USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1863 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN,
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN ;
AND OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
For the Year ending March 25, 1864.
NEW BEDFORD : EVENING STANDARD STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 1864.
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF FAIRHAVEN,
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN ;
For the Year ending March 25, 1864.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, 67 UNION STREET. 1864.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
ACCOUNT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Uncollected taxes as per last report,
$7,156.22
Amount of tax bills placed in hands of T. Damon, Jr.,
for 1863 and 1864,
27,315.18
Interest on taxes,
86.98
$34,558.38
Amount collected by T. Damon, Jr., and paid.
State Treasurer,
$9,144.00
County Treasurer,
3,394.79
Town Treasurer,
12,501.30
$25,040.09
Abatement for prompt pay,
1,312.43
Taxes remitted,
280.83
Losses by failures,
402.00
Uncollected taxes for 1855 and 1856,
$22.73
Uncollected taxes for 1857,
53.18
Uncollected taxes for 1858,
24.97
Uncollected taxes for 1859,
290.18
Uncollected taxes for 1860,
950.77
Uncollected taxes for 1861,
1,232.53
Uncollected taxes for 1862,
1,833.99
Uncollected taxes for 1863,
3,114.68
7,523.03
34,558.38
The Selectmen have examined the accounts of Tucker Damon, Jr., Collector of taxes, and find them correct.
4
TUCKER DAMON, JR., TREASURER,
IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN, DR.
To taxes received from Collector,
$12,501.30
To sales from town farm,
430.10
To cash from state treasurer,
123.00
To cash from town of Marion,
42.00
To cash from town of Harwich,
73.75
To cash from town of Nantucket,
57.57
To cash from town of Dartmouth,
72.64
To cash from town of Falmouth,
5.18
To cash from town of Westport,
31.62
To cash from town of Freetown,
69.95
.To cash from town of Rochester,
59.48
To cash from city of New Bedford,
32.20
To loan from Louisa B. Cowen,
1,200.00
To loan from David Marston,
500 00
To loan from George H. Taber,
2,000.00
To loan from Trustees No. 3 school dis- trict, 5,000.00
To loan from Jonathan Cowen, trustee,
710.00
To loan from assignee's Jas. K. Turner's estate,
1,000.00
To loan from Fairhaven Bank,
3,878.00
To loan from assignee's Jenney & Tripp's estate, 2,500.00
To loan from Fairhaven Savings Institu- tion, 1,000.00
17,788.00
To sale of B. Hathaway's house,
1,300.00
To dividend from Fairhaven Bank,
112.00
To cash from Commonwealth for State aid,
1,579.75
To cash from Hiram Dryn, disbursing officer,
40.40
To cash for dog licenses,
102.00
To cash for town maps,
1.24
To cash from town of Acushnet,
10.43
34,432.61
Cr.
By balance of old account, 54.46
By orders drawn on Treasurer and paid for account of highways, public schools, support of poor, and incidental accounts,
34,037.41
By balance on hand carried to new account,
340.74
34,432.61
5
REPAIRS OF HIGHWAYS.
Order in favor WELCOME J. LAWTON, for payment to
Lemuel Akin,
3.13
Henry Akin,
9.75
Matthew Howard,
14.00
Seth Stevens,
13.25
Levi Blossom,
9.00
Silvanus Skiff,
6.25
Edward Blossom,
3.75
Elisha Hammond,
2.50
Joseph King,
6.25
Dennis Stevens,
5.00
Isaac Benson,
4.58
Allen Bumpus,
2.50
Ellis Mendall,
2.50
Charles Jenney,
5.00
Ephraim Delano,
2.50
Charles Howard,
9.75
Isaac Hathaway,
2.75
George Stevens,
1.25
John Howard,
1.25
Beriah Austin,
7.00
Seth Alden,
7.00
Asaph Taber,
7.00
Benjamin Tripp,
6.25
Charles Bryant,
5.00
Allen Brownell,
6.00
Charles Blossom,
1.25
Welcome J. Lawton, team and cash,
42.55
187.01
Order in favor SETH ALDEN, for payment to
Beriah Austin,
27.00
Job Wilcox,
21.50
Seth A Mitchell,
1.00
Henry Brownell,
1.25
Gideon Borden,
.62
John Hathaway,
1.20
William Eldredge,
8.75
Henry Jenney,
7.50
Dennis Moranville,
6.25
Seth E. Stevens,
9.50
Josiah Mendall,
1.25
Frederic Cushman,
2.00
Enos Pope,
.82
Owen D. Colson,
.75
Ebenezer Alden,
10.50
Silvanus Skiff,
3.75
David Wood,
7.65
James M. Hall,
1.25
6
Seth Alden, team and labor,
39.05
$151.59
Order in favor JONATHAN COWEN, for payment to
Asaph P. Taber,
15.75
Job Wilcox,
22.63
Henry Jenney,
8.63
Alonzo Hill,
6.84
Paul Hathaway,
6.88
Seth Jenney,
3.72
Reuben Austin,
7.20
Charles Jenney,
1.25
Charles F. Stetson,
2.50
Enos Pope,
2.00
Alexander J. Brown,
2.50
Edward R. Baker,
2.50
Seth E. Stevens,
2.96
Luther Cole,
.44
William P. Sullings,
.25
Jonathan Cowen, team and labor,
41.12
127.17
Order in favor JOSEPH B. TABER, for payment to
Joseph B. Taber,
22.07
Otis Wilcox,
9.32
Albert J. Barney,
9.44
Joseph Leavitt,
1.32
Alms House,
109.05
151.20
Order favor WELCOME J. LAWTON, in payment labor,
10.57
Order favor NATHAN J. LAWTON, for payment to
Nathan J. Lawton,
69.77
Alms House, stone,
32.40
Alfred Delano, Jr.,
27 53
Seth Alden,
5.35
Beriah Austin,
20.00
Thomas Davis,
2.25
William Dwelly,
6.30
David Wood,
3.60
Enoch Taber,
8.00
William C. Ford,
20.53
Francis Hammond,
1.50
George C. Boomer,
2.02
Josiah R. Howland,
11.20
Henry Brownell,
1.05
Hugh Nelson,
1.58
James Lawrence,
42.08
Edwin Jenney,
6.52
Martin Westgate,
1.50
Philip Westgate,
5.62
Rufus Dunham,
4.95
Seth Stevens,
9.00
7
John Sweeney,
1.35
$284.10
$911.64
Balance carried to incidental account,
129.17
$1,040.81
Credits.
By balance of old account,
$317.63
By annual appropriation,
700.00
By sales of soil,.
23.18
$1,040.81
SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. High School.
Albert Hale, teacher,
$694.17
M. L. Farwell, teacher,
358.75
George W. Taylor, care,
53.15
E. S. Ritchie, repairs,
5.25
John L. Ross, ink stands,
22.02
Sullings & Kingman, hooks,
1.17
S. S. Swift & Co., supplies,
.50
Purrington & Taber, painting,
5.29
H. W. Richmond, supplies,
2.36
Marshall Briggs, repairs,
9.48
F. M. Fuller, supplies,
.98
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
70 25
Francis Hammond, labor,
1.00
L. Bisbee & Co., repairs,
13.32
Wm. H. Forbes & Co., diplomas,
5.20
C. Maxfield, supplies,
6.29
$1,249.18
District No. 1.
Kate S. Macomber, teacher,
90.00
Benjamin S. Tripp, fuel,
23.75
113.75
District No. 2.
Kate H. Eldredge, teacher,
85.00
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
11.50
96.50
District No. 3.
Annie A. Grinnell, teacher,
75.00
Eliza A. Thatcher, teacher,
45.00
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
11.75
131.75
District No. 4.
Charles E. E. Moshur, teacher,
357.75
Lois Deane, teacher,
135.00
M. A. Fairfield, teacher,
160.00
Amanda Clark, teacher,
160.00
Ellen P. Hamlin, teacher,
152.00
Amelia A. Liscomb, teacher,
136.00
8
Millie S. Eldredge, teacher,
144.00
John Sweeney, care,
19.75
George DeWolf, care,
4.00
Henry F. Grinnell, care,
3.60
Mary A. Snell, care,
2.40
Ruth W. Reed, care,
5.00
B. Taber, care,
9.00
Annie H. Delano, care,
1.00
Burgess Wilcox, Jr., care,
4.00
Adeline E. Burke, care,
4.20
Henry D. Taylor, care,
12.30
Mary Keach, care,
2.20
Horatio Jenney, care,
9.40
J. H. Bryant, care,
4.40
Francis Hammond, labor on coal,
1.40
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
109.25
1,436.65
District No. 5.
Lucy B. King, teacher,
163.50
Jonathan Cowen, fuel,
10.79
Asaph P. Taber, fuel
2.16
John H. Wilcox, labor on wood,
2.40
George G. Lawton, care,
3.50
182.35
District No. 6.
Sarah E. Grinnell, teacher,
100.00
Mary S. Russell, teacher,
64.00
Jabez T. Howard, fuel,
17.75
Stephen C. Sears, teacher,
107.25
289.00
District No. 7.
Kate A. Jenney, teacher,
130.00
Daniel W. Dean, fuel,
12.00
142.00
$3,641.18
Balance to new account,
988.72
$4,629.90
Credits.
By balance of old account,
$506.90
By annual appropriation,
4,000.00
By amount received from State,
123.00
$4,629.90
SUPPORT OF THE POOR.
Orders drawn for support of poor in and out of alms-house for 1863 and 1864,
243.07
I. D. Hall, supplies, 39.17
Joseph B. Taber, supplies,
403 29
S. S. Swift & Co., supplies,
126.73
Rufus Allen, supplies,
224.26
9
F. M. Fuller, supplies,
137.86
Alfred Nye, Jr., supplies,
132.70
J. W. Braley, supplies,
83.50
S. M. Hall, supplies,
125.72
Nathan Lewis, stove,
31.76
H. W. Coggeshall, undertaker,
46.87
George Atwood, physician,
117.50
H. W. Richmond, medicine,
2.03
Ellis Perry, fuel,
2.22
Jonathan Cowen, fuel,
28.74
Estate of B. Taber, fuel,
18.47
George H. Taber, fuel,
7.10
Fish, Robinson & Co., fuel,
108.76
Henry T. Howard, fuel,
11.36
F. R. Whitwell, Jr., fuel,
8.50
Philip Hathaway, fuel,
5.25
Tripp & Bourne, repairs,
12.93
Isaac Terry, blacksmith,
32.63
George T. Russell, wagon,
65.00
C. W. Burbank, oxen,
105.00
Jesse Vaughn, labor,
37.65
Purrington & Taber, painting,
11.93
Marshall Briggs, whitewashing,
2.00
State Lunatic Hospital,
306.56
Town of Dartmouth,
3.05
City of New Bedford,
179.18
Town of Taunton,
19.62
William A. Spooner, balance services,
200.00
A. M. Wright, balance services,
250.41
$3,130.82
Balance carried to incidental account,
920.05
$4,050.87
Credits.
By balance of old account,
$176.38
By annual appropriation,
3,000.00
By sales from town farm, and labor,
430.10
By cash from town of Marion,
42.00
By cash from town of Harwich,
73.75
By cash from town of Nantucket,
57.57
By cash from town of Dartmouth,
72.64
By cash from town of Falmouth,
5.18
By cash from town of Westport,
31.62
By cash from town of Freetown,
69.95
By cash from town of Rochester,
59.48
By cash from city of New Bedford,
32.20
$4,050.87
10
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
Fire Department.
Engine Company No. 3,
$517.51
Engine Company No. 5,
367.50
Alfred Delano, Jr., horse,
.75
Nathaniel P. Fish, care,
25.00
James C. Bradford, repairs,
.75
Charles E. Hammond, labor,
1.05
L. Bisbee & Co., repairs,
3.38
Aaron Savery, repairs,
1.62
Purrington & Taber, repairs,
.77
William H. Hoeg, labor,
4.12
W. H. Willis, repairs,
4.50
Joseph W. Eldredge, labor,
1.00
James M. Allen, Jr., labor,
1.50
F. M. Fuller, supplies,
1.61
George Jones, labor,
25.00
Allen Brownell, repairs,
6.25
A. G. Liscomb, halliards,
2.00
$964.31
Salaries.
Selectmen :
Bartholomew Taber,
$160.00
Jonathan Cowen,
50.00
George H. Taber,
45.00 $255.00
Overseers of Poor :
Bartholomew Taber,
40.00
Jonathan Cowen,
70.00
George H. Taber,
55.00
165.00
Assessors :
Job C. Tripp,
96.00
George H. Taber,
62.00
Seth Alden,
33.00
191.00
School Committee :
Charles Drew,
50.00
Job C. Tripp,
55.00
Jonathan Cowen,
15.00
120.00
Fire-Wards ;
Aaron Savery,
10.00
William H. Hoeg,
10.00
20.00
Constables :
Albert G. Liscomb,
15.50
Alonzo Hill,
6.00
William Mann,
8.50
30.00
Committee on accounts :
Job C. Tripp,
2.00
Frederic Taber,
2.00
4.00
11
Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector :
Tucker Damon, Jr., 400.00
Register : Tucker Damon, Jr., 37.83
$1,222.83
War Expenses.
State aid furnished families of volunteers, $2,683.25
Bounty paid Lemuel S. Aiken, 150.00
Adjt. Gen. Schouler, volunteer records, '7.67
Nye & Swift, bill of 1861 vs. Home Guard, 16.32 State bounty tax, 2,975,02
Expense of recruits to Taunton, 29.62
B. Taber, travelling expenses, 8.53
$5,870.41
Town Debt.
Paid note favor assignees Reuben Fish, $1,000.00
Paid notes favor Abner Pease's estate, 5,085.00
Paid note favor George H. Taber,
2,000.00
Paid note favor Charlotte Haskins,
2,100.00
Paid notes favor Fairhaven Institution for Savings, 4,300.00
Paid on note favor P. E. Terry,
500.00
Paid note favor David Marston,
500.00
$15,485.00
Paid interest to assignee's Reuben Fish,
22.00
Paid interest to George H. Taber,
12.00
Paid interest to Sarah Slade,
42.00
Paid interest to Elizabeth Pope,
30.00
Paid interest to Lucia R. Winsor,
120.00
Paid interest to Andrew P. Jenney,
60.00
Paid interest to David Marston,
24.25
Paid interest to Henry Aiken,
30.00
Paid interest to Abner Pease's estate,
332.57
Paid interest to Charlotte Haskins,
162.75
Paid interest to O. Nye and S. P. Alden, executors,
540.00
Paid interest to Phineas Terry,
210.00
Paid interest to Silas P. Alden,
24.00
Paid interest to Rufus Allen,
60.00
Paid interest to Fairhaven Savings Inst.,
838.12
Paid interest to Lucia R. Winsor,
24.00
Paid interest to Betsey Hiller,
34.80$
$2,566.49
Incidentals.
Town of Acushnet, bank dividends,
$19.48
Charles Stackpole, claim on B. Hathaway house,
75.00
Levi Nickerson, repairing clock, ·
1.00
Harriet Pease, labor,
15.50
12
Phoenix Hall Association, rent,
$55.00
E. Anthony, printing, 89.75
Fessenden & Baker, printing,
42.75
William Mann, watching,
1.50
A. G. Liscomb, watching,
1.50
Estate of John Allen, land rent,
5.00
Charles Taber & Co., books,
60.00
Estate E. Sawin, rent,
20.00
A. D. Stoddard, auctioneer,
14.05
Thomas R. Delano, loss of sheep,
6.00
John Weeden, loss of sheep,
6.50
Ephraim Pope, loss of sheep,
24.50
Noble Gelett, loss of sheep,
30.00
Enos Pope, loss of sheep,
11.00
Hervey Caswell, repairing town pump,
1.90
Tripp & Bourne, repairs,
2.04
B. Taber, travelling expenses and stationery, 20.00 J. C. Tripp, travelling expenses and station- ery, 6.89
Charles Drew, stamps and stationery,
2.10
$511.46
Abatement of taxes for prompt payment,
1,312.43
Taxes remitted,
280.83
Loss on taxes by failures,
402.00
$28,615.76
Amount overdrawn to 1863,
3,204.08
$31,819.84
Credit.
By annual appropriation, $6,000.00
By loan from Louisa B. Cowen,
1,200.00
By loan from David Marston, 500.00
By loan from trustees district No. 3,
5,000.00
By loan from George H. Taber, 2,000.00
By loan from Jonathan Cowen, trustee, 710.00
By loan from Terry & Tripp, assignees,
1,000.00
By loan from Fairhaven Bank, 3,878.00
By loan from Prescott & Taber, assignees, 2,500.00 By loan from Fairhaven Savings Inst., 1,000.00
By sale of B. Hathaway house,
1,300.00
By dividend from Fairhaven Bank,
112.00
By cash from town of Acushnet, 10.43
By cash from commonwealth for state aid, 1,579.75
By cash from Hiram Dryn, disbursing officer, 40.40
By cash for dog licenses, 102.00
By cash for town maps, 1.24
13
By unexpended balances for 1863 of high- way account,
129.17
By support of poor account,
920.05
Overlay on taxes in 1863,
1,076.39
$29,059.43
Amount overdrawn to 1864,
2,760.41
$31,819.84
RECAPITULATION.
Repairs of highways,
$911.64
Less cash received,
23.18
$888.46
Support of schools,
3,641.18
Less cash received from State,
123.00
3,518.18
Support of poor,
3,130.82
Less cash received,
874.49
2,256.33
Incidental account :
Fire department,
$964.31
Salaries,
1,222.83
War expenses,
5,870.41
Town debt,
15,485.00
Interest,
2,566.49
Incidentals,
2,506.72
28,615.76
Deduct cash received,
$3,145.82
Overlay on taxes,
1,076.39
4,222.21
24,393.55
Total amount paid out, Add balances carried to new accounts,
$31,056.52
1,432.39
$32,488.91
Credits.
By amount of annual appropriations, By amount of loans,
17,788.00
By balances of old accounts,
1,000.91
$32,488.91
TOWN DEBT.
Loan of Fairhaven Bank,
$4,000.00
Loan of Fairhaven Savings Institution,
12,000.00
30,422.00
Loan of individuals,
$13,700.00
14
Outstanding bills,
280.00
Outstanding orders,
588.58
Balance due on B. Hathaway house,
767 82
$48,058.40
Deduct from above, amount due from Commonwealth for State aid,
$3,200.39
Due from town of Acushnet,
93.10
Due from town of Middleborough,
19.00
Due from town of Dartmouth,
65.40
Due from town of Mattapoisett,
129.69
Due from town of Marion,
27.00
Amount of uncollected taxes,
7,523.03
23 shares Fairhaven Bank stock,
1,932.00
Cash in hands of town Treasurer,
340.74
$13,330.35
Total indebtedness of town,
$34,728.05
TOWN LIQUOR AGENCY.
Stock and cash on hand March 16, 1863,
$406.13
Profit on sales from March 16, 1863, to March 16, 1864, 81.72
$487.85
Contra Cr.
By stock on hand March 16, 1864,
381.09
By government licenses,
13.33
By salary of agent,
70.00
By cash on hand,
23.43
487.85
SCHOOL BOOK AGENCY.
Books on hand March 16, 1863,
180.09
Cash received for books sold,
269.02
Contra Cr.
449.11
By books on hand March 16, 1864,
184.57
By amount due for books sold,
34.02
By cash paid for books,
170.59
By salary of agent,
28.45
By balance in hands of agent,
31.48
449.11
Respectfully submitted,
BARTHOLOMEW TABER, JONATHAN COWEN, Selectmen.
GEORGE H. TABER,
15
We, the undersigned, have examined the foregoing accounts and believe them to be correct.
JOB C. TRIPP, FREDERIC TABER, on Accounts.
Committee
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Fairhaven,
FOR THE YEAR 1863-64.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY, PRINTER, 67 UNION STREET. 1864.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Fairhaven :
The School Committee, in presenting their annual report, feel that they can congratulate the town upon the general success that has attended the schools during the past year ; a success which the Committee feel is not to be attributed so much to any special effort or labor on their part as it is to the entire harmony and good feeling which has prevailed during the year among the School and Prudential Commit- tees, teachers, and we think we can add the pupils also, as · many of them seem to appreciate the labors of the School Committee and teachers in their behalf.
The Committee have not failed to notice with what zeal and fidelity most of the teachers have labored during the past year, and have felt great satisfaction in beholding the results which those labors have produced, and which are shown in the general good conduct and studious habits of most of the pupils. Of course there are exceptions; but the exceptions are fewer, cases of insubordination are rarer, truancy is practised to a less extent, we think, than it has been in former years. This improved state of affairs is owing to the watchfulness of our teachers, who are willing to exercise an extra care rather than allow the aforesaid evils to have their depressing effect on the schools.
The Committee feel more impressed from year to year with the importance of the teacher's profession; a calling that demands all that is highest, noblest, and best within us ; a labor which cannot be cancelled by dollars and cents, but which finds its fullest reward in the blessings that ever fol-
4
low those who labor in earnest and in truth. The true teacher must put "heart " into his work; intellect alone will not answer. A teacher with a fair amount of ability, who labors from a religious sense of duty, cannot fail to win the respect and love of his scholars, and will sooner or later make his influence felt, not only in his school, but in the community where he labors. We congratulate the town, that such teachers are with us, and to their labors do we feel largely indebted for the present state of some of our schools.
The same order of study has been continued in the schools during the past year, that was in operation in the previous year. No new studies have been introduced, with the ex- ception of physical geography, which has been taken up again by the High School. The Committee have recom- mended that special attention be directed to reading and spelling,-exercises of the utmost importance, when we con- · sider how few good readers we have even among those who are looked upon as our best scholars; and we find also at our annual examination of applicants for admission to the High School that more are deficient in spelling than in any other branch. There is certainly no more desirable accom- plishment for a young lady to possess than that of being a good and effective reader, and good spelling is now quite necessary for those who are called upon to occupy most any position in life. We are glad to notice, however, that the teachers are doing good service to remedy these defects. The advantages of improvement now offered by our schools render poor reading and poor spelling inexcusable in any scholar. The course adopted at the High School of de- fining the word when spelled is an improvement over the old method, and gives an additional interest to the exercise.
Some of our teachers, not wishing to be outdone by those in other towns, have been giving increased attention to the subject of physical education. The adoption of physical exercises in their schools has been attended with good re- sults. We not only believe these exercises to be conducive
5
to health, but they are promotive of good order in school, giving the scholars an opportunity to use up their surplus activity. They also prove a most agreeable recreation and amusement to the pupils, all of whom seem to enter into the exercises with zeal and pleasure; and we have been sur- prised at times to witness with what uniformity and effect a school of over 100 scholars would perform them.
More attention has also been paid to music in our schools than in former years. We cannot fail to notice its refining influence on the minds of the scholars, its happy effects in repressing those passions which belong to our lower nature, and in bringing out those traits which are so intimately con- nected with our higher and better nature. It has been truly spoken of as "the only art that is divine." Fortunately some of our teachers have musical talent, and have therefore no difficulty in introducing music into their schools; but the other teachers, by engaging the interest of those pupils who do sing, may awaken an interest in the subject till it is adopted and practised by the school without the assistance of the teacher's voice,-a course which has been successful in at least two of our schools.
It would be pleasant to dwell longer on those features in our schools which are pleasant and which serve to encourage the Committee in their labors, but we should be remiss in our duties did we not notice some of the exceptions to the general rule,-exceptions the existence of which detracts seriously from the complete success of our common school system. Among other requirements of the general statutes is one which makes it the duty of teachers to " impress up- on the minds of the scholars the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society and the basis upon which a republican constitution is founded." It seems to us that there is no more important requirement in the statute, and it pains us to notice with what little effect the above truths have been taught to some of the scholars, who appar- ently do not recognize the responsibilities and obligations
6
resting upon them as recipients of knowledge freely imparted by one of the wisest and best of Commonwealths. We have been shocked at times to hear profanity from the lips of boys who are connected with some of our highest and best schools, some of whom are children of Christian parents and have had the advantages of sabbath-schools. When we have seen the low taste, the coarse expression, the lawless conduct shown by others who are certainly old enough to know better, we have asked ourselves the question, Why is this so ? Our teachers are as good if not better than the average of those employed in the State; our scholars are not behind others in natural ability and intelligence; our town does not withhold the means of instruction : then where can we look for the cause of this low moral tone, un- less we find it in defective home education ? Our experience and observation make it evident that this, more than any- thing else, is the true cause. It was well remarked by one of the speakers at our home educational meetings, that there were some things which a child must be taught that he can- not do. Some of our parents do not act as though they be- lieved this, but too often yield to the whims and passions of their children, and thus lay the foundation of future trouble, not only for the teachers in whose care they are placed, but for themselves also. The lesson of submission to parental and teachers' authority should be as truly learned as a sum in arithmetic or an exercise in grammar, and it is of vastly more importance.
One or two cases of insubordination have occurred during the past year in one of our district schools, and the unwise course adopted by the parents at the time leads us to quote the language used in a similar instance by the Committee of another town.
" The mode of criticising the faults, real or supposed, of a school, or the conduct of school children, deserves a word of comment. It should be remembered that no aggregation of mortals can be more sensitive to the breath of outside disapproval and adverse opinion than a public school. It
7
feels the tarnish of every syllable of blame or distrust. The teacher is robbed of half his powers, who knows that his position is uncertain, and any mistake of his the sure prelude to a chorus of denunciation. The pupil who hears from his parent the expression of dissatisfaction with a teacher, takes his place in school unfitted for his own im- provement, and in imperfect sympathy with his instructor. Let the common habit of a district be that of open and un- friendly remark, and the school, even in the ablest hands, can no more thrive and perform its office than can the engine work with ungeared machinery, or the lamp burn clear in the choke-damp.
Now there is propriety of time and place, and especially of manner, for the discussion of the mishaps and mistakes of schools. They certainly should not be the topic of con- versation in the presence of school children, nor the food of store gossip, nor the common and idle talk which is caught from mouth to mouth. The consequences are too serious and fatal, to admit of other treatment of school difficulties than that of consultation among the most prudent, and free communication with those in authority over the schools. No occurrences are more likely to be misunderstood than those connected with the school management, and there are none in which the careless or slanderous word works more irreparable mischief."
Parents, do not give your children so much street educa- tion, but rather give them that refinement of manner, that force of character, those manly and womanly traits, which result from a true home education. The Committee are pleased to have you visit the schools and thus show your sympathy with the teacher in his efforts to improve your child, but you can cooperate with the teacher much more effectually by looking after the child when he is away from school, giving him high and lofty views of life, and ever di- recting the mind to the great source of all knowledge and power. Thus shall the true object of education be accom- plished in giving to the world true men and true women.
The objections urged by former School Committees against the present school district system we do not wish to repro- duce here, but we cannot help the conviction that the parents in our country districts would appreciate some of the im-
8
provements which the general Committee would make had they the entire management of the schools. We have always felt that much time and money have been lost in some of our districts by the frequent change of teachers. We are con- vinced that nothing is so detrimental to the success of our country schools as this practice. A school will succeed much better under a teacher of fair abilities who is permanently employed from year to year than it would under teachers of more brilliant acquirements who serve only for one or two terms and then retire to make room for new ones, who have to learn the ways, habits and dispositions of the pupils anew, and of course cannot have that influence with the scholars which one would have whom they had known, respected and loved. We should therefore employ good permanent teach- ers who, other things being equal, we prefer should be females.
We should also give more attention to the external and internal appearance of the school-houses where the children are compelled to spend a large part of their time, and where they are supposed to have inculcated lessons of neatness and order; but the teacher can hardly be expected to suc- ceed with such illustrations as some of them are compelled to witness year after year, for there can be no doubt but that the appearance of a dilapidated and dirty school-house exerts an unfavorable influence on the mind of the scholar. We hope the Prudential Committee will think of this, and apply some remedy before the next terms commence.
We cannot close our report without expressing a deep sense of gratitude to the Supreme Ruler by whose protect- ing power our system of education has remained uninjured amid the convulsions which have shaken our nation during the past few years. We feel an honest pride that the seeds which Massachusetts has sown in former years are produc- ing such noble fruit, and that our State is permitted to occupy the proud position, the commanding influence, which she does among her sister States. Called upon for men and money to aid in crushing an unrighteous rebellion which is in sym- pathy with most every principle opposed to the teachings
9
of our forefathers, she has always nobly responded, and has also given that which money cannot buy, ideas, the result of Christian education. It is evident that the true cause of her extended and increasing influence is education, and it be- comes us here in Fairhaven to inquire whether we are doing our part to sustain our Commonwealth in that position which has ever been on the side of justice, freedom and humanity.
The amount of our appropriation last year for schools was
$4,000.00
Received from the State fund,
123.00
Unexpended balance in 1862-63,
46.79
$4,169.79
Of which there has been appropriated :
To District No. 1,
$190.00
To District No. 2,
190.00
To District No. 3,
129.00
To District No. 4,
1,765.00
To District No. 5,
190.00
To District No. 6,
190.00
To District No. 7,
175.00
To High School,
1,250.00
$4,079.00
Leaving unexpended balance of
$90 79
The amount required for the ensuing year for school pur- poses will be the same as that of last year, $4,000.
Referring you to the following tables we close by express- ing the hope that still further progress in the cause of edu- cation may attend the labors of our successors, during the coming school year.
CHARLES DREW,
JOB C. TRIPP, ? School Committee, JONATHAN COWEN, Town of Fairhaven.
TABLE I.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Whole number between
Attendance between
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
Attendance between
5 and 15.
Attendance under 5.
Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
District No. 1,
37 371
38 25.49
35
4
39 25
District No. 2,
44 43 3
14737
49|1
3
53 29
District No. 3,
42
373
2 42 27
32 2
5 39 24.6
District No. 4,
343
Grammar,
95
95 83
115
115 96
Centre Intermedial,
49
49 38.7
46
46 40.26
Centre Primary,
60
6048
39
39 30.33
South Intermedial,
25
25 20
24
24 20
South Primary,
444
48 29
373
40 25
North Primary,
39|1
40 30.12
35|1
36 28.51
District No. 5,
34 302
32 27.74
34
3428.68
District No. 6,
28 343
13827.96
31
8 39 29.5
District No. 7,
1.5
17
1714
13
4
17|15
High School,
18
58 76 71.7
22
39
61 52.5
.
SCHOOLS.
5 and 15, May 1st.
5 and 15.
TABLE II.
Schools.
Terms.
Teachers.
Wages. per month.
Length of school.
District No. 1,
Summer,
Kate S. Macomber, P. W. Sparrow,
22
33
District No. 2,
Summer,
17
5
Winter,
K. H. Eldredge,
18
3 9-10
District No. 3,
Summer,
A. A. Grinnell,
30
53
Assistant,
Summer,
22
42
Winter,
E. A. Thacher,
18
5₺
District No. 4, Grammar,
Summer, Winter,
Charles E. E. Mosher,
50
5
Assistant,
Summer,
Lois Deane,
20
5
Centre Intermedial, Summer,
Winter,
M. A. Fairfield,
20
24
Centre Primary,
Summer,
Amanda Clark,
20
24
South Intermedial, Summer,
Winter,
Ellen P. Hamlin,
19
24
South Primary,
Summer,
Amelia Liscomb,
17
24
North Primary,
Summer,
Millie S. Eldredge,
18
24
District No. 5,
Summer,
18
43
Winter,
Lucy B. King,
22
3å
District No. 6,
Summer,
Mary S. Russell,
16
4
Winter,
Stephen C. Sears,
33
34
District No. 7,
Summer,
16
4
Winter,
Kate A. Jenney,
24
4
High School,
Summer,
5
Winter,
Albert Hale,
75
5
Assistant,
Summer,
5
Winter,
Miss M. A. Farwell,
35
5
$18
5 mos.
Winter,
5
5
Winter,
5星
5年
Winter,
54
5%
Winter,
5%
Winter,
4₺
Winter,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.