USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1851-1852 > Part 2
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Wilson Horace 7 60
Y.
Wellington Timothy 65 17
Whitman Bancroft Q 29
Webber James 7 20
Winn Charles G. 75 91
Yates Joseph 27 34
Voar Michacl 1 50
Yoar Patrick 1 50
Wyman Wid. Mary 1 S5
Whittemore Henry 30 30
Whittemore Gershom 18 03
Whittemore Gershom & Co. 18 00
Watson Cyrus 1 50
Wait Horace 1 50
White William 1 50
Wellington Augustus 1 50
Wood William 1 50
Woodbridge J. R. 1 50 William 1 50
Webb John, Jr. 1 50
Winn, Wid. S. 9 52
Walker Ansil 1 50
Wilson William P. 1 50
Whittemore Wid. E. L. 3 41
Whittemore Jonathan Estate of 72 54
Whittemore Charles 8 70
Wyman Janics R. 5 53
Winmick Wm. B. 18 48
Woods B. F. 6 11
Wyquan Luke $2 46
Wyman Joseph B. 47 09
Willis Sarah 4 86
Woodbridge S. F. 25 35
Winship Oliver 1 95
Wyman Samuel heirs 28 03
Whittemore H. H. F. 150
LIST OF NON-RESIDENTS.
AS ASSESSED
FOR THE YEAR 1852.
Joseph A. Tucker imp.
by A. Howcs 10 26
Edward Riddle 3 24
John Ellis 1 44
Mr. Chase 7 63
Oliver Kimball 5 04
Rev. Mr. Green 1 80
Joseph Palmer 1 80
Jacob Stearns
72
Mr. Glidden 4 32
Wm. W. Munroe
2 52
Truc W. Seaver 13 86
Oliver Winship
3 24
George S. Adams
8 64
Aaron Locke
54
Elijah Allen 7 67
B. F. Allen
9 09
David Heal 7 96
David Russell 36
Washington Jacob 1 44
72
A. H. Evans
72
Wesson & Gary
6 48
A. P. Cline
90
James Brown, imp. by
J. M. Butler
1 80
H. Chapin 10 08
Daniel S. Brown
90
James Brown imp. by W. W. Chennery 13 S6
Nathan Smith 5 85
Jeremiah Russell 2 09
James M. Fessenden 1 26
Frederick Tudor, imp-
by B. Whitman 19 80
Philander Ames 90
Samuel L. Cutter 18 00
William Cotting 57 15
Coolidge David 1 44
Benjamin Cutter 11 16
John Davenport 20 25
J. M. Baldwin
1 44
George W. Dean, imp. by George Pierce 4 50
P. D. Wallace
James Brown imp. by Mr. Maplesden 25 36
Wid. Francis Bowman 3 60
22
Mrs. Lord improved
by George Pierce
2 88
Wid. Walter Russell
imp. by Geo. Pierce
2 88
Anna Tufts 1 08
John Swan Winchester 1 98
Daniel Draper
36 72
Thomas Deweyer
72
William White 72
Daniel White 2 34
James Brown
16 74
J. W. Converse 20 SS
E. K. Collins 1 44
Joshua C. Collins 72
James S. Watson
90
Thomas Cahill 3 60
Hill & Chamberlin 3 60
Paul Sears 3 60
Josiah C. Waldo 13 68
Jacob Hittenger 46 71
J. V. Fletcher 24 14
Edward A. Raymond 10 80
John L. Tucker 31 32
Hutchinson Thomas 18 22
Est. of Stephen Robbins
17 28
Silas Cutler
10 08
Mr. King
11 88
Phineas Lawrence 6 20
Emerson Parks
7 20
Josiah Bright
1 08
Reuben Recd
6 66
Estate of Samuel Cox 8 28
John Lewis 2 16
Russell Levi
11 16
Joseph Dickson 3 24
Samuel Russell 2 SS
James Stearns
72
Isaac Sanderson
45
Caleb Lucas, improved
Frederick Tudor 112 68 by T. K. Hutchinson 1 44 Jonas Viles 3 96 Abigail Richardson 2 52
Timothy Whittemore 14 40
Estate of Seth Wells 5 76 Heirs of Betsey Cook imp. by S. C. Buck- nam, 4 68
Heirs of John L. Sulli- van 3 60
Jacob Hanscomb 2 70
S. M. Fulsan 5 58
Reuben E. Demmon 14 40
Smith & Lougee 45 54
H. C. Amory 4 32
Benjamin C. Blanchard 2 88 J. F. Leach 9 72
George W. Chamberlin 1 55
Joseph A. Veazie 14 40
Preston Shepard 5 04
Wid. Huffmaster 4 95
William Horne 1 44
Gage, Sawyer, & Co.
119 88
Heirs of David Kim-
ball, 1 98
Estate of Micajah Locke
15 70
Asa Locke
9 36
Henry Wellington 14 66
Jason Thyre 4 68
Michael Campbell 1 26
Russell William A.
10 35
Wid. Lydia Whitney & W. H. Russell,
3 19
Charles Munroe 2 88
Francis Russell 3 15
23
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 a valu- ation as taken by the Subscribers on the first day of May, A. D. 1852, and committed to Edwin R. Walker for collec- tion for the current year, with their warrant in due form of law.
THE AMOUNT OF TOWN VALUATION.
Real Estate $ 1.813.560
Personal Estate, 1.012.423
$ 2.825.983 at 3 and 6-10 mills on the dollar, $ 10.173.53 669 Polls at $ 1.50 each 1.003.50
$ 11.177.03
Town Grant, 9.000.00
County Tax, 1.671.63
Overlayings, 505.40
$ 11.177.03
WILLIAM DICKSON, Assessors STEPHEN SYMMES, of W. J. LANE, West Cambridge,
WEST CAMBRIDGE, June, 1852.
٢
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
WEST CAMBRIDGE.
1851 - 1852.
NORTH WEST DISTRICT.
The Grammar School in this District for the past year has been under the charge of Mr. John N. Brown. During a part of the summer months, the number of scholars in this school was quite small ; but through the Winter Term the number was much larger.
Those scholars who have enjoyed Mr. Brown's excellent instruction for the whole past year, manifest a degree of im- provement equal to that of any others in Town. Those who have attended only the latter part of the year have also shown a proportionate degree of progress. Mr. Brown's school as a whole considering the peculiar difficulties he has had to contend against, has more than met the highest ex- pectations of the Committee. There are some of the best minds and some as good scholars in this school as can be found in any Grammar school in this town. The scholars,
2
some of the older ones especially, have shown a disposition to work and study for their own improvement, and their worthy efforts have been kindly and promptly seconded by their teacher. Under the tuition of the present instructor, encouraged by the present degree of good feeling on the part of both parents and scholars towards him, we see no reason why this school should not in a short time rank as high as the highest of the kind which our town affords.
Mr. Brown's labors have given entire satisfaction to the Committee. He is a man who is willing to work both for the mental and moral welfare of his pupils, In his govern- ment he is considerate but decisive and firm. He maintains good order by keeping his scholars actively employed in their studies. Great credit is due him for the care he has manifested, and the pains he has taken in correcting the outdoor and street deportment of his pupils. It is hoped he will continue the same watchfulness. Mr. Brown is much beloved by his scholars, and enjoys the esteem of the whole District.
It is the cause of much regret that so many of the oldest and more advanced scholars in this District are permitted to leave school at so early an age ; and either receive no more schooling at all or else attend private schools. It is the ob- ject of the Town to make the public schools good enough, in all the elementary branches for all its citizens. But this cannot be done unless the older and larger children are al- lowed to remain a much longer period than they do in this District. Their presence is needed to inspire others and create an emulation.
We throw out this remark here, because we think the Grammar School in this District has suffered in this respect more than any other : and also because this is one of the main reasons why this School does not boast of as many advanced scholars, as others, in proportion to its numbers.
1
3
The PRIMARY School in this District, for the past year, has enjoyed the services of its former Teacher, Miss Louiza L. Fox ; and its progress has been of a marked and encour- aging character. The children in this school are well taught aud well disciplined. The promptness of the chil- dren in their recitations ; the order and quietness, the sys- tematic course of instruction, have been very satisfactory to , the Committee.
The reading in Miss Fox's school has been the very best that could be found in any school of the same grade in town. ·Her classes in mental arithmetic have also done remarkably well. Singing, and other amusing exercises, introduced by the teacher seem to have a pleasing and happy effect on the minds of the children. Miss Fox is beloved by her pupils and also by the parents.
SOUTH WEST DISTRICT.
In this District, the Grammar School has been under the instruction of Mr. Charles J. Frost, who has had charge of the school some seven or eight years. Mr. Frost continues to give entire satisfaction as a teacher of the South Gram- mar School. He is the friend of both children and parents, and in return is alike beloved and esteemed by them. His situation is a pleasant and important one. We consider him an able and faithful teacher. In a moral point of view, he exerts a good and salutary influence over his scholars .- He appears to be anxious for their morals and manners, as well as for their intellectual improvement. The conduct of the pupils in and about the school room will warrant us in the above remark, for in no District in town do we hear less complaint on account of rudeness towards strangers and passersby than in the South West District. We hope the same vigilance, in this particular, will continue to be exer- cised.
-
4
The School during the past year has made as much real improvement, as on any preceding year of Mr. Frost's la- bors. Some members of the older and more advanced classes left the school a year ago, but their places will soon be made good by those who are rapidly coming on. The Latin and French classes still hold an important place in the course of studies. But we are more particularly pleas- ed to notice that the scholars have made good progress in the common English branches, such as reading, writing, the mathematics, and other sciences ; these should be particu- larly attended to, especially with those, who are accustom- ed to spend only the winter months in the school. This school sends out some of the best educated young ladies in town. We hope its prosperity will continue uninterrupted, that the scholars will not be too hasty in leaving, but re- main members until they have mastered all the branches taught in the Grammar department. While the present condition of things remains as at present, we are confident that this district does not need a High School.
Miss Harriet A. Hill, is still the efficient and amiable teacher of the Primary School in this District. The habits of study and discipline in this department were slightly inter- rupted during the summer, by the ill health and temporary absence of the regular teacher. Notwithstanding the school has made marked progress, and at the end of the year appeared well. A little more quickness and activity in mental arithmetic, and a little more attention and care in reading, seems to be needed. The classes in Geography did remarkably well. The progress in this branch, was very satisfactory. Miss Hill is very kind and amiable to- wards her scholars. She loves them and they love her. She has some superior qualifications for a teacher in a pri- mary school.
5
SOUTH EAST DISTRICT.
The school in this District is unlike any other in town. It is not a Primary nor is it a Grammar school, but of a mix- ed character, including scholars whose ages range from 4 to 15. This state of things, of course is not the most favora- ble for improvement in the scholars. We hope some suita- ble plan will soon be devised for the relief of the present condition of this school.
For the first two terms of the year, this school was under the able tuition of Miss Lydia C. Tucker ; for the remain- der of the year, Miss Lizzieo L. Lewis had charge of it as a substitute for Miss Tucker, in her unavoidable absence. The school during the year has increased in numbers, and has also made a fair degree of progress in the various bran- ches taught. There are some good and active scholars in this school, and some who are not so good, either in their at- tention to their studies or in their endeavors for good con- duct. We believe this school would be much better if it were strictly a primary school as it was designed to be in the first place. As it is now, it is hard to govern and hard to teach. The studies of the two departments are combin- ed in one school, which of course is an injury to both. Miss Tucker is a well qualified and successful teacher. She has excellent characteristics for her profession. Prompt, decis- ive, and amiable, she cannot fail of success. She enjoys the love of her pupils and the universal esteem of the pa- rents. The singing in this school is very good. Miss Lewis as substitute, has given entire satisfaction to the Committee. She has labored hard and done her duty as a teacher.
UNION OR CENTRE DISTRICT,
The Grammar School, for the last two years, has been under the able and accurate instruction of Mr. William Webster. This school has been large during the whole
6
year past. It has numbered and averaged twice as many scholars as any other Grammar school in town. During the Winter term, the school room has been altogether too small, for the accommodation of the scholars. They have bcen much crowded, and one half of the children have been obliged to recite their lessons in a small cold room, entirely' unfit for a recitation room, while the other portion has suf- fered from too close a proximity to a large coal-heated stove. The recitation room should be large enough to call forth the compass of the scholar's voice when he recites. We hope before another ycar comes round, that some dif- ferent and better arrangements will be made for the accom- modation of this district.
The school, during the year, has improved, very much in almost every thing which pertains to a good school. The scholars as a general thing have been constant and industri- ous. But very few dull scholars can be found in this school. They have been well and thoroughly taught. Mr. Web- ster is very particular in regard to accuracy in the elements and first principles of education. He understands them himself, and endeavors that his scholars shall understand them also. With a few years of its present degree of pros- perity, this school will stand in a very high rank.
With regard to order and discipline, Mr. Webster's school is the best of any in town. Every thing is prompt, and yet without confusion. The scholars come in or leave the school room in an orderly and quiet manner. There is no confusion, as we witness in some schools, in going to and from the recitation seats. Mr. Webster enjoys the confi- dence of his pupils and the esteem of the parents.
During the Winter term, Mr. W. H. Allen, as Assistant teacher in this school, has given entire satisfaction. He is a good teacher and a worthy man. The classes in his charge have done well. His kind and obliging manner has won for him many friends.
-
7
This school as a whole, has enjoyed a very successful year. At the close of the Winter term, there were some of the most prompt and accurate scholars in it that can be found in any schools of the kind, we believe in this vi- cinity.
The Primary School in this District, has had during the past year three different teachers besides an assistant apart of the winter term. The school went on very prosperously till the commencement of the Fall term, when Miss E. A. .Whittemore who had had charge of it for several years pre- vious resigned, in consequence of obtaining another situation as teacher in an adjoining town. The school was then under the temporary charge of Miss H. M. Jarvis. She remained as teacher only a few weeks. In consequence of her resig- nation, Miss Eliza Donnel, by appointment, took charge of the school, assisted the last three months of the winter term by Miss Sarah M. Chase. These rapid but unavoidable changes have retarded the school in its attainments and dis- cipline for years. The school is now in a bad and low con- dition. The scholars seem to have lost all relish and love for study. Their habits of conduct and order have also very much deteriorated. These are the facts in the case. But we hope by the end of another year, by the efforts of a good teacher, to see this school coming up somewhere near its former rank. There are bright and active intellects in this school, but they need the guidance of a firm and skilfnl teacher.
Tabular View of some important Items relative to our Schools.
The
Schools
as now designated.
Teacher's Names.
whole No. of scholars
whole No. of all ages
in the Summer.
Average attendance
No. over 15 in Gram.
land under 5 in Primarv.
whole No. in town May
1st, 1851, between 15
Teacher's salary per
Raised by direct tax.
$ 2.100.00
Income of the Wm. Cutter School Fund, 324.07 Amnt. from the State and other sources, 76.97
For Fuel,
216.64
$ 2.717.68
Paid Wm. W.bster for teaching
$ 600.00
Union Dist. Grammar.
Wm. Webster,
98
81
74
8 600
..
.. Primary,
Eliza Donnell,
67
78
56
3
4. 200
S W. Dist. Grammar.@
Charles J. Frost,
40
41
35
16
73
·· 500
-
Sarah Chase,
6. 46.00
" C. J. Frost,
500.00
N. W. Dist. Grammar,
John N. Brown,
56
40
43
12
" 500
Harriet A. Hill,
200.00
John N. Brown,
" 500.00
Louiza L. Fox,
200.00
Lydia C. Tucker,
: 200 00
. Wm. H. Allen,
64.00
Whole amount of teaching,
2.511.00
For Fuel,
$ 216.64
Total amount,
2.737.64
.
Pr mary,
Harriet A. Hill,
40
50
37
6
" 200
.
.. Primary,
Louiza L. Fox.
60
67
52
12
‘. 200
S: E. Dist. Primary.
Lydia C. Tucker.
42
38
32
8
49
" 200
Sums total. .
403
395
329.
385
·· Eliza A. Whittemore,
: 100.00
159
E. M. Jarvis,
33.00
Eliza Donnell,
67 00
in the winter.
for the year.
annum,
and 5 years of age.
-
-
108
The school ast ended have done
vement as could be ex- as well and mi
pected under the present school system now in use. Two of the primary schools have suffered somewhat from a change of teachers, but the others have gone on quietly and yielded ample returns for the money expended. Still we would say to the teachers and to the parents that there is yet room for improvement. The school system now in use is as good, in its general features, as the town will be likely to have for the present. And while we have it, it · should be made as perfect as possible. While we have but two kinds of schools, the Grammar and the Primary, we wish them to be of the first order. We wish the children to be prompt and regular in their attendance. The Registers show that the attendance in some of the schools has not been quite as large as it ought to be, and they also show a great many tardy marks against some of the pupils. Parents and teachers both should look after these things. There is no perceptible reason why a great many young lads seen about the streets, with no regular employment should not be at school.
We wish the teachers to be strict but considerate, and systematic in their manner of government, remembering that correction should be administered with especial reference to the welfare and reformation of the scholar. Corporal pun- ishment is occasionally resorted to in our schools. There are some no doubt who are opposed to it ; but there are instances where it appears to be necessary ; and in such cases, where the whole school is in danger of being impair- ed in its discipline, and the authority of the teacher set at nought, it is perhaps best that it be used. We believe the teachers use discretion and judgment in this matter. Schools should be governed as much as possible by the power of love and kindness ; but this power sometimes fails in partic- ular instances. While severe penal laws are necessary to
2
tety from ,cessary as
restrain and b harm, we believe co., a reserve force, in the gover ....
The school house in the Centre District, is too small for the present number of scholars who attend there. Its rooms were never designed to admit of an assistant in either de- partment. The parents in this District and the citizens gen- erally are well aware of the inconveniences under which both pupils and teachers have labored for the past winter. The locality of the house is not a suitable one for a school. Situated between the two great thoroughfares of the town, it is too much exposed ; and people passing in the streets are subjected to many annoyances, arising from the careless sports and plays of the children while enjoying their recrea- tions. The play ground is altogether too small. There should be separate yards, and separate entrances to the school room, for the male and female departments. As a movement is now being made in regard to this school, we trust, that by another year all things will be put right.
In regard to the morals of the children, we believe the teachers as a general thing, do all they can in this respect. They all strive to inculcate the virtues of respect, reverence, and purity. None of our teachers appear to be careless or negligent of the moral conduct of those placed under their charge as pupils. They do not feel nor are they responsi- sible for their conduct, in the street, in stores, and lecture rooms, after school hours have closed, yet we have no doubt that any unmannerly conduct in such places, when witness- ed by them is a source of grievance and solicitude. The matter of moral training, though intimately connected with mental culture, and school education, does not belong en- tirely to the school teacher. It is undoubtedly his duty to do all that can be done in this particular, but still all efforts to this end, will prove unavailing unless the parents of the
5
children take .. matter in hand at home first. The teach- er may aid them in imparting moral instruction, in giving characters to the young ; but the work does not all belong to the teacher. His voice is not heard in the homes and at the firesides of every family. Home culture with regard to morals must determine more or less the future character of the rising generation. There is where the seeds of good conduct and good character must be first sown, and where the germs of virtue must be tenderly and carefully nour- ished. It is a true saying, that those children who are well trained and governed at home, are good in school and man- nerly in the streets. The mothers and fathers must remem- ber their responsibility in this great matter of moral training. They have no right to trust it to any one else but themselves. It is their business and their duty, and they alone are mainly responsible.
The people of this age, should bear in mind that it is their duty, to educate their sons and daughters, not merely in what are termed the lighter accomplishments of life, and in the avocations and business relations they will be called up- on to fill, but also to educate them to act their part as citi- zens and responsible members of society. Morality holds together and strengthens the bonds of social union, gives us personal security, and social and individual happiness ; hence those moral elements which mainly contribute to these pleasing results, should be of primary consideration in the education and training of youth. And the youth of our town should bear these things in mind. They should re- member that worth and integrity of character are of more consequence to them, in their journey through life than any brilliancy of scholarship, or monied rank to which they can attain. Mental culture is not the only thing requisite in an education. Society needs good, high-toned, moral men ; and that it may have more of such, the moral
d to at
and religious trang home, and in our public school.
This report and the accompanying suggestions are offer- ed in the hope that, they will be productive of good.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
ABNER GARDNER, GEORGE HILL, School
J. O. WELLINGTON, STEPHEN SYMMES, Jr. Committee. ADDISON HILL.
Small Ret. Foam 69925
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