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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
Town of Medfield,
INCLUDING THE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
February 1, 1872.
Win. H. Thomas, Printer, Foxboro', Mass.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
Town of Medfield,
INCLUDING THE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
February 1, 1872.
Win. H. Thomas. Printer, Foxboro', Mass.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1871.
Selectmen and Assessors.
B. F. SHUMWAY. OLIVER CLIFFORD. J. B. HALE.
Town Clerk.
HENRY J. EVERETT.
J. B. HALE (to fill vacancy. )
Treasurer.
Collector.
ISAAC FISK.
MARTIN BAILEY.
Constables.
JOHN E. BULLARD. CHARLES HAMANT.
School Committee.
REV. CC. SEWALL.
HENRY J. EVERETT.
JAMES HEWINS, EsQ. J. R. CUSHMAN (to fill vacancy. )
Surveyors of Highways.
G. W. BRUCE.
R. W. SHERMAN. F. S. WIGHT.
C. H. RUSSELL. G. W. KINGSBURY. S. F. TURNER.
H. F. BULLARD.
Fire Wards. J. R. CUSHMAN. J. B. HALE.
Auditor of Accounts. SAMUEL ELLIS.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The Selectmen of Medfield present the following Report of Receipts and Expenditures from February 1. 1871. to February 1. 1872 :
RECEIPTS.
To Balance in Treasurer's hand, Feb. 10. 1871.
Taxes for the year 1867 in full.
. . 1868 6.
116 16
.. 1869
359 00
.. .. 1870
784 69
1871 6.
7558 00
Cash West Roxbury, board of paupers.
334 77
Corporation tax.
39 48
Subscription for Primary Schools,
60 00
Overseers of the Poor,
cows sold. 62 00
.. cranberries. ..
70 00
..
eggs, butter, and potatoes. .. 122 68
..
. . hay. straw. and pork, ..
142 03
Sale of old lumber.
1 73
State aid to pensioners.
264 00
Corporation tax. 1871. 700 29
National Bank tax. . .
1006 93
Borrowed. 4245 00
Interest on School Fund.
247 81
State Treasurer. income on do ..
144 22
County Treasurer. dog tax.
92 13
$17.282 19
.
$877 53
53 74
6
EXPENDITURES.
SCHOOLS.
By W. S. Parker, teaching, $787 50 . . care school-house. 22 00
L. HI. Marvel. teaching, 67 50
Anna II. Hixon. ..
230 00
Mary E. M. Winship. .. .. care school-house. 6 00
213 00
S. E. Dyer. ..
117 00
Abby Adams,
96 00
Esther Emerson.
117 00
Olive B. Young.
..
104 00
Town of Sherburne, for schooling.
10 87
$1866 87
CAARE SCHOOL-HOUSE, FUEL. AND REPAIRS. - NORTH DISTRICT.
By wood.
$33 50
('. T. Frost. for pump. 23 00
G. M. Fisk. repairs. 2 50
3 00
J. Allen, sawing wood and making fires.
CENTRE DISTRICT.
By coal,
$144 69
C. T. Frost, work on furnace. .
34 38
.. pump. 22 00
stock and labor,
19 25
O. Clifford, work on furnace,
9 00
Joel Morse, work and material. furnace.
9 70
Franklin Ellis. work.
32 00
John Clark, brick.
4 00
Care of House,
14 50
HI. F. Bullard. stock and labor.
26 98
Amount carried forward.
$378 50
٠٠
96 00
Lizzie E. Packard, teaching.
7
Amount brought forward.
$378 30
22 00
Joseph L. Ross, furniture. Chair beds, 3 25 .. cushion. 1 75
Express and freight.
5 70
John Kingsbury. for work.
8 20
D. Hoisington. coal sifter and funnel. 2 50 repairing furnace. 11 85
7 50
L. A. Cooper. repairing blackboards. 15 00
John E. Bullard. painting.
12 99
SOUTH DISTRICT.
$21 00
By wood.
G. M. Gilmore, care of house. 13 65
repairs and sawing wood. .. 7 12
C. T. Frost. pumps and platform.
26.00
I. Fisk. books and ink furnished schools. Committee. school books.
83 66
M. A. Wilder & Co .. books and black-board crayons. 9 75
$652 73
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
By abatement for the year 1867.
$26 45
1868.
17 10
1869.
12 05
1870.
20 21
1871.
20 37
on Chenery fund.
62 50
$158 68
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
By Turnpike bridge.
$763 81
Mill street ··
62 43
Culvert at R. R. bridge. Joel Morse.
19 20
Amount carried forward.
$845 44
Insurance.
22 31
8
.Amount brought forward. $845 44
Repairing road at R. R. bridge. J. W. Page. 12 26
S. N. Cutter, in part for road, 900 00
11. Wright. grading Green street, 13 40 removing snow, 1870. 17 60
1I. F. Bullard, labor on bridge, 1870.
12 25
A. Z. Parker, removing snow, 1870.
6 76
1. 2. Dyer, land for widening Green street, 65 00
James Griffin. .. ..
50 00
M. Hartshorn. . .. ..
28 00
F. S. Wight, surveyor. 162 00
land for road,
100 00
G. W. Bruce, surveyor,
215 00
railing and setting, 9 38
G. W. Kingsbury, surveyor. 200 00
.. repairing bridge, 15 00
S. F. Turner, surveyor, 200 00
.. railing and setting. 8 00
('. HI. Russell, surveyor,
250 00
.. grading at turnpike bridge,
103 90
.. stock and labor, bridge at almshouse. 10 20
.. railing and setting, 16 42
.. removing snow, 1870, 13 10
R. W. Sherman. surveyor, 92 50
. 6 road bounds posts, 25 56
G. M. Fisk, surveyor, 107-90
.. removing snow, 1870, 11 40
$3491 06
TOWN OFFICERS.
By Chas. Hamant, services as Selectman and Overseer, 1870, $35 00
W. C. Allen .. 36 00
HI. B. Parker, for Assessor, 40 00
.. 35 00
returning 20 deaths. 2 00 carrying pauper to State almshouse, watch- ing fire and assisting Mr. Lovering, 19 75
Amount carried forward, $167 75
9
Amount brought forward.
$167 75
H. J. Everett. Town Clerk, 1870, 25° 00
recording 19 births, 5 70
.. 22 deaths. 4 22
..
. . 6 marriages, 2 40
C. C. Sewall. chairman School Committee, 1870, 1871, 65 00
James Hewins. ..
25 00
S. Ellis, Auditor, 1870. 3 00
B. F. Shumway, Selectman and Assessor, 1871, 123 00
postage, express, and stationery, 5 00
O. Clifford, Selectman, Overseer, and Assessor, 85 00
J. B. Hale. ..
copying tax
list. stationery, legal advice.
132 00
.. for posts, 5 00
express paid. . 1 25
E. Thayer, services as Overseer, 20 00
J. E. Bullard, notifying dog owners, 4 50
Martin Bailey, Collector. 1870,
25 00
$698 82
PRINTING.
By S. J. Speare, 400 Town Reports,
$50 00
tax bills, &c .. 7 25
Boston Journal, advertising for teacher,
6 25
Herald, ..
2 50
$66 00
PAUPER EXPENSES OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
By JJ. W. Coltman,
$192 30
Mrs. John Hayford,
58 00
Mary Peters,
100 00
Geo. E. Hayford,
102 50
$452 80
CEMETERY.
By Joseph Clark, labor, 25 50
10
STATE TAX.
State Treasurer.
$1650 00
State aid to individuals.
248 00
$1898 00
NOTES AND INTEREST.
By Stephen Turner.
Interest. $18 00
Franklin Ellis.
..
17 50
G. II. Shumway.
..
9 60
Clarissa Wight.
..
7 00
John Sullivan, note and
..
353 10
A. W. Cleveland.
..
28 00
George Fisk.
..
14 00
Charles Russell.
..
35 00
Charles Hamant. note and
..
1085 00
Mrs. John Grant. note in part.
200 00
P. Lovell.
..
31 30
R. A. Battelle.
60 00
Wm. Crane.
..
7 00
School Fund,
72 69
Mrs. Eunice H. Chenery, annuity.
300 00
$2238 19
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
By H. S. Taber. for town pump. $30 85
S. N. Cutter & Co .. grain for almshouse. 1870. 17 50
1. Osgood. keeper ..
162 43
D. L. Stain. damage to house as per vote of town.
150 00
H. P. Brace. stock and labor. town well.
5 00
(. T. Frost. cleaning well and engine.
3 50
D. D. Curtis, rent of Hall to April 1. 1871.
20 00
II. F. Bullard. labor. almshouse.
11 55
Cushman & Baker, wagon.
45 00
.. shingles. ..
33 48
Franklin Ellis. stock and labor. ·· cistern. 47 62
Amount carried forward. $526 93
11
. Amount brought forward. $526 93
S. Wilder. pump. almshouse. 16 00
J. Lucy. labor and stock. town wells. 21 90
.. at ahshouse. 3 00
C. T. Frost. labor and pump. almshouse well. 33 25
J. C. Lovering. surveying. 3 75
Maria Newell. clapboards, and storage of hay at ahnshouse. 7 00
Overseer for oxen. ahushouse. 120 00
G. B. Thrasher, brick. ..
25 50
D. Hoisington, conductors, &c., ..
29 58
G. W. Winship. blacksmithing. 22 27
('. T. Frost, drain pipe and labor. .. 32 90
W. F. Abell, care town clock to Jan. 15, 1872. 26 75
Walpole tax. 5 08
Medway " 12 10
A. B. Balch. for bread, almshouse, 9 21
D. D. Curtis. sawing lumber. 2 92 . .
J. E. Bullard. painting street board. 29 55
almshouse.
6 00
I. Fisk. postage and express,
5 00
(). Clifford. cow. almshouse, 35 00
expenses to Brighton. 3 00
R. Chenery, grain, almshouse. 106 38
J. McMillian, ironing watering trough. and wrench. 8 25
Trustees Chenery fund in part for town house. 2000 00
I. Fisk, merchandise furnished almshouse. 271 79
T. L. Barney. ..
104 72
Robert Pope. . 6 50 92
W. Adams. services and labor. almshouse, settlement to Feb. 1. 1872. 333 99
('. Hamant, care school fund, perambulating town line and making returns. 8 50
I. Fisk. nails. screws. &c .. 4 93
$3866 17
12
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
By Humeman & Co .. making over suction hose.
$37 50
1 pair couplings. 1 00
Express. .
75
C. T. Frost. work on engine. 13 50 .. 1 pail. 36
I. Fisk. 172 qts. neats foot oil.
10 82
II. F. Bullard, lock and keys,
8 25
.. labor. 1 00
$73 18
RECAPITULATION.
By Schools,
$1866 87
School books. crayons. &c ..
115 72
Care school house and repairs.
537 01
Abatement of taxes.
158 68
Roads and Bridges,
3491 06
Town officers. in part 1870 and 1871.
698 82
Printing.
66 00
Paupers out of almshouse.
452 80
Fire Department.
73 18
Cemetery.
25 50
State tax.
1650 00
aid.
248 00
Notes and interest.
2238 19
Incidental.
3866 17
$15,488 00
By balance in Treasury.
1794 19
Contra. To total Receipts. $17.159 51.
$17.282 19
13
LIABILITIES.
Trustees School Fund Note.
8800 00
..
..
66 53
.
.. ..
350 00
..
Ministerial Fund.
141 00
.. ..
330 00
Stephen Turner note.
200 00
100 00
Caroline B. Phillips.
500 00
Mary C. Keith.
500 00
Geo. HI. Shumway.
60 00
Prudence Lovell.
170 00
..
95 00
Wm. Crane. . .
40 00
Franklin Ellis.
250 00
C. H. Russell.
500 00
Clarissa Wight.
100 00
Geo. Fisk.
200 00
A. W. Cleveland.
400 00
John Sullivan.
400 00
Cynthia M. Clark,
100 00
Abbey Bailey.
50 00
Mary P. Phillips.
500 00
Louise Grant.
900 00
Oliver Clifford.
2200 00
89122 53
RESOURCES,
Balance in Treasury. Feb. 1. 1872.
$1794 19
Due on Taxes. 1869.
142 40
1870.
359 83
.. . . 1871.
1629 63
· for State aid.
248 00
" from town of West Roxbury.
191 23
$4365 30
Excess of liabilities over resources, 84757 23
Vouchers examined, and accounts found correct.
SAMUEL ELLIS, Auditor.
.
100 00
70 00
14
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
The Turnpike Bridge being left to the judgment of the Selectmen to repair, we notified the Selectmen of Medway, and both Boards met and examined, and decided, that the bridge required at! new piles. nearly all new sleepers (and as. we needed what plank were fit for use to repair other bridges,) decided to put on all new plank. making nearly. if not quite, a new bridge. It has been the aim to have the job well done in every way, and at as low a figure as possible, and we trust the repairs will be satisfactory to the town.
The Sluice Bridge this side, will soon need something done if not rebuildling, and the posts are on the ground towards putting up a rail- ing where needed, on sides of roadway.
The bridge on West Mill Street has been thoroughly repaired. and roadway raised.
The road as laid out and accepted by the town, from Maine to Foundry Street. has been put under contract, and is nearly graded. but owing to the early freezing of the ground. the Contractor was obliged to defer finishing the road until Spring, partial payments have been made, but a sufficient sum has been reserved to insure the fulltil- ment of the contract.
At the November meeting, the town voted $500 to be expended un- der the direction of the Selectmen in improving Phillip St .. which has not been used for want of time before freezing up; and we would re- spectfully call the attention of the incoming board to this street, as the Petitioners, living thereon, have been waiting patiently to have something done ; also to the Bridge on Foundry street. which is nar- row and somewhat out of repair.
CANAL STREET.
We have had complaints from this street, especially about the R. R. ('rossing, which has not been graded according to the orders of the
15
Comty Commissioners ; this, together with the road to. and the rail- ing on Dearths Bridge, should receive early attention.
To conclude this subject. we would respectfully suggest to the town larger appropriations for the improving of narrow and dangerous places in the existing roads as a better policy than expensive new roads that are not actually demanded for the convenience or growth of the town.
GUIDE BOARDS.
By Chap. 45. Section 2, of the General Statutes. the Selectmen of each town are required to submit to the inhabitants, at every Ammal Meeting, a report of all the places at which Guide Posts are erected and maintained within the town, and of all places at which, in their opinion. they ought to be erected and maintained.
In pursuance of this act we report Guide Posts or Boards at jumetion of Main and Cedar Hill Sts .. Main and South Sts., Main and Causeway Sts., Main and Breck Sts., Breck and West Sts., West and West Mill Sts .. West and River Sts., junction of River. Canal and Dover Sts .. North and Farm Sts .. North and River Sts., North and Pine Sts .. Causeway and Orchard, and Upper Bridge Sts .. South and Phillips Sts .. Phillips and Foundry, and East Mill Sts., East Mill and Ehn Sts., South and Ehn Sts .. South and Curve Sts .. South and Berry sts .. South and Granite Sts., South and Plain Sts.
When the new street from Main to Foundry is done. Guide Boards will be needed at each end : we also recommend one at the junction of River and West Mill Sts.
Bound posts have been set on Green and River Sts .. and are de- livered. ready to set, on new street from Main to Foundry.
Bonds have not been set on the " New and Pleasant Avenne." be- canse the omission was not discovered until it was too late to set them.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
B. F. SHUMWAY. OLIVER CLIFFORD. %
J. B. HALE. Medfield.
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT THE ALMS- HOUSE. FFB. 1. 1872.
2 oxen. $145 00
6 cows, dairy. 300 00
1 farrow cow 20.00; 1 bull 25.00. 45 00
1 horse 200.00: 36 fowls 27.00. 227 00
5 swine. 35 00
8 tons meadow hay. 128 00
7 . English .. 245 00
40 bush. corn 40.00 : 20 do. barley 20.00 : 3 do. beans 7.50. 67 50
170 lbs. beef 17.00 ; 250 do. pork 30.00: 125 do. ham 15.00. 62 00
50 lbs. lard 7.50; 25 do. butter 8.75. 16 25
175 bush. potatoes.
105 00
20 bush. turnips 5.00 : 5 do. beets 2.00 : mackerel 1.50. 8 50
7 bush. rye. 7 70
4 tubs 5.00 : 1 brass kettle 5.00: 3 meat barrels 4.50. 14 50
3 stone jars 1.50 ; 1 cook stove 25.00 ; 2 air tight stoves 6.00,
32 50
1 churn 7.00: 37 milk pans 11.10. 18 10
Lumber 10.00 : clothes wringer 10.00 : grind stone 14.00. 34 00
6 hay forks 2.50 : 3 manure do. 5.00 : 2 potato diggers 1.25. 8 75
4 hoes and 1 iron bar 3.00 : 4 ploughs and cultivator 20.00. 23 00
Harnesses 18.00 : hay wagon 63.00 : 2 ox carts 35.00 : sleigh and robe 5.00. 121 00
3 wood saws and 2 horses 5.00 : 1 cross-cut saw 4.00. 9 00
Saw. shave, and garden rake 2.00 : 6 grain bags 1.50. 3 50
Amount carried forward.
$1656 30
17
Amount brought forward. $1656 30
3 scythes. 5 snathes. 4 axes. 6 50
1 cranberry screen and 3 cranberry rakes 7.00 : 2 corn cutters and 4 rakes 1.00. 8 00
3 stake chains .75: 3 draft do. 2.50: 2 ox vokes 5.00; ox sled 4.00. 12 25
I express wagon 100.00 : horse hay-rake 5.00 ; mowing ma- chine 50.00. 155 00
Ilay entter and feed trough 7.00 : 1 harrow 5.00 : 3 ladders 6.00. 18 00 Bog hoe and pick 1.50: 4 shovels and 1 spade 4.50: 1 chrome 1.00. 7 00
Ox muzzles . 75 : adze . 75 ; hammer . 10 : beetle and wedges 1.50, 3 10 20 cord green wood 90.00 : 3 bush. and 13 bush. baskets 1.25. 91 25 3 measures .50 : 3 angers .50 : drag rake .50. 1 50
3 75
4 butter boxes 2.25 ; butter bowl .75.
3 00
2 cider barrels 1.50: 2 kegs 1.00.
2 50
12 good flour barrels. 1 50
HInsks. stocks and straw.
3 00
Covered wagon.
15 00
Ox ..
30 00
$2047 65
RECEIPTS.
To 2 cows. $62 00
Cranberries,
70 00
I. Fisk, eggs, butter and potatoes.
122 68
Hay. straw and pork.
142 03
Received from West Roxbury.
334 77
Feather bed 7.00 : filling straw beds .75.
7 75
Beef. W. P. Hewins (pair cattle).
175 77
Pork.
18 33
Hides,
4 80
Lodgings and meals at almshouse.
59 75
Rags sold at alsmshouse.
23
Potatoes · . .
8 35
C'alves sold at almshouse.
63 75
Amount carried forward.
$1070 21
2 water pots 3.00 : pruning knife .75,
18
Amount brought forward,
$1070 21
To Labor, use of wagon, &c., almshouse,
6 27
Milk. ..
..
30 35
Eggs, ..
14
Poultry.
..
3 62
Pork. .. ..
26 32
Barley and meal "
..
1 70
Rve, ..
..
30
Beef, ..
..
2 40
Butter.
..
5 73
Received from Town Treasury,
1124 35
$2271 69
EXPENDITURES.
By S. N. Cutler, grain, 1870.
$17 50
H. F. Bullard, labor,
11 55
Cushman & Baker, for wagon, .. shingles.
33 48
Franklin Ellis, stock and labor on cistern.
47 62
Wilder, pump for
16 00
J. Lucy. labor, 3 00
('. T. Frost, labor and pump for well. 33 25
Maria Newell. clapboards and storage of hay. 7 00
1 yoke oxen, 120 00
G. B. Thrasher, brick for cistern, 25 50
D. Hoisington, conductors, &c .. for cistern.
29 58
G. W. Winship. blacksmithing. 22 27
C. T. Frost, drain pipe and labor, well to yard,
32 90
A. B. Balch, bread,
9 21
D. D. Curtis, sawing lumber.
2 92
John E. Bullard, painting,
6 00
O. Clifford, cow,
35 00
expense to Brighton. 3 00
Reubin Chenery, grain and grinding.
106 38
Isaac Fisk, groceries, &c.,
271 79
T. L. Barney, groceries. &c .. Robert Pope, . . ..
104 72
50 92
Amount carried forward,
$1034 59
45 00
19
Amount brought forward.
$1034 59
By I. Osgood, keeper to April. 1. 1871.
162 43
W. Adams. .. Feb. 1. 1872. 250 00
for labor hired. 125 00
Brooms 2.75 : clothes-line .75. paid by keeper. ..
3 50
Paint 5.80 : wheel for plough 1.75.
7 55
4 bbls. cement. cistern. ..
13 00
33 lbs. cheese. ..
43
Hay fork 1.00: 124 lbs. scraps 2.98. . .
3 98
Repairs on mowing machine.
1 15
Dr. Stone. medical attendance.
. .
3 90
1 screw-driver .40 ; pr. ox muzzles .75.
1 15
2 pigs 4.00 ; 7 bush. barley 8.74. ..
12 74
1 flour sifter .50 : butchering 3.00.
. .
3 50
Lamp burner and shade.
87
1 bbl. apples.
..
4 00
Threshing grain.
. .
10 00
Axe handle .40 : whip . 15.
55
Clothing.
. .
20 66
Vinegar.
..
7 15
Blacksmithing.
..
1 49
C'ash to paupers.
..
11 38
Fish. ..
36 07
Tin ware. dishes. ke ..
..
5 59
Garden seeds. &c ..
..
8 30
Sundries.
. .
9 19
W. P. Hewins. for meat.
81 62
$1819 79
PAUPERS OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
J. W. Coltman. Worcester.
192 30
Mrs. John Hayford. partial support.
58 00
Mary Peters.
100 00
Geo. E. Hayford, Worcester. (died).
102 50
$2271 69
ASSETS.
Due from town of West Roxbury.
$191 23
..
A. Willard.
10 28
.. E. II. Walcott.
70 25
8271 76
. .
..
20
The Overseers, upon this their first visit to the Ahnshouse. found the occupants suffering from a scarcity of water, and obliged to go to the river for a supply. The well was reported dry, being filled with quicksand. and unsafe for any one to venture in to clear it out.
It was deemed advisable to have a good sized cistern built. and the conductors of the house arranged to carry water into it, so that the inmates now have a bountiful supply of good soft water constantly on hand.
Since building the cistern it has been found safe to clean out the well, and a large drain pipe placed in the bottom to prevent the quick- sand from flowing in to fill it up again. A new pump placed in the well, and a drain pipe laid to the trough in the barnyard, now supplies the cattle plentifully with water with less labor than was necessary before. Although these improvements have been attended with con- siderable expense the Board are of the opinion the money has been well invested. The house is in need of repairs inside : paint, paper, and whitewash would add to the comfort and health of the inmates.
Respectfully submitted.
ELIJAH THAYER. Overseers of Poor OLIVER CLIFFORD. of the
J. B. IIALE, Town of Medfield.
Medfield, Feb. 1, 1871.
21
C
REGISTRAR'S REPORT.
DEATHS IN MEDFIELD FOR THE YEAR 1871.
NAME.
AGE.
DISEASE.
PLACE OF BIRTHI.
Henry JJ. JJewett,
44
Billious Fever.
Eliakim Morse, Jr.,
45
Dropsy.
Joseph Wiley,
13
Scarlet Fever.
Abner H. Wenzel,
37
Suicide.
Moses Bullard,
76
Apoplexy.
Mary Robinson,
69
Suicide.
Exeter, N. H.
Elizabeth Richardson,
55
Dropsy.
Dedham.
Warren Chenery,
67
Heart Disease.
Medfield.
Blake Parker,
64
Paralysis.
Southboro.
Jacob Marshal,
76
Natick.
Hannah Mann,
67
Dropsy.
Medfield.
Charlotte A. Parker,
28
Perpureal Fever.
Eliakim Morse,
71
Paralysis.
66
Number of births, 15,- boys, 7 ; girls, 8. American parentage, 14 ; foreign, 1.
Deaths recorded in 1871, 13. American parentage, 13.
Marriages recorded, 3.
Intentions of marriage entered, 10.
J. B. HALE, Registrar.
Nashua, N. H. Medfield.
Framingham. Medfield.
22
STATISTICS OF MEDFIELD.
Area of town. 9205 acres. Covered by water, 28 acres. Land taxed. 8123 acres.
Value of Real Estate, $564,516.00.
Value of Personal Estate, $227.012.00.
Total valuation, $791,528.00.
State tax, $1650.00. County tax, $727.37. Town grant for general purposes, $4500.00. For Schools. $2000.00. For Highways. $1300.00. Total, $7800.00. Rate of taxation. 812.50 per $1000. No. of polls. 296 : dwelling-houses, 226: horses, 170; cows, 353 .: oxen, 42 ; swine, 88 ; sheep, 3.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD. 1871.
THE Schools of Medfield have, during the past year, been generally successful. and are now in a very satisfactory condition.
HIGH SCHOOL.
This School, under the management of Mr. Walter S. Parker, has made remarkable progress. and commences its new year under the most auspicious circumstances. Entering upon his duties with the school in a disorganized and demoralized condition, the two teachers preceding him having utterly failed in discipline, the one resorting to corporal punish ment. and the other erring in the opposite direction of extreme lenity. Mr. Parker has, by earnest and persistent labor, brought about the pre- sent gratifying results. He has, while with us, proved himself an ener- getic and faithful teacher, and an indefatigable worker, being always on his feet among the scholars, encouraging them to habits of study, stimu- lating their ambition, and infusing his own enthusiasm throughout the entire school. He possesses, in a marked degree, the power of com- manding at once the love and respect of his pupils, while keeping the school in perfect order, and under his complete control. In accord- ance with the requirements of the law, the committee have employed
24
an assistant in this school during the past year. Miss Sarah E. Dyer occupied this position for one term, and gave very general satisfaction. She was succeeded by Miss Esther Emerson, who has also been suc- cessful, and is a thorough and efficient teacher. The Committee have elected. from a large number of applicants, as Mr. Parker's successor. Mr. William L. Whittemore of Milford, N. II., whose success is almost assured, coming to us with a large experience and the highest testi- monials.
CENTRE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
The first term was taught by Mrs. Hixon, now Mrs. Ware, of whose success as a teacher it is unnecessary to speak. Her rare qualities of mind and heart have been extolled in every school report for many years past, and are fully known and appreciated by all. The second and third terms were taught by Miss Lizzie. E. Packard, who tanght with success the first term of the South District School, and was trans- ferred to her present position as a suitable successor to Mrs. Hixon. The hopes which the committee entertained with regard to Miss Pack- ard have been fully realized, and although in a much larger school. and one much more difficult to govern, she has met with unqualified success. Her gentle, kind, and amiable disposition has endeared her to the hearts of all her pupils, while her calm and firm demeanor has won their respect and secured their obedience.
NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL.
U'ntil the third term, the North School had, so far as any beneficial results are concerned, been a complete failure. The cause of failure lies partly with the teachers, and partly with the taught. The school is a very difficult one to govern, and very few teachers could have carried it through with success. Miss Nancy C. M. Winship, who taught the first term, entered upon her work with earnestness, but soon became disheartened, and failed to maintain order, or make her authority felt by the scholars. Miss Abbie A. Adams, who succeeded Miss Winship, failed for want of energy and force of character, and it was not until the third term, when Mrs. S. D. Austin took charge of the school, that a change became apparent in its character. Possessed of a strong and vigorous will, she has by perseverence and persistent endeavor, brought the school under her control and infused into it
25
new life and energy. The peculiar dumness and listlessness, which have so long characterized it. have disappeared. and the change has already been productive of the most beneficial results.
SOUTH DISTRICT SCHOOL.
This School. although small in numbers, is in excellent condition. and doing remarkably well. The second term was taught by Miss Olive B. Young. under whose direction the high tone and character imparted to the school by Miss Packard. were well sustained. The third term was taught by Miss Addie A. Ellis, who also succeeded admirably. Both Miss Young and Miss Ellis received their education in the schools of this town. and, although entering upon their work without experience, they have exhibited a talent for teaching which will assure them success in that profession.
FITTING FOR COLLEGE.
We have plenty of material in town from which to make collegians. and it is the earnest desire of the committee that a class of young men may be formed and prepared for college. Such opportunities for a liberal education as are now afforded ought not to be neglected. Parents should endeavor to impress upon the minds of their sons the inestimable advantages of such an education. and encourage them to ob- tain it. Let any young man of ordinary capacity once enter upon and acquire a taste for college studies, and his ambition will soon carry him through the preparatory course. A knowledge of the classies. however, is necessary, not only for the purposes of a college education, but also for the ordinary business of life. The study of Greek and Latin imparts that mental training and gives that power of mind, which is as essential to the merchant as a knowledge of the common rules of arithmetic. essential. because it enables him to cope with his fellow-men and to grasp successfully the varying risks of trade." " There are wide differences of opinion as to what consti- tutes the most valuable studies, or what is meant by a mastery of the higher branches. With some it means adding to the students' list of facts. accumulating results acquired by others. But many such studies require no weighing of testimony, no appreciation of evidence. and are productive of no mental vigor. Some assume the utility of :
26
study because it deals with what is useful, and is supposed to produce practical men. Many times this is a mere supposition. and, if true, we must remember that to be practical. and nothing else, is the defi- nition of a machine.
To educate is to change ; otherwise it were useless. Success in life depends upon mental training, upon those studies which form charac- ter and lead the student to a knowledge of his own strength.
. It is a blunder founded on meanness, vulgarity, and a total mis- conception of man's real dignity, to suppose that a future merchant needs only such mental training as will enable him to cast up accounts correctly, read a newspaper with ease, and write a business letter without committing gross errors.'
We have the testimony of experts that the classics give by far the best mental training. In Germany it is found that boys of the classi- cal school excel boys of the corresponding forms or grade, even in those studies recited together. A writer of high authority states that even business men in that country prefer for clerks those trained in the classics. Let a business man inquire into the daily practical valne of his former school studies, and he finds a few of the simplest mathematical rules meet all his wants. He may have no occasion to use an algebraical equation during his lifetime. Much of geography, history, and scientific fact fades from his mind for want of use. But there is not a day nor an hour in which he does not want to express an idea, and may reap the advantages of classical training. Allied as the proper study of Latin is with the derivation of words, with ancient history and civilization, so closely connected with the sciences that scarcely one can be properly understood without its aid, its value as an educational instrument must be accorded, and no subordinate place claimed for it."
A GROWING EVIL.
The Committee beg leave to call attention to an evil which is grow- ing rapidly in our midst : and that is, the removal of children from school at too early an age, to engage in the active pursuits of life. The practice of taking boys and girls from school and placing them to work in the straw shops of the town, or elsewhere, is fraught with the most pernicious consequences. They are children and their habits are yet unformed. They must be educated somewhere. and if not in
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the schoolroom, then in the street ; and while the one system of edu- cation tends to make them good citizens, and enables them to take high and honorable positions in life, the other may make them bad, or at least indifferent members of society ; and let every parent remember that, although these children in their youthful indiscretion and want of judgment may now think it is a very fine thing to be freed from the restraint of the schoolroom, the time will soon come when they will look back upon their removal from school as the great- est misfortune of their lives.
For the Committe,
JAMES HEWINS. Medfield, March 4, 1872.
STATISTICS.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
TERMS.
Number of
Scholars.
Average
attendance.
Under 5 years
Over 15 years
of age.
Mr. W. S. Parker, Principal.
1
Ist Term. 13 weeks.
43
422
Mr. W. S. Parker, Principal.
1
22d Term, 13 weeks.
6:
60
21
Mr. W. S. Parker. Principal.
3d Term. 9 weeks.
73
70
30
Mrs. A. A. Hixon.
Ist Term. 12 weeks.
53
50
Miss L. E. Packard.
2d Term. 12 weeks.
45
Miss L. E. Packard,
.
3d Term, 10 weeks.
51
Miss N. C. M. Winship.
Ist Term. 12 weeks.
31
NORTH ...
Miss A. A. Adams,
2d Term, 12 weeks.
28
Mrs. S. D. Austin.
3d Term. 10 weeks.
30
Miss L. E. Packard,
Ist Term, 12 weeks.
21
20
1
SOUTH
Miss O. B. Young.
2d Term. 13 weeks.
20
1
1
Miss A. Ellis,
3d Term, 10 weeks.
16
15
1
1
N. B. - The Third Term of the Schools is not yet finished.
The High School will complete 40 weeks in the year; and the other schools 38 weeks each.
Mr. W. S. Parker closed his connection with the High School at the end of the ninth week of the third term. and is succeeded by Mr. Whittemore.
·
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CENTRE PRIMARY.
Miss S. E. Dyer. Assistant.
1
.
HIGH ..
Miss E. Emerson. Assistant.
Miss E. Emerson. Assistant.
of age.
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