USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1852-1874 > Part 27
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A. W. WHITCOMB, Chief Engineer. WM. JACOBS, ABIEL HOWARD, J. T. JORDAN, THOMAS WEST.
Assistant Engineers.
Dr.
Town of Randolph in account with H. C. ALDEN, Treasurer.
To paying 216 Town orders drawn by the Selectmen, *
Treasury Notes, ..
Received for Treasury Notes issued, .
State Tax, .. .
Tax bill 1860, .
of State military bounty and armory rent,
431 00
of State proportion of school fund, . . ..
255 43
Sexton and other persons returning deaths, and Town Clerk recording births, deaths, and marriages, ..
67 30
of State for support of State paupers, .... of sundry persons for dog licenses, 287 dogs,
319 00
Stationery for Clerk and Treasurer, ...
2 40
of Circus Co., for license, ..
35 00
Postage, .
...
..
* There is one Town order drawn on the Treasury of $1,25 unpaid, which makes the whole amount drawn, $15,047 54.
· Balance, ...
* The above balance is composed of the following items :
$29,189 22
Amount due on tax of 1858, . . $180 95
1859, .. .. 923 19
1860, .2929 81
Six shares Randolph Bank Stock, .. 600 00
Notes Receivable, . . .114 12
Cash and bills in Treasurer's hands, ..... 4899 00
$9,647 07
$15,046 29 3400 00 780 00 132 61
By balance last year's account, 1860
$3043 93 4900 00 19,629 81
40
9647 07
6 00
of County of Norfolk, .
of Guardian R. T. Beal,
82 9
$29,189 22
Treasurer's salary as by vote of Town, ....
75 00
of Town of Braintree, pauper account, 1859,
31 50
Sealing weights and measures, ..
6 85
Quincy,
45 00
Canton,
17 25
Stoughton,
8 50
3 50
66 N. Bridgewater, pauper account, Nantucket, ..
117 90
of City of Salem,
13 00
Licensing 287 dogs. ...
28 70
for salt grass, (Coddington donation,) ..... for div'nds b'k stock, Coddington donation,
60 00
3 00
33 50
Interest on Treasury Notes, .
156 00
Dr.
State of the Treasury, February 15th, 1861.
Cr,
NOTES PAYABLE-
NOTES RECEIVABLE-
$114 12
Note No. 27 to Aminadab Thayer, ..
200 00
Randolph Bank Stock, 6 shares,
750 .00
" 47 to Ephraim Wales estate, .
470 00
Amount due on tax bills, 1858,.
180 85
66 55 and 56 E. N. Holbrook,
5000 00
". ..
66
1859, .
923 19
77 to Susannah Fisher, ... ..
500 00
2929 81
85 to Maria S. Rogers, .... ... .
310 95
in hands of Treasurer, .
.
98 to Beulah Hunt, .. ....
1000 00
= due for State paupers,
113 00
66 99 to Asa Belcher, 3d, . ....
100 00
66 from other towns,
477 65
" 101 to Lemuel Wentworth, ..
300 00
102 to Zeno Linfield,
700 00
66 " 107 to Chas. W. White,
558 00
" 108 to R. T. White, .. ..
385
00
" 110 to Dr. E. Alden, . ·
1000 00
" 111 to Otis Thayer, ..
500 00
" 117, 118, 124, 135, 141, Randolph S. Bank,
6750 00
" 119 to Martha Brodrick, ..
225 00
" 121 and 140 to P. McMahon, .
1300 00
" 122 to Rufus Thayer, ..
2000 00
. .
" 125 to Joshua Spear, . ....
1000 00
" 134 to Joshua Hunt, . . .....
228 00
139 to E. S. Belcher, ... ...
100 00
" " 142 to Rachel F. Skinner, ... .
300 00
Retimated amount of interest due March 1st, 1861, ...
1325 00
" unpaid bills, ..
3000 00
$27,251 95
·
.
66 from liquor agent, liquor and cash, .. .
300 00
Balance against Treasury, ...
16,564 23
..
....
$27,251 95
41
6
.
.
1860,. .
..
4899 00
STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
The Trustees of the Stetson School Fund present to the Town their annual statement of the condition of said Fund, the invest- ment being as follows viz :
10 shares Shawmut Bank,
Boston, par value $1000
10 .6 Webster Bank,
1000
10
.. Eliot Bank,
1000
10 Hide and Leather Bank,
١١
1000
10
Shoe & Leather Dealers' Bank,
1000
10
Exchange Bank,
1000
20
Boston Bank,
1000
5
Boylston Bank,
..
500
6
66 Tremont Bank,
60
600
10
Mattapan Bank,
Dorchester,
1000
10
Randolph Bank,
Randolph,
1000
Total.
$10,100
having cost the Fund $11,135, and worth at present quotations somewhat more than that sum. The ten shares Grocers Bank are still held, no dividend having been made by the Receivers of that Institution. The balance of Cash on hand is, as per ac- count $631,17 from which however is to be deducted the cur- rent expenses of the present Term of the School.
During the past year in conformity with a vote of the Town at the last annual meeting, the character of the School has been changed and is now in successful operation as a High School, the rooms in the building suitably arranged to meet the wants of pupils composed of both sexes. This change has been the result of much reflection hitherto, on the part not only of the Trustees, but also of the Superintending School Committee as well as citizens generally, who may be supposed to have an interest in the welfare of the Town and the cause of Education. In
43
order to place the subject in its true position, perhaps the best course is to present the action of the School Committee based on the vote of the Town, and the subsequent doings of the Trustees in accomplishing the change.
Isaac Tower Esq., as Chairman of the " Board of Education of Randolph " proposed to the Trustees, that "acting under a vote of said Town to combine the Town High School with said Stetson High School they propose to said Trustees to make all necessary changes in the Stetson High School room and other necessary rooms for the purpose of carrying said vote of the Town into effect at the expense of said Town; and to pay for all necessary assistance for that purpose by the Town," upon which proposition the Trustees on the 13th day of April last voted " That the Trustees shall retain absolute control of said School making such alterations in the rooms, grounds &c., as they shall deem proper (the Town paying the expense) select- ing the Teachers, Principal and assistant and transacting all oth- er business pertaining to the management of the School in the same manner as heretofore, with the understanding that they are to do all in their power, consistent with the terms of the donation (Stetson) to make the school of the class contemplated by the law providing for the establishment of "Town High Schools." The Trustees further expect that before consummating the ar- rangement some detailed system shall be mutually agreed upon to defray current expenses as well as salaries of Teachers.
With these preliminaries all due preparations were made and the school opened on the 3rd of September in charge of Mr. John F. Colby (who had been previously engaged) as Principal and Miss Mary I. Peabody as assistant Teacher, and admissions after due examination of their qualifications by the Town Com- mittee, Trustees and Principal, of 33 Boys and 35 Girls. Of the success of the experiment in making so radical a change in the character of the school, it may be prudent to await a longer trial before expressing too much confidence in the plan, yet the Trustees do not hesitate to state their convictions that as at present organized, and forming opinions from the result of their
44
experience of six months, the school equals all expections raised. and promises a degree of usefulness that must be gratifying to its friends and the inhabitants of the Town. These sentiments the Trustees are confident express the opinions of the general Superintending Committee and those persons who have at va- rious times visited the School and witnessed its progress. -
To return to the business matter of their report : the Trustees notwithstanding the tenorof the vote of the Town authorized all charges incidental to the new arrangement to be made at the expense of the Town have considered that the improvements made in the Building and premises were of such a nature that the Fund in equity should be chargeable with a portion of the expenditure, and have paid bills to the amount of $200 a sum that was considered a fair proportion. The School Committee have defrayed the balance as will be shown in their annual re- port to the Town when made. The expense already incurred is mostly of a nature that will not again ensue, and could not well be placed before the Town at their last annual meeting ex- cepting by estimate.
· For the future support of the School, it will be a matter for the consideration of the Town, to decide what por- tion of their annual appropriation of money for Schools shall be applied to the Stetson School and placed at the disposal of the Trustees : after full discussion of the subject we are of the opinion that in view of the advantages obtained and the pros- pective expenditure for a High School that this arrangement prevents for the present, a sum not less than $600 should be al- lowed by the Town. The change in the nature of the School has required the advance of the Principal's salary to $800 per annum, the employment of an assistant at $300 per year and other incidental expenses, at the same time the Fund's income is diminished by the amount of rent heretofore received from the rooms given up to the School, that rent having been $100 per year. The Trustees regret that the annual Report of the Su- perintending Committee is not to be placed before the Town at this time, as in it, they hoped the subject of appropriations
45
would be fully discussed and the merits of Stetson School pre- sented in its true position for the consideration of the Town, before any action should be required. In closing, the Trustees desire to state that although the requirements of the letter of donation of the Stetson Fund are such that the executive duties shall devolve upon the Board of Trustees for the time being, yet at all times they wish while the trust rests upon them, to enjoy the co-operation of the Town's Committee and to listen to all their suggestions that may tend to promote the prosperity of the School. They appreciate and wish to acknowledge the har- mony and liberality that has been evinced by the Town's Com- mittee in their intercourse with the Trustees during the year. It is very desirable that all who can shall visit the School often and thus be better enabled to judge of its efficiency and usefulness.
DANIEL HOWARD, JOHN L. FRENCH,
THOMAS WHITE, JR. 1
Trustees of the Stetson School Fund.
Randolph, February 20, 1861.
The subscribers having, as required, examined the report of the Trustees of the Stetson School Fund, certify that they find in the hands of Seth Turner, Secretary, the certificates of Bank Stock, as named, to the amount of $10,000. The balance of cash on hand is, as per account $631.17.
HORATIO B. ALDEN JR., Selectmen JACOB WHITCOMB, of
SETH MANN 2D., Randolph.
The Superintending School Committee concur in the forego- ing report of the Trustees of the Stetson School Fund, so far as it relates to the joint action of the Trustees and the Committee
46
in accordance with the vote of the Town, at the annual meeting in April last. And the Committee concur also, in recommend- ing to the town to raise six hundred dollars for the use of the Stetson School Fund.
This recommendation is based upon the following considera- tions :- First, that it is neccessary for the town to raise three hundred dollars to pay the assistant teacher ; Second, that as the change has been made for the benefit of the town, that the in- come of the Stetson Fund should not be diminished by the means, and that change has in addition to the salary of the assistant teacher caused an increase of one hundred dollars in the salary of the principal teacher, and increased the neccessary incidental expenses to a considerable extent, and has also decreased the income of said fund one hundred dollars,* making in all about three hundred more.
The School Committee are happy to add that on the terms stated in the Trustees' Report, the desired change in the Stetson School has been accomplished with the most satisfactory result thus far, and with the most flattering prospect for the future. The school is now accomplishing all that its munificent founder could have wished for it, and the town at a comparatively tri- 1 fling expense is enjoying the advantages of a High School. All that is neccessary now for continued success, is to continue to secure the services of learned, faithful and efficient teachers, and for the community to manifest their interest in its welfare by frequently favoring it with their presence.
The harmony and good understanding with which so impor- tant a change has been accomplished by the Trustees and the Committee, make it manifest that in their future intercourse there can be no diversity of interest or feeling.
ISAAC TOWER.
Chairman of the Superintending School Committee.
*For rent of Armory room (which is now used for the school) $100 was received.
Dr.
The Board of Trustees in account with the Stetson School Fund.
Cr.
1860. Mar. 13, April 4,
To Cash balance of last year's account,
$454 61
Mar. 1860.
By paying W. Wentworth & Son, for 2 boxes, " J. F. Colby, salary 18 w. $293, sund. 6 13,
$1 00 299 13 15 00
" J. E. Nash, for clock,
16
66
Boylston
22 50
Shawmut 30 00
April 1, July 3,
" J. F Colby, salary from April 2 to July 4, bill of sundries,
7 62
ILIde & Leath!“
30 00
7 10
Sept. 5,
" John L. French, for 3 keys,
1 00
Webster
Boston
40 00
Sept. 18, Oct. 1, Oct. 27,
" S. P. Brown, advertising,
3 00
66
..
Randolph
50 00
66
Mattapan
40 00
Oct. 10,
6 mos. div. same banks as above,
397 50
13 75
" H. O. Weld, bill charcoal,
6 30
Sept. 11,
Randolph Bank 6 months' rent,
50 00
Dec, 31,
Town Superintending School Committee,* " for rent of Armory,
58 31
" P. A. Wales, " repairs,
1 50
1861.
Randolph Bank 6 mos. rent to Apr. Ist,
50 00
" J. N. Foster,
cutting wood,
1 75
24 00
" J. W. Ingell,
" furnace & fixtures,
63 00
·' Hiram Wales,
" coal,
33 75
71 00
" J. L. French,
" carting furniture,
11 00
42 00
" J. L. Brown,
" repairs,
7 62
First Parish, ..
1 50
" G. H. Nichols,
" labor,
3 50
" J. F. Colby, ..
sundries,
10 50
" M. I. Peabody, " 2 mos. salary,
60 00
" Royal Turner, " " 2 cords wood,
11 00
" T. H. Brcdrick, " " labor, material, &c.
31 25
6. M. Clark, Jr., care of room,
20 00
" Trustees and Secretary for services, Balance,
631 17
$1888 42
.
2 25
Sh. & Leath. «
45 00
" Thos. Good and Tim. Martin, labor,
1 00
Exchange
50 00
C. Morton, Jr , bill,
20 00
" Eben. Moulton, " labor,
21 13
397 50
A J. L. French, pay for team and gravel,
8 34
int on one share new stock Tremont Bk.
2 00
" R. W. Turner, bill for sundrics,
14 26
" W. Jacobs,
" labor,
1 25
47
Feb. 5,
Rand. Read. I'm 1 yea's r't to Mar. Ist. sundry persons for various uses of the hall during the year, Unitarian society for use of Hall,
Dec. 1,
$1888 42
1861. Jan. 22, Feb. 14, 20,
* In the Selectmen's report this sum is stated a .: $300. It is explained thus-$30 was paid direct to Miss Peabody, for one mo's teaching.
232 00
" Mrs. Brady and Mrs, Gill, for labor,
Eliot
35 00
35 00
" One sharenew stock Tremont bk. (apl. 30,
100 00
6 mos. div. Tremont Bank, $20 00
Randolph, Feb. 20, 1881.
SETH TURNER, Secretary.
" 3 mos. salary,
240 00
8 25
270 00
" G. L. & J. B Kelly, bill for curtains,
" Ralph Houghton, for book case and labor,
48
At the Annual Town Meeting in Randolph, 1853,
It was Voted, That the Town Clerk be a Committee to investigate the condi- tions of the Coddington donation, and report at the next Annual Spring Town Meeting.
1854.
Voted, That Col. E. Beal, Committee on the Coddington donation, have further time to report.
1857.
Voted, That Col. E. Beal, Committee on the Coddington donation, have further time to report, and that he be requested to collect such historical facts and traditional information as he thinks best in regard to the donor, and report the same to the town at the next Annual Meeting.
1860.
Voted, That the Committee on the Coddington donation be instructed to sub- mit his final report in writing before the next Annual Meeting, and that the same be printed in the next Annual Report, and that he also present his bill for services before said time.
A true copy of record,
H. C. ALDEN, Town Clerk.
-
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE COD- DINGTON FUND.
Gentlemen and Citizens of the Town of Randolph :
The interest which you have taken, in the appointment of a Committee "to investigate the conditions of the Coddington donation"-also, " to collect such historical facts and traditional information as he thinks best in regard to the donor, and report the same to the town," has been met with all due effort on the part of your Committee.
Your nearly exhausted patience, and frequent inquiry about the donation, at the annual town meetings, since the appoint- ment of your Committee, has always been accompanied with embarrassment on his part; for the absence of material facts relating to the subject which your Committee has always been eager to obtain, and never spared any pains for its accomplish-
49
ment, has compelled him to delay reporting upon the subject from year to year in the hope that the long sought for informa- tion might be reached and presented in the report. But from the numerous inquiries and researches your Committee has made among the citizens and in the records of Braintree, Quincy, Randolph, Boston, Plymouth, Dorchester and Newport, R. I., it may be doubtful whether much more material fact in regard to the " donation" will ever be obtained than that offered now, though there is an interest quite extensive in Newport to ascer- tain everything possible in regard to Gov. Coddington, the result of which may in time afford new light. Your Committee in his interview with many citizens of Newport, among whom were the present Mayor Cranston, Dr. David King, one of the judges, and the Clerk of the Supreme Court, found not one of them before knew that Governor Coddington once resided in Massachusetts. They all were taken by surprize from the inquiries made. Dr. King said he had for a long time been collecting facts relating to Governor Coddington, and desired the information which your Committee possessed in regard to him ; he said it was valuable. It was given him. He also noted the place of residence and interest of Mr. Coddington in Massachusetts, and said he should come and see your Committee in the course of the next year, for further investigation. The time mentioned by him to come has not yet arrived. The Clerk of the Supreme Court, before referred to, (whose name I noted down but now cannot find ) said his wife was of regular descent from Gov.Coddington. He knew no more facts of him than I had already obtained, but related the following as traditional : That the manuscript of Gov. Cod- dington, which was very extensive and well written, was not published at the proper time, but it was left in common with other articles of value to his heirs, and now cannot be found. Latterly, he said, it had been stated that the rightful heir who should possess the manuscript is a resident in Bridgewater, Mass., but could not tell the name. He also directed me to Edward Coddington, of Boston, who he said was a regular descendant from Gov. Coddington.
Your Committee fell in with Edward Coddington at the office of the Daily Advertiser, where he said he had been engaged for the last twenty years. The interview with him afforded nothing new in regard to William Coddington. He said he did not know that William Coddington was ever a resident of Massa- chusetts.
In regard to the represented interest in Bridgewater, your
50
Committee has made inquiries when opportunities have been offered in his business circle, and gained cothing until very late- ly. Within a few days he accidentally fell in with a person in the cars, coming from Boston, who said his name was Horn, and he belonged in Providence, and was impressed there was a fam- ily in Bridgewater by the name of Jackson, relatives of Gov. Coddington.
Communication to E. BEAL, Com.
MY DEAR SIR: " In the year 1779, when the British vacated this island, Walter Chaloner, a sheriff of Newport, who had the care of all the bocks of record of all the courts, took them for safety on board a vessel and started for New York. On his passage while passing through " Hurl Gate," the vessel struck a rock and sunk wader water and remained there three or four days. Afterwards the books were fished up, and taken to New York city, where they were left in their damaged condition, without any attention for more than a year. The present dilap- idated condition of the books renders .it almost impossible to obtain a record of them which would be of service to any one."
BENJAMIN B. HOWLAND. City Clerk.
Newport, R. 1., August, 1860.
Nothing is known in regard to these books except the above communication, which was represented to your Committee as traditional. These books are in the charge of the City Clerk, and are kept in a cabinet abont four by six feet square. Your Committee took for examination three volumes from the cabinet, promiscuously. The first volume, a large one for the cabinet, he spent about one half hour in trying to read, but was unable to find a perfeet and complete record. The edges of the leaves were crumbled ; the binding stood tolerably well. The ink of record was nearly washed or faded away, except where it was heavily laid on. The second volume, a smaller one, had been nearly half used. One record of a deed was intelligible, though it was much stained by water. The third volume, one of the largest, and very likely one of the most comprehensive, ( which had to be opened with care,) had crumbled in pieces of the size of the finger nail, to the size of the hand. The ink of this volume had mostly disappeared. In perusing the volumes, it was discovered the name of Gov. Coddington occurred very
51
Dequently associated with other distinguished names, of the Island, in trust with the public business. It was said at New- port, that the Legislature were about directing and making ap- propriations, for reading and printing what could be understood of these books
MR. CODDIGNTON 'S TOMB-STONE.
In a small cemetery (about 2-by-8 rods square) at the junction of Farewell and North Baptist Streets, opposite the Baptist Church in the city of Newport, R. L., stands the tombstone of William Coddington.
Its dimension above the surface is about 33 feet high, 23 feet wide, and 4 inches thick, round corners on the top -us material 's siate.
INSCRIPTION.
" THIS MONUMENT, Erected by the Town of Newport on the 12th day of May 1839, being the second centeniel Anniversary of the settlement of this Town : To the memory of William Coddington, E-q.
That illustrious man, who first purchased this Island from the Narragansett Sachems C'anonicus and Miantunomo for. and on account of himself and seventeen others, his associates in the purchase and settlement.
He presided many years as chief Magistrate of the Island and Colony of Rhode Island, and died much resper ted and lamented on the Ist day of November 1678. Aged 78 years and was here interred." At the other end of his grave stands another smaller slate stone of more aticient origin on which is the follow- ing incription all in large capital letters.
" Here lyeth buried ye body of William Coddington Esq. aged 78 years departed his life November ye 1 1678."
MR. CODDINGTON'S PORTRAIT.
It is hanging in the rear of the Speaker's Desk in the Council Chamber, of the City Hall in Newport, R. I.
Probably it must have been painted at about the age of sixty years. The canvass sheet is about three by four and a half feet. The subject is represented nearly to his knees-standing-as if engaged in argument. His countenance indicates deep thought, conscientious feeling and emotions. His structure is tall, round
52
and rather feminine, of light complexion, high forehead. His right arm hangs vertically downward to his wrist, the hand of which is horizontal, with his fore-finger extending; the thumb and other fingers clenched. His wrist is encircled with white ruffled undersleeves, -his dress and costume is modest military, of nazarine blue open over his chest and closed midway his per- son. His left arm is downward to the elbow, thence raised nearly horizontal. The hand holding his glove. Below this arm, at the scollop pocket- velt of his under coat, protrudes his sword-handle and guard from under his outer garment. His hand was uncommonly small ;- he wore the customary wig of the time, which was of a sandy grey color, ringlets hanging on his left shoulder and on his right side to his breast. In front and at his right appear a bar supported by colums over which in the distance are forest trees, through which light seems to be forcing its way.
A copy of this portrait has recently been taken and placed in the care of the "Redwood Library Association" in Newport.
This association besides its numberless volumes for reading has portraits of most of the distinguished men warriors, and chiefs of our country; it has a firm capacious building, pleasantly situat- ed, and is well worthy the attention of strangers.
Governor Coddington professed religion and was of the Bap- tist order.
William Coddington emigrated to this country from Lincoln- shire, England, about the year 1630,and located himself in Bos- ton, where he was a prominent merchant for about seven years.
He purchased of the colony a plantation at "Mount Wollas- ton " (now Quincy ) where he made valuable improvments. The following may be found in Barry's History of Mass., Period first, pages 366-7 : " Appeals to England were treated with con- tempt ; and Endicott, Wilson, Norton, and others, urged on the work of persecution, until a resilience was produced .- until the people recoiled from the scene of blood; with loathing and ab- horrence, repented of their misdeeds ; and clamoured for the repeal of the most barbarous statutes. It was no squalid panto- mime, but a terrible tragedy which was acted by our fathers. There were gradations of cruelty in their treatment to the Quak- ers ; and the severity of their punishment increased in arithmeti- cal progression. For ; from imprisonment, they proceeded to fines and confiscations ; from fines and confiscations, to whipping with the knot; from whipping to mutilation, and cutting off ears ; from mutalation to banishment ; from banishment to servi-
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