USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1858-1867 > Part 9
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Maltman, Robert, . 3 15
1 26
Martin, Newhall, . Marshall, Daniel H.
.
5 04
Jackson, S. S. 31 50
James, William, .
5 04
Jordon, Christopher,
4 41
McIntire, James, .
44 10
Johnson, Charles B.
31 50
McDermott, Thomas, 15 75
Mullen, Catherine, (heirs of,) 6 30
Johnson, Jotham,
31 50
Miller, George R. . 7 56 .
Johnson, Henry, .
31 50
Moore & Woodworth, 3 15
Marshall, Alfred,'. 18 90
Mitchell, Cushing, 3 15
Mahoney, John J. 63 00
Marsh, S. H. (heirs of,) 9 45
Munroc, Edmund, 44 10
Meacham, Pond, and others, 44 10
Meacham, George . 69 30
Meacham & Porter,
56 70
Merrill, John J. .
.
44 10
Magoun, Aaron, .
30 87
Morse, Ozias, .
44 10
Kimball, Oliver D.
20 79
Kinsley, Chester W.
18 90
Kelley, Levi, 4 41
Kent, John, .
10 95
Kimball, James J. 3 15
Kimball, Oliver, 12 60
Kelley, John, (heirs of )
3 78
L.
Lonsby, Get. 2 52
Littlefield, Rufus, 23 94
Leonard, Luke, 5 04
Langmaid, Samuel P. . . 15 75
Lowe, James M. . .
15 75
Loan Fund Association, 6 30 .
Lowe, Charles A., Rev. 56
Livermore, Elisha, . 11 34
Osborn, Richard, .
52 20
J.
Judkins, Benjamin, 18 90
Manning & Glover,
4 41
Marshall, John, .
23 94
31 50 Murray, James, 3 15
Johnson, William, 31 50
31 50
Jewett, Gorham, .
18 90
Johnson, Lewis, . 7 56
Joy, Elizabeth, . 632 00
K.
Kent, E. T. & Co. 40 95
Kelley, Barney, (estate of )
11 34
Kelley, Michael, .
3 15
Kinkard, Sarah, .
18 90
Kruger, J.
C 30
Murdock, John, 45 .
McGinn, Peter, 3 15
3 15
May, Joseph J.
N.
Norton, Edward H. 18 90
Nichols, John P. . 28 35
Newman, Robert E. 6 30
Nichols, Thomas O. 12 60
Norton, Andrew, (heirs of,) . 44 10
Nichols,
. 12 60
O'Neill, Charles, . 7 56
Owner unknown,. 9 45
O'Neill, Patrick, . 5 04
O'Connell, J. 4 41
12 60
M.
Morrill, Hiram P. . 28 35
Hutchinson,
04
Holbrook, George E. 5 04
Hale, Gustavus V.
15 75
I.
Iron Company, Boston, . 31 50
McKenna, Rosa, .
8 19
Marden,
Lord, Thomas,
Lund, . 2 52
Leman, Nathaniel R. 2 52
Larkin, Abraham, 2 52
Johnson, George, 31 50
Johnson, Samuel T.
Johnson, John B.
Murdock, Asa, .
12 60
63
P.
Rand, James, (heirs of ) $15 75
Patridge, Horace, .
. $15 75
Railroad, Fitchburg, 66 15 .
Peak, John, 12 60 .
· Railroad, Eastern, 63 00
Railroad, Lowell, 49 14
Prescott, M. L. .
45
Paul & Co., James,
6 30
S.
Smith, Nelson,
45
Poor, Lydia, Mrs.
31 50
Sawin, Edwin, 3 78
Page, Benjamin, .
28 35
Stimpson, Robert N.
6 30
Pierce, Thomas J. 12 60
Shapleigh, John W. 15 75
Powers, John C. (heirs of ) 7 56
Stevens & Lombard,
15 75
Plant, Anthony, .
3 15
Payson, Samuel T.
5 04
Squire, John P.
6 30
Pond, Zebiah R. .
3 78
Starbird, Nathan W.
22 05
Prescott, Calvin S.
37 80
Sumner, Miss Amelia B. 9 45
Pollard, Luther, .
20 16
Strout, . 1 89 .
Prince, James H. .
4 41
Sawyer, Albert J. .
18 90
Pratt, Jared,
18 90
Spear, Albert, .
47 25
Packard, Sewall, .
15 75
Sweet, Asa, . .
12 60
Powers, Eli,
1 50
Smith & Hopkins, .
12 60
Peppard, George W.
6 30
Smith, J. B. . 18 90
86 94
Preston, John,
04
Slater, .
28 35
Pratt, S. F. .
6 30
Sanborn, Christopher C.
11 34
Percy, Calvin,
3 15
Sawyer, Asa, (heirs of,)
25 20
Pingree, David,
31 50
Smith, T. P. (heirs of,) 3 78
12 60
Pattee, Joel,
6 30
Stone, Calvin,
.
12 60
Parker, Benjamin,
3 15
Siders, Maria,
2 52
Sinclair, Samuel, .
3 78
Shipley, Horatio, .
7 56
Smith, Stephen, . Saxton, John M. .
5 04
Richardson, James M. .
8 19
Stone, Thaddeus, . Swain, John,
3 15
Robley, Robert C.
15 75
3 78
Ricker, Jethro H.
5 04
Smith, Edwin P. .
2 52
Reid, Samuel,
18 90
Stevens, James H.
12 60
Runey, George S.
37 80
Sherburn, Reuben, Seavey, Joshua R.
8 82
Richardson, .
15 75
Sewart, .
6 30
Rogers, O. C.
15 75
Stockbridge, L. N.
3 78
Reynolds, Thomas,
6 30
Skinner & Sweet, . Sullivan, Richard,
453 60
Rogers, William S. Rice & Morrill, 6 30
44 10
Stearns, J. W. (trustees of,) . Saunders, Wm. A. 3
15
Raymond, E. A. .
22 05
Stearns, Wm. S. (lessee,)
Robert, J. W. & G.
3 78
Randall, Elizabeth,
22 05
Stearns, William, .
68 04
Rice & Smith,
9 45
Silver, Mrs. Eliza,
81 90
Russell, Aaron W.
17 64
Stearns, Sarah W. 78 12
Redman, Lawrence,
7 56
Stearns, Harriett, (executrix,)
84 42
Rogers, George M.
3 78
Stearns, Caroline, .
Rice, William D.
3 78
. Stearns, Harriett, . 84 42
Rowland, John H.
3 78
Stearns, Wm. S. and Sisters, 73 08
Rugg, Erastus,
·
6 30
Robbins, Richard, (heirs of )
5 04
T.
Teel, Jona. and others, .
·
34 65
Rand, Benjamin, .
. 94 50
Rand, Samuel, ·
.
76 86
·
Taylor, D. D.
11 34
.
Pierce, Abner,
2 52
Proctor, Abel,
·
3 15
Predrick, Joseph,
3 15
Stone, William, 2 52
Pettigell, Charles R.
28 31
Simmons, Washington,
2 52
R.
Rice, Charles B. .
7 56
6 30
Russell, James,
18 90
63 63
Sprague, Joseph E. (heir of,) 79 38
11 34
Pratt, Garville,
: 05
Stearns, William, .
Smith, S. A. 12 60
Pecker, Seth E ..
15 75
Peacock, Freeman,
· 44 10
64
Tuttle, Thomas B.
. $2 52
Wilson, Joseph, . . $6 30
Taylor, John B. .
15 75 Whitney, Ethan, . 18 90
Twombly & Lamson,
· 90 09 Warren, George, . 56 7
Topliff, Benjamin, 59 85 Whittaker, William H. .
17 64
Teasdell, George, .
13 86
Wyeth, Noah,
Waldon, Charles C. 4 41
Wetherby, J.
5 04
Trull, Willard,
9 45
Thompson & Abbott,
9 45
Webster, Theodore B. .
18 90
Town, Orr N. 36 54
Wells, George, 3 78
Williams, Edson, (heirs of ) 18 90
Tuttle, Orvey S. .
3 15
Warren, Gardner,
12 60 .
Tapley, Lydia,
6 30
Waldron, B. F ..
.
15 75
Turnpike, Medford Company, 12 60
Wilson, Joseph B.
.
12 60
Thomas, George A. .
12 60
Wright, Samuel, .
2 52
Tapley, Robert, 3 15
Wait, Charles,
6 30
Tecl, Amasa,
37 80
Wason, James P.
12 60
Tufts, Daniel,
. 110 25
Williams, Oliver,
3 15
Tube Works, American, . 378 00
Tufts, Gilbert,
41 58
Turner & Snow,
3 15
Whitney, Lydia, .
5 04
Williams, David H.
3 15
Whitn ore, N. M. 15 75
Ward, Artemas, (heirs of )
, 189 00
Upham, Asa,
. 11 34
Wheeler, Increase S.
: 50
Warren, George W. 15 75
Wyman, William, 22 05 .
Wood, Charles and others, 126 00
Woodbridge, Frank, 45
Wellington, Charles W. 11 49
Y.
Young, J. H.
.
15 75
Wood, Benjamin, 31 50
Weston & Mason,
50 40
Z.
Whittemore & Hughes, 3 15
Weck, Asa,
12 GO
Williams, Tillson,
6 30
Willis, .
6 30
U.
Ursurline Community, . 630 00
Upton, Daniel P.
20 79
W.
Welch, Peter, 11 31
Zane, Joseph, . . . 3 15
18 90
Tyler, Joseph H. . 6 30
Towle, Jas. M. & Chas. Tufts, 157 50
Whitcomb, Lorenzo K. 9 45
Tenney, William P. 69 30
·
REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SELECTMEN AND TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF THE
TAXES ASSESSED
For the year 1860 -- 61.
CHARLESTOWN : C. RAND & MORSS, PRINTERS, 48 MAIN STREET. 1861.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SOMERVILLE,
MARCH, 1861.
The School Committee take sincere pleasure in being able to congratulate their townsmen on the very generally pros- perous condition of the Public Schools. They feel an espe- cial satisfaction in putting forth the statement, that the school-year just closed has witnessed a very marked advance over immediately preceding years, in most of the schools,- particularly those of the younger grades,-both as regards the personal demeanor of pupils, and proficiency in the studies pursued. In some districts, where insubordination had become almost a matter of course,-frequently calling for the personal interference of the Committee, and sometimes of the civil authority,-there is, at present, a reasonable amount of good order. At the recent examinations, it was gratifying to see in some of the classes, certain lads acquit- ting themselves well, who, at one period, occasioned their teachers and the Committee no small degree of trouble. For this beneficial change, the credit is largely due to the effi- ciency, tact, and good sense of experienced teachers.
Early in the year a rule was adopted, that, wherever prac- ticable, the graduating classes should be promoted every six months-instead of once a year, as heretofore-to all the
4
schools except the High. The result has shown the rule to be a good one. The prospect of an early promotion has been a spur to the ambition of pupils; and the fact, that at the close of the Summer Term ending with the August va- cation, classes were very generally promoted, proves that the labor imposed upon the pupils was not excessive.
Another rule was adopted, specifically defining the mini- mum of advance which the several graduating classes should make in their respective studies, as the condition of promo- tion at the end of the six months. This rule has operated well in two respects. First, it has served to bring classes of the same grade in different schools more closely together in their particular studies ; so that, if a scholar, on change of residence, had occasion to enter another school, he would find the scholars in his new class studying in very nearly the same places in the text books, as the class which he had left. Again, the rule enables examining committees, in comparing the examination of one school with that of oth- ers, to do all something like justice. For example, because the first class in one school recites as promptly and as cor- rectly as the first class in another school of the same grade, it does not follow that the two classes are equally meritori- ous, until it appears that the subject-matters of the two reci- tations are equally difficult. Because both classes spell the same number of words equally well, amounts to nothing as a basis of comparison, unless it also appears that the words given out are as difficult in the one case as in the other. Because both classes recite with equal correctness in arith- metic, proves nothing, unless it also appears that the prob- lems are as hard to solve in the one case as in the other.
In making the comparisons between the several schools, - comparisons which it is natural and proper to make,-the Committee particularly note two things :- first, whether the exercises in different cases have been equally prompt and correct : and second, whether these exercises are, in them- selves, equally hard-equally a test of the amount of pro- gress, as well as the proficiency of progress.
Of course, in making comparisons, due regard is had for
5
the peculiar disadvantages which may hinder the progress of a particular school. If one teacher has a larger number of pupils than another; or is compelled to have a larger num- ber of classes; or has for pupils children less prompt and regular in attendance ; or has a school in which pupils change more frequently than in other schools ;- in every such and similar case, the particular evil will be taken into the ac- count; and the claims of the teacher will be determined quite as much by the amount of patience and skill the pe- culiar character of the school has called into requisition, as by the educational results which may have been secured.
The Committee must in candor confess, that while the schools are generally in a prosperous condition, and are now, on the whole, in advance of what has been their merit in former years, still there are cases in which they can besto w only a qualified praise. More than in former times they have been gratified at the orderly demeanor of scholars, the round fulness of their voices, and the distinctness of their articu- lation-all of which are excellences of the highest order. But while in some of the schools these fascinating traits are so marked as to rivet the attention of visitors, and move them to the warmest encomiums, in other schools much re- mains to be done before equal admiration can be excited. Bodily weakness or irrepressible timidity of temperament may, in some cases, furnish a satisfactory excuse for lack of voice or indistinctness of articulation. It is, however, safe to assume, that such cases are rare exceptions to a general rule. The evil is censurable when visitors in a school have occasion for the general complaint, that they hardly hear, much less understand, what pupils say. No sound falls so musically upon the human ear, as a genuine human voice; few sounds are quite so disagreeable as a choked substitute therefor. Indeed, hardly any other defect in the character of a school can so try the patience and so vex the nerves of visitors as a mumbled, half-audible recitation. To teachers and pupils, let the words be emphatic .- Give us an orderly school room, give us correct recitations; but above all, give us that without which all the other virtues lose their worth
6
and beauty ;- give us voice, and this, genuine voice-not a screech as we sometimes have, nor a whisper as we much oftener have, but simply and purely, VOICE !
With regard to the personal appearance of a school, a teacher may justly feel a pride when the pupils move from their seats to take their places in the class, at once with promptness and without confusion or unnecessary noise ; and when, having taken their places, they maintain a gen- tlemanly or ladylike bearing, and this without constraint. The Committee have seen movements in the schools that would delight the eye of a professional tactician ; they have, in some instances, seen movements which even a moderate tactician would find annoying. Let it not be assumed, that the particular to which attention is here called is of but slight importance. The appearance, carriage, and general person- al bearing of a scholar, even if they were but external ac- complishments, have an importance too great to be over- looked. But these things are not mere accomplishments. They enter into the very essence of true education, which should as persistently aim at making ladies and gentlemen as at making experts in arithmetic and grammar.
The Committee do not care to be invidious in making par- ticular application either of the approbation or the censure here implied. The application, in every case, may be safe- ly left to the discretion of the individual teacher.
With regard to the proficiency exhibited by the schools in the several studies, the Committee deem it but simple justice to some of the teachers to make particular mention of the progress made in the very important department of reading. At some of the recent examinations, the Examining Committee listened with equal surprise and admiration. In one instance, a member was moved to the public avowal, that the reading would have done no discredit to a professional elocutionist. The Committee take the more sat- isfaction in giving statement to their approbation in this par- ticular, from the fact that several of the teachers have, during the year, labored hard, and made sacrifices of time and money, to qualify themselves to teach more effectively in
7
this branch of study. The result proves that teachers, as well as persons in other professions, need to take precautions to keep their qualifications as well as to get them. Indeed, the highest qualifications gradually and insensibly settle down into mechanical and lifeless routine, unless jealously retained by continued and pains-taking discipline. It would be unjust not to recognize the fact in this public way, that those of our teachers who have given their time and money for the purpose to which reference has been made, have abundantly demonstrated the wisdom of their course, in the good results now manifest in their schools. Still, the Com- mittee are unwilling that the inference should be drawn that the reading in any of the schools is particularly open to cen- sure. Save that in some cases, there is, as has been hinted, a lack of energy and voice, and, in a few other cases some- thing of mechanical stiffness, the reading in all the schools may be set down as, all the circumstances taken into the account, of a high order.
With regard to the High School, the Committee have the pleasure to state that, for a rare example, the subject does not demand an extended and elaborate treatment. In former years, it took the bulk of the Report to explain the failures of the school. Last year, the Committee were able to an- nounce, that the era almost vainly hoped for had actually come, when the town had a High School worthy its confi- dence and support. This year, a brief sentence will tell all that need be said. The promise made in the Report a year ago is fulfilled to the letter,-the town has a High School which deserves and receives its full confidence. The teach- ers work harmoniously, have the good will of the pupils, and evidently feel the responsibility of their position ; and will, it is believed, work as faithfully to keep up the reputation of the school, as they have to create its reputation. Let the encouraging fact be put on record, that for a year and a half no word of complaint, as respects the High School, from scholar, parent or teacher, has reached any member of the School Committee.
8
The duty of parents having children in the schools, is a common-place theme; yet the theme involves practical points of such vital importance, that it cannot be too persistently urged upon the attention of those interested. The most common and perplexing difficulties are those which spring up between teachers and parents. It is certain that none impose such unpleasant responsibilities upon the Committee. It is believed that if parents took pains, in every case, to get a full knowledge of the facts, they would generally be less disposed to complain ; for it rarely happens that a teacher does a pupil great injustice except under very strong provo- cation. It is true, that no provocation whatever can excuse a teacher in doing a pupil wrong; but reasonable parents will be slow to censure a teacher harshly for even a wrong, which, they themselves, under similar provocation, would have been tempted to commit. It ought also to be seen, that the virtues demanded of teachers are about as difficult as fallible human nature can hope to equal. To manage cases of insubordination which sorely try the temper, without los- ing command of the temper ; to endure any amount of prov- ocation, and yet never permit a pupil to perceive that the spirit is in the smallest degree ruffled,-this is a degree of self-control which a teacher must have, else his or her influ- ence over the pupils is seriously impaired. Certainly, the justice which must censure any lack of this virtue, may rea- sonably be tempered with mercy.
Parents who wish the school well will never permit, on the part of their children, any unnecessary tardiness or irreg- ularity in attendance. The indulgence which permits pupils to attend the schools when they will, and at what hour of the session they will, can hardly be censured in terms too strong. If the wrong done were confined to the tardy or the absent pupils, the right to complain, on the part of teachers, would be less; but the injury is felt by the whole school. The order, the classification, the progress of the school in every respect, are seriously affected. Let any person enter a school at the time it opens, and, remaining a half-hour, see the teacher's desk literally covered with small slips of paper
9
excusing the generally unnecessary tardiness or absence of pupils, and he will sensibly feel the confusion that inevita- bly accompanies the practice. It is to be regretted that this evil abounds to a fearful extent in our Town.
The cheerfulness and efficiency of teachers would be greatly promoted, were parents to visit the schools more fre- quently. An encouraging word of approbation, where ap- probation is deserved-evincing an appreciation of the toils of the school-room-would cost but little; yet it would be most highly valued by the pains-taking instructor of the children. Let parents give some unequivocal evidence that they themselves are interested in the progress of the schools, and the good effect will be speedy and palpable. Parents may have reason to complain of teachers and committees ; but have not teachers and committees, in this town at least, equal reason to complain of parents ? Save on days of ex- hibition, how many parents have entered a school-room, in school hours, the past year ?
The matter of further school accommodations in the Med- ford Street and Prospect Hill districts has engaged much of the Committee's attention. An appropriation made by the town at its Fall Meeting, will soon relieve, in part, the pres- sure for more room in those vicinities. A two-story school- house, 44 by 33 feet, is now in process of erection on what was in part, the Pound Lot, on Medford Street. The build- ing will furnish accomodations for one Intermediate and one Primary School. A contract for its completion has been signed with Benjamin Randall, Esq., who will probably have the building ready for occupancy by the first of June. In order to make the lot of suitable size, 5032 feet of ad- joining land was purchased at a cost of $629. The Com- mittee are confident that they have selected as convenient a location as was any way practicable. They have certain- ly made the selection to the very great economy of the Town.
The Committee will further state, that though authorized by the Town at the April Meeting, to make use of the Pound
2
10
Lot, yet, as said lot was already in use, they deemed it ex- pedient to consult members of the Board of Selectmen as to the expediency of making it the site of a school building,- and their approval was decisive.
Further school-accommodations in the Maple Street dis- trict are urgently demanded. There are at the present date. at least 130 pupils, and but one school-room ! At present, relief is partially had by occupancy of two small rooms in a dwelling house, as an Assistant's department. But the extra accommodations thus obtained are at the best, exceed- ingly inconvenient and uncomfortable. Another school- room of average dimensions cannot be furnished too promptly.
For the past four years the Primary School in the Pros- pect Hill district has been so large as to require the services of two teachers, while the room is hardly capacious enough to accommodate the number of pupils. The fact that fifty- six pupils now in this school, cross the Fitchburg Railroad in the vicinity of the Union Glass Works, seems to point to that vicinity as the proper locality for a Primary School House. A matured plan to meet the several wants here pointed out, will probably be presented to the Town at the April Meeting.
The Committee feel it but an act of justice to themselves, to state that extreme pains have been taken to make a pru- dent and economical appropriation of the money placed at their disposal. They have labored to systematize the ex- penses incurred for janitors' services, August cleanings, re- pairs, and other incidental outlays-to systematize them in a way to secure good work, and the utmost economy prac- ticable.
To one feature of their appropriation of the money en- trusted to them, they desire to call particular attention. In former years, it has uniformly happened that at the end of the school-year, when the Treasurer's accounts are closed, many bills against the town on the school account-gener-
11
ally amounting to some hundreds of dollars-remain un- paid ; all of which must of course be paid out of the next year's appropriation. The Committee determined, that if possible, this practice should be corrected ; and accordingly they have taken extreme pains to call in every bill. They now come before their townsmen with the assurance that every dollar owed by the Town, so far as schools are con- cerned, and so far as thev have been able to ascertain, is paid. At the April Meeting, they will have no occasion to call for money to pay old debts. They also express the hope that this new practice will hereafter be carefully ad- hered to.
It affords the Committee much gratification to be able to add, that notwithstanding they have paid the debts of for- mer years, and, for the new feature, all the debts of the year now closed; and further, have been compelled to incur ex- penditures which it was impossible to anticipate a year ago; still, they have succeeded in keeping all the outlays of mon- ey within a few dollars of the amount appropriated at the last April Meeting.
There are at this date 22 different schools, of the follow- ing grades :- 3 Sub-Primary, 8 Primary, 5 Intermediate, 1 Mixed, 4 Grammar, and 1 High; employing 30 Teachers, at an annual expense for salaries of $13,050.
The services of S. D. Hadley, Esq. as Teacher of Music in the Grammar Schools, at an expense of $220 a year, have been continued, and with satisfactory results. The intro- duction of Music in the schools has had an excellent effect, whether considered as a branch of useful study and disci- pline, or as a form of cheerful recreation.
In concluding this Report, the Committee take the occa- sion to state that they do not consider the present generally prosperous condition of the schools, so much an end, as a promise of a still higher and more general prosperity in the future. To carry the schools still forward in their career of usefulness, is their most ardent desire; that the schools
12
will continue to make advancement, is their earnest expec- tation.
All of which is
Respectfully Submitted,
GEO. O: BRASTOW,
JOHN G. HALL, JOSEPH E. HOWARD,
AARON SARGENT,
CHARLES S. LINCOLN,
JOHN P. MARSHALL,
GEORGE D. CLARK,
CYRUS F. CROSBY,
GEO. H. EMERSON,
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