[Illustration:  MERRIMAC HOUSE.  Built in 1833, rebuilt in 1873.  Henry Emery proprietor since 1845.]

Proper attention has always been paid to education in Lowell, In 1822, there were two schoolhouses within the territory, one near the pound, the other near the stone house at Pawtucket Falls.  The Merrimack Company soon after its organization built a schoolhouse on Merrimack Street and paid the teacher.  The Reverend Theodore Edson had charge of the school.  Joel Lewis was the first male teacher.  Alfred V. Bassett was the second.  In 1829, the school had one hundred and sixty-five pupils.  In 1834, the school was divided.  The High School building on Kirk Street was erected in 1840, and remodeled in 1867.  Charles C. Chase was teacher from 1845 to 1883.  He was succeeded by Frank F. Coburn, the present teacher.

[Illustration:  SOLON A. PERKINS.  Born in Lancaster, N.H., December 6, 1836.  Killed in Louisiana, June 3, 1863.]

After the log chapel presided over by the Indian Samuel had fallen into decay, a century and a half passed before another place of worship was erected within the limits of Lowell.  In December, 1822, a committee was appointed by the Merrimack Corporation to build a suitable church, and in April, 1824, the sum of nine thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose.  The church was organized February 24, 1824, as “The Merrimack Religious Society,” and the Episcopal form of worship was adopted.  The first religious services were conducted by the Reverend Theodore Edson, on Sunday, March 7, 1824, in the schoolhouse.  The church edifice is known as St. Anne’s, and was consecrated by Bishop Griswold, March 16, 1825.  The Reverend Dr. Edson was the first rector.  After a pastorate of over half a century, he died in 1883.  In the tower of St. Anne’s is a chime of eleven bells, mounted in 1857, and weighing five tons.

[Illustration:  Bvt.  Brig.  Gen. HENRY LIVERMORE ABBOTT.  Born in Lowell, January 21, 1842.  Killed in battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864.]

[Illustration:  Major EDWARD GARDNER ABBOTT.  Born in Lowell, September 29, 1840.  Killed at the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862.]

The First Baptist Church was organized February 8, 1826.  The church edifice, built the same year, occupied land given to the society by Thomas Hurd.  It was dedicated November 15, 1826, when the Reverend John Cookson was installed as pastor.  He was dismissed August 5, 1827, and was succeeded, June 4, 1828, by the Reverend Enoch N. Freeman, who died September 22, 1835.  The Reverend Joseph W. Eaton was ordained pastor, February 24, 1836, and dismissed February 1, 1837.  The Reverend Joseph Ballard was installed December 25, 1837, and dismissed September 1, 1845.  The Reverend Daniel C. Eddy was ordained January 29, 1846, was speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1855, was chaplain of the Senate in 1856, and was dismissed at the close of 1856.  The Reverend William H. Alden was installed June 14, 1857, and dismissed in April, 1864.  The Reverend William E. Stanton was ordained November 2, 1865, and resigned June 30, 1870; the Reverend Norman C. Mallory was settled September 14, 1870, and resigned June 30, 1874; the Reverend Orson E. Mallory was settled March 24, 1875, resigned February 28, 1878; the Reverend Thomas M. Colwell was settled May 4, 1878.