USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1877-1878 > Part 1
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SELECTMEN'S OFFICE
REPORTS
OF THE
Selectmen of Fairhaven
ON THE
Financial Affairs of the Town,
AND OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
For the year 1877-8.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS. 1878.
REPORT
OF THE
Selectmen of Fairhaven
ON THE
Financial Affairs of the Town,
FOR THE YEAR 1877-8.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS. 1878.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/annualreportofto1877fair
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
EBEN AKIN, JR., TREASURER,
IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN.
1877, 2 mo. 15.
DR.
Balance in the treasury,
$8,599.86
Cash from Poor Farm,
12.00
Town of Acushnet,
7.50
Town of Tisbury,
5.00
J. R. Delano, board D. C. Wood,
45.00
City of New Bedford,
211.55
Town of Marion,
143.00
Town of Nantucket,
138.00
Joseph Damon, surety,
705.66
L. S. Judd,
281.62
Bridge department,
3.00
City of Taunton,
33.50
License, F. T. Lambert,
2.00
R. E. Snow,
8.00
A. G. Tripp, for pork,
14.02
G. H. Taber, for pork,
9.30
P. Lapham, cow sold,
25.00
P. Lapham, four pigs sold,
13.00
State aid,
2000
Dividends, Fairhaven bank,
101.20
School fund,
202.43
Transportation State paupers,
1.65
County treasurer, dog tax,
168.61
J. V. Cox, petroleum,
.84
D. J. Lewis, for lumber,
10.82
State treasurer, national bank tax,
2,551.31
State treasurer, corporation tax,
510.30
Mrs. Willcox, books sold,
216.00
E. S. Whiting, pork sold,
71.02
Geo. Jones, collector,
22,493.61 $37,1 34.80
CR.
By town orders paid,
$27,759.63
National bank tax,
2,845.99
Corporation tax,
83.53
Treasurer's salary,
250.00
Balance cash on hand,
6,195.65 $37,134.80
L. M. Snow,
50.00
4
GEO. JONES, COLLECTOR,
IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN. DR.
1877, March.
Amount of uncollected taxes, $593.30
August. Amount of tax bills, 26,837.20
Interest collected, 24.96 $28,455.46
CR.
Amount remitted by assessors,
$117.01
Amount discount for prompt pay,
1,389.29
Amount unpaid taxes, 1875,
$34.07
1876, 73.13
1877,
1,306.89
1,414.09
Amount paid State tax,
1,335.00
Amount paid County tax,
1,456.46
Salary,
250.00
Cash paid town treasurer,
22,493.61 $28,455.46
Unpaid Taxes for the year 1875.
Tucker Damon, Jr., balance,
$28.07
Marcus M. Kiff,
2.00
Albert Lewis,
2.00
Frederick P. Taber,
2.00
$34.07
Unpaid Taxes for the year 1876.
Wm. Barton,
$2.00
Martin Bowen,
2.00
George F. Church,
2.00
Nathaniel Clark,
2.00
Jabez Delano, Jr.,
10.13
William Delano,
2.00
Marcus M. Kiff,
2.00
Albert Lewis,
2.00
Phineas E. Merrihew,
2.00
Levin S. Morse,
2.00
Nelson P. Munro,
28.00
Wallace H. Peck,
2.00
Jethro Taber's heirs, balance,
11.00
Frederick P. Taber,
2.00
Edwin T. Willcox,
2.00
$73.13
5
Unpaid Taxes for the year 1877.
John Alden,
$63.60
John Allen, Jr.,
2.00
Edwin R. Baker, balance,
6.09
Joseph M. Babbitt,
2.00
Henry P. Bolles,
13.80
William R. Burrill,
2.00
Boston & Fairhaven Iron Works,
462.40
Nathaniel Battles,
10.80
Nehemiah Baker,
6.80
William Barton,
2.00
J. F. Burbank,
2.00
Martin Bowen,
2.00
Roswell Brown,
2.00
John I. Bryant,
2.00
William II. Bryant,
2.00
George Crapo,
10.80
George F. Church,
2.00
Nathaniel Clark,
2 00
Peter Crapo,
2 00
Robert Early,
28.40
Albert Eldred,
2.00
William Eldred,
2.00
Thomas R. Delano,
10.20
William W. Drew,
21.20
T. Damon, Jr., balance,
16.40
Ebenezer P. Delano,
2.00
Jabez Delano, Jr.,
10.00
James W. Dahl,
2.00
William H. Dunham,
2.00
John F. Damon,
2.00
James Davis, balance,
8.80
Edward M. Dunn,
2.00
William Delano,
2.00
Richard M. Delano,
3.60
Frank H. Dunham,
2.00
Catherine Gelatt,
20.80
John A. Gifford,
2.00
Albert Gelatt,
2.00
James L. Haskins,
10.00
Charles Hammond,
5.20
William A. Hammond,
2.00
John H. Howland,
2.00
William Hersey,
2.80
Arthur Harrington,
2.00
Alfred Jenney,
22.00
6
Enos Joseph, Jr.,
2.00
Marcus R. Kiff,
2.00
Victoria Kiff,
20.80
Albert Lewis,
2.00
James F. Lawrence,
2.00
Phineas E. Merrihew,
2.00
Elizabeth E. Morse,
9.60
Levin S. Morse,
2.00
Thomas F. Morse,
2.00
Nelson P. Munro,
27.60
Charles H. Macomber,
2.00
Alonzo Mosher,
2.00
Allen Pease's estate,
9.60
Reuben Paine,
54.00
Wallace H. Peck,
2.00
Frank T. Perry, Jr.,
2.00
Linus Ryder,
27.60
Thomas R. Seckel,
2.80
Thomas Shaw,
2.00
Charles C. Sherman,
2.00
Hiram Tripp,
54.80
Jethro Taber's heirs,
25.60
John B. Tarr,
145.20
John Tarr,
2.00
James S. Tarr,
2.00
Abijah Tarr,
2.00
Frekerick P. Taber,
2.00
George W. Topham,
2.00
George Tilton,
2.00
Joseph R. Willcox,
2.00
Albert M. Willcox,
ยท 2.00
Edwin T. Willcox,
2.00
Horace Wood,
2.00
Burgess S. Willcox,
2.00
F. R. Whitwell's assignees,
32.00
Leonard F. Waldron,
2.00
Non-residents :
Bartlett Allen,
1.60
Philip Bradford,
.80
Dominguez Cardozo,
24.00
Henry V. Davis,
1.60
Elihu Hammond's heirs,
1.60
William Haskins's heirs,
1.60
Henry Packard's heirs,
1.60
Asa Pease's heirs,
3.20
Gerard C. Tobey,
14.40
7
Nehemiah West, Jones Robinson,
8.00 3.20 $1,306.89
Repairs of Highways.
Orders drawn in favor of Geo. Atwood, for payment to :
American Tack Co.,
$2.00
Philip Westgate,
14.87
N. D. Taber,
18.00
J. W. Bradford,
29.35
Granville Taber,
27.82
John Curran,
19.25
William Mann,
40.75
R. A. Dunham & Co.,
24.50
Jonathan Cowen,
4.75
John Akin,
16.62
A. Tripp,
4.80
D. H. Littlefield,
1.75
Charles Stevens,
12.25
Samuel P. Townsend,
3.50
John Quirk,
18.24
Luther Winslow,
.87
J. M. Hathaway,
15.00
J. C. Pease, Jr.,
4.54
S. S. Swift & Co.,
.60
W. H. Hoeg,
4.37
Otis Manchester,
3.94
Smith & Shaw,
6.05
John Wheeler,
5.07
Charles Eldredge,
.75
John Francis,
.50
Thomas Davis,
2.62
George W. King,
13.95
E. S. Whiting,
43.70
T. W. Taber,
17.50
Reuben Austin,
4.50
John Jordan,
3.50
S. A. Tinkham,
29.39
Andrew Westgate,
14.68
William Washburn,
.40
David Frawley,
.50
Andrew Willcox,
.50
Boston & Fairhaven Iron Works,
18.60
S. Eggers,
3.00
E. H. Sears,
1.50
Charles Stetson,
2.45
Seth Alden,
3.12
8
George W. King,
.45
M. Rosa,
44.80
David Howe,
67.90
S. N. Townsend,
31.95
John M. Howland,
34.80
Thomas Nye,
45.15
A. Willcox,
9.72
J. S. Tinkham,
53.97
O. H. Willcox,
28.07
J. Millett,
17.50
John Howard,
12.60
George Atwood,
100.00
J. E. Gifford,
4.37
Seth Alden,
26.70
Edwin Jenney,
13.56
James P. Terry,
40.60
M. R. Kiff,
3.20
A. J. Barney,
20.15
George Atwood, bill 1876,
8.20
$1,003.74 1,000.00
Amount awarded George Atwood,
Amount expended on bridge :
M. Rosa,
$16.23
David Howe,
10.68
S. N. Townsend,
4.90
John M. Howland,
4.00
Thomas Nye,
11.90
A. Willcox,
8.00
J. S. Tinkham,
24.10
O. H. Willcox,
13.75
Alfred Delano,
4.90
Joseph Millett,
10.50
John Howard,
1.75
James P. Terry,
4.55
James Dahl,
16.00
HI. Wadsworth,
4.20
A. Savery,
2.65
A. J. Barney,
3.50
George Atwood,
9.25
J. E. Gifford,
9.19
Seth Alden,
2.00
Edwin Jenney,
3.50
M. R. Kiff,
.50
$166.05
9
Orders drawn in favor of Seth Delano, for payment to :
John Howard,
$5.25
Rufus Jenney,
8.75
- Charles F. Jenney,
16.30
Charles Hackett,
4.37
Joseph W. Jenney,
15.60
Alonzo Stone,
14.00
Henry T. Howard,
33.70
John F. Howard,
3 50
Estate of Dennis Stevens,
8.75
Job Willcox,
22.90
Charles Blossom,
7.00
George W. Reeves,
10.50
George W. King,
6.00
Henry W. Hammond,
10.50
Nathaniel Hammond,
5.25
Charles F. Blossom,
34.20
C. W. Hammond,
5.25
Joseph Hammond,
10.50
Ansel Bumpus,
19.25
John Gelatt,
22.75
Charles F. Jenney,
2.80
Seth Delano,
47.25
Othniel Moulton,
7.00
Joseph C. Jenney,
15.90
Ebenezer G. Grinnell,
10.00
Samuel S. White,
20 00
Joseph Wright,
10.55
Arthur Hammond,
1.75
Seth Delano,
70.00
Reuben Marshall,
5.07
E. J. Howard,
17.62
Alfred Jenney,
5.25
Reuben Austin,
17.30
P. F. Brownell,
5.25
Charles Hackett,
5.25
Joseph Hammond,
5.25
Charles F. Jenney,
6.80
Dennis Parker,
5.25
E. J. Howard,
20.75
H. W. Hammond,
3.50
J. C. Jenney,
20.75
C. W. Hammond,
5.60
Henry F. Howard,
7.70
Charles F. Blossom,
13.40
P. F. Brownell,
3.85
B
10
John Gelatt,
23.10
Patrick Galligan,
12.10
G. W. King,
1.63
634.99
Amount awarded S. Delano,
650.00
Orders drawn in favor of J. M. Hathaway, for payment to :
J. M. Hathaway,
$48.00
George Swain,
9.25
Thomas Nye,
3.15
William V. Haney,
11.48
Charles Sherman,
30.46
William H. Mackie,
24.70
Matthew Merry,
8.10
Edward Blossom,
29.86
Seth Alden,
15.24
Stephen Townsend,
4.03
A. Stone,
8.75
C. D. Sherman,
1.40
Samuel Hathaway,
18.21
David Howe,
3.15
N. F. Benson,
3.50
A. West,
1.00
N. B. Tool Co.,
.50
T. W. Perkins,
1.25
C. F. Stetson,
51.47
John Curran,
27.98
W. J. Lawton,
27.50
S. Townsend,
9.46
C. Hackett,
7.87
Henry Jenney,
3.23
Jacob Crapo,
53.69
John Howard,
7.87
C. H. Matthewson,
3.62
J. M. Hathaway,
30.00
Henry Jenney,
1.05
John Morse,
3.50
Thomas Delano,
3.75
A. Stone,
3.15
Jacob Crapo,
3.15
J. W. Bradford,
1.60
William V. Haney
1.58
Seth Alden,
12.36
W. J. Lawton,
25.00
Edward Baker, ,
7.12
Samuel Hathaway,
8.32
Charles Stetson,
6.50
Joseph Enwright,
3.50
11
J. M. Hathaway,
33.00
George Swain,
29.15
Orrick Tilton,
.75
J. S. Blake,
10.00
S. P. Dunn,
9.38
Samuel Hathaway,
17.23
William Studley,
1.23
Walter Lapham,
13.13
Joseph King,
17.50
O. G. Lapham,
5.25
William J. Mackie,
12.50
C. F. Stetson,
27.04
Alvan Paine,
7.51
Frank Paine,
7.25
J. M. Hathaway,
22.00
Joseph King,
15.75
James S. Blake,
11.75
Samuel Hathaway,
13.65
C. Sherman,
16.45
Ebenezer Mott,
1.60
J. C. Allen,
1.60
Walter Lapham,
6.22
William Studley,
4.75
William H. Reed,
6.35
Daniel W. Deane,
6.30
George R. Deane,
6.30
828.94
$2,633.72
$200 of the above orders in favor of J. M. Hathaway were on account of special appropriation for Sconti- cut Neck road, $200.00
Amount awarded J. M. Hathaway,
650.00
$850.00
CR.
Appropriation,
$2,300.00
Special for Sconticut Neck,
200.00
$2,500.00
Incidental Expenses.
State aid,
$531.00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
George Jones, balance amount No. 5, 1876-7, $200.00 Frank Hammond, 1.75
Edward West, 1.57
12
Jesse Allen,
6.50
James H. Taber,
5.65
Albert Omey,
8.33
James Boyd & Sons, for hose,
553 30
Thomas F. Morse, labor,
12.60
Joseph G. Morse, labor,
35.50
James C. Bradford, repairing steamer,
251.33
Henry A. Delano,
.60
Edward West,
1.20
Joseph G. Morse,
220.40
Luther Brownell,
6.50
West & Co.,
30.78
George H. Taber,
5.60
George W. King,
3.50
William Mann,
18.75
L. M. Snow,
3.75
B. Taber,
.72
E. M. Dean,
.50
Hardy Hitch,
3.80
R. A. Dunham,
7.00
Obed F. Hitch,
4.42
C. Johnson,
6.42
John W. Bradford,
30.50
Benjamin Kempton,
.75
William H. Hoeg,
10.10
R. M. Simmons,
1.75
Reuben Washburn,
4.50
B. C. F. & N. B. R.R.,
1.34
Thomas Nye,
.70
Roland Smith,
3.05
Jireh C. Sherman,
6.50
Fairhaven Coal Co.,
15.00
R. A. Dunham & Co.,
4.00
Oliver H. Willcox,
1.75
Manuel Rosa,
12.00
Engine Co. No. 5,
426.65
Engine Co. No. 3,
191.65
Hooks and ladders,
40.00
Engineers,
50.00
2,190.71
LIGHTING STREETS.
George Reeves,
$166.72
Driscol, Church & Hall,
24.31
Andrew Bulloch,
19.43
Wm. F. Potter & Co.,
37.18
L. M. Snow,
2.59
B. Taber,
1.40
O. F. Hitch,
3.38
255.01
13
BRIDGE ACCOUNT.
D. K. Tripp,
$178.36
Frank Sherman,
45.00
William Watkins,
18.63
B. Taber,
3.15
Daniel J. Lewis,
47.40
American Tack Co.,
6.00
James Hammond,
25.95
T. P. W. Perkins,
1.50
John Gurney,
25.95
Obed F. Hitch,
.82
Charles H. Taber,
5.62
Frederick E. Cushman,
17.40
John Damon,
17.25
Lothrop Lewis,
14.75
James L. Butman,
11.57
S. S. Swift & Co.,
17.72
Greene & Wood,
49.84
486.91
SALARIES.
I. Fairchild, school committee 1876-7,
$57.00
I. Terry, 66
55.00
Committee on accounts,
6.00
Charles H. Morton, school committee 1876-7,
50.00
Amos T. Pierce, care of clock,
25.00
George H. Taber, assessor,
95.00
O. F. Hitch,
80.00
Matthew Merry,
75.00
T. S. Butman, constable, 1876,
16.44
Roland Smith,
13.36
A. G. Tripp, selectman and overseer,
30.00
Geo. H. Taber,
190.00
Auditing committee,
47.25
Joshua R. Delano, constable, and for care of tramps,
251.56
Matthew Merry, school committee,
35.75
1,027.36
SUNDRY INCIDENTALS.
Lunatic Hospital,
$207.46
State Treasurer,
101.33
Insurance,
158.50
S. E. Studley, repairing carriage,
30.00
William Mann,
.87
B. Taber, rent of pound,
4.00
B. Taber, rent of office and hall,
98.00
H. C. Hathaway, watch-house,
5.00
Secretary of State, for register,
1.20
14
J. A. T. Eddy, copying register,
6.00
Marston & Crapo, advice,
4.00
E. Anthony & Sons,
67.87
Stetson & Greene, advice,
2.00
E. Akin, Jr., recording,
42.35
Mercury office,
51.75
S. Hutchinson, school books,
206.47
Charles Johnson, sealing scales,
1.00
Samuel Jenkins, returning deaths,
6.25
Leavitt & Taber, supplies for tramps,
.79
Alfred Nye,
11.38
Obed F. Hitch,
2.20
Amos T. Pierce, repairing lock-up, .
.50
Fairhaven Coal Co.,
5.52
Arnold G. Tripp, repairing lock-up and shed,
18.45
George W. King, supplies for tramps,
20.62
Levi M. Snow,
1.00
Eben Akin, Jr., office supplies,
8.22
George Jones,
11.54
Fairhaven Coal Co., office,
6.00
Greene & Wood, tramp shed,
17.20
S. Hutchinson, office supplies,
1.46
Charles A. Johnson, lock-up,
2.15
1,101.08
BONDS, NOTES AND INTEREST.
Bonds paid,
$2,000.00
Notes paid,
3,500.00
Coupons paid,
2,590.00
Interest paid,
822.20
8,912.20
$14,504.27
CREDITS TO INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
Appropriation,
$2,500.00
fire department,
1,000.00
66
debts and interest,
6,000.00
Received for school books sold,
216.00
Of Joseph Damon, surety,
705.66
Of L. S. Judd, surety,
281.62
Of bridge.department,
3.00
Of F. T. Lambert, license,
2.00
From State aid,
'500.00
Of R. E. Snow, peddler's license,
8.00
Of James V. Cox, petroleum,
.84
Fairhaven bank dividend,
101.20
Of L. M. Snow, license,
50.00
Of D. J. Lewis,
10.82 $11,379.14
15
Support of Public Schools. TEACHERS' SALARIES.
D. A. Caldwell,
$1,313.00
George S. Howland,
322.00
C. N. Burgess,
320.00
M. E. Fairchild,
308.00
A. F. Sears,
365.50
S. R. Allen,
245.00
C. B. Alden,
322.00
A. J. Fairchild,
484.00
D. P. Rand,
425.00
A. H. Delano,
555.00
A. L. Stevens,
33.33
E. II. Akin,
210.00
A. B. Stetson,
68.75
M. A. Fairfield,
272.00
D. H. Gammons,
81.69
5,325.27
CARE.
H. Burke,
$30.26
J. W. Lawton, and cleaning,
131.92
T. Clark,
23.83
L. Dexter,
105.68
C. H. Sullings,
14.50
A. Sherman, and cleaning,
37.59
M. Skiff,
43.50
C. Blossom,
9.00
A. E. Delano,
14.50
J. II. Taber,
31.55
W. H. Hoeg,
12.38
E. E. Baker,
9.75
F. W. Akin,
6.25
470.71
LABOR AND SUPPLIES.
A. T. Pierce, repairing clock,
$2.25
Silvester & Wing,
5.00
Seth Delano, fuel,
3.46
E. Anthony & Sons,
30.50
Almy & Hitch,
5.00
A. D. Bourne,
12.17
Taber, Merry and Hitch, census,
16.00
Alfred Nye,
2.85
Joseph King,
.68
C. A. Johnson,
11.07
D. K. Hathaway,
9.75
A. Tripp,
17.43
S. Skiff,
5.25
J. W. Bradford,
1.77
16
S. Skiff,
6.75
W. S. Guild,
61.14
I. F. Terry, rent,
15.00
A. Benson,
16.72
J. W. Lawton, cleaning,
16.50
C. Maxfield,
11.20
Lewis Long, cleaning,
21.24
O. F. Hitch,
5.56
Fairhaven Coal Co.,
145.96
B. Taber,
6.37
S. Hutchinson,
29.97
Amos T. Pierce,
34.96
George H. Delano,
2.25
Peter F. Brownell,
4.58
G. M. Eddy & Co.,
1.90
Charles Sherman,
3.38
John S. Tinkham,
2.50
A. J. Barney,
1.00
R. Washburn,
1.80
S. S. White,
4.50
Luther Howard,
12 04
William A. Tillinghast,
13.20
Thompson, Brown & Co.,
8.00
A. G. Tripp,
2.62
C. D. Sherman,
1.53
George W. King,
.25
A. Tripp,
4.03
Luther Howard,
5.96
Charles Johnson,
105.76
Samuel Bennett,
1.70
Luther Howard,
3.00
L. H. Morrill,
.55
P. F. Brownell,
4.78
William H. Hill,
2.00
S. S. Swift,
1.40
James M. Lawton,
35.04
George Delano,
1.25
C. H. Morton,
2.15
A. D. Bourne, .
4.75
C. A. Johnson,
2.15
S. Skiff,
2.00
S. Hutchinson,
14.31
O. F. Hitch,
3.32
E. Blossom,
2.50
R. A. Dunham & Co., horsehire,
3.50
754.25
$6,550.23
17
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS.
Appropriation, Cash from school fund,
$5,500.00 202.43 168.61 $5,871.04
Support of Poor.
Orders drawn for support of poor in alms-house,
$1,706.90
Orders drawn for outdoor relief,
2,335.01
$4,041.91
Expended by Perry Lapham,
371.03
$4,412.94
APPROPRIATION AND RECEIPTS.
Appropriation,
$3,000.00
Special,
200.00
Cash sales from farm, G. H. T.,
12.00
Town of Acushnet,
7.50
Town of Tisbury,
5.00
City of New Bedford,
211.55
Town of Marion,
143.00
Town of Nantucket,
138.00
City of Taunton,
33.50
A. G. Tripp, pork,
14.02
G. H. Taber, pork,
9.30
D. C. Wood, board L. H.,
45.00
P. Lapham, for cow,
25.00
P. Lapham, for four pigs,
13.00
Discount on cow bought,
2.00
Transfer of pauper,
1.65
E. S. Whiting, pork,
71.02
$3,931.54
Articles of produce sold from farm, including milk sold, $410.54, 638.35
$4,569.89
The special appropriation of $200, for fertilizers for town farm, was expended as follows :
Luther Cole,
$6.50
Charles S. Paisler & Co.,
8.73
Reuben Austin, seaweed and rockweed,
83.26
Allen Durfee, fish,
12.00
James Stubbs, kelp,
34.89
R. A. Dunham & Co.,
30.00
Seaweed of sundry persons,
15.95
$191.33
C
Dog tax,
18
Due from other towns for support paid this year, to be refunded :
City of New Bedford,
$192.49
Town of Marion,
32.34
Town of Nantucket,
56.00
Town of Middleborough,
25.00
City of Taunton,
13.17
Town of Acushnet,
6.00
Town of Mattapoisett,
16.29
$341.29
Number of tramps lodged, 1117.
Town Debt.
Bonds,
$35,000.00
Pease District note,
5,000.00
Fairhaven Institution for Savings,
5,500.00
Notes to individuals,
4,900.00 $50,400.00
School Book Agency.
Cash on hand 2 mo. 15, 1877,
$132.04
Books on hand 2 mo. 15, 1877,
178.13
Books purchased,
250.75
Profit on books sold,
24.21
$585.13
CREDIT.
Books on hand 2 mo., 1878,
$198.01
Books furnished schools,
40.99
Discount on books,
3.00
Cash paid town treasurer,
216.00
Cash paid by agent,
20.59
Cash paid agency,
24.21
Due for books,
82.33
$585.13
GEORGE H. TABER, ARNOLD G. TRIPP, DANIEL W. DEAN,
Selectmen.
The undersigned have examined the foregoing accounts, and believe them to be correct.
JONATHAN COWEN, Committee on
THOMAS B. FULLER,
WILLIAM F. CORNELL, Accounts.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN,
FOR THE YEAR 1877-8.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, PRINTERS. 1878.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The Committee aim in this report to state the result of the year's work ; to consider the condition of the schools as compared with previous years ; the changes made, with the effect ; to deal with methods and their value to us ; and from our observation during the past, to suggest such action as we deem advisable to adopt for the future.
The teachers employed during the past year have labored faithfully, and the result has been a marked improvement in the schools as a whole ; and we are pleased to state that the greatest improvement has been where heretofore there has been a lack of efficiency. We shall mention some schools particularly, but let it not be understood as de- tracting from the reputation of teachers of other schools, whose value has been proven through years of faithful labor.
We have changed some teachers from schools where they were only partially successful to others where we judged they would do better work, and the result has justified the action.
There has been improvement in the Sconticut Neck school, the proficiency of the scholars in reading being especially noticeable. In this connection we would say, that the method followed at this school, and in all the schools where we have noticed proficiency in this branch, has been for the teacher to often render the lesson, thus furnishing an example of proper pronunciation, emphasis, and articulation, and also giving the scholars confidence to use their voices. We have also noticed that in the
4
schools where the teachers do not practice this, the chil- dren lack confidence and do not read well. We have in mind one school that we have visited several times during the past year, which shows good results in all studies ex- cept reading. The teacher of this school never, while we were present, read a paragraph or even a sentence as an example for the class. We doubt if they read as well as they did a year ago. Teachers must have confidence in themselves, must be confident of what they know, to teach well.
The New Boston school during the past six months has been steadily improving.
The teacher at the South Primary deserves especial commendation for the patient and persistent labor by which she overcame the difficulties encountered at the beginning of the year. This school will now compare favorably, both in personal appearance of scholars, and scholarship, with other schools of the same grade.
We have paid more than usual attention, during the past year, to the primary schools, and the consideration of the best method of teaching such schools that will be practical for us to adopt. We have supplied one school with a set of tablets, such as are used in the primary schools of Boston and other cities. In other schools teach- ers have made use of letters, words and sentences printed by them upon the blackboard. The use of the tablets in the Centre Primary school has been so satisfactory in its results, that we would recommend that they be furnished for the North and South Primary schools. These can then be divided into classes, graded even to the A B C scholars. The employment of the blackboard as an aid in teaching the little ones, has come in quite general use in all the schools during the year, but its value has been best demon- strated in the Point school, and particularly in teaching reading. Instead of confining the scholars just commenc-
-
5
ing to read to the book, the teacher has very carefully printed the lesson upon the board and then had each scholar read in turn. The lively interest manifested by the children, their elose attention, the eagerness for their turn, in fact their whole appearance, indicates that this method is a great improvement upon the use of the book alone. Any who have visited schools must have noticed how difficult it is to keep the attention of the class upon the lesson in the book, while one member is reading.
We regret the practice of sending children to school so very young. The effect upon the discipline of primary schools is bad ; for if the very young children are allowed to move about as much as it is right they should, it has an injurious effect upon the deportment of older scholars. And the effect upon the children themselves is, we believe, unfortunate during their entire school life. They are al- ways too young for the place they occupy ; their education becomes inevitably a continual memorizing, and as a final result they exhibit a wonderful development of memory without a corresponding development of the other facul- ties. The extent to which the power of memory may be increased is indeed wonderful ; but lacking a corresponding development of the reflective faculties, such education affords no foundation for future growth, and is of but lit- tle practical value in life. Again, those scholars whose education is limited by the opportunity offered by our public schools, get through with school too young to en- gage in any of the trades and most of the industrial pur- suits, and so are forced to spend the interval between leav- ing school and entering upon the active duties of life in comparative idleness. This season of idleness we do not consider calculated to add to their chances of becoming useful citizens.
We ask parents to give this subject thoughtful attention. If you are sending children of five years, or thereabouts,
6
visit the school ; spend one day in the place where they are expected to spend nine months each year, and see for yourselves. We believe that you will come away con- vineed that the public schools are not yet adapted to the training of very young children.
During the past year the teachers have met one evening a month to discuss questions relating to work done in schools, questions of discipline, and methods of teaching. This work has been voluntary on the part of the teachers, and they have manifested their interest by a very general attendance. It is apparent that much of the improvement we claim for the past year, received its impulse at these meetings.
Farmers, tradesmen, &c., have their unions. If im- portant for them, it is much more important that teachers, to whom we connnit the training of our children, should meet and consider the best way to do their work.
The North Fairhaven school has been in session but two and three fourths months during the year. The small number of scholars attending, together with the insuffi- cient appropriation for school purposes, decided the com- mittee to send the scholars of this school to the Point. The children have had the advantage of a better school than can possibly be had at the North, with so few schol- ars, and the town has saved the amount of the expense of one school. The cost of tuition at this school is high, as will be seen by reference to table. If the town does not approve the action of the committee in this matter, we trust they will instruct them as to their will.
The Grammar school has continued to merit the favor- able mention it has received heretofore. It is a noticeable fact that all who visit this school come away well satisfied with the work being done; those who do not visit it we consider incompetent to pass judgment.
The question is often asked, Are we obliged to maintain
7
a high school ? We will quote the law, as far as required, to answer this question.
CHAPTER 38.
SECT. 2. Every town may, and every town containing five hundred families or householders shall, besides the schools prescribed in the preceding section, maintain a school to be kept by a master of compe- tent ability and good morals, who, in addition to the branches of learn- ing before mentioned, shall give instruction in general history, book- keeping, surveying, geometry, natural philosophy, chemistry, botany, the civil polity of this Commonwealth and of the United States, and the Latin language. Such last mentioned school shall be kept for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the town ten months at least, exclu- sive of vacations, in each year, and at such convenient place, or alter- nately at such places in the town, as the legal voters at their annual meeting determine.
By the census of 1875 Fairhaven had six hundred ninety-four families, so that we have one hundred ninety- four more families than the number stated in the law re- quiring the maintenance of a high school.
It being decided that we must keep a high school, it only remains for us to make it efficient at a judicious out- lay of money. The Committee made a change a few years ago with this end in view. We are satisfied that the change added to the general usefulness of the school, and believe that it is impossible to return to the former ar- rangement without increasing the amount now required for the support of schools.
This school has for four years been steadily improving, and is now in a highly satisfactory condition. This has been accomplished by employing teachers with the requi- site knowledge strengthened by experience.
We regard with satisfaction the past four years of unin- terrupted successful school work; and it is encouraging, as it is a promise that we may continue to have a good school if we will but employ competent teachers.
The amount appropriated at the last annual meeting
D
8
was much less than usual, and as a consequence the schools have not been kept quite the usual time. The High school has been in session nine months; the North school two and three fourths months ; the Pease school nine months ; all others eight and one half months.
The time that the schools shall be kept during the year, is a matter for the town to decide ; it will be determined by the amount appropriated. We request that the appro- priation for school purposes include only the amount re- quired for teachers' salaries, care and fuel, and that the amount for incidentals be kept separate. This is desirable, for the reason that the Committee knowing the amount required for salaries, care and fuel, can at the beginning of the year decide upon the exact length of each term, and so enable the teachers to devote sufficient time to review of term work.
We give below our estimate of the amount required for support of schools for the ensuing year.
Support of schools,
$5,200.00
Incidentals, 500.00
The following repairs to buildings should be made dur- ing the coming year.
The Point building should be shingled, the New Boston house painted. Something ought to be done to the Gram- mar school building. It is evident that we must use this house for years to come, as we are unable to build an- other ; but we certainly should repair and paint it, at least on the outside. We give below the amount that will be required to make the above named repairs.
Grammar school building,
$200.00
New Boston school building,
50.00
50.00
Point school building,
$300.00
9
The following is a statement of salaries paid teachers, and the cost for tuition per scholar at each school.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Salaries, 3
Principal, $1,170 450 1st Assistant, 2d Assistant, 360
Tuition per month, $2.50
NORTH FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL.
Salary,
$68.75 Tuition per month, $4.09
OXFORD VILLAGE SCHOOL.
Salary,
$289 Tuition per month, $1.14
NASKATUCKET SCHOOL.
Salary,
$238 Tuition per month, $1.57
SCONTICUT NECK SCHOOL.
Salary,
$238 Tuition per month, $1.34
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Salaries,
Principal, Assistant, S 272
$425
Tuition per month,
$1.17
NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Salary,
$238 Tuition per month,
$1.05
SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Salary,
$238 Tuition per month, .96
CENTRE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Salary,
$238
Tuition per month, .91
NEW BOSTON SCHOOL.
Salary,
$238 Tuition per month,
$1.09
10
SPRING.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Attendance between
Attendance under 5.
| Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
Attendance between
| Attendance under 5.
| Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
Attendance between
| Attendance under 5.
| Attendance over 15.
Whole attendance.
Average attendance.
North Fairhaven,.
10
0
0
10
7
39
0
0
39
35
40
0
0140
35
Naskatucket, ..
24
0
2
26
20.67
26
0
28
21.59
24
0 2126
20.7
New Boston, ..
33
0
0
33
30.2
40
0
0
40
35.69
36
0 3 39 31.54
Sconticut Neck,
21
1
0
22
17.52
20
1
0
21
12.82
25
0 0 25
21.04
Centre Primary,.
43
0
0
43
33
49
0
0
49
42
46
0 0 46
40
South Primary,.
40
0
0
40
34
47
0
0
47
38
41
0
0 41 35.23
North Primary,
39
0
0
39
30.97
39
0
0
39
32.2
36
0 0 36 29.45
Grammar School,.
88
0
0
88
77
86
0
88
71
87
0 3|90 81
Pease District School, .
28
0
0
28
23
29
0
0
29
25
30
0 0 30 26
High School,.
68
0 41 109
100
50
0 50 100
94
50
0 47 97 92
Number of children between 5 and 15, 457.
The following is a statement of the receipts and expend- itures for the past year.
Amount raised for schools,
$5,000.00
Received from the state,
202.43
Received from the county,
168.61
Balance from last year,
271.77 $5,642.81
Teachers' salaries,
$4,552.75
Care and fuel,
573.96
Incidentals,
431.92
5,558.63
Balance unexpended,
$84.18
CHARLES H. MORTON,
School
MATTHEW MERRY,
Committee.
ISAAC TERRY,
.
27
0
0
27
Oxford Village,.
5 and 15.
5 and 15.
5 and 15.
SCHOOLS.
1
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