USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1878 > Part 2
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GEORGE EVERETT,
WILLIAM FISHER. B Auditors.
Norwood, February 12th, 1878. 1
-
29
CALEB ELLIS, COLLECTOR OF. TAXES OF 1876, IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF NORWOOD.
.DR.
To balance as per last audit, $3,339 02
" Cash received as interest,
208 89
CR.
$3,547 91
By Cash paid L. W. Bigelow,
$3,547 91
CALEB ELLIS, Collector 1876,
Norwood, February 9th, 1878,
We certify that we have examined the books and accounts of Caleb Ellis, Collector of 1876, and that the above is a correct statement of taxes committed to, and of payments made by him.
GEORGE EVERETT, } Auditors. WILLIAM FISHER.
Norwood, February 12th, 1878:
.
-
30
GEORGE H. METCALF, COLLECTOR, IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF NORWOOD.
DR.
Taxes of 1877.
To Commitment of taxes,
$22,526 57
" Cash received as interest,
6 76
$22,533 33
CR.
By Cash paid C. C. Churchill, County Treasurer,
$1,447 55
66
L. W. Bigelow, Treasurer,
18,520 00
Total payment,
$19,967 55
Balance uncollected Taxes,
2,565 78
Norwood, Jan. 31, 1878.
$22,533 33
GEO. H. METCALF, Collector.
1
We hereby certify that we have examined the books and accounts of Geo. H. Metcalf, Collector of 1877, and that the above is a correct statement of taxes committed to, and pay- ment made by him.
GEORGE EVERETT,
WILLIAM FISHER. Auditors.
Norwood, Feb. 12, 1878.
31
REMARKS.
In accordance with custom we beg leave to submit the fol- lowing report of our doings for the last year.
Dean Street widening was let by contract to the lowest bidders, it somewhat exceeded the appropriation, owing to the cost of hauling stone and there being more filling than was at first estimated.
Also the widening of Washington Street, near the house of Joseph Page, exceeded the appropriation, but if work had been stopped at those places when the money was expended, it would have to be finished at some future time at greater expense to the Town.
On Walpole Street widening, when work was commenced it was intended to do more than has been done, but the work was done by the day, and bills came in larger than was expected, and finding that we had exceeded the appropriation, work was stopped leaving the street unfinished. In order to complete it as it ought to be it will require another appropriation. Wilson Street lias been completed and accepted by the County Com- missioners.
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32
Washington Street widening below high bridge has been done and accepted by the same. The land for widening was bought by the N. Y. & N. E. Railroad Co., the larger part of the filling, the widening on the west side, and the railing was done by the Town.
In the matter of erecting the monuments on the boundry line between Dedham and Norwood, (the question having been in dispute a long time which town should put them up), it was agreed by the Selectmen of both towns to leave it to the decision of Judge Dewey of the Supreme Court, he decided that the lines were not established until the monuments were erected, there- fore the expense came on Norwood.
The excess above the appropriation for the poor could not well be avoided. The Overseers have done their best to keep the expense as low as possible, but the depressed state of busi- ness rendered it difficult for the laboring class to obtain employ- ment and obliged some to apply for help, who at other times would not have done so.
Quite large sums have been appropriated from the Treasury since February 1st, 1877, which was voted to be paid from the corporation and bank tax, as follows,
Fire Department,
$650 00
School Teachers,
361 86
Widening below high bridge, 306 05
Total,
$1,317 91
As required by the By-Laws, the Selectmen submit the fol- lowing estimates for the ordinary expenses of the town for the ensuing year,
FOR
Schools, as recommended by the School Committee
and rent for Primary school,
$6,000 00
Repairs of roads and bridges,
2,500 00
Removing snow,
500 00
Fire department,
1,400 00
Lighting streets,
200 00
33
Support of poor,
2,800 00
Public library,
300 00
Care of cemetery,
50 00
Salaries of town officers,
1,400 00
Printing and stationery,
150 00
Incidental and miscellaneous expenses,
500 00
Rent,
100 00
$15,900 00
To these estimates must be added the State and County taxes, and such other sums as the Town shall vote to raise.
The Selectmen have made no estimate on the widening of Nahatan street as laid out by the County Commissioners, not knowing what action the town would take in the matter.
In order to keep the taxes low you must be cautious in your appropriation if you desire a low rate of taxation, any increase of the sum recommended will necessarily increase your taxes. It will be well to have a new valuation in town the coming year in order to have it more equal, as there has been a great change in the value of estate within the last five years.
Respectfully submitted,
TYLER THAYER,
GEO. H. MORSE.
Selectmen of Norwood.
1590000. 286753
18,2 51,80 28
34
Vital Statistics of the Town of Norwood, for the year 1877.
BIRTHS.
Mar. 29. Walter Sumner Bagley, son of Sumner & Ella M.
Apr. 12. Henry Everleth Sanborn, son of Marshman W. and [G. Augusta.
10. Henry Warren Connor, son of Henry and Mary.
May 3. Lewis Charles Schell, son of William and Julia A.
10. Thomas Tobin, son of Michael and Mary.
Apr. 27. Samuel Edward Morrill, son of Edward H. and [Jennie E.
June 2. Justin Goodwin Burdin, son of Arthur W. & Jennie [M.
3. Bernard Aloysus McGinty, son of Edward & Eliza- [beth. 9. Joseph Christopher Apel, son of John A. & Anna M. July 14. Geo. Edward Fairbanks, son of Geo. P. & Bridget. Aug. 11. James Joseph Friery, son of John and Rose.
Sept. 8. James Donovan, son of Jeremiah and Margaret.
30. William Michael Crowley, son of Michael & Annie.
Oct. 1. Cornelius Michael Murphy, son of Michael & Bridget.
22. Charles Alfred Lavine, son of Joseph V. & Mary J.
23. Edward Patrick Brennan, son of Mary Ann Davitt. John Joseph Hayden, son of Michael E. and Annie.
Nov. 23. James Edward Pendergast, son of Patrick J. & Mar- [garet.
Dec. 11. Warren Herbert Billings, son of Herbert W. and [Sarah O. 23. Charles Shedd, son of Charles and Mary.
Jan. 19. Katie Ellen Beyer, daughter of Jacob and Katie.
Mar. 8. Alice Helena Flood, daughter of Thomas & Sarahı.
May 3. Mary Frances Higgins, daughter of Dennis & Mary.
18. Mary Ellen Cronin, daughter of James and Nancy.
18. Fannie May Turner, daughter of Francis W. and [Effie A.
35
June 17. Margaret Burke, daughter of James and Margaret.
25. Mary Alice Alden, daughter of Adna & Mary Jane.
27. Martha Nugent, daughter of John and Mary.
July 5. Anna Rachel Ellis, daughter of John & Harriet M.
6. Mabel Gertrude Stevens, daughter of John P. and [Eliza A.
19. Annie Maria Sullivan, daughter of John and Ann.
Sept. 3. Bertha Emeline Hanson, daughter of Andrew E. & [Elizabeth J.
19. Eva Mabel Ellis, daughter of William & Marianna.
22. Anna Mahoney, daughter of Patrick and Joanna.
Nov. 9. Irene Bidwell Roby, daughter of Edgar F. & Isa- [bella L.
21. Alice May Towner, daughter of Thomas and Ellen. Louisa Emma Balduf, daughter of Julius F. & Louisa.
26. Edith May Stewart, daughter of Geo. E. & Anna L.
MARRIAGES.
Jan. 13. By Rev. George Hill, George R. Cottle and Elva Ella Smith, both of Norwood.
June 16. By Rev. Theron Brown, Edward G. Gay and Daisy O. Wells, both of Dedham.
Aug. 8. By Rev. D. J. O. Donovan, John G. Mulkin of Ded- ham and Mary McManners of Norwood.
Sept. 3. By Rev. J. P. Bixby, Melvin R. Timberlake and Augusta M. Fuller, both of Norwood.
Oct. 15, By Rev. Theron Brown, George Worthington of Boston, and Cora J. Snow of Canton.
24. By Rev. John W. Savage, Henry W. Dean of Nor- wood and Sarah H. Blaney of Canton.
25. By Rev. I. H. Gilbert, Herbert F. Carson of Hyde Park, and Emma L. Day of Canton.
28. By Rev. D. J. O. Donovan, George A. O'Brian of Dedham and Bridget A. Pendergast, of Norwood.
Nov. 1. By Rev. George Hill, George A. P. Bucknam and Mary E. Clapp, both of Norwood.
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Dec. 11. By Rev. J. P. Bixby, Edmund J. Shattuck and Emma L. Morrill, both of Norwood. By Rev. S. S. Curry, Boston, Henry N. Fales, and Sarah E. Donley, both of Norwood.
DEATHS.
Jan. 9. Samuel R. Talbot ; 21 years, 5 months, 18 days.
Mar. 1. Marcus M. Alden ; 5 months.
22. George Winslow ; 76 years, 4 months, 26 days.
30. Esther P. Gay ; 58 years, 3 months, 22 days.
April 1. Emeline Talbot ; 70 years, 4 months, 10 days.
4. George E. Smith ; 11 months.
May 17. Vina M. Pond ; 70 years, 8 months, 17 days.
June 10. John Feeny ; 6 months.
9. Sheldon C. Morrill ; 2 years, 1 month, 9 days. Edwin W. Page ; 16 years, 8 months, 5 days.
July 1. Ernest E. Keeler ; 23 years.
13. Eldon W. Rhodes ; 6 months, 27 days.
16. George E. Draper ; 25 years, 4 months, 1 day.
Aug. 13. Simcon Heywood ; 81 years, 5 months, 14 days.
30. Patrick J. Leonard ; 23 years.
31. Wendall D. Phillips ; 20 years, 7 months.
Sept. 5. Atto A. Peterson ; 5 years, 10 months, 5 days.
6. Edward James Peterson ; 4 years, 3 months, 7 days.
13. Joseph Sumner ; 80 years, 4 months, 13 days. Samuel E. Pond, Esq. 68 years, 3 months, 7 days.
12. Sarah Donahoe ; 45 years.
Oct.
6, Martin Lyden ; 1 year, 15 days.
5. Anna M. Gay ; 77 years, 8 months, 10 days.
8. Gustavus W. Shackly ; 2 years, 8 months.
10. Walter Smith ; 3 years, 3 months, 22 days. 17. Hannah Talbot ; 90 years, 2 months. > 29. Katie Conoly ; 10 years, 7 months.
Dec. 2. Bridget Casy ; 1 year, 5 months, 10 days.
Jan. 1. Betsey Richards ; 72 years, 1 month, 14 days.
18. Emeline Gay ; 58 years, 1 month, 21 days.
30.
SIXTH REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWOOD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1877.
" It is the work of one generation to grow another." - Miner.
" Let us live for our children." - Froebel.
" As life and death are in the power of the tongue, so also, we may well say, life and death are in the education of our children." - Cawdray.
INTRODUCTION.
We bespeak the thoughtful and unselfish attention of the citizens and parents of Norwood to this Report.
ORGANIZATION.
The Committee was organized for the year, by the choice of F. M. Cragin, M.D., Chairman, and C. Willis Morse, Secretary.
IN MEMORIAM.
The death of Miss Sarah P. Hamilton, in the early part of the school year, cast a gloom over the entire community. The School Committee passed resolutions expressive of the loss that the cause of education sustained in her sudden decease, and of sympathy with her afflicted family and friends in their great bereavement.
All appreciated Miss Hamilton as a thorough scholar, an able teacher, and an efficient disciplinarian. She was interested in public reform, was faithful to Christian principles, and exem- plary in her Christian life. We mourn her.
CONDITION OF SCHOOLS.
EVERETT SCHOOL.
The same teachers, except Miss Emma Wheelock, who occu- pies Miss Hamilton's place, are in the different departments that were there a year ago. The discipline is not the same in the different departments, but in them all is such as does not hinder, but does help to secure the best educational results.
The Committee lay more and more stress upon the thorough and broad culture of the pupils in the lower grades, especially
4
upon the development of their perceptive faculties. We be- lieve, with others, "attend to the lambs, and the flock will be improved." The teachers second the Committee in their efforts to have the grade of scholarship among the younger pupils improved.
In the first department there is an increased number of pupils studying the higher branches; this is especially true of Latin, and is a token of good. A desire to study only those branches to be used in practical life forecasts superficial schol- arship; since it is those studies not used in the routine of daily life that give most FORCE to the human mind.
THE BALCII SCHOOL.
This school we deem in a better condition than it has been in for some time. The teachers are laborious, and have the good-will, so far as appears, of parents as well as pupils. The attendance is not as regular as it should be; and we call upon parents to be more careful to have their children at school every session.
RAILROAD AVENUE SCHOOL.
Miss A. A. White, esteemed for her long and useful services as a public instructor in Norwood, resigned her position as teacher of this school the past year, to the great regret of pupils, parents, and Committee. Miss Lucy Guy was elected to fill the vacancy. This is Miss Guy's first school, and the school-room she occupies is unsuitable for any school; still she seems to the Committee to be conquering a good degree of success.
On the whole we are happy to say that, while the schools of our town need still to be greatly improved, they are in a better condition than for some time past.
ADDITIONAL ROOM.
This is a most important matter, since on it depends very largely, the future success of our schools and the completeness of our school system. The Railroad Avenue School, while it enjoys the good-fellowship of the proprietor of the building, and, so far as we know, of the neighborhood, can never have a
5
home, but only a stopping-place in the room it now occupies. There are fifty sittings, and fifty-one names registered. But it is no wonder that the attendance is irregular. The room is with- out attractiveness, as well as comparatively barren of facilities. There being but one department, and the number of young pupils large, the school must fit for the fifth department (Miss Morse's) of the Everett School.
The sixth department (Miss Park's) fits for the same grade. Hence, at the coming promotion, there are Miss Morse's second class, numbering twenty-three, to become her first class, and Miss Guy's and Miss Park's first class, numbering respectively twenty-three and twenty-two, with five in Miss Park's second class who are striving for promotion, to become Miss Morse's second class, making a school of sixty-eight, probably seventy- three; while there are but fifty-four sittings. This surplus, under existing arrangements must be kept back, or others pushed forward, at the expense of thorough and systematic culture. Your Committee favored the erection of a new school-house in the vicinity of the Railroad Avenue School, with two departments. That would have remedied the over- crowding of the fifth department of the Everett School.
As the pupils, however, most distant from school -viz., those living near the second High Bridge - now attend the Everett, it would be no hardship for all the pupils of the Railroad Avenue School to attend the same. Hence your Committee submit in brief, for the consideration of parents and citizens, the following plan which they think involves the progress and completeness of our schools. They propose the erection of a school-building, near the Everett School-house, with two de- partments,- a Grammar and a High School department. Mr. Atwood's school now numbers fifty-six pupils. Hence a divis- ion, long needed, of this department into two distinct grades, and requiring no more teachers, could be secured. This would give the Everett School-house to Miss Emma Wheelock's Inter- mediate School, in Mr. Atwood's room, and give place for Miss Guy's school,- all the Primary departments being arranged in order.
Queries .- 1st. Is it wise for the town to pay $150 a year rent
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for the school-room of the Railroad Avenue School while its funds, to be used for the public good, if invested in some of the best savings banks in the State, are paying but four per cent. ?
2d. Is it reasonable that Dedham needs a High School with three teachers, and a High School department at West Ded- ham, and Norwood needs no High School ?
3d. Can Sharon in these trying times establish a High School, and is Norwood unable to do so when it will require no more teachers or increase of salaries ?
KINDERGARTEN.
We hope the ladies of Norwood, justly noted for their public spirit, will become interested in this system which gathers the ' little ones and teaches them how to begin to use their powers to the best advantage.
Ladies in other cities and towns are bending their energies in this direction to the benefit of the youngest pupils. We are glad to know that one lady from Norwood is taking a thor- ough kindergarten course of instruction, and trust that the day is not distant when we shall have a good thorough kinder- garten school.
LECTURES ON EDUCATION.
The best condition of schools, and the heartiest good-fellow- ship between citizens, committee, teachers, and pupils, require public teaching from the platform, by the best educators. An attempt at this by your Committee last year was successful as an introduction, and we hope may be more successful in future. The first question asked by Elias Mason, the State historian, on entering Norwood to deliver his lecture on the "Model Town," was, " Have you a High School ?"
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE COMING YEAR.
The Town appropriated for the support of schools last year $6500, and $361.86 additional to meet an arrearage of back-pay.
7
Your Committee ask for an appropriation of $6000 for the support of schools the ensuing year.
CONCLUSION.
We render thankful acknowledgments to Almighty God for health and happiness; to citizens and parents for good-fellow- ship; and to teachers and pupils for fidelity to themselves and courtesy to us, another year.
(Signed) F. M. CRAGIN, Chairman. C. WILLIS MORSE, Secretary. REV. J. P. BIXBY.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Not absent or tardy.
IDA A. RHOADS,
JOHN HORGAN,
MARY F. CLAPP, JULIA HORGAN,
DORA SHUMWAY.
Not absent.
ELLEN L. HORGAN, KATE G. HORGAN.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
TEACHERS.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Over 15 years of age.
Annual Salary.
EVERETT.
High School,
51
45
55
48
34
49
27
$1300.00 475.00
2d Division,
44
46
40
40
38
35
2
500.00
3d
46
45
53
42
39
45
450.00
4th
=
46
45
49
41
38
44 :
1
450.00
5th
44
48
50
35
42
43
420.00
6th
=
45
58
41
34
50
33
420.00
BALCH.
§ Millie J. Blaisdell.
27
28
34
24
19
21 :
7
450.00
2d
Fannie N. Perkins. Viola F. Littlefield.
34
40
47
24
28
35
420.00
§ Abbie A. White.
40
48
50
32
43
43
420.00
R. R. Avenue,
Lucy A. Guy.
Total,
377
403
419
320
331
348
$5405.00
1st Division, .
Horace T. Atwood, Prin. Marion Endicott, Ass't. § Sarah P. Hamilton. Emma Wheelock. S. Louisa Rhodes. Maria L. Wheelock. Carrie M. Morse. A. Elizabeth Park.
Whole Membership each Term.
Average Attendance each Term.
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