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James Sutherland, Horace L. Clark, Joseph Wilson, and John Mayher.
The Easthampton High School was opened in the fall of 1865. Miss S. Elizabeth Chapin was the first principal, and her connection with the school continued until a few weeks before her death, which occurred on July 3, 1901, a period of thirty-six years.
What Miss Chapin did in Easthampton in those many years for the upbuilding of beautiful womanhood, and manhood as well, could not be told. Her former pupils and friends, wishing to express their admiration and appreciation of her service and character, have lately placed in the High School room a memorial tablet to her name. This tablet was unveiled on December 3, 1903. It bears a fitting inscription:
"A versatile scholar — An enthusiastic teacher — A forceful woman — An inspiring leader."
There are now in town thirty grade schools with three spacious modern equipped school buildings.
The Town Hall, noteworthy among Easthampton's buildings was ceremoniously dedicated on June 29, 1869, with Hon. H. G. Knight as chairman and Hon. Samuel Williston as President of the Day, Mr. Lauren D. Lyman representing the town and receiving the keys. There was a dedicatory prayer by Rev. A. M. Colton, an address by Hon. Ensign H. Kellogg. The south tower bears up a memorial tablet to the soldiers of the Civil War. The cost of the building was $65,500, and the veteran contractor, the lat E. R. Bosworth, was the builder. The Public Library, comfortably housed in Longmeadow brownstone, the gift of Mrs. Williston, stands nearly on the site of the first red schoolhouse. It is well equipped, and in charge of Miss Dora C. Miller, who has been the efficient librarian from the beginning.
The Pascomuck Club owns its owns handsome quarters on Union Street and numbers about one hundred members.
Easthampton young men have lately rendered very popular entertainments. Easthampton's young men of the 40's were doing the same thing. An old resident remembers one in which, among other participants, William J. Lyman of this town, and Hon. H.G. Knight were leaders, and personated respectively the King and Queen. At the close of the play, Mr. Williston went forward to the platform, built on the tops of the church pews, and complimented the players on the success of the entertainment.
The Daughters of the American Revolution are represented by the Submit Clark Chapter, numbering some thirty members, and named for Submit Clapp, the daughter of Major Jonathan Clapp. Submit Clapp married Lieutenant Asahel Clark, and was the daughter, sister, wife and mother of Revolutionary soldiers.
The Village Improvement Society is a lively organization, doing all that its funds admit of in keeping a neat looking town.
The Mayher Fountain originated in the plans of the late John Mayher, and those plans were carried out by Mrs. Mayher in the fall of 1902, when, with appropriate exercises it was formally given to the town.
An old landmark was lost by the taking down of the covered bridge over the Manhan at the "cartway," in 1803. Many remember with regret the delightful cool, shaded walk and the view up the Manhan which it
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12 Sep 2005
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