St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-09-17
peacham "reminiscences.
Correspondence of the cALRDoMAN.)


With all Of the centennials OF towns
academies, and dedication Of churches
we are becoming acquainted with consid-
cradle OF the early local and state history
of Vermont. In recent issue of the CAL
EpoNIAN we noticed an admirable article
on the early preceptors Of Peacham
Academy and in the last number very
interesting one by Judge John Conner OF
Cincinnati. Quite recently we came
across an article in our scrap book about
DR.. Noah Worcester as a teacher and an
other an obituary in Cincinnati paper.
He was the only Harvard graduate that
was teacher in that old school in
Peacham. He was the grandson of
Noah Worcester, d. D., the Christian
philanthropst and divine, who at the
age of 16 was fifer in the Revolutionary
army and present at the Battle of Bun
ker Hill and later at Bennington, Vt. We
quote from the Congregational Journal:
ION leaving college Mr.. Worcester was
employed as preceptor OF Peacham Acad-
envy, which was then kept in the very
building in which his grandfather's
brother, Leonard Worcester, preached the
first seven years of his successful minis
try in Peacham. That Academy was in
stituted fitty-three years ago and has
been maintained without intermssion
ever since. All OF the teachers have been
highly estimated. That distinguished
man OF God, jeremiah Evarts, was the
second preceptor. 1t was during a re-
vival OF religion in that place that l cul-
tivated some acquaintance with the
young preceptor, Noah Worcester. lean
truly say that / never saw more inter
esting young man, singularly PROPOSES
ing in his appearance, frank, social, intel
lgent. He had a peculiarly happy fac
ulty of keeping the school in order. He
discarded corporal punishment totally
How he managed the male department
have no recollection of hearing; but
have been amused at his mode OF punish
ing disorderly girls; it was to sweep the
floor OF the schoolroom Immediately or
committing an offence. 1t so happenet
that two misses, considerably advanced
in their teens, belonging to two wealthy
families in the place, boosted that they
could disobey the orders of the schoo
and yet escape the degrading punishment
OF sweeping. So next day they tool
knitting work with them and slyly com
menced operations. The vigilant eye o
the instructor soon discovered the delin
quency. Looking at them sharply hi
said, Young ladies, do not profess t.
teach knitting, but do profess to teacl
sweeping, up and take the brooms.
However mortified at the time. tn
wound was not deadly. for afterward
one of them became his wife. She wa
truly an estimable young woman"
An obituary in Cincinnati paper says
"Died at Cincinnati, April 4, 1s47, Noa
Worcester, NJ. D., aged SO years. H
fitted for college at Exeter, N. H., an
graduated at Harvard in 1882. II
taught four years in Peacham Academ
and pursued medical studies, was
teacher of the French language in Oar
mouth college until 1888 when he r.
ceived a medical degree and formed
partnership with DR.. r. D. Mussey
Hanover, the distinguished surgeon, an
removed with him to Cincinnati. Il
spent year in Paris in 1S40-1s41.
1912 he was elected to the chair OF Gel
eral Pathology and Physical Diagnos
in Western Reserve college, which he hel
till his death. His large practice at Gil
cinnati made it so difficult for him
spare the time to deliver his lectures
Cleveland, that he more than once te
dered his resignation, but his service
were too valuable to be given up. Anon
those of his own age he stood iaci
princeps; among his elders confessed
equal. He seemed to have been born IL
his vocation. There was ground to hol
for him long and bright career of hon'
and profit to himself, and usefulness
others. But he was called to anoth
sphere when apparently best fitted to
good here. He was for many years
member OF DR.. Beecher's church and h
profession Of Christianity was no form
nor empty one. His friends have nothir
to regret in his career but its early close
ALUMNI.