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��EDUCATION IN HOPKINTON.
��approved on the 4th of July. By the new arrangement, the sum often dollars con- tributed by an individual, made him a trustee. The board of trustees was in- creased, improvements made, and pros- perity followed. At this period the in- ternal arrangements were made more at- tractive and advantageous by new desks and seats of modern style and superior accommodation. The time-honored in- stitution declined again, however, from the same causes that have ruined many enterprises of its kind all over the coun- try. Changes in population, and the in- crease of local high schools in larger places have wrought results against which none but well founded or denomi- nationally supported institutions can con- tend. Last of all, and sad to relate. Hop- kinton Academy, as a material structure, went up on the wings of flame on the morning of March 29, 1873. Many a pre- cious memory was quickened, and many a deep regret was experienced, when it perished. As an institution, Hopkinton Academy nominally exists, but its direct influence is, as it were, nothing.
In the days of its pristine and meridian usefulness, the instruction taught at Hopkinton Academy was thorough and efficient, confirming the purposes of the institution as defined in the catalogue of 1835 : " It is designed, in the course of studies pursued and in the instruction given, to develop and strengthen the fac- ulties of the mind, as well as to store it with useful knowledge. Efforts are made to lead the mind to think and reason upon the subjects presented."
The influence of this culture has been and is now acknowledged far and wide. Not the least of the work done was the turning out of not a few of our own town's people who have made teaching, to a greater or less degree, a specialty of their lives. Among these are Prof. Frank Fisk. p. p.. Chicago ; Prof. A. P. Gage, Charlestown, Mass; Prof. H. P. Gage, Boston, Mass.; G. W. Currier, Esq., Capt. Isaac Story, Mr. Charles Gould, the Misses Lerned, the Misses Brown, Mrs. Nellie Clask, Miss Lucy S. Currier, Hyde Park, Mass.. and Miss Jen- nie Morgan, Providence, R. I,
��CONTOOCOOK ACADEMY.
Previous to the establishment of this institution, frequent temporary high schools had been sustained in Contoo- cookville. Among those teaching them were ex-Governor Walter Harriman, Prof. Dyer H. Sanborn, Capt. Orville Smith. A decided effort for an academy was made in 1855. On the 15th of De- cember of that year a preliminary meet- ing was held in what Avas then Merrill's Hall. Geo. L. Kimball was Chairman, and F. A. Kimball, Secretary. Messrs. John F. Burnham and Frank A. Kimball exhibited a voluntary subscription list amounting to $1450. After considera- tion, it was voted to abandon this list, on the assurance of pecuniary aid encour- aged by the Rev. Abiel Silver, in case the proposed institution came under the control of the New, or Swedenborgian, Church. The reverend gentleman pledged $500 from a friend in such case. The plan being received favorably, Abiel Silver. Asa Kimball and I. D. Meirill were chosen a committee to obtain sub- scriptions. Contributions came in rapid- ly, and soon amounted to $3000 or more. Of this sum John H. Williams, Waltham, Mass., gave $1000; Jacob Silver, Michi- gan, $500 ; Abiel Silver, $200 ; John Burn- ham, $200; William Howe, $150; Asa Kimball, $140; I. D. Merrill. $100; Capt. Paul R. George, $100. Other persona gave smaller amounts. There are now 57 shares in this institution ; they are rated at $10 each.
On the 18th of January, 1856, a build- ing committee was appointed. It con- sisted of Abiel Silver, Asa Kimball, Ja- cob M. Morrill and I. D. Merrill, and Mr. Merrill was also Treasurer. On the 24th of the same month Abiel Silver, I. D. Merrill and Geo. W. Morrill were chosen a committee to draft a constitu- tion. On the 13th of March it was voted to secure a charter, and Phineas Clough, 2d, was added to the committee on sub- scriptions. Building operations began the same spring.
The charter was approved July 11. The securing of the act of incorporation was attended with some difficulty. The subject of a charter first came before the
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