USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1884 > Part 3
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Henry Demaritt, Kate McLeod,
28 Olney W. and Lydia F. Randall. 25 Wm. A. and Sarah Durfee.
27 John and Ruth D. Smith. 26 Joseph and Nancy M. Marshall.
20 Wm. H. and Louisa S. Nash. 17 Ira F. and Sarah E. Blake.
23 Edwin and Lucy E. W. Weeks. 23 Horace and Betsy J. Bishop.
24 Wm. M. and Rebecca W. Thayer. 23 Artemus R. and Adelin C. Smith.
30 Patrick and Mary S. Connolly. 22
Almon Sanborn, Ellen A. Bishop,
Jeremiah Buckley, Margaret Lyons,
Herbert A. Cook, Mary E. Hood,
26 Cornelius and Hannah Sullivan. 25 Bartholomew and Mary Cody.
28 Nelson and Hannah Marriet. 31 Charles P. and Frances A. Carter,
45
NAME OF PARTIES.
AGE.
NAMES OF PARENTS.
James A. Smith, Minnie P. Eddy,
Elias M. Elmes, Arianna S. Carter,
Micahel O'Brien, Lillian A. Allen,
Henry Denham, Christine Hood,
Cornelius McGrarey, Bridget Brogan,
Frank B. Outhouse, Mary E. Johnson,
John Hubert Turner, Mabel H. Sherman,
Frank J. Rockwood, Clara E. Dunbar,
Herbert E. Bartlett, Sarah L. Evans,
Patrick F. McWilliams, Annie M. Barro,
John Farnum, Louisa Deli,
Owen Gormley, Lucy Clancey,
Clarence E. Meserve, Mary A. McDonald,
William G. Adams, Cora E. Libby,
Stephen W. Richardson, Ellen E. Burnham,
Clinton E. Lawrence, Nellie S. Whiting,
Walter E. Crowninshield, Emma F. Rounds,
Frank A. Everett, Oranda A. Gould,
21 James O. and Emma D. Smith. 20 Horatio N. and Juliette P. Eddy.
25 Eliphalet H. and Esther M. Elmes. 23 Charles P. and Frances A. Carter.
21 Michael and Bridget O'Brien. 19 Wm. and Elizabeth Allen.
61 Lucuis and Matilda L. Denham. 38 John and Helen S. Hood.
27 Con and Jane McGrarey. 25 John and Ann Brogan.
20 Edmund and Lucy Outhouse. 20 James B. and Sally Johnson.
30 J. Hubert and Eleanor Turner. 23 Edward H. and Clara Sherman.
22 D. B. and Martha A. Rockwood. 19 John and Elizabeth Dunbar.
24 Wm. A. and Harriet Bartlett. 22 Owen and Rebecca Evans.
24 John and Annie McWilliams. 17 Edward and Margaret Barro.
22 John and Lucy Farnum. 18 Joseph and Louisa Deli.
24 James and Catherine Gormley. 24 Andrew and Bridget Clancey.
27 James L. and Cornelia Meserve. 24 James and Margaretta McDonald.
40 Gardner and Eunice R. Adams. 24 Wm. and Mary C. Fisk.
70 John W. and Matilda Richardson. 52 George W. and Mary F. Burnham.
26 James E. and Harriet. Lawrence. 21 Edward and Harriet Whiting.
26 Jas. A. & Hannah Crowninshield. 28 Sylvanus C. & Amanda A. Rounds.
25 Alfred F. and Maria W. Everett. 26 Wm. H. and Nancy J. Gould.
46
NAME OF PARTIES.
AGE.
NAMES OF PARENTS.
Edward B. Andrews, Rena F. Coville,
. Wmn. E. Nason, Matilda E. V. Pond,
Nathan C. Nye, Mary A. Titcomb,
Chas. H. Yale, Mary A. Hayden,
26 Edward G. and Eliz. A. Andrews. 19 Thomas and Frances Coville.
51 Geoge W. and Peacey B. Nason. 29| Henry E. and Louisa B. Pond.
27 Caleb T. and Sophia B. Nye. 29 Joseph and Sally Titcomb.
26 John and Mary A. Yale. 118|John and Rosa A. Hayden.
47
DEATHS RECORDED IN FRANKLIN IN 1883.
883.
NAME OF PERSON.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
EGGNAK | Yrs. =1 1500 | | M.
LEI |D.
25
Carrie E. Grow
Scrofula.
18 9/21
February 1
Wight
Cyanosis.
-
3 Charles Hall.
Heart disease.
63 2 23
Pneumonia.
87 11 |27
13
Zachary T. Colvin
Phthisis.
33 4|15
14 Frank J. DeCosta.
Phthisis.
17 9 10
22 Huldah Pickett
Old age.
87 1 8
March 5 Augusta Keefe
Croup.
3 8 11
13
Abbie A. Clark ..
Laryngitis.
69|11 |11
14
Sylvanus C. Rounds
Chronic cystitis.
72 2 27
April
11
Alvin D. Pond ...
51
8
19
Sarah F. Johnson
45 10
2.5
Ellen Haggerty.
Consumption.
24
30
Mary B. Richardson
74 5
9
May
5 George W. Folsom
20
5
John J. Craig.
Apoplexy.
82 11 26
8 Ellen Ryan.
Debility.
65
Jaundice.
49
14
Joseph A. Woodward
Accidental wound.
59
8
5
21
Win. S. Warren
42 6
5
June
2 . Winslow Cook.
Pneumonia.
821 3 21
Scrofula.
17 7 10
Old age.
83 6/27
24
Margaret Fisher
Occult pneumonia.
85 2 20
"
26
Elmon S. Peary.
Cancer.
35 22
27
Mary Gorman.
Scrotula.
65 -
27
Emeline F. Messenger.
Cancer on breast.
28
Horatio Kingsbury.
Paralysis.
July
18|
Mary Donovan
Heart disease.
August 4 Eliza Marden
Old age.
18
Alfred B. Thayer
Railroad casualty. =
Scrofula.
69
15
27
Katie M. Scanlan
Cholera infantum.
15
66
29
Lionel F. Brastow
Tubercular menengitis.
Sept.
9
Nancy A. Smith
Fever.
7
28
Mary B. Arnold.
Apoplexy.
76
October 12
Wmn. A. Vannarsdalen
30
6
20
Perley C. Davison
Diarrhea.
Accidental burning.
November 4 ..
15
Elsie M. Gifford Francis Connolly .
Congestion of brain.
2
December 5
Susan Sargeant.
Paralysis.
53 1'
5 Wm. J. Halliburton
Cancer.
73
15
2
F. Abbie Shay.
Phthisis.
Seth Wadsworth.
Senile debility.
6
Louisa A. McCarty.
Fever.
24
9
William Alexander.
Dropsy.
45
16
Nelson W. Richardson
Softening of the brain.
67 - 1
22
Patrick McCloskey.
Pleurisy.
64 10 1-
24
Francis Tobin
Old age.
90 1
24
Alpheus A. Russegue
Congestive pneumonia.
66 4 11
20
Michael Regan .
Drowned.
9 4 -
Fred Holbrook Greene
Consumption,
23 -
2
Debility.
Cancer.
Embolism gangrene.
Typhoid fever.
29 Lyman E. Thayer
Heart disease.
72
6 28
16 Anastasia M. Cannor
Non contagious.
1
11
23
Luigi Salerno
25
Maria Lesure.
27
Gilbert C. Knapp
Paralysis.
9 Lucy Peck.
Old age.
15
Brown ..
Marasmus.
11
Consumption.
27
Mary A. Anderson
Cephatitis.
1
6A
AGE.
January
4
John Pickett .
Phthisis.
3 George O. Dean
10 Esther B. Cook ..
31 Win. A. Hopkins
16 Sarah N. Fisher
15
12 Elizabeth G. Bellows.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
FOR THE YEAR 1883.
FRANKLIN: FRANKLIN STEAM PRINTING HOUSE, COTTONS' BLOCK, DEPOT STREET. 1884.
REPORT.
In accordance with a vote of the town, we make a change in the time of presenting our Annual Report, that it may correspond and hereafter come before you in connection with the Town Report. It will be seen at a glance that it is im- possible to give a detailed report of the schools for the entire current school year, 1883-84, from the fact that all the schools are still in session and will be for some weeks to come. Much of the last term is problematic and we cannot fully divine its results. Nor will the financial report as presented by the Auditor be a statement of what sums of money have been expended by the Committee from the appropriations granted by the town at the last annual meeting. It is a report of what was paid out during the fiscal year. While the expenditures of the school year may vary materially from the amount paid during the fiscal, there probably will be a dis- crepancy in the financial returns as presented to the town and State ; the latter embracing nothing more or less than the sums paid from the appropriations of the March meeting of 1883. This change from the time-honored and convenient custom of so arranging the time of report that the State returns would be a duplicate of the Town Report is that the
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whole interest of schools, both financial and theoretical shall be in harmony as to date, with the other interests of the town.
In looking at the various phases and aspects presented by the different examinations of schools; the methods of the teachers, not only in discipline, but in the development and growth of child-mind in all that tends to lay the foundation of true scholarship, or to build wisely on that already laid, we are happy in the consciousness that, taken as a whole, our schools have been an improvement over any preceding year during our acquaintance with their workings and results. That much has been accomplished of permanent value ; that better discipline has been preserved with less friction between teachers and scholars ; that parents, as a general thing, have been on the side of order and reform; that their co-operation with the teacher has been cordial in all that tends to the make-up of a good and profitable school ; that many parents have been willing to make any and all due sacrifices that their children should reap all the benefits that a liberal public has placed within their reach. Anxious not only to have their children's name on the roll of honor, but that they learn the principles of promptness and fidelity that they may grow up into honorable and intelligent citizens. Yet, in sorrow, we must say there are others who, in pretension, set themselves up as lovers of religion and christian culture, who set at naught the common principles of duty and good citzenship, by refusing to comply with the letter or spirit of the common law of the Commonwealth ; who refuse under the plea of financial necessity to give those under their nominal control even so much of the benefits of school life as will prepare them for the ordinary transactions of business. We are happy to say we have but one case of this character in town ; but that is sufficient to demoralize, to a considerable extent, the whole school, which is so unfortunate as to live in full view of such pestilential influence. He who steals a purse is worthy of stripes, but he who robs a fatherless child of the common principles of education is worthy of many stripes. We can but feel that the general public are not fully alive to the great interests involved in the non-attendance and poor attend-
5
ance of so many children in some public or private school. They are soon to become living, acting constituents of our country's glory or shame. They are to-day being moulded in thoughts and deeds in which their later years shall yield their influence upon society and the moral and intellectual well- being of the State.
To-day they are learning the lesson that means highest duty to man ; to himself is animal or physical comfort. Not being sufficiently instructed to know that man cannot live by bread alone ; that to be a man and live like a man, he should culti- vate all the powers and faculties of his being in order to enjoy life's highest realities. They are contented to stay, to wrangle for and breathe an animal existence, furnishing in construc- tion and bodily form, Darwin's missing link in his law of evolution. The question will not down : Have we the moral right as good citizens, as lovers of free institutions, as pro- fessed helpers in the progress and well-being of our kind, to stand idly by, or by a sympathy which our knowledge pro- nounces false in any way to aid or abet this great crime of withholding or allowing to be withheld from the young and growing elements of our nation's good or evil, that intellectual and moral culture, which alone can stay the hand of barbar- ism and fill its dark, lurid glare, with the clear light and ever increasing radiance of a pure civilization.
There can be but one answer to this question, and yet how prone are we to step into the defence of individual or family rights and liberties, their love for their children, their inti- mate knowledge of what they most need to meet the demands of the present and future as against the law of compulsory education.
In continuation of outside influences and surroundings, affecting school interests, we would refer to the action of the town in consolidating the three schools, Nos. 9, 10 and King Street, so as to constitute but two known, and des- ignated as the Mount and South Franklin schools. For quite a number of years these schools have been so small that it was almost impossible to secure teachers that possessed that versatility of thought and fund of resource that could kindle
6
and keep alive that interest necessary to profitable results. You having left the matter of moving and re-locating the schoolhouses with us, we carefully surveyed the whole field, taking into consideration private individual advantages and disadvantages with the public good, tried to carry out the letter and spirit of your vote in the re-location of the houses and fixing the metes and bounds of each school. It could not be possible to so perform this service as to make it agreeable to all the parties in interest. Some must be more or less incommoded ; but we are happy to be able to report that those who must suffer the most personal inconvenience for the public good are accepting the final result in the spirit of men who are inclined to get the most real good possible from per- sonal sacrifices for public improvements. You will see by the Auditor's report that the cost of moving the buildings ; the purchasing of school grounds ; fitting up the same ; paint- ing both houses; the repairs and new work on the main and out-buildings falls nearly $200 short of the appropriation. The buildings are in excellent repair and there only remains to be done the fencing of school lot on the Mount. As per- tains to inside influence and interest on the part of the schools through increased numbers, we refer you to special report on condition of schools.
In our examination of the condition of the schoolhouses and surroundings, we find that the cost of ordinary repairs will be, less the coming year than usual if we except the High school building. In this building we have in constant use eight stoves. Some three or four of the most costly will have to be replaced with new stoves, the coming year, if we continue the present mode of heating the house. We have continued the use of some of these stoves during the present winter, to the discomfort of both teachers and scholars, to await the action of the town in relation to the introduction of a steam heating apparatus the present summer. The repair and replenishing of stoves will involve an outlay of at least $125. This much will be saved if we substitute steam now. We ask for an appropriation of $1,000 for this purpose. This sum to cover all expenses in the purchase of material
7
and all other items necessary to furnish and complete the desired result. We believe that the necessities for the im- provement are so positive and urgent that we cannot afford to delay action for another year.
We come now to the consideration of the condition and special workings of each of the different schools for that part of the year which we are able to report.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Mrs. Mary A. Wiggin, teacher. This school is in the possession of the rich furniture that always accompanies har- mony of feeling and action between the officers of the school, the teacher, and those taught, combined with honest, thorough instruction. There is nor ever has been any attempt on the part of the teacher in the direction meteoric or sensational, but rather the practical development of those powers and fac- ulties of the mind which prepares it to utilize and adapt the principles involved in all the different studies, to their practi- cal use, whether it be in realizing the beauty and harmony of nature's ponderous laws by which they are surrounded, or to solve the business transactions of material being.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Mr. S. W. Clark, teacher. Mr. Clark is a teacher of large experience, original in his methods of illustration and instruc- tion, and while it is not consonant with his idea of teaching to rely to any great extent upon the methods and illustrations given in the text book, yet it is his aim to give the scholar a thorough and practical knowledge of all the principles con- tained therein. And while we do not think it would be safe for the less experienced teacher to rely so fully upon his or her own resources, we think Mr. Clark gives us good results. That he builds quite thoroughly the structure of independent thought in the minds of his pupils.
SUB-GRAMMAR.
Miss Alice E. Corbin. teacher. This is one of our most important schools. It is the largest in town. Its pupils are
8
generally cf that age where individual conceit makes the largest I in any period of life, therefore it is the most difficult to discipline and instruct. Miss Corbin seems equal to the situation. She gives us a good school. The progress would be more rapid and substantial if the school were not so large.
INTERMEDIATE NO. 1.
Miss Ella G. Daniels, teacher. Miss Daniels has the love and confidence of her pupils, is apt in teaching, and when health permits, is one among our list of successful teachers. She is now West for her health. Left her school in good condition.
INTERMEDIATE NO. 2.
Miss Emilie Albee, teacher. Miss Albee has that knowl- edge of child-life, its wants and aspirations, that enables her to enter the citadel of their loves and dislikes, and so equalize the jarring elements of their being. The result is a school devoted to their teacher, their studies and own general good conduct and improvement.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
We have tried to so systemize the studies and exercises in this grade, that an examination of either of the four would give a good outline of all, subject of course, to the difference in presenting the same subjects by the different teachers. But that their methods may be as nearly alike as possible, we have not only given them an outline but invited them to meet in conference from time to time and compare notes and methods. The Primary school of to-day demands not only a high order ot talent and executive ability to execute, but a special adapt- ability of the teacher to the work before her. The more she knows of child-life and spirit, combined with the glow of physical energy and a lively appreciation and love of the principles to be taught, the better her work. We have made but few changes in this department for the last four years,
1B
9
and these occurred mostly in No. 1. Cause of change usually has been sickness, marriage, or because the teacher could command better wages in some other town. Five years ago writing was rarely found in this grade ; to-day it is taught as successfully here as in any other grade. Children seven and eight years of age read script readily and write a good, legible hand.
PRIMARY NO. 1.
Miss Mabel Sherman, teacher, for the first term. Miss Sherman did good work for an inexperienced teacher. She married and therefore did not choose to stay and improve by the experience of the past.
The second term, Miss Louisa Metcalf, teacher. This was her first term in this grade of school, but she entered upon its duties with the resolve to do her best work; still this school does not hold its relative position with the other three. It is the first Primary established in town, and up to two or three years ago ranked as first in every respect. But too many changes in teachers has in some degree lowered its position in the column of comparative merit. Miss Metcalf is doing the best she can to bring it up to its former standing.
PRIMARY NO. 2.
Miss M. E. Hawes, teacher. This school has enjoyed the labors of the same teacher for a number of years. Its pro- gress in most respects has been just what we should expect under the guidance and instruction of a faithful and compe- tent teacher. Especially is this true of the classes in reading and arithmetic. A little more interest in geography and writ- ing would give an additional value to the school.
PRIMARY NO. 3.
Miss Susie E. Young, teacher. Miss Young has taught this school for a term of years. She gives to its care and instruction the best energies of her being, and while in read-
10
ing and arithmetic it may not be the equal of Primary No. 2, in geography and writing it has few if any superiors. It is a pleasant school to visit, as order and method is the law estab- lished for its progress.
PRIMARY NO. 4.
Miss Isabelle J. Reilly, teacher. This school like the two preceding has had the same teacher for a number of years. Miss Reilly has an advantage that many teachers do not pos- sess in the furthering of interest in a Primary school. She plays the organ and sings with taste and skill; therefore while singing is enjoyed to vary the exercises and increase the interest of the school, they are at the same time learning cor- rect time and tune. With this exception we could not more faithfully report the teacher and the general result of her labors than to repeat the remarks on No. 3.
CITY MILLS.
Miss Mabel E. Howard, teacher. The increase of scholars within the bounds of this school has led to a change from transporting the scholars to the re-opening the house in that part of the town. Wages of teacher, $28 per month, and one-half the tuition received from pupils coming from Nor- folk. The school under the care of Miss Howard has been both profitable and interesting.
SCHOOL NO. 6.
First term Mr. E. M. Morse, teacher. Mr. Morse did not seem adapted to the school. Did not receive the confidence even to which his merits entitled him. The attendance of scholars was meagre and the term unprofitable.
The second term was taught by Mr. Griffin. He had taught this school before; he knew their wants and weak- nesses and adapted his discipline and instruction to the needs of the hour. The school reflected credit upon the teacher.
11
SCHOOL NO. 7.
Miss Louisa Metcalf, teacher. This school has been much depleted by removals within the last two years; but more demoralized by the refusal of some who profess better things, to obey the civil law, by sending those under their charge to school ; therefore the school was small, the average attend- ance poor, and the interest and profit correspondingly low. Miss Metcalf did what she could to elevate the school in both its moral and intellectual bearings.
The second term was taught by Miss Jennie P. Baker. The same obstacles to rapid and thorough improvement con- tinued to exist. She devoted her energies to the work of thorough instruction, and those who attended school with any degree of regularity made slow but sure progress.
SCHOOL NO. 8.
Mrs. J. M. Smith, teacher. While there has been some complaints from parents and a lack of punctual attendance, we have generally found the complaints without foundation, and believe the teacher has given good results under adverse circumstances.
SCHOOL NO. 9.
First term Miss Jennie P. Baker, teacher. Her love for the profession she had chosen led her to enter upon her work with vigor and earnestness. She secured the love and obedi- ence of her pupils, still she fell into the error so common to young teachers, that success is measured by quantity rather than quality ; therefore her pupils passed over a large surface without sounding its depths, a mistake which she fully cor- rected in the next term of teaching.
SCHOOL NO. 10.
Miss Emma Morse, teacher. She was faithful to the inter- est of the school ; gave general satisfaction to parents, schol- ars and Committee ; still the school was so small that it did not attain that interest which develops rapid progress.
12
KING STREET SCHOOL.
Miss Matie Knapp, teacher. The report of No. 10 may be read and taken as substantially true of this school and teacher. After the consolidation of the three schools into two, Miss Knapp and Miss Morse were elected to be their own suc- cessors, Miss Knapp teacher at South Franklin. The union of school forces furnished material for a good school. The strange elements soon coalesced and under the direction of the teacher with the manifest co-operation of the parents, the school soon attained that interest which is the sure precursor of success. The result of the term was highly satisfactory to all interested. The Committee, parents and scholars were unan- imous in the opinion that it would be well for Miss Knapp to continue the work, so well commended, for another term.
MOUNT SCHOOL.
Miss Morse, teacher. We rarely find two teachers and schools that make a history so nearly identical as this and the preceding. Like South Franklin it has received accessions from King street and now it is a school of fair and comely proportions. We do not deem it necessary to repeat its pres- ent condition. Read South Franklin's record only substitut- ing the name Morse for Knapp and you have the general results of the term.
For details of the expenses paid for school purposes for the fiscal year, we refer you to the opening pages of the Auditor's Report.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT L. CLARK, ) GEO. W. WIGGIN, ¿ School Committee. S. W. SQUIRE,
Franklin, February 12, 1884.
2B
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