USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1842-1861 > Part 11
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
15
Green Otis
1 81
Hill George
10 65
Gowen Jaques
1 50
Hill William 2d. 44 18
Grant John D.
1 50
Hill Joseph 18 58
Mc'Glashan John
1 50
Hill Widow Nancy 7 63
George M. C.
1 50
Hutchinson T. K. 1 66
George Mr.
฿ 50
Gilman John
1 50
Homer James B.
58 92
Gannett George
1 50
Mc'Gregor Andrew
1 50
Gray George H. Trus. 30 50
H.
Hall Thomas
31 11
Hall Isaac
9 21
Hanson William
1 50
Hill Amos 2d.
5 16
Hinton John
14 62
How Andrews
12 26
Harrington Cyrus D.
9 51
Hutchinson William S. 1 50
Hardy Solon
12 18
Harvey John 1 50
Hill Harrison
1 50
Hill Francis & Co.
1 28
Hobbs Jacob F.
2 57
Heald Arthur D. 1 50
Hill Addison
12 71
Higgins John
150
Hill Nathaniel, Jr.
4 61
Hobert Arthur 1 50
Hill Nathaniel
24 89
Haynes David
1 50
How Eli
4 55
Hooper Peter 1 50
Hill William 3d.
10 96
Higgins Albert 1 81
Hovey Ebenezer
5 89
Hastings Oliver
50
Hathaway Charles
2 12
Holmes Stilman 1 50
Hill Francis
44 35
Higgis Dennis
4 86
Hill Amos
23 01
Hardy George A.
1 50
Hill Amos, Jr.
37 78
Holden T. F.
11 50
Hill Henry Y.
57 16
Hobbs Lorenzo
1 50
Hill Amos, Jr. Guard. 2 75
Han John
1 50
Hill Amos, Jr. & Hen- ry Y. Hill 27 48
Hill C. H. 1 50
Horton Rev. Francis
12 48
1 50
Hopkins Reuben 52 95
Hagan John
1 50
Hanson Joel F- 9 19
Hallihan Patrick. 1 50
Homer William F. 26 94
Hatch George
1 50
Homer Eleazer 41 99
Higgins Mr.
1 50
Horton David W. 40 08
Hallihan Michael 1 50
Hill Charles 12 48
Hinton John Jr. 1 50
Hill David, Estate of 64 35
2 72
Henney Timothy
50
Hammond William
1 50
Hoskins Wm.
Hill H. W. 1 50
Hartwell John B. 7 92
Hills Henry 4 25
Hill James 76 49
Holmes Dr. Howland 1 97
Hill, Smith, & Co.
3 97
Hill Nancy 1 60
Hollinsworth J. M. 36 95
Heustis Warren 2 49
Hogan Thomas
16
Hobbs Lorenzo D. 1 50
Locke Joseph 26 17
Hill Rev. George
1 50
Locke Samuel Jr. 22 63
Homer Alfred P
1 50
Lawrence John W. 7 29
Hill Joseph, Trustee
92
Locke Davis 14 39
Locke Davis, Jr.
1 96
J.
Lary Jeremiah 4 23
Jenkins Isaiah 7 30
Lane W. J. 19 57
Ingolls Levi
1 50
Lee Capt. George
726 67
Johnson Nathaniel
1 76
Locke Edwin
25 49
Jarvis John
12 94
Locke George A.
34 63
Johnson Levi
1 50
Jago John
1 50
Johnson A.
1 50
Johnson Charles
1 50
Joseph
1 50
K.
Kidder Mrs. J.
8 24
Locke Abel Estate of 3 36
Kenney Michael
3 64
Locke Benjamin B.
2 11
Kenney Andrew
1 50
Locke Stephen
10 65
Kendall Daniel
1 62
Lakin Isaac S. 1 50
Kenney Timothy
2 19
Kendrick James
1 50
Litchfield Franklin 1 74
Mc' Kee William
1 50
Locke Samuel B. 1 50
Locke Horatio 12 18
Kenister Charles
50
Lawrence Thomas 1 50
Kenney Thomas E.
1 50
Lawrence Parker 1 50
Kenney Scoby
1 50
Lemon William 1 50
Klim Thomas
1 50
Lawley Martin 1 50
Libbey John 1 50
L.
Lonegan Thomas 1 50
Lennon Martin
1 50
Lary Cornelius 1 50
Lovejoy David P.
1 50
Lary Timothy 1 50
Locke Elbridge G.
33 23
Lawrence Albert
1 50
Locke Lorenzo
3 08
Lakin Napoleon
1 50
Locke Artemas
84 75
Locke Aaron
1 96
Locke Charles D. 1 50
Locke Joseph, 2d. 1 50
Locke Wid. Elizabeth 2 75
Lacy John 1 50
Locke Hannah C. 11 90
Locke Philip 1 50
Locke William, Esq. 19 40
Logan David 1 50
Locke Wid. Ame
13 05
Locke Edwin improved
Locke Benjamin heirs 16 48
by Charles Hill, 3 36
Locke John 1 50
Locke Wid. Hannah B. 21 69
Locke Caroline A. 4 58
Locke Wid. Mehitable 7 93
Locke, Amos Estate of 5 64 Locke William P. 1 50
Locke William Henry 6 91
Kent James W.
1 50
Lawrence Abel 1 50
Kimball Stephen
1 50
17
AT.
P.
Manoney Coleman
50
Proctor Russell 16 60
Moc Ira
1 50
Puffer David 9 95
Mc' Elroy Henry
50
Peabody James
19 33
Mackey Thomas
1 50
Pierce Abner
102 80
Mott Joseph
24 23
Pattee Enoch D. 4 55
Mott Henry
10 71
Prescott & Proctor
24 40
Marsh Mansir W.
29 12
Proctor Moses 15 76
Merrifield Joseph A.
5 78
Pierce Thomas P. Trus. 3 05
Mayou Henry L.
3 94
Poland Benjamin
9 43
Mills Christopher H.
1 50
Parker Sewall 1 50
Motley Henry H.
1 50
Prentiss James
17 79
Mitchell Michael 1 50
Perry John B.
6 91
Mills Chester 1 50
Pattee Jesse P.
49 40
Mills George
1 50
Prentiss George
27 58
Mossey Hugh 1 50
Prentiss George, Jr.
10 12
Martin George W. 1 50
Pierce Thomas P.
39 42
Murphy James 1 50
Pierce Jonas, heirs of
4 62
Merriam Charles E.
1 50
Maronge James
1 50
Pierce Wid. Lydia 12 82
Mr. Muxum 1 50
Pierce John A. P. 33 95
Murray Wm.
1 50
Martin Thomas 1 50
Prentiss Mary
3 44
Perry Joseph
1 50
Pierce Abel
20 23
Peabody William
3 11
Pierce Oliver H.
1 50
Mc'phail Paul
1 50
Nourse Nathan 6 30
Perkins John
1 50
Norcross William R. 1 50
Philips Edward 1 50
Mc Neil Daniel
1 50
Patience Matthew 50
Nash Howard 1 50
Phillips Matthew 1 50
Norton Robert J- 1 50
Pierce James H. 50
Nudd Joseph 1 50
Potter S. 50
Patterson Matthew 50
Prentiss Wm. 1 50
O.
Patrick 1 50
Otis H. G. 1 81
Orsbon George
1 50
Orsbon John
1 50
Pepperd Isaiah 1 50
Patrick 1 50
Paxon E. J.
1 50
3
N.
Niles William J. 73 14
Nason Eliakim Est. of 23 18
Puffer Jephthah
1 50
Nason Charles 1 50
Prentiss Samuel
1 50
Pierce James A. 1 50
Pierce Ebenezer P. 23 64
Mackey Miss Caroline 106 75
Price Wm. 150
Nason Mr. 1 50
Prescott Edwin R. 10 35
18
Pollard S. W. 1 50
Phillips Norman 1 50
Pitts James L. 1 50
Peabody John 9 05
Pierce George 64 64
Prentiss Wid. Fanny 2 44
R.
Rawson Warren 18 12
Richardson Mark A. 3 19
Russell James 2d. 29 01
Richardson James B. 17 36
Robbins Joshua 66 59
Russell James, Esq.
96 32
Ramsdell Thomas 19 34
Russell C. 2d.
10 11
Russell Bowen
18 51
Russell Josiah H. 17 73
Richardson James M. 6 38 imp. by Solon Hardy 1 84
Richardson Richard 9 13
Richardson William 42 60
Russell Thomas 11S 11
Russell Thomas J. 23 16
Russell George C. 12 79
Russell George C. trus. 3 05
Russell Oliver 10 19
Russell Wid. Rebecca 4 27
Russell James S. 4 96
Richardson Wm. H. 12 94
Russell Edward 6 84
Russell Benjamin F. 15.69
Russell Amos 19 24
Robbins, Nathan Jr. 126:49
Robinson Oren
11 88
Russell T. J.& G. C. 35 23
Russell Charles 7 07
Richardson George B. & Co. 11 59
James Russell heirs of
improved by Moses Proctor 11 59
Rawson Solon 1 96
Richardson. Nelson 1 50
Richardson Artemas L. 1 50'
Ryan John 1 50
Riley Hugh 1 50
Richardson Wm. im-
proved by M. Bacon 15 41
Robinson T. S. G. 7 84
Russell Alfred 1 50
Riley John 1 50
Robert 1 50
John 1 50
Joseph
1 50
Richardson James F. 1 50
Ryan Thomas 1 50
Ruflly Henry 1 50}
Russell Wid. Rebecca improved by George C. Russell 2d 23 941
Russell Wid. Rebecca
Rowe Patrick 1 50
Rail Road Lexington
& West Cambridge 4 58
S.
Symmes Stephen®
35 81
Storer Edward
13 92
Swan Henry Est. of 11 06
Setchell Wm. F. A. 3 94
Schouler James Jr. 10 05
Schouler Robert 42 37 Schouler Robert & Co 53 99 Swan Samuel 5 88
Swan Timothy 31 48
Stearns Leonard 25 20
Swan Charles 14 3S
Smith Edward 27 09
Smith Joseph 4 25
Stearns George 22 61
Simpson Alonzo 6 39
Symmes Stephen, Jr. 8 14
Seaver True W. 52 67
Scouler John. 54. 87
1
19
Svan Henry 9 72
Swan Wid. Phebe
9 46
Baptist Society
28 22
Squires J. P.
15 85
Shattuck Isaac
1 .50
Trask Moses C.
1 50
Swan George Smith Francis 3 94
3 03
Titus Daniel 1 75
Teel Thomas H. 37 05
Sanders Wid. Mary
1 24
d'ufts Horatio 1 50
Swan Gershom heirs
15 85
Teel Thomas R.
7 36
Swan Stephen
39 44
Thorpe Thomas
10 35
Snelling, Widow 9 15
'T'ufts Wid. Ellen
3 10
Smith F. 1.50
Taylor Robert
1 50
Stewart Alexander J. 1 50
Tufts Benjamin
1 50
Salbs Benjamin 1 50
Tomney James
1 50
Swan Charles 2d 1 50
Sanborn Josiah 1 50
Thaxter James
Tufts Helen E. 1 57
Tufts J. B. 1 50
Thompson Ahijah 2 26
U.
Underwood, Dr. 2 03
Underwood Napoleon 11 57
Usher Daniel 5 93
V.
Viles Andrew
2 42
W.
Whipple John 1 50
Wyman Luke 27 73
Wyman Joseph 36 47
Wyman James 3 39
Wyman Luke, Jr. 9 13
Whittemore Wm. A. 46 26 Whittemore Francis H 11 87
Whittemore Jonathan
Estate of 61 46
Walker John 1 66
Wells Sarah 4 03
Wright Stephen 1 50
Wood Wm. T. 2 42
Wyman A. & J. P. 33 98
Teel Joseph
13 90
Wyman Samuel Heirs
of 24 10
Thorpe Thomas E.
5 16
Teel Benjamin C. Es-
tate of 6 63
Tufts Ephraim 57 26
Swamp Peter 1 50
Swamp Charles 1 50
Snow Alexander H. 1 50
Sunbry Horace 1 50
Sargent John 1 50
Sumner, Mr. 1 50
Shaw Edward 1 50
Sullivan John 1 50
Simpson John W. 1 50
Stickney Henry 13.70
Souls Wm. 1 50
T.
Teel Albert
4 96
Snay John
1 50
Shaw Hiram
1 50
Sheen John
2 73
Starkweather E. C.
11 17
Somes John 1 50
1 50
Simpson Olinthus
1 50
Sargent Timothy
1 50
Thayer Joseph 1 50
1 50
Smith James E. 1 50
Sweeney Jeremiah 1 50
Sweeney Daniel 1 50
Stevens John R.
Tufts Ephraim, Jr. 10 65
20
Whittemore Gershom
& Henry 14 04
Whittemore Henry 24 38
Whittemore Gershom 14 84
Whittemore Wid. Re-
becca 23 24
Whittemore Wm. H. 35 26
Whittemore Henry W. 9 58
Wood Isaac
1 50
Walton Joseph 3 39
White Thomas 1 50
Webb William 1 50
Whittemore Elbridge Estate of 10 37
Williams Marlborough
17 50
Whitman Alfred 1 50
Walker William H. 1 50
Wilkins George
10 65
Webber James
6 10
Winship Oliver 2 19
Woodbridge SamuelF. 14 47
Watson David 1 50
Woodbridge James M. 1 81
Whitman Baneroft 2 54
Wyman James M. 1 87
Wellington Joseph O. 69 89
Wilson Horace 4 92
Whitton J. W. 20 95
Wilson Widow Sally 92
Winship Samuel 1 50
Wellington Timothy 55 45
Wyman Abner P. 4 55
Wyman John P. 4 55
Wellington David K. 9 74
Winnick Wm. B.
15 88
Woodruff Joseph & Co.
3 21
Winn Widow S. 2 14
You Patrick 1 50
Whitemore Wid. Sarah
You Michael 1 50
41 63
Winn Charles G. 48 84
Wilson Oliver 1 50
Walton Edmund 1 50
Whittemore Horatio H. F. 1 50
Whittemore Henry C. 1 50
Webster Wmn. 1 50
Warren Marshall S. 3 03
Whittemore Charles 7 60
Wini John 7 60
Winn Albert 54 46
Winn Albert guardian 1 46
Wood Ichabod 1 50
White Nathaniel 1 50
Wright Joshua 2 72
Wellington Henry 1 50
Wellington Henry Jr. 14 01
Woodruff Joseph
1 50
Woods B. F. 2 SO
Walton B. F. 1 50
Webster John 1 50
Walker E. A. 1 50
Mr. Walker 1 50 Mr. Walton 1 50
Wilson Andrew 1 50
Welch Wilson 1 50
Walker E. R. 1 50
Wyman Wid. Mary 1 57
Winn Albert guardian
for N. C. Frost 17 06
do. for Martha D. Frost 16 78
Y.
Yates Joseph 23 45
.
LIST OF NON-RESIDENTS.
George W. Dean im-
proved by G. Pierce 3 SI
Mrs. Lord imp. by do. 2 44
Wid. Walter Russell do. 2 44 Anna Tufts 92
John Swan 1 69
Benj. & S. L. Cutter imp. by P. B. Fes. sendon 10 68
Daniel Drake 26 54
Thomas Dweyer 61
William White
61
James Brown 14 18
Daniel White
1 98
J. W. Converse 17 69
E. K. Collins 1 23
Joshua C. Collins
61
S. M. Fulsom 4 42
George W. Chamber- lain, 1 32
Joseph A. Veazie 12 20
Preston Shepard 4 27
James Brown improved by Stephen Fogg 21 49
James Brown improved by Harvy Chaplin 8 54
J. M. Batchelder 9 76
Wid. Francis Bowman 3 05
Est. of Samuel Cox 7 02
David Coolidge
1 22
Benjamin Cutter 8 85
Benj. & S. L. Cutter 7 93
John Davenport 17 16
Thomas Huffmaster 4 19
William Homer 1 22
Gage Hittenger & Co. 91 82
Heirs of David & Josiah Kendall 1 69
Philander Ames
70
Silas Cutler
8 54
James Stearns 51
Isaac Sanderson
38
Frederick Tudor 94 71
Viles Jonas 3 36
Timothy Whittemore 12 20 Estate of Seth Wells 4 38 John L. Tucker 26 84 Heirs of Betsey Cook im. by Samuel C. Buck- nam 3 97
Heirs of John L. Sulli- van, 3 05
Joseph Dickson 2 75
Jacob Hanscomb 2 29
William Cotting 48 42
Washington Jacobs 1 22
Mr. Wallace 61
A. H. Evens 61
Wesson & Gary 5 14
H. C. Amory 3 05
A. P. Cline 76
J. M. Butler 1 53
Phineas Lawrence
5 25
Emerson Parks
6 10
Widow Abigail Richard- son 2 14
Josiah Bright 92
Reuben Reed 5 64
William A. Russell 8 77
Levi Russell 9 46
Est. of Stephen Rob- bins 14 80
Lydia Whitney & W. H. Russell 2 71
Est. of Micajah Locke 13 30
Asa Locke
7 02
Jaunes S. Watson
76
Francis Russell 2 67
.John Lewis 1 83
Walter M. Allen 5 34 Thomas Hutchinson 15 44
.J. V. Fletcher
8 85
Mr .. Gould 61
Mr. Baldwin
1 22
Edward Riddle
2 75
Josiah S. Waldo imp.
Joel Tufts 92
by Wm. Norcross 10 99
Stone & Chase 9 15
Mr. Skidmore 3 66
.A. G. Peck
29 29
Samuel Russell
2 44
J. F. Leach 7 32
Charles Munroe
2 44
Rev. Mr. Green 1 53
David Russell
1 27
Jacob Stearns 61
John Thayer
:3 97
Thomas Cahill 3 05
Nathan Smith
4 96
Hill & Chamberlin 3 05
Jeremiah Russell
1 77
Paul Sears
3 05
Wm. W. Munroe
2 14
William Adams 13 42
Samuel W. Russell
2 14
Est. of Benj. Mussey 1 53
Mary Adams 2 14
James Brown improved by Winthrop W. Chen-
Seth Thaxter
5 34
James M. Fessenden
1 07
ery 11 74
Frederic Tudor im. by
Daniel S. Brown 76
Bancroft Whitman 1678
Benjamin Blanchard 1 84
The above is a true and correct copy of a List of Town ;and County Taxes for the Town of West Cambridge, as- :sessed upon the Polls and estates of the Inhabitants of said 'Town, and also the Non-Residents, according to valua- tion as taken by the Subscribers on the first day of May, A. D. 1851, and committed to Edward Smith Collector for -said Town for the current year, for collection, with their warrant in due form of law.
THE AMOUNT OF TOWN VALUATION.
Real Estate, $ 1.754.234
(Personal Estate, 907.334
$ 2.661.568 at 3 and 1-20 mills on the dollar, $8.117.78 643 Polls at $1 50 964.50
$ 9.082.28
Town Grant, 7.000,00
County Tax, 1.671.63
Overlayings, 410.65
$ 9.082.28
WILLIAM DICKSON, Assessors STEPHEN SYMMES, of W. J. LANE, West Cambridge.
WWVEST CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 1851.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
WEST CAMBRIDGE.
1850, 1851 .
WYMAN DISTRICT.
Since the last annual Report, West Cambridge has suf- fered a loss of territory in that part of the town known as the Wyman District, a part of which was taken to make up the town of Winchester. The remaining part of the district, containing but seven scholars who were then members of the school, was merged into the Union District.
Before this division took place, however, the school was. commenced under the care of its former teacher, Miss Sarah Conant, who taught it five weeks, and gave as she had previously done, entire satisfaction to the district.
Owing to the sparse population in this part of the town, this district has always had a small, mixed school, contain- ing scholars of any degree of advancement, and of all ages from four to eighteen years. The care of it has been con- fided to males in winter and females in summer.
SOUTH - EAST DISTRICT.
This district is in reality but a part, or subdivision of the Union district, containing but one school and designed to relieve the primary school in the Centre, and for the better
24
and exclusive accommodation of the small children in this section of the district.
There were several applicants for this school at the com- mencement of the year, and choice was made of Miss Almira T. Fessenden, who had considerable experience in teaching, and had served very acceptably as assistant teach- er in the Union District the preceding year.
Soon after this school commenced, the Committee found there was a lack of discipline in it, arising from the attend- ance of some large scholars for whom the school was not designed, and who were qualified by age and attainments to attend the Grammar school. The Committee, after thor- oughly investigating, and attentively considering the matter, felt that their duty, and the best interests of the school, re- quired a strict adherence to the vote of the town whereby provision was made for a Primary school in this part of the Union district. But a compliance with this requisition of the Committee was not so cordially and promptly given on the part of some in the district, as they had a right to expect.
Since this school has been changed from a mixed, to one strictly Primary in its character, both deportment and pro- gress have been good. The scholars have been thoroughly drilled in the first elements of learning, and the excellent in- struction in vocal music which their teacher has daily given, has been equally a source of profit and pleasure to them. The teacher is justly esteemed by pupils and parents, and has the entire confidence of the Committee.
UNION DISTRICT.
Mr. Lyman B. Hannaford having resigned the charge of this school, choice was made from a good number of applications, of Mr. William Webster, who had sev- eral year's experience in teaching. He took charge of the school about a week after our other annuals had commenc- ed, and since then he has met our highest expectations. His language is sometimes a little too rough ; but his instruction is thorough, his manner prompt, his discipline good, and his action decisivo.
The school has suffered for the last two years in changing teachers, as all schools necessarily nmst; and this, with the custom that is gradually creeping into the school of the scholars leaving at an earlier age. will go far to account for its losing its former rank. The scholars, however, are well
25
grounded in the studies which they have pursued, and with their present teacher, nothing but the folly of their with- drawing too young from the school, can make them rank second to any. The progress of the school during the past year has been very marked, and a kind relation subsists between pupils, teacher, and parents.
During the Winter term, Miss Eliza R. Goodspeed has given entire satisfaction as assistant teacher in this school. Her gentle and friendly manner, ample qualifications, and devotion to her calling, secured the approbation of all.
The Committee think it very desirable that provision should be made for instruction in vocal music both in this and in the South West Grammar school, the present teach- er's not being able to aid their pupils in this branch of education ; and they would suggest a similar course to that pursued in Cambridge and other towns, the employment of a separate master certain parts of the year.
The PRIMARY school in the Centre, (Union District,) taught by Miss Eliza A. Whittemore, is the largest of this class, and is in a highly satisfactory condition. The thor- oughness of instruction is worthy of all commendation.
" Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclin'd."
The value of habits of accuracy in recitation and deport- ment cannot be expressed in numbers. Long may it con- tinue, as it has done for several years past, under the able instruction of its present teacher, whose quiet force, kind but energetic discipline, affectionate but earnest efforts, can- not escape the notice of any one who visits her in the dis- charge of her duties.
NORTH WEST DISTRICT
The Grammar School in this district is in a very back- ward condition, and the almost constant change of teachers which has taken place here for the last ten years, is doubt- less one of the principal causes. In addition to this the at- tendance is very irregular and the scholars leave here about two years sooner than is customary in the other Grammar schools.
Mr. Fox. the former teacher, had charge of the School the most of the year, and on his resignation in January, a suspension of the school for three weeks was unavoidable, till his successor Mr. John N. Brown, the present incumbent could be obtained. Mr. Brown's connection with the school has been short, but he has already given evidence of an efficient teacher, a good disciplinarian, and a worthy man,
4
26
With the kind sympathies and cordial cooperation of par- ents, the success of the school is sure. His musical talent, force of character, and devotion to business warrant high expectations.
The Primary School in this district has fortunately enjoy- ed the continued services of its former teacher, Miss Louisa L. Fox, and its progress is satisfactory and constant. No teacher is more loved by her pupils, and her deserved pop- ularity has drawn to her nearly all who are entitled to re- ceive her instructions,
SOUTH WEST DISTRICT.
The Grammar School in this district has enjoyed the un- interrupted services of the same teacher, Mr. Charles ... Frost, for seven years or more, and the advantages result- ing from the fixed system of a single individual are most conclusively attested by the efficiency of his scholars. Two years since, the School in the Union District took precedence of this in point of maturity and proficiency of its scholars ; now they have changed places. The knowledge of mathe- matics acquired by the more advanced scholars in this school, is more than sufficient for admission to any of our New England Colleges ; and Virgil and some of the other classics are read with tolerable case and accuracy. The study of French receives considerable attention, and draw- ing is sometimes attended to. Good reading is rarely met with, and it appeared to the Committee, that a little more attention should be given to this exercise. In some instauc- ces it lacked vigor and expression ; it was wanting in those varied, but natural modulations of the voice, that are to the car, what the Heaven lit countenance of the poet or painter is to the eye. The Committee also urge the most critical accuracy in both English and Latin Syntax. Scholars should be daily practised in analyzing sentences, and should be able at a glance to detect false syntax, and apply the proper correction. Accuracy is the sine qua non of all true scholarship. The knowledge that the pupil actually stores up while in his papilage, is of little note in comparison with the theory and practice of learning. The taste or the habit once formed, whether of being thorough or superficial, clings to a person through life. In laying the foundation of accurate learning, let not the teacher despise the day of small things. Mutual and personal interrogation will effect. much, carnest and persevering study will do the rest. Mr.
27
Frost has no lack of efficiency, ambition and energy, and his discipline is happily adapted to the school; and the growing repute in which he is held by the district must be alike gratifying to himself and beneficial to the school. This school has suffered much for a few years past from the non- attendance of a large portion of the scholars in the season of berries, who absent themselves by the advice or consent of their parents, to pick strawberries. It is a great loss to those who leave, and but little less to their classmates who remain at school. The Committee, therefore, suggest the expediency of abandoning this practice, or of changing the Summer vacation to meet it, both in this and in the North West District.
The Primary School in this district is still under the able tuition of Miss Harriet A. Hill. The attendance, and con- sequently the progress, has been much better than during the preceding year. The classes in mental. arithmetic and reading have done particularly well. The discipline of the school has been good and very casily secured, not only from the affectionate, cordial manner of the teacher, but from other causes which will be alluded to soon. A little more animation would give this school high rank.
By an act of the Legislature, the Secretary of the Board of Education, is " authorized to furnish each district and other public schools in this Commonwealth, except primary schools, a copy of Noah Webster's unabridged Quarto Dictionary, or Joseph E. Worcester's Octavo Dictionary, at the option of the school Committee of each town, and that the expense thereof is paid out of the School Fund." These are both books of great and almost equal literary value; each, however, having its peculiar merit. Webster for the extent of its definitions, -Worcester for its accurate pronun- ciation and spelling. The commercial value of the former is double that of the latter, and consequently the Commit- tee chose it from the State ; but, at the same time, being un- willing to have it made a standard in orthography and ortho- ëpy, they purchased for this purpose a copy of Worcester at the expense of the town for each of the Grammar and mixed schools. It is believed that the amount of money could not have been more judiciously appropriated, and the question is a pertinent one, whether some other books of reference, such as Classical, Latin, French or Greek Dic- tionaries of undoubted merit, might not be furnished to ma- ny schools with like advantage ?
The following is a tabular view of various important items relative to our Schools.
The
Schools
as now designated.
Teacher's Names.
whole No. se bulurs of
all ares in Winter
whole No. scho ars of all a es in Summer.
average attendance
Greatest No. over 15
yrs. in Gram. or under
whole No. betr een 5
and 15 in D strict
Teacher's Salary,
Raised by direct taxation for instruction of Schools, $2100.
fuel for Schools, 175. Income of War. Cutter Schl. Fund, 329.10
Total,
2673.00
Paid Wm. Webs'er for teaching
588 47
Charles J. Frost "
500.
Edward A Fox "
391.44
" John N. Brown
76.88
" Eliza A. Whitte- more
184.
" Almira T, Fes- senden 66
184.
Harriet A Hill “
184.
Louisa L. Fox 4 4
184.
68.
Eliza R. Goodspeed " Sarah Conant
20.
" J. H. Russell for fuel 175.
Wilkins & Carter for Dictionaries, &c. 8.87
82560 66 $ 112.84
Balance,
.. Primary,
Eliza A Whittemore.
75
66
51
6
4 pr. wk.
South West Grammar,
Harriet A. Hull,
47
47
39
3
4 pr. wk
.6
Primary,
John N. Brown,
50
34
35
10
50v pr. jann.
North West Dist. Grammar,
100
p .. wk.
-
.6
Primary.
Lommizi L. Ex.
68
65
51
7
1
4
pr. wk.
South East Dist. Primary,
Almia T. Fessenden, 28
38
20
*
May 1. 1850.
$ 600 pr. ann ..
Union Dist. Grammar.
Witham Webster.
100
81
70
9
195
63
37
97
500 pr. anu.
Charles J. Frost.
49
38
for the year
in Prim.
408
* Included in Union District.
29
With regard to our schools in general, it is doubtful whether they have ever been in a more prosperous condi- tion, all things considered, than at the present time ; and although they compare favorably with those in other towns - of the same size, yet much improvement may and ought to be made. This is an age of progress. Educational move- ments are progressive, and whoever or whatever remains satisfied with present merit, will soon receive the pity or contempt of those whose march is onward. Our school system is good, but needs to be perfected. Our school houses are all good, and with one exception, conveniently located. Might not the health and comfort of the young be materially enhanced by more complete ventilation, and also by warming the school houses by furnaces instead of stoves, without much increasing the expense ? Would not also a rudely constructed play room, be a valuable appendage to a primary school ? That forest trees and shrubbery would much improve the grounds about the schools does not ad- mit of a question, and immediate attention to this point by the town or district is earnestly requested.
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.