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/L^T
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OK THE
PEABODY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
'(
INCORPORATED AUGUST 15TH, 1896.
OFFICERS,
President,
1st Vice President,
2d Vice President,
Treasurer,
Assistant Treasurer,
Recording Secretary,
Corresponding Secretary,
Curator,
Librarian,
Chairman Hospitality Com.,
igo6 — 1907.
Fkancis H. Api'i.eton
Thomas Carroll,
Jeffkrson K. Cole
Sylvan us L. Nkwhall
Helen C. Allen
Mary A. Fokness
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Osborn
Mary A. Osborn
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Osborn
Mrs. H. Maria Palmer
DIRECTORS.
Daniel H. Felton, Robert H. Gowing, P. H. O'Conor,
Miss Mary W. Nichols, Mrs. Nancy J. Moulto.v, INIary Eliz. Poole,
Richards B. Mackintosh, Mrs. Jos. G. Porter, Rkv. Oscar F. safford,
DELEGATE TO THE BAY STATE LEAGUE.
Rev. O. F. Safford.
REGULAR MEETINGS 1906-1907.
1906.
May 2. Annual meeting. Annual Reports and election of officers.
Aug. 29. Annual Field meeting at Felton's Corner, tlie home of Mr. D H,
Felton being open to all. The meeting was held on the triangle,
Gen. Francis Henry Appleton, Pres., presiding. The first speaker,
Mr. Daniel H. Felton, spoke on the "Early Settlers" in that
locality, of the " River-head," the old wharf, the clay pits, the
Felton School, the Old Indian Pound and the Andover Turnpike.
Mr. Ezra D. Hines of Danvers, next gave the histoiy of the Collins
House, not far away, the headquarters of Gen. Gage at the begin-
ning of the Revolution, 1774. Mr. Thomas Carroll then related
the incident of Arnold's Army marching thru County, Sum-
mit, Lowell and Prospect and Sylvan streets, then called the old
hf
i
11
J
V"^'
I]».s\vicli Road, on its way to Quebec in 1775. Deacon Chas.
Whipple of Pike «fc WMiiiiple, gave an interesting account of his
Carriage business, carried on since I80O, in the vicinity; the origi-
nal building being on the triangle and burned in lS5o.
Rev. O. F. Satl'ord called attention to the fact that until 1855,
Feltou's Corner was the real center of the town of Dan vers, the
first school and the homo of the first town clerk having been near-
by. Gen. Ajipleton as Massachusetts Coninii.ssioner for the James-
town Exposition made timely remarks in regard to the same.
President Ajipleton spoke of the great loss tlie Society had sus-
tained in the death of Mr. Nathaniel .Symonds, one of its most
interested members.
Refreshments were then served by Mrs. Maria H. Palmer, chair-
man of Hospitality Committee, and assistants, and the company
adjourned to visit Mr. Feltou's Home, the Felton Burial Ground,
the Felton ^School House and the River Head.
Nov. 20. President Francis Henry Appletou gave a most interesting talk
ujion the Jamestown Exposition, illustratcul with lantern slides,
showing views of buildings complete and in jirocess of construc-
tion, the wonderful wall of tiowers surrouudiiig the enclosure,
and many places of historical interest in Virginia. This was
much enjoyed as at that time comparatively little was known
about the Exjjosition.
At the close of the lecture, remarks were made along the same
lines by Mr. Arthur Lord, President of Plymouth Historical So-
ciety, and by Hon. Dana Maloue, Attorney General, who spoke of
the Deerlield Historical Society.
Feb. 18. A meeting in commemoration of the birthday of George Peabody
was held, Vice-President Thomas Carroll presiding and making
the tlrst address, speaking of Mr. Peabody in connection with the
Peabody High school.
Mr. Fred W. Bushby followed, speaking of the purchase of three
autograph letters of George Peabody by the Peabody Institute,
also of his search in London for the Peabody Building and the
Peabody Tablet in Westminster Abbey.
Miss Mary M. Farley gave the genealogy of the Birthplace of
George Peabody.
Mrs. Joseph G. Porter read an interesting letter written by George
Peabody to John W. Proctor of this town.
Mr. Andrew Nichols of Danvers gave some personal reminiscences
of Mr. Peabody and supi)lemeuted Miss Farley's paper with some
(juotations from the Records.
Mrs. Lyman P. Osboru read an entertaining account of the cele-
bration of 185(3 in honor of George Peabody.
Miss Mary W. Nichols of Danvers read a short poem written by
her father, the late Dr. Nichols, for the celebration of 1850.
Mrs. Lydia W. Thacher gave some personal recollections of Mr.
Peabody and the celebration of 1856.
iSIr. Otis Brown spoke of some incidents of the reception recep-
tion of the body of George Peabody in Portland, in which he and
others of this town had a jiart.
Light refreshments followed adjournment.
2
Gift*"-
FIRST HIGH SCHOOL, PEABODY MASS., 1850-1855
FORMERLY CHAPEL OF UNITARIAN CHURCH ON CHURCH ST , NOW REMO/ED TO NO 26S WASHINGTON ST
PHOTOG'lAPHED BY MR W. W. GOODMAN, PRESENT PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL.
PEASODY" high SCHOO ■ PEABODY, MASS —1855-1903.
AND TOWN HALL ON STEVENS S I fi EEJ — IR55-I8R3.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY MR, W W. WOODMAN, PR^.'ENT PRINTIPAL Of THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Apr. 19. The graves of tlio Revolutionary Soldiers were decorated with
flags as usual and laurel wreaths placed upon the monument.
Our Society was represented at the meeting of the Bay State His-
torical League, at Hyde Park, in the afternoon, hy Dr. Safford,
Miss M. A. Forness and Mrs. L. P. Oshorn, who read a paper.
The Rooms of the local Society were open to visitors during the
afternoon and in the evening a meeting was held at which Mr.
Oarroll presided and gave a most interesting talk upon the battle
of Lexington and the part taken in it by our men from Danvei-s.
Capt. Wm. F. Wiley spoke of the 19th of April in our Civil war
and of the battle of Newbern in an extremely interesting way,
especially appreciated by those members who had shared the
experiences. After the reading of a poem on Our Flag by Mr.
Jefferson K. Cole, the evening closed with the usual light refresh-
ments.
NEW MEMBERS.
Nov. 20. 1906. Feb. 18, 1907.
How. Benj. G. Hall, Mrs. Florence L. Ward,
Mrs. Hannah G. Hall, Miss Sarah S. Moore,
S. Chase Tucker, M. D., Mr. Edw. P. Hamblet,
Miss Isabella A. Ward, Mrs. C. Isabel Hamblet.
May 8, 1907.
Miss Alice M. Patterson, M. D., Mr. Harry O. Gsgood,
Mrs. Marcia M. Osgood.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
The Treasurer of the Peabody Historical Society respectfully submits the
following report for the year ending iMay 1, 1907.
Balance in hands of Treasurer at last report, . . $120.57
Received for Admission and Dues, . . . • 130.50
Gifts from members of the Society, . . 15.00
Candle Sale, ..... 6.18
Interest from Stimpson Fund, . . • 19.50
Interest from Deposit in Warren F. C S. Bank, 3.28
From Library at Washington, . . . 3.00
From Sale of Post Cards, .... "^^"^^ ^o^o on
Paid rent for one year to .\pril 1, 1907, . . • $150.00
Electric Light for one year, . . . • 6.53
Decorating Lexington Monument April 19, 1908, . 5.00
Annual Dues to Bay State League, . . • 1-^|^
2 Doz. Flags for Graves of Revolutionary Soldiers, . 1.50
Wreath for Funeral of Dr. Putnam, . . . 3.00
Insurance, ....••• 1^.50
Mrs. Brooks and F. S. Edgerly & Son for refreshments for
Sept., Feb. and April meetings, . • ^..jo
Expressing Chairs for Sept. meeting, . . • ^-'f^
Printing Ballots, . . . . • l-^^
300 Copies Annual Report, .... 1«-W
Printing Postcards, . . . • , l-^-^O
Envelopes,7:Postals, Stamps, etc., for the Secretaries and
Treasurers, ...••• 14.701
Balance in hands of Treasurer, . • . $373 30
S. L. Newhall, Treas.
Pearody, May 1, 1907.
NECROLOGY.
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Courey, b. Oct. 31, 1833, d. Oct. 30, 1906
Miss Susanna Mills, b. May 2, 1810, d. May 19, 1906
Nicolas M. Quint, b. July 18, 1838, d. Oct. 29, 1906
Benj. F. Southwick, b. July 5, 1835, d. Oct. II, 1906
Nathaniel Symonds, b. Dec. 13, 1833, d. Aug. 29, 1906
Mrs. Adelaide M. Tigh, b. Oct. 4, 1840, d. Nov. 5, 1906
REPORT OF CURATOR AND LIBRARIAN.
Durinfj the past year, our gifts from 26 members and 30 friends have as
usual included bound volumes, pamphlets, manuscript papers, newspapers,
clippings, articles for the cabinet and room, and photographs and money
for post card plates. Among these special mention mi^lit be made of a
cane, made of wood from the Chamber of Burgesses, where Patrick Henry
made his still remembered speech, a most timely offering of Mr. Thomas
Carroll, when interest was centered on the Jamestown Exposition. Also, an
old Powder Horn, a relic of 1756 and 1757, with a rare etching upon it of
Ft. William Henry where Lieut. Eleazer Lindsey and others from this towu
were stationed. This was the gift of the late Mr. Alerson Galeucia.
The "Parson Prescott" chair is of interest, being the original inspira-
tion of the founding of our society. This was willed to the society by Miss
Mills, in whose home it had been many years, and where, many times, as a
descendant of Mr. Prescott, Senator Hoar came to call and occupy the chair.
It was for the purpose of making a home in towu for this chair that the sug-
gestion of an Historical Society was first made by Miss Mills. We have been
honored by the Peabody Museum of Science by an invitation to loan our
large buffalo skin with an Indian battle scene upon it, painted in black and
blue and red, by the Indians. With the consent of the donor, Mr. D. H.
Felton, thig was removed and maybe seen in its appropriate place in Salem.
The Society room has beeu open as usual every Monday afternoon from
2.30 to 5 o'clock, with members of the following committee in attendance:
Mrs. Nancy J. Moulton, Miss Helen C. Allen, Miss Mary A. Osborn, Mr^.
John Shanahan, Mrs. J. G. Porter, Mrs. J. J. Thorndike, Mrs. L. P. Osborn.
Occasional teas have been served, and on one afternoon bayberry candles
were made at the room and a sale of the candles, wax, berries, etc., was held,
while the process of candle making by Miss Caroline M. Mudge of Dauvers,
proved most entertaining.
Classes from the public schools have made several visits to the room and
the practical use of the treasures in our custody is gradually winning ap-
preciation. Acknowledgment for photographs for new postals, is due Mrs.
A. L. Newhall and Mrs. George H. Green, So. Peabody; Mrs. A. L. Arvedson,
West Peabody; Miss Isabella A. Ward, Mr. Fred llagar, Gen. F. H. Apple-
ton, Mr. W. W. Woodman and "Mikado," Program committee, for benefit of
J. B. Thomas Hospital.
Grateful acknowledgment is due contributors of the following items relat-
ing to George Peabody and our High scliool and it is hoped that all missing
links may be furnished by our interested friends.
Gift Author Donor
1788, '93, '95. Deeds re-
lating to homes of
Thomas I'eabody in
Haverhill and Danvers
now Peabody. Copied by A. Nichols. Andrew Nichols.
4
Gift
Author
Donor
1795, Feb. 18. Birthplace
of George Peabody.
Its genealogy.
1852, June 16. Centen-
nial Celebration of
Danversand Founding
of Peabody Institute.
Tickets to exercises of •
Peabody Institute Li-
brary Bookplates.
Peabody Institute Li-
brary Certificate.
Peabody Institute Card
Lists of Lectiires. (in-
complete.)
1856, Oct. 9. Peabody Ke-
ception and Dinner
Badges.
Peabody Reception and
Dinner Songs
Peabody Reception.
Poster or Chief Mar-
shal's notice of.
Engraving of Peabody
Institute.
1857, Aug. 13. Peabody
Picnic, ace. of in news-
paper clipping.
Peabody Picnic Poster.
Peabody Reception at
Mrs. Eben Sutton's.
Invitation to.
1857-8. Framed Photo
of Bust of George Pea-
body by
1857. Sketch of Sylves-
ter Proctor's Drug
Store, where George
Peabody first worked.
1857-8. Framed Photo
of George Peabody
from Daguerreotype.
1866, Sept. 22. Queen
Victoria's letter to
Geo. Peabody. Fac-
simile of
1867. " Peabody " Coat-
of-Arms label, used by
Naumkeag Mills, New-
buryport.
Andrew Nichols
Miss Mary M. Farley.
Miss Geo. A. Osborne
Mrs. Joel R. Peabody.
F. S. Jones.
Elbridge G. Perley.
Andrew Nichols.
Miss^Mary M. Farley.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Mrs. M. O. Stevens.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Mrs. M, S. Buxton.
Charles O. Warner.
Miss Susanna Mills.
( Mrs. Pickering Hart.
I Miss Alice E. Trask.
Horace Merrill.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Mrs. E. C. Osborn.
Mrs. Lydia W. Thacher
Mrs. Lyman Osborn.
Miss Florence Torr.
Peabody Institute.
Lyman C. Osborn.
Gift
1867. Feb. 13. South
Danvers Wizard with
George Teabody's let-
ter coucerning the
Southern Fuud.
1868. Card Photograph
of George Peabody.
1869. Framed Engrav-
ing of photograph
taken by
1869, Dec. 18. George
Peabody's Funeral in
London, ace. of in
Harper's Weekly.
1870, Jan. 14. Descrip-
tion of Preparations in
Portsmouth for arrival
of George Peabody's
body. Clipping.
1870, Feb. 5. Broadside
with account of George
Peabody's Funeral.
1870, Feb. .^-9. Peabody
Press with account of
George Peabody's Fu-
neral.
1870, Feb. 8. Program
of Funeral Service at
South Church. Invi-
tations to Funeral Ex-
ercises and to Collation
at Institute.
Notice to Marshalls.
Mourning Rosette and
Baton.
Photographs of Cata-
falque in Institute.
1871, Feb. 18. Peabody's
14th Annual Birthday
'Social Festival. Prog.
1805, Feb. 16. Peabody
Press with Sketch of
George Peabody.
1895, Feb. 18. George
Peabody Cvintennial
Cel. Badge, white.
George Peabody Cen-
tennial Cel. Badge,
Blue.
George Peabody Cen-
tennial Cel., List of
Committees.
AUTHOB
Mayall, of London.
DoKOR
Mrs. Lucy A. Davis.
Mrs. S. L. Ferguson.
Veteran Fire Association
Charles O. Warner.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Harry O. Osgood. "
Mr. Merritt Cook.
Miss Alice E. Trask.
Charles O. Warner.
Miss Adaline A. Little.
Mr. J. Henry Osgood,
Miss Alice E. Trask.
Charles O. Warner.
Sylvanus L. Newhall.
Miss Mary M. Farley.
( Miss Adaline A. Little.
I Mrs. M. O. Stevens.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Frank L. Ferguson.
Lyman P. Osborn.
TOWN OF PEABODY, 1906. WHEN COVERED WITH SNOW.
PHOTOGRAPHED BV FRED D. HAGAR.
House Xo. 31 V,\n\ St., removed trom ;^5 Main St., (now occupied by Mr. Daniel P. (.irosvenor) formerly Drug Store of
Sylvester I'roctor, where (leorge Peabody first went to work, 1S06, at age of eleven.
Photographed by George W. Hersey.
In 1901, a committee was appointed to copy the Burial Ground Inscrip-
tions and Bible Becords, tlirouohout the town. The following was con-
tributed by Mr. Sylvanus L. Newhall.
The Curtis-Very Burial Lot and Stone Tomb may be found in a small en-
closure on Lynn street, near Lynn street court, about one and one-half miles
from Peabody sijuare. The stones are of slate ; the decoration, a weepinfj
willow. The tomb was built by Mrs. Esther, wife of Daniel Stone, Jr., and
dauf^hter of Amos and Sally Very. Other particulars concernino- those in-
terred here may be found at the Rooms of the Historical Society, and any
information re<>arding them will be jri-jitefuUy received.
CURTIS— VERY LOT AND STONE TOMB.
IX Memory of
Mr Amos Cuutis,
who died
May 13, 1828,
aged 74 years.
IN MEMORY OF
Mrs Mai;y Russell,
Relict of
3/K ANDREW RirSSELL,
who died
Sept. 24, 1837,
Aged (53.
IX TOMB
S.\MUEi, W. Fekhin,
KsiHEK Eliza Stone,
Joseph W. Stone,
George W. K. Stonk,
Sacked
To the Memory of
Mrs Betsey (Juktis
relict of
3/R AMOS CURTIS,
who died
Feb. 21, 1833,
Aged 74 years.
AMOS VERY,
Aged 73.
SALLY VERY,
Aged 82.
May The;/ KesC In Peace.
Gift
George Peabody Cen-
tennial Cel. Menu.
George Peabody Cen-
tennial Cel., Order of
Dances.
George Peabody Cen-
tennial Cel., Program
of Exercises.
George Peabody Cen-
tennial Cel., Program
of School Celebration.
George Peabody Cen-
tennial Cel., Ticket to
Banquet.
1901, Feb. 2. Accession
of Edward VII. Lon-
don 111. News,
1901, Feb. 7. Funeral of
Queen Victoria in
London, 111. News.
1901, Feb. 9. Funeral
of Queen Victoria in
London, Sphere.
1902. Deed of right to
Peabody Historical So-
ciety to maintain
marker at Birthplace
of George Peabody.
AtTTHOB Donor
Miss E. C. Kimball.
Adaline A. Little.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Adaline A. Little.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Mrs. J. G. Porter.
Mrs. J. G. Porter.
Mrs. J. G. Porter.
Charles B. Farley.
1850, June 3. Peabody High School opened with 40 pupils
and was named for George Peabody.
1858, March 11. Annual
Report to Town and
Order of Exercises at
Examination of Pea-
body High School.
1862, July 22. Challenge
by boys of P. H. S. to
the Female Base Ball
Players.
1864, March 28. Order of
Exercises at Exhibi-
tion of P. H. S.
1866, Nov. 10. P. H. S.
Asso. "Constitution."
1867, Feb. 18. P. H. S.
Asso. 1st Annual Re-
union. George Pea-
body present.
Ode.
Mrs. Alice B. Luramus.
Harry O. Osgood.
Harry O. Osgood.
Harry O. Osgood.
( Chas. Bancroft
Miss Sarah E.Perkins, '60 ( Harry O. Osgood.
Gift
Author
DoKoiR
1868, Feb. 18. P. H. S.
Asso. 2iid Annual Re-
union.
Ode.
Poem.
1869. Feb. 18. P. H. S.
Asso. i3rd Annual re-
union.
Ode.
Ode.
1876, Feb. 18. P. H. S.
Asso. Reunion.
Poem.
Ode.
1878, Feb. 18. P. H. S.
Asso. Reunion.
Ode.
Poem.
1879, Apr. May, June. P.
H. S. Newspaper "The
Review," vol. I. 1, 2
and 3.
1892, Oct. 21. Columbus
Day P. H. S. Badge.
1895, June 26. P. H. S.
Alumni Asso. First
Annual Reunion.
Song.
1897, June 15. Invita-
tion to Reunion.
1898. P. H. S. A. A.
" Constitution and By-
laws."
1898, Feb. 18. P. H. S.
A. A. 4th Annual Re-
union.
Ode.
1900, June 1. P. H. S.
50th Anui. Alumni As-
sociation Reunion.
1902, June 26. P. H. S.
Graduation Exercises.
Ode.
1904. P. H. S. Gradua-
tion Exercises.
Song.
1906. P. H. S. Gradua-
tion Exercises.
Ode.
Miss Sarah J. Smith, '57
Miss Sarah E. Perkins, '60 Harry O. Osgood.
Miss Sarah E. Perkins, '60
Miss H. F. Osborne, '62 Harry O. Osgood.
Miss Martha O. Barrett
Miss Carrie W. Bomer. Harry O. Osgood.
Miss Susie Feltou.
Miss Grace Goodrich. Harry O. Osgood.
Charles C. Hills.
Frank L. Ferguson,
.,• o T Harry O. Osgood.
Miss S. J. C. Needham, Lyman P. Osborn.
Lyman P. Osborn.
Harry O. Osgood.
Harry O. Osgood. Harry O. Osgood.
E. C. Osborn.
Frank Augustus Ferrin. E. C. Osborn.
Mary Eliza. Osgood. E. C. Osborn.
Marguerite Bott.
8
E. C. Osborn.
THE STORY OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL.
BY MR. THOMAS CARROLL.
In 1849 the number of inhabitants in the town of Dauveis was a little over
six thousand. Early in the year a prominent citizen, John W. Procter,
threatened to have the town indicted for not supportiii^^ a high school. At
the second adjournment of annual Town meeting, held in Grauite Hall,
North Parish, April 2, 1849— the school committee were iustructed to con-
sider the matter of establishing two High schools and report at the next
annual meeting.
April 1, 1850 — Second adjournment of annual meeting held in Union Hall,
South Parish. Report of the committee having been printed and circulated
was brouf^ht before the meeting.
April 8, 1850 — Town voted to establish two high schools, one in the North
and one in the South Parish. Appropriation of -$4.50 per pupil was made;
$3.50 of same to be paid to Districts, and balance used for High schools.
We are concerned particularly with tlie High school in this section of the
town which opened June 7, 1850, in a small, one story building, in the rear
of the Unitarian church, which had been used by the church us a chapel or
vestry.
There was only one do or in the building, for ingress and egress. There
were a couple of closets, near the teachers' platform, for storing the few
pieces of physical and chemi^^al apparatus belonging to the school. There
were no recitation rooms and lessons were heard in sight and hearing of all
the pupils. There was seating capacity for forty-three scholars and about
twenty-live attended the hrst year. The tirst teacher was Eugene B.
Hinckley, a native of New Brunswick, Maine, who had recently graduated
from Bowdoin College, in his own town. He was a man of distinguished
appearance, dignified and athletic. There was an air of lofty austirity about
him, which made him feared by the wrong doer, but to those who tried to
walk in the straight way, he was kind, sympathetic and helpful.
It seems incredible now that one person could teach so m my branches of
study every day, with no assistance. There was no evasioa of a lesson at
' any time. Every task had to be done and done right. There were two ses-
sions a day: 9 to 12 in the morning— 1.30 to 4.^0 in the afternoon. The ex-
periments in chemistry and physics were performed in the presence of the
whole school. The hoy in the Latin reader got the swing of Virgil from
hearing the older scholars recite, and his ear was familiar with the potency
of X and the square of the hypothenuse long before he toolc up Algebra and
Geometry. Every book in "the ^-Eneid was read and the study of Virgil
began with the Georgics. Every fortnight the boys declaimed some stand-
ard piece from the platform, the girls recitiug a poetical selection in the
intervening week.
On nearly every Saturday morning the whole school had a reading lesson.
Each scholar stood up in turn and read a paragraph from a standard reader,
the books were put away, words from the lesson given out and written
down on slates by the whole school. The slates were then exchanged, the
first scholar in line spelled a word from his neighbor's slate, gave the defini-
tion and so on until the lesson was over.
In the winter of 1854, the High schools of the South and North Parishes
met together for the first time. " The meeting was held in the vestry of the
South Church, on the Square, and the occasion was to receive the announce-
ment of the gift of George Peabody to the two schools, whereby the most
worthy scholars were to receive prizes or medals at the time of their gradu-
9
ation. The gathering was a pleasant one, the letter from Mr. Peabody was
read by a Mr. Sylvester of the North Parish, speeches were made and an ode,
written by Mrs. George !A. Osborne, was sung to the tune of Auld Lang
Syne.
Marcli 6, 1854, at a Town meeting held in Union Hall, was an article in
the warrant " to see if the town will build two high schoolhouses," referred
to committee.
March 20, 1854, the Town voted to appropriate $12,000 to build two school-
houses for the " Peabody " and " Molten " lligli schools.
A building committee was chosen as follows: Henry Cook, Lewis Allen,
Joseph Poor, Edward T. VValdron, Adiuo Page, Nathan Tapley, Joseph
Mudge.
April 10, 1854, additional appropriation of $7,000 was made, the buildings
to be constructed so as to provide for town purposes. Five members were
added to the building committee: Francis Dane, Dr. George Osborne, Isaac
Hardy, Jr., Elijah W. Upton, Alonzo P. Phillips.
At a special meeting held June 12, 1854, $;3,000 additional was appro-
priated.
It seems singular now in the light of these proceedings that before the
buildings here voted for were ready to be occupied, the old town should be
rent in twain and each of the two parts have a new High schoolhouse and a
Town house combined, ready for occupancy after the parting of the ways.
The population in this part of the town had increased more rapidly than' in
the northern part. We were fast becoming a manufacturing community,
while they were mainly agricultural. The statement was made that we
ceased to have longer ;niy common interests and that each part would be
benefited by division. The majority in the North parish were opposed to
division while in this i);ut the majority favored it. The contest was fought
with great feeling, ap])roaching to vehemence, but there was no bitterness
after it was over, for in the very next year, 1856, the two communities united
in the most harmonious and enthusiastic manner in giving George Peabody
a royal welcome, on his first visit to his native town.
One of the strongest arguments for division was the fact of two high
schools in one town — miles apart. The act of incorporation of the Town of
South Danveis was passed May 18, 1855. It was agreed that surplus reve-
nues of the town of Dauvcrs be divided pro rata between the children from
5 to 15 years of age.
Before the new building was ready for occupancy, Mr. Hinckley resigned
his i)osition as master of the high school, to the great regret of the people.
His five years of teaching was confined to the little building where the
school was started, but he left his impress on the community, an impress
that time has not effaced.
J. W. Colcord was the first master of the new high school, and he was
succeeded by C. L. Cushman. Robert E. Babson was the next principal,
and after hint came V. H. Dean. William L. Thompson taught during a
part of the civil war, and Albert C. Perkins came after him. Next in succes-
sion came Isaac N. Carleton and Henry Dame, to be succeeded by Byron
(iroce, who taught with success for several years. James N. Ham is remem-
bered here as a strong and efficient schoolmaster, whose term of service was
among the longest of any. J. Y. Bergen, jr., was a finely equipped teacher
and he was followed by Charles A. Holbrook. Next in order of teaching
was John M. Nichols, whose faithful work is not forgotten. When Mr.
Nichols resigned the committee elected W. W. Woodman, who, fortunately
for the town and the .school, is still with us, enjoying the distinction of
teaching in the old school and the new and doing good work in both.
As the town grew in im])ortance and population, the number of scholars
in the hi^h school increased in proportion. In 1883 the new town hall was
built and the lower floor of the high school building, heretofore used for
10
PEABODY" high school, central ST-, PEABODY. MASS., 1903.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORGE W. HERSEY-
mm^^ss^- cr-^n^^^i=:;:s=-^ssss£^^w^5'
PEABODY TOWN HALL, LOWELL STREET, PEABODY, MASS., 1883.
DONATED BY GEORGE H. JACOBS.
town purposes, was ^iven over for the use of the school. Some years later
the building- was enlarued, but even this failed to accommodate the influx
of pupils desirous of gettiug a hioli school education. The maiu room was
crowded and every class room was overflowino. The school committee re-
peatedly called the attention of the town to the necessity of a new house
with greater accommodations, and this movement grew, until the matter
was brought before the town in March, 1901, when the committee was ap-
pointed to consider the question of a new high school house. In the fol-
lowing year the same committee was authorized to buy a suitable piece of
land, erect a building thereon and furnish it; and the sum of $95,000 was
placed at the disposal t)f the committee to carry out the wishes of the town
to be increase<l two years later by an additional $10,000, so that the under-
taking might be entirely complete.
One of the pleasantest things which the committee have to dwell upon
is — that they did not overrun their ai)propriation. On the contrary they
had a handsome balance which they used in grading the grounds, layino-
out walks and fencing the lot.
Public announcemeut was made that the building would be open for in-
spection <ni the afternoon of Thursday, September 1, and that in the even-
ing, in the assembly hall, it would be turned over to the town authorities.
The ceremony was simple, yet not lacking in dignity. The beautiful hall
was tilled with an interested audience who had previously visited every
room from the basement below to the laboratories above. On the platform
were the board of selectmen, the school committee, the building committee
and the architect. Tiiomas Carroll, acting chairman, introduced Hon.
Amos Merrill as the representative of the committee for the occasion. The
long and honorable career of Mr. Merrill, his valued services to the town in
the dischai'ge of his duty in many positions of honor and trust, and the
interest he had always taken in the schools made it eminently appropriate
that he should be their spokesman in this affair. Mr. Merrill gave a brief
statement of the work of the committee up to that time, and presented the
keys of the building to Andrew N. .Jacobs, chairman of the selectmen, who,
after a speech of acceptance, delivered them to John .1. Cahill, chairman of
the school committee. Mr. Cahill made a neat response and the building
was then in the hands of legitimate custodians.
The following quotation may be found in the report of the School Com-
mittee of Danvers for 1854.
London, Nov. 30, 1853.
To THE COMMITTKK OF THE " HoI/FON" AND " PeABODY " HiGH SCHOOLS I
Gentlemen: — In acknowledging the compliment paid me by giving my
name to the High School of tlie South Parish in Danvers, it is my wish to
confer on the schools over which you preside some more substautial benefit
than appertains to a name.
I will transmit to you in the autumn of 1854 the sum of two hundred dol-
lars, and I will continue to send the same amount annually (i)rovided the
result shall be satisfactory), during my life, to be expended in prizes for
distribution as rewards of merit to the pupils at their yearly examination.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
GEORGE PEABODY."
11
inh:' ^.. .^Jii
"Aug. 5, 1867, Mr. Peabody established a fund of $2,000 for medals 'to re-
place bis annual gift of $200.'— [See 'The Peabody Institute' in ' George
Peabody Centennial Celebration,' p. 77, compiled by Gen. Francis H. Apple-
ton.
The medals were first given to the graduates of 1855 whose names may be
found in the Reports of the School Committee for 1855 and 1856.
In the Report of 1868 we find "The Trustees of the Institute have the
committee's thanks for so readily co-operating with them in giving the In-
stitute for the occasion (graduation exercises)."
There is an appropriateness, too, in distributing the Peabody silver under
a Peabody roof, and, as it were, in the donor's bodily presence.
Additional interest attended the recent distribution of medals from the
fact that the first impressions from the new dies were used. The old dies
having become injured, it was found necessary to procure a new form. We
are happy to report that the new model bears a favorable comparison
with the old.
Invitations have been received for and delegates have attended the fol-
lowing meetings:
1906.
Jan. 2. Annual meeting of the " Bay State Historical League " at Ips-
wich. Of this " League " oiir Society is a member and Dr. O. F.
SafEord is our delegate and a member of the Board of Directors.
June 12. Annual meeting of the " Haverhill Historical Society."
July 18. Field meeting of the " Essex Institute," at Langsford's Grove,
Lanesville.
Nov. 24. " Bay State Historical League " meeting at Medford.
Dec. 28. A session of the " American Historical Association " in Manning's
Hall, Brown University, Providence, at the 22nd annual meet-
ing.
1907.
Mar. 27. Old Planters' Society. Annual meeting in Salem.
April 19. " Bay State Historical League " meeting at Hyde Park.
P D i8 1
12
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