USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > North Reading > Town of North Reading Annual Report of the Town Officers 1889 > 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
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
NORTH READING
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
FEBRUARY 18, 1889,
ALSO
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE TRUSTEES OF FLINT LIBRARY.
LOWELL, MASS. T. E. ADAMS & CO., PRINTERS. 1889.
Selectmen's Report.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.
Paid for teaching High School. . $480 00
Centre.
270 00
Franklin
270 00
West .
252 00
North.
246 00
East .
248 90
School Supplies 276 98
Wood.
194 22
Care of Rooms.
SS IS
Repairs on School Houses.
135 94
$2462 22
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid Daniel G. Abbott, Town Clerk .... . $15 00
Daniel G. Abbott. Registrar of Voters 5 00 Daniel G. Abbott, journeys out of town 5 00
Daniel G. Abbott. printing and station- ery 12 12
Daniel G. Abbott, recording births, marriages, deaths 16 IS
Samuel P. Breed, Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. 140 00 Samuel P. Breed, Registrar of Voters. 5 00 Samuel P. Breed, journeys out of town 14 00
Amount carried forward. $212 30
4
Amount brought forward. $212 30 Samuel P. Breed, for stationery and postage. . 6 00
Joseph D. Gowing, Selectman, As- sessor and Overseer of the Poor. .... 75 00 Joseph D. Gowing, Registrar of Voters 5 00
Joseph D. Gowing, journeys out of town. 15 00
Timothy Fowle, Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. ... 50 00
. . Timothy Fowle, Registrar of Voters .. 5 00
Timothy Fowle, journeys out of town. 6 00
Joseph D. Gowing, Treasurer 38 00
Joseph D. Gowing, Collector.
62 00
Joseph D. Gowing, for extra services. 20 00
Joseph D. Gowing, printing and post- age. . 11 00
Daniel G. Abbott, School Committee. 58 00
Edward S. Raynes, School Committee 33 00 J. Milton Robinson, School Committee 24 00
Sylvester Eaton, Constable. 16 00
Henry H. Dame. Truant Officer. 7 75
Henry H. Dame, Fish Committee. ... 5 00
Henry H. Dame, Watchman. 2 00
Henry H. Dame, for attending Check List. 1 00
Samuel E. Allen, Watchman. 2 00
Osman Jones. Fish Committee IS87-8 8 15
William Nichols, Firewood .. ·
1 00
Charles N. Abbott, Watchman. . . .. 2 00
Frank Parker, Attending Check List .. 2 50
$667 70
5
STATE AID.
Paid Tryphence Harris. $48 00
Rebecca J. McIntire
48 00
Sarah J. Mason. 48 00
Josephine Watts. 48 00
Elizabeth C. Ball
48 00
Robert B. Walsh
72 00
Appleton P. Eaton 72 00
William S. Todd 96 00
Harriet Q. Burditt.
48 00
Ozro Mason.
68 00
Samuel W. Holt
13 50
$609 50
MILITARY AID.
Paid John Grant. 72 00
William C. McIntire.
72 00
Samuel Goodwin.
133 00
Henry C. Flint.
6 00
$283 00
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Paid Cyrus Ayer. 274 52
Neal G. Mckay.
237 34
Benjamin A. Emerson. 115 00
Charles H. Nichols.
47 45
Henry Orben. 34 12
Frank W. Case.
104 10
Lyman Taylor.
31 58
Frank E. Hewes
45 00
Arthur R. Rogers 20 25
William McAllister. 13 50
Russell Rogers.
S 25
Justin H. Orben. 6 75
Arthur H. Batchelder
9 75
Amount carried forward. 946 61
6
Amount brought forward $946 61
John H. Eames. . 69 53
George H. Hinman 67 75
J. Milton Robinson
James E. Fairbank 95 85
2 00
William H. Pickard.
47 00
Isaac A. Flint .
43 50
Samuel Batchelder 71 00
Timothy Fowle, Sidewalk. 27 43
J. B. McLane, Iron Work
5 55
Frank Hewes, Iron Work. I SO
Drain Pipe.
15 82
Gravel
15 55
$1410 39
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid for Printing Annual Report, &c
46 20
Insurance on School Houses. 75 00
Insurance on Town Hall. 45 00
Insurance on Flint Memorial Hall. 75 00
Claim for damages on the Highway 465 00 Road Scraper. 100 00
Celebration of Fourth of July.
100 00
Express Bill of ISS7. 2 95
Auctioneer
6 00
Trustees of Cemeteries. 50 00
State Tax. 607 50
County Tax
340 SS
Mowing Common 4 00
Returns of Births. 4 00
Ringing Bell .
52 00
Care of Tramps 117 00
Librarian 52 00
Returns of Deaths 6 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures. . . 3 00
Repairs on Hearse House 50
Amount carried forward .. . $2154 05
7
Amount brought forward. $2154 05
Repairs on Flint Memorial Hall. 16 40
Interest on Town Notes 395 13
Repairs on Town Hall ..
2 60
Overtaxation and Abatements
85 00
Removing State Pauper . I 00
Town Note and Interest.
51I 25
$3163 41
SUMMARY.
Orders Drawn for Schools .. $2462 22
Town Officers
667 70
State Aid.
609 50
Military Aid. 283 00
Highways & Bridges
1410 39
Overseers of the Poor
1585 62
Miscellaneous
3163 41
SAMUEL P. BREED.
JOSEPH D. GOWING,
TIMOTHY FOWLE,
-ȘIOISI S4 Selectmen of North Reading.
8
Report of the Overseers of the Poor.
INMATES OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
NAME.
AGE.
Ruth McIntire.
80 years.
Emily A Buxton
44
Sarah Banker.
.39 66
Newton Batchelder
63
Olive Curry . . 68 Left April 26, '88.
Emma M. McIntire
26 66
Left April 26, 'S8.
John Grant . 49
Salome Walls ..
70 66
Died July 13, '88.
Evalena G. Dutton
24
James A. Dutton.
3 weeks.
Average number, 6
Present number, 7
Four hundred and sixty-eight tramps have been assisted.
PERSONAL PROPERTY AT THE ALMSHOUSE.
Two Oxen
$180 00
Six Cows
200 00
Two Pigs .
10 00
Fifty Fowls.
30 00
Hay and Grain
141 45
Manure. .
160 00
Wood and Fuel
198 00
Lumber.
50 00
Farm Utensils.
242 30
Household Furniture
413 15
Provisions
161 90
$1786 80
9
RECEIPTS AT ALMSHOUSE.
Received for
Stock. .
$ 90 98
Board
116 45
Labor
233 75
Lumber for Bridges.
91 57
Produce.
171 18
Milk.
425 06
Wood and Lumber
202 72
Lodging
5 10
Care of Tramps.
117 00
Cash of the Selectmen
746 66
$2200 57
EXPENSES AT ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for
Groceries
$252 17
Meat and Fish.
132 90
Crackers
36 29
Furniture
17 OI
Coal.
29 05
Grain. ISS 86
Butter and Cheese
59 27
Clothing, Bedding and Shoes
52 13
Building, Repairs and Painting
204 17
Stock .
189 00
Tools, Seeds, &c
36 33
Lumber.
33 22
Freight
+ So
Labor
424 92
Doctors' Bill and Medicine
29 98
Fertilizer
48 30
Ice ..
10 00
Pasturing .
12 00
Funeral Expenses.
17 00
Blacksmiths' bill
12 75
Miscellaneous ..
10 42
Salary of Keeper
400 00
- $2200 57
EXPENSES OF POOR OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Paid
Danvers' Lunatic Hospital, for Chas. H. McIntire. $227 43
William P. Davis' bill. for Jacob McIntire ..
13 00
Town of Natick, for W. A. Nichols. 72 00
City of Haverhill, for Laura J. Tarle- ton 19 50
Supplies for Mrs. West.
52 00
R. B. Walsh, for Grandchild. 48 00
Supplies to Mrs. Olive Eaton ... 22 25
Town of Middleton, for Mrs. Olive Curry. . .. II 39
City of Lynn, for Mrs. John Day .... 108 25
Supplies to sundry persons. 125 60
City of Lynn, for Chas. B. Abbott. . 139 44
SAMUEL P. BREED,
JOSEPH D. GOWING.
The Poor.
TIMOTHY FOWLE. -
$838 86 Overseers of
Assessors' Returns.
State tax
$607 50
County tax. 340 88
Ordinary expenses 2500 00
Schools and Incidentals 1950 00
Roads and Bridges
I200 00
Town Debt .
500 00
Cemeteries
50 00
Celebration of Fourth of July 100 00
Overlaying .
228 84
$7477 22
7 60
Supplementary Taxes .
$7484 82
Number of polls.
241
Tax on polls .
$2 00
Rate of tax per $1000
14 00
Personal estate assessed.
$52091 00
Real estate assessed
447567 00
$4996 58
Number of houses assessed.
1983/4
Number of acres of land assessed
7605
Number of horses assessed
I79
Number of oxen assessed
S
Number of cows assessed
297
Number of swine assessed
55
Number of sheep assessed.
II
SAMUEL P. BREED, Assessors JOSEPH D. GOWING, of North Reading
TIMOTHY FOWLE,
12
Treasurer's Report.
Balance from last year $ 259 94
Taxes collected for 1886
300 00
. 6 . ( “ 1887
2147 57
" 1888 5241 20
Highway order overdrawn last year 12 00
From State and Military Aid. 610 00
Corporation Tax 61 05
National Bank Tax 36 57
School Fund.
280 33
City of Lynn, Overseers' Acc.
.
204 19
Insurance Dividend.
29 40
Use of Hearse
4 00
Rent of Memorial Hall.
49 46
Rent of Old Hall . 1 00
Rent of Anteroom . 5 00
Trustees of Riverside Cemetery. .. 47 49
Interest on Taxes ..
3º 50
Mrs. C. F. Flint, for Sidewalk. ..
75 00
Dog Fund. 148 33
H. H. Dame, Fish Permits 17-25
Lock-up Fees 3 50
Rent of F. M. Hall Rooms 8 00
Hired Money
2000 00
Town of Reading, Bridge Acc .... 23 17
" " Andover, Overseers' Acc. II 50
From Lumber at Town Farm. . 752 20
-$12358 65
Paid out on Selectmen's Orders . $10181 84 " " Town Notes 2000 00 12181 84
Balance on hand. $176 81
I3
ASSETS.
Uncollected Taxes for 1887 $ 500 00
66 " 1888. 2243 62
Cash on hand .
176 SI
Due from State Aid Payable Dec. 1889
747 00
Secured Note
125 00
LIABILITIES.
6
Due on Town Notes.
7000 00
Interest Due April 1, 1889.
172 50
JOSEPH D. GOWING,
Treasurer and Collector.
List of Jurors.
JOHN K. UPTON,
GEORGE L. FLINT,
SUMNER FOSTER,
GEORGE R. HINMAN,
VEAL G. MCKAY,
FRANK PARKER,
OSMAN JONES,
. FRANK E. FLINT,
HENRY C. EATON,
FRANK A. FLINT. WILLIAM H. JONES,
HORACE D. BRADSTREET.
FRANK W. CASE.
BENJAMIN A. EMERSON,
DENNIS BATCHELDER.
SAMUEL P. BREED, 1 Selectmen of
JOSEPH D. GOWING. TIMOTHY FOWLE. 1
North Reading.
14
Statistics from Town Clerk's Records
FOR THE YEAR 1888.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.
Number of Rirths
21
Males.
12
Females 9
Number of intentions of marriages.
Number of marriages recorded ..
10
Number of deaths
24
DATE OF DEATHS.
NAME OF DECEASED.
AGE. M.
D.
DISEASE OR CAUSE OF DEATH.
Jan. 16.
Alonzo Morse .. 83
1 14 Pneumonia.
Jan. 22 ...
Henry C. Flint
74
11 22 Burned.
Jan. 30 ... Eliab U. Flint.
64
2 25 Heart Disease.
Feb. 21 ... Wright Newhall
88 6 7 Paralysis.
March 4. Eugene N. Dixon.
21
2 27 Exposure.
March 18. Walter B. Richardson
9 12 Capiliary bronchitis.
May 13 ... Annie FF. Taylor 32
4 7 Typhoid fever. 20 Paralysis.
June 12 ...
Hammond Melutire. 70
4 26 Heart Disease.
.June 20 ..
Albert G. Foster. 28
1 Disease of brain.
June 22 ...
Elizabeth D. Upton
50
10 Spinal paralysis. 1
June 30 ..
David Haynes
61
1 Consumption.
July 15 ... Salome Walls 78
Dropsy.
lug. 8 ... Charles Kidder 75
6 Osteo sarcoma.
Aug. 26 ... George Eaton.
81
1
Old age.
Aug. 28 ... Rebecca Orben. 63
9
S Dysentery.
.Aug. 30 ... Mary P. Thomas 78
5
1 Inflammation of bowels.
Sept. 19 ... Rachel Tarbox 78
Sept. 27 ... Austin Fuller Mitchell
10
2 16 Stricture of rectum. 3 Cholera infantum.
Sept. 28 ... I. Lewis Turner
3 12 Cholera infantum.
Oct. 4 .... Sarah R. Eaton 70 11 20 Apoplexy.
Oct. 15 .... Julia A. Nichols 66 2 15 Paralysis.
Nov. 19 ... Ebenzer Tilden Abbott .. 80
8 5 Pneumonia.
Nov. 25 ... Hilda Mabel Bradstreet. 1
25 Congestion of lungs.
DANIEL G. ABBOTT,
TOWN CLERK,
NORTH READING, February, 1889.
May 23 ...
F. AAugusta Batchelder .. 50
Y.
I5
Report of Treasurer for Trustees of Cemeteries
FOR THE YEAR 1888.
Received from the sale of three lots in
Riverside Cemetery. .. $45 00
Amount paid Town Treasurer. 45 00
Cr.
Balance from 1887 unexpended.
7 90
Town appropriation for 1888. 50 00
Hay Sold from Cemetery. 4 50
$62 40
Dr.
Paid for Labor on Cemetery near Town
Farm.
$ 4 00
Labor on Riverside Cemetery 55 91 $59 91
Amount paid Town Treasurer.
. .
$2 49
C. P. HOWARD,
Treasurer for Trustees of Cemeteries.
North Reading, February 11th. 1889.
16
Report of 'School Committee.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF NORTH READING :
Fellow Citizens :- Your Committee respectfully submit the following report for the year ending February 1889.
The number of children in town, the first day of May, be- tween the ages of five and fifteen, one hundred and forty seven (147).
Town appropriation, one thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars (1950). Massachusetts School Fund, two hundred and eighty dollars and thirty three cents (280.33) Dog Fund, eighty five dollars and thirty three cents (85.33) .
Expended for school supplies, two hundred and thirty nine dollars and sixty eight cents (239.68).
Supplies on hand, one hundred and twenty five dollars (125). Received for books sold pupils, four dollars and sixty cents (4.60).
There have been several cases of truancy : In such cases the truant officer has done his duty.
The High School has been under the instruction of Mr. Frank E. Sanborn during the past year.
Mr. Sanborn is an experienced teacher and has given uni- versal satisfaction. We consider the town fortunate in retain- ing his services.
We were sorry to part with Miss Ella Eaton in the Cen- tre School. The school was taught during the Fall Term by Miss Helen M. Buck. Miss Buck resigning at the close of the term to pursue an advanced course of study, was succeeded by Miss Virginia F. Peabody, an experienced teacher, under whose instruction the school is progressing harmoniously.
Miss Dora S. Hammond has given satisfaction as the teacher of the Franklin School.
Miss Emma Batchelder after teaching the North School ac
I7
ceptably for a year, resigned to continue her studies. The va- cancy thus made was filled at the opening of the Fall Term by Miss Helen M. Abbott. Miss Abbott, though inexperienced, by her energy, fidelity and good judgment, won the confidence of the Committee, and the good will of her scholars ; the Com- mittee have been much pleased with the appearance of this school.
The East School was taught during the Spring Term by Miss Annie Woodworth. A want of harmony unfortunately existed in this district which of course worked to the detri- ment of the school.
Considering the disadvantages Miss Woodworth did well.
Miss Mary S. Cutler who succeeded to the position has given eminent satisfaction.
The West School has been well managed, and as well taught the past year by Miss Clara H. Munroe.
In this rapid survey of the different schools of the town, we have not thought it best to particularize examples for criti- cism. We would not give the impression that there have been none. The discipline has been fairly good. The teaching has been up to the average, yet the schools are in a backward con- dition. We are aware that the town is small, that the money appropriated must be limited and hence a teachers permanency impossible. Our schools suffer and must continue to suffer from this cause. We see no remedy. We do know, however, that there is a defect for which there is a remedy. We refer to the indifference of parents. The complaint is an old one. Year after year Committees repeat the same old story-irregular at- tendance, tardiness, want of harmony. Does the parent con- sider how much is lost by irregular attendance? Not the pupil only who is absent is the loser. The whole class retard - ed by him suffers. Interest fails. The teacher becomes dis- couraged, and the general efficiency of the school is affected. Nor does the damage stop here. The pupil is not sent to school to learn by rote so many rules. He is sent or should be to learn how to study, to learn how to think, in short, to get mental training. A person who is absent frequently is incapable of
18
pursuing his studies intelligently, his mind is unable to grasp the successive steps of his lessons, and his whole mental train- ing becomes valueless. Pupils going from this town to higher city schools have the unwelcome fact forced upon them that something is wrong. They are sure they study as hard, but somehow they don't accomplish as much as the rest. It is here that we must report failure.
We believe the remedy is not difficult. There must be active co-operation between parents and teacher. Parents should not rely wholly on the teacher. Visit the schools often ; see that your child is there punctually every day. Support the teach- er, even if at times you do not fully agree with her methods. Remember it is the "home influence" that counts in the long run, and this influence should always be in the right direction.
DANIEL G. ABBOTT EDWARD S. RAYNES, J. MILTON ROBINSON.
School Committee.
NORTH READING, February 20, 1889.
Graduates of High School.
MARY J. FOLEY. ROSE S. BENT. WINEFRED S. MUNROE.
19
STATISTICS.
SCHOOLS.
NAME OF TEACHER.
Enrolled.
Average number
belonging.
Average attendance.
Percentage average
attendance.
No. between 8 and 14
years of age.
No. under 5 years.
No. over 15 years.
Centre. Helen M. Buck.
Centre.
Virginia F. Peabody.
Franklin.
Dora S. Hammond.
36
29
25
86
36
West.
Clara H. Munroe.
19
16.2 14.5
90
0 1
North.
Emma Batchelder.
North.
Helen M. Abbott.
17
15 12.89 82
10
=
East.
Annie Woodworth.
East.
Mary S. Cutler.
26
24x 22x 91x 23
1 1
High.
Frank E. Sanborn.
21
15
14.7
98
10
39 33.85 29.85 88
26
20
Report of Trustees of Flint Library.
The Trustees of the Flint Library would herewith present their seventeenth annual report. We are gratified in looking back to note the growth of the library. It has increased from four hundred volumes to two thousand nine hundred and fifty seven. We are also pleased that the interest which greeted the library at the beginning has been maintained to the present time. The circulation this year is somewhat less than it usually is, but an unusual number of stormy library days may account for it.
There has been no year in which books have not been presented to the Library. This year fifty-six books, and twenty-one pamphlets have been given, for which the donors have our thanks. Fourteen books have been put in place of those which have become worn. We have purchased one hundred and forty-six books, and have had twenty-one rebound. In conclusion we ask you to extend to the library your usual care and interest, and hope you will make for it the usual ap- propriation.
GEORGE K. PARKRY, GEORGE B. PARKER, JOHN B. CAMPBELL, GEORGE L. FLINT, JOSEPH D. GOWING, DENNIS BATCHELDER,
Trustees.
Flint Library, February 25, 1889.
2 1
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand, Feb. 25, 1888.
$ 71 15
Interest on Flint Memorial Fund. 165 00
Received from Dog Fund. 63 00
$299 15
PAYMENTS.
W. B. Clark & Co., for Books. ... $140 66
W. B. Clark & Co., for binding books .. . 8 60
Houghton Mifflin & Co., for books. .. 5 50
W. H. Trombly, Printing 6 50
Librarian .
52 00
Care of Library Room
8 00
Wood .
5 50
Expressage. .
3 25
Lining for Stove
S5
$230 86
Balance.
$68 29
GEORGE B. PARKER
Treasurer of Flint Library.
Flint Library February 25, 1889.
22
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Number of Volumes in Library .
2957
Delivered within the year
7367
Purchased
146
Rebound
2 I
Replaced.
14
Added by donation
56
Pamphlets.
2 1
American Unitarian Asso- ciation of Bostion. . .
44
Dr. W. P. Davis. .. . . ...
2
Mrs. Henry Putnam .....
19
State of Massachusetts ...
IO
Mrs. Chas. F. Flint .. .. . .
I
Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co ....
I
Catalogues Sold.
$ 5 60
Fines Collected. 8 30
Miscellaneous Expenses
9 03
SARAH H. WHITCOMB,
Librarian.
Flint Library, February 25, 1889.
23
Town Meeting.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
MIDDLESEX SS.
To either of the Constables of North Reading in the County of Middlesex. Greeting.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to warn and notify the inhabitants of North
- Reading qualified to vote in Elections and Town affairs to meet in the Town Hall in said tewnon MONDAY the FOURTH day of MARCH next at Nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act upon the following articles, viz :-
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator.
Art. 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the year ensuing.
Art. 3.
To hear reports of Selectmen, Assessors and Over- seers of the Poor and act thereon.
Art. 4. To hear report of Treasurer and Collector and act thereon.
Art. 5. To hear report of School Committee and act thereon. Art. 6. To hear report of Trustees of Flint Library, and act thereon.
Art. 7. To hear report of Trustees of Cemeteries, and act thereon.
Art. 8. Shall Licenses be granted for the Sale of Intoxica- ting Liquors in the Town? "Yes" or "No."
Art. 9. To see how much money the town will raise and ap- propriate for ordinary expenses for the ensuing year.
Art. 10. To see how much money the town will raise and appropriate for Schools and Incidentals for the ensuing year.
Art. II. To see how much money the town will raise and appropriate for Highways, and the manner in which it shall be expended.
24
Art. 12. To see how much much money the town will raise and appropriate for the Town Debt.
Art. 13. To see how much money the town will raise and appropriate for the Cemeteries, and the manner in which it shall be expended.
Art. 14. To see what accion the town will take in regard to the money received from the Dog Fund.
Art. 15. To see what method the town will adopt for the col- lection of Taxes for the ensuing year.
Art. 16. To see if the town will authorize their Treasurer to hire money to meet the demands of the town, under the direction of the Selectmen.
Art. 17. To see if the town will build a stone bridge and straighten the road near the bridge on the South side of Otis P. Symonds' mills, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. IS. To see how much money the town will raise and appropriate for building a stone bridge and straightening the road.
Art. 19. To see if the town will vote permission to its in- habitants to fish in the stocked ponds in this town during each Winter season, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 20. To see if the town will discontinue the ringing of the bell, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 21. To see if the town will accept the List of Jurors as prepared by the Selectmen.
Art. 22. To hear report of Selectmen on Guide Boards, and act thereon.
Art. 23. To hear reports of Committees, and act thereon.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands, this Twenty-third day of February, in the year Eighteen hundred and eighty-nine.
SAMUEL P. BREED, Selectmen of
A True Copy Attest. JOSEPH D. GOWING, .
TIMOTHY FOWLE.
North Reading.
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.