USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1852-1887 > Part 4
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Your Committee do not deem any argument necessary to con- vince the inhabitants of this town, of the importance of our pub- lic schools in the training of the morals and intellect of our chil- dren and youth. It is admitted, and in some good degree, we trust, appreciated, by you, as appears from your recent appropri- ations for their support. The history of the schools of this town also attests their great value, by the number of teachers, male and female, who have been educated mainly therein, and have been employed, more or less successfully, at home and abroad, in our own and many sister states. To which also must be added the large percentage of scholars who have been more liberally educat- ed, for the professions, and for usefulness generally, who received their first impulse in the right direction, unmistakably, from the influence exerted by the public schools. We would, however, respectfully suggest, that our schools would be rendered more ef- ficient, by a more familiar acquaintance therewith, by parents .- The schools and school houses are too much shunned. Every teacher, we think, has observed the greatly increased interest pro- duced by frequent and unceremonious visits by parents and oth- ers interested in schools. It is not enough to build school hous- es, and employ teachers. This must be done ; but the personal
7
interest and the visitation should not be omitted. Perhaps no other subject is of such pressing importance as that of school dis- tricts. A very proper law has been recently enacted, requiring, (under severe penalties for omission,) at least six months school, to be kept in a sufficient number of schools, during each school year. The sufficient number is to be determined by the town .- Are seven schools more than a sufficient number ? Are five schools a sufficient number ? Will not the change from seven to five,-everything considered,-the size of schools, and consequent- ly of classes, giving the stimulant of competition and emulation,- the size and convenience of school-houses and enlarged facilities,- overbalance the few cases of consequent inconvenience, and mate- rially aid in rendering several of the schools more interesting, and all longer and more efficient? These are questions for the town to answer. And they should be answered in an enlightened re- gard to public advantage, regardless of mere selfishness.
The reduction of the school districts commends itself to us, as an economical measure. The geographical position of districts Nos. 5, 6 and 7 is such, that but little alteration of their limits can conveniently be made. But why cannot Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 be or- ganized into two districts, containing, according to actual attend- ance, 48 and 55 scholars respectively. The school-houses in Nos. 1 and 2, can be appraised to their respective districts, as they now belong, then removed and repaired, to meet the exigency of the. new districts, and paid for by a tax in the usual form upon said new districts. If this or some kindred measure meet with gener- al favor, it is of easy accomplishment ; otherwise it may be attend- ed with some difficulty. We think it worth a fair trial, and, if tried, predict for it a complete success.
In any event, the school house in district No. 4 must be aban- doned. Do the wants and interests of the community require a new building upon the old locality ?
Fellow citizens : It will be seen from our report, which is in- tended to be just and impartial, that the different schools have been variously successful. But we believe there is much more
8
to approve than to censure, and that your appropriations have in most cases been well expended ; while we confidently hope the exceptions may not again occur.
WALTER D. NICHOLS, School Com. of Berkley. April 6, 1861. DANIEL C. BURT, BENJAMIN CRANE.
REPORT
OF THE
Treasurer of the Town of Berkley,
For the year ending April 1861.
Expenditures. Receipts.
State, County and Town Tax Bills, for 1860,
2,257.77
School District No. 1,
10.54
66 «
2, 66 66
50.04
Collected on Tax Bills of 1855-6-7 and 8,
93.27
2,411.62
Collector's Commissions, in Taxes of 1860, 3 1-2 per cent. on $2,318.35, 81.11
On $93.27, collected on bills of 1855-6-7 and 8,
9.33
Six per cent abatement on 809.20, paid before Aug. 1st, 1860, as per vote of town, 48.55
Publishing notice of the same in the Republican,
1.00
Printing Collector's Receipts,
1.50
Expenses transmitting State Tax,
.25
Amount of Taxes remitted by the Assessors,
23.50
Amount of uncollected Taxes, in bills of 1860,
4.07
169.31
Cash in the Treasury as per settlement, April 1860,
109.21
Received of the Selectmen the balance due from the former Collector,
452.98
Received for fish notes,
621.00
66 from the State School Fund,
42.64
66
from Town Clerk for license of Dogs,
36.40
from the School Committee,
1.20
Amount of receipts for the year,
$3,505.74
66
2,242.31
10
Expenditures. Receipts 3,505.75
Amount of Receipts brought forward,
The following bills paid by order of the Selectmen :
Daniel C. Burt,
10.00
Thomas Strange,
9.38
Philo Washburn,
4.00
Mary Snow,
2.50
Bassett & Reed,
12.00
Philip French,
6.00
Daniel S. Briggs,
13.59
James Webster,
5.00
Benjamin Luther,
23.00
Giles L. Leach,
80.00
Tamerlane Burt,
1.50
George Westgate,
6.00
Thomas C. Dean,
7.00
Levi French,
46.37
Albert French,
8.50
Estate of S. Newhall,
35.70
C. A. Hack,
10.00
Nathaniel Townsend,
20.25
Enoch Boyce,
20.25
Walter D. Nichols,
8.00
Nathaniel Townsend,
2.12
City of New Bedford,
58.22
Benjamin H. Thrasher,
45.50
Walter D. Nichols,
37.00
Town of Taunton,
22.00
Nathaniel Townsend,
17.95
Giles G. Chace,
1.25
Charles Bissett,
6.50
Nathan Bowen,
9.37
Thomas J. Burt,
8.44
John Dean,
4.50
Benjamin H. Thrasher,
40.00
Ephraim French,
18.32
Joseph D. Hathaway,
13.00
Darius Sanford,
7.00
Ichabod Dickerman,
13.07
Joseph D. Hathaway,
4.50
Gilmore & Kinnicut,
6.25
A. B. Crane,
62.15
William Babbitt,
64.90
John C. Crane,
9.73
Jonathan Crane,
10.00
Benjamin Luther,
15.00
William H. S. Crane,
3.41
809.22
11
Expenditures. Receipts.
809.22
3,505.74
1.00
164.21
Benjamin Crane, 66
15.00
Enoch Boyce,
20.70
Express for getting School Fund money,
.25
Daniel C. Burt,
10.00
Walter D. Nichols,
8.50
State Tax,
145.00
County Tax,
465.96
The following bills for damage done to sheep,
John Richmond,
15.46
W. D. Nichols,
3.09
Israel Chace,
6.19
Joseph Staples,
4.33
Charles Bissett,
34.65
John T. Townsend,
4.33
N. G. Townsend,
4.02
Thomas J. Burt,
4.33
76.40
Money expended for Schools,
District No. 1,
92.07
66
2,
156.84
3,
106.22
4,
84.99
"
5,
122.73
6,
99.14
7,
177.01
-
839.00
Money for School House purposes,
District No. 1, " 2,
43.29
45.92
Paid James Webster's note and interest, 31.51
Rebecca Webster's note and interest, 163.87
" John D. Wilson's
242.55
Franklin Briggs,
302.30
740.23
Treasurer's commissions,
33.51
3,384.90
Balance in the Treasurer's hands, 120.84
2.63
Amounts brought forward, Daniel Burt, John T. Dean,
10.00
12
A VIEW OF THE EXPENSES OF THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS, &c.
Selectmen's bills for services during the year ending March 1861.
William Babbitt,
33.63
Benjamin Luther,
15.00
John C. Crane,
9.73
Town Clerk s bill for the year ending 1861,
18.32
Town Treasurer's commissions,
33.51
Assessors' bills for service 1860,
Nathaniel Townsend,
38.20
Enoch Boyce,
36.95
Levi French,
36.20
111.35
Constable's bill for executing Dog Law,
5.00
Committee to settle with the Treasurer,
1.50
School Committee's bills for services for the year ending April 1861.
Benjamin Crane,
10.00
Daniel C. Burt,
10.00
Walter D. Nichols,
8.50
28.50
Expenses for poor on town farm,
308.21
Expenses of all others belonging to the town,
200.18
Furnished poor of other towns,
17.87
Expended on Roads, Bridges, &c., by Selectmen,
118.91
for Public Schools,
839.00
6
School Books,
15.00
School House purposes,
45.92
State Tax for 1860,
145.00
465.96
Damage done to sheep by dogs,
81.40
Mary Snow for housing the Hearse,
2.50
Bassett & Reed attending suit at law,
12.00
Philip French, care of Town House,
4.00
For furnishing coal, &c.,
2.00
C. A. Hack for printing School Report, 10,00
William Babbitt for attending suit at law,
10.00
William Babbitt for sundry bills against the town at different dates, 21.72
Assessors bill of books of S. O. Dunbar,
9.92
Sending valuation to Boston, .25
Express bill for getting State School Fund Money,
.25
2,566.63
County Tax for 1860,
58.36
13
Amount brought forward,
2,566.63
Thomas Strange, balance of bill for services as one of the Selectmen in 1859, 4.63
Nathaniel Townsend, balance of bill as one of the Assessors in 1859,
2.12
Enoch Boyce, balance of bill as one of the Assess- ors in 1859,
4.00
Estate of Samuel Newhall, balance of bill for do. 66 for sale of oysters,
1.50
Roads and Bridges in 1859,
29.20
Daniel C. Burt, School Committee for 1859-60,
10.00
Daniel S. Briggs, 66
13.59
W. D. Nichols,
66
8.00
The following notes taken up,
James Webster, 31.51
Rebecca Webster,
163.87
John D. Wilson,
242.55
Franklin Briggs,
302.30
740.23
818.27
$3,384.90
5.00
14
PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE TOWN.
Town House,
1000.00
66 Farm,
3,500.00
Valuation of Stock,
458.00
Provisions, Hay &c. on Farm,
142.61
Cash, Liquors &c. in the Agent's hands,
84.01
Iron Safe for the use of Town,
74.00
Book Cases for do.
13.50
The Charity Phillips Place,
100.00
School Books in the hands of Committee,
23.71
Fish and Oyster notes,
1421.00
Uncollected Taxes 1859 and '60,
5.57
Balance of cash in the Treasurer's hands,
120.84
The Town owes the following notes,
Maria Burt, note, dated May 1st, 1856,
430.00
R. A. Pierce, note, same date,
430.00
School money unexpended in District No. 2,
3.65
Money due the District for school house purposes, District No. 1,
16.39
Interest on the two notes above, to May 1st, 1861,
290.86
1175.93
Estimated balance in favor of the town, $5767.31
A. B CRANE, Treas. of the town of Berkley.
6,943.24
5.03
REPORTS ..
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
32
AND
TREASURER,
12 6 ...
OF THE
GE
/ TOWN OF BERKLEY,
For the year ending April 1st, 1862.
TAUNTON; C. A. BACK'S BOOK PRESS, 7 UNION BLOCK. 1862.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
THE committee superintending the public schools of Berkley, have, during the past year, in common with the town, suffered the loss of one of its most valuable members and citizens, by the death of the lamented Mr. Benjamin Crane, a highly intelligent and conscientious man,-and an earnest and efficient supporter of education and good morals in the community. The vacancy so caused was filled early in December last, agreeably to the stat- ute, by the election of Rev. Franklin Davis.
Our impressions of the condition and success of each school are given in detail. Those summer schools (Nos. 1 and 5) assigned to the late Mr. Crane, were not reported by him and we are in possession of no facts to report concerning them.
SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 1,-Common. The summer term was taught by Miss Juliet Churchill. The late Mr. Crane, visitor. Winter term, Miss Martha E. Mason, teacher, commenced well and appeared so at the intermediate visit. But at the closing ex- amination there was not apparent, that evidence of thorough dril- ling we like to see, particularly in arithmetic. The black board had been too little used during the term, and as no chalk was to be found at the examination, it could not be used then. It may be said of other branches also, that less surface and more thor- oughness would have produced better results. Some of the read-
4
ing classes appeared well, particularly the first class. Three members of this school merit commendation for punctual and constant attendance, not having been tardy or absent during the term, viz. Julia R. Burt, Stephen A. Burt, and Charles R. Dick- erman. William F. Snow was tardy but once.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2. Summer term. The teacher, Miss M. E. Mason, entered this school determined to subdue the disor- derly elements referred to in our last years' report, which she did mostly by a free application of the lash. While we insist that order must be maintained, and by the rod if need be, yet that teacher who can reach that result by mental rather than physical force must be considered the better disciplinarian. The cultiva- "tion of the conscience and the sympathetic and nobler faculties of the mind is greatly to be proferred to an appeal to fear. The school was quite orderly and industrious. Good recitations were required-no other was accepted. The closing examination show- ed advancement in the various branches of study. .
The winter school was under the charge of Miss Fannie A. Nichols, and under all the circumstances, was a successful one, though some causes beyond the control of the teacher operated unfavorably. The order, excellent throughout the entire term, was maintained with the infliction of but little corporeal punish- ment. The instruction was careful and thorough. Whatever was to be done was taught to be done in the right way. An in- terest and emulation in study were excited. The various exer- cises were animated and spirited. How could a school, under such circumstances be otherwise than succesful. And the con- tinuation of such favorable conditions will ere long place this school where it properly belongs, in the foremost rank among the schools of the town.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 3. Miss Phebe Strange, who taught this school during the summer term, had not had much experi- ence in teaching. And while we have assurance that she endeav- ored to make herself useful, and that something valuable was at-
5
tained, we think she might have succeeded better in some other school.
Winter term, Walter D. Nichols, teacher. The changing of district limits by which a larger number of scholars is brought into this school, is decidedly beneficial. It was gratifying to the committee to find several of the older and more advanced schol- ars improving the opportunities offered them of still further ad- ding to their attainments. Advanced scholars give character and interest to a school. Mr. Nichols conducted this school with his usual ability and success. Order, industry, and progress were manifest at the several visitations.
No. 4, former arrangement, Timothy Hollow. This school. taught by Miss Mary J. Cudworth, too small for interest or much real value, was rendered almost useless, by withholding the at- tendance of most of the scholars belonging to the school, its aver- age attendance being only seven. Thus has faded away an an- cient school district. And a school house has ceased to exist up- on which the gratification of many a burglarian propensity and many a juvenile attempt at linear and other drawing, not reflect- ing credit upon the perpetrator, has been exhibited, and with whose existence the youthful association of many valued citizens are fondly entwined, and where the rudimental education of many generations has been received, laying the foundation of their respectability, and where the first impulse was given, crown ed in many instances by eminence in the various departments of professional and useful employments. "Peace to its ashes."
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 4. Miss Jane F. Burt's first attempts at teaching and governing a school was creditable to herself and satisfactory to the district. We trust she may have a successful future.
Miss N. Y. Chace, a teacher of large experince, was employed in the winter, whose efforts we think were in a good degree suc- cessful. Thorougliness seemed to be characteristic of her teach- ing. It was orderly and industrious, consequently much good
6
was accomplished. The condition of this school has been good for a long period.
SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 5. Summer term-Miss Cordelia Eaton, teacher-the late Mr. Crane, visitor.
During the winter term, Mr. D. S. Briggs, assumed the charge of the school, which promised little at the commencement of the term,-the attendance small (by reason of sickness and other causes,) and children restless. The attendance, however, stead- ily increased, and at the closing examination, it was full. By the patient and faithful efforts of the teacher, things assumed a better and very promising aspect, the closing examination being credit- able to both teacher and scholars, and we felt that this school had done a good winter's work.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6. The summer term, taught by Miss Palmnie R. Canedy, may be reported as a very fair school. Love, rather than fear, seemed the presiding genius of the school,-af- fection for the teacher prompted to cheerful obedience. The method of instruction was careful and thorough. The suspen- sion of the school (caused by the teacher's sickness) operated in- juriously somewhat to its progress and ultimate success.
Taught in winter by Mr. B. E. Lincoln. The order of the school appeared better at the commencement than at the close of the term. Some advancement in studies were manifest, but not all of our expectations were realized. A good degree of order must attend much success.
An important, and in our judgment a very judicious measure for the welfare of our schools was adopted by the town last Marclı, abolishing the seven school districts then existing in town, and authorising the organization of six instead, and establishing their limits by geographical lines. Their organization was perfected early in November last. This arrangement doubtless has ull- avoidably caused some inconvenience to a few families by the in- creasc of travel to and from the school house, and in winter this
-
7
inconvenience is more serious. But we think it has been fully compensated by the increase of interest in the new associations and classifications, leaving teachers wages and fuel in one dis- trict, clearly a gain to the town.
SCHOOL HOUSES. School districts No. 5 and 6, are in urgent and immediate want of more commodious and better school houses. They are wanting in the comfort and attractions so nec- essary to a successful school. But a more serious objection to them, is, that their size, want of ventilation and number of schol- ars produce an unwholesome atmosphere which poisons the blood and lays a sure foundation for incipient disease, certain to be de- veloped in after life, if indeed life itself be not abridged thereby. The excuse heretofore urged that the town will soon be re- districted, is no longer available. Will not the parents and friends of education in those districts discharge their duties in this matter now, while the school going days of their children remain,-remembering that " time flies." The want of Globes and Maps to be placed in the several school rooms as aids to both teachers and scholars has not yet been supplied. The last year's report of the Board of Education in referring to it says, " a small expenditure for each school will lighten the labors of the teacher at once and yield a hundred fold harvest in the ad- vancement of the children." The school committee have author- ity, if they see fit, to expend one fourth of the amount received from the State in the purchase of apparatus for the use of schools. But rather than divert the money from support of schools, would it not be better to raise by voluntary contributions in each dis- trict the small sum necessary to supply it with suitable apparatus for the use of its school.
SCHOOLS. We have spoken in detail of our impressions of the conditions of eachschool in its order. And while we are far from claiming that they are fully what they should be, o' even what you have a right to expect, yet we think, upon their whole sur- vey, we are justified in reporting some real pro gress. If this opinion be correct, is it not a very great encouragement to us, to
8
strengthen our efforts and make still greater improvements. Do parents and others refleet how much depends upon their influ- ence and exertions, and upon their personal inspection ? Teach- ers have certain important duties to perform. The training of the immortal mind is temporarily entrusted to their care. Do they teach good behaviour and those other virtues which so adorn society ? Are they particular to inculcate kindness, patience, in- dustry, and truthfulness as virtues active and essential ? Or is moral training partially neglected by an overshadowing regard to mere intellectual acquirements ? Do your children render obed- ience and perform their duties in school with alacrity ? You would rarely trust the experienced blacksmith to set a shoe upon your valuable horse without the closest personal inspection. Ev- ery step from the fitting of the shoe to the shaping of the hoof, even the direction of every nail would be well considered. Do you consider the shaping, moulding and developing the minds of your children an object of less solicitude than the well being of your horse ? Impossible ! Does not the inexorable logic of pass- ing events teach in many ways an additional lesson, (if indeed it were needed) of the importance of general intelligence and virtue among the middle classes of the community, and of the high con- servatism of free schools ? Wherever their light and influence is bright and untrammeled, that monstrous heresy, secession, which is striving to throttle and overthrow the best of human govern- ments shrinks away abashed. Where their influence is feeble and unfelt, it lifts its loathsome head and exerts its withering influ- ence. Their proportions are inverse. In fine, this subject of ed- ucating the youthful mind is second to no other. Home influ- ence, and school influences should harmonize or they will neutral- ize each other. They should aim to qualify the rising generation for an able and faithful discharge of the duties which may devolve upon them in life, and to make those impressions permanent which are worthy to survive the wreck of matter. Our responsi- bilities are great; let us not shrink from their faithful dis- charge.
9
TABLE.
SUMMER SCHOOL.
WINTER SCHOOL.
Length of
School.
Whole
No, of
Scholars
Average
attend-
ance. 3
Length of
School.
Whole
No. of
Scholars.
Average
attend-
ance.
Expen-
ditures.
District No. 1.
3m.
20
1648
3m.
29
23-75
$129.78
6
" 2.
34
27
3 6
46
37
152.97
3 .
24
18元
3 .6
34
2936 co/
155.00
30
127.25
66
5.
3 "
24
17
3.“
27
20-4 14
127.87
"
6.
3 "
35
26
13 4
41
35 ,75
154.75
.6
4.
3"
31
22
34
School Com-
FRANKLIN DAVIS,
March 29, 1862.
WALTER D. NICHOLS, DANIEL C. BURT, mittee of Berkley.
-
3.
REPORT
OF THE
Treasurer of the Town of Berkley,
For the year ending April 1862.
Expenditures. Receipts.
State, County and Town Tax Bills for 1861,
$2,330.27
Collector's commissions on Taxes of 1861, 3 1-2 per cent on $2,330.27.
81.56
Six per cent abatement on $708.60,
42.51
Publishing notice of same,
1.25
Printing Collector's receipts,
23.20
Amount of taxes remitted by the Assessors,
uncollected taxes on bills of 1861,
5.41-
155.43
Amount received from the Collector,
Cash in the Treasury as per settlement, April 1861, Received on Fish notes,
66 Oyster notes,
225.00
50.00
of Rebecca Webster,
150.00
Enoch Boyce,
100.00
66
E. D. Briggs, (rent of L. Briggs' estate,
6.00
66 from State School fund,
38.81
from the Town Clerk for license of dogs,
23.40
66 on tax bills of 1860,
1.50
for the sale of school books,
6.76
Amount of receipts for the year,
3,193.15
of James Webster,
2,174.84
120.84
296.00
1.50
12
Expenditures. Receipts. 3,193.15
Amount brought forward,
The following bills have been paid by the Treasurer :- For the support of
Charity Phillips .- Harriet F. Norcut's bill, 2.00
6. Samuel Norcut's 66 7.42
66 Dr. S. Hathaway's 3.50
.6 66 .James Webster's 66 2.25
..
Davis Allen's 66
3.50
Joseph D. Hathaway's " 2.00
66 Adoniram Cummings' " 1.17 66 66 Benjamin Luther's 66 12
A. B. Crane's 66 37.60
59.56
Celia Atwood .- Dr. S. Hathaway's bill, 2.00
66 Philip French's 2.00
4.00
Francis B. Briggs,-Thomas J Burt's bill, 6.50
A. B. Crane's bill, 9.00
15.50
Daniel Staples Jr .- Staples & Phillips' bill, 6.25 66 A. B. Crane's bill, 25.50
31.75
Thomas Hathaway,-A. B. Crane's bill,
10.08
Jos. Staples' wife,-A. B. Crane's bill,
11.22
Mahala Newhall,-C. O. Thrasher's bill,
2.00
Daniel Hathaway,-Ephraim French's bill, 1.51 Benjamin Luther's " 35
1.86
Richmond Pain,-A. B. Crane's bill,
31
Overseer of Poor on Farm,-John T. Dean, 119.06
The following bills for poor of other towns :-
For the support of Michael Haskell,-A. B. Crane's bill, 66 14.17
8.62
Jas. A. Richardson,-" 66 Sophrona Crane's bill, 3.50
" 2 Selectmen's order, A. B. Crane, 5.00
66 Jos. D. Hathaway's bill, 1.50
24.17
- Adams,-A. B. Crane's bill, 1.72
289.85
3,193.15
13
Expenditures. 289.85
Receipta.
Amounts brought forward,
3,193.15
Joshua Pittsley,-Ephraim French's bill, 3.80 66 John C. Crane's 66 59
4.29
Charles Rider,-John C. Crane's bill
54
Ephraim French's bill,
5.17
5.71
George Ellis,-Benjamin Luther's bill,
50
Housing the Hearse,-Francis Snow's bill,
8.33
Sealing weights and measures,-H. A. Davis' bill, 8.00
Taking care of Town House,-Philip French's bill, 4.00
Fuel and lights, 66 66
3.00
Printing Reports, &c .- C. A. Hack's bill,
14.00
Books, &c. for Assessors,-S. O. Dunbar's bill,
1.74
Gravel for roads,-Benjamin Luther's bill, 2.02
Labor, &c. on roads,-Benjamin Thrasher's bill, 10.00
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