USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1876 > Part 2
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E N. Nickerson, repairing fence
4 97
G. W. Sargent, wood 24 75.
D. A. Titcomb & Son, coal
208 00
J. Henry Hill, truant officer and setting trees in Academy yard 72 40
Willet L. Titus, school incidentals
12 32
Hannah Joyce, cleaning school-houses 18 00
Martha C. Goodwin, cleaning school-houses
9 50
0. Boardman, soap and sand 81
W. B. Titcomb, repairs 15 00
David L. D. Balch, repairs 115 80
B. L. Fifield, chairs
14 90
D. O. Quimby, books 12 00
James Winslow, charcoal
18 85
Blodgett & Davis, coal
136 98
J. W. Sargent, books 7 20
Clearey & Berry, school incidentals
2 69,
George S. Prescott, windows and fence (1874) 8 74 mending windows 3 40
William Pecker, repairing fence
18 67
Thompson & Brown, school chart 8 80
Gustavus Cammett, painting roof of school-house
25 00
Clifton S. Hall, clocks 15 70
M. S. Gibbs, repairs
31 62:
Wm. B. Chapman, repairs
40 89
Dennett & Stearns
9 17
James Whittier 66
7 50
Fred Sargent, care of school-houses 9 00
F. H. Bird " 66
9 00
23
Joseph Merrill, fuel, repairs and incidentals 50 43
M. C. Donahue, setting hedge on Academy lot 42 25
Charles Wing, stoves, funnel and repairs 38 09
Newell Boyd, lumber 10 82
A. Cunningham, care of school-house 12 00
Clarence Allison
4 20
Thomas A. Cook 15 75
W. D. Bartlett & Son, stoves, fixtures, &c. 106 30
C. L. & J. W. Allen, school fixings ' 7 00
E. N. Nickerson, pump at school-house 9 79
John O. Currier, truant officer 10 65
Joseph Merrill, care of school-house, repairs, &c.
29 67
W. H. B. Currier, printing for schools 6 75
J. Henry Hill, truant officer 31 70
H. G. Leslie, school incidentals
53 15
Daniel Worthen & Son, school incidentals
3 83
F. W. Merrill, school books and stationery
128 71
W. L. Titus, chemical apparatus
9 89
C. E. Rowell, ink
2 25
Wm. L. Miller, school books
4 65
W. D. Bartlett & Son, stove repairs 4 75
William Jones, blackboards 2 50
S. C. Patten, curtain fixtures
1 80
Nichols & Hall, drawing paper
4 50
A. G. Whitcomb, ink wells
7 20
Knight, Adams & Co., Bonny's French
3 15
J. W. Colby, wood' 12 50
F. Emerson,
104 50
H. Poole, glazing and painting
4 33
J. E. Ropes, incidentals
32 82
$2587 05
Amount for teaching brought forward
9399 75
$11986 80
24
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Members Atlantic Hose Company
$313 33
Native Engine 475 00
Merrimac " 395 00
Niagara
525 00
Agile
318 29
M. D. F. Steere, hook & ladder Co. 258 40
W. Everett Pearson, repairing Merrimac Engine 116 00
John A. Wiley, hose for Agile engine Co.
584 00
H. A. Hall, ulsters and caps for Merrimac Co. 34 00
A. L. Baxter, repairs on Agile engine 23 40
$3042 42
TOWN OFFICERS' PAY.
Joseph Merrill, services as town clerk and recording $160 46
68
" school committee 100 00
Frank Wiggin 1 66
100 00
H. G. Leslie
66
100 00
O. S. Baley " selectman, assessor and overseer of poor 350 00
1
E. M. Morse, services as selectman, assessor and overseer of poor 300 00
I. D. P. Balch, services as selectman, assessor and overseer of poor 300 00
E. M. Morse, collector's service 35 55
Bailey Sargent, treasurer, collector and constable services $
476 42
O A. Gowen, constable services
18 00
1940 43
POLICE OFFICERS' PAY.
Michæl J Connor, police. Keeper of lock-up and night-watch $260 16
Elijah Davis, services as night-watch 34 00
25
L. F. Currrier, services as night watch,
90 00
George A. Grant " " Police 46 89
George W. Austin services as
25 00
P. J. Neal 66 66
15.00
Page Ring 66 66.
20 00
E. P. Sargent 66 66 66
25 00
S. P. Jackman
66 66
25 00
George W. Bartlett "
Fish Warden 5 00
C. W. Emerson, services as Police and keeper of lock-up 75 00
$621 05
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
E. N. Nickerson, voting platform,
$6 53
T. J. King, damage to sleigh, 4 00
Geo. W. Nichols, surveying and laying out streets, 10 00
W. D. Bartlett & Son, stove for lock-up, (1874) 6 84
Ives & Lincoln, legal opinion, 40 00
Colby, Coombs & Co., advertising, 6 25
Grant & Connor, labor and material-repairs on lock-up, 10 12
J W Perry, written legal opinion, 95 00
W. H. Stanley, trucking weights and measures, 3 00
I. D. P. Balch, labor on gravel pit, 13 75
Wm. Lunt, sexton's services, 10 00
Nathaniel Lasel, gravel pit, 115 00
John Currier Jr., damage to carriage, 135 32
H. P. Robinson, storing engine, 4 00
John Neal and others, burying horse,
6 00
J. L. Fairbanks & Co., record book,
2 75
E. N. Nickerson, guide boards,
9 25
W. I. Atwood, charcoal for lock-up, 75
Thurston & Coleman, post, 2 00
Chas. Wing, supplies for lock-up, 6 97
Newell Boyd, fencing for gravel pit, 3 00
. 26
John W. Boynton, appraisal of machinery, 100 00
George H. Briggs, sheriff fees on tax case, 23 30 Elmer P. Sargent, treas. Mechanics' hall for meetings 50 00 J. R. Huntington and others, witness fees in tax case, 17 20 Estate of Stephen Kendrick, return of deaths, 14 75.
Edward B. Pierce, appraisal of machinery, 55 50
George W. Cate, fees cases of Orr & Long, 5 95
Well's Express, 9 85
Mrs. S. E. Kimball, hotel expense for witnesses in tax case, 1 50 Charles Manson return of deaths, 2 25
Geo. H Briggs, insurance on school-house, 72 00
D. A. Titcomb & Son, supplies to lock-up, 6 90
Louisa Currier, lai.d rent for lock up,
12 00
George B. Hoyt, return of deaths,
10 75
O. S. Baley, various small bills paid,
13 90
Wm. Lunt, labor in cemetery,
8 00
Wm. H. B. Currier, printing,
128 50
James B. Morse, return of deaths,
1 25
F. W. Merrill, blank books,
3 35
E M. Morse, expenses to various places, 19 30
Chas. W. Emerson, charcoal for lock-up, 1 20
Wm. C. Binney, counsel and court fees, (1871-72-73) 62 80
J. H. Swett, seals &c., for weights and measures, 5 00
J. H. Swett, sealer of weights and measures, 40 00
D A. Titcomb & Son, wood to lock-up, 25
Bailey Sargent, insurance on school-houses, 200 00
William Cummings, horse hire on account of Norton robbery, 2 00
1358 03 -
NOTES AND INTEREST PAID.
J. W. Perry, special Administrator S. Thompson's estate, interest, $180 00 Edward Rowell, 60 00
27
Powow River National Bank, notes and interest, 8142 53
Savings Bank, notes and interest, 30184 16
Pickering & Mosely, notes and interest,
10493 75
Joseph Merrill Adm'r. estate of Sarah Blaisdell note and interest, 1440 54
Jacob Huntington, note and interest,
325 50
John B. Barnard, 66
865 00
D. J. Poor, Cashier,
1
5 67
Mary L. Wadleigh,
12 00
Amelia Fozzard, 37 14
First National Bank, Amesbury, note 1000 00
$52746 29
CEMETERY ACCOUNTS. .
KAST END CEMETERY.
1875. Dr.
Received of D. A. Titcomb, Savings Bank book, $409 92
Dec. 25, Received of estate of Stephen Kendrick, sale of lots, 50 00
int. as per Savings Bank book to Oct. 1875, 26 30
$486 22
1875.
Cr.
By cash paid estate of Stephen Kendrick, for labor, fencing, road-making and lumber, 30 15
1876, Feb. 11. Paid C. L. & J. W. Allen
bill of tools, 5 15
70
Feb. 16. Cash on hand,
36 00
Balance in savings Bank,
$450 22
WEST END CEMETERY.
1876, Jan 1, To cash from last year, 375 20
28
1876, Jan. Interest, 19 12
From sale of lots, 43 00
$437 32
By cash paid for labor and material, 122 57
". D. Gould, for services 8 00
130 57
Balance in Savings Bank, $306 75 DANIEL GOULD, Treasurer.
Jan. 1, 1876.
Account of E. M. Morse, Treasurer for the year ending March 1, 1875.
Dr. E. M. Morse Treasurer and Collector.
To cash and uncollected taxes of previous years, $7072 25
1876, Feb. 12. Cr.
By cash paid to Treas. act. of taxes of 1874 and former years collected,
3019 83
By abatements for 1872,
67 25
By
1873, 550 00
By " 1874, 378 00
4015 08
Uncollected taxes in hands of E. M. Morse, $3057 17
TREASURER'S ACCOUNT ENDING MARCH I, 1876.
1875. Dr.
Mar. 6 Cash Received, hired of John B. Barnard, $1000 00 " 12. 66 of, Levi T. Currier, for plank, 91
" " 66 Town of Salisbury, (pauper case). 2 00
Mar. 12. Cash received, Allen W. Dodge, County Treasurer, (dog money), 272 05
29
Mar. 29. Cash received, hired of Powow River Na- tional Bank, 1500 00
Mar. 26. Cash received, of City of Newburyport, acct. paupers, 57 62
May 3. Cash received, hired of Powow River Na- tional Bank, 3500 00
. May 15. Cash Received, of City of Lynn for board of Willie Curtin, 48 00
May 15. Cash received, hired of Powow River Na- tional Bank, 3000 00
May 25 Cash received, of City of Haverhill, small pox case, 66 44
June 5. Cash received, for board of Wm. B. Hun- tington, 3 25
June 24. Cash received, hired of Pickering & Mosely, 10 000 00
July 31. Cash received, of City of Haverhill,
(Lake small pox case,)
121 01
Aug. 1. Cash received, hired of Jacob Huntington, 300 00
Dec. 6. " of State Treas. for corpora-, tion tax, 808 78.
Dec. 6 Cash received, “ State aid account, 1873. 57 00
Dec. 6. Cash received, “ "
account 1874,
1451 57
Dec. 6. Cash received, “
on account
of State paupers,
25 71
Dec. 6. Cash received, “
National Bank tax,
947 72
Dec. 7. Cash received, hired of First National Bank Amesbury, 1000 00
Dec. 24. Cash received, hired on notes payable at . National Bank of Mutual Redemption, Boston, 35425 00
.
30
1876,
Jan'y. 13. Cash received, of City of Newburyport, bal. on settlement of acct. of 1873, 46 48
Jan'y. 26. Cash received, State Treas. acct. of in- come of Mass. school fund, 392 04
Feb. 12. Cash received, of City of Lynn, for board of Willie Curtin, to Jan. 1, 1875, 48 00 .
Feb. 12. Cash received, of E. M. Morse, collected on overdue taxes, 3019 83
Feb. 12. Cash received, of O. S. Baley, trial jus- tice. (custody), 1 50
Feb. 12. Cash received, of O. S. Baley for licenses, 30 00
of school committee for apples
from school house yards, 8 25
Feb. 12. Cash received, of Geo. W. Cate, trial justice, (custody), 17 50
Feb. 12 Cash received, found on body of John Ma- honey, 2 81
State, County and Town taxes for 1875, 50323 46
Additions since cast, 101 70
$113 578 63
1875. Cr.
Nov. 1. By paid, Allen W. Dodge, Treas. County
tax, $2926 40
By paid, Chas. Adams Jr., State Treas.
State tax,
4260 00
By paid, 66 is. 66 Bank tax, 613 93
By discount on taxes, 1640 58
By Abatements, 374 75
By Paid interest on Town Bonds, 1000 00
" " Selectmen's orders, 86 314 20
Uncollected taxes on hand, 16 448 77
$113 578 63
31
RECAPITULATION.
Poor in Almshouse,
1114 66
Poor out of Almshouse,
1975 64
State Aid,
1291 00.
Roads and Bridges,
9486 42
Sewers and Drains,
751 46
Support of Schools,
11986 80
Fire Department,
3042 42
Town officers pay,
1940 43
Police officers pay,
621 05
Miscellaneous expenses,
1358 03
Notes and interést paid,
52746 29
$86314 20
The town is indebted in the following sums, March 1, 1876.
5 per cent. Bonds, $20 000 00
6 per cent. ten year notes payable at National Bank of Mutual Redemption, 20 000 00
6 per cent. one year note payable at National Bank of Mutual Redemption, 5 000 00
Note payable June 24, 1876 at National }Bank of Mutual Redemption, 10 000 00
John B. Barnard, note, 1000 00
Samuel Thompson, note,
6000 00
Edward Rowell, note,
1000 00
Amelia Fozzard, note,
571 50
Jacob Huntington, note,
300 00
Nancy Morse, note,
203 55
Mary L. Wadleigh, note,
200 00
Interest to March 1, 1876,
943 00
Outstanding bills estimated,
2500 00
1
$67718 05
32
Cr
By uncollected taxes in hands of collector for 1874
(E. M. Morse), $3057 17
By uncollected taxes in hands of collector for 1875 (Bailey Sargent), 16448 77
Due from Board of State Charities, 275 00
" " City of Newburyport, 60 51
" David M. Tuxbury, adm., of estate of A. Bagley as per last year's report, 64 50
E. M. Morse, adm. of estate of Wm. Smith as per last year's report, 136 12
Due from Collector's bonds of 1867 and 1868, 1000 00
Due from County Treasurer, (dog money, ) 254 57
Due from State Treasurer, State Aid, 1344 00
$22 640 64
Town Debt, March 1, 1876, .$45 077 41.
Town Debt, March 1, 1875, $49 306 69. " 66 1, 1876, 45 077 41.
Decrease of Debt, $4 229 28.
The selectmen have changed the notes due the Savings Bank for which the town was paying interest at the rate of 7 per cent. at the commencement of the municipal year, by putting notes running ten years at the rate of 6 per cent. on the market, and for which the town received a premium of 2 per cent. amounting to $425 00. So that the town really pays on the $20.000 of ten year notes less than five and three-fourths per cent. interest. And on the one year note for $5000 but five and one half per cent.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
O. S. BALEY, Selectmen E. M. MORSE, of Amesbury.
I. D. P. BALCH,
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Agreeably to usage and in accordance with law, the School Committee would respectfully submit their Annual Re- port to the citizens of Amesbury.
The Committee, realizing the importance of the work en- trusted to their supervision, have endeavored not only to sustain previous excellence, but to raise still higher the standard of the schools. Not simply in name, by introducing higher studies, more advanced text books, but rather by thoroughness in studies suited to the real wants of scholars, who may in future occupy various positions in life. The study of the languages has not been advised for those who after a brief period are to pass from the school to the work-
34
shop, store or farm, but those practical branches which will be found indispensable in such occupations. The school life of a very large majority of our youth is brief, closing at an early age and admitting as all no doubt will, the great im- portance of a common education, it is very apparent that the great body of the work is, and must remain in the common branches. Other classes of scholars wishing to pursue a more advanced course, in order to fit them for positions re- quiring more advanced literary qualifications have been abundantly provided for. Our schools are now giving in- structions in nearly all of the higher studies, including the languages. No citizen need send abroad to fit his son for College, it can be thoroughly accomplished at home, has been, and we doubt not that such cases will be more com- mon in future.
The good work has been progressing, although owing to circumstances beyond our control, less has been accomplished than was desirable. Numerous obstacles have frequently met our efforts which were not easily overcome. Hard times have pressed heavily upon the schools, causing irregularity in attendance Inability of parents to provide clothes, has in many instances been the excuse for not sending to school. The small pittance earned by the father has rendered it necessary to press children into service in order to obtain a tolerable living. The want of sympathy between parents and school, the failure to appreciate the great privileges within their reach, and, in short, the importance of a good common school education may be reckoned among the most promi- nent hindrances to success in some portion of the schools. At the Mills the Monthly Reports of the teachers invariably mark the foregoing as the hindrances with which they have to contend.
A class cannot be kept together and work to advantage when every recitation finds several of its members absent.
35
Portions of the text, containing perhaps important items are never learned, and such deficiencies will show to great dis- advantage, and at a time it may be, when the teacher is least willing. The moral right of parents to keep their chil- dren from school on light and frivolous excuses is very questionable, but it is an evil which we are obliged to meet, and one that results in evil not alone to such pupils, but the whole school.
The above are not new complaints, however, but such as have retarded the progress in past times, and must necessarily require time and effort to eradicate. But there is a brighter side to this work-a more cheering view, which is encouraging in many respects. At the beginning of the year it was decided to require a written examination of applicants for schools, and a time and place was appointed for all to appear who might wish to teach in town. Printed slips were furnished contain- ing such questions as were deemed appropriate, the perfect standard being 100, and the lowest per cent. to be considered 75. The occasion brought together a large number of appli- cants, from which a sufficient number of well qualified teach- ers was selected. The improved condition of the schools- better discipline, more familiar and thorough instruction spe- cially adapted to the several grades, show conclusively that the teachers have labored earnestly, realizing the responsibility of their positions. Thus among the many discouragements inva- riably attending the system, has been found cause for congrat- ulation in these successful efforts for better order and greater improvement. In most sections of the town parents have sus- tained and assisted the committee and teachers by their sympa- thies and co-operation. Increased interest is indicated by the large number of visits to the schools. When parents and friends visit the schools freely we shall have, without doubt, their earnest co-operation in the work, lightening the teachers' labors and rendering their situations far more agreeable.
36
PAY OF TEACHERS.
In a few instances the pay of teachers has been increased' with a view to securing more efficient service, although but lit- tle variation from last year has occurred. The best possible school, even if short, has been our motto, and at the close of the year we find no occasion to change that opinion. The busi- ness prospect for the coming year is not very encouraging, and in most branches labor may be at a discount, but it is very doubtful if experienced and skilful teachers can be obtained for less than the present rates of compensation. Cheaper teachers may readily be obtained, but the town cannot afford to hire them.
REPAIRS.
An appropriation of $500 was made at the annual meeting, for a new roof on the High School building at the Mills, which sum was thought to be sufficient at the time. The Committee received proposals for the work and found the estimates to overrun the sum appropriated, consequently the measure was given up. Upon examination the old roof was found sound enough for tinning, which would answer a good purpose and be very much cheaper. The roof was accordingly tinned, new ventillation given so as to remove the heated air in the attic and render more comfortable the rooms. The balance was ex- pended in raising the grade of the yard, upon which was carted several hundred loads of dirt, affording a drier and more com- fortable play-ground. The dampness of the ground has long been a source of complaint and the opportunity of "procuring material cheap to improve its condition was fortunate.
ASSIGNMENT OF SCHOOLS.
For special supervision the schools were assigned as fol- lows, viz. :
37
"To Jos. Merrill, the West Amesbury High, South Ames- bury Grammar and Primary, the Mills Grammar, Intermedi- ate, First and Second Primaries, Lion's Mouth, Pleasant Valley and Pond schools.
To H. G. Leslie the Ferry schools, Friend street schools, Mills High, Infant, Third and Fourth Primaries.
To F. Wiggin, South Amesbury High, West Amesbury Grammar,Intermediate and Primary, the Landing, Bear Hill, Birch Meadow, Highlands and Pond Hills schools.
The whole number of children in town between the ages of five and fifteen, as ascertained by the Committee was 1154, being a loss from last year of 53. The whole number at- tending school in Summer, was 1053, and in Winter 1064. This is a gain from last year of 22 in Summer, and 27 in Winter. When taking into consideration the fact that there has been a falling off in scholars, this shows quite an improvement in the attendance.
The average expense during the past year for each scholar in the High Schools has been $36.
FERRY SCHOOLS.
HIGH .- W. A. SPINNEY, TEACHER.
Under the management of one who is in every sense of the word an educator, this school has enjoyed another year of great prosperity. Nothing has occurred to mar the pleasant rela- tions of teacher and scholars, or to interfere in any way with the steady accumulation of facts and ideas. It is always a source of much pleasure to visit this school. The room is large, well lighted and well ventilated ; its walls are adorned with chromos ; not cheap, tawdry affairs, but some of Prang's highest work of art purchased by the scholars themselves, a good organ, botanical charts, and wall maps, reference books
38
and general educational literature, serve to make it a very at- tractive place ; but better than all this the studious, orderly habits of the pupils, correct recitations, fine specimens of writ- ing and drawing constantly to be seen upon the black-boards, cannot fail to give pleasure to any one interested in the results. of the school room.
It has been remarked that the time devoted to drawing in our schools yielded no practical results ; but we are confident that the most skeptical would be convinced of the utility of giving some attention to this branch of study, were they to visit this school and see with what ease and facility the pupils use the crayon to illustrate the varied and complicated apparatus used in performing philosophical and chemical experiments. Whatever is presented to the eye is far more readily under- stood than any idea that can be conveyed by sound alone ; hence we see of what incalculable advantage it is as an aid in teaching. These results may be seen in any of our higher grade schools, and are worth the attention of persons who question the benefits to be derived from a course in free-hand drawing.
The extra attention given to writing during the year has been productive of very pleasing results. Some pupils who had fallen into careless habits and returned examinations writ- ten in a scragly, irregular hand, have felt the force of a steady, persistent drill, and now show papers almost rivaling copper- plate in neatness of execution. In speaking of this matter we feel that it is but just to state that were we called upon to de- cide as to what school had made the greatest improvement in penmanship, we should be at a loss to know whether the Ferry High, Mills High, or Mills Grammar school were deserving of the greater credit.
" Nullu dies sine liniu," is the motto that greets the visi- tor entering this room, and the resumi of the year shows that,. like good soldiers, the pupils have gathered around their stand-
39
ard, and what on its folds seemed to us but words, has proved to them an earnest reality.
GRAMMAR .- MISS S. C. MOODY, TEACHER.
This school has labored under more serious disadvantages than any other of the same grade in town. The crowded con- dition of the Primary school has made it necessary to transfer scholars almost every year before they were fully fitted, and as this change must needs extend through all the rooms, it has served to keep the grade of the higher departments below par, and entailed much extra labor on the teachers. It is hoped that the last forced promotion has been made, and that hereafter no pupil will be sent from this room until he is able to pass ex- amination on the full, prescribed course of study.
The recitations have partaken fully as much of the Interme- diate as of the Grammar school type, thus making a draft on the teacher for extra labor to perfect classes in studies that they should have completed elsewhere. We are satisfied that by no other means can so correct an estimate of the standing and progress of a school be made, as by written examinations, and we are pleased to note the fact that every successive set of papers returned from this room show more painstaking and care.
INTERMEDIATE. - MISS ELLEN MORRISON, MISS LAURA HAYNES,
TEACHERS.
Without any question, oral teaching is of great value, es- pecially in Primary schools, but it is doubted whether this sys- tem of instruction alone can with profit be carried into higher grades. However, beyond the Primary department it need not be wholly discontinued, but rather used as an adjunct to regu- lar recitations. The difficulty is, that by this method no lesson is easier for the previous one, and as scholars are allowed cer-
40
tain latitude in their answers, they finally rely upon guessing out a recitation. These difficulties have been recognized in this department, and strong efforts have been made to rectify this tendency, but at the cost of tedious labor on the part of the teachers. Although the monthly reports have repeatedly called attention to the lack of studious habits on the part of the scholars, yet we think the results attained are all that could justly be expected, and reflect credit upon the careful and con- scientious instructors.
PRIMARY .- MISS MARY MORRILL., TEACHER.
Year after year we have bestowed a just measure of praise upon varied and instructive exercises peculiar to this school, and in making our annual report we can but feel that success has again crowned the earnest efforts of the teacher. No one study has been hobbied, and alike in reading, spelling, arith- metic and geography has especial excellence been attained for a school of this grade. It is desirable that the low uncomforta- ble chairs be removed from this room, and their places filled with modern school furniture, thus enabling the elements of writing to be taught, as well as giving more comfort to the pupils during the hours of confinement that weigh so heavily upon young scholars.
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