USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1859 > 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 31ST, 1860.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, NO. 67 UNION STREET. 1860.
1
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN,
For the year ending March 31st, 1860.
NEW -BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, NO. 67 UNION STREET. 1860.
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., to 1860, 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 Report, 1859, $362.87
Amount of Tax Bills in the hands of Tucker
Damon, Jr., for the year 1858-9, $4,771.37
Amount of Tax Bills placed in the hands of
Tucker Damon, Jr., for the year 1859-60, 28,548.79
$33,320.16
Their accounts show as follows :
Amount collected by E. Akin, Jr., and paid to Town Treasurer,
42.48
Commissions to E. Akin, Jr.,
.87
Taxes remitted by Assessors,
128.03
Uncollected Taxes in the hands of E. Akin, Jr., to March 31, 1860, 191.49
362.87
Amount collected by Tucker Damon, Jr., and paid to State Treasurer,
1,584.00
County Treasurer,
4,633.29
"
66 Town Treasurer,
20,473.96
Abatement for prompt pay,
1,303.02
Taxes remitted by Assessors,
466.32
Uncollected Taxes, 1855-6,
24.06
Uncollected Taxes, 1856-7, 89.42
Uncollected Taxes, 1857-8, 255.96
Uncollected Taxes, 1858-9,
1,142.01
Uncollected Taxes, 1859-60,
in the hands of T. Damon, Jr., 3,348.12
4,859.57
33,320.16
4
The accounts of Tucker Damon, Jr., Treasurer of the Town, have been examined and are correct, as follows, viz. :
The Town is credited with :
Dividends from Bank Stock,
$168.00
Loans from Fairhaven Bank,
12,100.00
Loans from Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
7,400.00
Cash of State Treasurer, (School Fund,)
220.29
Cash of Town of Nantucket,
229.64
Cash of Town of Mattapoisett,
13.69
Cash of W. A. Spooner, Superintendent labor, &c.,
242.01
Cash for Circus License,
· 15.00
Cash of E. Akin, Jr.,
42.48
Cash of Jones Robinson,
10.00
Cash from Dog Licenses,
190.00
Cash from sale of Town Maps,
1.24
Cash of Stephen Barker,
96.17
Cash of T. Damon, Jr., Collector,
20,473.96
$41,202.48
And indebted with :
Orders drawn on the Treasurer and paid, viz. :
For Highway, School, Poor, and " Incidental" Ex- penses,
23,259.09
For Loans from Fairhaven Bank,
10,100.00
For Loans from New Bedford Institution for Savings,
5,000.00
For Loans from individuals,
239.04
For Interest on Loans,
1,582.61
Discounts,
165.55
Treasurer and Collector's Salary,
600.00
Cash on hand,
256.19
$41,202.48
There remains unpaid of the expenses of the Town on the 1st of April, as near as can be ascertained :
Amount due Schools,
3,066.99
Outstanding orders for Support of the Poor, 1,939.48
Outstanding orders for " Incidental" Expenses,
1,181.78
Outstanding orders for Schools,
42.95
Bills against the Town for which no " orders" have been given, 706.42
Interest due,
608.44
" Temporary" Loan from Fairhaven Bank,
2,000.00
$9,546.06
5
To pay the aforesaid :
Uncollected Taxes,
$4,859.57
School Books sold,
395.55
School Books in the hands of the Committee,
335.49
Due from F. Keith, on his note,
94.21
Due from the Town of Rochester,
56.44
Due from the Town of Nantucket,
150.34
Due from City of Fall River,
183.72
$6,075.32
TOWN DEBT.
Loan of Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
21,000.00
Loan of individuals, -
5,800.00
$26,800.00
The Town has their proportionate part of :
Twenty-eight Shares Fairhaven Bank Stock, par value, 2,800.00 Liquor Agency, Stock and Cash on hand, 442.29
$3,242.29
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Balance of Appropriation for 1858-9,
2,287.53
Appropriation for 1859-60,
8,000.00
Received of State Treasurer,
220.29
$10,507.82
Orders drawn for High School,
1,454.87
Orders drawn for Common Schools,
5,985.96
7,440.83
Balance not drawn :
High School,
335.96
Common Schools,
2,731.03
3,066.99
$10,507.82
REPAIRS OF HIGHWAYS.
Appropriation for 1859-60, $2,700.00
Orders drawn and paid,
$2,700.00
6
FARM, ALMS HOUSE AND POOR.
Appropriation for 1859-60,
$3,000.00
Cash received from Stephen Barker,
96.17
Cash received from Town of Nantucket,
229.64
Cash received from Town of Mattapoisett,
13.69
Cash received from W. A. Spooner,
58.12
Cash received from W. A. Spooner, by labor and team from Farm,
139.27
Overdrawn from 1855 to 1859,
3,703.38
Overdrawn 1860,
2,308.19
6,011.57
1
Orders drawn :
For Support of Poor in and out of Alms
House, for 1858-9, 1,085.59
For Support of Poor in and out of Alms House, for 1859-60, 3,482.19
4,567.78
For R. M. Simmons,
10.71
For Seth Shaw,
15.00
For Marshall Briggs,
13.15
For N. S. Higgins,
6.12
For Fuel,
107.44
For J. B. Bisbee,
19.03
For Isaac Terry,
58.83
For Labor,
180.00
For Lunatic Asylum,
334.27
For Physicians' bills,
107.75
For W. A. Spooner,
425.00
5,845.08
Overdrawn to 1859,
3,703.38
$9,548.46
Due from F. Keith, on his note,
94.21
Due from Town of Rochester,
56.44
Due from Town of Middleborough,
5.00
Due from Town of Nantucket,
150.34
Due from City of Fall River,
183.72
$489.71
$9,548.46
7
"INCIDENTAL" ACCOUNT.
Balance unexpended, 1,386.49
Appropriation for 1859-60,
5.500.00
Special Appropriation for Highway in School District No. 14,
200.00
Special Appropriation for Sidewalk on Wash- ington street,
100.00
Special Appropriation for " Road under indict- ment" (near S. White's,)
300.00
Special Appropriation for Watch House and Lot,
700.00
Special Appropriation for Street Lamps,
1,000.00
Dividends from Fairhaven Bank,
168.00
Loans from Fairhaven Bank,
12,100.00
Loans from Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
7,400.00
Cash from E. Akin, Jr.,
42.48
Cash from W. A. Spooner, labor,
44.62
Cash from Jones Robinson,
10.00
Cash from Dog Licenses,
190.00
Cash from Circus License,
15.00
Cash from sale of Town Maps,
1.24
Overlay on Taxes,
497.53
Amount assessed for School Books,
333.97
Balance, " overdrawn,"
3.967.31
$33,956.64
Orders drawn :
For labor on indicted road, (near S. White's,) 246.39
For labor on Sidewalk, (Washington street,) 88.86
For labor on Highway in School Dist. No. 14, 192.48
For labor on "Martin Gammons road,"
220.22
For labor on Roads and Bridges at the " Long Plain,"
76.75
For labor on " Perry Hill,"
38.00
For labor on road at " Head of the River,"
24.30
For labor and materials on Streets, &c., " in the Village,"
206.22
-
1,093.22
For Lamp Posts, Lanterns, Lamps, and set- ting and fitting the same,
766.18
For cans, wicks, ladders, &c.,
35.91
For care of Lights,
87.50
For Fluid,
129.62
1,019.21
For Watch House lot,
311.62
For Watch House, fixtures, furniture and fuel, 478.98
For " Watch," 1,369.25
- 2,159.85
$4,272.28
8
Amount brought forward,
$4,272.28
For Hose and fixtures purchased in 1858, 492.81
For repairs of Houses, Engines and Hose, 51.49
For care of Engines, and oiling Hose, 70.61
For fixtures in Houses and upon Engines,
39.75
For sundry bills, for fuel, lights, well, pump, &c., For Engine Men,
108.49
555.00
For High School House,
199.48
For School Books,
909.13
For Printing, Advertising, Stationery and Blank Books,
223.74
For sundry bills,
145.13
For Rents,
116.75
For Expenses connected with division of Town,
89.22
For Sheep killed,
12.00
For Committee on " Free School" question,
10.00
For registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths,
34.75
For Selectmen,
350.00
For Overseers of the Poor,
100.00
For Assessors,
354.50
For School Committee,
286.10
For Firewards,
18.00
For Committee on Accounts,
12.00
For Constables,
37.30
1,157.90
For Loans,
15,339.04
For Interest,
1,582.61
Discounts,
165.55
Taxes remitted by Assessors,
466.32
Abatement of Taxes for prompt payment,
1,303.02
Treasurer and Collector's salary,
600.00
Poor account overdrawn 1855-6-7-8-9-60,
6,011.57
$33,956.64
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN A. HAWES,
Selectmen.
ELBRIDGE G. MORTON,
We, the undersigned, have examined the foregoing accounts, and believe them to be correct.
JOB C. TRIPP, Committee FREDERICK TABER, § on Accounts.
1,318.15
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN,
For the year 1859-60.
NEW-BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, 67 UNION STREET. 1860.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Gentlemen :
As the time arrives for the annual consideration of the municipal affairs of the town, no subject will claim your attention, of importance, equal to that of your Public Schools.
It may be necessary to light the streets, and flag the side-walks, to build and repair roads, and the poor have claims on your benevolence that cannot be denied ; but the neglect of all these, however impera- tive, would not be so broadly disastrous as the want of proper care and due provision for the education of the children of the town.
You will admit this, if you consider what an inadequate qualification ignorance is for usefulness in life; and that within the brief period of less than fifteen years, all the children now in our Public Schools will have passed from them, and an entire generation will have received their education, and entered upon the duties of the citizen.
The Committee do not propose a dissertation on the importance of education. This is assumed by the State, when she directs that provision be made for the instruction of all her children, the humblest and most obscure equally with the most fortunate.
What we have to consider is the most efficient means for accomplishing the duties imposed on us by the laws of the Commonwealth, by a due regard to
4
the welfare of society, and by the obligations of religion. Are we doing all that our resources enable us to do ? Are we elevating our schools to a standard of excellence where the means of thorough instruc- tion shall be secured to all, and where they shall be preferred by all who may wish to obtain even a thorough academical education ? If we are not, then we are not doing our whole duty, for with the means which the town of Fairhaven possesses, and the money she appropriates, she should have schools of such superior excellence that no child need be sent abroad for an education less than collegiate or professional.
Undoubtedly great progress has been made in the improved condition of the schools in this town, as well as throughout the State, during the last twenty years, and since the educational interests of the Com- monwealth have been under the direction of the Board of Education and its agencies. But for the past four or five years, has there been a marked im- provement in the general character of the schools, and a steady tendency towards the highest perfection attainable ? Your Committee fear these questions cannot be answered unqualifiedly in the affirmative. If this be so, what is wanting to promote the desired advancement ? Do parents fail to interest themselves sufficiently ? Are committees careless of their duties, or is the fault with the teachers ? These are inquiries to which we should seek to find the true answers. We think parents err greatly by confiding the educa- tion of their children too exclusively to others, and ex- cusing themselves too readily from the care of their in- struction. Few visit the schools during the entire year, and many, perhaps, never inquire after the child's pro- gress in his lessons; and, losing that lively and salutary
5
stimulus which a properly manifested parental watch- fulness would give, he comes to care only to drag through his recitations before his teacher and escape what he deems the drudgery of the school-room. An occasional visit from the parent to the school, would not only please the child and awaken his interest, but we are sure would gratify the the teacher and inspire him to higher effort; and the Committee would ex- press the hope that parents will, though it may seem to be a sacrifice, find opportunity to visit oc- casionally, at least, the schools where their children are taught.
An evil sadly hindering the general progress of the schools, and especially the individual welfare of the pupil, is irregular attendance. The remedy for this resides almost wholly with parents. The legal authority of committees and teachers for compelling the attendance of scholars is extremely limited, prob- ably more so than is generally supposed. The law specifies that every child between the ages of eight and fourteen years, shall attend some school during at least twelve weeks in each year, and six weeks of this attendance shall be consecutive. This provision the Committee are required to see enforced ; but beyond it they have no power, and any rule which they or the teachers may adopt will prove ineffectual without the co-operation of parents. Irregular attendance is, as we have said, bad in its effects on the school, but to the delinquent himself it is positively ruinous.
Knowledge is of slow and steady growth, and no pupil can make real attainments therein without the habit of patient and persevering application. This we believe must be acquired while young. No amount of labor on the part of the child in after life,
6
can fully redeem the past, or save him from the con- sequences of the parent's negligence.
The law requires that every teacher, before entering on his duties, shall be provided with a certificate of qualifications by the School Committee of the town where he proposes to teach, and also declares that such certificate shall be valid for only one year. Your Committee, acting in obedience to this require- ment, have insisted on an annual examination of all who offer themselves as candidates for teaching in our Public Schools. This has been deemed by some, a hard and unnecessary exaction. But we cannot con- sider it so. We should not only require faithfulness in the school-room, from those whom we employ from year to year, but we should also demand evidence of increasing attainments in the various departments of knowledge necessary to a thorough and successful Instructor. And if these attainments are acquired, our annual meetings will become a source of mutual pleasure and advantage, and not of annoyance.
The position of the teacher is unlike that of any other public profession. The clergyman's sermon be- comes the subject of careful and serious thought among his listeners ; the lawyer's plea is exposed to the sharpest scrutiny; while the practice of the physician is watched with a care and anxiety which are the offspring of the strongest affections of the human soul. With the teacher it is different; he goes into his school, to the discharge of duties the most important, but he finds nobody there to criticise him ; he is there to teach, and what he says, whether right or wrong, is accepted for truth by his young audience. Is it a hardship then that, before he as- sumes his responsible office, he should give evidence
Y
7
of fitness for the trust, and that we should require every year proof of increasing ability for the proper performance of his duties ?
In their Report last year, the School Committee in- vited attention to the condition of many of the school- houses of the town, and their want of adaptation to school purposes. We are not unaware of the unwil- lingness with which many will listen to suggestions for the improvements necessary to render the school- houses comfortable and attractive. If the general exterior of the house be repulsive, if there be no pleasant grounds, no room for those sports and boyish exercises which the child instinctively seeks, and which are almost as necessary to his proper physical development as the food that nourishes his body, then the school-house is the last spot to which he will be attracted. He will escape to the fields, or lounge about the wharves or public streets, or be tempted to the haunts of vicious company ; his distaste for school and useful knowledge all the while increasing.
But we pass by the exterior, and earnestly ask your attention to the school-house itself and its internal arrangements. We do not particularize, for there is little choice among all the school-houses of the present town of Fairhaven. They are all too small, affording no room for the exercises of classes in recitations. They are badly seated. The warming apparatus is a stove so placed as to render the heat intolerable to some, while others are suffering from cold. The means of ventilation is an open door or window, letting in a current of air alike on those who are heated to perspiration and those who are shivering. To avoid this uncomfortable exposure, the small room is usually kept closed till the shut-up air becomes so
8
charged with the poison of carbonic acid, that respi- ration is difficult, the brain oppressed, the mind dull, and the child growing listless, begins to yawn and stretch, and finally drops his head on the desk before him in a state approaching positive stupefaction. From this condition he is at length aroused by a tap from the master's rod, or the rush of cold air from the opened door, producing a shock, if not equal to the shower-bath, quite too severe to be promotive of either the physical or mental health of the child.
These are facts, gentlemen. We have hardly visited a school the past winter, where we have not witnessed something of the effects we have mentioned ; indeed, one cannot remain an hour in most of our school- houses without personal experience of the discomforts and suffering we have indicated.
The proper construction of school-houses, is not a matter of fancy or taste, nor entirely of economy ; but involves a question of important moral bearings. We have not the right to compel our children to what is little better than imprisonment, to inhale a poisonous atmosphere in close rooms, overheated, or uncomfort- ably cold.
The period of childhood is one of extreme suscep- tibility, not only to mental and moral impressions, but also to influences acting on the physical organism. Why does the child scream with pain from a blow that if applied to an adult, causes only a smart twinge ? Not alone, because he has not fortitude to bear pain, but for the same reason that what in the adult produces only a chill, throws the child into frightful convulsions - the extreme susceptibility of the child to painful and morbific influences. If we examine the general tables of mortality, we are
9
startled at the large proportion of children there re- ported. It is estimated that in the large cities, half the number of deaths occur among children under ten years of age; and, though the proportion decreases somewhat, it remains fearfully large up to twelve and fifteen years. If again the tables of mortality among children be examined, we find that a large per cent. of the deaths result from diseases of the brain and lungs; the former not unfrequently induced by the poison of the undecarbonized blood with which the brain is supplied, and the latter more frequently than from any other cause, by exposure to great and sudden changes of temperature ; exposure always attending badly constructed school-houses.
The confinement of children in unhealthy school- rooms is positively criminal, and no excuse can be found for it in a town like Fairhaven, where the means so abundantly exist for providing, not only comfortable, but even elegant and tasteful accommo- dations. It is doubtful whether there is another town in the Commonwealth, or the United States, where the assessed valuation of property is so great in proportion to the population, as in the town of Fair. haven with its present boundaries. But your school-houses afford faint evidence, especially to the stranger, of the enviable position of your town, as first among the wealthiest villages in the whole country.
In building school-houses, a practice prevails en- tirely different from what obtains in all other enter- prises. The object would seem to be to repel rather than to invite the attendance of the scholars. The man who would make his home attractive, provides a house, comfortable, convenient, or elegant, as his
10
means allow, and adorns and embellishes everything around it, as his best taste directs, or a prudent econo- my justifies. The people contribute liberally to build and ornament churches, where for a few hours one day in the week, resting on easy cushions, beneath lofty ceilings, and in the midst of architectural beauty, they may listen to moral and religious teaching.
This is right and proper; but the school is the nursery for moral and religious culture, as well as intellectual instruction ; and it is not right to confine your children, young worshippers at the shrine of knowledge, for six hours of the day, and five days in the week, in low dingy rooms, compelling them to sit wriggling on a little hard narrow bench, such as the dairy-maid would hardly use for a milking-stool.
Physical suffering or discomfort is incompatible with healthy and vigorous mental action ; especially is this so in the child, and if no way can be found in which to supply better school-house accommodations, we be- lieve it would be advisable to have the schools to remain in session a less number of months in each year, and taking a part of the large sum so generously voted for purposes of instruction, devote it to improving the school-houses until they are made comfortable for their occupants. This however cannot be done while the District system exists in the town.
It will be remembered that the Legislature at its regular session in 1859, passed an act abolishing the School Districts ; but at an extra session in the fol- lowing Autumn, that body receded from its previous position and repealed the enactment alluded to. At which session the Legislature acted most wisely, it is unnecessary here to inquire.
But whatever good purposes the School Districts
11
may have served in the past, your Committee is of opinion that their existence is not now necessary, nor even adapted to successful effort in the cause of education. And it is a remarkable fact, that among the most earnest supporters of the District System, are to be found those who declare that "there are too many learned men ; " that " the State is oppressed with them ; " that " every graduate becomes a burden to community, incapable of rendering a substantial equivalent for his support, and yet eating up the over- produce of any five ordinary men !"
These same supporters of the District System de- mand " the abolition of the Board of Education, the abolition of the State Normal Schools, the discontinu- ance of Teachers' Institutes and Teachers' Associa- tions, and of the State Scholarships." In short, they demand the destruction of Massachusetts' proudest monument, her noble educational structure, which has been the growth of a quarter of a century, and by whose agencies she has been placed in a position enviable among the Commonwealths of the earth.
The District System is best adapted to commencing educational efforts, in a State whose population is scattered, where the schools are not FREE, but where all, or a large part of the money raised for school purposes, whether for incidental expenses, fuel, or teachers' wages, is assessed by what are called "rate bills " upon whomsoever sends to the school.
But when the cause of education has advanced so far that the town undertakes the instruction of all her children, and taxes her whole property for the purpose, it is difficult to understand why she has not the right to see that the money is judiciously expended for the benefit of all. If the town appropriates two hundred
12
and fifty dollars for a district where the proportion of school money raised by taxation amounts to but one hundred dollars, she has the right, nay, it is her duty, to look after the proper expenditure of that money ; and to show by what right the district claims the exclusive management of this gift would trouble the most subtle casuist to resolve. And we believe that it is from such districts that the most decided opposi- tion to abolition of the district system arises.
Your Committee are of opinion that the abolition of the District System in this town, would result in greater economy, in provision for better school-houses, and in securing teachers better selected and adapted to the different schools, in short, the better accom- plishment of the purposes for which your schools are maintained, viz., the thorough moral and mental instruction, and physical culture of the .children and youth of the town.
The foregoing observations, gentlemen, the result of an experience of two years as members of your School Committee, are respectfully submitted for your consideration, in the hope that they may prove sug- gestive of action on your part, leading to the best in- terests of the schools and the town.
The following statement and tabular view will ex- hibit the " Details" of the schools for the past year.
The High School has remained under the care of the same teachers as the year previous : Mr. CHARLES P. RUGG, Principal, Miss PHEBE W. COOK and Miss CAROLINE DEXTER, Assistants. The course of study has been the same, and the text-books the same, with few exceptions.
The examinations have generally been satisfactory, showing evidence of thorough instruction on the part
13
of the teachers, and commendable industry by the pupils. At the close of the term last Autumn, eight young ladies graduated from the school. There were no young men in the graduating class.
The whole number of pupils in Summer was
56
The whole number of pupils in Winter was -
72
Average attendance in Summer
962 per cent.
Average attendance in Winter
90 per cent.
Average attendance for whole year
93 per cent.
TABLE I.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Whole No. between
5 and 15, May 1st.
Attendance between
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
Attendance between
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
1
26
26
1
1
28 18.89
22
0
5
27 22.46
2
31
30
0
0
30 22.
33
1
4 38 30.25
3
19
23
2
0
25 12.91
13
2
0
15 12.5
4
39
27
1
3
31 23.54
27
0
7
30 25.6
5
27
20
1
0
21 16.5
23
1
1
25 20.85
6
44
32
1
0
33 25.
39
0
7
46 35.
7
35
36
0
1
37 28.
35
9
6
41 33.
8
29
27
3
3
33 25.
27
3
3
33 22.5
9
19
17
2
0
19 12.
17
0
5
22 16.5
10
46
48
4
2
54 34.
43
0
4
47 38.
11
53
27
0
3
30 19.44
16
0
3
19 14.85
P. D .*
28
3
0
31 24.
29
2
0
31 24.
12 & 13 I.T
451
90
9
97 81.9
92
0
13
105 93.
P. D .*
116 14
0
130 95.
90
5
0
95 68.
N.P.&M.Į
55
4
2
61 39.
35
1
1
37 35.
S. M.§
33
0
2
35 26.25
32
0
0
32 24.35
S. P.|
47
0
0
47 35.5
32
0
0
32 24.7
14
38
16
1
1
18 13.
24
0
12
36 26.17
15
26
22
1
0
23 17.4
24
1
4
29 20.6
16
50
46
2
0
48 31.
46
0
8
54 38.65
17
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
18
32
26
1
1
28 14.74|
20
0
1
21 12.77
19
67
55
8
1
64 48.
50
5
4
59|38.
* Primary Department.
t Intermedial.
t North Primary and Medium.
( South Medium.
|| South Primary.
50
0
0
50 36.1
50
0
0
50 40.
Districts.
5 and 15.
5 and 15.
14
TABLE II.
Districts.
Terms.
Teachers.
Wages Length per mo. of Sch.
No. 1 Bisbee,
Summer,
Miss Phebe H. Tinkham, $20
30
4
Summer, Miss B. C. Clark,
21
54
Winter,
Mr. Walter A. Davis,
38
4
3 White,
Summer,
Miss Emeline P. Ellis,
18
53
3
66
Winter,
Miss Emeline P. Ellis,
18
4
Summer,
Miss Lucy A. Meech,
25
53 3
Winter,
Mr. Jabez T. Wood,
37₺
5 Long Plain,
Summer,
Miss Sarah F. Willson,
20
6
5
66 66
Winter,
Miss Paulina C. Willson,
28
33
6 Hammett,
Summer,
Miss Lucy A. Manter,
20
53
6
Winter,
Mr. J. M. Stackpole,
38
42
7 Perry Hill,
Summer,
Miss Paulina C. Willson,
20
53
Winter,
Mr. Chas. H. Macomber,
35
43
Summer,
Miss Eugenia Hall,
22
5%
Winter,
Miss Eugenia Hall,
26
6
9
66
Winter,
Miss Mary Jane White,
22
4
“ 10
Winter,
Mr. J. N. Kidder,
40
4
" 11 Oxford Village,
Summer,
Mr. G. T. Russell, Jr.,
30
53
“ 11 66
Winter,
Mr. Geo. T. Russell, Jr.,
36
" 11 Primary Dept.,
Summer,
Miss Hannah Peirce,
19
5
" 11
Winter,
Miss Hannah Peirce,
20
3₺
" 12 and 13,
Summer,
Mr. Aaron Porter,
65
5
Grammar,
Winter,
Mr. Aaron Porter,
65
44
Assistant,
Summer,
Miss S. E. Millett,
22
5
Winter,
Miss S. E. Millett,
22
41
Centre Medium,
Summer,
Mrs. M. A. Fairfield,
22
5
Winter,
Mrs. M. A. Fairfield,
22
43
Centre Primary,
Summer,
Miss A. L. Grinnell,
20
5
Assistant,
Summer,
Miss J. F. Grinnell,
14
5
N. Prim. & Med.,
Summer,
Miss E. Delano &
16
5
Winter,
Miss P. S. Eldrige,
16
43
S. Primary,
Summer,
Miss A. Clark,
18
5
Winter,
Miss A. Clark,
18
43
S. Medium,
Summer,
Mrs. Anna A. Grinnell,
20
5
Winter,
Mrs. Anna A. Grinnell,
20
43
" 14 Sconticut,
Summer,
Miss Mary B. Grinnell,
20
5
“ 14 66
" 15 Nasketucket,
Summer,
Miss Mary L. Brownell,
18
54
“ 15
Winter,
Mr. John A. Fitch,
30
4₺
" 16 New Boston,
Summer,
Miss M. E. Hammond,
18
5
“ 16 66
Winter,
Mr. Frederic Jenney,
38
4
" 17 West's Island,
No school.
Miss Emily M. Chace &
20
5
“ 18 66
Winter, Miss Mary J. Wing,
22
43
" 19 Pease District.
Summer,
Miss E. A. Thatcher,
12
6
“ 19
Winter,
Miss E. A. Thatcher,
35
4
1
Winter,
Mr. Thos. H. Nelson,
66
2 Whelden, 2
4 Acushnet, 4
66
7
66
8 Packard,
8
9 Wing,
Summer,
Miss Mary Jane White,
17
10 Royal Hathaway, Summer,
Miss Sarah E. Grinnell,
18
5
Miss Carrie E. Soule &
20
Winter,
Miss A. L. Grinnell,
20
Winter,
Miss J. F. Grinnell,
14
43
Winter,
Mr. Geo. M. White,
30
43
" 18 County Road,
Summer,
Miss Mary J. Wing,
Mrs. Ann H. Snow &
23
6
Mrs. Ann H. Snow &
5₺
15
APPROPRIATIONS.
The amount raised by the town for school purposes at its last annual meeting was Received from State school fund,
$$8,000.00
220.29
Balance from last year's account,
8.00
Total,
$8,228.29
THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE MONEY WAS AS FOLLOWS :
District No. 1,
$250
District No. 10, $255
475
66
66
3,.
190
66
12 and 13, 2,300
66
4,.
275
66
14,
250
66
66
5,.
240
66
15,
230
66
6,.
275
16,
285
66
7,.
280
66
66
17,
0
66
19,
395
9,
220
High School, .
· 1,500
Total appropriation,
$8,200
The aggregate amount of appropriation among the districts,
$6,700
To the districts now embraced in town of Acushnet, 2,510
To the districts now embraced in town of Fairhaven,
4,190
If the High School be included among the latter,
5,690
The whole number of persons in the town of Fairhaven on the first day of May, 1859, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, was 1,028
Of this number there reside in what is now incorporated as the town of Acushnet,
309
Leaving in Fairhaven,
719
Using the foregoing figures as a basis of calculation, we find the cost of instruction for each child in the whole town, High School included, has been $7.974+. If we consider the town as divided, the cost has been for Fairhaven, High School included, $7.927+; and in Acushnet $8.123+.
Adopting for our estimates the Report of the Com- mittee on the division of the town, accepted at a special town meeting held June 25th, 1859, we find that of the $8,000 raised for support of schools last year, a fraction over $6,615 was assessed on the property remaining in Fairhaven, after Acushnet had been incorporated into a separate town.
From an examination of the above figures, it will be seen that but $5,690 were apportioned to the
18,
240
66
2,. 280
11,
8,
260
16
districts now embraced in Fairhaven, High School included. This sum has not been entirely expended, and your Committee are of the opinion that $5,500 will be sufficient for the support of your schools, and respectfully suggest that this sum be raised for the ensuing year.
The above estimate is based on the existence of the school districts, but should the town decide on their abolition, we believe that $5,000 will be amply suffi- cient for the better accomplishment of the same purpose.
Signed for the Committee.
ISAAC FAIRCHILD, Chairman. CHARLES DREW, Secretary.
FAIRHAVEN, March 31, 1860.
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