USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1901-1909 > Part 20
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George Williams, heirs
11
11
46
Annual Report
Stillphen Frank G.
2
5 28
9 74
17 02
Sellers Freeman
2
2 20
4 20
Stone Betsey, heirs
2 20
2 20
Swift Geo. H.
2
2 00
Swift Mrs. Bertha B.
4 02
4 02
Smith Manuel
2
61
2 61
Sylvester Joe
2
44
2 44
Taves Frank
2
19 80
21 80
Terry Leander
2
2 31
14 30
18 61
Terry Joseph W.
2
2 00
Terry Zeebedee
2
2 00
Terry Frank B.
2
2 00
Talbot Frank
2
5 50
7 50
Thresher Martha R. heirs
and O'Keefe Gardner,
1 93
1 93
Turcott Geo. L.
2
39
2 39
Tripp Capt. Gustavus
2
25 85
27 85
Viall Cassius E.
2 48
3 03
5 51
Victorini Manuel
2
1 76
5 50
9 26
Vigar Thomas
2
6 60
8 60
Wade Chas. M.
2
1 98
15 29
19 27
Wordell Eli W.
2
1 10
55
3 65
Wordell Mrs. E. W.
7 54
7 54
Wordell Edwin W.
2
2 00
Wordell Chas B.
2
2 00
Washburn James F.
2
3 19
14 47
19 66
Walker E. Alton
2
2 00
Westgate Geo. H.
2
2 00
Westgate Geo. A.
2
2 00
Westgate S. Erford
2
2 00
Westgate Daniel L.
2
2 00
Westgate Willard F.
2
83
- 5 78
8 61
Westgate Geo. E.
2
3 47
19 53
30 00
Wells Geo. N.
2
83
8 80
11 63
Whittaker Fred A.
2
4 40
6 40
Whittaker Linnius C.
2
28
2 28
Whittaker Harry E.
2
2 00
Whittaker Ella W. heirs
12 65
12 65
Whittaker Edw. E.
2
2 04
20 35
24 39
Wilbur Amanda
6 05
6 05
White Chas. S.
2
1 16
17 05
20 21
White Damon D.
2
2 00
White Chester S.
2
55
2 55
47
Annual Report
White Geo. E.
2
2 00
Welch John
2
2 00
Winslow Edw. W.
39
1 10
1 49
Williams Hannah S.
2 75
29 43
32 18
Williams Florence N.
6 88
6 88
Williams Fred L.
2
2 00
Williams Lillian M.
17 33
17 33
Williams Seth E.
2
2 75
26 40
31 15
White Antone
2
3 63
13 42
19 05
White Joseph
2
28
5 50
7 78
Witherell Willmon E.
2
7 15
9 15
Witherell James W.
4 95
4 95
NON-RESIDENTS.
TAUNTON.
Babbitt Martha M. est.
83
83
Babbitt Fannie A. and Maud L.
11 55
11 55
Benton Henry W.
2 75
2 75
Briggs Sarah F.
1 38
1 38
Burt Alonzo
28
28
Burt Capt. Alec.
88
88
Burt Benjamin, heirs
2 20
2 20
Bowers Caroline
33
33
Chase Timothy
16 39
16 39
Cushing John, heirs
28
28
Clark Patrick J.
2 97
4 13
7 10
Dean J. Frank
15 95
15 95
Dean David C.
28
28
Dean James
2 75
2 75
Dean David W.
9 35
9 35
Dean A. Lawrence
83
83
Doyle Thomas, heirs
2 20
2 20
Dunbar Helen D.
55
55
Fox F. B., Reed Wm. and Anthony Ralph
1 38
1 38
Goff Albert O.
55
55
Hart Wm. E.
1 10
1 10
Hart John C.
1 38
1 38
Hart George, est.
88
88
Hart Lysander W. and James E. est.
1 43
1 43
Hart Chester S.
5 78
5 78
Hathaway Elkanah, heirs
12 10
12 10
Hathaway Benjamin, heirs
2 20
2 20
48
Annual Report
Holloway Benjamin F.
55
55
Macomber Nathan
2 75
2 75
McCall Charles
9 90
9 90
Parker Hamilton
72
72
Padelford Chas. W.
83
83
Padelford David, heirs 1
22
22
Pierce Stephen, heirs
17
17
Pierce Oliver, heirs
17
17
Pickens Philo
4 40
4 40
Phillips D. Benjamin
8 03
8 03
Phillips Jacob B. est.
1 38
1 38
Presbrey George O.
1 21
1 21
Rose John D.
2 75
2 75
Reed Ida M.
3 30
3 30
Sanford Alpheus, heirs
1 38
1 38
Soper Lysander, heirs
55
55
Staples Abiel B.
4 13
4 13
Shove Henry
4 40
4 40
Staples Mrs. Fanny
4 68
4 68
Stiles & Hart Brick Co.
22 94
4 95
27 89
Thresher John H.
55
55
Taunton City of
34 49
34 49
Theroux Olivia
5 50
5 50
Williams Philip
33
33
Williams Sinai, heirs
2 75
2 75
Williams Arthur K.
5 50
5 50
Williams Emily C.
4 40
4 40
Williams Alex H.
55
55
Williams Charles
55
55
Whittemore Emma F.
1 43
11 00
12 43
Williams Lucy
55
55
Walker George L.
17
17
Walker Wm. E
28
28
Westgate James B. heirs
83
83
White A. R., 2d and Macomber Clinton
6 60
6 60
DIGHTON.
Babbitt John O.
1 65
1 65
Carr Chas. E
11 00
11 00
Caswell William, heirs
1 38
1 38
French Wm. W., heirs
1 10
1 10
Goff Albert N.
2 20
2 20
1
49
Annual Report
Goff Elizabeth and Bullard Annie
4 13
4 13
Perry Edward
7 70
7 70
Simmons C N. est.
7 59
7 59
Simmons Noble S. heirs
4 29
4 29
White Lewis M.
8 25
8 25
FREETOWN.
Briggs Chas. heirs
88
88
Crane Barzillai, heirs
5 50
5 50
Gurney Jonathan
44
44
Hathaway Joseph D. and George
6 60
6 60
Hathaway Andrew M.
1 65
1 65
Eddy Chas. O.
83
83
Nichols Gilbert M.
4 68
4 68
Pierce Geo. W. and Henry J.
1 65
1 65
Resendo Joaquin
1 65
1 65
Wilson John D. heirs
22
22
Webster Andrew J.
16 83
16 83
LAKEVILLE.
Allen Clothier, heirs
3 30
3 30
Allen John F. heirs
26 40
26 40
Canedy Wm. heirs, and Pierce Chester W.
7 15
7 15
Canedy Z. Leonard
8 80
8 80
Murphy Mrs. Jeremiah, est.
9 35
9 35
Pierce Chester W.
15 40
15 40
Pierce Wm. C. and E. A.
28
28
Pierce Ethan E.
4 73
4 73
Pierce Job, heirs
17
17
Pierce James P.
36 30
36 30
Pierce Harmon
20 08
20 08
Seekel Curtis N.
6 05
6 05
Strowbridge Susan, heirs
3 30
3 30
PROVIDENCE R. I.
Chester Frank
55
55
Cooper Andrew S.
1 38
1 38
Reed Otis E.
2 48
2 48
50
Annual Report
FALL RIVER.
Hathaway Cessonia
11 00
11 00
Pierce Y. Henry
1 65
1 65
MISCELLANEOUS.
Andros Milton, est., San Francisco
11 00
11 00
Burt Chas. D. heirs, New Bedford
33
33
Babbitt Wm. F., Dorchester
8 80
8 80
Cherwek Peter, South Boston
8 80
8 80
Crane Edw. A. est., Paris, France
1 93
1 93
Dessereaux, Lora N., No. Attleboro
3 30
3 30
Fish W. M., Detroit, Mich.
1 38
1 38
Hathaway J. Ambrose, Brighton, Mass.
2 20
2 20
Haskins Wm. A., Ottawa, Illinois
1 10
1 10
Hamlin Mary, and Gray Alex, heirs, E. Bridgewater
15
15
Humphrey Emma H., Myricks
7 70
7 70
Howland Hannah R., heirs, Myricks
7 15
7 15
Millard L. D., heirs, E. Douglass, Mass.
1 65
1 65
N. Y., N H. & H. R. R. Co., Boston
36 85
36 85
Kusterer J. F., Barrington, R. I.
16 50
16 50
Paull Amelia, Sherborn, Mass.
55
55
Wade Mary A., Bristol, R. I.
2 20
2 20
Wilson Frederic, Brockton
2 20
2 20
51
Annual Report
Report of Commissioners for the Town Cemetery, December 31, 1908.
RECEIPTS
1907, Dec. 31, cash on hand $31 21
1908, Mar. 4, appropriation from town
70 00
- Apr. 29, sold lot No. 16 to Asa W. Reed
8 00
Total $109 21
LIABILITIES
1908, E. H. Allen and others for labor and
team at $1.50 a day
$105 95
Grass seed
1 25
30 loads of dirt
1 50 $108 70
Dec. 31, cash on hand
.51
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS
The treasurer has on deposit in the Bristol County Savings Bank of Taunton, to be held forever in trust, the income to be used for the care of burial lots, the following sums :
Endow- Int. Ex. pended Rec'd ment Int. Due $100 $33.30 $32.30 $10.37
1898, June 27, Philip C. Porter,
1900, May 12, Wm. Babbitt,
100
27.35
27.35
6.91
1906, April 12, Calvin T. Crane,
100
5.00
5.00
4.95
1906, Oct. 1, Susan H. Allen,
200
10.00
10.00
7.01
1908, Dec. 12, Thomas Terry
100
52
Annual Report
We were sorry to lose one of our oldest and ablest mem- bers by death, Capt. George Cummings, who took great interest in having the yard cleaned up and kept in good order.
As all of the ground is occupied for those who are unable to purchase lots, the town will be obliged to make arrange- ments for more land on the west side of cemetery or in some other locality. We have made decided improvement in the general appearance of the yard by the money appropriated by the town for that purpose.
*GEORGE CUMMINGS, Chair. EDWIN H. ALLEN, Sec'y Commissioners S. ALBERT BURT
*Died July 28, 1908.
53
Annual Report
Report of Trustees of Public Library
We beg leave to submit our report for the year 1908.
For the financial part we would refer you to the Treas- urer's report.
We have added to the library by purchase 48 volumés. Have received from the State a number of volumes, vital re- cords and reports, and from Mr. A. E. Dean two years of unbound Harper's Magazines. We have 1600 volumes not including books of reference such as vital statistics etc. which number about 100 more.
There are in force 90 cards and the Librarian has issued during the past year 2500 volumes which is quite a little in- crease over the previous year.
We would ask for the coming year the usual $50 for books as provided by law, and $40 for salary of Librarian, and $20 for rebinding such books as need it. Of these we have quite a large number which can be brought into service- able condition by a small out-lay.
J. HOWLAND, Trustee.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY
For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1908
TAUNTON, MASS. THE DAVOL PRESS, SCHOOL STREET, 1909.
School Committee
Term expires
Noah H. Strange, Assonet, Mass.
1911
Julia R. Burt, Secretary, Berkley, Mass. 1910
Edwin H. Allen, Chairman, Berkley, Mass. 1909
Superintendent of Schools
John C. Davis, Dighton, Mass.
Truant Officer
Charles Corey, Berkley, Mass.
1
School Calendar
Term
Winter, 10 weeks, Mon., Jan. 4, 1909 to Fri., Mar. 12, 1909
Spring, 11
Mar. 22, 1909
June 4, 1909 Fall, 15 " Tues., Sept. 7, 1909 Dec. 17, 1909
Winter, 10
Mon., Jan. 3, 1910
Mar. 11, 1910
Spring, 11
Mar. 21, 1910 June 3, 1910
Holidays
Washington's Birthday, Patriots' Day, Decoration Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
4
Annual Report
Financial Statement, 1908
RECEIPTS
Appropriation for schools
$1700 00
" Superintendent
300 00
From the Massachusetts School Fund
1197 50
66
State for district supervision
150 00
teachers' salaries
100 00
66
high school tuition
448 75
tuition of State wards
164 00
66
City of Boston for tuition
42 00
Total receipts,
$4102 25
EXPENDITURES
Teachers
2339 40
Janitors
173 25
Fuel
185 61
High School Tuition
463 75
Books and supplies
247 42
Repairs
75 77
School supervision
300 00
School committee
106 50
Truant officer
10 00
Miscellaneous
401 31
Total expenditures,
$4303 01
NOTE .- The committee has on hand books and supplies to the value of $100.00 more than at the close of last year.
5
Annual Report
Report of the School Committee
The school committee as usual make a brief report, leaving the work in detail for the Superintendent.
The usual number of teachers are employed and we believe the work of the schools is progressing under the instruction of our able Superintendent. The quality of our work is certainly improving.
There are at present many small children in our schools, some of them beginners, and we would recommend that the teachers give them special attention as far as it is possible to do so.
We would still emphasize the need of the parents visiting the schools in order that they may not only get acquainted with the teachers but can from their own observation see the working of the schools. It gives encouragement to the teachers and tends to help the pupils in their work.
We especially commend the interest some of the teachers have taken in making their school rooms more attractive.
The Superintendent has a teachers' meeting held at the Common school house once in each term for the purpose of aiding and giving instructions in the various methods of school work.
We shall need more money for current work in school ex- penses and trust the town will accordingly grant it.
A new well has been driven at the Algerine school with good results.
Our school buildings are in fairly good repair, but we would recommend the painting of the one at Myricks and Burt's corner.
6
Annual Report
The Superintendent held a joint meeting of the committee and teachers of the three towns in the Berkley Congregational church, February 14, 1908.
Eminent speakers delivered addresses on school work which were listened to with a good deal of interest, having the largest number present of any held.
The teachers exhibited school work and designs of different kinds and many of the parents were present who sanctioned and praised the excellency of their work.
The school committee of the joint district met in Dighton, April 25, 1908, and organized as follows :
Edwin H. Allen, Chairman.
Christopher C. Viall of Rehoboth, Secretary.
Edwin S. Cobb was re-elected Superintendent for the dis- trict for one year at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars, the towns paying the same as last year.
Our Superintendent, Edwin S. Cobb, sent in his resignation to take effect September 1st, and consequently the committee of the joint district called a meeting in Dighton town hall, June 27, and elected John C. Davis, of Bristol, R. I. to fill the vacancy.
In closing this report, we wish to thank the teachers and Superintendent for their co-operation in carrying on the work in the schools, and hope the success already attained by their efforts may prove a stimulus to the best work.
EDWIN H. ALLEN JULIA R. BURT
School Committee
NOAH H. STRANGE
7
Annual Report
Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee of Berkley :
In accordance with established custom and the regulations of your Board, I am presenting my report as superintendent of schools. Having been in my present position but four months, this report naturally cannot be a full account of the year's work. A careful examination of the records of my predecessor and my own work in your town has enabled me to give the usual statistics contained in the report and present a short review of the work of the school year.
First, let me say that in my opinion the schools of your town are doing good work and compare favorably with other towns of similar size : the parents are interested, the teachers are faithful and earnest, and you are getting a dollar's worth of results for a dollar's worth of expenditure.
While we cannot expect the educational advantages and equipment in a town of this size to equal those of large cities, there are some things which I think can be improved, and to a few of these I shall endeavor to call your attention in this report and the attention of the citizens of your town.
Increase in Enrollment.
The membership for the school year, ending June, 1906, was 164; for 1907, 182; and for the year ending June, 1908, 200. Here is a gain of 36 pupils in two years, fully enough to fill an extra school ; but by the careful planning of your
8
Annual Report
committee, the numbers have thus far been taken care of without additional expense to the town. If this increase could have taken place in the small schools, or could have been distributed evenly throughout the town, it would have caused no inconvenience to any school ; but the great part of it coming, as it does, in the Common school, makes a con- dition of things which will necessitate a re-adjustment of school forces, so that the privileges of the many, may not be sacrificed for those of the few.
Attendance.
The percentage of attendance for 1906 was 91.9; 1907, 90.8; and for 1908, 92.7. Here is a material increase in at- tendance over any records of your town which I am able to find and which I am sure is a source of gratification to us all. We should not be satisfied with it, however. I am certain that there are plenty of unnecessary cases of absence and it will be our constant aim to reduce the number to a minimum.
Punctuality.
The average number of tardinesses per pupil for the year ending June, 1906, was 6.6; 1907, 5.2; and June, 1908, 3.7. Here is another point which speaks much for the schools. It means an increased interest on the part of parents, an in- creased pride in the school on the part of pupils, and much effort along the right line on the part of teachers. This re- port would be still more favorable were it not for the negligence of a very few families. I trust these families may be induced to be more punctual in attendance, and that we shall be able to render a still better report next year.
Age and Schooling Certificates.
So many have applied for age and schooling (work) cer-
9
Annual Report
tificates without having the proper papers that it might be well to state in this report that the present laws do not allow certificates to be granted except under the following con- ditions :
(1). The child must have reached his fourteenth birthday and be able to read and write sufficiently to take up the work of the fourth grade.
(2). An employment ticket must be presented properly filled out by the person or firm intending to employ the child. Blanks will be furnished by the superintendent of schools.
(3). A certificate showing the child to be fourteen must be secured from the records of the city or town in which he was born, or from the records of the church in which he was baptized.
(4). The child and the parent or guardian both must appear before the one granting the certificate, the child to be examined and measured and the parent or guardian to take oath to the facts stated in the certificate.
Teachers.
During the calendar year just past there have been three changes in the teaching force. While this is not so large a number of changes as has occurred some years in the past, it seems to me that the teaching force of your town should be more permanent. There are but two reasons in my opinion for a change of teachers; one, that her work is a failure; another, that she can command a salary that your com- mittee does not feel justified in paying. While there has been a general increase in salaries in the town, it has not kept pace with the increase in other towns of the same size. The general tendency throughout the state to decrease the number of schools and pay larger salaries for those remain- ing, enables towns no larger than yours to offer better induce- ments to your successful teachers. Salaries in all lines of work are advancing, and it becomes more difficult each year
10
Annual Report
to secure good teachers. It would seem that further advances must be made in salaries in this town in order to keep the best teachers in our schools; we cannot be satisfied with any others. And I trust that a matter which so vitally concerns the welfare of the children will receive liberal consideration at the hands of the tax payers. I believe that our teachers are working earnestly and faithfully for the best interests of their children and it is the duty of the community to do all in its power to make the conditions under which they work the best possible.
We must not forget that the teacher has claims on the community as well as the community on the teacher. An interest or lack of interest on the part of parents, plainly reveals itself in the school room. Parents should visit schools and take an active interest in all that pertains to the school life of the children. A hearty co-operation between teachers and parents is necessary to secure the best results.
The Common School.
I desire especially to call your attention to the over crowded condition of the Common school. Here is an enrollment of forty-one pupils and eight grades. As a consequence the teacher is obliged to reduce the length of recitations to ten and in some cases to five minutes, cannot give the time that should be given to individual assistance, and at times he is compelled to ask older pupils to hear some of the recitations or else entirely omit them. This is something we do not ordinarily permit but in this case we are obliged to admit that he can do nothing else.
Under present conditions, I feel that the work of the school cannot be a success and it is no fault of the teacher.
An attempt has been made to relieve this pressure by sending some pupils to other schools which are about the same distance from their homes; but as fast as they are transferred others who live in the immediate neighborhood
11
Annual Report
come in to take their places and the actual condition does not improve. Although some pupils have been sent to the out- lying schools, it seems to me that the natural tendency here as elsewhere will be towards instead of away from the centre. I should regard it a material step in advance if your town would build an addition to the Common school making at least a two room building, so that the lower grades could be in charge of another teacher. Here would be a school where the younger pupils could be given more attention, the older pupils could be given the time that is their due, and those who wish be fitted for high school. The comparatively small expense would be ten fold repaid by the increased advantages to the pupils, and the school privileges more equitable than they are at present. I do not think it just that each pupil at the Assonet Neck school receives one-seventh of the teacher's time and each one at the Common school less than one-fortieth.
It seems to me that a two room building is the only practi- cal solution of the problem. If it is, the sooner it is accomplished, the sooner the children will reap the benefits.
Shorter Hours for Young Children.
I wish to call your attention to the plan that is in practice in somne towns of allowing the children of the first and second grades to remain in school but half a day instead of a whole day, and the fact that the education of these children bas not suffered thereby. Experience has shown that they do as much work as pupils formerly did in a whole day's session, being just as well prepared to take up the work of the third grade. The arguments advanced in favor of this plan are that it gives the child more time for free spontaneous play in the air and sunshine, that it gives an opportunity for better teaching by enabling the teacher to give inore time for each recitation, by relieving her from so much time spent in supervising restless children, and that it gives an opportunity for more work with
12
Annual Report
the older children in the afternoon. The chief objection to this plan seems to be made by those who desire to use the school as a place to have their children taken care of for the greatest possible length of time each day. It seems to me that the development of the child physically should be the chief consideration at this age and that this plan might be put into practice in some places in your town.
Health of School Children.
During the year the pupils have been examined by a physi- cian in accordance with the statute which requires that each child shall be examined at least once a year. Dr. Joseph B. Sayles, the medical inspector appointed by your committee, makes the following report of cases discovered. Medical treatment has been advised in all cases and those marked with a star have been excluded from school in accordance with law until the condition was remedied :
No. Cases.
Disease or Condition.
6
Weak Lungs
1
Scrofula
1
Scapula Deformity
5
Anaemia
Enlarged Tonsils
37 1
Eczema
1
St. Vitus' Dance
1 Deformity of Chest
2 Appendicitis
1 Astigmatism
3
Weak Heart
1 Nervous Disorder
1 Curvature of Spine
1 Deformity of Chest
1
Enlarged Glands
2 Skin Disease
1
Narrow Chest
*1 Body Lice
*12
Itch
*1
Ring Worm
*1 Uncleanliness
13
Annual Report
It would seem from this report and the general recom- mendations of the medical inspector that the general condition of the school children is not particularly good. Troublesome skin diseases have broken out two successive years in schools Nos. One and Six. This would seem to imply that these school houses need thorough fumigation.
The value of medical inspection in our schools cannot be to highly commended. It calls the attention of parents to the beginning of diseases and weaknesses before they have become chronic and while there is an opportunity of correcting the trouble.
The following statement in regard to the "Character and Degree of Medical Inspection" is printed at the suggestion of the State Board of Education :
"From what has been said it will be clear that the funda- mental principle of section 13 of the new act is the medical examination and supervision not only of children known, or suspected, to be weakly or ailing, but of all the children in the elementary schools, with a view to adapting and modifying the system of education to the needs and capacities of the child, securing the early detection of unsuspected defects, checking incipient maladies at their onset, and furnishing the facts which will guide education authorities in relation to physical and mental development during school life. It is evident that although this work involves (a) medical inspec- tion of school children at regular intervals, (b) the oversight of the sanitation of the school buildings, and (c) the pre- vention, as far as may be, of the spread of infectious and contagious diseases, including skin diseases, action in these three directions will be incomplete unless (d) the personal and home life of the child are also brought under systematic supervision. The home is the point at which health must be controlled ultimately.
The character and degree of medical inspection will depend on the standpoint from which the subject is viewed, the diffi- culty being of course to attain a due sense of proportion and
14
Annual Report
uniformity, particularly as to fundamental points. Valuable to science though the findings of a more thorough and elaborate medical examination might be, it is the broad, simple neces- sities of a healthy life which must be kept in view. It cannot be doubted that a large proportion of the common diseases and physical unfitness in this country can be substantially diminished by effective public health administration,combined with the teaching of hygiene, and a realization by teachers, parents and children of its vital importance. The spread of communicable diseases must be checked ; children's heads and bodies must be kept clean ; the commoner and more obvious physical defects, at least, must be relieved, remedied or pre- vented ; schoolrooms must be maintained in cleanly condi- tion, and they must be properly lighted, well ventilated, and not overcrowded ; the training of the mental faculties must not be divorced from physical culture and personal hygiene. It is these primary requirements which must first receive atten- tion."
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