USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1869-1879 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
Weymouth. Braintree.
23
29
DEATHS IN BRAINTREE FOR THE YEAR 1871.
Jan.
5. William Holbrook,
Years. 76
11
6. Benjamin L. Arnold,
24
9
21
Consumption.
9. Mary M. Vinton,
20
6
12
Consumption. Accidental. Lung fever.
29 Orin J. Peverly,
6
2
30. Addie Isabelle Blanchard,
2 25
Consumption.
Feb. 17. Baker,
20
27. Sarah S. Tower, 60
6
Consumption.
Mar. 21.
Emily A. Tirrell,
7
21
25. William W. Robinson,
34
11
9
Consumption.
28. Biancia A. Dyer,
61
1
11
Consumption. Pleuromonia.
28. Mary Hunt,
85
April 8. Winfred R. Porter, 5
10
7
Croup.
9. Henry Francis Howard, 17
9
12
Consumption.
14. Lydia Hollis,
83
6
28
Pneumonia.
14. Charles Hayward,
78
6
22
15. Mehitabel A. Arnold,
68
11
May 14. Lottie Ann Dyer,
7
10
28
Croup.
29. Arthur L. Wight,
4
6
June 19. Freddie Warren Trufant,
5
9
Dropsy of brain .. Heart disease.
20. Mary Styne, 55
23. William McDowell,
2
July 8. Brooks,
9. Atherton Wilde, 85
9. Edward E. Shed,
22
2
22
Consumption.
17. James McKay,
39
26. Robert H. Bishop,
9
26
Dyptheria.
Aug. 5. Jane Briody,
8. Annie McGovern,
8
8. Penney,
9. Mary A. Dennehy,
4
15 Cholera infantum.
11.
Fletcher R. Parrott,
8
8 Cholera infantum.
21. Mary Slyne,
6
1 Cholera infantum.
23
Daniel J. McCue,
4
Dyptheria.
24 Benjamin Ryan,
70
8
Consumption.
24 Mary Griffin,
1
2
7
Cholera infantum.
27. John H. Hollis,
63
7
15
Cancer. Gangrene.
Sept. 6. William H. Willis,
35
6
10
Consumption.
11. Alexander Wilson,
11
11
Accidental.
20. Mary J. Drinkwater,
20
7
10
Childbirth. Stillborn.
27.
Sally Ann D. Richards, 20
10
22
Erysipelas ..
20. James Vanevar,
70
Ms Days.
Disease or cause of Death. Affection of the brain.
Heart disease. Consumption.
30. Chambers,
Stillborn. Old age.
5 Cholera infantum. Cholera infantum. Stillborn.
16
Nehemiah Holbrook, 76
20. Drinkwater,
30
Years. Ms. Days. Disease or cause of Death.
29. George H. Byed,
4
3
Typhoid fever. Cholera infantum.
28. Louis Philip Toby,
1
6
Oct. 7. Edward Lynch,
28
Consumption.
Nov. 6. Fred. Byron Perry,
2
6
19
Croup.
8. Everand McAlpin,
2
15
Scrofula.
9. Herbert E. Tirrell,
10
9
14
14.
Elisabeth Morrow,
70
Typhoid fever. Pneumonia. Stillborn.
24. Porter,
Dec. 10.
Everline Higby,
79
4
22
Paralysis.
12. William Dyer,
73
7
17
Pneumonia.
15. Mary Mullerkey,
34
Neuralgia of Brain.
20.
Abijah N. Penniman, Willis,
39
1
8
Pneumonia. Stillborn. Cancer.
24. Johanna Gallivan,
44
25. Sarah Walls,
84
4
Pneumonia.
20.
-
1
REPORT
OF THE
chool
Committee,
OF THE
TOWN OF B RAINTREE,
FOR THE YEAR
1871-72.
BOSTON: ISAAC W. MAY, PRINTER, 39 STATE STREET. 1872.
The School Committee of Braintree submit the follow- ing Report, as required by the Statutes of the Com- monwealth.
REPORT.
IN making their annual report, the Committee would take occasion to congratulate the town on the gener- ally promising condition of its schools. No boy or girl in Braintree, your Committee feel sure, need now fail of obtaining an excellent school education for the want of a good school. The Primary, Intermediate, Grammar and High Schools, as at present conducted, would seem to afford all the school facilities those who wish to learn could reasonably ask for.
In looking over the special reports of the different schools, it will be seen there have been some changes in teachers during the past year. To a certain ex_ tent there must be changes, but it has been and will continue to be an effort with your Committee that these shall be as few as possible; and they earn- estly call upon parents and others interested to sec- ond them in this effort. They would not seek to retain an incompetent teacher from mere aversion to change, but they would never resort to changing till such incompetency is fully apparent. The mere
36
change of a teacher is often sufficient to stop all prog- ress in a school, for a term at least, let alone the chances of the new teacher being no better than the old one.
During the year a new schoolhouse has been built in the Pond District on the lot purchased by the town on Washington Street, between Franklin and Tremont Streets, to replace the schoolhouse burnt in Septem- ber, 1870. The new building has been occupied since the latter part of November, and seems in all respects adapted to the purposes for which it was constructed. The cost of the land and building was a little less than $12,000, which cannot be regarded large for the prop- erty representing it. Your Committee would advise grading and fencing the schoolhouse lot at a moderate expense, not only with the object of completing a work so nearly done, but of preventing encroachments on the premises, and making them more available for school purposes.
The schools have been in session thirty-eight weeks of the past year, being some two weeks longer than usual. Your Committee favor a still longer session of forty weeks, for the reason that this has been fixed upon by those towns where special attention has been given to schools and matters connected therewith, and ยท has been found to work well.
For the number and attendance of scholars, length of terms, and salaries of teachers in the different schools, reference may be had to the schedule ap- pended to the Report.
37
SPECIAL REPORTS
OF
THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.
HIGH SCHOOL.
W. H. KNIGHT, A.M., PRINCIPAL. MISS M. F. SOUTHWORTH, ASSISTANT.
In the early part of last summer, complaints were made to your Committee of the management of this school, and a change was called for. At the same time there were remonstrances against any change being made. After patiently hearing both parties, your Committee concluded that the grounds of com- plaint might be removed without any change of teachers, and, so far as can be ascertained, results have proved the soundness of this conclusion.
The present discipline of the school, as well as its moral and intellectual character, seem to be of a high order, and, with a little more effort on the part of parents, teachers, and scholars, your Committee are confident, will be all that can be desired. The exer- cises examination day certainly made a most favor- able impression.
The members of the graduating class wrere Tellis F. Kelley, W. H. Shaw, John V. Allen, Arthur E. Sproul, Ellen E. Miles, Sarah L. Burnham, and Sarah F. Dow.
38
POND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MRS. ANN M. BROOKS, TEACHER.
Unfortunately there have been three changes of teachers in this school during the past school year. Miss Barnes left at the close of the summer term on a more tempting offer from the town of Quincy, and Miss Palmer, who was then transferred from the West District to this school, resigned the situation, without giving any satisfactory reason, after filling it for a period of thirteen weeks with general satisfaction. The Committee at once secured the services of Mrs. Brooks, who has continued with the school through the last term with the marked success which has al- ways attended her efforts here.
Your Committee do not hesitate to say that this school with either one of these three teachers through the whole year would have made greater progress.
POND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS E. M. THOMPSON, TEACHER.
The appearance of this school would seem to indi- cate peculiar faithfulness and aptness on the part of the teacher.
POND PRIMARY SCHOOL. MISS S. ELLA TORREY, TEACHER.
Your Committee are pleased with the indications of Miss Torrey's ability, as shown by the order and prog-
39
ress of her little pupils, and hope she will be en- couraged to continue her efforts in this difficult posi- tion.
EAST SCHOOL.
MISS SARAH ALLEN, TEACHER.
Miss Allen seems to have faithfully discharged her duties in this school during the year, with as favor- able results as could be reasonably expected.
IRON WORKS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. MISS MARTHA REED, TEACHER.
Your Committee are confident that no person can become acquainted with this school and not be satis- fied that the teacher is earnestly and conscientiously striving to afford her scholars the best instruction pos- sible in the best way, and that she is eminently suc- cessful in her efforts. It is to be hoped that the town may long have the benefit of her valuable services.
IRON WORKS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. MISS MARY SCOLLARD, TEACHER.
1
Miss Scollard continues to discharge the duties of her difficult position with all the success that could reasonably be expected.
40
IRON WORKS FIRST PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS ANNIE L. BUMPUS, TEACHER.
The efforts of the teacher of this school have in no- wise slackened, and the school is steadily progressing
IRON WORKS 2D. PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS KATIE P. BISHOP, TEACHER.
The continued efforts of the teacher seem to have been attended with marked progress in this school.
MIDDLE STREET SCHOOL. MISS IDA F. PAUL, TEACHER.
This teacher seems to have faithfully devoted her- self to the interests of the school, and shows a large amount of work well done during the past school year. From the unusually large number present at the ex- aminations, it would seem the parents and friends of the scholars take a special interest in the school. Good progress has been made in the different studies, particularly in geography and arithmetic. The prog- ress in grammar is not so satisfactory.
UNION GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISS REBECCA H. HOLYOKE, TEACHER.
At the beginning of the school year, your Com- mittee were under the necessity of selecting a new teacher for this school, and results have shown their
41
selection to have been most fortunate. The new teacher has wonderfully succeeded in gaining the confidence of her pupils and the respect of their parents, and the recent examinations indicated very satisfactory progress in the different studies, particu- larly in grammar and iu mental and written arith- metic.
Two prizes were offered the school by the teacher, one for deportment and general scholarship, and an- other for the greatest readiness in correctly adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers as called off by her. The first of these prizes was awarded to Katie Miles, and the latter to George Hobart of the second class.
The offer of these prizes seems to have been at- tended with good results, which were particularly noticeable in the unusual readiness of the scholars in answering all questions put to them under the first four rules of arithmetic.
-
The scholars of this school, aided by their teacher, are still striving to secure a piano-forte for the school room. From a fair last fall they realized eighty dol- lars, which sum they have now increased by subscrip- tion to some one hundred and ten dollars. The object of their efforts is so worthy, and, if attained, will add so much to their pleasure and improvement, that it ought not to remain longer unaccomplished. Will not those specially interested in this school see that the necessary amount is made up without delay ?
Your Committee cannot dismiss the notice of this
-
42
school without expressing the hope that it may con- tinue under the same teacher.
It should be stated that the unusual prevalence of epidemics the past year has caused the average at- tendance in this and the two schools next noticed to be less than it would otherwise have been.
UNION INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS JOANNA W. PENNIMAN, TEACHER.
The improvement in this school the past year is marked. Everything that has been done seems to have been thoroughly done. A large number was present at the exercises examination day, all of which were of a high order. The singing, declama- tion, and gymnastics were all excellent, and your Committee are satisfied that none of the outlay for this school has been in vain.
1
UNION PRIMARY SCHOOL. MISS AVIS A. THAYER, TEACHER.
The progress of this school during the past year has been most commendable. The teacher seems to pos- sess rare ability in gaining the confidence of the little ones, and your Committee trust she may long con- tinue in the work she is doing so well. The examina- tion exercises were unusually well attended and very interesting.
43
SOUTH EAST SCHOOL.
MISS BESSIE WILLIAMS, TEACHER.
Miss Corthell, a graduate of the Normal School, and an excellent scholar, had charge of this school at the beginning of the fall term, and for the last seven weeks of the year the school was in charge of Miss Williams ; but still, neither the discipline nor the thoroughness of instruction was what it should have been. Some of the pupils at the examination acquitted themselves very creditably.
WEST SCHOOL.
MISS ELLEN A. TURNBULL, TEACHER.
This school, for the last term under the care of Miss Turnbull, will in many respects compare very favor- ably with any in town.
The teacher is evidently devoted to her work, and has the best interest of her pupils at heart. The promptness and correctness manifested in the recita- tions at the close of the term, indicated great thor- oughness of instruction. The good order of the school was very noticeable. Not the least interesting feature of the exercises was the singing.
SOUTH WEST SCHOOL. MISS FLORA J. DYER, TEACHER.
Miss Dyer had charge of this school during the year, but her efforts in its behalf do not seem to have been attended with the success they deserve.
44
SOUTH SCHOOL. MISS R. M. STETSON, TEACHER.
In this school there have been three changes of teachers during the year. Miss Mary Dyer, after being in charge some three weeks, resigned, and Miss Snell succeded her for the remainder of the term and three weeks of the next, when she resigned on a bet- ter offer from the town of East Randolph. Miss Stet- son then took charge of the school and completed the year.
Notwithstanding these changes, your Committee are glad to be able to report the school in good condition both as regards discipline and progress in study.
HENRY A. JOHNSON, ALVERDO MASON, NOAH TORREY, A. S. MORRISON, J. WARD CHILDS, N. H. HUNT,
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOLS.
No. of Scholars
Summer Term.
No. Scholars
Winter Term.
Av. attendance Summer Term.
Winter Term. Av. attendance
No. over 15 yrs.
Summer Term.
Winter Term. No. over 15 yrs.
Summer Term. No. under 5 yrs
Winter Term. No. under 5 yrs
Length of
Schools.
Wages per
Month
Summer Term.
Wages per
Month
Winter Term.
High School,
59
44
49
37
25
21
0
0
10
$120, $40, $120, $40,
Iron Works Grammar,
34
31
27
24
0
0
0
0
91-2
40
40
Iron Works Intermediate,
34
35
26
22
0
2
0
0
91-2
32
32
Iron Works 2nd Primary,
53
58
30
40
0
0
6
Oc
91-2
28
32
Iron Works 1st Primary,
37
37
25
28
0
0
0
0
91-2
32
32
Union Grammar,
55
45
45 1-2
39
0
0
0
0
91-2
40
40
Union Intermediate,
44
39
39
35
0
0
0
0
91-2
32
32
Union Primary,
50
62
45
48
0
0
co
4
91-2
32
32
Pond Grammar,
48
49
39
39
0
0
0
0
91-2
40
40
Pond Intermediate,
37
37
32
33
0
1
0
0
91-2
32
32
Pond Primary,
48
59
33
42
0
0
4
2
91-2
32
32
East,
66
66
46
46
1
0
3
91 -:
5
40
Middle Street,
26
33
20
26
1
0
0
0
91-2
32
32
South East,
33
27
22
21
1
0
0
0
91-2
32
28
South,
39
33
28
26
0
1
1
0
91-4
32
28
South West,
25
29
16
18
0
1
0
4
91-2
28
28
West,
27
19
15
15
4
3
1
0
83-4
32
32
Total,
715
703
537 1-2
539
32
29
15
21
161
$696
$692
45
0
.
AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS.
Article IV., Section 3. (Page 6, 11th line.) Strike out the words "one per cent per month," and insert " seven per cent per annum."
Adopted April 5, 1880.
Article IV., Section 11. (Page 7, 23d line. ) After the word Auditors insert " who shall be chosen by ballot."
Article IV., Section 12. (Page 8, 4th line.) After the word Highways insert "Engineers of the Fire Depart- ment."
Adopted March 7, 1881.
Article II., Section 1. (Page 3, 9th line. ) Insert after the word. Polls; "For the choice of Selectmen, Over- seers of the Poor, Assessors. Town Clerk, Town Treas- urer, Surveyors of Highways, Auditors, and School Com- mittee."
Adopted April 4, 1881.
" Voted " to accept the provisions of Chapter 242 of the Statutes of 1867, relating to shade trees on the public highways, and that the Selectmen give public notice of the same.
Adopted Sept. 10, 1879.
BY - LAWS
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE.
BOSTON: ISAAC W. MAY, PRINTER, 39 STATE STREET. - 1873.
At the annual town meeting held March 3, 1872, it was voted : that Eben Denton, Alva Morrison, David H. Bates, F. A. Hobart, Henry A. Johnson, and Alverdo Mason, be a Committee to pre- pare a Code of By-Laws for the town of Braintree, and report the same to the town at the next annual meeting.
At the annual meeting March 3, 1873, this Committee sub- mited its report, which was ordered to be printed and circulated and further consideration thereof postponed to the adjourned meeting of the town, April 7, 1873.
At this adjourned meeting the following By-Laws were adopt- ed and the Committee was authorized to have them printed and circulated, adding to them as an Appendix, such parts of the Gen- eral Statutes of Massachusetts, as should be thought advisable.
BY -LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
SECTION 1. The annual meeting for the election of Town Officers shall be held on the first Monday of March.
SECTION 2. Town meetings shall be notified by posting an attested copy of the warrant calling the same, in not less than nine public places in the town, at least seven days before the day of meeting.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION 1. At the annual meeting, after the choice of Moderator, the polls shall remain open at least two hours, after which a vote may at any time be passed to close them in not less than ten minutes.
SECTION 2. No vote fixing the time for closing the polls at any election, shall be reconsidered after the balloting has commenced, except for the purpose of extending the time.
SECTION 3. All questions may be debated except motions to adjourn; and motions to refer any subject to a committee to obtain information, or to make
4
BY -LAWS.
investigations, shall have precedence over all others- except motions to adjourn.
SECTION 4. The Moderator of town meetings may require motions submitted for the consideration of the town to be made in wrting.
SECTION 5. No final vote shall be reconsidered, unless the person moving the same shall have made a declaration of his intention to do so at the time the vote is declared ; and no article in any warrant shall be again considered after it has once been disposed of, if not ordered by two thirds of the voters present and voting ; unless notice of intention to move a reconsideration has been given as above provided.
ARTICLE III.
SECTION 1. The Selectmen shall have full authority as agents of the town, to institute and prosecute suits in the name of the town, and to appear and defend suits brought against it, unless otherwise specially ordered by a vote of the town.
SECTION 2. The Selectmen may authorise the Treas- urer to borrow money temporarily, in anticipation of the collection of taxes, and to give promissory notes therefor in behalf of the town, the same to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen ; and all promissory notes of the town shall be executed in like manner.
5
BY -LAWS.
SECTION 3. Whenever it shall be necessary to exe- cute any deed conveying land, or any other instru- ment required to carry into effect any vote of the town, the same shall be executed by the Selectmen or a majority of them, in behalf of the town, unless the town shall otherwise vote in any special case.
SECTION 4. The Selectmen shall annually appoint three or more police officers, pursuant to General Statutes of Massachusetts, chap. 18, sec. 38, who, in addition to their other duties required by the laws of the Commonwealth, shall make complaints and carry into execution any judgments for violation of these By-Laws, excepting those relating to truancy. The compensation of such police officers shall be fixed by the Selectmen.
SECTION 5. The Town Clerk shall keep a file of all town reports, reports of all committees chosen by the town, and all original documents relating to the affairs of the town which may come into his pos- session; he shall, as soon as practicable, after any election has been held by the town, in addition to the notices he is now directed to give to officers who are required to take an oath of office, also issue a written or printed notice to all persons who have been elected to any other office, or chosen to serve on any com- mittee, stating the office to which such person has been elected, or the duties which such committee was chosen to perform.
6
BY - LAWS.
ARTICLE IV.
SECTION 1. The financial year shall begin with the first day of February of each year, and end with the last day of the January following.
SECTION 2. The assessment of all taxes shall be completed and a list thereof delivered to the Collector, on or before the fifteenth day of August in each year.
SECTION 3. All taxes assessed in each year shall be payable on or before the first day of December, in the same year, and on all taxes not paid on or before the said first day of December, interest at the rate of one per cent per month, shall be charged and col- lected from the said first day of December until the tax is paid; and the Collector is required immediately after the first day of January in each year, to exert all the power vested in him by law for the collection of all unpaid taxes.
SECTION 4. The Collector shall, within thirty days after receiving from the Assessors the tax list, send or deliver to every taxpayer his tax bill, on which shall be printed the rate of taxation, together with the conditions of payment of the same, as provided in foregoing section.
SECTION 5. All bills for poll taxes only shall be payable on demand.
7
BY -LAWS.
SECTION 6. The Collector shall report to the Select- men a list of the taxes remaining unpaid on the first day of February in each year, and the list shall be published in the Selectmen's report.
SECTION 7. On the first secular day of each month, the Collector shall pay over to the town Treasurer all the taxes collected by him ; and he shall on or before the first day of February in each year, make up his account and render the same to the Auditors.
SECTION 8. The Town Treasurer shall exhibit to the Auditors satisfactory evidence that the cash bal- ance due from him to the town, is actually in the treasury.
SECTION 9. No money shall be paid from the treasury except State and County taxes, and notes and the interest on the same, without an order therefor signed by a majority of the Selectmen.
SECTION 10. All Town Officers, on the settlement of their accounts with the town, shall return vouchers for all moneys paid by them on account of the town ; and the Auditors shall examine the vouchers in their audit of accounts.
SECTION 11. The Auditors shall audit the accounts and vouchers of the Selectmen, the town Treasurer, Collector of taxes, Highway Surveyors and all other town accounts at the close of the fiscal year; and for this purpose they shall have access to all account books and vouchers belonging to the town, and shall report
8
BY-LAWS.
the result of their examination to the Selectmen, who shall present the same to the town.
SECTION 12. The Overseers of the poor, Sur- veyors of Highways, and School Committee, shall make estimates of moneys needed in their several departments for the coming year, and deliver a copy thereof to the Selectmen, on or before the first day of February in each year; which estimates, together with their own report and other matter usually published, the" Selectmen shall cause to be printed and distributed to the inhabitants previous to the annual meeting.
SECTION 13. The Selectmen, Assessors, Overseers of the poor, and School Committee shall cause a notice of the time and place of their respective regular meetings to be conspicuously posted and maintained, in three or more public places in the town.
ARTICLE V.
HIGHWAY SURVEYORS.
SECTION 1. The Surveyors of Highways and Bridges shall be chosen by ballot.
SECTION 2. Each of the Highway Surveyors shall, at the end of the fiscal year, report in writing to the Selectmen the condition of the roads in his district, naming the roads comprised therein, and what money has been expended on each of said roads. For the purpose of uniformity in these reports, blank forms
9
BY -LAWS.
shall be furnished each Surveyor by the Selectmen; and the substance of these reports shall be published in the Selectmen's report.
SECTION 3. The Selectmen shall annually engage a steady and reliable man to take charge of the draw- bridge, whose duty it shall be to open the draw at all proper times when required for the free passage of vessels and to close the same with all possible expedi- tion, not permitting more than one vessel to pass at any one opening of the draw, unless the approaches to the bridge are free from passengers while the draw is open; he shall also see that the bridge is at all times in a safe and proper condition; that the railing and planks are in good order, and immediately report any defect in the same to the Selectmen.
ARTICLE VI.
SECTION 1. No person except the Selectmen, the Surveyors of highways in the lawful performance of their duties or those acting under their orders, shall break or dig up the ground in any street or public way in the town, without first obtaining a written permit from the Selectmen; and all persons acting under such permit, shall put up and maintain a suitable railing or fence around the part of the street so broken up, so long as the same shall remain unsafe or inconvenient for travellers, and he or they shall keep one or more lighted lanterns fixed to such
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.