Dedham Town (part 4 of 7)

Mary Catherine Hoffman, a native of Baltimore, Md., came to Dedham about the year 1840 and established a private school which occupied rooms in the house of Jonathan H. Cobb, Esq., in whose family she lived. She was a brilliant and energetic young lad}^ and as a teacher highly etficient, especially in shaping the manners, tastes and habits of her pupils. After several years of marked success in Dedham, she opened a school in Boston. There she soon formed the acquaintance of a young Brazilian of good familjs Joaquin Barbosa Cordeiro, who had come to Boston to pursue his medical studies. When he had completed his course in 1854 they were married and went to reside in Ceara, on the Northern coast of Brazil. In 1862 the husband died, and Mrs. Cordeiro returned to Massachusetts, desiring that her three children, a son and two daughters, should receive their education in New England. This she secured by the careful husbandry of her somewhat limited means, giving her son, Frederic Joaquin Barbosa, a collegiate and medical education at Harvard College, A. B. 1881, M. D. 1884, which secured him a position as surgeon in the U. S. Navy. Mrs. Cordeiro, after her return, resided first in Roxbury, then for a time in Dedham, but later in Florida. From there she returned in broken health to Ded-

Of Dedham, Massachusetts 151

Frederic Augustus Pratt graduated at Yale College in 1840, and in 1843-4 taught the Westfield, or Burgess School, six months. He was the son of Phineas and Mary Pratt of Deep River, Conn., born Oct. 10, 1816 ; and when he taught in Dedham was a member of the East Windsor, Conn., Theological School. lie began his ministry in Muscatine, Iowa, where in 1849 he married Judith McCormick of Auburn, Fauquier Co., Va. He was next located in Scotch Grove, Iowa, laboring as a missionary among the Scotch Presbyterians from Lord Selkirk's settlement near Hudson's Bay, having charge of two churches. 20 miles apart. Bronchial troubles interrupting his ministry, he became Principal of the Bellfonte Academy in Pa., and later he and Mrs. Pratt taught the first free public school in Portsmouth, Va.. In 1857 they removed to Dacota Co., Minn., and did missionary work in " The Land of the Dacotas" eleven years, establishing and supplying various churches. They now reside in Lyra, four miles from Mapleton, Minn., their P. O. address. They have three children : Dr. Alexis L. is a medical examiner in the pension office ; Augusta is a stenographer in the U. S. Treasury Dept. ; Ireneus is on the farm at home, the comfort and support of his parents.

Samuel Reed Smith, remembered as the prompt, energetic and efficient master who taught in the Clapboardtrees School two winters, 1840-1 and 1841-2, was the eldest son of Lebbeus and Mary Bates Smith, born in South Abington, Sept. 2, 1818. He was educated in the public schools of Abington and Bridgewater ; and married Mrs. Eliza A. Swan Langley, Feb. 19, 1857. After he relinquished teaching, he was for many years in the leather business, at first as book-keeper for Frost & Co., New Orleans ; afterwards as a member of the firm of B. F. Thompson &Co., Boston, retiring from active business in 1874.

He resided in Boston and Winchester, and the last twenty years of his life in Arlington, where he died Oct. 1, 1897, at the age of seventy-nine years.

William Bates instructed the Westfield School two long terms of five and six months, 1840-1 and 1841-2, being one of those teachers employed by the late Rev. Dr. Burgess largely at his own expense. He Avas the son of the Rev. Dr. Joshua and Anna (Poor) Bates, born in Dedham, Jan. 19, 1816. He graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1837, under the presidency of his father; completed three years of study at Andover Theological Seminary in 1840 ; was ordained as pastor of the (Congregational Church of Northbridge, Mass., Oct. 5, 1845 ; remained there till 1858, when he became the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Falmouth, where he died in 1859. In all these relations he showed himself able and faithful, and his name is still honored by his pupils and his parishioners.

In 1841 and 1842 the summer schools in the Second Middle District were taught by Harriet Watson of Thetford, Vermont. She was the daughter of Joseph and Abigail Watson, and was also employed as a teacher in the public schools of Medfield, Medway, HoUiston and Reading. In Reading, Nov. 29, 1850, she was united in marriage to Cyrus A.Thompson. In 1894 she was able to attend the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of Thetford Academy and was entertained in the very house in which she was born. She resides in North Woburn, and is pleasantly remembered by her surviving Dedham pupils.

Nancy E. Talbot was a teacher in South Dedham about 1841 or 2. She was of Sharon, the daughter of Josiah, Jr., and Mary (Richards) Talbot. She married Champion Clark, and resided for a short time in Baltimore, Md. After his death she graduated in medicine at Boston, was joined in marriage to Amos Binney of Boston, and in 1894 resided with her daughter in Philadelphia.

Of Dedham, Massachusetts 153

In the summer of 1841 Celia A. Colburn had charge of the school at Walpole Corner. She was the daughter of Celia (Baker) and Ellis Colburn ; and on November 25, 1841, was married by the Rev. J. B. Damon to the Rev. Martin Luther Bickford, of Hanover Co., Virginia. Mrs. Bickford assisted her husband in a private school which he had established there, and soon afterwards they set up a school for young ladies in Richmond, Va. It was continued several years with success ; but her health made it advisable to return to the North. Their last days together were spent in Waltham, where she died.

The Union School at Walpole Corner was under the instruction of Henry Gay in the winter of 1841-2, as was the Clapboard trees in 1847-8. As a teacher Mr. Gay was logical and thorough ; so say his pupils. The towns of Plymouth and Marlboro were also benefited by his faithful labors in the school room. He was the son of William King and Susan (Gould) Gay, born Aug. 1, 1819. An important part of his education was obtained at Phillips Andover Academy. May 2, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann French of West Dedham. Soon after this he engaged in the provision trade as more favorable to his health than the close confinement of teaching, but for several years he was an efficient member of the Town School Committee ; yet he was not destined to enjo}'' a long life. He died May 20, 1861, and Dedham lost a worthy and highly esteemed citizen.

In the winter of 1841-2 the Mill School was instructed by L. Allen Kingsbury of Needham, now Wellesley. He is the son of Luther and Almira Kingsbury, born March 9, 18 18, and had been educated at Holliston and Phillips Andover Academies. He taught in many places, among them in Holliston and Day Academies till 1850. Of his character as a teacher we fortunately have the testimony of the late Dr. Alvan Lamson, who wrote May 9, 1842, as follows: "Mr. L. Allen Kingsbury has been remarkably successful as a teacher with us the past winter. For good order and general proficiency his school has ranked among our best. He has given entire satisfaction to the committee, and I believe to the district. I consider him as possessing all the requirements of a good teacher, sufficient literary attainments, a talent for discipline and for communicating instruction, correct principles, and pleasant and gentlemanly manners ; and I can very cordially recommend him wherever a teacher may be wanted." Dr. Lamson's testimonial was approved by Rev. Dr. Burgess and Rev. John White, his associates in office. In 1848 Mr. Kingsbury married at Needham, Miss Mary Jane Dix ; and in 1872, at Wellesley Hills, Charlotte M. Sawyer. He resides at Wellesley Hills where he has always been active in town affairs, serving on the school committee twelve or fourteen years. His ideas on school music were so well approved as to be given a place in the Report of the Massachusetts Board of Education.

Sarah Fisher, who taught the Westfield School in the summer of 1842, was the youngest child of John and Keziah Fisher, who lived near the schoolhouse of that district, where she was born April 5, 1820. She was married to Timothy Smith Fuller, April 16, 1844, and spent a few 3'ears in the west ; but her health failing, she returned to the east and died in WestDedham, Feb. 25, 1874.

In the summer of 1842 Anna Elizabeth Onion taught the West Dedham school ; in 1843-4 the Mill School, 38 1-2 weeks ; in the smiimers of 1845, 6 and 7, the Westfield School. She is the daughter of Joseph and Philinda (Bills) Onion of Dedham and was well educated in the Dr. Burgess school. In 1850 she was married to David N. Chase, and now resides on the estate formerly improved by her father, who occasionally taught schools in Dedham from 1810 to 1827.

In the winter of 1842-3 Daniel Fisher Draper taught the Second Middle School sixteen weeks. He was the son of Deacon Martin and Sally (Fisher) Draper, born in Dedham June 10, 1822, and was educated at Phillips Andover Academy. He was a successful dentist in Portland, Me., "ac- quiring a large property ; but during the later years of his life he spent most of his winters in Florida on account of his health." He married Mrs. Mary Ann (Collins) Merrill, May 1, 1847: died Feb. 10, 1874.

In the summer of 1842 Julia Kingsbury was the teacher in the "Old Brick," now Balch, School. The following winter Arthur G. Pierce taught in the same place.

In 1842 Joanna E. Dana instructed the West Dedham School twenty-two weeks. She was the daughter of Lemuel and Hannah (Fames) Dana, born in 1822, and was educated in the Westfield School when the higher branches were taught there to such an extent as to make it almost equal to an academy. She was married to Mr. John Mills of Needham, May 24, 1862. IVIrs. Mills was a person of considerable literary enterprise, and wrote a volume of "Memories and Poems," which was published in 1881. A few years before her death in 1893, she expressed to me the intention of writing some reminiscences of the Westfield School. Had she done so, the record would have been valuable and especially interesting to those who enjoyed its privileges.

Annie S. Rhodes taught in the North District of the South Parish in 1842. She was a student at HoUiston Academy, and from the " Special Record" of that school, I obtain the following: "In 1847 she married Rev. Adin S. Boyden, A. M., and removed to Columbus, Georgia. For nineteen years he was engaged in teaching and preaching in that place. In 1866 they made their home in East Barnard, Vt., where they resided in 1876. Mr. Boyden was a member of the Legislature of Vermont 1872 and"^1873."

Edward Rogers taught the Westfield School six months, 1842-3. He was the son of John William and Martha (Farrar) Rogers, born in Boston, May 27, 1822; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1842 ; read law with Charles Theodore Russell of Boston two years ; at Harvard University Law School one year; practised law at Webster, Mass., 1845 to 1855 ; re- moved to Chicago in Sept., 1855, and died there June 21,1856. He married Charlotte Amelia, daughter of Col. William Barron at Norwich, Vt., Oct. 15, 1851.

In the winter of 1842-3 Silas Morrison Blanchard taught the school atReadville, having graduated at Dartmouth College the summer before. He continued teaching four years at an academy in Hancock Co., Va., and two in Pembroke, N. H. He studied divinity one year at a Theological Seminary in Columbia, S. C, and graduated at Andover Theological Seminary in 1849. Ordained in 1853, he preached at Chichester, N. H., '52-'57; Bath, N. H., '57-'58 ; Wentworth, N. H., '60-'66 ; Hudson, N. H., '67-'68. He was the son of Benjamin Blanchard of Windham, N. H., born March 9, 1820, and died in 1888 at Hudson.

John William Bacon of Natick, then a senior in Harvard College, was master of the South Dedham School in the winter of 1842-3. He was then twenty-four years of age and after his graduation taught for a short time in the English High School of Boston. In 1846 he was admitted to the Bar of Middlesex Co. and practised law in his native town fourteen years, being a member of the State Senate from 1859 to 1862. He was appointed Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court on its establishment, July 2, 1866, and in 1871 he was made an associate justice of the Superior Court of the State of Massachusetts. While holding court at Taunton he died suddenly, March 21, 1888, having completed faithfully and honorably the allotted term of human life.

Benjamin Bird Fuller of Dover, having previously taught in Sherborn, took charge of the Mill School Dec. 28, 1842. He taught it five months and began the next winter term : but tw^o months later his health failed and he went home to die. A letter from him to a brother teacher, dated Jan., 1843, gives some interesting facts showing the character of his school. He had 55 pupils ; all studied arithmetic, forming five classes. These classes and a half hour devoted to writing by forty pupils filled the three morning hours. In the afternoon session all read in four classes, and all were taught spelling in three classes. In English grammar there were also three classes, and two in geography. He was also required to teach United States History, Natural Philosophy and Geometrj^ ; and fifteen wrote compositions once in two weeks. Such school-teaching was no sinecure ; it was doubtless too severe a tax on Mr. Fuller's constitution. He was born in Dublin, N. H., Dec. 25, 1822, the son of Ira and Hannah (Bird) Fuller, and was educated at the Bridgewater Normal School and the Phillips Andover Academy. He died in Dover, Jan. 15, 1844.

Of the many private schools of Dedham the one of longest continuance was taught by Emily Charlotte Hodges, who began her labors as an assistant to Miss Hoffman in 1843, and soon after became sole manager of the school and continued it successfully till 1871. She enjoyed the patronage of many families and gave her pupils an excellent training for more advanced studies. She is a native of Dedham, the daughter of Charles and Mary Taylor (Farrington) Hodges, and now resides in Boston. Many persons in Dedham have a grateful remembrance of their school days under her faithful and judicious care.

At the opening of the winter term, 1843-4, George A. Sawyer took charge of the First Middle School and held the position till the end of the summer term of 1844. He next taught a school in West Roxbury, probably till he became a teacher in the D wight School of Boston in 1838, where he remained about three years. In 1857 we find him associated with Matthew P. Spear in the management of a Commercial School at 96 Tremont Street. A few years later he was in sole charge of such a school at 161 Tremont Street, Boston, having his residence in Dorchester. From the Boston directory of 1891 we learn that " George A. Sawyer, Teacher, died at 212 Centre Street, Dorchester, Oct. 27, 1890."

Almeria E. Fitz of Salisbury had charge of the Readville School two summers and one winter, 1843-4. She then attended the Normal School at West Newton, graduating in January, 1847. Eesuming her position at Eeadville, she was there in 1847, 8 and 9. Her work was highly commended in the report of the school committee, and a year or two later they alluded to her recent death.

Three pleasant primary summer schools, 1843, 4 and 5, in West Dedham, were in charge of Mary Jane Fisher, the daughter of Jabez and Persis (Howes) Fisher of that parish. She was born March 20, 1826, and received her education in the public and private schools near her home in which the Eev. John White and other friends of education were much interested. Her teaching is still pleasantly remembered, and the "Rewards of Merit" received from her are cherished mementos. She was united in marriage to Ezra Southworth Jackson in South Boston, June 14, 1866, and since that time has always resided at Forest Hills. She mentions the curious fact, that for her sixtj^-seven weeks of teaching she received one hundred fifty-seven dollars.

When a student at Phillips Academy, Andover, in 1843, George Ellery Clarke came to teach the winter school in Mill Village. He also had charge of the East Street School two winters, beginning in the autumn of 1845. He was born in Needham, Oct. 30, 1822, the son of Lewis and Hannah (Kingsbury) Clarke. He graduated at Williams College in 1851, and at first devoted himself largely to teaching, and the towns of Needham, Newton, and Falmouth received the benefit of his labors. In 1856 he married Achsah Shiverick of Falmouth, where he engaged in banking ; and from 1873 to 1889 was cashier of the Falmouth National Bank. In 1890 and 1891 he represented the First Barnstable district in the State Legislature. In 1898 he resided in Falmouth.

In the winter of 1843-4 the Readville School was in charge of James Parker Treadwell. He was the son of Captain Moses and Ljdia Bowes (Parker) Treadwell of Ipswich, born June 25, 1817. It may be interesting to those who remember his infirmity to know that " when he was eight years old he was accidentally shot by a cousin, and it became necessary to amputate the wounded leg." He was an uncommonly studious person ; and it is remembered by his pupils that he devoted a part of the school time to his own studies, and his late hours, devoted to books, sometimes disturbed the quiet of the household where he boarded. He entered Harvard in 1840, but did not graduate with his class, being absent during the senior year because he had published in his junior year contrary to the expressed wishes of the Faculty an edition of a poem styled " The Rebelliad." Subsequently, however, he received his degree as of the class of 1844. Admitted to the Suffolk Bar in 1850, he went to California in 1852, and there in the practice of the law attained distinction ; and partly by this practice, partly by transactions in real estate, amassed a large fortune. He died Dec. 27, 1884, leaving a widow, two sons and three daughters.

John Dexter Sherman of South Lincoln taught in the First Middle School the autumn term of 1843, having been recommended by his predecessor, Mr. Mowry, who had known him at Holliston Academy. He was the son of John and Lucy (Baker) Sherman of Lincoln, born March 22, 1816. He taught schools in Lincoln, Sudbury, Waltham and Watertown ; and finally devoted himself to agricultural pursuits in his native town. He never married, but devoted himself largely to the welfare of other men's families by twenty-five years of ap- proved service as Town School Committee. His fellow citizens showed their faith in his fidelity and honesty by choosing him their collector of taxes for the same length of time, from 1852 to 1877. Mr. Sherman died Feb. 2, 1892.

In the smnmer of 1843 Frances Maria Baker began her work as a teacher in the Westfield District. She continued to teach in the primary department of the Second Middle in the winter of 1843-4 ; in the West School of Dover, summer of 1844; then in the Second Middle again till 1849. She then spent a year at the West Newton Normal School under the instruction of the Rev. Cyrus Pierce. The summer of 1850 she taught in Attleboro ; then a year in the First Middle primary ; and another year, 1860-1, in South Dedham. Her last and longest term of service was in the Grammar department of the Second Middle District, from 1862 till June, 1875. In all her schools Miss Baker secured cheerful and effective study, and her pupils are always ready to express their gratitude for her thorough instruction. She is the daughter of John and Patty Ellis Baker, her father having been for nine years Sheriff of Norfolk County. She resides in Dedham in the house where her father lived, and which has been her home since 1830.

Two summer terms, 1843 and 1844, the West Dedham Grammar School was instructed by Caroline Partridge whose pleasant memory is still cherished by her pupils. She was born in Sherborn, June 16, 1819, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Babcock) Partridge, her father being of the sixth generation from John Partridge of Medfield, her mother of the sixth from Robert Babcock of Milton. She was united in mar-, riage to the Rev. Daniel W. Stevens, Unitarian clergyman, of Mansfield ; and died Dec. 28, 1849. Her monument is in Medfield, and bears this inscription: "Vera araicitia est sempiterna."

In 1843 Eliza Ann Richards taught in the Second Middle School twenty-nine weeks prior to Sept. 17. At that date she left her school on account of illness and died Oct. 17 in her twenty-first year. She was the daughter of Lemuel and Eliza (Lyon) Richards, born Feb. 11, 1823. The circumstances of her early death awakened much public sympathy as well as private grief.

Gustavus Adolphus Somerby was in charge of the West Dedham School during the winter of 1844-5. He was the son of Samuel and Hannah (George) Somerby of Newbury, Mass., and studied his profession with Judge Edward Mellen of Wayland, where he practised law till 1852. He then removed to Waltham and for six years more held his position amid the powerful rivalry of the Middlesex bar which at that day included men whom it required courage as well as knowledge of the law to encounter. In 1858 he opened an office in Boston where he soon became one of the strongest criminal lawyers of the time ; but in achieving his marvelous success, he overtasked his strength and ruined his health. He died at South Framingham, July 24, 1879.

Among the early Normal Teachers employed in Dedham was Elbridge Clapp, who taught in the Readville District three successive winters beginning in 1844. He is the son of Samuel and Abigail (Paul) Clapp, born in Sharon and educated in the public schools of that town, in Wrentham Academy, and the Bridge water Normal School. He was a successful teacher; but evidently preferred other business and soon engaged in trade, first in West Dedham and a little later in Quincy, of which city he is now a resident. In 1849, Sept. 5, Mr. Clapp was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hewins of Sharon.

William H. Hews was master of the South Dedham School two winters, 1843-4 and 1844-5. Another teacher, name not given, is said to have begun the term of 1844-5, which Mr. Hews completed to the entire satisfaction of the committee.

On the twenty-eighth day of March, 1844, Humphrey Webster received of Mr. James Griggs, Com. and Treas., 100 dollars for teaching the Second Middle School four months.

He was the son of Matthew P. and Nancy (Calef) Webster, born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, Feb. 19, 1821. As his birthplace indicates, he was said to be a relative of the Hon. Daniel Webster. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1844, and continued to teach in the towns of Springfield and Worcester. He married Eliza Hamilton, the daughter of Lucius A. Emery of West Newbury, Nov. 29, 1853. He soon after removed to Maborn, North Carolina, where he had a plantation when the War of the Kebellion broke out. He died in 1866. His relation to the Hon. Daniel Webster is thus described by C. C. Webster of Salisbury Heiglits, N. H. : "Humphrey was the son of Matthew C, the son of Humphrey, the son of John, the cousin of Ebenezer, the father of Hon. Daniel."

Soon after graduating at Harvard College in 1844, Charles James Capen began to teach as master of the First Middle School. In 1849 he opened a private High and Classical School on Church Street. Two years later, 1851, at a considerable pecuniary sacrifice he relinquished this enterprise, to accept the first mastership of the Dedham High School ; and after one year's service in this position he was appointed Usher in the Boston Latin School where he had been fitted for college. He became Sub-master in 1867, and Master in 1870. Since entering upon his work of instruction in Boston, he has not been absent from a single session on account of any disability ; or even tardy, unless detained by delays of the rail-cars. To fitly describe the quality of his school work would be useless, even were it possible ; thousands will never forget it, or fail to appreciate it. During all this, more than half a century of teaching in schools, he has been a devotee of music, and has never refused his services when they have been sought by friendship or charity. He has been his own teacher in this art, never having '< taken lessons " from any one ; but he has been himself a teacher of the piano and organ from 1840 to the present time. At the age of sixteen he began to play the organ for Sunday services, and during his college course was the organist of a church in West Cambridge, now Arlington. He was organist and director of music for the Unitarian Society in Dedham nearly forty years, and organist for the Orthodox Society seven years ; for more than thirty years he has directed the music and played the organ for the Sunday morning religious services in the Norfolk County Jail and House of Correction. Mr. Capen has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs and for over thirty years has been a Justice of the Peace. He is the son of Rev. Lemuel and Mary Ann (Hunting) Capen, and was born in South Boston, April 5, 1823. He was joined in marriage to Lucy Eichmond Seaver, of Dedham, April 26, 1848 : and to Caroline Elizabeth Guild, of the same town, June 28, 1883. Residing in Dedham, he is still, 1905, punctual in his daily duties in the Boston Latin School.

Jeremiah Brown taught the Clapboardtrees School during the winter of 1844-5. He was the son of John and Sarah (Gregg) Brown of Bradford, N. H., born Sept. 6, 1814; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1840 ; taught school at Marriott's Heights, Marj^land, 1840-41 ; studied medicine one year with Dr. Ames of Bradford ; read law with Hon. Mason W. Tappan of Bradford about three years, devoting his winters to teaching in Massachusetts ; finished his law studies with Hon. Ezra Wilkinson of Dedham ; opened an office there ; after two years removed to Boston and continued in the practice of his profession till his death in 1881.

Mary Jane Fuller taught the Walpole Corner School in 1844. She w^as young and musical, and having detained one of the boys in the schoolroom during recess for some misdemeanor, she spent her time there in trying her voice in a new piece of music. At the end of the recess the little rogue said to her : "I don't think it's any punishment at all to stay in and hear you sing." Miss Fuller was the daughter of Calvin and Abigail (Rutter) Fuller of Dedham, and was educated chiefly in the private schools of Miles Gardner, Miss Caroline Whit-

The primary department of the First Middle School came under the care of Maria Fisher, October 14, 1844 ; and in the autumn of 1846 she took charge of the intermediate and continued it till May 14, 1848, when she began to teach in Boston, remaining there till June 14, 1851. Before coming to Dedham she taught in Easton, 1843 ; and in Canton, 1844. On June 15, 1851, she was married to Edward William Davenport of Mendon, and resided there till 1856, when she removed to the town of Lewis, Cass Co., Iowa. Earnestly solicited by the settlers of that new town, she opened a private school and afterwards became the first public teacher there. Removing to Council Bluffs in 1864, to supply a great want, she entered the public school as teacher for a year ; afterwards taught private classes. In 1878 she became librarian of the Council Bluffs Public Library, resigning in 1894, but continuing a trustee. Mrs. Davenport was, from its organization in 1882, the president of the first Woman's Club of Council Bluffs, till her return in 1895 to Roxbury, Mass., her present home. She is the daughter of Alexander and Clarissa (Tucker) Fisher, born in Canton, December 6, 1826, and it is evident that her life has been full of efficient service for the communities in which her lot has been cast.

The Westfield District School was under the instruction of Charles Grosvenor Goddard two winter terms of six months each, 1844-5, and 1845-6. He was the son of Asahel and Elizabeth (Grosvenor) Goddard, born in Petersham, February 26, 1817; fitted for college at Monson Academy; graduated at Amherst College, 1841, and at East Windsor Theological Institute, 1849 ; was ordained at West Hartford, Ct., June 13, 1850 ; preached 1850 to 1853 ; was principal of the academy at East Windsor Hill, Ct., 1854 to 1856; and preached at We«t Hartford, Ct,, 1856 to 1872. In 1850 he married Anna

Of Dedham. Massachusetts 165

N., daughter of Isaac Palmer Gates of Edwardsborough, C. W. Died at West Hartland August 29, 1872. He was the last of the teachers employed by the Rev. Dr. Burgess to give instruction in the higher studies, such as are generally pursued in academies.

In the summer of 1844 the south district of the South Parish was taught by Louisa Tolman, a native of Sharon. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Swift) Tolman, born Dec. 9, 1826, and was educated at East Bridge water Academy. She first taught in Norton, summer of 1842, also in North Sharon, 1845 and 1847 ; then in West Stoughton, summer of 1847. November 19, 1848, she was married to Charles Jones, of Stoughton, by the Rev. L. R. Phillips of Sharon. She resides in Stoughton where in a very pleasant interview the above facts of her history were obtained in 1899.

Willard Pratt Plimpton was the teacher for ' ' five successive winter terras of about five months each in Walpole Corner, commencing in 1844." This excellent teacher was the son of Willard and Eunice (Pratt) Plimpton of Foxboro, born May 7, 1821, and was educated in the common schools of his native town and in Holliston Academy. He was married to Clarissa Maria Wight of Medfield, Oct. 9, 1851. For about thirty years he was engaged in the wholesale millinery business in Boston. His residence was in West Newton, where he held many positions of trust, and in 1898 was Assistant Assessor for the city of Newton. He died March 23, 1905.

The master's assistant in the First Middle School from 1844 to 1846 was Harriette Whitney of Attleboro who graduated in Sept., 1841, at the Lexington (now Framingham) State Normal School, of which the Rev. Samuel J. May was the Principal. Miss Whitney was the daughter of Martin and Nancy (Orne) Whitney, born in North Attleboro, Nov. 23, 1816. After studying at Wrentham Academy she taught in her native town and in Pawtucket, R. I. ; but her highest enjoyment of educational work was in Dedham, after a Normal training and the wise suggestions of Mr. May enabled her to direct her efforts more wisely. She was married to Otis Stanley of North Attleboro, Jan. 6, 1847. Mrs. Stanley carried her high estimate of education into her new home ; and at great self-sacrifice procured for her children its best possible advantages, securing for her onl}^ son the privileges of a full course of study at Brown University. Mrs. Stanley died at North Attleboro, Feb. 13, 1867, leaving a son and a daughter.

About the first of May, 1845, John Wilson was appointed master of the Mill School, a letter of recommendation from Theodore Parker helping him to the position. He was a very quiet, accurate, patient, conscientious and effective teacher. In 1848 he was promoted to the First Middle School and there remained till 1857. He then resigned for a position in "Watertown which he held till 1861, when he was placed at the head of the Prescott School in Somerville and taught there till 1883. He was the son of Samuel G. and Margaret (McFarland) Wilson, born in Edgecomb, Maine, in 1810. He prepared himself for his special work in a Teacher's Seminary, and at the age of nineteen began to apply his ability in the district schools about Edgecomb, and afterwards in Canterbury, N. H. Before coming to Dedham he had taught in Brookline and Roxbury, and in 1836 had married Mary Hooper Smith of Roxbury. About 1890 Mr. Wilson removed from Somerville to reside with his youngest daughter, Mrs. Grace Wilson Peebles, at Storrs, Conn., where he died Nov. 29, 1895, having been a teacher fifty-four years.

In the winter of 1 845-6 the master of the West Dedham School was Julius Carroll of South Walpole. He taught in all fourteen winter schools, the first in Mansfield, several terms in South Walpole, and a select school in Foxboro. His academic education was obtained under Master Rice in Holliston, and he was justly esteemed a thorough and acceptable teacher. In 1844 he married Ann Eliza Plimpton of Foxborough. Ceasing to be a teacher, he was for several years a book-keeper in the straw works of Foxborough ; then removed to Providence, E. I., and was a milliner there about twenty years. He was the sou of Joseph and Asenath (Carpenter) Carroll, born in 1820, and died in 1893. He was fond of poetry and often exercised his talents in composing it for the entertainment or consolation of his friends.

Henry Richardson Plimpton was master of the Second Middle School two winters, 1845-6 and 1846-7. He was a thorough and faithful teacher and is said to have obtained his position through the influence of his great uncle, James Richardson, Esq., '* once a law partner of Fisher Ames." He was the son of Leonard and Sarah Turner (Lane) Plimpton, born in Medfield, Oct. 8, 1820, and after attending the public schools of that town studied under the direction of his relative, the Rev. James Richardson, Jr., at East Greenwich, R. I. Later he was a student at Holliston Academy under Master Rice. Then he was a teacher in Wrentham and Walpole. Soon after closing his school in Dedham he engaged with a brother in the <* manufacture of machinery and furniture in Westfield ; a few years later they removed to Boston, and have been well-known there as manufacturers and dealers in fine furniture. He was a man of large inventive ability, and his various inventions were valuable." Mr. Plimpton joined in 1871 the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, an organization to which his emigrant ancestor, John Plimpton of Dedham, belonged as early as 1643. He married Mary E. Sacket, Oct. 14, 1856, and died in "Walpole, Aug. 24, 1891, leaving one son and one daughter.

Lucretia Jane Guild, the daughter of Joel and Lucretia (Phipps) Guild, taught the South District School of South Dedham two summers, 1845 and 1846. She was born in South Dedham, September 27, 1825, and was a pupil in the private school of Mrs. Martha M. Guild, and later attended the Holliston Academy. In the autumn of 1846 she began to teach in Brooklineand continued there nearly five years, which ended her experience as a teacher. In 1854, April 19, she was married to John Newell Smith, of Walpole, where she still resides, her fom* children all living to contribute to her happiness.

Mary Dwinell Chellis had charge of the Second Middle School in the summer of 1845. She was of Goshen, N. H., born Feb. 13, 1826, the daughter of Seth and Myra (Gilbert) Chellis. Her education was received in the Lowell High School, where she completed the full course of studies. On the 17th of June, 1877, she was married to Stephen Francis Lund, of Newport, N. H., where she resided till her death, June 2, 1891. Many years of her life were devoted to authorship, during which she wrote forty volumes of Sunday school and temperance literature, besides a large number of articles for periodicals, thereby exerting a wide and salutary influence. In 1845 a Miss Bispham had charge of the School at Walpole Corner, and her work received the approval of the Town Committee.

Amos Fletcher Spalding was master of the West Dedham School during the winter of 1846-7. He was the son of Amos and Mary (Warren) Spalding, born in Boston, January 12, 1821 ; prepared for college at an academy in Worcester; graduated from Brown University, 1847 ; from Newton Theological Seminary, 1850; ordained, 1851; pastor in Montreal, Ca., till 1852; in Cambridge till 1856; in Calais, Me., till 1860; then ten years in Warren, E. I. In October, 1862, he married in Brookline Caroline Elizabeth Sanderson, and in 1872 removed to Norwich, Conn., and in 1876 to Needham, Mass., where he was pastor at the time of his death, which occurred suddenly at the Chelmsford depot, November 30,1877. In the summer of 1846 the grammar department of the West Dedham School was under the care of Eliza Ann Harding of Wrentham, the daughter of Col. Lewis and Irene (Hartshorn) Harding. She was well educated in the public schools and Academy of her native town, and for fifteen years was an

Of Dedham, Massachusetts 169

The Walpole Corner School had for its teacher in the summer of 1846 Caroline Buckminster Clarke of Framingham. She is the daughter of Alexander and Mary (Bent) Clark, born Jan. 9, 1823. She was educated chiefly at Framingham Academy : and, before teaching in Dedham, had taught in Westborough two years, and in Framingham three. On the tenth of June, 1847, she was married to ZebinaGleason, H. U. class of 1834; and of this event and her subsequent life she says : ' ' At the time of marriage I came as a bride to the house (forty-eight years ago next Monday) where « I still live.' Facts of interest - to none but myself - grow out of a busy life - busy as a wife and mother ; yet, finding time to keep up my interest in literary pursuits : reading - writing a little - anxious always to retain all I have learned." The long residence thus pleasantly alluded to has been in Westborough, Massachusetts.

In the summer of 1846 the Westfield School was in charge of Martha Ingraham Cotton, who had graduated at the West Newton (now Framingham) Normal School the September previous. She was the daughter of John and Caroline (Chittenden) Cotton, born in Boston. How much of her life she devoted to teaching, is to me unknown. She died in Boston, April, 1893.

Ann E. Page began to teach the primary class of the Mill School in 1846. She graduated from the State Normal School in West Newton, her native town, in Sept., 1845. She left Dedham in 1850. In the catalogue of the Framingham Normal School, published in 1889, her address is given as "Mrs. Samuel Bent, Ehiiira, N. Y." While she was in Dedham the School Board often found occasion to commend her work.

Maria Baker had charge of the primary part of the West Dedham School in 1846. She is the daughter of Obed and Betsey (Metcalf) Baker, born in West Dedham, July 15, 1826. Besides the privileges of the district school, she enjoyed those

The Clapboardtree School had three teachers by the name of Hemenway, two sons and a daughter of Windsor and Sophronica (Belknap) Hemenway, all born in Framingham, and educated at Framingham Academy : - Onslow Hemenway was born May 27, 1824, and graduated at Brown University; taught the Dedham School the winter of 1846-7 ; assisted in the New Bedford High School a few years ; married Martha A. Shepherd, of New Bedford, December 16, 1850; became principal of Newton High School, and so continued till his death on April 22, 1855, leaving a widow, who is now, 1899, a teacher in New Bedford : - Clarissa Cordelia Hemenway was born Nov. 27, 1825 ; taught in Dedham the summer of 1849 ; was married December 18, 1851, to Alden B. Marshall of Hebron, Me. ; and now, in 1899, resides in NcAvton : - Appleton Selwin Hemenway was born February 12, 1831 ; taught in Dedham, 1851-2; taught in the Westboro Reform School six months ; then was an assistant in the Rev. Samuel Worcester's private school in Baltimore, Md., about four years ; married Mary Elizabeth Patton of Baltimore, Feb. 5, 1856 ; soon returned to Framingham where he has since resided, devoting himself to mechanical pursuits.

Geography as a study came into the Dedham schools soon after Jedediah Morse published a work on that subject in 1784. About 1800 a smaller book was printed, accompanied by an atlas, about ten inches square, in which the United States were represented as consisting of the original thirteen colonies, with Vermont added ; the district of Maine figured as a part of Massachusetts. A copy of this atlas was preserved in my father's house till it fell a prey to destructive children ; it would be worth more than its weight in silver to-day. The next books on this subject were by Peter Parley and Olney. These were much more attractive and made the study interesting. The lessons consisted largely in finding places on the maps which the pupils had before them in recitations. In that way they became very expert in the use of maps for locating towns, bounds of States, courses of rivers and mountain ranges. Memoriter work was not required. Then came Mitchell's Geography with its Atlas of highly colored maps, which made the contours of states and countries very distinct and conspicuous. Also map-drawing was introduced which did much to prepare the way for other artistic work with pen and pencil.

From 1845 to 1855 geography was generally taught in the Dedham schools by means of outline maps. Olney 's, Mitchell's, and Pelton's were much in use. The latter had a key in which verse and rhyme were employed to fix names in the memory. With a rod the pupil pointed out towns, boundaries and natural divisions as he recited the verses, and was able of course to locate them easily in answer to questions. On one occasion a member of the town committee took the rod to test the pupil's knowledge by pointing out some places he knew himself. But in searching for them his rod accidentally dropped on towns, rivers and mountains, and the children shouted out their names with eager anmiation. This so confused the gentleman that he laid down the pointer saying, " You know so much more about the map than I do, that I ought to be satisfied." An ingenious teacher could vary the map exercises in many ways, to interest the pupils and insure thoroughness.

The school of the Westfield District for two winters, 1846-7 and 1847-8, was well instructed by Elijah Carter Shattuck. He was the son of Stephen and Hannah (Carter) Shattuck, born in Marlborough, Mass., Aug. 27, 1820. Having pursued his preparatory studies in the Westfield District School and at Phillips Andover Academy, he entered Amherst College in 1846 ; but ill health obliged him to leave it a year later. He was married to Olive Colburn Wheeler in Berlin,

Sept. 28, 1848 ; and spent the next three years in Utica, New York. Returning to Berlin, he taught a school there the winter of 1852-3, and continued to reside there, engaged in building and manufacturing ; also much occupied in town affairs, holding many important offices, acting as school committee many years, representing his district in the legislature of 1876, and being postmaster after 1895. He died in Berlin, June 8, 1899, leaving a widow ; and of his four children, two daughters survive him.

In 1847 and 1848 Elizabeth Nichols Nye had charge of the summer grammar school in West Dedhani. In the summer of 1850 she taught in the Second Middle ; then in the First Middle, second division, till 1852. She was a very efficient teacher, strong in discipline, and thorough in instruction. She was the daughter of Bonum and Pamelia (Abbott) Nye, born Nov. 18, 1824, in North Brookfield. Her education was received at a Young Ladies' Boarding School in West Brookfield, and at Williston Seminary, Easthampton. Before coming to Dedham she had taught schools in Paxton and New Braintree, and probably in other towns. Sept. 8, 1852, she was married in North Brookfield to Jonathan Chase, a native of Paxton, and went to reside at Manville, in the town of Lincoln, R. I., where she died March 16, 1875, leaving a husband, three daughters and one son.

From 1847 till 1850 the primary department of the First Middle School was under the instruction of Emily Adams Eveleth, a very earnest and attractive teacher. She was the daughter of Henr}^ Prentiss and Rachel (Adams) Eveleth of West Roxbury, where she was educated. Her first work as a teacher was in Dover. She died at her home in West Roxbury, Oct. 8, 1850.

Though he taught the school but one winter, 1847-8, there is still a pleasant remembrance of David Atwood in West Dedham. His quiet, reasonable ways made his work very acceptable. He is the son of David C. and Abigail Atwood, of East- ham, born April 20, 1821 ; and was educated at Holliston Academy, and the Bridgewater Normal School. From 1848 to 1853 he taught the Bunker Hill Grammar School, Charlestown. In July, 1848, he married in Lynn Lucy J. Bowler, who died in December, 1849 : in June, 1851, married in Upton, Electa J. Stoddard, who died in June, 1870 : in May, 1872, married Achsah L. Maynard,who died in February, 1884. In October,

1854, became treasurer thereof, and held that office till November, 1897 : also held the office of treasurer of the town of Millbury thirty years and is still a resident there.

In the summer of 1847 the Second Middle School was in charge of Harriet R. Talbot, the fifth of her family that gave instruction in the Dedham schools. She was a native of Sharon, the daughter of Josiah Jr. and Mary (Richards) Talbot, and received her education preparatory for teaching in some New England Academy where she was well equipped for her work. She was united in marriage to Augustus Forbes of West Newton, the place of her last residence.

The lower division of the Mill School for two j^ears, 1847 and 1848, was taught by Almira French of Canton. She was the daughter of Thomas and Abigail Shepard French, born Jan. 3, 1830, and educated in the public and private schools of Canton and Roxbury. After leaving Dedham she taught in Roxbury and Dorchester from 1849 to 1857. She was a very acceptable teacher and is still pleasantly remembered by a large number of her pupils. She died in Canton, Sept. 27, 18 61.

In November, 1847, Carlos Slafter took charge of the winter school of the Second Middle District, being then a member of the junior class of Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1849. The son of Sylvester and Mary (Johnson) Slafter, he was born in Thetford, Vermont, July 21, 1825, and fitted for college at Thetford Academy. He began to teach in 1841 as master of a winter school in Fairlee, Vt. In Lyme, N. H., he taught the four succeeding winter terms; also one term of a private school in the autumn of 1849. In the winter of 1846-7 he was master of the Grammar School at Maiden Centre. In Dedham he taught the Second Middle School four consecutive winters and the summer of 1851. In September, 1851, he took charge of the Framingham Academy and High School for a year : then returned to Dedham as master of the High School, which remained under his care forty years, 1852 to 1892. His work as a teacher extended through fifty-one years. Aug. 4, 1853, he married Rebecca Bullard of Dedham. In May, 1865, he was ordained deacon in Trinity Church, Boston, by Bishop Eastburn ; and from Dec, 1867, till April, 1871, served as chaplain of the Norfolk County Jail and House of Correction. While teaching he found leisure for some literary work, preparing addresses for several public occasions and editing in 1889 a historical catalogue of his school for thirty-eight years. For over twelve years he was a constant contributor to the Dedham Historical Register, writing more than 200 pages for its columns. Since 1892 he has published several historical discourses ; among them one read at the 250th anniversary of the Dedham schools ; another for the seventy-fifth anniversary of Thetford Academy, Vt. In 1903 he edited a volume for the Prince Society, for which he wrote a Memoir of Sir Humfrey Gylberte in fifty pages. His residence is with his daughter at Rockford, Illinois ; but at present, March, 1905, he is in Dedham devoting his time to the publication of this volume, in which he is learning much about book-making and still more about human nature.

Nabby Ann Marsh taught as master's assistant in the First Middle School in 1848. She was the daughter of Daniel and Fanny (Hersey) Marsh, born in Dedham, April 10, 1832. She left Dedham to fill a position in the Washington School of Eoxbury, which she occupied one or two years, then became a teacher in the Eliot School of Boston and continued there eight years with unusual success. She was married to Dr. McLaurin Furber Cook of Boston, Aug. 22, 1860, and died May, 1861.

About 1848, Caroline Baker Colburn taught the school at Walpole Corner. She was the daughter of Ellis and Celia (Baker) Colburn, born in 1827, and was united in marriage to Reuben P. Davis, of Waltham, May 9, 1849.

For a few months in 1848, Alfred Hewins was an assistant teacher in the First Middle School. The next four years he taught in the Washington, Roxbury ; then for thirty-four years as usher, sub-master and master of the Boylston, Bowditch and Everett Schools of Boston. He is the son of Nathaniel A. and Hannah (Hersey) Hewins, born in Dedham and educated in her public schools. In 1859 he was married to Carrie E. Sparrell of Boston ; in 1877 to Harriet C. Stone of Newburyport. Since Dec, 1886, he has been Treasurer of the Dedham Institution for Savings. For many years he was a member of the School Committee of Dedham ; was the first President of the Public Library, 1871 to 1899 ; Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, three years ; is also a Director of the Dedham National Bank, Institution for Savings, and the Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; and for many years has been a member of the parish Committee of the First Church of Dedham. Such varied and acceptable services make commendation superfluous. Mr. Hewins has always resided in Dedham.

The Second Middle Summer School of 1848 had two teachers. Augusta W. Mulliken of Lexington, a graduate of the Normal School at West Newton, taught one month. The term was completed by her Normal classmate, Mary Elizabeth Cotton of Boston, the daughter of Solomon and Susan G. Cotton, and now (1898) living at 28 Shepard Street, Cambridge. These teachers graduated at the Framingham (then W. Newton) Normal School in May, 1847.

1849-50, the Westfield School was in charge of Arthur Latham Perry, a student of Williams College which he"had entered the summer before from the Academy in Thetford, Vt. He is the son of Key. Baxter and Lydia (Gray) Perry of Lyme, N. H. He graduated in 1852 ; and, after teaching in Washington, D. C, one year and serving his Alma Mater as Tutor a^year he was in 1854 appointed Professor of History |and Political Economy in Williams College, which office he held^in active service till 1891, and is still Professor Emeritus with a salary. He has written much on the subject of the Tariff, advocating the principles of Free Trade with great earnestness. His chief publications are three volumes on Political Economy and one on "Origins in Williamstown." Union College honored him with L.L. D. in 1874, and Doane College with D.D. in 1883. Dr. Perry was united in marriage to Mary Brown Smedley, 4-ugust 7, 1856, in Williamstown, " her home and that of her ancestors since 1752 ": and " they have lived in the same house since that happy settlement" to the present year, 1905.

In the summer of 1848 Mrs. Sarah Piper (Stevens) Cram taught in the South District of the South Parish, and the next two summers had charge of the school at Walpole Corner. She was the daughter of William Lacy and Martha (Piper) Stevens of Rumney, New Hampshire ; was educated at the Mt. Holyoke Seminary ; and married at Rumney, October 9, 1842, Artemas Brooks Cram, who died in 1845. By a second marriage Nov. 6, 1851, she became the wife of John Elijah Bullard and resided in Medfield where she died October 19, 1885, having been a " patient, devoted wife, and a kind, loving mother."

Caroline Frances Guild had charge of the primar}^ department of the Second Middle School two years, 1848 to 1850. She was the oldest daughter of Francis and Caroline Elizabeth (Covell) Guild, born in Dedham, Nov. 26, 1829. She was educated in the schools of her native town and in the private school of George B. Emerson of Boston ; became assistant teacher of the Framingham High School in September, 1851, where she continued till the summer of 1853. [ She was united in marriage to Ebenezer P. Burgess, M. D. Nov. 30, 1853 in Dedham, Avhere she resided till her decease, January 3, 1859. In a memorial volume of the Framingham School we read as follows: *' Mrs. Burgess was characterized by great sincerity and simplicity of manner. In a quiet way she exercised a strong and good influence, especially over the girls that came under her instruction. Her relations with them were like those of an elder sister, and they gathered around her at recesses like the younger children of a great family."

In the winter of 1848-9, the West Dedham School was in charge of Sylvester Scott, as was also the Mill School from May 7, to Aug. 3, 1849. He was born in Ashland, New Hampshire, the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Phillips) Scott, and graduated at the Westfield Normal School in 1846 or 7. He left Dedham in 1849 to become a teacher in that school, continuing there only one year. He married Lydia Noble Moseley of Westfield, and for a number of years they successfully conducted the Young Ladies' Institute, in Alexandria, Va. When the war broke out they suffered great loss ; came to Boston and he taught in the school for physical training, in charge of Dr. Dio Lewis. At Dr. Lewis's death Mr. Scott became principal of the school. Owing to ill health he removed to Beverly, and in search of health visited his old home in Ashland, N. H., where he died June 18, 1865. His widow died in Montana. A Westfield correspondent says : ' ' Mr. Scott was a Christian gentleman and has many friends in this place."

Mary C. Goodnough taught the summer school of Readville, 1849, with an ability highly pleasing to the Committee. Caroline Almeda Hartwell of South Natick instructed the Westfield School in the summer of 1849, having previously taught the school at Walpole Corner. She graduated from the State Normal School at West Newton in September 1846. She married E. Dix Fletcher of Lowell where she spent her last

The East Street School was instructed in the winter of 1849-50 by Joshua Danforth Robinson, who graduated from Harvard College in 1851, and died in 1866. As a teacher he was highly commended in the school report.

So was also Almira Tucker as a teacher in the same school. She was the daughter of William and Lucy (French) Tucker, born in Canton, March 4, 1828, and was married to George Henry Wyman of Boston, April 10, 1860.

Christopher Columbus Langdell was master of the Clapboard trees School during the winter of 1849-50. He is a native of New Hampshire, entered Harvard College in 1848, and left it in 1849 to become a teacher : but he graduated from the Harvard Law School in 1853 and practised law in New York City till 1870. That year he received the degree of A. B., as of the class of 1851, and was appointed Dean of the Harvard Law School. The LL.D. was conferred in 1875. He continued in the office of Dean till 1895, and won great distinction by reforming methods of legal study. His publications have been numerous and valuable. The improvements made by him at Harvard have been widely copied in the law schools of our own country, and his influence has been felt in the universities of Europe.

The North District of the South Parish had David Parsons Wilder as teacher in the winter of 1849-50. He graduated at Harvard, class of 1851 ; and from the Harvard Law School in 1855. He received the degree of A. M. in course, and according to the catalogue died in 1872. The school committee commended his work.

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and Mary Gardner of Canton, where she was born Nov. 23, 1828. Removing earlj'^ to South Walpole, in the district school there she was fitted for the West Newton Normal School, from which she graduated in September, 1847. She taught schools in Walpole and Taunton. In 1854, May 24, she was united in marriage to Major Andrew Washburn, and immediately after the war went with him to Richmond, Va., where he organized the free school system of that city, in which work her former experience enabled her to participate both by actual instruction and helpful advice. Her present residence is in Hyde Park.

Lucetta Wood was mistress of the summer school in West Dedham in 1849, and was pronounced very successful by the Town Committee in their annual report.

The school at Walpole Corner had Augusta Morse as its teacher in the summer of 1849 ; she received high praise from the examining committee.

Cornelius Eliot Wood, master of the Clapboardtrees School, 1849-50, was the son of Martin and Abigail (Willard) Wood, of Littleton, born Dec. 1, 1827. He graduated at Harvard in 1850 ; A. M. 1871 ; LL. B. 1855. Married in 1862, and has since, or till 1893, resided in Westminster in the practice of his profession.

A little before 1850 Ann Elizabeth Bullard taught two summer schools in Dedham, the first in East Street, the second in Readville. She is the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Paul) Bullard, born and educated in Boston, where she resided a large part of her life. Recently she has lived in Danvers.

In the summer of 1849 Esther Clapp Hodges had charge of the Second Middle grammar school. She was the daughter of Spencer and Esther (Clapp) Hodges, born in Foxboro in 1816. Her education, besides in the schools of her native town, was in academies at Newton and Wrentham. Miss Hodges died in her native town Dec. 14, 1901.

School the winter term of 1849-50. He was born in Canton, Jan. 6, 1828, the son of Leonard and Irene (Mason) Everett, and was fitted for Harvard College at Phillips Andover Academy. He taught public schools in Canton and Bridgewater, and established a private school in Carrollton, La. He married first, Maria Louisa Price of Baltimore, Md. ; secondlj^ Esther Maria French of Canton. He was the chairman of the school committee of Canton 25 years, and "was employed several years in superintending the schools." He was a deacon of the Unitarian Church, and was chosen to many offices in the social and benevolent organizations of his native town. During 30 years he represented the "Manhattan Life Insurance Co. of New York" as Boston Agent. He was active as a Freemason and was one of the founders of the Blue Hill Lodge. He died in Canton, April 2, 1886, leaving a widow and four children " to mourn his loss and cherish the rich legacy of his virtuous example."

Following Mr. Scott in 1849, Seymour Lafayette Meade became master of the West Dedham school for three years, closing his labors there in November, 1852. He then took charge of the Coffin School of Nantucket, where he remained about thirteen years. He is remembered as a large, plain man : intelligent, affable, honest, industrious, and thoroughly devoted to his school duties. Some leisure hours he devoted to writing for the press, and by this means exerted considerable influence on local politics. He was born in Lanesboro, March 31,1824, the son of Seymour and Lucy (Mason) Mead ; and besides the education afforded by his native town and Worthington, he received the course of instruction then given in the Westfield Normal School. The last three years of his life were spent in Blissfield, Michigan, where he died unmarried, August, 1868.

Beginning in September, 1849, Lynden Talcott Butler was master of the Mill School till Sept. 8, 1851. Intensely earnest and ambitious, he spared no pains to make his teaching excellent. After leaving Dedham he had charge of the East

Of Dedham, Massachusetts 181

School in Milton a year or more. His last work was in the Greylock Institute in South Williamstown. A near relative has written to me as follows : " He was troubled by a difficulty in hearing ; and physicians thought the defect was caused by an enlargement of the tonsils, and he consented to a surgical operation which proved fatal. The lady to whom he was soon to be married placed at his grave a broken column as a monument to his memory." He was the son of Silas and Pamelia (Talcott) Butler, born at South Williamstown, where he died 1853 or 4.

Something more than half the winter term of 1849-50, Albert W. Farnsworth taught the Westfield District School, taking the place of Mr. Perry who was ill. He was the son of William and Catherine (Haskell) Farnsworth, born inDedham, and graduated from the Bridgewater Normal School, December 1, 1847. He taught schools in Webster and Bridgewater ; but soon engaged in other business in Lynnfield, Portland, Me. and Orange ; then for several years was employed in the Boylston Bank of Boston ; and finally was teller in the National Bank of Maiden. He was united in marriage to Emily E. Foster, at South Maiden, now Everett, November 3, 1858 ; died in Maiden, March 10, 1875.

For many years the name of John Nelson Stevens was connected with the schools of Dedham. He took charge of the Walpole Corner School in 1849, afterwards of the Everett School in South Dedham, still later the Avery and the Damon. Giving up teaching after an experience of over thirty years, he engaged in the dry goods trade at Eeadville, Hyde Park. He was the son of William Lacy and Martha (Piper) Stevens, born in Haverhill, N. H., June 22, 1816. Public and private schools of Rumney, N. H., and the New Hampton, N. H. Institute furnished his education ; but a naturally clear and vigorous intellect gave character to his teaching which was always thorough and void of all pretence. He was united in marriage to Elvira Catherine Cram of Rumney, March 1,1842.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Stevens had valuable experience as teachers of New Hampshire schools before coming to Dedham. He in Hyde Park, November 12, 1891.

Two winter terms, 1849-50 and 1850-51, the Eeadville School was under the care of Henry C. Nash. He formed a <class in Latin which at the end of the second term had read the first book of Yirgil's Aeneid. At the close of the first term the " Committee found a class there in Latin which made a very creditable appearance."

Charles Sprague Lincoln was master of the South School, South Parish, in the winter of 1849-50, having previously taught in Somerville, Watertown, Walpole and Orleans. He is the son of Christopher and Eliza (Williston) Lincoln, born in Walpole, N. H., April 20, 1826. He prepared for college in his native town and graduated from Harvard in 1850. He married Louise E. Plimpton, of Southbridge, Oct. 1, 1856, and has been a member of the Boston Bar since 1854. Almost continuously since 1852 he has resided in the town and city of Somerville, where he has made himself a useful member of the community by discharging acceptably the many offices of honor and trust to which he was called by the suffrages of his fellow citizens. Forty-four years he has been an active member of the First Congregational Society; for twenty-two years, a trustee of the Public Library.

In the summer of 1850 Eebecca Bullard had charge of the school in East Street ; the next summer, of that at Readville, having been the master's assistant in the Centre School the intervening winter. In the autumn of 1851 she returned to the Centre School as teacher of the third division, which she taught very acceptably till the spring of 1853. August fourth of that year she was married to Carlos Slafter, and alwaj^s resided in Dedham, her birthplace. She was the daughter of William and Rebecca (Daggett) Bullard, born Sept. 4, 1828. At the age of twelve years she began to keep a diary and continued to do so with slight interruptions all the rest of her life. She was a member of the Dedham Historical Society, and took a just pride in being a descendant, in the eighth generation, from William Bullard, John Dwight, Nathaniel Whiting, Thomas Wight, Richard Barber, William Avery and John Kingsbury, all signers of the covenant formed at the settlement of the town of Dedham. She died Jan. 16, 1901, very suddenly, and apparently without any suffering.

Martha Ann Parker of Lexington was mistress of the Readville School in the summer of 1850. She is the daughter of Isaac and Martha (Miller) Parker and a descendant of Capt. John Parker who commanded the minute-men on Lexington Common. She graduated at the Normal School in West Newton in 1849 and taught two years in private schools in Penn. and two years in a Ladies' Seminarv in Philadelphia. October 28, 1855, at the house of her uncle, Theodore Parker, in Boston, she was married by him to William Welsh Dingee of Penn. She now resides in Racine, Wisconsin, where for several years she edited "The Wisconsin Citizen," a paper published by the the Wisconsin State Woman's Suffrage Association.

Joshua George Hubbard was master of the Clapboardtrees School the winter of 1850-1 ; was the son of Elishaand Amelia (Turner) Hubbard, born in Franklin, December 31, 1828 ; was educated in the public schools and academy of his native town. He taught schools in Med way, Methuen and Beverly ; was married to Chloe Emily Farrington, at Franklin, Aug. 15, 1850, being then a member of the school committee. Soon after this he managed for a tune a boarding house in Boston, then a shoe store in Salem. For the last thirty years or more he has engaged in the lumber trade in Maine and New Hamp-

Two summer schools in Clapboardtrees District, 1850 and 1851, were in charge of Helen Maria Boyden, the daughter ot Kev. Luman and Mary (Dudley) Boyden, born in Millbury, Oct. 12, 1829. The towns of Sharon and Needham employed her as a teacher, and in 1853 she began her labors in the Boys' Graded School of Chelsea and continued there nearly fourteen years. In that town she was married to Thomas Warren Thayer, Oct. 21, 1869, and in 1900 resided in Cazenovia, N. y. Mrs. Thayer has been able to indulge freely her love of travelling, and in 1889 visited the Paris Exposition and many of the cities of Europe ; nor has she neglected the interesting localities of her own country. To adopt her own words : " There have been clouds as well as sunshine in my life ; but I can say with the Psalmist, ' The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places.' "

The winter school at East Street, 1850-51, taught by Benjamin Payson Williams, was commended b}'^ the town committee. He graduated at Harvard the summer previous, received the degree of A. M. in course and died in 1856.

In 1850 the summer school of the Westfield district was in charge of Parthena Griggs Jones of Dover. She was the daughter of Hiram Walker and Inez (Griggs) Jones, born April 21, 1834. Her education was received at the Charlestown Female Seminary and at the Rhode Island Normal School under Dana P. Colbiu-n. She taught in Lancaster and about eight years in the Boys' High School, Newport, R. I. In 1862 she was married to Charles E. Hammett of Newport, where she resided till her death in September, 1896.

In the winter of 1850-51 the lower department of the Second Middle School was in charge of Adeline Newell Griggs, the daughter of James and Abigail (Newell) Griggs, born in Dedham, January 13, 1833. She was married to Roland Ray-

Of Dedham, Massachusetts 185

Henry Augustus Little was master of the Westfield School the winter of 1850-51. He was a member of the class of 1853 in Amherst College, but did not graduate. I have found no clue to his later history.

The school on East Street, summer of 1851, was taught by Mary Smith Wilder, the daughter of Joseph Augustus and Mary (Smith) Wilder, born in Dedham, August 22, 1832. After attending the common schools of her town she spent a year at Pepperell Academy, and graduated at the Bridgewater Normal in March, 1850. She was married to John H. B. Thayer of Dedham, June 21, 1854. Since her husband's death in 1873 Mrs. Thayer has been a copyist for the Register of Deeds at Dedham.

Catherine Eleanor Tucker in the summer of 1850 taught in the South District, South Parish. She was the daughter of Nathan and Catherine (Tucker) Tucker, born in Milton, Jan. 23, 1827 ; graduated at the Bridgewater Normal School August 2, 1848. She taught school only two terms, resided in Milton, and died there April 19, 1886.

In 1844 the school committee of Dedham recommended the establishment of a High School, as the statute of the Commonwealth required, and this advice was repeated from year to year. There was a strong desire for such a school, but the opposition to it was stronger. Finally, in 1850, William S. Damrell, of Readville, who a few years later was chosen a member of Congress, declared his intention to bring a suit against the town for failure to comply with the law if at the next town meeting it did not make an appropriation for such a school as the law required. This probably determined the action of the town, and on the 12th of May, 1851, the town *' voted to instruct the Town's School Committee to hire a building and teacher and establish a High School according to law." Also "voted that the sum of one thousand dollars be raised by tax for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a High School, to be expended by the Town's School Committee." Thus the controversy of years was settled, and the school was opened Monday, September 15, 1851, in Masonic Hall, Church Street, where it remained till September, 1854. It was then removed to the Town House on Bullard Street ; and in December, 1855, found a permanent home in a new schoolhouse on Highland Street. This building w^as occupied by the school nearly twenty-two years. The present High School house began to be used October 3, 1887. For a more detailed account of the High School, the reader is referred to the Historical Catalogue of the School, published in 1889. But it may interest its friends to know that previous to 1893, it had fitted thirty young men and women for college, most of whom entered without conditions ; and, with its present improved equipment, is able to increase its usefulness in that direction. In fact, since the school has been in operation, no parent has been «' compelled''' to send a son or daughter out of Dedham to prepare for college or scientific schools.

James Bradley Everett taught school in the south district of South Dedham, 1850-51. He was of Canton, the son of Abel and Thankful (Withington) Everett, and was educated at the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and at the Bridgewater Normal School, graduating in 1853. From 1851 to 1859 he was teaching in South Scituate, Sutton, Taunton, Hingham, Holmes Hole and Weston High School. In 1861 he received the degree of M. D. from Dartmouth College ; and on Jan. 1, 1862, married Caroline Guild Newton of Grafton. He practised medicine in Falmouth ten years where he was most of the time a member of the school committee, also superintendent of schools. He is a Fellow of the Mass. Med. Society and trustee of the Public Library of the city of Everett where he resided and practised his profession in 1904.

The summer school in the Westfield district, 1851, and that at Walpole Corner, 1852 and 1853, were in charge of Mary Mehitable Smith, and her success in those schools secured her a place in the Mather Primarjs Meeting House Hill, Dorchester, where she taught from November, 1853, until September, 1856. Her continued labors in this position would have been very acceptable; but on the 23d of October, 1856, she was married in West Dedham to Lucius Manlius Sargent Damrell. Since her husband's death Mrs. Damrell has resided mostly in "West Dedham (now Westwood), and her knowledge of teachers has been very helpful to the author of this volume. She is the daughter of Timothy and Nabby (Colburn) Smith, was born in West Dedham, and educated in the good schools kept there fifty years ago, self-help being then greatly encouraged.

Two summers, 1851 and 1852, the South School of the South Parish was well instructed by Judith Sherman Hodges, the daughter of Sewall and Judith (Sherman) Hodges, born in Sharon, June 26, 1823. After the common school she attended the Friends' School in Providence, R. I., and was teacher in Sharon, Foxboro and Mansfield. Jan. 1, 1855, she was married to Asa Stone of Providence, and resided in that city till she died there, May 1, 1893.

One term of public and two of private primary school, 1851 and 1852, in West Dedham were taught acceptably by Jane Baker. She is the daughter of Aaron and Eoxey (Whiting) Baker, born in West Dedham, Feb. 24, 1822. She said in 1898, "I have always lived in the same house in which I was born ; am the last of the family living."

Beginning at Walpole Corner in the winter of 1851-2, Henry Chamberlain Rolfe continued to teach in Dedham, having charge of the East Street School till 1855, and of the Mill School from Sept., 1855, till April, 1856. He then left Dedham and taught in Dorchester and perhaps elsewhere, but finally engaged in trade and manufacturing. He is the son of Abiel and Eliza George (Dennett) Rolfe, born in Great Valley,

N. Y., Feb. 15, 1828. He fitted for college at New Hampton and Meredith Bridge, N. H., and studied a part of the course at Amherst College. At Townsend, November 23, 1856, he married Abby Frances Winchester. He was a member of the school committees in Townsend and Groton for several years ; was president of the Norfolk County Teachers' Convention, and is now a resident of Concord, Massachusetts.

In the winter of 1851-2, the Westfield School was instructed by Charles Edward Briggs, who had entered Harvard in 1849 from the Boston Latin School. He was the son of Eobert and Caroline (Morton) Briggs, born in Boston, April 6, 1833. He graduated in 1853 and received his medical degree in 1856 ; became assistant surgeon of the 24th Mass. Regiment Aug. 12, 1862, and surgeon of the 54th Mass. Volunteers Nov. 24, 1862 ; was mustered out Aug. 20, 1865. He settled in St. Louis, Mo., the same year, and in 1869 was united in marriage to Rebekah Whittaker of St. Louis. For many years Dr. Briggs was a member of Christ Church Cathedral Parish of St. Louis, and in 1869 was appointed a professor in the St. Louis College of Physicians ; later was connected with other institutions as lecturerand phj^sician. He died June 17, 1894, at the Mass. General Hospital, leaving a widow, one daughter and three sons.

Through the autumn of 1851 the Second Middle School was under the care of Wentworth Sanborn Butler, the son of Hon. Josiah and Hannah (Jenness) Butler, born in Deerfield, N. H., Sept. 30, 1826. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1848, studied divinity at Bangor Theological Seminar}^ also at Union Theological Seminar}^ N. Y. For many years, and up to 1898, he was a librarian, living at 67 University Place, New York City.

Albert J. Ingalls was master of the Second Middle School in the winter of 1851-2. He had been for a year or two a member of Dartmouth College, but he did not graduate. Later he was in business in Fitchburg, but finallj^ died as a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Socially he was very entertaining, abounding in wit and humor which often relieved the monotony of school routine. Visitors often found amusement as well as instruction in his work, his queer remarks sometimes undermining the firmest resolve to be sedate.

Joseph Rutter Draper was in charge of the Readville School one winter, 1851-2; and of the Second Middle from April to November, 1852. His work was highly commended by the School Committee. After leaving Dedham Mr. Draper taught High Schools in Saxon ville and Milford. He was the son of Ira and Eunice (Rutter) Draper, born in Wayland, July, 1830 ; studied at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and graduated at Williams College in 1851 ; in November, 1856, he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Fuller of Dedham ; received the degree of M. D. from the Berkshire Medical School in 1863 ; then enlisted and served three years as a surgeon in the army. At the close of the war he settled at South Boston and remained there with an increasing practice until it Avas terminated by his death, August 5, 1885.

The Primary Department of the Centre School in 1852 was in charge of Emily Lovering Wilson. She is the daughter of Reuben Sumner and Lucia Narcissa (Mann) Wilson of Dedham, and was married to Ralph William Tucker, Oct. 9, 1862, in Dedham, where she has since resided.

In the winter of 1852-3 the school at Readville was in charge of Nathan Henry Chamberlain, a senior of Harvard College. He is a native of Sandwich, the son of Artemas White and Lydia Smith (Ellis) Chamberlain. In 1855 he married Hannah S. Tewksbury of Boston ; in 1870 Marietta Cleveland Hyde of New York. As a Unitarian minister. Rev. Mr. Chamberlain was settled in Canton, Mass., and Baltimore, Md. ; as an Episcopal, in Birmingham, (^onn., Ncav York City, Milwaukee, Wis., Somerville and East Boston. He engaged in literary pursuits, and in 1900 resided in Bourne, Mass.

just prior to the examination in the spring of 1852, This was his only experience as a teacher. He was the son of Erastus and Sarah (Ellis) Worthington, born in Dedham, Nov. 25, 1828 ; fitted at Attleborough Academy for Brown University, which he entered in 1846, graduating in 1850; read law with his brother Ellis in Milwaukee, Wis., and with Judge Ezra Wilkinson of Dedham, and received LL.B. at the Cambridge Law School, in 1853. For a time he was the law partner of Hon. David A. Simmons of Roxbury ; from 1856 to 1858 was register of the Court of Insolvency ; then Trial Justice of Norfolk County till January, 1867, when he entered upon his duties as Clerk of Courts for Norfolk County ; this office he filled for thirty years. He also performed during that time much efficient work for his town and his parish : his voice and his pen were always at their service. He was married Nov. 25, 1861, to Elizabeth Foster Briggs, and resided in Dedham for many years on School Street, and later on Chestnut Street, where he died January 20, 1898.

One year from April, 1852, Ellen Harod Crehore was an assistant teacher in the Mill School ; then was two years a primary teacher in the First Middle ; next taught several months in Canton, 1858; after this, from 1858 to 1867, was emploj^ed in the Maverick and Mather schools of Dorchester ; then taught a year in Miss Hodges' private school ; finally, from 1872 to 1874, she did her last work as a teacher of children at the Avery School, and in the same room where she began to teach in 1852. In September, 1874, she became a member of the School Committee of Dedham, and as such served the town over six years. For more than ten years she was active in charitable work in the Industrial Union and Associated Charities, earning and receiving the deep gratitude of many. It is just to say that in all these fields her work has been duly appreciated by the residents of Dedham. She is the daughter of Jeremiah and Joanna (Dunbar) Crehore, born in Milton, July 1, 1835, and was a member of the first class

Of Dediiam, Massachusetts 191

Augusta Crehore, sister of the foregoing, tauglit a private school in East Dedham about a year and a half, beginning in April, 1856. She is also a native of Milton, attended the Dedham High School, and afterwards Mrs. Benjamin Kent's School in Roxbury. Her present residence is at Canton Junction.

In 1852 the school in Mill Village came under the instruction of Charles Addison Richardson, who had previously taught in Montague over two years and a winter term in South Maiden. He was the son of Elisha and Harriet (Blake) Richardson of Franklin, born October 9, 1829. He attended the Franklin High School, Holliston Academy, Bridgewater and Westfield Normal Schools, and was also under the private instruction of the Rev. David Sanford of Medway. He married Mary Jane Phipps of Westfield, May 3, 1852. Leaving the Mill School in 1854, he was in the book trade with John P. Jewett two years ; and on Jan. 2, 1856, entered the office of the Congregationalist as proprietor of one-fourth of the paper and managing editor. His success as a teacher was remarkable ; and the prosperity of the Congregationalist while under his direction is ample proof of his editorial ability. He died Jan. 18, 1891.

Marie Louise Lathrop was the first lady assistant of the Dedham High School, holding that position from 1853 to 1857. She was the daughter of the Rev. John Pierce and Maria Margaretta (Long) Lathrop, born in New York City, and educated at Linden Hall, Bordentown, N. J., and at St. Mary's Hall, Burlington, N. J. Before teaching in Dedham she taught the modern languages in the Rev. Greo. D. Wild's School, Boston ; she left Dedham to teach the modern languages in the Union School, Schenectady, N. Y., and continued there till her marriage, Sept. 1, 1864, to Hiram De Witt Hall. She resided some years in Elyria, Ohio ; later near Des Moines, Iowa,.

Beginning at Eeadville April 9, 1853, Martha Maria Davis taught there and in the Avery School till 1884, with the exception of a year in Franklin and a year and a half in Canton. She was the daughter of Francis and Betsey Converse Davis, born in Stockholm, St. Lawrence County, New York, and was educated in the public schools of her native town. Teaching was her life-work, and in it she was most faithful and successful. For many years she made her home with her uncle, D. L.Davis, at Readville, where she died June 23, 1898.

Cephas Brigham was a teacher about seventeen years ; in Montague, 1851 to 1853 ; in West Dedham, 1853 to 1861 ; and in Newton, 1861 to 1868. He then applied himself to the study of law and was admitted to the Bar about 1870. According to the testimony of a friend, " he was a very successful lawyer with a constantly increasing practice until he received a fatal paralytic shock in 1887." He married Lucy E. Graves in North Leverett, May 12, 1846. In Westwood he is still regarded by many as the ideal schoohnaster.

Holmes Richard Pettee had charge of the school in the South District of South Dedham in the winter of 1854-5. He was the son of Ebenezer and Lydia (Hall) Pettee of Francestown, N. H., born Oct. 13, 1831 ; was educated at the Academy of that town and had there his first experience in teaching. In 1857, Oct. 31, he married Frances B. Adams in New Boston, N. H. ; resided chiefly in Manchester, N. H., where he was a grain merchant twenty-five years. He was a representative in the N. H. State Legislature, and died in Manchester, Feb. 21, 1892.

Mary Ann Bullard taught the primary class of the Mill School in 1853 and 1854. She afterwards had charge of a private school in Dedham Village ; and in 1858 of the summer school at Readville. But she then yielded to the claims of her home and kindred and devoted many years to the care of her aged parents and invalid sister and brother ; all whom she carefully attended through the days of their decline and dissolution. She is the daughter of William and Rebecca (Daggett) BuUard, born in Dedham, and now resides at the family homestead, corner of Milton and Readville Streets, Hyde Park.

The second department of the Mill Village School for ten months in 1855 was in charge of Louisa Content Richards, who had taught a year before coming to Dedham and continued teaching eleven years after leaving it. She is the daughter of Lysander and Content (Clapp) Richards of Quincy, and is now a resident of Washington, D. C, where she has been a clerk in the Life Saving Service, Treasury Department, for twentythree years. In 1902 her P. O. address was Washington, D. C, 1217 10th St., N. W.

Jane S. Small first taught in the Mill School as assistant of Miss Richards in the second grade in 1855 ; was soon after put in charge of a prunary class and continued to teach in the school till 1868. A member of the School Committee says, " When sewing was introduced first into the Avery School and afterwards into others as an experiment, Miss Small was chosen special teacher of that branch and served acceptably till ill health obliged her to relinquish it." After a lingering and painful sickness her death occurred June 14, 1883. She was the daughter of Jonathan and Jane L. (Bain) Small, born in Dedham, November, 1835.

Garcelon De Fonteney, a native of France, educated at Charlemagne College, Paris, taught the French language in the High School one year from May 17, 1852. He did faithful work, but his knowledge of English was too limited to give his efforts their desired effect. It even afforded some amusement at times. One day his class returned from the recitation room in a very gleeful mood. In answer to my inquiries one of the pupils informed me that M. Fonteney, in trying to explain that the serpent was used as a symbol of eternity, declared that " they use snakes for cimbals in heaven."

In the winter of 1852-3 the school in the "Old Brick," South District, South Parish, was in charge of George Franklin Pettee of Francestown, N. H., the son of Abner and Polly (Dean) Pettee, born April 9, 1828. He was educated at the Francestown Academy, and before coming to Dedham, beginning at the age of seventeen, he had taught schools in Bennington, Francestown and Greenfield, N. H. ; and in Northboro, Mass. After leaving Dedham he taught in Truro, Mass., and again in Francestown, being a teacher about twenty years. He married MargiaL. Hardy, Feb. 14, 1861, in FrancestoAvn. His regular occupation of farmer and land surveyor has been varied by, official duties to which his townsmen have frequently called him. He was chairman of the Board of Selectmen seven years ; of the School Board, or Superintendent of Schools, twenty years; Representative to the General Court, 1885 and 1886.

The Westfield Winter School 1852-3 was taught by Phineas Allen, the son of Phineas and Ruth (Smith) Allen of Medfield, born October 15, 1801. While preparing for college he taught in Sherborn and Northboro, walking to Cambridge from Northboro, 30 miles to take examinations. After graduating at Harvard, in 1825, he taught in Lowell, Brookline, Concord, Walpole, Scituate and Provincetown, also in the Allen School at West Newton from 1860 to 1885, never missing but three days of school on account of sickness, until 76 years of age. Regularity, faithfulness and great modesty characterized this representative pedagogue of the old type, whose entire aim was to impart knowledge. Himself an excellent linguist, he taught seven languages. In 1828 he married Clarissa Fisk, and, dying in West Newton, May 25, 1885, left three sons and one daughter.

In November, 1852, Henry Holmes Babcock began to teach the Second Middle School. In the autumn of 1854 he resigned and engaged in a grammar school at Newton. In 1860 he was appointed principal of the High School in Somerville and held the position till 1867. Then he established a Girls' Academy in Chicago, 111., and remained Principal and Proprietor till 1880, when he became Associate Principal of the Atheneura Academy of the same city. He held this position till his last sickness in the autumn of 1881. He made a specialty of botany, and was professor of that branch in the Chicago College of Pharmacy. He was a member of the Chicago Literary Club ; a Director of the Botanical Gardens ; President of the Illinois State Microscopical Society ; and at the time of his death was President of the Chicago Academy of Natural Sciences. He was born in Thetford, Vt., the son of Rev. Elisha Gulliver and Eliza (Hibbard) Babcock ; was educated at Thetford Academy and Dartmouth College; married, July, 1861, Mary Porter Lincoln Keyes of Somerville ; died in Chicago, Nov. 7, 1881. "Noble, kind, pure and eminent in scholarship, his loss is irreparable to his sisters," so writes the youngest of them.

Charles Gates taught the Mill School a year, resigning his position in 1852, and going to teach in New York City ; at least it was so reported.

George Wight taught a good school in the Clapboard trees district the winter of 1852-3. He was the son of Myron Wight, sometime resident in Mill Village : but the family soon removed to New York, and his later history has not been attainable.

Emily Orne Spencer was the assistant teacher of the High School one yesir from Sept., 1853, having previously taught in the public schools of So. Reading and a private school in Pepperell. Leaving Dedham she was connected with the Hancock School of Boston till her marriage in Lynnfield, July 19, 1869, to Datus Whitaker Harris, and then went to reside at Birnam Wood, Arkansas. The last mail that was sent north at the opening of the Civil War brought the news of her death which occurred Aug. 3, 1861. She was the daughter of Judge Amasa and Sophia B. (Parker) Spencer, born Sept. 22, 1831, in McDonough, Henrj Co., Georgia, and was highly educated in the schools of Salem, Mass.

Sarah Ann Ellis taught in the South District of South Dedham two summer terms, 1853 and 1854. The School Committee say, " Miss Ellis devoted herself to her work, and her work became her commendation." She is said to have married Ellis Guild of South Dedham. Their present residence has not been ascertained.

Jeffrey Abijah Holmes taught the Second Middle School, 1853-4, having previously taught two years : also taught several terms after leaving Dedham. He is the son of Hiram and Sarah R. Holmes, born in Shelburne, and there educated in the public schools and at the East Hampton Seminary ; was married Aug. 31, 1865, in Haydenville. He engaged in trade, and while residing in Clarksburg served several terms as School Committee, and in 1904 was a resident of North Adams.

Corner the winter of 1852-3. He is said to have married Mary A. White of Walpole and to be now residing in the West. Careful inquiries have resulted in no more definite information.

From 1854 to 1856 the third division of the First Middle School was in charge of Abby Frances Winchester. She is the daughter of Henry and Abigail (Mcintosh) Winchester, born in Lunenburg, Jan. 1, 1834 ; attended West Townsend Female Seminary, and New Ipswich, N. H., Appleton Academy; was married to Henry C. Rolfe of Dorchester in Townsend, Nov. 23, 1856, and resides in Concord ; has been president of the Middlesex County Women's Christian Temperance Union ever since its organization twenty years ago, and was in 1899 Supt. of Mothers' Dept. in the Mass. State Women's Christian Temperance Union, consequently spending much of her strength and time in charitable works.

Of Dedham. Massachusetts 197

teacher in the Mill Village School two years, 1854 and 1855. She was born in Lunenberg, educated in West Townsend Female Seminary and the Westfield Normal School, and began to teach in Townsend. In 1856, June 22, she was married to Newton Calvin Boutelle, and resided in Townsend, where she died August 18, 1862.

For about three years, between 1852 and 1856, the Second Division of the First Middle School was instructed by Cornelia Shorey Guild. She was the daughter of Francis and Caroline E. (Covell) Guild, born in Dedham Nov. 26, 1834. She attended Mr. Capen's Private School several years, and after teaching about two years studied a year at the Wheaton Ladies' Seminary in Norton. On Dec. 11, 1856, she was united in marriage to Frederic Augustu? Taft in Dedham, where she resided till her decease, June 22, 1899, leaving her husband, three daughters and a son to mourn her loss.