USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1860-1869 > Part 11
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MARCH 1, 1866.
13
LIST OF JURORS
Prepared by the Selectmen of West Bridgewater for the year 1866.
Davis Alger,
Lucius Hayward,
Samuel D. Bartlett,
Linus E. Hayward,
James Copeland,
Simeon C. Keith,
Pardon Copeland,
Henry W. Leach,
George Copeland,
Bradford Packard,
Charles E. Churchill,
Barnabas Dunbar,
Nahum Packard, Shepherd L. Pratt,
Lucius Dunbar,
George D. Ryder,
Martin Dunbar,
Lewis Ryder,
Perez P. Field,
Thomas P. Ripley,
Josiah Q. Hartwell,
Ephraim T. Snell,
Amasa Howard,
Ebenezer Taylor,
Isaac Howard,
Daniel B. Taylor,
Azel Howard,
Erland Thayer,
John B. Holmes,
Calvin Williams.
TOWN MEETING.
The following Articles will be acted upon at the Annual Town Meeting on the 19th inst., at 1 o'clock P. M. : -
1. To choose a Moderator for said meeting.
· 2. To hear the Annual Reports, and act thereon.
3. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year.
4. To act on the list of jurors reported by the Selectmen.
5. To see if the Town will abolish the School districts therein.
6. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town expenses for the ensuing year, and discharge the town debt, and make appropriation of the same.
7. To determine the manner of repairing the highways:
8. To see what action the Town will take in regard to roads which have been lald out within the limits thereof.
9. To see if the Town will authorize the Prudential Committees for the several school districts therein, to contract with teachers therefor.
10. To see if the Town will direct the School Committee to appoint a Superintendent of the public schools therein.
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
-
MARRIAGES
Recorded in West Bridgewater in the Year 1865.
NO.
DATE.
NAMES OF THE PARTIES.
1
Feb.
18
Francis M. Dunbar and Lydia D. Miller.
2
66
26
Edmund Perkins and Ellen Shuman.
3
March 29
George W. French and Lusania Holmes.
4
66
30
Michael Logue and Abbie A. Leach.
5
May
14
Charles Atwell and Lizzie D. Folsom.
6
June
1
Charies A. Keith and Hannah Copeland.
7
1
William B. Kingman and Georgiana S. Jackson.
8
July
1
Eugene A. Lincoln and Clara A. Bell.
9
Dec. 7
Caleb T. Keene and Emeline Fuller.
10
18
John Kane and Lucinda F. Alger.
11
66
31
William F. Sprague and Henrietta E. Leach.
12
66
31
Isaac Beals and Marcia A. Packard.
13
31
Joseph E. Ryder and Julia Billings.
Notice of the intentions of marriage between the following parties has been recorded, but no certificate of their marriages has been returned to this town.
NO.
· DATE.
NAMES OF THE PARTIES.
1
Jan. 28
George A. Edson and Margaret A. Bailey.
2
March 25
George T. Holmes and Emily F. Leach.
3
Aug. 11
James E. White and Henrietta Howard.
4
Sept.
25
George Churchill and Hattie A. Hayward.
5
Dec. 5
John E. Colwell and Abbie F. Allyn.
15
DEATHS
Recorded in West Bridgewater during the Year 1865.
NO.
DATE.
NAME.
AGE.
DISEASE.
1
Jan. 24
Henry Peckham, .
59 7
0
2
Feb.
19
Polly Lothrop,
75
0
19
Cancer.
3
Mar.
13
Ambrose Leach,
.
0
02h's Debility.
5
66
27
Betsey J. Holmes,
39
1
11
Consumption.
6
66
30
Horace Isaacs,
81
1
11
Influenza.
May
3
Polly Copeland,
66
5
3
Erysipelas.
9
66
13
Azel H. Copeland,
69
6
12
10
23
George C. Leonard,
5
6
6
Congestion of Brain.
11
July 66
16
Michael Lynch,
3
6
0
Dropsy of Brain.
13
22
John W. Howard,
28 10
5
Typhoid Fever.
14 15
Aug. 8
Mark W. Dunbar, .
27
9
0 [Heart Disease.
16 17
15
Jeremiah Kelleher,
57
3
3 Railroad Accident.
18
18
Betsey S. Hancock,
0
3
0
Cholera Infantum.
19
31
Catherine M. Whalen,
8
1
0 Dropsy.
20
Oct. 16
Ellen Buttomer,
35
0
0 Consumption.
21
12
Mary Fay,
80
0
0
Diarrhoea.
22
21
William Shields, .
52 10
17
Dyspepsy.
23
24
Lucretia Winship,
46
8
24
Consumption.
24
26
Emma F. Shipman,
14
3
10
25
Nov. 3
Rachel K. Brett,
69
0
20
Lung Fever.
26
9
Sylvia Howard,
71
9
0
Heart disease.
27
66
9
Sarah J. Howard, .
27
3
18
Typhoid Fever.
28
21
Eugene Gerry,
14
6
27
29
Dec.
15
Mary Kelleher,
48
5
0
Diabetes.
4
66
24
Robert Madden,
Abby F. Dunbar, Jr.,
2
2
12
Croup.
7
29
13
Katie M. Jennings,
16
9
5
Pericarditis.
12
66
23
Sarah S. Bacon,
0
0
7
Dysentery.
87
0
0 Old Age.
11
Freeman Pope,
Y. M. D.
Diabetes.
73 10
8
Lung Fever.
The number of Births recorded in this town, in the year 1865, is thirty-three.
AUSTIN PACKARD, Town Clerk.
66
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
For the school year commencing March, 1865, the School Com- mittee were Adoniram J. Dunbar for one year, Simeon J. Dunbar for two years, and Francis E. Howard for three years.
They organized at their first meeting, March 20, at the Town Hall, by choosing Francis E. Howard, Chairman, and Simeon J. Dunbar, Secretary. And by authority conferred upon them, by vote of the town, to choose a Superintendent, if they deemed it expedient, they re-elected Simeon J. Dunbar Superintendent of the public schools in town, for the present school year. Accepting this office, I have performed all the duties incumbent upon me, under the direct control of the Committee-in the present school year, as I did in the last-to the extent of my knowledge and the best of my ability .. My duty now calls me the second time, at the close of the school year, to prepare a report for the Committee, giving a "condition of the several schools," and making " such statements and suggestions in relation to the schools " as the Com- mittee think will best promote their welfare. And I respectfully invite the attention of the inhabitants of West Bridgewater to their School Report.
DISTRICT No. 1.
Prudential Committee-Mr. Edward Tisdale. GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
SUMMER AND WINTER TERM. Teacher- Miss Adelaide D. Pad- elford, of Bridgewater.
The employment of teachers in this district was thrown into the hands of the School Committee. For this department they em- ployed Miss Padelford, who was an entire stranger to us, yet came
17
sell recommended. The attendance both summer and winter was ordinary, about as the schools averaged. There was quite a differ- ence in numbers, in this school, between the girls and boys ; in the summer there were nearly three times as many girls as boys, and in winter twice as many. In summer, the discipline of the school was very good. The teacher seemed to exert a positive influence on the minds of the pupils, and their habits and movements, in the school-room. Everything seemed to be done with a quiet, prompt, and obedient disposition. There was one feature, in going in and out at the beginning and close of school hours and passing to and from recitations, which added much to the good character and well-being of the school. The proficiency and progress of the school corresponded very well with the deportment. At the sum- mer examination the Committee were well pleased, as a whole, with the result of the school, and a like approval was manifested by parents of the district who were present. Many of the parents expressed a wish to the Committee that the same teacher might be employed for the winter. This was an unusual course, to employ a female in winter ; but the Committee, after fairly considering the circumstances, - the probability of not many large or unruly scholars, the pecuniary condition of the district, the wish of the district, and the teacher's ability, -decided to employ Miss Padel- ford to teach the winter term. The size of the school and number of classes were much increased, by the attendance of larger scholars. The deportment had generally the same characteristics that it had in the previous term, yet was not quite so good. This was not owing to any lack of interest or effort on the part of the teacher. But there seemed to be some kind of an influence among the large scholars, not seen to so great an extent the previous term, that had a tendency to injure the good character of the school. In spite of this influence, the teacher deserves credit for laboring earnestly and faithfully in the discharge of her duties ; although there were some very unpleasant and opposing circumstances, the school met with fair success in the progress of different studies pursued.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
SUMMER AND WINTER TERM. Teacher-Miss Kate H. Brett, of South Easton.
Attendance both terms was fair; about the same as the Gram-
8
18
mar Department, a little better in winter than in summer. This is the only Primary school in town; therefore, I cannot give a comparative statement of the deportment and proficiency. There was one very striking and favorable feature that was always noticed in the school, which conduced much to its prosperity ; this was a mutual love and respect between scholars and teacher, and, gener- ally, a pleasant and willing disposition. With these circumstances, discipline was secured by very pleasant and moderate means, although not so strict as some teachers would exact, yet sufficient for the successful management of the school. The methods of teaching, and improvement among the scholars generally, gave good satisfaction. Miss Brett was employed both terms by the Committee.
DISTRICT No. 2.
Prudential Committee-Mr. Lewis G. Howard.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher-Miss Mary A. Foster.
Attendance was ordinary. This school had the advantage of having a teacher who was well acquainted with the various disposi- tions, capacities, and attainments of the pupils, and who had been very successful in teaching the school the two previous terms ; and what was said then of the school would be appropriate now. The school was short,-only ten weeks long. The Superintendent made only two visits in the school, and, owing to a misunderstand- ing about the day of examination, was not present. But, judging from these two visits, we think that the discipline, the methods of instruction, the promptness in recitation, and thorough progress in studies, were among the best in town.
WINTER TERM. Teacher-Mr. Charles H. Dunbar, of this town.
The attendance was very good, the best in town, the average being only two less than the whole number. This at once speaks well for the school, and must of necessity have been a great help to it. This was Mr. Dunbar's first term of teaching, and conse- quently he could not bring with him any established system of government, or studied methods of teaching. He commenced, apparently, with the idea-and the right one, too-that he had taken the duty upon him to teach the school, and would perform that duty as he thought would best promote the school's improve- ment. His influence upon the discipline of the school was decided
19
and was met by a willingness of the scholars to obey. The deport- ment generally would be called quite good. There was manifested a good degree of interest and industry by the scholars in their studies, and an earnestness and promptness in the teacher's work. At the examination, another member of the Committee was present with the Superintendent, and they were well pleased with the suc- cess and condition of the school.
DISTRICT No. 3.
Prudential Committee-Mr. Davis Copeland.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher-Mrs. Lucy C. Sloan.
The attendance was not very good ; the per cent. was the lowest in town. Mrs. Sloan taught this school the previous term, and met with very good success. She had gained the good-will of the scholars and co-operation of the district, and was a thorough and experienced teacher ; with these influences, we looked for what we had, a profitable school. The teacher was mild in her discipline, and secured good deportment; thorough in her instruction, and secured positive and practical information. This school is small, and its last two teachers have been very thorough ; and the school exhibits their influence by many well disciplined minds. Thor- oughness, and logical and well understood explanations, were excellent characteristics of this school.
WINTER TERM. Teacher-Miss Carrie Howard, of this town.
Attendance was very good ; ranked third in town. The teacher was decided and positive in her demands, and secured the respect and obedience of the scholars, and good general deportment. In point of quietness, it did not rank so high as some, in proportion to its size, but there was nothing which materially injured or inter- rupted a successful prosecution of the teacher's plans. Miss Howard's method of teaching was well adapted to the scholar's mind, and thorough. The recitations were prompt, course of study thorough, and explanations plain. The first class in this school, for the last two years, -consisting, at different times, of from two to five scholars, - has been generally as good a class as could be found in town. I speak of this class as a whole in all their studies, for there are a very few scholars in the different schools who may be as good in mathematics ; but in grammar they excel ; no class in town is near as well acquainted with this subject as they are. I
20
remember a few terms ago, when this class was in etymology ; they took it up topically, and learned it thoroughly ; and if a question was asked, on the verb for instance, they would tell what it was, its different kinds and uses, mention all its properties, and name, define, and give examples of each, -in fact, they had the subject in mind, and not the book. I have often questioned this class in parsing and analysis, and referred back to etymology ; and it was generally difficult to find questions that they were not prepared to answer correctly. Some classes of other schools, in syntax, will look with surprise if you ask them a question in etymology, and seem to say, in their countenances, "We don't study etymology, we study syntax, and you have no right to ask that question." It is very evident that etymology ought to be learned before we study syntax with success. Boards must be sawed before you can put them together and make boxes. This school is to be prolonged four weeks, by general subscription.
DISTRICT No. 4.
Prudential Committee-Mr. Isaac Howard.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher-Miss Alice Richards.
The attendance was about an average in town. This was Miss Richards's first term in a mixed or partial grammar school of this kind, but she brought with her some experience of teaching in primary schools. In deportment, this school had the advantage of few scholars (thirty-two), whose influence was favorable to the prosperity, and of having a teacher who created a true affection, mutually, between herself and pupils, and whose manner of gov- erning was simple, pleasant, and firm, and such as secured good order, respect, and obedience in the school. No harsh measures were used, and no case of corporal punishment occurred during the term. But we do not expect that good discipline can always be secured by every teacher and in every school in this way. I stated before the school that they ought to be better in deport- ment, owing to their circumstances, than any school in town ; and I state now that there was no school in town in which there existed better, if as good, deportment, or a more perfect harmony between the authority of the teacher and obedience of the scholars. In the daily work of the school there was industry among the scholars and an enthusiasm and aptness on the part of the teacher, which
21
secured thorough progress in the studies taught. Thoroughness was a good feature of the school. Among some of the larger pupils of this school there seemed to be an apparent lack or neglect of the cultivation of that energy, effort, self-reliance, and will, which is required to break down and press through obstacles and accom- plish difficulties which so frequently embarrass the student's mind. The examination evinced one very good feature, -the improve- ment among the smaller ones, especially in reading and spelling, - · which was not surpassed by any school in town.
DISTRICT No. 5.
Prudential Committee-Mr. Erland Thayer.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher-Miss Mary A. Thayer, of this town.
The attendance was interrupted very much by the ill health of the teacher and considerable sickness among the scholars; in consequence of this the school was discontinued at different times, until the health of all was more propitious to its welfare. The attendance, as a whole, was quite fair. The order and general deportment were of the best kind, and the proficiency and aptitude and thoroughness of instruction corresponded in a like degree. One of the teacher's plans for securing good discipline and perfect recitations was, by using merits for the small ones, and a marking system upon cards for the larger ones, thereby giving all deserving scholars rewards for their efforts, and discrediting all idle and negligent ones ; in this way, the object sought for was generally obtained. Of the different degrees of ages, dispositions, and capacities found in this school, Miss Thayer's good scholarship and skilful tact, as a disciplinarian and teacher, proved herself equally and well adapted to supply the wants of all. Her motives seemed to be stamped upon the minds of her scholars.
There is one very pleasant and important feature of this school which I cannot forbear to speak of, -that is, a general sense of right and wrong, and a disposition to follow the right. This not only impresses the mind of teacher and visitor as very favorable to the school, but they can see farther back and up higher the parents and families whose influence, rightly used, is of vital importance, and the essence of any school. The examination confirmed the truth of what has already been stated-that the school was a good one.
22
WINTER TERM. Teacher-Mr. Simeon J. Dunbar.
Attendance was about as the schools average. Some of the scholars did not attend until the fourth week, and there was some sickness in two families. This lowered considerably the per cent. of attendance. In this school, owing to circumstances of the case, I was both teacher and Superintending Committee. As the duty of reporting this school, which I would gladly relinquish, devolves upon me, I will, conscientiously and plainly, make a few remarks upon its condition. The general deportment and proficiency were ordinary ; the teacher labored to the best of his ability in taking such measures in teaching such a way and in presenting such motives before the scholars as he thought would best promote their practical, social, intellectual, and moral condition. A few of the most advanced scholars of this school have a great tendency and habit of committing to memory many statements and rules, and assuming and using these facts in explanation, as understood and as the results which should be produced by their own reason- ing. These scholars are not to be discouraged because they commit to memory, for this is essential in many cases, and they do it very well indeed, and secure to themselves much positive and useful knowledge, which can be obtained in no other way. But in some studies to a certain degree, especially in order to secure a thor- ough and practical understanding of the subject, not solely the memory, but the logical power of the mind, must be made to act ; and from certain facts and relations given, new results must be found by the common sense and practical reasoning of each scholar's mind. I speak of this, because I have had a favorable opportunity of seeing its workings, and not disparagingly at all, but respectfully and suggestively. The error is not in using the faculty of memory, but in giving undue prominence of attention to the use of that faculty, when instead, or at least to an equal extent, the faculty of reason should be exercised. Reason is the main guide to the judgment, and the most, and sometimes the only, reliable source from which to determine our duty in most of our practical, and even moral, questions. The same principle which I had noticed the three past terms also characterized the school this term, -that general sense of character which was manifested among many of the scholars, that seemed to fill the atmosphere
23
with a good influence, and informed every motive of the teacher that he was to "lead" and not "drive the flock." But we cannot refrain from alluding to the fact, that this good influence was somewhat degraded by another opposing influence ; but this was materially checked by the teacher as soon as he observed its source and tendency, and saw that "leading" had ceased to be a virtue, and that " driving" was an absolute, and even a moral, duty,
whenever and wherever required. We were not really disappointed at the existence of this influence in school, but we all express our sad regret at the source from which it came, and at the effect which it had. This is the largest mixed school in town, with the excep- tion of No. 7, and, the number of classes being so large, the older scholars were unemployed, to some extent in both terms, in hearing the recitations of lower classes.
DISTRICT No. 6.
This district unites with No. 3 of East Bridgewater. This year it is in the care of East Bridgewater Committee.
Prudential Committee-Mr. James S. Allen, of East Bridge- water.
Teacher for the year-Miss Mary K. Alden, of Bridgewater, Principal. Miss Jennie Allen, of East Bridgewater, Assistant.
DISTRICT No. 7.
Prudential Committee-Mr. Azel Howard.
SPRING AND FALL TERMS. Teacher-Miss Lois A. Fuller.
This school, as a whole, is called a summer school, but being so long, is divided into two terms. Attendance both terms was about an average in town, but the per cent. of the spring term was the largest among the summer schools. Considering the mixture of the school, the distance, and number of scholars (seventy-three), the effort on attendance was good. This school was under the care of a very experienced teacher the previous term, whose influence made it one of the best schools in town, and it was hardly expected that Miss Fuller, who had had no experience in a school of this size, would produce the same results. The material of this school is as well adapted for good scholarship as any school in town ; and the deportment of scholars, and influences which aid in govern- ment, are generally favorable ; with these circumstances, and the
24
very earnest and well adapted labors of the teacher, and her daily exemplified character, she secured the industry and confidence of the scholars, gained their obedience and respect, and produced good improvement. The school, at all the visits of the Superin- tendent, presented a good general appearance ; although not so still as we had seen it the previous term, yet the order was gener- ally good. At the examination the Committee were well pleased with the success of the school. It being so large, older scholars were used in hearing small ones. This school is too large for one teacher. The condition of the school-house is very incommodious, and only unwise economy will use such a building. We congratu- late the district on the success of their school for the past two years.
DISTRICT No. 8.
Prudential Committee-Mr. Jonathan C. Keith.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher-Miss D. S. Thayer, of North Bridge- water.
The attendance was very good, -second in town. The deport- ment was also very good. The teacher had a very commanding influence over the discipline of the school. There seemed to be an entire unanimity of action between scholars, parents, and teachers, and obedience and respect were always found. The general success of the school gave general satisfaction to the district ; but it would have satisfied the Superintendent better if the thoroughness of instruction and the real improvement had better corresponded to the deportment. Some might call the teaching old-fashioned, but we must not discredit it for that; for, judging from the results about us, some old-fashioned teaching has been as good, if not better, than some of the new. But that kind of teaching, old or new, which goes over too much ground, and which pushes a scholar along instead of teaching him to go alone, is not well adapted to secure real proficiency. We do not wish to be misunderstood. The teacher was earnest and faithful, secured good attention, industry, and deportment, and gained the satisfaction of the district. But we do mean to say that something else besides deportment- though this should come first-is needed to qualify a person's mind for the paths of active life.
25
WINTER TERM. Teacher -Miss M. C. Pratt, of this town.
The attendance is very good, second in the winter schools. The deportment, improvement, and success corresponds well with the attendance, and are very good. Miss Pratt is the most experi- enced teacher we have in town. She has taught in town and about us for many years. And as I said last year, if you know she teaches a school, you know-if circumstances are not greatly opposed - what the condition and success of the school will be. This teacher possesses a remarkable power in securing discipline, attention, and improvement of the scholars. What this power is we will not attempt to describe, - for we do not know how, - but its influence is always manifest, and is always doing its good work.
This school is not yet closed ; but is doing well, and giving good satisfaction to the Committee, and as far as we know to the district.
UNION SCHOOL.
Prudential Committee - Mr. Isaac Howard of District No. 4, and Mr. Azel Howard of District No. 7.
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