The town also owns seven commodious schoolhouses, in which are maintained thirteen schools—­one High, three Grammar, three Intermediate, three Primaries, one sub-Primary and two mixed schools, the town appropriating the sum of six thousand dollars therefor.  There are five Churches—­Congregational, Universalist, and three Methodist, besides two societies worshiping in halls (the St. John’s Episcopal Mission and the Union at North Saugus).  After the schism in the old Third Parish about 1809, the religious feud between the Trinitarians and the Unitarians became so intense that a lawsuit was had to obtain the fund, the Universalists retaining possession.  The Trinitarians then built the old stone Church, under the direction of Squire Joseph Eames, which, as a piece of architecture, did not reflect much credit on builder or architect.  It is now used as a grocery and post office; their present place of worship was built in 1852.  The Church edifice of the old Third was erected in 1738, and was occupied without change until 1859, when it was sold and moved off the spot, and the site is now marked by a flag staff and band stand, known as Central Square.  The old Church was moved a short distance and converted into tenements, with a store underneath.  The Universalist society built their present Church in 1860.  The town farm consists of some 280 acres, and has a fine wood lot of 240 acres, the remainder being valuable tillage, costing in 1823 $4,625.

The town is rich in local history and has either produced or been the residence of a number of notable men and women.

[Illustration:  M.E.  Church, Cliftondale.]

Judge William Tudor, the father of the ice business, now so colossal in its proportions, started the trade here, living on what is now the poor farm.  The Saugus Female Seminary once held quite a place in literary circles, Cornelius C. Felton, afterward president of Harvard College, being its “chore boy” (the remains of his parents lie in the cemetery near by).  Fanny Fern, the sister of N.P.  Willis, the wife of James Parton, the celebrated biographer, as well as two sisters of Dr. Alexander Vinton, pursued their studies here, together with Miss Flint, who married Honorable Daniel P. King, member of Congress for the Essex District, and Miss Dustin, who became the wife of Eben Sutton, and who has been so devoted and interested in the library of the Peabody Institute.  Mr. Emerson, the preceptor, was for a time the pastor of the Third Parish of Lynn (now Saugus Universalist society), where Parson Roby preached for a period of fifty-three years—­more than half a century, with a devotion and fidelity that greatly endeared him to his people.  In passing we give the items of his salary as voted him in 1747, taken from the records of the Parish, being kindly furnished by the Clerk, Mr. W.F.  Hitchings:  “A suitable house and barn, standing in a suitable place; pasturing and sufficient warter meet for two Cows and one horse—­the