remonstrance, in which they were joined by the people in those portions
of the three adjoining towns not included in the proposed new township.
In this remonstrance every statement of the petitioners was denied, and
the whole thing denounced as visionary. This matter engrossed the
attention of both parties during 1790, and the result was that the
General Court refused to incorporate the new town.
After such a vigorous contest a brief breathing spell was necessary; but
Sept. 7, 1791, the town voted, forty-one to twenty-three, "to erect a
new meeting-house in the centre of the town, or in the nearest
convenientest place thereto." This double-barrelled superlativeness
shows that the spirit of the people was by no means cast down by the
fruitless struggle of five years. At this meeting a committee was
appointed to plan a new house. Oct. 10, this committee reported to the
town "to build a house sixty by forty-six feet, with a porch at each end
twelve by eleven feet, with stairs into the galleries." There were to be
forty-six pews on the ground floor, and twenty-five in the galleries, to
be sold to the highest bidders, and three years were to be allowed in
which to build the house. This report was accepted at a meeting held
Nov. 14, 1791. A committee was also chosen to clear a site upon the land
purchased of Thomas Boynton and build the house. Dec. 27, 1791, the town
with its usual consistency voted "to dismiss the committee chosen to
build a new meeting-house from further service." Thus the matter again
stood as at the beginning.
For nearly three years thereafter the pot continued to boil, but nothing
more was done about church affairs in town meeting, except that on May
17, 1793, the people showed their obstinacy by refusing "to repair the
meeting-house windows, and to paint the outside of the meeting-house."
Sept. 3, 1794, operations were again renewed by voting "to erect a
meeting-house in the centre of the town, or in the nearest convenientest
place thereto, to accommodate the inhabitants thereof for divine
worship." Three disinterested individuals, Joseph Stearns and David
Kilburn of Lunenburg, and Benjamin Kimball of Harvard, were chosen by
ballot as a committee to discover that much-to-be-desired spot, "the
nearest convenientest place to the centre." They found the centre to be
a little less than a quarter of a mile north-east of the pound, but
considered the most eligible location for the house to be about a half a
mile south of this point, which would have placed it near the present
junction of Main and River Streets. Oct. 21 a meeting was called to
hear their report and it was rejected 36 to 29. So the opinions of
interested and disinterested persons seem to have been considered of
about equal value--as good for nothing.
Nov. 21, 1794, a motion "to place the meeting-house on the spot where
the committee out of town proposed" was negatived, forty-eight to
forty-five. A committee was then appointed to select a suitable place.
Dec. 1 this committee reported in favor of "setting the meeting-house
near the high bridge, under the hill" (the place the out-of-town
committee had proposed). This report was accepted, sixty-one to
forty-seven. A town meeting was therefore called Jan. 8, 1795, to choose
a committee to purchase the land agreed upon; but at the meeting the
town refused to choose such a committee, and so ended the plan of
building a meeting-house there.
Jan. 26, 1795, the town voted "to erect a meeting-house on the town's
land they purchased of Thomas Boynton, about five rods south-west from a
large white oak tree, and to pattern it after the Leominster
meeting-house." It was to be completed by the last day of December,
1796.
Feb. 9, 1795, the town chose a committee of three "to view Ashburnham
meeting-house, and take a plan of the inside, and consult with Asa
Kendall of Ashby for the mode of finishing the inside, and laying a plan
for building the house." A week later the report of this committee was
heard and accepted, and it was voted to pattern the new house after the
one in Ashburnham. "Likewise voted to have the length of said house
sixty-two by forty-eight feet, the posts to said house to be
twenty-seven feet in length, and that the undertaker to build the house
give bonds, with good bondsmen, to fulfil the contract." The contract
was given to John Putman, Jr. Then followed other town meetings which
regulated the size of joists to be used, and other minor matters that
need not be here dwelt upon, Sept. 1, 1795, a committee of five was
chosen "to stake out and oversee the clearing and levelling of the
meeting-house spot for the underpinning on the town land." At this
meeting it was also voted "that the Selectmen lay out a four-rod road in
the best place to accommodate the travel to the new meeting-house spot."
At this time plans seem to have been perfected, and the prospect of a
new house on the town land tolerably assured; but Oct. 19, 1795,
everything was completely upset. On that day a meeting was called "to
know the sense of the town whether the former vote in placing said
meeting-house should be altered." After some wrangling, it was decided
by a vote of forty-four to thirty "to place the new meeting-house at the
crotch of the roads, near Capt. William Brown's house" (very near the
present junction of Main, Mechanic, and Academy Streets). This decision
was final. It is rather difficult to see how it happened to be, for this
site was a little east of the town land. The opposition put in one final
blow in this way. It was designed to have the house face directly "down
street" and the underpinning was laid with a view to this, but the
opposition party mustered enough strength to change the plan so that it
should face the south and "stand cornerwise to the street."
So the momentous question was finally settled, and early in the summer
of 1796 the raising occurred. This was of course an event of great
importance, and extensive preparations were made to celebrate it. On May
9, 1796, a town meeting was called "to see if the town will make any
provision for the refreshment of the Raisers and also the Spectators
that shall attend upon the raising of the new meeting-house." It was
then and there voted most amicably and unanimously "that the town
provide one barrill W. I. Rum and Loaf Sugar sufficient to make it into
Toddy for refreshment for the Raisers and Spectators that shall attend
the raising of the new meeting-house." A committee was also chosen,
consisting of _Deacon_ Daniel Putman, _Deacon_ Ephraim Kimball, _Deacon_
Kendall Boutelle, Reuben Smith, Joseph Polley, Dr. Jonas Marshall, and
Asa Perry, "to deal out the Liquor to the Raisers and Spectators on
Raising Day." It would seem as if a barrel of rum would suffice to make
enough toddy to satisfy the cravings of all that would gather to witness
this raising, but the people were evidently overflowing with
hospitality, and bound to have a rousing time after waiting for it so
long, for before the adjournment of the meeting it was voted "that the
committee to deal out the Liquor and Sugar sufficient for the Raisers
and Spectators, in case the barrill of W. I. Rum and Sugar already voted
should be insufficient, procure more and bring in their account to the
town for allowance."
This was the only meeting in ten years where there was no contention or
bitterness of feeling. For once these good people were all of the same
mind, and a "barrill of W. I. Rum," which in these days gives rise to
such excited controversy, in the presumably degenerate days of 1796
acted like oil upon the troubled waters.
The raising came off successfully, but it is not definitely stated how
much rum was consumed thereat. However here is a copy of the order to
reimburse Deacon Boutelle for the refreshment expenses.
"Fitchburg, May y'e 12: 1796.
"To Ebenezer Thurston Town treasurer you are hereby Directed to
pay De'n Kendall Boutwell thirty eight Dollars and one Cent it
being for providing Rum and Shugar for the Raising of the new
Meeting house and this with his Rec't shall be your Discharge
for the above sum
D C JOHN THURSTON }
38 1 PAUL WETHERBEE } _Selectmen._"
On the back of this order is written the receipt and settlement as
follows:--
1796
"may y'e 12 Recd a Note in behalf of the Town of fitchburg of
thirty Eight Dollers and one Sent in full of the within Order
"KENDAL BOUTELL"
"April 19:1797 Order Settled with the treasurer"
Such in substance was the controversy about the location of the
meeting-house. The contest was characterized by zeal, obstinacy, and
bitterness, manifested equally by both factions, and so fierce was the
strife that the people of adjoining towns, for miles around, were in the
habit of flocking into Fitchburg to attend town meetings.
The edifice was dedicated Jan. 19, 1797, Rev. Zabdiel Adams of Lunenburg
preaching the sermon. This house became, a few years later, the church
of the First Parish (Unitarian) in Fitchburg, and stood until 1836, when
it was removed, and a brick church, now standing, was built by the
Unitarians on nearly the same site.
FOOTNOTES:
[B] Torrey's "History of Fitchburg," Fitchburg, 1836.
ABBOT ACADEMY.[C]
BY ANNIE SAWYER DOWNS.
[Illustration: ABBOT ACADEMY.]
Joseph Cook says, "Andover, Mass., has founded several new Institutions.
Under the elms on Andover Hill is a study, in which a prayer-meeting was
once held weekly to devise ways and means of doing good. There
originated the first religious newspaper. There began its existence an
American Tract Society which now sifts its printed counsels, like the
dew, over a hemisphere. There, in imitation of a Scottish custom, was
instituted the American missionary monthly concert of prayer, in
response to the wants of an American Missionary Society, also
originating in Andover, and on whose operations now the moon goes not
down by night nor the sun by day. There had its birth the American
Education Society, which to-day rings its college bells all the way from
Niagara to the Yosemite. There was commenced the American Temperance
Society, which in our crowded cities has before it a work of which even
wakeful eyes do not yet see more than a glimpse of the importance." It
was, therefore, natural that the first incorporated school for the
higher education of girls in this Commonwealth should find its
birthplace in Andover; and that the first public meeting of which we
have any record whose sole object was the education of girls, should
have been held in its South parish, Feb. 19, 1828, at the house of James
Locke, Esq. The meeting adjourned after voting "that it was desirable
and necessary a female academy should be established in this place,"
leaving the matter in the hands of a committee who were to raise funds
and see if a lot of land could be obtained. At the next meeting, on the
4th of March, only a fortnight later, this committee reported that the
way was clear to draw up a constitution, buy a lot of land, erect a
brick building two stories high, for which funds should be raised by
subscription, and that the school should be put under the charge of
trustees. These trustees, seven in number, were: Rev. Milton Badger,
pastor of the South Church, Andover; Rev. Samuel C. Jackson, pastor of
the West Parish Church, who served until his death, a period of more
than fifty years; Samuel Farrar, Esq., treasurer of Phillips Academy;
Hon. Hobart Clark, State Senator; Mark Newman, formerly principal of
Phillips Academy; Amos Abbot, Member of Congress, and Amos Blanchard,
succeeded in later years by his son, Rev. Dr. Amos Blanchard of Lowell.
Drs. Badger and Jackson and Esquire Farrar were to draft a constitution,
while Messrs. Clark and Newman were to serve as a building committee.
But, alas! then, as now, it was easy to vote away money, but not easy to
collect it; easy to order buildings begun, but hard to find any way to
pay for them. So at a trustee meeting, July 4, 1828, it was voted that
it was not expedient to erect a building for the Female Academy with
their present means. At the Semi-Centennial of Abbot Academy in June,
1879, several persons were present who remembered the sadness and
disappointment which settled down upon the hearts which had been so
sanguine of success when the plan was first made public. But it is
always darkest just before day, and on July 24, 1828, "most important
information" was communicated at a meeting of the trustees. The first
site selected had not been universally approved. A lady, daughter of Mr.
Adams, then Principal of Phillips Academy, writes, "It was the
determination to put the new academy on Main Street; but many Andover
mothers were dissatisfied, as this was the street most frequented by
Theologues and Phillips boys. My mother and Mrs. Stuart consequently
drew up a petition requesting a change in location. Elizabeth Stuart
(mother of Elizabeth Stuart Phelps) and I circulated said petition. When
we had received a sufficient number of signatures, it was handed to the
trustees, who deemed the 'objections formidable'; so a portion of the
'important information' was that Deacon Mark Newman had presented the
enterprise an acre of land on School Street, and that Madam Sarah Abbot
pledged one thousand dollars to be paid at her death." Esquire Farrar
was ready to advance the money on such security, and it was gratefully
voted to take the deed of Deacon Newman, and begin directly to build
from a plan furnished by Mr. Goddard, Principal-elect. Mr. David Hidden
of Newburyport contracted to do the work, being assisted by Mr. William
Saunders of Cambridge, who, it is said, is proud to claim the honor of
having made the columns which support the front portico. Professor Park,
who came of age the year Abbot Academy was born, and who entered Andover
Theological Seminary the autumn the Academy was building, and who often
amused himself by walking upon the uncovered floor joists, adds his
testimony to that of many contemporary notices which declare the
completed structure, with its fine proportions and classic porch, to be
not only the pride of the town but of Essex County.
[Illustration]
So Abbot Female Academy fell into line with the other beneficent
institutions established by men of kindred blood to its founder, and
who, like her, were enthusiastic in their love for learning, passionate
in their benevolence, and extraordinarily endowed with common sense.
[Illustration: BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE PROPOSED BUILDINGS.]
[Illustration]
The act of incorporation was passed Jan. 25, 1829; and there is no
record that any opposition was made or any encouragement offered,
although all were aware that it was a pioneer enterprise, for a local
journal says, "Abbot Academy is the first house built in New England by
a corporation for the exclusive work of educating women." Madam Sarah
Abbot not only pledged the one thousand dollars before mentioned, but
advanced additional moneys from time to time when the exigencies
threatened destruction; and so arranged her property before her death in
1848, that two years later, upon the 28th of February, 1850, the
trustees came into possession of a sufficient sum to make the whole
amount $10,109.04. Naturally enough the infant institution took her
name, for, though Abbot Academy has received many donations since
Esquire Farrar electrified her by his decided advice, "Surplus money!
Use it to found an academy in Andover for the education of women!" she
is still its largest as well as its first giver. The grand-daughter[D]
of one Abbot, the daughter of another, and the wife of a third, she led
a secluded life, unillumined by those opportunities for culture which
she appreciated highly for others, and oftentimes, without doubt, like
other great benefactors, half uncertain if the generosity, which to her
more than frugal habits must have seemed excessive, was not as
injudicious as it was unusual. For, as Rev. Phillips Brooks said at a
meeting on behalf of Abbot Academy, in Boston, upon the 12th of January,
at the time the school was founded, great ideas and great processes
which have not yet begun to fulfil themselves had just begun to impress
themselves on men's minds. The old and the new existed together; and
that Madam Abbot, without advantages of early education herself, could
so entirely have appreciated them that she was willing to bestow her all
upon the new scheme, speaks volumes for her strength and foresight. Her
portrait, probably painted by T. Buchanan Read, still hangs on the wall
of the pleasant hall built by her timely liberality; and women,
scattered all the way from Maine to Japan, as they recall its sagacious
features, quaint dress, and old-time air, say to their pupils, or record
in their books, or whisper lovingly to the little children round their
knees, that old Mrs. Abbot in far-off Andover was their real Alma Mater.
[Illustration: PLAN OF BASEMENT
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
ABBOT ACADEMY
ANDOVER, MASS.
H. W. HARTWELL & W. C. RICHARDSON ARCHITECTS
68 DEVONSHIRE ST., BOSTON, MASS.]
May 6, 1829, Abbot Academy opened with eighty-five pupils, from the
little ones who did not know their letters, to young women of eighteen
and twenty. One who was there says, "Henrietta Jackson (afterwards Mrs.
Dr. Cyrus Hamlin) sat at my left." Another describes the three gifted
daughters of Professor Stuart, one of whom became the first wife of
Professor Phelps and the mother of Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, who in her
turn has likewise been a pupil of the school. As we look over the list
of the girls who went in and out under the Ionic porch of the new
academy, we see they were by inheritance and nature well worthy the
broad and generous course of study marked out for them by Dr Jackson,
Samuel Farrar and the others. That course, of more than half a century
ago, was as wide as any laid down in the women's colleges to-day; and
although it was gradually modified in conformity with popular sentiment,
still it speaks well for the sagacity and practical wisdom of the
trustees. It is pleasant to note that Dr. Jackson lived to see his
theories of women's education carried into practice by the establishment
of colleges for them. Mr. Charles Goddard, grandson of Dr. Langdon,
president of Harvard University, was the first principal of Abbot
Academy. He was tall and fine looking, with refined and polished
manners, worshipped by the little girls and greatly admired by the older
ones, who, as one of their number writes "woke up wonderfully and
enjoyed their studies exceedingly." "It was the universal opinion," says
another, "that the advantages offered by Abbot Academy were very
superior to anything in the region, and the building was considered
commodious and elegant." French and German were taught by Dr. William
Gottlieb Schauffler, whose romantic history and extraordinary musical
gifts had already attracted much personal interest, and whose after
career has made his name a household word from the shores of the German
Ocean to the Stairs of the Bosphorus. Who wonders that he was a hero to
those girls of fifty years ago? No theological student called upon them
who had not some story to tell of his enthusiasm, daring or cleverness,
and how eagerly must they have listened as the adventures of his magic
flute were dwelt upon.
[Illustration: PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
ABBOT ACADEMY
ANDOVER, MASS.
H. W. HARTWELL & W. C. RICHARDSON ARCHITECTS
68 DEVONSHIRE ST., BOSTON, MASS.]
For twenty-one years Abbot Academy was under the charge of principals
who were all college graduates and men of exceptional powers, uncommon
cultivation, and thorough interest in their work. There was no fund
(then as now it depended upon its fees, systematically as low as
possible) to pay running expenses, and although its superior character
as a school attracted as many pupils as it could accommodate it had a
hard struggle to live. Very early in its existence it was evident that
its great lack was a boarding-house for students from a distance, and
many attempts were made to remedy the deficiency. If the principal had a
family, he accommodated all he could; the trustees provided for several
brief periods common tables, but generally they lived in private houses
scattered about the village.
In 1853 two great events took place. The first was the offering of the
principalship to a woman, and the second the resolve of the trustees
"that it is indispensable to the prosperity, and even perpetuity of the
Academy, to raise the sum of eight thousand dollars in order to procure
suitable accommodations for the boarding pupils." Although the link may
not be apparent, the second is really the logical result of the first
for it was the enthusiasm of Miss Nancy J. Haseltine, who had accepted
the position of principal, that urged them on with an irresistible
force. She had come to them from Townsend, Mass., bringing a large
following of pupils, and she found it impossible to provide for them
satisfactorily, besides she saw clearly, as the Punchard Free School was
opened in Andover that year, Abbot Academy must henceforth, as time has
proved, depend chiefly upon patronage from out of town. There was no
doubt about the situation of the new building, the only land the
trustees owned was the acre given them by Deacon Newman in 1829; so they
must set it in the rear of the Academy, but where could they get the
money? Again, man's extremity was God's opportunity. Deacon Peter
Smith, who offered the resolution, promised $1,000, Mr. John Smith
$1,500, though in reality the brothers Smith gave before the house was
finished enough to amount to $6,611. Justly was it named Smith Hall, for
its whole cost was but seven thousand thirty-three dollars and
sixty-four cents. But how was the great empty house to be furnished?
Mrs. H. B. Stowe, then living in Andover, talked it over with Mrs. Dr.
Jackson and Mrs. Professor Park and declared a festival should do it.
And the festival did bring in $2,000 which furnished Smith Hall, and
prouder, happier women never slept on Andover Hill than those who had so
courageously and triumphantly carried the plan through.
Smith Hall has now been far more than a quarter of a century the home of
the pupils of the academy, during that portion of the time when they are
not attending to modern languages. Poverty has been its constant
companion, sternly forbidding any unnecessary expenditures, yet it has
always presented a cheerful, even tasteful appearance to strangers, as
well as to the scores of girls who cherish its memory tenderly. The
highly successful term of Miss Nancy J. Haseltine was all too brief, and
after her, Miss Maria J. Brown and Miss Emma L. Taylor, sister of Dr. S.
H. Taylor, filled the last three years of the first thirty of Abbot
Academy. In September, 1859, the present principal, Miss Philena McKeen,
entered upon her duties, bringing with her from Oxford, Ohio, her
sister, Miss Phebe F. McKeen, as first assistant. Miss McKeen's
management of affairs has been as wise as fortunate, as disinterested as
successful, and Abbot Academy now stands among the very first of the
girls' schools in the country.