USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1882 > Part 1
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REPORT
OF THE VARIOUS
BOARDS OF TOWN 'OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON,
FOR THE
Municipal Year Ending March 6, 1882.
MILFORD, MASS. COOK AND SONS, STEAM JOB PRINTERS, 1882.
Treasurer's Report.
The Treasurer, for the municipal year now brought to a close, respectfully submits the following report of his doings for the con- sideration of the town.
The Treasurer debits himself with the following items :-
1. To assets in hand March 9, 1881, viz. :
Deposit in Milford National Bank. $545 25 66 Home National Bank. . 1,635 13
Due from A. W. Judson, Collector, 1879 . 60 87
Cash on hand. 169 11
$2,410 36
2. To amount borrowed on notes, viz. :
Of B. F. Aldrich on demand. $150 00
W. H. Aldrich on demand. 500 00
650 00
3. Amount borrowed on bonds, viz. :
Of Julius A. George, No. 99. $2,000 00
Ann Quigley, No. 100. 500 00
2,500 00
4. Interest received from Milford Savings Bank . 16 54
5. Amount received of L. Freeman, Collector, viz. : 1881. March 8 for 1880.
July 28 for 1881
96 55
Aug. 10
340 00
Sept. 3 66
800 00
Sept. 10 66
·
·
·
.
·
·
741 00
Sept. 26 66
220 00
Oct. 13 66
545 00
Oct. 22
66
190 00
Oct. 22 for 1880.
49 01
1,500 00
Sept. 17 66
$155 00
4
5. 1881. Oct. 28 for 1881
$150 00
Nov. 8
175 00
Nov. 22
66
205 00
Dec. 5 60
250 00
Dec. 8
66
120 00
Dec. 15
66
100 00
Dec. 24 66
170 00
1882. Jan. 7 60
235 00
Jan. 11
66
175 00
Jan. 20 66
225 00
Feb. 9
270 00
Feb. 11
·
·
120 00
Feb. 16
66
100 00
Feb. 18
18 00
$6,949 56
6. To cash, miscellaneous sources, viz. :
E. P. Gaskill, Highway Surveyor. ... Town of Hopkinton, support of pauper
131 69
G. B. Williams, Town vs. Whiting.
103 97
Dwight Russell, rent of Mendon Pond
50 00
S. W. Cook, auctioneer's license .
2 00
Albert Gardner, plank. .
2 00
G. B. Williams, library catalogues sold
16 00
Town of Hopkinton, support of pauper
61 00
County Treasurer, dividend dog tax.
107 95
State Treasurer, bank tax.
$451 51
Corporation tax.
153 53
State aid.
120 18
Relief indigent soldiers
144 00
Temporary aid to do . . 4 00
873 22
Div. Mass. School Fund.
219 93
G. F. Clark, library catalogues sold
5 09
Error of Selectmen in an order
3
Nails sold A. W. Gaskill.
1 63
Error of Selectmen in an order
64
Amount $14,104 77
The Treasurer credits himself by
1. The redemption of bonds, viz. : By cash paid Julius A. George, No. 86 $2,000 00 Ann Quigley, No. 75 .... 500 00
S. Dudley, Jr., No. 84. . 300 00
D. W. Bennett, No. 89 .. 100 00
$2,900 00
.
·
·
·
·
·
.
.
·
.
·
·
.
·
·
·
.
3 16
5
2. The payment of notes, viz. :
By cash paid B. F. Aldrich $150 00
Sarah Wheelock. 68 72
Wm. H. Aldrich 500 00
M. B. Payson. 374 31
$1,093 03
3. The payment of interest on bonds and notes, viz. :
By cash poid Mary B. Payson, int .... $18 71
Julius A. George, No. 86 100 00
Sarah Metcalf, No. 94 ... 15 00
D. O. Aldrich, No. 87 ... 25 00
Ann Quigley, No. 75 .... 25 00
John S. Gaskill, No. 96 .. 50 00
S. Dudley, Jr., No. 84. . 15 00
D. W. Bennett, No. 89 .. 5 00
50 00
Julius A. George, No. 97 J. G. Metcalf, int.
25 00
Austin Wood, int ...
. .
12 50
Austin Wood, No. 83 ....
25 00
B. F. Aldrich, int. . ...
1 68
L. Forbush, No. 91, 1880
50 00
L. Forbush, No. 91, 1881 50 00
67 50
Sarah Wheelock, int ..... 5 95
Sarah Moffatt, No. 90 ...
15 00
W. H. Aldrich, int. . . ..
14 38
M. B. Payson, int. ....
16 21
A. C. Thompson, No. 92. 30 00
A. C. Thompson, int .... 3 50
620 43
4. By abatement of the Assessors, viz. :
On tax of Sarah Wallace.
$2 10
H. H. Parkhurst
2 00
Myrtie Williams
1' 50
Maria L. Bills
1 50
Stephen Arnold .
1 00
Elias A. Weatherhead.
61
Fayette S. Phettyplace.
61
Thomas Curley ..
1 61
Norman P. Richardson. I 61
Theodore L. Cook.
61
Michael Cunningham
61
Patrick McCaffey
1 61
William S. Kinsley
68
Cert. of Assessors .
70 04
.
89 09
N. R. George, int. ... ...
6
5. By miscellaneous payments, viz. :
Payment of State tax . . $555 00
County tax. 449 00
$1,004 00
6. By paying 198 Town orders
5,792 36
Amount. $11,498 91
By deposit in Milford National Bank 881 00
Home National Bank. 1723 55
Cash in hand .
1 31
Amount $14,104 77
BONDS OUTSTANDING MARCH. 7, 1881.
Ann Quigley $500 00
Austin Wood.
700 00
J. A. George
2,000 00
Silas Dudley, Jr
300 00
D. W. Bennett
100 00
D. O. Aldrich
500 00
Z. G. Wood.
500 00
J. S. Gaskill
1,000 00
Sarah Moffett
300 00
Lovina Forbush.
1,000 00
A. C. Thompson
600 00
Sarah Metcalf
300 00
J. A. George.
1,000 00
Amount
$8,800 00
BONDS OUTSTANDING MARCH 6, 1882.
Ann Quigley
$500 .00
Austin Wood
700 00
J. A. George.
2,000 00
D. O. Aldrich
500 00
Z. G. Wood.
500 00
J. S. Gaskill
1,000 00
S. Moffett .
300 00
Lovina Forbush
1,000 00
A. C. Thompson
600 00
Sarah Metcalf. .
300 00
J. A. George .
1,000 00
$8,400 00
7
NOTES OUTSTANDING MARCH 7, 1881.
Mary B. Payson . $374 31
A. C. Thompson . 70 00
N. R. George. 1,500 00
J. G. Metcalf 300 00
J. G. Metcalf.
200 00
Austin Wood ..
250 00
Sarah Wheelock 68 72
Julius A. George
800 00
Amount
$3,563 03
NOTES OUTSTANDING MARCH 6, 1882.
A. C. Thompson $70 00
N. R. George. 1,500 00
J. G. Metcalf 300 00
J. G. Metcalf 200 00
Austin Wood.
250 00
J. A. George.
800 00
Amount
$3,120 00
RECAPITULATION.
Bonds outstanding March 7, 1881 $8,800 00
66 66 6,1882 8,400 00
Notes outstanding March 7, 1881 3,563 03
66 66
6,1882 3,120 00
From the above it will be seen that the bonds and notes have been reduced by the sum of $843 03.
The money borrowed in the early part of the year, in anticipa- tion of the collection of taxes, ($650 00) has been repaid.
All of which is respectfully submitted for the consideration of the town.
JOHN G. METCALF, Treasurer.
Mendon, February 23, 1882.
Selectmen's Report.
The Selectmen submit the following report of the expenditures of the town for the municipal year ending March 6, 1882 :
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Abner A. Cook, damage received on highway. $3 00
Nancy M. Cummings, poll tax repaid by vote of town. 2 00
Orson R. Wheelock, balance due for care and repairs of town hall .
24 71
Silas Dudley, for ¿ acre of land bought for public school No. 2 ...
A. W. Gaskill, for road scraper 200 00
75 00
F. E. Cook, labor on fence, school house lot No. 2 ..
9 40
Samuel H. Taft, treas. for Taft Public Library .. Bartlett & Ellis, nails for fencing school house lot, &c.
200 00
Gilbert Gaskill, building wall on 66
Field Bros., material for fence for school house lot ...
R. C. Hussey, 66 66
...
L. P. Cummings, labor on fence 66
. ... .
14 55
A. W. Gaskill, 66 66
· · · · ·
32 05
T. E. Morse, paint for fence 66 ... . .
1 28
T. E. Morse, painting Record Building
21 61
A. S. Tuttle, lantern for 66
3 00
J. W. Harris, lamp for Record Room 00
Leander Holbrook, agent, for insurance policy for Record Building, &c .. 40 00
J. Pickering, fitting and carrying in fuel.
05
A. W. Judson, repairs on town hall . 6 00
2 15
A. W. Judson, labor on fence for school house lot No. 2
9 68
A. W. Judson, lock for tomb.
A. W. Judson, balance for care of town hall 1880. 60
6 00
E. P. Gaskill's estate, expense to Foxboro about D. Inman
3 75
4 10
7 75
59 03
12 55
A. W. Judson, returning 24 deaths .
9
J. J. Nutter, new wood house for public school No. 1 .. David Adams, cash paid for sundries. 3 49
$45 37
David Adams, cash paid for school books 11 11
David Adams, for culvert, paid by vote of town 5 00
David Adams, for storing extinguisher
12 00
David Adams, for services as town clerk 17 45
John Barry, sundry repairs and supplies 6 52
$843 20
PRINTING.
Cook & Sons, catalogues for Taft Public Library
$36 00
Geo. W. Stacy, reports and collector's notices
61 50
Cook & Sons, check list 8 00
$105 50
REPAIRS OF SCHOOL HOUSES AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
Jas. J. Nutter, supplies for public school No. 1. M. U. George, repairs
$3 78
A. W. Judson,
66
66
3 40
S. Jones, supplies
66
3 55
R. A. Bates, supplies
60
No. 4.
1 95
Perry Wood, repairs
66
No. 5.
83 47
A. S. Tuttle, 3 chairs
66
66
1 95
R. C. Eldredge, clock and ink
66
66
2 00
M. E. Dudley, supplies
66
25
M. L. Bills,
66
2 75
Samuel H. Taft,
66
2 93
H. A. Aldrich, supplies for schools
6 80
Geo. Rawson, use of well by scholars
5 00
M. U. George, school books exchanged .
69 19
$188 42
TOWN OFFICERS' SERVICES AND EXPENSES.
L. P. Cummings, services as keeper of lockup .. $5 00
Geo. F. Clark, salary as Superintendent Schools 1880-1 75 00
M. C. Gaskill, assessing taxes of 1881. 35 85
E. S. Worthen, 66
66 32 50
Liberty Freeman, collecting taxes of 1880 50 00
A. W. Judson, 60 66 23 00
1879
J. G. Metcalf, services as treasurer and cash paid. 35 45
G. B. Williams, services as selectman 36 77
A. W. Gaskill, 66 66
18 00
66
No. 2.
1 40
10
H. C. Adams, services as selectman and cash paid. . $16 35
G. B. Williams, cash paid . 10 23
A. W. Gaskill, 66 5 05
$343 20
STATE AID, PAID PENSIONERS, CHAP. 301, ACTS OF 1879.
John Curley.
$48 00
Abigail Mitchell 48 00
$96 00
AID TO INDIGENT SOLDIERS, CHAP. 252, ACTS OF 1879.
Michael Grady
1
$102 10
James McKenna
82 01
Dexter Inman . 47 58
Frank A. Weatherhead.
26 07
$257 76
SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
No. 1.
Flora Freeman-Messinger, 4 bills (one old bill) .
$205 00
Jas. J. Nutter, fuel and fitting. .....
25 00
Jas. J. Nutter, care of fires (one old bill)
7 00
$237 00
PRIMARY AND GRAMMAR. No. 2.
Rosa F. George, 3 bills
$190 00
Isabelle C. Cook, 3 bills
190 00
W. W. Nelson, wood
22 00
H. & E. Williams, fitting fuel.
1 75
M. U. George, fuel and fitting same and cleaning rooms
5 50
J. Pickering, fitting fuel .
6 00
Peter O. Gaskill, care of fires
6 00
$421 25
No. 3.
Mary A. Esty, teaching
$50 00
Geneive E. Tyler, 2 bills, teaching.
100 00
Lowell C. Cook, fuel and fitting same.
9 00
Geneive E. Tyler, care of fires
2 00
$161 00
11
1
No. 4.
Ada L. Jennison, 3 bills, teaching
$190 00
R. A. Bates, 2 bills, fuel and fitting same . 11 80
R. A. Bates, 3 bills, care of fires. 1.50
$203 30
No. 5.
Mary E. Dudley, 2 bills, teaching.
$100 00
Cora E. Gaskill, teaching
50 00
Perry Wood, fuel and fitting same .
2 00
Lewis Wood, fuel . .
5 50
Geo. Trask, fitting fuel .
2 50
M. L. Bills, care of fires
3 00
$163 00
No. 6.
Sarah A. Southwick, 2 bills, teaching
$120 00
W. Frank Hayward, teaching .
70 00
Christopher Daniels, fuel and fitting same
12 50
W. F. Hayward, care of fires
2 50
$205 00
HIGH SCHOOL.
J. A. Joy, teaching (old bill) .
$178.75
Jno. C. Worcester. 165 00
$343 75
FUEL FOR TOWN HALL AND HIGH SCHOOL.
B. F. Aldrich, wood .
$2 00
Jona. Pickering, sawing, &c. 75
Barney & Son, 2 bills, coal 27 50
$30 25
CLEARING ROADS OF SNOW.
OLD BILLS.
H. P. Butler, District No. 4.
$3 60
S. H. Taft,
9.
1 50
Albert Gardner, 66
13 1 20
Luther E. Taft, 66
7
11 50
Elias T. Bates,
8.
6 07
Henry E. Staples, “
10
4 35
$28 22
12
SURVEYORS' EXPENDITURES CURRENT YEAR.
District No. 1.
Edward H. Taft
$65 06
66
2. David W. Bennett.
75 68
.
66
3. Erwin A. Bates, 3 bills.
116 68
60
4. Hiram P. Butler, 2 bills
92 56
66
5. Willis Gould.
75 00
66
6. John C. Wood, 2 bills
95 77
66
7. Luther E. Taft
127 85
66
8. John R. Hayward, 2 bills
75 00
66
9. Samuel H. Taft, 2 bills. 79 77
66
10. Henry E. Staples, 2 bills
70 00
66
11. Erastus Hill, 2 bills.
68 82
66
12. Albert W. Gaskill, 3 bills
70 00
13. Albert Gardner, 2 bills 71 17
$1,083 36
CLEARING ROADS OF SNOW.
District No. 4.
Hiram P. Butler $8 46
60
6. John C. Wood
19 20
66
7. Luther E. Taft.
41 15
66
8. John R. Hayward.
30 41
66
9. Samuel H. Taft
15 67
66
10. Henry E. Staples
20 56
66
11. Erastus Hill.
1 18
66
12-13. Albert W. Gaskill 8 40
$145 03
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Paid Overseers of Poor by six town orders, drawn in their favor at different times.
$940 00
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES.
Incidentals
$843 20
Printing
105 50
Repairs of school houses and supplies.
188 42
Town officers.
343 20
State aid to pensioners.
96 00
State aid to indigent soldiers
257 76
Support of common schools.
1,390 55
High school.
343 75
Fuel for town hall. 30 25
13
Roads and bridges. $1,256 61
Support of poor 940 00
$5,795 24
The Selectmen also report that the liabilities of the town known to them are as follows :
Due town officers, estimated $180 00
Due teachers of public schools, estimated. 221 00
Due surveyors on snow bills, estimated ... 40 00
Town notes outstanding
3,120 00
Town bonds 8,400 00
$11,961 00
The available assets so far as known are as follows : Taxes uncollected . . $90 16
Due from State, aid to pensioners 96 00
indigent soldiers. . . .
128 88
Cash in hands of treas. and on deposit ...
2,605 86
$2,920 90
Net indebtedness of town
$9,040 10
Respectfully submitted,
GUSTAVUS B. WILLIAMS,
Selectmen ALBERT W. GASKILL, of HORACE C. ADAMS, Mendon.
Mendon, Feb. 23, 1882.
Collector's Report.
LIBERTY FREEMAN, COLLECTOR FOR 1880.
Dr.
Balance uncollected February 22, 1881. $192 08
Interest received .. 11 93 ...
$204 01
Cr.
By cash paid Treasurer
$199 91
Abatements. 4 10
$204 01
LIBERTY FREEMAN, COLLECTOR FOR 1881.
Dr.
Taxes committed for collection $6,770 48
Additional assessments 20 00
Interest received 45 23
$6,835 71
Cr
By cash paid Treasurer
$6,671 51
Abatements 74 04
$6,745 55
Balance uncollected February 20, 1882
$90 16
Overseers' Report.
The Overseers' of the Poor submit the following report for the municipal year ending March 6, 1882.
At the commencement of the year, Freeman Miles, Nathan Streeter and Elijah Penniman were receiving a full support at Michael Broughey's.
Ezra W. Allen was partially supported at the School for Idiotic and Feeble Minded Youth.
Charles H. Allen was partially supported at James M. Staples'.
Ebenezer Taft and family were partially supported.
John Lane and wife were receiving some aid.
Mrs. Carberry and her three children (having a settlement in Hopkinton) were receiving aid in this town.
Mary and Olive Hayward were receiving aid and have been since. Their guardian, Ezekiel P. Gaskill, having instructed the Over- seers' to provide for them, agreeing on his part to reimburse the town. Their present guardian, Andrew W. Judson, has given like instructions.
The families of George P. Tucker and Daniel Cunningham were receiving aid at their homes in Milford.
March 15, 1881. Nathan Streeter ceased to be chargeable for the present.
March 17, 1881. The Overseers contracted with Mic'l Broughey to board and take care of all persons who may require a full sup- port as paupers any time during the year from April 1, 1881, to April 1, 1882, for $2 10 per week for each person so cared for. Also agreed with James M. Staples to board Charles H. Allen for the sum of forty dollars ($40) for one year, commencing April 1, 1881.
April 1, 1881. Ebenezer Taft and family ceased to be charge- able.
April 3, 1881. Nathan Streeter became chargeable.
June 15, 1881. Lawrence Wilber went to Mr. Broughey's and has since received full support.
Oct. 6, 1881. William A. Aldrich applied for relief which was granted, and Upton, his place of settlement, notified.
16
Nov. 5, 1881. Nathan Streeter died at Mr. Broughey's, aged 85 years, and was buried Nov. 7th at Northbridge.
Dec. 31, 1881. Levi L. Newton, being in destitute circumstances and unable to labor on account of a severe cut in the foot, was car- ried to Mr. Broughey's and there supported. Shrewsbury, his legal place of settlement, was notified.
Jan. 5, 1882. George W. Brown, being in needy circumstances, applied for relief for himself and family ; aid was granted. Ux- bridge, his legal place of settlement, was notified.
Elkanah Clark, being in feeble health and destitute, applied to this Board for relief, which was granted. Sharon, his supposed place of settlement, was duly notified.
Jan. 26, 1882. Ebenezer Taft and wife, living in Milford but having a settlement in this town, being in needy circumstances applied to this Board for relief; aid was granted.
Feb. 9, 1882. Mrs. Amanda M. Smith, being sick and destitute, applied for relief; aid was granted. Uxbridge, her place of settle- ment, was duly notified.
The Overseers charge themselves with the receipt of the follow- ing named funds belonging to the town :
By balance from account of last year. $7 03
To cash received on six Town Orders 940 00
By cash left by Nathan Streeter. 2 06
Of Town of Shrewsbury, support of Levi L. Newton ... 9 00
Upton, support Wm. A. Aldrich 50 15
Uxbridge, support of paupers. 43 21
$1,051 45
The Overseers credit themselves with the payment of th1 follow- ing sums :
Michael Broughey, for boarding Freeman Miles, 12 6-7 weeks, at $2 00 per week .. $25 71 Michael Broughey, for boarding Freeman Miles, 39 2-7 weeks, at $2 10 per week. 82 50
One pair shoes 1 50
$109 71
Michael Broughey, for boarding Elijah Penniman, 12 6-7 weeks, at $2 00 per week .. . . $25 71 Michael Broughey, for boarding Elijah Penniman, 39 2-7 weeks, at $2 10 per week. 82 50
17
To paying for repairing pants and tapping shoes for Elijah Penniman. . · $ 60
Clothing for Elijah Penniman.
12 00
Medical attendance for Elijah Penniman. 5 37
$126 18
Michael Broughey, for boarding Lawrence Wilber, 28 3-7 weeks, at $2 10 per week.
$59 70
Clothing for the same ..
1 95
George Rawson, to repairing shoes 1 25
$62 90
Michael Broughey, for boarding Nathan Streeter, 6 weeks, at $2 00 per week.
$12 00
Michael Broughey, for boarding Nathan Streeter, 30 6-7 weeks, at $2 10 per week.
64 80
A. W. Judson, for sexton services for the same. . . Gilbert Gaskill, for digging and filling grave for same .. E. P. Gaskill, to journey to Milford for coffin for N. Streeter
1 00
Medical attendance for Nathan Streeter.
11 00
Rev. Geo. F. Clark, for attending funeral N. Streeter .. 1 50
$94 30
Michael Broughey, for boarding William Dwyer, 4 weeks, at $2 00 per week. 8 00
School for Idiotic and Feeble Minded Youth, for cloth- ing for Ezra W. Allen
16 63
James M. Staples, for boarding Chas. H. Allen, 12 6-7 weeks, at $1 00 per week.
$12 86
James M. Staples, for boarding Chas. H. Allen, from April 1, 1881, to Jan. 1, 1882
30 00
For clothing for the same.
12 10
$54 96
Ebenezer Taft, for aid for self and family :
H. L. Patrick, for groceries
$21 52
W. Chapin, meat .. 10 25
J. E. Darling, milk.
1 64
E. P. Gaskill, paid cash
4 17
L. Freeman, paid cash .
11 42
$49 00
David Sherin, for support of Mrs. Carberry and three Children
61 65
2.
2 00
2 00
18
Paid S. Jones, for goods delivered to Mary and Olive Hayward ..
$62 19 L. Freeman, for goods delivered to Mary and Olive Hayward . 4 84
H. L. Patrick, for oil and tobacco for Mary and Olive Hayward. 60
James M. Staples, 4 cords oak wood, for Mary and Olive Hayward 18 00
W. F. Hayward, sawing and fitting oak wood for fire, for Mary and Olive Hayward . 8 00
W. C. Chapin, 82 lbs. ham, for Mary and Olive Hayward . 1 12
1 75 E. Gassett, meat, for Mary and Olive Hayward .. H. L. Patrick, ham, 60 66 2 25
Shoes, for Mary and Olive Hayward.
3 00
E. P. Gaskill, for labor and cash paid to Mary and Olive Hayward. 9 75
$111 50
H. L. Patrick, for goods furnished John Lane ... 16 00
W. Chapin, meat for John Lane. 5 80
$21 80
P. Lynch, groceries for George P. Tucker
134 00
L. A. Cook, wood 66 66
... 10 50
$144 50
P. Lynch, groceries for Daniel Cunningham 25 00
Withington & Son,
. .
20 00
L. A. Cook, coal and wood 60
25 75
$70 75
S. Jones, goods delivered to Wm. A. Aldrich.
44 02
David Adams, school books for 66 . 6 13
$50 15
S. Jones, goods delivered to Elkanah Clark. 5 00
H. L. Patrick, goods for George W. Brown. 7 00
A. W. Judson, burying child of Geo. W. Brown. 1 00
$8 00
19
Lorraine P. Cummings, care of tramps. $2 50 E. P. Gaskill, services as Overseer of the Poor, postage and stationery. . 17 00
Liberty Freeman, services as Overseer of Poor for the municipal year ending March 6, 1882. 20 00 . L. Freeman, postage and stationery . 50.
$20 50
Gilbert Gaskill, services as Overseer of Poor for municipal year ending March 6, 1882. ... 10 00
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS.
By balance from account of last year $7 03
To cash received, Town Orders. 940 00
Nathan Streeter 2 06
Shrewsbury .
9 00
Upton . .
50 15
Uxbridge
43 21
$1,051 45
SUMMARY OF PAYMENTS.
Freeman Miles
$109 71
Elijah Penniman.
126 18
Lawrence Wilber
62 90
Nathan Streeter
94 30
William Dwyer
8 00
Ezra W. Allen.
16 63
Charles H. Allen
54 96
Ebenezer Taft
-49 00
Mrs. Carberry
61 65
Mary and Olive Hayward
111 50
John Lane.
21 80
George P. Tucker.
144 50
Daniel Cunningham.
70 75
William A. Aldrich
50 15
Elkanah Clark .
5 00
George W. Brown.
8 00
Lorraine P. Cummings
2 50
E. P. Gaskill .
17 00
Liberty Freeman .
20 50
Gilbert Gaskill
10 00
$1,045 03
Leaving a balance in hands of Overseers of. 6 42
20
From the whole amount paid for the support of the poor $1,045 03 Deduct what was due Michael Broughey, for the support of paupers to March 7,1881. $56 28
What was due James M. Staples, March 7, 1881 .. 9 43
What was due Lorraine P. Cum- mings, March 7, 1881. .. . ... What has been paid out on account of Mary and Olive Hayward .... Received from Nathan Streeter.
2 50
111 50
Shrewsbury
9 00
Upton .
50 15
Hopkinton
46 80
Uxbridge $43 21, less $16 47 reported last year. ..
26 74
Is due from Sharon 5 00
$319 46
$725 57
Add what is due Michael Broughey, by esti- mation, for suyport of paupers to March 6, 1882. $66 90
What is due James M. Staples, for sup- port of Charles H. Allen to March 6,1882 .. 7 15
What is due Martin Thayer, by estima- mation, to March 6, 1882, for tak- ing care tramps. 80
74 85
Cost of supporting the poor for the year ending March
6, 1882. Respectfully submitted,
$800 42
LIBERTY FREEMAN, GILBERT GASKILL, Overseers of the Poor.
Mendon, February 20, 1882.
2 06
Auditors' Report.
MENDON, Feb. 24, 1882.
We have this day examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Treas- urer, Overseers of the Poor, and Collector of the Town of Mendon, and find them correctly kept and properly vouched for.
AUSTIN A. TAFT,
HENRY E. STAPLES, S Auditors.
First Annual Report of the Trustees of the Taft Public Library.
The library is in a prosperous condition, as the reports of the Librarian and Treasurer, to which attention is called, fully prove.
The town appropriation of $200 was expended by Messrs. H. C. Adams and G. B. Williams, committee, for shelves, counter, new windows and curtains, whitewashing, papering, painting, and otherwise fitting up the Record Rooms. Mrs. Huston's gift of $1,000 was expended for books by Rev. Geo. F. Clark and G. B. Williams, committee.
The Selectmen at the expense of the town painted the outside of the Record Building, covered the table, varnished some of the town's furniture and procured lamps for the room they use.
The sign which adorns the outside of the building was the gift of Mr. Lewis A. Boyden, of Worcester. In addition to the portrait of Rev. N. A. Staples, mentioned in the Librarian's report, there are in the larger room portraits of Mrs. S. E. Huston, and of her broth- er, Putnam W. Taft, the former given by Mr. Huston, the latter by Mrs. Huston.
The amount realized from the inauguration dinner, supplemented by gifts, one of $10 from Mrs. Huston, and another of $5 from Mrs. Hooper, of Fall River, enabled the Trustees to purchase a stamp and other needed articles, to make a concrete walk, and finish the grading of the ground before the Record Building. Various citizens had before this generously given labor sufficient to nearly complete the grading required.
A great and increasing interest in the library has been shown by our citizens. Men and women alike have given much time to various necessary work in and around the building, and to preparing and cataloguing the books. The Librarian has charged nothing for his services up to Feb. 4, 1882. His report will give but a slight idea of the extent and importance of his work, but it does show how eagerly and generally the books have been taken.
23
The Trustees may be pardoned for saying here that certain ex- pressions of satisfaction with the results of their own labors have been heard from various sources, and have been very gratifying to them. Much of their work was unfamiliar, responsible and per- plexing. They have given to it anxious thoughts and days, some of them weeks, of time. They expected no direct compensation, of course, but they had some hope of winning a measure of approval of their work from those who were to enjoy its fruits with them ; and they gratefully acknowledge that they have received tokens of that approval much more marked than they expected, and possibly be- yond their deserts.
An appropriation of one hundred and fifty dollars for the Library is now recommended.
New shelves will soon be needed. Books must be rebound, a Librarian paid, and other expenses met ; while all money not other- wise required should be spent for new books. Freely we have re- ceived, let us freely give.
The Trustees congratulate the town upon the successful inaugu- ration and working of this valuable institution.
We record our gratitude for all the generous gifts of its friends. We believe it will prove of permanent and increasing value, and we confidently appeal to our fellow citizens for its continued and liberal support.
HOMER W. DARLING. Chairman, GEO. F. CLARK, Secretary, SAMUEL H. TAFT, Treasurer, HORACE C. ADAMS, GUSTAVUS B. WILLIAMS,
Trustees of Taft Public Library.
Mendon, Feb. 20, 1882.
Librarian's Report.
To the Trustees of The Taft Public Library :
In the performance of my duty as Librarian I submit for your consideration the following report :
The whole number of books purchased by the fund given by Mrs. Susan E. Huston, of Providence, R. I., was 895. Previous to Aug. 1st, 1881, when the catalogue was made out, 497 additional books had been given, viz. : Rev. Carlton A. Staples, 50 vols. ; Charles J. Staples, 7 vols. ; Dr. John G. Metcalf, 15 vols. ; Mrs. Nancy M. Cummings, 2 vols. ; Amos A. Lawrence, Esq., 2 vols. ; Mrs. Marie L. Bills, 23 vols. ; Mrs. Mary D. Bartlett, 18 vols. ; George F. Clark, 52 vols. ; the Mendon Book Club, 69 vols. ; and also 110 vols. of periodicals, which were bound out of part of the money do- nated by Mrs. Huston ; the proprietors of the Agricultural Library, 54 vols. ; the town of Mendon, 70 vols., all but two of which for- merly belonged to the Second School District Library ; John Ward Dean, Salona A. Crane and the City of Worcester, 1 each. There have also been collected and put upon the library shelves 22 bound volumes (from the 22d to the 44th, inclusive, with the exception of the 41st,) of the Reports of the Board of Education, sent yearly to the school committee. Several of the previous and unbound reports are also in the library, but are not on the catalogue. The Book Club, in addition to what is stated above, have donated about 375 miscellaneous unbound periodicals, some of which are badly defaced and of not much value.
Since the catalogue was printed, 86 bound volumes have been given, namely : 1 each by the National Bureau of Education, Mrs. Sarah Metcalf, M. C. Gaskill, Alderman C. Cook, the Southbridge Public Library, the Library of the late Rev. N. A. Staples, and Mrs. S. E. Huston ; 2 vols. each by Olney Cook and A. V. G. Pond ; 3 vols. by Rev. C. A. Staples ; 6 vols. by Dr. J. G. Metcalf; 13 vols. by Mrs. Hannah (Gaskill) Sprague; 20 vols. by the Swedenborgian Publishing House, and 33 vols. by the American Unitarian Associa-
25
tion. In addition, 26 pamphlets have been received from various persons. The whole number of bound books is now 1478. Some of them need rebinding. A portion of the periodicals and the pam- phlets ought to be bound so as to preserve them.
The Library opened for the delivery of books Aug. 20, 1881. The whole number of books borrowed up to the first of February (5 months and a half) was 3,587, viz. : agriculture, 99; biography, 320; history, 228; travels, 276 ; education, 98; poetry, 98; mis- cellaneous, 175 ; novels and stories, 2,098; periodicals, 195. A little less than 59 per cent. of those taken were works of fiction.
The average number borrowed each library day was a fraction more than 149. The smallest number taken any day was 93, and the largest number was 181. The whole number of borrowers was 329.
Agreeably to the 7th rule, the books were called in for the annual examination on the first Saturday of February, and every book was returned at that time except one, which had been badly damaged, and was promptly paid for, and has been replaced.
Fines for the detention of books beyond the specified time, amounting to $4 20, have been collected. There is now due from H. C. Bullen for fines, 20 cents. He has been notified of the fact, but has not paid the amount.
Since the opening of the library a beautiful crayon picture of the late Rev. N. A. Staples, a native of the town, has been hung upon the walls of the room, the gift of his brother, Rev. C. A. Staples.
In conclusion, I will say that more shelf room for books will soon be needed.
GEORGE F. CLARK, Librarian.
Mendon, February 15, 1882. .
Treasurer's Report,
The undersigned, Treasurer of the Trustees of the Taft Publlc Library, respectfully submits the following report :
The Treasurer charges himself by receiving the following sums : On order of Selectmen. . $200 00
From Mrs. Susan E. Huston 1,000 00
From proceeds of inauguration dinner. 52 90
From the Librarian, for fines collected and paper and
cards sold. 5 32
Making a total of $1,258 22
The Treasurer credits himself as follows :
Cash paid Chapman & Winn
$160 00
66
J. W. Harris
3 90
66
T. E. Morse. .
29 75
Fred. Swasey
5 00
66
Wm. B. Clark.
900 00
66
:6
91 63
66
G. B. Williams
31 25
66
A. S. Sampson.
13 88
66
T. E. Morse. ..
4 00
66
Albert W. Gaskill
8 50
66
G. B. Williams.
1 35
66 G. F. Clark. 1 71
Making a total paid out of. $1,250 97 Making a balance in my hands due the Trustees of .. 7 25
SAMUEL H. TAFT.
Mendon, Feb. 20, 1882.
Examined, found correct and properly vouched for.
G. B. WILLIAMS, H. C. ADAMS, Auditors.
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