USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1853-82 > Part 1
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1816- Butla Consul
IMPROVED
BOOK BINDIN PATENTED JUNE 7.
J. R. WALES MARLBOROUGH
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
MASSACHUSETTS,
1853.
CONCORD: S. B. WILDE, PRINTER, MIDDLESEX FREEMAN OFFICE. 1853.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
MASSACHUSETTS,
1853.
CONCORD: 8. B. WILDE, PRINTER, MIDDLESEX FREEMAN OFFICE, 1853.
T
.
REPORT.
IN presenting the Annual Report, agreeably with the laws of our Commonwealth, your Committee would call the attention of the town to the rather singular, and very unfortunate circumstance of an entire change of your School Committee.
The three clergymen who were legally chosen at the last April meeting, have all left town. Mr. Stinson and Mr. Woodbury left prior to the close of the Summer Schools ; and your worthy chair- man, Mr. Richardson, left about the middle of the winter term. He labored as having an interest in the welfare of the schools ; the goodness of his heart was especially manifest in the school-room. We hope that his life may be spared to return again to his family, and his labors.
We take pleasure in reporting on the prosperous condition of our schools. Everything has gone on harmoniously without anything to mar the good feelings of the several districts. There has been no open disturbance in schools, or contempt of the teachers' author- ity. In comparing the present condition of our schools with the past, great improvement is manifest : in the amount of money raised,-in the comfortable houses,-in the interest manifested by the parents and guardians,-in the qualification of teachers,-in the simplifying of books, &c. Though much has been attained, a great deal more remains to be accomplished before our schools will have attained to that degree of perfection which the rising generation will require at our hands.
4
One great fault of our schools is, in having too great a number of classes. For instance : in some schools, there are three or four classes in geography, where there should be only two; so likewise in grammar, and arithmetic. This multiplicity of classes wastes the time of the teacher, and confuses the school.
Another error is, a deficiency of dictionaries. In visiting the schools the first of the winter term, we were particular to ascertain how many there were in each school; and in no school did we find more than four or five, and in one, the S. East, not a single diction- ary save the one presented by the State. In this there is an over- sight somewhere. Among the whole catalogue of school books, we consider the dictionary the most indispensable of all books for the first classes. Without it, it is impossible for them to get their read- ing and spelling lessons, or proceed with any of their studies as they ought.
Kossuth, when he was imprisoned, had the privilege of choosing three books, which he could keep by him for his own use. He se- lected Walker's Dictionary, Shakspeare, and the Bible. From those three books, he obtained all his knowledge of the English language. What knowledge he obtained of the language from those books, those who have read his speeches in the United States, can judge. We hope, before another term commences, parents and guardians will see to it, that all their children in the first class, are furnished with a dictionary.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Your committee believe that our schools may be greatly improv- ed by a system of gradation, as recommended by the Secretary of the Board of Education. As our schools now are, there are too many branches of study introduced into one school. Many of the scholars in town, who have obtained a good knowledge of the ele- mentary branches, wish to take up the higher. To do this, they must be studied in our common schools, or not at all, as there is no other school in town ; and to go out of town, incurs a greater ex- pense than many are able to bear. To remedy this evil, your com- mittee would recommend the establishment of a Central High School. Then we shall enjoy all the advantages of gradation. We
5
now have the Primary and the Intermediate, and to render our common school system complete, we want a High School.
It is not that the committee, or the friends of this measure, wish to increase the expenses of the town, for we believe it is really the best economy,-an actual saving. Now, hundreds of dollars are annually paid out of town, for children to pursue studies for which there is no school in town. We pay teachers thirty dollars per month, and more, for teaching the elementary branches, which, if our schools were graded, would not cost more than half that sum. Adopt this system, and we can employ teachers adapted to each school. Now, we have to pay thirty, or thirty-six dollars per month, for teaching many of our smallest children.
This measure is democratic ; it is giving to all an equal chance,- to the poor as well as the more wealthy. It will remove all those higher branches of study from the common schools, which by many are considered an evil. It may be urged by some as an objection, that scholars will have too great a distance to go to school, which is as valid as any : but we do not consider it sufficiently strong to over- balance the many arguments in favor of a high school. How has it been where we have had a private school for a few weeks? Have not scholars attended from the remotest part of the town ? Aye, and from out of town. And it is no worse for many than few to go the same distance. A high school rightly conducted, under the care of an efficient school committee, will give a higher tone to society, elevate the character, and increase the general prosperity of the town. If we neglect to do something of this kind, we fear the town will not continue to prosper and increase as it has done, but will decline. Many will leave town for the sole purpose of educat- ing their children. Very few people feel able to board their children out of town to gain an education. They must either go with their children to some other town where they can have free access to privileges for an education, or remain at home and forego those priv- ileges. Since, then, our children have to get their education in our common schools, which form the basis of our republican form of government, and all our New England institutions, and by which they are to be perpetuated ; shall we not adopt some measure which will make our common schools capable of giving such an education as is required by the character of the times ?
6
We number over 1,600 inhabitants, and have a valuation of $541,225.00, and for the last few years have generously raised the sum of $1,100 for our common schools. Few towns in our county, according to valuation, have done better; yet there are some. Stoneham, with a population of over 2,000, and a valuation of less than $500,000, has raised the liberal sum of $1,700 for schools. Now we would not ask the town to erect an expensive house, or very much increase the sum which we have appropriated for schools the past two or three years. We believe that $1,200 will be enough, and will amply carry out our purpose, after furnishing a suitable school-room, and that, we think, is already built. We submit this question to the consideration of the town, with a full confidence that it will give it that deliberation which this subject requires.
We will now proceed to give an account of the Summer Schools, as written out by the Rev. H. Richardson, late chairman of your Committee.
The West School was taught by Miss Mary Stone. The order was good, and the improvement excellent. She justly won the praise of all concerned. After she had taught about a fortnight her school was found to be so numerous that it was thought advisable that another teacher should be brought in to take a portion of the charge. Accordingly Miss Evelina N. Blaisdell was engaged to assume that work. Possessed of a good share of force and energy, added to a good taste, she succeeded in every respect except a little deficiency in government, which she doubtless would have overcome in a second effort.
The schools at the South, the Centre, and the East, were taught as the summer before, by Misses A. H. Barrett, A. Holden, and M. A. Holden, with their usual good success. Perhaps Miss B. more than equalled her former fame. We think however it would be more decorous on her part at her final examination, to yield the guidance of that work to the School Committee. What is their proper right, she should concede.
The North School was taught by Miss Lucy Barnard. It was
7
her first effort in this employment, and a happy one. She came into her school well qualified in every respect to assume its responsibili- ties, and she nobly sustained them. As such she deserves marked praise for all concerned.
The South East School was taught by Miss Alice L. Balcom, of Sudbury. She labored faithfully and patiently, and with some suc- cess, but not to such an extent as her labors deserved, and would have been the case, had not the school been broken up by the Measles, and what we shall denominate "The Berry Fever," the latter of which afflicted several of the other schools as well as this. Against this evil, as well as others, we would caution parents and all inter- ested.
WINTER SCHOOLS.
The East School was taught by Mr. Luther Conant, Jr., of this town. Mr. C. is a man well known among us as an able and suc- cessful teacher. This was his third term in this district. His time and energies were devoted to the interests of his school : His am- bition was to make his school just what it should be. The scholars of this school seemed to partake of the spirit of their teacher ; consequently there was good order, and a corresponding advance- ment. Though no branch of study was neglected, yet writing received particular attention ; as not only the regular daily exercise was attended to, but many evenings were devoted to this useful art. We think the writing in this school was superior to any other school in town. The classes in grammar deserve particular notice. The first class will compare well with any class in town. The second class, ten in number manifested great improvement. At the final examination, this school appeared as well as any in town. The whole number of scholars belonging to this school was 47. Av- erage attendance 41.
The North School was taught by Mr. H. H. Bowers. He is well known to you as an excellent and successful teacher. For four successive seasons he has labored in our schools in a manner equally honorable to himself, and acceptable to his employers. He wrought a decided change in the character of this school. He in- fused into it his own life, energy, and love of study, and with those,
8
a full belief, on the part of the pupils, that they could become good scholars. It was not wonderful that much was expected of this teacher, nor was it strange to us that his success exceeded the ex- pectations even of the most sanguine. The distinguishing feature of this school was, its good order ; and in this, every scholar seemed to feel that he or she had an equal interest with the teacher ; we observe, too, as a matter of course, that there was great improve- ment in manners, and all the proper pursuits of school. The im- provement in writing was remarkably good,-second to no school
in town, - Mr. Conant's excepted. Beautiful prize-books were presented by the teacher, to the scholars making the improvement ; and to those keeping the neatest book. All the exercises of the examination were in good taste and style. The grammar classes deserve particular notice. The excellence of the first class, and the spirit and progress of the second, eleven in number, (all of whom commenced this term.) will not soon be forgotten. We were pleas- ed to see so large a proportion of boys in this class. The reading was uncommonly good; correct in tone, inflections, and spirit ;- showing not only thorough and accurate teaching, but a good knowl- edge of the subject of which they read; without which, no one can be a reader. In this connection, the committee are pleased to see that, with Mr. Bowers, the Dictionary is a great book, and with the scholars, the daily practice of spelling and defining words from the reading lessons, is a very interesting exercise. Mr. Bowers richly deserves a good name, and great praise.
The South School was taught by Mr. James M. Burnham, of Hopkinton, N. H. Mr. B. is a genuine son of the Granite State ; a man of much energy of character, bold, frank, and honest,-pos- sessing a good education, and a good share of ability as a teacher. He was employed to teach this school on the express condition that he should keep good order ; and in this he was abundantly success- ful. There was also a corresponding degree of improvement in studies. We think we may safely say that the South School has not been in so good standing for several years, as at the present time. The final examination was creditable alike to both teacher and scholars. The whole number of scholars belonging to this school was 39. The average attendance 34.
9
Much praise is due Mr. Wright, the Prudential Committee of this district, for the interest he has taken in the schools.
The West School was taught by Mr. C. E. Nourse, of Bolton ; a man of good education and well qualified for his business. There seemed to be a want of that interest, in this school, which has so long characterized it, and made it rank foremost among our schools. But perhaps this may be accounted for, by the fact, that a large majority of its best scholars have left the school, for more active spheres of labor. The order in the school was generally good, although toward the close of the term, we saw some signs of relax- ation in discipline. The final examination was quite satisfactory ; some of the scholars showed a degree of attainment in their studies which proved that they at least had been interested. The register of this school showed that there had been much tardiness during the term, which is another proof of want of interest in the school. The whole number of scholars belonging to this school, was 53. Average attendance, 45.
The Centre School was taught by F. W. Pelton, of Union Col- lege. Having taught a private school in the same district the au- tumn previous, and, with the addition of some good 'scholars from the East district, we, at the commencement of the term, anticipated this school would be, on the final examination, the best in town. In this, we regret to say, our expectations were not realized. There was a want of dignity of deportment, and stability of character re- quisite to command the respect due to a teacher. Consequently, the order was not good. In this school, there were 20 scholars over 15 years of age; and nearly all of them good scholars at the com- mencement of the term. The large girls evinced the greatest de- gree of improvement : which we account for by their receiving an undue share of the teacher's attention. The first class in Grammar, Mental Philosophy, and Reading, were good. The smaller portion of the school, for the want of good order and attention, manifested but very little, if any, improvement. But 36 out of 52, were pres- ent at the final examination. The average attendance, 44.
The South-East School was taught by Miss Lucy Barnard. Of
10
her qualifications, we have already spoken. Although this school is not large, it has the reputation of being a hard school to govern. The teacher has undoubtedly labored very faithfully, and we think, with a good degree of success. The order was creditable. The large boys always behaved respectfully whenever the school was visited by the committee. Yet we fear that their conduct has not always been what it ought to be. If our schools were graded, and a few large boys taken from this school, we think it would be a very easy school for a female to teach in the winter, as well as summer. This school has already kept 18 weeks, a term quite too long, we think, to be profitable. The whole number of scholars belonging to this school, was 38. Average attendance, 28}.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The South School was taught by Miss A. H. Barrett. We expect- ed much of this school, but it exceeded our expectations. We con- sider this a model school. The whole number of scholars was 45. The average attendance, 3617.
The Centre School was taught by Miss Abby Holden, and was what we might expect from the well known character of its excel- lent teacher : good order, and a consequent good improvement, were the characteristics of this school. The whole number of schol- ars was 51. The average attendance, 43.
The West School was commenced by Miss M. A. Stone. But Miss S. being called to another sphere of labor, it was continued by Miss H. A. Butler. Miss B. found the school quite disorderly, but she finally succeeded in establishing order. The school prospered well under her instruction. The whole number of scholars in this school, was 57. The average attendance, 39.
In conclusion, we wish to express our most earnest desire for the welfare of our common schools. That their course should not only be onward in the intellectual training of our children, but that they be made to give them such moral and religious sentiments and character as will make them, when they shall occupy our places,
11
safe guardians of society, and the free institutions of our govern- ment. Finally, we think we cannot do better than to transcribe a Section or two, from the Statutes of the Commonwealth.
[CHAP. 23 : SEC. 7 and 8.]
" It shall be the duty of the president, professors, and tutors of the University at Cambridge. and of the several colleges, and of all preceptors and teachers of academies, to impress on the minds of children and youth, committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety, justice, and sacred regard to truth, love to their country. humanity and universal benevolence, sobriety, industry, and frugality, chastity, moderation and temperance, and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society, and the basis upon which a republi- can constitution is founded; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to endeavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the above-mentioned virtues to preserve and perfect a republican constitution, and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote their future happiness, and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices."
" It shall be the duty of the resident ministers of the gospel, the selectmen, and the school committees, in the several towns, to exert their influence, and use their best endeavors, that the youth of their towns shall regularly attend the schools established for their instruction."
EBENEZER DAVIS,
HERMAN H. BOWERS,
School Committee.
12
Names of Scholars that have been neither absent nor tardy :
WINTER SCHOOLS.
NORTH SCHOOL.
Martha C. Harris
Mary J. Harris
Mary A. Harris
Abbic M. Chaffin
Sarah S. Harris
Harriet A. Harris Emily A. Phillips Frank Handley
Abram Handley
George N. Pierce
Charles G. B. Dudley
Albert Rouillard
EAST SCHOOL.
Carrie H. Smith
Alice E. Davis
Sarah F. Whitney
Ann M. Stockwell
Caroline Fuller
Ellen A. Brigham
Lucy J. Coolidge
SCHOOLS.
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Rachel Sawyer
Sarah S. Harris
Georgianna Reed
Charles C. F. Dudley
George N. Pierce
EAST SCHOOL.
Martha C. Harris Abby F. Wheeler
Hellen A. Brigham
Ann M. Stockwell
Mary L. Stevens
Mariette Bowers
Mary J. Woodbury
PRIMARY SCHOOLS. WEST SCHOOL.
Charles Green Chauncy Fuller William Billings
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Emery Lothrop Alvin M. Lothrop Albert Lothrop Aaron Tuttle
CENTRE SCHOOL.
John Conden Frank Johnson
Lewis Tuttle Edwin Wilkins Quincy Fletcher
Otis Forbush Henry Hanscom Harriet Tuttle Martha Jones
Lora Jones
Meldon S. Giles
Daniel S. Davis
A. Henry Smith J. Albert Giles Everett Wheeler
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Abbie B. Fletcher
Mary M. Tuttle
Augusta S. Miles
Mary E. Spaulding
Charles F. Spaulding
Hugh Murray
Harland P. Noyes
Henry D. Parlin
WEST SCHOOL.
Abigail M. Coffin
S. Augusta Davis Sarah J. Robbins
Susan M. Smith
Eben H. Davis
SUMMER NORTH SCHOOL.
Mary J. Harris
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Rozilah Reed
WEST SCHOOL.
Districts.
Teachers.
Length.
Wages pr. mo.
Amount.
Whole No.
Average.
| Over Fifteen.
| Under Five.
-
SUMMER.
East.
M. A. Holden.
33
$14,00
$52,50
48
371
5
West.
E. N. Blaisdell.
23
6,00
12,00
30
243
7
66
M. A. Stone.
31
16,00
52,00
43
34
North.
Lucy Barnard.
3분
14,00
52,00
40
33
4
Centre.
Abby Holden.
4
15,00
60,00
70
54
00 IA 8
South.
A. H. Barrett.
41
14,50
65,25
69
46
10
S. East
A. L. Balcom.
3元
13,00
45,50
26 21우우
4
Total in Summer,
255
92,50
339,25
326|249
38
WINTER.
East.
L. Conant, Jr.
33
30,00
101,25
47
41
5
2
North.
H. H. Bowers.
3
36,00
108,00
42
38
2
South.
J. M. Burnham.
32,00
112,00
39
34
17
West.
C. E. Nourse.
3
36,50
109,50
53
45
18
Centre.
F. W. Pelton.
3
36,00
108,00
52
44
20
S. East
Lucy Barnard.
38
28
5
3
TOTAL,
20%
184,50
608,75
271 230
67
5
PRIMARY.
South.
A. H. Barrett,
3
14,50
43,50
45
36
4
West.
H. A. Butler.
22
14,00
38,50
57
39
6
Centre. A. H. Holden.
3
14,00
42,00
51
43
4
Average wages of Males, per month. $34,10; of Females, $13,54. Town School Tax, 81100,00 ; amount received from State Fund, 877,21.
-
-
Luther Conant
REPORTS OF THE
Selectmen and the Overseers of the Poor, -OF THE- TOWN OF ACTON,
FROM FEB. 26, 1854, TO FEB. 26, 1855.
1
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FROM FEB. 26, 1854, TO FEB. 26, 1855.
B. TOLMAN, PRINTER, CONCORD. 1855.
Leather Courant.
SELECTMENS' REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Ivory Keyes, for the West School, $234 31
L. R. Forbush,
Centre
224 31
James Tuttle,
66
South
66
224 31
R. P. Boss,
East
166 70
E. G. Parker,
North
66
166 70
Wm. Chaplin,
66
South East School,
163 70
John Chaffin, school money, 4 69
Cyrus Wheeler, 48 hours breaking out roads, 6 00
T. G. F. Jones, 30
66
3 75
Charles Wheeler, 86
66
10 75
Silas Conant, Jr., 64
8 00
Tilley Robbins, 46 66
66
5 75
George Wright, 19
2 38
John Tenney, 1853, 81 66
10 12
W. F. Conant, 36
66
4 50
Chas. Tuttle, repairing Centre School House, 1853, 9 69
Jos. E. Lyon, 1 year services on Town Farm, 225 00 balance on settlement, 80
1 sleigh and 1 wheel, 20 75
Joel Hanscomb, for tolling bell for 27 deaths, at 20c, 5 40
Geo. Wright, 1 cord wood for N. Jones, 4 00
do. teaming and sawing the same, 1 50
Tristram Edmonds, for opening hall for town 11 times, at 45c, 4 95
Paid Tristram Edmonds, opening hall for soldiers 22 times, at 25c, 5 50
do., lights for hall,
3 62
do., tolling bell for 1 death,
20
do., setting glass,
1 50
do., 1 lock and putting on same,
1 08
do., 1 pair steps for hall, 1 25
do., cleaning funnel, 1 00
do., 1 broom for hall,
25
do., 4 1-2 ft. wood, Mrs Peck, 2 70
do., 11 1-4 ft. wood, Town Hall, 5 96
do., 100 lbs. pork for Town Farm, 12 50
Abraham Conant, for meeting Co. Commis- sioners six times and viewing roads, 4 00
do., taking invoice and making taxes, 1853, 7 00
do., copying taxes, 2 50
Charles Tuttle, for use of Town Hall,
60 00
Tristram Edmonds, cash to buy goods for Town Farm, 10 00
Samuel Jones, for wood and assisting W. Bride, 7 12
L. R. Forbush, for repairing bridge near L. B. Jones' barn, 6 00
J. E. Barrows, blacksmith bill for Town Farm, 10 81
Asa W. Holden, interest money, 25 50
Joseph Reed, for hay on Town Farm, 21 56
Samuel Farwell, interest money, 105 00
Jesse Despeau, town agent to sell liquor, 20 83
Benj. Lentell, land damage for laying out road, 30 00
Joseph Hoar, for repairing fence at West School House, 1853, 3 52
town of Boxboro', for assisting Franklin Wheeler, 5 47
W. D. Tuttle, services as school committee, 1853, 12 00
G. W. Todd, services as constable, 1853, 5 50
Isaiah Hutchins, doctoring W. Bride, 11 25
soldiers for 1854, 385 50
William Reed, repairing road near Elisha H. Cutler's, 35 00
expenses of Nathaniel Jones, 15 00
5
Paid repairing West School House, 1854, 8 28
abatement of Elias Sweetser's tax, 1853, 22
printing 400 order blanks, 2 00
66 400 town reports, 12 00
66 350 school reports, 18 00
expense of Peter Robbins' family,
19 42
Richard Carroll, land damage for laying out new road, 12 00
Francis Tuttle, for building road, So. Acton, 200 00 John Grimes, for building road, So. Acton, 200 00 F. & J. H. Smith, goods delivered F. Wheeler, 13 00 H. Rowell, 1 stove and pipe and setting the same for West School House, 13 26
do., 1 stove and pipe and setting up stove for the South School House, 17 87
do., 2 stoves and pipe and putting up stoves for Centre School House, 35 65
D. L. Veazey, for building bridge on new road near L. Conant's, 130 00
Luther Conant, part pay for building new road near his house, 150 00
for 4 lamps for Town Hall and putting up the same, 17 47
Robert P. Boss, for damage done to his land by laying out road, 100 00
at Boston, for S. F. Spalding, 22 50
A. Hapgood, repairing West School House in 1853, 3 71
Dennis Putman, sawing wood for Town Hall, 1 09
Dr. H. Cowdry, services as school committee for 1853, 25 00
Daniel Jones, services as Town Treasurer for the year 1853, 10 00
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