USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1830-1859 > 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.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
D
.
-
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/townofwilmington1830wilm
1.0 2 302
EXPENSES
OF
THE TOWN OF WILMINGTON
FROM
C
March 2, 1829 to March 1, 1830.
EXPENSES OF WILMINGTON
FOR
1829-30.
POOR-HOUSE.
The Salary to Dea. B. Foster and Wife, from March 2, 1829 to April 14, 1829, at $187 78 per annum . 22 12 Their Salary from April 14, to March 2, 1830, at $220 pr.an. 194 09 Dea. Foster, for use of Horse, Horse-wagon, Oxen, Plough and Boy on the Farm 15 51 ·
Bakers' Bread
3 42
Grain
28 28
19 Gallons of Rum and Gin
6 76
27 pounds of Sugar
3 10
12} pounds Tea
7 43
22} gallons of Molasses
7 83
Farming Utensils
25 04
Lamp Oil 44 gallons
3 79
Cheese .
4 48
Poultry .
4 75
Fresh Meats of the Butchers
19 40
Dea. Foster's Expenses when abroad on business
2 43
Labour hired on the Farm
18 67
Fish
3 15
Household Furniture
7 53
Spices, Paper, Quills, Snuff, Tobacco, Saleratis, &c. 4 09 Salt 4 96
Grass and Garden Seeds
1 84
Vinegar
50
Clothing and Bedding 52 54
Shoemaker's and Blacksmith's Bills
1 45
Flour
.
4 87
·
.
.
.
3
Cedar Posts, Materials and Labour in repairing Buildings 69 07
Use of S. Jaques's Bull 2 00
Doctor's Bill and Medicine 8 75
Incidental charges . 10 00
Funeral charges paid to Mr. Cadw'r. Morrill
7 50
Pasturing a Cow in the Country
3 00
518 35
From this amount we deduct the amount received by Dea. B. Fos- ter, Superintendent of the Poor-House, for the Produce of the 117 73 Farm by him sold, and for Labour of the Paupers, Oxen, &c.
$430 62
PAUPERS NOT IN THE POOR-HOUSE.
Cash paid for Wood delivered to Amos Taylor in Boston 13 08
Silvester Gowing for attending C. Burt's Funeral 1 25
" Town of Townsend, for the support of E. Flagg 10 03
Town of Middleton for E. Howe and Wife 25 00
Ens. W. Blanchard, for Clothing for M. Boardman 1 56
Cadw'r. Morrill for the support of Dinah 23 25
Wm. Blanchard, jun. for Wood to Jonathan Tay- lor and Joseph Dean 9 56
Ens. Walter Blanchard, for necessaries delivered to J. Taylor . 4 61
66
Town of Charlestown, for support of Sarah Johnson 11 50 Isaac Morrill, for Meal delivered Jonathan Taylor 90
" Joseph Burnap, for provisions delivered Jos. Dean 3 00
Ens. Walter Blanchard, necessaries d'I'd J. Taylor 41
Do. Clothing for Jos. Dean's family 12 84
66 Town of Woburn, for support of Do. 26 15
66 Sam'l Pierce, for necessaries delivered R. Carter 6 98
66 City of Boston, burial expenses of L. Tweed 7 00
Do. for support of Joel Tweed's children 9 00 Doct. Silas Brown, for Medicine and Attendance on Paupers out of the Poor-House 17 24
66
Doct. Augustus Plympton, for Medicine and At- tendance on Rufus Carter . 5 00
$188 36
4
BRIDGES.
Cash paid Jesse Hopkins, for building a Stone Bridge 40 00
Daniel Gowing, for Timber to repair a Bridge 6 54
" Benjamin Buck, for Plank to repair a Bridge 30
$46 84
SCHOOLS.
Paid to Dea. Levi Parker, for the Summer School 24 00
Mr. Thomas E. Upton, Do.
28 00
Mr. Timothy Carter, jun. Do.
24 00
Dea. Benjamin Foster, Do.
24 00
66 Dea. Levi Parker, for Winter School
50 00
Mr. Thomas E. Upton, Do.
50 00
" Mr. Timothy Carter, jun.
Do.
50 00
Dea. Benjamin Foster
Do.
50 00
Mr. Abiel Carter for Wood .
15 52
Mr. Eldad Carter for Wood
7 40
Mr. Thomas E. Upton, for Wood
·
7 40
$330 32
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid to Eldad Carter, for Wood for the Meeting-house 5 70
Ens. Walter Blanchard, for Powder 3 77
William Blanchard 3d, for making Cartridges 2 00 .
Town of Billerica, for Stone monuments
6 46
James Jaques, Esq. for Guide-Boards . 2 28
Edward Beard, for work on School-house Do. for taking care of the Meeting-house 12 00
1 0S
Dea. Levi Parker, for Materials and Labour in re- pairing School-house 3 33
Cadwallader Morrill, for setting up Guide Posts 50
James Jaques, Esq. for Glass for School-house ·
60
.
$37 72
5
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid to William Blanchard, jun. for his services as Select- man, Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, and his journies and expenses inclusive 23 00
his services as Town-clerk 6 00
66 Stationary 1 00
Postage of Letters .
1 00
66 Boarding the Assessors 5 00
Settling Treasurer's Book in April and Feb.
2 00
66 66 Attendance on County Commissioners ·
1 00
66
Doct. Silas Brown, for his services as Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, and Assessor, his seve- ral journies and expenses inclusive .
15 00
Joseph Burnap, for his services as Selectman, Over- seer of the Poor, and Assessor, his several jour- nies and expenses inclusive . 30 00
James Jaques, Esq. for his services as Treasurer . 15 00
Do. for settling Treasurer's Books 1 00
66 Dea. Levi Parker, School-committee-man, for two journies to obtain Instructers 1 50
" John Gowing, for his services as Constable .
3 50
$105 00
AMOUNT PAID BY TREASURER.
To Mrs. Susan Eames, Interest on her Note 106 08
Mrs. Lydia Carter, do. do. 193 38 ·
Interest paid to sundry persons on Town Orders 21 44
Do. Collector on Town Orders (estimated at) 5 00
$325 90
Recapitulation.
Poor-House
430 62
Paupers not in the House
188 36
Bridges
46 84
Schools
330 32
Incidental Expenses
37 72
Town Officers
105 00
Amount paid by Treasurer
325 90
Total amount of Expenses for the year $1464 76
IF It will be recollected that the expense for the support of the Ministry is not included in this account,-as that is paid by that part of the inhabitants of the Town, who remain members of our religious society.
6
Old Debts settled this Year.
James Jaques, Esq. for sundries for Poor-house in 1828 27 15
Henry Carter, for yoke of Oxen, in 1828 69 00
Edward Beard, for services, 1828 22 53
Silvester Gowing, for Clothing for Mary Boardman, 1827 1 75
Town of Townsend, for support of E. Flagg's family, 1828 67 89
Henry Carter, collecting Taxes for the year 1827 47 83
Do. serving as Treasurer, for 1827 & 1828 30 00
Dea. Benj. Foster, for use of Farming Utensils, Household Furniture, Oxen, &c. at the Poor-house, in 1828 65 79
Dea. Benj. Foster, for services as Superintendent of the Poor House from April 14, 1828 to March 2, 1829 165 66
Doct. Jabez Brown, for Visits and Medicine at the Poor House, in 182S 5 00
James Jaques, Esq. for Cash paid on Execution, Reading vs. Wilmington, for support of Timothy Harnden 13 16 Dea. Benj. Foster, for Fresh Meat for Poor-house, in 1828 11 13
Samuel Jaques, Esq. for use of his Bull, in 1828 1 50
William Blanchard, jun. for Cash paid to the Overseers in Boston, for Wood delivered to Amos Taylor, in 1828 5 50
James Morrill, jun. for support of Dinah, in 1823 20 50 ·
$554 39
Taxes abated this Year.
Rev. Peter Sanbourn, part of his Minister Tax for 1827 4 12
Do. Do.
1828 . 3 96
Henry Carter, for sundry persons in his List for 1827 . 22 30
Edmund Damon, for part of his Taxes, for 1828 1 05
$31 43
WILLIAM BLANCHARD, JUN. SILAS BROWN Selectmen.
JOSEPH BURNAP
WILMINGTON, MARCH 1, 1830.
7 Debts due from the Town
MARCH 1, 1830.
To Mrs. Lydia Carter, as per Note 3100 00
One year's Interest on the same 186 00
To Mrs. Susan Eames, as per Note 1700 00
One year's Interest on the same 102 00
Town Orders out on Interest (estimated at) . 700 00
Town Orders out and not on Interest (estimated at) 150 00
Balance due Rev. Freegrace Reynolds, April 29, 1830 175 49
$6113 49
Debts due to the Town
MARCH 1, 1830.
Notes and Accounts, due to the Treasurer
343 58
Amount due from the Collector
. 1625 74
Balance due from the Town, or Amount the Town is
$1969 32
now indebted
4144 17
$6113 49
It will be noticed, that the amount of Town Orders now out, as stated in this Account is estimated, as we have no source of informa- tion by which we could ascertain the exact amount.
WM. BLANCHARD, JUN. SILAS BROWN, Selectmen. JOSEPH BURNAP,
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDING
Bryant Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF WILMINGTON,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 7, 1853.
LOWELL: S. J. VARNEY, (27 CENTRAL STREET, ) PRINTER. 1853.
The Superintending School Committee of this Town, for the year ending March 7, 1853, most respectfully submit to their fel- low-citizens, as required by the laws of this Commonwealth, their Annual
REPORT.
In the first place, it is proper to state, that the Committee, chosen at your last annual meeting, having disqualified themselves by re- moval and resignation, to perform the functions of that office,-in their stead, and in the place of better men-the Fathers of the Town, by virtue of authority vested in them, saw fit to appoint the undersigned ;- and consequently, the now acting Committee are dependent upon the former Committee for a report of three of the Summer Schools-viz : the East, West and North.
Again, we would state, that in all the Schools in Town, all the branches required, specifically, by law, to be taught, either in Summer or Winter Schools, have been attended to. So if any particular branches are named in this Report as having been pur- sued in any School, such branches may be considered as extra studies.
CENTRE DISTRICT.
Summer Term of 14 weeks,-MISS ROXANNA N. CARTER, of Wilmington. Whole number scholars 25; average attendance 22.
In point of literary attainments, Miss C. is well qualified as a Teacher,-and in our opinions, is fully competent to teach a first- rate School.
In point of order, this School was not at all deficient,-and in a large majority of cases, good improvement was apparent.
History and Physiology was attended to by a part of the School.
4
Winter Term of 12 weeks,-Teacher, MR. THOMAS EMERSON, of Winchester. Whole number of different scholars 27; aver- age number 17.
In this School, Algebra. Physiology, History and Latin were successfully attended to. There were several compositions read at the close, which were very excellent, and which would have done honor to individuals of maturer age. There were also quite a number of declamations -- some of which, it would have puzzled old elocutionists to have improved.
Though this was Mr. Emerson's first School, yet in point of or- der, thorough and rapid improvement, it was second to none in Town; and it would, perhaps, by a majority of judges, be pro- nounced a model School. In all the branches pursued, there was an unusual readiness through the entire examination, highly grati- fying to your Committee and pleasing to the spectators. It is highly desirable that the services of such a Teacher should be still secured, if morally possible.
Owing to sickness which has prevailed in this District the pres- ent winter, the average attendance is much smaller than it other- wise would have been.
EAST DISTRICT.
The Summer Term of 14 weeks,-MISS SARAH M. WESTON, of Reading, Teacher. Miss W. was well educated-possessed a mild and amiable disposition-gained the affections of her pupils-and a portion of them made some progress in their studies. The School was not, however, distinguished for rapid improvement. This was Miss W.'s first attempt at teaching, and it is probable, with more experience, she would succeed better in discipline and become a more efficient Teacher.
The whole number of scholars 24; average attendance 19.
Winter Term of 8 weeks,-Teacher, MR. ANDREW J. MAR- SHALL, of Derry, N. H. Mr. M. is a gentleman of fine literary qualifications,-possessing both aptness and willingness to teach. Good and sufficient attention was given by the Teacher to all the direct duties and labors required by the School ;- and your Com- mittee are of opinion that there was no lack of fidelity in any sol-
5
itary branch of instruction ;- yet he failed, to no inconsiderable extent, to secure that mutual good feeling between Teacher and Scholars, so absolutely essential to the greatest success of a School. The true cause of this failure may not lie wholly within himself. At the close of this School, there were but seventeen scholars present-but they were a living monument in witness of their Teacher's fidelity ; securing at the same time the highest credit and honor to themselves, by their rapid advancement, and un- usually correct and thorough knowledge of their several studies. Algebra, Astronomy, Physiology and Composition were attended to by part of the School. Whole number scholars 37; average attendance 30.
NORTH DISTRICT.
The Summer Term of 12 weeks,-MISS Z. L. THOMAS, Teacher. Whole number of scholars 55 ; average attendance 41.
Miss T. had good literary attainments-had had some experi- ence in teaching, and was apparently well qualified for a Teacher. Yet she failed to give that satisfaction to the District which the Committee would have desired.
The principal faults of the School consisted in too much neg- lect of the elementary branches of education, and in a lack in the maintenance of good discipline. There was much defect in the promptness and regularity of attendance in this School.
Your Committee were of opinion at the close of the School, that those pupils who had attended regularly during the term, had made tolerable improvement in their studies.
Winter Term of 9 weeks,- MR. I. J. BANISTER, Teacher .- Number of different scholars 49 ; average number 37.
Algebra and History were attended to in this School. In this School the best of order was secured without severity, and the School made very honorable progress in almost every branch pur- sued. Mr. B. is a very independent sort of a man, and generally does business in his own way. At the closing examination we thought this School did not appear anything above its reality. As a Teacher, we consider Mr. B. far above mediocrity. We hope his valuable services may be still longer secured.
6
WEST DISTRICT.
Summer Term of 14 weeks,-MISS ELIZABETH GOLDSMITH, of Andover. Number of different scholars 17 ; average number 14.
Miss G. combined the qualities of mildness and faithfulness to her charge, and thus secured the kind feelings and the attention of her pupils. Changes have occurred in this District which cause the School to be unusually small. It was, however, characterized by good order, promptness and regularity of attendance ; and at its close, the scholars gave evidence of a good degree of improve- ment. Two scholars were neither absent nor tardy during the School.
Winter Term of 10 weeks,-Teacher, MR. FRANCIS LYFORD, of Lowell. Number of scholars 23 ; average number 18.
Mr. L. has had considerable experience and unexceptionably good success, as a Teacher. In his School the very best order was secured by mild and gentle means, while a successful, manly effort was made to enlist the attention of his scholars in their sev- eral studies, and which corrected, to a great extent, a long-stand- ing evil of this District, viz :- great irregularity in attendance. In this School, two scholars were found who had neither been absent nor tardy during the term, and one other absent but once. The services of so good a Teacher as Mr. L. should again be secured. History and Physiology were successfully taught in this School, together with map exercises which added much to the interest of the School.
SOUTH DISTRICT.
Summer Term of 16 weeks,-Teacher, MISS DIANTHA B. WES- TON, of North Reading.
As a Teacher she certainly excelled. Combining decision of character, and an active energy, with a mild and cheerful manner, she restrained and governed her school with "love and good will ;" gained the affections of the scholars, and the confidence of their parents.
The School was 'distinguished for promptness and regularity of attendance, as well as for good order.
The fidelity of the Teacher was well evinced by the marked
7
improvement seen at the closing exhibition. Such Teachers will need no monuments, though they may merit them. Whole num- ber of scholars 22; average number 17.
Winter Term of 10 weeks,-Teacher, J. M. DURGIN, of Wil- mington, Chairman of your School Committee. Whole number different scholars 37 ; averange number 30,
Natural Philosophy and Declamation were attended to by a por- tion of the School. Exercises on Outline Maps and Chart were attended to by all the School. In this School there was greater punctuality and regularity in attendance than in any other School in town. To the praise of this School, it may be said, there was not the first appearance of a disposition to misrule or insubordina- tion,- and still further to their praise, it may be said, they were much inclined to study ; so if there was any general deficiency it must be on the part of their Teacher, who, nevertheless, I hope, tried to discharge his duty. In Penmanship, we think, this School first in town.
From the Registers returned to us from the different Schools in the town, we find the Schools to have been attended, during the year, by different scholars, - 221
Of this number there were males,
131
Of this number there were females,
- 90
Average Attendance, . 184
Number over 15 years of age, - 41
Number under 5 years of age, -
21
Number between 5 and 15 years of age, - 159
The amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, the past year, was, $625 00 -
Share of School Fund, -
26 00
For High School, attended by 45 scholars, 90 00
Small private School, attended by 16 scholars, - 12 00
In relation to the amount raised for the support of Schools, your Committee are of opinion that the amount should be increased rather than diminished,-for, according to the valuation of 1850, there are 224 towns in the State which raise more in proportion to said valuation than Wilmington does, while there are 96 towns that raise a fraction less.
8
There are 50 towns in the County of Middlesex, and Wilming- ton stands thirty-seventh on the scale, leaving but 13 below her,- so old Wilmington might not be considered, exactly, as whimsical or prodigal, if she should add 75 or 100 dollars to her next assess- ment for the support of Schools.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
All the School-houses in the town are in excellent condition, excepting the Centre, and that presents a very fine exterior,- but within, its appearance is rather uninviting. Two good coats of paint well laid on, and a little more whitewash would greatly im- prove it. An expense so trifling might be easily met without an assessment.
In order to have a good School, the united co-operation of Su- perintending and Prudential Committees, Teachers, Parents and Scholars is absolutely necessary. We have divided what we con- sider some of the different duties of each into so many heads of remarks.
1. Superintending Committees should be men qualified by edu- cation and by practical experience as teachers of youth, and their knowledge of human nature to fill so important an office. They should well understand their duties and execute them faithfully, rigidly and exactly, never permitting their sympathies, or their prejudices to interfere in the faithful discharge of such duties. If a Teacher, after having received a certificate, proves unfit to man- age his School, they should not hesitate to remove him promptly, according to the provision of the law. If a scholar persists in dis- obeying the regulations of the School, they should fearlessly expel him upon proof of his habitual disobedience, when properly request- ed so to do. It is better that one should lose the benefit of a School than that he should be the cause of such loss to a large number of others who are well disposed.
2. Prudential Committees .- This office is an important one .---- No man should ever be elected to it who does not take an active interest in the prosperity of the School in his District, or who con- siders the performance of his duties a burdensome task. The
9
practice of " taking turns," as it is termed, may safely be aban- doned in this instance. As " rotation in office " in filling all other offices never " rotates " every member of a body politic into office, we cannot conceive why it should in this as it appears to do, in many instances. But when a man accepts the office, if he does not already know his duties, he should immediately inform himself in relation to them. This he can easily do, as a compilation of all the laws of the State, in relation to school matters, is in the posses- sion of every District. If this matter should be attended to a little more, no Teacher will be allowed to commence a School and keep it nearly through the term without a certificate of his qualifications according to law, while the Superintending Committee are not aware that such a person is in existence ; nor would a School be commenced or closed without the knowledge of said Committee.
A Prudential Committee in the election of Teachers should make himself well acquainted with the character and acquirements of the person he employs ; nor should he ever select one solely on account of relationship, or personal favoritism. He should not uselessly squander the District money by paying extravagant prices to ordi- nary Teachers, and should avoid the other extreme, a parsimonious economy, by hiring a poor one, because he can hire him " cheap ;" for every thing is dear at any price which does not answer the purpose for which it is intended.
3. Parents should not indulge the idea that when they have erected a good School-house, provided a Teacher, well supplied their children with.suitable books, comfortable clothing, and see them punctually at School, that their responsibilities are ended .- They should cultivate an acquaintance and a good understanding with the Teacher. If children see their parents treat any person with coldness, neglect or disrespect, they are very sure to do the same. This is especially true in regard to Teachers.
On the other hand, those whom their parents treat with respect, kindness, and true warm-heartedness, will be so regarded by chil- dren. This is emphatically true in regard to their Teachers. In their enquiries of their children concerning their School, parents should be very guarded in the manner they make those inquiries. The child will readily discover by the manner a question is put to him by his parent, whether a favorable or unfavorable answer is
10
desired in regard to his Teacher, and will answer accordingly .- In order that a School should prosper, no small part of the work must be done at home. Parents who think their children have made but little progress at School should bear this in mind. We are almost constrained to say that half of the government, if not the instruction of the School, must be done at home. That if nothing is done at home to support the Teacher, his labor is doubled. The parent must exhibit an interest in his child's pursuits, and let him see that interest. Children are too often sent to School " to get them out of the way." There can be no good School in a community where this is a prevalent motive. The heart of the parent should go with the child to the school-room. He is not a plague to be got rid of so many hours in a day.
The child is a part of his parents. What he learns, they learn, and thus continue their own existence. Yet they should not let parental fondness blind them. They should not listen to every tale of childish grievance against the Teacher. The presumption is, . that in nine cases in ten, the grievance is imaginary ; the presump- tion is always so, the fact generally so.
For many of the delinquencies of scholars, the parents are in fault. Let the scholar see that his parents regard his constant at- tendance in School, and his mental and moral improvement therein, to be of the greatest importance, and he will soon regard it so himself. If the scholar sees his father or mother manifest an in- difference in the matter, he will soon manifest the same indiffer- ence.
No parent should ever let it be optional with the child whether he shall attend School or not! The parent or guardian, in this re- spect, should have absolute control, and should exercise this con- trol ! No parent, for a single hour, (and I had almost said no pa- rent will,) should suffer a child to forsake his School because he has merited and received chastisement,-and if he has left, correct him with the rod, or counsel, or both, and return him to the School ! The parent that does not do this, teaches the child les- sons of misrule and insubordination, which in a large majority of cases, prove the ruin of child, and too often brings down the hoary head with sorrow to the grave.
Look at some of our closing examinations !- where there should
11
be thirty-five, we see nineteen scholars ! and where there should be twenty-five, we see fifteen scholars ! Why is this ? this crawl- ing out, this mean withdrawal on the last day of the School? Is it because there is no parental power behind the throne? Or is it not because that power connives at misrule ! Oh, tell it not in the " East," nor let the sound reach the "Centre !" May there be a speedy and thorough reform.
To Parents, then, we would say, throw aside every personal prejudice, local feeling and private bickering in all other matters so far as your Schools are concerned, if you cannot avoid them elsewhere. The improvement of your Schools should be a plat- 'orm wide enough, long enough, and strong enough for you all to stand upon and unitedly exert all your energies.
Scholars .- To such as can understand us of this class, we would say, be kind, be docile, be obedient, be studious and perse- ering. Reflect that all the season of youth, all your schooling, tudies and attainments, are but the preparation for the arduous xaminations, the conspicuous exhibitions,-the strenuous contests f life. As you pass your time and improve your opportunities in School, so will your success be, in great probability, in a majority f cases, in after life. Says an eminent writer, " If the spring put orth no blossoms, summer will display but little beauty, and au- amn afford no fruit; so if youth be wasted without improvement, manhood will be contemptible, and old age miserable." If the olden hours of youth are thrown away, you throw away the best ope of usefulness and prosperity in this world, and perhaps the est human promise of happiness hereafter.
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.