USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1860-1880 > Part 4
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The examination at the close was satisfactory to the- committee, and we think to the many friends present on. the occasion.
Winter Term.
By the same teacher.
Length of Term, 12 weeks:
Whole number of scholars, - 66
Average attendance, - 61
The school was large, and the duties laborious, but Mrs. Bishop, by her usual energy and perseverance, carried the school along in their studies successfully. Her classes in Arithmetic and Algebra, by their readiness in solving problems, gave satisfactory evidence of their proficiency in these studies. There were a large number of writing books which were neatly kept, and many shewed care and improvement. The committee were pleased to notice that so much attention had been given to this important but
15
hitherto much neglected branch of study. Pieces were spoken creditably to the performers ..
There was a large number of the parents and friends of the school present at the examination, and the school closed with credit to both teacher and pupils.
DISTRICTS.
TEACHEI.S.
TERMS.
years of age
Number between tive and fifteen
attended School. of all ages, ....
Whole number of Scholars who
Number of Females.
Number of Males,
Average attendance
including board,
Wages of Teachers per month
Amount received by the Teacher
Length of School in weeks.
..
SOUTH.
Miss Muy A. Leathe.
Summer. 66 66 31 35 50 Winter. 62 62 25 37 54
$28 00 175 00 25
28 00
84 00 12
CENTRE.
Mrs. Mary A. Bishop.
Summer. 56 58 36 22 511 Winter. 66 66 37 29 61
32 00 200 00 25 33 333 100 00 12
Summer. 21 26 13 13 211 Winter. 23 32 19 13 281
21 00 26 00
131 25 25 71 50 11
16
NORTH.
Miss Clara Fiske.
as pay, .
17
TEACHERS.
No class of persons are in a situation to exert a greater influence on the minds of children and youth than the teachers of the common schools. Their influence is not confined to the present, but may have a life-long effect upon the forming mind. Hence the importance of affec- tionate, conscientious and devoted teachers. It is not enough for teachers to instruct their scholars in the ele- mentary principles required to be taught, but the statute makes it their duty to impress upon the minds of children . and youth committed to their care and instruction, "the prin. ciples of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth, so- briety, industry and frugality ; chastity, moderation and temperance." It seems to your committee, that these latter requirements of teachers are everywhere less attended to than the welfare of society demands. It is of more im- portance that a child be faithful and conscientious in duty, than to be able to analyze a sentence grammatically. A scholar may be an adept in all the elementary branches of science taught in the schools, and yet be found untrust- worthy in his intercourse with society. Such are doing the greatest injury to themselves, for no one will trust such when known. But the faithful, honest and truthful child, becomes respected by all who know him. Faith- fulness in duty is one of the highest attainments which a scholar can acquire.
With what satisfaction do we look upon a man as he walks the streets, if we can say, there is one with whom we can trust our persons or property, if in his hands, with implicit confidence, so far as man has power to act. With what confidence do we regard a woman, who in all her varied relations in society is known to be faithful and true; and with what satisfaction do we see the scholar
18
growing up in the public school, who by faithfulness in duty, regard to truth and honesty, gives promise of his future usefulness and respectability. Teachers may do much in their every day intercourse with their classes, to- wards elevating the minds of their pupils. For instance, in their recitations in geography, their attention may be called to the wisdom and goodness of the Creator in pre- paring so magnificent a habitation for the dwelling place of man, and to that sustaing Power,
". Which bears the Earth's huge pillars up."
If reciting lessons on the interesting and sublime sci- ence of Astronomy, and noting the revolutions of those rapidly revolving spheres that present themselves to viewy in the Nocturnal Sky, the mind of the pupil should not be permitted to rest here, but be directed to look with ad- miration and love beyond all these material things, up to the great uncreated Original, who hath done all things well,-" who by his spirit hath garnished the heavens, and who hangeth the earth upon nothing."
GOOD BEHAVIOR.
One of the special requirements of the Statute is, that " good behavior " shall be taught by all teachers of the public schools. The necessity of such teaching is too of- ten seen -- in the church or lecture room. Says a writer, " It is the annoying and odious habit of New England congregations, almost without exception, if a noise hap- pens in any part of the house,-if a cane, umbrella or a book falls, or an intrusive cur barks, although in the midst of the most eloquent and impassioned parts of a sermon, or an address, for the whole audience to wheel round their heads, with the promptness, if not with the precision of a military company on drill. Teachers should guard their pupils against such a habit.
19
Again, it is not respectful to attend on a public speaker and disregard him while addressing you. And what shall be said of those, who, when prayer is offered, trifle on the occasion ?
Some writer has made the supposition that, after the service of prayer should be closed in the church, the au- dience should see written cut upon the walls, all the thoughts which each member had indulged during the ex- ercise.
Doubtless it would be one of the most astounding dis- closures ever made. Yet the disclosure would not alter the fact. In the eye of conscience all wrong is the same, whether known in the bosom of its author only, or writ- ten on the concave of the sky."
PARENTAL TRAINING.
While teachers, with conscientious fidelity, discharge their duty to the children of the common schools, their most strenuous efforts are but secondary to parental influ- ence. This lies at the foundation of the future character and welfare of the child. When it is considered that children in their early days, as well as in their subsequent years, are greatly influenced by parental conduct towards them, it becomes an inquiry of deep moment, how are we training them? If we regard the light shining from rev- elation, as indeed a supernatural light, clearly revealing to man his high destination, we must be lost to every sense of duty to our children to disregard it. Would we culti- vate and improve their moral nature, by obeying the Di- vine commands, let us set them our example, which is more potent than words. If we disregard, or treat with neglect the Christian Sabbath, by unnecessary labor or amusements,- if we make light of the commands ad- dressed to man for the improvement of his higher nature,
20
our children are quick to see that we regard them as of no account, and they soon become reckless of moral re- straint ; and thus we are gradually undermining the foundation upon which we can only hope to place them as respectable and useful members of society. We know not to what trials and labors our children may be called, but it is our bounden duty to do what we can to prepare them for the emergencies of life,-for any of its great duties they may be called to perform.
Could the mother of Washington, at the hour of his birth, have pierced the darkness which hangs over the mysterious and uncertain future, and have seen the anni- versary of his birth-day ushered in by the thunder of ar- tillery through distant ages, with what amazement would she have looked upon her new born son, and with what additional care and solicitude would she have watched over his education ?
Although no mother can expect her son to be a Wash- ington, yet she has a duty to perform which may affect him through the endless future. Therefore, train up a child in the way he should go, that he may be prepared for whatever duties he may be called to perform.
SMOKING TOBACCO.
During the early part of the school year, your commit- tee noticed that some of the pupils of the schools were in the habit of smoking tobacco, probably unknown to their parents. Your committee feel it a duty to call your at- tention to this useless and destructive habit. They cannot do it better than in the language of the committee of the Chauncey Hall School, in Boston.
The use of tobacco, at least in the form of smoking, seems to be increasing among those of immature years and undeveloped strength.
21
To attack the use of tobacco by adults would be quix- otic and useless. The highest medical and scientific au- thority in regard to its injurious effects, the disgust of wives and sisters, all seem powerless against it. Besides, no one defends it in the abstract, and most persons are ready to deplore it in their own cases. But, as trainers of youth, we must enter our protest against allowing the young to form so disagreeable and destructive a habit. The notice of the French Government having been recent- ly called to its increasing prevalence among students in scientific and military schools and colleges, the highest medical authority has been invoked, and after thorough investigation, its deliberate opinion has been pronounced, that the habit is injurious alike to mind and body, and that its indulgence in early years prevents the full and proper develop- ment of the frame and its most important functions. Acting upon this the Government has issued an edict, utterly for- bidding the use of tobacco in all the National Institutions, and among those preparing for the National Service. As the Emperor himself is a devotee of the habit, he would hardly have condemned his own practice, but on the clear- est proof of the truth of the testimony before him, and the importance of the measure. What an increase of vi- tal power and energy, of mental calmness and clearness, of physical beauty and agreeability ; what a saving of time and money might thus be secured to the rising gen- eration ! But since this cannot be, will not every parent, even though devoted to the habit himself, point out to his son the evil consequences of it, and prevent the formation of it while the judgment is immature, and the consequen- ces not understood ? Let him point out other avenues to manliness which have some reality ; let him give him op- portunity to learn and practise any really manly and in-
22
nocent art or amusement; let him, as we have known a father do, relinquish the habit himself for the benefit of his children. Here is a test of conviction and sincerity about which there is no mistake, and which cannot fail to be appreciated by any affectionate and right minded son.
If we would have our children free from the tyranny of evil habits of any kind, we must ourselves set the exam- ple of breaking the chains, and firmly lead the way.
In a retrospective view of the Schools during the year, your Committee have the satisfaction to say, that in their judgment they have, as a whole, never done better.
J. NEWHALL, School ISRAEL A. PARSONS, Committee® FEB. 24, 1862.
FINANCIAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1. 1863.
WITH THE ANNUAL
Report of the School Committee.
SALEM: PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE SALEM GAZETTE. 1863.
FINANCIAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD,
FOR THE YEAR
ENDING MARCH 1, 1863.
SALEM : PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE SALEM GAZETTE. 1863.
REPORT.
Selectmen's Department.
WAR EXPENSES.
Paid to Charles C. Meader's Family, $153 00
" " Levi S. Russell's 123 00
66 " George W. Palmer's 104 00
66 " John P. Mead's 108 00
... " James Green's 139 00
" Samuel W. Phillips's 66
42 00
.. 6
" Geo. N. Whiting's 49 60
6.6 " Herb't A. Skinner's 52 40
" Jon. H. Mitchell's 79 60
" Isaac H. Mitchell's 58 00
.66 " George M. Summers's
84 00
... " George Cox's 64 80
.66 " Osborn Richardson, Jr's Father 22 70
" Daniel N. McDuffce's Mother. 26 00
.66
" George B Otis's 44 00
" Samuel H. Mitchell's 66
29 00
66 " Benjamin T. Brown's
22 70
66 " Jonas P. Barden's 29 00
" Charles P. Skinner, articles of Clothing., 11 30
On Account of Persons Exempted, 12 00
Bounty three years' Volunteers, 1800 00
66 nine months' 1000 00
$4054 10
EXPENDED FOR SCHOOLS.
Appropriated. Expended.
North District,
.$188 32 $201 50
Centre
281 65 270 01
South
258 32 258 32
Total,
$728 29. $729 83
4
EXPENDED ON HIGHWAYS.
The following sums have been expended on Highways in addition to the appropriation of $500, which sum was assessed as a Highway Tax :-
Ward No. 1, $0 00. Clearing Snow, $2 50. .$2 50
" 2 , 2 95. 66
66
8 37
11 32
66 " 3, 4 00. 66
12 50. 16 50
66 " 4, 0 00.
66 66
6 50. 6 50
66
" 5, 0 00.
66 66 0 00 0 00
$36 82
ABATEMENTS.
On Tax List of 1859,. $13 49
66
66 " " 1860,. . 3 13
66 66 66 " 1861,. 4 31
66
65 .6 " 1862,. 49 76
$70 69
DELINQUENT HIGHWAY TAXES.
Ward No. 1,
$25 99
66
" 2, 27 33
66
" 3, 3 41
65
" 4,. 24 83
"< 5,
2 68
$84 24
TOWN OFFICERS' BILLS.
Treasurer and Collector's Salary. $75 00
66 for extra Services, 5 00
Town Clerk for Services, 10 00
Collecting and Recording Births, Marriages and Deaths,. 5 80
Making official returns to Secretary of the Commonwealth,. . 5 00
Preparing Financial Report,. 5 00
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor, 113 15
82 25
Travel and Expense out of Town,
55 75
School Committee for Services, 66 66 66 1861 16 00
Constable for Services,
5 00
Sexton, for making returns to Town Clerk, 1 10
$379 05
5
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Printing Financial and School Reports for 1861, $26 94
66 Warrants for Town Meetings, 5 50
Tax Bills, Posters, &c., &c., 5 00
Publishing Card in Boston Journal, 75
Charles K. Darling, Blank Books and Stationery,
2 62
J. T. Lurvey, as Special Police, 18 75
Hubbard Emerson, for loss of Sheep killed by Dog,
15 00
George Lawrence, for making Pound Gate, . 3 00
Charles Kimball, Esq., for Legal Advice,. 6 00
Nathaniel Abbott, mowing South Burying Ground,
2 00
Samuel Harding, for ringing the Bell,. 30 00
J. Newhall, for Gravel for Highway, Ward No. 4,. 35 50 66 for Wall taken in said Ward, 3 00
Benjamin Perkins, repairs on Town Hall,.
4 79
Jonathan Bryant, for Blacksmith work,
3 12
Thomas Hood, repairs on Hearse,
5 75
Perambulating Town Lines,
5 25
Wood and Fluid for Town Hall, 4 94
Care and Cleaning 1 00
Expressage, Postage and Stationery, 4 78
Picks for Highway, Ward No. 4, 2 40
Assistance rendered transient Paupers, 4 00
$190 09
EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES.
Paid M. A. Bishop, her demand for teaching Centre School last year, . $100 00
Paid J. M. Whittemore & Co., for School Books furnished the Town last year, 73 33
$173 33
Overseers' Department.
PAID FOR SUPPORT OF POOR.
Aaron Nourse, board, $135 ; clothing, $11.75, $146 75
E. W. Granville, board and clothing, 25 00
Carried forward,. $171 75
6
Brought forward, $171 75
Mary J. Skinner and Child to May 13th, 1862,. 30 32
Nellie Stevens, from May 13th, 1862, to April, 1863, 48 40
Jennie Stevens, at Lawrence, 12 50
Edward A Flagg, at So. Danvers, 73 57
Arvilla Allen, 65 85
Nelson Allen's Family, . 45 53
Stephen Brown, at So. Danvers,
100 17
E. B Emerson and Family, 207 43
Rebecca Gowing, 78 00
Peabody Gowing's Family. 21 75
Henry E. Granville, at Westborough, 26 00
Fannie Skinner, at Wilmington, 25 00
Charles P. Skinner, expense mostly incurred in 1861 34 01
J. Proctor Ramsdell, at Lynn, . 3 00
$943 28
Recapitulation of Expenses.
-
War Expenses, . $4054 10
Expended for Schools, 729 83
" Highways,
36 82
Abatements, .
70 69
Delinquent Highway Taxes worked,
57 32
Town Officers' Bills.
379 05
Miscellaneous Expenses,
190 09
Extraordinary Expenses,
173 33
Paid State Tax, ..
1152 00
County Tax,
639 04
66
" for 1861, 766 85
" Borrowed Money,
3555 00
" Interest Money,
88 25
" for School Books, 84 83
"' for Support of Poor, 943 28
$12,920 48
7
Receipts and Credits.
Cash in hands of the Treasurer March 1st, 1862,
$106 56
Due on Tax List of 1859,.
14 08
66 " 1860, 56 35
" 1861, 589 93
Money assessed for payment of State Tax,.
1,152 00
66 66
66 County Tax, 639 04
66
66 66 . 66
" Town Expenses,. 2,100 00
66
66
" Schools, 700 00
School Books charged in the assessment. 64 60
Delinquent Highway Taxes,
74 57
Overlay on all the Taxes, .. .
67 49
Rec'd from State, (aid to families of Volunteers in 1861) ..
279 86
66. School Fund,
28 42
66 Dogs licensed,.
27 00
66 Sale of Cemetery lots,
12 00
Borrowed Money of L. H. Russell,
3,000 00
66 Gilman D. Kingman,
2,000 00
66
Gerritt H. Bennink,
1,000 00
66
66 Mrs. Daniel Brown, .
1,000 00
66 South Danvers Savings Bank, 1,000 00
66
66 Wendall G. Nichols, 150 00
66
William O. Mansfield,
130 00
66
66 Jonas P. Barden,
125 00
66
6.6 George M. Summers, 100 00
6.6
Henry B. Wellman, 100 00
66
66 Benjamin T. Brown, 100 00
$14,616 90
66
8
General Account.
TOWN STOCK.
Cash in hands of Treasurer March 1, 1863, $770 69
Due on Tax List of 1861 108 87
1862, 816 86
Due from State, (aid to families of Volunteers,) 1,325 80
" from Lydia Newhall, 14 67
School Books to be charged in next assessment,. 84 83
Delinquent Highway Taxes, 84 24
$3,205 96
TOWN DEBT.
Due Gilman D. Kingman, $2,000 00
" Gerritt H. Bennink, 1,000 00
" Mrs. Daniel Brown,. 1,000 00
.. South Danvers Savings Bank,.
1,000 00
" Jonathan Southwick,
500 00
" John Danforth, Jr.,
200 00
"' Wendall G. Nichols, 150 00
" Jonas P. Barden,
125 00
" William O. Mansfield
100 00
" George M. Summers,
100 00
" Henry B. Wellman,
100 00
" Benjamin T. Brown,
75 00
" North School District. 33 83
" Centre 6 11 64
$6,395 47
3,205 96
Balance against the Town,. $3,189 51
JOHN DANFORTH, JR., Selectmen, Assessors, ANDREW MANSFIELD, and
WILLIAM SKINNER, Overseers of Poor.
LYNNFIELD, FEB. 28TH, 1863.
THE
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD,
FOR 1862-3.
SALEM:
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE SALEM GAZETTE. 1
1863.
REPORT.
In accordance with custom, and in conformity to law, the School Committee of Lynnfield respectfully present to their fellow-citizens their Annual Report of the condi- tion of the public schools, for the year ending on the first Monday of March.
Impressed with a sense of the responsibility of this office, your committee have endeavored to pursue that course in relation to the schools, which in their judgment seemed most conducive to their welfare. But in order that they may attain their greatest usefulness there must be a cordial co-operation between the parents, teachers, and school committee.
In the first place, parents should urge upon the minds of their children the necessity of implicit obedience to the constituted authorities of the school ; must enjoin it upon them to be respectful in their deportment to teachers, stu- dious in their habits, and quiet in the school room. In the second place, the teachers being invested, for the time being, with full power and authority to direct and govern the school, should do it with that firmness which commands respect, and at the same time with that kind- ness which will insure the love and good will of the schol- ars. And the school committee, if vigilant in their duty, will vindicate the teachers, or the scholars, from injustice, as the case may be.
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When we consider the paramount importance of educat- ing our children, both intellectually and morally, so as to prepare them for the active duties of mature life, and when again we consider how deeply their future useful- ness and standing in society may be affected by disre- gard and neglect, we are pained at that indifference mani- fested by some parents to this subject. While such are assiduous in their attention to their pecuniary affairs, they, from year to year, never visit the school room, to in- quire after the progress of their children in their studies, or to encourage by their presence both teacher and pupils. Perhaps such parents confide in the faithfulness of the school committee, to see that every thing in relation to the school education of their children is going on well. But we ask, is there one of those parents, who, having any other important business of life transacted under the supervision of others, would be satisfied without giving the matter, at least occasionally, his personal inspection ?
In connection with these remarks, we quote from a writer who says :- " We know a man who last summer hired four colts pastured on a farm some five miles dis- tant. At least once in two weeks, he got into a wagon, and drove over to see how his juvenile horses fared. He made minute inquiries of the keeper as to their health, their daily watering, &c .; he himself examined the condi- tion of the pasture; and when the dry season came on, he made special arrangements to have a daily allowance of meal, and he was careful to know that this was regu- larly supplied.
"This man had four children attending a district school, kept in a small building erected at the cross roads. Around this building on three sides is a space of land six feet wide; the fourth side is on a line with the street.
5
There is not an out-house or shade tree in sight of the building. Of the interior of the school house we need not speak. The single room is like too many others, with all its apparatus arranged upon the most approved plan for producing curved spines, compressed lungs, ill health, &c.
" We wish to state one fact only. The owner of those colts, and the father of those children, has never been into that school house to inquire after the comfort, health, or mental food daily dealt out to his offspring. The latter part of the summer we chanced to ask, who teaches vour school? His reply was that he did not know ; he believ- ed her name was -; but he had no time to look after school matters."
In this day of our national calamity, when a blow is aimed, by unprincipled and wicked men, without just cause, at the integrity of our political institutions, it is highly the duty of all in any way connected with the edu- cation of the children and youth of the rising generation, to deeply imbue their minds with a patriotic love of their country,-with a sense of the importance, not only to themselves, but to the cause of human freedom through- out the world, that our invaluable institutions be defended and preserved. To this end they should be familiar with our early history, with the sacrifices which our fathers made, of property, of blood, and of life itself, in laying their foundation, and thus become fired with the determin- ation, as they come upon the stage of human action, to uphold and defend them at every hazard.
There is one subject to which your committee desire to call the attention of every parent and guardian of youth,-we allude to the disposition, in more than one instance, of the larger scholars in schools taught by
6
females, to treat with indifference, and in some instances with actual opposition, the lawful authority of the teacher. When spoken to, if the scholar replies in a supercilious or insolent manner, and by his actions and gestures seems to defy the authority of his teacher, without immediate cor- rection, the school becomes useless. This pertness of manner ill comports with that serious attention to duty which lies at the foundation of all improvement, and when not discountenanced and corrected by parental authority, in unison with that of the teacher, must greatly impair the usefulness of any school.
. While it affords satisfaction to your committee to know, that most of the parents, by precept and example, uphold subordination and good government, there are others, few indeed, it is to be hoped, who take part with their children when corrected, and in their presence, and in that of others, speak disparagingly of a teacher as unfit to keep school. Thus the child is encouraged in idleness and dis- respect to the teacher, and is most likely to become con- firmed in bad habits.
Denunciation of teachers and schools, usually, if not invariably, comes from those who never visit the schools, take no pains to become acquainted with the teacher of their children, who stands in their place during school hours and where no parent has a right to interfere.
Such criticism on teachers and schools, (and indirectly on your committee,) have done much to impair their use- fulness, and perhaps is doing more real injury to the community than does the operation of the burglar to your material interests, under cover of night.
7
NORTH SCHOOL
SUMMER TERM.
Teacher, . MISS CLARA FISK, of Medfield.
Whole number of Scholars, 30
Average Attendance
23
Age of pupils, from 5 to 16 years.
Length of term, 23 weeks.
Miss Fisk having had charge of this school the previous year, was prepared to commence with the school where she left it. During this term the scholars have made good pro- gress in the varions branches studied, and at the closing ex- amination acquitted themselves with honor, both to them- selves and to their teacher. At the close of the term, Miss Fiske saw fit to resign, much against the wishes of the committee.
WINTER TERM.
Teacher,. . . MRS. MARY A. BISHOP, of Lynnfield.
Whole number of Scholars, 26
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