Norwich bulletin., 1915-06-19
SCHOOLS.
Town Has Always Taken Deep Inter-
 est in Educational Institutions,

Schools were not in evidence in the history of early Windham, although we read of the intelligence of one John Arnold a Norwich schoolmaster who settled at the Pondes. The first ref erence to schools on the town records was made in December, 1702 when by a town vote the selectmen were direct ed to agree with a schoolnaster or mistress scholars to pay what the rate falls short" Later, however, Thomas Shell received the privilege of keeping a school in his home and in on the Green and one in Scotland
 For many years the schools were managed imperfectly. After the Revo- iutiOn, however, the standard was raised, and for a time an Academy was maintained, with Dr. Pemberton as it's head, until, through lack of funds, cheaper pedagogue was se- cured for the school.
 Thirteen Districts.
 Tn 1794 thirteen school districts were set off. each district designated by the name of 3. prominent resident ac- cording to the custom of the time. From these schools sprung the present school districts of Windham. These were numbered and named as follows: No. 1, Fred Stanley's: No. ?, Solomon Huntington's; No. 3, Jabez Wolcott's; No. 4 Timothy Wales; No. 5, Elipha- let Murdock's; No. g. William Pres tons; No. ', Jedediah Tracy's; No. 8, Josiah Palmer's: No. 9, James Carey's; No. 10. Joseph Palmer's: No II. Will liam Carey's; No. F. John Walden's; No. 13, Zenas Howe's.
 Private Schools.
 Private schools were often maintain ed. Old toutors include Master Abbott, Roger Southworth. and Socrates Bal com. In 1850 Dr. Jabez Fitch main talned the Grove academy at South Windhan, where MT. William Gates of this city taught during his early manhood. Dr. Fitch was a great dis clphnarlan, and a thorough teachere.
 First Public School.
 The first public school in the bor- ough was the Second district school, built on Pleasant street, Then came a structure between the present spool shop and Mill No. 1 of the American Thread company. Later a two-story wooden building was put up west of what is now the dyehouse of the plant, and in 1881 the old stone schoolhouse was erected near this last site
 &mong the names of those who taught during this period we find Roger Southworth, Samuel L. Hill. Dr. Calvin Bromley, Dr. Eleazer Bentley, William Kingsley Robinson. Stewart Leander Richardson, William L. Weaver, Fred r. Barrows, Henry w. Avery, Harriett Moulton, Martha Chip man and Remus Robinson.
 In 1865 the stone schoolhouse was torn down, and the land bought by the Linen company, and the Second district was transferred to what is now known as Natchaug school site The school built on that property was torn down in 1914, when it was replaced by the splendid new school, whose erec- ton was one of the factors in the agi- tation for Old School week.
 The First District School.
 The First district schoolhouse wac built about where the Windham com pany's east dwelling house now standI on West Main street. This was re- moved to the lot now occupied by the First district buildings, and enlarged. In 1874 the central and oldest building of the present three was built. In this district we find such teachers as John G. Clark, Leonard R. Durham, Dr. William A. Bennett, William L. Weav- man, Jabez S. Lathrop. Perry Bennett and John D. Wheeler.
 High School.
 These districts were rivals for many years, until the arrival of the Union Town High school
 In 1865, David Corbin, who had con- ducted a private school in Franklin hall. was made principal of the Match aug school and fitted up the third floor of that building and started a rudi- mentary high school. Thomas Hart attention to this branch of the work John E. Welch, Windham's oldest liv- ing principal, who followed him, re- organized the work, until the depart naJlt obtained recognition as1asregular