USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1869-1879 > Part 20
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9. George H. Holmes, Abby L. Goodwin,
18
Quincy.
Weymouth.
12. George E. Hollis, Loella A. Monroe,
21
Braintree.
Braintree.
26.
David Buchanan, Mary A. Moils,
21 Braintree.
Braintree.
Oct. 21.
William F. Loud, Mary A. Nutter,
19 Braintree.
Quincy.
24. Benjamin Stevens, Susan Maxwell,
69
Braintree.
England.
25. Osgood Brown, Sarah F. Means,
41
Braintree.
Whitefield, Me.
27. George H. Holbrook, Sadie E. Newcomb,
23
Braintree.
Braintree.
Medford.
Thomas A. Emerson,
34 Braintree.
Wakefield.
Fannie H. Brewster,
34 Deerfield.
North Adams.
Nov. 2.
Robert D. Vaughan, Ellen A. Kimball,
24
Braintree.
Nova Scotia.
22 Braintree.
Brattleboro', Vt.
56 Boston.
Concord, N.H.
10. William A. Matthews, Eveline Hayward,
50 Braintree.
Braintree.
Dennis Griffin,
35
Braintree.
Ireland.
Bridget M. Murrill,
35 Braintree.
Ireland.
21. William C. Harlow, Mary L. Houghton,
25
Weymouthı.
Richmond, Me.
21 Braintree.
Braintree.
22. James Talon, Mary Derby,
40
Braintree.
Ireland.
40 Braintree.
Braintree.
Braintree.
Braintree.
24. Samuel A. F. Mansfield, 30 Jennie E. Grover, 22 Weymouth.
Nashna, N.H.
Boston.
Lubec, Me.
Sept. 1. John F. Hayward, Catherine F. Clark,
22 Braintree.
Braintree.
Ashland.
25
Braintree.
Braintree.
26
Braintree.
Liverpool, N.S.
20 Milton.
Boston.
58 Charlestown.
Nova Scotia. Norway, Me.
42
Braintree.
Topsham, Me. Boston. Lowell.
15. Eugene A. Dustin, Elizabeth T. Thayer,
28 Braintree.
Quincy.
Weymouth. Braintree.
18 Braintree.
18 Braintree.
49
Nov. 25. David H. Norris, Mary A. Warren,
Dec. 9. Peter Donahue,
19 Braintree.
Margaret Murrell,
18 Braintree.
37 Braintree.
15. Charles E. French, Julia M. Dustin,
28 Braintree.
19. Charles E. Minchin, . Caroline E. French,
22 Braintree.
Braintree.
25. Andrew Hanson, Sarah F. Jackson,
23 Braintree.
Braintree.
36 Braintree.
Wareham.
27. Webster F. Crosby, Sarah J. Hill,
20 Braintree.
Braintree. .
Braintree.
BIRTHS.
Jan. 3. Nellie Frances Sullivan,
5. Lucinda Sloane,
12. Lillian Sweet Walker,
12. Edwin Bennett Arnold,
14. Edwin Prince Brooks,
14. Lizzie Curtis Morrison,
19. Elizabeth Whitmarsh,
Feb. 3.
20. Gracie May Morrison, Susan Martha Mayhew,
15. George Henry Millick,
20. Annie Sara Adams,
21. Estella Bradford Barnes,
22. Mary Ann Clark,
Mar. 6.
28. Mary Ella Veazie, Alfred Franklin Lund,
7. Catherine Doherty,
8. Nellie Frances Monk,
10. Frederick Elmore Hill,
11. Arza Henry Keith,
18. Johanna Maher,
21. Walter Irving Morse, Mak. 22. Sanford Warren Hobart,
24. Anna Elizabeth Long,
28. Joseph Francis Mohan, Claribel Ogilvie,
Apr. 12. Alice Standish Cook, 12. James Joseph Cox,
13. Mary Ann Bridges,
14. Abel Herbert Holbrook,
28 Annie Taylor Dyer,
Daniel and Mary ..
David and Mary. Charles H. and Abbie A. Samuel V. and Mary O. Robert and Jane A. R. Elmer and Sarah R.
S. Everett and Cordelia T. Ira P. and Mary S. William W. and Susan S. John and Annie. Frederic A. and Anna F. Luther R. and Elizabeth A. James and Mary. Charles F. and Mary R. E. Charles A. and Clara F. Daniel and Lizzie. Henry A. and Emma J. William G. and Hattie L. Arza B. and Mary A. James and Mary. William B. and Elizabeth P. A. Warren and H. Minerva. John M. and Mary. Michael and Julia. Adopted by David and Jane. Barker and Ella F. James and Henrietta. William and Eliza. Josiah F. and Dorothy E. Albert W. and Elsina.
Boston. Woodstock, Vt. Braintree. Weymouth. Boston. Braintree.
22 Braintree.
51 Hyde Park.
29 Braintree.
24 Braintree.
Braintree.
50
May 5. Charles Francis Cavanagh,
17. Clarence Rudeselle Bestick,
17. William Gorman,
17. Sarah Dalton,
25. Orin Lester Belcher,
26 William Sherman Childs,
28. William Morse Wood,
29. Frances Emma Huston,
June 1. May Crosby Hayward,
3. Loring Arthur Young,
11. George Benjamin Loring,
13. Ernest Clifton Lakin,
17. Ernest Humphrey Allen,
19. Nettie May Morales,
22. Florence May Allen,
26 Herbert Nelson Beals,
27. Charles Gilbert Jordan,
27. Effie Mabel Ryerson,
29. Clara Eliza Willis,
July 9. Susie Augusta Harrington, .
20. Edward Griffin,
25 Harriet Louisa Stone,
25. Oscar Clarence Bicknell,
27. Timothy Gallivan,
30. Banjamin Hawes,
Aug 2. Catherine May McDonnell,
5. Mary Ellen McGerr,
7. Eva Elmira Hayden,
12. Charlie Revere Richards,
17. George Herbert Torrey,
17. Peter Starr,
19. Mary Ellen Cole,
24. Sarah Harlow Butler,
25. Eli Avery Hayden,
29. Addie Louise Fallon, Ruddersham,
Sept. 4.
5. Arthur Warner Harris,
5. Margaret W. Potter,
Sept. 11. Gracie Anna Porter,
12. Bump,
16. . Margaret Frary, 19. William Ernest Bell,
27. Daniel Baxter Hayward,
30. Frank Enfield Thayer,
John and Anna M. George R. M. and Alice. Francis and Catherine E. Thomas and Mary Orin H. and Ardella O. J. Ward and Phebe A. Samuel C. and Anna. Thomas and Ann.
John and Sophia F. George B. and Eva M. Charles H. and Maria J. George H. and Mary A. William and Emma F.
Leonardo and Agnes. Frank C. and Frances H. John M. and Eliza A. Washington I. and Eunice W. Wallace and Alice E. Samuel A. and Clara E. Susie F. Michael and Margaret. Lemuel D. and Alice F. George F. and Mary J. Murto and Julia. Benjamin, Jr. and Mary E. James M. and Eliza. William P. and Mary. William and Abbie M. Charles G. and Alice B. Benjamin F. and Susan E. Peter and Mary. Austin L. and and Harriet A. Alvah and Lydia A. H. Charles A. and Rachel L. Thomas and Adeline E. Charles and Kate. Everett A. and Melora E. Daniel and Marina L. Heman F. and Mary G. Nathaniel and Louisa F. Lucien H. and Louise. William K. and Effie A. J. Pårker and Mary F. Elwyn H. and Annie.
51
Sept. 30. Helen Lydia Reynolds,
Oct. 4. Ruddersham,
7. Mary Frances Tobin,
10. Fannie May Delano,
11. Walter Henry Loring,
16. Mary Ann Reed,
16. Reed,
17. Bessie Winkfield,
24. Louise Wales,
27. Ida Christina Ratcliffe,
28. Fogg,
Nov. 1. Jerusha Davie Hobart,
5. Philip Sullivan,
16. Francis Allen Doyle,
18. John Finegan Dee,
23. George Henry Grinnell, 26. Faxon,
Dec. 6.
29. Mary Ann Kiernan, Walter Edwin Foye,
17. William Henry Greelish,
20. Eva Gertrude Reed, Shaw,
21.
Frank H. and Jeannette. William E. and Elizabeth. William and Harriet. John J. and Priscilla B. Robert M. and Elizabeth. Andrew and Sarah. Andrew and Sarah. Adolpho W. and Carrie M. George O. and Abbie F. · John W. and Christina. Edgar A. and Deborah D. Robert D. and S. Frank. Thomas and Margaret. Thomas and Mary. George T. and Mary E. Henry B. and Georgianna L. Henry A. and Lizzie M. Edward and Mary A. William E. and Mary E. Owen and Maria J. Charles H. and Mary. George P. and Helen L.
DEATHS.
Yrs. M. D.
Jan. 1. Oliver Chessman Hunt,
9 12
3. Margaret Toomey,
75
4. Sarah E. Hayden,
32
6
5. Maria Ford Hayward,
5
4 10
23. Elizabeth Simmons,
57
9 21
29. Mary A. Howard,
28
11
Feb.
7. John Watt,
29
1 28
7. Curtis,
58
28
Heart Disease.
22. Horace Augustus Mer- rill, 30 7
26
Typhoid Fever.
Mch. 3.
Isabella B. Willis,
71
6
3
Cancer.
4. John Henry Long,
1
5
13
6. Maria J. Holbrook,
71
12. Huldah Frasier,
49
6
9
Cancer.
20. Anna L. Howard,
27
10
18
20. Rebecca M. Wheeler,
45
3
25. Jerusha Davie Hobart,
49
8
4
Bronchitis.
27. William Jas."Mathes,
[58
10
22
Cancer.
.
Pneumonia. Old age. Consumption.
Membraneous Croup.
Consumption. Convulsions. Accidental. Stillborn.
15. Lydia Alden,
Inflammation of Bowels. Cancer.
Consumption. Apoplexy.
52
.
Mch. 28. Susan M. Hayden,
8
Consumption. Consumption.
April 8. Maria M. Small,
26
5
20: Janet McGlincy,
41
5
20
Consumption.
May 1. Thomas Sullivan,
42
3
27 Pneumonia. Consumption.
9. George M. Brewster,
56
8
9
Pneumonia.
14. Josephine Tobin, .
6
10
5
Measles.
14. Simon W. Draper,
55
9
28
Disease of Kidneys. Pneumonia. Old Age.
28. Alice L. Bump,
14
10
Typhoid Fever.
30. Mary J. Smith,
1
4
9
Water on Brain.
j. Je 1. Annie M. Wood,
23
9
16
6. Aaron Leavitt,
84
3
17. Betsey Jane Cook,
48
8
Bleeding of Lungs.
20. Daniel Casey,
16
9
18
Drowning.
July 4.
James Edward Kelly,
1
1
25
Bronchitis.
12.
Lillian Sweet Walker,
6
Diarrhea.
13. David S. Russell,
51
1
14
Consumption of Liver.
17. Fred Watson Arnold,
3
11
2
Diphtheria. Railroad Accident.
20. Lawrence F. Aylward,
18
2
23. Abby Doyle,
2
9
5
Infl. of Brain.
28. Alice Standish Cook,
3
15
Bright's Dis. of Kidneys.
, Aug. 5. Stephen Mc Carty,
19
1
19
Typhoid Fever.
5. May Crosby Hayward,
2
5
Marasmus.
8. Mary Ann Clark,
5
14
Cholera Infantum. Old Age.
Aug. 12. Sarah Thayer,
92
5
29. Michael McFarrell,
41
2
7
Heart Disease.
Sept. 2. William Livesey,
73
5
24
Consumption.
2. Maggie McCarty,
14
2
Typhoid Fever.
9. Oscar Clarence Bicknell,
1
15
Marasmus.
15. Cyrus B. Fitch,
37
10
15
Diphtheria. Consumption.
16. Mary A. Hickey, Reed,
60
1
3
Rheumatic Fever.
Oct. 16.
Stillborn.
17.
Thomas Fleet,
75
4
3
24. Asa Dyer,
76
24. Ira Hunt,
67
Nov. 6.
James Doyle,. 4
6. Joseph E. Bennett,
46
5 17 Consumption.
12. Ansel Penniman,
61
6
22
Consumption.
14. Augustus M. Morrison,
28
11
7 Congestion of Brain.
14. Mary Ann Reed,
28
Infantile.
5. Catherine W. Dorety,
58
6
14. Elizabeth Jelley,
64
15. Ebenezer Denton,
83 3
24
Putrid Fever. Infl. of Bladder. Scarlet Fever.
14. Lettie Hamilton,
14
11
16 .. Mary F. Porcher,
44
Typhoid Fever. Pneumonia.
6 Kidney Disease. Unknown.
53
Nov. 16. Susan Dailey,
51
8
Dec. 3. Mary T. Missett,
16
8
13
3.
Baker,
8. Jennie Selee,
36
7
18. Eliza M. Sherman, 21." Shaw,
66
5
7 Consumption. Consumption. Stillborn. Consumption. Heart & Kidney Dis. Stillborn. Old Age.
25 Clarissa Hayward,
79
25. John Henry Minchin,
66 2 26
Typhoid Pneumonia.
28. Elizabeth Carlin,
1
10
23
Lung Fever.
May 19. Joseph Brooks,
1
10
8
Croup.
As it is of great importance that the records should be correct, the parents and friends are requested to notify the Town Clerk of any errors or omis- sions, that they may be corrected.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FOR THE YEAR 1875-76.
BOSTON: FRANKLIN PRESS : RAND, AVERY, & Co. 1876.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
N. L. WHITE.
NOAH TORREY.
ALVERDO MASON.
T. H. DEARING.
G. H. ARNOLD.
S. W. HOLLIS.
REPORT.
[THE school committee shall annually make a detailed report of the condition of the several public schools, which report shall contain such statements and sugges- tions in relation to the schools as the committee deem necessary or proper to promote the interests thereof. In compliance with the requirements of this statute of the commonwealth, the school committee present the following as their Report for the school year 1875-76.]
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. C. E. Stetson has now been principal of this school for three years and a half; the longest term of service of any teacher since the establishment of the school; and it is believed that no teacher has given a more general satisfaction to parents, pupils, and the committee, than he. A scholarly gentleman, observing the proprieties and amenities of good breeding, he has inspired the minds of his pupils with tastes and a bearing akin to his own. He is ably sup- ported by his efficient assistant, Miss Reed, a skilful teacher of long experience. That those pupils who had found by experience that " much study is a weari- ness to the flesh," had made satisfactory progress was
58
proved by the examinations. But those who had an invincible antipathy to that kind of weariness (and they were very few in number), of course failed to satisfy the expectations or hopes of those interested in their welfare. No efforts on the part of the teach- ers have been wanting to secure an equal progress by all.
At the last examination of candidates for admission to the school, there were thirty-eight applicants (nine- teen boys and nineteen girls), of whom twenty-seven (fifteen girls and twelve boys) were admitted.
The graduates of the class of '76 were ten in num- ber; viz., Wm. A. Allen, H. Flora Dearing, Marcia A. Keith, Wm. J. Loring, Alverdo H. Mason, Lyman D. Randall, Susie M. Reed, John V. Scollard, Arthur J. Shaw, and Geo. T. Smith.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
POND GRAMMAR.
UNDER Mr. Freeman A. Arnold, this school seems to be regaining in some respects its former status.
We think the order in the schoolroom this year much better than for the past two years, and that there is more respect shown the teacher than has sometimes been the case ; indicating, we hope, a grow- ing appreciation of the self-respect involved in promptly and fully acquiescing in the requirements of a fair teacher.
We regret, however, to say the scholars of this school have not been so orderly when out of their room, about the other parts of the building, in the yard, and on their way to and from school, as they should have been, and as their connection with the other two schools imperatively requires.
The scholars have made a good degree of improve- ment in their studies, especially in geography and in the rules of grammar.
Some of the classes in arithmetic did not exhibit the proficiency that we should naturally expect, while others did remarkably well.
1
60
UNION GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISSES AMY ALLEN AND ELLA F. WHITE, Teachers.
This school was in charge of Miss Allen until the close of the summer term, when she resigned, leaving it in very creditable condition.
The services of Miss White were then secured, who, in spite of some disturbing elements which manifested themselves at the beginning of the term, has shown her ability to maintain proper discipline, and by earnest effort and approved methods, she is working her way to a degree of success which will enhance the reputa- tion of this generally excellent school ..
As in other departments of the Union school, music and drawing receive a fair amount of attention. The former relieves the monotony of the more laborious exercises, and cultivates the voice and ear; while the latter trains the hand and eye, and prepares the way for artistic and mechanical skill in after life.
IRON WORKS GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISS S. A. CHILDS, Teacher.
No remarkable changes have taken place in this school the past year. The daily duties of the school have been regularly attended to by the teacher, - duties involving labor and care. The progress made in the various studies is commendable, and the disci- pline of the school is excellent.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
POND INTERMEDIATE.
MISS E. M. THOMPSON continues to give entire satis- faction in this school. The committee have always found the school in good order, and believe it has been maintained by proper means, such as the scholars could see the reasonableness of, and so insured respect for their teacher. The scholars have made good progress in their studies, and answered well and promptly on examination.
UNION INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS S. LIZZIE BURNHAM, Teacher.
The management of this school has continued with Miss Burnham during the year, and with a degree of discipline well adjusted to the grade of the school. Between the nursery-like freedom of the primary, and the comparative strictness of the Grammar, she has exhibited, both at the closing visit of the committee, and at other times, indications of thoroughness and industry, which we take pleasure in commending.
62
IRON WORKS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS ANNIE L. BUMPUS AND MRS. SARAH A. HAMMATT, Teachers.
Miss Bumpus, after five years of uninterrupted labor in this school, resigned at the close of the fall term. She left it in a very satisfactory state of discipline. Her faithfulness in the discharge of the duties of her calling merit, as they now receive, the acknowledg- ment and approbation of the committee.
Mrs. Hammatt is an experienced teacher, continuing the work so well and faithfully done by her predecessor. The committee, at the examination, found no room for unfavorable criticism. They commend both the method of teaching and the progress of the school.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
POND PRIMARY.
MISS S. ELLA TORREY has taught in this school several years, and we are pleased to say with very good results. The scholars appear orderly and happy ; and, on examination, most of the classes in reading and spelling showed they had made good progress. The class in arithmetic performed practical questions upon the black-board very readily, and all the school joined in the singing exercise as though they appreciated and enjoyed it.
UNION PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS M. JOSEPHINE DEARING, Teacher.
This large school of little folks continues under the genial sway and guidance of Miss Dearing.
This is one of the pleasantest places in our official experience - where all is cheerful and happy, and none are large enough to make trouble so serious as to call for the intervention of the authority of the committee.
With all that is pleasing in the way of music and
64
charts, blocks, and other infantile " helps to learn," there has been good progress made in the several branches of study found in a primary school.
IRON WORKS PRIMARY SCHOOL. MISS ALICE M. MASON, Teacher.
This is a large and a very interesting school. No pleasanter scene can be witnessed than sixty little chil- dren, from five to nine years of age, yielding an un- conscious obedience to a single will, submissive to a tender authority. Such an appearance this school presented at the examination. The reading, spelling, and arithmetic classes showed careful training. The singing, marching, and other exercises, were very entertaining.
EAST SCHOOL.
MISS VICTORIA P. WILDE, Teacher.
Miss Wilde has taught this school for the past three years, and its present condition illustrates the benefit of continuing a good teacher in the same school. When she took charge of it, a little more than three years ago, various causes had contributed to bring it into a position below the average of the schools in town. Made up of material, some of it good and some indifferent, demoralized by want of proper and efficient discipline, the difficulty had been still farther increased by a frequent change of teachers. But from the time when Miss Wilde first took charge of it to the present, there has been a steady and gratifying improvement. It is now one of the best and most orderly schools in town. During the last term, the large and commo-
65
dious school-room has been filled to its utmost capacity. The examination at its close showed that there had been thoroughness and accuracy of instruction, and that the pupils were not only deeply interested in their studies, but maintained towards their teacher feelings of affection and respect.
MIDDLE STREET SCHOOL.
MISS CHARLOTTE E. ALLEN, Teacher.
This school has now been in charge of Miss Allen two years. Her instruction has been well adapted to the capacities of her pupils, varying, as they do, from five to fifteen years of age. Her efforts have been successfully directed to securing accuracy in the studies pursued in the school. She seems to have the con- fidence and esteem of the parents, and consequently their aid in maintaining the order and discipline so. necessary to success in teaching.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.
MISSES ELLEN L. WALLACE AND CUSHING, Teachers.
Miss Wallace taught this school during a part of the summer term. Upon her tendering her resignation, Miss Cushing was selected to take her place, and she has taught the school during the remainder of the year.
Though the number of scholars attending the school during the year has been small, there has been, in this respect, a marked and gratifying increase over former years; and the average attendance during the last term was greater than during the first term of this
66
year. When the school closed, seventeen pupils were in attendance at the examination, against twelve at the examination last year. The appearance and pro- ficiency of the school, when visited by the committee, have been satisfactory, and show that the teacher has labored faithfully, and that her labors have been crowned with a good degree of success.
SOUTH DISTRICT SCHOOL.
This school has been under the care of Miss Mar- garette E. C. Bannon during the year. . Nothing has arisen to detract from the well-earned repute of last year; steady progress has been made in the various studies, which is satisfactory to the parents and committee. The school building in this district is located so far from any dwelling-house, that it often becomes a lodging place for tramps, and needs frequent repairs. It would be a pecuniary benefit to the town if a remedy for this could be devised.
. SOUTH WEST.
Miss Helen A. Williams has taught this school for two years. To say that she never disappoints the expectations of the committee, is expressing in few words the opinion of the Committee, as well as would pages. . A few of the scholars of this school are allowed by their parents, or guardians, to be frequently absent ; and such is the marked difference in their progress, that the best we can wish for them is, that this may continue to be so apparent that their parents will be constrained, from a desire of emulation, if from no higher motives, to correct so deleterious a practice.
67
WEST SCHOOL.
MISS AVIS A. THAYER, Teacher.
At some period of the history of this school, it may have contained scholars more proficient than any now attending it; but we believe that we are safe in saying that never did there exist a better spirit than now pervades its classes, or a more general satisfaction in regard to its management on the part of all interested in its success.
That it is blessed with a teacher admirably adapted to its needs is very evident. In addition to this com- mendable disposition of the school as a whole, there were some individual cases of improvement so conspic- uous that we feel very much inclined to put their names in print, but we refrain.
Mr. C. E. Whiting of Boston has gratuitously given instruction in singing to some of the schools. He has excited quite an interest in this art, and those who have had the privilege of his instructions have been greatly benefited thereby.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
As the citizens generally are aware, there was, a few weeks since, an attempt to burn the Union School House. This so far succeeded as to cause a damage for which the Insurance Companies allowed the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. We did not expend this money in a complete restoration of the
68
portions of the house damaged by the fire, but we plastered up the hole which was made through the wall of the room occupied by the school, and left the rest until we could make the following proposition to the town.
The present Grammar School room is much larger than is necessary, and is very difficult to warm. What we would suggest is, that the upper story of the main building, instead of being, as now, divided into two small rooms and one very large one, be made into two of nearly equal size, either of which would accom- modate as many scholars as ever ought to be gathered in one room, or under one teacher. As the time is not far distant when another school will be needed in this house, we shall be anticipating the expense but very little ; and the sum now necessary for the repair of the nearly useless small rooms would go far toward the proposed improvement.
We would, therefore, ask of the town, that an appro- priation of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, in addition to the unexpended sum received for the insur- ance, be made for this purpose.
Your committee would report in regard to the appropriation of last year, for the improvement of the Union School yard, that the sum of three hundred dol- lars was very nearly expended in draining and grading the yard, placing a line of curb-stone on the Washing- ton Street front, and some necessary repairs of the house.
There is still a considerable amount of gravel needed to finish the grade and to cover mud; and, to prevent trespass on the part of teams, the line of curbing should be extended along the sidewalk on the south side as
. .
69
far as the Hook and Ladder house. For this we would recommend a further appropriation of two hundred dollars.
We would also invite the attention of the town to the fact that the house occupied by the Middle Street school needs repairs in the inside, under it, and on the outside. The underpinning and foundations are so defective as to seriously injure and strain the building. Gravel is required to secure the foundations when replaced, and to fill the mud holes in front of the house. We recommend that the sum of one hundred dollars be appropriated for the improvement of the Middle Street School-house and yard.
ALVERDO MASON, N. L. WHITE, NOAH TORREY, T. H. DEARING, S. W. HOLLIS, G. H. ARNOLD,
School Committee.
ON this centennial year of the Independence of the United States, the committee have thought it appropriate to reprint an appendix to the admirable "Address on the Occasion of Opening the New Town Hall in Braintree, July 29, 1858, by Charles Francis Adams," referring to the early history of the schools of Braintree.
This is the more readily done because copies of that work are becoming rare. Our public library does not contain one.
In this connection, let us inquire what has become of the records of the various school districts. Would it not be desirable to place them in the custody of the town clerk ?
The first schoolmaster employed by the town seems to have been Ben- jamin Tompson, third son of the first minister. He was a physician beside, an occupation not without its value to eke out the scanty subsistence fur- nished by his school. How much that was may be understood from the following vote of the town.
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