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 7
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Geo. M. Pratt, extra service as Treasurer,
30 00
S. J. Dunbar, as School Committee, 26 25
Fred. Copeland,
28 50
Thomas Pratt, as Constable,
5 10
S. L. Pratt,
5 25
Barnabas Dunbar, as Road Committee,
11 65
Thomas Ames,
24 50
Job Bartlett, for going with Hearse, &c.
53 65
11
J. W. Colwell, for tolling Bell and lighting Town Hall, &c. $ 7 00
Caleb Howard, for tolling the Bell, 5 50
A. Packard, as Justice of the Peace,
75
A. L. Alger, as Auditor,
1 50
$ 470 80
EXPENSES AND RECEIPTS OF THE ALMSHOUSE,
For the year ending March 1, 1865.
Amount of stock at the Almshouse, as estimated, viz : -
22 tons of English hay, $ 82 50
4 " of meadow hay,
60 00
45 bushels of corn,
90 00
82 of barley,
12 75
44
of potatoes,
37 40
A lot of beans,
2 62
2 oxen,
175 00
3 cows,
150 00
1 horse,
30 00
2 swine,
35 00
10 hens,
6 00
1 cake scraps,
4 00
100 loads of manure,
100 00
Furniture and farm tools, see articles in last year's Report,
319 50
570 lbs. of meat, lard, and tallow,
112 00
Bills due the house for lumber sold,
89 53
from Martha Tribon's estate,
84 29
66 C. Alger,
34 64
Geo. Poole, 4 00
others about, 10 00
$ 1,439 23
EXPENDITURES OF ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for warden's services, $ 187 50
other work and repairs, 16 12
12
Paid for blacksmithing,
$10 22
wares,
7 02
meat bills for 1863 and 1864,
72 84
fish,
26 46
clothing, grain, flour, soap, groceries, and other store goods,
541 96
coffins,
43 50
sawing bill, for 1863 and 1864,
68 77
swine,
14 00
oxen,
100 00
fertilizers,
20 00
Interest on the Almshouse estate, as heretofore estimated,
219 81
Inventory of stock on hand March 1, 1864,
1,163 68
$ 2,491 88
RECEIPTS OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Received for 2 oxen and 1 beef,
$ 258 00
calves and beef's hide,
66 53
120 lbs. pork,
14 40
pigs,
38 50
butter, milk, and eggs,
33 86
hay,
16 20
straw braid and other items,
6 50
lumber sold,
101 80
Cr by lumber to build a bridge and railing,
31 19
Inventory of stock on hand March 1, 1865,
1,439 23
$ 2,006 21
Expenditures of the Almshouse,
$ 2,491 88
Receipts of the Almshouse,
2,000 16
Balance against the house,
$ 485 67
The average number of paupers in the Almshouse for the year ending March 1, 1865, was 3 37-52. The average cost per week, including the interest on the Almshouse establishment, as estimated above, was about $ 2.52.
The present number of paupers in the house is four.
13
Your Selectmen further report that the guideboards remain the same as last year.
The following estimate for 1865, is presented by the Selectmen, for the consideration of the town, viz: -
For the support of the poor,
$ 500 00
the support of schools,
1,400 00
repair of roads and bridges,
1,000 00
incidental expenses,
800 00
reducing the town debt,
1,500 00
$ 5,200 90
LIQUOR AGENCY, - A. COPELAND, Agent.
DR.
To stock in trade, March 1, 1864,
$ 115 43
Cash from Town Treasury,
33 33
Sales of liquors during the year,
646 04
$ 794 80
By liquors,
United States License paid,
24 17
Agent's salary,
75 00
Incidentals,
75
Stock on hand
136 18
Cash on hand,
38 75
CR. Stock in trade, March 1, 1865,
$ 174 93
DR. Stock in trade March 1, 1864,
148 76
$ 26 17
Gain,
JAMES HOWARD, F. E. HOWARD, CALEB COPELAND, JR. Selectmen of West Bridgewater.
MARCH 1, 1865.
NOTE. - The annual Town Meeting will be held on the 20th inst.
CR.
$ 588 08
$ 862 93
MARRIAGES
Recorded in West Bridgewater in the year 1864.
No.
DATE.
NAME OF GROOM AND BRIDE.
1
March 15
Jeffrey Vosmus and Orynthia S. Morey.
2
July
4
Cyrus L. Williams and Abbie J. Leighton.
3
10
Henry P. Caswell and Mary E. Brainard.
4
28
Patrick Kelley and Margaret Healey.
5
Aug. 9
Daniel Williams and Susan Poole.
6 7
Sept.
15
Henry W. Ripley and Clara J. Ames.
8
15
Phillip Kelley and Margaret Lucie.
9
66
18
David T. Burrell and Belle F. Holmes.
10
Oct. 8
Porter R. Dawley and Catharine W. Ames. William Packard and Mary J. Hatsun.
12
18
Curtis Eddy and Martha A. Ryder.
13
23
Ansel C. Jenney and Elizabeth B. Allen.
14
Dec. 9
Charles P. Ames and Harriet E. Howard.
15
66
15
Henry Copeland and Emily B. Reed.
13
John Condrick and Ellen Tiernay.
11
Nov.
7
DEATHS
Recorded in West Bridgewater during the year 1864.
No.
DATE.
NAME.
AGE.
DISEASE, OR CAUSE OF DEATH.
Jan.
5
John W. Worcester.
30 2 27
20
James Cunningham
2
28
Thomas Hassett.
23 8 24
Feb.
1
Richard Hassett
22 4 13
3
Eunice Ashport
32
8 24
8 14
William A. Scholley
92 11 7 65 11
4
Old Age. Consumption.
17 28
Clara B. Perkins
7 0
7
Membranous Croup.
Mar. 6
Jerusha Pratt
50 5
2
27
Martin Cunningham
4
0 19
Charles E. Howard.
44
0 29
Congestion of Lungs.
Nancy Drew
43 1
Consumption.
May
Amasa Field
9 12
Carbuncle. Consumption.
29 30
James M. Stetson
17 3
6 28 1 30
18
Eustace Howard.
22 47
Wounds received in battle. Dropsy. 66
12 13
Frances J. Snell .
2
2 28 24
24
Catharine Langley Charles Churchill.
2 10 9
Scarlet Fever.
Aug. 6 19 21
Mary L. Smith.
Enteritis.
25 26
Henry Bartlett
30
5
Dysentery. Consumption.
29 29
Cornelia A. Vosmus
5
4
Diphtheria.
Sept. 1 19 21
Lyman E. Hayward.
20 61 0 21
Consumption.
23 28 8
Martha H. Tribon.
42 11 11
Consumption.
Oct. Nov. 7
George W. Smith.
50
Smallpox.
Dec.
27 5 29
James E. Weeks Lydia White.
18 10 92 3 12
Old Age.
31
Bela Howard.
70
6
The number of Births recorded in West Bridgewater from January 1, 1864, to January 1, 1865, is 26.
AUSTIN PACKARD, Town Clerk.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 4-4 45 46 47
April 5 7 29 19 25
Melvin Caldwell.
18
28
Walter P. Hayward
3
Helen M. Bailey .
15
7 0 29 7 27 2 30
Consumption. Wounds received in battle. Congestion of Brain.
July 2 7
Ella F. Copeland
8 6
Diphtheria. Dysentery. Cholera Infantum.
21
Lillie J. Hayward.
Consumption.
Arthur H. Ryder
8
Diphtheria.
Henry Ryan ..
67
Evelyn F. Keith
10 2
1 Membranous Croup.
Sally Rounds ..
45 0 10
Consumption. Killed in battle.
Rachael Copeland ...
Lucy H. Washburn.
1 10
Hooping Cough.
Winfield Brown.
6 10
Cholera Infantum.
Consumption.
Sally S. Caldwell
41 0 22
Consumption.
June 11 11
Edward H. Mockler
Helen Madden
Silas Dunbar .
0 27 2 9 16 0 15
Emma F. Vosmus
Scarlet Fever.
Michael Ryan.
24 74
Measles.
Betsey Alger
Y. M. D.
Consumption. Convulsions.
Consumption. 66
Thomas Hannan
Persis Lyscomb
72 11 19 50 11 3 6
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
FEBRUARY, 1865.
3
SCHOOL REPORT.
The School Committee for the school year commencing March, 1864, were Francis E. Howard for one year, Fred Copeland for two years, and Simeon J. Dunbar for three years.
They held their first meeting March 14, at the Town Hall, and organized by the choice of the following officers, viz : Fred Copeland, Chairman, and Simeon J. Dunbar, Secretary ; and, in accordance with a vote of the town, authorizing the Committee to appoint a Superintendent, they elected Simeon J. Dunbar to that office, and consequently he entered at once upon the duties of his agency, and has performed his duties in "the general charge and superintendence of all the public schools in town," under the direct control of the Committee, as well as his experience and qualifications would permit ; and by vir- tue of his office respectfully presents this, for the Committee, to the citizens of West Bridgewater, as the annual and " detailed report of the condition of the several public schools," together with " such statements and suggestions in relation to the schools as the Committee deem necessary or proper to promote the interests thereof."
We will first direct your attention to the " detailed report " of the several schools.
GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
DISTRICT No. 1. Prudential Committee - Mr. Daniel B. Taylor.
SUMMER AND WINTER TERM. Teacher -Mr. Lewis E. Lin- coln, except the last four weeks of the winter te rm, which were taught by Mr. William C. Howard.
20
Owing to a delay in the commencement of the summer term, the school was not as full as common on the boys' side. The attendance was quite regular the first part of the term, but owing to dog-days weather it decreased much the latter part. After teaching ten weeks, the teacher, seeing a prospect of having the school prolonged four weeks in the fall, by subscrip- tion, thought it best to stop during the warm weather and join the two remaining weeks to the four in the fall, and continue when the weather would be more favorable. We thought this a wise plan and approved of it.
The attendance in winter was about the same as in summer, decreasing in the same manner on account of interruptions caused by ill health and resignation of the teacher. In the summer, under Mr. Lincoln's administration, the deportment and discipline were acquired by a steady and pleasant means, and at every visit of the Superintendent were called good. Owing to the transfer of the two weeks already spoken of, there was no examination, but the appearance of the school at other times showed a good degree of interest in the teacher, and an aptitude well adapted to teaching; and there was also manifested a good share of studiousness and progress in the pupils. In winter the size of the school and number of schol- ars were increased much by large scholars, and the character and disposition of a few of the larger boys made the acquire- ment of good discipline much more difficult for the teacher ; still, at every visit to the school the deportment was nothing but good. But there were a few scholars whose " wilful and per- sistent disobedience " had a licentious influence upon the school, and the Committee, in order to stop that influence, were obliged to suspend two scholars from school. There is quite a multi- plicity of classes in this school for one teacher, but under the circumstances there was fair improvement made. Mr. Lincoln, on account of his health and the increased labors of the school, resigned his position four weeks before the close. His manly deportment and character were worthy of imitation by scholars
21
and parents, and we have no criticism upon him of any impor- tance except his ill health, and that is not censure. Mr. Howard was employed to teach the remaining four weeks. He com- menced with firmness and secured good order until the close. The attendance was somewhat irregular, but the examination, which was the first one of the year, represented considerable progress in many of the studies. This schoolhouse is in a mis- erable and ridiculous condition, considering the time it has been built ; it shows almost an immoral neglect on the part of some in its care, and it has at least an immoral and degrading influ- ence. The only way in which it can be kept in good condition is to have proper regulations for its care, which should be sup- ported by the parents and agent, and then the teachers and scholars should go by these regulations or go out of the school- house.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher - Miss Nettie Howard.
The attendance on the part of the girls was ordinarily good, but on the other side of the house it was very irregular ; yet at the close the average attendance as a whole was quite good, - much larger than was anticipated. At the visits of the Super- intendent the deportment seemed to be very favorable to success, although at times perhaps there was not that degree of quietness which a teacher of more experience might have secured ; yet as a whole the general deportment of the school was considered quite good. In the general work of the school the teacher evinced a tact well adapted to the teaching of young pupils ; and at the exam- ination there was a good degree of progress manifested by the pupils in their studies, especially in reading, which was not surpassed in town by pupils of their age ; and the result of the attendance on the two sides of the house was not unobserved in their respective recitations at the close of the school.
22
WINTER TERM. Teacher -Miss Maria Howard.
The attendance was good as could be expected of scholars of their age, at this season of the year; the average was a very little larger than in summer. This was Miss Howard's first term of teaching in a public school. The Committee made only two short visits in the school, - another school closing at the same time and the Committee not having sufficient notice made it inconvenient to attend the examination, - but judging from the general appearance of the school at those visits we .. considered the deportment as at least ordinary, and think that there must have been fair progress during the term. We see no real hindrance to Miss Howard's becoming a successful Primary teacher.
DISTRICT No. 2. Prudential Committee- Mr. F. W. Hay- ward.
SUMMER AND WINTER TERM. Teacher - Miss Mary A. Foster, graduate of the Normal School.
The attendance was very fair, better in the winter than in summer ; yet in the summer especially, it was a source of com- plaint from the teacher, and a better attendance on the part of some, would have secured greater advantages to the pupils. Miss Foster came to us amply qualified both in scholastic information and experience for a teacher, and she, being a former schoolmate of the Superintendent, - although the school had been under poor discipline the previous term, - upon the signature of her certificate he was almost confident of her complete and continued success, and all his subsequent visits to the school confirmed this thought. In order and respectfulness to the teacher, in and about the schoolroom, and in thorough- ness of instruction, this school is among the first in town. With these elements we do not fail to see a proficiency sufficiently adapted to the capacity of the pupils. For the interest of the District we would encourage the continuance of her services.
23
DISTRICT No. 3. Prudential Committee -Mr. Japhet Pack- ard.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher - Miss Mary B. Hall, "graduate of the Normal School.
The attendance was injured considerably by the measles ; probably if it had not been for the prevalence of this disease in the District the attendance would have been remarkably good ; yet as it was it ranked first in town. In the summer term of this school there was almost a perfect unanimity of action with the teacher, scholars, and parents, and it was a good model for a New England school. Miss Hall has taught this school sev- eral terms with good success, and, in a school of this size with such a oneness of action for its promotion, she has proved her- self an efficient teacher. The deportment, proficiency, and thoroughness of instruction, in this school was very good, and they were due to all the constituents which composed the school, - teacher, number of scholars, and cooperation of scholars and parents.
WINTER TERM. Teacher - Mrs. Lucy C. Sloan.
The attendance was about the same as in summer, and it ranked first among the winter schools. The school labored under the disadvantage of losing a teacher, to whom scholars and parents had become so much attached, and having a stran- ger substituted in her stead, there would naturally and almost inevitably be some depreciation of interest in the school, but this should not be, and there is no just excuse for it.
The order of the school at all appearances was good and acquired by good means. The teacher was experienced, her instruction thorough, and the school made good improvement.
DISTRICT No. 4. Prudential Committee - Mr Charles How-" ard.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher - Miss L. A. Fuller.
The attendance of this school was very much injured by the measles, as in District No. 3, only to a much greater extent ;
24
if it had not been for this, probably the attendance would have been very good ; but still under these circumstances it averaged quite well. Miss Fuller was a practically informed teacher, had the right idea of the teacher's duties ; and her manner of teach- ing was well calculated to secure the attention, promote the advancement, and gain the affection of her pupils ; and the zeal and love with which she performed her daily work did not fail to accomplish in more than a moderate degree these objects. There was not that degree of quietness during school hours which some other teachers had, but there was nothing in the order which defeated any of the teacher's plans, or which could be censured, and it was secured by the best of means. The cooperation of the parents, much to the credit of the District, did much to encourage the teacher, and it was reciprocated to them in the welfare of their children. The examination exhibited a good degree of thoroughness and progress in the different stud- ies of the school. In winter this school unites with number seven at the Union District.
DISTRICT No. 5. Prudential Committee - Mr. Abiel Wash- burn.
SUMMER AND WINTER TERM. Teacher - Miss Mary K. Alden.
Considering the mixture of the school the attendance both terms was quite good. The previous term of this school had been a partial failure, and it was not in a good condition when the summer term commenced. Miss Alden was a teacher of many years experience, and by her commanding influence she soon brought the school under good discipline, and secured good order and attention of her pupils, and gained their confi- dence and respect throughout both terms. The teaching was thorough, and the manner of conducting the recitations was such as to secure- that which is so necessary - the attention of the scholars.
25
The examination of the winter term manifested a commend- able condition and improvement of the school.
DISTRICT NO. 6, IN UNION WITH NO. 3 OF EAST BRIDGEWA- TER. Prudential Committee - Mr. Clarkson W. Richards.
GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
SUMMER AND WINTER TERM. Teacher - Mr. Simeon J. Dunbar.
During the second week of the summer term the teacher of this department and a large number of the scholars of both departments were taken sick with the measles. This caused a suspension of both schools, and this general impediment to the attendance and progress, at the outset, exerted an inevitable influence that was seen throughout the term, and the same or some other influence equally obnoxious to the attendance and intellectual and moral improvement of the school carried itself through the next term. The practice of teaching Saturday instead of Monday, and having a vacation in a school of twelve weeks, we think is not a wise plan to secure the good attend- ance and advantages of a school, and undoubtedly this exerted an influence in the wrong direction ; but the Superintendent, in order to perform his other duties, was almost obliged to adopt this plan. The deportment and proficiency as a whole would be called ordinary ; but examining the school in its different parts we find the two extremes of each. In regard to deportment we are glad to say that the obscenity so injurious to moral development, which was manifested to a more or less extent, was more than counterbalanced by those who had a higher and more conscientious sense of their sphere of duty. In profi- ciency this school did not occupy, we think, so high a place as it formerly had, yet it contained some of the most advanced scholars in town. There were some scholars whose punctuality, character, and proficiency were the main pillars of the school, and without their willing support the school as a whole would
4
26
not have achieved what should be denominated ordinary success. To correct false opinions the Superintendent would state that the influence of the character and scholarship of the two oldest girls was very beneficial to the school, and the extra time which they re- quired was amply repaid by their services in hearing younger schol- ars recite, and no one acquainted will doubt the progress of those who recited to them. The teacher labored under the disadvantage of having the superintendence of his own school. Not having a careful and experienced eye to examine his work and make proper suggestions, with his inexperience errors might continue uncorrected which would result in injury. But he will state for himself that he conducted the school through the two terms - under various circumstances and some of them not at all conducive to its welfare - to the best of his abilities, endeavor- ing to be as thorough as possible ; and at each examination the result was as much as he expected. There were some things that would have been slightly modified if the teacher had been favored with the experience at the beginning that he had at the close of the school.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
SUMMER AND WINTER TERM. Teacher - Miss Mary D. Forbes.
What we have said in regard to attendance above, will apply more forcibly to this school than to the Grammar Department, for that was bad, and this worse, in attendance. Principally from the want of experience in the teacher, her untrained tact for governing, and the apparent neglect of the first lessons of obedience in the children, there was not that degree of order, obedience, and studiousness which is so desirable in a school of that grade, and almost indispensable to its success. The teacher labored earnestly for the school, but from the circumstances already, mentioned the scholars did not appreciate her services, and consequently she failed to secure the result which she de- sired, although there was quite a favorable progress in some cases.
27
REMARKS.
In this District there is a sad neglect, either on the part of the District or agent, in the care of the schoolhouse, and in fur- nishing the wood and putting the house in proper order at the opening of the schools. ' This is very embarrassing to any teacher, and often defeats many good objects. When there is such a negligence of interest in the school building, and in attendance, it always produces a like effect upon the school. We would, therefore, earnestly recommend - although the house is in a poor condition and an economical plan in the pres- ent state of affairs might defer the building of a new one - that they or their agent take proper care of their property, and that they exert more influence in securing a good attend- ance in their school, thereby giving a higher standard to the social, intellectual, and moral condition of their children, and, at the same time, freeing the streets from idle children. This District has been quite liberal in furnishing a " Webster's Unabridged Dictionary" for their Grammar School, at the price of nine dollars.
DISTRICT No. 7. Prudential Committee -- Mr. John E. How- ard.
SPRING AND FALL TERM. Teacher - Miss M. C. Pratt, graduate of the Normal School.
The length of the school being so long, it was divided into two terms. The attendance among the smaller ones may have been affected by the whooping-cough which was in school, otherwise, considering the number and ages of the scholars, and the distance which many of them live from the schoolhouse, the attendance was very good, - much better than the District has enjoyed for some time. The punctual attendance of the scholars in this school, manifested an unusual interest of their parents in the school; this interest owed itself chiefly to the
28
reputable experience and positive influence and success of the teacher, - hence the employment of good teachers. There needs to be but very little said about the deportment and profi- ciency of this school. The name of the teacher, of whose suc- cess in the different grades of schools we are all more or less familiar, suggests at once what these two principal character- istics would be if they were not modified by greatly opposing circumstances. At every visit of the Superintendent, general promptness and implicit obedience characterized the school, - the latter of which is the most positive indication of the charac- ter of a school, absolutely necessary to its good success ; the first lessons a child should learn, and the most honorable and consistent duty for him to practice when he becomes a citizen of a Republican Government, - that is, obedience to rightful authority. The school being so large some of the older pupils were employed to some extent in teaching the younger ones, and the teacher said that they were a great benefit to the school ; and we would approve of this method in so large a school, well governed and under the control of a good teacher. The studiousness, attention in recitation, deportment, and progress of this school, in proportion to the number of scholars (87), rank very high, if not highest in town. This District ought to act with No. 4, upon the proposition to them, in the last year's Report. The schoolhouse is small, in a poor condition, and the number of scholars increasing, and something must be done soon. This school unites with No. 4 in winter at the union.
DISTRICT No. 8. Prudential Committce - Mr. Isaac Edge- comb.
SUMMER TERM. Teacher - Miss Ella F. Safford.
The attendance was ordinary. The deportment of the school showed a mutual respect and love between the scholars and teacher, but the discipline was not strict enough to produce the results that it should. There seemed to be too many careless and noisy habits among the pupils, such as whispering, loud
29
studying, and moving about the schoolroom too freely ; still, there was nothing that could be severely censured.
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