The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-06-19
NeWbury Seminary.


From the WOOdSDille, N. H., Weekly Nelcs
Of June 8.
This brief business sketch of the old town
of Newbury would hardly be complete
without more than passing notice of one
of her oldest institutions, an institution
which has given her more than local rep
utation. We refer to the Newbury Semi
nary and Ladies Institute, school which
is fast regainiDg its former prestage, and
with the hearty support of the village peo-
pie, will soon take high rank among the
educational institutions Of the state. This
school was established in accordance with a
charter granted by the legislature in 1884.
New Hampshire Conference of the M. E.
church, anG under their fostering care it
rapidly developed in growth and public
favor. Its patronage came largely from
Vermont and New Hampshire, but many
students came from other states and Can
ada. 1t was practically an undenOmina-
tional school,, Its board of faculty was
Methodist and Congregational. Its first
principal was Rev. Charles Adams, and he
was followed by Rev. 0. G. Baker. Then
Rev. G. Il. Human, who afterwards estab-
llShed school at Evanston, III. Wood,
Hoyt, NOyes. and J. E. King, under whose
direction it attained its greatest popularity.
numbering at one time three hundred and
twenty-five students. He was followed by
j.
E. Quimby and Rev. Mr. Chester, who was
the last one before the removal. The citi-
ZenS of Newbury took lively interest in
the welfare OF the students, and respected
as much the young man who walked the
street with saw horse on his shoulder, as
those favored with an abundance of the
worlds goods. Many of the students and
some of the teachers followed the school to
its new home in Montpelier in 1865 The
board of trustees THAT is the majority took
the g1Ound that they had legal right to
dispose of the real estate and appropriate
the avails to the new school, but after pa
tient hearing before the courts, it was de-
cided against them. In the meantime a
sale of the property had been made to
bury, which sale was declared illegal and
the school was still considered under the
control of the old board of trustees. who
again took possession and hired Rev. s. l..
Eastman as principal. For a term or two
it was fairly patronized, enrolling nearly
one hundred students for two years, but
Eastman ran the trustees in debt fifteen
hundred dollars and the buildings were
mOrtgaged to him as security for the amount
and he in due time fOreclosed and took
possession of the property. The chief cause
of the removal was financial one 1t
could barely pay current expenses, while
the buildings run down, it frequently was
considerably in debt, and had to be paid by
subscriptions and there came to be a feel
ing in conference that the people of New
bury did not put their shoulder to the load
as they ought, and an agitation commenced
to secure its removal. till finally, after bids
were made by several towns to secure its
location, Montpelier gave twenty thousand
dollars and got it. 1t has been reported as
a fact that Rev. A. G: Button, a resident OF
Newbury, and president of the trustees OF
Newbury Seminary had up to certain |
time been firm advocate for the school to
remain in Newbury, and when the matter |
was up for discussion in conference, was an |
able, willing and effective champion for
Newbury. That certain time was when
the Republican party broke their agree
ment with Mr.. Button and sent another
man to represent the town. The cOnse-
quence was we'll nigh a calamity for New
bury. This fact, coupled with the fact that
the people of Newbury would not subscribe
to make up the deficiencies, was doubtless
the cause of the removal in 1858 to Mont
pelier.
After the school proper was removed to
Montpelier the buildings and management
fell into the hands of Dea. Freeman Reyes,
and Rev. j M. Lord of Plymouth, Mass,
engaged as principal, and school opened
September 10, 1868, and continued through
the summer of 1859. The same manage
ment engaged A. B. DanfOrth, Dartmouth
College student, in the fall winter and
spring of 1870 and 1871. In the fall of 1871
zane Rev. 5. l.. Eastman as above men
toned, who had a few years OF well patron
zed school keeping Then came long
cries of years in which the school kept de-
reasing in popularity and attendance I'M
il nothing but the bare buildings in di-
apidated condition were left to mock this
nee flOuriShing concern. On the ia DAY
# December, 1887, Samuel L.. Eastman
n ~, iv,ar ]
;. Hatch of GrotOn, the consideration nam
d in the deed being $4,000 On the 3lst
ay of January, 1888, John Hatch decided
he school property, viz, Seminary and
ommon, to school district No. 4, being the ,
illage district, consideration named, $2oO0.
IN the 9th day of June, 1888, John Hatch I
eeded the white boarding house to George
eed, $1,000. Mr.. Sawyer has repaired, re- ,
FINISHED, remodeled and rejuyenated the :
Id Seminary boarding house (arOund which :
listers so many tender memOrieS) and :
,ade it a comfortable. well kept, all the !,
ear around hotel, and building especial
adapted for summer D0arders during
Ne spring of 1888 the Seminary building
-as radically remOdeled. thoroughly re-
aired, with new entrances, new stairways,
ew recitation rooms, new windows, new
Irniture, new hall, new everything at a
1st of l2S1O, to which may be added inter-
It on money borrowed and the total cost
the whole establishment to date is less !
ian $500, and the district may well be
roud of the fact that their total indebted
ess at their last school meeting was less .
ian $500. School at the Seminary under
ne new order of things began in Septem- :
er. 1883, with Miss Edna Stuart in the up +.
er, and Miss Belle Hubbard in the lower !,
apartment, and the school prospered. The ;
econd wear opened on Monday, September
1889. with Miss Stuart in the upper. and
ilss Dunlap in the lower department
his was year of good work and progress,