Town annual reports of the officers of the town of Pepperell, Mass 1956, Part 9

Author: Pepperell (Mass.)
Publication date: 1946
Publisher: [Pepperell, Mass.] : [Town of Pepperell]
Number of Pages: 682


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Pepperell > Town annual reports of the officers of the town of Pepperell, Mass 1956 > Part 9


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


During the year a number of services previously started have been placed on a more satisfactory basis and other im- provements have been initiated. Under the supervision of Charles Weston, contractor, collection of garbage and rubbish throughout the thickly settled portions of the Town has been maintained on a regular schedule of once weekly for garbage; twice monthly for rubbish. Printed cards containing rules and regulations covering this collection service were distributed to householders during the summer.


For a number of years the Town Dump has been a


7


continuing problem with respect to maintenance. Starting in July full time supervision of the Town Dump has been provided through the services of Louis H. Melvin. The appearance and general condition of the premises off Brook- line and Boynton Streets have been vastly improved at only nominal expense to the Town.


As a preliminary step toward assuring sanitary con- ditions in restaurants and other eating and drinking estab- lishments, a restaurant inspection was conducted during May and June with the co-operation of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Recommendations and con- structive suggestions were furnished where needed to the business establishments and this program was supplemented in September with a three day Food Handlers' course, again conducted under the direction and with the co-operation of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.


Contracts were awarded for needed improvements and repairs at the Tarbell Street School building now being used jointly by the American Legion and by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Necessary boiler repairs were completed. The front of the building was repaired and the porch rebuilt. The cupola on top of the building was found to be in a hazardous condition and was removed. Following these repairs the front and two sides of the building were painted with two coats and the rear of the building will receive the second coat as early in the spring as weather permits.


Complete renovation and a thorough cleaning of the Town House was started early in the fall and much of the work has now been completed under the supervision of John Weston, janitor of the Town House. Double doors just inside the front entrance have been installed to conserve fuel and make the lower (Town) hall more comfortable during meetings. The two rest rooms adjoining Prescott Hall are being painted and improved.


A good deal of additional painting is needed at the Town House including redecorating of Prescott Hall, and drapes or curtains on the stage to replace present dilapidated stage scenery. The exterior of the building should be painted within the not too distant future. A survey has been made through an electrical contractor as a preliminary step to- ward installing new fluorescent lights in the lower (Town) hall. As soon as estimates are secured it will be determined


8


whether it is practical at the present time to carry this. work forward.


In the absence of an adequate building or other accom- modations for civic groups, a comfortable room on the lower level of the Town House opening from the east piazza has been made available for use by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies and Cubs. This room is heated three afternoons per week with janitor service provided for the convenience of these worth-while groups of boys and girls. The large coal stove employed in the Police Station during the war- time fuel oil shortage was moved from the Police Station to this room in the Town House and has been maintained for heating purposes.


Because of the extremely hazardous fire condition pre- vailing during the latter part of October a state of emer- gency was declared by the Selectmen on October 23, 1947 and was continud through October 31, 1947. During that period two drivers were maintained at the Foster Street fire station on 24 hour duty as a precaution to meet the unusual fire hazard.


It is noted with much regret that the end of 1947 marks the retirement from our Fire Department of 2 men who have given many years of loyal service to this vital de- partment of the Town. For reasons of health Waldo F. Parker resigned as of December 31st after 25 years in the department, 8 years as Fire Chief. Marlton E. Twichell has likewise found it necessary to resign from the depart- ment after a period of 30 years service, 20 of them as Treasurer of Engine Company, No. 1. At the time of his resignation, Mr. Twichell was the oldest man on the force in years of service. Our sincere thanks are extended to these two men in particular and to all others in the department who maintain fire protection for the Town.


A close and cordial relationship has been continued with the several State and County departments with jurisdiction over Town affairs. Much assistance has been rendered by the personnel in the office of Commissioner Henry F. Long; also by members of the Department of Public Health, De- partment of Public Works, and Department of Public Safety. During the year a number of conferences have been held by the Board at the several State offices in Boston and like-


9


wise at the County Commissioner's office in East Cam- bridge.


Negotiations were instituted with Boston & Maine Rail- road toward acquisition by the Town of three parcels of land owned by the Railroad and needed by the Town. These tracts include land extending from Groton Street to the Police Stational, an additional strip parallelling the Railroad right of way through Railroad Square, and a small triangle at the intersection of Lowell Street and the Boston & Maine tracks. Further discussion will be started shortly with officials of the Railroad toward final purchase of this land by the Town.


During the year the services of Mrs. Laura Saunders as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen were continued with the following hours in effect.


Week Days - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; 1:30 p.m. -*


5:00 p.m.


Saturday - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.


Legal Holidays excepted.


During these hours the Selectmen's office in the Town House is open for the convenience of the townspeople. Calls for information or on other Town business including items for the District Nurse may be made to Pepperell 433.


The regular meeting night for the Board of Selectmen is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and all residents of the Town are welcome to appear before any meeting of the Board.


The several elective officers and also appointed boards and committees have functioned throughout the year with gratifying harmony and complete co-operation. The Board extends at this time its sincere thanks to those other offi- cers, boards, and committees who have assisted us so ma- terially throughout the year in carrying forward matters under their respective jurisdiction.


As a matter of interest the following table is presented to indicate the record of Pepperell on tax rates during the past five years.


1943 1944 1945


1946 1947


$33.60 $32.00 $32.40 $34.40


$36.00


Only through careful planning and through the full co-operation of all departments within the Town has it been possible to avoid considerably higher taxes in the face of current increases, many of them substantial, in the cost of all items and services.


10


The daily duties of the members of the Board continue to be varied and interesting. These duties range in scope from the honor of pitching the first baseball at the opening of the season to the occasional necessity of helping to push back the Town Dump or rendering assistance on garbage and rubbish collections. To the great majority of citizens who have been considerate and understanding in the Board's efforts to perform their duties, we extend our cordial ap- preciation. Constructive suggestions are welcome at all times.


CHESTER H. WATEROUS RAY M. NEWELL LEONARD J. DAVIS


Board of Selectmen


LICENSES GRANTED - 1947


No.


Licenses Granted


Fees Collected


3


All Alcoholic Beverages - Hotels


$3,000.00


2


All Alcoholic Beverages - Druggists


600.00


1


All Alcoholic Beverages - Package Store


400.00


3


Malt Beverages


215.10


4


Common Victuallers


12.00


3


Innholders


9.00


1


Special Day license for Wines and Malt


5.00


9


Advertising Liquor Licenses


11.25


1


Soft Drink Manufacturer


20.00


1


Ice Cream Manufacturer


5.00


3


Auctioneers


6.00


18


Milk Dealers


9.00


2


Recreational and Educational Camps


1.00


1 Funeral Director


1.00


3


Private Livery


3.00


1


Taxi and Private Livery


1.00


1


Lodging House


2.00


1


Miniature Auto Track


2.00


2


New and Used Car Dealers


20.00


1


Denatured Alcohol


1.00


1 Sale of Firearms


1.00


$4,324.35


11


1


Report of the Board of Health


The following cases were reported :


Chicken-pox 7


Measles 3


Whooping-cough 6


Dog Bite


4


There were 18 Milk Licenses issued and the fees turned over to the Town Treasurer.


LAURA P. SAUNDERS


Clerk, Board of Selectmen


VETERANS' BENEFITS


Appropriated $1,000.00


Expended for Relief


$318.00


Expended for Administration Balance


62.00


620.00


$1,000.00


Respectfully submitted


RAY M. NEWELL Agent for Veterans' Benefits


12


List of Insurance New "Town Schedule" type of Insurance effective April 24, 1944 Division 1 - Buildings


Item


Con-


No. Description


struction Location


Insurance


1 Town Hall


Frame


Main St.


$37,000


2 Lawrence Library


Brick


Main St.


52,000


3 Shattuck School


Brick


Main St.


48,000


4 Groton St. School Brick


Groton St.


25,000


5 High School Brick


Main St.


80,000


6 Fire Station


Brick


Foster St.


17,500


7 Highway Department


Frame


Foster St.


2,500


8 Varnum Dwelling


Frame


Hollis St.


3,200


9 Jail


Brick Groton St.


1,600


10 Pumping Station


Brick


Off Brookline St.


16,000


11 Aux. Pump Station


Brick


Mason St.


1,300


12 Legion Headquarters Frame


Tarbell St.


6,500


Division 2 - Buildings Contents


$48,400


Premium for above, $976.31 per year starting with 1945. Miscellaneous Insurance :


Item


1 High School Boiler


$10,000.00


2 Lawrence Library Boiler 10,000.00


3 Town Hall, two boilers 20,000.00


4 Tarbell Street School Boiler Premium for 1 year for above 5 boilers $85.00


10,000.00


5 Fire Dept. Equipment, 18,500 Pol., 1 year premium 46.25


6 Accident Insurance Coverage on Personnel of Fire Dept., Premium for 1 year 200.00


7 Police Cruiser


105.37


8 Theft and Mysterous Disappearance "Broad Coverage" Theft Policy :


Duane P. McDuffee, Tax Collector, $2630- premium (3 years) - 131.25


Philip R. McClain, Town Treasurer, $900- premium (3 years) 44.89


Respectfully submitted,


CHESTER H. WATEROUS RAY M. NEWELL


LEONARD J. DAVIS Board of Selectmen


13


$290,600


List of Jurors of the Town of Pepperell Pepperell, Mass., July 1, 1947


List of Jurors for the municipal year 1947 and 1948, prepared and posted by the Selectmen of Pepperell, in accordance with Chapter 234, Section 4 of the General Laws.


Name


Occupation Residence


Bancroft, Floyd U.


Machine Operator Main Street


Brew, Winslow W.


Machine Operator Franklin Street


Caldwell, Lewis M.


Gen'l Repairman


Townsend Street


Colbeck, Charles B.


Papermaker Main Street


Day, Theodore H.


Farmer


Oak Hill


Donnelly, Eugene R.


Salesmanager


Main Street


Dow, Harry J.


Cemetery Supt.


Cottage Street


Dwyer, Francis H.


Paper Tester


Shamrock Street


Gagnon, Donald E.


Chemist


Main Street


Greeley, Leon C.


Mechanic Wheeler Street


Machinist Cottage Street


Hill, George H.


Salesman


High Street


Knight, Herbert G.


Engineer


Main Street


Lakin, George S.


Mechanic


Leighton Street


Leary, Henry


Auto Mechanic


Tucker Street


Lorden, Charles W., Jr.


Oil Dealer


Leighton Street


Lorden, John J.


Truckman


Tarbell Street


Lynch, Harold T.


Tractor Operator


Nashua Street


Mahony, Amos J.


Laborer


Main Street .


Manning, Charles L.


Mechanic


Lowell Street


Maynard, Charles F.


Retailer


Park Street


Munn, Richard A.


Electrician


Hollis Street


Nalette, Amos B.


Electrician


Prospect Street


Palmer, Ralph W.


Farmer


Hollis Street


Parker, Clayton S.


Retired Sheffield Street


Shattuck, Leroy A.


Farm Manager


Prescott Street


Machine Operator Mill Street


Tredtin, Harold C.


Meter Reader


Leighton Street


Turner, Robert N., Jr.


Salesman Hollis Street


Twichell, Marlton E.


Electrician


Groton Street


Wiley, Franklin C.


Janitor


Elm Street


Sweet, Herbert P. Symonds, Charles S.


Truck Driver Townsend Street


CHESTER H. WATEROUS RAY M. NEWELL LEONARD J. DAVIS Selectmen of Pepperell


14


Hall, Sylvester


Report of Playground Committee


We wish to submit our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1947.


The activities of the Playground appear to be increas- ing each year.


Additional improvements were made on the ballfield this spring and the field was in constant use all season. New bleachers were purchased and installed and a power mowing unit was procured. From observation the bleachers were appreciated by the fans and the mower has already solved our mowing problem.


The skating rink was very popular until the arrival of snow. The cost of snow removal and spraying is so great that the Committee hesitates to make any recommendations to cover necessary expenditures to overcome this problem. We are in hopes some inexpensive arrangement can be worked out to maintain the rink.


The Committee wishes to thank all who assisted in any way to make the playground and its activities such a success.


JAMES H. CLEARY CHARLES F. MAYNARD WALTER D. CROWLEY


15


Report of the Pepperell District Nurse


I hereby submit the report of Pepperell District Nurse Association for the year ending December 31, 1947.


The following visits were made:


Prenatal


20


New born


40


T. B. Follow-up


54


School Follow-up


94


Venereal Disease


2


Veterans' Bureau


2


U. S. Navy


2


Welfare


200


Morbidity


1455


1892


The annual pre-school clinic was held in May with Dr. Porter examining the children. Well child conferences were held every other month, Doctors Porter and Graves alter- nating. These were well attended and have proved to be of benefit to the mothers as Miss King, State Nutritionist, spends considerable time explaining diets to them. The Nurse Board members have transported the mothers.


A toxoid clinic was held January 7th and 75 children were immunized.


Two children were placed at Walter Fernald School for special training.


A total of 620 persons had chest x-rays. 495 of these were done at the factories and 67 at High School. . This was made possible through Xmas Seal sales. 58 went to clinics, . either at Waltham or Ayer.


Appointments were made at Crippled Children's Clinics for children with speech and orthopedic defects. One pa- tient was taken to Gardner for observation.


16


The following conferences were attended:


5 with Miss Martin of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and Chief. King in regard to 3 problem families.


1 with Miss Warren from Division of Child Guar- dianship.


1 with Selectmen.


1 with State Police.


10 with Miss Herlihy, State Nurse.


2 with Miss Thomson.


30 hours class at St. John's Hospital in Lowell on orthopedic nursing.


1 lecture at Ayer on Rheumatic Fever by Dr. Otto Yens.


Mrs. Mary Wells, R.N., did the week-end work until June when her camp opened. We were without a week-end nurse until November 22 when Mrs. Claire Wisnosky was appointed. Due to the great shortage of nurses I feel we were most fortunate to obtain the services of Audrey Mc- Leod, R.N. for the vacation month.


Mrs. Laura Saunders continues to take my calls at the Town Hall, 9 - 12 and 1:30 to 5. She has been most helpful.


I have enjoyed my work and thank all with whom I have been associated for their kindness and co-operation.


ELLEN E. DEE, R.N.


17


Report of Permanent Honor Roll and War Memorial Committee


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen


Town of Pepperell


The Permanent Honor Roll and War Memorial Com- mittee submits their report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1947.


This Committee held four meetings during the year, namely on: May 3d, November 3d, November 24th and De- cember 8th.


The Committee discussed the suggestions received for the following types of projects for a War Memorial:


Part 1. A Permanent Honor Roll listing the names of all the World War II veterans, and erecting this plaque in a suitable place.


Part 2. A Living Memorial in the form of one of the following suggestions:


1. Construct swimming pool. Scheme 1-Artificial pool. Scheme 2-Natural pool in Nissitissit River.


2. Community Center for the young people.


3. Children's Reading Room in Library Building.


4. Prescott Hall Renovation as a Memorial Hall.


5. Entire Town Hall Renovation-new Town Offices- Rooms for different groups-Larger hall for meet- ings, etc.


6. Playground development as a Memorial Playground.


7. Railroad Square development.


8. Electrically operated carillonic bells (chimes) .


It was decided that because of high construction costs and scarcity of materials it is impractical to submit any plans at the Annual Town Meeting in 1948 for a Living Memorial as listed in Part 2.


The Committee, however, unanimously agreed that prompt action should be taken in erecting a suitable Perma- nent Honor Roll, and with this objective in mind, the Com- mittee interviewed five monument manufacturing compan- ies, and received estimates on several projects ranging from adding a new World War II plaque to the present Memorial, to erecting an entirely new Monument with the names of the World War II veterans engraved on it.


18


After duly considering all these projects, the Committee is recommending a new plaque listing all the names of the World War II Veterans to be added to the eastern side of the existing monument where the Pepperell Seal is now located, and move the Pepperell Seal (redesigned) down to the stone steps at the foot of the monument, - also includ- ing reconditioning the present monument.


The cost of the project will be within $2500.00.


The account on the town books known as the Perman- ent Honor Roll and War Memorial Fund, for the purpose of accepting any contributions, which was set up by the Se- lectmen so that any contributions received by the Town may be earmarked for this purpose has a balance of $80.75 as of December 31, 1947.


The Committee is submitting an article to the Town Meeting as follows :


To determine if the Town will vote to transfer from surplus revenue a sum not exceeding $2500 to add A Perma- nent Honor Roll in the form of a bronze plaque, containing the names of all the World War II veterans on the eastern side of the existing monument located on Town Common. This sum also includes the reconditioning of the existing monument or take any other action in relation thereto.


Respectfully submitted,


WARREN O. ALMY FRANK ARCHAMBAULT WILLIAM E. CHAPMAN GEORGE A. GILLIS W. PHILLIPS GRAVES LEO B. HALLEY ALBERT H. HARRIS CHARLES A. McGRAW GEORGE A. SCHULTZ PAUL R. TAYLOR KENNETH W. MARRINER, Chairman


19


1


Town Clerk's Report


In submitting to the citizens of Pepperell my report, I would ask all those interested to examine the following rec- ords carefully, and if any errors or omissions are noted that they be at once reported in writing to the Town Clerk so that the records may be perfected.


Any error in the record, other than a mistake in copy- ing a certificate or return, can be corrected only in accord- ance with a deposition, under oath, made by one who was required by law to furnish the information for the original record, or by three or more credible persons having knowl- edge of the same. (See Revised Laws. Chapter 29, Sec- tion 9 and 16.)


MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN PEPPERELL IN 1947


DATE NAME


RESIDENCE


Jan. 4 David Raymond Mager, Jr. Kathleen M. Brooks Fleming


Jan. 11 Leonard Elmer Arkerson, Jr.


Gladys Mae Winkle


Jan. 18 Walter E. Hannah


Mary J. Fournier La Vallee


Jan.


19 Leo Arthur Bartlett


Frances Rita Walsh


Jan. 25 Emery Tracy Richmond


Persis E. Thompson


Worcester, Mass. Worcester Mass. Marlboro, Mass. Groton, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. New York, N. Y.


Jan. 27 Walter R. Melanson Esther L. Rossi


Feb.


1 Joseph F. Gill, Jr. Bernedette A. Yeaton


Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


Feb. 2 Oliver Kimball, Jr. Janette Poerier


Pepperell, Mass.


Feb. 2 Charles A. Smith Gertrude E. Hall


Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


Feb. 15 Edward J. Pillsbury Doris G. Messer


Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


Feb. 21 Anthony Lutkowoski Mary Porter


Pepperell, Mass.


Apr.


5 Roger W. Greenwood Shirley J. Yates


Apr. 6 Clayton Lund Daphne Dee


Apr. 7 John E. Fleming Margaret D. Walsh


Apr. 9 Lawrence H. Vogel Helen L. Bailey


Apr. 19 Harold W. Beattie Rosalind A. Twohig Fuller


Pepperell, Mass.


Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Hollis, N. H. Pepperell, Mass .. Pepperell Mass. Groton, Mass. Elma, New York Dunstable, Mass. New Haven, Conn. Pepperell, Mass.


Fitchburg, Mass. Ayer, Mass. West Concord, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


20


DATE


NAME


RESIDENCE


Apr. 26 Rodney Batchelder Emma Fortin


May 10 Harold C. Tredtin, Jr. Adela Duchesnean


May 29 Royal F. Smith


Phyllis Baker


June 1


Fridan H. Fisher Gloria E. Winch


June 7 Abbott A. Potter


Frances M. Breen


June 22 Lawrence C. Libby, Jr. Nancy Houghton June 28 Rene Picard Loraine Laflur


July 23 Francisco Zina, Jr. Gladys L. Wheeler


Aug. 2 Harold W. Morse Phoebe E. Gobie


Aug. 17


Joseph A. Sullivan Polly Jane Rutherford


Pepperell, Mass. Townsend, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


Aug. 22 Emil Hammer Caroline R. B. Smallwood


Pepperell, Mass.


Aug. 23 Wilfred J. Soucy, Jr.


Brookline, N. H. Pepperell, Mass.


Aug. 24 Athens Caparelliotis Gratha Ramos


Boston, Mass.


Aug. 26 Donald E. Burney Hannelore Walcker


Pepperell, Mass.


Aug. 30 Robert E. Duffy Laura M. Comeau


Pepperell, Mass. Belmont, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Nashua, N. H.


Aug. 30 Henry G. Manseau Germaine L. Shea


Aug. 31


George H. O'Bea, Jr. Mary H. Herbert


Pepperell, Mass.


Aug. 31 Robert Dorion Lorraine T. Baker


Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


Sept. 7 Charles F. Sullivan Eleanor M. Donahue


Sept. 21 Alpha A. Hall Rita A. Lorden


Boston, Mass. Boston, Mass. Brookline, N. H. Pepperell, Mass. Manchester, N. H.


Sept. 22 Frederick A. Koch Helen C. Cronin


Oct. 3 William Works Alberta Goguen Oct. 4 Arthur C. Grainger Barbara A. McDermott


Oct. 4 Arthur P. Miller Alice M. Lorden


Oct. 11 James J. Gillespie Madlyn F. Colbert Oct. 31 Charles W. Raleigh Frances A. Smith


Manchester, N. H. Hollis, N. H. Hollis, N. H. Pepperell, Mass. Fitchburg, Mass. Chelmsford, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Dorchester, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Brookline, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


Brookline, Mass Pepperell, Mass.


Eleanor M. Williams


Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Leominster, Mass. Campton, N. H. Hudson, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Wilton, N. H. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Nashua, N. H. Nashua, N. H. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Arlington Hghts., Mass.


21


DATE


NAME


Nov. 11 John C. Carragher


Lowell, Mass.


Audrey A. McLeod


Pepperell, Mass. Milford, N. H.


Nov. 15 Robert Von Iderstine


Eunice Porter


Nov. 27 Albert F. Barlow


Doris B. Moulton


Nov. 29 Joseph W. Jerszyk


Eva M. H. Charron


Nov. 30 John W. Downs


Anna C. Fitzgerald


Dec. 5 Harold V. Silver


Theresa J. Bourgeois


Dec. 21 Robert A. Fitzner, Jr.


Grace M. Green


Dec. 22 Edmund B. Snow Edna H. Mention


Dec. 25 Thomas F. Waite Virginia Hird


Dec.


29 Donald F. Coburn Jean A. Ingraham


Dec. 27 Franklin C. Amber


Margaret K. Hamilton


Brookline, N. H. Townsend, Mass. Groton, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Leominster, Mass. West Groton, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Nashua, N. H. Nashua, N. H. Pepperell, Mass. North Shirley Watertown, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Townsend, Mass. Pepperell, Mass. Pepperell, Mass.


Grafton, Vt.


Newington, Conn. Pepperell, Mass.


RECORDING OF BIRTHS


Births occurring late in the year are sometimes re- corded without the Christian name. In all such cases parents should return the name to the Town Clerk as soon as it is selected in order that it may be entered upon the town books, as an incompleteness of the records may in- volve much trouble in the future.


Read the Law


Parents within forty days after the birth of a child, and every householder within forty days after a birth in its house, shall cause notice thereof to be given to the clerk of the town where such child is born. General Laws, Chapter 46, Section 6.


Why Births Should Be Recorded


There is hardly a relation of life - social, legal or eco- nomic - in which the evidence furnished by an accurate regis- tration of births may not prove to be one of the greatest value, not only to the individual, but also to the public at large. It is not only an act of civilization to register birth certificates but good business, for they are frequently used in many practical ways, some of which are listed below:


(1) As evidence to prove the age and legitimacy of heirs:


(2) As proof of age to determine the validity of a contract entered into by an alleged minor;


22


RESIDENCE


(3) As evidence to establish age and proof of citizenship and descent in order to vote;


(4) As evidence to establish the right of admission to the professions and to many public offices;


(5) As evidence of legal age to marry;


(6) As evidence to prove the claims of widows and orphans under the widows' and orphans' pension law;


(7) As evidence to determine the liability of parents for the debts of a minor;


(8) As evidence in the administration of estates, the settle- ment of insurance and pensions;


(9) As evidence to prove the irresponsibility of children under legal age for crime and misdemeanor, and various other matters in the criminal code.




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.