USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1854 > Part 1
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Ex Libris HENRY-SILL-BALDWIN
Vestigio Nella Retrorsum
PONTEN PECIT
R.E
E
Rival
CAMD
PANIS
AIGN
NN
REBVILT IN IODAYS OPENED JVLY 18,1921-A.
-
SECOND
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
AUDITING COMMITTEE
ON THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1854.
LYNN: W. W. KELLOGG, PRINTER, OVER THE DEPOT, TYPOGRAPHIC HALL. 1854.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation,
$1400 00
EXPENDITURES.
Paid E. E. Boynton, teacher,
$13 33
66 E. E. Boynton, apparatus,
37 50
66
W. F. Gile, teacher,
531 25
W. F. Gile, books,
5 27
L. E. Blaney, teacher,
150 00
66 Amanda Woodbury, teacher,
150 00
Lavina Hill, do
220 00
66 Lavina Hill, books,
1 30
E. Frances Fuller, do
50 00
Louisa C. Martin, do
45 00
Stephen Smith, fuel,
71 52
66
R. Harris, fuel and teaming,
18 62
66 Samuel Tufts, sawing wood, and care of house,
75 37
66 George W. Stone, setting glass,
7 00
66
J. A. Knowlton, repairs,
4 19
A. Nesbett, cleaning,
3 00
Mrs. McGuire, do
1 40
66 W. F. Pierce, sawing wood,
2 75
66
William D. Brackett, books,
7 12
66 J. Littlefield, cleaning stove,
1 50
Jesse Frost, cleaning clocks,
1 75
6 Town of Marblehead, tuition on scholar,
6 78
Norton & Rowell, repairs,
3 75
$1408 40
4
HIGHWAYS.
Appropriation,
$800 00
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Samuel Twisden, repairs to wagon, $3 00
" Thomas Stone, Jr., repairs,
298 83
66 Allen Washburn, 66
159 48
66 William D. Rowe, 60
178 53
66 John Washburn, 66
46 87
66 John Marsh, 66
28 75
66 Jonathan F. Phillips, 10 62
66 Joseph Blanchard, 66
20 00
66 N. B. Curtin,
8 00
66 J. M. Regg, smith work,
25 97
66 Daniel F. Proctor, gravel,
1 40
66 H. J. Thing, repairs,
20 99
66 Joseph Breed, 2d, lumber,
10 48
J. A. Knowlton, labor and nails,
1 02
66 Thomas & Levett, labor and nails, 1852, 6 75
$820 69
MISCELLANEOUS.
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Samuel C. Pitman, services, 1852, 27 75
N. Galeucia, care of engine, 1852, 12 00
N. Galeucia, summoning town officers,
5 80
B. H. Davis, posting notices,
1 25
66 James Harding, freight on life-boat,
5 00
66 James Harding, sundries,
2 25
66 Waldo Thompson, sundries,
48 70
66 Waldo Thompson, revised statutes,
6 50
86 W. W. Kellogg, printing,
35 63
Amount carried forward, $144 88
5
Amount brought forward,
$144 88
Paid P. Holden, sundries, 9 09
66 O. A. Durrill, moving life-boat house, 5 00
H. J. Thing, labor on 66
2 00
66 S. N. Bunting, services, 1852,
2 00
66 Jacob Wilford, care engine house,
25 00
66 Ebenezer Weeks, services, assessor and books,
22 08
66 Allen Washburn,
7 50
66 David Thurston, 66
6 00
Joseph Blaney, land rent engine house, 21 00
66 John Chapman, salary treasurer, 1852-3, 20 00
66 John Chapman, treasurer and collector, 1853-4, 100 00
66 J. L. Seger, salary town clerk, 1852-3, 50 00
J. L. Seger, “ 66 1853-4, 50 00
66 J. L. Seger, returning deaths, 3.00
J. L. Seger, returning births, &c., 8 30
Philip Short, returning deaths, 2 00
Rufus Delano, returning deaths, 80
J. A. Knowlton, making book-case,
9 62
$488 27
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The only vouchers which the committee find for the expenses in this department, is the orders drawn by the overseers of the poor, on the treasurer, the whole of which amounts to $32 66. It being so small they have not thought it best to enumerate the several items.
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT, in account current with JOHN CHAPMAN, Collector. DR.
To amount of taxes committed for collection, 1853, $4380 54 CR. TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT, in account current with JOHN CHAPMAN, Collector.
By cash collected,
$4250 04
By taxes abated,
61 16
By taxes uncollected,
69 34
$4380 54
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TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT, in account current with JOHN CHAPMAN, Town Treasurer. DR.
March 1st, 1853.
To cash in the treasury, $355 59
13 Received of E. B. Phillips, 1000 00
Cash received from State school fund, 53 19
Cash received of the collector, 4250 04
$5658 82
CR. TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT, in account current with JOHN CHAPMAN, Town Treasurer.
To cash paid selectmen's orders, $2717 36
To cash paid overseers of poor orders,
32 66
To cash paid E. B. Phillip's note,
1000 00
To cash paid Howard & Davis' bill for packing weights and measures, 10 00
To cash paid for carting the same,
5 12
To cash paid for two collector's books,
1 87
To cash paid State and County Taxes,
665 49
To cash paid interest on town debts,
295 00
To cash paid city of Lynn balance due on last year's county tax, 1 10
To cash loaned the cemetery committee,
441 18
Balance cash in the treasury,
489 04
$5658 82
RECAPITULATION OF EXPENSES.
$1408 40
Schools, Highways,
820 69
Miscellaneous and other expenses,
488 27
Amount carried forward, $2717 36
7
Amount brought forward,
$2717 26
Poor expenses,
32 66
$2750 02
Town treasurer paid bills on weights, measures and for
books,
$16 99
State and County taxes,
665 49
Interest on debts,
295 00
Balance last year's County tax to Lynn,
1 10
Cash to cemetery committee,
441 18
$4169 78
Town debt March 1, 1854,
Note to Lynn Savings Institution, on demand, at 6 per cent. interest, $3000 00
Note to C. A. Stetson for cemetery lot, Oct. 16, 1852,
on demand, at 6 per cent. interest, 1500 00
$4500 00
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
The committee would report that at the sale of lots held on the ground on the 7th of May last, there were 59 lots sold, bringing #828 25, leaving now on hand as laid out, 177 lots. As far as their means would allow, they have done what they could toward putting it in order. A substantial wall has been built on the front, about sixteen rods in length ; the road in front has been graded and leveled ; new iron gate and posts ; a town tomb ; new hearse and house have been furnished.
The receipts and expenditures are as follows :
To cash paid W. W. Kellogg for deed book, $3 75
To cash paid Alonzo Lewis for laying out the lots, &c., 45 00
Amount carried forward, $48 75
8
Amount brought forward,
$48 75
To cash paid Michael Haley for building wall, 217 00
To cash paid William Brown, for building wall, 17 00
To cash paid E. L. Bird, for hearse, 225 00 To cash paid I. A. Knowlton, for hearse house, 125 00 To cash paid Edward Riddle, for harness, 28 00
To cash paid S. C. Pitman, for team and labor,
40 00
To cash paid Geo. W. Otis, for gate and posts, 65 37
To cash paid for town tomb, 141 81
$907 93
By cashi received from sale of lots,
$508 50
By cash borrowed from town treasurer,
441 18
$949 68
Amount due for lots,
$319 75
Cash on hand,
41 75
$361 50
SAMUEL C. PITMAN, Secretary.
The committee have examined all the accounts which have come before them, and find them properly vouched for.
They have found their duties very much facilitated by the correct manner in which the books of the Selectmen and Town Treasurer have been kept.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
0-
JOSEPH STANLEY,
P. HOLDEN,
WM. D. BRACKETT,
Committee. C
7 0 2
6
12 01
9
While the average attendance for the year has been, 8384 per cent.
This school has suffered from the same general causes that affected the first primary. The teacher that has been identical with the existence of this school since its establishment, three years ago, re- signed at the close of the fall term, to assume new relations and higher duties. While we regretted the loss the school sustained for the time being, we con- gratulated her on her future prospects, and our good wishes follow her still.
A new teacher entering upon the duties of the school-room has many obstacles to overcome-the countenances of the children are new to her-characters unknown-dispositions untried-the mode of control- ling as yet unestablished and the state of advance. ment of each scholar unstudied-and these are all needful to her success; and then the possibility of failure in this difficult position, all conspire to darken the horizon of the youthful teacher, and she enters the school-room for the first time distrusting herself, and feeling unequal to her task-and she has reason so to do, for the position she is about to fill is no in- considerable place. The character of these scholars will be moulded very much after her own taste. The moral responsibility of every teacher is greater than at first we perceive.
Whether I delineate the feelings of the present teacher of this school, I know not, but certain I am these obstacles exist in a measure in all schools and among all teachers.
In addition to these causes already alluded to, the same sickness that prevailed so extensively among the scholars of the first primary, prevailed to a considera- ble degree here, during the latter part of the winter
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term-attacking the teacher and scholar -- and this furnishes us with the reason that so few were present on examination day-some seventeen or eighteen were at that time confined at home with the measles -we had therefore but fragments of classes before us on that occasion-and yet these gave us illustration of what the entire classes would have been, if all the pupils had been present.
The first class in reading, arithmetic and geography deserves much commendation.
The discipline of the school was admirable-and its state of proficiency surpassed our reasonable ex- pectations under all the circumstances of the case. The teacher has every reason for encouragement and good promise of future success.
We are happy to state that both these teachers were graduates of our grammar school, and the latter of the high school, of the city of Lynn. It is high- ly honorable and creditable for the town to educate its own teachers and this fact gives pleasing evidence of an educational progress. At times we may think that our system of primary schools is a very imperfect one, but we may comfort ourselves with the thought that it is the best system in the world-it even sur- passes that of the same grade in Prussia, that stands confessedly high in this respect.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
Lavinia W. Hill, Teacher. Salary, $220.
School Divisions and Studies .- Four classes in read- ing, two classes in geography. General exercises in mental arithmetic, outline maps, and singing.
Whole number in school during the spring term, 62; summer, 60; fall, 60; winter, 64. Average at-
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tendance during spring term, 46; summer, 45; fall, 48 ; winter, 40. Whole number absent each term- spring, 55, 890 days; summer, 56, 805 days; fall, 49, 767 days; winter, 60, 1491 days. Whole num- ber of pupils at the commencement of the current year, 46 ; at its close, 64. Whole number under five, or over fifteen, 0. Average age, 9 years. Aggregate number of months the school was in session, 11 months and 5 days. Foreign pupils, 1. Received from the primary school, 42 pupils. Present teacher had charge of the school 2 years, 5 months. Ad- vanced to the grammar school at the commencement of the school year, 12; June 28th, 3; Sept. 5th, 15; making in all 30 pupils having been removed since the last annual examination. Present at examination, 47.
By consulting the above statistics, it will be learned that the whole number of scholars' attendance with- out absence during the successive terms of the year is as follows: spring term, 7; summer, 4; fall, 11; winter, 3; and that in the aggregate the 61 absen- tees during the year have lost 3853 days, equal to 10 years, 8 months, 10 days. Average attendance for the year has been 75 per cent.
During the year the leading classes have been taken from this school and sent up to the grammar department. An unpleasant necessity compelled us to take this course, even though it were so great an injury to the school to lose all its best scholars. The longer a class remains under the tuition of a faithful teacher, the more perfect that class becomes, and the more apparent the result of earnest labor ; this is self- evident. Hence, when a leading class is removed from a school of this grade for any reason, it is like- ly to suffer in the estimation of strangers, but not at
1/58
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all in the esteem of those well acquainted with the circumstances of the case. Where there is knowledge there is allowance for all such changes that must go on in the school-room.
The teacher should not be discouraged on such account, fearing lest her reputation may suffer from the deficiencies of her scholars. Faithfulness, and a conscientious discharge of duty, whether more or less important, will not go unrewarded.
Under such circumstances as have occurred in this and the primaries during the past year, teachers would quite naturally despond and be somewhat troubled as to the result of their labors ; and yet, in our estima- tion, a teacher, who is able to rise above such exigen- cies and devote herself or himself anew to the assigned task, although not so inviting as one might wish, de- serves at our hands and of the public more of praise and merit, than if no such event had transpired.
An authoress has truthfully said, " Living to most, who live earnestly, is rowing a boat hard up-stream." " It is full of excitement and stimulus to the vigorous arm and determined eye." "There is joy in strife and pride in overcoming."
All this may be applied to the resolute, earnest teach- er ; the current sets strong against his or her efforts, and still with a good degree of intelligence and a vigorous display of it, and devotion of purpose, the boat moves up against the current, and we, and an intelligent community love to award the meed of praise to such resolute hearts, as do thus stem the flood !
GRAMMAR SCHOOL. W. F. Gile, Teacher. Salary, $600.
Divisions of School and Class Studies .- Four classes in reading, two in grammar, four in geography, one in
13
algebra, one in philosophy, five in written arithmetic, three in mental, and one in dictation exercises.
Whole number of scholars during the spring term, 54; summer, 42; fall, 65; winter, 52. Average attendance-spring term, 47%4; summer term, 30100; fall, 462; winter, 4360. Number absent, spring term, 47, 228 days ; summer, 42, 513 days ; fall, 64, 1125 days ; winter, 44, 503 days. Number of scholars at the commencement of the year, 50; at its close, 52. Average age of scholars, 12 years. School in session, 10 months, 5 days. Present at examination, 44. IIad charge of school, 10 months, 5 days.
It will be observed from the above statistics that the number of scholars that have completed the suc- cessive terms of the year without absence is as fol- lows : spring term, 7; summer, 0; fall, 1; winter, 8; that the aggregate absences amount to 2369 days, equal to 6 years, 6 months, 29 days. Average attend- ance for the year, 7239.
The aspect of this school during the past year has been cheerful and attractive ; the intercourse of teacher and scholar friendly and familiar. Its prog- ress has been good, as indicated from time to time, at our periodical visits, when we have found it in its everyday dress.
NOTES ON EXAMINATION DAY.
Second class in grammar, hopeful.
First class in geography, familiar with the text and the subject also ; no mistakes ; an excellent examina- tion in the outline maps.
First class in arithmetic were thoroughly versed in all the principles of the science of numbers, and solved readily and accurately all the problems given.
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First class in grammar had a good understanding of the elements of the language, and its structure ; no failure in this branch.
Class in philosophy was excellent.
Compositions exhibited maturity and discipline of mind.
The reading classes were very creditable to the books recently introduced, and the discipline of the teacher in this department. There was less "indis- tinctness" and " inaccuracy" in pronunciation than are usually found in our schools. The two first classes seemed to appreciate the sentiment of the author, and read with a proper degree of life and spirit.
The atmosphere the scholars seem to breathe was a healthy one-the pupils seemed to have been em- ployed during the year.
So far as the committee are able to judge, the teacher has aimed at good discipline-thoroughness and completeness, rather than the advancement of his scholars over a given number of pages-his practice has been to keep his pupils in the first principles until they were familiar with them. And if he found a class or any of its members were beyond soundings, had no just appreciation of the text, he would review and re-review them until they came into their depth, And this is the only true way to educate the child. It is a false pride on the part of the scholar, and a mistaken kindness on the part of parent or teacher to allow the concealment of an obstacle, rather than its re- moval. Stumps are to be pulled up, not covered over.
The views of the committee and those of the teach- er, harmonize in respect to the meaning of the term educational progress.
It is the constant hammering and chiseling of the artist that at length changes the rough marble into
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the beautiful form. Labor bestowed upon a small portion of one's farin gives the cultivator more produce than though the same labor were expended upon a large number of acres. So in cultivating the mind in the school-room ; the effort should be not to advance the pupil, but to educate him. And as education does not consist in the number of books studied, but in the manner these are studied, so the index of school- progress is neither the number of text books used, nor pages read, but in the complete mastery of a single text book, and the ability to exhibit a knowledge of it.
From the exhibits made to us during the year, and on the day of examination, the committee feel justi- fied in saying, that the present teacher has been true to his profession, and has spared no pains to make himself useful to his pupils.
Having become somewhat familiarized with the school and its condition, at the commencement of the succeeding school year, he will stand upon vantage ground and will accomplish much more the second year than he possibly could the first.
For the promotion of all our school interests, the nearer approach we make to permanency in every department, the more complete and satisfactory our success !
While this school is in a better condition, in every respect, than at the commencement of the present ad- ministration, the committee would respectfully call the attention of their fellow citizens to the great obstacle that lies in the way of its highest success, to wit : the withdrawal of so many of its larger scholars from its privileges during the summer and early fall months. Those who are absent the two middle terms, are poor- ly prepared to take their places in their classes the other two extreme terms.
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This apparent necessity should be overruled if pos- sible, for the education of our children is of far more importance than any other consideration ; and we respectfully solicit the attention of parents to this subject, and ask earnestly their co-operation in remov- ing this evil.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
It will be remembered that in our last year's report, we called attention to the second primary school- house as needing a suitable fence about it. It still needs it, and we beg leave to suggest again the in- creased necessity of such an improvement.
And we indulge the hope that as the spring opens upon us, that our citizens will be disposed to aid in an endeavor to relieve the present barren and desolate appearance of our noble grammar school- house by the transplanting of shade trees in front and about the building. Everything around the school- home of childhood should be made attractive.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
Teachers.
Salary.
Whole No. of Scholars.
Average Attendance.
Absences in days. 5268
No. different ones absent.
Two Primaries,
$400.00
136
110
119
One Intermediate,
220.00
64
48
3853
61
One Principal,
600.00
65
4743
2369
246
$1,220.00
265
20543
11490
426
The aggregate number of absences and absentees, is larger than last year, and accounted for on the ground of the prevailing sickness, to which allusion has been made.
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SCHOOL EXPENDITURES.
Four teachers' salaries,
$1159.58
Philosophical apparatus, 37.20
Fuel and teaming, 90.14
Care of houses, sawing wood,
78.12
Repairs and cleaning,
18.84
6.78
Town of Marblehead, Books, 13.69
$1404.35
Committee's services,
00.00
$1404.35
SCHOOL BOOKS.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Reading .- Bible, Tower's 5th and 4th Books, Sequel and Gradual Readers, Swan's Speller, Nor- thend's Dictation Exercises, Worcester's and Webster's Dictionaries. Mathematics .- Colburn's Mental, Greenleaf's Introduc- tion and National Arithmetic, Greenleaf's Algebra, Northend's Book-Keeping. Geography .- Mitchell's Intermediate, Modern Atlas. Grammar .- Weld's.
Philosophy .- Parker's.
Writing .- Paysons and Dunton's System.
INTERMEDIATE.
Bible, Sequel to the Gradual Reader, Gradual Reader, Colburn's Lessons, Mitchell's Intermediate, Mitchell's Primary Geography.
3
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PRIMARY.
Bible, Sequel to Gradual Reader, Gradual Reader, Introduction to Gradual Reader, Gradual Primer, Col- ourn's Lessons, Mitchell's Intermediate and Primary Geography.
CONCLUSION.
While our scholastic year has been much interrupt- ed from causes beyond our control, we have occasion for gratitude to the Author of all good, that the lives of all the school children have been preserved except one member of the intermediate, and one of the sec- ond primary department.
We congratulate our fellow citizens that so much harmony has prevailed in the town respecting the present incumbents of our schools.
Our educational interests should be our honest pride, and the objects of our unceasing devotion !
With the above report we resign the responsible trust imposed upon us by the favor of the town, ex- pressing the hope that wisdom and a discreet energy may ever characterize the town and its authorities, in all their provisions for carrying forward the great work of human life-education.
By order of the School Commitee,
J. B. CLARK, Chairman.
J. B. CLARK, E. WOODFORD. School Committee. * J. B. HOLDER,
* Left Town,
REGULATIONS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Regulations common to all the Public Schools under the immediate superintendence of the School Committee.
SECTION 1. The school-room shall be opened fifteen minutes be- fore the time appointed for beginning school.
SECT. 2. The school hours shall be, for the morning, from 9 o'clock to 12; throughout the year ; and for the afternoon, from 2 to 5, from the first Monday in April to the first Monday in October ; from the first Monday in October to the first Monday in April, from 1} to 43 o'clock.
SECT. 3. Each instructor shall punctually observe the time ap- pointed for opening and dismissing the schools, and shall make no occasional change from the regular hours, without consulting some member of the committee.
SECT. 4. The morning exercises of the schools shall commence with the reading of the Bible ; and it is recommended that the read- ing be followed with some devotional service.
SECT. 5. An excuse, written or otherwise authenticated, must be brought by each pupil, for absence, tardiness, or dismission before the appointed hours for leaving school.
SECT. 6. Tardiness beyond five minutes shall be considered a violation of school hours, and shall subject the delinquent to such penalty as the nature of the case may require.
SECT. 7. There shall be a recess of ten minutes each half day, for every school ; and for every primary school there may be an ex- tra recess each half day.
SECT. 8. The instructor shall exercise a kind and parental dis- cipline. If there is direct and violent opposition to the authority of the teacher, or continued disobedience in a pupil, or improper inter- ference of parents, such as to render his example permanently injuri- ous, it shall be the duty of the teacher to report such pupil to the committee, who alone shall have power to expel from privleges of the school, and to re-admit, evidence being given of repentance and amendment.
SECT. 9. No pupil having been in attendance at one school, shall be admitted into another, without previous consent of the committee.
SECT. 10. Each teacher is directed not to receive any children, as pupils, whose residence is out of town, and if any such are now in attendance, they are now to be dismissed. Neither is any child other than a pupil to be allowed temporarily in any school.
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SECT. 11. In case of difficulty in the discharge of their official duties, or when they may desire any temporary indulgence, the in- structors shall apply to the committee for advice and direction.
SECT. 12. No studies shall be pursued in any of the schools, nor any text books used or introduced, except those authorized by the committee.
SECT. 12. The statute in regard to the faithful keeping of the school register is to be observed. And it is directed that this regis- ter be kept at the school-room, for the inspection of the committee.
SECT. 14. Whenever the neccessary school-books are not furnish- ed by the parent or guardian, on the written request of the teacher, it shall be his duty to send such pupil with a written order to the town librarian, specifying the name of the book required, the child's name, the parent's or guardian's name, and the name of the street in which he resides.
SECT. 15. The spring term shall commence on the first Monday in March, and continue twelve weeks. After one week's vacation, the summer term shall commence and continue ten weeks, and to be followed by three weeks' vacation. The fall and winter terms shall be of twelve weeks, and each followed by one week's vacation.
SECT. 16. The following holidays will be allowed, viz :- Wed- nesday and Saturday afternoons ; days of public Fast ; the Fourth of July ; Thanksgiving Day and the remainder of the week; and Christ- mas day ; and those instructors who may wish to attend the Essex County Teachers' Convention, will be allowed, for this express pur- pose alone, the two days in spring, and the two in the autumn, on which said convention meets. And no change in the regular days of keeping school is to be made, without previous consultation with the committee of the school.
SECT. 17. No subscription or advertisement shall be introduced into any public school without the consent of the committee.
SECT. 18. The above rules are to be strictly regarded.
APPOINTMENT OF INSTRUCTORS.
SECTION 1. In March, annually, all the instructors in the public schools shall be elected, and their salaries voted ; and no alteration in the amount of salary of any instructor shall be made at any other time.
ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS.
The annual examination of all the schools, shall take place during the month of February.
SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1996 00132 2173
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