USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > Town annual report of Rutland 1882-99 > Part 2
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Respectfully submitted,
M. R. MOULTON, Selectmen of B. F. BROWNING, Rutland.
·
The following Births, Marriages and Deaths were recorded for 1882.
BIRTHS.
NAMES.
PARENTS.
DATE OF BIRTH.
Mary Ellen,
Michael and M. Jennie Loughman,
Jan. 24, 1882. April 4,
Jennie Malvina,
Henry and Lorinda R. Strong,
Anna Isadore,
Edward and Flora A. Clark,
May 11, 66
Nellie Flossie,
Mary A. Cowden, Elijah and Mary L. Goulding, James and Ellen Scott,
66
15, 66
Harry,
Alsene St. George and Susan A. Cowden,
66
25,
Olive Maria,
Stephen J. and Cora L. Locke,
June 30.
Julia,
Michael and Margaret Cullens, Lawton T. and Hattie E. Hadley,
July 13, 66
Cyrus Lord,
Frank L. and Sarah E. Bryant,
“ 15. " 23 . 66
William Wallace,
Lyman E. and Emma F. Wilson,
Bertha Mabel,
James T. and Marion W. Earley,
Robert Lester,
William R. and Mary E. Cummings,
Henry Homer,
Engene T. and Asela O. Barlow,
Sept. 2, 66
Timothy,
Rev. Timothy and Mary S. Lyman,
“ 14, 66
Fred. Lewis,
Ahira L. and Lizzetta E. Chamberlin, Oct. 23,
Belle Amelia,
George T. and Annie E. Baker, Nov. 19,
Belle, Charles Arthur,
Amos and Hattie A. Strong,
66
4.
66
MARRIAGES.
March 27, 1882, Hiram Edward Wheeler and Nancy Della Putnam, both of Rutland.
May 23, 66 Paul Johnson and Lucy Ellen Maynard, both of Holden.
June 1, Fred. Scoville Hunt and Abbie Rebecca Wales, both of Rutland.
Sept. 16, Henry Franklin Thomas of Rutland and Mrs. Jane Ramsdell of Worcester.
Oct. 18, 66
Joseph Millett of Worcester and Rosailia T. Davis of Princeton.
Oct. 23,
Frederic A. Bush and Mattie E. Frost both of New Braintree.
Oct. 24, Nelson T. Frink and Addie D. Ware, both of Paxton.
Nov. 16, Levant Lewis Mellen and Mary E. Hammond, both of Rutland. 66
Nov. 21, 66 Edward H. Dwelley and Emma F. Robinson, both of Oakham.
DEATHS.
The first three deaths were not returned to me in season to be printed in last year's Report.
April 6. 1881,
Mrs. Sally S. Estabrook,
Aged 95 years, 66
1 month, 21 days .
Sept. 21, Mrs. Mary Jane Wheeler,
47
11
66
11 66
Jan. 16, 1882.
Abram Hagar Temple,
63
66
1
1.1
66 5, “
Sewall Stone,
84
9
20
..
March 28, "
William B. Foster,
76
April 28,
Mrs. Sarah A. Smith,
66
64
May 9,
66 Joseph Wall, Jr.
June 23, 66 Mrs. Adaline E. Baker,
July 13,
Anna Conlan.
20
66
9
66
20
6. 16,
William H. Healy,
66
66 24,
66 Warren K. Bryant,
66
29
18
Oct. 1,
66 Mrs. Mary Williamson,
84
6
3
9.
Mrs. Rosanah S. Stackpole,
66
23
9
10
66 20, 66
Joseph Wall,
66
77
8
66
27,
Mrs. Amelia A. Putnam,
66
65
66
11
66
And two stillborn.
- 61
66
6
2
6: 6
Sept. 15, 66
Albert L. Barton,
66
3
66
66
Nov. 15, 66
Mrs. Emma F. Forbush,
73
66
GEORGE A. PUTNAM, TOWN CLERK.
66
28,
Mrs. Priscilla Fairbank,
91
4
11,
William Leland,
66
13, 66
Mary,
6. 30. 66
Grace Elvina,
66
Aug. 4, .: 15. 66
Lyman F. and Mary R. Partridge, Dec. 1.
66
26
11
60
65
67
Dec. 22,
Mrs. Melissa Read Hadley,
66
66
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF RUTLAND,
For the Year Ending February 15th, 1884.
WORCESTER : PRINTED BY EDWARD H. TRIPP, 377 MAIN STREET, OPPOSITE ELM.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF RUTLAND,
For the Year Ending February 15th, 1884.
WORCESTER: PRINTED BY EDWARD II. TRIPP, 377 MAIN STREET, OPPOSITE ELM.
T
3
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
FEBRUARY 14TH, 1884.
DR.
To interest on real and personal estate, appraised Febru-
ary 14th, 1883, at $4,377 36, $262 64
To cash due from E. W. Hubbard, Feb. 15, 1883, 25 04
To salary of Warden for the year ending Feb, 14, 1884, 365 00
Decrease in appraisal of personal property, 63 84
Due E. W. Hubbard, on book account, 57 25
Cash received of Town Treasury, 804 50
$1,578 27
CR.
By balance paid E. W. Hubbard, $378 57
Order of E. W. Hubbard,
119 50
State Lunatic Asylum bill,
193 57
Town of Grafton bill,
24 28
Town of Ashland bill,
17 25
George S. Putnam, for coffin and robe,
19 33
Mrs. Dana, for A. Preston, 6 75
Overseers' services,
45 25
$804 50
Which leaves a balance of $773 77 As the expenses of supporting Paupers at the Almshouse the past year.
The whole number relieved and supported the past year was 32. Of this number 20 were travelers. Expense of travelers $5.00. Number fully supported, 12. Average number, 8 7-10. Cost per week of supporting paupers at almshouse, $1.71.
EXPENSE OF SUPPORTING PAUPERS OUT OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Paid State Lunatic Asylum for W. O. Smith, $193 57
Town of Grafton for S. A. Stratton, 24 28
Town of Ashland for E. Rice, 17 25
Mrs. Dana for Ashael S. Preston, 6 75
George S. Putnam for coffin and robe for A. T. Pollard, 19 33
$261 18
Overseers' services, 45 25
Expense of supporting paupers at Almshouse,
773 77
Making a total of $1,080 20
As the expense of supporting paupers the past year.
Received of Joshua Pollard estate for A. T. Pollard, $100 00
Received of B. F. Browning for Davis Browning, 58 45
$158 45
Making a total of $921 75 As the expense of supporting the town and other paupers the past year.
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY,
As APPRAISED BY THE OVERSEERS, FEBRUARY 14, 1884.
Real estate,
$2,500 00
Farming tools and household furniture,
595 00
Horse,
65 00
Oxen,
165 00
11 cows,
352 00
3 two-year old heifers,
54 00
2 calves,
22 00
1 hog,
15 00
3 shoats,
24 00
25 fowls,
17 50
13 tons of English hay,
234 00
6 tons of meadow hay and straw,
48 00
41 bushels of oats,
24 60
23 bushels of barley,
2 50
5
5} bushels of rye,
5 50
45 bushels of corn,
36 00
75 bushels of potatoes,
26 25
Garden vegetables,
5 00
Apples and dried apples,
4 50
Boiled cider vinegar,
26 20
Salt pork and hams,
20 00
Salt beef,
10 00
Lard,
2 40
Butter and cheese,
5 96
Beans,
1 00
Flour and meal,
10 10
Tea, sugar, molasses,
3 00
Tallow and candles,
5 00
Lead, glass and nails,
2 50
Soap,
3 81
Lumber,
3 00
Barb wire,
4 70
$4,293 52
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES AT THE ALMSHOUSE.
Bought flour, meal and crackers,
$294 01
Meat and fish,
36 62
Tea, sugar and molasses,
66 04
Spice, cream tartar and soda,
8 58
Cloth, yarn and thread,
14 84
Grinding grain,
3 35
Tobacco and pipes,
9 34
Oil, stove polish, etc.
2 24
Tin, earthen and glass ware,
7 19
Matches, soap, salt,
12 74
Boots and shoes,
4 35
Making cider,
94
Paper and brooms,
1 95
Blacksmithing,
8 05
Farming tools and use of the same, barbed wire,
57 97
Stock keeping and use of same,
20 00
Grass and other seeds,
13 46
Paris green, lime, phosphate,
31 95
Repairing buildings, etc.,
105 71
Labor,
175 60
Medicine,
3 10
Wood,
1 32
Rent of pasture,
18 00
$897 35
6
SUMMARY OF INCOME AT THE ALMSHOUSE.
Sold 1,518 pounds of butter, Eggs and poultry,
19 96
Grass and other seeds,
3 00
Meadow hay and straw,
28 18
Board,
57 46
Labor,
3 25
Vegetables,
31 75
Stock and use of same,
146 12 29
Milk,
Cash of overseers,
120 30
Rags and feathers,
4 00
$840 10
Amount of expense,
$897 35
Amount of income,
840 10
Balance due Warden,
$57 25
Respectfully submitted,
D. F. SMITH, Overseers J. MILO SKINNER, of
C. P. BULLARD, the Poor.
Rutland, February 14, 1884.
$425 79
7
TREASURER'S REPORT.
F. R. FOSTER, TREASURER.
1883.
DR.
Feb. 15, Balance in the treasury,
$6,401 38 Feb. 15, Received of the town of Paxton, school money, 5 40
March 7, 66 of overseers of poor, on A. T. Pollard
account, 100 00
March 8, Received of town of Holden, school money, 42 75
May 23, 66 of Thomas Bond, on A. Roger's note, 72 73
July 28, 66 of M. R. Moulton, for grass in cemetery, 5 00
Dec. 7, of state treasurer, corporation tax, 96
66
66 66 national bank tax, 17 42
66
66
relief of indigent
soldiers, 132 53
1884.
Jan. 1, Received of county treasurer, dog fund, $122 62
Jan. 10, 66 of Daniel Demond, auctioneer license, 2 00
Jan. 24, of overseers of poor, on account of D. Browning, 58 45
Jan. 31, Received of state treasurer, school fund, 66 66 66 of interest on taxes, 35 55
221 04
66
of amount of tax bills, 6,519 00
$13,736 83
1883. CR.
By notes and interest paid, $2,420 00
By assessors abatements on taxes, 27 00
By town abatement on taxes, 37 64
By state tax paid,
420 00
By county tax paid, 376 00
By paying 216 orders drawn by selectmen,
6,490 84
$9,771 48
Balance in treasury Feb. 15, including tax bills, $3,965 35
Respectfully submitted,
F. R. FOSTER, Treasurer.
Rutland, February 15, 1884.
8
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
For the Year ending February 15, 1884.
APPROPRIATIONS.
State Tax,
$420 00
County Tax,
376 00
Town Grant,
5500 00
Overlays on Taxes,
223 00
- -$6519 00
CURRENT EXPENSES.
TOWN CLERK.
Paid Geo. A. Putnam, $28 36
SELECTMEN.
Paid M. R. Moulton,
$34 00
Francis G. Bartlett,
26 00
Geo. B. Munroe,
26 00
$86 00
ASSESSORS.
Paid Alonzo Davis,
27 50
John W. Munroe,
33 00
Fred. S. Hunt,
27 50
$88 00
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
$22 50
J. Milo Skinner, Cyrus P. Bullard,
10 50
$45 25
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid Chas. R. Bartlett,
$21 00
Helen H. Welsh,
40 00
Lawton T. Hadley,
50 50
Walter C. Boyce,
34 00
$145 50
Paid David F. Smith,
12 25
9
COLLECTOR AND TREASURER.
Paid Freeman R. Foster, $35 00
CONSTABLE.
Paid Freeman R. Foster,
$12 00
SEXTONS.
Paid Geo. S. Putnam, $25 75
Ebenezer Willington,
3 50
$29 25
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Paid Almira A. Foster,
$52 00
HIGHWAY SURVEYORS-REPAIRING ROADS.
Paid Henry D. Rice,
$10 00
John D. Clair,
5 29
Daniel Spooner,
15 43
Daniel McCarty,
4 61
Richard Cody,
11 75
Michael Leary,
14 50
Edwin J. Miles,
25 82
John D. Clair,
26 83
Henry Moore,
42 16
Ivory Wales,
40 66
Michael Leary,
18 50
Charles G. Pratt,
4 97
Hiram J. Davis,
3 65
Walter C. Boyce,
40 61
Era C. Dudley,
50 67
Fred. S. Hunt,
55 50
Michael Loughman,
55 39
James M. Taylor.
54 33
Henry A. Kennon,
89 67
Elijah Goulding,
44 00
John D. Clair,
14 16
Daniel Spooner,
33 18
Richard Cody,
20 32
Henry D Rice,
47 74
Lawson S. Brigham,
44 84
John B. Wells,
79 75
Joseph Davis,
36 00
Rufus B. Miles,
34 49
Edwin J. Miles,
23 49
John W. Munroe,
45 09
John N. Sargent,
49 30
Moses B. Allen,
157 88
Stephen P. Allen,
50 77
Ivory Wales
24 33
Merrill Chickering,
5 99
10
Paid James Hunter, 66 66
6 35
47 46
Joseph Miles,
30 15
Asa Baker,
5 01
Henry Moore,
24 33
Edmund Clark,
4 49
Schuyler Prouty,
17 17
Dennis O'Heron,
35 00
Joseph Valley,
9 08
Wm. H. Barr,
24 49
Geo. W. Leadbetter,
6 67
Dennis Gleason,
4 33
Thomas Bond,
40 92
John B. Wells,
1 00
S. Prouty & Son,
1 50
$1540 62
BREAKING ROADS.
Paid Merrill Chickering,
$7 75
Michael Loughman,
30 99
Benjamin Allen,
11 00
Henry D. Rice,
10 33
Daniel Spooner,
8 33
Daniel McCarthy,
5 16
Richard Cody,
14 02
Era C. Dudley,
23 58
Edward Mellen,
9 41
Joseph Miles,
18 00
Michael Leary,
3 50
Edwin J. Miles,
6 16
Henry Moore,
7 16
Edward F. Preston,
1 00
Charles G Pratt,
4 33
Elijah Goulding,
10 49
Walter C. Boyce,
17 67
Fred. S. Hunt,
10 75
Levi H. Stearns,
3 98
James M. Taylor,
23 50
Henry A. Kennon,
16 71
Elijah Goulding,
15 16
Cyrus P. Bullard,
6 67
Wm. D. Hatch,
1 83
John D Clair,
18 16
Richard Cody,
11 66
Lawson S. Brigham,
15 49
John B. Wells,
4 78
H. E. Wheeler,
8 48
Aiden H. Miles,
5 17
Joseph M. Moulton,
1 67
Joseph Davis,
19 32
11
Paid Rufus B. Miles,
6 66
Edwin J. Miles,
12 83
John W. Munroe,
6 75
John N. Sargent,
30 50
Moses B. Allen,
6 59
Stephen P. Allen,
5 52
Alonzo Davis,
1 50
Timothy Lyman,
1 21
Ivory Wales,
7 33
Merrill Chickering,
9 92
James Hunter,
9 83
Daniel R. Wheeler,
11 16
Nathan T. Rogers,
1 83
Elbridge Acker,
1 83
Joseph Miles,
17 32
H. N. Bemis,
75
Geo. P. Woodis,
1 79
Chas. R. Bartlett,
2 33
Dennis O'Herron,
8 50
Joseph Valley,
1 75
Wm. H. Barr,
7 49
Geo. W. Leadbetter,
5 45
Cha's E. Read,
2 32
Dennis Gleason,
5 83
J. B. Wells,
2 33
J. M. Skinner,
82
523 84
STATE AID.
Paid M. J. Kennon, 8 38
Willard S. Woodis,
265 35
Roswell Bemis,
84 00
$357 73
Paid Orders School Committee,
$2317 73
Paid Orders Overseers of Poor,
$759 33
EXPENSES ON TOWN HALL.
Paid E. Demond & Co., paint,
$37 17
E. Muzzy, labor,
16 67
L. A. Baker, labor,
14 75
M. R. Moulton,
6 50
$75 09
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid E. H. Tripp, for printing, $30 00
M. McClellan, lamps for Town hall, 8 50
E. Demond & Co., exp. for flag, flannel, &c. 3 06
F. R. Foster, money paid, 25
E. H. Tripp, printing, 25 00
12
Paid Wm. Brown, road scraper,
100 00
Michael Loughman, gravel,
5 80
Richard Cody, R. R. bridge,
36 19
Henry D. Rice, railing,
7 30
Peter O'Connor, rep. scraper,
2 00
Abel Baker, ringing bell,
23 00
Edwin J. Miles, bridge plank,
5 87
Stationery for Assessors,
1 08
B. W. Potter, on McGrath case,
5 00
Geo. A. Putnam, making bier,
3 40
Cha's R. Bartlett, gravel,
46 35
J. M. Taylor, repairing bank wall, &c.
25 00
Moses B. Allen, monuments,
5 00
Ivory Wales, bridge,
35 83
Abel Baker, bell ringing,
23 00
D. F. Smith, rep. hearse,
1 25
Town of Barre,
75
Stationery for Selectmen,
1 50
$395 13
RECAPITULATION.
Paid Town Clerk,
$28 36
Selectmen,
86 00
Assessors,
88 00
Overseers,
45 25
School Committee,
145 50
Collector and Treasurer,
35 00
Constable,
12 00
Sextons,
29 25
Librarian,
52 00
Repairing roads,
1540 62
Breaking roads,
523 84
State aid,
357 73
Schools,
2317 73
Overseers' orders,
759 33
Town Hall,
75 09
Incidentals,
395 13
Making 216 Orders, amounting to
$6490 84
PRESENT LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
State Mutual Life Assurance Company's note and interest, $6,110 00
Worcester County Savings Bank note and interest,
15,275 00
-- - $21,385 CO
13
RESOURCES.
250 shares Mass. Central R. R. stock
State aid due from state
$210 25
Due from Mass. Central R. R. Company,
76 95
In hands of treasurer,
3,965 35
In hands of town hall janitor,
5 41
4,257 96
Balance against the town of
$17,127 04
GUIDE POSTS.
In obedience to the laws of the Commonwealth, we report in re- gard to guide posts, that they are erected in the following places: One at the junction of the road leading from Barre to Paxton, at West Rutland. One near Era C. Dudley's. One near Miles Hol- den's. One near Centre Post Office. One near the new hotel. One near D. W. Fletcher's. One near Walter H. Bartlett's. One near Benj. Allen's. One near Alfred Hatstatt's. One near No. 1 school house. One near Johu C. Greenleaf's. One near D. R. Wheeler's. One near the Moses B. Smith place. One near the New Boston Mill. One near Erastus Dean's. One near Charles E. Ried's. One near Daniel Nihin's, and one near Charles R. Bartlett's.
Respectfully submitted,
M. R. MOULTON, Selectmen F. G. BARTLETT, of
GEO. B. MUNROE, Rutland.
14
The following Births, Marriages and Deaths were recorded for 1883.
BIRTHS.
NAMES.
PARENTS.
DATE OF BIRTH.
Walter Edwin,
Edwin J. and Carrie H. Miles,
Jan. 10, 1883 66
Joseph William,
Peter and Mary E. O'Connor, Rev. George S. and Laura M. Dodge,
66
22, 66
Mary Emily,
Henry C. and Harriet M. W. Bliss, 66
66
66
Frank,s
Joseph and Mary Jane Lavuelette,
9.
Charlei Allen,
Elmer B. and Sarah A. Wood,
66
19,
John W lliam,
Owen and Catharine McGann,
66
28,
66
Walter Emerson,
George W. and Addie L. Handy,
March 9, 66
Be ssie Lenora,
George W. and Lizzie T Pierce,
May 2,
Harrold Munroe,
J'me 13,
George Roswell,
Aug. 16,
Walter Engene,
" 18,
Frank Wilbur,
Sept. 5,
Ernest Anelious,
Anelious O. and Minnie C. Chickering,
66
25.
George Ethelbert, John,
Daniel and Margaret Nihin,
Nov. 2,
66
Robert Davis,
Walter A. and Jennie F. Hunter,
Dec. 25,
66
MARRIAGES.
April 10, 1883. William Henry Hammond and Clara A. Sargent, both of Rutland. 64 15, Anelious O. Chickering of Rutland and Minnie C. Cummings of Paxton.
May 13, 66 Daniel W. Leary and Mary Gleason, both of Rutland.
29, 66
John Greenwood of Hardwick and Lillie J. Taylor of Rutland.
June 2, 66
David Hallowell and Harriet S. Henry, both of Oakham .
" 23, 66 George F. Hastings and Betsey M. Walker, both of Spencer.
Sept. 3,
Milford A. Page and Abbie A. Hayden, both of Worcester
Nov. 21, 66
Arthur J. Osborne of West Springfield and Mary F. Demond of Rutland.
DEATHS.
Jan. 8, 1883, Frances Elmer Strong,
Aged 2 years, 3 mos. 15 days.
66
11, Mrs. Mary L. Kennen,
64
66
22
6.
66 13, 66 Menzies R. Moulton, 2d,
22
66
3
14
6
66
66
9
66 16
66 26,
66 Mrs. Eliza Stone,
66
81
66
28
66
Feb. 1, 66
Walter E. Miles,
21
66
66 28,
66 Marrion E. Bliss,
19
Mar. 18, 66
Alfred T. Pollard,
62
66
6 17
66
66 18,
66 Rev. Timothy Lyman, (died at Southwest Harbor, Me.)
78
66
7
2
66
66
2
66
66
25
June 8, Mrs. Jane Moore,
56
66
9
24
66 25, 60
Joseph J. Johnson,
66
6
66
25
44 28, 66 Bartholomew Greene,
86
66
66
25 5
30, 66
Benjamin K. Higgins,
66
5
10
17 66
Nov.28, 66 Hiram V. Moulton,
·
66
55
4
28
6
The following named persons, mostly former residents of Rutland, were brought into town and buried :
Feb. 16, 1883, Paul Johnson, died at Holden,
Aged 27 years, 9 mos. .6 66
60
6 days.
25,
66 60 Mrs. Catharine W. Gibbs, died at Leicester,
66
60
66
Apr. 21, 66 S. Nelson Stone, died at Auburndale,
66
32
11
66 27 66
Aug. 14, 14, 66
66 David Orr, died at Holden,
66
1
2
66
25, Mrs. Alice M. Bemis, died at Coldbrook Springs,
66
27
11
66
16 66
Dec. 25, Mrs. Martha C. Meade, died at Norton,
66
53
66
10
11
66
66
“4 30, Otis Demond,
Apr. 9, 66 Walter E. Handy,
25
May 1, 66 Charles A. Wood,
66
43
10
66
66
5
66 21,
66 Charles G. Pratt,
66
5
66
2
60
Ang. 5, 66 Solomon Chickering,
77
66
66
66
78
66
11
66
66
66
66
25. 66 Mrs. Nancy C. Stone, died at Worcester,
66
72
66
66 11 6.
66
66
Frankl n James,
Myron J. and Helen E. Kennen,
66
Jennie May,
Walter H. and S. Frances Bartlett, Albert D. and Mary Jane Roper, Herman N. and Emma A. Bemis, E. Eugene and Emma J. Stone, Cyrus P. and Betsey E. Bullard,
. . 21,
Margaret,
Dennis and Margaret O'Herron,
Dennis A. and Lydia G. Smith,
27, 66
66 66 25, Mrs. Alzina L. Hadley,
27
66
63
66
66
12
“ 31, 66 Richman H. Potter,
66
66
63
July 22, 66 Bertha L. Aldrich,
Sept. 4, 66 Mrs. Chloe B. Smith,
66
66
66
GEORGE A. PUTNAM, TOWN CLERK.
17,
Laura Louise,
Feb. 9,
Marrion Elizabeth,
26,
66
.. 24,
66
19, Abbie Wheeler, died at Winslow, Ark.,
9 10
66
15
Report of the School Committee.
FELLOW CITIZENS :
The rapid flight of time has once more brought us to the com- pletion of our school year ; and as far as possible, in the brief space allowed us, we place its record before you.
We are glad to report that our schools have all completed the terms assigned them ; and this brings us to the first point to which we wish to call your attention. Our winter schools, so called, were all under way by the first Monday of November, some of them the first of October. By this means, we were enabled to complete the twelve weeks required, before the drifting snows and blockaded roads, which often fall to our lot the latter part of the winter, and which, if they find our schools in session, render them of but little value, are upon us. As it was, our children were attending school when the weather permitted of punctual atttendance, and was most favorable for all school work. Now taking it for granted that we all agree that school work is the most important and valuable of any which our children can do, why not let them have the benefit of these golden months for study ?
We believe that our winter schools should all begin by the first of November; and that if it was understood that they would so begin, the home work could be so planned and executed that any conflict with school duties would be avoided.
The number of schools in town the present year is eleven, and the number of different teachers employed, seventeen. Four have taught for the year, twelve are home teachers, and all but four have had previous experience. The number of scholars enrolled in the school registers is two hundred and thirty-seven. Fifty are over fifteen, and two are under five years of age. Eight are non-resi- dents. The number of minors in town between the years of five and fifteen, as reported by the assessors, May 1st, 1883 was one hundred and eighty-nine.
We have had two terms of school in the centre of the town, ostensibly for the benefit of the more advanced scholars; but inci- dentally they have been of great benefit to the younger ones, in all
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the schools from which its pupils have been drafted. It is not the number of pupils, but the number of classes which we find in some of our schools that prevent teachers from working to the best ad- vantage. Sometimes the taking of one or two pupils from a school will lessen the number of classes by six or eight, and this time spent with the younger pupils proves of great benefit to them.
Your committee were fortunate enough to secure, for the high school, the services of Mr. William A. Francis, of Fall River, a graduate from Brown University, and as the result, proved well qualified to direct the school. Under his charge, the school took a high standard of thoroughness and practical development. In the fourth week of the winter term he was called to a position in the high school of Concord, Mass., and his successor, Mr. J. N. Eno. while bringing ability and fidelity to the position, and in the face of much adverse criticism, gave a care and anxious thought, both in and out of school, for the welfare and advancement of his pupils, which your committe appreciate and thank him for, yet failed to hold the school to its high standard.
We regard it of high value to the town that at least a fall term of school for advanced scholars, be sustained.
Our teachers are largely drawn from home sources; most of them are unable to obtain other education than our home schools afford ; it is therefore certainly for our interests that these advantages be made as liberal as possible.
We report that our common schools have, with two or three ex- ceptions, been satisfactory, and as successful as we had reason to expect. The non-attendance of pupils in some schools has been trying to the teacher's patience, and materially lessened the value of the school.
We ask your inore cordial co-operation with teacher and com- mittee, to lessen this evil. The first secretary of the Board of Ed- ucation, said in his first report, forty-five years ago : "That the object of the common school system of Massachusetts, was to give to every child in the commonwealth, a free, straight, solid pathway, by which he could walk directly up from the ignorance of an in- fant, to a knowledge of the primary duties of a man, and could ac- quire a power and an invincible will to discharge them."
He had an abiding faith that the schools would improve, and that the people would keep them well abreast of the progress and pros- perity of the commonwealth.
Shall we make an effort to do this ?
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We have appealed to you in behalf of our teachers, and we now desire to say a few words to them, and to those who hope soon to be in the work.
Do you realize the importance of your calling, and have you fitted, or are you fitting yourself for it ?
The teacher is called to fill the parents place in the guidance of the young and pliant minds around them.
The trite old saying :
" "Tis education shapes the common mind ;
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined,"
should be in every teacher's thought as they guide these minds from day to day. The child is the prepared clay for the moulder's hand ; that hand is the teacher's. How important that careful skill should be possessed by one whose office is so great. Geology tells us of the change from clay to rock. The change from child to man is much the same, and as the master hands be few which can fashion the beautiful statute from the shapeless rock, so the work which the teacher should do with the pliant child can be only done by the few master minds, with the habit-bound man.
The good teacher needs large patience, kindness, firmness, and a power to read the character of the pupils around her. She needs to look far beyond the limits of the text book and be so familiar with the daily affairs of the world that a practical, helpful knowl- edge will be impressed on the pupil. The day of routine has gone by. To win success, the teacher must be able to lift the daily task from its, to the child, dry surroundings and invest it with an interest which makes the task a pleasure. Some teachers seem to think that the six hours' school-room work is all they are hired and paid for doing. This is a mistake. The welfare of the school should always be the teachers' first thought, and no teacher, how- ever well educated, can work to the best advantage unless all the lessons for each day are carefully prepared in advance.
Teachers are required to care for the moral and physical welfare of their pupils, equally with the mental, and often this care is the hardest part of the teacher's work. Finally, the teacher's calling is so full of responsibility that no one should enter it who is not ready and able to work patiently and faithfully to advance the standard of education, and strive to develope the qualities in those under their care which shall go to make up the true and noble man or woman.
Chapter 44, section 15, of the General Statutes, says : " It shall be the duty of all instructors of youth, to exert their best endeavors
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to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety and justice and a sacred regard to truth, love of their country, humanity, and univer- sal benevolence, sobriety, industry, and frugality, chastity; modera- tion and temperance, and those other virtues which are the orna- ment of human society and the basis upon which a republican constitu- tion is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to endeavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the above mentioned virtues to preserve and perfect a republican constitution, and secure the blessings of liberty as well as to promote their future happiness, and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices."
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