MEMOIR OF BENJAMIN HANOVER PUNCHARD, THE FOUNDER ΟΙ THE PUNCHARD FREE SCHOOL, ANDOVER, MASS., Who died April 4th, 1850, in the 51st year of his age. PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE TOWN. ANDOVER: PRINTED BY WARREN F. DRAPER. INTRODUCTION. THE following documents, already constituting a portion of the history of Andover, must here be inserted, in order intelligently to introduce to the reader the subjoined memoir of the excellent individual who, by his munificence, has placed his fellow-townsmen under such imperative obligation to cherish his memory, to improve his benefactions, and to imitate his example. "At a legal Town Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover, held Nov. 11, 1850, the following Letter was presented to the Town for their consideration. To the Selectmen of the Town of Andover. Gentlemen: The undersigned would respectfully represent, that, in the last Will and Testament of Benjamin H. Punchard, late of said Andover, Esquire, deceased, there is a Bequest, in the words following: "The residue of my property, not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, I give and bequeath to the Town of Andover, for the purpose of founding a Free School: forty thousand dollars for a permanent fund, for the support of said School, and ten thousand dollars for the necessary buildings, etc., providing that, at my decease, if there should not be the said amount of fifty thousand dollars after paying the amounts first devised, then the said balance to be kept at interest till the amount is fifty thousand dollars. Said School shall be under the direction of eight Trustees, of whom the Rector of Christ Church to be one; also, the ministers of the South Parish and West Parish Congregational Societies to be members; also, the remaining five to be chosen by the Inhabitants of Andover, in Town Meeting, to serve for three years; two of whom to be taken from Christ Church Parish, two from the South Parish Society, and one from the West Parish Society. Said School to be free for all youths resident in Andover, under the restrictions of the Trustees, as to age and qualifications. No sectarian influence to be used in the School; the Bible to be in daily use; and the Lord's Prayer, in which the pupils shall join audibly with the teacher, in the morning, at the opening: the said Trustees to have the sole direction; and power, also, to determine and decide whether the School shall be for males only, or for the benefit of both sexes. Said School to be located in the South Parish of Andover, but free for all the Parishes equally." |