USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1870-1874 > Part 10
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
October 9. Albert Mellen, of Boston, and Frances L. Gard- ner, of Plymouth.
October 9. George F. Soule and Floronce M. Drew, both of Taunton.
39
October 16. Charles A. Raymond, of Pennsylvania, and Alice W. Brown, of Plymouth.
October 19. William S. Churchill, of Taunton, and Lucy Holmes, of Plymouth.
November 6. Caleb B. Holmes Jr., and Mary Mahoney, both of Plymouth.
November 6. Allen T. Holmes and Abbie C. DeLuce, both of Plymouth.
November 17.
Rufus Ellis and Belle G. Valler, both of Ply- mouth.
November 22. Andrew A. Bumpus and Ruth D. Gage, both of Plymouth.
November 27. Sylvanus W. King and Deborah Finney, both of Plymouth.
December 3. Joseph Smyth and Jeanette B. Finney, both of Plymouth. Married at Boston.
December 24. Charles H. Cobb and Mary L. Churchill, both of Plymouth.
DEATHS ENTERED IN PLYMOUTH IN 1872.
PARENTS, ETC.
DATE.
NAMES.
YRS.
·SOK
A | DYS.
-
Jan.
4, Sarah A. Morse,
19
5
11 Consumption,
Sylvanus and Lydia.
Mary J. Dixon,
32
11
4
Widow of Jesse M. Dunham.
Hannah J. Dunham,
82
28
Old Age,
George and Lucy.
12,
George Bramhall,
65
4
20
Softening of Brain,
Widow of Abraham Jackson.
21,
Harriet O. Jackson,
74
9
5
Exhaustion,
Franklin and Susan.
28,
Spencer Tinkham,
74
4
9
Registered in Boston.
Son of Horatio N. Spooner.
28,
Feb'y
4,
William F. Spooner, Eleazer S. Raymond,
62
3
15
Angina Pectoris,
George and Jane.
11,
Alfred H. Ryder,
23
4
14
Consumption,
Thomas and Hannah.
12,
Thomas B. Atwood,
42
5 13
Congestion of Lungs,
18,
Martha T. Collingwood,
19
3
5
Consumption,
Charles H. and Miranda.
18,
Lottie E. Atwood,
2
1
18
Thomas and Betsey R.
18,
Thomas Cornish Jr.,
41
8
1 Abscess,
20,
Seth Mehurin,
05
5
18 Ascitis,
20,
- Hadaway,
63
5
22
Suddenly, 11 hours,
25, 27,
John Kopperholdt,
23
2
9
Son of John Battles.
March 1,
John Battles,
71
5
26 Rheumatism,
Wife of William Kay.
8,
Nancy Kay,
60
4
26
Peritonitis,
12,
Joseph Allen,
79
5 22
Paralysis, 2 days,
James B. Bartlett.
12, 16, Rebecca Howland,
74
2
73
9 12 Consumption,
19, 19, Walter I. Benson,
118
6
8
Tetanus,
21, Zachens Stephens,
. 73
9
14 Apoplexy,
John and Elizabeth. Edward and Selina.
23,
Charles A. Doten,
23
2
4 Consumption,
Seth L. and Salome Holmes.
24,
Sarah E. Spear,
45
16 Cancer,
John T. and Mary W.
Samuel and Pamelia. Died in Lynn,
Wife of Frank M. Holmes.
4. Elizabeth II. Holmes,
21
4
4
Consumption,
83,
-
13 Paralysis, 3 days ..
! Widow of Gideon,
5, Betsey Holbrook,
71
9
-
28, April
--- Clark,
-
-
14 Inflammation of Lungs.
1, Sarah H. Robbins,
15 26 Paralysis, 6 months.
Widow of Nathan Howland.
Son of Luke Perkins.
Stephen Perkins,
John and Amanda.
Euphemia Bartlett,
-
1
Spina Bifida,
Augustine and Nancy. Wife of ITiram.
Sou of Timothy Allen.
Bartlett,
28
2
1
Consumption,
George and Priscilla.
Thomas and Martha A.
40)
DISEASE.
Live L. and Faithie.
·
May
Eunice Pope. Susan H. Drew, Seth Knowles,
69 54
23 27
Convulsions, Rheumatic fever, Congestion of Lungs,
Wife of Richard Pope.
Wife of William R. Drew. Died in Boston. Seth and Louisa.
20
5
10 Pneumonia,
Widow of Seth Morton. Israel and Saba. Harvey and Annetta.
13,
1 56 1 6
10
6 Pneumonia,
Widow of Thomas Russell.
80 --
2
1 Intestinal obstruction,
Edward and Minnie Vaughn.
William N. Vaughn,
Betsey Cobb,
87 4
23 Asthma,
George and Frances.
1 62
-
Wife of James 'T. Paulding.
46 6
Heart disease,
David and Polly. Died in Boston.
70 10
Heart disease and Dropsy,
1 30
3 8 27
Consumption.
Wife of Edward D. Clark.
41
50
4 22
Marasmus,
54
1
-
17 Inflammation of Bowels,
3
8 Canker and Dropsy,
- 22
1
Small pox,
Charles L. and Lurana.
7
1
30
17
Consumption,
William and Catherine. Hartford, Ct.
19
8
20 Dropsy of Lungs,
Asa and Deborah.
76 4
10 Varioloid,
Southworth and Maria.
62
5
12 Consumption and Dropsy,
22 6
24 Consumption,
15
10
6 Consumption,
18
4
20 Pleurisy,
84
-
26
4
7 Apoplexy,
21
4 19 |Peritonitis,
62 1 10 Pneumonia,
1 2 |12 |Lung fever,
Charles and Laura.
27,- Lucy J. Pierce,
96 22
-
11, Benjamin Frank Wood,
10 5
19 24 Consumption, Congestion of Brain, Consumption,
Wife of Job T. Cole. Died in Boston, H. K. and J. A. Swift.
19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 27, 27, i, 11, 14,
- Freeman, Edward J. Warren, Catherine Paulding, Joseph W. Hodgkins, Eunice HI. Damon, Sarah E. Paty, Elizabeth R. Clark, Sarah Drew,
4 Purpura,
Henry and Mary. Died in New York.
Overdose of morphine.
Calvin and Jerusha.
Wife of Seth M. Paty. Ohio. Died in the cars.
18,
51 9
Alexander R. Valler.
18, 18, 20, 22, 24,
James Kendrick, Sarah J. Valler, Angus McDonald, Jennie C. Kleinhans, Elizabeth W. Churchill, William S. Barrett,
Wife of Frank H. Churchill.
27, 28, 28, 28, June
Allen Danforth, Samuel Shaw, Susan Doten, Katie G. Pierce, Corrilla S. Harmon,
63 10 24 Emphysema of Lungs,
Prince and Susan.
Wife of George F. Pierce. Alpheus K. Harmon.
Son of Patrick McClusky.
8 Old age,
Widow of Joseph Wright.
19,
Arthur Jones Loud,
Jacob H. and Elizabeth L. Wife of William H. Clark.
25, Emma Clark, 25, Thomas B. Carter,
April 6, 6, 6, 10, Mercy Morton,
-
1
Francis B. Briggs, Lucy Cole, Annie H. Swift, Mary Ann Russell,
10 Indigestion,
Widow of Heman Cobb.
Congestion of Brain,
15, 17,
Bilious Fever,
Wife of Abbot Drew.
Son of James Kendrick.
1 19 Croup and Diptheria,
2, 3, 11, James McClusky, Lucy Wright, 14,
LIST OF DEATHS - CONTINUED.
DATE.
NAMES.
YRS.
MOS.
DYS.
DISEASE.
PARENTS, ETC.
July
12,
William Bartlett.
67
5
9
Dropsy,
Son of William and Abia.
14,
William Bartlett,
62
Peritonitis,
Daniel and Henrietta.
16,
Amasa Morton.
48
-
Catarrhı,
Amasa and Deborah. William H. and Ellen. Died in Boston.
24,
William H. Richmond.
28
6 Consumption.
William and Nancy.
26,
William Bradford.
+
8
7 Pleurisy.
- --.
Wife of E. N. II. Vaughn.
Minerva Vanghu,
35
1
11
Typhoid Pneumonia,
Joseph L. and Abby II.
4,
Gracie U. Weston, Sarah Lucas,
27
1
Pulmonary Consumption.
Alfred R. and Mary E.
Alice M. Weston,
67
7
29
Dysentery,
Peter S. and Susan M.
8,
Susan V. Strang.
T
10 Teething.
Stephen C. and Betsey.
9, Frank S. King,
Albert and Sarah A.
9, Albert T. Lucas,
Abner HI. Jr. and Henrietta.
12,
Grace L. Harlow,
2
17
Marasmins,
John B. and Hannah.
15, Samuel Chandler,
Charles H. and Alice.
16, Freddie M. Barnes,
1 11
16 Cholera Infantum,
William P. and Annie C.
19,
Prescott F. Stoddard,
1
1
Wife of Edwin Dixon.
20, Lucy F. Dixon,
321 6
18
Typhoid Fever.
74 1
28
22,
Annie M. Drew,
65
11
24
9
12
Dysentery,
6.
6
28 Heart Disease,
25, 26,
Ansel Wright,
64
9
- Consumption,
Lucy Bates,
83 11 Ascetes, some years,
67 11 Dyspepsia, years,
Sept'r
30, 2, Joseph Taylor,
-- Goodwin,
-
1 Died in Boston.
Ezra and Susan.
-
1 21
Cholera Infantum,
Andrew and Caroline.
27,
Susan A, Holmes,
9
14 Cholera Infantum,
Wife of Abner Lucas.
G 19
Disease of Brain.
Wife of Thomas Jackson.
42
4 Entered in Hyde Park.
11
1
Consumption,
Widow of Thomas Sears.
22, Rebecca Sears, Ella Maria Ellis,
22 5
6 Diptheria, Inflammation,
Wife of Wm. Drew. Died in Charlestown.
24,
Perez C. W. and Irene R.
25, David C. Vaughn,
Silas and Deborah.
Charles Hathaway.
Caleb and Agatha.
Widow of Benjamin.
17,
Walter P. Currier,
1
23 Registered in Boston,
Son of Freeman B.
August 1,
Sophronia N. Jackson,
63 11 Climacteric Decay,
Hiram and Mercy S.
Sept'r 9, Morton S. Cole,
-
10 10
12 13
Cholera Infantum, Consumption,
..
20
11 12
15, Sally Barnes,
84.10
28 Old Age, Old Age,
16,
Esther Holmes,
77
1 -
Wife of Charles E. Barnes.
16, Eleanor M. Barnes.
28
21 Consumption.
17, Abigail Chase,
3
3 Diarrhea,
Alexander Jirrour.
25, Simon Jirrour,
8
9
Entered in Middleboro'.
4, Edward W. Vaughn,
12
·)
Dropsy of the Chest,
Saul and Sarah.
Henry M. Morton,
49
9
Hemplegia,
John and Eliza.
43
-
1501 0
2
Old Age,
12, John H. Pember Jr.,
Joseph and Mary.
13, Martha A. Taylor,
68
1 5
Old Age,
William and Harriet N.
15, Eliza R. Nightingale,
23
1
19
Ulceration of Bowels,
Thomas and Joanna.
16,
Mary T. Ellis.
William H. and Arabella.
17,
William D. Wood,
88
8 18
Old Age,
18, Lucy Harlow,
46
6
--
Wife of Daniel II. Sears.
21,
Belinda T. Sears, Mary E. Taylor,
1
24
Convulsions,
76
5,
15
Pneumonia,
12, Mercy Sturtevant.
1
-
89
4
25
Old Age,
20, Andrew Taylor,
23
9
9 Small Pox,
21, Edith A. Thomas,
2
5 | Enlargement of Liver. 9
Jabez B. and Lucy B. Augustus and Annette. Died in Boston.
Wife Martin S. Smith. Died in Hyde Park. Wife of Samuel Barnes.
Isaac and Sarah. Sandwich.
Widow of Joseph Holmes.
Widow of John Chase.
89 4
3 Old Age,
William H. and Emma.
20, William W. Clark,
11
Lung Fever,
George A. and Melinda.
Oct'br 1, Mary F. Hall,
Weston C. and Matilda.
5, Bessie J. Valler,
28
Dysentery,
Son of Edward.
John B. Williams,
1
13
Consumption,
9, John M. Harlow,
Widow of Robert Finney.
9, Susan Finney,
65
Paralysis.
10, Hannah Perkins,
97
7 Aptha.
-
1 13
Lung Fever,
Widow of Elijah Morey.
15, Grace Morey,
19 8 7
Marasmus and Fever,
1
1 --
Marasmus,
Died in Lowell.
20, | Eliza A. Nelson,
58
15
Dropsy,
Patrick and Sarah J.
24, 6, Mercy B. Lovell,
-
Wife of Leander Lovell.
Now'r
Widow of Joseph.
:78 4 15
General debility,
20, Annie M. Cornish,
28
Indigestion,
20, John Cassady,
William and Catharine. William R. and Olive.
4
·
10, Grace E. Merriam,
10, James H1. Kendrick.
4 28
10, Sarah A. Smith,
62 11
--
15, Rebecca Churchill,
6
John Q A. and Melissa.
Widow of Luke Perkins.
John HI. and Joannah.
Widow of Ivory Harlow. Wife of Samuel.
Cerebral disease,
Thomas E. and Martha A.
DATE.
NAMES.
YRS.
MOS.
DYS.
DISEASE.
PARENTS, ETC.
Dec'r
1,
Bertha Rabe,
23
4
26
Diarrhœa. Typhoid Fever,
8, Andrew Carr,
49
11
8
0, Elkanah C. Finney,
68
1
19
Softening of Brain,
29,
Amelia A. Bartlett,
33
--
Died in New Bedford,
Andrew and Anna. John and Mary. Seth and Sally. Wife of Andrew H.
BIRTHS.
Whole number of births, 160. Males, 77 ; females, 83.
DEATHS.
Whole number of deaths registered for the year 1872, 138. Males, 62; females, 76. Under 5 years, 37 ; from 5 to 10, 4 ; 10 to 20, 8 ; 20 to 30, 19 ; 30 to 40, 7 ; 40 to 50, 8; 50 to 60, 5 ; 60 to 70, 22 ; 70 to 80, 15 ; 80 to 90, 11 ; over 90, 2. Total 138.
44
45
TOWN OFFICERS.
Selectmen - Albert Mason, William H. Nelson, Lemuel Brad" ford, Henry Whiting Jr., David Clark.
Town Clerk - Leander Lovell.
Town Treasurer - James Cox.
Collector of Taxes - Lemuel Bradford.
Assessors -John Harlow, John Perkins, Samuel Shaw.
Overseers of the Poor -John H. Harlow, William H. Whit- man, Lemuel Bradford.
Sexton - Clement Bates.
Water Commissioners - Lemuel Bradford, Abbot Drew.
School Committee - Albert Mason, Charles B. Stoddard, term expires 1875 ; Benjamin A. Hathaway, George A. Tewksbury, term expires 1874 ; William H. Whitman, Charles Burton, term expires 1873.
Superintendent of Schools - Charles Burton.
Agawam Fishery Committee -John Atwood, Stephen Pem- ber, Augustus Robbins.
Constables-John Perkins, Barnabas Hedge, Harvey W. Weston, Stephen Pember, Lewis S. Wadsworth.
Board of Health - Barnabas H. Holmes, Barnabas Hedge, John Atwood, Augustus Robbins, Allen Bradford.
Burial Hill Committee- Warren S. Macomber, Charles Ray- mond, James B. Collingwood.
Truant Committee-John Perkins, Josiah D. Baxter, James B. Collingwood.
Surveyors of Lumber-George H. Jackson, Nath'l Brown, Leavitt T. Robbins.
Inspector and Sealer of Leather - John Churchill.
Sealer of Weights and Measures -Horace C. Whitten.
46
Committee on Plymouth Beach - Thomas B. Sears, Henry Whiting, Charles Burton, Josiah D. Baxter.
Surveyors of Highways - Albert Mason, Lemuel Bradford, Henry Whiting Jr., William H. Nelson, David Clark.
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers -Joseph F. Towns, Nathan B. Perry, Barnabas Hedge, Ezra Finney, Lewis S. Wadsworth, Solomon Sylvester, Stephen Doten, Edward D. Clark, Lewis WV. Thrasher, Hosea C. Bartlett.
Committee on Fires in the Woods -Franklin B. Cobb, Henry, Whiting Jr., Alanson Thomas, William T. Davis, Gustavus G. Sampson, Thomas Pierce, Horatio Wright, Isaac N. Barrows, Otis W. Burgess, Truman Sampson, Barnabas Hedge, Henry Whiting, Leavitt T. Robbins, Ezra Finney, George W. Cobb, James Hall, Aaron Sampson.
Superintendent of Water Works - Abbot Drew.
Committee on Shell Fish -Josiah D. Baxter, Barnabas Hedge, John T. Hall.
Pound Keepers - At the Almshouse, Oliver T. Wood; at Chiltonville, Galen R. Holmes ; at Manomet Ponds, Hosea C. Bartlett.
Board of Engineers - Peleg C. Chandler, Richard W. Bag- nall, Henry Whiting Jr., Charles B. Stoddard, Leavitt T. Rob- bins.
Number of Polls, 1,534. Tax of Polls, $2.00. Rate of Taxation, 1 64-100.
Valuation of Real Estate, $2,054,850. Valuation of Personal Estate, $1,372,325. Total Real and Personal Estate, $3,427,175.
THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Plymouth,
For the Year 1873-4.
Prepared by the uperintendent of jublių chools.
PLYMOUTH MASS .
PLYMOUTH : AVERY & DOTEN, STEAM & BOOK JOB PRINTERS, CORNER OF COURT AND NORTHI STREETS. 1874.
THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Plymouth,
For the Year 1873-4.
Prepared by the
uperintendent of
ublių chools.
PLYMOUTH: AVERY & DOTEN, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. CORNER OF COURT AND NORTHI STREETS. 1874.
PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
School Committee.
ALBERT MASON, GEORGE A. TEWKSBURY, BENJ. A. HATHAWAY, CHARLES B. STODDARD, LEMUEL BRADFORD, 2d, CHARLES G. DAVIS.
CHAIRMAN-ALBERT MASON. SECRETARY-BENJ. A. HATHAWAY.
161 108.1-1873-4
SCHOOL REPORT.
The report of the Superintendent of Schools submitted herewith renders an extended discussion of our school- work unnecessary, but the Committee desire to make a few additional suggestions. The consolidation of the offices of Superintendent and Principal of the High School, or, more strictly speaking, the employment of one person in both capacities, was an experiment to which the Committee some three years since felt driven. The frequent changes in the High School were seriously injuring the standard of the school, and the means at the command of the Committee did not admit of such increase of salary as would retain any teacher who succeeded in the position. In addition to the difficulty of retaining a suitable Principal, the Committee learned that the gen- tleman employed as Superintendent could not be secured ' longer at the salary previously paid.
It was under these circumstances, that the Committee' impressed with the imperative necessity of arresting the frequent changes in the High School, and reluctant to lose the services of a Superintendent to whom the Town was greatly indebted for a high standard of schools, but
4
aware that a material increase of both salaries could not well be afforded, resolved, not however without serious hesitation, to combine the two offices in one person. The plan has now had sufficient trial to enable the Committee to speak with some confidence of its working. It has en- abled us to secure, with some degree of permanence, a Principal in the High School of exceptionally high qual- ifications, under whose instruction the school has much improved, and it has enabled us to retain the same su- pervision for all the schools that had previously been so effective.
It cannot be claimed that the superintendence of the schools has received as much attention as before, or that as much is accomplished as could be, if a Superintendent of equal ability could give his whole time to that specific work ; but it is the opinion of the Committee, that the steady improvement in tone and efficiency, which has attended Mr. Burton's care of the schools in former years, has not ceased, and that upon the whole the school-work has been better done by both teachers and scholars the past year than in any previous year. It must not be understood that the Committee prefer to combine the two offices, if they could be as economically separated, or if the town felt able to incur the increased expense of em- ploying two persons as competent as the one now em- ployed.
There are obvious difficulties in the plan now in opera- tion that have not been overlooked. The duties of the
5
two offices are more than could be long sustained by one man, unless of remarkably strong constitution ; and there is ample opportunity in the High School for all the work that the strength of any Principal is equal to. The multiplication of cares cannot fail to cause some omissions and some oversight in the business of the department.
The Committee held regular monthly meetings as heretofore, the first part of the year, but it was found necessary to meet more frequently, and for some months weekly meetings have been held. No repairs of school- houses have been made, nor any new furniture purchased, except as authorized by express vote of the Committee, and the repairs ordered were based upon a thorough inspection of all the school-houses in town by sub-commit- tees, and reports to the Board. The Board have thought it wise to take as much labor as possible from the Super- intendent ; and in order to enable him to give all his attention to the educational care of the schools for the next school-year, had proposed to relieve him altogether of the care of the finances of the department, and of repairs and supplies.
The vote passed at the last meeting, instructing the Committee not to employ a Superintendent of schools for the ensuing year, makes it proper to say, that the existing contract with Mr. Burton expires April 25th ; that after a full discussion of this subject by the Commit- tee, they are of the opinion that it will be impossible for them to give such personal attention to the care of the
6
schools as should be given, and that the vote passed would, in their judgment, result in an entire change of the present system, and be of the greatest injury to our schools.
It is not likely that the Town would be able to secure a satisfactory teacher for the High School at much, if any, less price than we now pay for the services of Teacher and Superintendent, and the expenses of the Committee in performing the duties would add several hundred dollars to that amount.
It is not their desire to embarrass the action of the Town if it desires to return to the system of superintend- ence by Committees alone, but they deem it their duty to inform the Town of the changes involved in the action taken.
The wants of the school at Cedarville will not admit of longer delay in providing a new school-house for that section. It is recommended that full power be given to the School Committee, or to a special committee, as the Town shall prefer, to sell one or both of the school- houses at Cedarville and the Indian neighborhood, and to build a new school-house, or enlarge either of the old ones, as shall be found best upon ' full investigation ; and that the expenditure of fifteen hundred dollars and the proceeds of the old buildings be authorized for that purpose. The recommendation to sell the old school- house not in use, at Chiltonville, near the factory, and use the proceeds in improving the school-house at South Chiltonville, is approved.
7
The amount available the past year for School purposes was received as follows :- -
Appropriation. $15,500 00
Mass. School fund 317 39
Dog fund from County 335 78
Books sold 708 62
Stove sold
6 50
$16,868 29
The payments of the year may be classified as follows :
Teachers and Superintendent $13,019 67
Care of School-houses. 441 79
Repairs 1,602 10
Fuel 929 56
Printing 184 25
Books
803 50
Horse hire and travelling expenses 161 80
Incidentals
· 58 37
$17,201 04
Balance overdrawn Jan. 1, 1873.
$202 97
Payments in 1873 17,201 04
$17,404 01
Balance overdrawn. $535 72
It has been the custom of the Town for several years to choose a Truant Committee, while the Statute renders it impossible for them to take any effective measures for the suppression of truancy until the Town also adopts a . code of By-laws for their guidance, and these By-laws
8
receive the approval of the Superior or Probate Court.
The Committee, feeling the necessity of availing them- selves of this assistance in dealing with an evil, which, in some sections, appears to be on the increase, herewith submit for the consideration of the Town a code of Truancy By-laws, which will be found appended to this report.
ALBERT MASON,
GEORGE A. TEWKSBURY,
School
CHAS. G. DAVIS, Committee
LEMUEL BRADFORD, 2d, of Plymouth.
C. B. STODDARD,
B. A. HATHAWAY.
PLYMOUTH, March 16, 1874.
9
BY-LAWS
Concerning Truant Children and Absentees from School.
1. Any of the persons described in the first section of the "Act concerning Truant Children and Absentees from School," passed May 2, 1873, upon conviction of any offence therein described, shall be committed to the State Primary School at Monson, for such time, not exceeding two years, as such Judge, Justice or Court, having jurisdiction of the same, may determine
2. Any child between the ages of seven and fifteen who, while a member of any school, shall absent himself from school without the consent of his teacher and parent, or guardian, shall be deemed a Truant.
3. Any child between the ages of eight and twelve who shall not attend some public school or suitable institution of instruction, at least twelve weeks in a year, six of which shall be consecutive in the summer term, and six of which shall be consecutive in the winter term, shall be deemed an Absentee.
4. The School Committee shall annually choose three or more Truant Officers, whose duty it shall be to make complaints in case of violation of these By-laws, for the purpose of carrying into execution the sentence thereof, who shall receive such compensation for their services as the School Committee shall determine.
5. It shall be the duty of every Truant Officer to inquire diligently concerning all persons between the ages aforesaid, who seem to be idle and vagrant, or who, whether employed or unemployed, appear to be growing up in ignorance, and to enter a complaint against any one unlawfully absent from school or violating any of these By-laws.
6. It shall be the duty of every Truant Officer, prior to making any complaint before a justice, to notify the truant or absentee child and its parents or guardian of the penalty of the offence. If he can obtain satisfactory pledges of reformation, which pledges shall be subsequently kept, he shall forbear to prosecute.
2
11
REPORT.
To the School Committee of the Town of Plymouth :
GENTLEMEN: - Agreeably to usage, and in conformity with your requirements, I have the honor to submit the following report for the school-year 1873-4 :
CHANGES.
The year has passed without any important changes in our school-system. The plan of gradation, which has worked so satisfactorily in years past, has received no general modification. Only in one instance, and in accordance with a vote of the School Committee, has the arrangement been slightly changed. Formerly, there were two schools in Wellingsley ; one, a strictly Primary, the other, a Second and Third Grade combined. Although the number of scholars was small, only thirty-five in the two schools, yet two teachers found their time well occu- pied in hearing all the classes, made quite numerous on
12
account of the very different ages and qualifications of the scholars. The Primary department necessarily occu- pied a great deal of time, as the children are admitted at five years of age ; and, during the first two years, having little ability to read, time cannot be economized much by classifying them. However, the two schools have been united, on grounds of economy, and, by removing the oldest class, consisting only of four scholars, to the Gram- mar school in the High school building, it has been made possible for one teacher to do the work.
Another consolidation of schools has been made, under instruction of the Committee, which will be advantageous in all respects. The schools referred to are the two Sec- ond Grades in the High School building. The number of scholars in these schools has been very small for a series of years, sufficiently long to indicate quite clearly what is to be expected in the future; and, as the number of classes would not be increased by a union, and the number of scholars not made to exceed forty for the con- solidated school, no reason existed for continuing to keep up separate schools.
During the past year the list of teachers has been changed by the resignation of Mrs. B. J. AUSTIN and Miss MARY R. GOODRIDGE. Mrs. AUSTIN has been engaged in teaching in a public school of this town for thirty- three years, and during that time has never sought to change the position in which she commenced. All her time and energies have been devoted to the Primary
13
school near her home, a school which, by her assiduous care, has always stood in the first rank, and sent some fif- teen scholars a year to the higher grades. The thorough goodness of the teacher, and her ready sympathy with children, always made the school-room the happiest place for her scholars, and so strong was the impression of happiness, that in after-years they frequently returned to express their gratitude for kindness shown to them when young. On account of increasing infirmities, this widely beloved teacher has been obliged to retire.
Miss GOODRIDGE, also, has spent an important part of her life in the service of our town, and in all the positions occupied by her has acquitted herself with distinguished ability and success. She taught the Grammar School at Manomet for several years ; afterwards, the Grammar School on the Green, and finished her term of service as Assistant in the High School. She was always a diligent student, and enriched her instructions with an ever- widening culture, gathered from a varied course of reading, and turned to the advantage of her school. Miss HELEN M. DUNBAR, of Weymouth, a lady of experience in teaching, now fills, with entire success, the place made vacant by the resignation of Miss GOODRIDGE.
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.