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224th
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1875,
TOGETHER WITH THE
SELECTMEN'S REPORT; TOWN CLERK'S REPORT; REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND OTHER STATISTICS.
S. J. SPEAR, PRINTER. MEDFIELD.
224TH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1875,
TOGETHER WITH THE
SELECTMEN'S REPORT; TOWN CLERK'S REPORT; REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND OTHER STATISTICS.
S. J. SPEAR, PRINTER, MEDFIELD.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1874.
Selectmen.
B. F. SHUMWAY, HAMLET WIGHT, A. B. PARKER.
Assessors. CHAS. HAMANT, DANIELS HAMANT,* WM. C. ALLEN. Overseers of the Poor. ALONZO B. PARKER, ELIJAH THAYER, A. E. MASON.
Town Clerk. CHARLES C. SEWALL.
Treasurer. ISAAC FISKE.
Collector. R. A. BATTELLE.
Auditor. CHARLES HAMANT.
Constables. CHARLES HAMANT, H. F. BULLARD, R. W. SHERMAN.
School Committee.
R. T. LOMBARD, WM. F. GUILD,; CHAS. HAMANT .;
Surveyors of Highways. HAMLET WIGHT, A. B. PARKER, G. W. KINGSBURY.
Fire. Wards.
JOHN H. GOULD, T. L. BARNEY, D. D. CURTIS.
Measurer of Wood and Sealer of Weights and Measures. THOMAS L. BARNEY.
Weighers.
THOMAS L. BARNEY.
WILLIAM CRANE.
Police. EDMUND T. EVERETT.
* Deceased. + To fill vacancy.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
THE Selectmen of Medfield present the following Report of Receipts and Expenditures from January 31, 1874, to February 1,1875 :
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasury, January 31, 1874, $3,949 96
Rec'd balance of Corporation tax for 1873, 368 21
66 1874,
710 92
Balance of Bank tax for 1873,
13 36
Taxes for 1873,
972 32
Taxes for 1870 in full,
27 65
Taxes for 1874,
11,550 00
Insurance on Town House,
15,000 00
Dividend on Insurance Policies,
61 16
State Aid,
240 00
Income of State School Fund,
213 11
Interest on Town "
97 35
Board of Pauper,
247 26
M. Bailey, interest on taxes for 1870-71,
75 00
R. A. Battelle, " 66 in full,
11 75
Overseers of Poor for sale of horse,
50 00
..
20 20
212 62
H. F. Bullard for lumber,
1 77
J. Clark for hay sold from Cemetery.
11 77
1874,
1,256 19
6
Rec'd of Town of Medford for Blunderbuss, $5 00
Rent of Stores,
121 95
Caslı borrowed,
8,402 08
Overseers for Cranberries,
91 00
Dog Licenses, 115 49
on account of taxes 1871,
17 30
4 10
interest on taxes, 1871, 66 1873,
45 63
interest on School Fund,
174 26
Taxes for 1872,
133 58
E. A. Wheeler for plank,
2 25
A. B. Parker,
2 66
E. A. Newell,
16 31
Rent of Hall,
97 50
Interest on taxes for 1872,
22 36
on Deposits, 241 19
44,583 26
EXPENDITURES.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid R. W. Sherman for services as Constable, $5 00
J. M. R. Eaton School Com, 2 years, 63 00
C. C. Sewall, Town Clerk, 25 00
C. C. Sewall, recording births, marriages and deaths, 14 50
James Hewins, services as Auditor, 1874, 6 00
R. T. Lombard, services as School Committee from Mar. 3, to Dec. 18, 1874, 40 00
R. T. Lombard for postage, paper, envelopes &c., 20 00
R. A. Battelle, collecting taxes, 1870-71-73, 40 00
Hamlet Wight, services as Selectman, 1874, 25 00
B. F. Shumway, " 50 00
for copying records, 25 00
A. B. Parker, services as Selectman, 50 00
Overseer of Poor, 40 00
Paid Elijah Thayer, services as Overseer of Poor, $30 00
A. E. Mason, £ 20 00
C. C. Sewall, services as Town Clerk,
26 33
C. Hamant, services as Assessor,
75 00
bal. Corporation tax,
5 00
66
66 copying records, 25 00
W. C. Allen, services as Assessor,
40 00
66 preparing Valuation for printing,
5 00
Martin Bailey, collecting taxes,
81 80
8711 63
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
Paid Abatement for the year 1872, $18 58
1873, 41 20
66 1874, 53 45
8113 23
TEACHING SCHOOLS.
CENTRE.
Paid Mrs. L. E. Tolman,
$350 00
Miss E. M. Grover,
170 00
Mr. C. E. Wood,
370 00
Miss E. Emerson,
180 00
Miss J. S. Wardwell,
270 00
NORTH.
Paid Mr. Albert B. Mason,
120 00
Miss S. H. Wight, 290 00
SOUTHI.
Paid Miss O. B. Young, E. F. Crocker, 240 00
104 00
$2094 00
8
CARE OF SCHOOL-HOUSES, FUEL, &c.
CENTRE.
Paid Rev. J. M. R. Eaton for maps, charts, books &c., $14 39
B. W. Baker, care of house, 17 50
A. Richards, cleaning house,
75
L. M. Richards, for coal,
20 50
E. A. Rhodes, care of house,
28 75
C. E. Woods for books &c.,
18 66
C. H. Russell for wood,
10 20
Rand & Avery, 50 billets for schools,
6 50
Gould & Stevens for coal,
152 00
J. A. Newell for charcoal, 6 00
H. M. Parker for express, 9 25
I. Fiske for supplies,
27 11
R. W. Chenery, sawing wood,
2 00
$313 61
NORTH.
Paid H. P. Bruce for 1-2 cord of wood,
2 50
J. C. Allen for care of house,
15 75
W. Q. Fisher for wood,
33 00
A. L. Allen, sawing wood.
12 00
Mrs. Tobin, cleaning house,
1 50
H. Wight, wood and sawing,
6 75
$71 50
SOUTH.
Paid G. M. Gilmore, sawing wood and care of house,
$35 50
Mrs N. Guild for wood,
21 00
J. R. Smith
7 00
M. Callahan for labor,
6 59
$70 09
Total for care, fuel &c.
$455 20
9
To Balance due for Schools on settlement Jan 31, 1874, $149 81 2,500 00
Appropriation, 1874, Dog Licenses, State Fund, School "
115 49
213 11
271 61
Expended for Schools 1874,
2,499 20
Balance due for Schools, Feb. 1, 1875
$750 82
REPAIRS OF SCHOOL-HOUSES.
CENTRE.
Paid H. F. Bullard for stock and labor,
$42 42
F. Ellis, 66 66
1 40
T. A. Sparrow,
66
3 99
C. T. Frost,
9 35
D. Hoisington,
14 55
$71 71
NORTH.
Paid H. F. Bullard for stock and labor,
$16 28
L. Babcock,
8 61
W. F. Whittemore "
9 91
H. P. Bruce,
66
9 75
$44 55
SOUTH.
Paid Geo. M. Gilmore for repairing pump,
$2 00
Total for repairs,
$118 26
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Paid Trustees for furnishing room,
$506 34
Insurance on Town building, $656 00
$3,250 02
10
NOTES AND INTEREST.
Paid C. M. Clark,
interest on note,
$7 00
R. E. Sherman,
66
12 25
Mrs. D. Russell,
66 66
7 00
Geo. H. Shumway,
66
4 20
Mary P. Phillips,
note and interest,
524 80
Stephen Turner,
interest on note,
21 00
Martin Bailey,
note and interest,
53 52
F. D. Ellis,
interest,
87 50
William Crane,
7 70
Isaac Fiske,
66
62 16
Mrs. C. Wight,
7 00
Mrs. J. A. Newell,
21 00
Franklin Ellis,
17 50
Eunice H. Chenery,
600 00
George Fiske,
14 00
C. Hartshorn,
12 25
Benjamin Chenery,
70 00
B. F. Shumway,
35 00
A. W. Cleveland,
66
28 00
George Fiske,
note and interest,
106 41
H. M. Smith,
interest,
14 00
Geo. HI. Shumway,
note and interest, 66
535 34
R. A. Battelle,
interest,
35 00
J. A. Fitts,
note and interest,
702 04
Hamlet Wight,
interest,
14 00
F. D. Ellis,
87 50
A. Ross,
21 00
F. Ellis,
note and interest,
260 19
Mary E. Carpenter,
321 70
H. M. Smith,
208 16
Benj. Chenery,
interest,
70 00
Geo. Fiske,
note and interest,
614 37
Trustees School Fund, interest,
139 73
$4,828 70
107 38
Mary Keith,
11
ROADS.
Paid G. W. Kingsbury for removing snow, $8 20
Hamlet Wight
11 30
R. T. Lombard 66
10 40
A. B. Parker
5 90
C. H. Russell
66
15 20
$51 00
Paid Hamlet Wight, Surveyor,
$411 82
A. B. Parker,
400 00
Geo. W. Kingsbury,
390 00
R. T. Lombard, 66
4 00
$1,205 82
BUILDING AND FURNISHING TOWN HOUSE.
Paid T. W. Silloway, $300 00
Mead & Mason,
6,500 00
freight on doors,
1 20
Charles E. Kershew,
190 00
Mead & Mason,
2,000 00
T. L. Barney,
46 50
L. G. Shepard,
400 00
Lowell Babcock,
15 75
Joseph P. Hurley,
120 00
B. C. & F. R.R. for freight,
10 00
G. W. Meyers,
500 00
Merriam & Holden for furnishing hall,
425 32
Barney, Thayer & Wight "
71 50
J. S. Paine. on acct. 66
61 73
Hollings & Co., furnishing
66
141 50
Otis Wentworth, 31 03
4,250 00
T. W. Silloway, architect,
342 00
G. W. & F. Smith, 250 00
Fitts and Turner, furnishing,
254 59
Mead & Mason,
4.840 25
12
Paid Mead & Mason, $98 00
L. G. Shepard, 75 00
J. B. Hale, 35 46
J. B. Hale, furnishing,
112 57
W. F. Whittemore,
9 75
D. Hoisington,
10 75
H. M. Parker, furnishing,
24 14
B. F. Crehore,
12 86
39 45
R. W. Sherman,
30 00
$21,199 35
EXPENSES OF TOWN HOUSE.
Paid Gould & Stevens for coal,
$58 16
Johnson Bros. for supplies, 10 24
H. P. Bruce for labor, 1 00
I. Fiske for mats for Town House,
22 50
H. Wight for wood,
12 00
Mead & Mason for repairs,
8 00
D. Hoisington for funnel and fixtures,
7 55
S. Johnson for care of house and supplies,
41 85
Geo. M. Smith for 2 floor brushes,
6 00
E. Williams for sawing wood,
3 00
G. M. Winship for repairs,
1 00
I. Fiske for supplies,
13 28
$184 58
FIRE ENGINE, APPARATUS AND EXPENSES
Paid C. M. Clapp for 450 ft linen hose,
$516 37
66
9 sets coupling attached, 63 00
1 Blunderbuss, 5 00
66 2 nozzles,
1 50
E. Franks for services as Steward,
2 00
Fred M. Smith for 30 engine men,
60 00
C. M. Clapp for 50 ft linen hose, 1 set couplings, 7 00
57 38
13
Paid Cushman & Baker repairs on engine,
$6 35
Freight on engine, 4 00
Hunneman & Co. for Engine,
1100 00
Freight on engine,
4 80
50 00
Treasurer of Medford for use of fire engine, H. M. Parker,
5 50
E. T. Everett for care of engine and supplies,
5 00
$1887 90
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid C. C. Sewall for Record book &c., $6 50
recording deed, 1 00
M. Brannon for information of crime,
5 00
Rand & Avery for rebinding books,
12 00
John G. Hutson for posts,
8 25
Post No. 117, G.A.R. for Decoration day,
50 00
R. T. Lombard for procuring teacher &c.,
5 00
28 copies " Ex. Gen. Laws," 4 50
66 cash paid for balance on books, 9 93
Cushman & Baker for road scraper,
22 87
Walpole tax,
5 27
Medway tax,
6 00
State tax,
1,200 00
W. F, Abell, care of clock and oil,
25 50
Joseph Clark, labor in cemetery, rent of Curtis Hall, 25 00
3 90
T. L. Barney for use of room, lights &c.,
5 00
G. M. Stevens, figures and hands for town clock, 26 25
First Con. Society for repairing faces of clock, 45 00
Selectmen for setting railing on Railroad Street, 12 00
D. A. Burt for tablet, 250 00
Parker's Express, 1 50
H. P. Bruce for maintaining watering place, 3 00
E. A. Wheeler for express, 2 25
H. Wight for 2 plough points and express, 3 00
D. Hoisington for Juror box. 1 00
31 60
C. T. Frost, repairs on town pump,
14
Paid C. C. Sewall for cash paid Fairbanks &c., $3 00
.6 Commonwealth, 5 67
S. J. Spear, printing Town Reports, Valuation &c., 140 00
$1,919 99
STATE AID.
Paid Mary A. Howard,
$96 00
Mary A. Kingsbury,
44 00
Mary Knapp,
52 00
Eliza Hardy,
48 00
$240 00
ALMSHOUSE
Paid B. J. Babcock funeral expenses of Mrs. Floyd, $25 25
S. R. Maker, repairing furniture,
1 75
Wm. Adams, Keeper, in full to April 1, 1874,
275 00
H. M. Parker for horse,
135 00
Cushman & Baker,
19 21
H. F. Bullard for lumber and labor,
117 20
Wm. Adams for lumber,
17 10
A. B. Parker for cow,
55 00
J. F. Pickering for labor,
90 00
Lowell Babcock for painting,
23 40
Franklin Ellis for stock and labor,
11 70
Gould & Stevens for grain,
119 14
E. A. Wheeler for ice,
15 00
D. D. Curtis for sawing,
10 75
B. F. Flynn for fish,
14 70
J. H. Gould for 2 cows,
90 00
T. L. Barney for groceries,
176 88
Doors, Sheathing paper, shingles and express,
43 49
B. J. Babcock for bread,
9 62
A. B. Parker for freight on lumber,
8 82
Johnson Bros. for groceries,
16 86
for mattrasses for almshouse,
18 00
G. W. Kingsbury for grain, 47 05
1
15
Paid H. F. Bullard for labor,
$86 27
Clark & Leatherbee for lumber,
86 35
J. H. Richardson for medical attendance,
10 75
D. Hoisington for labor and merchandise,
2 45
F. D. Hamant, balance on cows,
10 00
A. B. Parker,
5 00
G. M. Winship, blacksmith's bill,
20 65
Cushman and Baker for repairs on sled,
13 10
I. Fiske for groceries, 346 93
$1,922 42
SUPPORT OF PAUPERS OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for Mary Peters,
$39 69
State Lunatic Asylum for J. W. Coltman,
192 76
$232 45
RECAPITULATION,
Paid Town Officers,
$711 63
Abatement of Taxes,
113 23
Teaching Schools,
2,094 00
Care of and Fuel for School-houses,
455 20
Repairs of School-houses,
118 26
Public Library,
506 34
Insurance,
656 00
Notes,
3.300 00
Interest,
1,528 70
Roads,
1.205 82
Removing snow,
51 00
Building and furnishing Town House,
21,199 35
Expenses of Town House,
184 58
Fire Department,
1,887 90
Incidental expenses,
1.919 99
State Aid,
240 00
Almshouse Department,
1.922 42
Paupers out of Almshouse,
23 45
$38.326 87
10
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN,
AS REPORTED BY THE TREASURER, FEBRUARY 1, 1875
Due Geo H. Shumway,
$60 00
Trustees of Ministerial Fund,
141 00
Stephen Turner,
200 00
100 00
Trustees of Ministerial Fund,
330 00
William Crane, 66
40 00
Clarissa Wight,
100 00
A. W. Cleveland,
400 00
Cynthia M. Clark,
100 00
Callie Hartshorn,
100 00
Benjamin Chenery, 66
1,500 00
B. F. Shumway,
300 00
R. E. Sherman,
175 00
Hamlet Wight, *
200 00
Polly Russell,
100 00
A. C. Ross,
300 00
F. D. Ellis,
2,000 00
I. Fiske,
328 00
Olive Allen,
100 00
J. A. Newell,
300 00
B. F. Shumway,
200 00
F. D. Ellis,
500 00
Catherine Hartshorn,
75 00
John Sullivan,
340 00
Trustees School Fund,
1,996 20
66 66
394 00
66 66
100 00
Jos. W. Paige,
283 08
Lauretta Bullard,
100 00
E. W. Morrill,
125 00
Geo. Cummings,
6,000 00
F. D. Ellis,
1,000 00
Helen M. Roberts,
400 00
70 00
500 00
17
Due Caroline B. Phillips, $500 00 Wm. Adams, Keeper of Almshouse, for salary to February 1, 1875, 375 00
$19,832 28
RESOURCES.
Balance in Treasury February 1, 1875,
$6,256 39
Due from Taxes 1870,
2 00
1871,
73 92
1872,
31 07
1873,
27 68
1874,
1,276 65
Due for State Aid,
240 00
$7,907 71
1
Liabilities exceed resources,
$11,924 57
I have examined the foregoing accounts and find them correct and accompanied with the proper vouchers.
CHARLES HAMANT, Auditor.
REMARKS.
The financial year now closed has been attended with extraordi- nary expenditures, as will be seen by the report of the Treasurer. This unusual state of affairs has been caused in a great measure by the cost of rebuilding and furnishing the Town House, the purchase of a new Fire Engine and the enlarged amount raised for the support
18
of the High School which the committee, it is now understood, will recommend to be abolished. The interest on the debt of the Town also amounts to the large sum of one thousand, nine hundred and sixty-two dollars. ($1,962.00.) In view of these facts we feel it incumbent upon us to recommend the strictest economy in every department.
In accordance with the instructions of the Town at the last an- nual meeting we recommend that the sum of Thirteen thousand, eight hundred and sixty-two dollars (13,862.00.) be granted for the current expenses of the ensuing year, to be appropriated as follows :
For repairing Town ways, Highways and Bridges,
-$1,200 00
Pauper Expenses,
1,000 00
Support of Schools,
2,000 00
General Expenses,
1,500 00
Debt of the Town,
4,000 00
Interest on same,
1,962 00
State Tax, (estimated,)
1,200 00
County Tax,
1,000 00
We consider this sum sufficient to meet the necessary expenses, unless some unforseen occurrence takes place.
In conformity to the requirements of the law we have caused the Guide Boards, standing at the date of our last report, to be sup- ported on the highways during the year.
We take pleasure in reporting the good condition of the Public Buildings, Roads and Bridges of the town. We believe they will bear favorable comparison with those of other places, and that the whole aspect and character of Medfield renders it worthy of general attention and remark.
All which is respectfully submitted,
B. F. SHUMWAY, HAMLET WIGHT, A. B. PARKER, Selectmen of Medfield.
FEB. 1, 1875,
19
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT THE ALMSHOUSE, JAN. 31, 1875.
10 Cows, $500.00 ; 1 Bull, $25.00 ; 2 Horses, $300.00, $825 00
7 swine, 55.00 ; 32 fowls, 20.00, 75 00
1 express wagon, 100.00 ; 1 two horse wagon, 120.00, 220 00
1 covered wagon, 40.00 ; 1 hay wagon, 45.00, 85 00
1 two-horse cart, 30.00 ; 1 ox wagon, 25.00, 55 00
1 pair double harness, 45.00 ; 1 single harness, 15.00, 60 00
1 sleigh, 15.00 ; 2 sleds, 22.00, 37 08
1 mowing machine, 40.00 : I horse rake, 40.00 ; 80 00
4 ploughs, 2 cultivators, 40 00
2 ox yokes, 5.00 ; 2 stake, 1 log and 3 draught chains, 4.00, 9 00
17 00
1 harrow, 3 ladders, 11.00 ; 5 shovels, spade, crome, 6.00, Bog hoe, pick and adze, 2.25 ; 2 bill-hooks, 1 hatchet, 3.00 5 25
2 cranberry rakes and screen, 6 00
5 scythes and snathes and 4 axes, 8 00
Saw, shave and rake, 3.00 ; 1 cross cut saw, 4.00,
7 00
5 hoes and iron bar, 3.00 ; 1 grindstone, 10.00, 13 00
Hay cutter and feed box, 7.00 ; 5 hay forks, 5.00, 12 00
2 potatoe diggers, 1.25 ; 4 tubs, 5.00, 6 25
1 brass kettle. 5.00 ; 3 beef barrels, 4.50, 9 50
3 stone jars, 1.50 ; 1 churn, 7.00, 8 50
2 cooking stoves, 27.00 ; 1 air tight stove, 6.00, 33 00
3 coal stoves, 17.00 ; 1 clothes wringer, 9.00, 26 00
55 milk pans, 14.00 ; 2 water pots, 3.00, 17 00
Wood saws and horse, 4.00 ; 12 grain bags, 3.00.
7 00
2 hammers, beetle and 5 wedges,
2 50
4 augers, 1 pruning knife, 3.75 ; 4 hand rakes, 2.00, 5 75
5 butter boxes, 1 bowl, 4.25 ; 4 cider barrels, 6.00, 10 25
2 corn cutters. 1 drag rake. 2 00
20
4 manure forks, 4.00; 1 meat bench, 1.00, $5 00 20 flour barrels, 3.33 ; 1 set pulley blocks and ropes, 3.00, 6 33 33 cords wood, 150.00 ; posts and rails, 20.00, 170 00
1 Fountain pump, 10 00
10 tons English hay, 240.00 ; 7 tons meadow hay, 75.00, 315 00
1 ton oat stover, 20.00 ; 35 bush. corn, 38.50, 58 50
75 bush. potatoes, 63.75 ; 50 bush. small potatoes, 12.50, 76 25 20 bush. turnips, 7.00 ; 3 bush. beets, 1.50, 8 50
75 cabbages, 6.00 ; 3 1-2 bush. beans, 12.00, 18 00
1-2 bbl. flour, 4.00 ; 25 lbs. lard, 4.00, 8 00
150 lbs. pork. 20.00 ; 50 lbs. beef, 5.00, 25 00
75 lbs. ham, 11.00 ; 50 lbs. butter, 21.00,
32 00
Bill of sundries bought to secure an old debt, 25 00
4 bbls. cider, 20.00 ; 3 bbls. apples, 6.00,
26 00
$2,465 58
RECEIPTS AT ALMSHOUSE.
For board of Fannie Chamberlain,
$247 26
E. A. Wheeler, for horse,
50 00
Overseers of Poor for cranberries,
91 00
butter,
212 62
Cash on hand as per last report,
24 38
Hay sold,
128 55
Straw sold, 1.00: Milk, 6.00
7 00
Pork " 101.89 : Poultry 4.00,
105 89
Use of horse,
4 50
Calves, 77.00 : Potatoes, 48.43
125 43
Board and lodging.
35 25
Beef,
125 00
Shingles,
2 81
Cabbages, 1.10 : Rags, .25,
1 35
Butter,
24 22
Labor off farm,
2 50
Eggs, .96 : use of bull, 20.50,
21 46
Cash from Town Treasury,
1,902 42
$3,111 64
21
PAYMENTS.
Amount paid by Treasurer as follows,
Paid B. J. Babcock funeral expenses of Mrs. Floyd, $25 25
S. R. Maker, repairing furniture, 1 75
Wm. Adams, Keeper, in full to April 1, 1874,
275 00
G. W. Kingsbury for grain, 47 05
H. M. Parker for horse, 135 00
Cushman & Baker, 19 21
H. F. Bullard for lumber and labor,
117 20
Wm. Adams for lumber,
17 10
A. B. Parker for cow,
55 00
J. F. Pickering for labor,
90 00
Lowell Babcock for painting,
23 40
Franklin Ellis for stock and labor,
11 70
Gould & Stevens for grain,
119 14
E. A. Wheeler for ice,
15 00
D. D. Curtis for sawing,
10 75
B. F. Flynn for fish,
14 70
J. H. Gould for 2 cows,
90 00
T. L. Barney for groceries, 176 88
Doors, Sheathing paper, shingles and express,
43 49
B. J. Babcock for bread,
9 62
A. B. Parker for freight on lumber,
8 82
Johnson Bros. for groceries,
16 86
for mattrasses for almshouse,
18 00
H. F. Bullard for labor,
86 27
Clark & Leatherbee for lumber,
86 35
J. H. Richardson for medical attendance,
10 75
D. Hoisington for labor and merchandise,
2 45
F. D. Hamant, balance on cows,
10 00
A. B. Parker, יי
5 00
G. M. Winship, blacksmith's bill, 20 65
Cushman and Baker for repairs on sted,
13 10
I. Fiske for groceries, 346 93
$1,922 42
22
Payments by Overseers as follows :
Paid for killing hogs,
$2 00
Fowls,
5 95
1 bbl. Superphosphate,
8 88
Paint bill,
7 97
Rails,
2 61
50 cabbage plants,
38
Lime and hair,
2 75
Use of bull, 1873,
2 50
Making cider,
1 50
2 coal stoves,
13 00
15 barrels for cranberries,
5 00
Bull,
25 00
Grinding,
1 48
Beef,
142 73
Fish,
20 48
Grain,
40 00
Coal,
2 50
Clothing,
12 75
Filing saws,
1 10
Bread,
30 96
Apples,
65
Tin ware,
2 49
Expenses to Boston,
2 30
Sweet potatoes,
1 60
Lumber,
29 16
Medical attendance,
6 00
Brooms,
2 50
Sundry repairs,
17 34
Balance on cows,
60 00
Sundries,
5 38
Tools,
17 25
Cheese, .82 ; Curing hams, 1.00,
1 82
Labor on farm,
116 90
Paid into Town Treasury,
600 88
Payments by the Treasurer,
1,902 42
Total payments,
$1,193 81
$3,096 23
23
Brought forward,
$3,096 23
Due Wm. Adams, salary to Feb. 1, 1875,
375 00
$3,461 23
By Receipts,
3,111 64
$349 59
Appraisal, 1874,
$2,224.43
1875,
2,465.58
Gain,
241.15
241 15
1102 meals furnished tramps,
'165 30
Cash in hands of Overseers,
2 85
Due from T. L. Smith,
8 35
$767 24
Pauper expenses out of almshouse,
$232.45-
PAUPERS IN ALMSHOUSE, FEBRUARY 1, 1895.
Silas Allen, aged 80 years. Amy Turner, aged 87 years.
Harriet Leland,
83 66 Arthur Bailey, " 20
Mary Peters,
87
George Hunt, 11
Assisted out of Almshouse,
J. W. Coltman at State Lunatic Asylum,
$192 77
Board of Mary Peters,
39 69
$232 45
Average number of Paupers, 6. Cost per week, $4.54.
Respectfully submitted, A. B. PARKER, ELIJAH THAYER, A. E. MASON,
Overseers of the Poor.
FEBRUARY, 1, 1875.
24
REGISTRAR'S REPORT.
BIRTHS IN MEDFIELD DURING THE YEAR 1874.
DATE.
NAME.
March
10
Agnes Ellen Burgess.
May
1
Elizabeth A. M. Maney.
66
9
Chester Eugene Bullard.
19
A Son of Dr. J. H. Richardson.
26
Anna Minerva Wight.
July
3
Mary Evelyn Chase.
6
Walter Clark Russell.
August 66
20
A child of William F. Guild.
September
27
Edward Ellery Franks.
November
7
Henry Adams Richardson.
66
11
Edward Alanson Brigham.
6.
26
Mary O'Connor.
December
23
Roy R. Crane.
66
28
William Bernard Smith. v
REGISTRY OF MARRIAGES, 1874
DATE.
NAMES.
April
1
Herbert L. Ferguson and Ella L. Rich.
30
Melville L. Willard and Harriet M. A. Smith.
May
13
James H. Emery and Sarah E. Dyer.
31
John Wood and Julia A. Garfield.
July
23
Edwin H. Ellis and Nellie E. Wheeler.
August
24
Edward B. Drew and Anna A. Davis,
October
17
Theodore Harding and Harriet C. Conant.
November 10
Joseph M. Johnson and Ellen M. Woods.
..
16 Wa'do A. Coolidge and Jennie Kies.
December 3
Benjamin E. Hemmenway and Alice P. Norton.
2
Albert L. Dyer.
October
1
Nettie Estelle Harding.
19 Lowell M. Wiswell and Mary E. Tisdale.
25
RECORD OF DEATHS DURING THE YEAR 1874.
DATE.
NAMES.
AGE. YRS MOS DYS
DISEASE.
Feb. 1
Esther M. Fisher,
72 10
Heart Disease.
6
Susan Floyd,
76 10
Old Age.
8
Anna H. Morse,
68 4
Consumption.
66
13
Prudence Lovell,
86 11
Old Age.
April 7
Ellis Russell Smith,
11
Bronchitis.
8
George W. Oliver,
74
Heart Disease.
May
18
Daniels Hamant,
62
Cancerous Tumor.
June 7
Olive Allen,
83
Cancerous Tumor.
27
Ira Adams,
64
6
Heart Disease.
July
23
Josephine M. Breck,
44 2
Consumption.
25
Charles F. Davis,
38 11
4
Consumption.
Aug. 18
Kate Frost,
25
Consumption.
Sept. 14
Martin Bailey,
86
3
Old Age.
Nov.
4
Frances A. P. Barry,
31
Consumption.
Dec.
1
James M. Chenery,
65
Typh'd Pneumonia.
28
Simeon Richardson,
75
9 12
Heart Disease.
28
John Hanley,
75
Pneumonia.
22
Elisabeth A. M. Maney
4 22
Cholera Infantum.
22
Hannah M. Smith,
45 6
Acute Bronchitis.
CHARLES C. SEWALL,
Registrar.
27
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MEDFIELD,
FOR THE YEAR 1874-5.
Only one member of the present Board was a member when the last Annual Report was submitted.
From various causes we have had many vacancies in our list of teachers : and in filling the same the Committee have tried to get the best that could be obtained with the money at their disposal. A change of teachers is to be regretted, but cannot be avoided.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Cornelius E. Wood was the teacher the Winter and Spring terms of 1874, and like many of his predecessors did not bring the school up to the high standard of excellence desired, and it was closed, in May last, by vote of the committee then in charge, at which time there were but comparatively few scholars attending. We think Mr. Wood possessed of high literary qualifications and of very gentlemanly manners, and in some schools his efforts would be crowned with entire success.
The Committee found it impossible to secure even a second rate male teacher for the salary paid, and therefore decided to employ a first class female teacher.
After advertising and corresponding with the Principals of our State Normal Schools, the present teacher, Miss J. S. Wardwell, was selected. The Committee applied to her upon the very fine recommendation of the Principal of the Salem State Normal School.
Miss Wardwell has very fine attainments and a thorough knowl- edge of all the branches taught. She took the school under dis- couraging circumstances ; there has been an improvement, especially in the high branches, yet it is not a snecess.
28
Where a school has had to change its teachers year after year, and falling lower and lower in discipline, it takes time to bring it to even a fair standard ; and if the scholars do not aid the teacher in so desirable a work, the attempt can only be successful where the tact, energy and moral power of teachers are equal to the emergen- cy, and we might add physical force, if necessary to secure obedi- ence, for we are not of those who believe in " sparing the rod " and spoiling the school.
A large number of the scholars only attend during the Winter term ; these are mostly boys, who find employment, or are idle, about nine months in the year and pass the winter months in the schoolroom ; therefore, we find them unused to restraint, untrained to think, not inclined to study, careless in habits, and substantially without home discipline, (they may be known by their rude boister- ous and unbecoming manners in the streets, Post Office and public assemblies,) thus giving this school a discordant element which sadly impairs its usefulness.
There is still another question to be considered in connection with this school. We claim to have a High School, but it is a mis- nomer to call it so. It is true we teach many of the High school branches, yet it is rather a mixed than a High School. The town has not the means to maintain, nor scholars enough to make it success- ful. There are only six or eight scholars who are taking the ad- vanced course, and some of these could pursue the Grammar course for some time to come to their advantage.
There can be no doubt that while nine-tenths of the parents take their children out of school before they can read a newspaper para- graph correctly, or are able to define a fraction, the material cannot be found to make a High School while our population remains as at present. We had better look at facts, rather than deceive our- selves by a delusion, no matter how agreeable it may be.
After carefully examining the whole subject, the Committee rec- ommend,- that the, so called, High School be abolished, and in- stead thereof establish a Grammar School.
Such of our scholars who desire, and whom the Committee think competent to take a High School course, can be sent to the Sawin Academy in Sherborn at small expense, and where the pupils will receive superior advantages.
29
By pursuing this course the Town will save money, the scholars will be more thoroughly instructed in the sciences of Reading, Spel- ling, Writing and Arithmetic, (which are much needed,) and those who desire the advantages of a High School, will find this want at the Sawin Academy.
Our schools are costing too much for the benefits received, and if these recommendations are adopted, we feel confident that better results will be obtained.
CENTRE GRAMMAR SCHOOL,
was under the care of Mrs. Tolman until the commencement of the Winter term; she is an excellent teacher and met with eminent success.
Miss Susan J. Woods was elected upon the resignation of Mrs. Tolman, and the Committee are pleased to say, that their expecta- tions are fully realized, that the high standing of this school is being maintained ; and the good order and thorough knowledge of studies which are exhibited, leave no doubts in the mind of the committee that Miss Woods will prove a very successful teacher.
CENTRE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
This is composed of the youngest scholars in the district, and they are apparently doing well under the care of Miss Esther Emerson. These interesting juveniles can scarcely do more than amuse them- selves and prepare the foundation for their future education.
NORTH SCHOOL.
The beginning of the Spring term of 1874, found this school without a teacher. The discipline during the Winter term had been very poor, (where a rather rigid course is required,) which had an injurious effect and called for extra exertion from the teacher who should take charge. The Committee were fortunate in securing the services of Miss Sarah H. Wight, a resident of the town, who has all the qualifications for a good teacher, and has met with commend- able success. To make this a really good school was a difficult task. yet it has been accomplished in less than a year : no other in
30
town has made such thorough and rapid progress in their studies and discipline ; others may be further advanced but none have done more. It is our wish that we may long retain Miss Wight as a teacher.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
The beginning of the year found this school also without a teach- er. After an examination of several applicants, Miss Ella F. Crocker was elected. This school is small and requires consider- able tact to awaken and continue an interest : the teacher has been deeply interested and it has made decided advancement ; it is under fair discipline and influenced rather by love than through fear.
During the year the Committee have introduced the "Franklin Series " of Readers, (by Hillard,) they are good readers and supply a long felt need.
To have good schools requires the earnest cooperation of all. If parents are constantly watching an opportunity to find some fault with teachers, children will do the same. No parent should fail to visit the school-room at least two or three times each term -fathers as well as mothers - and if all should do so, it would remove many a cause of complaint and wonderfully aid the patient and industrious teacher.
As a whole the schools are doing better now than when the last report was published, yet not what the Committee would like or reasonably expected from the care given and money expended. There are in the schools many fine scholars, who have made great progress during the year, and to such, who have done their duty with fidelity to themselves and credit to the town, the committee award just praise ; for to such are we to look to occupy and fill positions of honor and trust, in the future, which the unerring hand of Time, each passing year makes vacant, by the certain but un- welcome visitor.
Respectfully submitted,
R. T. LOMBARD, WM. F. GUILD, CHARLES HAMANT. School Committee.
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