History of Schools in Putnam, Connecticut
Schools received immediate care from the fathers of Putnam. Their first
meeting as a school society was held at Quinebaug Hall, July 9th, 1855.
Moses Chandler was chosen clerk and treasurer. The first school committee
were its honored citizens, Chandler A. Spalding, Richmond M. Bullock and
Lucian Carpenter. Reverend Charles Willett, Messrs. Harrison Johnson, G.
W. Phillips, W. W. White and Nathan Williams were appointed school
visitors; Lucian Carpenter, collector. At the second meeting, September
21st, Messrs. Manning, Willett and B. F. Hutchins were empowered to set
out and bound districts. October 6th, a larger number were designated for
the important service of investigating and fixing suitable district
boundaries, viz., James Allen, William Tourtellote, Alvan D. Potter, Henry
Hough, L. Hopkins. Their elaborate report was mainly accepted, and after
some minor alterations the bounds were allowed nearly as at present. Some
distant portions of the territory were associated with adjoining districts
in other towns. The six districts wholly included in Putnam, after
subsequent changes and consolidation, were generally known as: 1, East
Putnam; 2, South Neighborhood; 3, Putnam Heights; 4, Gary District; 5,
Depot Village; 6, Rhodesville. The first formal school' report was
presented by Visitors Horace Seamans and Daniel Plimpton in 1859. Number
of children then reported in town, 685; number of nonattendants, 196. The
expense of maintaining public schools for the year, including repairs of
school houses, was nineteen 'hundred dollars; monthly wages paid to male
teachers, $31.27, to female teachers, $16.54. Judge Seamans resigned his
position in 1862, after seven years' faithful service, his experience in
teaching and deep interest in public education and the growth of the town,
giving much weight to his counsel and judgment. Doctor Plimpton succeeded
as chairman of the board of visitors. The growth of the schools in the
central districts was now very rapid, demanding new school houses and
additional teachers. In his careful reports Doctor Plimpton urged with
much earnestness the special needs of Putnam village, viz., the
consolidation of the two districts, and the establishment of graded
schools with suitable high school. This project was warmly discussed,
having earnest friends and equally earnest opponents.
In 1866 a vote was carried. in town meeting to accept the act of
legislature allowing consolidation and a Union school district. Strenuous
objections were made at the time, especially from the upper district. At a
special town meeting, January 5th, 1867, this vote was rescinded by 93
versus 90. Agitation continued, and zealous efforts on both sides,
resulting in what was called "the Sixth District School Fight," an episode
in Putnam's history meriting Carlyle's " wise oblivion." A motion from one
of the chief, opposers of consolidation laid the question on the table by
a final vote of 140 versus 111.
Doctor Plimpton was succeeded as chairman of the board of visitors by
Reverend G. J. Tillotson, who, like his predecessors, gave much time and.
thought to the interests of the schools, especially those of the central
districts, now numbering 672 of the 838 children. Irregular attendance and
lack of accommodation and suitable classification were greatly deplored.
In 1869 new buildings were reported, with over a thousand children.
Another veteran schoolteacher, Mr. J. J. Green, was now very active in
school affairs, himself instructing adult pupils in a night school. Doctor
Bronson and Mr. W. H. Ward also served very efficiently on the school
board. As the children of the early residents of the town grew up into
maturity the need of higher educational privileges was more vitally
apparent. July 25th, 1873, a meeting was called to consider the question
of establishing a high school. A motion to dissolve the meeting was lost
by a majority of ten. A majority of twelve voted to establish a high
school in Putnam. It was further voted to raise $12,000 for school lot and
building. Messrs. Manning, Alton, Wheelock, Wilson and Fisher were chosen
a committee to discharge all duties relating to the projected school;
Messrs. Chamberlain, Houghton, Capen, H. N. Brown, Salem Ballard,
committee for site. Land was purchased from Mr. G. M. Morse. Messrs.
Phillips, Carpenter, G. M. Morse, Capen and Wheelock were appointed
committee for building. A room was hired for school purposes and the high
school actually begun during this year. Additional funds were needed for
building purposes in the autumn. The prospect of a heavy debt and greatly
increased school expenditures was very distasteful to taxpayers in the
town, especially to those who had no personal interest in a high school.
October 6th the town was again called together, to reconsider the question
and rescind previous votes. A majority of 47 authoritatively decided that
the school had come to stay; that a public high school had become an
imperative necessity. Fortynine pupils were reported the first term, with
Latham Fitch principal, and Ellen Osgood assistant. The school building
was dedicated, with appropriate exercises, December 1st, 1874.
Superintendent Northrup and other prominent friends of education were
present. The number of pupils was then 65-8 from outside the town.
In the fifteen years following this opening the school has been well
sustained. Competent and faithful teachers have required and secured a
high standard of scholarship. Hundreds of pupils within the limits of the
town, and a goodly number of outside pupils, have enjoyed its advantages.
Public graduation exercises from year to year have excited much interest.
Scholars have gone out fitted for higher seminaries and college, and for
various departments of business and usefulness. Graduates and scholars
have united in a Putnam High School Association, keeping alive friendship
and interest by pleasant Field-days "in Roseland Park. At the close of the
last school year nine graduates participated in the exercises. The
influence of the school has been every way salutary and stimulating. The
public schools throughout the town are in good condition. An interesting
report is recently given of the closing exercises in Sawyer's district,
formerly " District No. 1," of the town of Thompson. Out of forty-two
scholars the average attendance was thirty-seven. The number of children
reported in Putnam in 1888, between four and sixteen years of age, was
1,558; account for high school, $2,277.82; for district schools,
$5,677.45; for night schools, $349.83. School visitors: Lucius H. Fuller,
Eric H. Johnson, J. B. Kent, Omer La Rue, Frank H. Church, Darius S.
Skinner. Mr. Skinner also serves as truant officer.
Parochial schools are also maintained for the boys and girls of the
Catholic parish, under the auspices and superintendence of Father Vygen.
The school house was built in 1873, together with a very commodious and
ample edifice, designed for a first class boarding school for young
ladies, conducted by Sisters of Mercy. These buildings are on the church
grounds, near St. Joseph's Hall and the ruins of St. Mary's church, and
are fitted up with great care and taste. Part of the cost was defrayed by
the insurance on the burnt cathedral. The schools were opened in April.
1874. At least four hundred pupils attend the parochial schools, and about
sixty the boarding school. This school is of a high order, conducted by
devoted and accomplished Sisters. The first superior and principal,
Sister, Josephine, a person of high mental attainments, died in 1876. Her
successor, Viz. Paula, is well qualified for the duties of her charge, and
young women graduating from this institution sustain a rigid examination
with great credit. The admirable discipline and order observed in these
schools, the superior and thorough character of the buildings, the beauty
of the grounds, testify in the strongest terms to the energy and fidelity
of their reverend projector.
Back to: Putnam, Windham County,
Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889 Back to: Windham County, Connecticut
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