USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1855 > Part 1
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REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN,
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN,
AND OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR
ENDING MARCH 31, 1856.
NEW- BEDFORD: STANDARD STEAM PRESS-E. ANTHONY, PRINTER. 1856.
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN,
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN;
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
MARCH 31, 1856.
NEW BEDFORD : EVENING STANDARD STEAM PRESS. 1856.
-
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https://archive.org/details/annualreportofto 1855fair
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
THE SELECTMEN have examined the accounts of Eb- enezer Akin, Jr., Collector of Taxes, to the year 1855, and Tucker Damon, Jr., for the last year, and find them correct :
Amount of Tax Bills in the hands of Ebenezer Akin, Jr., at the commencement of the past year, as per Selectmen's account, 1854 -- 55. $4,639.03
Amount of Tax Bills placed in the hands of Tucker
Damon, Jr., for the year 1855. 26,595.07
$31,234.10
Their accounts show as follows :
Amount collected by E. Akin, Jr., and paid to Town Treasurer, $2,481.62
Commissions to E. Akin, Jr: as Collector, 50.65
Taxes previous to 1855, remitted by As- sessors, 293.72
Uncollected Taxes in the hands of E. Akin, Jr. 1,813.04
4,639.03
Amount collected by Tucker Damon, Jr., and paid State Treasurer, 2,376.00
66 " County 2,895.81
66 " Town 16,941.45
Collector's Commissions, T. Damon, Jr., 455.50 Abatement for prompt pay, 1,293.20
Taxes remitted by Assessors, 106.04
Uncollected Taxes for 1855, in hands of T. Damon, Jr. 2,527.07
26,595.07
$31,234.10
4
The accounts of Tucker Damon, Jr., Treasurer of the Town for the last year, have been examined and are correct as follows :
The Town is credited with :
Balance rec'd from E. Akin, Jr., former Treasurer,
$580.33
Dividends from Bank Stock, . 210.00
Cash of State Treasurer, School Fund, 247.09
Cash of C. E. Clark, for C. M. Taber,
82.55
Cash of B. Austin, labor,
740.86
Cash of B. Austin, stock,
150.88
Cash of B. Austin, services,
2.00
Cash of J. B. Morse,
.31
Cash for Licenses,
16.00
Cash of Liquor Agent,
100.00
Cash from sale of Maps,
91.25
Cash of E. Akin, Jr., Collector,
2,481.62
Cash of T. Damon, Jr., Collector,
16,941.45
Loan of F. R. Whitwell,
1,000.00
Loan of Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
3,400.00
Loan of New Bedford Institution for Savings,
6,000.00
$32,044.34
And debited with :
Orders drawn on the Treasurer and paid,
$28,606.79
Loan of F. R. Whitwell paid,
1,000,00
Loan of Fairhaven Institution for Savings paid,
1,400.00
Interest on Loans paid, 93.87
Treasurer's Commissions,
310.04
Cash balance in Treasury,
633.64
$32,044.34
There remains unpaid of the expenses of the town on the 1st of April :
Amount due the several School Districts
$2,185.44
Outstanding orders for Support of Poor,
720.46
Outstanding orders for Incidental Expenses,
605.27
For School Books, 552.17
Ansel White, per contract,
20.00
$4,083.34
5
To pay the above :
Uncollected Taxes,
$4,340.11
School Books sold,
570.00
School Books in hands of Committee,
304.31
Due from Town of Easton,
117.92
Due from Town of Brewster,
135.66
Due from Town of Nantucket,
71.16
Due from Towns of Rochester and Marion,
35.00
Due from F. Keith, on his note,
94.31
Cash in the Treasury,
633.64
TOWN DEBT.
Loan of New Bedford Institution for Savings,
$6,000.00
Loan of Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
3,500.00
Loans of sundry individuals,
4,900.00
$14,400.00
The Town has :
28 Shares Fairhaven Bank Stock, par value,
$2,800.00
Liquor Agency, stock and cash on hand,
421.97
$3,221.97
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Balance of Appropriation for 1854-55,
$802.63
Appropriation for 1855 -- 56,
7,500.00
Received of State Treasurer,
247.09
$8,549.72
Orders drawn for High School,
$1,650.00
Orders drawn for Common Schools,
4,714.28
6,364.28
Balance not drawn :
High School,
$495.00
Common Schools,
1,690.44
2,185.44
$8,549.72
REPAIRS OF HIGHWAYS.
Balance of Appropriation for 1854-55,
$58.58
Appropriation for 1855 -- 56,
2,500.00
Cash of J. B. Morse, surveyor,
.31
$2,558.89
A2
$6,302.11
6
Orders drawn, $2,558.89
ALMS HOUSE, FARM AND POOR.
Balance of Appropriation 1854-55, $484.43
Outstanding orders to J. T. Hadley, cancelled,
26.00
Appropriation for 1855-56, 2,000.00
Cash of Cyrus E. Clark, Guardian, 82.55
Cash from sales of Stock,
150.88
Labor by B. Austin, with teams and men from Farm,
740.86
Cash of B. Austin, collected,
2.00
Overdrawn, 90.57
$3,577.29
Orders drawn :
For Support of Poor in and out of Alms House,
$2,315.81
Purchase of Stock,
110.60
State Lunatic Asylum,
82.55
B. Austin, Keeper of Alms House,
400.00
B. Austin, balance of account Labor, Stock and Produce bought,
$276.67
Less Sales,
240.82
35.85
Hired labor for House and Farm,
293.30
Peckham & Taylor,
34.50
N. S. Higgins, lumber,
33.33
R. M. Simmons, repairing,
14.54
Isaac Terry, blacksmithing,
52.87
Doctor Webster,
37.00
Bills of Coal and Wood,
166.94
$3,577.29
Due from :
Town of Easton, for Support of Poor,
$117.92
" " Brewster, 66
135.66
" " Nantucket, 66
66 66
71.16
66 " Rochester and Marion,
35.00
F. Keith, on his note,
94.31
$454.05
PRODUCE RAISED ON FARM.
21 tons of English Hay, value, 5 " " Salt Hay, value,
40.00
257 bushels of Grain, value, Vegetables,
158.00
3,602 lbs Beef fattened,
288.16
1,572 lbs “ 66
172.92
$1,325.08
Stock on Farm, valued,
$585.00
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
Balance of Appropriation for 1854,
$3,433.28
Appropriation for 1855,
6,500.00
Appropriation for Water Street,
1,350,00
Dividends from Bank Stock,
210.00
Cash returned for Licenses,
16.00
Amount assessed for School Books,
194.58
Overlay on Taxes, 1855,
1,211.06
Cash received from Liquor Agency,
100.00
Cash from sales of Town Map,
91.25
Taxes assessed in Nov. 1855,
3.00
Loans of F. R. Whitwell,
1,000.00
Loans of Fairhaven Ins. for Savings,
3,400.00
Loans of New Bedford Ins. for Savings,
6,000.00 10,400.00
$23,509.17
Orders drawn :
$627.24
For High School House, yard &c. School Books,
375.80
Fire Department-
Engine men,
568.00
Sundry bills 1854,
202.58
Sundry bills 1855,
119.08
889.66
Suits at law and expenses-
Mrs. E. Hawes,
699.86
James R. Lawrence,
689.28
N. Morton, services,
100.00
Clifford & Brigham, services from 1850, 900.00 Witnesses fees, 108.24
2,497.38
For Constables services,
59.08
For Street Conimittee,
25.00
$4,474.16
$378.00
288.00
8
Amount brought forward, $4,474.16
For School District Committee,
62.50
For Widening Main Street,
109.25
For Rotch Street, fencing and grading,
64.22
For Tobey Road repairs,
140.00
For Mattapoisett Road repairs,
45.00
For Mill Dam, North Fairhaven, repairs,
20.35
205.35
For Water Street-
Grading, carting and labor, $831.27
Culvert under street and wharf,
594.99
Curbing and flagging stones
491.92
Paving stones,
50.00
Labor, curbing and flagging side walk, and paving gutter, 141.23 Damages to abuttors, 590.50
2,699.91
For Head of the River Road-
Damages to abuttors and removing walls, 491.24
Labor on road and removing ledges, 2,053.71 Blacksmith's bill, 53.25 2,598.20
For Fort Street-
Damages to abuttors and removing walls and fences, 376.00
Stones, gravel and carting,
1,132.55
Labor, grading street and making side walk, 866.64
2,325.19
For Reservoir at Oxford Village,
707.73
For School House and lot, District 18,
623.00
For Town Maps,
468.86
For Safe,
261.04
For Ansel White, repairs of Mill Dam,
175.00
For Liquor Agency,
100.00
For clearing snow,
196.03
For printing and blank books,
172.17
For Overseers of Poor, services,
100.00
For Assessors services,
298.00
For Census and statistics,
126.00
424.00
For School Committee services,
204.49
For Fairhaven Institution for Savings, note,
1,400.00
For F. R. Whitwell, note,
1,000.00
For interest on Loans,
383.78
Discount,
2.33
381.45
For Joshua Morse and others, taxes worked on private way,
80.08
$18,832.63
9
Amount brought forward,
$18,832.63
For School House tax, District No. 10,
18.80
For rent of Pound 1853-54, 10.00
For City of New Bedford, repairing monu- ments on line, For R. Dunham & Co,
5.50
47.75
For Jenny & Tripp, 1854,
14.62
For rent of rooms for Town,
34.66
For Town Clerk for registering marriages, births and deaths,
35.10
For sundry orders,
177.20
For Selectmen's services,
350.00
For amount of Taxes remitted,
399.76
For Treasurer and Collectors' commissions,
765.54
For Abatement for prompt payment of Taxes,
1,293.20
Balance unexpended,
1,524.41
$23,509.17
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND ALLEN,
CHARLES D. CAPEN,
Selectmen.
B. EWER, JR.
We, the undersigned, have examined the foregoing accounts, and believe them to be correct. HENRY A. CHURCH, } Committee on FREDERIC TABER. Accounts.
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REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN,
FOR THE YEAR
1855-6.
NEW BEDFORD: EVENING STANDARD STEAM PRESS. 1856.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GENTLEMEN :
THE School Committee of the Town of Fairhaven respectfully submit their Annual Report. We would in the first place direct your attention to the state of the Schools.
HIGH SCHOOL.
We were under the necessity of procuring for this school a Principal and three Assistants; the former Assistants having resigned at the close of the last school year. Being well aware of the disadvantages which a school of this kind is subject to by being deprived of a permanent teacher, we exercised more than ordinary care in securing some person who should conduct the school in a manner that might win the approbation of our successors, and thus secure to himself a permanency of situation. The good results arising from this are seen in the labors of the teacher, which are rendered doubly effective, when by long continuance in school he has acquired a full knowledge of the wants and ca- pacities of his scholars ; the scholars also on their part seem to manifest more interest in their studies than they would if the school was under the charge of a stranger. A teacher was needed for this school, who, in addition to his literary qualifications, should also be a thorough disciplinarian. And your Committee in selecting Mr. GEORGE E. THATCHER for the Principal of the High School, congratulate themselves upon
4
securing a teacher, whose reputation in the above respect has been so well sustained during the past year. The school under his efficient management has advanced in the most satisfactory manner. He has been ably assisted by Miss King, who, in former years, was favorably known as the first Assistant of the same school while under the charge of Mr. Montague. Catharine Dexter was engaged for second Assistant, and Jane Liscomb for third Assistant, both of whom have given very good satisfaction. The utmost har- mony has existed among the teachers and scholars, and it is to this feeling, in part, that the success of the school is attributed. The course of study has been somewhat changed from that of former years. At the suggestion of Mr. Thatcher the following system was adopted, of which we give a schedule :
Eighth Class .- Arithmetic from Ratio to Progressive, Geography completed, Grammar through the term, History commenced, III Periods, Reading, Writing and Spelling.
Seventh Class .- Arithmetic completed,
Physiology commenced, Grammar through the term, History completed, 13 periods, Reading, Writing and Spelling.
Sixth Class .- Physiology completed and reviewed, Algebra commenced, 10 Sections, Analysis com'ced, completed & revw'd, Astronomy " 66 Composition and Declamation.
Fifth Class .- Algebra completed, Cowper commenced, 4 Books, Geometry 66 Optional Studies, Composition and Declamation.
5
Fourth Class .- Arithmetic reviewed,
Geometry completed, 5 Books, Natural Philosophy com'ced, 3 Parts, Optional Studies, Composition and Declamation.
Third Class .- Natural Philosophy completed, Milton commenced, Algebra reviewed, Optional Studies, Composition and Declamation.
Second Class .- Milton completed,
Geometry reviewed, 5 Books, Chemistry commenced, 200 Sections, Mental Philosophy commenced, Optional Studies, Composition and Declamation.
First Class .- Mental Philosophy completed, Moral Science commenced & completed, Chemistry completed, Geometry reviewed and completed, Rhetoric commenced and completed, Optional Studies, Composition and Declamation,
Under the head of Optional Studies are included Greek, Latin, French, Book-Keeping, Botany, &c. Some have supposed that a third Assistant was un- necessary, but those who are in the habit of visiting the school must perceive that this is a mistaken idea. The teachers have very little leisure, nearly all the time being occupied in hearing recitations. At the Spring examination of candidates for admission, fifty- one were examined and thirty-two were admitted. At the Fall examination, twenty-eight applied and ten were admitted. As usual quite a number applied who were not sufficiently advanced in their studies and others who were too young. In consequence of the A2
6
injury done to the child who seeks to enter at too ear- ly an age, and perhaps before it is sufficiently advanced, too much care cannot be exercised by the parents in allowing their children to apply under such circum- stances. The order in this school during the year has been all we could ask for, and the scholars generally have manifested a commendable interest in their studies, and we think the teachers may justly feel that their praiseworthy efforts have produced results the most satisfactory. The scholars in the first class who were to graduate last November, but were not sufficient- ly advanced in some respects to do so, will graduate at the close of the present term, and judging from the past examination we feel assured that they will do so with credit to both their teachers and themselves. We have made some improvements in the school house ; among others may be mentioned ten new seats, which have been added, so that now one hundred scholars can be seated comfortably. We have also purchased a chemical apparatus and fitted a room for the same, thus enabling the scholars in chemistry to pursue their studies to better advantage than they could formerly. We would call your attention to the following remarks of Mr. Thatcher, which contain suggestions worthy of consideration, and which we trust will meet the ap- proval of our successors.
" That the pupil may derive the greatest amount of advantage from the course of instruction in the High School, it is indispensably necessary that the prepara- tory training should be thorough and complete. The parent is sadly misguided that hurries the child through the preparatory course and crowds him, at the earliest possible moment, into this school. The pupil enters the school under unfavorable aus-
7
pices. His duties, if his qualifications to discharage them were better, would be easy and pleasant; but now they are onerous and distasteful. He is called upon to perform tasks to which he is entirely inade- quate. The consequences follow naturally enough, discouragement, suspension of effort, loss of standing, and the disgrace of falling back into a lower class. The parent that wisely consults the true interest of the child, will wait till both attainments and years justify a reasonable hope that he will pass through the course with profit and honor. I am persuaded that a habit of cramming, in graded schools, a habit that more than any other injures their usefulness, mainly results from a sentiment which obtains in community, that the pupil must be pushed through the course in the shortest possible space of time. He is furnished with a slate, pencil and copy of Greenleaf's National Arithmetic, when he should be mastering Colburn's First Lessons. Algebra is too soon substituted for Arithmetic. Before Geography is well understood, Astronomy crowds it out of the way. And thus it is throughout the whole course. The remedy for this is obvious. Let there be thoroughness in every depart- ment, and a complete preparation before advancement."
DISTRICT No. 1.
We think this District fortunate in procuring the services of Matilda P. Briggs, who taught the same school the previous summer. She is one who takes a deep interest in her school and labors with diligence. The school was under her charge during the summer months and satisfactory improvement was made.
Walter A. Davis taught the school during the win-
8
ter. He is an efficient teacher and under his charge the school has succeeded well. The discipline is good.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
40
28.86
6 months.
Winter,
42
34.33
4
66
Wages of teachers. $17. 36.50
DISTRICT No. 2.
This school was taught during the summer by Miss Hannah Sears, who during the first part of the term succeeded very well and improvement was made, but during the latter part of the term the discipline was not quite what it should have been. Martin L. El- dridge has had charge of the school during the winter. The school under his faithful management could not fail of success. The discipline of the school is good, and commendable improvement has been made.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
38
25.56
Winter,
41
33.45
5 months. 42
Wages of teachers. $18. 35.
DISTRICT No. 3.
In this school the attendance has not been good, and in the same ratio has its advancement been retarded. Some of the scholars, however, gave evidence of com- mendable application. The people of this district can hardly be held excusable if they longer neglect to im- prove the interior appearance of their school house. When we reflect that not only the teacher and the book educate the child, but the mental germ, like the polish- ed plate of the Daguerrian artist, catches and exhibits forever the beauty or deformity of surrounding objects and associations ; how strongly are we urged to make the school house and all that pertains thereto an ex- ample of purity, fitness and beauty. The summer
9
terms were taught by Miss Caroline P. Gammons and Miss Tamar Webb, and the winter term by Frederick Jenney.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
33
26
5 months. 43 66
35.
DISTRICT No. 4.
The summer term of this school was quite well con- ducted, although more persistence in the enforcement of discipline would doubtless have proved an advan- tage. The teacher of the winter term was very suc- cessful, pursuing a thorough and systematic course and exciting a laudable interest and earnestness on the part of the scholars. The summer term was taught by George A. Taber, and the winter term by E. Frank- lin Hinks.
Scholars.
Length of schools.
Summer,
28
Av. att. 20.64
5 months.
Winter,
25
22.02
Wages of teachers. $17.55 36.90
DISTRICT No. 5.
This school during the summer was taught by Ann H. Snow, and improvement was made. William A. Weeden taught the school during the winter, he is an active and energetic teacher, and we have been pleased to witness the success that has attended his efforts. We think this school will compare favorably with any in town.
Scholars.
Summer,
30
Av. att. 22.
Length of schools. 5 months. 4 66
Wages of teachers. $17. 35.
Winter,
38
26.07
DISTRICT No. 6.
The summer term was under the charge of Sylvia K. Howland. The discipline of the school was very good,
Wages of teachers. $18.
Winter,
36
24
10
and the scholars displayed considerable promptness in the various exercises of the school. The school dur- ing the winter months has been well conducted by William E. Morgan, who has labored under the disad- vantage of teaching in a district where there was not the unity of feeling in regard to a choice for teacher, which is so necessary for the success of the school, but notwithstanding this obstacle, we are glad to notice the success which has crowned his efforts. We were much pleased with the appearance of the school.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
33
22.50
·Winter,
37
28.86
5 months. 4 66
Wages of teachers. $17. 36.623
DISTRICT No. 7.
The attendance in this school has been very good, and the teachers have been faithful in the performance of their duties. But we do not find here that devo- tedness to study which is indispensable to the recep- tion of all the benefits of a teacher's fidelity. Teach- ers and scholars must labor reciprocally and in earnest in order for our schools to fulfil the noble mission for which they are instituted. Eugenia Hall taught dur- ing the summer term, and Anna H. Snow. during the winter term.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
40
30.22
Winter,
45
38.
52 months. 5
Wages of teachers. $18. 25.
DISTRICT No. 8.
This school has for a long time held a high rank. It has fully sustained its position for the past year. The seats and desks in the school house in this .district appear to have been constructed without consulting the convenience or comfort of those who were to occupy
11
them. We trust the parents who see the inconven- ience and discomfort to which their children are sub- jected, will without delay remove all cause of complaint in this regard. Mary A. Tinkham taught during the summer term, and Jones Robinson during the winter.
Scholars.
39
Av. att. 22.
Length of schools.
Summer,
Winter,
40
33.24
41 months. 41
Wages of teachers. $18. 37.50.
DISTRICT No. 9.
This school was taught during the summer term by Sarah C. Akin, and during the winter by Benjamin A. Shaw. We have no reason to complain of the disci- pline or attention which the scholars manifest in their studies, but the attendance has been very bad indeed. This is certainly very discouraging to the teachers, and operates detrimental to the success of the school.
Scholars.
Summer,
27
Winter,
25
Av. att. 16.64 16.34
Length of schools. 4} months. 4 9-20 «
Wages of teachers. $16. 33.
DISTRICT No. 10.
This school, during the first term, was taught by Lucy Akin, the second term by Lucy A. Manter, and the winter term by Rebecca C. Gammons, assisted by Laura B. Tripp. The school appears well and good order is maintained, but no school can succeed as it should, where there is a too frequent change of teachers. Vastly more good can be accomplished by employing the same person through the whole year than by em- ploying different teachers for each term.
Summer, Winter,
Scholars. 42
Av. att. 33.94
Length of schools. 5 months. 4
Wages of teachers. $18. 22. & 14.
52
12
DISTRICT No. 11.
The GRAMMAR SCHOOL has been taught during the year by Lucy T. Clark, who labored under the disad- vantage of teaching in a district where the parents did not seem to be united in their choice for a teacher, but we have been pleased to observe, notwithstanding this discouragement, that she has conducted the school in a manner which has won the confidence of the School Committee and parents generally. At all times there has existed between her and the scholars a kindly feel- ing, and under her mild but firm management the school has improved in every respect.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
23
18.87
Winter, 23
17.74
5 months. 44 66
Wages of teachers. $22. 22.
The PRIMARY SCHOOL has been taught the entire year by Sarah W. Macomber. The school under her management has improved, and judging from the promptness with which most of the scholars answer the questions put to them, we think she is well cal- culated to awaken an interest in the minds of the scholars.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
29
24.04
Winter,
26
19,74
5 months. 4₺
Wages of teachers. $18. 18.
DISTRICT No. 12 and 13.
The GRAMMAR SCHOOL has been ably conducted the entire year by Mr. Aaron Porter as Principal, and Miss Lucy Hathaway as Assistant. This school was found to be in a very bad state in regard to order, but owing to the teacher's prompt action in all cases of misbeha- vior, the school now presents a very creditable appear- ance. We think Mr. Porter's plan of teaching is well
13
calculated to awaken an interest in the minds of his scholars in regard to their studies ; and we believe the acquirements of the scholars to be as great as could rea- sonably be expected. The attendance during the year has not been what it should be. This is an evil that cannot fail to detract from the success of the school, and we trust that the parents will for the future en- deavor to pay more attention to the regular attendance of their children at school. Miss Hathaway has ably assisted during the year, and it is partly to her efforts that we find the school in so advanced a state in com- parison to the same at the commencement of the school year. Several scholars from this school have been ad- mitted into the High School during the year, and a number will probably be found qualified to enter at the Spring examination.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Wages of teachers.
Summer, l
Winter, § 100
80
92 months.
$60. & $22.
The CENTRE MEDIUM SCHOOL has been taught dur- ing the year by Mrs. Fairfield. We think the schol- ars have improved in their studies, but the school is not so still and orderly as we could wish. We wish the dis- trict might do something towards heating and ventilat- ing this school room in a better manner than hereto- fore. We think it might have some effect upon the order of the school.
Scholars.
Av. att.
Length of schools.
Summer,
Winter,
54
47 92 months.
Wages of teachers. $22.
The SOUTH MEDIUM SCHOOL, the first two terms was under the charge of Rebecca Eaton, the balance of the
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