USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1865-1872 > Part 20
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
balance 3 25
Hayes, Patrick 2 65
Moriarty, Dennis, estate of 1 30
McGovéring, Michael 8 50
Martin, William 4 60
Newcomb, Paul W. 13 70
Newcomb, William 12 40
Newcomb, Benjamin 16 95
Owens, Rowland 29 30
Pope, Edmund 67 65
Elcock, Charles 3 25
Flynn, Edward 5 20
Golden, John
15 00
Goodhue, Mitchell, bal-
ance 10 20
Gerry, Frank 7 85
Glidden, Henry 6 55
Sweet, James M., balance 6 50 Smith, H.Farnam, trustee 36 00 Thomas, Peter, estate of 6 50
True, Gilbert 9 80
Tirrell, Jerusha 10 40
White, Isaiah P. 17 60
or by
Lines, Cornelius 5 90
Lines, Daniel 3 30
Linnehan, Dennis 5 25
67
NON-RESIDENTS.
BOSTON.
Hughes, Owen $2 60
Gay, Samuel and Aaron
6 50
Milliken, Francis 10 40
Marden, Francis
5 20
Desmond, John 2 60
Trustees of Sailors' Na-
tional Home,
313 30
BRAINTREE.
Denton, James, estate of 2 60
CANTON.
Winthrop, Blackburn 1 30
CALIFORNIA.
Pratt, Cotton
7 80
DEDHAM.
Chamberlin, Isaac 2 60
DORCHESTER.
Greene, Charles A. 61 10 1
Spear, Daniel $1 30
Foster, Warren 2 60
Colman, Patrick 5 20
Hines, Peter
2 60
MILTON.
Connelly
15 60
Thayer, Henry
3 90
· ROXBURY.
Sargent, James O.
7 80
PEMBROKE.
Randall, N. H.
2 60
NASHUA, N. H.
Parkman, Henry
6 50
RESIDENCE UNKNOWN.
Hill, William H. 1 30
Spaulding, William
2 60
Osmand, William T.
2 60
POLL TAXES.
The following persons have not paid the poll-tax of $2.00, assessed upon them for 1866. /
Alden Albert M., Arnold Charles 2d, Brett Thomas, Bigness Charles, Bent George A., Bent William H. H., Boyden James, Blanchard George, Burke John 2d, Bent Samuel B., Burke Tobias H., Costello Martin, Carey Jeremiah, Cunningham Philip, Currier Jeremiah, Clary Patrick, Cronin Daniel, Connerty Thomas, Casey Thomas, Connell Richard O., Cummings Charles, Casey John, Clements Madison, Conner Maurice, Costello John, Clark Cyrus M., Dell JJeremiah, Donahou Michael, Donnelly Patrick, Dorcey
68
Patrick, Dolan Patrick, Dumfrey Michael, Dunbar Warren, Daley Michael, Dinnegan John H., Dowd Edward, Eaton Warren E., Emery F. C. P., Edwards David H., Fitzgerald Richard, French Harvey, French Ebenezer S., Flint Daniel K., French Albert P., Fenakin Michael, Farrell Peter, Farrell John S., Griffin William, Glascoe Arthur, Gallagher James, Glola James, Glover John F. G., Gallagher Patrick H., Glover Erastus M., Gregory Samuel, Garvin Patrick H., Garland William, Hersey Jerome, Hearn Martin, Holt Isaac N., Howard Alonzo, Hill John, Hasson John, Hayden Josiah, Jr., Howard Charles W., Johnson Lewis E., Jones Abbott L., Kiggey Michael, Kiley Dennis, Lane Michael, Lane Michael 2d, Lane Michael 3d, Linnehan Cornelius, Lahey Michael D., Lathrop Enoch D., Loud Robert E., Mahoney Daniel 2d, Moore Arthur J., Mahoney Jeremiah, McGrath Jeremiah, Mc- Tierman Thomas, Mckay Duncan, Mead Thomas, Munday Bernard, McDonald Daniel, Maguire Hugh, Murphy Patrick, Murkler Robert, McGoffee Michael, McGill John, Nightingale Daniel, Newcomb B. Loring, Nightingale Elihu, Newcomb Joseph H., Otis Stephen, Parrott Albert, Parrott John, Pierce Thomas S., Packard George F., Parker John Jr., Ray Andrew, Reed George, Ryan Peter, Robertson Nicholas, Rooney Patrick H., Regan William, Riordan John D., Reed N. C., Richards Charles N., Sweet Samuel N., Spear George 2d, Sheahan Jeremiah, Sinery James, Scannell David, Sweeney Brian, Sullivan Timothy, Shavlin Patrick, Sullivan Patrick 5th, Sweeney John, Thomas Peter, Tirrell Charles, Turley Patrick, Wrisley Charles E., Welch Patrick, Willey Henry, Welch John, Wright Abram, Wentworth Josiah P., Wilder J. Davis, Whittemore Charles C., Whitney Henry, Welch Thomas, White James.
REPORT
OF
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF QUINCY,
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1866-7.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1866-7.
HENRY BARKER,
E. GRANVILLE PRATT,
CHARLES R. MITCHELL, WILLIAM S. MORTON,
WILLIAM B. DUGGAN, H. FARNAM SMITH, GEORGE H. ARNOLD.
BOSTON : ROCKWELL & ROLLINS, PRINTERS, No. 122 WASHINGTON STREET. 1867.
1
1
REPORT.
IN obedience to the requirements of the General Statutes of the Commonwealth, making it an official duty for us to report in detail the condition of the several public schools, together with "such statements and suggestions in relation to the schools as the Com- mittee deem necessary and proper to promote the interest thereof ; " we, the School Committee of the town of Quincy, submit the fol- lowing Report of the condition of the schools of Quincy for the school-year 1866-7.
SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The condition of the Coddington School-house and its surround- ings remains the same as at the time of the last Report; except that the outside of the building and the fences have been painted, which was deemed necessary as well for their preservation as for their improved appearance.
We are still obliged to occupy the semi-underground badly ven- tilated apartment by Coddington Primary School, No. 2, which has heretofore justly caused so much complaint both from parents and former Boards of School Committee.
We have also temporarily leased of Wyman Abercrombie, Esq., the room known as Mechanics' Hall, for the use of Primary School No. 3.
It will be seen by the foregoing statements, making no allow- ance for an increase of population, that two new school-rooms are needed at once in this district. We recommend some immediate action of the Town in this matter.
The Washington School-house still maintains its reputation as being the best in town, whether considered with reference to its location and surroundings, or in respect to its architectural beauty and convenience.
4
This house greatly needs painting, but we have not felt justified in incurring the expense this year, in view of the unusually high price of stock and labor.
In regard to the Neck School-house, occupied by Washington Primary, No. 1, we have still to regret its isolated position, which prevents the proper grading of the schools of the District.
The Crane School-house has been improved by painting, but yet it is not well furnished, and its interior arrangement and fixtures forcibly remind one of the less favored days of " Auld lang syne," when railroads and telegraphs were but visionary schemes. This building is quite too small and otherwise insufficient for the use of the District.
The Willard School-house has not been materially altered or im- proved, and with the exception of the basement room occupied by Primary, No. 2, answers well the purposes for which it is de- signed. This basement room is very low, and, from its very con- struction and position, being somewhat of the semi-underground style of architecture, unsuitable for the purposes for which it is used.
We shall be glad to see the use of this room discontinued as soon as better accommodations can be furnished for the school.
At the commencement of the School Year the Committee effected an arrangement for the further use of the building known as the " Old School-house," for the ensuing year, which building was at that time occupied by the Town for the use of Primaries, Nos. 3 and 4. Subsequently, by the vote of the Town, the Committee were instructed to re-establish the mixed Primary School in the West District north of " Bunton's Quarry." A building was fur- nished by the Prudential Committee for that purpose, and the school " re-established."
It will be seen that the mixed Primary and Primary No. 3 are in absolute need of school-rooms, and it is very desirable that a room be substituted for the one now used by Primary No. 2. Hence it would seem that some early action either by this District or by the Town is needed. .
The Quincy School-house has not been essentially improved dur-
1
5
ing the year, but we have caused a well to be dug on the premises near the highway, and put a force pump into the same, which proves an accommodation alike to the schools and to the traveling public.
With the exception of the addition of several new desks in the Adams' Grammar School-room, no substantial changes have been made in the school buildings in the South District during the year.
TEACHERS.
The following is a list of Teachers, and also shows the changes which have taken place during the past year : -
HIGH SCHOOL.
Principal, Mr. C. B. Travis. Assistant, Miss Cora A. Chapin. Teacher of Music, Miss Annie L. Arnold.
CODDINGTON SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. W. E. Eaton, Principal, succeeded by Mr. Edward Southworth. Miss Susie G. Baxter, Assistant, succeeded by Miss A. L. Arnold.
Intermediate. - Miss M. A. Prescott, succeeded by Miss Mary A. Holbrook.
Primary, No. 1. - Miss Mary E. Thayer, succeeded by Miss M. A. Holbrook, succeeded by Miss A. M. Porter.
Primary, No. 2. - Miss Julia E. Underwood.
Primary, No. 3. - Miss Ida Edwards.
ADAMS SCIIOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. W. E. Endicott, Principal, succeeded by Mr. J. O. Norris. Miss S. V. Wilde, Assistant.
Intermediate. - Miss Mary A. Holbrook, succeeded by Mrs. Emily A. Hardwick.
Primary, No. 1. - Mrs. Emily A. Hardwick, succeeded by Miss Mary S. Travis.
Primary, No. 2. - Miss J. M. Wright.
Primary, No. 3. - Miss Mary E. Dinegan.
6
Primary, No. 4. - Miss Ellen B. Churchill, succeeded by Mrs. F. E. Whicher.
WASHINGTON SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. C. W. Carter, Principal. Miss Dora A. French, Assistant.
Intermediate. - Miss H. Almeda French.
Primary, No. 1. - Miss Emma A. French, succeeded by Miss Mary P. Butters.
Primary, No. 2. - Miss C. A. Thomas.
WILLARD SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Seth Dewing, Jr., Principal. 1
Intermediate. - Miss A. C. Foster.
Primary, No. 1. - Miss E. A. Newcomb.
Primary, No. 2. - Miss E. F. Nightingale.
.
Primary, No. 3. - Miss E. C. Sheahan, succeeded by Miss M. A. Spear.
Mixed Primary. - Miss E. S. Cole.
QUINCY SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. L. F. Hobbs, succeeded by Mr. J. C. Haskell, succeeded by Mr. John Smithwick.
Primary. - Miss E. A Flint.
CRANE SCHOOL.
Mrs. E. S. Smith, succeeded by Miss M. Lizzie Cobb.
GRADING OF THE SCHOOLS.
Your Committee deem the grading of the schools as a matter of the utmost importance, and have in this respect generally contin- ued the system adopted by the last Board of Committee, so far as the same has been found practicable, considering the location of the schools and other local causes.
We have still to regret that this system can not be more fully carried out in the Point District. On account of the isolated posi-
1
7
tion of the Neck School-house, we are obliged to continue two schools of equal grade in the same District.
We hope ere long that this matter will be carefully considered by the Town, and some action taken that will remedy the evil. This may be accomplished by the removal of the Neck School- house to some point nearer the Washington School-house, or by the erection of a new building between these two.
We are fully satisfied with the practical workings of the system adopted last year in the West District, and at the commencement of the school-year, we found all these schools in good working order.
The Town at the annual meeting instructed the School Commit- tee to " re-establish the school north of Bunton's Quarry." The Prudential Committee of the District furnished us with a building near "the Rail," and we re-established the school.
Previous to this time we had four primary schools thoroughly graded, each of which graduated a class every six months ; but by this vote we were forced either to open a new school or mate- rially change the plan of grading. We chose the latter alternative as the lesser evil, and the primary scholars of the eastern portion of the District, who had previously been distributed through four schools, were put into three, and those in the westerly part of the District were thrown together without regard to qualifica- tions, and from this school graduations are made directly to the Intermediate School.
We very much regret the necessity of this change (if it is indeed necessary or practicable), and would call the attention of the Town, and more especially the patrons of the schools, to a careful exam- ination of this matter.
.
The grading of the Adams Schools continues essentially the same as at the time of the last Report, and we feel confident that much more can be accomplished by this method than under the foriner system. We have not been entirely free from embarrass- ment in our adherence to this system, occasioned principally by the fluctuating character of these schools.
8
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
A growing attention has of late been given to the Primary Schools of the Town, and we have earnestly endeavored to give " this movement in the right direction" our hearty and united co-operation. It is in this department that the impressible minds of infancy receive their first impressions and form their incipient habits of thought. Here the plastic mind of the infant is moulded into forms of moral and mental excellence. It is of peculiar impor- tance that correct impressions be given, and unexceptionable exam- ples set. We have endeavored to place in charge of our Primary Schools (and we think we have succeeded) teachers of sound judgment, established character and qualifications, and genial na- tures ; blending at once firmness with gentleness, and kindness with decision, in order to render our school-rooms as pleasant and attractive as is compatible with earnest labor and steady, healthful toil.
We have fully satisfied ourselves that the old maxim, "Any teacher will do for a Primary School," deserves to classed among the fallacies of former days.
We believe no Primary School is well supplied which has a second-rate teacher in charge.
A young child gains most of his early education from observa- tion. He studies with his eyes and ears. Very few of the objects around him escape his notice. Hence it is of the first importance that the school-rooms of our youngest class of pupils be made as tasty as architectural skill can well make them. The idea which has prevailed in earlier days, and one not yet entirely banished to its appropriate shades, that almost any quiet and retired corner of the building is suitable for, and well answers the purpose of, a Primary School, is, in our opinion, one founded in the grossest error. But we believe it of still greater importance at that tender age, when they at best hold to the little thread of life with an uncertain, in- fant grasp, when bodily constitutions are easily shaken, and health impaired and lost, never to be regained, that particular attention be given to the ventilation of their school-rooms. And we urgently ask rooms that can be ventilated.
We believe it absolutely wrong to pack children, like sardines, into an air-tight box. We are also of the opinion that the pupils
9
of our Primary Schools would be benefited by yet more exercise in the open air. .
We are pleased to see a disposition on the part of the primary teachers to readily comply with the wishes of the Committee in regard to general and oral instruction, teaching from the ever- shifting face of Nature's works, rather than attempting to follow the dull routine of the text-book, so much .in advance of their ages and capacities.
From experience in our lower schools, we are fully satisfied that the method of instruction therein is not only correct in theory, but eminently practical. Our experiments in this direction have been crowned with unexpected success.
It has been to us a matter of surprise, at the several examina- tions, to see the electric effect upon the pupils of these schools when the books were laid aside, and general "object lessons" were given them. It is not unusual to see the greater part of the school spring voluntarily to their feet, in their eagerness to first give the answer. But to make this method thoroughly successful, the teachers need to carefully prepare for each exercise. We were pleased to find on more than one teacher's desk text-books for their assistance in this direction.
We are pleased to notice in these schools less of that " soul- less primary-school tone " once so universal.
Considerable attention has been given to training in the ele- mentary sounds, and the correction of faulty enunciation. We would urge a still greater effort in this direction.
It is in the Primary School (if anywhere) that the foundation of good reading is laid. The vocal organs require careful atten- tion and training while they are pliant and impressible. We believe it to be much easier to form a proper, natural and flowing style of reading and speaking at this age than to correct a per- verted, forced, and unnatural style in later years. Children at this early age are creatures of imitation, and copy to a great extent the peculiarities of the teacher. It is, then, of the utmost importance that the teacher look well to her own style of reading, lest she find her own faults rebounding upon herself, like the many- voiced echoes from the mountain-side.
Of the general condition of our several Primary Schools we
10
can speak in terms of unusual praise. Several valuable acquisi- tions have been made to this corps of teachers, and the result of their labors has been entirely satisfactory to the Committee.
On account of the increase of scholars in the Center District, and the insufficient accommodations of the school-rooms, we were obliged to establish a new school in this district, and placed the same in charge of Miss Ida Edwards.
With this exception, and the change in the West District, in accordance with the instructions of the Town, all the Primary Schools remain the same as at the date of the last report.
We have been gratified to notice a marked improvement in the personal appearance of the schools, both as regards cleanliness and tidiness. This is a movement forward, and one we hail with much satisfaction.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
The Adams Intermediate, the largest school in town of its grade, was for the first eight weeks of the year in charge of Miss Mary A. Holbrook, a teacher approved by the Committee and evidently greatly beloved by the school, who was superseded by Mrs. Emily A. Hardwick, a teacher of long and successful ex- perience, endeared to her school, and a favorite of the District.
The school has a list of seventy-three pupils, with an average attendance of fifty-eight, or seventy-nine per cent. It has nomi- nally one class, divided for convenience of recitations into two or three divisions.
The Coddington Intermediate was for the first nine weeks of the year in charge of that kind and faithful teacher, Miss M. A. Prescott, but her place in the school-room became vacant from the same cause by which we have lost many an excellent teacher, viz., an advance in salary and other inducements, and although the Committee believe that a change of teachers, even for one equally as good, is almost impossible, without detriment to the school ; still, in this case, the present incumbent, Miss M. A. Holbrook, seems to have adapted herself so readily to the position as to prevent any interruption in the progress of the school.
The school has a list of fifty-eight pupils, with an average
11
attendance of forty-nine, or eighty-four per cent., has two classes, and is in good condition generally.
At the examinations in July and January some of the reading was very good, especially that of some of the girls, by which comparison we would not disparage others, but stimulate them to do likewise. The spelling, oral and written, was very good, and we can not too earnestly impress the teachers with the importance of written spelling, and with the fact that nearly all the spelling in after life will be done with the pen.
The answers to questions in geography and arithmetic were very satisfactory.
The Washington Intermediate has a list of sixty-three pupils with an average attendance of fifty-three, or eighty-four per cent., and from causes of which mention is made in another part of this report, it is in some respects hardly up to the grade of the other Intermediate schools of the town, partaking somewhat of the nature of the higher Primary and Intermediate, combined.
The school is under the care of Miss H. A. French, one who needs no word of commendation from the Committee, but is well worthy of our warmest approbation, and has our entire confidence.
At the examinations this school gave evidence of excellent care and training. The reading was good ; some of it was excellent. We were forcibly reminded of an old maxim, " Read just as you would naturally speak on the same subject, under similar circum- stances, so that if any one should hear without seeing you, he could not tell whether you were reading or speaking." The spell- ing was very good considering, as was the case with the other schools, that the words were selected by the Committee, and not from the spelling-books used in the schools.
The recitations in geography were fair, but arithmetic is evi- dently not one of the strong points of the school. The answers to questions in the history of the United States would do credit to some of our Grammar Schools.
The Willard Intermediate, one of the largest of its grade in town, has a list of sixty-seven pupils, with an average attendance of fifty-seven, or eighty-five per cent., and is in charge of one of our most faithful and efficient teachers, Miss Augusta C. Foster.
12
At the late examination sixty-three pupils were present, and considering the large number, and that a large proportion are boys of an age generally considered mnost difficult to manage ; also con- sidering the good deportment and order of the school, the Com- mittee have good reasons for thinking that the discipline is of that higher order growing out of self-respect in the pupils and kind regard for the teacher. Some of the reading was very good ; the spelling, oral and written, and the answers to questions in geogra- phy and mental arithmetic, were very satisfactory, and the exercise of the first class in written arithmetic in the four simple rules exhibited evidence of a clearness, promptness, and precision, not common in schools of this grade.
CRANE SCHOOL.
Of the condition of this school in the East District we speak with pleasure. During the past year, and in the early part of it, we were obliged to lose the services of Mrs. Smith, who was called to a school in Boston, and such were her many excellent qualifica- tions, that we feared to supply her place would be a serious dif- ficulty.
Fortunate, indeed, have we been in the selection of Miss M. Lizzie Cobb, who, to a quick apprehension, gentle deportment, pleasing manners, and judicious management, has commended herself to the Committee, endeared herself to her pupils, and suc- ceeded in that most undesirable task of occupying acceptably the position vacated by a beloved and respected teacher.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The Washington School during the past year has been under the charge of Mr. C. W. Carter as principal, and Miss Dora A. French as assistant, of both of whom, in their different spheres of duty, we can speak only in terms of commendation.
The good order and quiet attention of the pupils to their studies indicate that the teachers have in no wise neglected their high calling, and the neat and pleasant appearance of the school and the drawings on the black-board serve to show that although the required studies of the school-room have not been slighted, yet works of art and beauty have been cherished and encouraged.
13
Of the Willard School, of this grade, in the West District, the Committee can only say that the same good order, discipline, and thoroughness is manifested which has characterized it for some years past.
Mr. Dewing still retains the respect of parents and pupils, and his school is in excellent condition.
The promotions, soon to take place to this school, will give it nearly one hundred pupils, rendering the employment of an assis- tant a matter of necessity.
The Quincy School, in the North District, now under the charge of Mr. John Smithwick, the Committee may safely say is making a forward movement into line with other Grammar Schools.
The population extending over a wide area, the pupils being generally younger than in other Grammar Schools, and several changes of teachers having occurred within the past year, have not been favorable to its advancement.
The discipline of this school has much improved under the present teacher ; and although the scholars do not exhibit that progress and thoroughness which is always desirable, we have full confidence that the present teacher will spare no efforts in advancing his school to a higher standard.
With the Adams School in the South District we are well pleased. By an examination of the report of the last year it will be seen that there were many changes of teachers -and even this year there has been one.
In the Summer vacation the late teacher retired, and Mr. J. O. Norris took charge of the school. In Miss Wilde he has an able assistant, and through their united exertions the school takes a prominent rank. The school has a large number of pupils, and we feel gratified in speaking of it as making rapid progress to complete success.
The Coddington Grammar School, with Mr. Southworth as prin- cipal and Miss Arnold as assistant, takes a prominent rank. The good order that marks the school, the diligence of the pupils, and the promptness of their recitations, speak loudly for the fidelity, energy, and ability of these teachers.
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.