The Hamilton Hall School

At least as early as 1898, Hamilton Hall was home to the Hamilton Hall School. Anna Chase Davis served as the school’s principal, and students were welcome to enroll from age five through high school. We are still learning about the school and its staff, but have collected some fascinating information about this seemingly near-forgotten piece of Salem history.

Hamilton Hall thanks board members Otis Edwards and Geo Ford for their research. Enjoy exploring this collection.

1898 Marketing Pamphlet

This pamphlet, which resides in the collection of the Peabody Essem Museum’s Phillips Library, introduces prospective enrollees to the school, its structure, staff, and fees.

The Staff

• Principal Anna Chase Davis, née Anna Mary Chase:

  • Chase lived from 1852 to about 1915 and resided at 261 Lafayette St, Salem.

  • She married George Davis, the private secretary of 35th MA governor Oliver Ames. George Davis died by suicide in 1893.

• Assistant Sarah Pauline Coop:

  • Coop lived from 1865 to 1946.

  • In 1900, Coop lived a block away from Hamilton Hall at 33 Summer Street, Salem.

    • The structure which stood at this address at the time was a boarding house and is no longer standing.

    • These photographs from Frank Cousins give a glimpse at her home: Salem, 33 Summer Street, Doyle house, rear and Salem, 33 Summer Street, interior detail, stairway, Doyle mansion

    • This blog post from Dr. Donna Seger’s Streets of Salem provides more information about her home.

  • German and music instructor “Fraulein Katherine S. Liebert":

    • Katherine Sophie Liebert was born in Germany and lived from 1861 to 1923.

    • This is her obituary.

  • French instructor Arthur Chase:

    • Arthur Hazen Chase lived from 1858 to 1910. He lived and died in Salem, but spent at least some of this adult life in France— he is included on an 1894 passenger list returning from France, and sired his son Paul Hazen Chase while in France.

  • Drawing instructor Charles Frederick Whitney:

    • Whitney lived from 1858-1949. He was a painter who specialized in landscapes and seascapes.

    • He also taught at the Salem Normal Art School.

      • Here, he instructs the Salem Normal School Art Club in 1923.

      • Here, two students stand by a memorial to him after his passing.

  • “Manual Training” (vocational) instructor, Julia Lippitt “Kitty” Mauran:

    • Mauran lived from 1860-1949. She is believed to have been the first licensed female driver in the state of Rhode Island.

    • Her obituary, and especially her Find a Grave entry, paint a vivid picture of a fascinating life. She was a diminutive woman of just over 4’ tall: a woodworker, weaver, potter, and farmer who was quick to pull out her shotgun.

    • Mauran penned the poem on her gravestone:

      • A little work a little play
        To keep us going and so good day
        A little dark a little light
        Oh love bestowing-and so good night
        A little fun to match the sorrow
        Of each days growing and so good morrow
        A little trust that when we die
        We reap our sowing! And so good bye.
        

Stories of the United States for Youngest Readers

This children’s reader was written by Anna Chase Davis, principal of the school. While much of the content has aged decidedly poorly by modern standards, it provides a peek at the elementary-level instructional materials likely used at the school.