BULKELEY'S HISTORY as HIGH SCHOOL CONCLUDES TODAY
Compiled Glorious Mark Through Years;
To Reopen as Junior High School in Fall
by FRANK J. CAMPBELL
Requiescat in pace...
Rest in Peace
More than 100 years after Leonard Hallam Bulkley died and left the greater part of his estate for the establishment of a secondary school for boys in New London, the memorial to his foresight and generosity today ceased to exist for the purpose for which it was established.
The high school this morning closed its doors for the summer recess and is scheduled to reopen in September as a junior high school.
Presumably the name Bulkeley will be retained, but, to thousands of Bulkeley alumni it always will be remembered as a high school. Its demise to such brings to them poignant memoried. Progress overruling emotion.
Boys throwing stones at a person who was regarded as one of the town's most peevish old men, are credited by some New London historians as being responsible for the start of Bulkeley school. This theory is found in the writings of the late Richard B. Wall and George H. Grout, whose researches into the city's past were for years feature stories in The Day.
According to one account, Bulkeley was taking a walk in the then sparsely settled area which now contains Woodbridge and Division streets, when some boys drove him from the section with a shower of stones. It was Mr. Grout's contention Bulkeley theorized upon the situation and concluded the roughness of the boys was because they were afforded little chance of getting the education acquired by youth of more fortunate families and he therefore altered his will to leave his money for the foundation of a school for all boys of the town.
Bulkeley's reputation for dourness came in his later years when he was suffering from severe attacks of gout.
Native of New London
Leonard Hallam Bulkeley was born in this city Dec. 22, 1791 and died here Dec. 19, 1849. His father, Capt. Charles L. Bulkeley, was one of the colorful privateersmen who preyed on British shipping during the Revolutionary war.
From his father he inherited a store on Bank street, on property which extended through to Green street. One of the principal commodities of the store was vinegar, which Bulkeley manufactured. The establishment was one of the meeting places of the town, but the school's founder took little part in the cracker barrel discussions.
He was elected to such offices as selectman, alderman and a member of the board of education. He was a staunch Democrat.
Bulkeley never married, although he was considered one of the eligible bachelors of the town. His will indicated he had been disappointed in love for he left a sum of money to a young lady to whom he had been known to have paid court, but who married another.
When Bulkeley died the whole town was surprised to learn he had left his residual estate, amounting to some $21,000, to a board of trustees, whom he directed to let it accumulate until it reached $50,000 and then to "purchase a lot of land in said city of New London and erect thereon a substantial building suitable for the purposes of the school hereinafter created." He stipulated they should spend no more than $7,000 for the land and building.
Named to the Board
Members of the board were Judge John P. Mather, chairman; William C. Crump, secretary; Henry P. Havens, treasurer; Nathan Belcher and Nathaniel Shaw Perkins
The chairman of the present board, Atty. Nathan Belcher, is a grandson of one of the original members.
The will was probated here Dec. 22, 1849 and Bulkeley school was incorporated by the general assembly in 1850.
Bulkeley also stated in his will the trustees were to use the proceeds from the remainder of the estate "in supporting and maintaining forever in the said city of New London a school to be called Bulkeley school, to be always free to all male youths between the ages of 12 and 21 years of age who shall be resident of and have their homes in the city of New London."
"My will is," he continued, "that said school shall be managed under the supervision and the direction of the said trustees and their successors and that the youth therein be instructed in morals and such branches of learning and science as the said trustees and their successors shall from time to time prescribe and appoint."
Forbade Clerical Influence
Although he was not regarded as an ungodly man and had had religious funerals for members of his family and did not forbid one for himself, the founder of Bulkeley school apparently looked askance at clerical influence. He specified, "My wish is that no priest or clergyman be ever employed as a teacher in said school."
He went on to give the trustees full power, not only in the supervision of the school, but the handling of its property. And he empowered them to fill any vacancies occuring on their board.
Though the will was probated in 1849, it was 1871 before the original structure was started on land donated by the city. The site had contained a town almshouse erected in 1800.
The trustees paid more than $30,000 for the building alone. This sum was greater than the will specified, but then the estate had grown to $71,000, instead of the $50,000 comtemplated by the founder.
When completed the structure was regarded, from an architectural standpoint, as one of the finest school buildings in the state.
Opening in 1873
The school opened in the fall of 1873 with at least two and possibly three teachers. The number is not recorded.
continued article with nlargement of building and other information
pg 11
MARRIED
EDWARDS -- STEDFORD --At New London, April 25, 1894, by Rev. Walter J. Yates, Frederick L. Edwards to Gertrude C. Stedford, both of New London.
DIED
CARROLL -- In New London, April 20, 1894, Leonard Carroll, aged 62 years, 9 months.
Funeral from his late residence, 878 Bank street, Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Relatives and friends invited to attend. Burial at convenience of the family.
PEABODY -- In Waterford, Conn., April 29, 1894, Joseph Peabody, aged 86 years, 2 months.
Funeral notice hereafter.
WHITMAN -- In Groton, Conn,, April 29, 1894, Mary Elizabeth Barber, widow of the late Rev. Alphonse J. Whitman, aged 77 years, 2 months, 23 days.
Funeral services at her late residence in Groton, Tuesday May 1, at 2:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Norwich and Westerley papers please copy.
MUNGER -- In New London, April 29, 1894, Mary A. Munger, daughter of the late Henry Brown of Waterford, aged 53 years.
Funeral notice hereafter.
SHE BURNED TO DEATH
Lamp Set Fire to Mrs. Munger's Clothing When No Aid Was Near
When the fire alarm rang shortly after 8 o'clock Sunday evening to call the department to Ocean and Lee avenues, there were no indications of a serious affair, but it was a fatal one nevertheless. The victim was Mrs. Mary A. Munger, who resides at 11 Lee avenue with her daughter, Miss Laura Brown. In the upper tenement lives Nelson Pierce and wife, who recently removed from Waterford,
Miss Brown went to church in the evening, leaving her mother alone in their apartments. About 8 o'clock, Mrs. Munger it seems, became chilly and started to go down stairs to get some charcoal with which to light a fire. She carried a lamp.
The stairs were crooked, and Mrs. Munger made a misstep in the darkness and fell, probably nearly the whole length of the flight. As she fell, she was unable to hold the lamp from striking the cellar bottom and it broke. The oil went all over, saturating the poor woman's clothing in spots, and it instantly took fire.
Mrs. Munger's screams attracted the attention of Charles Pierce, who lives near by. He saw the flames in the cellar and rushed to the spot. When he got there however the woman's clothing was pretty well burned off and he was therefore unable to render very much assistance. Nut he prevented the fire from spreading. Albert Boardman sent in a fire alarm meanwhile, and Edward Van Wart hastened after Drs. Nelson and Munger. When they arrived the unfortunate woman's injuries had caused her to cease breathing. It is common report that her neck was broken by the fall, but this is not based upon anything Dr. Nelson has said. He believes death was caused by inhalation of flame. There is testimony, such as the fact of her screaming, which indicates that her neck was not broken.
Mrs. Munger was 53 years of age and a woman highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. She leaves three daughters, Miss Brown, Mrs. Albert Brewster, and Mrs. Edward Winslow, who have the sympathy of the community in their unusual misfortune.
ATTACKED BY TRAMPS
Brakeman Hutchins Got His Head Cut and Smashed His Lantern.
Brakeman Hutchins of the Washington express discovered two men on the rear platform of the train as the express was hauling out from the Harlem River Station one morning last week.
He ordered them off the train, but they refused to obey and when Mr. Hutchins attempted to put them off one of them struck him a blow on teh head laying open a long wound extending from his nose over to his eye.
He used up a lantern over their heads and when that was gone started into the car to get another, but the two tramps held the car door fast until they could get a good chance to jump and thereby escaped the punishment that was in store for them.
An Oil Steamer Steward Retires
Walter Durkin, chief steward of steamer City of Worcester, left the company's employ today and will be succeeded by second steward Thomas Durivan. Mr. Durivan is also an old empl0ye of the line and is fully equipped for his increased responsibility.
Please note -- Use these for your personal research but none of these should be acquired and offered for sale.