History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

institution during so many years, and wliich sucli
important services demand. Suffice it to say that
the records of the trustees sliow frequent evidence
tliat til their dcvotrd work the success and staudijig
of the AM-hiin in no sli-lit degree belong.
15y tiie sinudtanciius retiivmeiit of Dr. Tyler and
the first assistant, Dr. .F. II. AVhittemore, the management
devolved on Dr. George F. Jelly, who was
chosen superintendent October 13, 1871. Dr.
Jelly resigned June 1, 1878, after an administra-
tion of seven years, in which the Asylum continued
jjrosperous. A"o particular changes were made in
the methods of treatment during this period, but
the agencies for moral treatment have been constantly
extended, rendering the institution more
home-like in its cliaracter.
Dr. Jelly was born in Salem, in 184-3, graduated
at Brown University in ISei, and took the degree
of M.D. at the Harvard ]\Iedical School in 1868.
Establishing himself in general practice in Spring-
field, he remained in that city fifteen months, till his
appointment to thi' Asylum. The present super-
intendent is Dr. C'owles.
T/ie VrsdUw CoHre,if. — VVwj\wA Hill lost its
Ke.volutionary title and rested in (jliseurity iinin the
erection upon it of the Ursuliiie rnnveiit, tjie de-
struction of which by a mob in 1831 was a notable
event.
The order of St. Ursula was established in 15o6,
to give relief to the sick, ami to educate gratuitously
female youth ; and the importance of its work
was so fully appreciated that it escaped the perse-
SOMEEVILLE. 335
cutions to which monastic institutions were often of po])ular feeling, till at last it broke fortli into
subjected in Europe. After a time the vocation
of the order was confined to its second object, —
riot and sacrilege. The first of these events was
the retirement of Miss Eebecca T. Reed from her
the education of female youth ; and as seminaries
of learning the convents became established in
America.
In 1820 such an institution was founded in Eoston,
and six years later it was removed to Mount
Benedict. The farm-house of Arnold Cook was
fitted up for the school in 1826, wiiile a more con-
venient and commodious structure was in process
of erection. The following year the convent was
ready for occupancy. It was a four-story build-
ing, eighty feet in length, facing towards the east,
erected upon the summit of the hill ; a long flight
of steps led up to it from the street. Two large
wings were added on the west side in 1S29. Alto-
gether it was the most imposing structure of its
kind in New England.
The grouiuls were laic] out in a tasteful aiul attrac-
\ wislies
tive manner. The southern slope was arranged in
three terraces, on which were reared vines, trees,
and shrubs. A drive-way, shaded by handsome
trees, led up in a diagonal direction from the south-
east corner of the enclosure, and wound rouiul a
circular flower-bed in front of the house. The
bishop's lodge and the stable were also ujjon
the southern slope. On the northern face of the
hill was grass-land, a vegetable garden, and an
orchard.
Here, then, on a beautiful eminence, with a
varied and delightful prospect extending for miles
on every side, among a people believed to be as
intelligent and orderly as any in the world, this
little cominunity of Ursuline nuns began their work
of instructing fem-ale youth, drawn mostly from
the respected and wealthy Protestant families of
the vicinity.
For seven years the institution flourished, and
doubtless would have continued in existence till the
present time had it not been for the combination
of events to be described.
Although the wealtliier aiul more intelligent
classes in Boston and vicim'ty were in the main
tolerant of the convent, a7id believed that it carried
out honestly and faitiifiilly the objects it professed,
tlie larger portion of the community, parti}' from
inlierited prejudices and partly from the direction
given to thought by the pulpit, looked upon the
system of convent education with jealousy and dis-
trust, as tending towards the subversion of our in-
stitutions. Local events conspired to fan the flame
novitiate, and a subsequent account of her life at
the convent.
Miss Reed was a young woman of a respectable
Protestant family dwelling in this town. Her
parents had been possessed of some property, but
at this time were in straitened circumstances.
AVhile at school Miss Reed witnessed the com-
munity come out from Boston and take possession
of their new quarters, and her curiosity was stimu-
lated to make inquiries about their objects and
mode of life. The more she learned of their seclusion
and holy living, the more she became drawn
towards a cloister life. She communicated Iter
to the superior and the bishop, and after
conversation witli them, and further consideration,
against tlie wishes of her parents she entered the
convent, witli the intention of becoming a mm and