USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1852-1874 > Part 4
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66
error of last year, 29 loads gravel, 1 45
66
school books, 5 64
66 John L. Brown, repairs on poor house, and other repairs, 9 96
Jonathan Jones, ringing bell for town, and tolling, . 5 00
Isaac Tower, 3} days' services as selectman, 4 50
services at Salem on pauper account, .
4 29
Eleazer Beal, making return School Statistics, and journey to Boston to examine proof-sheet School Report, . 10 00
John Richards, repair on poor house, 5 00
66 John B. Arnold, for support of pauper, 11 68
George W. Wales, copying valuation and tax, 1851, 5 00
T. R. Marvin, printer's bill, 94 20
B. L. Wales, 2 days at Boston on town account, 3 00
A. Woodman, paying express, 1 17 .
horse and wagon, 1 50
R. M. Brown, entertainment town officers and committee, 17 00
$216 36
16
Funeral Expenses.
Paid Moses French, for attending 21 funerals, $21 00
66 66 66 repairs on hearse, 45
" Ezekiel French, for attending 62 funerals,
62 00
66 " repairing hearse, 42
$83 87
Expense of Law-suit vs. Hiram Wild.
Paid Eleazer Beal, horse and wagon, $1 50
1 day at Ellis Ames's, 1 54
" 7 days' attendance on court, . 14 00
66 " surveying road, and plan of rocks, 6 00
J. J. and M. L. Clark, attorney fees, 101 00
" Ellis Ames, 66
74 25
$198 29
Town Officers.
Paid Bradford L. Wales, 19 days, selectman, 1852-3, .
$28 50
David Blanchard, 8 " 12 50 .
Archibald Woodman, 10 "
·
15 00
66 Selectmen for enrolling militia,
6 00
66 Bradford L. Wales, assessing town and district taxes,
25 00
as overseer of the poor,
20 00
David Blanchard, assessing taxes,
12 50
as overseer of the poor,
10 00
A. Woodman, assessing taxes,
25 00
66 66 as overseer of the poor,
20 00
66
66 66 copying town valuation, 5 00
6 00
Ezekiel French, as constable,
Eleazer Beal, services superintending school committee,
38 00
Ezra C. Scott,
38 50
Levi Paine,
66
66
35 00
$297 00
17
Town Paupers.
Paid Amos Curtis, support of Sarah Crane, $52 00
66 Richard Ford, clothing 66
2 00
" Cash for pair shoes,
1 00 -- 55 00
Amos Curtis, support of Emeline Keith,
41 40
66 Richard Ford, clothing 66 "
5 83
Amos Curtis, making clothes " '75 -- 47 98 66
support of Mrs. Delano and boy, 34 50
John Sylvester, " " Delano boy, 10 00
66 clothing
3 12 -- 47 62
Amos Curtis, support of Polly Copeland, .
9 50
66 bedding, brooms, stove-pipe,
2 75 -- 12 25
66 66 wood at poor house, . 18 00
Joseph Linfield, wood, Widow Hannah Hobart, 9 75
David Burrell, 66 66
5 50-15 25
Ambrose Hollis, Jr., support of Ambrose Hollis, 65 00 C. Morton, Jr , 4 67 66 66 66
H. H. Packard & Co., “
1 25 -- 70 92
66 Andrew M. Dyer, support of Susanna Hollis, 27 00
John Hollis,
66
66
19 12 -- 46 12
Jacob Niles, supplies Richard Sylvester's Widow, 1 45 66
3 75-5 20
Sally Clark, support of Mrs. Parnell Clark, 50 00
66 B. L. Wales, journey to see 66 3 50-53 50
Darius Littlefield, support of Mrs. Hannah Niles, . 65 00
66 Benjamin Pratt, support of Mrs. Anna Thayer, 62 40
66 John Jones, support of Joseph S. Sylvester, 18 50 ·
Amasa Clark, support of Samuel Howard, .
78 00
Massachusetts State Lunatic Hospital, sup- port of Joseph Tower, ·
48 77
Do. do. Dianthy Hobart, 117 71-166 48
66 Hannah Curtis, support of Mrs. Hall, 42 00
Caleb Dyer, supplies, Mrs. Croak, 18 00 .
26 33
Isaac Holbrook, support of Samuel Holbrook, 1851, 66 1852, 43 00
J. N. E. Mann, for Polly Niles and Betsey Cole, in house of correction, . 29 27
$920 82
c
66 Caleb S. Rogers,
18
State Paupers.
Paid Richard Ford, supplies, Mrs. Mulligan and family,
$14 00
" Royal W. Turner, “ 18 00
Ralph Houghton, coffin, Miss Mulligan, 4 25 .
Azel Howard, grave clothes, " 2 00
Royal W. Turner, supplies, Mrs. Catharine Donovan,
66 66 Mrs. Dennis O'Connell,
2 50
Richard Ford, supplies, Ellen and Hannah Coffee, .
66 Benjamin Rowell, for self and family,
26 00
Richard Ford, clothing Mrs. - - Burns's children,
2 30
Frank Hill, for self,
4 00
Richard Ford, supplies, Mrs. Kaily, $8 00
Loring Thayer, “
22 42-30 42
66 Amos Curtis, 72 weeks' board Asa Allen, 7 50
· Richard Ford, clothing for 3 24
Harrison Warner's wife, supplies, ·
5 00
Richard Ford, clothing for Mary McQuin, 2 84
66 Amos Curtis, boarding Robert Moore,
58 25
A. M. Collis, 57 50
66 Richard Ford, clothing
1 00
John O. Brien,
11 00-69 50
66 Amos Curtis, boarding Thomas Grant, 58 25
66 board, care and sickness, James Hays, 12 00
66 Ralph Houghton, coffin, 4 25-18 25 .
Mary D. Reed, support of Lowell's family, .
12 00 ·
Amos Curtis, board and care in sickness of Mrs. McGreavy, 78 00
66
66
making clothes for do.
75-78 75
support of Michael Welch, 34 00
66
66 making clothes for do.,
50-34 50
66 support of Mary O'Neil,
3 75
66 Richard Ford, clothing Mary and Thomas Bray, 3 51
Amos Curtis, support of James Bray,
7 88
66
Mrs. Mary Bray,
8 00
Miss Mary Bray,
7 88
Thomas Bray,
7 88
removing the Bray family, 2 00-37 15
66 66
support of Bridget Brown and child, . 33 00
66
Mary Mahady, 3 00
66
Michael Sullivan, . 28 00
E. Beal, boots
2 00-30 00
66 expense funeral 2 00
66
66 66
7 18
1 50
19
Paid E. Beal, wood, Mary Coffee,
$6 00
Owen Riley, support of Owen Riley.
13 12
66 Thomas Good, supplies, Mrs. Stanton, 1852, 2 35
" R. M. Brown, supplies, paupers, 4 51
Amos Curtis, support of Patrick McGavie, in sickness, 17 50 50
Patrick Lynch,
66
66
Eliza H. and A. Burns, 14 00
Mrs. Heley and 2 children, 7 50
C. Donovan and 3 6 00
P. Fennell,
2 50
M. Adams,
50
1 50
66
M. Felan and wife, 75
1 50
66 Richard Ford, sheeting and clothing for poor house,
5 66
66 Amos Curtis, clothing for State paupers' children, ·
4 25
1 42 -- 5 67
66
Ira W. Lewis, supplies, Eliza Birchard,
4 00
Mary Curran, 3 00 -- 7 00
B. L. Wales, amount paid out to sundry paupers, 3 75
" A. Woodman, paid traveling, paupers, 75 ·
" Sundry persons for paupers' conveyances, &c., · 12 52
$682 13
Paupers of other Towns.
Paid John Jones, support of Samuel Hastings and
wife, and in sickness, of Cambridge,
$12 00
funeral expenses, ·
2 00
grave clothes, 2 00
Atkins Kimball, digging grave, 1 50
Ralph Houghton, coffin, Mrs. Hastings, 4 25-21 75
" Cyrus Morton, for Elias Miller, pauper, of Roxbury, . 6 52
66 David Whitcomb, for do. do. 6 00-12 52
" Ira Howard, support of G. W. Bolster, pauper, of Uxbridge, 12 00
" Lydia Smith, supplies, C. Buffum, of Salem, 18 75
" Hosea Hollis, support Bird, child, of Dorchester, 30 00
$95 02
66
Azel Howard, grave clothes,
Ann Burns and 3 children,
2 00
Ralph Houghton, coffin, Patrick Welch,
J. Allen, wife and child,
66
66
20
Medical Attendance on Paupers.
Paid Dr. Frederick Howard, medical attendance on ---
Child of H. B. Lowell,
75
Robert Moore,
$1 00
Abel Collis,
1 50
George W. Bolster,
.
6 25
Michael Sullivan, .
3 50
Emeline Keith,
50
Asa Allen,
1 00
Patrick Healy's child,
50
Franklin Hill and wife,
9 00-24 00
Paid Dr. Ephraim Wales, medical attendance on-
James Hays,
3 00
Mrs. Burns,
1 00
Frank Hill,
5 50
Patrick McGavie, .
.
.
10 00
One visit poor house,
50-20 00
Total,
$44 00
Recapitulation.
Paid for schools, . . $2,558 99
" Roads and bridges, and removing snow, . 109 36
" Surveyors of highways, .
1,471 39
" Town expenses, .
216 36
" Town officers, .
297 00
" Funeral expenses,
83 87
" Law-suit vs. Hiram Wild,
198 29
" Town paupers, .
920 82
" State paupers, .
682 13
66 " Other town's paupers, . 95 02
' Medical attendance on paupers, .
44 00
$6,677 23
BRADFORD L. WALES, SELECTMEN DAVID BLANCHARD, OF
ARCHIBALD WOODMAN, S RANDOLPH.
RANDOLPH, MARCH, 1853.
.
·
.
.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE TOWN OF RANDOLPH, 1852-53.
YOUR Committee submit to the consideration of the Town, the fol- lowing Report of the Schools under their supervision the past year.
DISTRICT NO. 1.
Whole number of scholars between the ages of five and fifteen years, 105; No. at school in summer, 93 ; average attendance in summer, 66; No. under five years of age in summer, 4; No. over fifteen years of age in summer, 2; No. at school in winter, 86 ; average attendance in winter, 60; No. under five years of age in win- ter, 0; No. over fifteen years of age in winter, 4; proportion of school money, $271 93.
This School, during the Summer Term, was under the instruction of Miss Maria D. Battles. The large number of scholars rendered it necessary to employ an assistant; and, at the close of three weeks from its commencement, Miss Sophia H. French was engaged for that purpose. Owing to the limited capacity of the house, Miss French's services were partly rendered in the entry. The school commenced on the 12th of April, and continued twenty-four weeks. During this term, the teacher and assistant strictly applied themselves to the wel- fare of the school. Their fidelity was in every respect commendable. At the examination the reading was of excellent style, deliberate, clear, and emphatic-not surpassed in any of the schools. The classes in Arithmetic made great advancement, solving many intricate questions on the blackboard with rapidity. Those in Colburn's Mental will take the highest rank in advancement, as will other classes in some of the other schools. A class of twelve, in first steps in numbers, new beginners at commencement of term, advanced perfectly thirty- five pages. Four of the same class advanced perfectly fifty-one, and five advanced seventy-two pages. Some very good specimens of pencil- ing were exhibited, which the teacher indulged her scholars to practice upon during their leisure moments in the school room. This exercise,
22
as a recreation, is very commendable in all schools during the leisure of the scholars. In Grammar, good improvement was made, as was in all the branches taught.
The Winter Term commenced the 29th of November, and contin- ued fourteen weeks. It was taught by Mr. John A. Rice. This term, soon after its commencement, seemed doubtful what the result of the school might be. The teacher was reserved, pleasant and easy, and the scholars were inclined to take advantage of it for a while. How- ever, there was a kind and courteous feeling manifested by the teacher towards his pupils, which finally resulted in good order, good feeling, and a general attachment in both scholars and teacher. This school made respectable progress in all the branches taught, and closed with a fair examination.
DISTRICT NO. 2.
Whole number of scholars from five to fifteen years of age, 50; No. attending in summer, 60; average attendance in summer, 50; No. over fifteen years of age in summer, 0; No. under five years of age in summer. 14; No. attending in winter, 59; average attendance in winter, 45; No. over fifteen years in winter, 9; No. under five years in winter, 3; proportion of school money, $208 08.
This School was under the instruction of Miss Sarah A. Nelson, both Summer and Winter Terms. The Summer Term commenced May 3, and closed October 1. At the first visit your Committee made in this term, it was manifest that Miss Nelson was more than an ordi- nary teacher ; she was desirous to instill into the minds of her pupils a habit of thoroughness, which she did not fail to accomplish. Her manner of reasoning with her scholars was clear and explicit. At the closing examination your Committee were highly gratified in the pro- gress of the school. One class of new beginners in Colburn's Mental Arithmetic advanced perfectly to Sec. 14. One class in Physiology advanced to Sec. 31. One class of six new beginners in Grammar advanced so far as to parse simple sentences very well. A paragraph by the teacher in the register is thus : " Many of the absences have been occasioned by sickness; some have been detained by work. There appears no disposition, on the part of any scholar, to disobey school orders ; yet, a more attentive and studious disposition might well be cultivated and encouraged. Parents have appeared much interested in the advancement of the scholars."
The Winter Term commenced December 1, and closed February 25. During this term the progress made by the pupils was perfectly satisfactory to your Committee. The recitations made at the close evinced a thorough and accurate knowledge of such branches as had been the subject of study. One large class in Colburn's Arithmetic were able and did solve readily any question which your Committee saw fit to select from the book. This class, in advancement, will rank with the highest in all the schools. One class in Grammar very readily parsed correctly any sentences in Milton's Paradise Lost. Another paragraph of the teacher in the register is as follows : "The average attendance of scholars has been much affected by several families leaving the District since the commencement of the school. Sickness
23
has prevailed to some extent, and almost every absence has been satis- factorily accounted for. Parents have seconded the efforts of the teacher, thus rendering government easy." This school and teacher have labored intensely the past year, and the scholars in their rapid advancement are deserving the highest rank among our schools, The school-house is much out of repair, and is insufficient for the good accommodation of the school.
DISTRICT NO. 3.
Whole number of scholars from five to fifteen years of age, 86. Proportion of school money, $249 88.
This District has prepared a new and commodious school-house of two departments, on a new site. The school has been divided into a Primary department and a Grammar department.
The Summer Term of the Grammar department was taught by Miss Elizabeth Jones, who elicited great interest and despatch in the school, and was very successful in her management. The school made rapid advances in most of the branches taught. We find by her order of exercises at the examination at the close of the term, that a young class in first steps in numbers advanced perfectly fifty-one pages. Another class, in Colburn's Mental Arithmetic, advanced 105 pages. A class in Mitchell's Primary Geography advanced 115. First class in Smith's Geography advanced from the 86th to the 168th page ; a second class 85 pages. A class in History advanced 95 pages ; a class in Physiology 180 pages. First class in Weld's Grammar ad- vanced 126 pages ; a second class 30 pages-all of which was highly satisfactory 10 your Committee.
The Winter Term was taught by Mr. William A. White. Near the commencement, your Committee were all present in his school, which was then thought to be of much promise and interest. Mr. White, at a time unknown to your Committee in the term, left the school on ac- count of ill health, and did not resume his occupation again. The precise improvement of the school, while under his care, your Com- mittee are unable to report. It is to be regretted that we cannot report the general statistics of this department. The register which contained the doings of the Summer Term as well as the Winter Term, has not been deposited with the Committee as required to be ; neither is it anywhere within the knowledge of your Committee.
Primary Department .- The Summer and Winter Terms of the Primary department were under the instruction of Miss Laura A. Odell. The Summer Term commenced June 7, and closed October 12. The Winter Term commenced December 6, and closed February 11.
No. of scholars attending in summer, 52; average attendance in summer, 39 ; No. under five years of age in summer, 18; No. of scholars attending in winter, 45 ; average attendance in winter, 34; No. under five years of age in winter, 8.
The scholars of this department have made more rapid progress since the new arrangement of the District. They appear in more confidence and activity, and have louder and better tones of voice. Reading, Spelling, Arithmetic, and Geography, are the principal branches taught. A class of readers in this department did very well in Wor-
24
cester's Third Book. Another class of readers made respectable progress in Russell's Introduction. One class, in first steps in num- bers, advanced to page 65. A class in Mitchell's Primary Geography advanced as far as page 111. Under the new arrangenient of this department, the scholars have improved fully equal to our expectation ; and the teacher, in her first attempt to teach, has acquitted herself of the duty imposed upon her, to the satisfaction of your Committee.
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Whole number of scholars from five to fifteen years of age, 43. Proportion of school money, $199 95.
The Summer Term of this school was under the charge of Miss Sarah J. Curtis, who was not sparing in efforts to make her scholars learn. During a small part of the term, there seemed to be a little laxity of government, or an effort, from a portion of the scholars, to disobey,-to which the fault belonged, we are unable to determine ; however, the school was under good subjection before its close, and, at the closing examination, bore evidence of improvement in all the branches taught. Miss Curtis has never before taught ; though she was a little embarrassed for a while, yet she sustained herself as a teacher to the satisfaction of your Committee.
The Winter Term is under the teaching of Mr. Augustus T. Jones. Your Committee visited the school soon after its commencement, and left it in a prosperous condition. The term is not yet closed, and, in the absence and unfinished state of the register, your Committee can- not report any further in regard to the school.
DISTRICT NO. 5.
The whole number of scholars between the ages of five and fifteen years, 71. Number at school in summer, 60; average attendance, 30; under five years of age, 2 ; over fifteen, 1; number in winter, 61 ; average attendance, 50 ; under five years of age, 3 ; over fifteen, 4. Proportion of school money, $232 45.
The Summer Term of this school commenced April 12, and was ordered to be closed by your Committee September 4; but, by the return register, it appears that the school did not close until September 21. This term was under the instruction of Miss Cynthia A. S. Beal, and at the annual meeting of the district, a general feeling pre- vailed to put new life and vigor in the scholars, with regard to man- agement and government, which is very evident was necessary. It is highly gratifying to your Committee to see an effort, on the part of the district, to comply with recommendations of a former report. The district was unfortunate in the selection of their teacher ; though her literary qualifications were sufficient for any of our schools, her temperament was not equal to the task. She was not deliberate and argumentative in her government and management, but, on the con- trary, was stringent, and sometimes, according to her admissions, would punish without reasoning with or even telling the punished scholar what the punishment was for. She was not social with her scholars, but cool, as she was in many of her circles in the district. Her course caused division in the district, in relation to the continu- ance of the school. The petitions presented to your Committee, for
25
and against the continuance of the school, was conclusive evidence that the district was nearly equally divided, for and against the teacher; one portion claiming that the school should continue the whole time agreed on, the other portion that it should not ; finally, the matter became a district quarrel, and most of the school benefit was laid aside. Your Committee was at a loss, for some length of time, how to heal the difficulty ; for, as the district viewed the matter, it would be a victory for either side to have the assistance of your Committee ; and upon this knowledge your Committee permitted a continuance of the school, hoping, from the zeal manifested by the district at the commencement of the school, and the good advice then rendered by your Committee to the Prudential Committee, and to many of the members of the district, that the difficulty would resolve itself into a settlement. In the result of this course, your Committee were disappointed ; for but little effort, if any, was made on the part of the district to heal it. On the contrary, the matter became more and more furious, and, during the latter part of the school, abuses were made on the school-house; and the threats which came to the knowl- edge of your Committee, induced them to believe that the school-house was in danger. Your Committee then at once ordered the school to be closed, and notified the Selectmen of the close at the time. Perhaps your Committee will not do injustice to any one, in concluding that the healing power of this dilemma was not in their province. True, they might have ordered the school closed before. Suppose they had, what might they infer ? Did it close when they ordered it to be closed ? The register answers, No. Did the pay of the teacher stop after the Selectmen had been notified of the close of the school by your Com- mittee ? We presume the town treasury will answer. The school, during the term, made some advances in the smaller classes.
The Winter Term commenced November 1, and closed June 21. It was under the instruction of Mr. William S. Clark, who entered it under unfavorable circumstances. His manner was well calculated to engage the respect of his pupils, and to inspire them with a love of learning; thus to lead, not to drive them in the path of duty. It must have been evident, to all present at the closing examination, that both teacher and scholars had labored devotedly during the term. We may conclude, from the presence of the large number of parents and other visitors, of the district, at the examination, and from their inter- est and the interest of the scholars manifested then, that all past school difficulties of the district are fully settled.
DISTRICT NO. 6.
Whole number of scholars between the ages of five and fifteen years, 131. Number at school in summer, 109 ; average attendance, 62; under five years of age, 8 ; over fifteen, 3; number in winter, 94; average attendance, 58 ; under five years of age, 8 ; over fifteen, 7. Proportion of school money, $302 12.
The Summer Term of this school commenced April 5, and closed August 1. The Winter Term commenced September 27, and closed January 28. Both terms were under the instruction of Mr. Benjamin Dickerman, Jr. The number of scholars in this district is compara-
D
26
tively large, though the average attendance at school was less than one- half the number in the district from 5 to 15 years of age. This school stands decidedly among the first of our schools in advancement the past year. At the closing examination, the reading was clear, distinct, and of good tone; the words were not clipped ; every syllable was fully pronounced. One class in Smith's Arithmetic advanced to square root ; a class in Mitchell's Geography advancedto page 180 ; a class in Willard's History advanced through the book ; a class in Johnston's Philosophy advanced 207 pages ; a class in Tower's Alge- bra went through the book; a class in the Little Philosopher made very respectable progress. This Little Philosopher is a very useful work for children. This school is the only school in town that has it. It should be introduced into all the schools. A new school-house of two stories has been erected on a new site the past year ; so arranged as to accommodate two schools at the same time. The building was finished in season for use during the last term of the school. The scholars, as well as their parents, duly appreciate the new edifice, which is finely arranged for the accommodation of pupils.
DISTRICT NO. 7.
Whole number of scholars between five and fifteen years of age, 40. No. at school in summer, 43 ; average attendance in summer, 24; No. under five years of age in summer, 4; No. over fifteen years of age, 4; No. at school in winter, 35 ; average attendance in winter, 25 ; No. under five years of age in winter, none ; No. over fifteen years of age in winter, none. Proportion of school money, $196 47.
Miss Nancy Paine was teacher of this school the Summer Term, it being her first attempt at teaching. The average attendance of schol- ars in this school is small. The scholars generally, considering their advantages, ought to be more advanced in science than they are. They fall behind other schools in rank and standing, their ages and advantages being compared. For the past year we are happy in say- ing that better attention has been given, and, in the studies pursued, a greater progress has been realized. Miss Paine, in her first com- mencement of teaching, sustained herself well, and acquitted herself of duty, as a teacher, to the satisfaction of your Committee.
The Winter Term was taught by Mr. P. B. Goodsell. It commenced November 29, and closed February 18. A good degree of advancement was apparent in all the branches taught. The pupils and the teacher were energetic, and the examination creditable ; all to the satisfaction of your Committee.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
Whole number of scholars from five to fifteen years of age, 319; Grammar de- partment, whole number of scholars, Ist term 61, 2d term 57; average attendance, 1st term 50, 2d term 41; over fifteen years of age and under five years of age, none ; proportion of school money, $520 42.
This school, under the teaching of A. Howard Flint, commenced May 3, and continued three months and three-fourths. Mr. Flint no
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