Education. 105 



shop on South Street, and it stands upon its original lot. It 

 continued to be used for the " female school " until the house on 

 Elm Street was enlarged in 1849. In 1840 it was enlarged by 

 an addition of eleven feet to its length. After it was abandoned 

 for the use of a schoolhou.se it was let by the town for business 

 purposes, and was finally sold in 1863. It was originally a one- 

 story building. 



In 1829 the town voted to build four new schoolhouses, for the 

 "male schools." They were similar in style, the one in North Dis- 

 trict being larger than the others. The dimensions of the one in 

 this district were 31 X 40 feet, and 13 feet in height, with accom- 

 modations for 125 scholars. This building was opened for a 

 school, July 12, 1830, with appropriate exercises, including an 

 address by Rev. Joseph Richardson. 



In 1830 the hill in front of the Academy was removed. The 

 house standing thereon, which was the one built in 1806, was re- 

 moved to the West District, and fitted up for the " female school." 

 Its subsequent history will be found in that district. 



In 1848 the town voted to make an addition to the length of 

 the house in Elm Street (built in 1829-30) and to add another 

 story to its height. This house was rededicated in 1849, Rev. 

 Henry Hersey making an appropriate address on the occasion. It 

 is the large schoolhouse which is now in use there. 



In 1878 a new one-story house was built for the Intermediate 

 School upon a lot adjoining the other schoolhouse lot on Elm 

 Street, and is now in use for that purpose. 



2. West District. 



The question of building a schoolhouse at the west end of the 

 town for the accommodation of the school came before the town, 

 according to the records, as early as 1774, and again in 1784. 

 But it was not until 1795 that a disposition was shown to supply 

 the want of that section. In 1795 it was voted to build a school- 

 house at the west end of the North Parish. The inhabitants of 

 that district, however, could not agree upon a suitable location. 

 For nearly a year there was controversy upon the subject. One 

 committee after another was appointed to " appoint a spot " and 

 report to the town; and it was not until a committee was appointed 

 in 1796 to confer with the inhabitants of the west part of the 

 town and agree with them, if possible, upon a location, and " if 

 not, to set it where they think proper," that the matter was decided. 

 It was located in the square near Marsh's Bridge, about where the 

 reservoir now is, upon what was then a slight elevation. In 1815 it 

 was moved to the lot near by, just west of where George Hersey 

 & Co.'s store now stands, backing upon the brook. The people 

 of the district had a cupola built upon its roof, and furnished 

 it with a bell, which was regularly rung for school and at other 

 times until about 1822, when it became cracked. The building 

 was of poor material and was sold in 1829 for $15. Being unfit for 

 removal, it was demolished. Its dimensions were 19 X 25 feet. 



