USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1862-1879 > Part 11
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6. Feb. 24, Julia McCarthy, daughter of Daniel and Mary McCarthy.
7. Feb. 25, Eugene Clifford Stevens, son of Frank and Frances Stevens.
8. Feb. 28, Lyman Davis Robbins, son of Simon and Nancy D. Robbins.
9. March 5, George Edgar Robbins, son of John M. and Lydia Ann Robbins.
10. March 14, Elliot Prouty Livermore, son of Hiram B. and Laura E. Livermore.
11. March 21, Joseph William Livermore, son of George W. and Carrie A. Livermore.
12. March 25, Walter J. Curtis, son of Nehemiah and Martha C. Curtis.
13. April 19, Oscar Pratt, son of Henry and Aria T. Pratt.
14. April 19, Willie A. Sumner, son of Alson R. and Carrie A. Sumner.
15. May 12, Harry Edson Hosmer, son of John E. and Emma E. Hosmer.
16. May 13, Stevens Hayward, son of Joel F. and Sarah E. Hay- ward.
17. June 5, Theodosia Bertha Wright, daughter of George C. and Susan H. Wright.
18. June 11, Adelbert Francis Mead, son of Varnum B. and D. Elizabeth Mead.
19. June 20, Almon H. Gilmore, son of Walter A. and Emma A. Gilmore.
20. June 25, Hattie Adell Davis, daughter of George W. and Mary J. Davis.
21. July 25, Honora Callanan, daughter of Daniel and Ellen Cal- lanan.
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22. July 25, Julia Lane, daughter of Morris and Mary Lane.
23. July 31, John Sidney White, son of John and Sarah A. White.
24. Aug. 10, Julietta Wilkins, daughter of William and Henrietta Wilkins.
25. Aug. 24, Florence Elizabeth Faulkner, daughter of William H. and Caroline A. Faulkner. .
26. Aug. 25, Frank Arthur Teel, son of William H. and Mary E. Teel.
27. Aug. 31, Erminie Louisa Davis, daughter of Alvin A. and Mary Davis.
28. Sept. 1, Millard Johnson Handley, son of Reuben and Caro- line M. Handley.
29. Sept. 18, William Dawson, son of James and Margaret Dawson.
30. Oct. 11, Abbie Francis Coughlin, daughter of John and Mar- garet Coughlin.
31. Oct. 19, Mary Raddin, daughter of Patrick and Hannah Raddin.
32. Oct. 31, Catherine Hayes, daughter of Michael and Mary Haves.
33. Nov. 1, Alice Pauline Hayward, daughter of Paul and Alice L. Hayward.
34. Nov. 15, -, daughter of Daniel L. and Sally Veasie. 35. Nov. 16, William Dwight Davis, son of William B. and S. Maria Davis.
36. Nov. 18, Lizzie L. Boynton, daughter of Frank M. and Diantha HI. Boynton.
37. Dec. 2, Ada Violetta Gardner, daughter of George and Violetta F. Gardner.
38. Dec. 19, Hattie Evelyn Wheeler, daughter of Sanford and Susan E. Wheeler.
[Omitted last year inadvertently.]
1865.
Aug. 24, Mabel Richardson, daughter of Edward F. and Frances H. Richardson.
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN 1866.
No. Date of Marriage. Names of the Parties.
1. Feb. 2, Mr. Edward B. Richards, of Chelmsford, and Mrs. Lydia A. Farmer, of Pepperell.
2. Feb. 26, Mr. Josiah W. Bride and Miss Esther J. Willard, both of Acton.
3. March 6, Mr. Charles W. Fletcher and Miss Angie H. Tarbell, both of Acton.
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4. March 6, Mr. Orin Bartlett and Miss Frances Ann Wheeler, both of Lowell.
5. March 20, Mr. Charles W. Parker, of Frectown, N. Y., and Miss Emma Wheeler, of Acton.
6. May 29, Mr. Joseph W. Wherren, of Elliot, Me., and Miss Hepsa A. Fletcher, of Acton.
7. May 31, Mr. Charles A. Harrington, of Wisconsin, and Miss Mary Jane Faulkner, of Acton.
8. July 3, Mr. Elward L. F. Ran dolph, of Springfield, and Miss Hattie A. Harris, of Acton.
9. July 25, Mr. Joseph Day, of South Dedham, and Mrs. Jane E. Brown, of Boxboro'.
10. August 12, Mr. Patrick Callanan, of Acton, and Miss Annie Griffin, of Boxboro'.
11. Sept. 11, Mr. Joseph R. Bassett and Miss Clara Wetherbee, both of Acton.
12. Sept. 23, Mr. Henry W. Sawyer, of Mason Village, N. H., and Miss Sarah E. Lawrence, of Stow.
13. Nov. 6, Mr. Abel Farrar, Jr., and Miss Delina Borden, bothi of Acton.
14. Nov. 6, Mr. Daniel H. Farrar and Miss Susan P. Fletcher, both of Acton.
15. Nov. 29, Mr. Charles A. Phillips and Miss Annie M. Mitchell, both of Acton.
16. Dec. 30, Mr. James P. Clare and Miss Eldora V. Wyman, both of Acton.
DEATHS IN ACTON, IN 1866.
No. Date of Death. Names of Deceased.
1. Jan. 2, Nelson A., son of Oliver W. and Mary E. Mead, aged one day.
2. Jan. 14, Mrs. Mary E. Mead, wife of O. W. Mead, aged 33 yrs. 7 mos. 6 days.
3. Jan. 15, Mr. Stephen Weston, aged 43 yrs. 6 mos.
4. Jan. 25, Mrs. Sophia L. Chaplin, wife of William Chaplin, aged 50 yrs. 1 mo. 25 days.
5. Jan. 27, Mr. Artemas Rowell, aged 69 yrs. 1 mo. 13 days.
6. March 1, Mrs. Eliza Powers, aged 43 years.
7. March 1, Patrick Powers, son of John and Eliza Powers, aged 1 yr. 6 mos.
8. March 9, Jennie Wetherbee, daughter of Daniel H. and Lucy Wetherbee, aged 7 yrs. 1 mo. 21 days.
9. March 9, Mr. Ephraim Hosmer, aged 78 yrs. 9 mos.
10. March 11, Henrietta J. Harris, wife of George II. Harris, aged 31 yrs. 5 mos. 12 days.
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11. March 13, Mrs. Lydia P. Robbins, widow of Eben Robbins, aged 76 years.
12. April 21, Walter J., son of Nehemiah and Martha C. Curtis, aged 1 month.
13. June 2, Julia, daughter of Daniel and Mary Mccarthy, aged 3 months.
14. June 18, George O. Phillips, son of Wm. II. and Sarah A. Phillips, aged 15 yrs. 5 mos. 16 days.
15. July 6th, Mr. Luther Conant, aged 80 yrs. 5 mos. 22 days.
16. Aug. 23, Mrs. Lavina Knapp, aged 74 years.
17. Aug. 28, Mrs. Susan B. Hayward, wife of Stevens Hayward, Esq., aged 76 years.
18. Sept. 12, Mrs. Louisa M. Blanchard, aged 74 years.
19. Sept. 24, Mrs. Sarah Graham, aged 94 years.
20. Nov. 3, Frank Harlan, son of Wm. D. and Elizabeth B. Tuttle, aged 9 mos. 26 days.
21. Nov. 16, Mr. Benjamin W. Seamans, aged 50 years.
22. Dec. 23, Mr. Phineas Taylor, aged 77 yrs. 3 mos. 8 days.
WILLIAM D. 'PUTTLE, Town-Clerk.
Acton, March 20, 1867.
REPORT OF CEMETERY-COMMITTEE.
WEST CEMETERY.
Receipts.
Cash on hand Feb. 26, 1866,
$13 98
received for seven lots sold,
7 00
66
for grading two lots, 3 00
from Town-Treasurer,
40 00
$63 98
Expenditures.
Cash paid Ira Stockwell, for labor,
$38 50
" for moving gravel,
6 88
66
for postage and stationery, 28
Cash in Committee's hands, March 15, 1867,
18 32
$63 98
EAST CEMETERY.
Receipts.
Cash for two lots sold,
$2 00
Cash from Town-Treasurer,
69 33
$71 33
Expenditures.
Paid for mowing brush and lotting up squares, $25 00 grading grounds, 22 00
joist,
1 45
Paid Luke Smith, for work,
1 00
for trees set out,
1 00
for stakes,
33
. for lettering stakes and avenue boards,
14 55
for two stone-posts,
4 00
$69 33
Cash in Committee's hands, March 20, 1867,
2 00
NORTH CEMETERY.
Expenditures.
Cash paid for mowing brush,
$7 00
Receipts.
By cash from Town-Treasurer,
$7 00
WILLIAM D. TUTTLE, SAMUEL HOSMER, CHARLES HASTINGS,
Cemetery Committee.
Acton, March 20, 1867.
3
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$71 33
LIQUOR-AGENT'S REPORT.
AMOUNT OF LIQUORS SOLD TO FEBRUARY 20, 1867.
39 gallons whiskey,
$128 70
14
gin,
71 40
113
rum,
317 98
$518 08
Stock on hand, February 20, 1867.
15 gallons whiskey,
$49 50
1
gin,
5 10
2
66 brandy,
23 74
15
66 rum,
42 64
$120 98
$639 06
Expenditures.
54 gallons whiskey,
$154 22
15
gin,
66 17
2
brandy,
20 56
128 66 rum,
343 48
Agent's salary,
25 00
Government license,
25 00
$634 43
Net gain to the town,
$4 63
D. J. WETHERBEE, Liquor-Agent.
Acton, Feb. 20, 1867.
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REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL-COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL-YEAR, 1866-'67,
CONCORD : PRINTED BY BENJAMIN TOLMAN. 1867.
.
/
REPORT.
- -
To the Citizens of Acton :
The School-Committee respectfully submit their Annual Report.
We believe the Town does not intend the cause of Educa- tion should languish. During the last two years it has added five hundred and twenty-five dollars to its appropria- tion for schools. This is an addition of about one-third the amount formerly raised for the purpose, and enables us to maintain our schools about twenty-eight weeks during the year. If the Town did not increase its appropriation for educational purposes as its wealth and resources increased, it would not be true to its own interests. Amidst the hurried activities of life its citizens ought not to forget that a subject that relates to the future character and prosperity of its youth, should occupy no ordinary place in their consideration. Very likely some of this money has not been expended to the best advantage, but we believe it has been the object of each member of the Committee to make the best possible use of it.
We think that each succeeding year parents evince a deeper interest in the culture of their children, and that the Committee endeavor to exercise more caution in the selection of teachers. The more money the Town raises, the more particular the Committee ought to be to secure teachers who understand the most approved methods of imparting instruc-
4
tion, and of performing the greatest amount of labor while the schools are in session. Much more can be accomplished now in the same time than was the case in former years, and although in respect to some things inventive genius may seemed to have reached its utmost limits in regard to public instruction, there is doubtless room for still further improve- ment. It is true, as a general thing, that a town like this cannot command so able teachers as the more wealthy and populous ones, but when we are fortunate enough to get good teachers we should offer them all the encouragement to remain we can afford. We believe our schools are conducted to some extent, at least, in a manner to promote the moral as well as intellectual culture of the pupils. The moral facul- ties of children need cultivation, in order to promote their growth, as well as the intellectual. Some of our children receive but little of this instruction at home, which makes it the more necessary that they should receive it at school. What kind of a citizen does a man make who has no fear of God before his eyes, or conscientious regard for what is right? Whatever his intellectual attainments may be he is certainly a dangerous member of society, and the more so for his education for culture is power. A parent wishes to contemplate his child in the future, not merely as a scholar, but as a religious being, guided by philanthropic and chris- tian principles, and contributing his share to all benevolent institutions and the general good of mankind.
The health of our children is another thing to be cared for in our schools. The teacher should see that as even a tem- perature as possible is kept in the school-room. It is dan- gerous to have it range at blood heat at one time, and in half an hour after be down to nearly freezing point. The smaller children need attention at noon and recess. They should be required to put their hats on when they go out, and not be allowed to sit in a current of air when they come in. When the eye of the parent cannot be on their little ones, the eye of the teacher should be. The health of a child is very precious. Most of our schools are now taught throughout
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the year by females, and it is generally conceded that they succeed as well in the instruction and management of the schools as males. Still we believe some of our schools at certain times demand male teachers, - those who can admin- ister correction forthwith and on the spot. In order to keep up a proper degree of discipline a female might sometimes have to make a too free use of the expelling power. There are cases when this is absolutely necessary, but the less of it a teacher can get along with the better, as we do not want to make vagrants of our children. None but very able female teachers should be employed to take charge of our winter schools.
There have been two cases of somewhat general insubor- dination in school, one in the Centre and the other in the South-East District ; but we will pass over this disagreeable subject by simply remarking that the fewer cases of this kind we have to report in these days of improved humanity, the more agrecable it will be to all good citizens throughout the town.
We don't know as this town is troubled more with truancy than many others, but we do know that some of our boys are sometimes seen loitering along the streets, or lounging about public places, when they ought to be in school. Such scholars are a disgrace to themselves and a dishonor to their parents. It is bad enough to lose the money appropriated for their education, but this is of small account compared with the degradation to which they are tending. There are others who absent themselves at examinations. This is a source of mortification to the teacher, and makes the school appear to disadvantage. The teacher is not to be blamed for these evils. It belong to parents to see that their children do not play truant or absent themselves at examinations.
The Committee have endeavored to put such teachers into our schools as had a very good knowledge of the common English branches, and more or less acquaintance with some of the higher ones ; but we believe no observing person can go the round of our examinations without becoming con-
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vinced that our common schools cannot be expected to fully meet the educational wants of the town. We think the time has come, whether the town realizes the fact or not, when a school should be established in which some of the higher branches of education should be thoroughly taught.
Many of our school-houses have been cold and uncomfort- able for many years, and they are continually growing worse. The subject of new ones must therefore soon come before the town, and we trust the citizens' will be prepared to meet it with their accustomed promptitude and liberality.
Quackenboss' Grammar has been exchanged, the past year, for Kerl's. The former was quite a good and comprehensive system of Grammar, but it was not popular with the teachers or a favorite book with the scholars. Kerl's Gram- mar is a splendid book. It takes the subject up in an attractive manner, and embraces a very general knowledge of the science. "Kerl's Elements " may seem rather hard for beginners, but with judicious teachers, we believe it is as near what is required as can be obtained. The "Common School " really ought not to be taken up except by the first class. It is better to pursue the other until a considerable knowledge of this branch of study is acquired.
In consequence of an act of the legislature of 1866, mak- ing a somewhat different distribution of the income of the State School Fund, this town received the last year about forty dollars more than heretofore. There are four private schools now in progress in town, consisting of about one hundred and ten pupils.
Hints to Teachers. We believe our schools are generally conducted pretty well, but we suppose none of our teachers claim perfection in their employment. We think, with the exception of some of the older scholars, it is better for classes to stand when they recite. This is a more lively attitude, and the class presents a better appearance. We are frequently troubled at examinations with scholars reciting in a low and feeble tone of voice. This is not on account of any weakness of the lungs, for these same children may be
7
heard when at play as well as others. It is a serious draw- back to the appearance of the school, and an occasion of dis- appointment to those who come in to witness its progress. Children need to be exercised considerably in loud speaking and distinct articulation.
It is no unusual thing, when we visit schools, to observe questions passed over only imperfectly answered. Such answers may be equivalent to no answers at all. The scholar should be required to give the answer as it is in the book, or in language that contains the same idea. If a child is allowed to get into a careless, indifferent method of expres- sion, the habit may adhere to him through life, marring his appearance and impairing his usefulness.
The subject of Grammar should receive more attention in some of our schools. It is not a very attractive study with beginners, but becomes more so by giving attention to it, and is of every-day importance to everybody.
Perhaps in no branch has there been more improvement made during the year than in Robinson's Intellectual Arith- metic. Three years ago this book was but indifferently attended to. We believe a small class in the West District were the first to go through it, but they were quickly fol- lowed by a few in the North and East and quite a class in the South Districts. We trust every school in town will soon furnish scholars who can master the book.
CENTRE DISTRICT. - UPPER DEPARTMENT.
Teachers : Miss Emeline S. Jewell, Miss Edith E. Frost, Mr. Daniel C. Farr, Mr. Harris C. Hartwell.
Miss Jewell, a teacher of much experience and uniform success, taught the summer term. Both parents and pupils worked harmoniously with her, and her management of the school was successful. Miss Frost had charge of the school in the fall. Her manners were genial, she was energetic and decided, and her discipline was good. Her examination did not do her justice, but some parts of it were good and it was evident the school had advanced during the term. She was
8
succeeded in the winter by Mr. Farr. He was an estimable young man, but some of the scholars taking advantage of his youth and inexperience, he resigned his charge at the end of six weeks. He was followed by Mr. Hartwell, who, though mild and considerate, was firm in his government, and carried the school through the remaining five weeks with entire success. The public exercises at the close of the school were very gratifying.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
Teacher : Miss Carrie E. Lawrence.
This school is composed of bright, intelligent children, and Miss Lawrence proved herself the right teacher in the right place. She had entire control of her pupils, and everything appeared neat and systematic. A great deal of precision was manifest in all her arrangements. She made study pleasant, and the scholars almost invariably came out to recite with well prepared lessons. Her examinations were interspersed with gymnastic and other exercises, and the large number of visitors were highly pleased.
WEST DISTRICT. - UPPER DEPARTMENT.
Teachers : Miss L. A. McCutchins, Miss A. Wetherbee. Miss McCutchins resumed her labors here in the spring. Her abilities as a teacher are well understood. Her field of labor was an encouraging one, for there are many good scholars here, and they study with an earnestness and con- stancy that does them credit. Co-operating as they did with their accomplished teacher, their progress, both in the com- mon and some of the higher branches, was rapid, and the examination at the close of the fall term surpassed those we usually witness in a common district school.
Miss Wetherbee took charge in the winter. She had been a teacher many years, came highly recommended, and taught with much diligence and thoroughness. In giving instruction we observed she left her scholars, in a reasonable degree, to depend upon themselves. This, though not always agree- able to pupils, is nevertheless essential to their permanent
9
progress. The discipline the latter part of the term was not altogether creditable to some of the scholars. With this exception her examination compared very well with former ones in this district. A large class in Intellectual Arithmetic added interest to the occasion.
INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.
Teacher : Miss E. C. Brown.
This teacher enjoyed the affection and confidence of her scholars, and taught throughout the year with success. She did not exert herself so much to make a splendid show at examination as she did to give her pupils positive, obvious attainments. At the close of her school in the fall there seemed to be a want of activity and sprightliness in some of the exercises, but at the examination of the winter term the school appeared to advantage, especially in Reading and Arithmetic. There are scholars in this school who require vigorous training.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
Teachers : Miss Mary S. Ballou, Miss Cornelia C. Ballou.
This department, during the year, has been under the in- struction of diligent and judicious teachers, and is getting a fair start in the first principles of education. It requires considerable genius to present knowledge to these young minds so as to make the pursuit of it interesting. The dry questions in the text-books do not afford all the stimulus they need. There is a great deal besides to which it is necessary to call their attention, and which it is important for them to know. We were well satisfied with the examination of this school, both at the close of the fall and winter terms.
SOUTH DISTRICT. - UPPER DEPARTMENT.
Teachers : Miss Helenette Colby, Miss Mary E. Clement. We are able to speak of this school in terms of much commendation. It deserves a high rank among the schools of the town. We think for several years it has not appeared better than at the close of the winter term. There are
10
several excellent scholars in Written Arithmetic, and a splendid class in Robinson's Intellectual. The recitations in Grammar and other branches deserve much praise. The school appeared well under Miss Colby's management, and Miss Clement performed her duty with gratifying results. Old text-books and new were alike familiar to her. If there were any scholars during the winter term who failed to im- prove their advantages, we hope they have reflection enough to realize their mistake.
INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.
Teachers: Miss Lottie C. Faulkner, Miss Amelia D. Comstock.
Under the instruction of these faithful and experienced teachers this department could not fail to flourish. Miss Faulkner expects her scholars to get their lessons, -their Reading lessons as well as others. She is very explicit in her explanations, and makes the most of her time. Her scholars always love her, and the district never fails to ap- preciate her services. No branch is slighted, and her miscel- lancous exercises are always interesting.
The winter terni was taught by Miss Comstock. Under her instruction the reputation of the school was sustained. The first principles of education received due attention, a good degree of system and discipline were always apparent, and her examination indicated a commendable industry and perseverance on the part of both teacher and scholars.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
Teachers : Miss Julia S. Conant, Miss Evelina Davis.
Both these teachers are good scholars, and they entered upon their business with activity and enterprise. Miss Conant exercised her scholars considerably upon the black- board, which is an excellent method of interesting children. She had the faculty of getting their attention, which is of the first importance in any school. At her examination in the fall we were gratified with the results of her labors, espec- ially in the important branch of Reading. She was suc-
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ceeded in the winter by Miss Davis. Her school was pretty large, and she, being young and inexperienced, was not able to keep so good a degree of discipline as was desirable. At her examination, however, the deportment of her school was good, her scholars were well classified, and the recitations generally commendable.
SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT.
Teachers: Miss Amelia D. Comstock, Miss Sarah Loker, Miss Emily Loker, Mr. L. H. Ewings.
This school has its share of lively, interesting scholars, and perhaps more than its share of those who are ready to play truant and trouble the teacher. Considering their ages there are some very good scholars in Arithmetic, Geography and Writing. During the summer and fall terms this school prospered under the management of Miss Comstock. The scholars were ambitious, neatness and order prevailed, and everything appeared encouraging. The winter term was commenced by Miss Sarah Loker. She taught two weeks with success, when a yearly school being offered her in another part of the State, she resigned her place to Miss Emily Loker, who, after teaching about three weeks and finding some of the scholars hard to manage, retired from her position. She was succeeded in her office by Mr. Ew- ings, who, after being relieved of certain scholars, taught the remaining two months with profit to the district, and had a good examination. This school requires, in the winter, a male teacher of energy and decision. Of the twenty-eight scholars who attended this school in the winter, seventeen were from Acton, six from Sudbury, and five from Concord. Concord promptly pays a satisfactory sum for the tuition of her scholars. Sudbury now pays nothing, giving as a reason that she provides within her own limits ample accommoda- tions for her pupils. The member of the Committee from this district thinks he shall object to her scholars attending longer on such conditions.
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EAST DISTRICT.
Teachers: Miss S. Augusta Davis, Mr. Daniel S. Davis. We think this school has made steady and substantial im- provement during the year. Both the teachers were resi- dents of the district, and doubtless felt more than ordinary interest in the advancement of their neighbors' children. Miss Davis taught with the success which might be expected, considering her scholarship and experience. She kept a minute record of the recitations and deportment of her pupils. This is calculated to stimulate them to make efforts to excel, and might be a good system for other teachers to adopt. Under her instructions the more important parts of Geography received especial attention, and both she and her successor taught Robinson's Intellectual and higher Written Arithmetics with success.
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