USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Salem > Annual reports of the receipts and expenditures of the town of Salem, N.H. : for the year ending 1854-1870 > Part 26
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Daniel P. Merrill, for working non-resident highway taxes in Dist. No. 3, for 1868. 3 26
Charles Kimball, for working non-resident highway taxes in Dist. No. 10, for 1867,
1 83
$12 14
PAID ON ACCOUNT OF SNOW PATHS.
John Chase, breaking roads,
$1 25
James Webster,
1 34
Stephen Webster, 66
2 33
William Stanton,
5 58
B. B. Rollins, 66
6 58
Israel Woodbury,
2 83
3 00
8
Isaac B Corliss, breaking roads,
8 78
Obadiah Duston,
17 41
Isaiah Woodbury,
26 17
Silas Hall, 66
5 45
Darius M. Thom, و"
8 37
Gilman D. Kelly,
66
7 08
Isaac Thom, 66
1 15
Benj. R. Wheeler,
66
11 42
Charles Day,
66
8 50
Robert Lowell,
66
3 67
Wm. B. Kimball,
3 33
Thad. Richardson, 66
10 42
James H. Foster, 66
4 83
William G. Crowell, "
3 34
E. B. Hall,
3 83
Samuel P. Kelly,
2 17
Enoch Taylor,
5 00
John F. Smith, 66
6 50
Jacob Rowell,
66
8 40
$165 73
PAID ON ACCOUNT OF CONTINGENCIES.
Paid Henrietta Currier part pay of note, $185 00
Thomas D. Lancaster, note and interest, 148 21
George H. Day, for services as Constable, 2 00
20 00
1,000 00
School House tax, for District No. 8, assessed in 1868, John Taylor, part pay of n'ote, George C. Gordon, services as Town Treasurer in 1868, George C. Gordon, balance ser- vices as Selectman and Overseer of Poor, 16 00
40 00
324 59
Amos Duston, note and interest, Silas Hall, balance services and expenses as Selectmen in 1868, 19 85
9
Paid Silas Hall, Town Officer, 2 00 Levi Cluff, cash paid for dinners for Selectmen while taking invoice, 7 65
Jesse Ayer, making ballot box, 2 00
Benjamin E. Woodman, 57 re- turns of births and deaths, 14 25 Isaiah L. Webster, interest on note, 36 00
John H. Dunlap, balance School House tax in District No. 3, assessed in 1868, 25 00
John H. Dunlap, interest on note, 7 61
John S. Emery, services as Aud- itor in 1867,
3 00
Elbridge B. Taylor, part pay of note,
750 00
Mary Allen, part pay of note, Milton F. Austin, interest on note,
30 00
Abigail Austin, interest on note, 18 00 David Webster, 2d, interest on note, 48 00
12 00
John L. Prince, interest on note, Nathaniel B. Duston, interest on note,
24 00
13 50
Betsy Moulton, interest on note, Mary A. Duston, four notes and interest,
5,307 21
Gilbert Emerson, three notes and interest,
872 00
B. Pettengill, note and interest, 291 50 Joseph H. Gage, note and in- terest, 395 40
Wm. Stanton, note and interest, Orville A. Taylor, note and in- terest, 438 38
211 15
Nancy Wheeler, note and in- terest, 88 00
-
12 00
10
Paid Asa S. Austin, services as Con- stable, notifying town offi- cers, &c., 10 00
County Treasurer, for county tax, 1,398 60
State Treasurer, for state tax, Geo. S. Merrill, printing town reports and check lists,
2,352 00
68 00
Geo. S. Merrill, printing vouch- ers, 4 00
School District No. 4, school house tax, 125 00
John Kelly, Esq., survey line between Salem and Atkin- son, 1 00
John A. Wheeler, bound stone for line between Salem and Atkinson,
1 00
Stephen Currier, surveying line on town farm, 1 50
School District No. 3, school house tax, 110 00
Theadosha Gage, for one bound stone on line between Salem and Windham,
4 50
Charles Austin, balance on a note,
34 80
Lorenzo W. Chase, runners for hearse,
40 00
John C. Dow, writing paper,
1 12 .
John C. Dow, record book, for mortgages,
14 00
Joseph Buxton, dinners for town officers, 17 55
District No. 6, school house tax,
45 30
Levi Cluff, balance services as Selectman in 1868, 7 00
Levi Cluff, transporting county
paupers to county farm, 5 00
Levi Cluff, stationery and ink, 1 33
11
Paid Levi Cluff, expenses to get county money, 5 37
Levi Cluff, services as Selectman and Overseer of Poor, 108 00
Levi Cluff, use of horse taking invoice, and other times, 20 00
Elbridge B. Taylor, note and interest, 1,750 09
Nelson M. Bailey, services Su- perintending School Com- mittee, 65 00
Benjamin R. Wheeler, services as town clerk, 45 91
John Austin, discount on taxes,
627 54
William G. Crowell, services as Moderator, 2 00
William B. Kimball, services as Selectman and Overseer of Poor, 80 00
Silas Hall, services as Select-
man and Overseer of Poor, : 139 40
Nathan G. Abbott, services as Auditor in 1867, 2 00
Samuel K. Abbott, services as Auditor in 1868, 2 00
Obediah Duston, note and in- terest, 795 00
$18,248 31
PAID ON ACCOUNT OF ABATEMENTS.
To William G. Crowell, collector for 1868, $48 87
William H. Woodbury, collector for 1867, 25 74
Samuel Cross' heirs,
4 97
John H. Dunlap,
2 82
John A. Wheeler,
1 00
John Austin, collector for 1859,
45 68
For taxes on town farm, 71 25
$200 33
12
PAID ON ACCOUNT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Paid J. T. Douglass, for coffin for Persis. Page, $7 00
J. G. Clough, for services in part for 1869, John Hall, blacksmith work, 10 55
200 00
J. G. Clough, for the year ending Apr. 1, 1869, balances for services,
75 99
T. R. Little, for cow and calf,
80 00
Silas Hall, for sleigh,
15 00
Richard Taylor, for cow and calf,
70 00
Joseph Buxton, digging grave for Persis Page, and services as sexton,
5 00
Henry Holt, blacksmith work,
3 50
William B. Kimball, oxen,
145 00
Elijah Jennings, cow, 42 00
Richard H. Russ, mason work,
3 00
D. N. & C. M. Martin, for stove,
66 00
Earl C. Gordon, for blacksmith work, 9 90
Isaac J. A. Hastings, cow,
43 00
$774 95
CASH PAID FOR PAUPERS NOT AT ALMSHOUSE.
Paid E. G. Haynes, for boarding Frank L., and Sarah L. Hildreth, from March 10, 1869, to October 10th, $35 00
Chas. V. Butler, for taking care of Samuel Day, from March 12th, to March 29th, 1869, 48 00
Benjamin E. Woodman, for medicine and attendance for Sally Rowell, 13 00
C. C. Talbot, for medicine and attendance for Samuel Day, 2 00
C. C Talbot, for medicine and attendance for Clarrissa H. Clark, 10 00
Eliphalet Gage, for boarding Nancy Par- ker, from October 10th, 1868, to April 10th, 1869, 52 00
John W. Patridge, for taking care of Sam'l Day, from March 3d, 1869, to March 12th, 25 00
1
13
Paid Joseph Buxton, for digging grave for John C. Palmer, in 1866, 1 50
George C. Gordon, for supplies furnished Patrick Coffee, 5 00
Geo. C. Gordon, supplies furnished Henry Martin, 7 00
Mrs. Sarah F. Howarth, for expenses in removing Sarah F. Howarth from In- sane Asylum, 7 00
Insane Asylum, for funeral expenses,
6 00
Insane Asylum, for boarding Sarah F. Howarth ten weeks, 20 00
John Austin, for goods furnished to Frank 1 L. and Sarah L Hildreth, 6 14
J. C. Ewins, load of wood to Clarrissa H. Clark, 3 00
John Austin, for one-half barrel of flour delivered to David Dunlap, 4 50
Moses D. Rowell, for boarding Sally Row- ell fifty-two weeks up to October 10th, 1869, 52 00
For nursing the same,
20 00
Theadosha Gage,for boarding Mary Parker, from July 30th, 1869, to October 10th, For clothing for same, 12 00
20 00
Eliphalet Gage, for boarding Nancy Par-
. ker from April 10th, 1869, to July 30th, 32 00
$381 14
PAID ON ACCOUNT OF PINE GROVE CEMETERY.
Paid Alfred Page, 2 1-2 days labor in Pine Grove Cemetery, 5 00
Joseph Buxton, surveying lots and pinch bar, 2 80
Five days labor,
10 00
Use of horse,
65
Francis B. Kelly, 2 1-2 days labor,
5 00
William B. Kimball, 3 1-2 days labor,
₹ 50
William B. Kimball, 3 3-4 days use oxen, 7 50
J. G. Clough, 2 1-2 days work, 5 00
14
Paid J. G. Clough, 2 1-2 days oxen, J. G. Clough, use of plough, Levi Cluff, surveying lots,
5 00
1 00
3 00
$52 47
RECAPITULATION.
Whole amount in Selectmen's hands,
$24,089 32
Paid on account of Contingencies,
18,248 31
Roads and bridges,
1,813 62
Snow paths,
165 73
Non-resident highway receipts,
12 14
Almshouse,
774 95
Transient poor,
381 14
Abatement of Taxes,
200 33
Pine Grove Cemetery,
52 47
Schools,
1,785 18
Balance in Treasurer's hands,
655 45
$24,089 32
LEVI CLUFF, TOWN TREASURER.
. MARCH 1st, 1870.
OUTSTANDING NOTES AGAINST THE TOWN.
William Crawford's note due May 30th, 1870, $1,073 52
Matthew H. Taylor,
Feb. 19th, 1870, . 952 81
David Loud, 66 Aug. 25th, 1869, 424 00
School District No. 10, "
Dec. 16th, 1869,
200 72
School District No. 2, "
Dec. 16th, 1869,
213 55
Hiram Cross, Feb. 6th, 1870,
224 72
School District No. 3,
March 20, 1870,
150 56
Eliphalet Coburn,
Sept. 3d, 1870,
1,667 42
Eliphalet Coburn,
April 3d, 1871,
898 88
Eliphalet Coburn,
Dec. 31st, 1869,
212 00
John L. Prince,
66.
Oct. 21st, 1869,
200 00
Milton F. Austin,
Oct. 23d, 1869,
200 00
Ira Sanborn,
May 8th, 1870,
238 20
Ann Loomis,
Oct. 10th, 1869,
5,730 25
Enoch Taylor,
66 May 28th, 1870, 354 62
Enoch Taylor,
66
June 19th, 1870, . 476 40
15
Enoch Taylor,
note due Nov. 11th, 1869,
152 74
Enoch Taylor,
Dec. 31st, 1869,
212 00
Betsey Moulton,
June 24th, 1870,
238 50
Mary Austin,
July 26th, 1870,
5,078 56
John Taylor, 66
Aug. 10th, 1870,
6 005 74
Nancy Wheeler,
66 Oct. 27th, 1869,
642 36
Abigail Austin,
Dec. 24th, 1870,
318 00
Seth Hall,
66
Feb. 11th, 1870,
468 37
Henrietta Currier,
66
Oct. 8th, 1869,
484 65
Mary Allen,
66
Feb. 17th, 1870,
107 71
Elbridge O. Butler,
March 4th, 1870,
639 57
John H. Dunlap,
66 April 28th, 1870,
132 50
David Webster, 2d,
Dec. 12th, 1869,
650 00
David Webster, 2d,
66
Dec. 25th, 1869,
150 00
Isaiah L. Webster,
66
Feb. 25th, 1870,
400 00
Isaiah L. Webster,
66
Feb. 7th, 1870,
212 00
Ruth Whittaker,
66
Feb. 17th, 1870,
1,060 00
Albertus Coburn,
66
Dec. 29th, 1869,
530 00
S. S. Jewett,
66
July 23d, 1870,
280 90
Benjamin Day,
66
June 29th, 1869,
1,078 27
Eliza A. D. Kimball,' ."
June 29th, 1869,
1,078 27
Dean Emerson,
66
Aug. 5th, 1869,
433 56
Mary A. Duston,
66
October 1, 1869,
4,000 00
Mary A. Duston,
66
October 1, 1869,
500 00
B. Pettengill,
16
Jan. 10th, 1870,
300 00
Obadiah Duston, 66
Jan. 4th, 1870,
200 00
Obadiah Duston,
66
Jan. 3rd, 1870,
200 00
Obadiah Duston,
Jan. 5th, 1870,
200 00
Obadiah Duston,
Jan. 6th, 1870,
200 00
Albertus Coburn,
66
Feb. 22d, 1870,
800 00
Obadiah Duston,
66
Feb. 22d, 1870,
100 00
Daniel H. Day,
Feb 27th, 1869,
441 86
Jane Paul,
Jan. 18th, 1870,
1,191 02
Cyrus Wilson,
66
Mar. 21st, 1869,
220 92
Mary Renou,
Dec. 4th, 1869,
410 64
Mary Duston,
Aug. 16, 1869,
126 25
Benjamin F. Wheeler,
Aug. 15, 1869,
650 25
Nathaniel B. Dustin,
66 Oct. 13th, 1870,
212 16
Eliphalet Coburn,
Feb. 22d, 1870,
1,000 00
Joseph A. Cross,
66
Mar. 6th, 1870,
848 00
66
$45,223 05
16
DUE THE TOWN.
From the County, for support of paupers, $50 00 William G. Crowell, as guardian of Charles Silver, for support for said Silver, 256 00 United States, for bounties, 3,153 20
John Austin, uncollected taxes,
2,209 39
John Austin, interest on uncollected taxes,
90 61
Town Treasurer,
655 45
$6,414 65
Leaving a balance against the Town of
38,808,40
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AT ALMSHOUSE.
To cash received for butter,
$96 50
milk,
81 25
COW,
45 00
66
potatoes,
47 20
66
beef,
32 00
chickens,
10 00
66
cow hide,
5 00
pigs,
65 00
66
lard,
3 00
cranberries,
5 00
66
eggs,
5 75
66
straw,
6 00
66
labor off the farm,
16 00
$450 70
SUPERINTENDENT.
By cash paid for groceries,
$25 38
meat,
20 00
plough,
14 40
groceries,
90 35
flour, meal and shorts,
94 13
1
calves,
33 00
Dr.
Cr.
17
By cash paid for dry goods,
19 79
scythes, snaths and sundries,
7 23
66 repairing harness, 9 00
66 labor on the farm,
63 72
shoes and yarn,
5 15
66 paper and curtains,
3 30
axe and bells,
2 62
66
hay seed,
5 38
66
fish,
6 15
· plaster and lime,
1 80
salt and grinding,
6 10
66
nails and soap,
4 00
axe handles and filing saws,
1 33
Balance in Superintendent's hands,
70 37
$450 70
J. G. CLOUGH, SUP'T.
REPORT OF OVERSEER'S OF THE POOR.
Received by Jona. G. Clough, cash and supplies, $379 83
of County, for support of paupers, 543 45
Due from the County for support of paupers, 50 00
Received of Harvey Harris, for hide,
5 00
66 Batchelder & Co., for one cow,
68 00
Susan T. McLaughlin, for use of pas- ture, 12 00
G. D. Kelly, for one cow,
65 00
66 Charles Titcomb, one yoke of oxen,
210 00
Due from William G. Crowell, as guardian of Charles Silver, for boarding and nurs- ing said Silver, and other expenses,
256 00
66 J. G. Clough,
70 87
Total amount of receipts,
$1,660 15
Cash paid on account of Almshouse,
$774 95
J. G. Clough, supplies, 379 83
on account of transient poor, 381 14
Outstanding debt for support of paupers,
40 00
·
18
Paid Jonathan G. Clough, in part for services,
200 00 Due Jonathan G. Clough, in part for services, 75 00
Total amount,
$1,850 92
Leaving a balance against the town of
$190 77
NUMBER OF PAUPERS AT TOWN FARM.
Males, 2. Females, 2. Total, 4.
LEVI CLUFF,
Overseers
SILAS HALL, of
WILLIAM B. KIMBALL, Poor.
PINE GROVE CEMETERY.
Cr.
Cash received of former Treasurer, $10 09
Cash received for lots, 48 25
Dr.
$58 34
Cash paid for labor, &c., $52 47
Balance in Treasurer's hands, 5 87
$58 34
LEVI CLUFF,
SILAS HALL, Committee.
WILLIAM B. KIMBALL,
The Committtee, having examined the foregoing accounts, find them correctly cast and satisfactorily vouched for. .
EDWARD GRIFFIN,
Auditors. GEORGE WOODBURY,
19
APPRAISAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT ALMSHOUSE.
Six tons English hay, $150.00; 1 ton run hay, $14.00; 1 pair oxen, $160.00; 5 cows, $320.00 ; 1 horse, $90.00; 2 yearling heifers, $34.00; 18 fowls, $14.00; 3 ladders, $4.50 ; 5 hay forks, $2.50; 3 shovels, $2.00 ; 2 manure forks, $1.50; 3 iron bars, $3.00; 1 drag rake, .50; 2 sleighs, $30.00 ; 1 horse rake, $1.00 ; 1 harrow, $4.00 ; lot rye straw, $2.00; meal boxes, .50 ; 1 cow bell, .50 ; gutter and trough; $1.50 ; hand sled and wheelbarrow, $3.00 ; horse sled, $4.00; Pig rack, .50; ox sled, $5.00 ; 2 bush scythes, 2.00 ; ox cart, and wrench, $50.00; 2 flåils and drag, $1.00; 3 hoes and manure hook, $2.00; 10 chains, $6.00; harness, $15.00 ; 1 draft harness, $1.50; garden hoe and rake, .50; 1 corn cutter and sickle, .75 ; grindstone, 4.00; wagon, 45.00; 2 wash bowls, .50; 1 white wash brush, .75; 1 umbrella, 50; 4 ploughs, 1.00; 2 brass kettles, 3.00; beetle and wedges, 1.50; clothes line, .75; 2 wash tubs, 1.00; 3 stoves and funnels, 70.00; 2 iron kettles, 1.00; cultivator, 5.00 ; 2 live hogs, 80.00 ; paint can and paint mill, 2.00 ; 50 lbs. shorts, .75 ; 150 lbs. meal, 3.50 ; 1 barrel flour, 8.50 ; 100 lbs. ham, 20.00; 2 churns, 2.50 ; pail and kegs, 2.00; cheese hoop, basket and press, 5.00 ; 1 butter box, 1.50; 30 lbs. butter, 13.00; 60 lbs lard, 12.00; tin ware, 20.00; lantern, 1.00; 4 stone jars, earthen pots, 1.00; 8 lbs. tallow, .80; shovel and tongs, .50; 2 flat irons, .50 ; 2 earthen pans, .50 ; lamps and candlesticks, 1.00; 1 pair steel yards, .50; tray and mortar, .50 ; 2 mirrors and 2 clocks, 3.00; trunk, chest and drawers, 12.00; lot jugs, 2.00; lot crockery ware, 8.00; warming pan and bed pan, 2.00; 1 buffalo robe, 1.50; 1 halter, .25; curry comb, brush and card, .50; 1 pick and wrench, 1.50; 1 trap, .75; 4 axes and 1 hatchet, 3.00; 4 saws, 2.00 ; cross cut saw,1.00 ; 2 scythes and snaths, 3.00; 4 ploughs, 23.00 ; 6 milk cans, 2.00; 1 grain chest, 1.00; 5 ox bows, 1.00 ; 8 bags, 2.50 ; set measures, .75 ; lot corn, 15.00; salt, 1.00; 2 bushels rye, 2.75; 3 rakes, 1.00; 2 scalding tubs, .50 ; 3 bushels beans, 9.00 ; lot pop corn, 1.00; baskets, 3.00 ; vinegar and cask, 8.00 ; safe crib and lumber, 2.00; 4 augurs and bog hoe, 1.00; 2 iron squares, .75 ; shaving horse and vise, 1.00; chest and carpenter's tools,
20
2.50; 2 fire shovels, .50 ; rasps and file, .50; stone tool, 1.50 ; stone hammer, 2.00 ; 2 broad axes, 2.00 ; lot old iron, 4.50; clothes wringer, 5.00; desk and shoe tools, 1.00; side board, 5.00 ; 15 feather beds, 125 00 ; 24 pillows, 9.00 ; quilts and comforters, 35.00 ; 34 pillow cases, 10.00 ; 9 bol- sters, 6.00 ; wearing apparel, 50.00; chairs and tables, 16.00; 15 pair sheets, 25.00; 5 tables, 6.00 ; pickles, 1.00; 16 towels, 1.50; long oil table cloth, 2.00; matches, .60; 2 gallsns molasses, 1.25 ; 1 1b. tea, 1.20 ; spices, 2.00 ; sugar, 1.50; cupboard, 2.00; lot books, 1.00; window curtains, &c., 3.00 ; knives, forks and spoons, 2.50; iron ware, 5.00; 21 dozen eggs, .75; bedsteads, 20.00; 1 gallon kerosene oil, .50; lumber, 6.00; candles, 2.50; handcuffs, 1.00; 125 lbs. - , 18.75; 80 bushels potatoes, 48.00; soap, 4.00; cabbage, 1.50 ; lot casks, 5.00; beets, 1,00; turnips, 1.00 ; 400 lbs. salt pork, 80.00; cranberries, 1.00; ashes, 1.00. Total amount, $1,877.55.
APPRAISAL OF REAL ESTATE OWNED BY THE TOWN.
Town farm,
$4,800 00
Wood land,
100 00
Town house,
1,000 00
$5,800 00
Personal property at Almshouse, Town safe,
$1,877 55
450 00
Hearse and runners,
450 00
$8,577 55
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF SALEM, NEW HAMPSHIRE,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH, 1870.
DISTRICT No. 2.
Summer term. Miss Alice J. Whittemore, of Ayer's Village, teacher. This is one of the small schools in town. Geographical, not esthetical propriety, must have determined the location of the school house. The scholars are quite famous,- being known as " the children in the woods,"-in pursuit of knowledge under dif- ficulties ; not the least of which are the tormenting mosquitoes that infect the place.
We recommend the district, either to move their house to another locality, or to pass a " by-law " against these intolerable pests. At least, the inside of the house should be made more attractive by some repairs, blackboards, maps, etc. Let the parents visit the school more, and thus encourage teachers and pupils. Notwith- standing these embarrassments, the teacher labored faithfully, hav- ing the hearts of all her scholars, who were quick to learn, and very prompt in their recitations.
Fall term. Miss E. A. Woodbury, teacher. For some unknown reason, there was, in the teacher's own words, " great irregularity
·
22
in attendance during this term." Many have far to walk. We heard no complaint of the teacher. She was very kind, manifest- ing a thoughtful regard for her pupils, and had the rare faculty of governing more by the eye and motion than by a " multitude of words." The examination at the close showed a good degree of improvement.
DISTRICT No. 3.
Summer and Winter terms. Miss Lillie A. Gardner, teacher. Miss G- went to this school a stranger to the parents and pupils. . There were but few scholars, some of them very dull, and disposed to have things pretty much their own way.
The teacher very soon learned the true state of things, and after a vigorous application of a little. wholesome discipline, became mistress of the situation. Miss G- seems to have learned the happy art in teaching, of uniting firmness of manner with gentle- ness of mind. She gave good satisfaction to all lovers of order, and left the school in a much improved condition.
DISTRICT No. 4.
Summer and Winter terms. Miss Hattie A. Tilton, teacher. This school, under the good discipline of its two last teachers, has fully redeemed its good name, and now reaches out its hand for the banner and the place of honor.
Miss Tilton was evidently the " right woman in the right place," "apt to teach," and " born to command." By a system of her own, a minute record of each day was carefully made, and the aggregate footings so arranged that a glance at the Register shows the mental, and in some degree, the moral standing of every scholar in school. There are some very promising scholars in this school. If we should particularize where the improvement has been so general, reading and mental arithmetic could be named. A copy of Webster's Una- bridged Dictionary for the school room would be money well in- vested. The examination and closing exercises were creditable, alike to teacher and pupils, and interesting to the good number of parents present.
DISTRICT No. 5.
Summer and Winter terms. "Miss Julia M. Wright, of New York, teacher. No one would ever suspect that Miss Wright had .
23
mistaken her calling. We have no doubt that she began very early to teach, and " found mimic sport and delightful work in teaching the young idea how to shoot," among her nursery companions.
School teaching with Miss Wright is not a pastime, but hard, solid work. Committing and reciting are side issues, not the end, but means thereto. She excels in the one great thing wherein many teachers sadly fail,- in a careful analysis where it is de- manded. The " whys " and " wherefores " are required. The re- sult is, her scholars " go forth, and grow up, (mentally) as calves of the stall." She manifests an interest in the moral and mental welfare of her pupils rarely equalled. Showing herself friendly, she did not lack for friends among them or their parents.
Christmas Eve will never be forgotten by the children of that school. Taking the whole matter into her own hands, the teacher arranged for a Christmas celebration, with a Tree and a present for every scholar. The old superannuated apology for a school house had not looked so attractive since the "time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." It was a grand success,-a few dollars well invested. This passing allusion to the school house would perhaps be sufficient, were it not for the fact that we might be thought recreant to our duty, and heedless of a time- honored custom, if we did not give this house something more than a passing notice.
We do not feel disposed however, to make merry over a matter so serious, hence we speak the words of truth and soberness when we declare it as our candid opinion that this old shell of a house is a downright nuisance, and would be a reproach to any people in this enlightened land.
It should be spoken, to the credit of this district that the people have raised, by private subscription, forty-seven dollars to extend the winter term.
DISTRICT No. 6.
Spring and Fall terms. Miss Fannie J. Holmes, of Londonderry, teacher. She has had considerable experience in teaching, came well recommended, and seemed familiar with the studies in which she was examined. Yet she did not succeed well in this school.
The sum of the whole matter is simply this: the school was more than she could manage,-too much work for most female teachers, to say nothing of others. In some schools, Miss H- would have better success.
24
Winter term. Mr. Lyman B. Gage, of Methuen, teacher. Mr. Gage is well known, has been a popular teacher for several years, and is regarded as a successful one. His eye is not dim, nor his natural force abated. . Yet he too, failed at the same point where his predecessor proved wanting,-the point of order.
He took the school before he had fairly recovered from a fit of sickness. This was much against him. He needed the whole of his " forces " in commanding position, to re-organize, and bring into line, on the very first day of the session, the partially demor- alized ranks of the school. The pupils would then have more fully realized that he was a schoolmaster, to bring them, one and all, into harmony with rules needful to be observed, in order to ensure success. Much depends on the first day.
But notwithstanding the habit of disorder, which seems to have assumed a chronic character in this school, the scholars generally have advanced in their studies as much, or more than we antici- pated. This is especially true of the classes in Grammar and Book Keeping. The recitations evinced much drilling and application. We think these and some other classes will appear well on the day of examination ; but we are obliged to make our report several days before the close of the school.
But here are the unwelcome facts that cannot be concealed :- 1. This school is getting a hard name. 2. The scholars, many of them, are very irregular in their attendance. 3. The parents do not visit the school. 4. There is general complaint all round,- teachers, parents, and pupils.
Now, where is the root of all this evil? We believe it is more in the want of a suitable school house and a graded school, than in anything else.
Here are from forty to sixty persons, all the way from five to twenty years of age, crowded into a room so " tattered and torn," dreary and forlorn, as to be unfit for a habitation for horses. Their time is divided between their books, dodging the falling plaster, changing positions to avoid direct and counter currents of cold air, or on a cold day, crowding each other around a red-hot stove. The children who would learn rapidly in such a situation, and evince an increasing interest in their books, manners and graces, must be in- deed remarkable children, and the teacher who could preserve good order, and satisfy parents and himself, under such circumstances, must be a marvel among his fellows. For the good of the race, and the honor of this district, we hope, and have reason to believe, that the end of these things is nigh.
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DISTRICT No. 7.
Summer term. Miss Susie C. Smith, of Salem, teacher. Two excellent teachers have been employed in this school the past year. Miss Smith well sustained her reputation as a successful teacher. She has a very easy and familiar way with her scholars, and main- tains the best order without any offensive display of a " little brief authority."
Most of the scholars are quite young. There were fine classes in Arithmetic and Grammar, and the reading was unusually good. The term was very short, but the several classes acquitted them- selves commendably at the examination, showing that they had been studious and well instructed.
Winter term. Miss Laura A. H Knight, of Atkinson, teacher. Miss Knight is an excellent teacher, one of the best. She entered upon her work full of zeal, and went on finely until near the close of the school, when the measles appeared among her scholars, and the greater part of them were oliged to leave the school. But for this and its brevity, we judge the term would have been highly sat- isfactory to the teacher and all others.
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