USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1884 > 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.
REPORT
OF THE VARIOUS
BOARDS OF TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON.
INCLUDING THE REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE
Municipal Year Ending March 3, 1884.
MILFORD, MASS .: MILFORD JOURNAL STEAM JOB PRINT. 1884
REPORT.
OF THE VARIOUS
BOARDS OF TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON,
FOR THE
Municipal Year Ending March 3, 1884.
MILFORD, MASS .: MILFORD JOURNAL STEAM JOB PRINT. 1884.
3
TREASURER'S REPORT.
The undersigned, Treasurer of the town of Mendon for the municipal year 1883, respectfully submits the following report of his doings for the consideration of the town.
The Treasurer debits himself with the following items, viz :
1. To assets at last settlement, viz :
Deposit Milford National Bank . $702 60
66
Home National Bank .
743 72
Checks and cash in hand. 416 77
$1863 09
2. To amount borrowed on notes, viz :
Of William H. Aldrich at 5 per cent. . . $500 00
Samuel H. Taft 66 66
339 30
Julius A. George 66 66
.... 500 00
$1339 30
3. To amount received from Collector, viz : From collector of 1882, balance. .... 66 66 1883, in part. .
$55 27
6662 87
$6718 14
4. To amount from Miscellaneous sources, viz :
Balance corporation tax, 1882.
$11 81
Rent of Mendon pond, Dr. Russell
50 00
Pedlar's license, E. A. Willard .
6 00
B. Alley, J. C. Wood.
2 00
Auctioneer's license, S. W. Cook.
2 00
Oil sold, G. B. Williams. .
2 32
State Aid reimbursed, State Treasurer ... Aid Indigent soldiers 66 ...
90 91
- National Bank tax 66
66
...
507 84
Corporation tax
66
· · ·
276 96
Income State School fund, State Treasurer Corporation tax, balance 66
11 57
Lantern sold, H. C. Adams
. 25
Cash balance, A. W. Judson.
3 42
Two stone posts, D Adams.
2 00
Library Catalogues, M. E. Dudley.
4 90
Division Dog tax, County Treasurer
101 84
$1391 75
Amount debits
$11,312 28
220 93 '
96 00
4
The Treasurer credits himself with the following items, viz :
1. By payment of a Bond, viz : To John S. Gaskill, No. 96. : . $1000 00
2. By payment of Notes, viz :
Wm. H. Aldrich $500 00
Samuel H. Taft.
339 30
Julius A. George
500 00
$1339 30
3. By payment of interest on bonds and notes, viz :
Austin Wood. $ 12 50
John G. Metcalf. 25 00
N. R. George.
67 50
S. H. Taft.
10 37
A. C. Thompson
3 50
Wm H. Aldrich
17 77
Julius A. George.
15 00
J. S. Gaskill, Coupon No. 96.
50 00
Sarah Metcalf, 94.
15 00
Austin Wood ..
103
35 00
D. O. Aldrich
101
25 00
Ann Quigley,
100
25 00
Julius A. George, ..
97-99
150 00
Sarah Moffett, . .
102.
15 00
A. C. Thompson, ..
104
30 00
$ 496 64
4.
By abatement of taxes, viz :
1882
$4 00
6.
1883
83 61
5. By payment of taxes, viz :
State tax of 1883. $540 00 County tax of 1883 483 00
$1023 00
6. By National Bank tax refunded to State
11 29
7. By paying 130 town orders By assets in hand, viz :
4952 31
Deposit Home National Bank
$1802 05
Milford
289 52
Check on Home
280 00
Cash in hand .
30 56
$2402 13
Amount credits
$11,312 28
$87 61
5
BONDS OUTSTANDING MARCH 3, 1884.
Sarah Metcalf, due in 1884. No. 94.
$300 00
Julius A. George,
66
66
97
1000 00
Julius A. George,
٠٠
66
99
2000 00
Ann Quigley,
66
66
" 100
500 00
Est. of D. O. Aldrich,
1885
101
500 00
Sarah Moffett,
66
1886
“: 102
300 00
Austin Wood,
66
103
700 00
A. C. Thompson.
66
1887
66
104
600 00
Amount.
$5900 00
NOTES OUTSTANDING MARCH 3, 1884.
A. C. Thompson
$ 70 00
N. R. George
1500 00
J. G. Metcalf
200 00
J. G. Metcalf
300 00
Austin Wood
250 00
$2320 00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN G. METCALF, Treasurer.
Mendon, February 10, 1884.
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The Selectinen respectfully submit the following report of the expenditures of the town for the municipal year ending March 3, 1884 :
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Charles H. Allen, enumerating scholars. $1 50
J. A. George, painting, etc., fence at Library 7 85
A. C. Chilson. 19 37
W. H. Hooker. . : fenceposts 3 00
Francis F. Taft, setting arch at Library.
9 24
J. L. Buxton, repairs of arch at Library .
3 10
J. A. George, freight and expenses on arch at Library ... T. G. Kent, iron safe ..
15 00
A. W. Judson, returning 17 deaths
4 25
Dr. J. Wilmarth, returning birth.
25
Wendel Williams, sawing wood at Record Rooms
75
Dr. J. M. French, returning 3 births
75
David Adams, cash paid for express.
3 69
school books furnished.
16 58
. . storage of fire extinguisher
12 00
A. W. Gaskill, labor on old cemetery. 66 wood for Library.
2 08
25
F. Worcester, highway damage 15.00
Samuel H. Taft, Treas. Taft Public Library. 135 00
N. G. Daniels, Exr., Mortgage note on Hayward Farm .. 154 37
L. A. Cook, fuel for Town Hall. 15 50
$425 34
REPAIRS OF TOWN HALL.
Eldredge & Beatty, papering and materials 33 25
John Taft, plastering and materials . 6 00
Tho mas Strahan, paper . 14 16
Eben Williams, cleaning hall. 25
Robert T. Williams, repairing windows and furniture of hall . 6 50
$61 16
65
G. B. Williams, cash paid for sundries.
3 16
7
PRINTING.
Cook & Sons, town reports, 1883 35 50
66 66 ballots ..
50
66
supplements to Library catalogue. 25 00
66
labels for Library 1 50
66 Selectmen's blank orders 4 00
George W. Stacy, school reports, 1883. 30 00
66
66 tax bills .. 2 25
66 tax notices 1 25
$100 00.
REPAIRS OF SCHOOL HOUSES AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
William W. Nelson, repairs and supplies for No. 1 ..
3 87
A. W. Judson, 66 66
2. .. 75
Edward Dixon, 66 66
66
2. 1 50
Lowell C. Cook,
66
3. 87
G F. Merrill & Co., erasers.
6 00
Samuel H. Taft, woodhouse for No. 6. .
57 30
Edward Dixon, supplies.
17 76
66 exchange of school books
54 86
66 supplies for No. 2. 3 18
1
John C. Wood, 66 .6 66 5. 43
Samuel H. Taft, 66 6. 2 25
H. A. Aldrich, 66 several schools 3 27
Edward L. Smith, use of well for No. 2. 7 00
$160 04
SERVICES OF TOWN OFFICERS. 1
George F. Clark, salary as supt. of schools 1882-83. . . 75 00
Liberty Freeman, " " collector of taxes 1883. . 65 00
A. W. Judson, assessing taxes of 1883 and making duplicate list. . 45 00
35 00
Henry E. Staples, assessing taxes of 1883. 24 25
D. Adams, town clerk, for recording, etc . 19 30
15 00
Martin Thayer, services as constable for 1883-4. 6. 66 "' lockup keeper
5 00
G. B. Williams, 6: '· selectman
38 40
Liberty Freeman, 66 .6
66
66
15 00
A. W. Gaskill, 66 66
66 15 00 . .
J. G. Metcalf, 66 "' treasurer 66
. ....
35 00
$386 95
Austin Wood, assessing taxes of 1883.
8
STATE AID PAID PENSIONERS-CHAP. 301, ACTS 1879.
John Curley. 48 00
Abigail Mitchell. 48 00
James McKenna 9 00
$105 00
AID TO INDIGENT SOLDIERS-CHAP. 252, ACTS 1879.
Abel G. Weatherhead. $15 72
Hugh Crawford. 30 28
$46 00
SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
No. 1.
Mary L. Taft, 3 bills $178 00
William W. Nelson, care of fires. 2 50
66 66 66 wood and fitting. 15 00
66
66 66 cleaning rooms. 2 00
$197 50
No. 2.
PRIMARY AND GRAMMAR.
Mary E. Dudley, three bills. $178 00
Isabel C. Cook, three bills
178 00
J. F. Pickering, sawing wood 75
E. F. Wood, sawing wood.
6 75
William W. Nelson, wood. 5 50
Edward H. Taft, wood .. 24 50
Edward Dixon, shavings and cleaning rooms 3 10
C. C. P. Hastings, care of fires. 6 00
$402 60
No. 3.
Bertha Gaskill, three bills. $140 00
Bertha Gaskill, care of fires 6 00
. Lowell C. Cook, wood. 14 87
$160 87
9
No. 4.
Cora E. Gaskill, three bills. $178 00
Frederick Bates, fuel and fitting 9 60
Frederick Bates, care of fires. 1 00
$188 60
No. 5. 1
Annie W. Gaskill, two bills $90 00
Hattie E. Mason. 50 00.
John C. Wood, fuel and fitting . 9 25
John C. Wood, care of fires
2 00
$151 25,
No. 6.
W. Frank Hayward $48 00
Dora Taft. 60.00
Samuel H. Taft, fuel and fitting 9 00
$117 00
HIGH SCHOOL.
Walter S. Bosworthı, (old bill) $165 00
S. W. Ferguson, three bills. 220 00
$385 00
REPAIRS OF ROADS AND BRIDGES, CURRENT YEAR.
Paid Road Commissioners by six town orders drawn in their favor. $1185 00
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Paid Overseers of Poor by eight town orders drawn in their . $880 00.
favor
10
RECAPITULATION.
Incidental expenses . $425 34
Repairs of Town Hall 61 16
Printing. 100 00
Repairs of schoolhouses and supplies . 160 04
Services of town officers .
386 95
State Aid paid pensioners, chap. 301 . 105 00
indigent soldiers, chap. 252. 46 00
Support of Common schools.
1217 82
" High school ..
385 00
" " Roads and bridges 1185 00
": " Poor. 880 00
$4952 31
The Selectmen also report that the liabilities of the town, known to them, are as follows :
Due on bills against the town. estimated. . . $ 25 00
Due town officers, estimated . 140 00
Due school teachers, estimated. 180 00
Due on town notes outstanding 2320 00
Due on town bonds
5900 00
$8565 00
The available assets, so far as known, are as follows :
Due from collector on list of 1883. $ 119 20
Due from State, aid to pensioners one year, to Jan. 1, 1884. 96 00
Due from State, aid to indigent soldiers one year, to Jan. 1, 1884. 3 86
Cash in hands of treasurer
2402 13
$2621 19
Net indebtedness of town $5943 81
Respectfully submitted,
GUSTAVUS B. WILLIAMS. ) Selectmen ALBERT W. GASKILL, of LIBERTY FREEMAN, Mendon. S
Mendon, Feb. 20, 1884.
11
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
LIBERTY FREEMAN, COLLECTOR FOR 1882.
DR.
Balance uncollected, Feb. 21, 1883
$29 34
Deposit in Home Bank, Milford. 17 00
8 93
Interest received.
$55 27
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer
$51 27
Abatements 400- $55 27
LIBERTY FREEMAN, COLLECTOR FOR 1883.
DR.
Taxes committed for collection
$6722 79
Additional assessments
24 24
Interest received .
35 04
$6782 07
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer
$6579 26
Abatements
83 61
$6662 87
Balance due the Town
119 20
Cash on hand.
28 99
Balance uncollected February 19, 1884
$90 21
12
REPORT OF ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
The undersigned, Road Commissioners, respectfully submit the following report for the municipal year ending March 3, 1884.
The Road Commissioners charge themselves with the following items, viz :
To the balance due Town March 5, 1883 $30 30
To cash received for old plank . 2 00
For use of road scraper .. 11 00
To cash received on Town orders 1185 00
$1228 30
They credit themselves by paying the following bills :
George M. Taft, for labor $ 4 50
W. S. Hastings, for labor 8 25
Walter A. Gaskill, 2 bills 53 15
C. B. Williams, 2 bills
204 75
O. W. Hill, 1 bill for labor
79 50
George W. Taft for road scraper
175 00
Bartlett & Ellis, 1 bill.
16 70
Gilbert Gaskill, 2 bills
21 00
L. P. Cummings, 2 bills.
23 55
Edward H. Taft, 1 bill
30 84
W. W. Nelson, 1 bill .
20
G. A. Staples, 1 bill.
35 25
E. T. Bates, 1 bill .
30 96
Edward Dudley for gravel .
3 75
Silas Dudley for labor
2 25
S. W. Smith for labor
3 75
M. M. Aldrich, for labor
5 62
Dennis Halloran, for labor 4 20
John Barry, 1 bill. 89
F. HI. Wood, for labor and cash paid out. 85 88
S. H. Taft, for labor and cash paid out. 169 76
A. W. Gaskill for labor, and cash paid as per bill.
171 82
13
Paying Williams boys, 3 bills . 11 25 To cash paid for labor and material on special repairs near house of Eli Bates 84 65
Whole amount paid out $1241 47
Amount received by Commissioners. 1228 30
Balance due Commissioners $13 17
Our machine is as good now as when purchased.
SAMUEL H. TAFT, Road
ELIAS T. BATES.
ALBERT W. GASKILL, Commissioners of Mendon.
14
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
The Overseers of the Poor submit the following report for the municipal year ending March 3, 1884.
Elijah Penniman, Lawrence Wilber and Mary Hayward have received a full support. Olive Hayward, Charles H. Allen, Edna Allen, John Lane and wife. Ebenezer Taft and wife, Dennis Hal- loran. Mary Kirby, the families of Jennie Tucker, Daniel Cunning- ham, Henry Moore, Francis R. Scisco, Henry Wilson (living in Spencer), and Walter S. Wilson (living in Athol) having a settle- ment in Mendon. Jonathan Pickering, having a settlement in Black- stone, Hannah K. Thompson and the family of Joseph H. Wood, belonging to Uxbridge, and the wife and child of Michael McNally, having no settlement in the state, have received a partial support.
March 2. 1884, the Overseers agreed with Davis Hill to board and take care of all who may require a full support for the year be- ginning April 1. 1883, for $3 per week for each person so cared for. Also, agreed with James M. Staples to board Charles H. Allen for such labor as the said Allen might perform, for one year, beginning April 1. 1883. Also, agreed with Nancy S. Huse to board and clothe Edna Allen for the year ending April 1, 1884, for the sum of $1 per week.
The Overseers charge themselves with the receipt of, the follow- ing named funds belonging to the town :
Balance from account of last year
$51 10
Eight town orders .
880 00
Wood, lumber and fowls sold.
26 10
A. W. Judson, aid for Olive Hayward .
99 50
Personal effects of Jonathan Pickering.
16 34
Citizens of Mendon benefit Jonathan Pickering 5 50
Town of Blackstone for Jonathan Pickering 25 00
James M. Staples, cider apples. 50
A. Freeman, grass on town farm 20 50
A. Freeman, cash for " 66
310 00
Cash received from Dennis Halloran 81 47
$1517 01
15
The Overseers credit themselves with paying the following. amounts :
For support of Elijah Penniman
$151 55
66 Lawrence Wilber
155 20
66
66 Mary Hayward. 111 65
66
66
66 Olive Hayward.
111 65
" Charles H. Allen
30 55
Edna Allen.
52 00
" John Lane and wife.
107 32
66
" Ebenezer Taft and wife
119 00
66
". Jennie Tucker's family
218 55
66 66 " Daniel Cunningham's family
48 50
" Mary Kirby.
67 35
66
66
" Dennis Halloran
81 47
66
6:
" Henry Moore .
28 59
" Francis R. Scisco
2 75
66
66
" Henry Wilson.
4 00
66 66
" Jonathan Pickering.
46 86
66
66
" Mrs. Michael McNally 75 86
" Joseph H. Wood. 18 98
3 00
Martin Thayer, care of tramps .
2 00
C. B. Williams and L. Freeman, moving paupers and goods . 4 00
A. S. Tuttle, furniture and bedding
24 19
Cook & Sons and G. W. Stacy, printing auction bills ..
2 00
S. Warren Cook, auctioneer, two bills.
6 50
L. Freeman, postage stamps and paper.
1 25
L. Freeman, services as Overseer of the Poor.
30 00
Gilbert Gaskill 66
66
·
8 00
H. E. Staples,
66 66 66
4 00
Leaving a balance in hands of Overseers of .24 0
$1516 77
From the whole amount paid for support of poor. . Deduct what was due for the support of the paupers to March 5, 1883. $72 60
99 50
What has been received for Olive Hayward What has been received for Jonathan Pick- ering . 46 84
81 47
What has been received for D. Holleran .... Due from Commonwealth for Mrs. McNally and child 75 86
Due from Uxbridge for J. H. Wood and Mrs. Thompson 21 98
$1516 77
66
66
" Hannah K. Thompson .
16
A. S. Tuttle, furniture and bedding $24 19 S. W. Cook, two bills, auctioneer. . 6 50
Cook & Sons and G. W. Stacy, two bills printing 2 00- $430 94
$1085 83 Add what will be due for support of paupers to March 3, 1884. 108 00
Cost of supporting the poor for the year ending March 3, 1884.
$1193 83
Respectfully submitted,
LIBERTY FREEMAN, 2 Overseers GILBERT GASKILL, § of the Poor.
Mendon, Feb. 20, 1884.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
MENDON, FEBRUARY 20, 1884.
We have this day examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Treas- urer, Overseers of the Poor, Road Commissioners and Collector of Taxes for the Town of Mendon, and find them correctly kept and properly vouched for.
JULIUS A. GEORGE, AUSTIN A. TAFT, Auditors. ANDREW W. JUDSON, )
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
TOWN OF MENDON TO DAVID ADAMS-DR.
To express paid on Mass. Reports and other .. public Documents . $2 83
To postage paid on Elections, Registration and other returns 61
To cash paid for Stationery 25-$3 69
To attending State Election and Clerks' meet- ing (2 days) . $4 00
To recording, indexing and returning 21 births. . To recording, indexing and returning 18 deaths 3 60
10 50
To recording, indexing and returning 8 marriages 1 20-$19 30
Received for Dog Licenses during 1883.
5 female dogs
$25 00
52 male dogs.
104 00-$129 00
Less Clerk's fees 11 40.
Balance paid to the County Treasurer . $117 60
19
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1883.
DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
NAME OF PARENTS.
1882.
Feb. 26 *Ernest Waterman Russell Thomas J. and Jennie M Russell 1883.
Jan. 27 Lowery
Feb. 10
Jessie Florence Wheeler
Feb. 12 Anna Harriet Pond
Mar. 23 Annie Iola Wheeler
Apr. 8 Mary Warren Allen
Apr. 13 Robert Gerald Hoard
Apr. 18
Eliza Durkev Fletcher
Apr. 19
Richard Ellsworth Hazard William Lennox
May 30
June 29 Edith Gertrude Aldrich
July 7 Charles Nelson Parkhurst
July 22 Joseph Lewis Parkhurst Frank Ballantine
Aug. 5 Sept. 22 Oct. 1 Nov. S Still born
Snow Crawford
Nov. 19 Maud Amanda Taft
Dec. 19 -Darling®
Dec. 22 Still born
Dec. 22 Williams
*Omitted last year.
Jas. R. and Amelia F. Lowery Lyman E. and Susan I. Wheeler Alex. V. G. and Julia E. Pond Fredr'k M. and Arabella Wheeler Charles H. and Myra C. Allen John F. and Mary Hoard Chas. A. and Emma F. Fletcher Harriet McNally
George and Bridget A. Lennox Cassius M. and Mary H. Aldrich Herb't A. and Celia A. Parkhurst Henry H. and Adaline Parkhurst Frank S. and Emily S. Ballantine Erwin A. and Charlotte A. Snow Hugh and Mary Crwford Walter A. and Hattie E. Gaskill Jonathan R. and Amanda Taft George H. and Nancy Darling Edwin A. and Susan Scriven Charles B. and Ada A. Williams
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN 1883.
DATE MARRIAGE. NAME OF GROOM AND BRIDE.
RESIDENCE.
Jan. 24 1883.
George Homer Darling
Mendon
Jan. 24 66 Nancy Parkinson
Mendon
April 2 66 Michael McNally
Uxbridge
April 2 66 Harriet A. Sciscoe
Mendon
April 17 66 Benjamin F. Redfield
Northbridge
April 17 66
Harriet F. Ballou
Meudon
May 29 Fred Elihu Gould
Milford
May 29 66 Deborah Wilcox Southwick
Mendon
May 29 66 Arthur N. Whitney
May 29 66 Ada L. Jennison
Mendon
June 14 66 John C. F. Wheelock
Mendon
June 14 66 Myrtie Williams
Mendon
Oct. 22
66 Thomas F. Scully
Woonsocket, R. I.
Oct. 22
66 Roxanna McKenna
Mendon
Oct. 23
66 Richard P. Madden
Mendon
Oct. 23 66 Sarah Cheney
Mendon
-
Bellingham
20
DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1883.
DATE DEATH.
NAME OF DECEASED.
AGE.
RESIDENCE.
Jan. 19, 1883.
Louisa S. Wood,
60
Mendon
Jan. 27
-. Lowery
-
Mendon
March 16 66
Anna Maria Macker
1-4
Mendon
April 9 66
Charles D. Thayer
22
Mendon
April
12 66
Auburn Gasskill
31
Mendon
April 21
Mary S. Reynolds
78
Mendon
May 4
66
Julia A. Norton
69
Mendon
May
9
Thomas J. Cross
22
Mendon
July 5
Christopher Daniels
73
Mendon
July
29
66
Joseph M. Wood
40
Milford
Aug.
18
66
Jonathan Pickering
65
Mendon
Aug.
18
6:
Robert Gerald Hoard
1-3
Mendon
Aug.
21
Jolın S. Gaskill
75
Mendon
Nov.
17
Henry E. Staples
49
Mendon
The following named persons were former residents of Mendon, but died else- where and were brought here for interment.
Jan.
18 1883.
Melinda Cook
77
Bellingham
Ang. 11
Waity Taft
84
Framingham
Aug.
20 66
Anna W. Hastings
63
Worcester
Dec.
19
Delilah O. Aldrich
78
Millville
(Blackstone)
. .
DAVID ADAMS, Town Clerk.
Mendon, Feb. 18, 1884.
21
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees are gratified to be able to report that the institu- tion continues to be a flourishing one. The Board of Trustees re- organized April 21, 1883. After the end of the Library year, February 2, the Trustees examined the books and found them all accounted for and in good condition.
Miss Mary E. Dudley, the Librarian, has discharged the duties of her office, during the past year, very acceptably to all parties interested, and, fortunately for all who make use of the Li- brary, the Trustees have been able to secure her services for the same position, for the ensuing year, at the same salary of $50 per annum.
The Purchasing Committee have purchased, during the year, new books to the amount of $75.09, and in the selection of the same have endeavored to consult the tastes of all classes of read- ers, so far as the limited means at their disposal would allow.
The Trustees take pleasure in reporting that the promise of one year ago has been fulfilled, and the fence around the Library grounds has been erected and painted. The inhabitants of Men- don are under an additional obligation to Mrs. Susan E. Huston, for the gift of a tasteful iron arch, placed over the gateway to the Library grounds and furnished with a lantern, the bright light from which, on dark winter evenings, serves to guide to the Library door the footsteps of those who seek to utilize the donor's original gift.
During the year; a number of individuals have contributed books to the Library, a's will be seen by the Librarian's report ; to these, and to all who have in any way aided in making the Library useful and attractive, we tender our grateful thanks.
The appropriation of $150, the same sum as last year, is rec- ommended
JULIUS A. GEORGE, Chairman, HORACE C. ADAMS, Secretary, SAMUEL H. TAFT, Treasurer, GUSTAVUS B. WILLIAMS, EDWARD DIXON,
Trustees Taft Public Library.
22
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY :
I respectfully submit for your consideration the following report :
The Library opened for the delivery of books, February 10, 1883. The whole number of books borrowed up to the first of Feb- ruary, 1884 (fifty-one weeks), was 5,172, viz : Agriculture, 47; Biography, 276; History, 327; Travel, 345; Education, 101; Poetry, 77 ; Miscellaneous, 191 ; Novels, 3,279 ; Periodicals, 529. Sixty-three and one-half per cent. of those taken were works of fiction, two per cent. less than last year. The average number bor- rowed each library day was a fraction more than 101. The smallest number taken any day was 66, and the largest number 160. The whole number of borrowers during the library year was 322.
According to the seventh rule, the books were called in for the annual examination on the first Saturday of February, and every book was returned at that time, with the exception of four, which the librarian is satisfied will be returned in due time. They are all in good condition, and none need rebinding at present. Fines for the detention of books beyond the specified time, and cards sold, amount to $10.36. There is due a fine of 50 cents for failure to return a book for examination last year, and four fines of 50 cents each for the above failures this year. During the year, twenty have taken books for reading and reference in the library room. Twelve have consulted the library in reference to lyceum work, and three have taken out books under special rule for disputants. Rev. Mr. Porter has availed himself of the privilege given him of access to the library, fifteen times.
The number of books purchased for the Library was 70 volumes ; 253 bound books, 239 periodicals, and 78 pamphlets have been donated. Mrs. Charlotte A. Mann, 198 volumes, 38 pamphlets ; James H. Cunnabell, 25 volumes ; the Town of Mendon, 15 vol- umes ; Hon. W. W. Rice, 7 volumes ; two volumes each by Dr. Gideon Dickinson and Henry Pierce ; one volume each by Hon. Theodore Lyman, S. W. Ferguson and the School Committee ; De- partment of the Interior, 1 volume, 11 pamphlets ; Rev. George F.
23
Clark, 28 pamphlets ; Franklin R. Rice, 1 pamphlet ; Mrs. Mary D. Bartlett, 47 periodicals ; the Mendon Book Club, 192 periodicals, of which 24 volumes have been bound out of the Library funds.
In July a supplemental catalogue of the books and pamphlets added to the Library since August 1, 1881, was printed.
A portrait of Dr. J. G. Metcalf has been presented to the Library.
The number of bound volumes is 1,961 ; pamphlets, 182.
Seven supplemental catalogues have been given to donors of books.
Six hundred and thirty books have been covered.
MARY E. DUDLEY, Librarian. Mendon, February 7, 1884.
24
TREASURER'S REPORT.
The undersigned, Treasurer of the Trustees of the Taft Public- Library, respectfully submits the following report for the year end- ing February 2, 1884.
The Treasurer charges himself with the following sums :
Balance from last year's accounts $ 13 75
From Mrs. Susan E. Huston (gift) 100 00
Rec'd on two orders of Selectmen 135 00
From the Librarian for fines collected and cards sold. 10 46
$259 21
He credits himself by paying the following sums :
William H. Hooker for building fence. . $100 00
Wm. B. Clark & Carruth, 2 bills, for books and binding .. 84 49
Mary E. Dudley, as Librarian . 50 00
Sundries . . 4 15
G. B. Williams, for books 6 00
$244 64
Making a balance in my hands due the Trustees of . $14 57
SAMUEL H. TAFT.
Mendon, March 3d, 1884.
Examined, found correct and properly vouched for
EDWARD DIXON, G. B. WILLIAMS, Auditors.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
UNDER DIRECTION OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE
TOWN OF MENDON
FOR THE YEAR 1883-4.
MILFORD, MASS .: MILFORD JOURNAL STEAM JOB PRINT. 1884
26
.
REPORT.
FELLOW CITIZENS .- In accordance with the law requiring the annual report of the condition of schools, it becomes my duty to submit to you the report for the year ending April 30, 1884, and in . compliance with the vote of the town, to cause it to be printed with the town report, although there are two schools-High and Albee- ville still in session.
Throughout the year, all the schools, with the exception of the South, and West in the Fall term, have been taught by experienced teachers, most of whom taught the same schools last year.
The parents, so far as your superintendent knows, are satisfied with the teachers who have been employed. A little dissatisfaction existed among some of the parents relative to the High school in the Fall term, but that has, apparently, given way to a better feeling.
Being newly-appointed to office at the commencement of the year, I am unable to speak of the work done since then, in com- parison with what has been done before; but the progress of the schools, generally, during the year, does credit to both scholars and teachers.
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.