USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1856 > Part 2
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5 12
Alfred Tirrell, 66
11 00
E. Wright, 66
11 00
Alvah Raymond, 66 and other produce,
5 82
Dr. Q. N. Tirrell, for hay, .
6 00
George Bates, for produce,
. 00
Wm. W. Raymond,
50
James Binney, for boarding his child, 2 00
66 for labor on the highway, 23 95
Miss Leavitt, for her board,
21 00
$247 05
23
Support of Poor out of the House.
Paid City of New Bedford, for Martha Flint and family, $17 80
66
. Salem, for Mrs. Tirrell and family, 28 50
66
66 Boston, for Priscilla Norris, 500
66 66
66 for Mary Bates, 11 51
66
66 for Sarah Pittee, . ·
3 25
66
66
66 for Henry C. Bates, at State Luna- tic Hospitals, . 215 30
" Town of S. Scituate, for Mrs. Severace Richards and children, . 45 50
" Town of Braintree, for Widow Wm. Pratt, . 14 00
" Town of Plympton, for Mrs. Horace W. Thayer and children, . 5 00
" R. S. Farington, for David Binney, in House of Correction, 30 00
" Isaac Burrell, for family of Severace Richards, 3 07
" Decon E. Bates, for Esther Bates, at State, Lunatic Hospital, 91 00
" Dr. Choate, for H. B. Joyce, at State Lunatic Hos- pital, 99 44 Dr. Fifield, for Mr. Wheeler, medical attendance, 7 50
66 for Lois Nash, 66 5 25
66 Dr. A. How, for Andrew Bates, “ 66 24 25 ·
66 for Mrs. Severace Richards, 66 36 00
. 66 66 for Michael Donahue, 66 25 00 .
66 John O. Foy, for building a cage for confinement, 10 00
" I. L. Blanchard, for John B. Gray, for coal, . 3 75
" I. L. Blanchard, and others, for Mrs. Harding, for support, . 34 37
66 Samuel Curtis, for Lois Nash, 66 25
66 for Ezra Bicknell and family, 39 36
66 for Widow Quincy Hunt and family, 39 00
66 Town orders, for Widow Mary Bates, . 26 00
66 66 for Widow Ephraim Pratt, 26 00
66 Roswell Trufant, for Eben'r Pool, and his daughter
Eliza, 55 25
Mr. Jackson, for Mrs. McPherson and family, 47 50
66 66. . for Mrs. Hollowell, for support, 22 12
66 for J. A. Dailey, wood and groceries, 12 50
66
24
Paid Mr. Jackson, for Otis Blanchard, for coal, $14 50
for James Binney's family, · 2 00 · " J. A. E. Loud, for M. Donahue, (foreigner, ) expense in sickness, 63 00
" Expense in last sickness of William O'Connell, (foreigner), 31 27
$1,160 24
Amount charged to the State, for support of foreigners,
69 86
Net support of poor, out of the house,
$1,090 38
Overseers of the Poor.
Paid Alvah Raymond, services, and money by him paid, $55 71
" Elias Hunt, 20 56
" Thomas J. Nash, 66 12 00
$88 27
RECAPITULATION.
Cost of supporting the poor, out of the house, $1,090 38
Cost of supporting the poor, in the house, . 1,883 70
$2,974 08
Deduct for use of Town Farm, . 300 00
$2,674 08
C
25
Paupers in the Almshouse from Feb. 1, 1856, to Feb. 1, 1857.
Date.
Names.
Age.
Discharged.
Died.
Weeks Dys.
1856.
Feb.
1.
Silence Nash, .
76
Dec. 12, 1856,
45
66
1,
Betsey Overy,
74
52
1
1.
Deborah Pratt,
59
52
1
1.
Polly Torrey, .
62
May 1, 1856,
13
1.
Elizabeth Tirrell,
37
52
1
1.
Rosamond S. Pratt,
19
52
1
1,
Rosetta L. Thayer,
8
June 27, 1856,
21
29
6
1,
Angaline Rosey,
5
52
1
1
Ezra Blanchard,
87
Jan. 9, 1857,
49
1
1,
James Richards, .
78
52
1
1
Benjamin Torrey,
60
May 1, 1856,
13
1,
Samuel Badlam, .
52
52
1
1,
Edmond Tirrell, .
40
52
1
66
1,
Flavius J. Hayden,
25
52
1
66
1,
Alexander B. Rosey,
30
52
1
66
1
Henry W. Rosey,
4
52
1
July
1.
Benjamin Dyer,
37
Mar. 12, 1856, Oct. 26, 1856,
11
3
28.
Louisa Dyer, .
33
22
3
66
28.
Harriet W. Dyer,
10
22
3
28,
Susan J. Dyer,
6
22
3
66
28.
Elmira Dyer,
4
22
3
28.
Dezire Dyer,
2
22
3
May
10,
Mary Binney,
27
3
6
10,
Catherine E. Binney,
2
June 6, 1856,
3
6
10,
Mary F. Binney,
1
June 6, 1856,
3
6
Sept. 66
13,
Joseph W. Richards,
3
20
1
Oct.
14,
Mary Binney, .
1
Oct. 26, 1856,
1
5
Nov.
6,
Mary Thayer, .
32
12
3
66
6,
Hiram Thayer,
9
12
3
6,
Sarah A. Thayer,
6
12
3
Dec.
15,
David Bates, .
14
6
6
1857
Jan.
31,
Jeremiah Stetson,
79
1
1
66
29,
Mary Holowell,
77
2
1.
Julia A. Thayer, .
7
Aug. 27, 1856,
1,
Mary F. Rosey,
22
52
1
Err Cushing, .
72
52
1
August 7,
Benjamin Dyer,
37
28,
Louisa A. Dyer,
11
22
13.
Sylindia Richards,
27
20
1
13,
Anna F. Richards,
1
20
1
June 6, 1856,
1
5
1,
3
26
Inventory of Stock, Wood, Hay, Coal, Provisions, &c., February 1, 1857.
5 Cows, .
$225 00 ·
1 Horse Sled, . $5 00
1 Heifer,
30 00
1 Horse Harrow,
· 10 00
1 Horse,
115 00
Carpenters' Tools,
1 00
5 Swine,
45 00
3 Ladders,
4 00
2 yearling Heifers, .
24 00
Lantern,
75
9 Chains,
6 00
Saddle and Bridle,
1 25
1 Ox-Cart body,
2 00
Hay Chopper,
1 50
1 Horse Cart,
34 00
Ice Chest, .
6 00
1 Horse Wagon,
8 00
Patent Balances, .
25 00
1 Hay Wagon,
27 00
Winnowing Machine, . 10 00
1 Harness,
23 25
700 lbs. Salt Pork,
84 00
1 Harness Draft,
16 00
300 lbs. Salt Beef,
30 00
1 Harness Draft,
2 00
150 lbs. Salt Hams,
18 00
i Roller,
5 00
80 lbs. Lard, 10 00
1 Drag, .
2 00
Parsnips, 1 00
Scythes and Snaths, 6 00
75 bushels Potatoes,
67 50
8 Forks,
4 00
1} ton Carrots,
16 00
6 Rakes,
1 50
8 bushels Beets,
4 00
1 Ox Yoke, 5 00
1 bushel Onions,
*$ 80
6 Manure Forks, .
4 00
1 bushel Beans,
4 50
2 Manure Rollers, 2 00
& barrel Flour,
6 75
3 Garden Forks, 4 50
2 lbs. Tea, .
1 00
6 Hoes, .
2 00
Crackers, .
1 50
2 Hoes, narrow,
1 00
25 lbs. Coffee, .
2 75
1 Scraper,
2 00
45 gallons Vinegar, .
6 30
1 pair Horse Fetters,
1 00
3 gallons Molasses, .
1 50
Ox Chains, .
62
3 bushels Meal,
2 70
Halter Blankets, &c.,
1 50
1 bushel Rye,
1 00
Lot of Posts and Rails,
25 00
20 1bs. Butter, .
5 20
Grain Chest,
6 00
16 bushels Barley,
16 00
Cart Saddle, .
2 50
200 lbs. Salt Fish,
6 00
72 lbs. Hard Soap,
4 50
2 Axes, .
1 50
5 Hatchets,
1 00
1 Bush Hook,
3 00
Lot of Manure,
300 00
Iron Square,
5 00
3} do. in the Woods, Lot of Standing Wood,
33 00
Hay Poles, .
1 00
4 tons Hard Coal, .
34 00
1 Grind Stone,
4 50
9 tons English Hay,
180 00
2 Hand Hammers, . 1 50
2 tons Salt & Fresh Hay,
20 00
Tackle and Runner,
4 50
1 ton Bedding,
7 00
Hay Rope and Wheel- barrow,
4 50
Outstanding Bills, 24 62
3 Ploughs,
14 00
$1,757 99
4
3 00
10 New Baskets,
3 00
14 Dunghill Fowls, .
7 00
3 Turkeys,
.
3 50
4 Cords Firewood, . ·
27 00
£ Shovels,
3 00
1 barrel Soft Soap, Grease and Ashes,
4 00
. 4 Saws and Wood Horses, Beetle and Wedges, . Stone Tools,
2 50
3 00
8 00
4 00
4 Iron Bars, .
·
.
ALVAH RAYMOND, ELIAS HUNT,
Overseers of the Poor.
THOMAS J. NASH,
50 00
50 bushels Corn,
12 25
Seed Sower,
25
27
1
STATISTICS
FURNISHED BY THE TOWN CLERK.
Marriages Solemnized in Weymouth, in the year 1856.
Jan. 1, Osborn Pratt and Georgeanna Arnold.
66 10, Robert Weymouth and Matilda Fogg.
66 17, George O. Paine and Lydia Derby.
66 17, William Dyer and Lizzie Paine.
66 24, James L. Bates and Mary J. Hersey.
66 30, Andrew Hopkins and Abby M. L. King. March 12, Lorenzo Goodwin and Mary L. Pratt.
12, Charles H. White and Melvina D. Spear,
66 16, Gilbert M. Shaw and Emily F. Shaw.
66 30, Benjamin R. Dean and Susan E. Pratt.
April 8, George W. Young and Emeline S. White.
9, John Chambers and Josephine B. Shaw.
23, John T. Ayres and Mary A. Murray.
24, Joseph Clapp, 2d, and Lucinda W. Shaw.
May 1, Hiram E. Abbott and Esther H. Johnson.
13, Doct. William C. B. Fifield and Emily A. Porter,
14, Albert B. Spear and Amanda J. Bicknell.
66 15, Rodolphus Pratt and Adeline Phillips.
66 18, Lindley M. Dean and Sylvinia N. Thomson.
66 18, E. A. Holbrook and Mary Armstrong.
66 21, Jacob T. Dizer and Mary E. White. /
22, Christopher Wise and Caroline W. Binney.
66 31, William A. Studley and Helen A. Hollum.
June 1, Samuel R. Stoddard and Susan A. Clapp.
66 14, Thaddeus M. Graves and Almira L. Belcher.
66 15, Eli L. Haskins and Cordelia Bates, -
66 15, Jacob P. Loud and Susan T. Thayer.
17, Horace M. Makepeace and Mary J. Parker.
66 24, Ward C. Dean and Mary Hanes.
66 28, Henry T. Wade and Ann Ayres.
28, Daniel W. Ayres and Thankful McPheters.
July 3, Syms G. Buker and Mary Ann Spear.
24, Charles E. Gay and Ann Levina Pool.+
Aug. 17, Jeremiah Holbrook and Jane T. Hunt. " 24, Joshua Randall and Lydia Bicknell. +
28
Sept. 8, Anson Hicks and Lucinda A. Damon.
19, John F. Bates and Helen Tirrell.
27, Henry A. Brooks and Fanny M. Daniels.
Oct. 1, Francis Washburn and Almera W. Pratt.
. .. 2, Hiram E. Raymond and Nancy H. Fisher.
66 8, Nehemiah E. Hunt and Charlotte Lewis.
66 11, Benjamin T. Dowse and Susan T. Loud.
66 19, Hiram L. Higgins and Lucretia A. Drake.
66 28, Carlos Osborn and Hannah McGill.
Nov. 2, Zebulon Dean and Olive Augusta Loud.
66 10, James W. French and Elizabeth Howes. -
66 23, James King Tuttle and Henrietta Simson. -
23, Jacob P. Bates and Celia M. Brooks.
66 27, Francis B. Pratt and Lavina A. Nash ._.
66 30, William S. Collier and Sarah E. Pratt.
66 30, Cornelius T. Robbins and Mary C. Loud.
13, Silas H. Murdock and Sarah W. Perkins.
Dec. 10, Enoch Coffin and Sarah J. Blanchard.
13, Joseph B. Rogers and Jennie Blanchard.
25, Stephen Burrell and Abigail Orr. -
29
Deaths in the Town of Weymouth, in the year 1856.
Date.
NAMES.
Years.
Months. Days.
January 9,
Silas Reed,
66
10
26
66
11,
Margaret Raymond,
76
6
66
13,
Deborah Vining, .
91
66
17,
Josiah T. Paine, .
1
11
23
18,
Lucy Ann Taylor,-
16
2
1
February 2,
Albert H. Lovell, .
-
10
4
66
9.
Mehitable Marden, -
55
11
22
66
12,
An unknown man, found frozen, about
45
66
16,
Ada F. Mitchell,
"
19,
Mehitable Marden, -
March
-
Julia Barnes,
36
4
24
66
15,
Harriet Alline,
55
66
18,
Warren Porter,-
31
8
15
66
21,
Salome Robbins,
46
5
14
66
26,
Charles Bates,-
72
8
23
66
28,
Anna G. Peirce,
8
121 2 -
66
15,
Harriet N. Holbrook,
28
8
16
66
6,
Ancella Burrell, -
25
11
11
June
7,
William Connell, .
30
-
1
66
19,
Laurana C. Osborne,
17
10
8
66
21
Philip Cullen,
3
4
7
66
24,
Francis L. Torrey,
1
1
16
66
27,
July
Robert Curtis,
40
66
2.
Deborah Cheesman,
65
3.
Delia A. Hawes,
32
11
10
66
7.
James K. Pratt,
35
8
25
66
7.
Cibby F. McGill, .
1
10
7
66
17,
Hannah A. Pool, .
3
10
66
20,
Henry Harrington,-
21
4
12
66
21,
22
11
25
August 2.
66
5,
66
18,
Eliza Keay,
1
8
7
66
29,
John Smith, -
37
11
11
Sept.
2.
66
5,
Herbert G. Rogers,
1
2
66
6,
Henry W. Richards,
76
10
27
66
18,
Elizabeth McGreeth,
53
66
26,
Allen P. Young, .
1
5
-
66
26,
Rosanna Dempsey, John B. Dempsey,
1
5
19
October
7,
Charlotte W. Burrell, -.
22
2
1
66
9,
Elizabeth Grady, . Dwight F. Litchfield,
1
11
1
66
9.
2
1
66
11,
Channey Williams,
-
2
11
5
3
10,
Thomas White,
9
18
20,
Bridget Touhil, .
1
-
66
26,
Francis Sylvester, .
16
30
3
7
2
6
66
29,
Peter Curr, .
12,
Patrick Conerly,
48
3
66
12,
Mary Pine, . Ellen Ready,
34
May
5,
Edward Thomas, .
32
66
20,
April
6,
Lorenzo Goodwin,
66
7,
66
11,
Arthur M. Dizer, .-
7
-
5
-
15
3
-
41
10,
Mary A. Pratt,
19,
William F Merchant, -.
William F. Orcutt,
4
29.
-
Susanna H. Hodgdon, . Josiah Stoddard, .
28,
Mary Lovell Bicknell, -.
James Q. Bicknell, - Cloutman,
29
Francis A. U. Merchant,.
AGE.
30
Deaths in Weymouth-Continued.
AGE
Date.
NAMES.
Years.
Months.
Days.
October 15,
Henry W. Ritchie,
9
11
66
16,
Margaret N. Cain, "
1
1
5
66
18,
Ernest M: Pratt, .
4
3
66
22,
Franklin A. Vining,
1
10
1
66
26,
Emily F. Glover, .
66
28.
Mary E. Burrell,
47
2
-
Nov.
12,
Susanna Blanchard,
3
9
24
66
27,
Asa P. Holbrook, -
19
4
3
66
29,
Stephen Bicknell,? Betsey Lovell,
47
4
-
66
12,
Silence Nash,
76
-
66
14,
Matilda Hawes, -
20
3
10
66
19,
Josiah Tirrell,
65
5
10
66
21,
Betsey Loud,
55
1
13
66
25,
George T. Robbins,
5
10
-
RECAPITULATION.
Number of Marriages registered,
55
Born in United States, both parties,
52
Born in United States, one party,
3
Born in Foreign Countries, one party,
3
First Marriage, both parties,
42
First Marriage, one party, .
9
Second Marriage, both parties,
3
Third Marriage, one party, .
1
Average age of males,
26 years.
Average age of females,
21
The oldest male,
67
The oldest female,
59
19
The youngest female, .
16
Number of Births : males, 105 ; females, 97, Of Parents born in United States,
202
Of Parents both born in Foreign Countries, One Parent born in Foreign Countries,
15
Number of Deaths : males, 39; females, 43,
82
Born in United States,
77
Born in Foreign Countries,
5
Average age, a fraction over
25 years.
Average age of females,
27
"
Oldest male,
. 77 years, 10 mos., 13 days.
Oldest female,
91 years.
Youngest male, .
1 day.
Youngest female,
3 days.
-
8
66
23.
Susan T. Cushing,
77
10
13
78
1
16
Dec.
2,
66
2,
Lincoln Newton, .
Celinda Humphrey,
42
5
-
1
66
25,
Eliza H. Robbins,
7
9
-
18,
Michacl Gorman, .
46
2
15
21,
Mary A. Callahan,
-
8
18,
22,
Oliver F. Robbins,
4
.
Second Marriage, one party,
10
The youngest male,
Average age of males,
23
116
71
31
OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF WEYMOUTH,
FOR THE YEAR 1857.
Town Clerk. Richard Blanchard.
Treasurer.
Gilman Burrell.
Selectmen.
James Humphrey,
Noah Vining, Jr.,
Zachariah L. Bicknell.
Assessors.
Elbridge G. Hunt,
Henry A. Torrey,
Francis B. Bates.
Overseers of the Poor.
Alva Raymond,
James Tirrell, Lemuel Torrey.
Town School Committee.
John W. Loud,
Appleton Howe, Noah Vining, Jr. 6 4
Atherton N. Hunt,
Constables.
George W. White, Jr., Jacob N. Bates,
Henry Loud.
Prudential School Committee.
Capt. Cornelius Pratt, Lovel Q. Spear, Lemuel Humphrey, E. G. Hunt, Solon Vining,
John W. Bartlett,
John Shaw, Jr.,
E. Bates, Jr., Erie T. Joy,
Amos Tirrell, Roscius R. Walker,
B. F. Locke,
F. B. Pratt.
William White.
Surveyors of Highways.
David Lovell, Lemuel Humphrey,
William Coolidge,
David Hunt,
Joseph Orcutt,
Reuben Loud, Jr.,
Joseph Hawes, Ezra Pratt,
John S. Barrett, Ezra Reed, Jr.,
Sanford Hollis, Quincy Pool,
John R. H. Williams,
Sylvanus Bates.
Solomon Lovell, Alva Raymond, Jr., Jason Orcutt, Samuel Richards, John Shaw, Jr.,
E. S. Wright, Ziba Chessman, Edward Sinclair.
32
Surveyors of Wood, Lumber, and Bark.
E. S. Beals,
Henry Cushing, Francis H. Tilden, Reuben Loud, Allen Vining, Henry A. Torrey, Martin Derby, J. E. Wright, Henry Willis, B. F. Shaw, Roscius R. Walker, T. S. Jackson, John White,
J. E. Rice, Joseph B. Gardner, Jonathan Trufant,
Lott W. Bicknell, Robert B. Nash,
Cyrus Washburn,
Leonard Gardner,
B. F. White, Jason Pratt, J. Austin Rogers, W. H. Thomas,
Samuel Curtis,
Thomas Humphrey,
I. N. Hollis,
E. S. Wright, Minot Leonard,
Quincy L. Reed.
Field Drivers.
Joshua L. Torrey, W. Torrey,
Pierson Hayward, A. J. Thomas,
Henry Ritchie,
Reuben Loud, Jr., John Hollis,
Josiah J. Pool,
C. D. Pratt, Quincy Shaw, A. B. Loud,
Richmond Holbrook,
Allen Vining, W. Clapp,
Noah T. Joy,
Josiah Litchfield.
Fence Viewers.
Cottington Nash.
Fire Wards.
Warren W. Barker, B. D. Vining,
Asa Holbrook, Dr. A. Howe,
Pound Keeper.
Francis Tirrell.
Collector of Taxes.
Cotton Bates.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. Josiah Litchfield.
Weigher of Vessels. William Rice.
Tythingmen.
Isaac Lawrence, Lemuel Torrey, Deacon E. Bates, Deacon Richards,
M. C. Dizer, James Bullard, E. S. Beals, Francis H. Tilden,
Capt. J. Tirrell, B. F. White, Deacon J. Rice, Turner Torrey, Daniel Dyer.
Gilman Burrell,
Caleb Joy,
W. B. Hersey,
E. G. Colson,
Jotham Whitman,
J. V. Bates, I. N. Hollis, Jr.,
Abial Litchfield, Harvey Barnes, J. D. Pratt, Albert Loud,
Benjamin Burrell, Edwin C. Raymond, Albert Joyce, Nath'l Richards, 2d, Edward Cushing,
Thomas Humphrey,
Henry Cleverly, Capt. James Tirrell,
Benj. D. Vining, Warren Shaw, Sidney Tower, John O. Foye,
W. H. Reed, T. Willis, Cyrus Washburn,
W. Bicknell,
J. Q. Torrey, Jason Thayer, Henry Thomas,
W. Healey, Allen Thompson, Henry White, Samuel H. Smith, James Hancock,
E. Holbrook,
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WEYMOUTH, 1
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 9, 1857.
The School Committee of the town of Weymouth, for the year ending March 9, 1857, present their Report. In so doing they wish to furnish the town with a particular view of each school, showing how it has been governed and taught, and what has been the apparent success of each teacher :-
The Committee have desired, in preparing their report, to be impartial and faithful. To give to each teacher and to each school all the credit that truth and justice demand, and also to withhold no censure which will, in their judgment, serve to correct what- ever may have been wrong. We are fully aware that this report will essentially fail, as every one must, to set forth the full value of well governed and thoroughly taught schools.
We can only furnish a brief outline of each school, which may serve as a guide in forming your opinions of their present con- dition.
The Committee, in their labors, have found a wide difference in the condition of the schools, and also in the success which has attended them the past year. Some schools have fully answered their most sanguine expectations, while others have not.
The following particular observations pertaining to each school, growing out of the duties assigned your Committee, they would, present to the town for their respectful consideration :-
FIRST DISTRICT.
The schools in this district have been kept nine months-six in the Summer Term, three in the Winter. The Primary Depart- ment was first given in charge to Miss Mary R. Thomas, who com-
5
34
menced under favorable auspices ; but, unfortunately, her health and strength soon proving insufficient, she felt obliged to resign. Miss Goodale succeeded her without any interruption to the school, and prevailed in establishing respectable order. Though an inexperienced teacher, she exhibited some promising qualifica- tions, and was generally successful. The Committee, however, did not find evidence of so much progress in the scholars as was expected. The Grammar Department was taught by Miss Mar- garet A. Vining, who had already proved herself an eminently efficient and successful teacher. During this term, the school in . every respect surpassed the raised expectations of the Committee. Order reigned ; diligence and attention abounded ; the suggestions of the Committee were becomingly regarded ; the instruction was thorough, accurate, clear ; the time was faithfully improved ; and the closing examination received the unanimous commendation of the Committee present, as one of the first order.
Primary Department, Winter Term, was given to Miss Eunice Newhall. This school opened with fair promise, and for two or three weeks seemed to be doing well ; but owing to the crowded state of the room, (there being seventy odd scholars,) or to some other cause, the teacher appeared overburdened, disheartened, and unequal to the task assumed ; and the school, though respectable in its order, did not equal, in the evidence of improvement, the expectations of the Committee.
The Grammar Department was under the charge of Mr. James Eastwood, an undergraduate from Tufts' College. For some cause or causes, this school was not equal to the reasonable expectations of the Committee. The teacher seemed disposed to do the best in his power, and though lacking in system and thoroughness, he labored earnestly. But he was soon convinced that he could not secure satisfactory order ; and though aided by visits from several members of the Committee, the school continued in a state unfavorable to good progress. A spirit of insubordina- tion was evident during the term, and was not entirely suppressed during the closing examination. It ought to be impressed upon the minds of the pupils, that a becoming degree of courtesy and civilty should be cherished, as essential to their prosperity in school, as well as in common life; and one thing to be learned and practiced in school is good manners and a proper respect for law and authority.
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The Committee are happy to notice that measures have been taken to provide more ample accommodations by erecting a new school-house.
SECOND DISTRICT.
The school in this district, during the Summer Term, was under the care of Miss Eliza French, who fully satisfied the Committee, at their several visits, that she possessed talents of a high order for the great work of instructing the youth. She seemed to apprehend the difference between teaching lessons and educating the mind ; and with these convictions, applying herself with her usual fidelity, the school was constantly improving.
The government of the school was equable and uniform, not fitful and capricious. The scholars well knew upon what they might rely; and the rule being constant, they cheerfully acqui- esced. We believe the teacher who satisfies the district for two or three years is, in general, of more value as a teacher than ever. There is ordinarily a great difference between the success of one who takes up the work of teaching for a temporary purpose, and that of her who engages in it for a long period. A candid and impartial examination gave evidence that the scholars, in general, had well improved the advantages they enjoyed.
The Winter Term of this school was in charge of Mr. Joshua G. Hawkes. Mr. Hawkes could bring to his aid no experience in the important work assigned him ; and yet, ambitious of success, and untiring in his efforts, he succeeded better than was antici- pated. The management of the school was not entirely satisfac- tory. His mode of instruction did not come quite up to the average. At the examination in reading, several acquitted them- selves finely, while others failed in pronunciation, accent and animation. The class in history, and the first class in Greenleaf's Arithmetic, appeared well.
THIRD DISTRICT.
Primary Division .- This school, both Summer and Winter, was under the instruction of Miss Sarah E. Loud, and fully sus- tained its former reputation. The teacher exhibited much patience, fidelity and earnestness in her work; and at whatever time the
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Committee called upon the school, it appeared orderly and well taught.
The Commitee cannot forbear to say to parents and teachers, that the duties of a Primary School teacher are arduous, and the responsibilities are great. They peculiarly need the encourage- ment, and confidence, and sympathy of the parents, and of the community.
In the Primary Schools, instruction should be very simple and elementary. The small variety of subjects pursued in them, is supposed to be no more than is pleasing and profitable to the mind.
These teachers, therefore, should be ingenious, and so invent and vary their mode of instruction as to interest the pupils, and make the school-room attractive and pleasant.
Intermediate Department .- This school, during the Summer, was given in charge of Miss Abby L. Bates, a young lady of experience and ability. She conducted the school successfully, although the material of this school was somewhat heterogeneous. It uniformly appeared orderly, neat, and, in its general aspect, cheerful and happy. Miss Bates had the advantage of a previous acquaintance with this school, having taught it several successive terms.
And here the Committee would again express their conviction, that frequent changes of teachers are extremely injurious to the schools. Instead of losing a good teacher, we should endeavor, in the most certain manner, to secure the permanency and excite the ambition of the best in our employ.
A good teacher must herself be progressive, seeking out the best methods of teaching, enlarging her ideal of the noble art, and kindling a deeper love and purer enthusiasm in its prosecu- tion. At the close of this school, the Committee expressed their satisfaction, and bestowed upon it much praise.
During the past Winter, this school was under the instruction of Miss Nancy A. Tirrell. The order of the school was not at all times what the Committee could desire, or what is essential to entire success. Much allowance, however, should be made for the large number in attendance, and the coldness of the room. It is utterly impossible to bring a company of children into a happy and healthful state of discipline, or to keep them there, without the most vigilant attention to those innumerable little acts and ways which betray their disposition and tendencies.
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Miss Tirrell is an experienced teacher, a good scholar, amiable, patient, and devoted to her work. The Committee believe she labored earnestly to promote the highest interests of the pupils committed to her charge. The closing examination was very good, and was attended by a goodly number of interested parents and friends. Several classes might be spoken of as exhibiting particular excellence, while others were wanting in promptness and accuracy.
The Grammar Division, under the care' of Mrs. S. S. Marston, was not in all respects as successful as the Committee anticipated. One very serious and censurable evil which early appeared in this school, was the irregularity in the attendance of many of the pupils. We believe, had the parents more fully sympathized with, and sustained, the teacher, the school would have exhibited more that was praiseworthy and commendable. The few that remained until the close of the school, gave evidence of marked proficiency. The closing exercises were highly creditable to the teacher and pupils.
During the Winter, this school was taught by Mr. Ira W. Bragg, a gentleman of experience, and acknowledged popularity as a skilful and efficient teacher. He possessed an active tempera- ment, which gave to his performance a due degree of animation, and imparted that vivacity of mind which is so desirable in the school-room. And his good knowledge of human nature enabled him to adapt his instruction and mode of government to the capacities and peculiarities of all his pupils. ' He had a clear conception of what he ought to expect of his scholars, and, had he exercised a little more firmness, and allowed none to violate his requirements, the interests of the school would have been still further promoted. So much familiarity between teacher and pupil, is not well. A single glance was sufficient to satisfy the visitor that the relation between the pupil and teacher was one of mutual delight.
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