USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > North Reading > Town of North Reading Annual Report of the Town Officers 1857 > 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.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Receipts and Expenditures
OF THE
TOWN OF NORTH READING,
FROM
MARCH 1, 1856, TO MARCH 1, 1857.
ALSO, THE
Superintending School Committee's
REPORT. FLINT LIBRARY NORTH READING
BOSTON : J. C. FRENCH'S STEAM PRESSES, 17 WASHINGTON ST. 1857.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Receipts and Expenditures
OF THE
TOWN OF NORTH READING,
FROM
MARCH 1, 1856, TO MARCH 1, 1857.
ALSO, THE
Superintending School Committee's
REPORT.
BOSTON: J. C. FRENCH'S STEAM PRESSES, 17 WASHINGTON ST. 1857.
OVERSEER'S REPORT.
Names, Ages and Condition of the Inmates of Almshouse.
AGES.
Jotham McIntire, -
68 years.
Daniel Buxton,
65
Phebe Flint,
61
66
Rebecca Floyd, (insane)
50
66
Jane McIntire,
28
66
John P. McIntire,
3
66
Amy Wardwell,
92
66
James Shurtliffe, -
79
66
-
-
8
Average,
-
-
7 1-5
Present,
-
-
8
Inventory of Personal Property.
2 Oxen
$160 00
3 Cows, 135 00
Hay, Corn, Fodder and Straw,
120 50
Grain and Meal, 24 10
Fowls, 8 25
Wood and Lumber,
444 00
Farming Utensils,
144 95
Household Furniture, Crockery, Bed'g, &c.266 20 Provisions, 229 70
Engine Hose,
71 00
Manure,
50 00
$1.653 70
-
Whole number,
4
Expenses connected with the Poor at Almshouse.
Paid for West India Goods and Groceries,
$75 47
66 Flour,
36 68
66 Meat, 27 03 ; Fish, 2 53, 29 56
66 Bread,
4 48
66 Grain and Meal,
68 75
66
Clothes, Bedding and Shoes,
29 60
66 Stock and Swine,
26 00
66 Farming Utensils,
4 43
66 Seeds,
3 33
66
Household Furniture,
272 21
66 Pasturing Cow,
4 00
66 Blacksmiths' bill,
17 79
66
Repairs on House,
17 62
66
Sawing Lumber,
6 77
Physicians Bill,
5 25
Miscellaneous Expenses,
16 01
66
Salary of Keeper,
255 00
$881 57
Credits and Receipts.
By Timber and Lumber sold,
104 69
66 Wood sold,
154 08
Produce sold, 178 43
" Stock sold,
36 76
Labor done off the Farm,
190 08
66 Entertainment of sundry persons, 18 53
$682 57
Balance against the Alshouse, $199 00
SAMUEL P. BREED, ) Overseers BENJAMIN EAMES, of
MARCH 1, 1857.
GEO. K. PARKER, the Poor.
8 62
66
Hired Labor,
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Orders Drawn by the Selectmen.
For supplies for the Almshouse, 199 00
For Expenses of Poor out of the Almshouse.
For the family of Addison McIntire, 3 50
66 " John Banker,
15 00
Hannah Wilkins,
6 00
66 Mrs. Nancy Moore,
9 63
the family of F. R. Bedell,
3 39
Augusta McIntire in State Asylum,
68 25
Physician's bill for Wm. Brown,
3 00
112 77 66 " Helen McIntire, 4 00
For Services of Town Officers.
Charles P. Howard as Town Clerk, 12 00
Same for Recording Births and Deaths, and for other services, 29 71 41 71
Sam'l P. Breed as Selectmen, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor,
59 70
Benjamin Eames services as same, 37 25
George K. Parker services as same,
29 25 126 20
Sumner S. Abbott as Treasurer and Collector, 45 00 Same for extra official duty, 5 00 50 00
George K. Parker as Superintending School Committee, 16 00
13 75
George Allen as same,
9 00. 38 75
Sylvester Eaton as Constable,
8 50
Charles Weston, 66
8 33
16 83
Sam'l P. Breed, journeys out of town,
16 15
Amount carried forward,
$601 41
Samuel P. Breed as same,
6
Amount brought forward, $601 41
Expenses connected with the Town Hall.
Paid for remodelling parish meeting house, 1508 00 66 for furnishing Town Hall, 345 68
for repairs on Town Hall, 27 10 1880 78
Expenses of Committees.
Paid John F. Hammond as Committee on Town Hall, 26 25
66 Elbridge A. Howard as same, 14 00
66 Warren Eaton as same, 6 00
Daniel Flint as same, 1 50
47 75
66 By the above committee for legal advice 15 50
66 For plans and specifications, 12 00
66 By the Selectmen for legal advice, 10 00 37 50
66 Daniel Flint committee on Lynnfieid line, 3 25
66 Sam'l P. Breed, " 66 66 66 6 90
Peter G. Flint, 66 66 66
66 2 00 12 15
For Survey of Lynnfield line,
4 00
66 Sam'l P. Breed as Committee on suit to S. J. Court, 10 15
" Thomas Abbott Auditing Committee, 1 25
For Distribution of School Money.
Franklin School District, 209 03
School District, No. 1. 209 03
66 66
No. 2. 209 03
66 66 No. 3.
209 03
66
66 No. 4. 209 03
1045 15
For Expense of Roads.
For timber and lumber for roads and bridges, 24 35
For Repairing, 66 91'59
For Extra Highway Work, 58 81 174 75
For Clearing Snow from Higyways.
Sylvester F. Hayward's, District, 16 00
Oliver Swain's, 66 8 55
Amount carried forward, $3,814 89
7
Amount brought forward,
$3814 89
Timothy Dame's,
11 73
Sam'l Batchelder's, 66
29 49
Varnum Holt's, 66
49 00
Abijah Flint's,
66
21 75
Lyman Taylor's,
66
41 85
Washington Buxton's,
66
14 50
Lyrander Upton's,
66
40 75
George Flint, 2d,
18 50
252 12
Miscellaneous Expenses.
Paid for Printing Annual Report,
17 00
66
" Obtaining
2 75
66
" Printing Assessor's notices,
1 50
66
Tax Bill and Stationery,
4 75
66
" Interest on Notes,
138 00
66 Land tor Gravel,
46 87
66 66
Gravel,
3 50
% 66
Railroad Hall for Town Meeting,
500 -
66 Care of Town Hall,
25 75
66 Use of Ploughs on the Highways,
1 50
Wood and Lights for Town Hall,
26 70
66
School Books,
29 23
State Tax,
433 00
66
County Tax,
422 01
66 Postage,
50
66
Overtaxation of sundry persons,
10 04
66 Abatement of Taxes,
26 20
1194 30
$5261 31
MAR. 1, 1857.
SAMUEL P. BREED, BENJAMIN EAMES, GEO. K. PARKER,
Selectmen of North Reading.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Credits and Receipts.
Balance from last years account, $1595 19
Tax List committed to collect, 3179 65
Hired money, 1100 00
Rec'd of Massachusetts School Fund, 45 15
66 for Rent of Town Hall, 46 62
66 from agent for the sale of Liquors, 27 32
66 for license, 3 00 $5,996 93
Paid to order of the Selectmen,
$5,261 31
Balance in favor of the Town in Treasurer's hands, 735 62
Due from the Town of Middleton, 6 00
for rent of Town Hall, 23 25
66 on Note,
29 50
$58 75
Total, 794 37
Outstanding Notes, 3,400 00
Interest on the same, 175 82
Total liability of the town,
3,575 82
Balance to debt,
$2,781 45
SUMNER S. ABBOTT,
March 1, 1857.
Treasurer and Collector.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
DISTRICT No. 1 .- SUMMER TERM. Teacher,-MISS ABBY HOLT.
Length of term 13 weeks ; wages per week 7.50 ; amount paid $97,50 ; whole number of Scholars 65 ; average atten- dance 47.
This school under the instruction of Miss Holt, was well conducted ; showing at its examination a quiet and orderly appearance, very satisfactory to your Committee, and reflect- ing credit upon its teacher. The, scholars, however, had not made that proficiency in their studies which we could have desired ; although generally the recitations were well deliver- ed, and in many instances showed a marked improvement. Taken as a whole, this school may be considered a success- ful one.
WINTER TERM. Teacher,-ROBERT M. MORSE, JR.
Length of term, 10 weeks ; wages per week $8,75 ; amount paid $87,50 ; whole number of scholars 54 ; average atten- dance 46.
Mr. Morse brought to this school no experience in the arduous and difficult task of teaching a District School. Yet understanding somewhat its difficulties, and earnestly de- sirous to meet the wishes of your committee, and of the par- ents of his pupils, he has by energy and perseverance obviated
10
the necessity of experience, and kept though a short, yet a very successful school. Much praise is due this teacher for the throughness of instruction during this term, showing at the examination of the school that what was done, was well done.
DISTRICT No. 2 .- SUMMER AND WINTER TERMS. Teacher,-MISS HEPSIBETH DAMON.
Length of Summer term, 20 weeks. Wages per week, $5. Amount paid, $100. Whole number of Scholars, 49. Aver- age attendance, 32.
Length of Winter term, 12 weeks. Wages per week, $6. Amount paid, 72.00. Whole number of Scholars, 46. Aver- age attendance, 30.
This school under the instruction of Miss. Damon, has made good progress. The order at the close of the Summer Term, was not so good as we expected from the appearance of the school during the term. This fault was corrected at the com- mencement of the Winter Term, and at the close it was all that we could desire in that respect. The recitations, were thorough and well understood. This was Miss Damon's first attempt at teaching ; but the school would have done credit to one more experienced. We predict that she will make a su- perior teacher.
DISTRICT No. 3 .--- SUMMER TERM. Teacher,-MISS MARGARET F. JENKINS.
Length of term, 15 weeks. 'Wages per week, 6.50. Amount paid, 97.50. Whole number of Scholars, 36. Average at- tendance, 24.
This school was distinguished for good discipline, and a thorough understanding of all the branches that were taught during the term. Miss Jenkins is an experienced teacher, and has long ranked as one of the first whose services this town has had the good fortune to secure. Nothing that we can say, will add to her well earned reputation.
11
WINTER TERM. Teacher,-PELEG WADSWORTH, JR.
Length of term, 10 weeks. Wages per week 9.25. Amount paid, 92.50. Whole number of Scholars, 20. Average at- tendance, 16.
Mr. Wadsworth deserves much credit for the manner in which he has governed this school and brought it to so success- ful a termination. This school has enjoyed throughout the year, the benefit of excellent teachers ; and considering the small number of scholars that have attended, has afforded the best opportunity for acquiring an education, of any in town.
DISTRICT No. 4 .- SUMMER TERM.
Teachers,-MISS MARY R. SHELDON, AND MISS ELIZABETH DAMON.
Length of term, 17 weeks. Wages per week, 6.00 and 5.00. Amount paid, 91.80. Whole number of Scholars 40. Average attendance 29.
Unfortunately for the interests of this school, a misunder- standing arose between Miss Sheldon and some of the pupils and parents in this district. Peculiarly sensitive in such mat- ters, the teacher could not be persuaded to remain until the close of the term. This break in the school, with its attendant hard words, and hard feelings, proved fatal to its success. Miss Sheldon was succeeded by Miss Damoil, who endeavored but in vain to retreive its fortunes. Some improvement, par- ticularly in the exercise of reading was observable, but your committee feel obliged to report this school, a failure.
WINTER TERM. Teacher,-MISS MARY B. HAWKES.
Length of term, 12 weeks. Wages per week 6.00. Amount paid, 72.00. Whole number of Scholars 35. Average at- tendance 21.
12
This school commenced under favorable auspices. Its teach- er, long and favorably known as a successful one, has faithfully maintained her well earned reputation. Thorough in the course of instruction, and energetic in the maintainance of order, she has kept a good school. Situated as the school- room is, in this district, at a great distance from many of the inhabitants, the severity of the season has prevented the atten- dance of many of the scholars. The attendance therefor has been quite small ; a circumstance that has operated greatly to the disadvantage of the school.
FRANKLIN DISTRICT .- SUMMER TERM. Teacher .- MISS C. A. VINALL.
Length of term, 19 1-2 weeks. Wages per week 5.00. Amount paid, 97,50. Whole number of Scholars, 61. Average attendance 40.
The children attending this school during the summer term, were mostly of the smaller class, and it was not expected that they would make so great improvement, as older scholars. The teacher, was assiduous and persevering in her efforts to pro- mote the welfare of the school. The closing examination showed some improvement in the several studies to which they had attended, but there was not manifested that interest in the recitations, and respect for the teacher, that is seen in our best regulated schools. The winter term did not commence until four weeks after the usual time, being deferred to procure the services of Mrs. Blanchard, under whose administration the school is progressing harmoniously and profitably. Mrs. Blan- chard is an energetic and highly successful teacher, and we recommend that her services be secured to the district, for terms to come. The regular attendance of the scholars in this district, is very commendable.
GENERAL REMARKS.
It is hardly necessary for your Committee to ring the changes upon that time honored subject " the necessity of co-operation
13
between parents, committee, and teachers." And yet, the ex- perience of the past year has convinced us, that the want of such co-operation, is the greatest obstacle to the success of our public schools. Teachers are obtained well qualified to per- form the duties for which they are selected. They commence their schools. In order that the school should be successfully conducted, it is necessary that order should be preserved. For a serious . offence, a plain direliction of duty, a scholar is fur- nished. Does the parent of such scholar when under the im- pulse of the moment he condemns the teacher, and upholds his child in violating the rules of the school, remember that he, through the committee, delegated this power to the teacher? And more than this, that he makes, by law, the duty of the teacher to administer this correction ? And does not his own good sense teach him, that it is a far greater injury to his child to uphold him in doing wrong, than any corporal punishment he is likely to receive at the hands of his teacher.
Teachers are not perfect, nor are Committees, still there should never be unjustifiable and unwarrantable interference with their duties. And it is because parents sometimes as- sume to be both teacher and committee, that scholars cannot fairly decide which to obey. The great interests of education demand of us faithful co-operation, energy, and perseverance. It demands that we should be governed by principle, rather than impulse ; that we should cast aside petty prejudices, and labor together for the great cause. Then shall we have the proud satisfaction of seeing our children grow up intelligent and respected ; fitted to meet the stern realities of life, and faithfully to act upon the great questions of public interest which shall come before the community. To the public schools can we alone look for the consummation of this very desirable object-to that system of education which has been very properly termed " the glory and pride of New England."
GEORGE K. PARKER, ) Superintending School
SAMUEL P. BREED,
GEORGE ALLEN, Committee.
NORTH READING, March 1st, 1857.
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.