USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1871-1872 > Part 2
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It seems to your Committee, that the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Treasurer, all the officers whose accounts they have examined, have performed the duties of their various offices with fidelity and rare accuracy.
The Committee are informed by the Overseers of the Poor, that Mr. Thomas Penniman, the efficient manager of the Poor House, and his excellent wife, its matron, contemplate resigning their posi- tion. This is' greatly to be regretted. Such positions are not readily filled by suitable persons. But, if they leave, they will carry with them the "blessings of the poor " and the gratitude and esteem of those who have enjoyed their hospitality.
JOSEPH A. ARNOLD, - S. W. HOLLIS, Auditors. ALVERDO MASON,
Braintree, Feb. 16, 187I.
24
.
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING.
NORFOLK, S.S.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree. Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said town, on Monday, the fourth day of March next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, to act on the following articles, namely : -
1st. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
2d. To hear the reports of the several town officers, and act thereon.
3d. To determine the manner of repairing the highways, town- ways, and bridges, the ensuing year.
4th. To choose all necessary town officers for the year ensuing.
5th. To see if the town will restrain horses and neat cattle from running at large the ensuing year.
6th. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the town the ensuing year, and make appropriations of the same.
7th. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer to borrow such sums of money as the selectmen may direct.
8th. To see if the town will accept the jury-list as made by the Selectmen.
9th. To see if the town will vote to sell the old school house and lots in Pond district, and determine the manner in which the same shall be done.
10th. To see if the town will vote to purchase three sets of hooks, ladders, and buckets for different parts of the town.
11th. To see if the town will vote to dig a suitable well, and fur- nish a pump and trough for the accommodation of man and beast, near the hay scales, in South Braintree, the same at or near the hay scales in the north part of the town.
25
12th. To see if the town will vote an appropriation of one hun- dred and fifty dollars, and pay the same to Gen. S. Thayer Post Grand Army of the Republic, for the purpose of assisting them in defraying the expenses of memorial services on Decoration Day.
13th. To see if the town will vote to pay Levi W. Hobart the sum of one hundred dollars for land in front of his mill on Shaw Street.
14th. To choose and hear the report of any committee, and act thereon.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and at- tested copies of this warrant at the usual public places in town, seven days at least before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands, at Braintree, this sixteenth day of Febru- ary, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy- two.
N. H. HUNT, Selectmen LEANDER GAGE, of
EBEN DENTON, Braintree.
26
JURY-LIST.
Revised by the Selectmen, Feb. 15, 1872.
Charles F. Arnold,
Barnabas F. Arnold,
George H. Arnold,
Abijah Allen, James T. Bestick, Samuel A. Bates,
J. Franklin Bates, Alexander Bowditch,
Samuel E. Brackett, John Crane, J. Ward Childs, John Cavanagh, Luther O. Crocker,
Hiram A. French,
Charles A. French, Samuel S. French, J. Parker Hayward, Moses D. Holbrook, Elias Holbrook, Charles D. Hayden, G. Henry Howard, J. Webster Hollis,
N. Morton Hobart, Ebenezer F. Howard, William Hill,
Aaron Holbrook, Joseph A. Hollis, Joseph Jenkins, John Kimball, George F. Leonard,
R. Elmer Morrison,
Erastus A. Newton,
Gardner S. Penniman,
Thomas Penniman, Charles Pratt, Henry A. Pierce, William Reed, Jr,
Thomas Bimmer, Cornelius Scollard,
Henry W. Simonds, Elisha S. Thayer, Calvin Thayer,
Thomas R. Vinton, Rufus Woodsum.
27
?
MARRIAGES SOLEMNIZED IN BRAINTEE, FOR THE YEAR 1872.
DATE. NAMES.
AGE. RESIDENCE.
BIRTHPLACE. Braintree.
Jan. 1. Adomiram J. Dyer, Emma T. Crosby,
23
26
66
Ireland.
9. Thomas Follon, Adeline E. Mellus,
28
66
Braintree.
17. John Smith, Ellen Fleming,
19
66
Ireland.
13. John Robinson, Mary Willis,
20
66
Boston.
Feb. 18. Edsel A. Houghton,
25
Weymouth.
Randolph.
Emily B. Wilde,
24
Braintree.
Braintree.
Mar. 18. Henry Warren, Nellie Carney,
22
66
Halifax, N. S.
28. Charles Horne, Addie W. Brown,
20
Skowhegan, Me.
April 2. Heman F. Doane, Susan Ann Dailey,
23
Brighton.
6. Charles W. Smith, Sarah Lund,
27
66
England.
30. Wallace Ryerson, Alice E. Saunders,
17
66
Braintree.
30. Heman G. Porter, Emma F. Thayer,
19
66
66
10. John Mahar, Margaret Sullivan,
39
66
Ireland.
May 10. Charles F. Whiting, Edna Howe,
Weymouth.
Hingham.
So. Weymouth. So. Weymouth.
19 Quincy.
Quincy.
17 Braintree.
Randolph.
28. David A. Newcomb, Charlotte F. Rowell,
19 Quincy.
Quincy.
17 Braintree.
Randolph.
20
17
Braintree.
Mary McDermott,
20
66
Providence, R. I.
5. Joseph Shaw, Margaret Ness,
45
"
Ireland.
44
Scotland.
15. Edward B. Machin, Sarah E. Hollis,
24
Braintree.
Braintree ..
21. Fred L. Check, Lissie A. Whitmarsh,
25
19
Weymouth.
27 Boston.
Boston.
Medford.
July 1. Francis E. Morrison,
21 Weymouth.
Boston.
66
Braintree.
24
66
E. Greenwich, R. I.
20
Abington.
45
66
Ireland.
28. Winslow Hobart, Harriet A. Cook,
31. George Avery Alden, Elizabetlı E. Thayer,
22
66
Ireland.
June 4. Peter Starr,
23 Hillsdale, Ill.
Oneida, N. Y.
England.
20. James W. Converse, Hattie E. Crickmay, 19 Braintree.
26 Braintree.
66
21
66
20
66
England.
27
Denmark, Me.
26
Cape Britain.
23
24
28
Hattie W. White, 18
66
Weymouth.
2. Charles M. Hobart, Addie M. Crowell, 41
25
Braintree.
Braintree.
4. Horace J. Richards, Hattie R. Smith,
19
Weymouth.
Weymouth.
17 Braintree.
Providence, R. I.
11. Azel R. French, Sarah L. Porter.
22 Braintree.
Braintree.
11. Samuel A. Willis, Clara E. Thayer,
19
66
20. J. Parker Hayward, 26
66
Mary Frances Baxter, 23 Quincy.
Quincy.
Aug. 9. Francis W. Young,
22
Salem.
Salem.
Sarah E. Barnes,
18 Weymouth.
Weymouth.
17. Robert Smith, Julia Ash,
20
New Brunswick.
Sept. 16. Ira P. Morrison, Mary S. South,
29
Braintree.
Ripley, Me.
24
Boston.
Boston.
17. Jerald McGoerty, Ann Hannigan,
26
Boston.
Ireland.
24 Braintree.
Ireland.
24. N. P. Nutter,
29 W'nsocket, R.I. Ossipee, N. H.
M. Louisa Smitlı,
30
Braintree.
Stoughton.
27. Samuel L. Holbrook, Salome Thomas,
70
Braintree.
Braintree.
50 Pittston, Me.
Pittston, Me.
Oct. 5. Charles W. Dorety, Ann S. Hayward,
31
Braintree.
11. Samuel W. Belcher, Sarah L. Hunt,
19
New York City.
10. William W. Saunders, Henrietta R. Hinsman,
17
66
Marblehead.
Nov. 29. Gardner W. Mansfield, 25 Josephine A. Churchill, 26
Boston.
29. Henry Hall,
28
Randolph.
No. Bridgewater.
Mariah Door, .
17
Concord.
30. John W. Ratcliffe, Christine Dexheimer,
22
Milton
Dec. 6. William A. Thompson, Clara P. Stevens,
21
Maine.
23. Joseph Burgess, Alice Tipping, 27
38
Braintree.
England.
66
England.
25. Peter B. Lowson, Susan Jane Kingman, 18 Wevmouth.
22
Scotland.
Weymouth.
25 Canton.
Canton.
23
66
66
25 Braintree.
Ireland.
22 Braintree.
Boston.
22
Weymouth. 66
23
Braintree.
Brookline.
66
Boston.
22
Braintree,
Troy, N. Y.
24
Weymouth.
Maine.
Randolph.
66
Easton.
29
DEATHS IN BRAINTREE FOR THE YEAR 1871.
Years.
Ms Days.
Jan.
5. William Holbrook,
76
11
Disease or cause of Death. Affection of the brain.
6. Benjamin L. Arnold,
24
9
21
Consumption.
9. Mary M. Vinton,
20
6
12
Consumption. Accidental.
29.
Orin J. Peverly,
6
2
Lung fever.
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.
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
Heart disease.
15. Mehitabel A. Arnold,
GS
11
Consumption.
May 14.
Lottie Ann Dyer,
7
10
28
Croup.
29.
Arthur L. Wight,
4
6
30. Chambers,
June 19.
Freddie Warren Trufant,
5
Dropsy of brain. Heart disease.
23.
William McDowell,
2
July 8.
Brooks,
Stillborn. Old age.
9. Atherton Wilde,
85
9. Edward E. Slied,
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,
4
15 Cholera infantum.
11.
Fletcher R. Parrott,
8
8 Cholera infantum.
21. Mary Slyne,
6
1 Cholera infantum.
23. Daniel J. McCue,
4
9 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.
20.
Drinkwater,
27. Sally Ann D. Richards,
20
10
22
Erysipelas ..
20.
Mary Styne, 55
5 Cholera infantum. Cholera infantum. Stillborn.
9. Mary A. Dennehy,
16. Nehemiah Holbrook,
76
20. James Vanevar,
70
28. Mary Hunt,
85
30
Years.
Ms. Days.
Disease or cause of Death.
29. George H. Byed,
4
3
28. Louis Philip Toby,
1
6
Typhoid fever. Cholera infantum. Consuniption.
Oct. 7. Edward Lynch,
28
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. Paralysis.
Dec. 10.
Everline Higby,
79
4
22
12. William Dyer,
73
7
17
Pneumonia.
15. Mary Mullerkey,
34
Neuralgia of Brain.
20. Abijah N. Penniman, 20. Willis,
39
1
8 Pneumonia. Stillborn. Cancer.
24. Johanna Gallivan,
44
25. Sarah Walls,
84
4
Pneumonia.
24. Porter,
REPORT
OF THE
chool
Committee,
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE,
FOR THE YEAR
1871-72.
1
BOSTON: ISAAC W. MAY, PRINTER, 39 STATE STREET. 1872.
1
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 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.
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
1
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.
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.
0
0
91-2
1
0
91-4
32
28
1
0
4
91-2
28
28
4
3
1
0
83-4
32
32
1 1-2
589
32
29
15
21
161
$696
$692
Property of BRAINTREE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
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