USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1862-1879 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
Plaster, 4.95 ; hoe, .60 ; shovel, 1.00 ; twine, .30 ; axle grease, .25, 7 10
Lemons, 26 ; butchering hogs, 2.00 ; mustard, .25 ; cocoa, .46, 2 97
Cream tartar, .13 ; raisins, 1.42 ; yeast, .54 ; Med- icine, 4.92, 7 01
Thread, .21; soap, 4.36 ; pepper, .58 ; starch, 56 ; ginger, .56, 6.27
Matches, 3.00 ; saleratus, 1.56 ; cloves, .29 ; cas- sia, .49, 5 34
Pimento, .20; nutmegs, .56; potatoes, 37.46 ; flour, 47.75, 85 97 .
Corn, 4.20 ; rye, 2.70 ; oats, 11.31 ; hen feed, 2.50, 20 71 Shorts, 68.34 ; oil meal, 215.45 ; molasses, 21.13, 304 92 Cotton cloth, 9.45; meat, 112.14; rice, 1.05 ; fish, 10.12, 132 76
Coffee, 1.56 ; vinegar, 3.65; oil, 8.00; butter, 67.10, 80 31
Cheese, 23.71 ; tobacco, 15.99 ; tea, 15.05, 54 75
13
For Sugar, 36.58 ; corn meal, 242.25 ; grinding, 1.65, $280 48
Dr. Cowdrey's bill, 21.50 ; labor, 167.50, 189 00
Drag, 7.00 ; hay and grain for oxen, 39.65, 46 65
Cows, 80.00 ; oxen, 225.00,
305 00
Services of William H. Blood and wife, 325 00
Luther Conant, making Report to Board of State Charities, and Report to the Town, 6 00
Luther Conant, for services as Overseer of the Poor,
8 00
Elbridge J. Robbins, 8 00
Joseph Noyes, 66
66
8 00
$2,154 55
Total amount of Receipts,
1,951 36
Drawn from treasury to balance account,
$203 19
66 pay for oxen,
225 00
Income less than Expenditures,
$428 19
Interest on the Farm,
$239 40
Drawn from Treasury,
428 19
$667 59
Victualling 175 travellers,
$87 50
Due from State for care of John Maloney,
25 00
$112 50
Cost of supporting Poor on Farm,
$555 09
Whole number of persons, exclusive of travellers, supported in the Almshouse, six ; average number, four ; present number, three.
LUTHER CONANT,
ELBRIDGE J. ROBBINS,
JOSEPH NOYES,
Overseers of Poor.
ACTON, April 1, 1872.
-
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS RECORDED IN 1871.
No. Date of Birth. Name of Child. Names of Parents.
1. Jan. 6, Hattie Elmira Tuttle, daughter of Julian and Hannah' E. Tuttle.
2. Jan. 18, Henry Lauriston Livermore, son of George W. and Carrie A. Livermore.
3. Feb. 3, Bertha Louise Gardner, daughter of George and Vio- letta F. Gardner.
4. March 2, Charles Simon Moulton, son of John D. and Hannah D. Moulton.
5. March 7, Patrick Coughlan, son of John and Margaret Cough- lan.
6. March 9, George W. Richardson, son of Osman D. and Mary E. Richardson.
7. March 10, Willie Swift Fletcher, son of Aaron S. and Sarah T. Fletcher.
8. March 22, Lucius Graham Coburn, twin children of Jas.
9. Everett Wetherbee Coburn, D. and Marietta M. Coburn.
10. March 27, Daniel Edward Jones, son of Daniel and Maria T. Jones.
11. April 6, Stephen Travers, son of Stephen and Catherine Trav- ers.
12. April 21, Henrietta Estella Cutler, daughter of David C. and Estella A. Cutler.
13. April 25, Hattie Florence Pike, daughter of George M. and Charlotte M. Pike.
14. May 2, Blanche Maide Bassett, daughter of Joseph R. and Clara Bassett.
15. May 5, Fred Lincoln Whitcomb, son of Alben L. and Martha M. Whitcomb.
16. May 15, Mary Jane Dooley, daughter of Richard and Joanna Dooley.
17. May 21, a daughter to William H. and Jane Staples.
18. June 8, William Milnes, son of William and Maria Milnes.
19. June 16, Jessie Edith Currie, daughter of Neil and Mary!E. Currie.
20. June 14, Fred Walter Teel, son of William H. and Mary E. Teel.
(14)
15
21. July 6, Albert Eugene Robbins, son of Levi H. and Mary C. Robbins.
22. July 21, Levi Lincoln Pratt, son of Windsor F. and Mary B. Pratt.
23. Aug. 5, Richard P. Lyman, son of Charles P. and Lucy E. Lyman.
24. Aug. 24, Jane Raddin, daughter of Patrick and Hannah Rad- din.
25. Sept. 3, Roy Stanwood Whitcomb, son of Elwyn H. and Mary F. Whitcomb.
26. Sept. 19, a daughter to William and Henrietta Wilkins.
27. Oct. 1, Charley Jones Fletcher, son of Aaron J. and Mary E. Fletcher.
28. Oct. 1, Freddie Ernest Fletcher, son of Chas. W. and Angeline H. Fletcher.
29. Oct. 2, Edith Frances Coulter, daughter of Hugh and Mary M. Coulter.
30. Oct. 3, Bertram Delette Hall, son of Delette H. and Susie A. Hall.
31. Oct. 14, Mabel Louise Robinson, daughter of Charles and Per- sis V. Robinson.
32. Oct. 20, Clarence Augustine Hosmer, son of Augustine and Susie H. Hosmer.
33. Oct. 31, in Winchendon, Florence Adelia Richardson, daugh- ter of James E. and Sara R. Richardson.
34. Nov. 1, James Daley, son of John and Ellen Daley.
35. Nov. 7, Alice Josephine Hoar, daughter of John S. and Lydia P. Hoar.
36. Nov. 11, Harry Ernest Knowlton, son of George W. and An- gie H. Knowlton.
37. Nov. 23, Mary Ella Counter, daughter of John W. and Alice E. J. Counter.
Males, 22 ; females, 15 ; total, 37.
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN 1871.
No. Date of Marriage.
Names of Parties.
1. Jan. 9, Mr. Henry Veo, of 'Concord, and Miss Julia Hag- gerty, of Acton.
2. Jan. 9, Mr. Michael Murray and Miss Minnie Wells, both of Concord.
3. March 3, Mr. Thomas Clifford and Miss Katie McGraw, both of Acton.
4. March 5, Mr. Lewis Boucher and Miss Lilla A. Taylor, both of Acton.
16
5. April 20, Mr. Frank F. Hayward, of Acton, and Miss Emily N. Rogers, of Charlestown.
6. April 23, Mr. Bixby S. Woodward and Mrs. Hattie A. Brad- ford, both of Acton.
7. May 7, Mr. John Haggerty, of Hudson, and Miss Mary Man- gin, of Acton.
8. Aug. 6, Mr. W. A. S. Cutter and Miss Clara E. Stone, both of Acton.
9. Sept. 11, Mr. James Tenney and Miss Katie Hyde, both of Acton.
10. Oct. 2, Mr. Frank H. Young, of Jay, Vt., and Miss Mary A. Young, of Newport, Vt.
11. Oct. 19, Mr. Alfred Sawyer, of Acton, and Miss Lucy A. Walker, of Sudbury.
12. Nov. 19, Mr. Henry C. Wheeler, of Acton, and Miss Sarah J. Tibbetts, of Concord.
13. Nov. 22, Mr. Hiram J. Hapgood and Miss Augusta A. Parker, both of Acton.
14. Dec. 31, Mr. Robert Chaffin and Mrs; Mary W. Handley, both of Acton.
DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1871.
No. Date of Death,
Name of Deceased.
1. Jan. 27, Miss Georgiana Reed, aged 29 yrs. 3 mos. 11 days.
2. Jan. 30, Honora Calanan, aged 4 yrs. 6 mos. 5 days.
: 3. Feb. 2, Mrs. Ann Reed, aged 67 yrs. 9 months.
4. Feb. 4, John Calanan, son of Daniel and Ellen Calanan, aged 10 mos. 3 days.
5. March 6, Mr. Samuel Haynes, aged 70 yrs.
6. March 26, George W., son of Osman D. and Mary E. Rich- ardson, aged 17 days.
7. April 12, Mrs. Charlotte H. Crampton, aged 57 yrs. 6 mos. 12 days.
8. April 29, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Shattuck, aged 70 yrs. 8 mos. 17 days.
9. May 8, Miss Nellie J. Hanscom, aged 14 years.
10. June 4, Miss Lucinda Hosmer, aged 67 years.
11. June 28, Mr. Jonas Heald, aged 80 yrs. 8 mos. 16 days.
12. June 30, John, son of David and Bridget Rynn, aged 11 yrs. 3 mos. 18 days.
13. July 14, Mr. William H. Reed, aged 35 yrs.
14. Aug. 20, Mr. Francis Kinsley, aged 18 yrs. 9 mos.
15. Aug. 21, John M., son of Luther R. and Louisa M. Forbush. aged 11 yrs. 2 mos. 17 days.
16. Aug. 22, Miss Lizzie Flagg, aged 20 yrs. 8 mos.
17
17. Aug. 30, Lucius G., son of James D. and Marietta M. Coburn, aged 5 mos. 8 days.
18. Sept. 4, Charles F., son of Freeman L. and Amelia A. Ran- dall, aged 1 yr. 1 month, 9 days.
19. Sept. 18, Everett W., son of James D. and Marietta M. Co- burn, aged 5 mos. 26 days.
20. Sept. 20, a daughter of William and Henrietta Wilkins, 1 day. 21. Sept 28, Evelyn W. Karcher, daughter of Charles F. and Mary A. Karcher, aged 8 mos. 18 days.
22. Oct. 1, Mrs. Lucinda Jones, widow of Silas Jones, aged 84 yrs.
23. Oct. 19, Mrs. Catherine Cutter, aged 76 yrs. 10 mos. 11 days.
24. Oct. 24, Mrs. Rhoda Burnham, aged 94 years.
25. Oct. 26, Mr. Nathaniel T. Law, aged 62 yrs. 11 mos. 17 days. 26. Oct. 27, Charles H. Dibble, son of Philo and Clementine Dib- ble, aged 11 mos. 2 days.
27. Oct. 31, Mr. Levi Wetherbee, aged 86 yrs.
28. Nov. 26, Mrs. Susanna C. Chaffin, aged 71 yrs. 5 mos.
29. Dec. 3, Mr. Hiram W. Wetherbee, aged 51 yrs. 11 mos.
DOGS LICENSED IN 1871.
Males, 63, at $2 each,
$126 00
Females, 5, at $5 «
25 00
Total, 68
$151 00
Clerk's fees, at 20 cents each,
$13 60
Paid in to County Treasurer,
$137 40
WM. D. TUTTLE, Town Clerk.
THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL-YEAR 1871-72.
BOSTON : TOLMAN & WHITE, PRINTERS, 221 WASHINGTON STREET. 1872.
REPORT.
To the Citizens of Acton :
In obedience to the requirements, both of custom and law, the School Committee of Acton make this their Annual Report.
They are happy to be able to state that the schools, with two or three exceptions, have been successful, while in some of them a marked degree of progress has been manifest. But there is more or less difficulty connected with the task of securing good teachers ; and the difficulty is increasing every year, because other occupations offer more permanent employ- ment, and in many instances more lucrative, with less criti- cisms and less annoying circumstances connected therewith. Teachers are constantly changing, and if we get a good teacher we are not sure of her more than a term or two, ere some other committee, with a little more money, takes her away ; for so far as our knowledge and experience goes, teachers' wages are lower in our immediate vicinity than in many other places.
Another reason, which renders it difficult to secure pros- perous schools, is the fact that parents do not lend their aid and influence on the side of the teacher, and drop a word or two detrimental to their ability to teach a school ; and by so doing encourage the scholars to a degree of disrespect which makes it next to impossible for a teacher to maintain good order, gain the respect of his or her scholars, stimulate them to an earnest endeavor to improve themselves, and make the best use of the time allotted them for school purposes.
The importance of this subject demands the sober, serious attention of parents, and we hope and trust that it will re- ceive it. The school also demands frequent visits from
4
parents and friends of the scholars, and must receive them, if we would secure the greatest benefit from our schools. We too frequently get wrong impressions of the school, by taking reports that come to us on the wings of the wind ; but rather let us often visit the school room and see for ourselves, and speak an encouraging word to those gathered there, and our word for it you will feel a greater degree of satisfaction, and confer a blessing on the school of untold value. Another reason is the fact, that tardiness and absences in some schools are so frequent, that much of the value of the school is lost. If you would watch the progress of a school where the scholars are always prompt and punctual in their attend- ance, and one the reverse of this, we think those whose duty it is to see that scholars are prompt, would see such a differ- erence in favor of the former that they would spare no pains or expense to make our schools of such a character, and thus secure much more benefit from them. We want to bring the standard of our schools to a higher grade than they now are ; and in order to do this let us parents, one and all, in- terest ourselves in this matter, and do what we can to bring about so desirable a result.
MUSIC.
It is desirable to secure teachers, as far as possible, that are able to practice singing and teach the same to their schol- ars ; yet we would not make it one of the requisites of a good teacher, but think no one can fail to see a decided dif- ference in schools (other things being equal), and give the preference to those where singing is practised. None can sing unless they feel pleasant and happy, and they do not wish to lose the exercise ; therefore the tendencies are that all parties will feel better, and everything in the school room will be done with a better relish because of the singing.
TEXT BOOKS.
The only change that has been made in text books the past year is the removal of Robinson's Intellectual Arithmetic,
5
which was a very difficult book for the place, and Eaton's introduced in its stead, at the commencement of the school year ; and your Committee are of the opinion that the change was a good one, and many of the teachers agree with them in regard to the matter.
DISCIPLINE.
It is of the highest importance that good order should be maintained in our common schools ; all will agree in regard to the fact, but how to maintain it is the question that puz- zles us more than anything else at the present time. Many will clamor loudly for good order in our schools, while their government of two or three children at home is very laxative, and would not be tolerated by them in school for a single day. But what is to be done? It is all right when somebody's else child is the mark, but a different thing when you meddle with my child. Corporal punishment at the present day is unpopular, and the idea is fast creeping into our schools that scholars are not to be punished at all, do what they will, and some of the parents, just as soon as their children are touched, are offended at the teacher and waylay him or her on their way to their boarding-place, and give them a piece of their mind in no very gentle terms, and take their chil- dren from school. So long as this is practised so long we shall have trouble in our schools. A better way, in our judgment, would be to keep your children at school, although you felt that all was not quite right, and to seek a private interview with the teacher, talk the matter over and set things right, and not blaze it about so that the scholars get the impression that the teacher is not of much account and stands very low in the estimation of their parents.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Perhaps nothing need be said in regard to school houses, as the subject is now before the town. One house was built year before last, and one in the centre of the town last year, and the prospect now is that two more will be built this year.
6
We would advise a liberal expenditure in the erection of the houses, yet not so extravagant but that enough may remain for furniture of the rooms, such as globes, wall maps, mot- toes, &c., which are very much needed, and have not yet been furnished, except in one instance, that of the East district.
We will now take a glance at the schools and the teachers of the past year.
East School .- The Spring and Fall terms were taught by Miss Mary A. Tinker, who taught the year previous. Under her excellent training the school gained rapidly in the differ- ent branches taught, and although at the close sickness called her suddenly away, with no examination, yet from the fre- quent visits your Committee made, and knowledge gained from other sources, we do not hesitate to say that good progress was made, and scholars and teacher passed the time pleasantly and profitably to themselves and all interested in the school. The Winter term was taught by Miss R. S. Cutler, who came to us well recommended, and fully sus- tained her reputation as a teacher, as the frequent visits and closing examination of the Committee can fully testify. Also, quite a number of the parents present at the close of the school expressed themselves well satisfied with the progress made, and a desire that she should return in the Spring. We also concur in this desire.
South-East .- The Spring term of this school was taught by Miss Allie H. Burnham, its former teacher. She went quietly, yet earnestly about her labors, and fully sustained her previous well-earned reputation. The teacher and schol- ars seemed interested in each other, and each desirous to accomplish a good degree and amount of labor. This we think was secured, as the visits of the Committee can fully testify. The Fall term was taught by Miss Lizzie W. Beane, whose abilities to teach were not questioned, but who failed
7
to gain the respect of her pupils, consequently the order was not quite as good as we would like to have seen it; yet the school was not a failure, and a fair amount of work was accomplished, and we trust that the experience of this term will be serviceable to her in the future. The Winter term was taught by Miss Alice C. Preston. Her reputation of former terms was very good and we hoped that she would succeed admirably, but for some reason she failed to gain the respect of her pupils and interest them in their studies, so that when visited the order was too laxative, and a lack of life and interest in scholars and teacher was manifest throughout the term.
North .- This school was taught in the Spring and Fall by Miss Ella F. Reed, a resident of the district, and we feared for her success, but as the term advanced we saw that our fears were groundless, and that the teacher and schol- ars became interested in each other, and in their labors, and, although this was her first experience in teaching, a good degree of labor was accomplished which was attended by success throughout both terms. The Winter term was taught by Miss Junia S. Bartlett, who has had much experi- ence in school teaching, and under whose training the school made rapid progress. When visited at the commencment, and at the close, the school appeared well ; good order and success attended her labors during the term, and we gave the school our hearty approval. The scholars showed their re- spect and esteem for their teacher by giving her a well selected present at the close of the exercises on examination day.
South Primary .- The Spring term was taught by Miss M. A. Edwards, who was well recommended, and entered upon her labors with a good degree of earnestness, and al- though no examination was had, yet evidence of her ability to teach and earnestness in her work were manifest when- ever we visited the school, and fair success followed her la-
8
bors. The Fall and Winter terms were taught by Miss Lottie C. Faulkner, who possesses, in an uncommon degree, the faculty and ability to teach and interest her pupils ; and we think we never visited a primary school where we were so well pleased, and where the pupils were so well drilled, and seemed to understand what they were doing so well, as this school. Her manner of object teaching was excellent. The teacher and school received the approval of the Com- mittee and others present, and we trust that what has been learned will be remembered, and practised in after years.
South Grammar .- This school has enjoyed the pleasure of having the same teacher throughout the whole year. The teacher, Miss Comstock, has often, and for some time, been before the town in a number of reports, and is there- fore too well known to need any remarks from us. There is a thoroughness of manner about this teacher and school which is very commendable, and the exercises were of such a character as to need no criticism.
West Primary .- This school has had only one teacher, Miss S. Jennie Wheeler, throughout the year. Her school was large, too large for the room, and the scholars were somewhat crowded during the Winter term. But although she had these difficulties to contend with, her order was good, the pupils seemed interested in their studies, and the teacher labored hard and accomplished a good work. The school appeared well when visited by the Committee, and at the close the teacher and scholars received the approval of the Committee and of many parents who were present.
West Grammar .- This school has had three teachers dur- ing the year. The Spring term was taught by Miss Annie E. Hall, an old and a good teacher, possessed of amiable qualities of mind, and kind almost to a fault, if such a thing were possible. Some of the scholars took advantage of her kindness in such a way as to make the discipline of the
9
school quite hard, her duties being arduous by having too many classes. Your Committee dropped one study, put two classes together, thereby reducing the number of classes to three less than at first. She labored hard and accom- plished a work for which she will long be remembered by those interested, and at the close received the approbation of the Committee, although there was no formal examination. The Fall term was taught by Miss Allie H. Burnham, a for- mer acquaintance with the schools of Acton, and we cannot add much to what has already been said in her favor as a teacher. She found it a rather difficult school as regards discipline, yet she labored hard for the good of her scholars, and won the affection and regard of many of them, who ex- pressed a wish that she should return again. The Commit- tee were able to say at the close, she has done what she could. The Winter term was taught by Wm. R. White, from Dartmouth College. He was a young man of amiable qualities, came well recommended as a teacher, and accom- plished a good work. He treated the school kindly, and en- deavored to govern by kindness and was partially success- ful, but a few of the scholars took advantage of his kindness and we feared an outbreak at one time, but one boy, who seemed to your Committee to be the leader in every wrong act, left when the school was about half through, with the expression that he would not come to school if he must obey orders, and from that time onward there was no more trouble. At the examination many of the classes recited on topics selected by the teacher, and drawn by the scholars at the time of examination, so that the school was thrown upon its own resources. We could not refrain from saying that they acquitted themselves manfully and well, and our ap- proval was given them and their teacher.
Centre Grammar .- This school has had three teachers for the past year. The Spring term was taught by Miss Junia S. Bartlett, an old and experienced teacher, whose labors were well planned and well executed.
10
The school for this term, for some reason or other, was smaller than the previous term, or since ; yet the teacher and scholars generally seemed united in the great purpose of making the most of their time and advantages towards secur- ing an education, and on the whole the school was a success. The Fall term was taught by Miss Lizzie M. Priest, who has taught in this school for several terms previous to this, and now, as in former terms, the school did a good work, and one that will long be remembered by many of the schol- ars as among their pleasant and profitable school terms. The teacher won for herself the approval of the Committee for her prompt and untiring efforts for the good of the school.
The Winter term was taught by Mr. E. B. Vining, a young man of good moral character, who entered upon his labors with a determination of having a good school, and govern by kindness. But some of the scholars did not choose to be thus governed, acknowledging only brute force and the motive of fear. Consequently the school was only a partial success. The facts were that he did not have the sympathy and co-operation of some of the parents, and was tried and condemned before school commenced, before they knew anything of him as a teacher ; and no teacher can succeed under such circumstances. It is a very difficult task when supported and aided by the parents. His previous success as a teacher has been uniformly good.
Centre Primary .- The Spring term of this school was taught by Miss Flora A. Hayward, who was possessed of a good education, having graduated and received a diploma at a neighboring high school. This was her first experience, and the Committee wished her success ; yet she failed to gain the respect of her pupils to a very great degree. Conse- quently her success was not so good as we wished it might have been.
The Fall term was taught by Miss Lizzie M. Blood. Un- der her training the school seemed to do well. She had the faculty of gaining the esteem and respect of her pupils and
11
interesting them in their studies, breaking the monotony of school exercises by an occasional song, and so a good work was accomplished, and the teacher and the term will long be remembered by them as among their pleasant and profitable terms.
The Winter term was taught by Miss Allie H. Burnham, whose talent for and interest in teaching has won for her the love and respect of her pupils in different parts of the town ; and here, as in other schools, she did not fail to interest her scholars in a very large degree, thus making some of the studies, which are frequently called dry and uninteresting, the very reverse. Whenever this school was visited by the Committee it appeared orderly and studious ; and the closing examination gave evidence to the Committee and others pres- ent that teacher and scholars had labored hard, unitedly and earnestly for the great object of obtaining an education, and . so prepare them for future usefulness in life ; and we accord to teacher and pupils our hearty approval, and wish them godspeed in the good work.
The column in the statistical table appended, showing the number of visits of parents and others, does not include the Superintendent's visits each term.
JOHN E. CUTTER, Chairman. LUKE BLANCHARD, W. H. FAULKNER, JOHN WHITE, WINSOR PRATT.
ACTON, March 23, 1872.
FINANCIAL.
EAST SCHOOL.
Appropriation,
$258 36
Balance from last year,
14 84
Paid teachers,
$224 20
Fuel,
33 25
Care of school room, fires, &c.,
8 53
Balance to new account,
7 22
$273 20
JOHN E. CUTTER, Committee.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.
Drawn from Treasury,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.