Topsfield Town (part 7 of 7)

The Supreme Court have recently sent down from Suifolk County their decision on the long contested case between Win. Peabody and the Town of Topsfield. The pltf. originally recovered a verdict against the town of for injuries received by reason of alleged defects in the highway. A motion was made to set aside the verdict, but was overruled and judgment was ordered on the verdict, and execution was duly issued, but while in the progress of enforcement, a petition for a new trial was filed by the town upon the ground of newly discovered evidence, and a eupercedeas issued to the officer holding the execution, ordering a stay of the process until after 2 heaving of the petition. A hoaring was had at the recent term of the S. J. Court, and the Chief Justice, who presided, took the matter under advisement. It seems from the decision he has recently commnnicated to the Clerk of Courts, that the petition for new trial is dismissed. The original judgment therefore stands could inform the public respecting Dr. Treadwell's views in regard to this matter? He undoubtedly had some general plan of operation in his mind when he made the bequest. It isa pity that he did not explain in detail the course he wished the Society to pursue in their management of the farm. But as he has not done ths, it remains for the Society to adopt some plan that would seem the most expedient to carry out the will of the testator.

That he intended the farm should be used for ex perimental purposes, is made manifest by the conditions of the 'bequest, which provides that the farm shall be forfeited for the benefit of the Mass, Gen. Hospital, if it should ever be used for anything else except an experimental farm. 'The Society has no right to lease it, or to give it away, nor to place it beyond the control of the Society, by giving it up to the management of a single individual.

1. Itis proposed to make the farm the centre of all the operations of the Society ; the place for holding their Annual Exhibitions, and for all meetings for the transaction of the Society's business; the place for the Clerk's office, the library, cabinet and documents, and the depot for the livestock and other property of the Society, not in funds. For these purposes certain buildings should be erected on the farm, and the whole should bo placed under the management of a superintendent, whose qualifications are not particularized.

2. A second proposition is to give some practical farmer the rent and profits of the farm for an indefinite period, on the condition that he will perform certain experiments, proposed occasionally by the Trustees; or to give the rent and profits of the farm to any practical farmer who will agree to instruct a certain number of boys in the practical business of farming, thus making it a sort of private agricultural school.

number of the Society's Transactions. In this essay it is proposed to place a man of liberal education upon the farm as Superintendent, who should make it a sort of 'depot of general, practical and scientific information. It should be his duty, besides overseeing the practical operations of the farm, to keep a journal 'of. these operations, 'also meteorological and entomological journals, to which the members of the Society and others might refer for any information which they might afford ; the Superintendent holding a correspondence with other societies and experimenters, and furnishing periodical reports to the Trustees. The labor of the farm would be performed by hired men under his supervision. This plan might easily be combined with the one under the first head.

Lastly it has been proposed to give the farm up entirely to the management of some Ligeti farmer, who should occupy it and enjoy its profits, free of rent, for a period of 10, 15, or 20 years, on the condition of keeping a daily journal of all his processes and their results. The Society would exercise no control over its management except to see that the occupant complied with the conditions, and to use the matter of his journal for the benefit of the public. Drill.

TorsFIELD ACADEMY. - The Semi-Annual Examination of this successful Institution was on Wednesday, July 15th. The writer had the pleasure of being present in the afternoon, and was highly interested. The exercises commenced with singing by the members of the school, which convinced all that there was no lack of musical talent. Declamations were then given by J. H. Byne, of Galveston, Texas; M. V. B. Perley, of Ipswich; and A. D. Pearson, of Topsfield, all of whom did credit to themselves and the school.

The Orations, with the subjects, were as follows : - The Sons of Liberty, George P. Flint, North Reading; Struggles, Jefferson K. Cole, Boxtord:- Death, Oicnce Fowler, Danvers; Mental Culture, ane J. Ames, Vershire, Vt.; Influence of Great Men on their Age, Henry

G. Rollins, Georgetown. 'The orations were creditable to their writers and. the school. The last one, by H. G. Rollins, would compare favorably with the best productions of college graduates, and do honor to many men of high pretensions. Next came the reading of the paper published by the school. The Editor, H. G. Rollins, introduced Miss Abbie Cole of Topsfield and Miss Mary Cushing of Williamstown, as the readers, Who interested those present, for the space of half an hour, with rich gems of thought and wit, cansing many a hearty laugh.

We next listened to the reading of essays by the following ladies of the graduating class : - Cornelia M. Thurston of Vershire, Vt.. Margaret A. Hoyt, Georgetown, Charlotte A. Perkins, and Ellen F. Kimball of Topsfield. The essays were finely written and very pleasing. The one by Miss Kimball, on the Marriage of the Hemispheres, was particularly good, being written in an easy, natural style, and well read.

At the close of the exercises, Diplomas were presented to those graduating, with appropriate remarks by the worthy and able Principal, O. D. Allis, A. M.

Although we were told by the Principal that the past torm had not been so fully attended as previous terms, yet the school was ina healthy and promising state, and as Jong as its present Board of Teachers remain, we have high hopes of its success.

TopsrieLp. In Topsfield, the noble old pine, which has been a conspicuous object for many years, near the entrance of the village, on land of Mr. Orne, was struck by lightning, on Thursday, and split in two.

Institution. The report has by some means gone abroad that immorality is permitted to exist here to a great extent without molestation. Now, while it is true, that here, as in every other large school, improprieties have sometimes occurred, yet, as in all well conducted schools, they have been promptly and thoroughly banished as soon as discovered. And we are confident that amore upright and moral school than this has been for some time past, and now is, cannot be found.

Mr. Allis, the Principal, is eminently successful as a teacher and disciplinarian. He takes the deepest interest in the moral and religious 'training of his students, and employs no teachers but those of the first order, whose whole time and energies are devoted to their classes und the school, and those who are experimentally acquainted with the Christian religion.

The location of the Academy is one of the finest in the country. It is situated on the Newburyport Railroad, twenty-five miles from Boston, nine miles from Salem, and twelve miles from Newburyport. It cecupies a beautiful eminence, ina central part of the village of Topsfield, commanding a fine view of the surrounding scenery. The town is free from those allurements to vice, drinking and gaming saloons, &c., which are found in most of our towns and villages. 'here are two churches, of the Methodist and Congrecational denominations, a one or the other of which all the students who board in town are required to attend regularly.

While the teachers strive to impart good moral and religious lessons, they are careful to avoid sectarianism in all its forms, so that this is a school for all denominations. In short, we believe that in small expense, in thorough mental discipline, and in freedom from immoral influences, this school possesses advantages over most of our New England schools, and we most heartily recommend it to public favor and patronage. CIVIS.

Although one of our lions, in the shape of a farm, met with a little accident i, by some of the stock falling through the floor, which certainly would not have happened if the oxen had not been heavier than any others that had been there before; for I understand the brick was entirely new. The next im course, as you proceed north, is the Treadwell E arm, if not now a lion, is destined ere long to become one; and, we think, has already made a very good beginning, having garnered three hundred bushels of shelled corn the first year of its improved culture, to say nothing of other products. Advance one step further north, and you find yourself in the best Oey ier ] garden in the county of Essex, where they sell apples at T dollars a barrel the present season. Advance some 30 minutes' walk further, and you come to a young pear tree, which produced the income of 12 dollars at six dollars per bushel, the present year.

If Topsfield is not quite a city, it has been predicted that it will become one day a seaport; and we had last week some very fine speeches from Gen. Oliver, who, if not a mayor then, is now; and has left his mantle with us, which we hope will one day spread over the city of Topsfield, or some other in the county.

A little neuen happened to the General, while visiting the schools. While spending an hour or so in the South School, the General, by his easy, familiar and childlike manner, soon attracted the attention of the whole school. Ie came to one little bright-eyed and intellectual boy, eight or ten years old, and who had commenced attending school that day, a perfect stranger to the teacher and the Committee present. The General, amone other questions, asked the little boy what his name was. 'The boy very innocently answered, - " Henry K. Oliver Batchelder!" 'The General was not aware he had got so near home.

Last week we were informed that there was no sleighing between Topsfield and Salem; but that from Topsfield to the Canada line the sleighine was perfect.

TopsFiELD. - The bill of mortality in this town for the last year presents a remarkable aspect. Only twenty-two persons have died, the oldest of whom was 89. I'our were quite young children, and the remainder were adults, the whole number giving the extraordinary average of more than 50 years. T here are few towns which can show a better general bill than ans field. - eg.

Torsrinip. Eleazer Lake and brother shot, on Saturday last, cn the Ipswich river, in Topsfield, seventy muskrats, in fifty-five shots; a great day's work at gunning.

To be sold at Private Sale ail together or in lots to suit purchasers, the valuable Harm formerly known as the DAVID LAKE HARM, containing about one hundred acres of as good land as can be found in kssex County, upon which is a good dwelling-house, two stories high, well supplied with water: two large Barns, one nearly new. Also, a new building, suitable for a Shoe Manufactory, or can be easily made into a dwelling-house.

The Farn) is among the most desirable in Topsfield - Seventy-five acres of it lie ina body near the house, and is suitably divided by good stone wall; bounded on the southerly side by the beautiful stream of water, the Ipswich River, which runs on the south side for a considerable distance. This farm is situated in a pleasant and beautiful location. A part of it is upon high land, and commands an extensive prospect of the adjacent country, and is capable of being cnt up into superior house lots; this part is bounded by the road on the west, directly opposite the property of Asahel Iluntington and George Wheatland, lusqs., of Salem, on the east by land owned by Hon. John Cleaveland, of New York.

Also, four acres of Woodland, in Willis' Woods, in Boxford. Six acres of excellent Salt Marsh in one lot, also another of two acres, both situated on the Hundreds in Ipswich.

The above named farm is well worthy the attention of those who wish to purchase a good estate. It is in one of the best neighborhoods - in a locality combining great beauty, health and social benefits of the highest order. It is a few minutes walk from the Topsfield depot; and the village in which are two flourishing churches, good common schools, and an academy for the education of both sexes, which is acknowledged unsurpassed by any similar institution in Essex county.

Topsfield is situated upon the Newburyport Railroad ; is one hour's ride from Boston, and 85 minutes from Newburyport. For further particulars apply to ANDREW GOULD, in Topsfield. ) THOMAS J. CLARK. Amesbury, April 12, 1859.

TOPSFIELD. - The students of Topsfield Academy will give an exhibition at Union Hall, on Thursday evening, May 5th. The exhibition will consist of original orations, colloguies, tableaux, recitations, &c. The music will be an attractive feature of the exhibition, being both vocal and instrumental.

The Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Topsfield has a vein of excellent good sense running through it. The Committee say:

In our connection with the schools this year, we have observed less disposition among the scholars to attend to fancy branches of studies, to the neglect of the more fundamental and essential branches, such as Reading, Spelling, Writing, Arithmetic, and Grammar; and we think these branches are much more important, in the order which we have named them. That is, Reading is of the first importance, and Spelling next.

As to the higher branches, Physiology and most of the ologies, which are directed by tho Legislature to be taught in our common schoola, we think they should be confined to the higher schools. It ought not to be required of teachers to be Jearned in these branches; they belong more particularly to professors in colleges and other high institutions of learning. I*emales, especially, who are the best teachers for youth, would not spend the time for so great a preparation, in view of the short term which they design for teaching. The smattering of very impe sriect knowledge which the pupil would set from such imperfect teaching, could not be very useful or valuable.

Topsrintp ACADEMY. - The Semi-annual Examination of this Institution took place on Wednesday, July 13. It was pleasurable and highly instructive to listen to the Rhetorical Exercises in the afternoon, which consisted of Essays, Recitations, Declamations and Orations. The Essays, by both ladies and gentlemen, displayed much sound practical thought and ready wit,. both of which were not wanting in the Poem entitled " Gumption," written by Miss Lucie Weston. 'The Recitations were a very interesting feature of the exercise, delivered by A. M. Merriam, JW ae G. Welch and J. B. Putnam, who, in his always remarkably good manner of speaking, acted the « Lay of ae hitie ae admirably, thrilling the breast of every hearer. he speakers of Declamations showed taste in selection, determination to improve, and a clear apprehension of the author's thoughts. Next were the Orations; one, entitled " Education, the Parent of Happiness and Prosperity," was neatly written by M. V. B. Perley; the other, entitled " Jephtha's Daughter," was so vividly described and delivered with such pathos, by G. F, Flint, that we could, iu imagination, behold the beautiful maiden kneeling before her valiant father to receive her death-blow, All who participated in the exercise (so many that this brief sketch forbids the insertion of all the names) gained credit for themselves and for the school, and showed that they possessed minds, capable, with proper cultivation, of wielding a mighty foree for the good of mankind.

number of its students increasing, and the buildings having lately undergone repairs. A. J. Dutton, A. B., Principal, isa worthy citizen and efficient teacher; and we,

Diep. In Somerville, July 18, of disease of the heart, Lydia Porter, wife of James W. Stearns, Esq., formerly of Salem, aad daughter of the late Billy Emerson, Lisq., of Topsfield, 66 yrs. 8 mos. 23 days.

The condition of this school has been uniformly satisfactory. The instruction has been thorough and accurate, and the discipline of the most pleasant and salutary nature.

The principal, with his highly accomplished aids, have succeeded, in a good degree, in inspiring their pupils with that feeling of self- -respect which tends so greatly to promote propriety of deportment and manliness of bearing. The most kindly feeling exists between the teachers and pupils, each having the confidence in the other which is so essential to and promotive of right action. On the last day of examination the hall was crowded with spectators, all the exercises were such as to afford indubitable evidence of great industry and fidelity on the part of teachers and pupils. The exercises of the afternoon were particularly interesting, consisting of Compositions, Recitations and Orations. The compositions were put up in paper-like form, and read by two ladies and two gents. 'There was much talent exhibited in preparing the articles furnished. 'There are many excellent writers in this school, as was seen by the Orations which followed. They were delivered by Geo. F. Flint, John W. Perkins and Geo. I. Welch. Mr. Welch is a superior speaker as well as an excellent writer. The recitations were highly creditable, having a variety of the pathetic, dictactive, and humorous.

We rejoice to hear of the improvement about to be made from the proceeds of their recent Leves, and we have full confidence the pupils will strive diligently to have their deportment and improvement such as will indicate a proper appreciation of their extra privileges.

It is a matter of sincere regret on the part of all concerned, that the school is about to lose the services of Mrs Jones, the highly accomplished and efficient assistant. She has been connected with this school for several years, and her labors have been eminently and entirely satisfaetory. She has enjoyed the confidence of her patrons, and she will ever be gratefully remembered by her pupils.

A Spectator

The Winter Term of this old and well known Institution will commence MONDAY, Nov. 28. 'Tuition and Board as heretofore. For a Catalogue or further information, address the Principal, A. A. Dutton.

Historical Notes

Topsheld, Dec. 17, 17 75. After repeated attendance on Divine Worship, it being the evening of the Sabbath, without any previous complaint, sunk down in his seat and suddenly departed this life, MLIsAn PorRTER, sq. ; in the 63d year of his age; a person of good endowments, natural and acquired, which rendered him a great blessing to his family and friends, by whom he was highly valued for his sensible, serious and pleasant conversation, as well as benevolent disposition. His death is greatly lamented by his relations and acquaintance ; but, blessed be God, they don't mourn as those who have no hope.

Topsfield, June 16 1788 Recd of Daniel Bixby Guardian to Reuben Perkins the Sum of two Pounds Fourteen Shillings it being one half of the Sum agreed to give the Subscriber in Consideration of said Reuben Perkins Liveing with him twelve months in the winter Season in order to Learn a Shoe

Topsfield, June 23d, 1792 Publick Notice is hereby given to the Inhabitants of said Towne that the School will be kept at the house of Mr. David Townes on Monday the 25th Day of June dau. of Paul and Lucia (Le Caporal) La,Cassessa. Spencer Linwood, son of Ralph E. and Ines L. (Stetson) Newell. Alexander, son of David and Gesualda (Abbadessa) Gangi. Elizabeth, dau. of John and Margaret (MacClellan) McQuade.

Elmer B. Jr., son of Elmer B. and Anna G. (Blaney) Thomas Priscilla, dau. of Frederick M. and Mabel R. (Towne) Peabody. - dau. of fohn W. and Florence M. (Derry) Fuller.

Vital Statistics For I9Q12

Clarence M. Severance (Topsfield), son of Frederick and Margaret E. (Margeson) Severance. Catherine E. Melin (Topsfield), dau. of John and Mary (Dunning)

Melin. {Mark R. Hodges (Topsfield), son of Benjamin and Maria R. (Reynolds) Hodges. Ida E. Williams (Topsfield), dau. of Henry 3B. and Frances (Parton) Williams. |

Rat Arg Vital Statistics For 1912

Harriet Lucy, widow of Calvin Fuller and dau. of Andrew and Mary (Lake) Gould, aged 75 yrs., 7 days. Carlo, son of Joseph and Saverio (Montcalvo) Gesauldo, aged 1g yrs. Mary S., widow of David G. Perkins and dau. of Anthony and Sarah (Tomkins) Chase, aged 84 yrs., 2 mos., 14 days. James W., son of Thomas and Margaret (Riley) Cass, aged 68 yrs. Elizabeth R., wife of William Keith and dau. of James R. and Jenet (Watt) Michie, aged 43 yrs., 4 mos., I day.

Chronology Of Events In Topsfield In 1912

James P. Hale, High St.; bungalow. John S. Lawrence, Ipswich St.; bungalow and carriage house. Herbert D. Northey, off Prospect St.; house and garage. | Thomas P. Pingree, Colerain; dy cline pues: | Hiram L. Clay, Colerain; dwelling-house. Henry B. Williams, West S.; dwelling-house. Charles P. Potter, Central St.; barn. Franklin Balch, Salem St.; piazza. George H. Shattuck, Wenham St.; pump-house. | Thomas W. Pierce, Boston St.; bungalow and pump-house. | George Francis Dow, Main St.; the Wildes-Hutchings house removed to High St.,and remodelled into two dwelling-houses. Merrill B. Bailey, Main St.; shoe manufactory taken down and removed to Georgetown. Union Metalic Paint Co., off West St.; shop.