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 1870-1879 > Part 7
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for Wares and sundry items for the House,
51 66
for Clothing for the Boy and Girl,
50 00
for use of haying and other tools on the Farm,
25 00
for Cow and Calf,
65 00
for Horse, Wagon and Harness,
100 00
for 1 cart harness, and repairing harnesses, 26 25
for keeping oxen, away from the farm, 27 50
for 1 horse cart, 85 00
$3,019 61
15
Cr.
By Cash received for Butter sold,
$191 63
Calves
54 06
Pigs 89 50
Cow
40 00
Horse 66
10 00
Fowls
9 76
Eggs 66 8 45
Vegetables sold,
43 46
Hay sold,
28 99
By Cash received from Tramps,
1 58
for an Old Bill,
1 87
for Board,
9 00
for work done for individuals,
65 36
for going with Hearse to 14 funerals, 35 00
for going with Hearse out of town, 20 50
for work done for Highway Surveyors, 848 19
for work done on new road near the Center, 60 75
for work done on Matfield St.,
246 75
for work done on Elm St, 300 00
for work done on Copeland St.,
1,444 63
Total Receipts and Credits,
$3,509 48
Excess of value of Personal Property,
207 26
Whole amount credited to Almshouse account, Expenses deducted,
$3,716 74
3,019 61
Excess of Credits,
$697 13
Eleven months' interest on the Property,
315 89
Balance in favor of the Farm,
$381 24
16
To this balance should be added the cost of supporting a Pauper 21 weeks at $3 per week,
$63 00
Keeping 61 tramps at 75 cents each, $45 75
Due for work on job not finished, $20 00-$128 75
Net Profit, $509 99
We have two men besides the Overseer employed at the Farm now, and as there is not much that they can do, at this time of year, besides the road work, if February is not more favorable than the first part of the winter has been, they will not be expected to pay the running expen- ses. The foregoing account is made up for eleven months ; the above balance of profit may be reduced by the closing month of the year.
PAUPERS.
During the eleven months, covered by this report, there has been at the Almshouse equal to one pauper twenty-one weeks. At the present time, we have no inmates.
There has also been sixty-one tramps entertained there.
POOR OUT OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for Michael Ryan at Taunton Hospital, $210 60
Aid to Mrs. Polly Reed, 52 00
Aid to Mrs. Hannah Lothrop,
24 00
for Coffin for Mrs. Lucy Carr,
16 50
for Coffin for Thomas Fitzpatrick,
8 00
for Coffin for John Coughlan,
10 50
Aid to Mark Munday,
1 25
Total,
$322 85
17
We will recommend for the town to make the follow- ing appropriations for the ensuing year, as being sufficient to meet the present necessities, viz. :-
For Schools, $3,000 00
repairing School Property, 300 00
repairing Highways, 2,500 00
completing the work on Copeland street,
500 00
support of the Poor, 500 00
Public Lectures, 100 00
Incidental expenses, 1,200 00
$8,100 00
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES HOWARD, Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers
DAVIS COPELAND, of the Poor
HENRY W. LEACH, of the Town of West Bridgewater.
NOTE .- On page 15 the items "Going with the Hearse in town," and all the work done on the roads should be credited to the Overseer, instead of cash paid him.
C
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LIST OF JURORS FOR 1875,
As prepared by the Selectmen of West Bridgewater.
Charles Atwell,
Wm. O. Alger,
Charles W. Bacon,
Geo. M. Pratt,
Horace Bartlett,
Shepherd L. Pratt,
Caleb Copeland, Jr.,
Molbry A. Ripley,
Davis Copeland,
George D. Ryder,
Lucius Dunbar,
Joseph E. Ryder,
James A. Fobes,
Eben C. Safford,
Josiah Q. Hartwell,
George T. Shaw,
John L. Hayward,
Benjamin Howard,
Ephraim T. Snell, Thomas Snell, Charles C. Thayer,
Charles Howard, Isaac Howard,
Edward Tisdale,
Henry W. Leach,
Hiram G. Washburn,
Charles N. Martin,
Henry H. Whitman,
Henry S. Keith,
George Wilbur.
The Selectmen recommend that Guide Boards be main- tained at or near the following named places :-
Joshua T. Ryder's, Molbry Ripley's, Justin W. Richards', James Alger's furnace, Cyrus P. Brown's,
Joseph Kingman's, Lewis Ryder's, Pine Hill Cemetery,
Joseph Alger's, Barnabas Dunbar's,
Charles Howard's,
Stillman W. Hersey's,
West of Almeshouse, Edmund Geary's,
Pardon Copeland's, North Center school house, Heman Copeland's, Nahum Leonard's, 2, J. Q. Hartwell's, John Walker's, 2,
Benjamin Perkins, Nahum Packard,
Dwelley Fobes', Benjamin Howard's, George Wilbar's, John B. Holmes', D. H. Baker's store, Center Post Office, Thomas Mackin's.
19
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
MARRIAGES
Recorded in West Bridgewater in the year 1874.
No.
DATE.
NAMES OF BRIDEGROOMS AND BRIDES.
1
Jan.
1
Frederick Wilder aud Lucretia A. Hayward.
2
Feb.
5
John E. Reeve and Caroline Shipman.
3
March
15
Simeon A. Dean and Lydia B. Shaw.
4
60
26
Edward T. Ripley and Carrie A. Copeland.
5
April
25
Wilton E. Pratt and Philena F. Gurney.
6
May
27
Charles W. Bacon and Caroline B. Keith.
7
July
1
Luther E. Turner and Emma W. Hayward.
8
12
Thomas W. Hayden and Harriet A. Smith.
9
Aug.
21
Henry Stone and Garaphelia B. Howard.
10
30
Joseph D. Packard and Emma M. Packard.
11
Sept.
6
Charle's B. Gould and Evelyna A. Tinkham. Stephen Fryes and Almah F. Dickerson.
18
¥
27
John M. Stetson and Ruth B. Swain.
14
Nov.
3
Martin V. B. Dunbar and Jane W. Keith.
15
18
Nahum Wasburn, Jr,. and Mary Reed.
16
Dec.
25
Cryus W. Alger and Abby E. Morse.
Notice of the intention of Marriage between the following persons has been recorded, but no certificate of their marriage' has been returned to this town.
1
Nov.
12
Thomas Macken and Mary A. Daley.
2
Dec.
11
Edward W. Bnttrick and Julia A. Martin.
12
Oct.
26
20
DEATHS Registered in West Bridgewater in the year 1874.
No.
Date.
Names of the Deceased.
Ys.
Ms.
Ds.
Disease or Cause of Death.
7
Jan.
16 John Savage
57
Heart Disease.
2
24 Lucy Carr
88
5
Old Age.
3
29 Polly K. Hayward.
87
24
Old Age.
4
Feb.
8 Jacob Leonard.
71
9
Typhoid Pneumonia.
5
15 Thomas Fitzpatrick
25
.
Strangulation.
6
24 Martin Hayward.
90
9
Old Age.
7
26 Bertha L. Alger
March 2 Ezra S. Copeland.
38
3
Consumption.
9
7 Hannah Richards
77
19
Consumption.
11
May 9 Lydia H. Shaw
50
9
Paralysis.
12
29 Ann Davie ..
82
1
2
Old Age.
13
June
22 Sarah W. Alden ..
39
1
17
Consumption.
14
July
14 Albert J. F. Perkins.
1
1
Cholera Infantum.
15
20 Patty Bartlett.
58
13
Apoplexy.
16
21
John Coughlan.
50
:
. .
Pneumonia.
17
Aug.
16 John Reeves.
53
·
. Consumption.
19
3
Nathan E. Keith
. .
11
20
Cholera Infantum.
20
6 Carrie L. Snow.
1
6
Whooping Cough.
21
16 Elbridge G. Hayward
54
1
26
Consumption.
22
Dec.
3 Saphronia Taylor.
69
4
11
Cancer.
5 :825791 7 9 2 1
17
Whooping Cough.
10
18 Nicholas Bowe
47
..
Lung Fever.
112 2
18
Sept.
20 Henrietta Fisher.
..
3
20 Inflammation of Lungs.
Oct.
The number of births recorded in West Bridgewater in the year 1874, was 40.
AUSTIN PACKARD, Town Clerk.
8
3 :239 9
.
21
TOWN MEETING.
The annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, the 1st day of March next, at one o'clock, P. M., to act up- on the following articles :-
1st. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing.
2d. To hear and act upon the several reports of offi- cers and committees of the town.
3d. To act on the list of Jurors reported by the Select- men.
4th. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year.
5th. To see if the town will accept the provisions of the 158th chapter of the Acts of 1871, which provides for the election of a Board of Road Commissioners, &c.
6th. To determine the manner of repairing Highways and Bridges the ensuing year.
7th. To raise such sums of money as may be necessa- ry to defray the expenses of the Town the ensuing year, and make appropriations of the same.
8th. To see if the town will appropriate a sum, to defray, in part, the expenses of a course of public lectures.
9th. To see what measures the town will take to pro- vide better accommodations for the South school, and make an appropriation for the same.
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10th. To see if the town will determine upon some place on the river where the fish, called herrings, shall be taken, and take measures to protect said fish and fishery.
11th. To see if the town will accept the street leading *
from Center to High street, east of Friend W. Howard's and west of the Baptist church in Cochesett, as a Town road.
12th. To see what action the town will take in regard to roads which have been laid out within the limits thereof.
13th. To see if the town will appropriate the dividend accruing under the execution of the dog law, for the sup- port of schools.
23
Annual Report of the School Committee -OF THE- TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER
For the Year commencing March, 1874.
Board of School Committee.
For One Year.
For Two Years.
BENJAMIN PERKINS, P. P. FIELD,
J. L. HAYWARD, W. H. JENNINGS.
ISAAC HOWARD.
For Three Years. MISS M. A. THAYER.
ISAAC HOWARD, Chairman.
M. A. THAYER, Secretary and Superintendent.
In accordance with existing arrangements there will be three vacancies to fill, two for three years, one for two years ; the terms of Messrs. Perkins, Hayward and Howard expiring with the present year.
The following statistics show very nearly the school expenses for the year :--
CENTRE SCHOOLS. Wages of Teacher, 32 weeks, (Grammar depart't) $320 00 66 66 (Primary depart't) 288 00 Fuel and preparing same, (Grammar department,) 41 25 66 (Primary depart't,) 18 25
Care of house and fires, (Grammar department,) 10 00
(Primary department.) 6 00
$683 50
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COCHESETT SCHOOLS.
Wages of Teacher, 32 weeks, (Grammar depart't) $320 00
(Primary depart't) 288 00
Fuel and preparing same, 50 50
Care of house and fires,
10 00
$668 50
EAST SCHOOL,
Wages of Teacher, 32 weeks,
$320 00
Fuel and preparing same,
33 50
Care of house,
5 00
$358 50
JERUSALEM SCHOOL.
Wages of Teacher, 32 weeks,
$288 00
Fuel and preparing same,
22 75
Care of house,
5 00
$315 75
NORTH SCHOOL.
Wages of Teacher, 32 weeks,
$288 00
Fuel and preparing same,
22 75
Care of house,
5 00
$315 75
NORTH CENTRE SCHOOL.
Wages of Teacher, 32 weeks,
$278 00
Fuel and preparing same,
25 18
Care of house,
5 00
$308 18
25 SOUTH SCHOOL.
$310 00
Wages of Teacher, 32 weeks,
20 37
Fuel and preparing same, Care of house,
5 00
$335 37
There has been paid to East Bridgewater, for pupils attending school in that town, $169.85. Total expense of schools, $3,161.15.
Appropriation of 1874,
$3,000 00
Balance of former appropriation,
1,185 62
From State school fund for 1874,
280 92
Dividend under dog law, for 1874,
178 11
$4,644 65
3,161 15
Balance unexpended,
$1,483 50
Of the appropriations for repairs, improvements, and incidentals there has been expended for the several schools the past year as follows :-
Centre, for repairs and incidentals,
$18 40
Cochesett, for repairs and incidentals,
36 23
East, (not all reported,) for repairs and incidentals,
6 82
Jerusalem, for repairs and incidentals,
11 55
North, for repairs and incidentals,
7 12
North Centre, for repairs and incidentals,
10 37
South, for repairs and incidentals,
13 47
Cost of Well, Pump, Trough, &c., Centre School,
106 00
Mr. Goodrich's bill for slating,
42 90
Painting North School-house,
15 02
Painting North Centre School-house,
31 60
$299 48
D
26
Balance of former appropriations as reported
March 1st, 1874,
8266 98
Appropriation of 1874,
200 00
Received from sale of old stove,
5 00
8471 98
299 48
8172 50
This balance is liable to be reduced by some small out- standing bills. There has been paid for exchange of school books, $54.85.
The East school-house needs a general repairing inside. The Cochesett house is also reported as needing one new floor. As we have no estimate of the cost of said repairs, we shall omit recommending any specific appropriation for repairs.
We anticipate no great additional expense of schools over last year, and accordingly recommend the Town to appropriate the same as heretofore, viz., $3,000.
The number of persons in town between the ages of five and fifteen, as reported by the Assessors, is 367. Of this number 19 reside in what is termed Beaver, and have the privilege of attending school in East Bridgewater.
The Committee find it their duty again to call the at- tention of the Town to the condition of the South school. Although the school is less crowded than for some time pre- .vious, still as we consider the cause not permanent, the needs remain the same. The Committee having this school in charge (together with the Centre Schools) have exerted themselves to the extent of their ability to put the school in practical working condition. and under the guidance of its present faithful and efficient teacher, Miss Dewver, it is making very commendable progress. We have thus far found insurmountable obstacles in adapting a school to existing houses with their chance locations. Perhaps in
27
the near future the scene may change, when the house may have attractions sufficient for the occasion. We think the most practical and economical course the Town can pursue is to build a good house for a part of the South School. Should coming events prove one school sufficient for the locality, the old house may be disposed of without great sacrifice. The Committee have taken measures to have an article in the Warrant for the Annual Meeting, that the Town may act on the subject according to their best judg- ment.
For particular information concerning schools we refer you to the annexed report of the Superintendent of Schools, Miss Mary A. Thayer.
Respectfully submitted,
ISAAC HOWARD, BENJAMIN PERKINS, -
J. L. HAYWARD,
P. P. FIELD,
M. A. THAYER,
W. H. JENNINGS,
School Committee of West Bridgewater.
On retiring from the School Committee, the Chairman would improve the opportunity to express his thanks to all who have served with him on the Board during the three years, for their co-operation and forbearance, hoping they will in future find some person more competent for the position who will be willing to serve in that capacity.
ISAAC HOWARD.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
- -
Gentlemen of the School Committee :--
In endeavoring to present a summary of the condition of the Schools at the close of the past school year, the Superintendent would first call your attention to the sub- ject of
ATTENDANCE.
The necessity for issuing the Report before the close of the schools, renders it impossible to give the attendance for the Winter term ; but, judging from the appearance of the registers, it will be much lower than the average for the Summer and Fall terms.
The table of statistics at the close of the Report, embodies the facts in figures, so far as these two terms are concerned. But there is somewhat beyond and behind these figures, which bears more directly upon the actual condition of our schools than would be inferred by persons not immediately connected with them.
When the attendance of a school is given at 75 per cent, it means on the outside that 25 per cent of the pupils were virtually deprived of instruction. But this 25 per cent is variable in individuality, and figures show only part of the evil; they limit what in reality is general. The truth is, that of the 75 per cent attending school, not one pupil escapes a general degree of actual loss in school advantages through the delinquent 25 per cent. And here is the worst and most irreparable injury incident to irregular attendance. Each scholar in the class suffers
E
30
through absences from that class. All progress is so inter- woven with harmony of action, that discordance. however individualized. is a direct lessening of aggregate force. Given an absentee, and more is given that the personal failure or forfeiture.
In affairs of the school, as well as of the nation, there is no such thing as individualism in the sense of limitation of consequences to the immediate personality of the actor. The true gain of one is the gain of all, and, if possible, yet more deeply rooted is the universality of loss.
Who can send these children to school ? Unfortunate- ly. the School Committee cannot ; notwithstanding they are empowered to appoint truant officers. And, as our schools are at present conducted, punctuality in attendance is the vital leverage to the fulfilment of ordinary success. This question has been year after year presented to your con- sideration. and. through you, to the consideration of the parents of these children.
As the law stands. the School Committee have the authority to appoint truant officers, who shall inquire into all cases of absenteeism. The fact that we have no truant officers in the town has less connection with our percentage of non-attendance than might be supposed. To convict a child of truancy in a country town, is next to an impossi- bility. For the most confirmed cases of irregular atten- dance are directly due to parental encouragement ; and hence, excuses most candid and reasonable are not wanting. whenever an investigation is attempted. Of these excuses. ill health takes the first rank, and next, that elastic con- scientiousness which "cannot approve of the teacher."
The conscientiousness which does not enforce atten- dance upon the school because the teacher is deficient in qualifications or in tact, has no hesitation in subjecting children to her pernicious influence, provided they are willing to go to school !
31
Again, the case which has been known to keep children from the school for alleged ill health, did not extend to any sanitary precautions while at home! There is little danger here of confounding the exercise of rightful parental care, with the injudicious neglect instanced by these cases. The slip-shod attendance referred to, never results from over- sight and care, but has its two-fold source in ignorance and thoughtlessness.
In the words of the law, "children having no lawful employment or business, not attending school, and growing up in ignorance," are liable to the charge of truancy. There are children in town who come under this class, temporarily at least, but are yet beyond the reach of any influence strong enough to make them participants in the benefits of our schools. It is more than doubtful if any law can be framed to reach cases fostered and sheltered by parental neglect, excepting that of compulsory attendance. Nothing less than a law like that of the German States can save these children from the purposeless future of an ill- directed childhood.
When parents are recreant to their duty, it remains for the State to discharge the trust. The future of national character is but an empty name till America becomes the Mother of her children,-and for strong-armed guidance, not for effeminate indulgence.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-WORK.
Five schools have been fortunate in retaining the same teachers throughout the year.
The teacher of the North School, Miss Wealthy Holmes, was transferred, at the beginning of the Winter term, to the Centre Primary, to fill the place vacated by the resignation of Miss C. Howard, in favor of a new sphere of duty.
32
The North School, for the Winter term, has been in charge of Miss Idella Stevens.
The school of the North Centre, was taught in the Spring by Miss Annie Clarke, followed by Miss Lucy King- man in the Fall and Winter.
The South School, for several terms in charge of Miss Mary Shea, was resigned by her at the opening of the Fall term for a better position, and her place taken by Miss Mary Dewyer.
With the slight exception, that the first week in the Summer term of the Cochesett Grammar School was taught by Miss M. Gay, who resigned her position on account of a more lucrative situation elsewhere, the following schools have been taught the entire year by their respective teachers :---
CENTRE GRAMMAR, Miss Mary Lincoln.
COCHESETT GRAMMAR, Miss Hannah Dillingham.
COCHESETT PRIMARY, Miss Irene Wood.
EAST SCHOOL, Miss Edith Wheeler.
JERUSALEM SCHOOL, Miss Helen Dunbar.
Virtually, the schools of our town are all mixed schools. The Cochesett Grammar, and the two Primary Schools, are the nearest approaches that we have to graded schools ; and these are remote enough from any well classified grade.
The Centre Grammar School, at the opening of the Spring term, was the subject of much concern to the Com- mittee. From a variety of causes it was completely disor- ganized. Matters were complicated by the necessity of introducing a class of scholars from the South School, on account of insufficient accommodations there. A class was also sent in from the Primary department. These two new classes, with nine scholars who had attended the school during the Winter term, made a most inharmonious combi- nation. The Committee well knew that any teacher taking
33
this school, would labor under great disadvantages. There were at the outset, three schools in one, with little or no disposition to fraternize.
As one of the Committee in charge, the Superintendent would express acknowledgment of the zeal and comprehen- sive effort which wrested order from disorder, and won harmony from discord.
The general condition of the schools is better than at the opening of the year. Those having the same teacher for the three consecutive terms, have had better chances for progress, than those schools in which a change of teachers has been necessary. But the changes have been attended with far less injury than is often the case.
The discipline as a whole has been good. The schools for which most anxiety was felt, on account of the youth- fulness of the teachers, take the first rank in this respect.
In mixed schools there is no cause for complaint of that conformity which dwarfs while it shapes. Any sys- tem possible in schools of this grade, must be flexible in nature, as well as in application. The attendant danger is loss of that vitalizing harmony in aim, which should under- lie and rule the whole. Surface harmony of action is far more easy of attainment, but its associate evil, routine at the expense of life, is quite as detrimental in result as that more apparent loss of power, through want of systematic progress.
The practice of commenting upon individual schools, more rare now than formerly, naturally gave rise to much personal feeling, and the course wisely fell into disfavor. Yet the Superintendent proposes to infringe upon the dis- cretionary limits of custom, so far as to mention certain very pleasing instances of successful methods of teaching ; thoroughly assured that the teachers will bring no accusa- tion of favoritism, but will be glad that such examples can be cited.
34
Indistinct utterance is so common in our schools that any successful effort in overcoming this defect deserve especial attention.
In the Centre Primary, distinct enunciation has been for several terms a marked feature. Miss Howard for three years worked with well directed persistence, and her efforts were justly crowned with success. While the school was in her care, we urged teachers to visit it as worthy of their imitation in this direction. No clipping of the final consonants was allowed, and obscure sounds always had rightful recognition.
The teacher did not confine her instruction to the classes in reading, as sometimes is unwisely done. She in- sisted upon good enunciation in every recitation. This required the most scrupulous watchfulness, as well as steady drill in class exercises, for defects of this nature can be conquered only by unrelaxing vigilance.
The Centre Grammar School to-day shows, in at least one of its classes, the effect of this early training.
At the present time, the Centre Grammar ranks first in reading. But this fact is not to be attributed to superiority of material, but to discriminating instruction in both depart- ments.
WRITING.
In Miss Peabody's "Record of a School," she says it was Mr. Alcott's experience, that in writing, it was much better to begin with copying print, as it was sure to produce in the end a more distinct and legible hand.
The fact that much printing has been done by the younger children for the past year, may in part explain the great improvement in the appearance of the writing books. But we believe this is chiefly due to the perseverance of the teachers. The practice in the written exercises, has also proved beneficial, since, with rare exceptions, pupils take
35
great care to write as legibly and as handsomely as they can.
The schools exhibiting the most marked improvement for the year, are the Centre Grammar, the East and South. The others, with perhaps one exception, have improved, but in a less noticeable degree.
In both Primary schools the books are very neatly written considering the age of the pupils.
The Primer classes, in the East and Jerusalem schools, illustrate the happy adaptation of natural methods in teaching children to think and to express thought.
A visitor, not witnessing the beginning of the work, would now say, "What bright children !" But it is not so much exceptional native talent, as wise teaching, that has made these classes models for imitation.
In the East School great attention has been paid to distinct utterance. This is the first noticeable feature in the reading. The children read slowly, but with a degree of distinctness that older classes are much longer in attain- ing. Next to the vocal training, comes the careful word study, which has done for these children what all instruction unfortunately does not do, inasmuch as it has quickened their minds.
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