USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1890-1893 > Part 5
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Stephen and Polly Rogers.
91
Stephen and Jane. [in Boston. Elkanah and Cynthia D. Barnes. Died
66
15, Alexina C. Paulding,
9
11 Marasmus, Homicide,
Maria. Henry and Elizabeth.
21,
Amasa Holmes,
1
1
Marasmus,
Nathaniel and Mary.
Elijah T. and Mary A.
Charles A. and Carrie.
27,
William H. Wethers,
Lewis G. and Joanna.
Joseph and Elizabeth Marsh,
Job and Hannah T.
--
3
20 Marasmus,
22 Heart Disease,
Zeba and Polly Richards.
4, 5, 13, 15, 19,
53
--
13
1
18,
Heney Lopez,
70
Paralysis,
Caleb and Lucy Battles.
Jos. P. and Mary H.
Amasa and Betsey.
22, Horatio Nelson Spooner,
Jacob and Bertha.
Deaths Registered in Plymouth in 1889-Continued.
AGE.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
DATE.
NAMES.
Years.
Months.
Days.
1889.
Nelson Bourne,
81
10
13
Old Age,
Oct.
11,
17,
Caroline Wheeler,
68
4
17
Disease of Liver,
19,
Elizabeth C. Poole,
73
6
12
Epilepsy,
19,
Mary E. Foss,
32
10
1
Pneumonia,
21,
Ellis Barnes,
71
10
28
Probably Heart Disease,
Nov.
6, .
Lomelder and . Clara.
..
6,
Lomelder Vinsonvolter,
1
Daniel and Eliza P.
9,
Jas. Augustus Sanderson,
54
5
20
Apoplexy,
Jesse M. and Hannah J. Dunham.
12,
Lucy W. Harvey,
74
14
Paralysis,
17,
Edwin Lewis Pratt,
3
13
Cholera Infantum,
25,
Susan W. Finney,
72
7
3 Paralysis,
25,
Lucy T. Cooper,
83
11
13 Old Age,
25,
Emma L. Tripp,
31
10
7
Phthisis Pulmonalis,
66
27,
Hannah S. Dunham,
68
1
10
Cancer,
Dec.
2,
Edward G. Phinney,
1
81
14
Cancer,
5,
Mary Moning,
--
3
Pneumonia,
8,
Annie Bartlett,
24
3
17
12,
Pamelia Holmes,
77
5
3
Paralysis,
12,
Betsey J. Strong,
51
10
25
Abdominal Disease,
-
13,
David Turkington,
79
1
Nathan and Ruth Holmes.
66
22,
William Thomas Barnes,
21
9
16
Enteric Fever,
24,
Mary A. Carr,
30
10
5
Consumption,
28,
Mary S. Trassel,
47
Cancer,
66
31,
David Elwood Fletcher,
2
11
-
Tubercular Peritonitis,
Richard and Tamozen. [in Brockton. Joseph and Lucy Rivervider. Died John and Ellen Cassady. Died in Campton, N H. Chase and Mary P. Taylor. Died in Ellis and Mary H. [Northboro.
Elkanalı and Lucy Finney.
Betsey L. Manter,
69
5
17
Consumption,
8
Unknown,
Henry L. and Susan R. Died in Cam- Henry and Susan Howland. [bridge. Joseph and Lucy. Died in Wrentham. Benjamin F. and Eliza J. Briggs,
John H. and Hannah Chandler.
Edward F. and Emeline. Died in Seth and Lucy. [So. Framingham. Casper H. and Annie. Died in Bos- Died in Somerville. [ton.
Hayward and Mehitable Smith.
Alexander and Martha F. Chute.
17,
Mary R. Whitten,
78
11
1
Fracture of Hip,
Winslow C. and Elizabeth. Died in James and Jane Cassady. [Medford.
Albert E. and Maud.
92
1 Heart Failure,
3,
Nancy Everson,
Rec'd in Somerville,
Heart Failure,
NAMES OF PARENTS, ETC.
J
93
SUMMARY.
The following are the statistics of Births, Marriages and Deaths registered in Plymouth for the year ending December 31, 1889 :
Births.
Number of births registered in 1889
152
Females 77
Males 75
The parentage of the children is as follows :
Both parents born in United States
94
" Germany
66
British Provinces
7
66
66 Italy
66
Ireland
5
66
66
66
Western Islands 2
66
England 1
Sweden 1
Mixed, one parent American 14
Mixed, other nationalities 4
Unknown 5
Marriages.
Number of marriages registered in 1889
64
Both parties born in United States 42
66
British Provinces 6
66
Sweden 1
Mixed, one American 14
Mixed, other nationalities. 1
12
7
94
Deaths.
Number of deaths registered in Plymouth in 1889, 154,-38 of which occurred out of town, burial taking place in Plymouth. Males
78
Females 76
Born in United States 138
66 Ireland 8
British Provinces 3
Germany
2
66 Scotland
1
Italy 1
Unknown
1
CURTIS DAVIE, Town Clerk
th
a
er
95
COPY OF ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT
For the Annual Town Meeting, to be held in.
Davis Hall, at 8.30 o'clock in the Fore- noon of Monday, March 17, 1890.
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator.
ART. 2. To hear the reports of the several Officers and Committees of the Town and act thereon.
ART. 3. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year. The following Officers will, in accordance with a vote of the Town, and until otherwise ordered, be voted for on one ballot, to wit: Selectmen, Town Clerk, Treasurer, Auditor, Assessors, Constables, Collector of Taxes, Overseers. of the Poor, Water Commissioners, School Committee, Board of Health, Committee on Agawam and Half-way Pond Fishery.
ART. 4. To revise and accept a list of jurors prepared by the Selectmen.
ART. 5. To see if the Town will continue the publication of the Town Records.
ART. 6. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes, and for disbursement under the provisions of the laws relating to state aid, and to defray the expenses of the Town after January 1st, 1891.
ART. 7. To make the necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes, and raise such sums of money as the Town shall deem expedient.
96
ART. 8. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to defray the expenses of Decora- tion Day.
ART. 9. Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town ? Vote to be by separate ballot, "Yes," or "No," in answer to the question.
ART. 10. To see what action the Town will take in aid of the Public Library.
ART. 11. To see if the Town will direct the extension of the water pipes in Vine Hills Cemetery, and make any necessary appropriation therefor.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to take such steps as may be necessary to secure a free passage of young herrings down Eel River.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will reduce the Board of Water Commissioners from five to three.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will give to the projected rail- road from Plymouth to Bourne a right of way through Water Street and across Town Dock and Town Brook, so far as the Town may have power in the premises.
ART. 15. To see if the Town will discontinue a portion of the old road leading from Doten School-house to Sandwich road.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars for improving in and about Cedarville Cemetery, in compliance with the petition of Charles E. Kimball and others.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to dispose of a strip of land at the foot of Burial Hill in the rear of the estate of the late Bartlett Ellis.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will petition the Legislature for authority to appropriate a sum of money not exceeding one thousand dollars, to aid in the reception and entertainment of the National Convention of the Grand Army of the Republic
2.
L
P SỐ
m
1
5
97
on the occasion of their proposed visit to Plymouth in August next.
ART. 19. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to renew any note or notes heretofore authorized, which are now due, or may become due the present year.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to prosecute, compromise or defend any suit or suits within the Commonwealth, in the name of the Town.
ART. 21. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of six hundred dollars for the improvement of Training Green.
ART. 22. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars for the care and improvement of Morton Park.
ART. 23. To see if the Town will devote to the purposes of a public park that part of the Mount Pleasant school-house lot that lies on the easterly side of Whiting Street, known as "Jumping Hill."
ART. 24. To see if the Town will agree upon a location for a new high school-house.
ART. 25. To see if the town will make an appropriation to purchase land for a lot for a new high school-house.
ART. 26. To see if the Town will make an appropriation for providing better and additional means of ventilation in the high school building, as required by the Inspector of Public Buildings.
ART. 27. To see if the Town will instruct the School Commit- tee to continue the evening school, and appropriate a sufficient sum for the purpose out of the general appropriation for schools.
ART. 28. To see if the town will authorize the School Com- mittee to sell the school-house and land at Indian Brook.
ART. 29. To see if the Town, if permission be given by the Legislature, will appropriate a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars to aid in the reception and entertainment of the National Convention of the Grand Army of the Republic on their pro- posed visit to Plymouth in August next.
ART. 30. To see if the Town will cause two electric lights to be placed on Davis Street, and one at the corner of Vernon Street and Highland Place.
7
ANNUAL REPORT
-- OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
- -- AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
-OF THE- -
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
-FOR- -
1889.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
TERM EXPIRES.
JAMES MILLAR, 1892
CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD.
1892
H. N. P. HUBBARD, . 1891
CHARLES O. CHURCHILL, . 1890
ELIZABETH THURBER, 1890
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-CHARLES BURTON.
At the annual meeting in March, elections must be held for two members of the Committee for three years, and one for an unexpired term of one year, to fill a vacancy.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The School Committee respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending December 31st, 1889.
At the annual meeting of the Town in 1889 appropria- tions were made for :
Support of schools
$23,400 00
Books and supplies
1,800 00
Evening school 400 00
In addition to the above, the School De- partment has been credited during the year with the following :
School fund from the State
39 90
Income of the Murdock fund .
18 25
Other sources
13 00
Total credits $25,671 15
The amount of bills paid during the year
has been
$25,860 43
Leaving a deficiency of
189 28
Additional deficiency of 1888
137 17
Total deficiency . . . $326 45
The classified expenses are as follows : Salaries of teachers $17,248 00
102
Superintendent $1,200 00
Music teacher, including horse 750 00
Books and supplies 1,988 24
Fuel. 1,103 63
Janitors and care of school-rooms
1,322 20
Horse hire and travelling expenses
221 33
Truant officer 75 00
Furniture 136 90
Repairs 1,137 45
Transportation of scholars 180 00
Town of Bourne for schooling
102 76
Water department
11 55
Printing
88 90
Sanitary .
74 50
High School exhibition
39 10
Tuning piano . 8 50
Heliotype Printing Co.
52 50
Decorations for August 1st. 35 00
Sundries (binding books, express, etc.)
84 87
$25,860 43
The Committee recommend for the support and superintendence of schools and the purchase of books and supplies $25,100.
As extra necessary repairs will be required during the present year, they recommend an additional appropriation of $1,500 for repairs, the improvement of school-house grounds, and supplying water to the Chiltonville Grammar School.
Included in the general school account is the appro-
103
priation of $400 for an Evening School. As no money has been expended on account of this school the actual deficiency is increased to $726.45.
There are thirty-three schools and thirty-seven teachers. A detailed report of location, names of teachers, salaries, etc., will be &found in the report of the Superintendent of Schools.
The Evening School, for, which an appropriation of $400 was made at the last annual meeting, was opened in the Russell Street school-house in November last, and has been conducted under the supervision of the Superintendent of Schools, with an average attendance of twenty-five scholars. The Committee recommend its continuance during the winter of 1890-91, provided sufficient interest is manifested in the school at the commencement of the term, the expense of the same to be met out of the general appropriation.
The Committee again call attention to the condition of the High School building, to which particular allusion was made in last year's report. An inspection was made by a State Inspector in January last, and a notice served on the Committee to improve its condition. To comply with this will require a radical change in the system of heating and ventilating the building, for which a consid- erable appropriation will be necessary.
CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD, JAMES MILLAR, School
H. N. P. HUBBARD, CHARLES O. CHURCHILL, ELIZABETH THURBER,
Committee.
PLYMOUTH, February 18, 1890.
104
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH :
In compliance with your regulations, I present the fol- lowing as my report for the year ending with December, 1889 :
It is very evident to one who has carefully watched the schools of the town in their work from day to day, that very satisfactory improvement has been made during the past year ; indeed, I am very well assured that they were never in so promising a condition as they are at the pres- ent time.
I would not imply that any sudden change has taken place in the progress of the schools of the town ; it is rather the result of arrangements made from time to time in past years, of which the effects are now becoming clearly perceptible.
The change in the method of study and recitation which is now so generally accepted in the best schools, has pro- duced for us, perhaps. more improvement in the acquisi- tion of true knowledge than any thing else we have done. The practice of this method requires the teacher, not to name a page, or a fraction of a page of the text-book to the class as the subject of a future lesson, with questions
1
105
at the bottom of the page, and the whole work to be properly memorized ; but to present the subject logically reduced to topics, displayed on the black-board before the school, with the injunction that the scholars are to make themselves acquainted with the lesson thus topically pre- sented, as best they may, by their text-book or by any other book which may give them any help. By this means the scholar is attracted to the reference book which the school may furnish, or sent to the public library, where he may begin to learn to investigate for himself. By degrees, he acquires the power, and with it, the pleasure of original thinking, of course, in his youthful way, and is soon won over to the pursuit of knowledge. The assist- ance derived from the public library by the older scholars is invaluable ; but that is not the only resource outside of the school-room, which the teachers have at their com- mand. When the applications of arithmetics and geom- etry are the subject of instruction, the class is often requested to survey some plot of ground in the neighbor- hood of the school-house, map out the work, and make a report to the teacher. At other times, the scholars are sent to the lumber yards, to inquire into the methods of measuring lumber, and in half an hour they learn more than the tables in their arithmetics can teach them. Again, the steam engine may be the lesson of the day. After exhausting the resources of the school-room, which will consist of teacher, text-book, and a working model of a very simple steam engine, the class ought to be required, in a leisure hour, to visit the working steam engines which
106
may be accessible, to get what information they can from the engineers, and, in all cases, to report to the teacher.
The subject of geography, that very common, and very useful, and very comprehensive branch of study, taught in all schools, from the primary upward, is receiving the natural, which is at the same time, the scientific treatment which the new method requires. The oldest scholars in the primary schools are taken out on the hills, above the town, to learn what they can from their own observation and the assistance of the teacher ; the hills and the waters receive their attention and study ; the names and relative position of the streets are recorded ; and return- ing to the school-room, what they have seen is drawn on paper or the black-board with noteworthy skill, and with wonderful pleasure to themselves. After such a training as this, it is to be presumed that they will readily under- stand what a map of the world means as soon as they are required to study it.
That teachers may be prepared to handle in this free and comprehensive manner whatever subject they may be called upon to teach, a great deal of labor is needed on each lesson. That the assistance of the most distinguished specialists may not be wanting, the desks of teachers have been very freely supplied, during the past year, with the best recent treaties on the methods practised in other schools, together with a variety of text-books from which teachers may choose appropriate matter for the daily black-board work for their classes.
Another great help in improving the character of the instruction imparted in our schools nas been derived from
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the practice of visiting the schools most noted for various excellencies in other places. The most enterprising of our teachers have shown considerable zeal in bringing in from outside sources whatever may benefit themselves and others in the practice of their profession.
The plan of study and construction thus briefly sketched appears to me strictly rational, and my best efforts have been exerted to make it acceptable to the teachers of the town. During the year just passed, we have made unusual progress. This plan, simple as it is, throws so much responsibility on the teacher in the administration of the affairs of the school-room, that some prefer what they sometimes see in their visits abroad, a manual in which is inscribed the daily routine of the school, and all originality of teaching impliedly deprecated ; where also is plainly indicated unquestioning obedience to some pre- sumably superior mind. Such manuals, I am inclined to think, tend toward machine-like, not rational, teaching ; although it must be acknowledged they bring about results that are widely satisfactory.
I desire to say a few words about the discipline in our schools. At the present time, the excellence of discipline is estimated by the excess of moral over physical force exercised in maintaining it. Judging by this rule, I think we may look upon the order which prevails in our schools with considerable satisfaction. The tendency has been in the right direction for several years ; and now it can with truth be said that almost all the schools are governed without the use of any of the ruder forms of physical force. The High School is a conspicuous example of this,
108
where there is a minimum of muscular force, and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, where no form of cor- poral punishment has been practiced for, at least, twelve years. This, of course, is a very conclusive proof that the moral character of the teachers of that school, during this period, has been fairly equal to the demands of the posi- tion. There are other schools in the town which are con- trolled with great gentleness and admirable skill, but the High School is selected for comment, because it is the most advanced school of the town, and because it contains pupils of that age when the most highly developed intel- lectual and moral culture on the part of the teacher is needed. in order to bring about the best results.
The steady improvement in our Grammar schools shows itself especially, when the pupils become members of the High School ; and is noted with much satisfaction.
The question is frequently asked how are morals taught in your schools ? The answer is, first, by the silent influ- ence of the character of the teacher; and, secondly, by the direct instruction of the teacher when explanation and enforcement are necessary. The little world of life within the school-room, the intelligent teacher will see, offers all the opportunities for moral instruction that are found in the great world without.
The influences received in our Primary Schools, where first impressions are made, are very lasting; and it is a pleasure to be able to say that in these and in our Inter- mediate Schools, we have conscientious and high-minded teachers, whose aim is the mental and moral advancement of their scholars ; and for this end they spare no labor.
109
The subject of attendance always occupies an important place in the minds of those who have a special interest in the public schools.
All the means which we have at our command have been vigorously used to prevent truancy, and with a large degree of success. Teachers are vigilant and prompt in investigating any case of suspicious absence, and the parent is notified. In addition to this, at the end of every month, a report is sent to every pupil's home, by which the parent is informed of the number of times the bearer has been absent during the month. It contains also his standing in each study, which is determined by examina- nation, to all of which the parent is requested to put his signature. and return to the teacher. If these reports received the careful attention of the friends of the pupils, there would be less disappointment at the end of the year, when promotions do not take place.
The truant officer is always at the command of teachers whenever they think his services are needed. Besides the occasional help which he renders, he goes the rounds of all the schools in the central part of the town once a week, to receive the instructions of each teacher, to ena- ble him to perform his duties intelligently. These duties, I am glad to say, have always been very willingly and efficiently executed by the present truant officer, Capt. Joseph W. Hunting.
The changes in the High School in the past year have been very important, and have rendered necessary an entire readjustment of the daily work. Two new teachers have entered the school this year, and, being
It
110
specialists in departments differing from those occupied by the ladies who preceded them, the new conditions required new arrangements.
One of the changes was occasioned by the death of a long-tried and faithful teacher, Miss Ellen W. Beane. She had devoted years to the preparation of herself for the profession which she had chosen, and selecting the German language as the special branch which she preferred to teach, she visited Europe, and resided some considerable time in Germany, for the purpose of acquiring from natives a critical knowledge of the language of her choice. Direct and honest in purpose, unassuming in manner, faithful in all her relations, winning the affection of all her pupils, and the unbounded love and respect of her fellow teachers, after a service of five years in the High School of Plymouth, her health became seriously impaired, and she was obliged to relinquish her work. Her death was felt to be a severe loss to the school.
Miss Anna M. Klingenhagen resigned her place in the High School to enter Wellesley College, where she is now pursuing her studies.
Miss Ada B. Chandler and Miss Carrie L. Barker, ladies highly recommended, fill the two places made vacant ; the first as teacher of German and English Literature, the latter as teacher of Latin and French.
The present condition of the High School deserves to to be highly commended for regularity of attendance,
111
and the general improvement in the bearing of its members.
The number of pupils at the present time is greater. than at any time before, at this season of the year. It is observed that not so many are leaving now as formerly. The further consideration that a considerable number desire to be fitted for higher institutions of learning, makes it quite evident that the work of the school is very greatly increased.
Owing to the fact that parents often fail to give the infor- mation sufficiently early that they intend to send their children to some higher institution, teachers have not the opportunity to select, in time, the studies required to fit them for their destined course. In consequence of this, much unnecessary and hard work is thrown upon the teachers, in hearing lessons out of school hours, in order to get their pupils ready at the proper time.
This matter is thus earnestly insisted on, because that part of the community interested in the High School do not seem to be aware that to fulfil their wishes often neces- sitates work by the teachers, from the time school begins in the morning to the late hours of night.
The success which those scholars have attained who have heretofore been fitted at our school is marked; but this has been accomplished at the expense of much extra time and effort on the part of the teachers, which it is hoped may in the future, by timely forethought, be avoided.
In closing, I would express my grateful acknowledge-
112
ment of the cordial co-operation which you have given me in the discharge of the duties which belong to the office with which you have entrusted me.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES BURTON.
March 1st, 1890.
1
113
High School.
The following pupils were neither absent nor tardy during the school year 1888-9 :
Frank D. Bartlett,
Olive E. Cave,
Fred. W. Bartlett,
Mabel W. Doten,
Harry H. Morton,
Lydia E. Holmes,
Annie M. Bartlett,
Mary B. Magee,
Charlotte J. Burgess,
Maud Morton,
Cora F. Byrnes,
Ella A. Taylor.
Not absent during the school year 1888-9 :
Frank D. Bartlett,
Cora F. Byrnes,
Fred. W. Bartlett,
Olive E. Cave,
Allen N. Bradford,
Mary S. Clark,
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