USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > North Reading > Town of North Reading Annual Report of the Town Officers 1860 > Part 1
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RECEIPTS
AND
EXPENDITURES
OF THE
Coton of Horth Reading,
FROM
MARCH 1, 1859, TO MARCH 1, 1860;
AND THE
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
BOSTON: PRESS OF W. & E. HOWE, 39 MERCHANTS ROW. 1860.
RECEIPTS
AND
EXPENDITURES
OF THE
Cowon of Horth Reading,
FROM
MARCH 1, 1859, TO MARCH 1, 1860.
BOSTON: PRESS OF W. & E. HOWE, 39 MERCHANTS ROW. 1860.
OVERSEER'S REPORT.
NAMES, AGES AND CONDITION OF THE INMATES OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
AGES.
Phebe Flint,
64 years.
Rebecca Floyd,
53
Jane McIntire,
31
John P. McIntire,
6 66
George Smith,
6
Martin E. Smith,
4
Joseph Sawyer,
51
60
Sally Eaton,
70
Ruth McIntire,
49 66
Andrew McIntire,
20
Whole number, 10
Average «
Present
5
61 travelling paupers have been assisted.
3
INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.
2 Oxen, $150 00
5 Cows, 135 00
3 Swine,
42 00
Grain and Meal, 15 00
Hay and Straw,
161 50
Fowls,
6 00
Wood and Lumber,
157 50
Farming Utensils,
268 79
Household Furniture,
264 72
Provisions,
142 08
Seeds,
4 00
Manure,
110 00
$1456 59
EXPENSES OF THE POOR AT THE ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for West India Goods and Groceries, . . $75 14
Flour,
45 99
Grain and Meal,
119 86
66 Meat,
62 70
66 Fish,
10 38
Bread,
3 96
Clothing, Bedding and Shoes,
14 81
60
Household Furniture,
4 88
66 Farming Utensils, 3 62
Seeds,
2 48
66 Repairs on Buildings,
1 05
66
Blacksmith's Bill,
13 01
66 Digging Well, and for Pump, 31 90
66 Sawing Lumber, 49 53
School District Tax,
12 66
60 Physician's Bill, 4 00
66 Hired Labor,
138 14
Miscellaneous Expenses, 18 95
Salary of Keeper, 234 17
= $847 23
4
CREDITS AND RECEIPTS.
By Stock and Swine Sold, $151 26
" Produce
69 96
Wood
95 63
Lumber
324 96
" Lumber for Bridges, 15 40
" Labor done off the Farm, 125 17
Entertainment of Sundry Persons, 47 64
$830 02
Balance against the Almshouse,
$17 21
EXPENSES OF THE POOR OUT OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for Joseph Sawyer's Family, $20 22
Physician's Bill for same, 4 50
" John Banker's Family,
9 97
Physician's Bill for same, .
5 25
66 City of Charlestown, for Mrs. Nancy Moore,
6 50
66 Salem, for N. McIntire's Fam.,
69 13
66
66
Boston, for A. J. McIntire, in Lunatic Asylum, . 10 29
66
Lowell, for Mrs. S. McIntire, .
13 75
Town of Middleton, for A. J. McIntire, 21 00
" Funeral Expenses of Ebenezer Eaton, . 3 00
163 61
Expenses of the Poor in and out of the House. $180 82
SAMUEL P. BREED, Overseers BENJAMIN EAMES, of the
LYSANDER UPTON, ) Poor.
March 1st, 1860.
5 SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ORDERS DRAWN BY THE SELECTMEN.
For Expenses of the Poor in and out of the House, $180 82
FOR SERVICES OF TOWN OFFICERS.
Charles P. Howard, as Town Clerk, .... $12 00
Charles P. Howard, for Recording Births and Deaths, and for other Services, ... 32 22
Charles P. Howard, for obtaining Statistics of Births and Deaths, 4 40
48 62
Sumner S. Abbott, for services as Treasurer and Collector, 45 00
Sumner S. Abbott, for other Official Duties, 8 00
53 00
Samuel P. Breed, for Services as Selectman, As- sessor, and Overseer of the Poor, ....... Samuel P. Breed, for Journies out of Town, ..
57 00
23 93 Samuel P. Breed, for Perambulating Town Line, 1 00 Benjamin Eames, for Services as Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor, ..... 35 02
Benjamin Eames, for Journies out of Town, .. .2 50
1 00
Benjamin Eames, for Perambulating Town Line, Lysander Upton, for Services as Selectman, As- sessor, and Overseer of the Poor, ...... 31 50
Lysander Upton, for Journies out of Town, .. 5 85
Lysander Upton, for Perambulating Town Line, 1 00
Thomas Abbott, for Services as Moderator, .... 1 50
160 30
George K. Parker, for Services as Superintend- ing School Committee, 33 50
Frederick Abbott, for do. do. do., 15 00
John B. Campbell, for do. do. do .. 22 50
Samuel P. Breed, for do. do. do., 2 75
73 75
Amount carried forward, $516 49
6
Amount brought forward, Sylvester Eaton, for Services as Constable, .... $10 50 Timothy Dame, for 66 .... 12 50
$516 49
23 00
COMMITTEES.
Benjamin Eames, on Building Barn,
12 50
Daniel P. Flint, 66 66 66 3 00
15 50
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Lumber for Roads and Bridges, 13 26
Repairing 13 06
Building Bridge in William Parker's District, 27 00
Gravel and Blacksmith's Bill, 3 58
Plough Purchased,
17 00
Clearing Snow, ..
5 00
Extra Highway Work,
87 25
166 15
DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL MONEY.
School District, No. 1,
$278 23
No. 2,
197 55
No. 3,
191 47
66
No. 4,
176 03
Franklin «
203 76
1047 04
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid for Printing Annual Report, $26 00
Obtaining “ 66 1 00
Printing Tax Bills, 4 00
Report Cards,
2 50
Blank Books, 1 38
66 School Books, 17 43
52 31
Amounts carried forward,
$1768 18
·
7
Amounts brought forward, $52 31 $1768 18
Paid Chs. Gowen, for Damage on the Highway, 25 00
66 for Frank Moulton, sick with small pox, . 152 82
Physician's Bill, for John Goodwin, 1 50
State Tax,
216 02
County Tax,
496 64
66 Town of Lynnfield, State and County Tax,
6 21
for Building Barn,
936 26
Conveying Paupers, 7 25
¥
" Insurance on Buildings, 30 00
" Work on Burial Ground, 50 00
Legal Advice, . 15 00
Support of Malden Bridge, 10 00
Pump on Washington Street, 6 40
" Interest,
216 00
" Over Taxation,
2 32
Abatements, 41 16
2264 89
$4033 07
TOWN AGENT.
Received by Sale of Liquors, $636 74
Paid for Liquors, ·
513 40
Cash balance, $123 34
DR. TOWN AGENT. CR.
Cash on hand, March 1, 1859, $10 64
By Cash in his hands from March 1, 1859, .. ....
$10 64
" F. A. Upton's Note, ... 51 65
Cash received by Sales, 123 34
32 80
$218 43
181 53
$181 53
Profit,
$36 90
SAMUEL P. BREED, Selectmen BENJAMIN EAMES, of
LYSANDER UPTON, North Reading.
March 1st, 1860.
F. A. Upton's Note, do. do., 51 65
Stock on hand, do. do., 44 24
To Salary as Agent, 75 00
" Stock on hand, . ...
8
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Tax List committed to Collect, $3586 73 Hired Money, . 1336 26
Received for License,
3 00
66 " Dogs,
82 00
from the Town of Middleton, for Paupers,
25 50
" Massachusetts School Fund, .
47 04
66 for Town Hall, 8 30
66 for Old Barn,
95 00
of Liquor Agent, 58 98
F. A. Upton's Note, 54 56
$5297 37
Paid to Order of the Selectmen,
4033 07
Balance in favor of the Town,
$1264 30
Balance against the Town last year, ·
85 58
Actual balance in favor of the Town, in the Treasurer's hands, $1178 72
Outstanding Notes,
$5436 26
Interest on the same,
268 70
$5704 96
Deduct amount in hands of Treasurer,
1178 72
Total Liabilities of the Town, $4526 24
Liabilities last year,
4372 58
Deficit, $153 66
SUMNER S. ABBOTT, Treasurer.
March 1, 1860.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF NORTH READING,
for 1859-60.
BOSTON : W. & E. HOWE, PRINTERS, 39 MERCHANTS ROW. 1860.
REPORT.
To the Citizens of North Reading. -
In accordance with the requisition of the Laws and former custom, we herewith present to you a Report of the Schools under our supervision during the School-year 1859-60.
The number of children between five and fifteen years, was 235. Whole number attending School in Summer, was 215. Average attendance in Summer, 145. Whole number attending School in Winter, was 201. The average attendance in Winter, was 177.
ACCOUNT OF SCHOOL MONEY.
Franklin District, Credited by Appropriation,
$203 76
Paid Miss Sarah D. Jaquith, $93 50
66 Adeline Harris, 78 00
for Fuel and Care of House, 24 40
195 90
Not expended, 7 86
District No. 1 Credited by Appropriation, ....
278 23
Paid Miss Sarah S. Goodhue, 127 50
Susan George,
72 00
for Fuel and Care of House, 23 12
222 62
Not expended,
55 61
District No. 2, Credited by Appropriation, ....
197 55
Paid Miss Marion E. Smith, in Summer, .. ..
108 00
Marion E. Smith, in Winter, .. . 71 50
" for Fuel,
20 00
199 50
Overdrawn,
1 95
District No. 3, Credited by Appropriation, ...
191 47
Due from the Town of Andover, for Tuition of Scholars,
7 00
4
Paid Miss Abbie S Hammond, $76 00
" George F. Flint,
105 00
" for Fuel, 12 75
$193 75 4 72
District No. 4, Credited by Appropriation, ...
176 03
Paid Catherine F. Flint,
96 00
" Abbie S. Hammond, 66 00
" for Fuel and Fuilding Fires, 21 06
183 06
Exceeded Appropriation, 7 03
FRANKLIN DISTRICT.
Teachers, - Miss SARAH D. JAQUITH, Miss ADELINE HARRIS.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Length of School in weeks,
17.
13.
Wages per week,
$5 50.
$6. 00.
Whole number of scholars,
45. 45.
Average attendance,
36.
37.
Before the commencement of the Summer Term, the inhabitants of this District, with commendable liberality, remodeled and refitted the interior of their School-house in a tasty and substantial manner, and it will now compare favorably with any School-room in the vicinity.
The School was instructed by Miss Jaquith, an experienced and energetic teacher, and made a healthy, if not rapid progress. The scholars were not hurried along in their studies, but compassed the ground with carefulness. The scholars exhibited a marked quietness, and a good degree of interest ; and the instruction evinced a dis- tinctness, and a comprehensive view of the subject taught. The closing examination was highly satisfactory, and was alike creditable to teacher and scholars.
The ease with which the teacher entered upon the work of teaching the Winter School, betokened a familiarity with School duties, which promised a successful Term. The School, when visited, appeared orderly, respectful, and studious; the instructions were given with clearness and patient fidelity ; and the general progress of the schol- ars, in their studies, was very gratifying. At the close of the Term,
5
the recitations in Geography and Grammar, exhibited good profi- ciency, and the several classes in Arithmetic, by the ready manner in which examples were placed upon the board and explained, deserve much commendation. Miss Harris is a faithful and conscientious teacher, much loved by her pupils and respected by all.
DISTRICT No. 1.
Teachers, - Miss SARAH S. GOODHUE, Miss SUSAN GEORGE.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Length of School in weeks,
17.
12.
Wages of teacher per week, $7 50.
$6 00.
Whole number of scholars,
55. 63.
Average attendance,
34.
47.
This School was taught by Miss Goodhue, an experienced and conscientious teacher, whose previous acquaintance with it, enabled her to enter at once upon its duties. Notwithstanding several children in this District attended a private school, this was large and unwieldy, and the inconstant attendance of the scholars, did not conduce to its advancement. After the vacation, the School was smaller, the attendance more regular, and its progress satisfactory. At the close of the Term, the classes in Geography and Arithmetic showed marked improvement, and would compare favorably with other similar classes in Town.
The Committee intended to employ a male teacher for the Winter Term, but could not obtain such a one as they wished, without paying a price that seemed, to them, exhorbitant, and decided to engage a female. At the commencement, the School was quite large. The Committee, while they bear testimony to the studiousness and respectful bearing of several of the larger scholars, have to regret that others did not better appreciate the advantages of the School, and more cheerfully comply with its regulations. Upon the deport- ment of the larger pupils, depends, to a certain extent, the character of the School; if they are diligent and respectful, it is quiet and orderly; if idle and contumacious, it is refractory and restive. The closing examination manifested great improvement on the part of several classes. The classes in Colburn's and in Greanleaf's Arith- metic, showed a thoroughness in explaining truly pleasing ; the Geography was excellent, and the class in Parsing, displayed good
6
knowledge of the rules of Grammar. Notwithstanding, the School was not as quiet and orderly as desired, we think it made some real advancement. Miss George has good literary attainments and methods of teaching.
The experience of the year, has confirmed the opinion expressed in the last annual report, that this School is too large to be instructed by one teacher, and have all its members make real improvement ; some must necessarily be neglected. We would, therefore, recommend the building of a recitation room, and the procuring of an assistant teacher.
DISTRICT No. 2.
Teacher, - MARION E. SMITH.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Length of School in weeks,
18.
11.
Wages per week,
$6 00.
$6 50.
Whole number of scholars,
37.
43.
Average attendance,
32.
39.
During the entire year, this School has been under the direction of an experienced and well qualified teacher. More than half the scholars, attending, were under nine years of age, and could not be expected to improve so rapidly as older pupils. One of the most pleasing features of this School, was the 'ready and cheerful com- pliance of the scholars with the regulations of the teacher; who ruled without appearing to coerce. At the close of the term, the classes in Grammar and Reading, evinced good improvement and training. There was an unusual large number of visitors present, and the class in Arithmetic did not appear as well as on our former visits. The School-room was decorated with evergreens, and with Pencil Drawings, executed by the children, giving proof that teacher and pupils were interested in the beautiful and ornamental, as well as in common school studies.
At the commencement of the Winter Term, the scholars applied themselves with increased earnestness to their studies. The exhibi- tion, at the close, gave evidence of successful application. The classes in Arithmetic were thorough, and performed their examples readily ; the other exercises were very commendable. The register showed that the average attendance was the best of any in Town.
7
DISTRICT No. 3.
Teachers, -Miss ABBIE S. HAMMOND, Mr. GEORGE F. FLINT.
SUMMER.
WINTER,
Length of School in weeks,
16.
12.
Wages of teacher per week, $4 75.
$8 75.
Whole number of scholars,
42. 29.
Average attendance,
22.
23.
Miss Hammond commenced her labors in this School, with all the ardor usually attendant on first efforts, and an earnest desire to excel as a teacher. She endeavored to have her pupils understand first principles, and well comprehend every lesson recited. The order was good, and the advancement of the scholars satisfactory. From various causes, the attendance was quite small after vacation. At the close of the Term, we were pleased with the evidence the les- sons afforded, of earnest application and successful guidance. Had the attendance been constant, and continued, much more benefit might have been derived from the School.
The Winter Term, under the instruction of Mr. Flint, may be considered a successful one. The scholars were respectful, and cheerfully acceded to the wishes of the teacher. The recitations in Geography and Arithmetic, on examination day, were creditable; the first class in Grammar gave some very good examples in analyzing sentences ; and the Reading of the first class was very approveable.
DISTRICT No. 4.
Teachers, - Miss CATHERINE F. FLINT, Miss ABBIE S. HAMMOND.
SUMMER.
WINTER.
Length of School in weeks,
16.
11.
Wages per week, .
$6 00.
$6 00.
Whole number of scholars,
37.
28.
Average attendance,
21.
21.
The Summer Term was not so productive of good as preceding terms had been, under the administration of the same teacher. The scholars did not appear earnestly anxious to make improvement, and the order of the School was not faultless. The attendance was irregular, a part of which, was caused by sickness. The teacher
8
labored under great discouragements, and the want of success, is not wholly chargeable to her. The examination was under unfavorable circumstances ; the day was stormy, and but few visitors present. The Writing books exhibited neatness and improvement, and the . recitation in Grammar was very commendable. The other exercises were not what we would like to have them. Miss Flint possesses good literary qualifications, and a love for children, and with a more energetic discipline, and the zest which a new situation gives, may be a successful teacher.
The Winter School was attended with a good degree of success. At all our visits, the deportment of the scholars was commendable, showing a manifest interest in study, and respect for the teacher. The attendance was much better than in the Summer. The closing examination gave proof of good advancement, and of thoroughness in teaching. The classes in Grammar and Arithmetic, deserve hon- orable mention, Miss Hammond has shown faithfulness and ability to impart instruction, which, we hope, will be duly appreciated.
GENERAL REMARKS.
From a review of our Schools it will be seen that all have not enjoyed the same measure of success. This has arisen from various causes. Some of which are directly traceable.
Tardiness and irregularity of attendance materially affect our Schools, and retard their progress. While the Registers give pleasing evidence of the almost constant presence of many scholars, they also bear sad testimony to the frequent absence of others. True, some are detained by force of circumstances, but others, we fear, neglect these privileges because their value is not appreciated. This ought not so to be. It has a deadening influence on the classes to which the delinquents belong, retarding the progress of the punctual and ambitious ones, and making the duties of the teacher doubly per- plexing. But bad as is the influence upon others, the effect on the absentees themselves, is more to be regretted. It is a loss of oppor- tunity not to be regained; it precludes the possibility of thorough- ness, and engenders a disrelish for study ; and it fosters an instability of purpose, that renders success in any undertaking uncertain.
The only efficient remedy for this evil lies in the influence that surrounds the pupil at home. The power of the parent over the child is all pervading. What he says must be true. What he
9
esteems must be truly valuable ; the child does not conceive that his parent can be wrong. Upon this directing power, then, depends, to a great extent, the prosperity of our Schools.
Let us suppose two cases. The first, the parent is anxious to have his childern present at the first, and on every succeeding day of School; cheerfully provides them with books; if he needs their assistance, is careful that it is out of School-hours, or on days when the School is not in operation ; lends an unwilling car to their grievances ; visits the School-room, makes frequent inquiry in regard to their progress in learning, and endeavors to impress them with the importance of diligently improving every opportunity for its acquirement.
The second, allows his children to be frequently absent for trivial causes ; withdraws them from School, without any seeming regret, whenever he wishes their assistance; takes little interest in the studies they pursue, and deems great attainments unnecessary ; gives willing audience when School-troubles are broached ; upholds his children, and permits them to leave School if they desire it.
Can any one doubt for a moment in which case the pupil would be most likely to succeed ? Will not the children of the former almost invariably be studious and active scholars, and those of the latter - with a few honorable exceptions - among the delinquent and tardy ones ? Is it not plain, then, that much of the want of success, attending our Schools, is attributable to causes outside the School-room ?
The common School is designed for the benefit of all. It is open to all, free to all. It takes the child at the most impressible period of life, puts into his hands the key to the treasures of Knowledge and leads on by gentle steps to its acquisition ; it disciplines and strengthens the mind ; it leads to think correctly and arrive at just conclusions ; it teaches to regard the rights of all, to. cherish the virtues of the illustrious, to respect Parents, the laws of our Country .. and the laws of God. It designs, in short, to furnish just the prep- aration that is needed to fit for active, useful life.
Cherish, then, this benignant Institution, and let it ever receive. your fostering care. The experience of more than two hundred years, has shown the wisdom of the Pilgrim Fathers, in providing for their children, this System of free Education; and it becomes. us to manifest ours, by desiring liberal things for its maintainance,
10
and by developing more fully its resources, - so that our children, reaping its advantages, may make large acquisitions of various knowledge, and be prepared to meet the sterner realities of life, with stout hearts and high purposes, and become ornaments in society, and benefactors of their race.
GEORGE K. PARKER, FREDERICK ABBOTT, School JOHN B. CAMPBELL, Committee.
NORTH READING, February 27, 1860.
APPENDIX.
We append to this Report the names of those Scholars present every day during the Term.
FRANKLIN DISTRICT, - SUMMER TERM,
T. Grafton Abbott, Francis A. Abbott, C. Arthur Abbott, H. F. Abbott, Ida D. Abbott, George A. Parker, Freddie K. Parker, Eliab Parker.
WINTER TERM.
Mary U. Parker, Francis A. Abbott, C. Arthur Abbott, it. Fletcher Abbott, T. Grafton Abbott, Charles H. Foster, Edwin Fos- ter, Frank C. Gilchrist, George A. Parker, Freddie HI. Parker, Eugenie Proctor, George W. Walsh.
DISTRICT No. 1, -SUMMER TERM.
S. Francis Campbell, George Smith, Lizzie Abbott,
WINTER TERM.
Maria L. Abbott, S. Frances Campbell, Louisa A. Jeffrey, Sarah L. Mason, Sarah Merrill, Leora L. Upton, Samuel E. Abbott, Nathan P. Abbott, J. Prince Campbell, James A. Eaton, George Mason, George Smith.
DISTRICT No. 2, -SUMMER TERM.
Frank Peirce:
12
WINTER TERM.
Susan Nichols, Frances Eames, Ella Campbell, Alma Weston, Emma Jones, Ella Kidder, Joseph Sheldon, Mary Batchelder, Charles Kidder, Warren Jones, Wallace Buxton, Pickering Hunter, Albion Beard, Willie Buxton.
DISTRICT No. 3. Sarah Holt, Abbie A. Holt.
DISTRICT No. 4. David O .. Parker, Joseph Gowing.
E
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