USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1852-1874 > Part 17
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
DISTRICT No. 3 .- Primary and Grammar School.
Teacher in the Primary for the year Miss Mary H. French.
" Grammar, Summer Term, Miss Laura Odell.
$6 66
66 Winter " Mr. J. W. Grosvenor.
' In consequence of extensive repairs upon the school house in this district, the summer term did not commence till the second week in July.
The Primary school for the year has been well conducted and has manifested a quiet and agreeable aspect and shows a steady and constant improvement.
The attendance upon the Grammar school during the summer term was excellent, and the progress of the school was good.
During the winter this school felt and manifested the power of an ardent and energetic spirit over the minds of the scholars .-- The order was excellent, and the improvement of the school in all branches pursued, was marked and gratifying.
DISTRICT No. 4 .- Primary and Grammar Schools.
Teacher of Primary during the year, Miss Caroline R. Veazie.
Grammar for Summer term, Miss Mary L. Sawyer.
66 Winter " Mr. J. P. Brown.
This Primary school like others where the same faithful teacher has been continued through the year, has made uninterrupted
38
progress. This school has advanced from one of the most backward and unpromising, to the front rank of the Primaries.
At the beginning of the summer term of the Grammar school, the teacher labored under some disadvantages arising mainly, from the fact that she succeeded to one who had been a success- ful and most acceptable teacher, and though herself a good teacher, she failed for a time to gain the confidence of the scholars, so necessary to success. But the labor of the teacher was not in vain and the school made very fair improvement.
During the winter term, this school suffered from the ill health of the teacher ; yet so far as his physical energies would ad- mit, he manifested a tact and talent that with sound health would have insured success. He commenced his labors with feeble health, having but partially recovered from a recent sickness. He hoped his health would improve with time, but in this, both him- self and the Committee were disappointed. This is especially to be regretted, since there are in this district some of the best scholars in town, and such as are eager to make the most of every opportunity for improvement.
DISTRICT No. 5 .- Not Graded, One School.
Teacher of Summer term, Miss A. Anceline Morse.
Winter " Mr. Harvey Perham.
At the beginning of the summer term the school presented an unpromising aspect. The scholars generally manifested little in- terest in their studies, and were in a great measure indifferent to improvement, but by unwearied efforts, the teacher succeeded in awakening an interest in the minds of her pupils, so that the school made very commendable progress.
For the winter term the school was put under the care of an experienced and able teacher, and at first it gave promise of deci- ded improvement which would probably have been realized had all the parents of the district heartily co-operated with the teach- er. An event transpired toward the close of the term which caused a suspension of the school for one week and from that time the attendance became very irregular ; this circumstance in- duced the Committee to close the school a week earlier than they would otherwise have done. The closing examination showed that those scholars who had been regular in their atten- dance had made great improvement.
39
DISTRICT No. 6 .- Primary and Grammar School.
Teacher in the Primary for the year, Miss Snsan J. Dickerman. 66 Grammar for Summer term, Miss Harriet Belcher.
66 66 Winter term Mr. N. E. Holland.
This Primary school is one of the largest in town, and affords additional evidence of the propriety of securing the services of one whose labors prove successful, in the same school through successive terms. The scholars in this school are huddled to- gether into a small and badly ventilated room, but which with little expense might be enlarged and improved, as hereafter sug- gested by the committee under the head of School Houses.
At the commencement of the summer term the teacher of the Grammar school encountered some trials and discouragements, but by a steady perseverance in the cheerful discharge of lier du- ties she overcame all discouragements, and the closing examina- tion made it manifest that great improvement had been made.
During the winter term this school was under the care of a well known, experienced and successful teacher, and its improve- ment and progress were very evident.
DISTRICT No. 7 .- Not Graded, One School.
Teacher of Summer term, Miss Annie M. Thayer.
Winter
Mr. James A. Sanderson.
This school labors under the same difficulties that exist in' District No. 2. The number of scholars is large and the house quite too small. But notwithstanding this the teacher of the Summer term managed the school admirably and the pupils made rapid progress in their studies.
The winter term though not as successful was still in many respects an excellent school. Some dissatisfaction was express- ed by a few in the district during the term, but the closing ex- amination of the school' made it evident to all present that the teacher had labored faithfully and that those who had been con- stant in their attendance had made rapid improvement.
DISTRICT No. 8 .- Primary 1st and 2d Intermediate and Gram-
mar School.
Teacher in the Primary during the year, Miss Emily A. Dickerman.
1 st Intermediate 66 Miss Sarah E. Shankland.
2d 66 Miss Emma W. Cole.
Grammar for the Sum'r term, Mr. Barnabas Holmes.
66
Winter term Mr. W. A, Wilde,
40
T'his Primary School is the largest in town' numbering near a hundred. The most of the scholars being quite small and most of them but just taking the first steps in learning to read, great patience and diligence were required to secure success, and all, and more has been accomplished by the teacher in this depart- ment than could have been expected considering the number and age of the pupils.
The 1st Intermediate numbers over a hundred scholars. Under any other than the long tried and successful teacher who has for several years had charge of this school little progress could have been expected, but the untiring zeal and well directed en- ergy of the teacher awakened a deep interest in the minds of tlie pupils in their studies and mnost gratifying improvement and pro- gress has been made.
The 2d Intermediate has been much smaller in numbers but the studies pursued liave been more numerous, demanding con- stant labor on the part of the teacher, which demand has ever been promptly meť: This school room has always presented the agreeable spectacle of a devoted teacher and affectionate and diligent pupils and the improvement made in this department has been great.
The summer term of the Grammar department opened under · the charge of a teacher who proved himself a strict and thorough disciplinarian-a trait especially needed in this school, and untif the health of the teacher failed, the school made rapid improve4 ment. The health of Mr. Holmes not allowing him to continue the school during the winter, Mr. Wilde was engaged for that purpose. The committee feel that too much' can scarcely be said in praise of the school during the winter. Improvement has been made by the pupils, not only in their studies which has been great indeed, but also in their depórtment and manners. The turbulent and ill mannered, of which there were some in the school, have been taught by attractive example to value and practice kindness and courtesy.
DISTRICT NO. 9 -Primary and Grammar School.
Teacher of Primary during the year, Miss Hannah C. Haywood.
Grammar for Summer term, Miss Orodine Reynolds.
Winter, Mr. Horace Toothakor.
The improvement in this Primary school has been very great.
41
At the beginning of the summer term the school was disorderly and the pupils manifested little interest for improvement. But a pleasing change was soon wrought by the kindly efforts of the teacher, who won the affections of the pupils and deeply interest- ed them in their studies.
During the Summer term of the Grammar school, good order was maintained, and the school made progress and improvement.
The winter term has been peculiarly successful, under a teach- er who though not severe in discipline still maintained excellent order and awakened in the minds of the scholars a disposition for improvement to no ordinary extent. The effort of the teacher was not so much to force knowledge into the minds of the scholars as to beget in their minds a spirit of inquiry and investigation.
DISTRICT No. 10 .- Primary and Grammar School. Teacher of Primary during the year, Mrs. Louisa D. Belcher.
66 Grammar during Summer Term, Miss Mary E. Belcher.
66 66 during Winter Term, Mr. J. W. Beede.
This Primary School ranks the first in town which is in a great measure owing to the labors of the same faithful and de- voted teacher being continued from year to year.
The Grammar School also stands high, and during the sum- mer term, made good progress under the care of an earnest and laborious teacher.
During the winter term this school has been unusually suc- cessful owing to the severe and unremitting labors of the teacher, who spared no pains in his efforts to impress his pupils with a love of study and the acquisition of knowledge.
The statistics of the foregoing schools as found in the several registers are as follows :
6
42
No. of District.
Term.
Names of
TEACHERS.
No. of Scholars!
Attending Sch'l
Average
Attendance.
Per Cont. of
Attendance.
No. Attending
Over 15 y'rs old
No. Attending
under 5 y'rs akl.
I.
Primary Department
Summer
Almira J. Thayer . ...
38
26
68
0
5
Winter
Mary E. Belcher ....
41
33
80
0
1
Grammar Department.
37
27
73
0
0
Winter
W. W. Stickney
45
39
88
16
0
II.
Not Graded.
Summer
Sarah E. Fisher
70
52
72
1
7
Winter
John F. Colby.
61
56
91
7
I
III
Primary Department.
38
26
68
0
4
Winter
Same Teacher.
43
33
78
0
0
Summer
Laura Odell ...
29
2.4
S2
2
0
Winter
J. W. Grosvenor.
36
28
80
6
0
IV.
Primary Department.
46
40
87
0
6
Winter
Same Teacher ..
48
40
83
0
5
Summer
Mary L. Sawyer
33
28
84
0
0
Winter
J. P. Brown. . . Not Graded.
38
34
89
7
0
V.
Summer
A. Anceline Morse
50
35
70
0
7
Winter
Harvey Perham.
46
34
73
8
0
VI.
Primary Department.
69
46
66
0
8
Winter
Same Teacher
64
46
72
0
5
Summer
Harriet Belcher.
43
30
70
2
0
Winter
N. E. Holland.
47
38
82
VII.
Not Graded.
71
48
67
0
6
Winter
James A. Sanderson. . .
52
41
76
4
0
Summer Emily A. Dickerman ...
98.
81
82
0
8
Winter
Same Teacher.
94
71
75
0
6
Summer
Sarah E. Shankland ..
104
72
69
0
0
Winter
Same Teacher ..
94
75
79
0
0
Summer
Emma W. Cole.
47
28
59
0
0
Winter
Same Teacher.
19
43
88
0
0
Summer
Barnabas Holmes.
61
34
55
7
0
Winter.
W. A. Wilde ...
46
38
82
13
0
IX.
Primary Department.
42
32
76
0
10
Winter
Same Teacher ..
38
32
84
0
1
Summer
Orodine E. Reynolds
33
29
90
0
0
Winter
Horace Toothaker. .. ...
38
32
84
9
0
X.
Primary Department.
Summer
Mrs. L. D. Belcher
66
53
80
0
8
Winter
Same Teacher ..
64
55
86
0
3
Summer
Mary E. Belcher.
40
31
77
0
0
Winter
J. W. Beede.
45
41
90
4
0
Summer
Mary H. French.
Grammar Department.
Summer
Caroline R. Veazie.
Grammar Department.
Summer
Susan J. Dickerman .. .
Grammar Department.
0
Summer
Annie MI. Thayer.
Primary Department. -
First Intermediate.
Second Intermediate.
Grammar Department.
Summer
Hannah S. Hayward ...
Grammar Department.
Grammar Department.
Summer
Mrs. E. S. Tucker
43
ENUMERATION OF SCHOLARS IN TOWN, AND NUMBER ATTENDING SCHOOL.
Whole number of scholars in town between the ages of 5
and 15, as returned by the Assessors,
Gain over last year, 66
1,213
ATTENDANCE IN SUMMER.
Whole number of Scholars attending School, 1,015
Average attendance, 742
Per cent. attendance, .73
Gain of per cent. over last year,
.09
Number of scholars over 15 years of age,
11
Number of scholars under 5 years of age,
68
Number of scolars between 5 and 15 years of age not at -.
tending school, 227*
ATTENDANCE IN WINTER.
Whole number of scholars attending School, 989
Average attendance, 809
Per cent. of attendance, .82
Gain of per cent. over last year,
.07
Number of scholars over 15 years of age,
82
Number of scholars under 5 years of age,
19
Number of scholars between 5 and 15 years of age, not attending school during the winter, 325*
EXHIBIT OF APPROPRIATIONS, AND EXPENDITURES OF SCHOOL MONEYS.
The amount raised by the town for schools, $4200 00
The State appropriation, 243 14
Received from sale of salt grass, and appropriated by vote of town, 42 13
Received of North Bridgewater for attendance of six scholars in district No. 4, 18 54
Received of Abington for the attendance of three scholars in district No. 4, 12 96
Received balance of fund unexpended the previous year, 644 59
Whole amount to be used for schools, $5161 96
EXPENDITURES.
Amount paid to Teachers, $4252 28 447 03
" for fuel &c,
66 " teachers in district No. 8 for services, to be paid out of previous year's appropriations, 307 75
" for coal same time, 29 00
66 " for attendance of three scholars at Stoughton, 11 22
Whole am't of the year's expenditures, $5047 28
Balance left unexpended, $114 68
Appropriation to each scholar between 5 and 15 years of age, $3.41 Last year it was $3.74
*From this number is to be deducted the number of scholars attending the Stetson High School and Miss Jewett's Select School in the East Village, which would probably reduce it about a hundred.
44
School Houses.
During the Spring and first of Summer, the School House in District No. 3 was thoroughly repaired and re-seated. The com- mittee were induced to take this course from the fact, that the frame of the building was sound and good, and sufficiently large, amply to accommodate all the scholars of the District, and, if but partial repairs had been made, either thorough repairs or a new building would have been needed in a short time. This school house is now one of the most convenient and attractive in town.
The School House in District No. 6, has been thoroughly re- painted on the outside, and the Committee recommend that at an early day, the Primary school room which is much too small, should be enlarged by removing the partition between it and the ante- room, the latter being useless or nearly so as it now is.
The finishing coat of paint was also added to the New School- house of Dist. No.8, and considerable labor was expended in filling up around the house with gravel, and in some repairs upon the street leading from Main street to the School House, which it was necessary for the Committee to do, as the street had not been accepted by the town and was in a condition to endanger the safety of those who passed through it.
The School Houses in Districts No. 2 and No. 7 though both are nearly new, were never sufficiently large to meet the wants of the districts, and now unless some other means shall be found to relieve the crowd of scholars in those districts both schools should be graded and the houses be enlarged sufficient for pri- mary rooms.
But the difficulty may be relieved by erecting a building for a high school in East Randolph, in such a location as will best ac- commodate the more advanced scholars of Districts No. 9. 2 and 4 and part of No. 7, which in the opinion of the Committee would be the better way.
And the Committee take the liberty further to suggest that though the schools in the westerly part of the town as they are now constituted have been successful, still they do not meet the . wants of the town ; a high school is absolutely needed in this part of the town also.
A building is already provided in District No. 10, and all that
45
is necessary, is, to add a few hundred dollars to the appropriations already made by the town to secure a High School to the easterly and one to the westerly part of the town.
The School House in District No. 9, should the coming year undergo thorough repairs as it is at present in bad condition. The other School Houses of the town are in very good repair though it would be well to repaint several of them upon the outside the comning season.
The Committee are able to give a favorable report upon the state of education in the town. There are still many things to improve and many obstacles to be removed, but the improvement in the interest felt in the schools by the parents, and in their studies by the scholars is great and cheering. During the past year, the parents have more generally visited the schools in their districts during the term, and the examinations at the close have been in most instances numerously attended, the school rooms being often crowded to overflowing.
These are movements in the right direction. Would that pa- rents might fully understand how much depends upon them in securing a good school to their children. It is indeed with them mainly, that the power lies to secure a profitable school in any dis- trict. The towns may appropriate money liberally, and the committee may procure the best talent in the teachers, still if the parents of the district are indifferent to the interests of the school, or only watch for an opportunity to find fault with, and decry the teacher, and that in the presence of the scholars, there- by weakening their confidence in his ability- and impartiality, but little more remains to be done to render the best services of the teachers worthless.
Let it be borne in mind that the duties of a teacher of children are peculiar, and that very few who have had no experience therein are able to judge what is necessay or best to be done ; and yet it most frequently happens, that those who know least what is required in the school room are the first and most busy in inter- fering with and marring the labors of the teacher. In this way, schools that would otherwise be highly successful and prosperous, are often rendered worthless, and the time and money spent in them, but thrown away.
At the commencement of the Summer term the Committee,
1
46
finding that in many instances the schools were scantily supplied with books, and that those in use were to a great extent unsuited to the wants of the scholars, resolved to make a change in school books, and accordingly changed the series of Readers, Spellers, Grammars, Geographies, and Arithmetics. This met with some opposition, but the Committee are confident that the change was called for, and that to this change has been owing in great meas- ure the increased interest in education and the rapid improve- ment made, especially in the fundamental branches to which the schools have been mainly confined.
In the report of the School Committee for the year ending March 1, 1856, is the following passage : "The reading in our schools is nothing but a waste of time as it has been conducted in some cases." At the present time it is far different. Aided by a series of Readers adapted to the capacity and wants of the pupils, they have made great improvement, and the reading and spelling in all the schools is of a high -order. Great improve- ment has also been made in Arithmetic and Grammar, particu- larly in the latter, which had become almost wholly neglected in some districts, but is now made one of the leading branches in all the grammar and mixed schools.
The Committee cannot forbear alluding to the valuable servi- ces of the Rev. B. G. Northrop, the agent of the Board of Educa- tion in our midst. Though he was in town but one day and evening, yet by his spirited, practical, and interesting lectures in the afternoon and evening to the teachers, parents and other friends of education, he did much to deepen and extend the in- terest in schools and education among us.
In conclusion the Committee would say that in all cases they have acted harmoniously and have earnestly sought to promote the interests of the town.
ORAMEL WHITE, JOHN S. LITTLEFIELD, ABEL B. BERRY.
Randolph, March 5, 1858.
STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
The Trustees of the Stetson School Fund submit to the town the following statement of their receipts and expenditures for the financial year now closing, and further report that the Fund re- mains invested as heretofore in following named banks :
Grocers' Bank,
Boston,
10 shares, par value,
$1000
Merchants' Bank,
10
1000
National Bank,
10
66
66
1000
Shawmut Bank,
10
66
66
1000
Granite Bank,
10
66
66
1000
Webster Bank,
10
66
1000
Eliot Bank,
10
66
66
1000
Bank of Commerce,
10
66
1000
Bank of North America, "
10
66
66
1000
Mattapan Bank, Dorchester,
10
66
1000
Randolph Bank, Randolph,
10
66
66
1000
In all Eleven Thousand Dollars, including that of the Grocers' Bank, the value of which however is very trifling. The stock in the other Banks would readily sell for more than Ten Thou- sand Dollars, the amount of the original donation. The account will further show that there is a cash balance on hand of Six Hundred Seventy-eight and 59-100 Dollars. ($678.59). The expenditures for repairs have been larger than ordinarily, hence a smaller cash balance than a year since. The school has been more fully attended than at any previous report.
BENJAMIN HOLMES, ISAAC TOWER, THOMAS WHITE, Jr.,
Trustees.
SETH TURNER, Secretary.
RANDOLPH, March 8, 1858.
The subscribers have examined the accounts of the Trustees of the Stetson School Fund, and find certificates of the invest- ments in the hands of the Secretary as reported by the Trustees. They also find a cash surplus of Six Hundred and Seventy-eight and 59-100 Dollars.
SETH MANN, 2D, JACOB WHITCOMB, EPHRAIM MANN.
RANDOLPH, March 8, 1858.
66
Dr.
The Board of Trustees, in account with the Stetson School Fund, Randolph.
CR.
1857. March 16, April 23,
To balance of last year's account,
$816 17
April 24, By paying J. L. Brown's bill for repairs,
$8 00
" Randolph Bank,
six months' dividend,$50.
167 50
" Shawmut Bank,
40.
'T. I. Clayton's bill, for care of room,
5 25
" Mattapan Bank,
40.
May 4, " 13, July 17,
J. Wilson Ingell's bill, repair of stove,
81
" Merchant's Bank,
35.
9 14
Webster Bank,
35.
5.17
" Eliot Bank,
35.
165 00
National Bank,
35.
5 50
" Granite Bank,
35.
Sept. 29,
J. L. Brown's bill for painting, &c.,
205 00
" Bank of N. America, "
35.
-- 375 00
R. W. Turner's bill for oil, lead, &c.,
118 48
" Six months' rent of Randolph Bank,
50 00
Linus Belcher's bill for labor, stock, &c., John B. Thayer's bill for « ..
23 60
" Shawmut Bank,
40.
Dec. 5,
N. English's bill for sawing wood,
4 50
Mattapan Bank,
40.
Oct. 30,
A. O. Leavitt's bill, salary and sundries, Eben Moulton, Jr.'s bill for care of room, R. T. King's bill for labor
1 81
Eliot Bank,
..
35.
Jan. 23,
A. O. Leavitt's bill, salary and sundries, Eben Moulton, Jr.'s bill for care of room,
5 76
Mch. 5,
Wm. Jacobs' bill for two blackboards,
12 00
370 00
6,
R. Turner's bill for wood,
36 00
1858. Jan. 2, March 8,
" one year's rent of Town for Armory,
100 00
"' six months' rent of Randolph Bank,
50 00
" one year's rent of Reading Room,
24 00
" cash at sundry dates for use of the Hall
" cash at different times during the year,
178 00
$1693 17
$1963 17
SETH TURNER, Secretary.
48
193 58
" Merchant's Bank,
=
35.
5 60
" Webster Bank,
35.
Nov. 6, 1858.
" Granite Bank,
=
30.
188 00
" Bank of Commerce, "
35.
" Bank of N. America,'
35.
" National Bank,
..
35,
8,
Trustees and Secretary,
20 00
Balance to new account.
678 59
Bank of Commerce,
35.
J. H. Broderick's bill, for labor to date, Mr. Kelley and others for washing hall, A. O. Leavitt's bill, salary and sundries, Eben Moulton jr's bill for care of room, S. P. Brown's bill for printing,
1 00
Sept, 30, Oct. 6.
102 88
Randolph Bank,
six months' dividend, $50.
1857.
A. O. Leavitt's bill, salary and sundries,
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THE FINANCES
OF THE
TOWN OF RANDOLPH,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH IST, 1859,
WITH REPORTS OF THE SELECTMEN,
TREASURER, 'SCHOOL COMMMITTEE.
AND TRUSTEES OF THE
Stetson
high School Fund.
RANDOLPH : SAMUEL, P. BROWN, PRINTER. 1859.
7
ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE FINANCES
OF THE ·
TOWN OF RANDOLPH,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1ST, 1859,
WITH REPORTS OF THE SELECTMEN,
TREASURER, SCHOOL COMMMITTEE,
AND TRUSTEES OF THE
Stetson High School Fund.
RANDOLPH : SAMUEL P. BROWN, PRINTER. 1859.
MAY 1 4 1963
AUDITORS' REPORT.
VALUATION of the town May 1, 1858, Number of polls, Poll tax, Rate of tax per $100
$2,524,670
1333
$1,89
66
APPROPRIATIONS, by vote of the town.
For Schools,
$5,000
66
Repairs of Highways,
2,000
66 General Expenses,
9,000
State tax,
1,123
66 County tax,
1,585,15
Overlay,
476,04
$19,182,19
Received from the State, School fund, $254,73
66 sale of salt grass
31,75
$286,48
4
EXPENDITURES FOR THE SCHOOLS.
DISTRICT No. 1.
Paid C. Abby Battles teaching 22 weeks, $121,00 66 66 sweeping and cleaning, 5,00
Isidora Arnold, teaching 22 weeks, 110,00 66. 66 sweeping and cleaning, 5,00
Franklin Jacobs, teaching 3 2-5 months, 153,00
Nelson Knight, making fires, 9,00
F. Townsend, for books for desk, and crayons, 2,64
J. W. Ingell, repair'g stove and furnishing for room 1,69
A. L. Cushing, sweeping and labor, 2,12
H. O. Weld, for charcoal, 4,80
John B. Thayer, for repairs, $3,50
A. K. Weeks, for glazing, 1,12
J. L. Brown, for glazing, 2,35
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.