USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1889 > Part 2
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June 26. Edward E. Stone, Abbie M. Weiker, Aug. 9. Herbert W. Wight, Della Stillings,
Medfield, Mass., ) In Sherborn, by Rev. Ed- Old Town, Me., mund Dowse.
Sept. II.
Collamer G. Bridge, Jennie F. Wight,
Medfield, Mass., bur Johnson.
Sept. 13. Mary C. Davis, John Rodowsky,
Medfield, Mass.,
H. Pratt.
Oct. 3. Anna M. Guild, Bion H. Lowe,
Medfield, Mass., S
§ Medfield, Mass., ) In Medfield, by Rev. Wil- bur Johnson.
Oct. 22. Estella L. Clark, Oct. 22. Elmer H. E. Dyer, Alice E. Hooper, Oct. 27. James E. Wilkins, Lillian J. E. Adams, Alfred Melanson,
Medfield, Mass.,
Medfield, Mass., ¿ In Rockland, Me., by Rev. D. P. Hatch.
Rockland, Me.,
¿ In Medfield, by Rev. E. S. Gardiner.
Oct. 28.
Mary J. Fitzgerald, Frank A. Brigham, S Medfield, Mass., ¿ Orange, Mass.,
In Orange, Mass., by Rev. Geo. W. Judson.
§ Medfield, Mass., { In Medfield, by Rev. Wm.
Medfield, Mass., S W. Haywood.
S
Medfield, Mass., ) In Medfield, by Rev. Wm.
Medfield, Mass., S
W. Haywood.
Nov. 27. Annie M. Codding,
Medfield, Mass., S
Ambrose E. Brown, S Medfield, Mass.,
Medfield, Mass., S
In Franklin, Mass., by Rev. Erwin Dennett.
Lewis A. Arnold,
Dec. 24. Flora A. Brown,
Medfield, Mass., S
Medfield, Mass., 1 In Franklin, Mass., by Rev. Erwin Dennett.
Total number of marriages, 22.
Married in town, 15.
Married out of town, 7.
Oct. 31. Constantina R. Bates, Nov. I. Allan A. Kingsbury, Lillian L. Phelps, Nov. 10. John E. Bartz, Nellie Casey, Frank D. Moon,
§ Medfield, Mass., Medfield, Mass., S Medfield, Mass., Medfield, Mass., S
1 In Foxboro, Mass., by
Rev. Fr. P. H. Callanan.
Norwood, Mass., { In Medfield, by Rev. Wil- Medfield, Mass., S bur Johnson.
§ Medfield, Mass., { In Medfield, by Rev. Wil-
Wilbur Johnson,
§ Medfield, Mass., { In Medfield, by Rev. Geo.
Medfield, Mass., { In Medfield, by Rev. E. S. Gardiner.
Duluth, Minn., 1 In Medfield, by Rev. I. H. Gilbert.
Dec. 24. Martha E. Greenwood,
Mary M. Fiske, James M. Read,
§ Sherborn, Mass., { In Medfield, by Rev. Wil- bur Johnson.
22
DEATHS IN MEDFIELD DURING THE YEAR 1888.
DATE.
NAME.
Yrs.
AGE. Mos.
Days.
DISEASE.
Jan. 13.
Emma L. Babcock.
32
I6
Phthisis.
Jan. 23.
Harriet M. Lane.
79
IO
18
Old Age.
Jan. 23.
Mary S. Whitney.
28
8
13
Heart Disease.
Jan.
26.
Margaret Hoar.
81
3
16
Apoplexy.
Feb.
6.
Female infant.
Infantile Debility.
Feb.
23.
John Kingsbury.
-73
3
14
Marasmus.
Feb. 25.
Harrison P. Taber.
68
4
15
Mar. 2.
Lucy Kingsbury.
71
9
I
Spinal Meningitis.
Mar. 19.
Hannah Hamant.
73
5
19
Pneumonia.
Apr. 12.
James Nelson.
68
6
I5
Heart Disease.
Apr. 29.
Christiana B. Smith.
80
8
5
Marasmus.
May
8.
Charles W. Bullard.
32
II
25
Enteritis.
June 16.
Lilla M. Farnsworth.
28
I
6
Uræmia.
July
18.
Lowell Adams.
68
6
27
Apoplexy.
Aug. 26.
George L. Dodge.
54
3
28
Debility.
Nov.
Silas Allen.
93
9
25
Old Age.
Nov. 4.
Abbie F. Nelson.
47
5
23
Ulceration of Bowels
Dec. 27.
Hattie J. Baker.
30
6
12
Phthisis Pulmonaris.
Between the ages of 90 and 100 years, Between the ages of 80 and 90 years,
3
Between the ages of 70 and 80 years,
Between the ages of 50 and 70 years,
Between the ages of 30 and
50 years,
5
Between the ages of 10 and
30 years,
2
Under 10 years of age, .
2
Total,
22
Males,
8 Females,
. 14
A true copy.
Attest :
STILLMAN J. SPEAR,
Town Clerk.
.
.
Typhoid Fever.
Feb. 23.
Bernice Baker.
4
IO
Phthisis.
Heart Disease.
Apr. 29.
David Plimpton.
76
9
20
Phthisis.
May 25.
Leola Sawyer.
II
Septicemia.
Oct.
13.
Lydia M. Buntin.
86
6
I
5
4
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The annual report of the School Committee is herewith respect- fully submitted.
The pupils in most of the schools are well up in the work re- quired by our course of study. With the exception of reading, no particular criticism need be made, though more thorough drill in the four fundamental rules of arithmetic and more map-drawing in connection with geography would be advantageous.
Reading is the most important study in the schools, the most dif- ficult to teach, and the result the least satisfactory. We often hear excellent recitations in mathematics and what are called the higher branches, from pupils whose reading is anything but creditable. This is owing to neglect of thorough, systematic drill in the lower departments in the elementary sounds of our language, especially the consonants. Here is where the child should acquire the ability to give every sound and combination of sounds with pre- cision and ease. After this is acquired, and not before, can we expect a pupil to read with distinctness and expression. Much improvement has been made in this direction during the past year, especially in the Primary School. If this is continued through the various grades, we shall see excellent results in the future.
Teachers of reading should be good readers, and be prepared at all times to illustrate their teaching by example ; remembering always that one piece read finely is of more value than many read poorly.
It is difficult to create much interest in the higher departments in work that should have been done in the lower.
Spelling has received the usual attention, with the usual results. It seems necessary for the present that our children should spend a large portion of their time in this drudgery. The reform of Eng- lish orthography, which the English and American philologists are laboring to secure, and in which every one should co-operate, will add nearly two years to the school life of our children, and relieve the teachers of their most tedious and unsatisfactory work.
The refining and elevating influence of music in schools comes through singing, not from the practice of notation from chart or blackboard, however valuable that may be. In addition to the singing of hymns and songs adapted to the various grades, every
24
pupil should thoroughly learn such pieces as "America," "Hail Columbia," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Auld Lang Syne," and "Home, Sweet Home." All teachers cannot be ex- pected to be accomplished singers, but all should be able to sing well, and conduct these exercises successfully.
In visiting one of our schools last spring, we found upon the blackboard a long list of the names of birds in the order that they were first seen by the pupils. The pupil's name and the date were set opposite the name of the bird which he was so fortunate as to have seen first. On another board was the same arrangement in regard to flowers. This the teacher supplemented by oral instruc- tion upon the habits and uses of birds, and the construction and beauty of flowers, thus laying a foundation for the future study of ornithology and botany. In speaking of this to a noted educator, he remarked that doubtless that exercise was of as much value as any other during the term.
Everything that calls the attention of children to the beauties of nature is of permanent value.
The teachers of the Grammar and Intermediate Schools, after long and faithful service, resigned their positions at the close of last year. We were fortunate in engaging Miss Colby, of Haver- hill, for the Intermediate, but were unable to supply a permanent and satisfactory teacher for the Grammar School until the winter term, when Miss Hewins, of this town, was engaged ; and under her instruction the pupils have regained the time lost during the previous changes.
It is worthy of mention that Mrs. Chase, teacher of the South School, was appointed to lecture before the State Agricultural Society last fall; and her lecture was received with marked ap- proval.
Few towns have a more pleasant or convenient High School building. The out-houses connected with it, having been found offensive and likely to cause sickness, have been removed to a proper distance ; and no further trouble is anticipated. The large basement has been concreted, making an excellent place where the small children may play in cold and unpleasant weather. The ventilation throughout the building has been improved. We wish to express our commendation of the Principal of the High School and his general management.
The North and South School buildings have needed no repairs of consequence.
25
School property has been remarkably free from injury by pupils in all the buildings, which is worthy of note.
The discipline in the schools has been much above the average. There has been no expulsion, a few cases of suspension (these occurring in the Grammar School before a permanent teacher was engaged), very little truancy or corporal punishment. No deaths and but few cases of sickness have occurred during the year.
There has been an unusual number of visitors in the schools, which indicates a growing interest among the people.
Last " Arbor Day" the pupils of the North School again planted a number of trees upon the school grounds, and it is hoped the pupils in the other schools will manifest the same public spirit.
We are comparatively free from the evils which exist in the small, ungraded district schools of the country, on the one hand, and the closely graded schools of the city, on the other. In some localities, several towns unite and employ a superintendent. With competent teachers, this expense seems unnecessary here The present tendency to centralize, organize, and classify may be carried too far.
While we secure faithful and qualified teachers, and give them liberty to show their individuality, satisfactory results may be obtained.
The pleasant relations which exist between the teachers and pupils throughout all the schools are very gratifying, the result being seen in the small amount of discipline required. This is not only creditable to the teachers, but to the community; for, obtain- ing such results indicates good home management and the confi- dence and cordial co-operation of the parents.
The usual statistics are given in the following tables : -
U
26
1888-1889.
SCHOOLS.
Length of School
in Weeks.
Whole Number
of Scholars.
Average Attend-
ance.
Years.
Percentage of
Attendance.
Wages of Teach-
ers per Month.
Spring, Fall,
15
31
28.39
12
95
$105.00
Winter,
I2
20
26.5
II
91
Spring,
II
33
28.58
I
93.3
Grammar,
Fall,
41
34.55
3
94.9
45.00
Winter,
15
37
33.7
3
91
Spring,
II
40
35.6
2
93.5
Intermediate,
Fall,
15
4I
36.8
I
94.2
40.00
Winter,
12
38
35.I
I
93. 1
Spring,
II
50
44.6
92.5
Fall,
15
46
37.4
92.4
40.00
Winter,
I2
44
41
93.1
Spring,
II
24
21.8
92+
North, .
Fall,
35
26.8
I
93 +
40.00
Winter,
I2
31
27.9
I
91 +
Spring,
20
18.3
96. 1
South,
·
Fall,
15
18
17.35
94.8
Winter,
12
21
18.9
I
93.6
ROLL OF HONOR.
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY DURING THE YEAR.
Annie Tracey, Maude Ryan, Joseph Tracey, Fred Wight, Mary Babcock, Nettie Harding, Bertha McGrory, Mabel Ellis, Fannie M. Babcock.
LIST OF TEACHERS.
E. EMMONS GROVER,
Miss LAURA HEWINS,
Miss LUCETTA COLBY, Mrs. M. B. A. DUNN,
Miss A. M. DORR,
North.
Mrs. S. M. CHASE,
South.
II
25
21.9
Number over 15
12
89
High,
Primary, .
.
·
High Grammar. Grammar. Intermediate. Primary.
27
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MEDFIELD SCHOOL FUND.
Note given by Town of Medfield, $1,610.20
Note given by Town of Medfield, 875.00
Note given by Town of Medfield, 25.00
Note given by Sarah A. Chickering, secured by Mortgage, 250.00
Deposit in Framingham Savings Bank,
1,000.00
Total,
· $3,760.20
Respectfully submitted.
HAMLET WIGHT, - Trustees.
J. H. BAKER, R. A. BATTELLE,
MEDFIELD, Feb. 1, 1889.
28
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Cash in hands of the Committee Feb. 1, 1888, $36.47
Received for lots sold, . 69.00
$105.47
Paid for labor, turf, and loam,
$61.17
C. T. Frost, for stone posts, .
10.20
71.37
Leaving balance in hands Committee Feb. I, 1889,
·
$34.10
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. SHUMWAY, JOSEPH CLARK, Committee.
A. B. PARKER,
29
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The past year has been a successful one. The standard of the books purchased has been kept up, and the Trustees note with satisfaction that the better grades are called for and read. The demand is for new works; and this demand must be met, else the patronage falls off at once.
In January we opened a public Reading-room ; and, through the liberality of Edwin V. Mitchell, Esq., we were able to place upon the table the following periodicals : -
Harper's Weekly and Monthly, Harper's Young People, Frank Leslie's Weekly and Monthly, London Illustrated News, Youth's Companion, Cottage Hearth, Household, Popular Science Monthly, Scribner's Monthly, Century Monthly, Atlantic Monthly, Forum Monthly, Wide Awake Monthly, St. Nicholas Monthly.
The room being small, no special effort was made to advertise the fact ; but the patronage has been satisfactory. We shall ask permission to use a portion of our appropriation for the support of this enterprise. For the present, the room will be open every evening, except Monday, from 6.30 to 8.30 o'clock. Transient residents are made specially welcome.
We are also indebted to Major J. Henry Gould for a subscrip- tion to the Boston "Daily Journal," and to W. W. Preston for blow- pipe.
For the Board of Trustees,
J. HERBERT BAKER, Secretary.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN-MEETING.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To GEORGE A. MORSE, one of the constables of the town of Medfield, in the county of Norfolk, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Medfield, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall in said Medfield, on Monday, the fourth day of March next, at twelve o'clock noon, then and there to act upon the following articles : -
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year.
ART. 3. To hear and act upon the reports of the several town officers for the past year.
ART. 4. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer to borrow any necessary sums of money with the approval of the Selectmen, in anticipation of taxes.
ART. 5. To grant and make appropriations of such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the town charges for the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To determine in what manner the taxes shall be collected for the ensuing year. And also to determine what percentage shall be allowed the Col- lector for his services, and see if the town will authorize the Collector to use all such means in the collection of the taxes as the Treasurer might, if chosen to the same office.
ART. 7. To see if the town will accept the list of Jurors as prepared by the Selectmen.
ART. 8. To · see if the town will determine the compensation of the mem- bers of the Fire Department for the ensuing year.
ART. 9. To see how much per hour the town will allow for work done on the roads.
ART. IO. To see if the town will or will not grant license for the sale of intoxicating liquors in town for the ensuing year.
ART. II. To see if the town will purchase one thousand feet of new hose for the Fire Department, or do or act anything relating thereto.
ART. 12 To see if the town will purchase a life-saving apparatus for the Fire Department, or do or act anything relating thereto.
ART. 13. To see if the town will grant and appropriate any sum of money for Decoration Day.
ART. 14. To see if the town will grant and appropriate any sum of money for the support of the Public Library for the ensuing year.
31
ART. 15. To see if the town will vote to have the financial year close on December 31, instead of January 31, as it does now.
ART. 16. To see if the town will vote to enlarge the Cemetery, or do or act anything in relation thereto.
ART. 17. To see what action the town will take for furnishing water in case of fire, or do or act anything relating thereto.
ART. 18. To see what action the town will take in regard to adopting any portion of the betterment law.
And you are directed to serve this warrant, by posting up an attested copy thereof in the usual place for posting warrants in said Medfield, ten days, at least, before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make the due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, unto the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this sixteenth day of February, A.D. eighteen hundred and eighty-nine.
GEORGE W. KINGSBURY, - Selectmen GEORGE W. BRUCE, of
HENRY N. PARKER, Medfield.
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