Governors Academy - Milestone Yearbook (Byfield, MA)

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533 ' ff' J f 1,11 . gf ' , , ' ' 1 . , ' X ?-B--e a -e ra' , - el708, '- ' e rx rx if , I ., Z 1, , . Q: N f . gifs , 3 f,A', , . , Q ' .qw 7, 1 'gel 1 x I W I schoolroom was the further bedroom from which a door opened into another room ofequal size, both having fireplaces. The woodwork ofone fireplace was decor- ated with initials cut by those pupils. Probably the Governor's cousin told him that Captain Adams' further bedroom was not suitable for a school of twenty boys, and he may have suggested the need of better provision and may have sowed the seed which ripened into the bequest which founded the Academy. The records of the school show seven named Adams, three Parsons, two XYoodman, and one each Hale, Stickney, Frazer, Longfellow, Dummer, Chute, Thurlow, and Noyes. Some of these must have been in the school opened in the little red schoolhouse in 1763. An eighteenth-century Bible coming from the Adams family is very acceptable and, since we are all descendants of Adam, we can have a family feeling for the old Adams Bible. From the old Adams house have also come the large hearth-stone bricks used in the restoration. Another gift is a pair of scales which belonged to Master Moodyg with them he weighed the coins paid for tuition. In the cover to their case is a table showingjust ' ' 5 -7-'TW-if Vi. s 'ifsfw xfi., r T .- . ' 4. TJ, , nf! 53.-e 1 v-N .0 1 AX 'Q X . X' - , six . -Q...-.g-i Tm-. 1. BIBLE-BOX, FOOT-WARMER, STUDENTS DESK, AND FORM U The Bible-box on the table at the left dates from the sixteenth century. The corners are bound with wrought iron. - ' -,.,, , -1 Y ffl il' - . .. .xt 1 , '. - . 'H i Y, V ,.,V,v xv. Q j 07, i - - rd-ff as .- fe.. if .f I2

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5 '53 7'-' N B 1,0 59? ' 'A W 8, A . . ' , f ' - a ' ' ' -at 4 , W , . V -. A N V A sundial marks the passing ofthe sun, which has shone on the little red school- house for close on two centuries. One might almost expect to find the dial worn by l the passing shadows marking so many hours. The lettering is quaint, the hour of four is marked with IIII instead of TY. A sixteenth-century panelled Bible-box with iron-bound corners, rests upcm a contemporary table, which may be changed from a half to a whole circle by swing- ing a turned gate-leg. School began with Bible reading daily. On the box rests a Bible which was given by one of the oldest living graduates of the Academy, Mr. George William Adams, one of six generations in direct descent who have graduated here. YYhat other school in America can match that record? His family has provided three trustees and two headmasters. Seventy-four of his blood and name had been enrolled here before the present century began. In Mr. Adams' home, The High- I Fields, a college preparatory school was held before 1760, of which we have a good Q record. It was then the home of Captain Samuel Adams. Joshua Noyes, Jr. was the A teacher of that private school, under the direction of three trustees, the Reverend Moses Parsons, John Adams, and Richard Dummer, cousin of the Governor. The I 2 cf--a .. 'F-11 ri ,. I 1 ' - f .2 it ' N9 , -B-. l l Ei ii 'I t. - i l DUNCE STOOL, TABLE, AND DESK This seventeenth-century desk contains twelve secret drawers for concealing gold coins and valuables. .'e A ,Ja-r -. t, f 'H' , .. 5 'lj if XRM xxx K II

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X , , XV, as .X -g ss sk X I 1- 'ii f 1 f X f ,- f . V es. es, X,-C .X X - vi - G , , f r . E 51 A s-Q,b b .X .OX-.5 X, ff .ff an J, . ,ge -,,1 Fe b fi' 5-AN .B 1 'ia 'lily tg' .--we-g . i7oa,,fes. . . W W l i how much each gold or silver English coin should weigh to be of full value. These are furnished by Master Moody's great-great-grandniece, Mrs. Sally Moody Cook of York, Maine. A large table, with turned legs framed in, shows the wear of more than three centuries. I Master Moody's chair was given to the Academy some years ago by Miss Harriot Coleman ofNewburyport. It might be called a contribution from our present Headmaster, Edward YY. Eames, because it is his favorite chair, and he makes a real sacrifice in giving it up to be in the little red schoolhouse. My own favorite chair accompanies the Master Moody chair. It has a wide desk arm and is most comfortable and convenient for writing. On the wall two medallion portraits in papier mfzrhif, of George III and Queen Charlotte, represent them as young as they were in 1763. Qld colored prints of George II and Queen Caroline are there also. A map of what was later the eastern half of the United States and Canada was made by Robert Morden, who made maps and globes in London from 1668 until his death in 1703. Its colors are as bright, its ink is as black, and its paper is as good as when it was printed two hundred and forty years ago. However, one must be careful not to learn his geography from it, for there are some curious variations from present- day knowledge. A hand bell is ready for Master Moody to ring for order, and a ruler and a cane are convenient for discipline. The schoolmasters of those days were likely to hurl 'a ruler at an offending pupil. Master Moody caned the disobedient. It is said that he had a quick temper and twirled his cane furiously on occasions. At one time he struck so hard that the cane, missing the boy, broke upon the form on which he sat. The boy did not flinchg and Master Moody was so delighted with the brave spirit that he forgot his anger and called upon the school to admire the boy's self possession and intrepidity, predicting a distinguished future for him. I believe that boy was after- wards Commodore Preble, famous in the American Revolution. Master Moody's training was thorough and effective, he developed character as well as mind. Many of his pupils became great men of national reputation. VVe can recall that old colonial English school as we inspect the restored school- house, and we can appreciate the Academy's growth and development and can take pride in our long traditions. During more than a quarter of a century that I have had the honor of being a trustee, I have desired to have the little red schoolhouse restored, and with great satisfaction I now behold it. The restored building and the furnishings, except the Bible, the scales, and Master Moody's chair, are my gift to the Academy on its one hundred and seventy-fifth birthday. Some have thanked me for this gift, but I feel that I ought to give thanks for having the privilege and pleasure of restoring and preserving the little red school- house. May this old school last for future centuries, linking us to the homeland and being a witness to the future, as well as the past, of our beloved country! God bless the little red schoolhouse and all it means to all who love itl I 'ii . A N-, ' ' 1' 'il '. . .f .' 1' 1 ' '- Q' T libiw: 2 13