Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 7.

‘[p. 33] her standing or deportment for the week, which was called “the character.” The reception of these brief but very expressive words of praise or blame created generally a profound sensation in the seminary, and often caused the tear of joy or sorrow to flow forth. On Sunday, Mrs. Rowson led her school in procession to the meeting-house, where seats in the galleries had been provided by the vote of the town, and where the young ladies listened for the most part with devout attention to the eloquent discourses of one of the ablest divines of the day.’

The anecdote is told that on one Sunday morning the good doctor had given out the hymn, when it was suddenly discovered that the choir, amounting to some forty or fifty, had left their accustomed seats, and that no one appeared to sing a note. In the exigency, Mr. Rowson, with Gen. John Montgomery of Haverhill, N. H., who was then on a visit to the school, rose in his pew below, gave out the tune, and the heavy bass of the one, uniting with the fine tenor of the other, formed a powerful duo, which surprised and delighted the listening congregation. At the close of the service, Dr. Osgood tendered them his cordial thanks, and at dinner invited them to do the singing for him in the afternoon; but when the service opened, every member of the choir was in his or her place.

The Boston Weekly Magazine of October, 1802, gives the following account of one of the examinations at Mrs. Rowson's academy. ‘On Thursday, 14th inst., the public were gratified by an exhibition of drawing, needle work, and other improvements of the young ladies of Mrs. Rowson's academy in Medford. The pupils assembled in Franklin Hall, Nassau (since Common) street, which was decorated with a number of very beautiful specimens of embroidery, paintings and drawings in water color, maps, etc.; a variety of pieces of writing executed in a style of neatness and elegance which did great honor both to the young ladies and their instructress. The ladies were attired with the greatest simplicity—no ornament whatever appearing among them—all pure ’