USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1879 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
228TH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MEDFIELD,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1879.
CONTENTS.
PACE
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS, 2
TREASURER'S REPORT, 1
SELECTMEN'S REPORT, 6
COLLECTOR'S REPORT, 16
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, . 17
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE,
21
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS, 22
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY, 27
REGISTRAR'S REPORT, ES
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT, 31
BOSTON :
GEORGE II. ELLIS, PRINTER, 101 MILK STREET.
I879.
228TH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MEDFIELD,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1879.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS,
2
TREASURER'S REPORT,
4
SELECTMEN'S REPORT,
6
COLLECTOR'S REPORT,
16
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, I7
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE, 21
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS, 22
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY, 27
REGISTRAR'S REPORT, 28
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT,
31
BOSTON : GEORGE H. ELLIS, PRINTER, 101 MILK STREET. 1879.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1878.
Town Clerk. C. C. SEWALL.
HAMLET WIGHT,
Selectmen. A. B. PARKER, GEO. W. KINGSBURY.
Assessors.
WM. F. GUILD,
M. H. JOHNSON, WM. P. HEWINS.
H. P. TABOR,
Overseers of Poor. G. W. KINGSBURY,
CHAS. E. BAKER·
Treasurer.
Collector.
Auditor.
ISAAC FISKE. M. H. JOHNSON.
J. B. HALE.
Constables.
CHARLES HAMANT,
D. D. CURTIS,
BENNETT WILSON.
R. W. SHERMAN,
School Committee.
W. F. GUILD, Term expires 1879.
A. E. MASON, 1879.
JAMES HEWINS, 1880.
JAMES ORD,
1880.
J. B. HALE,
66 1881.
WM. S. TILDEN,
1881.
Surveyors of Highways.
HAMLET WIGHT, H. P. TABOR,
G. W. KINGSBURY, C. H. RUSSELL,
F. S. WIGHT, JERRY JOHNSTON.
Board of Health.
J. H. RICHARDSON, M.D., JAMES M. HEWINS, J. B. HALE.
Trustees of Public Library. J. H. RICHARDSON, Term expires 1879. ISAAC FISKE, 1880.
GEORGE CUMMINGS, “ 1881.
3
Trustee of School Fund. CHARLES HAMANT.
Sexton. R. A. BATTELLE.
Cemetery Committee.
HAMLET WIGHT, A. B. PARKER, R. A. BATTELLE.
G. W. KINGSBURY,
Fence Viewers.
J. M. HEWINS, J. B. HALE, JOHN T. BULLARD.
Field Drivers.
EDGAR W. KINGSBURY, CURTIS A. SPARROW CHAS. E. BROWN, L. W. WHEELER.
Pound Keeper. GEORGE D. HAMANT.
APPOINTMENTS BY SELECTMEN.
J. H. GOULD,
Engineers of Fire Department. PHILIP MATHEWSON, FRANK RHODES.
Measurer of Wood and Sealer of Weights and Measures. T. L. BARNEY.
Weighers. ARNOLD B. MATHEWSON.
T. L. BARNEY,
H. M. PARKER,
Police. J. W. PAIGE, H. F. BULLARD.
5
H. F. BULLARD,
4
Dr.
ISAAC FISKE, Treasurer, IN ACCOUNT
Cash in Treasury, Feb. 1, 1878, . $6,541.52
in full for Tax of 1876, . 111.50
as Interest for tax of 1876, .
16.12
on Tax for 1877,
1,695.37
on Tax for 1878,
6,429.00
balance of Corporation Tax for 1877, 60.16
Corporation Tax for 1878, . 583.99
National Bank for 1878, . 677.66
State Aid for 1877,
192.00
Dog Tax for 1878, 115.85
State Paupers, support of, 4.20
Burial Expenses of State Pauper, 9.50
hay and lumber from Cemetery, . 7.50
for old plank sold, . 4.68
Interest on Mass. School Fund, 173.07
Interest on Town School Fund, . 235.86
for milk and eggs from Town Farm, 119.63
for rent of Town Hall,
103.80
for rent of stores in Town House, 440.16
Borrowed, 450.00
10.24 $17,981.81 for hay sold from Town Farm,
Less payments for the year,
14,612.86
Balance in treasury, Feb. 1, 1879,
$3,368.95
5
WITH TOWN OF MEDFIELD. Cr.
By cash paid on Notes,
$4,275.00
Interest,
1,106.16
State Tax,
560.00
Medway Tax,
5.08
Walpole Tax, 4.33
on Selectmen's orders, 7,427.69
on School Com. orders, · 919.10
on Assessors' order, 4.00
State Aid,
236.50
Aid to Indigent Soldiers,
75.00
$14,612.86
I have examined the Treasurer's accounts as above, and find them correct.
J. B. HALE, Auditor.
MEDFIELD, Feb. 8, 1879.
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The Selectmen of Medfield respectfully present the Annual Report of the finances of the town for the year ending Jan. 31, 1879.
APPROPRIATIONS RAISED BY TAX.
Schools,
$2,300.00
Roads, .
1,200.00
Support of Poor, 1,100.00
Interest on Dept.,
1,100.00
General expenses, .
1,55.0.00
Enlarging Cemetery,
250.00
$7,500.00
APPROPRIATION NOT ASSESSED.
Laying out, grading and inclosing addition to Cem-
etery,
$500.00
PAYMENTS BY TREASURER ON SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ORDERS.
FOR TEACHING.
John Ord, Jr., music,
$97.35
Wm. H. Small, .
360.00
Miss E. M. Lovering, 135.00
Miss C. A. Mason, .
136.80
Miss S. J. Woods, .
108.00
Miss M. B. A. Wight, .
37.80
$874.95
CARE OF HOUSE.
E. T. Adams, care of Center House, .
$20.00
John Ord, care of Center House, 9.50
A. E. Mason, care of North House, 8.25
G. M. Gilmore, care of South House,
6.40
$44.15
7
PAYMENTS BY TREASURER ON SELECTMEN'S ORDERS.
FOR TEACHING.
Miss Sarah C. Littlefield, North School, $234.00
Miss C. A. Mason, South School, . 234.00
Mr. Wm. E. Marshall, Center High, . 511.06
Miss Susan J. Woods, Center Grammar, 234.00
Miss Mary B. A. Wight, Center Primary, I26.00
Mr. John Ord, Jr., music, to March 15, 1878, . 50.00
$1,389.06
FOR CARE OF SCHOOL-HOUSES, FUEL, ETC.
E. T. Adams, care of Center House, . $74.50
E. T. Adams, cleaning house and sawing wood, 12.10
J. E. McGrory, care of North School-house, . 28.35
A. E. Mason, wood, cutting and piling, 39.75
G. M. Gilmore, care of South School-house,
20.50
Wm. F. Guild, wood for South School-house, 17.00
Wm. F. Guild, sawing wood and cleaning house, 5.50
J. A. Newell, wood for Center School, 4.00
$201.70
Amount in Treasury for Schools, Feb. 1, 1878, . $989.15
Appropriation by Town, 2,300.00
Income from State School Fund, 173.07
Income from Town School Fund, 235.86
$3,698.08
Expended for Schools,
2,531.96
Balance in Treasury to cr. of Schools, Feb. 1, 1879, $1,166.12
Outstanding order for teaching unpaid, . 108.00
$1,058.12
REPAIRS AND FURNISHING SCHOOL-HOUSES.
J. L. Hammett, school merchandise, $46.31
Parker's Express, school registers, . 3.25
Parker's Express, seat-irons, etc., 9.20
Jas. Ord, furniture for North School, 11.20
H. P. Bruce, coloring fence, North School, 13.00
Amount carried forward, $82.96
8
Amount brought forward, . $82.96
C. T. Frost, repairing pump, . 1.50
S. J. Spear, printing pay-rolls and circulars, . 6.00
L. Babcock, painting Center School-house, . 174.27
L. Babcock, painting and glazing, .
4.30
Wm. S. Tilden, stock and repairs on Center School-house, . 3.46
Wm. S. Tilden, tuning organ, 1.50
W. D. Cripps, mason work, Center School-house, . 9.60
Franklin Ellis, mason work, Center School-house,
42.50
N. F. Harding, stock and labor, Center School-house,
61.34
Jas. Ord, grading and repairs, Center School-house, 17.59
Dennis Hoisington, repairs, 6.52
T. L. Barney, cleaning clocks, 1.00
Cushman & Baker, threshold, 1.00
D. Appleton, exchange of books,
32.87
Isaac Fiske, supplies, 23.88
D. Hoisington, repairing North House, .75
A. E. Mason, repairing North House, .
2.10
$473.14
HIGHWAYS.
Hamlet Wight, surveyor, . $168.15
C. H. Russell,
180.37
H. P. Tabor, 66 168.36
G. W. Kingsbury, 203.80
F. S. Wight, 161.07
Jerry Johnston,
249.82
$1, 131.57
SUPPORT OF POOR AT ALMSHOUSE.
J. Kelly, services as keeper to April 1, 1878, $2 49.97
T. C. Flinn, bread, . 49.97
Gould & Co., grain, flour, and coal, 175.22
J. L. Pike, shoeing horses, 2.25
Ames Plow Co., tools, 3.75
Peter Gallagher, exchange of cows, 25.00
Peter Gallagher, one cow, 50.00
Jas. Ord, furniture, . 37.60
H. W. Brock, services as keeper, 140.00
Amount carried forward,
. $733.76
9
Amount brought forward, . $733.76
Johnson Bros., groceries, . 14.85
Oliver Clifford, one cow, . 55.00
N. Y. & N. E. R. R., freight on pump and pipe, .72
Parker's Express, buffalo robe, .
9.25
D. Hoisington, merchandise, 10.63
S. F. Turner, damage to meadow by cattle,
8.00
Wm. Ryan, shoeing horses, etc., 4.75
Mrs. E. A. Wheeler, ice, . 6.00
Dr. J. H. Richardson, medical attendance, 1.25
G. M. Hanks, groceries, 25.95
T. L. Barney, groceries, 7.25
Frank Rhodes, fish and oysters, 7.42
E. Bullard, meat, 59.40
Cushman & Baker, paint and repairs, 1.91
Isaac Fiske, merchandise, 134.29
$1,080.43
SUPPORT OF POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Worcester Lunatic Asylum, board of Susan M. Bullard, $186.51
T. L. Barney, aid to George Ricker, . 5.00
D. P. Bird & Co., aid to Clarence A. Kingsbury, 10.00
Dr. Runnels, medical attendance, Clarence A. Kingsbury, 5.00
Dr. J. H. Richardson, medical attendance, J. Irving, 6.00
R. A. Battelle, coffin and services in burial of J. Irving, 7.50 E. C. Craige, aid to John Hayford, 6.20
Dr. J. H. Richardson, med. attendance, Warren Plimpton, 14.25
Town of Dedham, aid to Mrs. J. E. Lawrence and child, 28.95
Isaac Fiske, aid to Warren Plimpton,
27.15
Isaac Fiske, aid to J. Irving, 2.65
Hamlet Wight, aid to Warren Plimpton, 6.00
$305.21
ENLARGING CEMETERY.
Heirs of Richard Newell, $250.00
GRADING AND INCLOSING CEMETERY.
D. D. Curtis, building wall, . $150.00
John McGrory, building wall, 25.00
Selectmen, grading, etc., . 207.58
C. T. Frost, hanging gates, .
1.15
Cushman & Baker, labor on gates,
6.25
$389.98
IO
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Trustees of Library, amount Dog Tax ($115.85), and $84.15 as per vote of Town, $200.00
GENERAL EXPENSES.
TOWN OFFICERS.
J. B. Hale, services as School Committee, 3 years, to Feb. 16, 1878, . $133.95 C. C. Sewall, services as Town Clerk, I year, to March 3, 1879, . 30.00
Hamlet Wight, services as Selectman, I year, to March 3, 1879, . 50.00
A. B. Parker, services as Selectman, 1 year, to March 3, 1879, . 50.00
G. W. Kingsbury, services as Selectman, I year, to March 3, 1879, 30.00
H. P. Taber, services as Overseer of Poor, I year, to March 3, 1879, 30.00
G. W. Kingsbury, services as Overseer of Poor, I year, to March 3, 1879, 30.00
Chas. E. Baker, services as Overseer of Poor, I year, to March 3, 1879, 15.00
Wm. F. Guild, services as Assessor, I year, to March 3, 1879, .
20.00
M. H. Johnson, services as Assessor, I year, to March 3, 1879, . 32.00
Wm. P. Hewins, services as Assessor, I year, to March 3, 1879, . 32.00 $452.95
TOWN HOUSE EXPENSES.
Johnson Brothers, care of house,
$52.95
Johnson Brothers, supplies, .
11.91
R. Hollings & Co., brackets,
12.25
Geo. W. Myers, repairs,
20.00
N. F. Harding, repairs,
10.85
Dennis Cummings, whitening,
6.00
L. Babcock, repairs,
7.26
Amount carried forward, .
$121.22
·
$121.22
Gould & Co., coal, . .
15.79
J. Johnston, cleaning vaults, 2.50
D. Hoisington, repairs,
19.39
Parker's Express, duster, . 3.75
14.36
Hamlet Wight, wood, .
3.00
$180.01
BRIDGES.
Mead, Mason & Co., plank, .
$26.09
C. H. Russell, drawing plank,
3.75
W. H. Bullard, labor, . 4.00
J. A. Fairbanks, labor,
4.00
H. F. Bullard, labor,
8.00
Isaac Fiske, plank, . 46.37
Isaac Fiske, spikes, petroleum, and freight, .
7.76
L. W. Wheeler, drawing plank, . 2.25
G. W. Kingsbury, building culvert on Spring Street,
29.77
$131.99
CLEARING ROADS OF SNOW.
Hamlet Wight,
$39.84
C. H. Russell,
13.80
H. P. Tabor, 41.IO
G. W. Kingsbury,
25.57
F. S. Wight,
25.95
J. Johnston,
16.20
$162.46
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Eddy & Studley, 10 rubber coats, .
$52.50
Cushman & Baker, sundry charges,
14.82
Wm. Ryan, sundry charges, .
10.35
Isaac Fiske, supplies,
8.91
Parker's Express, supplies,
4.50
A. H. Wiley, supplies, .
2.35
J. Boid & Son, repairing hose, .
1.25
E. T. Everett, supplies,
1.50
$96.18
Amount brought forward,
Isaac Fiske, supplies, .
12
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Treasurer of Engine Company, 21 men, $42.00 Treasurer of Hook and Ladder, 16 men, 32.00
E. T. Everett, services as Steward, Engine Company, . 21.32 R. Miller, services as Steward, Hook and Ladder Co., 9.05
H. G. Crosby with team at fires, 12.50
Sundry persons, watching fire in Rocky Woods, . 125.82
Johnson Brothers, refreshments at fire in Rocky Woods, 4.41
T. C. Flinn, bread at fire in Rocky Woods, . .36
Sundry persons, watching fire at F. S. Wight's, 7.20
I. Fiske, refreshments at F. S. Wight's fire, 14.43
T. L. Barney, refreshments at F. S. Wight's fire,
2.80
Gould & Co., team to take Medway Firemen home, .
10.00
Sundry persons, watching fire in woods on Elm Street, Geo. H. Ellis, printing Town Reports,
35.00
Geo. H. Ellis, Order Books, . 5.00
Geo. H. Ellis, I Herrick's Town Officer, 3.00
Cushman & Baker, varnishing hearse, 10.00
Cushman & Baker, material for snow-plough, 1.40
Asa French, legal services in Wood case, 89.50
J. B. Hale, copying and arranging births, marriages, and deaths, from 1651 to 1875, . 400.00
J. L. Fairbanks, record paper and binding, 50.25
Parker's Express,
1.30
Parker's Express, police badges,
2.25
S. J. Spear, printing,
10.25
Jas. Hewins, legal services, 25.00
Recording deeds,
2.37
G. M. Stevens, repairing town clock,
3.85
C. T. Frost, pump at Town House,
9.50
C. T. Frost, repairing pump and cleaning well, Wm. F. Abell, care of clock, 7 months,
8.75
L. Babcock, painting guide-boards, 1.50
Geo. F. Kern, repairing town clock, 10.00
5.00
Geo. F. Kern, care of clock, 4 months, to Jan. 1, 1879, C. C. Sewall, recording births, marriages, and deaths, dog licenses, blanks, postage, etc., . 17.95
$983.01
4.00
5.25
PAYMENTS BY TREASURER ON ASSESSORS' ORDER. Abatements, Alvia Gilbert, Tax, 1876 and 1877, $4.00
OTHER PAYMENTS BY TREASURER.
NOTES.
A. W. Cleveland, note in part, . $50.00
Geo. W. Cummings, note in full,
4,000.00
Stephen Turner, note in full, 50.00
Adeline Ross, note in part,
75.00
Benjamin Chenery, note in part,
100.00
$4,275.00
INTEREST.
Mrs. Cynthia Clark, Interest,
$6.00
Geo. Cummings, .
120.00
Stephen Turner,
7.00
F. D. Ellis,
150.00
Clarissa Wight,
6.00
Eunice M. Chenery,
600.00
Catharine Hartshorn,
4.50
Benjamin Chenery, .
43.75
R. E. Sherman,
10.50
Cally Hartshorn, .
9.00
Trustee of School Fund,
149.41
$1,106.16
STATE AID.
Mary A. Kingsbury,
$44.00
Mary Knapp, .
48.00
Eliza Hardy,
52.00
Mary A. Howard,
88.00
Cyrus D. Strang, .
4.50
$236.50
AID TO INDIGENT SOLDIERS.
James Griffin, .
$12.00
E. G. Babcock,
49.00
A. H. Wiley,
14.00
$75.00
State, Medway, and Walpole Taxes, .
$569.41
14
RECAPITULATION.
Teaching School, . · $2,264.01
Care of school-houses, fuel, etc., . 245.85
Repairs, and furnishing school-houses, 473.14
Highways, .
1,131.57
Support of poor at Almshouse,
1,080.43
Support of poor out of Almshouse,
305.21
Enlarging cemetery, .
250.00
Grading and enclosing cemetery,
389.98
Library, . 200.00
Town officers, .
452.95
Town-house expenses,
180.01
Bridges, .
131.99
Clearing roads of snow,
162.46
Fire department, .
96.18
Incidental expenses,
983.01
Abatement of taxes,
4.00
Notes,
4,275.00
Interest, .
1,106.16
State aid, 236.50
Aid to indigent soldiers,
75.00
Taxes,
569.41
Total payments,
$14,612.86
RESOURCES.
Balance in treasury, Feb. 1, 1879, · $3,369.70
Uncollected taxes of 1877, . 348.12
Interest on 1877 taxes in hands of collector, 105.04
Uncollected taxes, 1878,
1,728.79
Due from State, for State aid paid for the year ending Dec. 31, 1878, 236.00
Due from State, for aid paid for indigent soldiers prior to Dec. 31, 1878, 45.00
Due from State, for aid paid for indigent soldiers from Dec. 31, 1878, to Jan. 22, 1879, 30.00
$5,862.65
15
LIABILITIES.
Outstanding notes
Clarissa Wight, $100.00
A. W. Cleveland, 150.00
Cynthia Clark, 100.00
Catharine Hartshorn, 100.00
Benj. Chenery, 1,400.00
R. E. Sherman,
175.00
Polly Russell, 100.00
A. E. Ross,
175.00
F. D. Ellis,
2,000.00
F. D. Ellis,
500.00
Catharine Hartshorn, . 75.00
Trustee of School Fund, 1,996.20
Trustee of School Fund, 394.00
Trustee of School Fund, 100.00
Eliza A. Wheeler,
450.00
$7,815.20
Outstanding order, .
108.00
$7,923.20
Liabilities exceed resources, $2,060.55
The matter of grading and improving the new addition to the cemetery was left to the selectmen, and an appropriation of $500 made for the purpose.
We have expended in removing trees (five or more cords of which were sent to the Almshouse, of which no account was made), build- ing a substantial stone wall on three sides, moving culvert and grading, moving and repairing entrance gates, $389.98 ; leaving un- expended $110.02, which will be needed for setting out trees, laying out of the lots, and getting them in condition to sell.
Respectfully submitted,
HAMLET WIGHT, A. B. PARKER, Selectmen of Medfield. G. W. KINGSBURY, )
16
COLLECTOR'S REPORTS.
R. A. Battelle, Collector of Taxes for 1876 and 1877, in account with the Town of Medfield : -
Dr.
To balance of account, as per last audit for 1876, $111.50
To balance of account of Interest for 1876, 16.12
To balance of account of Tax for 1877, 2,043.49
To Interest collected on Tax of 1877, 105.04
$2,276.15
Cr.
By cash paid Treasurer for Tax of 1876, . $111.50
By cash paid Treasurer Interest for 1876, 16.12
By cash paid Treasurer Taxes for 1877, 1,695.37 1,822.99
$453.16
To uncollected Taxes for 1877, $348.12
To Interest collected to date, .
105.04
$453.16
I have compared the above account with the Treasurer's accounts, and find the same correct.
J. B. HALE, Auditor.
M. H. Johnson, Collector of Taxes for the year 1878, in account with the Town of Medfield : -
Dr.
To amount of Commitment,
$8,987.82
Cr.
By cash paid Treasurer,
$6,429.00
By cash paid County Tax,
830.03 7,259.03
$1,728.79
I have examined the above account, and find the same correct by the proper vouchers.
J. B. HALE, Auditor.
17
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
We submit the following report of the condition of this depart- ment : -
With the exception of the cranberry crop (which has been a failure), the results attained at the farm have been satisfactory.
There has been raised of corn two hundred and forty-seven bushels in the ear, sixty bushels of potatoes, about nine tons of mangles and turnips for feeding to stock, and the barn filled with hay and fodder to its utmost capacity, beside milk, butter, eggs, etc., etc., sold as per items of the report elsewhere.
We have on the Farm ten head of cattle, one horse, two swine, with fodder enough on hand for four more head of cattle.
Last spring most of the cows were old and unthrifty, and we thought it more profitable to change them off for younger ones ; and, although a matter of some expense, it was deemed best for the interests of the town.
Another considerable item of expense has been in bringing water to the barn, and repairs to barn and barn cellar. This will add very much to the comfort as well as economy of keeping the cattle, and we feel sure the investment will be a paying one.
We have lost a horse, formerly valued at $100; which with the low price of the products of the farm and the decrease in value of stock, makes the apparent cost of keeping the poor larger than it otherwise would have been.
There has been no increase in the number of inmates at the Farm since our last report ; and we are glad to be able to report fully a one-third decrease in the number of tramps to be provided for.
Amount personal property at Farm, Feb. 1, 1878, $2,258.27 Amount personal property at Farm, Feb. 1, 1879, 1,721.65
Depreciation, $536.62
18
CASH RECEIPTS BY OVERSEERS.
To cash in hand, Feb. 1, 1878, .
$34.14
Milk sold, .
319.86
Hay sold, 9.03
Potatoes sold, 1.50
Cow sold Gallagher, 35.00
Cow killed on railroad,
40.00
Shumway's bill (last year's bill),
16.40
Feather beds sold,
13.00
One hundred bushels cider apples,
10.00
Three calves,
23.82
One cow hide,
3.18
One horse hide,
.90
Beef sold, .
2.00
Sold by Kelly at Almshouse,
71.45
Sold by Brock at Almshouse,
I28.86
Irving Paine for hay (last year's bill),
3.05
John McGrory's potatoes (last year's bill),
3.75
$715.94
CASH PAYMENTS BY OVERSEERS.
One shoat, $8.00 ; T. L. Barney, $3.50 ; F. D. Hamant, $II.00; Fish, $1.00, . $23.50
Shorts, $11.00; Kelly, carpet and chairs, $13.00 ; five lots seeds, $ 12.45, 36.45
Advertisement, $1.50 ; meats, three lots, $16.25, 17.75
Crackers, $3.50 ; L. M. Richards, lime, lumber, etc., $9.77, . 13.27
Expense Groveland, $3.00 ; expense, $1.00 ; W. wash- brush, $3.50 ; raisins, 70 cts., . 8.20
Rice, $2.00 ; tea, $4.00 ; 25 lbs. fish, $1.50; C. Hamant, writing, $1.00, . 8.50
Blanchard's bill, $15.00; axe, $1.25; P. Gallagher, cow trade, $22.50, 38.75
H. M. Brock, on salary, $30.00 ; H. M. Brock, do., $23.73 ; do. settlement, $73.26, 126.99
Mr. Allen, $2.76; Cochran, for labor, $18.00; Woods & Co.'s bill lumber, $12.80, 33.56
Amouut carried forward, $306.97
19
Amount brought forward, $306.97 Mr. Tabor, posts, etc., $7.50; nails, etc., $6.97 ; pump and fixings, $28.38, 42.85 A. B. Parker, bull, $24.00 ; C. E. Baker, labor and ex- penses, $5.75, 29.75
Lumber, $2.11 ; cash paid Town Treasurer, $100.31, 102.42
A. B. Parker, use of horse, $5.00 ; Winship's blacksmith bill, $11.45, . 16.45 W. R. Smith, sashes, $2.25 ; S. J. Spear, printing, 75 cts. 3.00
G. W. Kingsbury, lumber and killing hogs, $6.70 ; grind- ing corn, $2.00, 8.70
Aid for C. Kingsbury, $5.00 ; do. Hayford, $1.25, 6.25
Aid for Warren Plimpton, $7.00 ; do. E. G. Babcock, $1.50, . . 8.50
Brock paid out at Almshouse, April 1, 1878, to Feb. I, 1879, . 55.60
Kelly paid out at Almshouse, Feb. 1, 1878, to April I, 1878, 31.30
Cash in hands of Overseers, Feb. 1, 1879, 104.15
$715.94
STATEMENT OF THE ALMSHOUSE DEPARTMENT.
Dr.
Amount paid by Overseers, as per above schedule, . . $611.79
Amount paid by Town Treasurer for paupers in Alms-
house, 1,080.43
Amount due H. W. Brock, salary to Feb. 1, 1879, 3.84
Amount salaries of Overseers in full, 75.00
Cr. $1,771.06
Received by Overseers, as per schedule, . . $715.94 Received by Mr. Fisk for eggs, cranberries, etc., 19.32
Received by Mr. Fisk for hay, 10.24
Bills due the department, 92.54 Amount paid Kelly on last year's salary, 162.47
Providing for 752 tramps, at 20 cts. each, 150.40 Paid by Overseers for paupers out of Almshouse, 14.75 Cash in hands of Overseers, 104.15
Cost of paupers in Almshouse,
$501.25 1,269.81
20
PAUPERS IN ALMSHOUSE.
Silas Allen, 84. George Hunt, 14. Out since last May, Arthur Bailey, 24. Average number of paupers in Almshouse, 21. Average cost of each pauper per week, $4.28.
SUPPORT OF PAUPERS OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
State Lunatic Asylum, Worcester, S. M. Bullard, $186.51
Aid furnished G. Ricker, 5.00
Aid furnished Clarence Kingsbury, $5 by the Overseers, 20.00
Aid furnished J. Hayford, $1.25 by the Overseers, 7.25
Aid furnished Warren Plimpton, $7 by the Overseers, 54.40
Aid furnished E. G. Babcock, 1.50
Aid furnished J. Irving, . 16.15
Aid furnished Mrs. A. E. Lawrence and child, 28.95
Total cost,
$319.76
Respectfully submitted,
H. P. TABOR, Overseers GEO. W. KINGSBURY, of
C. E. BAKER. the Poor.
I have examined the accounts of the Overseers as presented above, for the year ending Feb. 1, 1879, and find them correct.
J. B. HALE,
MEDFIELD, Feb. 11, 1879.
Auditor.
21
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Cash on hand, Feb. 1, 1878, . $19.50
Received from sale of lots, 20.50
$40.00
Paid for labor,
16.90
Cash on hand, Feb. 1, 1879, $23.10
For the Committee,
R. A. BATTELLE.
22
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
MEDFIELD, Feb. 1, 1879. TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN : - -
Gentlemen, - The Board of Fire Engineers have the honor to herewith present their annual report of the condition, operations, and other matters connected with the management and supervision of the Departments entrusted to their care, for the year ending Jan. 31, 1879. Annexed thereto find a detailed statement of the roll of members, a record of fires and alarms that have occurred during the year, together with the amount of loss and insurance, so far as could be ascertained. The apparatus of the Department consists of one hand Fire Engine, complete in its appointments ; one Hose Carriage, with nine hundred feet of good linen hose, and one hundred feet of imperfect hose ; one Hook and Ladder Truck, equipped with ladders, hooks, bars, axes, shovels, forks, lanterns, ropes, and buckets,- all of which are in the most perfect working order. The apparatus is in charge of two regularly organized com- panies, commanded by efficient officers. The Engine Company is composed of thirty-seven men, and the Hook and Ladder Company of thirteen men,- all of whom are able-bodied, well-disciplined, and faithful in the performance of their duties. Realizing the impor- tance of having some persons designated and armed with authority to better protect property at fires, we have caused to be appointed . a police force, and had them assigned as special Fire Police, whose duty it is to attend all fires, and prevent the rough handling of household and other goods, and stripping buildings on fire of windows and doors. The services of the Department have been somewhat of an unusual character. During the past year the De- partment has been called out by fourteen alarms, eleven of which required its services. Many of these threatened destruction to considerable property. During the month of October, several fires occurred in Rocky Woods,- the work of an incendiary. The fire burnt over two hundred or more acres of wood and sprout land. The efforts and watchfulness of the Department prevented a more extended conflagration ; for, after one fire was extinguished, the in-
23
cendiary would apply the match, and start another. The most disastrous fire was the dwelling-house, barn, and carriage-house occupied by F. S. Wight, and owned by the heirs of the late Caleb S. Hamant, which occurred on the evening of November 19. The fire originated in the barn ; which was, when discovered, completely in flames, which spread rapidly to the shed and dwelling-house ad- joining. But, to add to the facilities of the devouring elements, some persons not connected with the Department stripped the dwelling of its windows and doors, thus giving an impetus to the flames, which scarcely could be checked. The firemen responded promptly to the alarm, and worked five hours with untiring zeal, saving the building from entire destruction. Niagara Fire Com- pany, No. 4, of East Medway, and Torrent Fire Company, No. I, of West Medway, came with their engines to our assistance, al- though too late for much effective service ; yet they rendered good aid,- a kindness we did not fail to appreciate and recognize. At the request of the Selectmen of Walpole, this Department attended a fire at that place, and did good service. The incendiary has become bold in his nefarious operation, and defies detection and the law. We earnestly recommend that a liberal standing reward be offered for his detection and conviction. We would also rec- ommend the purchasing of two small chemical fire-extinguishers, to be attached to the Hook and Ladder Truck. They would be of great service, and can be quickly adjusted to a firemen's back, and easily carried to any portion of a burning building, and ready for immediate use. Our roll of members has not in the past, nor does it at the present time, come up to the maximum allowed and required for the apparatus ; this we attribute to the small compen- sation paid to our firemen. And while we fully realize the impor- tance and necessity of urging the strictest economy, yet we should not be short-sighted in exercising it. Medfield in the near past has suffered by fire, losses of thousands of dollars' worth of valu- able property. Mindful of these considerations, and anxious to pro- mote the strength and efficiency of the fire department, we would respectfully recommend that a fair compensation be paid our firemen. In conclusion, we would tender our sincere thanks to the members of the fire department for the prompt, willing, and able manner in which they have discharged their duties.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.