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��HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN NASHUA.
��for the purpose of building school-houses in this town : also, chose David Alld. Na- than Fisk, Frederic French, Albert Roby, and James Jewell, a committee to settle or fix upon a place to build a school-house in each district in this town, provided such district cannot agree among themselves.
So the good people of the last century had some difficulty in deciding upon the most appropriate place for the new houses, as well as those of to-day.
How many school-houses were erected in accordance with this vote, or how many with that of 1775, does not appear.
Almost every year since 1802 the town has voted to raise more money than the law requires for the support of schools, — thus showing its interest in the cause.
Dunstable felt the importance of hav- ing singing taught in the public schools as early as 1810. In that year the town voted to raise $50 for the purpose of teaching a singing-school.
The district just north of the river was called for many years the Nashua dis- trict. Here, previous to 1816, the schools were kept in private houses; sometimes in one part of the district, again in another. The teacher, of course, "boarded round" and thus "fared sumptuously every day." In 1816 the district voted to build a school-house in the fork of the two Concord roads, as near as convenient north of the tavern ; or on the spot now occupied by the ele- gant residence of General Stark.
One year later, the good people felt the importance of carefully preserving the new house, and accordingly passed the following vote :
" That the committee who may here- after be chosen to hire a schoolmaster or mistress, give instructions to the said master or mistress to observe that the scholars do not cut or in any way deface the seats or writing-benches, or any part of the school-house."
In a few years this house became alto- gether too small to accommodate the in- creasing population. Consequently, in 1833, the house was moved back on what is now called Rural street, enlarged, and arranged in two rooms.
Schools are frequently the scenes of
��trouble and sorrow. To remedy some difficulties not now known, in 1840 this rule was adopted : " That parents, and those dissatisfied with the management of the school, shall state their grievances to the prudential committee, or to the teacher out of school hours."
Soon after this, other houses were erected, to accommodate the increasing wants of the village.
Daniel Abbott, Esq., was very promi- nent in advancing the interests of the schools in this district, and, after the usual amount of opposition was encoun- tered, he, with several others, succeeded in securing a beautiful lot, and causing to be built a new house, known as the Mt. Pleasant High School. The house was erected in 1849, and gave a new impetus to the cause of education in this vicinity. Four years ago this building gave place to the present structure.
In 1869 this ceased to bear the name High School, but assumed and still bears the name of Mt. Pleasant Grammar School.
In 1825 the town of Dunstable voted to form a new school district, including all the lauds owned by the Nashua Manu- facturing Company south of the Nashua river, excepting the Hale farm. A school-house was immediately erected on Pearl street, a little back of the present brick house; and doubtless many are now living who can well remember the huge triangle in front, used, muezzin like, to call the children to school.
Mainly through the efforts of Rev. Daniel March, a high school building was secured for this district in 1853, located on Main street. A course of study was arranged, and the school com- menced in the early part of September, 1853. The principals were as follows: M. C. Stebbius, elected in 1853 ; H. A. Littell, 1858; S. M. Freeland, 1859 ; R. C. Stanley, 1860; M. W. Tewksbury, 1865; Mary Gillis, 1S67; T. W. H. Hus- sey, 1S67. This building has been re- modelled, and is now occupied by the lower grades.
In 1826 another district was formed, embracing the lands owned and occupied by C. C. Flanens, Esq., and the proprie- tors of the Indian Head Factories, bor-
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