USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1848-1874 > Part 29
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Erysipelas,
4 12 Walter L. and Lucy V.
18. Augusta Cole,
Palsy,
81 6 24 Charles and Esther.
66 19. Irene Jellocs,
July 8. Catherine A. Jelloes, 9. Jolin McCarty,
10. Jennie N. Ballou,
12. Eugene C. Jelloes,
14. Lot Vinal.
15. Stephen Flaherty, 22. Mary J. Totman. 6: 25. Joseph II. Vinal,
YMD
57-14|Thomas and Sarah, died at Worcester.
72|1|21 Widow of Thomas T. Bailey.
C'ancer,
73| 9 10|Asa and Betty.
84 18 Widow of Asa Vinal.
50 3 27 Amiel and Celia.
Old Age
82 11 23 Levi and Patience,
86 10. 4 John and Elizabeth.
- James J. and Ellen M. died at Boston.
14. George T. Smith,
" Martha M. Vinal,
20. George IT. Cole, 26. Arthur N. Hayward,
April 3. Percy S. Brown', 4. William H. Kelton, 10. Melzar C. Jackson,
24. Celia Studley,
Old Age,
Discase of Kidney,
4 10 12 Nehemiah and Mary.
" 22. Julia T. Sanborn. June 10. Mary F. Totman, 66 14. Jennie M. Damon,
Erysipelas,
16 10 23 James T. and Louisa, died at Cohasset. 1 10 25 Geo. G. and Martha T. died at Boston.
55 2 14 Braddock and Betsey,
-11 23 Ward L. and Maria F.
44
Drowned, Scarlet Fever, 66 Consumption, Struck by Lightning, Infantile, Consumption.
25 - Michael and Mary.
6 3 2 Gco. W. and Miranda P.
3 11 15 Moses and Julia. 69 9 29 Levi and Patience.
19 6- Michael.
1 23 Jesse L. and Mary F. ,51-18 Joseph and Mercy, died at Medford.
Insanity, Disease of Liver,
Insanity,
Consumption.
Disease of Brain,
Scarlet Fever, 66
6- 12 Moses and Julia. 66 66 8 4 11 66
LIST OF DEATHS CONTINUED.
July 25. Emily S. Elliott, 27. Sarah Lovelock, 28. Eliza A. Bryant, 29. Winnefred C. Elliott, Aug. 9. Charles E. Spaulding, 11. Elizabeth Cotter, 19. Benjamin Brown, " Edward D. Ward, .. 21. Ernest W. Vinal, 23. Walter J. Harrub,
Typhoid Fever,
Consumption, Cholera Infantum, Serofula,
('holera Infantını, Dropsy of Chest, Dysentary, Cholera Infantum, 66
33| 2|25 Wife of George W. Elliott.
2|3|18 Robert C. Havey. 16 11 27 Charles H. and Maria W. 9 2 Geo. W. and Emily S.
3| 7 Charles A .. and Helen L. at Charlestown. 4 15 Carnes and Mary.
69 4 28 Benjamin and Anna.
1 3'Edward 2d and Ana
10 14 Levi and Mary B. 1 3 29 Walter S. and Clara F.
. . 27. Margaret Flynn,
6 " Unknown,
Sept. 7. Edgar C. Vinal, 11. Mary A. McClusky,
Burned to Deatlı,
3
1 25 Geo. O. and Emeline.
55
66 18. Arthur E. Ellms,
26. Unity Harken,
70
63 4
Cholera Infantum,
11|27 Thomas T. and Martha J.
Lung Fever,
1 12 John and Maryetta.
Diptheria,
8 5 23 Martin and Catherine. 25 10 28 Wife of Job E. Curtis.
Cancer,
Colie,
64 3|18 Simeon and Rachel.
Old Age,
70 10 15 Joseph and Lydia.
8. Charles Viual,
Disease of Brain,
75 4 5 William and Lucy.
9. Edward Drain,
Railroad Accident,
Cancer,
Diphtheria,
5 11
Dec. 10. Charles H. Livermore,
Scrofula, Consumption,
43
3 Widow of Geo. II. French.
Sudden,
48 Philip and Mary.
Cancer,
84 2 20 Eli and Deboralı.
JAMES L. MERRITT, Town Clerk,
45
Oct. 8. Joseph Forrester, 66 10. Hester A. Ellms, 15. Lora A. Syloa, 21. Margaret Burke, " Mary C. Curtis, 30. Thomas C. Bates,
Nov. 2. Lucretia Damon,
80| 7|8 Widow of John Damon.
4. Waterman Bailey,
Consumption, .
25 59 1 3 Wife of Elias S. Carr. Martin and Catherine.
19. Charlotte Carr, 20. Ellen Burke,
2 3 Geo. K. and Mary A. died at Boston. .
13. Henrietta A. French, " !John J. Gomer,
19. Eli Curtis,
80
Sudden, Suicide,
Cancer, Cholera Infantum,
11 5 Thomas T. and Martha J.
47
SCHOOL REPORT.
The School Committee submit the accompanying report of the Superintendent, to the citizens, with an earnest request, that they will carefully study the recommendations, so as to be enabled to act upon the subject understandingly, and with a proper degree of liberality.
And, in order to maintain the schools the ensuing year, they recommend an appropriation of $3,650, as the lowest amount necessary for the interest of education, whether any change is made in the system or not.
They also submit the annexed list of By-Laws for reference to the Superior Court.
J. O. COLE, Chairman
January 29th, 1872.
Gentlemen of the School Committee :-
It becomes my duty to present to you the annual report as Superintendent of Schools, in this town. It was with great reluctance I assumed a position of so great responsibility ; well knowing my inability to fill the station, in such manner as it should be filled. But, after repeated and earnest solicitation of some of your body, and the earnestly expressed wishes of many of my friends, I finally consented to attempt the super: intendence of your schools the past year. To fill the position, and do justice to the office requires more time than I had to
48
spare from other duties ; as at least one half one's time should be devoted to that duty, in order to meet the requirements of the office. I have spent one fourth of my time and feel I have very imperfectly done my duty. Having to the best of my abilities filled the office of Superintendent, it is with emotions of pleasure I am able to report the schools of the town, in a much more prosperous condition than could be reasonably anticipated under the present system. Owing to two of the spring term teachers leaving for better wages, and easier schools, a change of teachers was made, and in two of the schools from physical inability of the teachers, but little progress was made in the fall term in those schools. I congrat- ulate you as now having as good a corps of teachers taken as a whole, as can be found in any town in the state. They are earnest, hardworking, and have in a good degree been success- ful. Many of the scholars have made commendable progress in their studies, and all have made marked improvement in their deportment.
I have said your teachers were in some degree successful. One reason why more has not been accomplished, is the great number of classes, of necessity under our present system of schools, some teachers having from thirty to forty different classes to hear recitations from each day, and a person with common perception can at once see when is added to all this the time actually needed in assisting and advising in the preparation of the lessons for recitation, but little time could be devoted to each class. We should consider the farmer unwise, to say the least, if he should sow all kinds of grain in one field, promiscously, with the expectation of gathering a good crop from each ; and yet, it is expected of your teachers that they should reap grand harvests of learning, when in their limited fields, they are obliged to sow the seed of-knowledge broadcast, so many different kinds in one field, from that necessary for the mind of the infant of four years, to that of
49
the child of sixteen years of age. Some of our schools have suffered from that terrible scourge, scarlet fever. Many have been sick, some have died, more have staid away from school from fear of contagion. But, much as our schools have suffered from these causes, they have suffered still more from, as I believe, unnecessary absenteeism. I have noticed that this evil, so disheartening and withering in its influence on our schools, prevails to an alarming extent ; in some instances forty , and in most twenty-five per cent, of those children who have a legal right to attend, are absent, and by their absence the priceless benefits they might otherwise secure, are forever lost to them,-nor is the loss wholly confined to the absentee. Those who are more constantly present, suffer more or less, from being held in check that the less constant may overtake them in their lessons. Parents should never but from imperious necessity allow any of their children of proper age to be absent from the school-room, but see that they are all there in due season every day. If parents would but sce the great damage they are doing their children by keeping them from school so large a. portion of the time, I think this evil would be somewhat abated. Could they see as I have seen, the tears of humiliation bedew- ing the cheek of children because the teacher felt obliged to put them in a lower class, owing to their non-attendance, their class having so far outstripped them, that they could not overtake them, they would surely pause, and only from the most urgent. necessity would they keep them from school, and thus embitter their cup of happiness, and clog their way up the hill of know !- edge. If parents will not abate this pernicious evil, the town should put in force the "truant act." Let parents and guardians of children manifest a little more interest in teachers and schools by visiting the school-room, and I think the result would be happy. Such visits have a vast influence upon both teachers and pupils, and I am confident if the citizens of the town would manifest an equal interest in those employed to
7
50
teach their children, they do in those they employ on the farm, or in the workshop, our schools would be greatly improved. But such is not the rule ! They seldom, or never visit the school-room to see what is being done there, or whether the children are making improvement or not. A farmer or mechanic, having persons in their employ look after them, to see if the work is done in the best manner ; and yet, their money is expended for schools, the minds of their children are moulded, the seed of their future prosperity, or misery is sown, and but little or nothing, is known from personal inspection, whether it be for good or evil. Let a change for the better be made by our citizens, and let them take as much interest in the training of their children, and in the improvement of their minds, as they would in raising a calf or cabbage.
I have said you have a corps of good teachers: Let these teachers be well seconded by the parents and citizens generally, and the result will be to have good order and discipline in our schools, and greater advancement in education. But unless the teachers have the co-operation of parents, or at least their acquiesence, their best efforts must be crippled. The opposi- tion of parents they cannot withstand ; to govern both children and parents, is a task beyond their powers, especially if the parents, as in some instances, have never been governed but by their children. Let parents take the welfare of our schools to their hearts, and take heed that nothing be done by word or deed that shall injuriously affect the authority or influence of the teachers. Should they from their children or other source, hear unfavorable reports with regard to the teachers, they should be careful not to make a remark, or express an opinion at least till they have ascertained whether such reports are well or ill-founded. When children complain to their parents of punisement by their teachers, let them not take the part of the children and pass sentence against the teacher unheard. Such a decision is a great injustice to the teacher and of serious injury
51
to the child. By this course the teacher is robbed of the respect due her from the child, her influence for good is materially damaged, if not wholly destroyed, and the child sent to school with a charter for disobedience. Instead of taking this pernicious and unjust course, let the parents in such case see and confer with the teacher, and I think they will be satisfied in nearly all cases that the teacher is right and the child wrong. Parents are probably not aware how much they may injure, both teacher and pupil, by censuring the teacher, or making disparaging remarks respecting her in the hearing of children. They should on all occasions speak of, and treat her with all due consideration, as one who holds a high and responsible position, and a most interesting relation to their children. They should endeavor to impress on their minds respect for the teacher, and strict obedience to her orders. Let them remember that words are winged seed,-none can tell us when once they have gone forth what the harvest may be,-and endeavor to sow only good seed. Words lightly uttered and easily forgotton, may blight the prospects of some one for life, by setting aside the aid that might have promoted them. How great then the need to weigh the sincerity and truth of each expression !
It has been found impossible to carry out the course of instruction that was recommended last year, under the present classification of our primary schools; it was feared that the heavy shower, meant to nurture, would surcharge the tender flower. I firmly believe that the do deprecatory will accom- plish more than the must obligatory in most cases. It should be the aim of teachers, not on the one hand, to exhaust the energies, and so by consequence the sympathies also, by an overstraining ; and, on the other hand, not to leave the energies and sympathies running to waste ; but to direct them to relative and social as well as personal claims, must be one great secret of successful education. I would recommend the
52
use of oral instruction and object lessons, to a greater extent, that children's minds may grow and expand like flowers, assimulating all they receive with their being, and making the world around them the better for their presence, instead of an imprisonment of education, where they are built up like a tower, brick upon brick, of no use to any one until it is finished, and then looking down on all below it. Alas, for this house- building system of education ! When nature lays all the roots first, I would do the same ; but till then, I would look after the branches, flowers and fruit, and trust a little more for what is called the ground-work ! Minds must be trained like plants, in accordance with their nature, or instructors of childhood will find themselves outdone by the nurseryman and florist.
Teachers follow their vocation from one of two motives ; expediency or love. Expediency is a wide straggler over the face of the earth and cheats every follower it has. But when (persons follow) an aim from love, you will not easily find them swerving from it. If teachers follows their vocation from ove of it, their aims will be high, their instructions will flow on naturally, and there exist the fullest human hopes than can exist, of awakening in others a feeling of response. To have and to keep such teachers requires better pay than you have given the past year. As all the surrounding towns are paying more liberally than we have been, we lose our best and more experienced teachers, unless, as has been the case in some districts, the amount is made up by individual contributions. Is the town willing to have work of such vast importance, as training the minds of their children for time and eternity, always entrusted to apprentices? Yet such must be the case, unless experienced workmen are better or as well paid, as they are in neighboring towns. This town has sent out many good teachers who served their apprenticeship here, but when fully learned, the compensation was so much smaller than they could obtain elsewhere, they felt obliged to emigrate. It is very
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poor economy to be continually changing teachers, and more especially, when experienced ones are exchanged for those who are wholly untried. Let the town raise sufficient money to keep good teachers, instead of partially wasting their smaller amount on poorer ones. Be liberal in sowing financial seed, that you may reap a glorious harvest of education. Would that all might be impressed with the value of a good common school education. No business of equal moment comes before the town. Your roads and bridges and all your other town affairs, are of minor importance. Good common schools, frec of access to all, are an indespensable requisite to us ; without them, we cannot long remain a free and christian people. The religion of Jesus Christ could not live long among a people ignorant of letters. It would be broken down, and all free institutions with it. Education, physical, intellectual and moral is a far richer legacy to leave your children, than houses and lands, goods and chattels. The old axiom, that ignorance is the parent of poverty and vice, is self-evident; it therefore is more profitable in a pecuniary point of view, to spend your money for education, than to have it taken from you to support almshouses and houses of reformation.
A change should be made in our system of schools. Two grammar schools should be kept, ranking with our highest present school, in different sections of the town; one, say at Armory hall, and one at Conihasset hall, or in that vicinity. Each of these would be about equal distance from the centre and neither at an unreasonable one from the extremes. The buildings are already provided, and could receive all the scholars of the second grade, and fit them for admission to the Central school. Should the town consent to this improvement the schools would be divided into grades, so that a child may enter the primary department, and as he advances in knowl- edge, be promoted to a higher grade, till he enters the high school, where he may fit himself for any of the various
54
vocations of life. If you would have justice done to all your children, separate them, the small from the great, and let the larger scholars be free from the noise which the unavoidable motions of the little prisoners invariably oceasion. Separate them from the larger scholars and give them the necessary relaxation in school hours, and, instead of being tired of school and full of pains and aches, they will rejoice when the school hour arrives. This change will be of but little more expense than will be absolutely necessary under the present system, as, owing to the large number of children legally entitled to attend school, at the Harbor, one more school can hardly be avoided. .One ought, in reality, to have been established the past year. I think such a system would be vastly beneficial. It will act as a kind of stimulus to the scholars ; they seeing promotion in view would be more studious, having an object of interest ever before their minds,-that of entering the higher grade of school. But time and space will not admit of all the arguments that might be brought forward, in support of the incalculable benefits to be derived from a system of graded schools. Let the citizens of the town, impartially, candidly and carefully weigh the subject and act wisely.
The Central or ( High ) School, has been taught by Miss E. A. Briggs, and I think with marked success, although she has had to stem a strong tide of prejudice and opposition. Many opposed her from the start, because she was a female. It was thought none but male teacher's could govern the large boys. I have yet to learn that boys of an age to be considered almost young men, will not, from self-respect at least, be gallant enough to show proper respect to female teachers. Time has proved the fallacy of the argument against female teachers on the score of management ; and, notwithstanding the slanderous reports engendered, and circulated by grocery store coteries, Miss Briggs has steadily pursued her way, making good pro- gress in the various branches of learning, and arriving the
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nearest to perfection, in deportment, of any School in town, and I think unsurpassed by few, in any town. She has been untiring in her endeavors to promote the best interests of the School, working carly and late.' One great step has been made towards improvement in teaching, in trying, in some measure, to make the pupil independent of his text-book, so that, in case of need, he could make one as good, or better. His teacher has labored carnestly to bring the minds of her pupils, to the highest grade of thinking ; and instead of word-learning, she has endeavored to crockett ideas, or at least, to awaken those ly- ing dormant. Some complaint has been made, because pupils did not commit quite so many pages of the text-book to memo- ry, as they had at other times. But this eternal memorizing, is not instruction, mere word-learning is not education. It is much easier for the teacher to make the text-book the beginn- ing and the end of all instruction, than it is to teach the pupil to think for himself. Mrs. B., has done her best to do away with the parrot learning, and to enable the pupil to express by speech or writing, what he may have learned, for it is truly said, having knowledge without being able to express it, is but little better than not having knowledge; whatever she has taught, she has used her best endeavors, to so have words and ideas intermixed, that they might be of benefit in after life, without cach pupil being obliged to carry a text-book in his pocket. Much has been done to improve this School by the present teacher, and could she have had the hearty co-operation of all the parents and citizens generally, much greater improve- ment would have been made, I doubt not. Let the detractors and faultfinders, but visit the School, so as to judge from per- sonal observation, and I think they will alter their opinion ; and common justice demands they should do this, or hold their peace.
Of late years it has been the custom to publish the names of the pupils who have not been absent during one or more terms,
56
It is a question with some, if this custom is not of doubtful utili- ty ! It is suggested that some children will, under this stimu- lus, go to the school-room when perhaps their health required they should be at home; others say the teachers are unfair in making their list, &c. But, I have no reason to doubt the hon- est purpose of any of our teachers, and but little fear of stimu- lating any pupils, toa too constant attendance in the school- room. I shall therefore give you the names, so far as Ihave ascertained them, of those who have been constant in their at- tendance,hoping it will stimulate other pupils to go and do like wise.
ROLL OF HONOR
consisting of the names of those not absent or tardy during the time specified.
BROOK STREET SCHOOL.
One term-Henry Turner, Danforth F. Turner, Addi- son C. Damon. Thomas Tobin, Edwin C. Bowditch, C. Lincoln Litchfield, Frank Doherty, Josephine Vinal, E. Gertrude Gardner, Lizzie J. Merritt, Carrie W. Merritt, Annie M. Edson,
Two Terms .- William L. Jenkins, Andrew O. Water- man, Edward E. Edson.
One Year .- Benjamin R. Turner.
MAIN STREET SCHOOL.
One Term .- Eva H. Merritt, Mary E. Litchfield, Hen- ry E. Merritt, Jerrie R. Ainslie, Abbie J. Gannett, Co- ra O. Marsh, Josie M. Litchfield.
57
Two Terms .- Martha G. White, Mary L. Clapp, Carrie W. Bailey, Flora L. Bailey, Wilbur F. Merritt, Charles L. Seaverns, Joy K. Gannett, Irving E. Gannett, Alfred J. Clapp, George A. Litchfield.
One Year .- Jennie P. Seaverns, Emily B. Morris, Alfred H. A. Seaverns.
GROVE STREET SCHOOL.
One Term .- Wiley S. Damon, William Watson, Galen Watson, Israel S. Dalby, Frederic B. Merritt, Annie W. Vinal.
Two Terms .- Carrie L. Young, Lizzie L. Merritt One Year .- Martha A. Vinal, Josie Brown.
HIGII STREET SCHOOL.
One Term .- Susie G. Hayden, Lucy N. Brown, Charles Bates, Julia E. Litchfield, Orlando R. Litchfield, Howard E. Litchfield, Ellsworth Litchfield, Harry E. Damon, Charles A. Bates,, Robert J. Litchfield, Willie Clapp.
Two Terms .- Lucy J. Ellmes, Bertie A. Clapp, George B. Litchfield, Waldo Litchfield.
One Year .- Walter B. Ellmes.
BEACH STREET SCHOOL.
One Term .- Ida L. Pratt, Henrietta E. Litchfield, Charles H. Mott, Addie W. Mott, Francis I. Rodsiguey, Rodriguez Olive G. Spooner, Charles L. Edwards, George O. Pratt.
Two Terms .- Mary C. Mott and Charles N. Turner. One Year .- Henrietta W. Pratt and Irene Pratt.
8
58
COMMON STREET SCHOOL.
One Term .- Henry A. Young, Frank H. Young, Eddie Young, Gertrude Vinal, Alfred Nightingale, Geo. P. Nash, Flora Taylor. Mary Dunn.
Two Terms .- Percz L. Young, Joseph A. Randall. One Year .- Blanche Young.
WILLOW STREET SCHOOL. 1870
One Term .- Annie Barry, Jennie Barry, Ada F. Bon- ney, Gertie Clapp; Maggie Dixon, Sarah Hughes, Mary J. Murphy, Mary E. Murphy, Mary F. Murphy, Sarah E. Murphy, Lizzie Murphy, Dora Wade, Earnest Bonney, John Dixon, Henry R. Prouty, Frederick Sanborn, John T. Supple, Nathaniel Turmot.
CENTRAL STREET SCHOOL.
One Term-Winnie E. Caldwell, Emma C. Whitcomb, Louie P. Robie, Mertie C. Brown, Laura A. Bradford, Addie F. Webb, Jennie B, Elliott, Herbert E. Webb, George C. Jackson, Eugene F. Brown, Albert C. Brown, Jeddie Hunt.
Two Terms .- Idella C. Jackson, Estella V. Jackson.
One Year .- Clarence F. Brown, Charles F. Andrews.
SOUTH STREET SCHOOL.
One Term .- Ida L. Fernald, Florence A. Day, Hattie M. Damon, Jennie Wherety, Josie L. Clapp, Amy B. Briggs, Charles H. Northey, Charles P. Welch.
Two Terms .- Ella M. Fernald, Alice M. Totman. Willie W. Wade.
One Year .- Mabel W. Sables, Jetson Wade.
59
HIGH SCHOOL.
One Term .- Lizzie J. Curtis, H. E. Morris, Annie E. Brown, George W. Litchfield.
Two Terms .- Walter E. Bailey, Billings H. Merritt. Asa E. Merritt.
CHARLES STREET SCHOOL.
One Term .- Henretta M. Litchfield, Charles Bailey, F. Waldo Hayward, Frank C. Vinal.
Two Terms-Mabel F. Litchfield, Lizzie Litchfield.
One Year -Mary F. Curtis, Nellie F. Hayward, Harvey Curtis, Jr. Louis N. Curtis.
TABULAR STATEMENT.
Whole Number
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