USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > Annual reports of the schools in the City of Concord (N.H.) 1874 > Part 1
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.
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01882 4240
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOLS IN THE CITY OF CONCORD,
TOGETHER WITH THE
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
FOR THE YEAR 1874.
PENACO OK, 1725.
AS GY
FO
1853.
CATION REL
CONCORD
ADOPTED CITY- CHARTER;
CONCORD, N. H .: PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1874.
GC 974.202 C74SC, 1874
0
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOLS IN THE CITY OF CONCORD
TOGETHER WITH THE
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
FOR THE YEAR 1874.
PENACO OK, 1725
AS
1853.
W. EDUCATION
CONCORD
ADOPTED CITY- CHARTER
CONCORD, N. H .: PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1874.
678.146.
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GENERAL REMARKS.
As we review the past year, it seems quite probable that the cause of education has been as prosperous as almost any other good cause. Our schools have generally been in suc- cessful operation ; yet, in some of them, a few evils have ex- isted which it is very desirable to avoid. We can avoid these evils if we look at them candidly, so as to recognize their sources.
Some of the difficulties in governing schools may be traced back to other difficulties antecedent to them. A dispute in a district may cause a difficulty in making arrangements for schools at the annual meeting ; and, whatever arrangements are made, they are not satisfactory to all parties ; and hence there is frequently a want of cooperation in seeking the pros- perity of the school, and consequently the school does not prosper as it might in other circumstances.
The division of a district into parties may lead one party to seek the injury of the other party, when both parties should be working together for the welfare of all.
To remedy such evils,-if there is any matter of dispute among the people of a district which cannot be buried, as many such matters ought to be,-let it be fairly discussed at the school-meeting, and decided, if possible, by ballot.
.
4
Then let the man who is chosen to act in behalf of the dis- trict be regarded as the agent of the whole district, to do for them the best that can be done under all circumstances ; and let all the district sustain him in his action, and let them cooperate heartily with the teachers employed by him. By such means some of the greatest evils which ever occur in schools might be avoided, or greatly diminished. Nothing is more important for our schools than the earnest cooperation of all who have any care over them, or any interest in them. Your attention is further called to particular remarks upon each district ; also, to statistical table.
DISTRICT No. 1.
There have been three terms of school in this district the past year, each under the instruction of Miss A. W. Heath. The teacher has labored faithfully, and with good success. There has been from term to term a perceptible improvement in the interest shown by the scholars, and their appearance and bearing in the school-room, as well as their progress in study, have been commendable. It has been quite to the ad- vantage of this school that there has been no change of teachers through the year. P.
DISTRICT No. 2.
The summer session of this school was but six weeks in length, owing to the illness of the teacher, Miss A. M. Os- good. This was a disappointment to all who were interested, as the earnest efforts and untiring devotion of the teacher gave promise of the best results. .
The winter term was under the instruction of Miss N. M. Peverly. The school appeared well when visited, and the scholars, for the most part, improved in scholarship and de- portment. P.
DISTRICT No. 4.
Miss S. P. Carter has again had charge of this school for the two terms of the year. Good order, studious habits, and
5
fair progress in studies have characterized the school, as in previous terms, under the instruction of the same teacher.
P.
DISTRICT No. 5.
This school is small in numbers, but always presents a surprising number of classes. The teacher, Miss H. P. Gage, gained the good will and affections of her pupils, and conducted the instruction and discipline of the school-room in a very satisfactory manner. . P.
DISTRICT No. 6.
Miss M. E. Brown has taught each term of this school. The scholars have seemed interested in their work, and the teacher faithful in directing and guiding them. The " little ones " received good attention, as shown in their regular attendance and constant improvement. P.
DISTRICT No. 7.
The summer term was taught by Miss Mary L. Prescott. Although this was her first attempt at teaching, she suc- ceeded in giving very general satisfaction. The school was quiet and orderly, consequently good improvement was made during the term. Ten scholars, out of the whole number seventeen, did not whisper during the term; and three were not absent a half day. Parents and scholars would have been glad to have had the services of Miss Prescott continued during the fall and winter terms; but for sufficient reasons the prudential committee were obliged to try another teacher.
The fall term was taught by Miss Alice T. Couch. We think the teacher did not divide her time so as to give to each recitation its due portion. Some classes received a double portion of time, while others nonc at all. This, per- haps, was the first cause of the " dissatisfaction " mentioned in her remarks. However, we noticed good improvement in reading among some of the smaller scholars.
The winter term was instructed by an experienced and
6
successful teacher, Miss Sarah U. Kimball. It is only neces- sary for us to add that Miss Kimball fully sustained her for- mer reputation as a teacher, and we think it to be for the good of the district to secure her services another year. A.
DISTRICT No. 8.
The school in this district for the year has been under the instruction of Mr. T. J. Drumm, and has been larger than for several years previous,-the whole number of different scholars being 31. The teacher was evidently diligent and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and consequently good improvement was noticed at the close of the year. The school was lengthened by the gift of the teacher's board, by Rev. H. A. Coit. A.
DISTRICT No. 12.
Some of the circumstances connected with this school have been very favorable, and some quite unfavorable. In conse- quence of a mistake, the money appropriated was less, by about one hundred dollars, than it should have been, and the · mistake was not rectified in season to have the money ex- pended the past year ; hence the school, in both departments, was necessarily shorter than usual. Yet a good school for a few weeks is much better than a poor school for many weeks.
Mr. French, the teacher of the Grammar school, has made teaching his principal business for many years. Much of his labor has been in connection with Teachers' Institutes, and he has introduced many important improvements in the method of teaching; and his improvements are so regulated by the exercise of common sense, that they are not merely a change of former methods, but improvements in reality. By means of his labors, the school has come up to a higher standard of deportment and scholarship.
Miss Abbott has taught the Primary department the past two years. She still retains her good reputation as a teach- er, as is best shown by the fact that she has been engaged for the next term.
B.
7
DISTRICT No. 13.
A great improvement has been made in this district by the building of a new and very fine school-house. The teacher tried very hard to have a good school, and, although she had some obstacles to encounter, the pupils present at the examination appeared even better than could have been anticipated. B.
DISTRICT No. 14.
This district was favored with a good school during both terms.
Miss Sanborn, although she had had but little experience in teaching, did a good work in the summer.
Miss Blaisdell, although a beginner, made a good begin- ning. The examination at the close of her school was very pleasant and satisfactory. B.
DISTRICT No. 15.
The teacher of the summer school in this district, Miss Lang, commenced her work at some disadvantage, not being familiar with the management of a common school; yet she exerted herself for the benefit of her pupils, and was as suc- cessful in the work of teaching as could have been reason- ably expected.
Miss Fellows was somewhat familiar with her work, and performed good service in the winter: B. .
DISTRICT No. 16.
The school in this district has been kept in a private house, because there is no school-house in the district fit for the purpose. The committee were unable to visit the school at the close of the last term, and will report the condition of the school from remarks by the teacher, Miss M. E. Whitte- more :
" The school has, for the most part, been very pleasant, the scholars manifesting a spirit of industry and progress. There are no helps to the teacher in the form of maps or
8
diagrams, or anything by means of which one can assist in illustrations. This is a want to be greatly lamented, and is deeply felt, together with the need of suitable accommoda- tions for the school. There is an influence, in a building set apart for the purposes of education, which cannot be found where the school is taught in a private house, and that house a home of the scholars. We liave labored under this, to us, no small disadvantage, and do most earnestly hope the future will furnish the building so much needed." A.
DISTRICT No. 18.
Miss Emma A. Ford, teacher of the first term. This was Miss Ford's third successive term in this district, which fact demonstrates her ability to give satisfaction to those who employ her.
The second term was taught by Miss Belle E. Mower. This was her first attempt at teaching, and the result gives promise of future usefulness.
.
The winter term was taught by Miss Ada N. Carr. The teacher lacks in energy and government. The scholars ap- peared careless and uneasy in their recitations. But little improvement was noticed at the close of the term. A.
DISTRICT No. 22.
Miss Neal has been the only teacher in this school the past year. She has now taught four terms in this district. She has proved herself to be well qualified to instruct and to govern a school. The deportment of the pupils has, on the whole, been very good. Their progress in their studies has been satisfactory. It is desirable that they should be more generally present at the examinations. B.
DISTRICT No. 23.
This district is united with No. 1 in Bow, and for the past year has been taught by Miss Mary C. Heath. The examin- ation at the close of the year was creditable to teacher and
9
scholars. Quite a large number of citizens, including the committee from Bow, were present, and seemed to be well pleased with the appearance of the school. A ..
DISTRICT No. 24.
There have been three terms of school during the year. The first was taught by Miss Jessie A. Smart, and the sec- ond and third by Miss Lizzie A. Palmer. The exercises, at the close of each term, were creditable to teachers and schol- ars, and the number of parents and others present showed that they had an interest in the welfare and prosperity of the school. A.
10
STATISTICAL TABLE.
No. of district.
TEACHERS.
Terms.
Length of school
Wages of teacher
per month, in- cluding board.
Av. attendance.
No. of visits of S.
S. Committee.
1 1st
Miss Anna W. Heath,.
10
$25.00 27
21
2
2d
60
Anna W. Heath,.
8
26.00 33
26
3
3d
Anna W. Heath,.
8
28.00 22
19
2
2
1st
66
Annie M. Osgood,.
6
26.00 13
13
3
2d
Nellie M. Peverly,
11
34.00
13
2
4 1st
Sarah P. Carter,.
8
24.00
8
2d
Sarah P. Carter,.
10
26.00 12
11
5 1st
66
Hannah P. Gage,.
10
14.00 7
6
2d
66 Hannah P. Gage,.
16.00
9
7
6
1st
Mary E. Brown,.
9
20.00
9
8
2
-1
1st
Mary L. Prescott,
8
26.60 21
18
3
3d
Sarah U. Kimball,
10
26.00 19
15
2
8 1st
Mr. T. J. Drumm,.
9
39.00 21
19
2
2d
..
T. J. Drumm,.
16
39 00 31
23
2
§ 12
1st 2d
Mr. S. L. French,.
8
50.00 37
33
4
1st
Miss E. K. Abbott,.
8
36.00 53
47
3
2d
E. K. Abbott,
9
36.00 60
47
3
13
Ist
66
E. K. Abbott,
15
36.00 19
15
5
14 1st
66
Anna E. Sanborn,.
8 22.00 15
11
2
2d
Ida M. Blaisdell,.
27 00
14
3
15 1st
66
Anna M. Lang,.
10
20.00 16
12
2
2d
Nellie S. Fellows,
28.00 18
15
3
16
1st
66
M. E. Whittemore,.
12
20.00
8
5
1
2d
M. E. Whittemore.
12
20.00 8
6
1
18 1st
66
Emma A. Ford,.
10
28
18
2 2
22
1st
Josie A. Neal,
8
26.00 17
14
2
2d
". Josie A. Neal,.
14
30.00 27
22
3
* 23
1st
66 Mary C. Heath,.
10
20.00
3
3
2
2d Mary C. Heath,.
10
22.00
9
8
2
+ 24
Ist
Jessie A. Smart,.
8
20.00
9
7
2
2d
66 Lizzie A. Palmer,.
12
9
6
2
3d
Lizzie A. Palmer,.
12
9
7
2
* United with No. 1 in Bow.
t United with No. 24 in Hopkinton.
Only Concord scholars reported.
A. BURNHAM, H. B. PUTNAM, I. N. ABBOTT,
Superintending School Committee.
2 1
2d
Mary E. Brown,
20.00 10
8
1 3
2d
~ Alice T. Couch, ..
.
.
10
26.00 17
13
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
S. L. French,.
9
55.00 49 42
PRIMARY SCHOOL.
2d
66
Belle E. Mower,
10
19
14
3d
Ada N. Carr,.
12
32.00
15
12
2
11
16
11
.
in weeks.
5 9 oct NE | No. of scholars.
11
REPORT OF DISTRICT NO. 3.
The Superintending School Committee of this district sub- mit the following as their annual report :
The Primary and Grammar schools, during the summer and fall terms, had sessions of eight and ten weeks each. The winter term was one of ten weeks, and both schools were in charge of the same teachers employed the previous year. Miss Louise G. Abbott, in the Primary department, which she has taught for nine successive terms, has fully sustained, during the year just closed, the high reputation she had previously acquired as an able, efficient, and thor- oughly practical teacher. The peculiar fitness of Miss Ab- bott for the duties of the school-room is indicated in the fact that order and discipline are at all times maintained, and this without apparent effort on her part. In the visits made to this school at the close of each term by your com- mittee, the rapid progress made in all classes was duly noted, and we feel that the general excellence of the school will fully justify the above commendation.
The summer term of the Grammar school, which opened under the care of Miss Lydia R. Farnum, was brought to a successful close, notwithstanding the difficulties of organiza- tion, which must occur with each succeeding year, until our schools are placed upon a better basis, and arranged with a little more regard to system.
It is highly creditable to the abilities of the teacher to say that she accomplished, with but slight assistance from the committee, what seemed to them a trying and laborious duty. The remedy your committee would suggest for a
12
state of things, unfortunate to say the least, is, the establishi- ment of a third school, to be kept the year round, with reference at no distant day to a proper system of grading.
A statement in detail of the many reasons which induce us to make this suggestion, would be too lengthy for inser- tion in this report. With the principal facts in the case most of you are well acquainted. In the visits made at the close of the fall term, the committee were pleased with the good results which patient effort on the part of teacher and scholar had accomplished during the short term of eight weeks. We would mention in particular the classes in read- ing, which had been brought up to a high standard of excel- lence.
The Intermediate school, taught by Miss Farnum during the winter months, presented a good showing at the close of the term.
The winter term of the Grammar school was under the charge of Mr. Lucius M. Scott. In Mr. Scott's method of instruction, he seeks to impress upon the minds of his pupils a thorough knowledge of the whys and wherefore's necessary to a complete understanding of the subject as the only result which leads to perfect recitations. A lack of earnestness was noticeable in some members of the more advanced classes, which indicated a failure on their part to come up to the plain and just requirements of the teacher. The order and government maintained by Mr. Scott were excellent, and the moral standing of the school praiseworthy.
WYMAN W. HOLDEN, SIMEON PARTRIDGE, WALTER S. LOUGEE, OSMER L. SHEPARD,
Superintending Committee.
13
REPORT OF DISTRICT NO. 20.
The schools in this district are divided into four grades, and we have had thirty-five weeks of school in each depart- ment the past year.
Our schools have been well attended, and commendable advancement has been made. The closing examinations were attended by a larger number of parents and citizens than usual, and gave entire satisfaction.
The whole number that have attended school the past year is 209.
The Second Primary has been under the charge of Miss Lizzie E. Rolfe the entire year ; and, indeed, for the past four years, with the exception of a part of one term, has Miss Rolfe had charge of this department, and, we think, deserves more than a passing notice. The variety in exercises which she gives adds much to the interest of the school. The writing and printing on slates and blackboards have been more successful than before ; and what we supposed impos- sible, in order, in a primary school, has been accomplished in this,-and much credit is due to the teacher.
The First Primary has been taught by Miss Abie B. Good- win, making thirteen successive terms,-which is in itself a good recommendation. Thoroughness, both in discipline and teaching, characterizes her schools.
The Intermediate has remained under the charge of Miss Julia A. Abbott the entire year, which makes fourteen terms which she has taught in succession. She seems eminently fitted for this department, and her faithful and efficient ser- vices are appreciated.
The Grammar school, summer and fall terms, Miss Annie
14
M. Pierce was employed,-a young lady of good attainments and excellent character. She labored hard for the school, and was in a good degree successful. She had the most dif- ficult department to manage, but was untiring in her efforts, and manifested a determination to succeed.
The winter term was under the charge of Mr. Warren Abbott,-a man who has had large experience in teaching, and success was evident from the first. We regret that a larger number did not avail themselves of the benefits of this department. It is a deplorable fact, that many of our youth stay away from school, either from their own choice or that of their parents, and are found on the streets, or at some employment where they exchange, for a few dollars at most, an education that would be of untold value to them in after life.
Citizens of this district! our schools should have your sympathy and cooperation. You contribute your money, and we think it is judiciously expended. But much will be lost unless you interest yourselves personally in this matter ; and if mistakes are made, let your criticisms be charitable.
TABLE OF ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOLS.
Term.
No. of weeks
Whole No. of
Average
attendance.
Attended to
reading.
Attended to
Attended to
arithmetic.
Geography.
Grammar.
Second Primary,
Fall.
12
48
40
48
48
13
. .
( Winter.
12
41
35
41
41
16
::
Summer.
11
37
32
37
37
37
23
Fall.
12
39
30
39
39
39
28
Winter.
12
39
35
39
39
39
28
. .
Summer.
11
34
28
34
34
34
34
. .
Fall.
12
33
27
33
33
33
33
. .
Winter.
12
33
30
33
33
33
33
Summer.
11
26
18
25
25
23
20
21
Grammar,
Fall.
12
21
17
21
21
21
19
19
Winter
12
37
35
37
37
36
24
20
Summer.
11
42
33
42
42
9
. .
First Primary,
Intermediate,
FRANK A. ABBOTT, S. P. HEATH, ABIAL ROLFE,
Superintending Committee.
spelling.
school.
scholars.
15
FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF
UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The Fifteenth Annual Report upon the schools in the Union District of Concord is here presented by the Board of Education : ₹
Twenty-seven schools have been taught in the course of the past year, and all but two of these for thirty-eight weeks. The exceptions are, the school on the Pine Plains, which was taught eleven weeks in the fall, and had no winter term ; and that on the Old Fair Ground, at the South End, which has been in. session twenty weeks. These are newly organ- ized schools, and it was not deemed advisable, in view of the prospectively meagre attendance, to have a winter term of that upon the Plains.
The whole number of different scholars attending these schools is 1836, against 1868 of the previous year. The average attendance has been 1414, or 77 per cent. of the whole number, against 68 per cent. of the year before, and is 72 per cent. higher than the average of the eight preced- ing years. These encouraging figures could but have been expected by any one who has watched the earnest solicitude
16
of the teachers to secure regular attendance, or has noticed the increase of healthy life that has animated the whole body of our schools. In this connection it is but just to say that a sense of the supreme importance of the physical health of the pupil seems generally to have had its due weight in gov- erning the action of all who have had the school-work in special charge. Teachers have been earnest to promote the advancement of their pupils, but excessive stimulation of effort has been avoided ; and, in many instances, the pupil, ambitious, but over-sensitive and physically weak, has been kindly restrained from too intense exertion. .. We also have to congratulate ourselves that no prevalent sickness has kept the children at home; and that, generally, proper attention has been paid to keeping the school-rooms in a healthy con- dition as to air and temperature, though the means provided by the district for heating and ventilation are, in too many cases, far from perfect. As a result of the propitious causes just specified, the roll of attendance, as a whole, has been less affected than in the past, either by sickness or lack of interest. The registers also give a gratifying report as to tardiness, and show that this evil, difficult of control, has been well held in check. The following is the table of at- tendance :
€
17
TABLE OF ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOLS.
No. attending the several schools dur- ing the year, exclu- sive of promotions and transfers.
Whole number
attending the sev- eral schools during the year.
Average
attendance
for the year .!!
HIGH SCHOOL,
56
120
176
56
120
176
123
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Merrimack, First Division,.
24
34
58
32
49
81
48
Second
33
26
59
45
41
86
52
Centre, First Division,.
36
35
71
41
48
89
60
Second
41
25
66
65
44
109
47
Rumford, First Division,.
25
33
58
35
49
84
56
Second
37
38
75
52
49
101
54
Penacook,
35
28
63
48
38
86
51
Franklin, ..
21
17
38
28
22
50
28
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
North,
22
29
51
36
35
71
41
Merrimack,.
30
21
51
44
38
82
42
Centre,. .
23
25
48
42
38
80
36
Spring Street,.
11
16
27
26
23
49
26
Myrtle Street,.
28
16
44
36
24
60
32
Rumford,
25
20
45
38
39
77
45
Penacook
48
29
77
61
37
98
55
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
North,.
48
32
80
52
45
97
55
Merrimack
19
26
45
40
38
78
42
Franklin, ..
40
29
69
42
35
77
54
Union Street, First Division,,
29
13
42
38
20
58
32
Union Street, Second Division,
29
83
62
28
37
65
50
Centre,.
36
40
76 °
42
47
89
48
Spring Street,.
28
18
46
34
29
63
39
Myrtle Street,.
38
35
73
46
41
87
47
Rumford,
37
44
81
49
57
106
60
Penacook, First Division,
38
87
75
55
42
97
58
Penacook, Second Division,. MIXED SCHOOLS.
32
30
62
55
58
113
55
Bow Brook,
32
21
53
33
21
54
33
Pine Plains,.
9
9
18
9
9
18
15
Old Fair Ground,.
23
24
47
23
24
47
36
Totals,
933
903
1836
1231
1197
2428
1414
Boys. Girls. Total.
Boys.
Girls. Total.
Our twenty-seven schools are,-to follow the designations hitherto generally employed,-classed as follows : One High, five Grammar, seven Intermediate, eleven Primary, three Mixed. The Merrimack, Centre, and Rumford Grammar schools, each, have four classes of the entire grammar course ; the Franklin has the second and third classes ; the Penacook, the first, second, and third. In the latter school, one teacher has charge of the first grammar class, and also of a second intermediate. This is an arrangement which has been necessary hitherto, and may continue to be so for some time to come, unless, as is not improbable, it may be
2
18
deemed expedient early to make the Penacook a complete Grammar school, by equalizing numbers with the Rumford, and by effecting a new distribution of the scholars of the lower grades in that section, so that the Intermediate and Primary classes in the Penacook building shall each occupy one room. When the new building at the North End is ready for use, a complete Grammar school can be formed there, composed of the Franklin, and of certain pupils, who, with the present boundaries, would belong to the Merrimack.
Departing from the mode of designation in general use, our schools, as they really are, might be quite accurately classed as follows : High. Complete Grammar,-Merri- mack, Centre, Rumford. Incomplete Grammar,-Franklin, Penacook, 1st upper room. Intermediate Grammar,-Pena- cook, 2d upper room. Complete Intermediate,-North, Mer- rimack, Centre, Spring street, Rumford. Primary Inter- mediate,-Union street, 1st room ; Myrtle street, 1st room ; Penacook, 1st lower room. Primary,-North, Franklin, Merrimack, Union . street, 2d room, Centre, Spring street, Myrtle street, 2d room, Rumford, Penacook, 2d lower room. Mixed,-Bow Brook, Pine Plains, Old Fair Ground.
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.