USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1860-1890 > Part 8
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From some source must come teachers for our common schools. During the last year we had the services of fourteen, only two of which were from this town, and we furnished only two for the common schools in other towns. Is it not our duty, as well as privilege, to furnish as many teachers as we have the services of? Suppose every town in the State was as deficient in furnishing teachers for the public schools as we are ? How soon our sys- tem of education woul fall ! Other towns are glad to furnish
us teachers, for they will have schools to fit their youth for this office. But do we qualify our youth to fill their teachers' chairs? Is not here a double wrong, first to the school-system of the State, secondly to our own youth ?
Our recommendation for a High School is as follows : Appro- priate $1200 to the support of a male teacher, a graduate from College, for three terms, one in Summer, one in Autumn, and one in Winter ; the three terms to comprise forty weeks. At a small expense put the Town Hall in a condition for such school. Let this school consist of scholars from all parts of the town. Let the town appoint three persons who shall act with the School Committee, in deciding what scholars shall have the privileges of the school for each term. Incalculable would be the advantages of such a school to the town. Instruction would be more thor- ough in the Primary Schools. The teachers would be relieved of the classes of larger scholars, which now usurp so much of their time and strength, and could devote all their energies to elementary instruction. The smaller scholars would look forward with a laudable ambition to fitness for the High School. It would put the older scholars into the possession of those privi- leges which they need, to qualify them for the trusts which we bequeath to them. We should feel the benign influences of such a school in every domestic, social, business, private and public interest of the town.
MORAL EDUCATION.
We fear that in some of our schools sufficient care is not taken of the moral and religious education of the pupils. Profanity is sometimes heard about the school-house, and obscenity leaves her polluted marks. The daily reading of the Holy Scriptures has not in all cases been enjoined by the teachers.
It is plain that a child is receiving no qualification to be a good citizen, unless it is taught to reverence God. The omniscience, omnipresence, and perfect moral rectitude of God, cannot be too early, and too deeply impressed on the child's mind. That God sees it at all times and will punish its wrong doing, is one of the most essential facts in the education of a child. The Moral Law
8
should be taught, and the habit of discerning God in his works and providences should be formed. "No less than this is necessa- ry in order to train up children to discharge the duties they owe to the State. What regard will one have for his oath, if he does not fear God ? What is there to restrain one from stealing in secret, or committing any crime, if he does not feel that God's eye is upon him, and that violated law will surely bring its pen- alty ? The laws of our State are very explicit as to the duty of moral instruction in the schools. They say, General Statutes, p. 216, sec. 10 :
It shall be the duty of the president, professors and tutors of the univer- sity at Cambridge and of the several colleges, of all preceptors and teachers of academies, and of all other instructors of youth, to exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and in- struction, the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity, and universal benevolence; sobriety, industry, and frugality ; chastity, moderation, and temperance ; and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society and the basis upon which a republican consti- tution is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to endeavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the above mentioned virtues, to preserve and perfect a republican constitution and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote their future happiness, and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices.
Here the law plainly requires the teaching of "piety," i. e., affectionate reverence of parents and a regard for all our obli- gations to men, and a veneration of the Supreme Being and a disposition to know and obey his laws.
The laws of the State further make it the duty of the School Committee to "require full and satisfactory evidence of the good moral character of all instructors who may be employed."
Again they say : "The School Committee shall require the daily reading of some portion of the Bible in the common English version."
Experience has proved that the above are most salutary pro- visions. The Duke of Wellington truly said : "Educate men without religion, and you make them but cunning devils." George Washington said : "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports,"
We do not advocate the introduction of sectarianism into our schools, but we do claim that the great principles of duty to God, to our fellow-men, and to self should be taught. The virtues of self-control, honesty, truthfulness, temperance, chastity, industry, purity of speech, courtesy, patience, faith, energy, hope, persever- ence, fortitude, self-denial, kindness, obedience, should be ex- plained and enforced. The nature of sin should be pointed out, and every pupil made to see how guilt transforms the character and self-inflicts punishment. Also the loveliness and the claims of Christ as the Savior of men should be taught. It is such instruction that sits at the helm and guides a stimulated intellect in a safe path. As the child becomes older and sees and becomes more widely acquainted his temptations increase in number and strength, and how can he resist them except his knowledge of duty as well as love and practice of it, have been correspondingly increased ? The soldier needs his armor before he enters the battle. The child needs to be disciplined and strengthened in virtue, if in manhood he will resist temptations to falsehood, theft, and all manner of sin. If moral culture is neglected, the more shining the talents and the greater the intellectual treasures, the greater will be the wreck and the more dangerous the citizen. The State aims so to train up all the children that they shall become good citizens.
Will not then the parents co-operate with the Committee and Teachers in their efforts to develope and strengthen the moral sentiments of the children and instil into their minds "piety ?"
DEFACING SCHOOL HOUSES.
There is not that regard for neatness and tastefulness in and about our school-houses which we desire to see. There is an ap- propriateness in all things. Education is especially comely, at- tractive, orderly, beautiful. Some of the newer school-houses are sadly defaced. We therefore quote the law on this subject, (vide General Statutes, p. 803, Sec. 67 :)
Whoever willfully and maliciously, or wantonly and without cause, de- stroys, defaces, mars, or injures, any school-house, church, or other building erect- ed or used for the purposes of education or religious instruction, or for the general diffusion of knowledge; or any of the out-buildings, fences, wells, or appurtenan -
10
ces, of such school-house, church, or other building; or any furniture, apparatus, or other property, belonging to, or connected with, such school-house, church, or other building; shall be punished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the jail not exceeding one year.
VISITING SCHOOLS.
There is a very general failure of duty in respect to visiting the schools Only two fathers of pupils, excepting the School Committee, have visited the schools during the past year, only one the final examination. We would simply ask parents if they can have any interests more important and that need their per- sonal supervision and encouragement more than that of the edu- cation of their children. Characters are being formed, disposi- tions are being moulded, principles are being implanted, the whole future, in this world and the next, is being decided for your children. How much your own happiness may depend upon any one term of the school ! The trust which you come mit to the teacher is a great one, the work often difficult and dis- couraging. Cannot you aid the teacher by your own experience in respect to your children ? Cannot you afford her the assur- ance that your mind and heart are with her in her great work ? The pupils would realize that you set a high value upon educa- tion and would be encouraged to persevere in their difficulties if they saw you often in the school-room.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
JOHN M. GREENE, REUBEN H. BELDEN, SCHOOL COMMITTEE. DANIEL W. WELLS,
Hatfield, March 25, 1867,
1
The Town raised by tax, $1,500 for Schools.
No. of Children between the ages of 5 and 15, 312.
Districts.
Schools taught by
Length of Schools months.
in
Amount paid.
Whole No.
Average attend- ance.
(No. of Schol-|No. ofSchol- ars under 5 years. ars over 15 years.
Sum.
Win.
Sum. Win.
Sum. Win.
Sum. Win.
Sum. Win.
Sum. Win.
No. 1, Hill,
Loa L. Julian,
3
63 00
50
43
29 13-65
No. 2, So. Center,
Mary C. Billings,
3
314
84 00
97 50 44
32|36 11-20
24 33-65
2
No. 2, Upper Dep't,
Harvey Porter,
31/4
175 00 11
23 34 1-10
20 2-13
3
12
Nettie Owen,
3
77 00
No. 2, No. Center,
Lizzie A. Smith,
314
104 00
50
44 23-100
Helen McRae,
3
90 00
19
14 6-10
2
No. 3, West Farms,
Mary S. Watkins,
314
117 00
36
28 7-10
9
No. 4, West Brook,
H. A. Smith,
3
72 00
23
16
2
Lottie E. Graves
3
84 00
49
35 2-15
No. 5, Pantry,
Nellie M. Pease,
3
31
$87 00
$104 00
34
39
26 11-12 32
33 51-65
1
6
1
Nellie A. Cooke,
Mary L. Childs,
214
66 75
.
Jennie C. Cutter,
3
72 00
23
16
1
117 00
60
49 9-13
6
1
Mary J. Strong,
31/
94 25
of Scholars.
REPORTS
OF THE
Selectmen and School Committee
OF; THE
TOWN OF HATFIELD,
FOR THE YEAR 1867-8.
-
NORTHAMPTON, MASS: TRUMBULL & GERE .... STEAM PRINTERS, 1868.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The amount of money raised by the Town the last year, was $15,472 40, and with the balance in the Treasury and the re- ceipts from other sources, amounted to $17,802 68, to pay the State and County Taxes, and meet the current expenses of the year. Although there was no appropriation made to pay the Outstanding Notes of the Town, we found by settling with the Treasurer that there was money sufficient, and we paid the note of $1000 00, held by Nelson Clapp, which was reported last year among the Outstanding Notes of the Town. There is still a Note held by Miss Sophia Smith, against the Town for $300 00. There is $395 80 in the hands of the Collector, which we think " will be sufficient to pay all outstanding bills, and there is due from the State for re-imbursement of State Aid, $711 10.
PAUPERS.
The expenses for the support of paupers have been less than for many years past. Oliver Bardwell and Francis Abbott, in Insane Asylums, are the only persons who have been fully sup- ported during the year. On the ninth of October, Lewis Covill was brought to this town by order of the Overseers of the Poor of Hartford, Ct., and being insane we had him committed to the Insane Asylum at Northampton, where he remained about two months. William and Rolly Wells, with a little assistance for clothing, have been able to provide for themselves. We have also rendered aid to the families of Selah and Hosea Wheeler, and Francis Ballou. Probably there never was so many appli- cations made to the town for help by Transient Paupers, as during the past winter. One was taken to the State Alms House at Monson, and one to the Insane Hospital at Northampton, but being aliens were no expense to the town except the cost of removing them.
4
HIGHWAYS.
The system adopted at the annual meeting to repair the High- ways being new, and the responsibility of carrying into effect the wishes of the town being left with the Selectmen, we felt desirous of giving the experiment a fair trial, so that the town could judge whether it was a more economical way of repairing the roads, and at the same time be making permanent improve- ments. As we only wanted two men and a team, our greatest difficulty was to find a man who was willing to labor faithfully himself, and at the same time have experience and judgment sufficient to superintend the work. Lysander Chaffin was finally employed at $2 25 per day, and one man to work by the month. A team with the necessary tools were purchased, and Mr. Chaffin commenced work and continued in the service of the town until the ground became frozen in the fall. We were very well satis- fied with Mr. Chaffin, and think that it would be well for the town to secure his services for another year, if the present sys- tem is to be continued. We think that all who have traveled on our roads must have noticed an improvement from former years, by finding them in better condition for the public travel, as well as by the more permanent repairs made by turnpiking and carting clay and gravel. The expenses forhorses, wagon, harnesses, and the other necessary tools, was $426 87 ; for Mr. Chaffin and other laborers, and for keeping team, and repairing of tools, was $915 61, making in all $1,342 48. Mr. Chaffin worked with team and man on Swamp Road and Bridges forty-five days, which would have cost the town $315 00, in addition to the expense of repairing roads by the old system of Highway Sur- veyors, and should be deducted in order to give the ordinary cost of repairing the roads, leaving $1,027 48, as the expenses for team and labor. One horse died in the fall of the year, and Mr. Chaffin has kept the other horse during the winter for the privilege of using him. From the above sum should be deducted the present value of the horse, wagon, harnesses, and other tools, which we estimate at $275 00, which leaves $752 48, as the actual cost of repairing the roads the last year.
5
EXPENDITURES.
OLD BILLS.
Paid H. & L. Moore, for plank furnished,
$
2 61
Dr. A. Lewis, for medical attendance on family of Selah Wheeler, 10 00
Thomas Cutter, for keeping Paupers, .1 50
Daniel W. Wells, services as School Committee, 20 15
R. H. Belden,
66
66
21 50
Rev. J. M. Greene,
66
27 00
Michael Larkin, for overwork on Highways,
59 51
Henry M. Field, 66
4 43
Antoine Allair, for clay furnished,
13 04
Calvin B. Marsh, for serving Warrants,
3 00
R. H. Belden, for Services as Selectman, 27 75
J. T. Fitch,
66
26 75
Wm. H. Dickinson, 66 25
E. G. Southwick, for damage received on Highways, 32 00
Hospital for the Insane, Northampton, for the sup- port of Francis Abbott and Ann Dickinson, 110 00
Charles N. Coleman, for labor on Highways, 5 00
Trumbull & Gere, for printing Selectmen's and School Committee's Reports, 49 75
$480 24
PAUPERS.
Paid Hospital for the Insane, for the support of Francis Abbott, $ 95 00
Vermont Asylum for the Insane, for the support of Oliver Bardwell, 130 00
L. S. Bliss, for keeping Transient Paupers, 55 00
Dr. A. Lewis, for medical attendance on the family of Selah Wheeler, 50 00
Forward, $330 00
6
Brought Forward, $330 00
Dr. A. Lewis, for medical attendance on Lewis
Covill, and the family of Francis Ballou, 7 00 J. T. Fitch, for cash paid for Clothing for Rolla Wells, 6 75 Fitch Brothers & Doane, Provisions furnished Hosea Wheeler, 10 26
Fitch Brothers, and Porter, for Wood furnished H. Wheeler, 10 75
Wm. H. Dickinson, for cash paid and services for Paupers, 43 75
$408 51
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Paid Lysander Chaffin, for services on Highways, and cash paid for Tools and repairing, $406 30
Alexander Hade, for labor on Highways, 155 54
Thomas Boyle, for labor on Swamp Road, 18 00
John Leary, 66
66
25 00
Jeffrey McGrath,
66
12 50
Wm. Hurley, 66 66
22 00
John Kiley, 66 66
35 25
Patrick McGrath, 66 66
19 25
William Powers, 66 66
63 00
John Keatz, labor on Highways, 7 87
Foster C. Anderson, for Horses and Wagon, 350 00
Philip Carl, for Harnesses, 55 00
Charles E. Hubbard, for labor on Swamp Road, 100 00
Alonzo Sweet, for stone furnished, and labor on Swamp Road, 70 00 H. Anderson, for labor on Bridges and Swamp Road, 103 03 Jacob Carl, for labor on Swamp Road, 53 50
A. Crosset, for Hay furnished,
19 40
Wm. H. Dickinson, for cash paid for Hay,
17 05
Leander Cooley, for labor on Pine Bridge, Luman S. Crafts, 66 66
27 00
Wm. M. Jones, for board of A. Hade, 109 74
21 25
L. McIntyre, Tile for Culverts, 23 25
Forward, $1,713 93
Brought Forward, $1,713 93
W. Herrick, for Bolts, 17 15
C. K. Morton, for labor on Swamp Road, 20 00
J. D. Brown, for labor and railing for Swamp Road, 58 20
L. S. Bliss, for labor on Highways, and for Guide Board, 8 50
S. G. Curtis, for labor on Hill Bridge, 6 00
Antoine Allair, for Gravel furnished, 31 10
H. S. Porter, for labor on Swamp Road, 61 24
John T. & Geo. C. Fitch, Hay furnished, 55 30
Fitch Brothers, and Porter, for Meal, 140 10
Fitch Brothers, and Porter, for Plank and Timber, 263 92
J. T. & Geo. C. Fitch, for Plank and Timber, 179 12 R. H. Belden, labor furnished on Roads and Bridges, 60 12 Wm. H. Dickinson, cash paid and labor furnished on Roads and Bridges, 120 18
J. T. Fitch, services on Roads and Bridges, 5 00
Patrick Powers, for work on Swamp Road and West Brook Bridge, 36 75
Rhoads & Kingsley, for Bolts,
5 70
$2,782 31
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid W. G. Shattuck, for Desks and Seats for Town Hall, $205 50
Batchelder & Dinsmore, for labor on Town Hall, 112 34
Wm. Daugherty, for painting Town Hall, 169 50
R. H. Belden, expense on School Furniture, 13 00
John E. Doane, for notifying Town Officers, 3 00
Wm. D. Billings, for Services as Town Clerk and Assessor, 82 00
C. K. Morton, for services as Assessor, 37 50
Samuel P. Billings, “ 35 00
, A. M. Peck, for recording deaths, and labor on cemetery, 6 50
Wells & Bardwell, for Screws and Nails for Town Hall, 5 60
Forward, $669 94
8
Brought Forward, $669 94
J. S. Wells, services as Treasurer, and cash paid, 26 75
S. G. Hubbard, for services on Town Hall, 6 00
George W. Dickinson, for collecting Taxes and serving warrants, 83 50
Wm. H. Dickinson, for cash paid for repairing Town Hall, and for Insurance, 29 87
Fitch Brothers & Doane, Nails, etc., for Town Hall, 8 43
J. T. & George C. Fitch, Lumber for Town Hall, 49 97
Fitch Brothers and Porter, 74 81
Wm. H. Dickinson, for labor repairing Town Hall, 12 20
J. S. Wells, cash paid and labor on Town Hall, 15 73
Daniel W. Wells, for Text Books and repairs on Town Hall, 9 65
$986 85
SCHOOLS.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Paid Mary A. Clark, for services as Teacher, $131 00
E. C. Winslow, 120 00
S. G. Hubbard, for board of Teacher, 88 00
C. M. Billings,
72 00
Philas Doane, for sawing wood,
11 33
J. E. Porter, for making fires,
5 00
Wm. P. Allis, for wood furnished,
13 50
J. T. & Geo. C. Fitch, wood furnished,
50 00
$490 83
DISTRICT NO. 1.
Paid M. J. Strong, for services as Teacher, Helen A, Cook,
$ 91 25
84 50
Levi Moore, for board of Teacher,
104 00
H. S. Porter,
112 00
$391 75
9
DISTRICT NO. 2.
Paid Louisa A. Maynard, for services as Teacher, $ 42 00
Helen L. Kellogg,
48 00
L. Adelia Weeks,
56 00
Lizzie A. Smith, 66 60
70 00
A. M. Peck, for board of Teacher, 104 00
C. M. Billings,
56 00
S. G. Hubbard, 48 00
G. W. Dickinson, for wood, 25 00
A. M. Peck,
10 00
$459 00
DISTRICT NO. 3.
Paid Nellie M. Stearns, for services as Teacher, $36 00
Mary S. Smith, 66
6 50
Eliza F. Winslow, : 6 66
30 00
S. D. Bartlett, for board of Teacher,
48 00
Austin S. Jones,
48 00
Sanford S. Belden, for wood furnished,
23 37
S. D. Bartlett, for preparing wood,
6 00
$197 87
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Paid Eliza J. White, for services as Teacher, $ 91 00
Horace Wait, for board of Teacher,
88 00
Horace Wait, for wood furnished,
7 50
$186 50
DISTRICT NO. 5.
Paid Nellie M. Pease, for services as Teacher,
$ 63 00
Ruth E. Livermore, 66
75 00
Henry Dwight, for board of Teacher,
101 50
Ebr. Dwight, for wood furnished,
35 00
$274 50
2
10
STATE AID.
Paid Mrs. Mary Richards,
$96 00
Mrs. Clara W. Vining,
96 00
Mrs. Ursula B. Graves,
96 00
Mrs. Ruth S. Dennis,
96 00
Mrs. Minerva Anderson,
96 00
Mrs. Elizabeth Covill,
8 00
E. L. Covill,
31 00
TOWN AID ..
Paid Mrs. Ursula B. Graves,
$80 00
Mrs. Lucy M. Field,
35 33
Mrs. Clara W. Vining,
28 67
Mrs. Helen M. Wait,
34 67
$178 67
NOTES AND INTEREST.
Paid Note of Nelson Clapp, and interest,
$1,125 00
OUTSTANDING NOTE.
Treasurer's Note to Sophia Smith,
$300 00
RECAPITULATION.
-0-
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasurer's hands, March 20, 1867, $ 754 40
Amount of Taxes assessed, 15,472 40
State Treasurer, re-imbursement of State Aid,
700 00
Corporation Tax,
663 42
State School Fund,
160 46
Liquor Agent, A. M. Peck, lot in Cemetery,
50.00
2 00
$17,802 68
$519 00
11.
DISBURSEMENTS.
State Tax,
$7,100 00
County Tax,
1,618 05
Interest on State Tax,
76 48
Note of Nelson Clapp and Interest,
1,125 00
State Aid,
519 00
Town Aid,
178 67
Old Bills,
480 24
Paupers,
408 51
Highways and Bridges,
2,788 01
Schools,
2,000 45
Miscellaneous Expenses,
986 85
Orders of Abatement,
131 32
Amount uncollected by G. W. Dickinson,
395 80
· $17,802 68
WM. H. DICKINSON,
--
Selectmen
R. H. BELDEN,
of -
JOHN T. FITCH,
Hatfield.
JOSEPH S. WELLS, Treasurer.
March 23, 1868.
ANNUAL Report of the School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF HATFIELD,
For the Year 1867-8.
To the People of Hatfield, Greeting: It is with no little sensi- tiveness that your Committee present this report, following as it does others so ably written and so full of valuable suggestions and salutary advice.
While Statute law makes it proper for the School Committee to give advice and make suggestions, it is our purpose not in any way to take advantage of this provision. But we do deem it advisable to call the attention of the town to some items in pre- vious reports.
By vote of the town $2000 was raised for schools and placed in the hands of the Town School Committee, "To be used by them at their discretion, for the support of Schools the ensuing year."
The town received from the State School fund $160,40.
There has been expended for the High School-thirty-four weeks-$490,83.
In District No. 1, twenty-seven weeks, $391,75.
No. 2, twenty-six weeks, $459,00.
No. 3, twenty-four weeks, $197,87.
66 No. 4, twenty-six weeks, $186,50.
No. 5, twenty-nine weeks, $284,15.
2
The number of teachers employed is fourteen ; three have been employed both summer and winter.
The number of children in town between the ages of five and fifteen, is two hundred and eighty-six. The number of pupils in the schools is three hundred and twenty-two. The number of pupils in the Schools under five and over fifteen years of age, is thirty-six.
The average attendance of Scholars in town for the Summer, is two hundred and thirty-nine ; in winter, two hundred and sixty- four.
HIGH SCHOOL.
In accordance with the vote of the town, the Selectmen had the Hall put in order and furnished it with seats and desks suit- able for school purposes. The school commenced May 7th, Miss Mary A. Clark, of South Hadley, teacher. She taught this school through the summer and fall terms, with credit to herself and profit to the scholars. During the winter the school was un- der the instruction of Edward C. Winslow, an experienced teacher, a student of high standing in Amherst College. He labored earnestly, and we think in a good degree successfully. One thing which tended apparently to hinder the fullest success of this school, was, that the minds of the scholars were in some measure diverted from their studies by other objects.
The cultivation of the social faculties, without doubt is impor- tant and surely ought not to be neglected, but it should not encroach upon the time which more properly belongs to school duties. We cannot say to what extent this prevented the perfect success of the school, being a matter beyond the control of the teacher, and for which the parents and guardians alone are responsible. The establishment of the High School greatly in- creased the responsibilities of the Committee. Its friends have watched its progress with considerable interest during the year, and if all the benefits resulting from it, which may have been pictured to the imagination, have not been fully realized, yet in our opinion it should be continued.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
We would not go into detail in regard to the particular suc- cess of the teachers in our several districts, but say that on the whole, fair satisfaction has been given.
3
Our Registers show quite the usual number of marks of absence and tardiness, and in many cases on a line with the same names as in years past. We would just like to ask the parents of these children if they knew they were not getting their full share of the school money. We can but hope that this fact will in part be a sufficient incentive to them to see that their scholars are constantly, and promptly, in their places in school.
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