much interesting matter of past times. Among them I would name Nathan Beal, of East Abington ; Bola Dyer, of South Abington, and I.-aiah Noyes, of Centre Abington, — gentlemen worthy of respect, not only for their age and family connections, but also for their personal qualities. I might here add that I have drawn much information from my own experience and observation, and from my ancestors.
In writing tho following History, I have endeavored to be correct. I have impeached no one's motives, aud have indulged no prejudice against any sect, society, or order of men. There may be errors and mistakes ; it could hardly be otherwise in a record of so many events, ages, dates of births, of deaths, and names of persons — there are over five thousand of the last. But all such errors and mistakes can be corrected, a3 stated above, by amending the stereotype plates in succeeding editions.
In compiling this History, aud looking up documents, I
V1U PREFACE.
have been often surprised at the want of information in respect to the same, by most of the present inhabitants of the town, especially of the rising generation, and of thousands of those who have emigrated here, and taken up their resi- dence among us. To generations yet unborn, who may come after us, what I have done, with such improvements and additions as may he required, will be invaluable.
Tho record of the names and ages of over two thousand (2,200) of the. children in town, now attending school, will, it seems to me, be hereafter of very great interest, not only to them, but also to their parents and friends. It will, as they advance in life, call up in their minds the forms of each other as they stood side by side at recitation, or sat in their seats ; their teachers and the school committees will also rise up in form before them. And when they become active in the busy scenes of life, and scattered over our extensive country, each one, referring to his book, may call up the scenes and companions of his childhood. In the margin, also, he can mark the changes which have taken place in the earthly condition of his early friends, and an asterisk can bo attached to tho names of those who have been removed to another world. Several of their names, already, require an asterisk to be so placed.
This History may not only be interesting to the inhabitants of this town, but also to many in other towns, as there is a great similarity in the incidents connected with the first settlement of towns in this vicinity, and generally in all New England. All had their deprivations, trials and difficulties in commencing anew — made similar exertions in providing habitations and sustenance for their families ; their customs, manners and modes of living also were much the same.
PllKFACK. LX
I intend to leave the inheritance of the copyright of this book, and the stereotype and electrotype plates, in the hands of my eldest son, Benjamin Hobart, jr., so that hereafter, if occasion should require it, he or his assigns may make corrections, improvements, or may issue new editions, as the inhabitants of the town may require, or be willing to patronize.
Adinoton, Acqust 27, 186G.
INTRODUCTION.
The following letter which I addressed to the Editor of the Ahington Standard, was printed in that paper, together with most of the " Historical Reminiscences " at the time they were written. This letter will show the reasons of my. undertaking to write them.
*©
Sooth Abington, March 10, 1859. C. G. Easterbuook, Esq., Editor of the Abington Standard:
I have youra of the 7th inst., inquiring of me " if I might be induced to prepare a aeries of articles concerning past events and past generations in the Town of Abington ; " stating that this has been suggested by mutual friends, as I am ouc of the oldest inhabitants in town. You also add, " that you are about furnishing new type and materials for your paper, and should be pleased to commence the publica- tion of such a series from my pen, the first week iu April ; " and for this purpose, you say, " you have presumed to address ma on the subject, and express a strong hope that I shall look favorably on the request."
I aiu uot uow prepared to enter into any particular engage- ments on the subject of your request. The thing has been propoaed to me before by a number of my friends ; and I confess that I have had thoughts, at times, of attempting something of the kind, but I have never written a word with Buch an intent. If I should conclude to write a few articles on past events and generations gone by, I could not be bound to do so at stated times, as weekly or monthly, but occasion- ally, aa I might find it conveuient, without any implied obliga- tion to continue it for any defiuite period.
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XU INTRODUCTION.
I ani aware, Mr. Editor, when any one undertakes to write for the public eye, ho becomes an object of remark and criti- cism, if not of reproach. In speaking of customs, parties and individuals, it is very likely some might be offended ; to avoid this, if I should furnish some articles as proposed, I intend to be scrupulously just and accurate. I would not, however, be bound to give precise dates of events, or ages of persons, or their given names or titles ; I should have to draw my remarks principally from memory. I might omit the names of some individuals, and only notice the result of their doings ; of public events and measures there will be no need of disguise.
Another thing is generally desired by the public when any one undertakes to write for them ; that is, some knowledge of the writer. I had thought at first to write anonymously, but this could not be done. I am too much identified with past events in tlris town to be hid in noticing them. I have been a voter over fifty years, and have taken quite an active part in public transactions, — have been in active business over fifty years, and have paid away for labor over (as I estimate) one million of dollars ; so I need no introduction to the inhabi- tants of this town. I have had a good deal to say in town- meetings, and I have always intended to be found on the side of law and order ; but my more particular connection with the transactions of the town may be further noticed when I come to state some of their municipal doings.
Within my remembrance, which embraces a period of more than sixty years, things have very much changed in this town. The population then was about 1,400, voters 300, polls 450, — there was but one religious society, and only one chaise, — no light wagons or covered carriages ; even since I became a voter, two generations have passed away ; those then who became voters at twenty-one years of age would now be over seventy. How few remain of that generation, and how great is the number who have come and gone within that period ; they number thousands ; and how few of the present popula- tion of the town (about 8,000) will ever attain to such an age ?
INTRODUCTION. XiU
But few of the present generation have any adequate ideas of the state of society, the customs and manners, the style, modes and means of living, at the period referred to, or even forty years past. That generation had their trials and diili- culties, their sorrows and joys, and were not without their contentions, hut were, on the whole, perhaps, as comfortable and happy as the present inhabitants. Society is not always improved according to its advantages ; favors and blessings are often abused ; past generations labored under many disad- vantages from which we are relieved, and we have entered into many of their labors. Their morals, to say the least, were as good as ours, and, certainly, heinous crimes, and the breaking down of order in society, did not prevail then as at the present time.
In reviewing past times we are apt to think meanly of the then inhabitants, because they did not come up to the standard of our own times ; but the reproach is, perhaps, more appli- cable to us than to them. Have we improved the greatly superior advantages which we have over them ? A great many new inventions within a few years have changed the whole face of society, and added greatly to the facility of doing business in all the departments of industry ; but the contrast will appear more striking when we come to describe more particularly the state of society at the time referred to.
In connection with these views of a want of respect for those who have preceded us, we may even notice that, at the present time, terms of reproach and spite are bandied about, without any definite meaning, against many great aud good men who have but just passed away from us, and even against many worthy men and patriots now living, especially if they are aged. They are nick-named " Old Fogies," and indivi- dually an "Old Fogy," and this by "Young America." Now there is no definite meaning to these terms. " Old Fogy " is used as a term of reproach generally against a person who does not join our party, or dissents from our views. It is ofteu used to reproach the infirmities of age, however worthy the person may be.
XIV INTRODUCTION.
The other term, " Young America," is equally indefinite, uud is used as- the counterpart of " Old Fogy ism." It does not menu, and it is not used, to designate America as a young nation iu comparison to the old nations of Europe, but as a cant word, to denote the doings of young bloods, spirited youths, projeetors of great and daring operations, whether right or wroug, leaders of parties, and the Administration wheu they want to acquire or add foreign territory to our now vast domains, whether by the sword or purse. It may some- times be used to denote worthy objects, as the progress of the mechanic arts, manufactures, agriculture and commerce.
To the youuger portion of the inhabitants of 'the present day, who are just commencing active life, sketches of former times, if properly made and contrasted with present times, might be quite interesting ; for it is surprising how little is known and realized by them of events even of only twenty or thirty years past. It would show them the superior advan- tages which they now possess for improvement in education, social and domestic comforts and enjoyments, and add now obligations to rightly use and improve such advantages.
I will ouly add, in conclusion of this introductory article, (if it should prove to be so,) that I do not intend to enter into any controversy on any of the subjects or statements which I may make, and assume no responsibility, except as to their truth. My present idea is to state some reminiscences of past times — of men and things, — of the state of society, — of domes- tic economy, — of rural scenes, — of public an'd private acts, with such anecdotes as may come to mind ; and I may add such remarks as may occur from such a review.
Benjamin Hobart.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PACE
Location. — Rivers. — Saw-Mills. — Timber and Soil 1
CIIAPTER II.
Roads.— Their former Location. — The Past and Present Mode of Repairing them, and Making of New Roads 7
CHAPTER III. Beech Hill. — Location of Roads over it 15
CHAPTER IV. Population, Valuation and Polls. — Their Increase and Amount . 19
CHAPTER V.
School Districts. — Changes in them. — Money raised for School- ing.— School Committees. — System of Schooling in Past Times and at the Present Time 25
CHAPTER VI. Schools — Continued 87
CHAPTER VII.
Agriculture- and Horticulture.— Their State and Condition in Past Times and at tho Present Time 71
CIIAPTER VIII. Agriculture and Horticulture — Continued 83
CHAPTER IX.
Statistics of the First Religious Society. — Two First Ministers,
Kev. Samuel Brown and Rev. Ezckicl Dodge 88
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CHAPTER X.
PAGE
Rev. Suniuel Niles, the Third Minister of the First Religious Society 98
CHAPTER XI..
Ifev. Samuel Niles, Third Minister of the First Religious Society. —Concluded 10G
CHAPTER XII. U«v. Holland Weeks, Fourth Minister of the First Religious Society .- . 115
CHAPTER Xin. Rev. Holland Weeks, Fourth Minister of the Fust Religious
Society. — Concluded 123
CHAPTER XrV'. First Society of the New Jerusalem in Abington . . . . . . 130
CHAPTER XT.
Physicians Practising in Abington in Past Times, and at the Present Time 134
CHAPTER XVI.
Manufactures. — Their Rise and Progress in Early Times ; their
State and Condition at the Present Time 140
CHAPTER XVII. Manufacture of Boots and Shoes. — The Amount severally made and sold by Firms and Individuals %. The Rise, Progress and Extent of tliis Manufacture. — Concluded 11G
CHAPTER XVIII. Incorporation of the Second Religious Society. — Obstacles at- tending it. — Constitution and Laivs respecting the Support of Public Worship. — Modification of than in 1811. — Total Repeal of them in 1S33. — Result, entire Religious Freedom. — Statistics of the Second Religious Society, in South Abing- ton, by the Pastor 15l>
CHAPTER XTX.
PAGE
East Abington Religious Society (Congregational) 164
CHAPTER XX. Politics. — Political Parties. — Popular Elections 10^
CHAPTER XXI. Politics. — Political Parties. — Popular Elections. — Concluded . . 174
CHAPTER XXII. Oration, July 4, 1805 181
CHAPTER XXIH.
Organization of the "Eirst Baptist Church" in Abington, and its Present State 100
CHAPTER XXIV. A Statement of the Rise, Progress, and Present State of the •* Baptist Church of Christ in East Abington," including a Declaration of their Belief and Covenant. By their Pastor, Uev. Jeremiah Chaplin 205
CHAPTER XXV. Congregational Society and Church in North Abington . . . 211'
CHAPTER XXVI. Historical Sketch of tho Eirst Universalist Society, Abington . 221
CHAPTER XXVII. Tho Catholic Church 225
CHAPTER XXVHI. Proceedings at tho Seuu-Ccntennial Celebration, Juno 10, 18G2 . 227
CHAPTER XXIX. Municipal Affairs of the Town 239
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XV111 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXX.
PAGE
The First Settlements in Different Parts of the Town. — Some Account of the Fkst Settlers 246
CHAPTER XXXI.
Miscellaneous Items. — Some Account of Slaves and their Owners. — Longevity of the African Race. — The Mulatto or Mixed Race. — Evil Consequences arising* from the Union of White and Colored Persons. — Fires. — Tornadoes. — Native Lawyers . . 251
CHAPTER XXXII.
Miscellaneous Items of Events and Persons. — Epidemics. — Longevity. — Old French War. — Revolutionary War. — Gradu- * ates of Colleges. — Banks. — Insurance Office 263
CHAPTER XXXIII. Distinguished Characters, and their Doings, viz. : — Isaac Hobart, Aaron Hobart, Dr. David Jones, Dr. David Jones, jr., Wood- bridge Brown, Joseph Greenleaf, Jacob Smith, Daniel Lane, Josiah Torrey, Nathan Gurney, Samuel Norton, James Bates and Micah Pool. — In the Military liue : — Col. Luke Bicknell, Major Luke Nash, Col. Brackley Cushing, Capt. Noah Ford and Major-General Benjamin King. — Some Remarks respect- ing the Author of this Book 275
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The First Tack Factory built in Town. — Three. Others built more recently. — Boot and Shoe Establishments . 266
CHAPTER XXXV. The Southern Rebellion. — Men, and other Aids for Suppressing
the Rebellion. — Commissioned Officers. — Mortality, &c. . . 206
CHAPTER XXXVI. Southern Rebellion, Continued. — Co-operation of the Ladies . 317
CHAPTER XXXVU. Reception of the Returned Soldiers 332
CONTENTS. XLX
APPENDIX.
[The following memorials embrace many, but not all, of tbe family numcs in Abington] : —
. * page
Beal r .... 343
Blake 351
Bl.ANCllAUD 353
Buown 357
Coun 3G0
Cook ... . ... . . . . 3G3
COUTHLLL 3G5
Dunuae 3GG
Dunham- 3G7
Dyek 372
Poud 878
CJuuney 383
Houaut 38G
Howe 402
IIowlanu 403
Hunt 404
Jacouh 405
Jenkins 40G
Kino 410
Lane 411
Na»ii 414
Nona 423
Vxrv 42G
Pool 427
Puatt 430
• Reed . 431
Stetson 439
Studley . . . , 441
Tuaxtkb . . . . 444
Touuey 446 .
Walkeb 448
"WlXEELEU 449
"WlllTllAN 451
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.
CHURCHES.
PAGE
First Congregational, Centre Abington 88
t llatherly Hall (former church), Centre Abington 91
New Jerusalem, Centre Abington 130
Second Congregational, South Abington 156
Third Congregational, East Abington 104
First Baptist, South Abington 199
TACK FACTORIES
Of B. Hobart (old), South Abington 28G
Of Dunbar, Hobart & W hidden, South Abington 287
Of Henry H. Brigham, South Abington 288
SHOE FACTOlilES
Of J. Lane & Sons, East Abington 290
Of Leonard Blanchard, East Abington 291
Of William L. Heed, South Abington 292
Of Joshua L. Nash, Centre Abington 294
RESIDENCES
Of Rev. S. Niles, Centre Abington 98
Of Joseph Vaughn, Centre Abington 150
Of J. F. Bigelow, East Abington V . 1GG
Of Benjamin Beal, East Abington 344
Of Samuel Blake, South Abington 350
Of Leonard Blanchard, East Abington 354
Of Baxter Cobb, Centre Abington 3G0
Of Samuel B. Dyer, Centre Abington 372
Of J. H. Giles, Centre Abington 378
Of B. Hobart, South Abington 38G
Of Joshua L. Nash, Centre Abington 414
Of Washington Heed, East Abington 432
Of Martin S. Stetson, South Abington . * 440
Of B. Thaxter, Centre Abington 444
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CHAPTER I.
Location. — Rivera. — Saw-Mills. — Timber and Soil.
In respect to the situation of Abington, I quote from Hay- ward's Gazetteer of Massachusetts, part of an article which I furnished for it in 1846.
Abingtou is very pleasantly situated on the highest landa between Narragansott Bay and Boston Harbor. The centre of the town is about cqui-distant from Boston, Plymouth, and Taunton, u little over eighteen miles from each ; ten miles from Weymouth Landing, twelve from Hiugham Harbor, and soven from the North River in Hanover. Surrounded by high lands, are two large intervales of about five hundred acres each, mostly covered with water in the winter, and beautifully green in the summer ; around these, and overlook- ing them, are many of the principal settlements. At the east- erly part there is a range of elevated lands, comprising over two thousand acres, called " Beech Hill;" a beautiful tract of land, susceptible of great improvement. In other parts of the town the lands are elevated, distinguished into lulls and vales, with valuable meadow landa. Building lots are numerous and inviting.
The boundary of the town is very irregular ; it has a great mauy corners and angles ; it seems to have been made up like patch-work, as its history shows. A part was taken from Bridgewater ; there were old men's and young men's shares, Ford's farms, on which were the first settlements, about 1668. Among a great many other grants of land in the town, one was mado to Nathaniel Souther, who was the first Secretary of the Colony ; one to Peregrine White, the first person born in tho Colony, and one to Governor Belcher. Grants were made to other sections around us, with a view to their becom- ing towns, long before Abington was thought of. No large
2 LOCATION.
rivers pass through the town. Hersey's River, a braqch of" Taunton River, passes through the south part, with the upper part at North Abington ; there it was called Stream's River (as I suppose). It passes through Ceutre Abiugtou, and is the largest and most useful river in town. Beaver Brook, in the westerly part of the town, is quite a valuable run of water. French's Stream, in East Abingtou (if that is the name), the head of the North River, is a very useful river ; there are several small ruus of water which fall into these main rivers. There is a stream on which Beal's corn-mill stands, and a small brook falls into Accord Fond, which lies partly in this town, the remainder in Hingham and Scituate. These waters fall into the ocean very widely apart: on the south part by the Taunton River into Narragansett Bay, on the north, by the North River at Marshfield. The quantity of water flow- ing in these rivers formerly was much larger than at present, probably one-third more, especially in summer. The clearing off of the forests, particularly on low lands, where our fresh meadows now abound, let in the sun, and much of the water was evaporated by this means ; thousands of little rills in dry seasons ceased to flow. I heard such remarks made by aged persons more than fifty years ago.
These streams were highly prized by the first settlers, as they afforded some very good mill privileges. The town orig- inally was well wooded, the pine forests were extensive, and of large growth. Besides many kinds of hard wood, the oak, white aud black, was very abundant, and of large size; many of the white oaks were very straight and tall, used for ships' keels, but used more extensively for timber and planks in ship building ; large and tall pine trees were used for masts, but a great proportion were sawed into plank for ships' decks. It was a very great object with the people of the town to prepare this timber for sale for building vessels.
To accomplish this purpose, saw-mills were erected very oarly : three about the close of the seventeenth century. Tho firBt in 1G08, at South Abington, then called "Little Comfort," just above the prcscut location of the Old Colony Railroad
LOCATION. 3
Depot. The second about the year 1700, on the same stream, above where Gumey's tack factory now stands. The third in 1703, in the easterly part of the town, on the site now occupied by Bcal's corn-mill. These mills were built before the town was incorporated, in 1710. Others were built some time after; the first, on Beaver Brook, in 1729 ; the one by my house in 1731. I am not informed of the date of the erection of tho one by Samuel Reed's,, in East Abington. These mills wcro built by companies, uo individual being able to accomplish such an undertaking.
The lumber manufactured by these mills was of great use to tho town, and was a source of great income. They also gave employment to a great many hands and teams. From tho erection of the mills in 1C93, up to 1830, tho lumbering business was a great support of all the other interests of tho town ; it came greatly in aid in building their houses and barns, clearing up lauds, and buildings roads, &c.
Tho principal mart for timber and 'plank for ship building, was the North River, in Hanover and Scituatc ; from fifteen to twouty vessels, some of lurgo size, would be in building at tho saino time. Many other places were supplied from this town with like materials, particularly Duxbury, Plymouth, lliughum, Weymouth, and Boston. There were lumber men, as they were called, in the height of this business, who made it their employment to contract with ship builders to furnish timber, plank, keels, and masts for vessels ; and to supply other builders in part, they bought timber iu the woods stand- ing, both in aud out of town, and prepared it themselves. Ouo of tho most prominent dealers in this way was Capt. Obadiah Ilerscy, of South Abington, long siuce deceased. Ho palrouized saw-mills in this way greatly, particularly the one at South Abington. Uo furnished a lot of white oak plunks, called wale plank, seven inches thick at a given width, over hrty feet loug, for the celebrated frigate " Constitution," built at Bostou. The largo white oak trees from which these plauks wcro sawed, were squared in the woods to lighten tho cartiug; these wcro very hard to roll on the log-ways, as they
4 LOCATION.
had to be canted over each square. They were sawed at my father's mill, near my house ; I remember seeing these enor- mous log's, and the great planks which they made. Three of them made a load to Boston, the jourcey to and from which occupied two days. There are no such trees here now.
Another very profitable business, the making of boxes, was carried on in this town by means of its timber, for forty years, from 1790 to 1830. Several enterprising individuals were engaged in it very largely. Among these might be named the Messrs. Tirrells, Oakes & Isaac, Lebbeus Gurncy, Luke Nash, and several others. The Messrs. Tirrells and Mr. Nash removed to Boston, and set up the business there. These boxes were sold in Boston, and called chocolate, soap, caudle, card, book, and hardware boxes, as they were used for the packing of these articles ; and many were used for the pack- ing of other articles, as fish, English goods and groceries ; millions were disposed of for these purposes.
The wood and timber of this town is still very valuable. In times referred to, pine wood was sold at one dollar per cord, oak wood one dollar and fifty cents per cord ; now pine is worth four dollars, and ouk six dollars per cord. Boards arc proportionally higher. Few boxes of the former description arc now made here ; they arc made iu Boston, which saves trausportatiou. But the boxes uow made are much more valuable than ever before, but are lor other pur- poses. The whole number used in this town is estimated at fifty thousand yeurly ; thirty thousand for the packing of boots and shoes, twenty thousand for shoe points, tacks, brads, and other articles. Their value is estimated at from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars annually ; some of the boxes used here are made in other towns, and many are made here for other places. The boards are sawed now from a second growth - of pine, called sapling pine ; the old pine trees have become very scarce. Circular saws came in aid of sawing such boards, and reduced the expense greatly. These boards are sawed at dimensions to suit the size of boxes, and much thin- ner than common inch boards. Shingles arc sawed in this
I NATION. O
way very extensively. Our predecessors had none of these facilities, and no call for these articles, except shingles. Owing to these advantages, the value of our wood and timber is greatly enhanced ; so much so, that it has become a ques- tion whether the greatly diminished quantity within the limits of the town at the present day is not of as much value as the old growth was at any former period.
The soil of the town is strong, and good for production, though rocky, and hard of cultivation. It is generally better for grass and grazing thau tillage. The surface is rough and broken. The meadow lands abound in peat ; some bog ore is found in thum. The blue slate stone prevails iu some parts of the uplands. The subduing of this hard-hearted soil was a hercwleau labor ; large rocks were dug up by bars and levers. Tho simple idea of canting them out by oxen was not thought of. Large cplows, called "New ground plows," were used, drawn by twelve or fifteen yoke of oxen ; twenty yoke have beeu seen iu ono team. Such a plow threw up, as was intended, rocks, roots, and small stumps ; and, (what was a very great mistako and loss,) buried the top-soil, the best of the luud, ubout two feet under ground, and it was very seldom heard from afterwards. This was one of my first experi- ments iu farming. Fifty years ago, I broke up about five acres iu this way, using a new gronud plow drawn by twelve or fourteen yoko of oxen, burying the top-soil so deep that I am uot aware that I have ever heard from it since. The uxpuiiM] was enormous, (one dollar and suveuty-five cents per day tor the use of the plow only,) about equalling the price of the laud. Now tho thing i.s douu much cheaper ami better; two or three yoke of oxeu are sutfieient, and a much lighter plow is used ; rocks and stumps arc taken out by machinery, combined of the scrow and lever, and loaded under wheels at the same time, reudy to be carried otf. Other farming utensils are equully improved, as hoes, rakes, shovels, and the scraper, which was not known here until it was used iu building tho New Bedford turnpike, about fifty years ago. Besides these, wo have seed-sowing machines, raking, reaping, 1*
6 LOCATION.
mowing, and threshing machines, worked by horse-power, and also many improved implements of less importance, to aid the farmer, as improved wheels, carts and wagons, scythes, snaths, pitchforks, &c.
Now our predecessors of the past, and a good part of the present century, had none of these improvements ; they worked with such implements as they had ; they did what they could without these means ; they cleared up a great deal of land, built walls and made roads, set out fruit-trees, particularly the apple-tree, which they cultivated more extensively than the present population ; but the fruit was of a greatly inferior quality. Grafting, if known, was but little practised, and the best varieties of apples now raised, were not known. Had they had our modern improvements to aid their labor, the result of their doings would have been, in all probability, vastly different; but if things were different from what they now are, there is no telling what they would be.
CHAPTER H.
Eoads. — Their former Location. — The Past and Present Mode of Repairing them, and Making of New Roads.
Before the incorporation of the town in 1710, two county roads were laid out through the territory composing it ; one leading from Middleborough through Bridgewater (now East Bridgewater), Washington Street in Abington, passing by the South and Centre meeting-houses in Abington, to Weymouth —to meet a road leading to Boston. This was in 1G90. The other from Plymouth, through Pembroke (now Hanson), by the Indian Head River Pond, where Henry II. Brigham's tack factory now stands ; into Abington by Plymouth Street (formerly called Back Street), passing by the way that leads to Little Comfort (now South Abington), about a mile to the eastward of Hersey's saw-mill, which stood near the present location of the Old Colony Railroad Depot, to Weymouth. This was in 1707.
For almost all the travel from towns south and east of this, theso were the two main roads through Abington for more than one hundred years : one. passing on the westerly, the other on the easterly part of the same. Stages ran from Plymouth through this town on the easterly road for some years, commencing from the first part of this century. The other road (the westerly one) was the main route for the towns in the westerly part of Plymouth County, and a thor- oughfare for stages from New Bedford, through Middle- borough, after the New Bedford and Bridgewater turnpike was made (over fifty years ago) to Boston.
After this period, the roads were somewhat improved in this fown, and new ones made. But when East Abington became a parish, making a centre for their meeting-house away from all the old roads, quite an outlay for new roads
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8 ROADS.
was made necessary. "When the Old Colony Railroad was established, running six miles through the centre of the town, a great many new roads were made, leadiug to the three depots in town. Others were made a short time previous to this, at considerable cost; one of the most expensive, from South Ahington to North Bridgcwater; one from the same place to North Hanson, and several at East and North Abington.
Since 1845, there has been reported as paid for making new roads, $27,864; the largest amount in any one year was $5,486, in 1855. The yearly average for the last fourteen years is about $2,000.
Besides this great outlay for new roads, the repairs of the highways have been very expensive, especially on the old roads. The new roads heing well made,' required much less repairs. Previous to 1816 the highways were repaired hy polls working a certain amount (generally one day), and estates in proportion.
This system, with some slight variations, was continued until 1832. In that year a specific sum, $1,500, was raised; in 1849, $2,200; in 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1857, and 1859, $2,500; in 1856, $3,000. For the intermediate years not named, being nineteen years, $2,000 was raised for each year; amounting, in the whole, for the past twenty-eight years since 1831, to nearly $60,000. And if for the same time (twenty-eight years) we should estimate the amount expended in building new roads at $40,000, which would he only adding about $12,000 for the first fourteen years from 1831, (in tho List fourteen years, as stated above, $28,000 was expended,) wo should sum up a grand total of $100,000 laid out in repairs of highways aud making new roads in this town, in the past twenty-eight years.
Thero has been much diversity of opinion in respect to the best mode of repairing highways, aud making new roads. The practice for repairing lias generally been by a labor tax ; some years by a money tax. The making of new roads has generally been put out to be done on contract. In some years
ROADS. , 9
surveyors have drawn mouey from the town treasury, and expended it at their discretion. The town has changed repeatedly from one mode to the other. The highway dis- tricts have varied greatly in size since 1829 : there have been twenty-four districts for eleven years ; twenty-three for ono year ; twenty-two for twelve years ; fourteen for two years ; three for four years. The highest number (twenty-four) is the present one; last year (1858), fourteen. When the dis- tricts were fewest, there was a money tax for one or two years.
In former times, say over fifty years ago, the labor system was doubtloss tho best, thu population beiug less than two thousand, and money not abundant ; but now, and for a good many years past, it is a wretched system. Since the poll tax has been reduced to a trifle, it is next to impossible to receive it in work, amounting, as it does, to less than a quarter or a third of a day's work.
Another great difficulty in the district system is a just appropriation of the mouey raised, to the various districts. This used to be done by taxing eachlndividual in his district according to his towu valuation. Sometimes one-half of the money raised in the towu was divided equally among all the districts, and the other half according to their polls and estates, or as they stood in the town valuation ; and some- times in part by the number of rods of road in the district : this year, for the first time, wholly by the number of rods of road in each district. This is an experiment, and doubtless will prove very unsatisfactory, if not unjust to many dis- tricts. Great length of road in districts but little travelled, will draw from districts where there is ten, and, perhaps, twenty times the travel, amounts which would be far more usefully expended in the latter districts.
As -an instance of the unjust working of this system, I would state how it affects tho district in which I live, (on South Avenue,) and the district in Plymouth Street, where Lebbeus Gurney, Jr., lives. Our district draws seventy dol- lars— the other ninety dollars. Now our district has had no
dO eoads.
new roads made for many years, and is quite hilly and uneven, and has a large travel, the Old Colony Railroad Depot lying in the centre of it ; whilst the roads in the other district are all new made and gravelled, and in complete order. Over two thousand dollars have heen expended in this district within four years : about one-half of it within two years. Twenty or thirty dollars would have been a full share for that district. How the ninety dollars are to be expended is a question. The same irregularity will be found in other districts.
There is another great evil in the district system as now managed, whether it is by a labor or a money tax. Survey- ors cannot be got that are practical men in repairing roads or making new roads, and but few will attend to it : and it is much more difficult to apply labor than formerly. In past times most of the farmers had oxen, which were much more efficient than horses with carts or wagons. But ox teams now are much diminished, whilst horse carts and wagous are superabundant ; and on days of turning out to work on high- ways, it is difficult and almost impossible to get hand laborers. And when a money tax is made, and the town is divided into three districts, with as many surveyors to expend the money at their discretion, there is often occasion for much complaint. Inefficient men are employed ; poor teams, inade- quately manned ; and the town is liable to be badly speculated upon. The case has been, when a surveyor had the whole command of the money in a large district, he would go and purchase in the spring three or four yoke of oxeu, charge the town one dollar and twenty-five cents, if not one dollar and fifty cents per day for their work, (and they are not likely to be worked very hard,) and at the cud of the season a bill of one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five dol- lars is charged the town for the labor of each yoke ; enough to pay for their purchase and keeping, and such are sold in the fall for beef. In this way the surveyor has a chance, besides his wages, to clear his oxen or the price of them.
Instead of this vacillating system, or rather no system at all, a different course has been strenuously urged upon the
ROADS. 11
town for a number of years. But whilst all see the difficulty they will not adopt the remedy. The recommendation is for the town to purchase the oxen, say six or eight yoke, and a few horses ; also some carts and plows, and a sufficient lot of tools, and then employ one or two men as surveyors at a daily agreed price, to do the work, without any chance to speculate on teams, or wages of men: to employ twenty, thirty, or forty able-bodied men to work for the season at a fixed price, to board themselves, to work ten hours a day, as labor- ers do in building railroads. The carts, plows, and tools, would last many years. I noticed in one of our surveyor's bills that he paid more for the use of a horse-cart in one sea- son, than a new ono would have cost.
This mode would remedy many evils ; give two hours more work by each laborer daily. A day's work of eight hours would be gained each day on four hands ; on forty, ten days ; ou three thousand days' work, which is about the number required yearly to repair highways and make new roads, there would be a gain of seven hundred and fifty days' work of eight hours a day, or six hundred at ten hours a day, over the old system of eight hours a day. That this amount of labor would be required yearly, is within bounds, as over four thou- sand dollars have been expended yearly for these purposes for over twenty years past.
There are other considerations in laying out new roads and building them, which towns ought to attend to more particu- larly. Many roads are laid out in aid of private speculation and individual accommodation, without regard to the general iuterest. A noted . case of this description took place some twenty years ago. I refer to it as a specimen of other like oases. A road was laid out by the County Commissioners on thb petition of Nathaniel Shaw and others, in 1835, leading from South Abington up a lauc, beginning at the termination of the Whitman Road, so called, now on Washington Street, to Jairus Fullerton's, on the westerly part of the town, called Locust, intended as a road leading to North Bridgewater, to shorten the distance.
12 ROADS.
- At a town meeting May 4, 1835, an article was inserted in the warrant to raise money to build it. I objected to it, (I hope I shall be excused in usiug the first person, as I cannot tell the story without,) and stated that the road was laid out crooked, running up said lane to said Shaw's house, or by it, about one hundred and fifty rods nearly south-west, then about north-west to its termination at Locust, crossing the New Bedford turnpike in swampy land, unfit for building lots, and would not save over one mile in going to North Bridgewater village ; but if on a straight line, (where it now is,) it would pass over high land (Mount Zion, so called) very eligible for building lots, and would quadrate with other roads in the parish, crossiug the New Bedford turnpike, where a daily stage then run, on high ground, and would save, instead of one mile, two miles in passing to North Bridgewater. There was strong opposition to this move, but the town voted to pass over the article, and also voted to choose a committee of five to view the premises, and if they thought it best to change tho location, to petition the County Commissioners to do so.
This committee, consisting of Joseph Cleverly, Nathan Beal, John Cushing, David Beal, and Spencer Viniug, went upon the premises, or a part of them, without notifying me, and I was not aware of the time, and was not present. The committee did not petition for any change, or even make any report, as I ever heard of, and there is none on record, from which it was inferred that they approved of the location.
But so deeply was I impressed with tho necessity of this change, I headed a petition (a few others joining me) to the County Commissioners, to discontinue the Locust route and adjopt the straight line, and also to extend the road from J. Fullerton's, southerly about fifty rods, to intersect this route. This application was approved by the town ; for at a town tneeting, (an article being inserted in the warrant for this purpose,) September 19, 1836, they voted that the town make no opposition to the petition of Benjamin Ilobart and others for a location of a new road from Samuel Norton's, in
ROADS. 13
Abington, to B. Edson's, in North Bridgewater. By this vote I was relieved from any opposition from the town.
The result was that the location was changed, and the other route was discontinued, and the uew one established, with the extension of the short route from J. Fullerton's to this. This was not effected without a severe trial. Besides a strong opposition by the petitioners for the first route, the town of East Bridgewater made strenuous opposition to it, as it passed through a portion of that town, while the other route did not. Their agent chosen to oppose it was one of the County Commissioners, the Into Isaac Aldcn, Esq., excluded from acting with the other Commissioners, as his town was interested. Tho success was owing mainly to one of the County Commissioners, the late Col. J. B. Turner, of Scitu- ate. His independence, foresight and good judgment, led him decidedly to favor the change.
To effect this change cost me much time and labor, and considerable expense. I attended the County Commissioners at a number of their stated courts ; was with them in viewing the route repeatedly ; attended several hearings before them ; looked up documents and witnesses ; but it was a sacrifice with which I have been well pleased, as the result has always been so well received. The statement which I made to the town on moving to change the route, has been more than realized : the saving in distance has been made ; a very fine street opened on elevated grounds ; other roads have been opened to it, and nearly fifty dwelling-houses have been erected on the site, all of them in very good style, and some of them quite elegant. Mr. Oliver G. Healey has been the principal owner and architect ; he has built for himself a very splendid house, in which he now resides ; quite elevated,, and commanding a very extensive prospect. I am informed by him that he has built on " Mount Zion," as it used to be called, and in the vicinity, about one hundred dwelling-houses. In compliment to him for those exertions, tin's elevated tract of bind is, by common consent, called " Mount Oliver." 2
14 SOABS.
There are many other things and abuses in repairing high- ways and making new roads, which want correcting, but I can only refer to two or three of them in this sketch. We have tills year twenty-four surveyors in as many districts. It is not expected that they will work themselves, but only over- see and direct ; and if tbey receive only one dollar per day, and arc employed ten days each, it will amount to two hun- dred and forty days, and to as many dollars ; but if at one dollar and twenty-five cents per day, which is most probable, their wages will amount to three hundred dollars. Now this sum (three hundred dollars) would employ two efficient sur- veyors at two dollars per day, seventy-five days each, at ten hours per day, same as the hands. If at two dollars aud fifty cents per day, sixty days each, aud the work would be done in season, and where it would be wanted. And as to mak- ing new roads, as it is voted this year to be done, by putting them out at auction, a saving of twenty-five per cent, might be made ; for contractors intend, generally, to make that sum, besides their expenses for hands and teams. Many of the roads made in this way, by contract, have been greatly slighted. Among these, witness the road on Plymouth Street from Nathaniel Jenkins' to Jesse Reed's, which was ordered to be widened and straightened by the County Commissioners, but the contractor did it before some of the walls and fences were removed or built, almost wholly on the lay of the old road; and when the fences were put up, the made road, instead of running in the centre, ran from one side to the other, and where the greatest widening was, the road was made about on the old track, without any advantage from the widening. Fifty per cent, probably was made on this contract, the bill amounting to several hundred dollars.
chapter m.
Beech Hill. — Location of Roads over it.
Some time since I wrote quite a leugthy article on this subject, ami published it iu tho Abington Standard as a part of my Historical Reminiscences ; but since then a change has taken place by the laying out by the County Commissioners, and building of a new road over the hill. This road, com- mencing at the southerly end of Spring Street, in Abington, runs southerly over or near tho summit of Beech Hill ; theuce to a point on a road in the town of Hanson, between the houses of Lcander Lewis and Joseph Cox, or to Cox's Corner, — formerly so called.'
This was a very unwise location ; for the road varies from a straight line between the termini, nearly one mile ; from the top of the hill it runs south-easterly through low land, swampy, and uufit, a great portion of the way, for building lots, and a very bad way to make a road upon. This road, as now laid out and built, has been adjudged by two previous Boards of County Commissioners to bo not required for public conveni- ence and necessity.
In 1819, over forty years ago, it appears from the town 'records that " Nathan Gurney, James Bates and Jared Whit- man, were cbosen a committee to oppose a road petitioned for over Beech Hill to Hatch's Corner, — the termini of the present road, — and on October 3, 1831, twelve years after, Benjamin Hobart and James Bates were chosen a committee to oppose a road over the same route, petitioned for by Cornelius Cobb and others."
Besides all this opposition, there is another ono construc- tively to the same effect, of April 2, 1832, according to an article in the warrant for that purpose. A committee of three were chosen to "view a route for a new road across.
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16 BEECH UILL ROADS.
Beech Hill, and to report to the town their opinion, and stake out a route that they may think proper, if any. Com- mittee : — William Torrey, Christopher Dyer, and Joshua King." .
This committee never made any report, or at least there is no record of any. This is not strange, nor is it singular, that the two Boards of County Commissioners did not approve of the routes proposed. There are no termini for the road to commence and end at, that arc favorable and feasible. The form of the hill is such that the road laid out as now, is a great injury to the town — particularly to South Abiugton. A great portion of it is to be made by this town, and there is no calculation how it is to be entered from South Abingtou Depot. It can only be entered by extending South Avenue from the dwelling-house of Isaiah Tillson to it.
But perhaps it may be said, let Abington make a new road from Mr. Hendley's house iu Abiugton, to the top of the hill. But this is not feasible. Beech Hill is so precipitous on the westerly side, that a road cannot be made upon that side ; and if it could, you would have to make a very sharp angle to meet the east end of South Avenue ; or a new road, almost a mile long, would have to be made to make a straight liuc to Henry H. Brigham's house, to enter the road leading to the depot. All this ground has been viewed repeatedly, and no conclusion has ever been come to. The question then arises, whero the road ought to be ? There are two ways, and one of them has already been alluded to — that is, to cxteud South Avenue from near Tillson's house to the new-built road over the hill, to meet it, and save two miles travel through Hanson ; but this is superseded now by another proposition, which i§ to make a road as petitioned for by Heury II. Brigham and several hundreds of others, inhabitants of eight towns in Plymouth County — about one hundred of them in South Abington — requesting the County Commissioners to layout a road from the east end of South Avenue, near said Tillson's house, extending easterly to King Street, in Hanover, near the house of the late Samuel House, thence to the four corners
BEECn UILL ROADS. 17
on Teague's Hill, so cr.lled, in said Hanover. This petition now lies in court, and has been continued from time to time, on account of the exigencies of the times, in consequence of the civil war. It will be called up at a proper time. Tho object of this petition is to open and straighten the roud from Abington and other towns on the west, to Hanover and other towns to the east of that town, particularly to Scituutc, Pembroke, Duxbury and Marshfield. At the latter town there is a wutcring-plu.ee on the sea-board, and a village culled South Abiugtou, which bus becomo of late years a place of greut resort in the wurm "season of the year, not only for tho iuhubitants of South Abington, but for those of other towns west of it; and there will be a saving of two miles travel from those towns, if this route should be established as a public highway ; and it is confidently believed that it will be. By crossing the new road lately made over the hill, it will open a way to its summit for the inhabitants of South Abington village, and many of tho inhabitants of Han- over.
This road is very much needed, not only for the settlers on the hill to go to the depot and post office in South Abington village; but for many of the inhabitants of the town of Han- over to get to thc» same place, and also for the people of South Abington to get to Hanover. In both these towns there are many individuals who are owners of large tracts of cultivated and wood lands on the hill. If this road, as contemplated, is nade, it will open all the avenues to the hill that ought to be culculutcd upon, 'or opened, for many years. It is true that tho distance from the hill to the depot, the post-office, and the village there, will be about one mile further than it would have been if the location had been changed, as referred to above, and come out at or near the east end of South Avenue, near Isaiah Tillson's house.
But the town has already been at great expense to make tho present road over the hill ; and as there are only two families on the hill at this time, it will not be necessary to make any other roads to that locality for many years.
1 8 BEECII 11ILL 1I0AD3.
These calculations are based on the idea that the road petitioned for, as above stated, and now depending in court, is laid out and made. If this is not done, there will soon have to be built two roads — one from the top of the hill to come to the depot in South Abington village, and one to King Street in Hanover, at a much greater expense than the one petitioned for. But the road prayed for will answer all the purpose of the two other roads, and accomplish also a great many other purposes. And hereafter, whou the settlements on the hill become extended, a road can be made from its top to meet this contemplated road near the cast end of South Avenue, near said Tillsou's house.
I had some thoughts of omitting this whole chapter ; but as all the doing3, relating to roads over the hill, have much bearing on the petition now depending, and upon other roads which will be wanted hereafter, I have concluded not to omit, but to retain the chapter.
, There are many other proceedings which have been had, such as petitions for roads over the hill, and several views of County Commissioners, which arc not alluded to above, and need not be, because they arc matters of record.
Efforts to make the lands on the sum nit of the hill, and its surroundings, more accessible, have been making for many years ; and no road has ever reached them but the one referred to above. This road is not without its convenience and utility, especially to East Abiugton and Ilansou ; but it has not accommodated South Abington, nor the hill, so far as getting to South Abington is coucerned.
This part of the town, called Beech Hill, and its surround- ings, comprises a large tract of laud, estimated, indeed, to contaiu over three thousand acres, capable of great improve- ments, and of sustaining a large populutiou ; and it will, doubtless, in time, become a very important section of the town. This chapter, if it should ever reach such a population, will remind them of th.3 great efforts made for their accommo- dation in preceding times.
CHAPTER IV. Population, Valuation and Polls. — Their Increase and Amount.
The population of Abington, according to the best means of ascertaining it, was, in 1726, (fourteen years alter its incor- poration,) 371; but we have no reliable means of ascertaining it every ten- years, that I know of, until the United States census in 1790. It was then 1,453; in 1800, 1,625; 1810, 1,704; 1820, 1,920; 1830, 2,423; 1840, 3,144; 1850, 5,269; 1855, (five years,) 6,936. From this it appears that for the sixty-four years from 1726 to 1790, the increase of tho population of this town was 1,082 ; from 1790 to 1800, 176 ; 1800 to 1810, 81; 1810 to 1820, 216; 1820 to 1830, 503; 1830 to 1840, 721; 1840 to 1850, 2,125; 1850 to 1855, (five years,) 1,667 (this being the last ceusus). - By tho above, we see a very slow increase of the population of the town for sixty-four years — from 1726 to 1790, only 1,082; seventeen yearly, and 165 for every ten years; and also from 1790 to 1820, (thirty years,) 467 — averaging 16 yearly, and 156 every ten. years; — less, yearly, than the sixty- lour years previous. The increase the next ten years, from 1820 to 1830, was more than tho thirty years previous; it beiDg 503. The increase from 1830 to 1840 was truly sur- prising, it being 721 ; the increase from 1840 to 1850 was much more so, viz.: 2,125; but from 1850 to 1855, (five years,) it almost exceeded belief — being 1,667; and if this ratio of increase, for the other five years, up to 1860, should contiuue, (aud no doubt it will,) the increase of population, in this town, for the ten years from 1850 to 1860, will amount to 3,334 ; and the whole population, then, to 8,605.
If we compare this increase of population with that of the other towns in the couuty of Plymouth, it will show an extra- ordinary result ; for this increase of 3,334, as above, in only
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20 POPULATION.
ten years, will probably, in 1860, exceed the whole population of any of the towns in the county, except five, viz. : Plymouth, Middleborough, Hingham, Norih Bridgewater, and Bridge- water. The whole increase of all the towns in the county, from 1850 to 1855, was 5,816. Deduct the increase, in. Abington, (1667,) and the increase in all the other towns (twenty-three) would be 4,147 ; the increase in Abington, for this period, is more than one-third of the increase of all the other towns in the county. Deduct the increase iu Abington and North Bridgewater for the same time, (five years,) viz. : 2,928, and the increase in all the other towns (2,886) would be less, by about fifty, than in these two towns ; and there are now (1865) but three towns in the State, except incorporated cities, which stand higher in population than Abington, and these only by a small number.
The valuation of the town, its increase and amount, is equally as extraordinary as its population, as the following will show. Without going further back than 1825,* (and I have no data beyond that to compare,) which was one hun- ' dred and eleven years after its incorporation, the town's valu- ation stood, $414,916 (omitting ceuts) ; in 1831, $453,289; 1835, $488,549; 1839, §529,714 ; 1845, $1,223,931 ; 1850, $1,767,163 ; 1855, $2,942,382 ; 1858, §3,186,579 ; and prob- ably it will stand, in 1860, $3,400,000.
Here we see, as would be expected, a striking analogy between the increase of the population of the town and its valuation : the increase of valuation from 1825 to 1845, (twenty years,) was §809,015, but from 1845 to 1850, (Rvq years,) it was $543,232, more than half as much for that time as in the twenty years previous. From 1850 to 1858 it was $1,419,416 ; and from the last date to 1860, (two. years,) this increase will probably exceed $2,000,000. The, valuation in 1858 stood higher than in any other town in the county of Plymouth ; and this, no doubt, will be the case in 1860. The increase of the number of polls, iu Abiugton, was in accordance with the increase of population and val- uation. In 1825 there were 406; 1831, 578; 1835, 703;
POPULATION. 21
1839, 789; 1845,1,040; 1850, 1,489; 1855, 1,835; 1858, 2,097.
By the above we see a very great increase of popu- lation, valuation and polls, from about 1830 to 1858, and what they will probably be in 1860. We 6ee, also, a very slow progress in their advances up to that time, being one hundred and sixteen years from the incorporation of the town, in 1810. To account for all these changes would require much time, patience and research. We can only glance at a few.
At the commencement of all the settlements in New Eng- land, the progress of improvements and the increase of popu- lation were slow. The start was from very limited numbers — a wilderness was before the few inhabitants to be subdued — they were almost without money and without tools — a savage foe was at their heels — a bare subsistence was first to be acquired. But to turn our attention to this town, as that is our subject : when the population had become considerable towards the close of the last ceutury, (about 1,400,) it was very fluctuating and unsteady. The soil was hard of cultiva- tion, and many individuals and families left here for other parts, for cheaper and better lands. This continued until 1830. The emigration was to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and to the westerly part of this State ; the towns of Curamington and Plainfield, in Hampshire County, in this State, then being townships numbered 4 and 5, were greatly aided in their population by immigrants from this town. My wife's mother, Miss Mary Ford, with her father, Hezekiah Ford, emigrated from this town upwards of ninety years ago, to the township No. 4, now Cummington, at the age of fifteen years, and married there an emigrant from Bridgewater — Edmund Lazell — a brother of the late Gen. Sylvanus Lazcll, of East Bridgewater. They raised up a numerous family, but not one of their descendants remains there now. Mrs. Lazell remarked to me, that " she had paid Abingtou for the loss of herself, by sending back her daughter."
There were but few immigrations to this town during the period named. There were no manufacturing establishments
22 POPULATION.
to give employment to hands, and many of our young men sought employment in other sections. But in about 1830, things began to change for the better. The New Bedford and Bridgewater turnpike passing through this town, had been in operation some twenty years ; stages began to run through the town, daily, from Plymouth aud New Bedford, to Boston ; baggage wagons also started iuto operation. The tack business commenced a kw years previous to this, which gave employment to many hands and teams. Marketing also commenced about this time, on quite a large scale, not only for the supply of this town and neighboring towns, but also that of Plymouth, New Bedford, and other towns at a dis- tance. The late Col. Brackley Cushiug did an extensive busiuess in this way, aud also Mr. Bethuel Peuniman, Jr., and some others. Mr. Penniman's busiuess became so exten- sive in New Bedford, that he removed there, with hi3 family, a few years before 1830. He supplied that market with the best of beef, and other meats, for many years. Thousands of heads of cattle, for beef aud stores, has he purchased at Brighton, and drove to that market. He has relinquished this busiuess now, with ample meaus, and is at present interested in the whale fisheries — a worthy sample of an Abington go- ahead man.
About this time the weaving business commenced here, and became quite extensive. Yarn was furnished by the cotton factories, and wove into cloth by hund-looms ; this gave employment to a great many females. There was a cloth woven here of cotton and linen yarn — very thin and sleazy — ■ called Farrar cloth, after the name of the person who carried on the making of it very extensively. This cloth was paiutcd and glazed for covering of tables and trunks. r Auother very great impetus given to the increase of popula- tion and wealth, was the opeuiug of the Old Colony Railroad in 1845, passing through the whole length of the town — over six miles — aud having three depots. The making of this road led to a large influx of foreigucrs, and many took uo their residences here, with their families. These were
POPULATION. 23
principally emigrants from Ireland. Previous to this, mauy young girls, from the " Emerald Isle," were employed in families as domestics, and many laboring men of this sort fouud employmeut in farming and iu our manufacturing estab- lishments, so that probably the population, from this source, was increased over one thousand ; and without this aid the town would have lost much of its thrift.
But the greatest impetus given to the increase of poptilatiou "was the extraordinary start which the boot and shoe busiuess took between 1820 and 1830. This busiuess gave employ- ment to numerous hands, both male and female, and many from other towns sought employment here iu this busiuess ; but I will not enlarge on this subject now, as I shall probably take it up iu another article, as also some of the other subjects alluded to above — the tack business, agricultural pursuits, &c.
As business iucreased, and employment was found at home, emigration from here became less — in fact the tide turned the other way : emigration from other towns was to this ; and many, now, of our most thriving boot and shoe manufacturers came among us, took up their residence here, and have become some of our most enterprising citizens. Many single young men and women, from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and the western part of this State, have come here and taken up their residence. The pareuts of many of them went from here formerly, aud left many connections, as brothers and sis- ters ; so, in returning, they came among their friends. Many of these have formed connections here, and have families. This class numbers some hundreds. In our tack and other business we have employed, I should judge, in the thirty years past, over one hundred, aud something like one-half of them have formed connections here, and settled down iuto families. This class of immigrants came with good morals aud habits of industry, and have been quite au acquisition to the popula- tion of the town. The parents of many of them left here in quest of better lands, and when they multiplied beyond the wants of agricultural labor where they were, the surplus bought employment in other ways. At this particular time
24 POPULATION.
there was an opening here for additional help, and the boot and shoe business, with other calls for laborers, furnished full employment. Here we see that those who emigrated from us formerly, sent back their sons and daughters, with- many of their young acquaintances, and made up the loss which they occasioned us when they left, with compound interest.
Another cause of this increase of population was, the settle- ment, at about the time referred to, (1830,) and since, of quite a number of professional men. Six or seven additional min- isters were settled here, with families, and as many doctors, two or three lawyers, and quite a number of school teach- ers—with many tradesmen and mechanics. These several additions and classes will be referred to hereafter, in other sketches.
CHAPTER V.
School Districts. — Changes in them. — Money raised for Schooling. — School Committees. — System of Schooling in Past Times and at the Present Time.
In 1732 the first school-house in town was built. It stood near the Centre Meeting-house, and was the only one in town until 1755, twenty-three years after the first was built. Pre- vious to this, in 1724, Mr. Samuel Porter was paid twenty dollars for keeping school. It must have been in some private room, and probably such a school was continued until the first school-house was built, and after that in the first school-house, and otherwise ; for it was frequently kept in different parts of the town, to equalize the travel, until the town was divided into five districts, in 1755. There was a law passed iu 1789, requiring towns of two hundred families to keep a grammar- school twelve months in each year, in which the Latin and Greek languages should be taught by a master, qualified for that purpose. This school was kept alternately in each of the five districts, three months in each year. How the law was answered or evaded iu keeping three months in a year instead of twelve, I am not aware. It was considered as an arbitrary law. Its object was to prepare students for entering college at the public expense. It was kept as the winter schools usually were, only the master must be qualified to teach the languages ; but few were prepared for entering college in this way ; but it helped the common schools, as it furnished better teachers.
In 1794, thirty-nine years after the first districting, (in 1755,) the districts were increased to eight, with some pro- vision to aid some families in the outskirts of the town, by granting to them a portion of the money raised for schooling. In 1822, eleven districts were made by bounds on the roads. In 1847, the eleven school districts were defined by lines, with metes and bounds, making some slight alterations from 1822. .3 (25)
26 scnooLa.
This was done to make definite the hounds of districts for the convenience of local taxation. In 1853, the district system in this town was abolished ; the regulation and superintendence of all the schools were assumed by the town ; new school- houses were built, the district school-houses being paid for by the town.
The following sums have been raised, at different times, for schooling, and divided among the districts. Sometimes each district had an equal part, and at other times a part according to the number of polls, or the taxes paid by the inhabitants of the districts ; sometimes by one-half being divided equully among the districts, and the other half according to the num- ber of scholars in each ; changing almost every year, and often very unequally divided. In 1755, when the town was divided into five districts, the sum raised for schooling was only $89 ; this, if diyided equally among the districts, would give to each $17.80. This continued to be the amount raised, until 1765, (ten years,) when the amount was increased to $133.33, and this continued so for twenty years, — being $26.66 to each district. Iu 1785, the amount was $286.66; to each district, $57.35. This was the rate for ten years, until 1795, when it stood at $466.66. Without naming the division, it will only be necessary to name the sum raised at each change, for the same sum was continued to be raised from one change to another. In 1805, it was 8833.33; 1810, $900 ; 1815, $850 ; 1818-19, $1,000 each year; 1820, $800; 1822, $1,000; 1825, $1,200; 1833, $1,400; 1834, $1,600; 1839, $2,000; 1842, $2,500; 1848,03,000; 1852, $5,000; 1854, $6,000 ; 1857, $7,500 ; 1858, $6,500 ; 1859, $7,000. It appears from the above statement that the sums raised for schooling, from 1755 to 1805, (fifty years,) were very small; that there were five districts for thirty-niuc years of that time, aud eight for eleven years. The wages of teachers were much less then, than at the present time. Female teachers received from seventy-five cents to one dollar per week, and boarded themselves ; male teachers, eight to ten dollars per month, and boarded themselves. Schools were kept about
SCHOOLS. 27
three mouths in summer, by females, and about two months in winter, by males. Private schools were frequently kept for small children.
The School Committees in Abington, as far as ascertained,
are- as follows : In 1807, ten were chosen to visit the schools,
with the Rev. Samuel Nilcs, and to recommend a uniformity
of school-books. The same was done in 1808. It does not
appear from the records that any School Committee was
chosen after that year, until 1825, (seventeen years,) when
in each district three (thirty-three in all) were chosen to visit
the schools, and advise with the teachers. In 1826, one' in
each district was chosen. This year, (1826,) a very full law
was passed, concerning schools; requiring School Committees,
examinations of teachers, visits to the schools, designation of
books, giving to School Committees the power to select and
hire teachers, and to regulate the order and discipline of the
schools. The names of those who have served on the School
Committee, with the years in which they served, are as
follows, viz. : —
J. Whitman, Esq., 1826, 1827, 1835 and 1836 . 4 years. Dr. Ezekiel Thaxter, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, and
1834 5 years.
Rev. S. Colburn, 1827 1 year.
Benjamin Hobart, 1828, 1829 r.nd 1830 .... 3 years.
Elihu Hobart, 1829 and 1830 2 "
Capt. Daniel A. Ford, 1829 and 1831 .... 2 "
Micah Pool, Esq., 1829 and 1830 2 "
Josiah Holbrook, 1830 and 1836 2 "
Rev. Daniel Thomas, 1837 to 1843 7 "
Rev. Lucius Alden, 1831 to 1843 13 "
Rev. Silas Hall, 1831, 1832, 1833 and 1834 . . 4 "
Rev. M. G. Wheeler, 1832 and 1833 2 "
Rev. J. W. Ward, 1835 to 1846, 1852,-1853, 1855
and 1856 16 "
Rev. Dennis Powers, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1848 and
1849 5 "
28 SCHOOLS.
Rev. H. D. Walker, 1844, 1845, 184G, 1852, 1853,
1854 and 1857 7 years.
J. Arnold, Jr., 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1853,
1854, 1855 and 1856 9 "
Reuben Loud, 1847, 1857, 1858 and 1859 ... 4 "
William A. Stone, 1848 and 1849 2 "
Dr. J. M. Underwood, 1850, 1851, 1853, 1856 and
1857 .5 "
Dr. A. P. Chase, 1850 to 1854 5 "
Eev. Isaac C. White, 1853, 1854, 1855 and 1857 . 4 "
William E. Sheldon, 1855 and 1856 2 "
Dr. F. F. Forsaith, 1856 and 1857 2 "
Eev. Varnum Lincoln, 1857, 1858 and 1859 . . 3 "
Samuel Dyer, 1858 and 1859 2 "
Besides the above, the following persons have served one year each :—
Rev. Joseph Pettee, 1854 and part of 1857 ... 1 year.
Rev. William H. Dalrymple, 1836 1 "
William R. Viuing, 1855 1 "
Dr. Asa Millet, 1857 1 "
Horace Reed, 1857 1 "
Elbridge Sprague, 1857 1 "
John N. Noyes, 1857 1 "
Christopher Dyer, Jr., 1857 1 "
J. E. Keith, Esq., 1857 1 "
It is on record, that in 1828 Nathaniel Ilobart, Nathaniel Beal, Jacob Cobb, and David' Lane, served for that year only.
The School Committee consisted of five in 1829, 1830, 1836, 1854, 1855 and 1856, six years ; of seven in 1828 and 1853, two years; ten "in 1857, one year; of three in all the rest of the years from 1826 to 1859, being twenty-four years.
By the Revised Statutes of 1836, towns of five hundred families or householders were required to keep a school
SCHOOLS. - 29
for the higher branches of English literature, equivalent to twenty-four mouths in each year ; and if of four thousaud pop- ulation, the master shall, in addition, be qualified to instruct in the Latin and Greek languages, and general history, rhet- oric and logic ; which school shall be kept for the beuefit of all the inhabitants of the town, al least ten months in each year, exclusive of vacation, at one fixed place, or alternately at different places, as, the town should decide upon at their annual meeting. In (his revision, towns were still required to choose School Committees, giving them further powers, and defining their services and duties.
This law made a great change in towns having the requi- site population, which was the case in this town. After many efforts to evade the law, the town, in 1853, was led to adopt the system, and, as provided, to abolish the school districts, and to take the management of all the schools into their own hands. To accomplish tills, since that time, the town has paid for new school-houses and yards, $26,362.63, and has graded all the schools into Primary, Intermediate and Gram- mar schools, with the school to teach the higher branches of education, called the High School, as required by the statute, and under the direction of the School Committee.
The sums that have been paid .for services of School Com- mittees, as nearly as can be ascertained, are as below. The School Committee of 1840, .which was, composed of the Rev. Daniel Thomas, Rev. Lucius Aldcn, and Rev. J. W. Ward, were paid $42.60 to enable them to pay for blanks, and, per- haps, something for their services ; but nothing before this or after, until 1845, is found on record, to have been paid to School Committees. The payments from that time, (1845,) arc as follows: —
1845.
Rev. J. W. Ward $20 65
Rev. Dennis powers , t , , . . 20 00
Rev. II. D. Walker 15 00
8*
$55 65
80 SCHOOLS.
1846.
Rev. J. W. Ward $18 00
Rev. Dennis Powers . . . . . . 20 00
Rev. H. D. Walker 16 50
1847. •**«>
J. Arnold, Jr $22 00
Christopher Dyer, Jr 14 00
Reuben Loud 23 00
< .,.
1848. , *59 00
J. Arnold, Jr $23 62
Rev. D. Powers 53 87
William A. Stone 44 35
1849. *121 84>
J. Arnold, Jr $39" 89
Rev. D. Powers ....... 95 50
Dr. A. P. Chase 42 00
1850. ^177 39
J. Arnold, Jr $61 00
Dr. J. M. Underwood . . . . . 50 00
Dr. A. P. Chase 62 00
1851. *173 00 J. Arnold, Jr. . . . . . . . $59 39
Dr. J. M. Underwood . . . . . 57 50
Dr. A. P. Chase 61 50
1852. $178 39
Rev. J. W. Ward $58 00
Rev. H. D. Walker 71 75
Dr. A. P. Chase 74 00
$203 75
SCHOOLS.
31
1853
Rev. J. W. Ward Rev. H. D. Walker . Rev. I: C. White Dr. J. M. Underwood . Dr. A. P. Chase . -, J. Arnold, Jr. -. . E. Keith, Esq.
1854.
|
$52 00 |
|
|
46 |
25 |
|
27 |
00 |
|
26 |
75 |
|
40 |
75 |
|
43 |
50 |
|
19 |
50 |
$255 75
|
Rev. H. D. Walker |
• |
• • • • • |
. $60 25 |
|
Rev. I. C. White |
• |
• - • • • |
68 75 |
|
J. Arnold, Jr. . |
*• |
'• *• • • |
75 73 |
|
Dr. A. P. Chase . |
• |
• *• • • |
69 25 |
|
Rev. N. Gunnerson, |
part |
of a year • « |
16 00 |
|
Rev. Joseph Pettee, |
part |
of a year . . |
48 15 |
|
$338 13 |
|||
|
1855. |
|||
|
Rev. J. W. Ward |
,' $68 11 |
||
|
Rev. I. C. White |
72 25 |
||
|
J. Arnold, Jr. . |
61 25 |
||
|
William E. Sheldon |
55 46 |
||
|
William R. Vining |
20 97 |
||
|
$278 04 |
|||
|
1856. |
|||
|
Rev. J. W. Ward |
• |
$74 05 |
|
|
Dr. J. M. Underwood |
44 00 |
||
|
Dr. F. F. Forsaith |
'• |
44 75 |
|
|
William E. Sheldon |
*» |
71 68 |
|
|
J. Arnold, Jr. . |
• |
59 58 |
$294 06
32
SCHOOLS.
|
1857. |
||||
|
Rev. H. D. Walker . |
$42 25 |
|||
|
Rev. Joseph Pettee, part |
of a year |
17 47 |
||
|
Rev. I. C. White |
• • |
GO 75 |
||
|
Dr. J. M. Underwood |
• • |
23 50 |
||
|
14 25 |
||||
|
Dr. F. F. Forsaith . |
• • • « |
64 25 |
||
|
* |
26 76 |
|||
|
41 25 |
||||
|
Elbridge Sprague . |
22 32 |
|||
|
John N. Noyes . |
• • « |
46 47 |
||
|
Rev. V. Lincoln, part of |
a year . . |
33 00 |
||
|
- |
$392 27 |
|||
|
1858. |
||||
|
Rev. V. Lincoln . |
. $103 00 |
|||
|
Reuben Loud |
. .... 73 36 |
|||
|
..... |
99 75 |
|||
|
* « . |
$276 11 |
|||
|
Total, |
§2,840 88 |
The following additions of the school committees, and sums paid them from 1859 to 1864, were added after the fore- going was written, and are not included in any estimate of
* ...
their time of service or sums paid them : —
1859.-
Rev. Varnum Lincoln $111 00
Samuel Dyer 103 50
Reuben Loud . . '.. . . . 84 62
1860. Rev. Varnum Lincoln .
Samuel Dyer
Horace D. Walker
Rev. Joseph Pettee, to fill vacancy
|
$299 |
12 |
|
$74 50 |
|
|
135 |
00 |
|
76 |
87 |
|
47 |
50 |
$333 87
SCHOOLS. 33
1861. Rev. Horace D. "Walker Samuel Dyer . . . . Lewis E. Noyes . . . •
• 1862. Rev. Horace D. Walker . . Samuel Dyer .... Lewis £. Noyes ....
1863. Lewis E. Noyes . . . . Samuel Dyer . . . Rev. Horace D. "Walker
1864. Samuel Dyer . . . . Rev. Horace D. "Walker . . Lewis E. Noyes .
|
$81 |
75 |
|
143 |
25 |
|
84 |
87 |
|
$309 87 |
|
|
$82 50 |
|
|
107 |
25 |
|
86 |
63 |
|
$276 38 |
|
|
$98 75 |
|
|
122 |
79 |
|
77 |
63 |
|
$299 |
17 |
|
$105 00 |
|
|
83 |
50 |
|
109 |
00 |
$297 50
Total, from 1859 to 1864, inclusive . . $1,815 91
2,840 88
Grand total $4,656 79
The sums stated above, exclusive of the additions, amount to $2,840.88, paid to twenty-two members of the school committees. Of this sum, about $1,070.00 was paid to seven clergymen, and about $1,766.00 to fifteen laymen. There wero twenty-four others who served without pay from 1826 to 1845, more years in the aggregate than the twenty- two did ; these served sixty years ; the twenty-four, sixty-six years. The clergy served more than one-half of these sixty- six years gratuitously. It would be an act of justice, perhaps,
84 sciiools.
to name them. They are as follows : Rev. Daniel Thomas, seveu years ; Rev. Lucius Alden, thirteen ; Rev. J. W. Ward, ten (Mr. Ward had pay for six -out of sixteen years) ; Rev. Silas Hall,- four; Rev. Dennis Powers, one; Rev. William H. Dalrymple, one, and Rev. II. D. Walker, one ; aggregate, thirty-seven years in all. On the whole, the schools were under the direction and superintendence of the clergy, com- prising the whole committee, or a majority of them, for nine- teen out of thirty-four years, (from 182G to 18G0,) and fifteen years, wholly or by a majority of laity.
In the selection of school committees there have been much competition, and continual changes. They have been often chosen on sectarian and political grounds ; frequently without much regard to "qualifications. There has been a continual strife betwhet the supporters of the clergy and laity. Some- times the committee were all of the former, and sometimes all of the latter class. They were composed of the laity from 182.G to 1831 (five years). In that year (1831) a sud- den change was made, and it may not be uninteresting to state the circumstances under which it took place. It placed the 6chools under the sole direction of the clergy for fifteen years — the school committees being composed wholly of them (three each year) for thirteen years, and a majority of them for two years; and from 1817 to 1859, (twelve years,) of the laity, wholly for five years, aud by a majority of them, for seven years ; the clergy having a majority for one year only of that time. Somo account of this change will show the influence of sectarian management, and the bad policy of sud- den changes. In giving this, I have to request, as I did on another occasion, to be excused for using the personal pronoun too often. Previous to 1831, I was on the school committee for three years, choscu in 1828. In 1830, the committee consisted of five, viz. : Dr. Ezckiel Thaxtcr, Benjamin Ilobart, Klihu Ilobart, Micah Pool, Esq., and Josiah Holbrook. For the examination of school teachers, and the giving of certifi- cates for qualification, a sub-committee was chosen of two (Dr. Ezckiel Thaxter and Benjamin Hobart). In visiting
SCHOOLS. 35
schools, establishing rules, &c, all took a part. These ser- vices took up so much of my time, that I made up my mind to decline as a candidate in 1831 ; but in going to the annual meeting, in that year, I had some doubts whether I ought to do so. I reflected that I had served only three years, and had got some experience in the business, and somebody must do it. I concluded, on the whole, if elected, to serve another year. At that town meeting a committee, consisting of one from each school district, was chosen to nominate a school committee. They met and did so in the early part of tlio day. I think the same school committee that served in 1830 was selected. This nomination was accepted, but the law required that the school committee should be chosen by ballot, and a few votes only were required to complete the election. It so happened, however, that this was not done im- mediately, (some other election was going on,) and it was over- looked, and not called up until near the close of the meeting, when many had left. The Moderator then called the atteution of the voters present to confirming the nomination. Tweuty or- thirty votes were cast, and the nomination was not cou- firmed, but another and a different choice was made of clergy- men, viz.: Rev. Daniel Thomas, Rev. Lucius Aldcn, and Rev. Silas Hall. Mr. Thomas declined, and Capt. D. A. Ford, at another meeting, was chosen to fill the vacancy. The next year (1832) three clergymen were chosen, (Rev. M. G. "Wheeler, instead of Capt. Ford,) and the clergy had the whole care and superintendence of the schools for sixteen years, from 1831 to 1846 inclusive, (being three in each year,) except the year (1831) in which Capt. Ford served. In 1847 the school committee was composed entirely of laymen, and ever since then, up to 1859, (thirteen years,) with the exception of two years, (1852 and 1854, when the clergy had a majority,) wholly by the laity, or a majority of them.
This move was a violation of confidence ; stealing a march, as a politician would say, and was from sectarian influence, which, with other changes from partizan views, has had a
36 SCHOOLS.
very bad effect in tie management of our schools. Some of the clerical gentlemen were too strenuous on some points ; they were not satisfied to have the superintendence of the schools, but undertook to carry measures in town meeting, which were not satisfactory to the town, and never could be carried out. They urged very strenuously the location of the high school in the centre of the town (Centre Abington). This question agitated the town for several years. The experiment was tried for one or two years, and the high school was kept in the centre, and it proved a failure ; the extreme parts of the town did not send their children. After- wards it was kept alternately in different sections of the town, uutil the town adopted the present plan of having four high schools in different parts of the town, in connection with the four grammar schools. Four very commodious buildings have been erected, and teachers are employed in the gram- mar schools, who are qualified to teach the higher branches of education required by law. This has proved very satisfac- tory ; carrying the schools to the scholars, and equalizing the advantages of schooling to all parts of the town.
CHAPTER VI.
Schools. — Continued.
IN" 1857 there "was another flare-up in the election of a school committee. At the annual town meeting of that year, held March 9th, five were chosen, viz. : Dr. F. F. Forsaith, Eev. Isaac C. "White, Rev. Horace D. Walker, Rev. Varnum Lincoln, and Rev. Wm. P. Everett. This mcetiug was ad- journed to the sixteenth day of the same month. At this meeting, as Rev. "William P. Everett declined, there was a vacancy of one which was to be filled. In addition to this, there was a vote to add four more to the number of the school committee. Thi3 vote was surreptitiously obtained. It was noon, and a great proportion of the voters had left for dinner. The selectmen were busily engaged in counting votes for can- didates to fill vacancies ; at this time the vote to add four was carried, and there were but a very few voters in the house. Ballots were immediately called for, and when voters came in to attend to the afternoon's business, they were surprised to find ballots being carried in to add to the school committee, the number of which was supposed to be settled. They re- fused to vote only to fill the vacancy ; when Rev. Joseph Pcttee was chosen, having one hundred votes. No candidates to add to the school committee were thought of, and no ballots were prepared. The small number of votes carried in shows that this was a secret move. They stood thus : Dr. James M. Underwood had fifteen votes, Dr. Asa Millet eleven, William E. Sheldon twelve, and three others had ten each, and there were twenty-two others voted for ; three had eight votes, one four, and all the rest three and under. The three first named were chosen, and there was no choice of the fourth. A motion was immediately made to reconsider the vote to add to the school committee, so far as respected the one not chosen, which was 4 (37)
38 SCHOOLS.
done by an overwhelming majority. This move excited strong expressions of dislike to the proceedings, and there was much confusion. This addition created ill feeling in other parts of the town, as the school committee was not equally divided, and three or four . more were proposed to be added. In consequence of these expressions of dislike, and the small number of votes carried in for the candidates chosen, four of the school committee resigned, — two at the first meeting, viz. : Rev. Mr. Walker and Rev. Mr. Lincoln, and the two added as above, Dr. Millet and Mr. Sheldon ; leaving four only as chosen. This meeting was adjourned to the twenty-third of the same month, and two more were voted to be added to the school committee, making the whole number ten. Six remained to be chosen, and as it appeared impossible to choose them on one ticket without previous concert, a committee of seven was raised, to retire and make a nomination. They reported two of those who had resigned, viz. : Rev. H. D. Walker, Dr. Asa Millet, and four others — Messrs. Horace Reed, Reuben Loud, J. N. Noyes, and Elbridge Sprague ; and they were chosen, and staud as they arc now reported on the list of the school committee for 1857. It may be remarked here, as quite singular, that the candidates nominated by a committee in 1831, were rejected, aud that the town in 1857 should, twenty-six years after, adopt the same mode to facilitate the election of a school committee.
Now the inquiry naturally arises, why did all this disorder and confusion take pluce at this time ? Iu order to answer this it will be necessary to state that there was an article in the warrant for the town meeting for that year, to see if the town would build a school-house in East Abingtou, of sufficient dimensions, as it was avowed, to accommodate three or four hundred scholars, " for the grammar and intermediate schools." The project was to authorize the school committee to build such a house ; but as the school committee already chosen was composed of five only, and four of these were clergymen, more laymen were wanted for this purpose, so as to relieve the clergy of the responsibility of undertaking so much out of -
SCHOOLS. 39
their line. The movement to add to the school committee which caused the disorders above stated, originated in the desire to accomplish this. The meeting was adjourned twice, and there was much altercation on these subjects, especially in consequence of the vote so surreptitiously obtained, to add to the school committee. This caused much discussion, and many angry feelings. The result of the whole was the rejec- tion of the proposition to build a school-house in East Abiug- ton.
- But this rejection was not satisfactory; and as the school committee was now suitably organized, another town meeting was called, to meet as soon as it could, legally, and which was held on the thirteenth day of April following ; and an article of the same tenor was inserted, which was " To see if the town would build a school-house at East Abington ; " and in addition an article in the same warrant was inserted, " To see if the town would build a school-house in the centre of the town for the high school." A coalition among many of the fuvorers of these objects was calculated upon ; but after much discussion, and the rejection of a motion to refer the building to the school committee (according to the old pluu), both objects failed. Two or three other town meetings, iu n few weeks after, were culled for the same purpose, with a like result as respects the school-house at East Abington. The centre school-house was abandoned, after the lirst defeat. About a year after these meetings, the town built a school- house iu East Abington on a different pluu from the lirst one proposed, but a very commodious house, at an expense of over five thousand dollars.
These proceedings have had a depressing effect upon our schools, and no good results have arisen from them. Their teudeucy has been to lower the tone of our schools. Num- bers of the scholars in our high schools have left and gone elsewhere, to complete their education, or to fit for col- lege. And here, while spcakiug of things to be regretted, I will add that there is much compluint of a want of order in the schools. Regulations are too often chunged, and.
40 SCHOOLS.
in many instances disregarded, and some of them are very trivial. There is a falling off in the qualifications of mauy of the teachers. Very young persons have been employed, who never taught school before. There is, indeed, some excuse for the teachers ; they have not been properly aided in their exertions. They are frequently placed in very unpleasant situations between the parents of some of the children and the school committee. The schools are often interrupted by the complaints of parents that their children are not well treated and not properly taught, and language of reproach is some- times used before the whole school, to the mortification of the teachers and to the loss of their use. On the other hand, there is much complaint that they have not been supported by the school committee, who seem to be afraid to meet such invasions of the schools, or at least do not prevent them. Teachers have been removed without any adequate cause, and some without assigning any reason. It is a conceded fact that the schools of late are not of that high order and under that discipline that they were a £cw years since, when the school committees were of higher qualifications as to independence and education.
But besides irregularities arising in the selection of school committees and the management of the schools, there are qther influences adverse to the success of the schools. Many view the whole system as arbitrary. The breaking up of the school districts is objected to ; and it is but about two years since, that, after the town had abolished them and had expen- ded about thirty thousand dollars in building new school- houses and purchasing old ones, a vote was obtained to go back to the district system again. The chairman of the present school committee strenuously supported this move ; but before it was carried into operation it was reconsidered by a very largo majority. To be compelled to keep a high school to teach the Latin and Greek languages, is considered by some to be highly objectionable ; and to be required to choose school committees for three years, is very unsatisfactory to many. Now, it is notorious that many of these objectors do not
SCHOOLS. 41
cooperate to build up the schools, but act as a dead weight in most of the attempts to carry out aud improve the system. It is injudicious, however, to let such feeliugs prevail. The law has gone iuto operation and the system is established, and there is no probability that the law will be repealed ; it may be modified and improved. On this view of the subject it seems to be the duty of all to carry it out in the best way possible. There is a very great responsibility resting upon the inhabitants of the town in this respect. There are nearly two thousand children in town to be educated and trained up for usefulness. Seven to eight thousand dollars have been raised annually for a number of years for schooling. How important, then, is it for all to unite and cooperate in sus- taining and improving our schools, and not to let sectarian, political, or sectional views prevail to divert us from our responsible duties.
But, after all, and notwithstanding this, in some respects our schools have improved, and the means of education have been very much increased ; yet it is well to state these things, that they may be corrected, and further improvements made. In contrasting the schools of the present day with those of former times, we see very great improvements. This is not all owing to our superior exertions, but much is due to the increase of our population and wealth. By the table in the preceding chapter, it is seen how feeble was the support of schools, until within about twenty years past. Previous to this, everything was on a low scale a3 to schooling. Little money was raised, school-houses were small, cold and illy constructed, and teachers were of very low qualifications. When I at- tended school in my boyhood, English grammar was not introduced ; and I was surprised, when I left to go to an academy (the Derby Academy at Hingham), to learn, for the first time, that there was such a thing as English grammar. There were no school committees to aid the schools, aud the school books were very defective, and but few of them. I remember very well when Webster's spelling-book was first introduced, and used instead of Dilworth's. Its introduction
It'
4»
42 SCHOOLS.
see me 1 to commeuce a new era; and no doubt this was the case afterwards, as new books were added from time to time. There are other things that were injurious to our schools formerly, and are still so ; that is, the want of order aud morals in the schools. Scholars frequently come late, and enter the schools after they have commenced. Their attend- ance is very irregular, and they oftentimes leave by the per- mission of their parents before the school closes ; and, at times, large scholars are insulting to their teachers — especially to female teachers ; refuse obedience, and are obstinate. When I had children to send to our common schools, after a few years' trial I abandoned them. The schools were miserable, and the morals worse. I had a boy come home from school swearing profanely. I said to him, " Why, my little son, do you do so ; you never did so before ? " He answered,
" Sam learnt me to do so, and told me it was pretty."
And, also, I had a daughter about ten years old, who came home from school deeply distressed, naming certain boys who talked to her in a most obscene manner, and asked her most abominable questions. We had an able teacher, (Mr. Beaman,) who kept our school one winter about that time, who said ho would not send his children to such a school if he kept it him- ' self. After this I never sent my children, with a few excep- tions, to the town district school, but maiutaiued a private school for the/n, with a (avr other children sent by my neigh- bors, for about ten years. After that, all of them (nine in number, and who are now living,) were educated at private schools, and out of town at different schools and academies. The expense of all this, I estimated, exceeded four thousand five hundred dollars (five hundred dollars each). Now, if our schools then had been what they now are (or might be), this outlay might have been kept at home ; aud this ought to be the case for the present rising generation, and would be if all would cooperate to build up and improve our schools, and abandon all extraneous views.
There are now questions in the management of the schools unsettled. I refer to religious exercises. The present school
SCHOOLS. 43
committee, besides having the Scriptures read, as provided for by the statute, have ruled that the Lord's Prayer, as it is designated, may be used to open the schools in school hours ; prohibiting other prayers. Without going into a formal discus- sion of this subject, I must say I think the committee, in this case, have adopted the best course. Under this rule the Lord is acknowledged, and II is Divine authority, and the form of prayer which Ho prescribed is used. This exercise is short and comprehensive, and is not fatiguing to the children, and no sectarian party can complain of it. If others wish it, they can send and have religious services before school hours. To adopt any other course would be attended with many difficul- ties. The time detached from school hours would be a serious objection to many. It would have a tendency to introduce sectarian views. Different teachers would use different forms of prayer, and very different expressions, such as would be in agreement with their different creeds. In this way different doctrines might be promoted, and the sects might become jeal- ous of each other, and school committees might be chosen to employ teachers of certain religious sentiments.
After all, one of the greatest drawbacks to our schools is the indifference of parents to their success. They do not cooperate with teachers and school committees as they ought. In many instances they take sides with the misconduct of their children, and before them speak reproachfully of their teach- ers. Some parents and others have even entered the schools, and reproached them in the presence of their scholars. More- over, they do not attend examinations as they should ; neither do they see that their children are early and constantly at school. But the greatest obstacle to the success of our schools is the want of family government at home. If children are not subject to discipline and order at home, they will not he so at school. It is one of the worst signs of the times, that family government is at so low an ebb. If this is disregarded, all exertions in society to mend the morals are greatly im- peded. When the Lord is not acknowledged nor worshipped in families, what, are we to expect from children of such
44 SCHOOLS.
families ? Family government, family order, family morals, and family worship, lay the sure foundation of a well-ordered community ; for without these our schools will be in vain, and our churches cannot be built up ; and crime and social disor- ders will be likely to abound.
A great aid in the advancement* of our schools would be the judicious selection of our school committees. This is of more importance than it is generally viewed. , If the school com- mittees are chosen from sectarian and partisan views, others will complain of it before their children, and this will excite their prejudices against such committees, and, their qualifica- tions will be scrutinized ; and if, as frequently happens, some of them, perhaps all of them, are less qualified to examine the schools than some of the scholars are themselves, they feel no respect for them, and care but little for Avhat they say, or their rules. On all our school committees there ought, at least, to be one or two well qualified to examine teachers, and to visit and examine the schools. Let them be designated by the town or by the school committee themselves, and let the others of the school committee be as a council, to them, to advise upon books, rules, order and discipline of the schools ; to receive no pay for school examinations, but only for their meeting occasionally with what may be called the examining committee. The pay of the examining portion of the commit- tee might be such as to induce them to give more attention to the schools, keep the run of them, and make the report, and, at the same time, cost the town a less sum annually. In such a case the school committee might consist of a larger number. It seems to be unwise to pay all the members of a school committee that do not take any efficient part in the examina- tion of teachers and schools. A board like this, with such an examining committee, would be more independent, and their decisions, rules and orders would be quoted with more force and effect.
By- request, the School Committee of Abington Lave fur- nished me the following list of scholars and teachers of the public schools.
Names and Ages of Scholars in Abington, 18G4— 5.
CENTRE HIGH AND GRAMMAR.
Age.
Benjamin F. Norton . . . .17
Joshua H. Nash ■"• 16
Ellis B. Noyes 15
William Pettee 17
Bela H. B. Smith 15
William T. Soule . . . . * . 13
Charles B. Shaw 14
E. Eldon Gurney . . . . .15 Bela T. Whitmarah . . . .15
Charles Floyd 16
Austin Vaughn 12
Clifford W. Reed 14
Edward Noyes . . ... . .14
Louis Smith IG
Sidney Additon 17
George F. Badger .... 15
Maltiah Holt 15
Herbert Beal . . . . . .10
Walter B. Nash 10
Albert Reed . . . ' . . .14
George Warren 13
Philip P. Trufant 14
Michael Donoghue .... 14
Henry Smith 12
Howard Pearson . . '••* . . 14
Clarence Nash 14
Herbert Morris 14
James O'Donnell 10
Wallace Ryerson 13
George Nash . . . . . .13
Henry Colson . . ... .13
Franklin Merritt 13
William Keon 12
Patrick Jackson 13
Elmer Hunt 13
Franklin Hathaway . . . .15
Charles Hatch . . . . . .14
Timothy Donoghue .... 16
Thomas Coughlin 13
William Donoghue .... 13
Age.
M. Ella Reed IS
Abbie F. Soule 17
Mary Underhay 17
Ella Cushing 17
Hannah K. Talbot . . . .18
Helen Morris 18
Lucy Hunt 17
Cornelia G- Harris .... 17
Florence L. Reed 14
Susan E. Trulaut - . . . .16
Eldora M. Soule 14
Lizzie Reed . .17
Lina Curbing 16
Lottie E. Noyes 14
Ilattio W. Brown 16
R. Ella Whitniarah .... 13 Sarah E. Winslow .... 17 Uattie J. Whituiarsh . . .14 Nellie Whitmarsh .... 16
Susie C. Cushing 15
Alsie Reed 14
Mary E. Ferris 13
Henrietta B. Pratt .... 15
Alice A. Giles 12
Ella M. Noyea 13
Etta Cushing 13
Elva M. Thompson .... 16
Alice A.-Tirrell 19
Nancy Hathaway 14
Ida F. Hunt 14
Lizzie Packard 14
Abbie Poole 13
Addie-Nash 14
Lucy Reed 14
Maria Whitmarsh .... 12
Ellen Churchill 12
Ella Wilkes . ". 12
Abbie E. Noyes 12
Carrie Harris 13
Velma Faunce 13
(45)
46
SCHOOLS.
Age. Flora Easterbrook . . . .12
Delia Couglilin 14
Delia Cunningham .... 12
Lizzie £. Soule 18
Henrietta T. King .... 12
Emma Reynolds 12
Isabella M. Shaw 12
Rosetta Trufant 12
Nellie Ballou 12
Ida Harding 12
Age.
Esther Ramsdcll 13
Esinerelda Keene 12
Sarah Thompson 15
Emma Thompson 14
Ida Holt 13
Mary Ann Moran . . . . .13
Bridget Rourke 13
Annie Rourke 13
Mary Rourke 12
Whole number ... 99
Geobge L. Richabdson, Principal. S. Addus STCDLEr, Assistant.
CENTRE INTERMEDIATE.
Eddie F. Dunham Az Reed .... Christopher Ballard Charles A. Whitniarsh Elliot Brown . Edgar Tyler . Frank W. Nash George M. Nash Granville Ewell George C. Willey Henry L. Shaw- Henry C. Locke Herbert W. Locke Irving P. Nash James Callaghan Joseph Andrews Jacob B. Cobb . Josiah T. lung Joseph Hunt John O'Brien . James H. Thorpe O. Chester Willey Patrick Smith . Quiney Aclditon Richard II. Cobb William Andrews William W. Nash Willard E. Loud . George W. Glover Adoniram B, Vaughn Daniel II. Pratt Freddy C. Gilbert Herbert B. Foster
Age. I Age.
. 13 Frank E. Shaw 8
10 Frank M. Glover 8
14 James I. Merntt 10
10 Walter Kcene 11
11 Frank Leonard 9
13 Charles Atwood ■ 10
12 Anna L. Giles 9
9 Anna L. Packard 11
13 Anna M. Nash 11
12 Anna M. Floyd ..... 9
12 Alice L. Shaw 10
12 Ella F. Ramsdcll 10
12 Ella I. Nash 9
11 Emma A. Nash 8
12 Elizabeth Ballard 10
10 Gcorgietta Nash 11
12 Uattie A. Ferris 11
11 Uattie A.. Farrar i>
1 1 Uattie C. Lean 10
11 Hattic E. Cook 11
15 Ida M. Varney 10
10 Isabel Dewine 13
11 Lizzie A. Reynolds .... 8
13 Mary E. Morse 11
10 Marietta Dyer 11
12 Melissa Aclditon 11
14 Mary A. Blood 12
12 Margaret Lynu 12
13 Mary E. Orcut 14
11 Sarah M. Dunham .... 8
10 Sarah F. Ma reliant .... 9
12 Sarah A. King 11
11 Sharlie Eitie Reed .... 10
SCHOOLS.
47
Age.
Hattie E. Murray 11
Flora A. Varney 12
Lueila R. Ewell 9
Age.
Lillian Brown 8
Lizzie Uuderhay 9
Whole number ... 71
Elizabeth B. Nash, Teacher.
WASHINGTON STREET SOUTH INTERMEDIATE.
Age.
Joseph Gomlay 11
.Frederick King 10
James McCraith 12
Edw. McCraith , . . . .11
Hues GUson 9
Benj. Smith 10
Matthew Smith 11
Lawrence Andrews .... 15
Thomas Loud 11
William Crowley . . . . .10
William Slattery 8
Charles Jackson 11
Frank Brown 9
Frank Morris ...... 8
George Nash 8
Charles Ramsdell 9
Horace Robbins 8
Joseph Frances 11
John Reed 10
John Smith 10
John Sheehan 9
Patrick Smith 12
Joel Edson 13
N. G. Humble 10
John Gallagher 10
Timothy O'Connor .... 11
Mary Driscol 13
Ellen Shields 12
Clara Orcutt 12
Cleora Orcutt 12
Age.
Susie Harris 9
Gracie Hunt 9
Bridget Craig ...... 8
Julia O'Brien 10
Mary J. O'Brien 8
Mary Hyland 10
Mary McNally 12
Jane McNally 11
Alice Churchill 10
Idella Churchill 8
Matilda Chase 8
Alice Nash 7
Lizzie Bobbins 9
Anna Callaghan ' 8
Mary Smith H
Angelinc Smith 7
Emily Dewine 10
Mary liickcy 9
Ella Tyler 11
Mabel Gilford 8
Mary Crowley 8
Mary Murphy 11
Jane Murphy 9
Mary Sheehan 8
Mary O'Brien 9
Johauna O'Connell .... 9 Hannah Muqdty ....'. 7 Johanna O'Connell (2d) . . 10
Mary Snow 9
Whole number ... 59
Pauelia W. Conant, Teacher.
CENTRE PRIMARY.
Age.
Charlie W. Hunt 8
Charlie Barnes 10
Charlie C. Merritt .... 6 Granville R. Farrar .... 7
Elisha Faxon . . . Webster Faxon . . Josie H. Leonard . . A. Wilbcr Whituiarsh
Age. . 7 . 8 . 7 . 9
48
SCHOOLS.
Age.
Willie H. Hyslop 8
Charlie Cusliing 8
Ira M. Noyes 8
Everett Hatch C
George C. Loud 9
Charles S. Cook 9
Clifford E. Nash 7
Edgar Willey 6
Alfred M. Norton 5
Meivin S. Nash 6
Albert T. Atwcod 5
Prank B. Whitmarsh ... 4
Harry Cushing '..... 6
Charles Holbrook 4
Josic D. Gilbert ; .... 6
Irving C. Willey ..... 4
G. Frank ' Pearson .... 4
Chester Foster 7
George Coelis 9
Josie E. Smith 5
Eva B. Cobb 7
Nettie Wheeler 9
Hannah Coughlcn .... 9
Emma Willey 7
Age.
Abbie G. Marchant .... 7
Mary P. Cobb 7
Etta A. Rose 8
Anna H. Brown 8
Lillie E. Morse 7
Nellie F. Hunt 6
Lucy G. Noyes 8
Nellie Brown 5
Martha T. Gary 11
Mary E. Noyes 6
Mary Shaw 5
Lizzie C. Keene 6
Nellie D. Noyes 6
Etta Cobb 4
Helen E. Gary 6
Carrie O. Nash 4
Florence Whitmarsh .... 5
Cora Foster 5
Helena Kimball ..... G
Lottie Gannct 8
Ida E. Ewell 12'
Susan L. Ewell 8
Mary E. Dunham G
Lizzie A. Dunham 5
Whole number . . . 5G Betsey F. Robuins, Teacher.
WASHINGTON STREET NORTH PRIMARY"
Age. Henry Floyd f ..... G
Freddy Straffln 5
Frank Locke ,,.... 7
Frank Winslow G
Charles Towlo 7
Olney Jacobs 7
Henry Davis f ..... G
Eliot Nash 9
Josie Leonard 7
Frank Leonard 8
Albert Cusliing . . . ... G
Herbert Tanner 9
Henry Mescrvc 10
Charles Merrill 10
Charles Cobb 8
Benj. Gilbert 12
James Rourke 9
Thomas Rourke ..... 7 Thomas Donoghue .... 10
Henry Donoghue 5
Frank GUbrido 8
Age.
James Malheren 1U
Charles Malheren .... 7
Frank Smith 10
Cornelius Flavin 5
John McCue 8
Willie Coughlan G
Henry Connors 14
John Hayes 8
James Connors 13
James Jackson . 0
Thomas llilkanian .... 5
John McCuller 8
Willie Hane 4
Geo. Flunigan . j . . . . 7
Eddie Flunigan 5
Josie Smith G
Thomas Caveuly G
Isabel Nash 8
Agnes Nash G
Minnie Nash 4
SCHOOLS.
iO
Age.
Hattie Nash 6
Estella Damon 7
Alice Damon 6
Isabel Osgood 7
Marian Osgood 5
Jessie Floyd 7
Lucy Winslow 8
NelUe Varney 8
Lizzie Varney 5
Mary E. Lean 5
Jennie Meserve 6
1.11a Talbert 10
Hattie Davis 9 1
Rose Kochci'ort 7
Age.
Catherine Jackson .... 10
Mary Hone 7
Ellen Donoghue 7
Mary Donoghue 4
Mary McCue ...... G
Ellen llaynes ...... 5
Maria Rourke • 8
Mary McCabe 8
Eliza McCabe 6*
Mary Gilbride 0
Mary Henny 5
Maggie Cavenly . . . . . 4
Lizzie Moran 9
Whole number . . . . G8
Li'uiA F. Reed, Teacher.
WASHINGTON STREET SOUTH PRIMARY.
Ago.
Jerry O'Conners 7
Edtlic Conway 8
Clillbrd Kumsdcll 5
Lilly llyland .4
Cyrus B. Murray G
Charles A. Browne . . . . 6
Michael Hyland 8
Henry F. Barry G
Charles F. Smith 5
James Conway 5
James O'Brien 5
John Gilson G
Timothy Frances 6
Patrick llyland 5
Stephen Tyler 7
Millard Beal G
John Hoibrook 5
Fred Ramsdell 7
James Dewino G
Thomas O'Connors .... 6
Thomas Craig 5
John Dooliug 5
Thomas Murphy G
Patrick Murphy 8
Hannah Driscoll 10
Mary L. Gomlcy G
Lucy M. Orcutt 7
Age.
Mary L. Sears G
Hannah Conway 5
Mercy Walker 7
Margaret Gallager .... 7
Alice O'Brien 8
Mary E. Colson G
Jennie Stevens 8
Ellen Taylor 8
Mary A. Hayes {J
Nancy C. Beal 5
Gertrude Orcutt 4
Sarah Gomley 5
Katie Hickey 7
Catherine O'Brien .... 5
Ellen Lucey 7
Eliza McXally G
Lizzie Gilson 4
Bridget Sheehan 5
Katie Driscoll G
Mary E. Cullaghan .... 5
Lizzie Smith 5
Mary Frances 8
Sarah Devine 5
Ella M. Walker G
Maggie Driscoll 3
Maggie Murphy 4
Whole number ... 53
Abbie A. Reed, Teacher.
50
SCHOOLS.
ASHLAND STREET MIXED.
Age. Frederic Lcavitt ..... 12
Charles Dotcn 11
Samuel Hutchinson .... 9
George W. Shaw ...... 9
Charles R. Cox ..... 7
Clifford Hunt 7
Stephen Leuvitt 10
Eugene Real 8
Roscoe Huchinson .... 7 Joseph W. Collins . . . . G Frank Wentworth . . . . . G
Willie Leavitt 6
David Doten .9
Herbert Collins 4
Henry Beal 4
Burton Wentworth .... 4 Roscoe Childs . . . ' . . .12
Ago.
Harry Hunt 3
George Higgins 11
Frank Higgins 9
Eugene Higgins 7
Granville Higgins ..... 5
Anna Leavitt 14
Fannie S. King 10
Anna L. Noyes 8
Mary Stickuey 10
Ida M. Porter 7
Minnie Hunt 5
Martha Fullcrton 9
Hattie Trufant 5
Lottie A. Beal 9
Angie Cox . . 5
Whole number ... 32
Alice M. Raymond, Teacher
NORTH ABINGTON HIGH SCHOOL. Age.
Dean Blanchard 1G
Alonzo Meserve 20
Frank Tanner 19
Andrew Ford 14
BoDj. F. Badger 1G
Clarence L. Wheeler. ... 12
Frank Shaw ....... 13
Samuel Garde 14
Wallace Adams . . . . .13
George Wade 13
Edw. W. Shaw ..... 13
Merrill Blanchard 11
David F. Powars 13
Eddie Wales 13
Charles Smith 13
Charles Meserve 13
Herbert Raymond 1G
Charles Raymond 14
Simmie Wales . . ' . . . .17
George Elliot Adams ... 17
Edwin Denhain 19
Ella L. Wales 10
Sarah W. Reed 17
Sarah J. McKcnncy . . . . 1G
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A are. |
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Josie Cleverly 1G |
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Mary V. Whitmarsh |
. . 15 |
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Emma E. Wheeler |
. . 14 |
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Mary F. Cleverly . |
. . 1G |
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Sarah H. Stewart . |
. . 13 |
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Ella A. Whitmarsh |
. . 17 |
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Susan M. Lincoln . |
. . 15 |
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Ilattio Wade . . |
. 1G |
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Rosella Brown . . |
. 14 |
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Helen D. Bates |
. 13 |
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Loenza Bowen . . |
. . 14 |
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Lilian R. Blanchard |
. 14 |
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Hattie L. Wales . . |
. 12 |
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Anna E. Arnold . |
. 13 |
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Irene S. Denhain . . |
. 13 |
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Emma A. Randall . . |
. 12 |
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Alice A. Beal . . . |
. 12 |
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Georgie Tanner . . |
. 12 |
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Mary E* Maconney . Maria A. Arnold . . |
. 13 |
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|
. 12 |
|||
|
Lizzie Merrill . . . |
. 1G |
||
|
Anna B. Smith . . |
. 15 |
||
|
Georgie Merrill . . |
. 14 |
||
|
Lizzie Townscnd . . |
. 15 |
||
|
Georgie Tirrell . . |
. 14 |
SCHOOLS.
51
Age. Augusta Chamberlain ... 15
Enna Hunt 14
Ella Terry 15
Katie P. Maconney .... 15
Lurana Ford 19
Fannie M. Cleverly .... 14 Eliza Glasure ...... IS
Age.
Ella Shaw Hi
Ellen Arnold 15
Alice J. Randall 14
Abby Poole 14
Delu E. Brown 14
Katie Badger 14
Whole number . . . 02 Jaaies H. Gucjlsos, Teacher.
ADAMS STREET INTERMEDIATE.
Ago.
Edward Shaw 15
Lovcll Smith 10
Charles Vesper 12
Harry Reed 10
Henry Mansfield 12
La Forrest Wheeler .... 10
James Higgins 11
Thomas Murphy . . . • . .12
Ricliard Quinland 10
George Crossfield . . . . .11
George Somers 12
Horace Chamberlain . . . .11
Willie Hollis 13
Henry Arnold 10
George W. Randall . . . .11
Frank Tribou 12
Wilson Terry 13
Loui9 Pratt . 10
John Mansfield 13
Frank Randall 10
Frank Smith 11
Charles Dunham 11
John Blancy 13
Nahum Allin 14
Elwyn Orcutt 10
Clarice Loud 10
Susie Shaw 13
Ape.
Alice Cleverly 11
Isabella Cleverly . . . ' . .10
Tryphosa Beal 12
Alice Sewall 11
Sarah Wales 10
Georgian a Baker 12
Margerette Kennelly . . . .13
Mary Thompson 11
'Sarah Bait 10
Georgiana Ford 11
Angie Brown 11
Ida Gowell 11
Addie Stewart 11
Lucinda Loftis 11
Mary Agncw 11
MaryO'Neil 13
Katy Quinland 'J
Bridget Lahey 'J
Ida Tebbitts 11
Flora Shaw 13
Marion Cloud 9
Emma Maxwell 11
Etta Raymond 10
Ellen Lynch 13
Marion Johnson 12
Whole number ... 52
EMLLY E. ALLLN, Teacher.
HANCOCK STREET INTERMEDIATE.
Age.
Everett Wales 11
Edwin B. Holmes 11
Elbert Ridlington 12
Frank Poole 12
John Hunt 10
George Sumner 8
Age.
Francis C. Orcutt 10
Elwyn Orcutt 10
Thomas Meighan 13
Daniel Quinlun 13
Ellis Poole ^ . 11
Patrick Dougherty
11
52 *
SCHOOLS.
Hervey Dunham Ellis Packard . George F. Poole Andrew J. Orcutt Solomon Ford . Henry MePherson Edward Beckley Henry Somes . Charles Nason . Lucius R. Hunt Frank Edson .
Sarah W. Dunham Angie O'Brien . .
Age. 11 15 12 12 ]2 15 14 8 12 14 12
9 9
Age.
Ella S. Everson 13
Mary B. Soule 9
Deborah Reed 12
Ida C. Holt 12
Julia A. Orcutt 14
Llan Daniels ...'.. 12
Mary Poole 8
Martha Everson 10
Hattie Ford 9
Lucy Hunt 11
Eliza Hunt 13
Eliza Davis 13
Susan E. Matthews .... 15 Whole number ... 33
Susan H. Aba'old, Teacher.
HANCOCK STREET PRIMARY.
Age.
Richard H. Badger . . . . 4
John Doherty 8
Arthur Doherty C
William Dermont 3
Daniel Lucie 3
Austin Damon 9
Lester Blanchard 8
Willie S. O'Brine 7
Charles Edson 9
Asa MePherson 8
Clifford Ford 7
George W. Orcutt .... 5
Eddie Tirrell 6
Willie Tirrell 6
Herbert Tirrell 4
Henry Dermont G
Henry Badger 5
Bradford Poole 4
Willie Russel 7
Johnny Hcrlily 8
Willie Hcrlily 6
Ago.
nenry Herlily 4
Edward Hunt ...,,.. 4
George Damon 4
Henry Edson 4
Katy Russel 11
Sural l Hay den 10
Susan Orcutt 9
Hattie Edson C
Martha Soule 5
Nettie Wade 7
Cora Lufkin 6
Fannie Badger G
Mary A. Dermont 4
Mary Driscol 12
Bridget Sulivan 5
Mary A. Lucie 3
Maggie Gorman . . . . . 3
Katie Dougherty ..... 5
Mary Conarty ...... 3
Whole number . . .40
Matilda S. Bobbins, Teacher.
LINCOLN STREET PRIMARY.
Age.
Elliott Denham 8
Walter Daniels 10
Alonzo Mitchell 13
John Quinlan 10
Age.
Alvin Bates 8
Walton Bates . 8
Charles Daniels 8
George F. Macconney ... 9
SCHOOLS.
53
Age.
Patrick Man ley 1)
Nathaniel Judkins .... 9
Alfred Shaw 11
Willie Shaw 9
Everett Sbaw 9
Frederic Tribou 8
George Townsend .... 7
Frank Bates G
Charlie Crossficld 6
Oyso Ford 8
Ellis Raymond 7
John Hollis 8
Leslie Clark 7
Alfonso Judkins G
Charles Keene 5
John Buckley 6
John Lincoln 6
Willie Fish 4
Daniel Wlute ...... 5
Galen Allen 5
Charlie Cooke ...... 6
Clinton Shaw 4
Ethan Allen 9
Frank E. Hobart 6
Charles Hobart 4
Charles Randall 7
Oran Mackins 9
Herbert Glaizure 7
Fred Cook 9
Age.
Josephine Randall . . . . i)
Annie Shaw 9
Etta Whiuuaxsh 8
Aurelia Bates 8
Lillie Glaizure 10
Julia Thayer 8
Josephine Hollis 10
Margaret O'Neil 8
Johanna O'Ncil 9
Clara Keene 10
Mary Finnegan 9
Florence Powers 7
Fannie Shaw G
Mary Manly G
Ida Hobart 7
Maria Keene 7
Mary Clark 6
Alice Reed 5
Elra Raymond 8
Lizzie Manly 5
Jessie Sewall 7
Maria Raymond 4
.Alice Hill G
Ida M. L. Prince 5
Lucie Mellcn 10
Sophia Snell ....... 8
Sarah Thayer 14
Whole number . . . G4
ViCTQau. M. Wade, Teacher..
ADAMS STREET PRIMARY.
Age.
Henry Gowell 9
Charles Wales : 8
Joseph Cleverly 9
Ernest Randall ..... 8
Thomas Rcadon 9
Thomas McEniery .... 9 Charles T. Somars .... 9
John Donovan 8
George A. Chamberlain ... 10
James Loftis 8
Lorenzo Gowell 7
Willie Hobbs 10
John Hobbs 11
E. Frank Arnold 10
Thomas Arnold ..... 8
Allia F. Keith 9
George L. Randall . . . . 13
5*
Age. Charles F. Randall .... 7 Rufus D. F. Moore . . . .11 Timothy O'Conner .... 9
Frederick Smith 10
Timothy Hill 8
Thomas Lynch 8
Jerry O'Conner 7
James Mansfield 10
Francis Casey 10
Elmer Loud 8
John Brew 11
Patrick Murphy 10
James Murphy 9
Daniel Hill ..10
Ernest Calkins 9
Thomas Cloe 9
Charles D. Holbrook . . . .11
5i
SCHOOLS.
Age.
Alice Merrill 7
Mary E. Brew 9
Emma J. Wales 9
Lillian M. Stewart .... 9
"Lizzie M. Bates 9
Annie Smith 9
Margaret Maguire .... 13
Mary Arnold 7
Eliza M. Holbrook .... 8
Mary Connelly 10
Mary Welsh 10
Flora W. Chamberlain ... 9
Isetta M. Chamberlain ... 8
Adelaide It. Tirrcll .... 9
Mary L. Chamberlain ... 8
Emma Towlo 7
Mary Louisa Chamberlain . . 8
Mary Quinlan 7
Anna Stewart 7
Cora M. Deal 7
Mary Sweeney 9
Age.
Ellen Hayes 9
Katie Hayes 10
Mary W. Holbrook .... 9
Katie Connelly 10
Lizzie Connelly 7
Clara Moore 8
Annie O'Conncll 10
Winfred Chamberlain ... 9
Annie Hayes 8
Johanna O'Connell . . . .10
Lora Allin 10
Frances L. Merrill .... 9
Sarah Arnold 5
Catherine McEniery .... 10
Margaret Driscoll 9
Hannah Driscoll 10
Katie Driscoll 9
Josephine 11. Randall ... 9
Catherine Casey 9
Whole number ... 74
E; Augusta Randall, Teacher.
ADAMS STREET SUB-PRIMARY.
Age.
James Maguire 10
Francis Rush 12
Willie Brooks 7
George Brew 8
Thomas Mansfield .... 7
Arthur Holbrook 5
Barney Clark . . . . . .10
Peter Loftis 7
James Lynch 7
John Murphy 9
George Keith 6
Dennis Donovon 5
Joseph Ring 5
James Quinlan 7
Arthur Wheeler 5
Willio Murphy 7
John Mnckio 7
George Smith ...... 5
Joseph Rush G
Christie Leavitt 6
Everett Arnold 5
Willie Mackie 6
Harry Keith 4
Eddie Murphy 5
Herbert Randall C
Age.
Michael Reardon 5
Charles Metcalf ..... 8
Michael Cloe 4
John M'Carty 8
Edward Tirrell 8
Willie Cook 11
Frank Hobart G
Dun. McCarty 4
Jerry Mackie 4
Miriam Tirrell 7
Alice Rice G
Mary Rico 8
Edith Ring 5
Anna Loud 5
Catherine Quinlan .... 5
Mary Carney 7
Gcorgianna Maxwell .... 6
Hannah Murphy ...... 8
Julia Hobbs 8
Maria Somers 5
Lizzie Casey 5
Mary Leavitt . % 7
Mary Driscoll 8
Abbie Somers 7
SCHOOLS.
55
Age.
Mary Driscoll 6
Josephine Arnold ..... 4
Julia Hays 6
Ruth McKay 5
Flora Towle 5
Amanda Fogg 7
Katie Ilobbs 6
Katie O'Brien 4
Ellen Sweeney 7
Julia Quinlan 5 |
Ago.
Lizzie Welsh 4
Etta Cook 0
Alice Cloe 8
Mary Loftis 5
Sarah Brew 5
Lizzie Cook 4
Margaret Sullivan .... 5
Maria McCarty 6
Ida Hobart 7
Whole number . ... 68
Mabt P. Undekhat, Teadier.
EAST HIGH AND GRAMMAR.
Ezra W. Arnold . J. Lawtnn Burrill . John H. Burrill . Zachary T. Beal . Frank Ballou . . Frederick Crocker Wendall R. Curtis Philip O'Connell . Lewis W. Cobbett Charles W. Denley Orlando D. Everson
Everett H. Fenno Wendall P. Grover
Augustus Gilson .
William F. Hunt .
Elliot Holbrook .
R. Wallace Hunt .
S. Whitcomb Hunt ,
Willard W. Lewis ,
Sereno H. Lapham
Henry M. Lewis . .
Alonzo A. Poole . .
Leslie Poole . . .
George Poole . . .
Charles W. Phillips .
Alonzo W. Perry . .
W. Stanley Phillips .
Charles G. Reed . .
Thomas H. Reed . .
Elmer H. Shaw . .
Charles M. Shaw . .
Gideon Studlcy . .
Charles B. Torrey .
William Torrey . .
Walter G. Tirrell .
Elwin T. Wright . .
Age. . 1G . 15 . 12 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 14 . 22 . 13 . 13 . 15 . 13 . 14 . 16 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 17 . 11 . 13 . 13 . 12 . 16 . 15 . 13 . 12 . 13 . 16 . 13 . 13 . 16 , 17 , 12
Age.
Herbert Whiting 15
Henry C. Whiting . . . .14 Everett A. Warren .... 13 L. Francis Blanchard ... 16 Albert H. Holbrook .... 16
James E. Cobbett 16
nenry W. Reed 13
Michael Garity 17
Frederick Dill 16
Prescott Shaw 15
Sam ie I Hunt .14
Fred Francis ....'.. 14
John Mcllvean 15
Loring Wright* 15
Willie Davis . . . . . .14
Allie Poole 16
Sarah Reed 14
Susan E. Arnold 12
Lizzie Arnold 15
Flora E. Briggs . . . . .15
Lettie M.. Burrill 12
Deborah D. Beal 16
Abbie Ballou . . . . . .13
Irene L. Cushing 11
Georgia Churchill .... 12
Ada D. Chase 12
Anna M. Denley . . . . . 15
Ella A. Everson 14
Isa A. French 14
Etta W. French 17
Emma C. Groce . . . . . 14
Ann E. Gardner 16
Annie Gurney 17
Flora Holbrook 16
Lillie Foster 15
56
SCHOOLS.
Age.
Maria Jenkins 13
Abbic Jenkins ...... 13
Abbie Kecne . . . . . .15
Sarah L. Moore 14
Sylvia Mitchell 14
Emma Poole 15
Hannah Poole 14
Ella F. Poole 13
Sarah Loud . . . . . .15
M. Emma Reed 14
Lydia M. Reed 17
Nellie S. Sullivan 12
Allie Studley 15
Susie Studley 15
Addle Studley 14
Lilla II. Shaw 14
Annie F. Shaw ..... 13
Lydia Somers 14
Eurilla Shaw 17
Minnie Hand 14
|
Age. |
||||
|
Josie A. Thompson .... 15 |
||||
|
Hittie It. Torrey . |
. . 14 |
|||
|
Ella F. Tirrell . |
. . U |
|||
|
Isora F. Thomas |
. . 14 |
|||
|
Lizzie Totman . |
. . 12 |
|||
|
Ellen A. Walker |
. . 13 |
|||
|
Carrie Wheeler |
. 10 |
|||
|
Alice F. Wheeler |
. 1G |
|||
|
Ella Wheeler . |
. 13 |
|||
|
Ellen Cobbett . |
. 14 |
|||
|
Anna F. Beal . |
. 15 |
|||
|
Julia Maria Curtis |
. 17 |
|||
|
Cleora C. Gammon . |
.. 1G |
|||
|
Elvira L. Curtis . . |
. 15 |
|||
|
Emma Ilobart . . |
. 1G |
|||
|
Eudora Mann . . |
. 14 |
|||
|
Ilattic M. Smith . |
. 13 |
|||
|
Irene Gardner . |
. 1G |
|||
|
Elvira Blanchard . |
. 1!) |
|||
|
Whole number |
, |
. |
110 |
Cuakles S. Broous, Principal. Jane E. Giluoke, Assistant.
EAST INTERMEDIATE.
Ago.
Patrick Maguire 11
Fred H. Torry 9
David W. Jacobs . . . . * . 13
John J. Purcell 11
Bradford R. Parka „ ... 12 Charles E. Hunt\ . . . .11
. Daniel Donovan 11
Frank Hutching 12
John F. Barry 10
Frank E. Brewster .... 12 Henry W. Chase 10
George W. Wheeler
12
Hugh K. Ellard ..... 12
James A. R. Underwood . . 10
John Shea 12
Michael Capliss 13
George Crowley 12
Willie E. Uazeltine .... 13
John Spence 11
Michael Crowley 11
William Downey 12
David Barry 12
Thomas Barry. . . . . .13
Lorenzo Garrity - 12
Ago.
Patrick Collins 10
Edwin Mulrudy 10
James Dunn 10
William Cook —
Nellie A. Bigelow 12
Clara M. Poole 11
Hattie B. Poole 10
Marcia, Reod 11
Nellie L. Sliaw 10
Emily Fenno 11
Lizzie F. Fuller 10
Emily P. Shaw 10
Emma G. Wright 10
Flora A. Poole 0
Ilattic M. Lapliam . . . .12 Flora I. Base ...... 11
Sarah R. Bealc 10
Lizzie E. Damon 11
Annie Cuningham .... 12
Mary A. Jacobs 11
Annie Havre . . . . . .12
Mary A. Mone 14
Sarah J. Conncll 11
SCHOOLS.
57
Age.
Ellen Caplias 14
Mary A. Spence 11
Johanna O'Brien 11
Hulda.li G. Cushing .... 9
S. Nettie Walker 9
Maria L. Dunham .... 12
Age.
Ellen Dunn 12 *
Susan (J army 13
Jane Garrity 10
Sarah Holbrook 14
• Whole number ... 57
Eleanor C. Bbooks, Teacher.
NORTH UNION STREET INTERMEDIATE.
Age.
Gustavu9 Mann 14
Amos Holbrook 11
Fred Shaw 13
William Cullinan 10
Joseph Dunn 17
William Morrison .... 10
James Kearn 10
William Ames 14
David Burke 13
John Sliney 11
Wendell Blaisdell . . . .11 Thomas Kcndrigan . . . .11
Willie O'Hearn 10
Michael McCrate 10
Horace Mann 12
Henry MoHorney 15
James Hunt 14
William Bearce 15
John Brooks 14
Henry Howland 14
Michael Conroy 14
George Hatch 14
James Beverly 14
Thomas O'Donnell .... 9
George Gardner 10
Herbert Arnold 9
ElwoodBcals 12
Frank Beverly ...... 12
John Burke 10
James O'Connell . . . . .12
Michael Cullinan 10
George Whitman . . . . .10
William Dyke 14
Herbert Tower 10
Thomas Chubbuck .... 14
Horace Payne 13
Cliarles Clark 14
Henry W. Holbrook John Conroy . .
Age. . 13 . 11
Emma Ford 13
Mary Holbrook 10
Lizzie tte Vinton 11
Meriva Johnson 13
Alice Tower 13
Elsie Pratt 12
Flora Blaisdell 11
Katie Kcndrigan 13
Emily Holbrook 9
Ruth Stetson 12
Mary A. Dunn 14
Katie O'Hearn 13
Alice Ho board 9
Mary A. Burke 13
Laura Stoddard 12
Lottie Phelps 8
Emma L. Hunt 10
Maria Stoddard 15
Sarah Curtis 10
Annie Cullinan 11
Johanna Sullivan 11
Maria Gardner 9
Katy Sullivan 10
Lizzie Dunn 10
Adah Hatch 10
Ella Curtis 10
Emma Curtis 8
Julia O'Connell ..... 14
Mary A. Fernald 10
Abbie Chubbuck 11
Ellen Sullivan . . . . . .15
Harriet Payne 13
Caroline Pratt 9
Louisa Blaisdell 14
Whole number ... 73
Huldah B- Loud, Teacher.
58
SCHOOLS.
UNION STREET FIRST PRIMARY.
Age.
George H. Bass 9
Winnie Brewster 9
Amos W. Baldwin .... 8
Wiiber Burrill 8
Henry W. Corbett .... 10
John Collins 7
John Carney 8
Patrick Caplice 9
William Croney 13
Eugene Damon 8
Frank H. Damon 10
John Dawney 10
Percy Douglas G
Willie Douglas 8
Irving Estcs 8
George Hatch 11
J. Warren Hatch 10
Daniel Holbrook 11
Willie Hallett 8
Matthew J. Hart 7
Elmer T. Grover 7
Henry Gayvon 9
Emery Jenkins 10
Matthew Kelley 8
Herbert Lcavitt ..... 9
John Leigliton 8
Robert Mcllrcrne 9
James Russell 9
Frank Studlej 10
James Shea : 8
Orrille Studlcy 7
Leon Shaw 9
Patrick Shanalian 11
John Tracy 8
Jonas Williams 9
George Williams 10
Maurice Gary * 11
Joseph Garrety ...... 8
Henry M. Pratt 8
Age.
Eugene W. Beala 9
Fred E. Crowel 10
Dennis Mahoney 11
Lilian M. Arnold 8
Josie Arnold 9
Mary A. Bulger 8
Mary A. Barry 10
Grace M. Bi^elow .... 7
Mary A. Collins 11
Marietta W. Curtis .... 7
Katie Crowley S
Margaret Croney 11
Hannah Carey 10
Mary E. Daly 10
Katy J. Flciuming . . . .11
Cocila Bulger 7
Lilian C. Grover 7
Sarah J. Hatch 8
Maria Hart 10
Johanna Kelly 9
Eliza Holbrook 9
Lucy M. Lane 7
Ida Lcavitt 7
Sarah Lapham 7
Clara A. Jacobs 10
Sarah W. Mcllrene .... 7 Marcella Mulreedy .... 8
Mary A. Rcadon 8
Mary A. Shanahan .... 8
Ella Warner 7
Mary A. Parker 8
Laura Tribou 12
Mary Ann Donovan . . . .12
Bridget O'Brien 8
Ka^c Brewster 11
Clara E. Kcene n
Whole number ... 75
Sarah Fulled, Teacher.
UNION STREET
Age. Willie Studley ...... 7
Everett Studley 5
Willie Fenno C
Alfred E. Knox C
Edwin E. Boas 7
SUB-PRIMARY.
Age.
Edwin S. Jacobs 6
Hermon Studley 5
Daniel Corkcry Q
Dennis Lee 8
Handel Poole 6
schools.
59
Age.
James Burke 7
Silas D. Chase 7
Walter Underwood .... 5
Earnest Damon 4
Michael Williams 9
James Crawley . . . . . 6
Daniel Burke 5
Jerry Shannon 4
Michael Shannon 6
Willie Tracy 5
James Williams .'.... C
Patsy Carey 7
Thomas Green 5
Thomas Carey 9
Edward Fleming C
Kichard Hart 6
Clarence Arnold 5
Jlcnry Payne 5
Willie Kcadon ...... 6
John O'llcarn 5
Jerome Donovon 6
Meljar 11. Bass 3
Daniel M. Hancy 5
Maurice Caplice 7
James Caplice 5
John Parker 6
Oscena Tribou 5
Arthur Higgins 7
John Crawley ...... 4
Michael Gilhon 5
James Ford .' . 4
Caleb Ilolbrook v 5
Elisl.a N. Ilolbrook .... 5
Thomas Caplice 4
David Conry C
Kichard Barry 6
John O'Conncll 8
George O'Connell 6
John Corkery 4
Patrick Carey ...... 5
Willie Shaler 4
James Downey 4
Herbert L. Stoddard .... 4
Maurice Murphy 7.
William Murphy G
James Hunt 5
John Barker 7
Daniel Collins G
Henry Purcell 7
John O'Brien 4
John Murphy 6
Fannie Collins 6
Genie Curtis 4
Ellen Barry 7
Mary E. Fleming 8
Age.
Katie Shea 11
Fannie Downy 6
Mary Shea 6
Mary Tracy 6
Maggie Sullivan G
Mary Ann Downy .... 9
Mary A. Caplice 9
Etiiie J. Grover 6
Annie Cobbctt G
Lydiu M. Bass 5
Julia Hayes ti
Mary E. Hayes 4
Ellen S. Hunt 7
Julia Barry G
Hattie B. Duell G
lone Chase 4
Mary F. Green G
Mary A. Lcwellyn . . . . G
Lizzie Lewellyn 5
Maggie Keadon G
Lizzie McCarthy 5
Mary A. Kusscl . . . . . 5
Katie Caplice 5
Nellie Carey 7
Lydia M. Hatch . . . . . . G
Ellen M. Kennedy . . . . G
Jane Mcllreen 4
Ellaretta Tribou G
Sarah J. Tribou 8
Ann St. Barry 5
Julia M. Hak-y 7
Ellen Laden 5
Katie Laden 7
Mary Dorregan 8
Mary A. Keadon 5
Mary Iliggins 5
Maggie O'Hearn G
Mary McKenny ..... 8
Lizzie Lyons G
Bridget Downey 7
Bridget By an G
Maggie O'Brien 7
Emily Purcell 10
Mury Kelly G
Katy Conry 6
Margaret Lyons 8
Julia Hatch ....... 4
Maria Hatch G
Lottie Duell 5
Ann Maria Carney .... 7
Maria Lowell 8
Nellie Clark 7
Annie Page 5
Mary Barker ...... 5
Whole number . . .119 Lucr E. Huxr, Teaclier.
60
SCHOOLS.
UNION STREET NORTH PRIMARY.
Age.
Charles W. Holbrook ... 7
W. Irving Curtis 7
Charles F. Forbes .... 7
William Foley 10
George Clark 10
John E. Roache 8
John J. McMorrow .... 9
Thomas Flynn 8
Freddie Curtis 6
Walter H. Clark ..... 8
Prescott Arnold G
Everett Hcbberd 5
Wilbur Damon G
James Hacket 5
David N. Foley 7
J. Henry Hacket G
Michael Foley 6
Arthur W. Tower .... 6 John Hacket ..'.... 5 Howard Clark ...... 5
James O'Brine 4
Frank McMorrow 4
Ago.
Lillian A. Mann 9
Sarah J. Dunham .... 9
Mary E. Quinn 11
A-dclia Quinn 9
Hannah O'Connell .... 7
Katie E. Foley 10
Mary Hacket 7
Celia A. Flinn 7
Hannah Flinn G
Mary Ann Hacket .... 7
Almira J. Furnald .... 7
Ellen Hacket 8
Mary Hoor G
Naomi M. Fernald .... 6
Ida Damon 5
Nellie Hacket 5
Lillie Arnold 5
Lizzie Flynn 4
Maggie Wall 11
Mary Ella Mackin . . . . G
Catherine F. Quinn .... 7
Whole number ... 43
Hattib B. Smitii, Teacher.
NORTH UNION STREET PRIMARY.
Ago.
John Sullivan ...... 9
Thomas Stoddard 10
Thomas McCrate 9
Frank Shaw 7
Bcnnie Stoddard 8
Ebcn Whitman 7
John Callahan 9
Stephen Heran 8
John Brooks 9
Henry Stoddard 7
Alton Curtis 8
Thomas Burke 8
David Stoddard 10
Charlie Phillips G
Henry Hacket ...... 7
Amos Clark G
Billy Stoddard 6
Walter Blanchard . . . . G
Bonnie Thompson .... 5
Charlie A. Brown 4
Frank O'Marra 7
Ago.
Willie Conners G
Spencer Johnson 7
James II. Morrison .... 8
Edward E. Dyko G
Roger McCrate 4
Frank Clark 7
Mary Etta Blanchard ... 9
Arabelle Manser 7
Mary Ann Ford 9
Maggie Cullinan 8
Mary Ann Downey . . . .11
Julia Cullinan 7
Mary McCrate G
Mary Ellen Cullinan . . . . G
Corina Brooks 8
Julia Maria Dunn .... 6
Mary J. Thompson .... 7
Bridget Ford 7
Sarah M. Develin 8
Mary Ann Sullivan .... 5
Anu Maria Morrison .... 6
SCHOOLS.
61
Age.
Ida Phillips 4
Katie Ford 5
Ilonora Burke 6
Susie Kernn 5
Surah J. Dunn 4
Lucy M. Brooks 5
Age.
Laura Bailey G
Alice J. Dyke 8
Nettie Vinton 8
Alma Vinton 7
Whole number ... 52 Maria L. Howland, Teacher.
WEBSTER STREET INTERMEDIATE
Age. Lawrence Donovan .... 12
Thorne HallcU 12
Benjamin Irish 15
Prank Littlefield 12
Henry Hobart 10
Wallace Burrcll 11
Nelson Burrell 9
James Mangan 11
James Gunny ...... 12
George Mungan 10
Henry D. Smith 9
Howard M. Pool 9
Everett Wheeler 9
Orlando Pool 11
David Welsh 13
Rufus Hobart 14
George Burrcll 14
Joseph Murray 10
Arthur Pool 10
Austin Wheeler 10
Ferdinand Thompson ... 13
EddyMeGrath 9
Elliott Beal 8
John Mangan Howard Davis
Age. . 12 . 12
Angelia W. Collins . . . .11
Mina Turner 12
Georgiana Pool 12
Bessie Dunn 14
Anabel- Hobart 13
Clara Burrcll 11
Alice C. Pool 11
Mary A. Coffee 12
Maria S. Curtis 14
Alice Foster 13
Margaret Mangan . . . .12
Gcorgietta Lane 13
Lucctta Wheeler 11
Abbie Gilinan 12
Ellen Gilinan 9
Ada Real . 10
Muy Sullivan 9
Anne Stoddard 10
Mary G. Stoddard .... 12 Whole number . . . -J4
Elizadetu W. Poole, Teacher.
EAST MARKET STREET PRIMARY.
Age.
John Ford 11
John Quin 11
Henry W. Keene . . . . .10
Eddie Doano 10
George Baker 9
James McGrath 9
John Coffle 9
6
Age.
Charlie Studley 9
Gushing Mitchell 9
Tomraie Burke 8
Walter Cuslung 8
Denr.is Ford 8
Daniel Murrill 8
Henry Casey 8
62
SCHOOLS.
Age.
James Condon 7
Daniel Callahan 7(
John Studley 7
Joseph Campbell 7
Lewis Doane 7*
John McGrath 6
Jerry Ford C
Maurice Ford G
Eddie Perry 6
John Burke 6
Fred Torrey 6
Harvey Torrey 6
Dennis Shea G
Leslie Estcs 5
Ruric V. Thompson .... 5
Charlie Brown 5
Eddie R. Hopkins 5
Jamie Ford 5
Maurice Condon 6
John Campbell 5
Tommie Murrill 5
Tomraie Chaplais 5
Freddie Cushing ...'.. 4
Tommie Love .4
Johnnie Shea 4
Allie Josselyn 4
Katy McCarthy 7
Eva Foster 6
Ella Josselyn 5
Delia Mangan 0
Lizzie Perry 4
Eliza Perry 4
Emma Kcene ...... 5
Katie Chaplais 5
Age.
Sarah Sullivan 6
Ellen Sullivan G
Emma Quince 5
Mary Quince 6
Mary Burke 5
Mary Hocyse 5
Mary Lizzie Torrey .... 4
Sarah Mongon .4
Mary L. Lime 6
Nellie Faunce 4
Nellie Callaghan 4
Maria Lime 4
Ettie Ellis 6
Sarah Penny ^ 10
Lizzie Hnyse 10
Hannah Ford 9
Ellin Murrill 9
Mary Sullivan 9
Ellen Chaplais ...... 9
Katie Moune 9
Teresa Locke 8
Mary O'llearn 8
Annie Penny 8
Annie Torrey 8
Mary Chaplais 8
Mary McGrath 8
Maggie Love S
Mary Callaghan 8
Nellie Clark 7
Clara Hopkins 8
Lizzie Cushing G
Sarah Develin 7
Fannie Bailey G
Whole number .... 81
M. A. Hoi'kiks, Teacher.
WEBSTER STREET PRIMARY.
Age.
John Condor 8
Timothy Harrington .... 5
Cornelius Crowly 5
John Roache 10
John Lewcllyn 5
Wilson Whiting 7
Lemuel Dill ... ... 9
Charlie Bcal 7
Frank Dill 8
Burleigh Collins G
Age.
Wilfred Pool 7
Arthur Higgins 7
Charlie Pool 8
James Thomas 5
Eddie Hobart 7
Willie Burred 8
Elliott Pool 5
Richard Mongon 9
Arthur Lane 7
Charlie Wheeler 8
SCHOOLS.
63
Age.
Wesley Everson 7
Lcamler Hullctt 6
Clarence Ripley 7
Ernest Burrell 7
John Phillips 6
Arthur Davis .5
Walter Pool 7
Walter Stoikhird 6
Ernest Collins 8
James Donavon 5
Sumner Turner 7
William Welch 8
John Macalvene 5
Joseph Wheeler C
Albert Donavon 7
Charlie Stoddard 5
Morris Chene C
Fred Lane 4
Henry Lewellyn 6
Joseph Murray 5
Cornelius Murray 6
Emma Dill 11
Enna Crocker 8
Mary Ilallett 8
Jennie Wheeler 4
Nettie Pool ' . 7
Celia Pool 8
Arabella Monsur ... . . . G
Effie Wheeler C
Caroline Donavon .... 8
Effiie Beal 5
Nettie Beal 6
Age.
Mary Driscol 9
Kate Driscol 7
AfTa Gilman 6
Abbie Connel 6
Maggie Connel 4
Mary Iris 8
Josephine Iris 7
Jane Welch 11
Lizzie Mongon 7
Bridget Chene 9
Mary Sullivan G
Margaret Murray 7
Mary Murray 10
Kate Goy G
Florence Pool 7
Mary Lewellyn 4
Mary Lewellyn 5
Miry Grady 5
Bridget Grady 9
Mary Pool 5
Frances Donavon 8
Nellie Rynhart 4
Margaret Jones ..... 9
Ellen Condor G
Ellen Jones 7
Alice Jones 5
Carrie Hughes G
Margaret Magnor 12
Julia Murray 5
Kate Harrington 10
Eliza Lewellyn 13
Margaret Macalvene .... 8 Whole number ... 84
Gkktuudk Poor.E, Tecuher.
MARKET STREET INTERMEDIATE.
Joseph Jenkins Marshal Lane . Josiah Burgess Herbert Sampson Austin Mitchell James Roarty . Everett Perry . Samuel D. Lewis Charles E. Studley Edward Lane . .
Age. 13
14 13 13 12 10 11 12 12 12
Frank Sampson George Hunt Charles Elmes Chester Perry George Evans Alfred Reed. Elliot Wade David Tohin Herbert Baker John Jones .
Age. . 10 . 9 . 10 . 10 . 13 . 9 . 13 . 11 . 12 . 13
64
SCHOOLS.
Age.
Annie Hobson 15
Ida Joyce . . 12
Katie Butterfield ...... 12
Josie Wigginton 15
Annie Torrcy 11
IiuthTirrell ........ 9
Lizzie Beverly 10
Addle Thompson . . . . .13
Abbic Love 11 13
Lizzie Lane ....... 10
Helen Briggs 10
Arabella Young 9
Marion Loud 14
Hannah MurriU 11
Mary MoCraitb ..... 13 Hannah McCraith . . . .11
Mary Burgess 15
Jessie Totman 9
Ago.
Mary Foster 11
Ella Torrey 12
Jennie Locke 10
Emma Studley 13
Eva Delano 12
Martha Simcs 13
Emma Lewis 11
Julia Kennedy 14
ltuth Torrey 8
Mary E. Lewis 9
Lizzie Penney 12
Alma Lane 9
Henrietta Willis 12
Mary McCarthy 10
Lilla Fletcher 9
Lucia Taylor 11
Eva Monroe 11
Whole number ... 55
Fannie Heed, Teacher.
MARKET STREET PRIMARY.
Age.
Arthur Baker 8
Frank Wade 8
Charlie Jenkins C
Charlie Hucliins 8
Aroscoe Briggs 6
Altie Elmes 7
Charlie Lewis 7
Frank Butterfield 13
Alonzo Wade 10
Horatio Burgess 9
Willie Warren 9
Walter Perry 7
Austin Everson 7
Cliarlie Winslow 8
Francis Wade 9
Everett Lane C
Fletcher Jenkins 5
Walter Lane ...... 5
Chester Studley G
Horace Totman 7
Whitie Everson 4
Elliot Willis 9
Genella Delano 7
Roland Delano 9
Frank Kennedy 9
Walter Kennedy 10
Willie Cook 10
Henry Whitcomb G
Age.
Ezra Delano 4
Charlie Sanborn 10
John McCarty 9
Maurice Murphy 10
John Murphy G
Henry Purcell G
Michael Sullivan ..... G
James Gun 5
Willie Toben 9
Willie Sullivan 8
Thomas Griffin 10
John O'Connell 9
Eddie Tohin 7
David McCraitc G
Patrick MeCraito 5
George O'Connell 7
Willie Barry 7
John Hoy 7
Michael McEnroe G
James McEnroe 9
James McGovern 5
Gerald Fitzgerald 7
John Fitzgerald 5
Patrick Connors 7
Patrick Considine 7
Andrew Considine .... 8
Mattic Jones 8
Charlie McGovern . . . .11
SCHOOLS.
65
Age.
James Tobin 5
Maurice Tangley 8
Nettie Kcene 6
Lizzie Wade ...... 6
liuth Wade 5
Jessie Loud 8
Clara Gurney ...... 7
Mary Tower 6
Edith Delano 6
Emma Hunt 6
Estcilc Perry 4
Clara Cook 7
Etta Joyce C
Mara Gurney 4
Annie Laphain 4
Mary McEnroe .' 12
Ellen McEnroe 5
Surah Barry 9
Maggio O'Douold 7
Age.
Ellen Murphy 5
Mary Murphy .8
Mary A. Sullivan 7
Lizzie O'Hayre 7
Emily Purcell 9
Abbie Kelly 5
Mary Connors 6
Julia McEnroe 11
Nancy Conners 5
Bridget Jones 10
Mary Soughroe 9
Margaret Soughroe .... 7
Mary E. Purcell 5
Mary McCarty 5
Maggie McCraite 4
Mary Hoy 4
Mary Connors G
Mary O'Hayre G
Whole number ... 93
Georgia Lane, Teacher.
SOUTH HIGH AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Charles D. Fullerton George E. Ilersey Albert H. Harlow . J. Roland Corthell I. Carey Alden George Gurney David A. Gurney . Ira A. Leach . . W. Bradford Wade Noah A. Poole . . Elmer W. Noyes . Charles A. Uutchin Horace R. Heed . Z. Elbridge Peterson Bcnnie H. Blake . George F. Kcene . Edward C. Perry . J. Edward Morse . Frank E. Shaw .
Helen L. Lizzie A.
Fullerton Peterson
Age. . 13 . 14 . 14 . 14 . 13 . 1G . 13 . 14 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 14 . 12 . 14 . 13 . 11 . 14 . 11 . 14
17
17
Age.
Mary W. Noyes 14
Helen G. Leach 15
Augusta J. Reed 15
Clara A. Nash 14
Emma J. Earlc 13
Georgianna E. Soule ... 13
Joanna Fullerton 14
L. Addie Bealc 15
Laura F. White 13
Annie F. Ransom 13
Julia O. Donovan 13
Martha I. Sharpe 14
Clara J. Reed 14
Mary li. Jenkins 15
Lodora B. Fielding .... 13
Ellen M. Gurney 14
Ella S. Bates 12
Lucy J. Gurney 13
Annio Jones 14
Uuldali J. Leach 13
Whole number . . .41
Hemby B. Bbown, A. M., Principal.
6*
66
SCHOOLS.
SOUTH AVENUE INTERMEDIATE.
"William W. Blanchard D;ivis M. Gurney . . Frank A. Reed . . . Elmer Eullcrtoa . . Edwin Poole . . . Edward O. Dyer . . Charles H. Fairbanks Henry Webster Clitt . •Limes Robinson . . George Q. Churchill . Prank Conroy . . . Willie Merritt Corthcll Andrew Gloyd . . . Charles Henry Blanchard Abner C. Coombs . . Saniucl J. Blois . . John Burke .... Edney Francis Bowles "Willie T. Sherman . Franklin W. Reed . Samuel 0. Gurney . Walter C. Packard . George Franklin Harlow "William D. Cook . . Frederick L. Soule . Herbert F. Hutchinson George B. Phinney . Albert H. Blois . . Michael O'Brien . . William W. Vining .
Sarah P. Vining Sarah M. Lewis
Age. . 12 . 14 . 12
11
10 11 11 11 12 12 10 11 14 14 12 11 11 14 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 13 10 12 10 9
11 13
Age.
Rosina Ann Cook 14
Mary Frances Thompson . . 10
Lucy R. Sproul 12
Mary E. French 13
Emma It. Malroy 10
F. R. Sproul 10
Susan M. Kced 13
Mary A. Peterson 10
Emily A. Aldrn 10
Maria L. Alden 11
Julia M. Harrow 9
Addic R. Gurney 10
Ida B. Harding 12
Anna M. Beal 12
Margaret Lynn 14
Agnes Barnes Sproul . . .11 Mary Ella Chamberlain ... 13 Mary Frances Donovan ... 10
Julia A. Blake 8
Anna Eliza Reed 11
Effie Ransom 10
Ada F. Gurney 11
Mary Alice Bates 10
Mary E. Churchill . . . .11
Isabel W. Leach 12
Sarah E. Ripley 13
Susan E. Horsey 9
Joannah Meany 10
Alice M. Reed 10
Ellen Meany 9
Ida W. Jossclyn 12
Whole number . . . C3
Maby E. Rkeo, Teacher.
PLEASANT STREET MIXED.
Matthew Sullivan . . Edwin F. Leonard William C. Hcndley . A. Welcome Gurney Wilson M. Bourne , John l'routy . . , Canrles W. Harding . Waiter S. Leach . ,
Age. 15
15 14 14 13 11' Hi 10
Myron A. Jenkins Horatio N. Winslow George E. Leavitt . J. Manly Gurney . Oscar II. Pacre Charles Townscnd Eddie 0. Cooke Henry While . .
Akc. 13 12 14 10 10 13 12 10
SCHOOLS.
67
Charles M. Gurney George F. Bourne Willie II. Window Cliarles E. Sullivan Eildie White . . Charles E. Hendley J. Quincy Dunbar Wallace C. Allien . Josiah M. Bourne . Joseph Hill . . . Kelson Churchill . George Tuttle . . Asa L. Gurney . .
C. Franklin Reene
D. Webster Townsend Otis H. Alden . . J. Marshall Bourne George F. Reene . Albert Bates . . Walter L. Reed . John H. Pickernell Charles D. Dyer . Everett Caswell . Albion Thomas
Ella J. Thomas . Emily M. Giinnett Alice F. Cooke . .
Age. . 9 . 5 . 8 . 10 . 7 . 8 . 7 . 9 . 8 . 9 . 8 . 10 . 7 . 7 . 7 . 6 . 15 . 6 . 7 . 5 . 14 . 6 . G . 6
. 12 . 11 . 9
Age.
Emily E. Dunbar 8
Anna E. Packard 11
H. Lizzie Pickernell . . . .11 Mary L. Pickernell .... 9
Mary L. Hendley 10
Anna G. Reed 9
Sarah C. Reed 7
Carrie L. Winslow ~ . . . .10 Chestina Churchill .... 11
Jennie M. Alden 11
Julia F. Bates 9
Lorctta Bourne 10
Carrio I. Cooke 7
B. Florence Cooke .... 5
Addie M. Tuttle 9
Jennie E. Hendley .... 5
Lilian E. Reed 8
J. Maria Sullivan 7
Ilattie J. Packard 8
Ida Winslow ,,.... 6
Ella Reene 6
Nellie J. Hersey 6
Rosabel S. Gurney .... 9 Lottie C. Gannett ..... 7
Abbie L. Reene 8
Alice M. Caswell 8
Whole number ... 69
Helen A. Reed, Teacher.
PLYMOUTH STREET INTERMEDIATE.
Herbert Arnold Henry Cox . . John Caughlan . Edward Coin Wilmot Everson William Faulkner James Flaven . John Flaven George Fairbanks Edgar Fuller . Bernard Fitzgerald Bernard Gilbride John Gilbride . Albion Gloyd . Edwin Hutchinson Charles Hutchinson
Afje. . 12 . 9 . 10 . 15 . 15 . 13 . 10 . 11 . 10 . 12 . 12 . 11 . 11 *13 . 10 . 12
Age.
Frank Keon 0
Frederic Lane 9
Albion Leavitt 11
William Millett 11
James Moran 12
Alphonso Munroe .... 13
Lucien Nelson 9
Charles Powers 12
Freddie Reed 10
Charles Rand 12
Everett Wilkes 9
Abbie Bennett 9
Jennie Beal 11
Kitima Davy 11
Maggie Donaghue 11
68
SCHOOLS.
Age. Hannah Donaghue .... 9
Luella Ewell 10
Eliza Fairbanks 12
Mary Kcon 9
Eva Munroe 11
Marietta Millet* 14
Mary Pratt 11
Anna Powers 10 I
-Age.
Hattie Richmond 11
Emma Reed 13
Ellen Smith ........ 11
Emmeline Smith 9
Georgianna Wluting .... 12
M. Alice Wilkes 12
"Whole number .... 45
Lizzie A. Fobd, Teacher.
PLYMOUTH STREET PRIMARY.
Ralph Whiting C
Georgie L. Ewell 4
Arthur Powers 5
Willie Fitzgerald 8
Maurice Condley 9
Daniel Driscoll 5
Frankie Donoghue .... 10
Lucian P. Nelson 9
nenry A. Ballou 9
George M. Gloyd 10
Willie L. Fairbanks .... 7
Horace G. Beal 9
Barney G. Baldwin .... 5
Henry Quiglcy 9
Willie Quigley 7
Albert Quigley 13
Frankie A. Millett .... 9 Lemuel W. Whiting . . . .11
Eugene Whiting 7
George H. Gould 6
Chester E. Cook 8
Johnnie Mcllugh ..... 8
George O. Young 8
.... 10
Age. Age.
Allie Noyes ....... 5
Willie II. Beal G
Willie D. Reed 5
Hansard Bessee 4
B. Ernest Wilkes 4
Patrick Considine 11
Andrew Considine .... 9 Francis Wade 11
Thomas Russell
James Russell 7
Edgar W. Beal . . . : . 7
Augustus L. Freeman ... 9 Johnnie B. Coombs . . . .11
Josie A. Coombs . . • . . . 9
Summit; Coombs 6
Willie A. Cane 4
Eddie Cane 5
Ashton H. Pratt 7
Andrew Jackson 5
Richard Lyons 9
Henry Lyons ...... 5
Ida Ewell 13
Emma P. Wilkes 10
Erie Davy 7
Anna W. Faunce 6
Nellie P. Gilbride 7
Mabel Bessee 6
Emma A. Nash 10
Katie Jackson 10
Anna L. Powers 9
Anna M. Lane 7
Edith B. Lane 5
Mary A. Nash 8
Sarah Patterson 7
Mary A. Patterson . . . . G
Nellie F. Lincoln G
Mary A. Driscoll 10
Hannah Driscoll 7
Sarah Russell 5
Emma B. Wood 6
Augusta M. Everson .... 8
Lizzette Ewell 8
Hannah Donoghue .... 9
Jennie Parmenter 7
Leonis Thompson G
Georgianna Fitzgerald ... 7
Mary McCullough .... 9 Whole number ... 70
C. Valksta Woumelle, Teacher.
8CHOOL3.
69
SOUTH ABLNGTON SCHOOL STREET FIRST PRIMARY.
Age. J. Lewis Beed . . ". . . .12
William D. Cook 11
N. Franklin Caswell .... 11 W. Franklin Chamberlain . .11 William F. S. Reed .... 13
I. Morey Lewis 10
Gilbert L. Sproul 10
Charles W. Bressingham . . 10 William H. Sharpe .... 10
E. Warren Clirt 10
William C. Porter .... 9
Abraham Bloise -9
Henry L. Holbrook ... . 9
John Robinson .9
Marcus W. Reed 8
Daniel A. Wade 8
Oscar L. Gurney 8
Lewis B. Howe ..... 8
Warren Corthell 8
Edward C. Osborne .... 8
Thomas Lewis 8
Oliver H. Reed 8
Elnathan W. Haskell ... 8
Abbott Thompson 8
Henry L. Peterson .... 7
George F. Bates 7
John E. Bosworth 7
Michael O'Brien 7
Jeddie A. Vining . Joseph H. Haskell William H. Lincoln
Mandana M. Teague Lucinda M. Taggard Julia S. Howe . . Malansa W. Gurney R. Alice Gloyd . Lucy A. Reed . Carrie A. Jenkins Isabel J. B. Teague Hattie A. Leach Addie F. Dyer . Ida F. Cole . . Ida H. Thorpe . Emma J. Sharpe Ella C. Porter . Lucy J. Sherman Addie H. Huntington Alice M. Soule . Alice M. Caswell Mary A. Spehuan Mary A. Nevans Eveline W. Phinney Rubena N. Hutchinson Whole number .
Age. . 6 . 6 . 9
. 11 . 11
. 10 . 10 . 10 . 10 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 8 . 8 . 8 . 8 . 8 . 8 . 8 . 8 . 7 . 7
53
S. Lillie Gubxet, Teacher.
SOUTH ABINGTON SCHOOL STREET SUB-PRIMARY.
Ago.
Edward Luddy 9
Frank R. Norton 8
James L. Sproul 8
Herbert O. Matthews ... 8
Charles Leach 8
Michael Barry 7
Sumner Poole 7
Jerry O'Brien 7
George A. Clift 6
William Spelman 6
Herbert Norton 6
Freddie W. Churchill ... 6
Age.
George Lewis 6
H. Clayton Harden . . . . 6
Clifford French G
Philip Robertson 8
Charles Sherman ..... (J
George E. Alden 6
Seth E. Alden 5
Charles Taggard 5
John Luddy 5
Austin Foster 5
Clarence C. Corthell .... 5
John Leach ±
70
SCHOOLS.
Ago.
Waldo Packard 4
Henry J. Sherman .... 4
Albert W. West 4
Catherine A. Nevan .... 10
JaneGloyd ....... 12
Mary Bourke 8
Margaret Conry ..... 8
Alice M. Taggard 8
Ida M. Bloise 7
Mary A. Meaney 8
Lizzie J. West *. 8
Mary E. Luddy 7
Sarah E. Lincoln 7
Ilattie A. Heed 7
Mary Kinsley . . Ella M. Reed . . Mary E. Beals . . Laura E. Fairbanks Sarah F. Nevan . Julia A. Meaney . Annie M. Sproul . Ilattie A. Ransom Annie Lincoln . . Mary A. Matthews Bctliia A. Porter . Lucy W. Phinney Betlua A. Hutchinson Whole number .
Age.
51
6 G
(J
a
6 5 5 5 5 6 4 4
L. Clara Holbkook, Teacher.
Whole number embraced in the above schools
. . 2,111.
Bav. HORACE D. WALKER, SAMUEL DYER, LEWIS E. NOYES,
School Committee of Abington.
CHAPTER VII.
Agriculture and Horticulture. — Their State and Condition in Past Times and at the Present Time.
In the commencements of new settlements, the first object is to supply the necessaries of life, — food and raiment, — and this is principally done by agriculture, or tilling the ground. In mineral districts, it is otherwise ; for minerals can be ex- changed for products to supply the wants of the body. There was nothing of this latter kind in this town to reward industry or supply the wauts of living. The soil was naturally hard and rocky ; the older towns in the vicinity had a better choice of lands ; they were selected for agricultural purposes, and at a much earlier, date. This town was made up of gores of land, shares, and cheap purchases. At its incorporation m 1710, the population might havo been three hundred. (Iu 1726, it was three hundred and eeventy-one.) From that time (1710) to the period to which my recollection extends, (1790,) it had increased to fourteen hundred and fifty-three, — twelve hundred in eighty years, — averaging fifteen yearly. This long. period was marked with great toil and many hardships ; for a great part of it, agriculture was the main support of the inhabitants. For this purpose the lands had to be cleared up, roads to be made, and buildings to be erected. Towards the close of it, however, and up to 1800, things began to be much improved ; the sale of lumber for ship-building had become quite extensive ; box-making, also, was extensively carried on ; the making of tacks and brads, by hand, employed many persons ; weaving forjactories had commenced ; boots and shoes began to be manufactured in considerable quantities, as also many other manufactures, which will bo noted here- after. ■.«*'•
These improvements gave quite an impetus to agricultural pursuits ; for they furnished means to extend them, so that the
(71)
72 AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE.
products of the farming interest were greatly increased ; they became sufficient for the support of the inhabitants, aud left a surplus for market, particularly of butter and cheese, young animals, as calves and lambs, poultry, mutton, beef, and pork. During this period mauy articles of produce were raised, which are not now ; flax and wool were among them. Almost every farmer had a field of flax and a flock of sheep. Flax and wool were made by hand into linen and woollen cloth ; and all v/ool cloths, and alsp cotton and wool cloth were made in the same way. These articles were so extensively made as to supply a great proportion of the inhabitants, male and female, with clothing ; and households, with linen and bed- clothes, and some with floor-carpets.
Geese were kept in great numbers: scarcely a farmer was without his flock ; and many, who hud no farms, kept them. They were raised for two purposes ; their bodies for the market, and their feathers for bedding. Besides what feathers they afforded when killed, they were picked when alive for that purpose, generally twice in a year — the old ones sometimes three times ; the young ones always once, and fre- quently twice. Geese picking was quite a merry scene with children; the pickers were all covered with down and feathers. The geese, especially the old ones, were very spiteful : they would bite and strike with their wings. To prevent their biting, a stocking was pulled over their heads ; and to prevent their striking with their wings, the wings were locked over their backs. From such picking arose the name, " live geese feathers." This was done just as they began to shed their feathers, and the down had got to a considerable growth ; so they were not left naked. Much care was taken not to pluck off the large feathers under the wings, called " wing sup- porters," otherwise the wings would trail upon the ground.
The wool, the flax and the cotton were all spun, wove, and made into cloth by female hands. Towards the close of this period, (from 1790 to 1800,) these operations were greatly facilitated by machines to card the wool into rolls ; and after- wards, cotton yarn, or factory yarn, as it was called, came
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. 73
into uso for warp$ for cotton and wool cloth, nnd for all cotlou cloth. This was a great improvement, as the carding and spinning of cotton by hand was a laborious process. Before these improvements, the process of making cloth was alto- gether by hand ; and a long time after, as respects woollen cloth. All those cloths, where wool was used, were dressed in fulling-mills, as they were called, and there were many in the State. At one time there were two in this town, and two sets of carding-machines for carding wool into rolls.
To carry on these operations, hundreds of spinning-wheels and looms were constantly employed in town, operated by females — farmers' wives, daughters, and hired help. There was also a system regulating these operations : so many skeins of linen, seven knots to a skein, was a day's work ; four skeins of linen on the little spinning-wheel, done sitting, and the same number of skeins of wool, tow, and cotton, on the great wheel, done standing.
These spinners and weavers were a merry set ; they gaiucd much time in doing their day's work, and had frequent social meetings. "When at work, which was a mechanical operation, they were full of song and glee. Their minds were free for this, as their labor required but little exercise of the under- standing and thought. There were no foreign females em- ployed in those days, nor for forty years after. The work was done altogether by American females.
But in a few years after these dates, (about 1810,) all these manufactures were superseded by cotton and woollen factories on a larger and a different scale, operated by water and steam- power. The products of the earth, previous to these chauges, however, were much greater, according to tho ratio of popula- tion, than after. Industry began to find employment in manu- factures, at greater remunerating prices than could be obtained in agricultural pursuits. On this account, and the consequent high price of labor, farming operations have been greatly- depressed. Yet it must be conceded that agricultural and hor- ticultural products have greatly increased in the town by other means than prdfitable returns. The increase of population and 7
74 AGRICULTURE AND nOUTICUX-TURE,
wealth has done much in these respects, without calculating returns. The division of land, very extensively, into small farms and gardens, has multiplied products greatly, not for market, but for home consumption.
The cultivation of ornamental and fruit trees has been greatly extended ; flowers and flowering shrubs are largely cultivated, with an abundance of fruits, such as currauts, strawberries, raspberries, &c, not to mention other fruits, as pears, peaches, quinces, grapes and tomatoes. These are esteemed a3 articles of luxury, and are not produced for sale. In former times the cultivation of theso fruits could not be attended to, or only partially, as more substantial products were required for the support of the inhabitants and for market.
On the other hand, there were formerly many products of the farm raised which arc now almost entirely neglected ; among these, flax and wool have already been named. The making of butter and cheese has greatly fallen off', especially of the latter. Not one-tenth part, probably, is now made that was then. Neat cattle and swine are scarcely raised at all, — these being mostly purchased from drovers when young. Formerly none were purchased in this way. It is estimated that nine-tenths of all the corn and other grains consumed in town are from abroad, and a like proportion of the meats are from out of town. We do not even raise a supply of potatoes for our own consumption.
The great contrast between the agricultural products of former times and those of the present time arises out of the change of circumstances. Then it was a struggle for mere subsistence. In the absence of almost all manufactures, tilling the soil was the main employment, and it was an imperious necessity ; otherwise the town could not have been settled. The inhabitants could not have been fed and clothed ; but by raising the articles above named, in councction with domestic manufactures, these objects were accomplished.
At the present time, agriculture and manufactures go hand in hand, and are a support to each other ; but that the estab- lishment of manufactures here has been the occasion of greater
4UlUCUL,TUHfci AND IlOimyUXTUlUU.
70
prosperity than would have resulted from attending mainly to agriculture, even if it had possessed a better soil, will bo apparent if wo compare this town, in which manufactures prevail, with those in the vicinity which are more exclusively agricultural. "Whilst some of them have receded in popula- tion and valuation, this town has gone ahead surprisingly, and is the largest in population of any town in the county, aud Stands the highest in valuation.
The following statistics of the agricultural products and neat stock of the town, as returned in the late United States Census, will give some idea of the amount, and at the same time aftbrd data for comparing the amount of these products in former aud present times. They will also show, as stated above, that many articles raised then are now entirely omitted.
211 horses, $100 each, .
367 milch cows, $30 each, 54 working oxen, 850 each, 99 other cattle, $20 each, 27 sheep, $3 each,
242 swine, . . .
FARMING PRODUCTS.
40 bushels wheat, 81.25 per bushel, 184 bushels rye, $1, .... 2,977 bushels Indian corn, $1 per bush., . 205 bushels oats, 50c. per bush., . 5 lbs. wool, 60c. per lb., . 7 bushels peas and beans, $2 per bush., 3,798 bushels Irish potatoes, 50c. per bush.,
51 bushels barley, 75c. per bush., 5,536 lbs. butter, 20c. per lb., 1,570 lbs. cheese, 10c. per lb., 881 tons hay, $18 per ton, 5 lbs. beeswax, 50c. per lb., 20 lbs. honey, 20c. per lb., . Value of animals slaughtered, .
821,100.00
11,010.00
2,700.00
1,980.00
81.00
4,840.00
841,711.00
850.00
184.00
2,977.00
103.00
3.00
11.00
1,899.00
38.00
1,117.00
157.00
15,858.00
2.;"0
4.00
51,052.00
#73,458.50
76 AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE.
The foregoing schedule of stock and agricultural products, if carried out together, according to present prices, would amount in the gross to $115,109.50.
This return was made out in the late census of the United
States, not with a view to taxation or valuation, but to give in
the aggregate some estimation of the stock and agricultural
products of the nation. The valuation recently taken by the
assessors of the town doubtless shows a very different result ;
but as that is on record, it is not necessary to compare the
two statements. In several small products stated above, there
is quite a discrepancy. Twenty-seven sheep are returned,
which probably is not one-quarter of the number, and only
five pounds, of wool. Twenty pounds of honey is returned,
which, it is presumed, is not one-tenth part of the true amount.
Four pounds of beeswax is named, which it would require
the comb of more than one hundred pounds of honey to
produce.
Agriculturists were questioned as to their products ; some probably evaded auswering, some guessed at it, and soino under-rated the amounts ; all fearing, perhaps, that a true statement might lead to an increase of their valuation, and add to their taxes. The butter returned would not be fifteen pounds to a cow, when, it is probable, it is twice that amount. So of the return of corn and potatoes ; the amount named must fall far short of the reality. The working oxen and other cattle, exclusive of cows, must be nearly double the amount returned. If it is intended to give a true account of the animals slaughtered, including those purchased out of town with those raised in town, the number is too small by half. One establishment (Vinsou Blanchard's) returned the amount slaughtered by him at $28,000 ; and there arc several other establishments which do a large business, but have made no returns.
But notwithstanding these discrepancies, this return affords much information and data for comparing the past with the present. As stated above, there were many articles of pro- duce cultivated then which are not even named in the foregoing
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. 77
schedule, and, if named, the amount is so insignificant us not to be worth noticing ; some of which have already been named, as flax, sheep, wool, young cattle and swine, goats and geese ; and, from my own knowledge, may be added colts, domestic fowls,- tobacco and flax-seed. As to one leading article — cheese — returned, fifteen hundred and seventy pounds, some single dairies then made double that amount.
This article formerly was a staple commodity of the town ; some farmers kept from twelve to twenty cows, aud all farms were stocked to the utmost extent in this way. The amouut was doubtless over one hundred tons, two hundred thousand pounds, by three hundred farmers. This would average about six hundred and sixty-six pounds to each. This amount was for the market, exclusive of what was consumed by the farmer; and at nine to ten cents per pound, would amount to about $20,000.
Butter was made then, probably, triple in amount to what it is now, and many more cows were kept.
There was more land cleared up for agricultural purposes in fitly years previous to 1810 than in the fifty years since, and it is even doubtful whether there was not as much laud then improved for agricultural purposes as now. Much then cleared up has been suffered to grow up for wood, and much is covered with bushes.
Yet, as stated above, the value of farming products at the present time is much greater than formerly ; not for sale, but for consumption. This is owing to the increase of gardens, aud a much higher cultivation of these and other lauds. Fruits aud vegetables are raised in great abundance, as also hay, which is ono of the most profitable products of agriculture. Kight hundred and ei»hty-ouo tons is stated iu the census, but the amount i3 probably more than fifteen hundred tons, worth, according to present prices, about $30,000.
But according to present appearances, it seems that agricul- tural pursuits must be greatly increased. There is a surplus of labor, and sufficient employment canuot be found. Excess of foreign immigration, and labor-saving machinery, have 7*
78 AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE.
caused this. There must be a resort to farming, or there must be a large emigration from the town. The lands in town are not, probably, more than one-quarter part cultivated, and are capable of great improvements. Here is a field for much labor, with promising rewards. A good market is at our doors, and good prices can be had ; a bushel of corn raised here is worth two bushels raised at the "West, and other products are of like relative value. This is owing to the cost of transportation and commissions. To illustrate this, a story is told of two farmers travelliug together in the "West ; one a Western man, the other an Eastern. The Eastern farmer inquired of the Western what quantity of corn, on an average, was grown on an acre there, and what was its worth. He answered, forty bushels, and worth ten dollars (twenty- five cents per bushel) ; and inquired in turn what was the average quantity, and its worth, at the East (Duxbury, Mass., for he was from there). He answered, twenty bushels, and worth fifteen dollars (seventy-five cents per bushel) ; one-third more than forty bushels at the West.
In addition to all these products, one great leading article
of consumption might be cultivated to great advantage, and
that is wheat. I have seen it stated somewhere, that the
whole West does not average over fifteen bushels to the acre.
I have raised several hundred bushels in the twenty-five years
past, and have received, according to my impressions, over
one hundred dollars in premiums from the Plymouth Couuty
Agricultural Society, and no premium was given for a less
quantity on an acre than twenty bushels. At one time I
raised twenty-seven and a half bushels on one acre, and
several other times something under twenty bushels, for which
I received no premium, it requiring twenty bushels for that
purpose. '
By availing ourselves of the various modes of improving soils, and by a judicious use of the fertilizers discovered by chemical analysis, and other means, wheat might be raised sufficient for the consumption of the whole community, and for
AGRICULTURE AND nOKTICOLTUUE. 79
export. Theae improvements must take place id a few years, else labor must seek its employment elsewhere.
There is another class of labor which is now much depressed, and ought to find better encouragement and better rewards, — aud that is female labor. Many of the former female occu- pations are gone ; spinning and weaving, as formerly, are superseded by cotton and woollen factories ; braiding straw for bonnets is over ; binding and fitting of boots and shoes is almost done with. Sewing-machines have displaced much needle-work. Domestic work in families, by hired help, is principally done by a foreign class of females, and it is their principal support. Formerly this labor was done by American females. And now what remunerating employments are left to American females, and to many others ? Those who have sufficient to do in their own houses, or in their fathers' families, are provided for ; but besides these, how are the wives without children, widows, and young and more advanced females, un- married, to find employment ? These questious apply to the country at large, as well as to this town, and particularly to jur cities. I cannot answer them, and am astonished at their importance and magnitude.
It is for the interest and welfare of the whole community to provide suitable and adequate labor for this dependent aud numerous class. There arc four thousand three hundred females in this town ; if we allow three thousand of them to be children, mothers and daughters that can be supported and employed at home, what becomes of the other one thousand three hundred, or even half of them ? As I have said just above, I cannot answer the question. I hope some suitable and profitable employment will be found for them. I can only, for this purpose, suggest the raising of silk-worms aud the manufacture of silks, the making of lace, ribbons, gauise, eiubroidcry, children's toys, and other fanciful works. But men of capital must begin the work by providing the means ; plauting mulberry trees, furnishing the newly prepared fkx, and suitable buildings. These etforts will come in aid of
80 AGRICULTURE AJfD HORTICULTURE.
agriculture. Let our farmers and others immediately begin the work, by setting out mulberry trees on their vacaut lands, ornamental grounds, and beside the roads. I, some years since, received twenty dollars premium for the cultivation of mulberry trees, having over eleven hundred growing at one time ; but the silk fever, as it was then called, died away, and many of the trees, for want of care, failed ; but quite a number survived, and are now among my ornamental and flourishing trees.
There are, at this time, for our encouragement, two agri- Cultural library associations in town : one at Centre Abiugton, the other at East Abington. The one at Centre Abiugton is composed of thirty-six members, paying five dollars each for membership ; annual subscribers pay one dollar yearly. They have between one and two