USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1861 > Part 1
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REPORTS
OF THE
Selectmen of Farhaben
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN,
AND OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR
ENDING MARCH 31st, 1862.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, 67 UNION STREET. 1862.
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN,
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN,
For the Year ending March 31, 1862.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, 67 UNION STREET. 1862.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
Amount of tax bills in the hands of Ebenezer Akin, Jr., at the commencement of the past year, as per Selectmen's Report of 1861, $191.49
Amount of tax bills in the hands of Tucker Damon, Jr., previous to 1861, $7,693.50
Amount of tax bills placed in the hands of
T. Damon, Jr., for the year 1861 and 1862, 20,503.67
28,197.17
$28,388.66
Their accounts show :
Amount collected by T. Damon, Jr., and paid County Treasurer,
$3,855.76
Paid State Treasurer,
1,143.00
Paid Town Treasurer,
14,952.67
Amount collected by E. Akin, Jr., and paid Town Treasurer,
$47.86
Commission on same,
98
48.84
Abatement for prompt pay,
884.33
Taxes remitted by Assessors,
506.44
Uncollected taxes, 1855-56,
$46.42
Uncollected taxes, 1857,
169.88
Uncollected taxes, 1858,
473.70
Uncollected taxes, 1859,
690,57
Uncollected taxes, 1860,
1,871.33
Uncollected taxes, 1861,
3,745.72
6,997.62
$28,388.66
The Selectmen have examined the accounts of Ebenezer Akin, Jr., Collector of Taxes to 1855, and Tucker Damon, Jr., to 1862, and find them correct.
4
Tucker Damon, Jr., Treasurer, in Account with the Town of Fairhaven.
Dr.
1861, March 15. To balance in Treasury,
$34.01
To taxes received of Collector,
14,952.67
Highway Department.
Cash of David Howe, 9.06
Public Schools.
Cash of State Treasurer, . Support of the Poor.
139.62
.
Cash of Wm A. Spooner,
$382.43
Cash of town of Nantucket,
276.20
Cash of town of West Bridgewater, .
8.00
Cash of town of Mattapoisett,
80.50
Cash of Henry A. Brightman,
130.76
Cash of Thomas J. Reed,
5.00
Cash of F. L. Hull,
2.75
Cash of John Wing & Co.,
36.00
Cash of Alien Commissioners,
5.00
Cash of R. W. Dexter,
6.75
Incidentals.
Cash of town of Acushnet,
$68.06
Cash of E. Akin, Jr., for taxes collected,
47.86
Cash of School Committee for books,
40.68
Cash of James R. Lawrence for dirt,
2.20
Cash for auctioneer's license,
2.00
Cash for dog licenses,
80.00
Loan from Abner Pease's estate,
2,285.00
Loan from Elisha Babcock,
432.00
Loan from Sarah A. Butler,
1,500.00
Loan from Rufus Allen,
1,000.00
Loan from Fairhaven Ins. for Savings,
1,000.00
6,457.80
$22,526.55
Cr.
1862, March 25.
By Orders drawn on Treasurer and paid for account of
Highway department,
$986.52
Public schools,
3,818.19
Support of poor,
3,977.81
Incidental account,
13,190.34
$21,972.86
Balance cash in Treasury,
553.69
$22,526.55
933.39
5
HIGHWAYS.
Appropriation for 1861 and 1862, $1,000.00
Cash received from David Howe, 9.06
- $1,009.06
Order drawn in favor of Thomas R. Delano for payment to
Matthew Howard,
11.15
Jabez T. Howard, .
10.50
Levi Blossom,
13.38
Ephraim Delano,
13.88
Welcome I. Lawton,
6.25
John Akin,
6.25
Seth Stevens,
8.88
Daniel Jenney,
3.75
Elisha Hammond,
3.13
Frederick Brownell,
1.25
Joseph King,
3.13
Allen Bumpus,
1.25
Thomas R. Delano,
36.43
Bartholomew Akin,
4.00
Charles Jenney,
3.50
Noble Gelett,
7.00
John Gelett,
2.75
John Weeden,
1.88
Edwin Baker,
3.76
Ellis Mendall,
1.25
William Peckham,
63
Isaac Hathaway,
6.00
Alonzo Stone,
1.25
Allen Brownell,
7.00
Frederick Clark,
50
Sylvanus Skiff,
1.25
Thomas R. Delano and others, clearing snow,
3.65
163.65
Order drawn in favor of Jonathan Cowen for payment to
Jonathan Cowen,
43.07
Henry Jenney,
3.75
Enos Pope,
3.25
Asaph P. Taber,
6.87
Watson Jenney,
4.50
Seth Jenney,
3.75
Joseph W. Jenney,
3.12
William P. Sullings,
5.75
Paul Hathaway,
1.87
Sylvanus Skiff,
7.75
Bartholomew Akin,
1.06
Seth E. Stephens,
2.75
Andrew W. Spooner,
2.18
William A. Tripp,
2.31
6
Job Wilcox,
$14.49
George F. Stevens,
1.25
Joseph Hammond,
2.25
Reuben Austin,
1.85
James Merrihew,
1.25
Ebenezer. Tripp,
40
$113.47
Order drawn in favor of Silas P. Alden for payment to
Beriah Austin,
11.90
Ebenezer Alden,
34.75
Joseph Mendall,
7.25
Henry Jenney,
1.25
Seth Alden,
14.75
William Eldridge,
3.75
Alfred Delano, Jr.,
4.95
William West,
1.25
Joseph Caswell,
2.50
Luther Cole,
20
Reuben Austin,
12.60
Lot Besse,
75
Allen Durfee,
50
Richard West,
2.50
Stephen Pope,
3.50
Leonard Luther,
4.77
Reuben Wing,
1.25
Thomas Clark,
1.25
William Alden,
4.37
Silas P. Alden,
72.77
Francis Hammond,
2.37
Frederick Weston,
8.25
James M. Hall,
5.00
Silas P. Alden, repairing plows,
4.18
Silas P. Alden and others, clearing snow,
2.50
209.11
Order drawn in favor of W. A. Spooner for payment to
W. A. Spooner,
154.30
Andrew Wilcox,
13.56
Ebenezer Tripp,
11.25
Gillira Kendrick,
11.25
John M. Howland,
1.32
Adino Tripp,
5.00
Isaac Terry,
3.32
Order drawn in favor of David Howe for payment to
Joseph Millett,
8.48
William C. Ford,
34.10
Nathaniel Church,
5.00
200.00
7
Alfred Delano, Jr.,
$8.55
Jonathan Cowen,
2.80
David Wood,
1.20
Nathaniel Delano,
1.40
R. A. Dunham & Co.,
6.50
Enos Pope,
1.20
J. R. Howland,
56.23
Andrew Westgate, Jr.,
9.89
F. W. Folger,
6.63
Thomas Butler,
6.94
Fish, Robinson & Co.,
9.47
Philip Westgate,
3.75
Crowell,
7.80
William Dwelley,
28.45
Crocker Boomer,
6.63
Thomas Clark,
63
Charles Sherman,
2.38
William Washburn,
15.22
Francis Keith,
3.13
Samuel Jenkins,
3.13
Asa Baker,
5.00
Francis Hammond,
5.83
John Currin,
5.00
Beriah Austin,
4.20
Joseph Levett,
87
Dennis Demoranville,
1.25
John Howland,
1.88
Phoenix Hall Company,
4.00
J. R. Lawrence,
45
David Howe,
42.30
$300.29
Balance carried to new account,
22.54
$1,009.06
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Appropriation for 1861 and 1862, . $4,500.00
Received from State Treasurer, 139.62
Balance of appropriation for 1860 and 1861, due schools, 501.76
$5,141.38
Orders drawn for High School.
C. P. Rugg, M. L. Farwell,
$488.75 227.50
$716.25
996.52
8
Orders drawn for Common Schools.
.District No. 10.
Ellen P. Hamlin,
$90.00
J. M. Howland, fuel,
13.00
Ebenezer Tripp, fuel,
12.62
-
$115.62
District No. 11.
Kate A. Jenney,
180.00
W. H. Warner, care,
6.50
E. Sawin, fuel,
5.50
W. Chadwick, fuel,
2.00
A. G. Ryder, fuel,
2.50
196.50
Districts Nos. 12 and 13.
H. O. Martin,
390.00
Charles E. E. Mosher,
130.00
S. E. Millett,
176.00
Lois Deane,
187.00
M. A. Fairfield,
187.00
Annie A. Grinnell,
165.00
Amanda Clark,
156.75
Adeline L. Grinnell,
156.75
Jane F. Grinnell,
115.50
James Morton, care,
9.62
A. P. Dexter, care,
7.05
Hardy Hitch, care,
9,80
H. F. Grinnell, care,
16.53
N. W. Millett, care,
2.40
Abner Howland, care,
6.80
Henry D. Taylor, care,
18.00
Mary Sweeney, cleaning,
8.62
Patrick Sweeney, cleaning,
9.60
Robert Waterson, cleaning,
1.60
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
23.57
E. Sawin, fuel,
50.50
J. Chadwick, fuel,
5.60
A. Gilmore, fuel,
5.50
-
1,839.19
District No. 14.
Mary A. Farwell,
81.00
Esther Delano,
112.50
J. M. Hathaway, fuel,
14.00
Ephraim Pope, fuel,
4.04
B. S. Colson, care,
4.00
Joseph Durfee, care,
8.00
223.54
9
District No. 15.
George A. Mitchell,
$127.50
Esther Delano,
76.00
J. Cowen, fuel,
12.52
George A. Mitchell, care,
2.83
-
$218.85
District No. 16.
Oliver E. Bryant,
140.00
L. M. Brownell,
81.00
Seth Delano, fuel,
8.00
Jabez T. Howard, fuel,
12.00
241.00
District No. 19.
A. H. Snow,
216.00
.E. Sawin, fuel,
10.25
A. G. Ryder, fuel,
56
Elisha Whiting, care,
8.00
234.81
3,785.76
Balance to new account,
1,355.62
$5,141.38
FARM, ALMS-HOUSE AND POOR.
Appropriation for 1861 and 1862,
$2,500.00
Cash received from Nantucket,
276.20
Cash received from West Bridgewater,
8.00
Cash received from Mattapoisett,
80.50
Cash received from Henry A. Brightman,
130.76
Cash received from Thomas J. Reed,
5.00
Cash received from F. L. Hull,
2.75
Cash received from John Wing & Co.,
36.00
Cash received from Alien Commissioners,
5.00
Cash received from Wm. A. Spooner,
382.43
Cash received R. W. Dexter,
6.75
- $3,433.39
Orders drawn :
For support of Poor in and out of Alms House for 1861 and 1862,
$308.57
For Jonathan Covell, provisions,
85.92
For Jonathan Cowen, fuel,
13.51
For Thomas Randall, oxen,
125.00
For city of New Bedford,
223.14
For State Lunatic Hospital,
130.76
For Asa Lothrop, shoes,
3.55
For Joseph B. Taber, supplies,
427.76
For Albert Barney, dressing,
13.80
For H. W. Coggeshall, undertaker,
40.12
For J. A. Hawes, cash paid fares,
2.75
10
For S. S. Swift & Co., groceries,
$188.52
For Seth Shaw, dressing,
23.78
For Rufus Allen, groceries,
65.85
For Purrington & Taber, painting,
2.20
For L. S. Judd, groceries,
148.43
For Amos T. Peirce, shoes,
36.45
For H. W. Richmond, medicine,
4,94
For F. M. Fuller, groceries,
170.53
For John Wing & Co., groceries,
162.04
For Freeman Landers, labor,
68.00
For Isaac Terry, blacksmith,
29.77
For A. Nye, Jr., groceries,
341.64
For R. M. Delano, fuel,
17.14
For Joseph L. Hammond, oxen,
105.00
For William A. Spooner, services,
212.50
For B. Taber, administrator, fuel,
11.93
For Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
114.02
For S. M. Hall, groceries,
52.16
For R. A. Dunham & Co., services at funerals, 19.75
For E. Sawin, fuel,
112.44
For Ellis Perry, fuel,
27.10
For J. H. Perry, fuel,
5.50
For Thomas A. Gardner, supplies,
8.00
For Dr. Mackie, physician,
6.75
For Philip Hathaway, fuel,
4.12
For town of Mattapoisett,
6.16
For E. R. Almy, clothing,
25.88
For Dr. Atwood, physician,
64.25
For Dr. Fairchild, physician,
7.50
For Seth Delano, fuel,
2.00
For Jabez T. Howard, fuel,
11.52
$3,430.75
Balance to new account,
2.64
$3,433.39
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
Appropriation for 1861 and 1862,
$5,500.00
Special appropriation for liquidating town debt,
1,000.00
Loan from Abner Pease's estate,
1,785.00
Loan from Abner Pease's estate,
500.00
Loan from Elisha Babcock,
432.00
Loan from Sarah A. Butler,
1,500.00
Loan from Rufus Allen,
1,000.00
Loan from Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
1,000.00
Interest from town of Acushnet,
31.50
Cash received from James R. Lawrence,
2.20
Auctioneers' licenses,
2.00
Dog licenses,
80.00
Cash received from School Committee for books,
40.68
11
Cash received from E. Akin, Jr., for taxes collected,
$47.86
Cash received from town of Acushnet,
36.56
Assessment for school books, Overlay on taxes,
761.94
13,962.71
Amount overdrawn in 1860 and '61,
3,163.13
Amount overdrawn in 1861 and '62,_
520.18
$17,646.02
Orders drawn:
High School.
I. F. Church, care,
$35.83
Mary Barstow, repairs,
5.62
Margaret Shields, repairs,
6.75.
Hannah Watterson, repairs,
3.13
J. B. Bisbee, repairs,
22.38
F. M. Fuller, repairs,
1.56
Purrington & Taber, repairs,
2.25
H. W. Richmond, chemicals,
4.71
J. T. Buttrick, stationery,
1.75
Harvey Wadsworth,
34.31
E. Sawin, fuel,
22.00
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
6.70
A. G. Ryder, fuel,
3.75
John Chadwick, fuel,
1.00
B. Lindsey, printing,
1.00
$152.74
Fire Department.
Engine Company No. 3,
568.17
Engine Company No. 5,
439.33
A. D. Stoddard, 2 years' storage,
12.00
Tripp & Bourne, repairs,
6.00
J. C. Bradford, repairs,
33.50
William H. Hoeg, labor,
3.25
Thomas C. Allen, hose, &c.,
207.82
S. S. Swift & Co., fluid,
2.54
J. B. Bisbee, labor,
7.65
Fairhaven Branch Railroad, repairs,
28.70
James M. Allen, Jr., labor,
1.00
Church & Freeborn, repairs,
12.16
B. F. Drew, care,
21.19
R. M. Simmons, repairs,
2.50
Joseph Hammond, oil and labor,
41.50
Elisha Copeland, labor,
8.50
Charles D. Sherman, labor,
2.64
J. A. Warner, care,
17.27
Alfred Delano, use of horsc,
2.00
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel and storage,
25.82
242.97
12
William Chadwick, fuel,
$5.50
James A. Lewis, care,
25.00
Joshua R. Delano, labor,
7.56
A. G. Ryder, fuel,
2.00
Joseph B. Taber, fluid, &c.,
1.99
Zenas Whittemore, oil,
7.75
Dexter Jenney, labor,
3.88
James I. Church, whiting, &c.,
42
F. M. Fuller, oil, &c.,
5.43
Marshall Briggs, labor,
2.00
O. H. Wilcox, labor,
3.00
Isaac Terry, blacksmith,
2.95
J. A. Hawes, jack-screw,
2.00
$1,513.02
Salaries.
Selectmen :
R. W. Dexter,
$135.00
Jonathan Cowin,
50,00
Bartholomew Taber,
45.00
$230.00
Overseers of Poor :
R. W. Dexter,
40.00
Jonathan Cowin,
30.00
Bartholomew Taber,
20.00
90.00
Assessors :
W. M. Irish,
170.68
George H. Taber,
92.00
Seth Alden,
56.00
318.68
School Committee :
E. T. Allen,
55.56
I. Fairchild,
23.00
Charles Drew,
50.37
128.93
Firewards :
William M. Irish,
10.00
A. Savery,
10.00
J. C. Bradford,
10.00
A. G. Tripp,
10.00
Willard R. Eldrid,
10.00
50.00
Constables :
James Stubbs,
1.00
A. G. Liscomb,
16.50
Committee on Accounts :
J. C. Tripp,
2.00
Frederick Taber,
2.00
17.50
4.00
13
Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector : T. Damon, Jr., $400.00
Register :
T. Damon, Jr., 21.70
$1,260.81
Home and Coast Guard.
City of New Bedford account, $2,266.01
Incidentals.
Charles Taber & Co., school books,
$709.97
Francis Hammond, lighting street lamps,
40.00
Rand & Avery, printing bonds,
50.00
B. Lindsey, printing,
40.75
Superior Court indictments,
60.98
Phoenix Hall, office rent,
60.00
Thomas F. Lambert, damages,
2.71
Joseph B. Taber, salt-works lot,
300.95
E. Anthony, printing,
114.69
Marshall Briggs, labor,
9.25
J. B. Bisbee, labor, &c.,
5.64
Rufus Allen, sundries,
9.09
Purrington & Taber, paints and glass,
4.11
John Wood, labor on Bridge street,
86.93
Isaac Wood, services as Committee,
4.50
H. W. Richmond, stone,
3.98
J. R. Lawrence, trucking,
11.25
William C. Ford, trucking,
3.05
F. L. Hull, services in health department in 1856, 27.00 Jas. Braley, services in health department in 1861, 4.75 F. M. Fuller, fluid and oil, 9.31
John H. Clifford, legal services in case of P. Brightman vs. Town, 200.00
R. A. Dunham & Co., carriage hire,
29.75
E. Sawin, rent of hall,
60.00
Fessenden & Baker, printing,
10.75
R. W. Dexter, stationery, &c.,
4.29
O. Prescott, legal services,
9.00
T. Damon, Jr., expenses of office,
12.98
William Grant, fare,
1.50
Hugh Nelson, labor,
50
Willard R. Eldrid, labor,
2.00
T. S. Butman, labor,
50
Dennis Demoranville, watch,
1.00
Robert Watterson, watch,
1.50
A. G. Liscomb, watch,
1.50
Thomas Bates, watch,
1.50
John Lawton, watch,
1.50
F. L. Hull, watch,
1.50
Levi Blossom, sheep killed,
13.50
14
Noble Gelett, sheep killed,
$3.00
Ephraim Pope, sheep killed,
6.00
Weston Jenney, sheep killed,
6.00
Enos Pope, sheep killed,
2.50
John Weeden, sheep killed,
3.00
$1,932.68
166.43
Aid to families of volunteers, Interest paid Fairhaven Institution for Savings, $1,558.24
Interest paid Emerson Briggs, 240.00
Interest paid Merchants Bank, 26.65
Interest paid Abner Pease's estate,
108.00
Interest paid Wn. A. Spooner,
10.19
1,943.08
Loans paid,
4,000.00
Taxes remitted,
363.79
Abatement of taxes for prompt payment,
884.33
$9,290.31
Amount overdrawn to 1861,
3,163.13
$17,646.02
TOWN LIQUOR AGENCY.
Stock and cash on hand May 1st, 1861,
$447.76
Profit on sales from May 1st, 1861, to March 26, 1862,
65.44
$513.20
Contra.
Stock and balance (as cash,) on hand as per schedule annexed,
$422.92
Agent's services 10 5-6 months, at $100 per annum,
90.28
$513.20
TOWN DEBT.
Loan of Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
20,300.00
Loan of individuals,
11,017.00
$31,317.00
There remains unpaid of the expenses of the town on the 25th of March, 1862, as near as can be ascertained :
Outstanding orders for schools, $3.60
Outstanding orders for support of poor,
364.61
Outstanding orders for incidental expenses,
555.63
923.84
Outstanding bills,
1,500.00
$2,423.84
14,482.89
15
Of the payments made during the last financial year, $1,984.00 were for outstanding bills of 1860 and 1861.
HOME AND COAST GUARD.
Our proportion of the joint expense of the city of New Bedford and this town, for the maintenance of an armed police for coast defence, was twenty-two hundred seventy- nine dollars and 61 . 100, and for the rent of an armory one hundred and six dollars. Of this sum there has been paid twenty-two hundred and sixty-six -1 % dollars, leaving unpaid one hundred twenty-one -60 dollars.
In the settlement with the city of New Bedford, the fol- lowing property was assigned to Fairhaven, viz .: sixty muskets, sixty-three uniforms, sixty-four cartridge-boxes and equipments, and a shed at the Fort, at an appraised value of three hundred and ninety-eight dollars; the original cost of which was nine hundred and forty dollars.
RELIEF OF POOR.
Out of the alms-house assistance has been rendered to sixty-six families comprising two hundred and seventy-one persons. Of these, one hundred and eighty-eight had a set- tlement in this town; thirty-eight persons belonged to various towns in this State, and forty-five belong out of the State. There has been stone broken for the repairs of highways, and other labor performed for the town by per- sons having assistance out of the alms-house, amounting to about eighty dollars.
Respectfully submitted.
R. W. DEXTER, JONATHAN COWEN, Selectmen. BARTHOLOMEW TABER,
JOB C. TRIPP, Committee on Accounts.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Fairhaven,
FOR THE YEAR 1861-62.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, 67 UNION STREET. 1862.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Fairhaven :
The General Statutes, chap. 40, § 6, provide, that "the school committee shall annually make a de- tailed report of the condition of the public schools, which report shall contain such statements and sug- gestions in relation to the schools as the committee deem necessary or proper, to promote the interests thereof."
The details of this report will be found in tabular form. It has, heretofore, been customary to fill the pages of committees' reports with personal descrip- tions of teachers, employed during the year. To those who expect at our hands such a report, and as explanatory, in part, of the course we have followed for a few years past, we submit the following extract, which has recently come to our notice :-
We beg to ask what possible advantage there can be, five months after a school has closed, to publish to the world a detailed account of the teacher's personal peculiarities. Why so patronizingly sugar him with praise ? To illustrate, we quote from one of the last town reports which have come to hand: "Mr. is a teacher of good attainments and much practical knowledge and experience, etc. In fine, Mr. will rank with the best teachers, with one qualifica- tion, that he lacks a little in energy - it is not a fault
4
of the will but of the natural temperament." Here, now, we have presented to us a man who seems to be a teacher by profession. It is acknowledged that " he labors constantly and assiduously."
He is a citizen, he has a reputation to sustain, as well as other men. He is a man, too, and feels it as keenly as other men when his manliness is lowered by the exposure of his faults. Why then, let me ask of the writer of this report, disgrace and debase this faithful and laborious man by proclaiming to the public the contemptible insinuation that he was born into the world an inert and sluggish being? Why debase him still lower by telling the community that the poor man is not to blame for it, and that nature formed him so ? Do you not know that no subject is so delicate as that of men's natural deformities ? Have you by your report helped Mr. to secure the respect of his pupils, if he should teach your school again ? Have you aided him in securing another school to teach ? Have you done anybody any good ? Have you done anything, except to inflict upon a man who has served you faithfully a public indignity which you would not dare to publish about your physician, or even your butcher. Indeed, what class of respec- table men would allow the publication of such per- sonalities respecting them as are freely published all over our State in regard to teachers ? Let us, for a. moment, see how a similar treatment would appear, when our clergymen are made the subject of the " Committee's Report." We will quote from a page of our imaginary report, as follows :
" Oak Street Church - John Smith, Pastor. This church was examined by Messrs. Page (lawyer), Jones (grocer), and Hill (apothecary), June 30th. To pre- clude all collusion the pastor was requested to leave the pulpit and Mr. Hill read his sermon. The pastor deserves much credit for his industry and fidelity. We are compelled to say, however, that during the reading of the sermon the audience was too inatten- tive, and some, indeed, were absolutely asleep. Such things would not occur if the pastor were a man of
5
more energy. We don't blame him, nature made him
rather dull. On the whole, however, he has our ap- probation for being a very excellent man."
Where is the community that would allow, for a moment, such an indignity to be imposed upon their pastor ?. The clergyman's profession could not endure so gross an exposure. We ask, then, how can our profession rise to its true position, so long as such gross personal indignities are every year thrust upon us ? If a teacher has committed a blame-worthy act, or is subject to a bad habit, or is deficient and remiss in duty, let him be promptly addressed on the subject, as any other man would be addressed in a similar case. But spare the teacher's manliness and self-respect; and if you really desire the elevation of his profession, do not subject him to that humiliation before the public, which the members of no other profession will bear.
STATEMENTS.
Last year we were able to report, that your schools were in an improving condition, the only condition in which a school should be, for, where there is no progress there is degeneracy. We reported to you an increased interest in the schools on the part of parents, and the community generally ; a better understanding of the relations subsisting between teacher, pupil, and parent; and entertained the hope, if we did not suggest it, that the dawn of a brighter day for our schools was thus indicated. " As the year progressed our hope " became small by degrees and beautifully less." It is a light and pleasing task to aid and stimulate progress. Our labors have been more irksome, and, we fear, unsuccessful, in checking degeneracy.
It can hardly be said of any one of the village schools, that it was in as good condition at the close, as at the commencement of the year. In many, nay, in a majority of the schools, there has been a lament-
6
able want of discipline. The regular exercises of the schools have been, in many instances, suspended in our endeavors to ferret out mischief-makers, and sustain the authority of teachers. We have been obliged to resort to suspension, and to the threat of expulsion, even, to preserve the semblance of good order. In fact, lawless conduct, both in and out of the schools, has characterized the youth of the town during the past year. Your teachers have been insulted by their own and other scholars, in the school, and in the street; and have been made the recipients of anonymous threatening letters. Other improprieties you will doubtless remember. We prefer not to mention them in this report.
Speaking generally, the scholars in your schools have, or at least manifest, too little respect for their teachers. It is not necessary to argue, that a want of respect towards a teacher destroys his or her usefulness as such. Disrespect, once engendered, has a wider and deeper influence than may at first be supposed. It is not restricted to the person towards whom it is first exercised, but soon manifests itself, and more particu- larly is this true of children, towards every one in authority. We attribute the trouble in our schools during the past year, and the present prevailing spirit of insubordination, to what has become, on the part of many, an habitual disrespect for teachers. It becomes us, as a community, to correct this evil, which is destroying the usefulness of our schools, and exerting a baleful influence upon the character of those, for whom our schools are instituted. It may be well for each of us to ask, Have I contributed by word or act to this state of things ? or have I always scrupulously endeavored to protect the reputation, and sustain the authority of those in charge of the schools? If a
7
parent, have I allowed myself to speak in a disrespect- ful manner of the instructor of my children, in their presence ? have I criticised his dress, or manner, or appearance ? have I participated in the circulation of rumors affecting his reputation ? It is not to be supposed, that there is any one among us, who would intentionally do, or say anything to encourage dis- respect in the mind of a child for its teacher. What is done, we have no doubt, is done without thought of the result ; yet the lack of purpose does not qualify the result. If you encourage tale-bearing ; laugh at your child's criticism of its teacher; trust to stories, which came through you know not how many ears and mouths, before they reached your child, you are promoting, as you can in no other way, just the state of things which now exists.
At the commencement of the year we apportioned among the districts the sum of $4116. This appor- tionment was made on the basis of an eight-months school in the districts, and ten months' session, as re- quired by law, of the High School. Our purpose was, towards the close of the year, to divide the amount of the school fund unapportioned among the . districts, and thus enable them to lengthen the schools. When we again took occasion to consider the matter, we concluded, in view of the large outlays of the town in harbor and coast defense, to reserve the amount unexpended under our apportionment, towards the support of schools for another year. Should this course not meet with your approval, you can virtually control our action, by appropriating a sum in addition to that reserved, sufficient to carry on the schools for so much longer time during the next, as they have been shortened during the past year. All the schools have been in session more than eight months, yet but
8
one district (12 & 13), has expended more than its apportionment. In the aggregate the amount ex- pended will about equal the amount apportioned.
The High School, at the date of this report, is still in session. Owing to an interruption, occasioned by the unexpected resignation of the former principal, this school will have been in session during the year, only nine and one half months. The amount ex- pended upon this school will, therefore, be something less than the apportionment.
The whole number of scholars of all ages in all the schools (including the High School), during the year has been, as near as we can ascertain it, 689, making the cost of tuition, &c., about $6.09 per scholar. Under the district system, and with present school accommodation, we are of opinion that your schools could not be properly sustained for a less amount.
The amounts held by the Town Treasurer for school purposes for the year 1861-62, and the details of ap- portionment, are as follows :
0
Appropriation,
$4,500.00
Received from State school fund,
139.62
Balance from last year's account,
473.90
Total,
$5,113.52
Apportioned to District No. 10,
$182.00
Apportioned to District No. 11,
212.00
Apportioned to District No. 12 & 13,
1,714.00
Apportioned to District No. 14,
221.00
Apportioned to District No. 15,
220.00
Apportioned to District No. 16,
232.00
Apportioned to District No. 19,
235.00
Apportioned to the High School,
1,100.00
Total amount apportioned,
4,116.00
Amount unapportioned,
$997.52
The amount unexpended will not vary much from $950, and in addition to this sum, an appropriation of $3500, will, we think, be amply sufficient for the support of schools the coming year.
9
SUGGESTIONS.
First-In the exercise of your best judgment, nom- inate and elect, for Superintending and Prudential Committees, men, in whom you have the utmost con- fidence, that they will, without fear and favor, to the best of their ability, perform the duties which by law devolve upon them. Having thus performed your duty to yourselves and to the community which you represent, leave your Committees, free and untram- melled, to the exercise of their best judgment, in selecting teachers, in continuing or dismissing teachers heretofore or now employed, and in the employment of such methods of discipline in the schools, as may to them seem best. When, in accordance with statute law, the School Committee " determine the number and qualifications of the scholars to be admitted into the High School," let the presumption be in favor of their impartiality and fairness. Do not impede and . annoy their action by imputation of sectarianism, favoritism, and personal prejudice. If you cannot confide in their judgment and honesty, you ought not to have chosen them to the places they occupy. If they are right in their decision, you have no just rea- son to complain. If they err in judgment, which is possible and very probable, you also erred in selecting such incompetent men. If they are intentionally and perversely wrong, and corruptly administer the affairs intrusted to them, you should seek the first opportu- nity to put better men in their places.
There is no adequate pecuniary compensation pro- vided for the perplexing and responsible duties of a School Committee man. Whoever accepts the office, does so, more from a sense of duty to the community, than from any desire of gain, or honor. If such
10
acceptance necessarily entails continued fault-finding, imputations of personal' prejudice, and unworthy motives, it will soon be a difficult matter to find men who will serve you as members of your School Com- mittee.
Second-If you have properly performed your duty in the selection of Superintending and Prudential Committees, you ought, in justice to yourselves, to presume that they act wisely and honestly in the selection and employment of teachers. It follows, then, that those teachers, who are placed in charge of your schools, should have your confidence and respect. The presumption should be in their favor, that they are proper persons to have charge of the young, that they are competent to instruct the schools in which they are placed, and that they act discreetly in their methods of discipline. You would properly consider it unjust in the extreme, if you, or your children, were condemned upon mere suspicion, or upon evidence as insufficient, as that which oftentimes brings down upon . the head of an unoffending teacher, the contempt and execration of a township. Some of your Committee have thus been connected with the schools for a long term of years, and we are able to say, that complaints are seldom made to us of teachers, by parents, who have become convinced of the truth of their charges, either by visiting the school, or by a careful and thorough investigation of the facts in the case.
It is repugnant to the feelings of a parent to distrust his child's word. But are you acting as reasonable beings, when you insist upon believing the story of a child, even though it be your own, when such belief virtually charges its teacher, its fellows, and in fact every one, who has a knowledge of the circumstances, and has investigated the matter, with falsehood ? Do
11
you ever think what a terrible injury you would inflict upon that child for time and for eternity, if, all unknowingly, you should encourage it to deceive ? You run imminent risk of doing so, when, through excessive fondness, you blindly trust to its simple word, and brush aside, as valueless, all other testimony. Nor is it always safe, in view of your child's interests alone, to rely upon the corroboration of its companions and playmates. There is still another consideration, and, we fear, neither is sufficiently prominent in the minds of parents, when a controversy arises between their child and its teacher. It is this. Should it so happen that, notwithstanding the implicit faith you may have in your child's veracity, and the corroborative evidence of its playmates, you are mistaken in the truth of the matter, you are doing an irreparable injury to the teacher; you are charging him with a malicious attempt to injure your child in character or person, when he has only been following out a clearly marked line of duty; you are undermining his influence with the school by withdrawing from him the respect of your own and other children, and the confidence of the community. Should you, by an honest, though mis- taken zeal, succeed in rendering it so uncomfortable for the teacher, that he should resign his position, or from the prevailing want of respect and confidence of the community, the Committee should be compelled to remove him, you have perhaps been instrumental in driving from among you a capable, trust-worthy and efficient teacher; you have taught the children of the town, that by gross exaggeration of some frivolous matter, or by dint of persistent falsehood, they may be able to rid themselves of any teacher, against whom they may have imbibed some childish prejudice. If such pernicious notions are once promulgated, we need
12
not tell you, there is an end to all order, decency, and educational progress.
TABLE I.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
DISTRICTS.
Whole Number between 5
Attendance between 5
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Whole Attendance.
Average Attendance.
Attendance between 5
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Whole Attendance.
Average Attendance.
10 11
54
50 1
0
51 43.75
5
41
34
12 & 13
305
85014
99 77.44 95 0 28 123 107
Intermedial,
410
0
41 36
300
0
30
23.3
Primary,
102 0
0
102 68.55
580
0
58
39.11
North Primary and Medium,
475
0
52 35.54 49 6
0 55
32.51
South Medium,
300
0
30 27
240
0
0
41
34
14
25
170
0
17 11.49
23 1
5
29
22
15
43
301
1
32 23
330
4 37
28
16
46
36 2
0
38 29.11
360
9 45
33.2
19
49
470
0
47 36.5
370
0
37
29
High School,
26,0,59
85, 77
41
36 3
0 39,29.9
313 360
2
36
27.9
South Primary,
33 5
0
38.33
374
24
20
Grammar,
and 16, May 1st.
and 15.
and 15.
13
TABLE II.
Wages Length per
Districts.
Terms.
Teachers.
of month. School.
No. 10, Royal Hathaway,
Summer,
Miss E. P. Hamblin,
$18
42
No. 11, Oxford Village,
Summer,
Miss Kate A. Jenney,
20
22
No. 12 & 13-Grammar,
Summer,
Mr. H. O. Martin,
65
6
Winter,
Mr. C. E. E. Mosher,
65
2₺
Assistant,
Summer,
Mrs. M. A. Fairfield,
22
6
Centre Medium,
Summer,
Miss Lois Dean,
22
6
Centre Primary,
Summer,
Miss M. A. Clark, 19
24
Assistant,
Summer,
Miss J. F. Grinnell, 14
24
North Primary & Medium, Summer,
Winter,
Miss S. E. Millett,
22
2
South Medium,
Summer,
Mrs. A. A. Grinnell, 20
24
South Primary,
Summer,
Miss A. L. Grinnell, 19
6
No. 14, Sconticut,
Summer,
Miss Mary A. Farwell, 18
43
No. 15, Nasketucket,
Summer,
Miss Esther Delano, 16
42
No. 16, New Boston,
Summer,
Miss Mary L. Brownell, 18
42
Winter,
Mr. Oliver E. Bryant,
35 ·
4
No. 17, West's Island,
No school.
No. 19, Pease District,
Summer,
Mrs. A. H. Snow, 27
5à
Winter,
High School, Charles P. Rugg, 6} months; Albert Hale, 3 months, 75 Miss M. A. Farwell, 35
92
We perform our final duty for the year, in submitting this report. Much you may find in it disagreeable and unpleasant. We ask of you that patience and indul- gence, which we have so often been called upon to exercise. Conscious of but one object, and that involving the best interests of the youth among you, we will bear, as best we can, all misinterpretation and captious criticism.
EDMUND T. ALLEN, Chairman. CHARLES DREW, Secretary.
FAIRHAVEN, March 22, 1862.
6
6
Winter,
Miss Lois Dean,
22
Winter,
Winter,
Mrs. M. A. Fairfield, 22
23
6
Winter,
6
Winter,
Winter,
24
Winter,
Miss Esther Delano, 25
Winter,
Mr. George A. Mitchell, 30
43
Winter,
6 à
Winter,
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