And Describes His Pastors, Teachers, Playmates, Sports, And A Lot Of Other Interesting Memories.
That Win Everett’s and Dr. Fogg’s historical stories are stirring up our readers’ memories is proven in the following contributed article from a modest gentleman who requests that his name be withheld. He is now living in Washington, DC where we have always understood, modesty is a rare flower. Certainly, he need not be ashamed of such a clearly written and valuable contribution to our growing collection of local history. We wish other readers would follow his example and allow their memories to dictate along any lines which strike their fancy.
In next Tuesday’s Messenger you will find Win Everett browsing in new pastures under the title of “The Portrait Gravestones of Tiot.” It will make Norwood people Old Cemetery conscious—Ed.
The interesting historical sketch of the Congregational Church Society of Norwood, given by Dr. Ralph M. Fogg in a recent issue of the Messenger, as well as that of the pastor of the church on the occasion of the recent memorial service, brings to my mind vivid recollections of this church told matters generally concerning South Dedham of the long ago.
The record of the South Parish church is the more interesting for the reason that its history is, in a large measure, intertwined with the history of the village for a considerable period.
Sat Under Colburn and Bixby
Having attended this church and Sunday school during my boyhood days, when the building occupied the site near the Winslow railroad station, the history of the church is doubly interesting to me. I remember but two clergymen who ministered to the congregation—the Rev. M. M. Colburn and the Rev. J. P. Bixby. I hardly agree with Dr. Fogg as to the stern preaching of Mr. Colburn. As a young boy, I knew him well, living in the same neighborhood and passing his home frequently. To my mind, he was calm in his demeanor, in a word, a kind, Christian man, and I have often wondered why he was not continued In charge of the church, it is true, his sermons were rather long and devoid of any attempt at oratorical effort; yet, even though a child, I considered him worthy of respect. His frequent expression, “My dear hearers” still echoes in my ears. He was apt at selecting a text for a sermon. As illustrative of this, one Sunday, during an unusually cold winter, he took as his text, “Who Can Stand Before His Cold?” (Psalms CXLVTt:17.)
Bixby a Yale “Modem”
I recollect when Mr. Colburn was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Bixby, a Yale graduate and more “modern” in some respects. Perhaps these qualifications explain, in part, the cause of the change in ministry. For fundamental Christian principles, however, I believe these two ministers of the gospel stood together.
There Were Sinners Aplenty
This comment is not intended to confute what Dr. Fogg has stated, being simply my estimation of the man drawn from my personal experience and knowledge. If he was severe at times there must have been occasion for it, for it should be borne in mind that all were not saints in those days —not by any means.
Young “F. O.” Made Good
Samuel Morrill and F. O.. Winslow were, respectively, superintendents of the Sunday School when I attended. Deacon Morrill resigned to go to California when Mr. Winslow assumed the duties of superintendent. He had all the qualifications necessary for the position, and as a young man was active in Sunday school work. I remember our school uniting with the Baptist school on some special occasion. I could tell from the smile on the face of our superintendent that he was proud of his school.
Some Everett School Teachers
But there are other matters aside from religion that bring to my mind memories of old South Dedham. One is the public schools of that day. If I remember aright, for many years there was but one public school in South Dedham—the Everett School—up to about 1868. when the Balch School was opened. I attended the Everett School. Among the principals, at various times I recall the names of Messrs. Carney, Alger, Woodbury and Capon. There were a number of others but I do not recall their names.
Among the lady teachers. I recall but three—Miss Cox. peculiar in some ways, but a faithful teacher; Miss Metcalf and Miss Hayward both capable teachers.
No Grades But Real Teachers
The public schools of that day were not graded as at present, but if my experience is a criterion, the pupils received good instruction and made rapid progress. In the advanced classes, Latin and other high school branches were taught Much that I then learned’ has been a help to me even to this day, notwithstanding the fact that my education later took a liberal turn.
Dedham H. S. Didn’t Take
Unfortunately, there was no high school in South Dedham at that time and occasionally a few pupils attended the high school in Dedham. It was a poor arrangement at best. I am free to say that the time I spent there was little better than wasted.
Where Was First School House?
It would be interesting to know where the public school stood prior to the opening of the Everett School. It is my impression that it was near where the Everett furniture factory was built, on the southerly side of what is now Hoyle Street, near the railroad tracks. I remember seeing the debris of a small brick building there. However, I am not positive as to the location. Perhaps your enterprising Mr. Everett may give the matter of public schools in South Dedham some attention.
Played Ball With “Hiawathas”
As a rule, my schoolmates were good-natured, jovial boys, rather mischievous, to be sure, but I will not dwell on that. All healthy boys are more or less so. Some of us were intensely interested in baseball. At times we played Dedham and Walpole boys.
Our “club,” we did not use the term “team” then, was given the name “Hiawatha.” At the present day such a name would be considered rather fantastic by baseball fans. But we played many exciting games and had a good time.
Old Timers Will Discuss This
What is herein written may or may not be interesting to the rising generation in Norwood, but it cannot fail to interest those of an older generation having a knowledge of the people who once lived and moved and had their being in old South Dedham.
A NATIVE.