ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
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TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1861-62.
ALSO, THE
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK,
SELECTMEN'S REPORT,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 1862
BOSTON: S. CHISM, — FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE,
No. 112 Congress Street.
1862.
r% *-t A A A
r-\
REPORT.
In obedience to State law, and in accordance with established usage, the School Committee present their Annual Report.
Our school year opened with very favorable cir- cumstances. A Teachers' Institute, commencing Mon- day, April 8th, and continuing through the week, was an event to us of unusual interest, and highly enjoyed by a large and intelligent company of teach- ers, as well as the citizens generally of this town and vicinity. The town showed their appreciation of the object of the gathering, by offering, in a unanimous vote, the use of their fine Hall, warmed and lighted, for the sittings of the Institute.
A motion was made to appropriate a sum of money to defray necessary expenses, but this was objected to by the friends of education, who pledged them- selves to furnish all the bodily comforts of board, lodg- ing and transportation, which might be needed by the members of the Institute. Proverbially generous and hospitable as are the people of Acton, we never felt more sensibly their liberality than in the present instance ; it was so cheerfully, so gladly rendered, that their kindness was made doubly acceptable and doubly valuable. The Institute was a great success.
With the great-hearted and generous Joseph White for presiding officer, aided by Professors Russell, Ten- ney, and Slocum, Rev. Mr. Northrop, Dr. Sharpe, Mr. Philbrick, Rev. Dr. Hamlin, Hon. Henry K. Oliver, and finally by a highly intelligent and apprehensive audience, it could not well be otherwise.
The lectures of Prof. Russell, on elocution and training the voice, were practical and valuable. Those of Professors Tenney and Slocum were spirited and scientific. Mr. Northrop is always earnest and interesting. Dr. Hamlin gave us a full and graphic account of the government and educational system of Turkey, speaking incidentally of the great improve- ments introduced by the missionaries ; these being matters which he had seen, and heard, and felt, his facts and descriptions were highly relished by the great company which gathered there to hear him.
Nothing, however, seemed to wake up the heart of the whole assembly, more than the patriotic and liberty-loving sentiments casually introduced, and especially by Hon. H. K. Oliver, in the closing ad- dress.
Is it not a little remarkable, that, at that very moment, the great rebellion was breaking out in the bombardment and burning of Fort Sumpter ? Nor was it a less interesting fact, to this town at least, that in this same hall, where so peacefully we had been, day after day, listening to words of wisdom from the lips of men whom we love and delight to honor — there should be, on Monday, April 15th, a hasty assembling of our brave Co. E, with their strong hearts and ready arms, in answer to the call of the President for men to defend the capital. Their part-
ing words, their passage through Baltimore, their reception at Washington, their occupation of the Senate Chamber, and all their doings in the three months' service, are they not all written in our hearts as well as in the chronicles of the day !
This we may safely say; they assembled with alacrity, marched bravely, even through bloody Bal- timore, to the defence of the capital and the govern- ment, performed faithfully every duty, returned in safety, and were received with joy by a great assem- blage of people from all the country.
We write these facts here not merely to make record of them, but to note their influence and signi- ficance.
We are certain the Institute had a very good effect on all our teachers, enlarging their store of knowledge, giving them new ideas, new or improved methods of teaching, and more just and correct impressions of the important work they are called on to perform.
The people generally, too, were interested, and their minds and hearts more thoroughly enlisted in the cause of common school education than ever. Nor was the call made on their liberality without its good influence. We all found it simple truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The only complaint we heard was that there were no more to entertain and the time so short.
Then what are we to learn from this loud call our country makes to us for defenders in this day of her sore trial ? Surely this : That the young men from our common schools must mainly supply this great demand ; that they not only make the best soldiers the country ever saw, but can do anything else
they set themselves about. We learn, too, that while we live on the same continent with barbarians and barbarian institutions, we must be prepared to defend the cause of liberty, not with argument merely, but with strong arms, clear heads, and brave hearts. It was a remark frequently made by Mr. Woodbury, that * a good school had a great deal of the military about it." So we think ; and that our military, from the 15th of April to the present hour, is the grand result of the common school. We fully believe the world never saw an army rising so suddenly from the common business of life, in which promptness of action, quick apprehension, and ready obedience and an ability to do anything and everything, were more notably displayed than in the great army of young men who have left our homes and our schools to fight the battles of liberty.
The first public work of the committee after organ- ization and attending the daily sittings of the Insti- tute, was the permission given to our nine young lady teachers to commence their schools without the formalities of another examination. We had a life- long acquaintance with them all, save one; knew well of all their former success in teaching ; had seen them constant in their attendance at the Institute, and deeply interested in all the exercises ; for these reasons we had great faith in their willingness and ability to perform successfully the great work com- mitted to them.
We considered it very fortunate that every one of them could teach music so far as required to render the exercises of the school-room cheerful, orderly, and
lively. We are happy to say, that in our frequent visits to the various schools, we found our best hopes and highest wishes fully realized.
The teachers were earnest, devoted and faithful ; scholars generally attentive, diligent and obedient. With such a state success is certain.
During the winter term three of our nine teachers were new men. Two of them were [from Tufts Col- lege and one a graduate of Dartmouth. The remain- ing six were the same as last year. The schools were all visited by the committee at least every two weeks in the spring and fall terms ; in the winter term some of them still more frequently. In all our visits we en- deavored to serve the best interests of the school by encouraging and supporting the teachers in all their arduous labors as well as by exciting the scholars to make a great effort to do well their part, both in their studies and their behavior.
We will present as bjrierly as may be our view of the several schools.
i
WftST SCHOOLS.
Alden Fuller, Esq., Local Committee)^^ \
The primary department was taught by Miss. C. E. Mayhew, spring, fall and winter terms. She is well known to you as a faithful and successful teacher ; constantly improving in her methods of teaching and power of governing her school. At the close of the fall term she was made the recipient of a very pretty present, showing the mutual good will existing in the school. Her winter term exceeded in order and im-
8
provement any former effort. During the final exami- nation we began to note the various classes a "good, etc.," but finally found that we must write them all "good" or "very good," which we were right glad to do.
The higher department in the spring and fall terms was in the care of Miss Sophia S. Harris. In view of the cause of the failure of that excellent teacher, the gentle Miss Hersey, last year, we were fully de- termined, that so far as in us lay, there should be a teacher in this school who would not easily be broken down in her government or her health.
Miss Harris, while she is an excellent teacher, is able to govern any school we have. Her success in this effort was very good. During the spring term the old spirit of disobedience appeared very often ; was met by gentle words and kind admonitions ; these failing, more earnest means were resorted to with very positive good effect. The fall term was a per- fect success. The order, interest and improvement of the whole school was very satisfactory. The last day showed the work of the term in a very pleasant manner. Among the exercises deserving particular notice were those of the first grammar class, physi- ology and the various compositions, especially the valedictory. The whole affair finally closed with the presentation to the teacher of some valuable and ap- propriate presents by the scholars, tokens of their kind regards and warm good wishes.
The higher school in winter was taught by Mr. A. C. Fish, of "Wisconsin. He came here with the best recommendations, and proved by his success that he well deserved them. His government was efficient, his motto being, " Do right," thus appealing at once
to the better feelings of the entire school. He had, too, a motto for daily work and universal application, "I paddle my own canoe;" thus teaching by the re- frain of the old song, self-reliance, the necessity of a continual effort with every one to do his own work in order to strengthen his own hands, and to make vigorous, clear, and capable, his own mind. The full success of this manner of teaching was seen in every day's work by those visiting the school during term time, and some of the best results were shown to the great company assembled in Robinson's Hall, at the close of school. These exercises were all good, and the large audience were well pleased with the school, and with the teacher especially. Where every effort is successful, it is a delicate matter to specify.
Among the declamations, we were most pleased with that of young Holman. The singing showed good taste, both in selection and execution. The In- dependent, read by Miss Huggins and Miss Whitney, containing the compositions of the school, displayed earnest thinking and good writing.
An interesting performance was the public notice of those who had not been absent or tardy, or who were for other reasons scholars of merit, by the giving to each a beautiful book, presented by the teacher. The exercises were pleasantly closed by some eloquent and appropriate remarks by the teacher, and a part- ing song by the school.
10
SOUTH SCHOOLS.
Emerson F. Fuller, Local Committee.
The Primary School for the year was taught by Miss L. C. Faulkner. She is one of our very best teachers. Those who wish to know her real worth must see her, as we have, moving around in her school, a guardian angel; ever faithful and always correct in all her teachings, giving her heart and soul for the good of the school, and so becoming life and soul to them all. Her effort has been a daily success in each of the three terms. It was always pleasant, when wearied or discouraged, to drop into this school ; it makes life look all fresh again.
The examination at the close of the fall term was a great day with the school and the crowd of inter- ested visitors who filled the school-room. The lessons in arithmetic and geography, and the reading and spelling, were excellent ; the speaking and singing select and well done.
The winter term, however, was the crowning effort. The order, progress, and general character of the school, was all that we could ask.
At the examination every effort was successful. The reading, recitations in geography, arithmetic, and grammar, would have been called good any- where ; while the speaking and singing showed good taste, correct teaching, and long and patient practice.
The higher school was placed in care of Miss M. C. Harris. She is well known in town as a teacher, having had charge of five of our schools, and has made teaching a business for some years. It is no mean praise to say that Miss H. was able to keep the
11
school up to the high rank at which it has stood un- der former teachers.
The school is large, and numbers among its mem- bers many excellent scholars, who are striving to fit themselves for stations of usefulness in future life. Such scholars have a happy influence on their associ- ates, giving tone and character to all around them. This school, like every other in town, partook largely of the spirit of the times. Marching and running, military exercise and martial music banished entirely the bat and ball and every other boyish play. We were glad to see more training of muscle, strengthen- ing of bone, connected with our schools ; for on health and strength, and good development of body, depend in a great degree all our mental power and usefulness. When the true and proper use of bodily exercise is better understood and practised, then we may confi- dently look for the perfection of health and vigor, both of body and mind.
The examination was a pleasant affair. The read- ing, exercises in arithmetic and grammar, and the recitation in history, were all very good. Speaking of select pieces, and the singing, showed skill, taste, and tenderness, especially in allusion to those " not lost, but gone before."
The higher department, in winter, was placed in charge of Mr. F. C. Nash, of Tufts College. We were well pleased with this young man, and were always happy to witness his energy, spirit, and kindness, in school, as well as the loving, obedient, and respectful manner of all the larger portion of the scholars. This teacher labored faithfully and perseveringly, not mere- ly during school hours, but at all times where he could
12
aid in the progress and increase the interest of his pupils in the business before them; holding weekly meetings for spelling, speaking, reading, and correct- ing compositions, etc.
The examination was an honest display of the exact state of the school. While there was an abundance of blundering among the smaller scholars, the larger divisions appeared remarkably well. Classes in read- ing, grammar, and philosophy, merit distinct and ap- proving notice. Some of the declamations were good. The compositions read by the writers were short and pithy, full of good thoughts, well expressed and evi- dently original, speaking clearly and earnestly on sub- jects in which the writers were personally interested.
The closing performance was the presentation to the teacher of a heavy gold pencil, by Miss Minerva Shattuck, in behalf of the school. It was a tasteful and significant gift, speaking clearly of the thought- ful love of the school for a kind and faithful teacher.
NORTH SCHOOL.
James Keyes, Jr., Local Committee.
Mr. Keyes placed Miss M. J. Harris in this school for the spring and fall terms. She is a teacher of good experience, has always been successful in her schools, both in her government and instruction. This is a small school, and one in which it is difficult to maintain that life and spirit so absolutely neces- sary to great success. There were some very prom- ising scholars in school, and for the comfort of the teacher and the good of the school, we were very glad
13
there were. The teacher's work is sufficiently diffi- cult and trying with good material ; without it, no one can know a teacher's discouragement and anxiety but by making the experiment. Miss H. labored constantly, faithfully, and with good success ; for, as we have often had occasion to say, success in school is the result of labor, persistent and well-directed labor. Our great regret in connection with this school was, that there were no more partakers of its benefits.
The winter school was taught by Mr. Peck, the teacher of last year. He is everything in school but just master ; pleasant and polite in his manner ; clear, methodical, and correct in all his teachings, his success would have been great and certain but for this one defect. We believe it was not because he did not possess the power of government, but that he did not fully realize the necessity for using it. There are many good scholars in this district, and while they must have been annoyed by the easy state of things aroundUhem, performed their parts exceedingly well. The class in the higher arithmetic and in grammar made good progress. The compositions were well written and well read.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.'
William A. Wilde, Committee.
Miss Nellie J. Fletcher, of this district, was em- ployed to teach this school. Her success in her efforts last year gave promise of a good school this season.
14
The school always appeared well when visited ; was quiet, orderly, and studious. Under the gentle but effective rule of this teacher, everything seemed to move on day by day smoothly and happily. There was no dash or display, but a steady and regular effort to accomplish the true mission of the school. The order, improvement, and general character of the school were very commendable. The examination was well attended by parents and others, and gave, at a glance, the pleasant result of a happy school. We noticed especially the reading and grammar, the singing and compositions. In both these last exer- cises, one who had suddenly left them, with the dew of his childhood yet fresh upon him, was tenderly remembered.
The winter term was commenced by Mr. Wiggin, a graduate of Dartmouth. We were well pleased with his manner of managing a school, with the thor- oughness and precision of his instructions, and we think it is equally true that the school all hold him in high esteem for his efforts among them. We had the most pleasant anticipations of his entire success. Indeed we expected this school would stand far higher than ever, and equal if not exceed the best in town.
But in week the teacher vanished, and the
school came to a sudden and untimely end.
CENTRE SCHOOLS.
The higher department of the spring and fall terms was placed in care of Miss S. A. Dole. She is well and favorably known as a teacher in this district. She entered the school with spirit and hope; pursued
15
her course earnestly and faithfully; and though she did not give perfect satisfaction to every one, deserves much praise for her long-continued labor and well- directed efforts in her school.
The final examination was very pleasant, showing good improvement in all the various studies pursued during the term; satisfying the large company of visitors that this had been a happy and prosperous school.
The Primary School was taught by Miss Clara Wetherbee during the year.
She has the very desirable power of maintaining order among her little folks, and at the same time keeping wide awake their interest in the real business before them. This faculty of pleasant government and its good results were the most notable features of the school.
The examination at the close of the fall term was largely attended by parents and friends, who wit- nessed the performances of the school with great in- terest and hearty approval.
The winter term was a happy repetition of her former efforts. The same cheerful energy, patient labor, and constant effort, which gave character to the summer terms, were here seen every day. Good order and general improvement were quite commend- able. We notice in particular the grammar class, the recitations and the singing. The greatest satisfaction was felt and expressed by visitors most deeply inter- ested in the school.
The higher department of the winter school was placed in care of L. Conant, Jr., the efficient teacher of last year. We have had occasion to say many
16
good things of this teacher, and could say still more, were any words of ours needful to inform the town of the manifold labors and abundant success of this our highly favored citizen. His history is written in something better and more enduring than a school report — in the minds and hearts of grateful pupils and thankful parents.
For these many years he has done in our schools important and enduring labor. The government and instruction in this school were of the most correct, energetic, and efficient character. No error or mis- take, however slight, was suffered to pass without due notice by the teacher. He went on the great fact, that all scholars, the moment they enter the school expect to be governed, and if need be, punished; they expect, too, to be required to do their whole duty in regard to study as well as behavior. Even good scholars need looking after. Franklin says, " The eye of the master doth more work than both his hands." This is a general fact, and as applicable to the school- room as to the workshop or the farm. The teacher who fails to understand the demands of the times in regard to the maintenance of vigorous discipline, will find that he is rapidly losing the love and respect of his school and community, while all he will gain will be their pity or their contempt.
We introduce here, for the benefit of those who do not visit the schools, the work of a single day and of every day in Mr. Conant's school.
DAILY ORDER OF EXERCISES IN THE CENTRE SCHOOL,
Winter Term.
Reading in Testament, two verses read by each scholar. Second Class in Written Arithmetic.
17
Second Class in Reading and Spelling. Third Class in Reading and Spelling.
RECESS.
Fourth Class in Reading and Spelling.
Class in History of United States.
Class in Elements of Grammar and Analysis.
First Class in Grammar.
Second Class in Analysis and Parsing.
AFTERNOON.
First Class in Analysis.
First Class in Reading and Spelling.
Second Class in Primary Geography.
First Class in Primary Geography.
Class in Grammar School Geography.
RECESS.
Class in Algebra.
Class in Primary Arithmetic.
Second Class in Mental Arithmetic.
First Class in Mental Arithmetic.
Third Class in Written Arithmetic.
First Class in Written Arithmetic.
(This recitation was usually heard after school hours.)
It will be seen in a moment that here is work to be done which could be accomplished only by the most systematic and persistent application. Every- thing from morning till night went on like clock- work. No sooner was one class retiring from recita- tions, than the next would be seen advancing lightly and actively to take their places. There was no aim- less talk, but every word of the teacher went straight to the point. In reading, errors of pronunciation, accent, or inflection, were instantly and sharply cor- rected. Errors in grammar were not overlooked; double negatives, disagreement of the verb with its nominative, and the use of "done" for did, received especial attention.
18
The examination, though it happened on a most inclement day, called out as many visitors as the house would hold. The whole company were highly gratified by the thoroughness with which everything was done. Every class and every scholar appeared before us, all striving in real earnest to do their best ; and we are glad to say they all did well and most of them very well. Good progress was made in all the studies pursued ; in reading, spelling, and grammar, the improvement was most marked and satisfactory. The school, take it altogether, was one of unusual excellence, and teacher and scholars merited and received the highest commendation.
The scholars themselves got up some pretty songs and some very appropriate declamations, which gave a pleasant variety to the examination ; but the main labor of the teacher — and it was very great — was spent on the common and useful branches of an every day education.
EAST SCHOOL. James E. Billings, Local Committee.
Miss Susan A. Davis has had the charge of this school for some years. She has established a character for faithfulness, energy, and enduring patience, of the most desirable order. Few teachers are so generally loved and trusted both by parents and scholars.
When a teacher is seen every day performing her important duties with an abiding feeling of responsi- bility, not to her employers merely, but to the higher
19
powers as well, every one bestows on her their respect and confidence. A teacher having this manifest ap- proval of the people and of her own heart, is in a condition which enables her to do great service in her school, both to mind and body, morals and man- ners of her pupils.
This work was done, and well done, by this teacher. The whole course of the schoo], and especially the fall examination, showed excellent progress in study and development of mind, which were very pleasing to a large company of visitors.
The winter term opened with this teacher at her post of duty, as ready and fresh for her work as if this were her first effort. She managed her large school with care and prudence, and at the time with a decision and energy which never faltered. The results, as we saw them every few days, were of the most pleasant character.
The school was respectful, orderly, and studious, deserving the approbation of the committee and the thanks of the district.
The examination was very fully attended. Parents and other visitors were much pleased with the exer- cises, the order and good appearance of the pupils. Indeed they might well be proud of their school.
Thoroughly interested parents cooperating with an efficient and devoted teacher will make a good school, even in a small, old, and inconvenient house. This school was never in a better state than at the present moment, which, considering its uniform good standing for many years, we consider high praise of this young lady teacher, and yet no more than she richly deserves.
We have thus endeavored to give the town a very brief account of the several schools.
20
Of our own doings we shall say but little. They are already recorded. Our aim has ever been to sup- port and encourage the teachers ; to give all proper and needful aid in government and in all their efforts to keep the school in good working order, leaving details and execution entirely in the hands of the person in charge. We have always ventured earnest- ly to suggest the great propriety of teaching the use- ful rather than ornamental, the common rather than the higher studies, and of these we have more partic- ularly insisted on the most systematic and thorough training in reading, spelling, and practical grammar. A perfect acquaintance with these is absolutely nec- essary, even to a decent education.
The proposition to have a new school-house in the West District has been warmly advocated. There are some objections. If we build a new house there, we must do the same thing at the South and in the Centre, for the accomodations are about the same at each place ; and more than this, if a change of house is really needed in any district, it is in the East. Their house is more worn, smaller and more inconvenient in proportion to the number of scholars than any other in town ; and finally, with our resources very much diminished and our expenses heavily increased by this grievous war, it seems to us very desirable no outlays of money, except those which are called for by absolute necessity, should be made at least for the present.
The school-houses should be kept in good repair, and made as comfortable as possible. This is good economy and good policy. The better the condition
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of our houses are the less will they be abused and defaced. The more comfortable and healthful they are, so much the more can be done in study and vig- orous thinking; for earnest and profitable study can well be done only when the laws of health are per- fectly obeyed.
If it is not thought too great an outlay in these hard times we would earnestly suggest the propriety of discarding at once the old " box stoves " and sub- stituting Chilson's cast iron ventilating stove. We advocate this all the more readily because we have had for some years on most of our houses half a ven- tilator; the upper and more expensive half, but no provision for admitting pure vital air from the abun- dant supply in the outer world. It will be seen at once that our ventilators have been about as useful as an old bachelor or half a pair of scissors ; we hope the town will think best to add the other half, making the whole affair healthful and perfect.
In view of the possibility that State aid may fail us in these war times, we hope the town will do their best in providing the means of carrying on our schools the coming year ; for although it is a time of trial and suffering, it is no time to abate our interest in the cause of universal education. It is no time to cripple the energies and diminish the usefulness of the schools for the whole people. If they ever need- ed it, they especially need fostering now, while the attention and the heart of the people are absorbed in other matters.
Present welfare and the future honor of our town depend in great measure on the success of our efforts in the diffusion of knowledge.
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Inasmuch as the present rebellion, which shakes the country to its deep foundations, is the offspring of ignorance and wickedness, it must be met and overcome by intelligence and virtue.
We feel certain the town will forgive our frequent allusions to the war now raging, when they remem- ber that all we see, or hear, or read, speaks to us of its sad work ; warning us with an earnest voice to be ready for any and every emergency ; especially when we miss so many familiar faces from almost every school, and feel that even now they may be engaged in the deadly strife of battle. We could never be reconciled to this state of things were it not for the bright hope that universal freedom is to be the grand and final result.
HARRIS COWDREY,
For the Committee.
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EXPENSES OF THE SOUTH SCHOOL.
South Acton, Feb. 21, 1862.
Amount received from Town Treasurer, $370 84 Balance on hand from last year, 6 18
$377 02
SPRING TERM.
Miss Martha Harris, 10 wks., at $4 75 per wk., $47 50 " Charlotte C. Faulkner 9 weeks, at $4 00, 36 00
FALL TERM.
" Martha Harris, 10 weeks, $4 75, 47 50
" Charlotte C. Faulkner, 10 weeks, $4 00, 40 00
WINTER TERM.
Mr. F. C. Nash, 11 weeks, at $10 00 per week, 110 00 Miss Charlotte C. Faulkner, 11 weeks, $4 75, 52 25
|
$333 25 |
|||
|
id for wood, |
28 13 |
||
|
" building fires and sweeping '. u washing house, " 2 chairs, 2 brooms, " lock, pails, and chalk, |
house, |
3 00 135 1 50 115 |
|
|
a team to town, |
$377 02 368 88 |
50 |
|
|
$368 88 |
|||
|
Balance due the District, |
$8 |
14 |
|
|
E. |
FULLEK. |
24
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Appropriation, $370 85
Received of J. Blodget, 90
■ $37175 Paid for wood, 23 00
" Clara Wetherbee, teaching 20 weeks, 75 00 S, A. Dole, « 20 « 92 50
? L. Conant, Jr., 12 weeks, winter term, 120 00 " Clara Wetherbee, winter term, 48 00
" care of the house, building fires, etc., 6 78
$365 28 Balance in my hands, $6 47
Harris Cowdrey.
SOUTH EAST SCHOOL.
March 15, 1862. Length of School, Summer and Fall, each 12 weeks. " a " Winter, 11 weeks and 4 days.
Money left over last year, $20 96
Received from Town, 220 00
$240 96
Paid Teachers' Salary, 226 19
" for wood, 8 50
Making fires, 3 00
Cleaning house, 1 12
Repairs on house, chalk, dipper, and broom, 1 55
$240 36 Leaving a balance of 60 cents over.
W. A. Wilde.
25
EAST SCHOOL.
Paid Miss S. A. Davis, Spring Term, 10 wks.,
$4 75, $47 50
li Miss S. A. Davis, Fall Term, 13 weeks,
$4 75, 6175
a Miss S. A. Davis, Winter Term, 16 wks,,
§6 50, 104 00
« For wood, 23 05
" building fire, 2 00
" washing house, 125
" window curtains, 1 11
" broom, 30
" paH, 20
« chalk, 20
« 2 dippers, 10
a glass and setting, 60
u repairing lock and key, 50
$242 56
Eeceived of the Town, $220 00
Balance in Committee's hands last year, 29 94
249 94 242 56
Balance in Committee's hands, 7 38
James E. Billings.
WEST SCHOOL.
July 13, 1862. Appropriation, $370 85
26
SPRING TERM.
Paid Miss Sophia Harris, for 10 weeks, at
|
iC |
$5 00, Miss Mayhew, for 10 weeks, at $4 00, FALL TERM. |
$50 00 40 00 |
|
66 |
Miss Harris, for 10 weeks, at $5 00, Miss Mayhew, for 10 weeks, at $4 00, WINTER TERM. |
$50 00 40 00 |
|
a 66 |
A. C. Fish, for 11 weeks at $10 00, Miss Mayhew, for 11 weeks at $4 50, Isaac Reed, for wood, for making fires, |
$110 00 49 50 16 75 4 00 |
|
a |
for chalk, |
25 |
|
66 66 66 |
for washing floors, for 3 tin dippers, for 5 brooms, Leaving in my hands, Alden ] |
1 50 36 125 |
|
$363 61 7 24 Fuller. |
||
|
NORTH DISTRICT. |
||
|
App |
ropriation, $220 03 |
|
|
Paid for 2 1-2 cords wood, |
1125 |
|
|
66 66 66 66 |
for sawing " Jennie M. Harris, for 18 weeks, L. V. N. Peck, for 3 months, for building fires, |
2 81 8100 120 00 2 00 |
217 06 $217 06
Balance, $2 97
James Keyes, Committee.
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STATISTICAL TABLE FOE 1861-62.
|
.2 |
H |
2 |
£ |
a |
||||||
|
g |
00 |
1 |
45 |
IH |
s |
|||||
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Districts. |
NAMES OF TEACHERS. |
o o U2-B u_ a 1% a a >-) |
o a s A ■a 1 |
i o "S 3 o a < |
.g cg O d 'o |
A o W2 «w o i i g > < |
O E | «o u > O 6 |
u P 6 |
Si 2 a o 6 8 |
u 1 o "3 3 m |
|
SPRING. |
||||||||||
|
Centre, |
( S. Augusta Dole, ) Clara Wetherbee, |
24 |
$19.00 |
$47.50 |
.36 |
31 |
1 |
0 |
00 |
11 |
|
2i |
15.00 |
37.50 |
37 |
35 |
0 |
3 |
00 |
12 |
||
|
West, |
( Sophia Harris, { Carrie E. Mayhew, |
24 |
20.00 |
50.00 |
36 |
31 |
1 |
0 |
00 |
4 |
|
24 |
16.00 |
40.00 |
46 |
35 |
0 |
5 |
00 |
1 |
||
|
South, |
( Martha C. Harris, | Lottie C. Faulkner, |
24 |
19.00 |
47.50 |
49 |
40 |
1 |
0 |
00 |
9 |
|
n |
16.00 |
36.00 |
46 |
34 |
0 |
9 |
00 |
9 |
||
|
East, |
S. Augusta Davis, |
n |
19.00 |
61.75 |
34 |
29 |
0 |
1 |
00 |
1 |
|
S. East, |
Nellie J. Fletcher, |
3 |
18.00 |
54.00 |
39 |
32 |
1 |
0 |
00 |
11 |
|
North, |
Jennie M. Harris, |
24 |
19.00 |
47.50 |
32 |
26 |
1 |
2 |
00 |
7 |
|
234 |
$161.00 |
$421.75 |
335 |
293 |
5 |
20 |
||||
|
FALL. |
||||||||||
|
Centre, |
( S. Augusta Dole, I Clara Wetherbee, |
24 |
$18.00 |
$45.00 |
33 |
28 |
3 |
0 |
40 |
9 |
|
24 |
15.00 |
37-50 |
38 |
35 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
8 |
||
|
West, |
( Sophia Harris, { Carrie E. Mayhew, |
24 |
20.00 |
50.00 |
38 |
31 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
|
24 |
16.00 |
40.00 |
53 |
47 |
0 |
6 |
50 |
5 |
||
|
South |
( Martha C. Harris, ( Lottie C. Faulkner, |
24 |
19.00 |
47.50 |
47 |
39 |
2 |
0 |
40 |
6 |
|
24 |
16.00 |
40.00 |
47 |
37 |
0 |
4 |
50 |
12 |
||
|
East, |
S. Augusta Davis, |
24 |
19.00 |
47.50 |
38 |
32 |
1 |
3 |
25 |
1 |
|
S. East, |
Nellie J. Fletcher, |
3 |
18.00 |
54.00 |
40 |
36 |
1 |
0 |
20 |
6 |
|
North, |
Jennie M. Harris, |
2 |
19.00 |
38.00 |
31 |
25 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
224 |
$160.00 |
$399.50 |
366 |
310 |
9 |
16 |
||||
|
WINTER. |
||||||||||
|
Centre, |
Luther Conant, |
U |
$40.00 |
$120.00 |
54 |
50 |
21 |
0 |
30 |
12 |
|
West, South, |
A. Crosby Fish, |
21 |
40.00 |
110.00 |
57 |
55 |
15 |
0 |
200 |
7 |
|
Fred. C. Nash, |
2| |
40.00 |
110.00 |
52 |
46 |
25 |
1 |
|||
|
East, |
S.. Augusta Davis, |
4 |
26.00 |
104.00 |
37 |
32 |
4 |
1 |
60 |
2 |
|
S. East, |
Geo. T. Wiggin, |
3 |
40.00 |
120.00 |
39 |
|||||
|
North, |
L. V. N. Peck, |
3 |
40.00 |
120.00 |
45 |
40 |
18 |
2 |
40 |
|
|
184 |
$226.00 |
$684.00 |
284 |
223 |
53 |
3 |
||||
|
WINTER PRIMARY. |
||||||||||
|
Centre, |
Clara Wetherbee, |
3 |
16.00 |
$48.00 |
41 |
36 |
0 |
20 |
5 |
|
|
South, |
Lottie E. Faulkner, |
2| |
18.00 |
49.50 |
52 |
44 |
60 |
7 |
||
|
West, |
Carrie E. Mayhew, |
2| |
18.00 |
49,50 |
49 |
40 |
80 |
9 |
||
|
84 |
$52.00 |
$147.10 |
142120 |
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
In obedience to a vote of the town, the following report is subjoined. It will be seen that all the details which by law are required to be collected and recorded by the Town Clerk, have not been given. Perhaps it would be improper to do so.
Such items as are of general interest, it is believed, will be found embodied therein. In this connection, the attention of those upon whom the responsibility rests, is called to the importance of having as full and perfect returns of all Births, Deaths, and Marriages, that occur in town, as possible, that our records may be reliable and complete.
Persons noticing any errors or omissions, will con- fer a favor by giving notice thereof to the Clerk.
BIRTHS IN ACTON IN 1861.
Jan'y 7, — A son to Orra and Catherine Boncey. " 9, Carrie Etta, daughter of Aaron C. and Harriet
Handley. " 11, Carrie Evelyn, daughter of Edwin and Mary
Fletcher. « id, Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of John and Eliza A.
Phillips. " 21, Daniel, son of Dennis and Betsey Shehan. " 31, Cora, daughter of Frederick and Sarah Bouil-
lard.
29
Feb. 16, Albert L. Brooks, son of Henry and Harriet E. Brooks. " 18, Charles Ellis, son of Charles and Percis P. Rob- inson. Albert F., son of Simon and Nancy D. Robbins. A son to Andrew and Eliza Hapgood. Mar. 16, Lottie Evelina, daughter of Reuben and Caro- line M. Handley. Harry V., son of Yarnum and Sarah L. Tuttle. In Townsend, Geo. P., son of Yarnum B. and
D. Elizabeth Mead.
Edgar Henry, son of Enoch and Emeline Hall.
Milton Lewis, son of Thomas and Martha Tay- lor.
Usher Jones, son of Francis and Charlotte L.
Brown. A son to Reuben and Lydia Green. May 4, Loretta Tuttle, daughter of John E. and Emma
E. Hosmer. Fred Augustus, son of Augustus and Carrie A.
Hosmer.
Charles Eddy, son of George W. and Caroline B. Bradford.
James William, son of James and Joanna Ogle.
David Thomas, son of Richard and Eliza Kins- ley. June 15, John, son of Daniel and Elizabeth Jane Mur-
pky-
" 17, Pierce, son of John and Eliza Powers. July 17, Mary, daughter of Michael and Ellen Phalen. " 25, George Leonard, son of David W. and Harriet
Hosmer. " 26, Cordelia Elizabeth, daughter of Joel F. and Sarah E. Haywood. Aug. 7, Michael, son of John and Julia McCarthy. " 13, Mary Helen, daughter of James and Margaret Todd.
|
a |
25, |
|
a |
26, |
|
Mar. |
16, |
|
a |
W. |
|
a |
18, |
|
a |
25, |
|
April |
2, |
|
a |
12, |
|
a |
29, |
|
May |
4, |
|
a |
5, |
|
a |
5, |
|
a |
16, |
|
a |
22, |
30
Aug. 25, Frank Ellsworth, son of George M. and Char- lotte Maria Pike. Sept. 17, Ellen Elizabeth, daughter of Martin B. and Hen- rietta Moore. " 17, A son to Henry and Adeline Haynes. " 17, Mary Spaulding, daughter of Elisha H. and Mary E. Cutler. Oct. 8, A son to Gilbert T. and Sarah A. Webber. " 26, Albert, son of Thomas and Maria Russell. Nov. 1, Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Dane. " 9, Harriet Eliza, daughter of John and Laura A.
Johnston. " 16, Rosanna, daughter of Marian and Rosa Miner. Dec. 4, Bernard, son of Michael and Margaret Harring- ton. 25 males, and 14 females. Total 39.
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN 1861.
Date of Marriage Names of the Parties.
1. Jan. 20 — William F. Newton of Marlborough, and
Nellie A. Wheeler of Acton.
2. Feb. 13 — Elias E. Haynes and Abby E. Wright, both
of Concord.
3. Feb. 21 — Asaph Parlin, Jr., and Candace M. Pike, both
of Acton.
4. Feb. 24 — Joseph F. Carr of Acton, and Emerline M.
Pierce of Jaffrey, N. H.
5. April 7 — T. Frederick Noyes and Sarah C. Livermore,
both of Acton.
6. May 2 — William E. Stearns and Carrie E. Lothrop,
both of Acton.
7. May 8 — James Miller of Sutton, C. E., and Ann
Maria Craven of Sudbury.
31
8. May 24 — "Winthrop E. "Wood and Lydia Ann Bruce,
both of Acton.
9. June 19 — James L. Parker of Acton, and Frances Em-
eline Goding of Sudbury.
10. July 3 — Calvin Cummings and Eliza A. Brown, both
of Acton.
11. Aug. 2 — Gustavus D. Pike of Topsfield, and Sarah
Jane Tuttle of Acton.
12. Aug, 22 — George A. Faxon and Minnie C. Ingalls,both
of Boston.
13. Sept. 1 — Samuel Patch, Jr., of "Weston, and Elizabeth
Jane Noyes of Concord.
14. Oct. 11 — David W. Hapgood of Boston, and Ann M.
Stockwell of Acton.
15. Oct. 13 — Albert T. Edmonds and Sarah A. Sawyer,
both of Acton.
16. Oct. 20 — Daniel F. Tarbell of Acton, and Georgiana
Saunders of Sudbury.
17. Nov. 7 — Levi Wetherbee and Mrs. Abigail Chaffin,
both of Acton.
18. Dec. 3 — Solomon Fletcher of Groton, and Mary Sophia
Phillips of Acton.
19. Dec. 8 — Charles H. Tuttle of Boston, and Loretta
Tuttle of Acton.
DEATHS IN 1861.
Date of Death.
Jan'y 2 — Mrs. Eunice Conant, wife of Abraham Conant,
Esq., aged 67 years. Feb'y 16 — Hattie Skinner, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Skinner, aged 5 years. " 17 — Aaron, son of Charles and Ann Wheeler, aged
2 years 2 months. « 22 — Dolly Smith, widow of Ebenezer Smith, aged 90 years.
32
March 1 — Caroline F. Wheeler, daughter of Jona and Mary A. Wheeler, aged 20 years. " 10 — Mrs. Betsy Brown, widow of Nath'l G. Brown,
aged 77 years. *
" 16 — Charles A. Faulkner, son of Winthrop E. and
Martha A. Faulkner, aged 18 years. " 18 — Lucy Oliver, widow of Abijah Oliver, aged 83 years. April 11 — Calvin F. Piper, son of Calvin W. and Dolly M. Piper, aged 6 years. " 23 — Captain Silas Jones, son of Aaron Jones, aged 74
years. " 14 — Lena, daughter of Christine and Louisa Her- mann, aged 2 years. May 6 — Mr. Edward Wetherbee, senior, aged 79 years. " 22 — Mr. Jedediah Tuttle, aged 76 years. " 24 — John W. Schouler, son of William and Elizabeth
Schouler, aged 2 years. " 30 — William A Schouler, son of William and Susan Schouler, aged 10 years. June 4 — Edson H., son of Henry and Louisa Barker, aged 1 year. " 12 — Mrs. Louisa W. Adams, wife of Nathaniel S.
Adams, aged 48 years. " 12 — Mrs. Clarinda B. Pickens, wife of Bradford
Pickens, aged 31 years. " 16 — Margaret Conolly, daughter of Patrick and Kate
Conolly, aged 3 years. « 24 — Kate Conolly, daughter of Patrick and Kate Conolly, aged 17 years 6 months. July 23 — Ann Conolly, daughter of Patrick and Kate Con- olly, aged 5 years. Aug't 20 — Abraham Conant, Esq., aged 77 years 10 mos. « 21 — Mr. Joel Wright, aged 68 years 1 month. « 24 — Eoscoe P. Walker, son of Samuel and Harriet Walker, aged 10 years.
33
Aug. 28 — Francis T. Robbins, son of Francis and Nancy
Bobbins, aged 9 years Sept'r 9 — Harry V., son of Varnum and Sarah L. Tuttle, aged 5 months. " 12 — Mrs. Abby K. Farnum, daughter of Jonas K. and
Phebe Putney, aged 29 years. " 13 — Mr. Emery P. Smith, aged 29 years 6 months. " 17 — Miss Jennie M. Keith, aged 19 years 1 month. " 19 — Sargent "W. Adams, son of Nathaniel S. and
Lucy W. Adams, aged 22 years. " 19 — E. Lucian Bobbins, son of Silly and Joanna Rob- bins, aged 22 years. Oct'r 1 — Mr. Lemuel Hildreth, (a native of "Westford), aged 80 years. " 26 — Albert F., son of Simon and Nancy D. Robbins,
aged 8 months. u 27 — John Hannon, son of Michael and Mary Hannon, aged 7 years. Nov'r 1 — Atwood Mortimer, son of Alonzo L. and Eleanor Tuttle, aged 3 years 9 months. « 30 — Augustus Hosmer, son of Samuel Hosmer of Harvard, aged 28 years. Total, - - - - - 36
WM. D. TUTTLE, Town Cleric.
:4
SELECTMEN'S REPORT,
FROM
FEBRUARY 26, 1861, TO FEBRUARY 26, 1862.
RECEIPTS. $7321 49
EXPENDITURES.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS. Paid James Keyes for N. East School, $220 00 James E. Billings, for East School, 220 00 W. A. Wilde, for. S. East School, 220 00 Dr. H. Cowdrey, for Centre School, 370 85 A. Fuller, for West School, 370 85
E. F. Fuller, for South School, 370 84
f 1772 54
REPAIRS ON SCHOOL HOUSES. Paid Jas. Keyes, Jr., for repairs on North
school house, $2 00
G. T. Webber, for stove pipe for the
South school house in 1860, 3 06
Do., for stove and pipe for the South
East school house, 18 74
Eben Davis, for repairs on East school
house, 2 00
A. Fuller, for repairs on West school
house, 3 15
F. Dwight, for labor and material for
South school house, in April, 1861, 5 28 Do., do., in Sept. and Dec, 9 38
$43 61
35
SCHOOL BOOKS, PRINTING, Etc.
Paid for printing report of school commit- tee for '60, '61, $28 00 Dr. H. Cowdrey, for school books for
the year '60, 30 00
W. D. Tuttle, for printing and re- cording by-laws, 4 00 J. Tuttle & Co., for order book, 1 87 B. Tolman, for printing town warrants, 8 50 " " selectmen's rep't, '61, 7 50 " " overseer's do., '61, 4 00 Dr. Cowdrey, for examining teachers, superintending schools, and writing report for '60, '61, D. Wetherbee, for tax book, W. D. Tuttle, express and postage on
books, B. Tolman, printing notices,
" <{ warrant for town
meeting,
|
60 00 |
|
4 00 |
|
L 2 91 |
|
1 25 |
|
L 1 50 |
$153 53
REPAIRS ON TOWN BUILDINGS, Etc.
Paid J. M. Wright, 4 1-2 days' labor re- pairing buildings on town farm, $6 75 Windows and lumber for same, 1 80
J. M. Wright, new hearse house, 125 00 Windows and blinds for same, 6 00
T. G. F. Jones, painting flag-staff and
railing around the monument, 6 08
A. & O. W. Mead, 7 M. shingles for
the town farm buildings, 21 00
Geo. H. Harris, oiling railing in town hall, 25
$166 88
36
ABATEMENT AND DISCOUNT ON TAXES. Paid W. E. Conant, abatement on taxes/60, $18 90 " " discount on taxes, 248 14
$267 04
ROADS AND ^BRIDGES.
Paid J. W. Livermore, breaking roads, '61, $3 00 Nathan Brooks, 52 hours, " " Daniel Fletcher, 342 " « « Samuel Hosmer, 59 " « « L. W. Piper, 61 « A. L. Tuttle, 198 « Moses Hayward, 135 " " " Geo. C. Wright, 264 " « " A. A. Tuttle, 108 " J. W. Teel, 157 « « Charles Wheeler, 44 « « " E. C. Parker, 32 hours' breaking roads, Henry Brooks, 106 " Chas. Tuttle, 201 « Thomas Taylor, 18 « W. H. Reed, 10 « A. S. Fletcher, " J. W. Wheeler, 22 " Francis Kinsley, sluice in road near
D. Wetherbee's, '56, Francis Kinsley, interest on same,
" " building road in S.
Acton, 111 00
Henry Haynes, repairs on roads, 1859,
'60, 3 50
Martin Pike, repairs on road near
Robbins' mill, 14 75
D. Harris, repairs and railing bridge
near do., 8 00 Amount carried forward, $375 03
|
6 50 |
|
42 75 |
|
7 37 |
|
7 62 |
|
24 75 |
|
16 86 |
|
33 00 |
|
13 50 |
|
19 62 |
|
5 50 |
|
4 00 |
|
13 25 |
|
25 12 |
|
2 25 |
|
1 25 |
|
80 |
|
2 75 |
|
6 00 |
|
1 89 |
37
Amount brought forward, $375 03
H. Brooks, repairs on road near J.
Whitney's, 8 00
Carles Tuttle, repairs on road near
town farm, 12 12
Daniel Fletcher, stone and work on
bridge near the powder mill, 73 82
Do., repairs on bridge near Dwight's
factory, 2 00
G. W. Gates, lumber for powder mill
bridge, 29 39
Cyrus Fletcher, lumber and work on
do., 52 41
Geo. L. Prescott, lumber, do., 21 21
1858, 1 89 A. A. Tuttle, repairs on road near E.
C. Brown's, 7 62
E. Davis, railing bridge near L. Davis', 5 00
" repairs on bridge near A.
Chaffin's, 5 00
M. Hannon, grading S. Acton and
Assabet road, 61 00
George Conant, gravel for same, 18 00
Town of "Westford, running line and
setting stone post between West- ford and Acton, 63 Do., between Carlisle and Acton, 2 40 Setting stone posts between Littleton
and Acton, 1 28
A. S. Fletcher, stone posts for new r'd, 1 60
" " « " town line, 3 00
railing on Dwight bridge, 75
$682 15
(( • u
38
APPROPRIATION FOR SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES.
Paid W. E. Faulkner, for Acton Davis
Guards, $203 70
W. E. Faulkner, for families of do., 220 15 A. Fuller, reception of do., 334 15
Z. Taylor, for soldier's families, 1039 86 Horace Tuttle,for carrying 23 soldiers
to Lowell on the 16th April, '61, 11 50
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Paid Daniel Tuttle, for support of poor,
'60, '61, $171 00
W. F. Conant, balance as per over- seers' report, '61, 39 37
TOWN OFFICERS.
$210 37
PaidD.W. Tuttle, services as town clerk, $15 00 " " collecting and record'g
41 births, 8 20
" " recording 42 deaths, 6 20
" " " 19 marrriages, 1 90
" " issuing 4 dog licenses, 40
Zoheth Taylor, services as selectman, 20 00 " " running lines and es- tablishing bounds between West- ford, Carlisle, Littleton, Boxboro', Concord, Acton, 7 00
Zoheth Taylor, receiving and paying
out aid to soldiers' families, 10 00 Alden Fuller, services as selectman, 17 00 Jonas K. Putney, do., do., 15 00 " " running and estab- Amount carried forward, $100 70
39
Amount brought forward, $100 70
lishing town lines between West- ford, Carlisle, Littleton, 3 00
Dan'l Wetherbee, services as assessor, 4 days,
James Tuttle, do., do., 7 days,
W. D. Tuttle, do., do., 7 1-2 days, " " copying taxes,
" " assessor's returns,
W. F. Conant, collector, u " constable,
|
6 00 |
|
10 50 |
|
1125 |
|
2 00 |
|
1 50 |
|
75 00 |
|
4 00 |
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
|
6 30 |
|
5 85 |
|
6 00 |
|
1 17 |
|
42 |
$213 95
Paid Eben. Conant, interest on note, $106 83 ~W. F. Conant, journey to pay interest, 1 00 George W. Sawyer, tolling bell for 17
deaths in '60, '61, 3 40
Geo. W. Sawyer, tolling bell for 10
deaths in '61, '62, 2 00
Eri Huggins, do., 9 do., '60, '61, 1 80
A. T. Edmonds, do.. 6 do., '61, '62, 1 20 J. E. Harris, do., 16 do., '61, '62, 3 20
P. Tenny, for insuring town house, 38 50 W. D. Tuttle, running line between
Acton and Boxboro', 2 00
Do., surveying and making sketch of
burying ground, 5 00
Sawyer & Edmonds, 10 1-2 gallons
fluid for town hall, Do., opening town hall 13 times, Do., teachers' institute, Do., opening town hall 7 times, Do., broom, Amount carried forward, $184 67
40
Amount brought forward, $184 67
Horace Tuttle, opening town hall,
teaming safe, ringing bell, etc., 6 00 C. Twitchell, repairs on hearse, 2 85 Daniel Tuttle, digging graves and at- tending funerals for 27 persons, 43 74 Do., returning 28 deaths, 2 80 Edwin Sawyer, hearse runners, 30 00 " " fitting same to body, 1 00
$271 06
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY, Feb. 26, 1862. RECEIPTS.
Balance in the treasury Feb. 26, 1861,
State Military Bounty, 1860,
State, for armory rent, 1860,
State tax, 1861,
County tax, 1861,
Town grant, 1861,
Highway deficiencies,
Overlay on taxes,
State School Fund,
Use of town hall,
Dog tax,
Town of Boxboro',
Grass on town common,
$7321 49
|
$1259 25 |
|
367 00 |
|
50 00 |
|
303 00 |
|
880 24 |
|
4200 00 |
|
10 57 |
|
164 57 |
|
72 54 |
|
6 32 |
|
4 00 |
|
2 50 |
|
150 |
|
EXPENDITURES. Paid for support of schools, repairs on school houses, school books and printing, repairs on town buildings, etc., Amount carried forward, |
1772 54 43 61 153 53 166 88 |
$2136 56
41
Amount brought forward, $2136 56
abatement and discount on taxes, 267 04 roads and bridges, 682 15
appropriations for soldiers and aid
|
of soldiers' families, |
1809 36 |
|
|
support of poor, '60, '61, |
210 37 |
|
|
town officers, |
213 95 |
|
|
miscellaneous expenses, |
271 06 |
|
|
State Tax, |
303 00 |
|
|
County Tax, |
880 24 |
$6773 73 |
|
in the treasury Feb. 26, 1862, |
$547 76 |
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN,
Fef, 26, 1862. Dr.
To balance, as per report, Feb. 26, '62, $547 76
Amount due from the State for aid fur- nished families of soldiers, under Act Chap. 222 of 1861, and payable about July, '62, 1194 21
Am't due from State for armory rent, '61, 50 00
$1791 97
Cr.
Amount due Eben Conant, on note, $1000 00 Interest on the note, 40 00
$1040 00
Balance in favor of the town, Feb. 26, 1862, $751 97
Without including the balance due as per overseer's report
for 1862.
ZOHETH TAYLOR, ) Selectmen ALDEN FULLER, i of JONAS K. PUTNEY, ) Acton.
ANNUAL
EEPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FEOM FEB. 26, 1862, TO FEB. 26, 1863:
A3iT> THB
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ALSO, THB
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK,
A>1> THE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR 1862-3,
CONCORD:
PRINTED BY BENJAMIN TOLMAN , 1863.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Amount received, $21,264 34
EXPENDITURES.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS. Paid.
George C. Wright, for West School, $336 93
Emerson F. Fuller, for South School, 336 93
Jonas Blodgett, for Centre School, 336 93
Daniel F. Tarbell, for South East School, 200 33
James Keyes, for North School, 200 33
James E. Billings, for East School, 200 33
Town of Littleton, for tuition, 5 50
|
REPAIRS ON SCHOOL HOUSES. |
||
|
Paid. |
||
|
For repairs |
on the North School House, |
$8 83 |
|
«< <( |
11 Centre School House, |
30 91 |
|
(< <( |
11 West School House, |
22 25 |
|
«< << |
" South School House, |
30 40 |
|
<< it |
South East School House, |
7 21 |
$1,617 28
$99 60
SCHOOL BOOKS, PRINTING, &c. Paid.
For Printing Reports of Selectmen, Town Clerk,
and School Committee, $42 00
For Printing Reports of Selectmen and Over- seers of Poor,
For Printing Town Warrants, " " Notices of war meetings, &c,
Voting List,
William D. Tuttle, for Tax Book,
James Tuttle & Co., for Order Book,
Dr. Harris Cowdrey, for examining teachers, superintending schools, and writing report for 1861-2,
Express, postage, &c,
|
11 50 |
|
10 50 |
|
8 50 |
|
5 00 |
|
2 17 |
|
3 50 |
|
60 00 |
|
6 23 |
$149 40
ABATEMENT AND DISCOUNT ON TAXES. Paid. W. F. Conant, abatement on Taxes, $44 55
J. E. Cutter, discount on Taxes, 296 57
$341 12
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Paid. Daniel Fletcher, for repairs on Powder Mill
Bridge, $53 00
Nathan L. Pratt, for stone and teaming for
Powder Mill Bridge, Elisha H. Cutler, for repairing sluice,
" land damage for new road,
Simon Hosmer, Barker & Noyes, "
Elisha H. Cutler, for breaking roads 21 hours, James W. Wheeler, do., 8 hours, Joseph Estabrook, do., 54 hours, Martin Pike, do., 38 hours, Luther Conant, Jr., do., 73 hours, Albert A. Tuttle, do., 28 1-2 hours, A. L. Tuttle, do., Ill hours, Henry Brooks, do., 38 hours, James E. Billings, do., 16 hours, Winthrop F. Conant, for building 95 rods wall,
at $1,20 per rod, Do., for stone for railing,
|
12 87 |
|
2 00 |
|
75 00 |
|
105 00 |
|
10 00 |
|
2 62 |
|
1 00 |
|
6 75 |
|
4 75 |
|
9 12 |
|
3 56 |
|
13 87 |
|
4 75 |
|
2 00 |
|
114 00 |
|
3 50 |
$423 79
5
APPROPRIATION FOR SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES.
Paid. For State aid to families, $2,576 25
Bounties to 23 three years' volunteers, 2,875 00 Bounties to 38 nine months' volunteers, 3,800 00
$9,251 25
APPROPRIATION FOR TOWN BUILDINGS.
Paid the Town Hall Building Committee, $1,500 00
|
» SUPPORT OF POOR. |
|
|
Paid. |
|
|
Winthrop F. Conant, support of Widow Lewis |
|
|
Chaffin, for 1861, |
$10 75 |
|
" clothing for Geo. Bullard, |
|
|
for 1861, |
8 20 |
|
for Philips family for 1861, |
22 21 |
|
for Alfred Brown, for 1861 |
, 4 00 |
|
for Mary A. Law, for 1861 |
., 1 75 |
|
" for aid granted foreigners |
|
|
for 1861, |
2 00 |
|
for Noah A. Gray, |
1 81 |
|
Jas. E. Billings, for Elmira Johnson, for 1861, |
7 14 |
|
" for Sarah Childs and Adaline |
|
|
Bobbins, for 1861, |
12 00 |
|
for John Whitney, for 1862, |
4 53 |
|
J. K. W. Wetherbee, for Alfred Brown, for |
|
|
1862, |
3 00 |
|
for Mary N. Smith, for |
|
|
1861-2, |
41 81 |
|
" for Charles Puffer for |
|
|
1862, |
61 81 |
|
0. J. Davis, for services on Town Farm, |
95 97 |
|
" for wardrobe, |
6 00 |
|
J. K. Putney, for 2 cows for Town Farm, |
62 00 |
|
J. Tuttle, & Co., merchandise for Town Farm, |
179 63 |
|
Daniel Jones, for merchandise for Town Farm, |
19 67 |
TOWN OFFICERS. Paid.
William D. Tuttle, services as Town Clerk, $15 00
• " col. and recording 43 births, 8 60
$544 28
William D. Tuttle, recording 33 deaths,
" recording 17 marriages,
James E. Billings, services as Selectman, J. K. W. Wetherbee, do., Jonas K. Putney, do.,
Wm. D. Tuttle, services as Assessor, 9 1-2 days, James W. Wheeler, do., 7 1-2 days, Eben Davis, do.,
Wm. D. Tuttle, making Assessors' returns, Winthrop F. Conant, collecting Taxes,
" services as Overseer of Poor
Daniel Tuttle, do.,
' ' journey to C ambridge and Harvard,
Simon Hosmer, do., For making report of Overseers for 1861,
|
$5 30 |
|
1 70 |
|
35 00 |
|
25 00 |
|
8 00 |
|
14 25 |
|
10 75 |
|
9 00 |
|
1 00 |
|
75 00 |
|
•, 4 00 |
|
a5 00 |
|
, 4 50 |
|
5 00 |
|
5 00 |
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES. Paid.
Eben Conant, Interest on Note, Concord Bank, Note and Interest, Prescott Bank, Note and Interest, Albert T. Edmonds, for opening Town Hall, 11 times, " for opening Vestry 3 times,
" for sawing and splitting
9 feet wood, Henry Hartwell, opening Town Hall 12 times, 11 6 gallons fluid,
" tolling bell for 10 deaths,
A. T. Edmonds, tolling bell for 5 deaths, James Harris, for wood for Town Hall, John Grimes, for wood for Town Hall, H. J. Hapgood, tolling bell for 5 deaths, J. Blodgett, for stakes for lotting out burying
ground, Thomas Moore, for 21 1-2 days' work on burying
ground, T. G. F. Jones, for damage caused by dog, Isaiah B. Perkins, damage caused by dog, George M. Brooks, for advice respecting Dog
Law, &c, 7 00
Joseph Haynes, for damage, caused by snow on
highway, 8 00
|
$60 00 |
|
2,915 95 |
|
507 75 |
|
3 40 |
|
, 1 50 |
|
1 60 |
|
3 40 |
|
5 04 |
|
2 00 |
|
1 00 |
|
2 15 |
|
2 31 |
|
1 00 |
|
2 00 |
|
26 87 |
|
37 03 |
|
20. 57 |
$242 10
Charles D. Francis, for damage caused from
upsetting carriage by the causway near the
Powder Mills, Winthrop F. Conant, for summoning 37 persons
to take oath of office, Zoheth Taylor, for expense in the Robert Chaf-
fin dog case, John Tenney, for digging graves and attending
funerals with hearse. George E. Johnson, for repairs on hearse, Elbridge Robbins, for land for burying ground
and interest, Recruiting expenses, Francis Dwight, expenses on hearse,
" digging graves and attending
funerals for 28 persons, Francis Dwight, for returning 32 deaths, J. K. W. Wetherbee, for 2 ballot boxes, Wm. D. Tuttle, notifying Highway Surveyors
to pass over books to their successors,
$188 25
4 50
17 00
9 90 6 50
|
305 34 '46 32 75 |
|
45 36 3 20 1 50 |
|
s 50 |
?4
f-C
$4,237 69
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY, FEB. 26, 1863.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in the Treasury, Feb. 26, 1862, $547 77
State Tax, 1862, 1,818 00
County Tax, 1862, 747 03
Town Grant, 1862, 2,000 00
Town Grant for Schools, 1,500 00
State School Fund, 79 78
Highway Deficiencies, 16 21
Overlay on Taxes, 148 62
Dog Tax, 53 10
For use of Town Hall, 3 90
For Monument Books, 1 80
For old Hearse House, 4 00
City of Boston, for Paupers, 50 62
Grass on Town Common, 1 62
Town of Sudbury, for Tuition, 15 00
Town of Concord, 22 50 Town of Sudbury, for support of'Chas. Puffer, 61 81
Insurance of Town Hall, 1,500 00
|
From Town Farm, |
$32 19 |
|
From State, for Armory rent, 1861, |
50 00 |
|
State aid to Jan. 1, 1862, |
731 05 |
|
Borrowed money, |
11,879 34 |
|
<t01 OC/| o\ |
|
|
' spi£±,.£U'± OHt |
|
|
EXPENDITURES |
|
|
For Support of Schools, |
$1,617 28 |
|
Repairs on School Houses, |
99 60 |
|
School Books, Printing, &c, |
149 40 |
|
Abatement and Discount on Taxes, |
341 12 |
|
Roads and Bridges, |
423 79 |
|
Appropriations for soldiers and Aid for |
|
|
soldiers' families, |
9,251 25 |
|
Appropriations for Town Buildings, |
1,500 00 |
|
Support of Poor, |
544 28 |
|
Town Officers, |
242 10 |
|
Miscellaneous expenses, |
4,237 69 |
|
State Tax, |
1,818 00 |
|
County Tax, |
747. 03 |
|
<tOA f)71 P.A |
|
|
Balance in Treasury Feb. 26, 1863, |
$292 80 |
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN, FEB. 26, 1863.
Dr.
To balance, as per report, Feb. 26, 1863, $292 80
Amount due from the State for aid furnished
families of soldiers, 2,952 35
Amount due from State, Armory rent, 1862, 50 00
$3,295 15
Cr.
Amount due on Notes, $9,479 34
Interest on Notes, 286 25
$9,765 59
Balance against the Town Feb. 26, 1863, $6,470 44
without including the balance due as per Overseers' report for 1863.
JAMES E. BILLINGS, )
JONAS K. PUTNE7, [ Selectmen of Acton.
J. K. W. WETHERBEE, )
REPORT
OF THE I
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES,
AT THE
ALMSHOUSE, IN ACTON,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 1, 1863.
Articles on Hand, April 1st, 1863.
1 pair oxen, $125; 1 horse, 70,00 ; 10 cows, 275,00,
3 shotes, 35,00 j 20 fowls, 7,50 ; 7 tons hay, 105,00,
35 bushels corn, 35,00; 75 bushels potatoes; 33,75,
10 bush, oats, 7,00; 6 bush, barley, 6,00; 2 bush, beans 5,00,
1 bush, peas, 1,50 ; 75 lbs. beef, 5,25 ; 375 lbs. pork, 37,50,
110 lbs. ham, 11,00; 72 lbs. lard, 8,64; 40 lbs. candles, 6,00,
61 lbs. dried apples, 3,66; 5 bbls. apples, 5.00,
1 bbl. soap, 4,00; 1 bbl. vinegar, 4,00; soap grease, 1,25,
6 lbs. tallow, .60 ; 69 M skewers, 24,15 ; 10 bush, ashes, 1/25
Wood for skewers,
|
$470 00 |
|
147 50 |
|
68 75 |
|
18 00 |
|
, 44 25 |
|
25 64 |
|
8 66 |
|
9 25 |
|
, 26 00 |
|
4 00 |
$822 05
RECEIPTS.
For oxen, $236,68 ; cows, $30,00 ; calves, 33,68, Apples, 162,09; peaches, 11,50; potatoes, 36,93, Poultry, 18,89; hay, 42,42; straw, 6,08; grapes, .50, Eggs, 8,74; oats, 11,50; corn, .68; old iron, 1,58, 1 shote, 4.00 ; hide, 4,41 ; use of oxen, .40, Skewers, 59,62; milk, 257,91,
Amount of articles on hand,
|
$300 |
36 |
|
210 |
52 |
|
67 |
89 |
|
22 |
50 |
|
8 |
81 |
|
317 |
53 |
|
$927 |
61 |
|
822 |
05 |
|
$1,749 66 |
10
EXPENDITURES.
Meat, $61,75; butter, 48,41; molasses, 21,25, $131 41
Farming tools, 23,87 ; flour, 37,05; cheese, 16,03, 76 95
Sugar, 9,96; tea, 4,88; coffee, 7,88; fish, 8,28, 31 00
Fluid, 2,68; kerosene oil, .38; tobacco, 7,03, 10 09
Bread, 3,22; blacksmith's bill, 17,60; barrels, 18,37, 39 19
Expense of going to market, 23,£1 ; earthenware, 6,49, 30 10
Peas, .57; beans, 2,74; brooms, .75; nails, 1,03, 5 09
Sour milk, 2,26; cloth and clothing, 54,84, 57 10
Rope, 1,40; grass seed, 2,56; garden seeds, 1,17, 5 13
Salt, 4,29; apples, 4,00; raisins, .56; lime, 1,00, 9 85
Whitewash brush, .83; trees, 2,40; use of bull, 2,25, 5 48
Matches, .40; cash to paupers, 1,27; spirits, 1,04, 2 71
Spices, 2,03; stove polish, .8; solder, .17; yeast, .50, 2 78
Essences, 34; oil, 1,13; potash, 2,92; chalk, .12, 4 51
Washboard and bucket, .50 ; weighing oxen, .12, 62
Scraps and powder, 1,23; ox work, 2,00; ox balls, .12, 3 35
Rice, .44; coffee mill, .50; wheel grease, .30, 1 24
Saleratus, .34; pills, .25; camphor, .38; soap, 2,47, 3 44
Mustard, .16; glass and putty, .46; sulphur, .40, 1 02
Starch, .20; lemons, .17; cream tartar, .53, 90
Vinegar and barrel, 2,60; clothes-pins, .16, 2 76
Harness, 25,00; doctor's bill, 2,91, 27 91
Pasturing cattle, 20,00 ; oxen, 216,00, 236 00
Heifers, 30,00; shotes, 14,71 ; tar, .30; stone posts, 3,00, 48 01
Lumber, 3,34; wood for skewers, 6,75; eggs, .16, 10 25
Pump, 10,00 ; mending shoes, 4,32, 14 32
Rye meal, 7,20 ; corn meal, 9.31, 16 51
Shorts and oil meal, 13,44; plaster, .91, 14 35
Newspaper, 2,00 ; use of wagon, 7,33, 9 33
Services of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Wetherbee, 225 00
James E. Billings, services, 5 00
Jonas K. Putney, " 5 00
J. K. W. Wetherbee, services, 5 00
$1,041 40 Amount of Inventory, April 1st, 1862, $805 17
Interest on Farm, 239 40
$1,044 57
$2,085 97
RECAPITULATION.
Amount of Expenditures, , $1,04140
Amount of Receipts, 927 61
Cash from town treasury to balance account, 113 79
$1,041 40
11
•Total amount of Expenditures, Amount of inventory, April 1st, 1862, Interest on Farm,
Total amount of Receipts,
Amount of Inventory, April 1st, 1863,
|
$1,041 40 |
|
|
805 17 |
|
|
239 40 |
|
|
$2,085 97 |
|
|
$927 61 |
|
|
822 05 |
|
|
$1,749 66 |
|
$336 31 7 00 |
|
$329 31 15 00 |
Cr. — By work on the road,
Expense of victualing foreigners,
Total amount of supporting Poor in Almshouse, $314 31
Whole number of persons (exclusive of foreigners) supported in the Almshouse, 6 ; average, 6 ; present number, 6 ; cost per week, $1,01.
James E. Billings, ) Overseers Jonas K. Putney, >■ of J. K. W. Wetherbee, ) Poor. Acton, April 1, 1863.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS IN ACTON, IN 1862.
No. Date of Birth. Names.
1. Jan. 17, Martha Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Aaron M. and Au-
gusta C. Jones.
2. Jan. 24, Lyman Edwards Conant, son of Luther, Jr. and Celeste
J. Conant.
3. Feb. 5, James Francis Parker, son of James L. and Francis Em-
eline Parker.
4. " 7, Nettie Cora Fuller, daughter of Emerson F. and Sarah W.
Fuller.
5. " 7, Mary Magovern, daughter of John and Winnie Magovern.
6. " 7, Eugene B. Jones, son of James W. and Amanda M.
Jones.
7. "13, Edith Maud Farrar, daughter of Henry and Lydia An-
geline Farrar.
8. Mar. 8, John Haggerty, son of William and Mary Haggerty.
9. " 29, Daniel Moore, son of Thomas and Ellen Moore.
10. " 29, Rufus Augustus Tenney, son of Rufus A. and Mary A.
Tenney.
11. Apr. 4, Abbie Etta Estabrook, daughter of Joseph and Nancy
Estabrook.
12. " 5, Carrie Josephine Jones, daughter of T. G. F. and Louisa
0. Jones.
13. " 5, (In Bedford,) Elmer Ellsworth Jackson, son of Loring
M. and Hattie S. Jackson.
14. " 8, Mary Conway, daughter of John and Julia Conway.
15. " 14, Flora Bigelow Stearns, daughter of Horatio H. and
Betsey A. Stearns.
16. May 7, Ann Connolly, daughter of Patrick and Kate Connolly.
17. " 7, Harry Howard Haynes, son of Abel Gr. and Martha A.
Haynes.
18. " 13, Hattie Sophia Wetherbee, daughter of Hiram W. and
Sophia B. Wetherbee.
19. " 19, Dora E. Curtis, daughter of Nehemiah and Martha C.
Curtis.
20. June 5, Alma Wilson Forbusb, daughter of Luther R. and
Louisa M. Forbusb.
21. " 7, Michael and Mary Hayes, twin children of Michael and
22. " Bridget Hayes.
13
23. June 11, Hattie Mabel Johnson, daughter of Geo. E. and Mary
Louesa Johnson.
24. " 21, Alma V. Knight, daughter of George W. and Frances
Ann Knight.
25. " 28, Herbert Franklin Robbins^ son of Simon and Nancy D.
Robbins.
26. July 1, Mary Ellen Griffin, daughter of Morris and Catherine
Griffin.
27. " 7, A son to Francis, 2d, and Sarah E. Tuttle.
28. " 10, Daniel Lyman Veasey, son of Daniel L. and Sarah Vea-
sey.
29. " 26, John Ogle, son of James D. and Joanna Ogle.
30. " 29, Walter Eugene Frost, son of George H. and Susan M.
Frost.
31. Aug. 7, Julian Shaw Eayrs, son of Julian W. and M. Maria
Eayrs.
32. Oct. 5, George William Tuttle, son of William D. and Elizabeth
B. Tuttle.
33. " 6, Jerry Henry McCarthy, son of Dauiel and Mary McCar-
thy.
34. " 17, Abner Crosby Hoar, son of John S. and Lydia P. Hoar.
35. " 29, Alphonso Adalbert Wyman, son of Oliver C. and Caro-
line M. Wyman.
36. " 29, A son to Elbridge and Mary E. Robbins.
37. Nov. 4, Josephine Puffer, daughter of Henry and Julia Ann Puf-
fer.
38. " 7, Bertha Sophie Tuttle, daughter of Varnum and Sarah L.
Tuttle.
39. " 13, Arthur William Tayloij son of Moses and Mary E. Tay- l lor.
40. " 14, Frank Ellsworth Wetherbee, son of Daniel and Clarissa
Wetherbee.
41. " 22, John Francis Coughlin, son of John and Margaret
Coughlin.
42. Dec. 15, Abbie Powers, daughter of John and Eliza Powers.
43. " 21, Ella Elizabeth Tuttle, daughter of Alonzo L. and Ellen
Tuttle. Males, 23 ; Females, 20.
MARRIAGES RECORDED, IN 1862
No. Date of Marriage. Names of the Parties.
1. Jan. 1, Nathaniel E. Cutler, of Acton, and Sarah A. Cheney,
of Georgetown.
2. Feb. 13, Elbridge J. Robbins and Ellen Maria Ames, both
of Acton.
14
3. Feb. 26, Robert H. Logan, of Concord, and Augusta 0. Conanf ,
of Acton.
4. Mar. 1, Michael Flynn and Catherine Coughlin, both of Acton.
5. Apr. 26, John C. Keyes, of Cambridge, and Maria Adeline
Flagg, of Acton.
6. May 1, Hiram B. Livermore and Laura E. Prouty, both of
Acton.
7. July 4, Nathan Frazier Hapgood, of Acton, and Mary McCollum,
of Westford.
8. Aug. 28, George B. Parker and Fanny Wheeler, both of Acton.
9. Aug. 28, William Chaplin, Jr., and Sarah F. Simpson, both
of Acton.
10. Sept. 13, Josiah B. Holder and Sarah A. Sbattuck, both of Acton.
11. Oct. 13, Daniel Mahoney and Mary McMahar, both of Acton.
12. Nov. 25, Bradford Pickens and Louisa Angenett Noyes, both
of Acton.
13. Nov. 27, Horace W. French, of Abington, and Sarah Augusta
Dole, of Acton.
14. Nov. 27, Isaac Marion Shurtleff, of Middleborough, and Sarah
Elmira Atwood, of Acton.
15. Dec. 25, Isaac W. Brown and Harriet Augusta Haynes, both
of Acton.
16. Dec. 25, A. T. Haynes and Sophia Taylor Tuttle, both of Acton.
17. Dec. 31, Luke Tuttle and S. Sophia Harris, both of Acton.
In addition to the above, the following parties have obtained Certifi- cates of Marriage, and it is presumed have made proper use of the same, but the certificates not having been returned by the officiating clergymen, no record of them has been made by the Clerk : —
Lewis E. Fletcher, of Acton, and Abbie J. Herrick, of Stow ; Thomas N. Chase, of Hanover, N. H., and Mary Maria Tuttle, of Ac- ton ; Augustus Newton, of Acton, and Lucy Ann Puffer, of Stow.
DEATHS IN ACTON, IN 1862.
No. Date of Death. Name and Age.
1. Jan. 30, Charles H. Handley, aged 19 yrs.
2. Feb. 1, Sarah A. Phillips, widow of William Phillips, aged
48 yrs. 8 mos.
3. Apl. 6, James D. Ogle, aged 27 yrs.
4. Apl. 9, Mary Conway, daughter of John and Julia Conway,
1 day.
15
5. Apl. 14, Frank Wetherbee, son of Daniel and Clarissa Wether-
bee, aged 7 yrs. 8 mos.
6. Apl. 15, Daniel Atwood, aged 61 yrs. 7 mos.
7. May 14, Rufus A. Tenney, aged 33 yrs. 10 mos.
8. May 20, Thomas D. Mallain, son of Daniel and Joanna Mallain,
aged 5 yrs. 3 mos.
9. June 8, Bridget Hayes, wife of Michael Hayes, aged 31 yrs.
10. June 20, John E. Riley, son of Michael and Hannah Riley, aged
1 yr. 6 mos.
11. June 20, Mary Hosmer, wife of Samuel Hosmer, aged 45 yrs.
5 mos.
12. July 6, Cyrus Wheeler, aged 59 yrs. 5 mos.
13. July 11, Infant child of Francis Tuttle, 2d, aged 4 days.
14. July 22, Abigail Wetherbee, wife of Levi Wetherbee, aged 66
yrs. 10 mos.
15. Aug. 8, Herbert A. Frost, son of George H. and Susan M.
Frost, aged 2 yrs. 6 mos.
16. Aug. 20, Lucy Jane Shattuck, wife of William R. Shattuck,
aged 33 yrs.
17. Sept. 7, Alma V. Knight, daughter of Geo. W. and Frances
Ann Knight, aged 2 mos. 17 days.
18. Sept. 15, William E. Giles, son of Israel H. and Lucy Giles,
aged 19 yrs. 5 mos.
19. Oct. 4, Carrie A. Frederick, daughter of William A. and
Margaret Frederick, aged 9 mos. 13 days.
20. Oct. 14, David Sweat*, aged 58 yrs. 11 mos.
21. Oct. 19, Mary Marshall, aged 74 yrs. 7 mos, a native of
Tewksbury.
22. Oct. 24, Joel Oliver, aged 84 yrs.
23. Oct. 31, Charles E. Robinson, son of Charles and Percis V.
Robinson, aged 1 yr. 8 mos.
24. Nov. 25, Elisha Comstock, aged 72 yrs. 7 mos.
25. Nov. 14, Sally Bright (widow), aged 74 yrs.
26. Dec. 25, Michael Quinn, aged 55 yrs.
Soldiers in the United States Service.
27. July 5, Warren R. Wheeler, son of William Wheeler, aged 21
yrs. Died at Fort St. Phillip, near New Orleans.
28. July 7, Frank Handley, son of Abraham B. and Susan E.
Handley, aged 20 yrs. 11 mos. Died at Fort St. Phillip, near New Orleans.
29. Sept. 1, James M. Wright, son of Abraham and Maria Wright,
aged 35 yrs. Died in Hospital at Philadelphia.
30. Nov. 16, James R. Lentil], son of William and Mary Lentill,
aged 18 yrs. Died at New Orleans.
MILITARY RECORD.
While the present condition of our country, engaged as it is, in a bloody, civil war, to sustain the authority of the government and to pre- serve our national existence, must be deeply deplored by every one — paralyzing as it does our industrial interests, swallowing up the accumu- lated wealth of years, burdening the nation with debt and the people with taxes, and calling for the sacrifice of so many of our brothers and sons — still, when the terrible necessity comes, as come it sometimes will to every nation, it is a source of patriotic pride to know that we have so many among us, who are willing to leave their homes and fire, sides to encounter the dangers of the battle-field, and the more deadly malaria of a Southern climate, that the honor and integrity of the nation might be sustained, and those free institutions which were handed down to us by our fathers preserved, and transmitted unimpaired — a priceless heritage — to future generations.
And while we gladly look forward to the time when we shall again united and prosperous people, when this gigantic and atrocious con- spiracy to compass the destruction of a government, fraught with the best interests of mankind, shall have been suppressed, and the condi- tions of a true and lasting peace fully secured, we would honor the names of those who, in the darker hours of our country's history, stood up manfully in its defence. And we have thought it well that the names of the men of Acton, who have gone forth in their country's ser- vice since the beginning of the Rebellion, should find a place here — a Roll of Honor — of which Acton may well be proud.
Whole quota of Acton, 126 ; credited to Acton, 126 ; entered the service from Acton, 129.
LIST OF OFFICERS AND PRIVATES, COMPANY E, 6th REGI- MENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
Wm. H. Chapman, 1st Lieut. George W. Rand, Id Lieut., Silas P. Blodgett, 3d Lieut., A. S. Fletcher, 4th Lieut.,
(Left April 16th; returned August 3d, 1861.)
THREE MONTHS' VOLUNTEERS.
Daniel Tuttle, Captain.
Luke Smith, 1st Sergeant, Geo. W. Knight, 2c? Sergeant, Henry W. Wilder, 3c? Sergeant, G. W. Wilder, 4th Sergeant.
17
THREE MONTHS VOLUNTEERS
Cbarles Jones, 1st Corporal, John F. Blood, Jr., 2d Corporal, Luke J. Robbins, 3d Corporal, Levi Robbins, \ih Corporal.
(Continued.)
Musicians :
George Fay Campbell, George Russee.
George F. Blood, * John A. Brown, * Henry L. Bray, — Charles A. Brooks, * Edward D, Battles, * James L. Durant, Aaron J. Fletcher, * Abel Farrar, Jr., — Henry Gilson, Nathan Goss, * William H. Gray, * Gilman S. Hosmer, * William S. Handley, * Charles Handley (deceased) George Jones, — Waldo Littlefield, Henry W. Lazell, * James Moulton, *
PRIVATES.
Charles Mcrce, * John Putnam, * Yarnum F. Robbies, — William Reed, — William B. Reed, * John H. P. White, * Charles W. Reed, George A. Reed, Luke J. Robbins, * Eph. A. Smith, * Andrew J. Sawyer, — Edwin Tarbell, * John Whitney, William F. B. Whitney, Eben F. Wood, Samuel Wilson, Hiram Wheeler, John Wayne. *
Charles Moulton, *
The above is a complete list, we believe, of Captain Tuttle's com- pany ; three of whom went from Stow, three from Littleton, two from Boxborough, one from Quincy, and one belonged to Baltimore.
Those marked with a star, have re-enlisted for three years ; those with a dash, for nine months.
LIST OF OFFICERS AND PRIVATES, COMPANY E, 26th REGI- MENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
WHO WEST FROM ACTO>" WITHOUT BOtTVTY FROM TOTV>\
(Went into Camp September 15th, 1861: left for Ship Island November 19th, 1861.)
THREE YEARS MEN William H. Chapman, Captain, William F. Wood, 1st Lieut., . Silas P. Blodgett, 2d Lieut.
Musicians : Augustus W. Hosmer, Silas M. Stetson.
18
three years' men. — (Continued.)
PRIVATES.
Brooks Charles A., Blood John F., Jr., 3 Burroughs Samuel R.,
* Brown John A., Cram George B., Cram John B., Fletcher Aaron J., Fiske James W., Goss Nathan, Handley William S., Handley Abram, Handley Frank,
* Handley George, Haynes Elias E., Hall Delet H., Hosmer Gilman S., Kinsley Frank, Loker Jona W., Loker William H., Lentill James R., Lazell Henry W., Moulton James, Morse Charles,
Moore Patrick, Putnam John, Powers Michael, Bobbins Luke J., Smith Luke, Sheehan Timothy, Sawyer George W., Sheehan Dennis, * Smith Eph. A., Taylor Daniel G., Tarbell Edwin, Teel Warren L., Wood James H., Whitney William F. B., Wheeler Warren R., Wheeler Everett, Wheeler Addison, Wheeler Lincoln E., White John H. P., Wayne John.
Hospital Steward: Wm. H. Gray (discharged),
Those marked thus [*] were not credited to this town by the State Authorities.
Three Years' Men, in different Kegiments, enlisting without a bounty from this town.
Daniel R. Briggs, Co. B, 1st Cav., George M. Pike, Co. B, 1st Cav., *Wm. E. Pike, Co. B, 1st Cav., A. E. Conant, Co. F, 30th Regt., G. A. Jones, Co. I, 38th Regt, J. Keenan, Mozart Regt., N.Y., E. A. Jones, band of 16th Regt., J. Rollins, Co. D, 12th Regt., J. M. Wright, Co.B, 1st Bat. Inf., C. A. Hanscom, " "
John Meaher, Co. I, 26th Regt., Chas. Moulton, Co. I, 38th Regt., M. Johnson, Co. F, 13th Regt.,
Eri Huggins, Co. A, 26th Regt., J. A. Huggins, Co. A, " Eri Huggins, Jr., 2d Wis. Regt., W. B. Gray, Co. E, 24th Regt., G. H. Simpson, Co. B, 13th Regt., R. C. Conant, Co. G, 32d Regt, J. A. Mead, Co. K, 39th Regt, G. F. Blood, Co. D, 2d Regt, Daniel Gray, 13th Regt., Daniel Lovering, 13th Regt., *G. I.Chapman, Co.D,llth Regt., Wellington Chickering, in Navy, Robert J. Tufts, in Navy.
Not credited to Acton.
19
THREE YEARS MEN.
VOLUNTEERS "WHO RECEIVED THE TOW>* BOUNTY.
J). L. Yeasey, Co. A, 1st Regt.,
* E. S. Sears,
*G. W. Parks,
H. W. Wetherbee, Co. E, 26th
Regt, W. B. Reed, Co. E, 26th Regt., J. W. Fitzpatrick, " Marivan Miner, " "
John A. Howard, " "
Benj. Skinner, " "
L. M. Jackson, " "
Edwin B. Taft, "
M. McKinney, Co. E, 26th Regt., Henry Brown, " "
* E. L. Battles, " *E. J. Brown, " Henry H. Pike, 1st Cavalry,
H. M. Lovejoy, Co. B, 40th Regt., L. W. Bowers, Co. E, 33d Regt.,
* E. W. Stevens, "
* J. Callahan, Co. F, 40th Regt., *0. B.Sawyer, Co.B,
* A. A. Sawyer, <: "
* Frank Burns, " "
The above went to fill the first quota of Acton, twenty-three in number.
Those marked thus L*] were recruited from other towns, and not credited to Acton.
Nine Months' Men who received the town bounty, forming a part of Company E, 6th Regiment.
(Enlisted August 31st, 1862; time expires May 31st, 1863.)
Aaron C. Handley, Captain, Aaron S. Fletcher, 1st Lieut., Geo. W. Rand, 2d Lieut., Geo. W. Knight, 1st Sergeant, Andrew J. Sawyer. 2c? " F. H. Whitcomb, 3d Levi H. Robbins, 4th Isaiah Hutchins, Corporal, William Morrill,
Frank E. Harris, Corporal, AbelFarrar, Jr., Henry L. Bray, "
Yarnum F. Robbins, "
Daniel H. Farrar, Musician.
Wm. D. Clark, Wagoner.
George T. Ames, Hiram Butters, Charles H. Blood, Elbridge Conant, William Chaplain, Jr., Oscar Dwelley, Charles W. Fletcher, Chauncey U. Fuller, John S. Hoar, F. D. K. Hoar, Walter 0. Holden, Eugene L. Hall,
PRIVATES.
Henry Hapgood, Marshall Hapgood, George Jones, Albert Moulton, Lewis J. Masters, George N. Pierce, John H. Pollard, George B. Parker, William Reed, Joseph N. Robbins, Wm. F. Wood, Lieutenant Co. K, 6th Regiment.
20
Nine Months' Men, enlisted in other Kegiments without a bounty from this town.
J. R. Vangezel, Co. E, 6th Regt., R.Kinsley, Co. I, 48th Regt., * A. Newton, Co. E, 6th Regt.,
G. L. Shaw, Co. F, 47th Regt., G. Warren Knight, Co. E, 53d Regt.
* Not credited to this town.
HONORABLY DISCHARGED.
J. F. Blood, Jr., Sept. 26, 1862, George Handley, Luke Smith, April 1, 1862, D. G. Taylor, Sept. 26, 1862, Daniel R. Briggs, Feb. 1, 1862, Edwin A. Jones, August, 1862,
C. A. Hanscom, Nov. 25, 1862, John S. Hoar, Nov. 27, 1862, Geo. B. Parker, March, 1863, A. S. Fletcher, resigned, March,
1863, William H. Loker.
DIED WHILE IN THE SERVICE.
Augustus W. Hosmer, in camp, November 30th, 1861. James R. Lentill, at New Orleans, November 16th, 1862. Warren R. Wheeler, at Fort St. Phillip, July 5th, 1862. Frank Handley, at Fort St. Phillip, July 7th, 1862. Albert E. Conant, on shipboard on voyage home, January 31st, 1863. John Keenan, unknown.
James M. Wright, in hospital at Philadelphia, September 1st, 1862. Elbridge Conant, at Suffolk, Va., February 10th, 1863. Marivan Miner, at New Orleans, 1863.
RECAPITULATION.
Three months' volunteers from Acton, 42 ; came home August 3d, 1861.
Three years' men, enlisting without town bounty, ... 75
" with " ... 23
Nine months' men who received the town bounty, _ . . 38
" " enlisted without the town bounty . 5
141 Not credited to this town, _ 15
Leaving the town's quota of 126
Discharged, 11 : died, 9.
WILLIAM D. TUTTLE, Acton, March 20, 1863. Town Clerk.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOLS IN ACTON,
FOR THE YEAR 1863-3.
Gentlemen of the Committee :
Pursuant to a vote of the town, passed at the last April meeting, authorizing the School Committee to choose a Superintendent of Schools, we were chosen to fill that of- fice, an office we had not sought, and which we accepted with extreme reluctance ; feeling, as we did, that it was not only one of much responsibility, but one, the duties of which are of such a peculiar nature, that it would be im- possible to give satisfaction to all ; especially those who take pains to find fault.
If not acceptably to all, we have endeavored to perform the duties that have devolved upon us honestly, and with a view to the best good of the schools. From such observa- tions as we had been able to make, before we were so in- timately connected with the schools of this town, we judged that they would compare favorably with those of any of the towns around us. Our acquaintance with them the past year has fully confirmed this opinion. YTe also think we can truly say that their prosperity, the past year, has been fully equal to that of former years.
We will now present a brief view of the several schools.
22
SOUTH SCHOOL. E. F. Fuller, Local Committee.
The primary department of this school was taught for the year by Miss Lottie C. Faulkner. We might write much in praise of this teacher, and her methods of teach- ing ; yet, we feel that the highest encomium we can bestow, is to say that she has taught eighteen terms in her own dis- trict, with the increasing respect and confidence of the pa- rents and love of her scholars. The examinations, at the close of the fall and winter terms, were attended by a large number of parents and friends, whose countenances plain- ly expressed the interest and pleasure they felt in the ex- ercises, which were all very good indeed. We wish to speak of the singing in particular, because all of the school joined in this exercise — boys, as well as girls.
The higher department was taught, during the spring and fall terms, by Miss Jennie M. Harris. Miss Harris is a teacher of much experience, and had Avon a high reputa- tion, which suffered none in this effort. She entered upon her duties with that zeal and determination, before which, the obstacles that are apt to arise in a school like this, must surely disappear.
From our first visit, we felt satisfied that the committee had made a wise selection. The successful termination of the school, proved that we were not mistaken. The ex- amination was well attended, and passed off pleasantly. Among the classes we more particularly noticed, was the first class in reading, the classes in arithmetic, and the class in analysis.
Some maps, drawn by members of the first and second classes in geography, were exhibited, which were neatly and correctly drawn.
The winter term was placed in charge of Mr. Frederic C. Nash ; the same teacher who taught the winter previous.
23
Mr. Nash is an excellent disciplinarian, and brought the school to that degree of discipline, which we have rarely seen in any other.
In all our visits, we were much pleased with the good order and studiousness of the scholars. The closing ex- amination was even better than we expected. The larger scholars performed their parts in a manner that reflected upon themselves and their teacher much credit ; and, among the smaller ones, there was scarce a blunder.
The compositions were good ; some, in particular, were excellent.
NORTH SCHOOL. James Keyes, Local Committee.
The spring and fall terms of this school were placed in charge of Miss Sophia S. Harris. Possessed of a vigorous mind and healthy body, with a right good will to use them, any school, under her care, could not well help being a good one. It always gave us pleasure to visit this school ; there was such an air of cheerfulness pervading the school room, and the faces of the scholars always looked so pleas- ant and happy. The closing examination proved that the school had not only been a pleasant but very profitable one. The classes in mental arithmetic, and the second and third classes in reading, won for themselves much praise. We are sorry that Miss Harris has seen fit to leave the ranks of our teachers, where she has labored so long and success- fully ; yet, we are aware that the school which she has now entered, has claims to which all others are in a measure subordinate. May her prosperity, in her new sphere of life, be as great as that she enjoyed in the one she has left.
The winter term of this school was taught by Mr. A. E. White, of Tuft's College. This was his first effort at school teaching, and, although some difficulty arose at the first of the term iu regard to the division of the advanced class in
24
reading, we consider it a very successful effort. Ambitious himself to excel, and willing to labor to the extent of his powers to advance the interests of his school, he instilled into the minds of his pupils the same principles, which caused them to study with unwonted zeal. The exercises at the close, which varied but little from those of every day of the term, exhibited that thoroughness in the branches taught, which we like to witness. Where all the classes appeared so well, we need not particularize. At the close of the other exercises, the teacher was presented with a beautiful. Bible, by one of the young ladies, in behalf of the school, in a feeling and appropriate speech. So deep were his feelings that, for some moments he could utter no word in response ; yet, that very silence conveyed a more last- ing impression than words could, that there existed be- tween the teacher and his pupils a bond of friendship that can never be severed.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL. D. F. Tarbell, Local Committee.
The spring and fall terms of this school were taught by Miss L. Arabella Walker, of Westford. She came before us highly recommended as a successful teacher, and we felt no hesitation in giving her our approbation.
During the first term, the good order and improvement was such, as fully met our anticipations. The second term, though by no means a failure, was not what we had reason to expect. At the closing examination, some of the class- es, and some of the scholars in particular, appeared well. The school-room was beautifully decorated with a profusion of wreaths and mottoes. These we like to see ; yet, the adornment of the minds of the scholars should not be neg- lected, for the adornment of the school-room.
The winter term was under the care of E. F. Richard- son. As this teacher is a particular friend of ours, we feel
25
that we shall be excused from saying but little in regard to his school, on the ground that we might be considered par- tial. Suffice to say, that the teacher considered it one of the pleasantest schools that he ever taught ; and that there was little or no fault found in the district, which has been proverbial for trouble with its schools.
CENTRE SCHOOL. Jonas Blodgett, Local Committee.
The primary department of this school, for the spring and winter terms, was under the care of Miss Clara TTeth- erbee, who has taught here several terms with uniformly good success. Kind and affectionate in her manners, she seems to lead children to do right, rather than force them. Her little company, notwithstanding it was somewhat bro- ken up by sickness, appeared very well at the close of the winter term. The various classes, as they passed in re- view before us, showed a degree of improvement com- mendable to themselves and their teacher. There are some very pretty singers in this school, and we enjoyed their singing much ; yet, we think it would be more interesting to hear all the little ones join in this healthful and cheer- ing exercise.
The spring term of the higher department was taught by Miss Nellie Cowdrey. Miss Cowdrey gained, from the first, the respect and good will of her scholars, which made governing easy. The school always appeared cheerful and studious when we visited it. At the close, those classes that were brought before us in a manner that we could judge of their merits, did well. The declamations and dialogues were good, though perhaps there was more of them than it would be advisable to have at the examination of a school like this, where there are so many classes. We liked the appearance of this teacher in the school-room, and think she would win a high reputation in this vocation.
26
Owing to the comparatively small number of scholars in each department, the Local Committee thought proper to unite them both in one, during the fall term. This ar- rangement would save to the district the wages of one teacher, and give the scholars the benefit of a longer win- ter term. Miss Clara Wetherbee was placed in charge ; and, although it made a large school, and a large number of classes, she got along well, and brought the school to a successful close. At the examination the classes appeared well. The first class in reading, and second class in gram- mar, we noticed in particular. The compositions, which we consider a noticeable feature of any examination, where there are advanced scholars, were good.
This school, during the winter term, enjoyed the advan- tage of having for a teacher Mr. Luther Conant, Jr., who had labored here successfully for two winters previous. Mr. Conant has long been known to the town as a thorough and efficient teacher ; and his history has been so often and fully written, that we feel we can add but little to it. Suf- fice to say, we consider him an excellent teacher for this school. The examination, which was attended by a large number of visitors, passed off well. The classes came be- fore us the same as they would on any other day of the term, the most of them answering promptly, and showing good improvement. We noticed, in particular, the classes in reading and spelling. If some of the scholars did not make that proficiency they ought, the fault was their own ; the teacher labored hard enough for them.
WEST SCHOOL.
George C. Wright, Local Committee.
The spring and fall terms of the primary department
were placed in care of Miss Susan C. Huggins. There are
many good scholars in this school, and some " big rogues,"
who need to be governed with firmness and decision. We
27
think the teacher labored hard to promote the interests of the school, and in a measure was successful ; although her success would have been greater, if she had enforced bet- ter order. We will here say, however, that, if we have been rightly informed, she was led into this error by over- fearful parents, who, thinking she might be too severe, cautioned her in regard to it. At the close the classes generally showed a fair degree of improvement ; some of the smaller ones did very well indeed.
The winter term was taught by Miss Clara H. Hapgood. Feeling more confidence in her own powers, and entering the school with a determination to bring it under good dis- cipline, she was successful in that respect. The examina- tion was very good, notwithstanding the school, during the last part of the term, was much interrupted by sickness. The classes spoke up promptly and distinctly, giving life and interest to the exercises.
The spring and fall terms of the higher department were under the instruction of Miss Clara H. Hapgood, the same teacher who taught the winter primary. Miss Hapgood labored in this school with good success. Some of her methods of teaching we liked very well indeed ; especially, for those branches which are learned principally by memo- rizing. At the close of the school, which was well attend- ed, the exercises passed off with much credit to both schol- ars and teacher. Some very good maps were exhibited, which were drawn by the classes in geography.
The winter term was taught by Mr. W. E. Eaton, of Tuft's College. We consider the committee was most for- tunate in securing the services of a teacher who could make good the place of the excellent one of last winter. Believ- ing that scholars like those under his care could govern themselves, he threw them upon their honesty and self- respect in such a manner that, Avith few exceptions, they needed no reproof. One thing we noticed in particular in
28
regard to his teaching ; that he instructed his scholars as to principles, so that they could tell " why they went through a certain process," rather than that they simply " had gone through it." This school possesses a large share of good ability, which this teacher knew well how to direct, to make the greatest possible advancement. Though much interrupted by sickness, not only of its members, but of its teacher, the school passed a very satisfactory examina- tion. Among the classes which we noted as particularly good, were the first class in reading, the class in analysis, and the classes in arithmetic. The " Independent," which was read by Missal Wheeler and Fuller, was a spicy little sheet, abounding in humor and good sense. The singing was excellent ; though, as we have before remarked, we had rather hear all the school sing that can, — and we be- lieve there are but few that cannot learn when they are young. If the harmony is not so good, the loss of it is more than made up by the pleasure we feel in seeing all enjo}^ an exercise so well calculated to promote health and happiness.
EAST SCHOOL. James E. Billings, Local Committee. The spring term of this school was taught by Miss S. Augusta Davis. Miss Davis has taught this school several terms with increasing good success. Mild but firm, she manages to secure good order in her school, though there are some " rogueish boys." We consider this district in- deed fortunate in having so faithful and judicious a teach- er. The examination at the close showed that neither teacher nor scholars had been idle. The teacher of the spring term, wishing to enjoy a longer season of rest than the vacation afforded, the committee engaged the services of Miss Nellie J. Fletcher for the fall term. Miss Fletcher has been favorably known to the town as a teacher, for a
29
number of terms in her own district. From her good suc- cess there, we felt confident she would do well in this school. Nor were we mistaken. Her success was even better than we expected. At the close, all the classes showed a good degree of improvement. Some of the smaller ones very good. The compositions, written in that easy, natural style, which showed that the writers were familiar with their subjects, were such as we like to listen to.
The winter term was taught by Miss S. A. Davis, the same teacher as of the spring term. This, we think, was her crowning effort. Though some of the bovs showed a disposition to take advantage, and play the " rogue" the first of the term, they were soon brought under good dis- cipline, and the school went on pleasantly to the close. The examination was excellent. All the more advanced classes recited so promptly and correctly, showing such marked improvement, that we hardly knew which to give the preference. Some very pretty declamations were spoken by the " little ones," and some very good compo- sitions were read by one of the young ladies.
Thus far we have said nothing in regard to writing books, although they were exhibited at most of the exam- inations. Some of these showed a good hand-writing and good improvement, but the majority were lacking one or both of these. This is not as it should be, for we consider it an important part of an education to be able to write a neat, legible hanoj, notwithstanding the idea seems to be gaining ground that, to be considered as having a great mind and literary taste, a person must write in scrawls that would shame the ancient hieroglyphics.
TVe have noticed that the writing of the best educated in the days of " our fathers,"- was almost invariably neat and legible, if not elegant. If Ave are not mistaken, this branch was one of the three laid down to be taught in the first schools established in the colonies. Is it not just as
30
important now as it was then ? Yet how many we find at the present day who can talk a little French, or read a lit- tle Latin or Greek, that cannot write their own names de- cently. Parents, see to it that your children have the requisite means to learn to write well ; and teachers should prepare themselves to teach this branch more thoroughly. Now a word to you, parents, about absenteeism, that great hinderance to the better advancement of our schools. Those who have preceded us in writing reports of the schools, have said much at different times upon this sub- ject, though no more than they ought. If you could only be in your school houses, during school hours for one week, and see how it breaks up classes and hinders the progress of scholars, many of you would think differently from what you now do ; and, not only think, but act differently. We mean, you would send your children punctually to school. If your childrens' bodies were suffering for food, would you not consider a whole loaf, at the same price, better than half? On the same reasoning, when the minds of your children — immortal minds — are suffering and dwarfing for the want of intellectual food and culture, is not a whole term, at the same price, better than a part?
E. F. Richakdson, Superintendent.
REPORTS OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEE?.
SOUTH SCHOOL. Appropriation. 0336 93
Balance from last year, 8 14
Spring a>-d Fall Terms. Paid Miss Jennie M. Harris, for teaching 16 weeks, at 84.50 per week, Miss Lottie C. Faulkner. " " " 4J00 "
Wihtke Term. 3Ir. Fred C. Nash, for teaching 11 1-2 weeks, at S10.00 per week, 115 00 Miss Lottie C Faulkner, " 12 " 4,50
for wood,
" building fires and cleaning house,
" two brushes for blackboard, brooms, chalk, &c,
Balance,
|
S72 00 64 00 . 115 00 ' 54 00 23 62 3 75 4 60 |
|
$336 97 8 10 |
£345 07
8345 07
March 4, 1863. E. F. Fuller, Committee.
NORTH SCHOOL. ^
Appropriation. S200 33
Balance from last year, 2 97
Paid Miss Sophia S. Harris, for teaching 16 weeks, at S4,50 per week, 872 00
Mr. Alphonzo E. White, " 3 1-4 months, 113 75
" two cords of wood, 11 25
" building fires and care of house, 3 00
8200 00 Balance, 3 30
S203 30
8203 30
James Keyes, Jr., Committee. SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.
Appropriation, Balance from last year. Received of W. A. Wilde, Received of non-residents,
Paid Miss L. A. Walker, for teaching 15 weeks and 4 days, Mr. E. F. Richardson, ll 3 1-2 months, for wood, " building fires and care of house, " cleaning house, two brooms, pail, and chair, " chalk and dipper,
|
S200 33 |
|
60 |
|
38 14 |
|
5 00 |
|
870 78 |
|
140 00 |
|
12 00 |
|
3 50 |
|
3 32 |
|
24 |
8244 07
8229 84 Balance, 14 23
8244 07
March 20. 1863. D. F. Tarbell. Committee.
EAST SCHOOL. Appropriation. 8200 33
Balance from last year, 7 33
S207 71
Paid Miss S. A. Davis, for teaching 11 weeks, at 84.50 per week, 849 50
Miss E. J. Fletcher, " " " " " " 49 50
Miss S. A. Davis. " 15 '• " 6.50 " 97 50
for cleaning house, building fires, and two brooms, 5 03
" repairs on house, one dipper, 1 42
8202 95 Balance, 4 76
S207 71
March 21, 1863. James E. Billixgs, Committee.
32
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Appropriation, * $336 93
Received of Dr. Cowdrey, 6 00
Spring Term. Paid Miss Helen Cowdrey, teaching 8 weeks, at $4,50 per week, $36 00
Miss Clara Wetherbee, " " " " 3.75 " 30 00
Fall Term. Miss Clara Wetherbee, for teaching 8 weeks, at $4,50 per week, 36 00
"Winter Term. Mr. Luther Conant, Jr., for teaching 14weeks, at $10,00 per week, 140 00 Miss Clara Wetherbee, " " " " 3,75 " 52 50
for wood,
" care of house and building fires, " setting glass, pails, brooms and chalk,
Balance,
$342 93
21 00 4 50
2 00
$322 00 20 93
$342 93 J. Blodgett, Committee.
WEST SCHOOL.
Appropriation, $336 93
Received of A. Fuller, 7 50
Paid Miss Susan C. Huggins, teaching 16 weeks, at $4.00 per week, $64 00
Miss Clara H. Hapgood, " " " " 4,50 " 72 00
" " " 13 " :t 4,50 " 58 50
Mr. W. E. Eaton, " 13 " " 10,00 " 130 00
for wood, 20 83
u taking care of house, 4 75
$344 43
$350 08
Deficiency, $5
March 20, 1863. G. C. Wright, Committee.
33
STATISTICAL TABLE FOR 18G2-3.
|
Districts. |
Names op Teachers |
o c « i Tc.5 B u i-5 |
a o B V o> bn M |
Amount of Wages |
o ■a £ |
i- SB a o Ho < |
■ a? > C5 0=M t- o M 2 B M |
in h G a 6 ft |
03 S 5.2 ft |
u c Si X! c« ^ o ft |
|
spring. |
||||||||||
|
South, . |
Jennie M. Harris, . . |
2 |
$18,00 |
$36,00 |
53 |
47 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
|
« |
Lottie C. Faulkner, . |
2 |
16,00 |
32,00 |
61 |
52 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
|
West. . . |
Clara H. Hapgood, . |
2 |
18,00 |
36,00 |
42 |
37 |
2 |
P |
0 |
9 |
|
u |
Susan C Huggius, . |
2 |
16,00, |
32,00 |
49 |
44 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
U |
|
Centre, . |
Helen E. Cowdrev, . |
2 |
18,00 |
36,00 |
28 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
75 |
r. |
|
(< |
Clara Wetherbee, . . |
2 |
15,00 |
30,00 |
35 |
32 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
East, . . |
S. Augusta Davis, |
23-4 |
18,00 |
49,00. |
41 |
35 |
2 |
5 |
40 |
7 |
|
South East, |
L. Aiabclla Walker, . |
2 |
18.00 |
36,00 |
34 |
31 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
North, . |
Sophia S. Harris, . . |
2 |
18,00 |
36,00 |
27 |
25 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
12 |
|
188-4 $155,00 |
$323,00 |
370 |
8:;s |
9 |
17 |
|||||
|
PALL. |
||||||||||
|
South, |
Jennie M. Harris. . . |
2 |
$18,00 |
$33,00 |
47 |
40 |
5 |
0 |
75 |
7 |
|
« |
Lottie C. Faulkner, . |
2 |
16,00 |
32,00 |
58 |
53 |
0 |
1 |
75 |
20 |
|
West, . . |
Clara H Hapgood, . |
2 |
18,00 |
36,00 |
50 |
38 |
2 |
0 |
GO |
7 |
|
« |
Susan C. Huggius, . |
2 |
16,00 |
32,00 |
52 |
44 |
0 |
0 |
35 |
7 |
|
Centre, . |
Clara Wetherbee, . . |
o |
18,00 |
36.00 |
52 |
40 |
1 |
0 |
50 |
13 |
|
East, . . |
Ellen J. Fletcher, . . |
2841 18,00 |
49,50 |
42 |
36 |
2 |
G |
40 |
4 |
|
|
South East, |
L. Arabella Walker, . |
2 ! 18,00 |
33,00 |
32 |
23 |
1 |
0 |
30 |
9 |
|
|
North, . |
Sophia 8. Harris, . . |
2 163-4 |
18,00 |
33,00 |
24 |
22 |
0 |
1 |
35 |
8 |
|
$140,00 |
$293,50 |
357 |
296 |
11 |
8 |
|||||
|
WINTER. |
1 |
|||||||||
|
South, . |
Fred. C. Nash, . . . |
2 7-8 |
040,00 |
$115,00 |
59 |
54 |
18 |
0 |
80 |
11 |
|
•' |
Lottie C. Faulkner, . |
3 |
18,00 |
54,00 |
Gl |
54 |
0 |
1 |
56 |
17 |
|
West, . . |
W. E. Eaton, . . . |
31-4 |
40,00 |
130,00 |
52 |
46 |
13 |
0 |
100 |
9 |
|
" |
Clara H. Hapgood, . |
31-4 |
18,00 |
58,50 |
58 |
46 |
0 |
1 |
40 |
1 |
|
Centre, . |
Luther Conant, Jr., . |
31-2 |
40,00 |
140,00 |
53 |
48 |
17 |
0 |
90 |
20 |
|
(< |
Clara Wetherbee, . . |
31-2 |
15,00 |
52,50 |
35 |
32 |
0 |
0 |
36 |
13 |
|
East, . . |
S. Augusta Davis, |
33-4 |
26.00 |
97,50 |
46 |
33 |
10 |
2 |
4G |
1 |
|
South East, |
E. F. Richardson, . . |
31-2 |
40,00 |
140,00 |
31 |
27 |
0 |
9 |
30 |
1 |
|
North, |
A.E.White, . . . |
31-4 |
35.00 |
113.75 |
38 |
35 |
15 |
0 |
30 |
3 |
|
297-6*272,00 |
$901,25 |
433 !S80 |
73 13 |
1 |
ANNUAL
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN,
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FROM FEB. 26, 1863, TO FEB. 26, 1864.
AND THE
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ALSO, THE
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK,
AND THE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR 1863-64.
CONCORD :
PRINTED BY BENJAMIN TOLMAN. 1864.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Amount received.
$20,146 90
EXPENDITURES.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
Paid.
Jonas Blodget, for Centre School, George C. Wright, for West School, Emerson F. Fuller, for South School, Daniel F. Tarbell, for South East School, Isaac T. Flagg, for North School, Joseph Esterbrook, for East School,
|
$335 43 |
|
335 43 |
|
335 43 |
|
199 44 |
|
199 44 |
|
199 44 |
$1,604 61
REPAIRS ON SCHOOL HOUSES.
Paid.
|
?or repairs on the Centre School House, |
$18 87 |
|
" " " West School House, |
20 46 |
|
" " " South School House, |
29 56 |
|
" " " South East School House, |
11 50 |
|
11 " " North School House, |
1 48 |
|
14 East School House, |
1 40 |
$83 27
|
BOOKS AND PRINTING |
||
|
Paid. |
||
|
For Printing Warrants, |
$4 50 |
|
|
(< < |
' Dog Notices, |
1 00 |
|
CI ( |
1 Selectmen's Report, |
10 00 |
|
<( ( |
1 450 Pamphlet Reports, |
06 25 |
|
«( ( |
1 Town Record Book, |
4 50 |
|
< < « |
1 Tax Books, |
1 33 |
$87 58
ABATEMENT AND DISCOUNT ON TAXES.
Paid.
John E. Cutter, Abatement on Taxes, $14 83
John E. Cutter, Discount on Taxes, 450 25
$465 08
ROADS AND BRIDGES. Paid. Hiram B. Livermore, for breaking roads 84
hours, Nehemiah Curtis, for breaking roads 13 hours, Joseph Noyes, for " " 27 "
Daniel Harris, for " " 8 "
Francis Kingsley, for repairs on highway, Cyrus Fletcher, for railing highway and repairing
bridges, Simon Robbins, for repairs on highway, Silas Conant, for teaming stones for railing, Julius M. Smith & Co., for joist for railing,
|
$10 50 |
|
|
1 |
62 |
|
3 |
37 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
7 |
69 |
|
11 |
97 |
|
7 |
91 |
|
5 |
50 |
|
8 |
81 |
$58 37
APPROPRIATION FOR SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES.
Paid.
For State Aid, $2,314 64
Recruiting Expenses for 17 men, 1,718 00
$4,032 64
APPROPRIATION FOR TOWN BUILDINGS.
Paid.
Town Hall building committee, $6,163 79
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Paid.
Levi Dow, for keeping stranger,
For wood for Widow Lewis Ohaffin,
" groceries for Widow Lewis Chaffin, City of Boston, for support of Sarah Childs, Town of Concord for burial expenses of Elmira Oliver,
|
$ 62 26 67 10 26 8 75 |
|
5 00 |
TOWN OFFICERS.
,Paid.
Edward F. Richardson, for examining teachers, su- perintending schools, and writing reports, $40 00
James E. Billings, for services as Overseer of
the Poor, 5 00
Do. do., for two journeys to Cambridge, re- specting Elmira Johnson, 4 00
Do. do., journey to Boston respecting Sarah
Childs and Adeline Bobbins, 2 00
Do. do., journey to Marlboro', respecting Emer- son B. Handley,
Jonas K. Putney, for services as Overseer of Poor,
J. K. W. Wetherbee,
William D. Tuttle, 2 1-2 days taking inventory,
Do., making and copying taxes,
Wm. D. Tuttle, for services as Town Clerk,
Do., for collecting and recording 46 births,
Do., " recording 52 deaths,
Do., " " 9 marriages,
Do., making report and military record,
Samuel Hosmcr, for taking inventory and making taxes.
Eben Davis, for do., do.,
John E. Cutter, for collecting taxes for 1862,
Jonas K. Putney, for services as Selectman,
J. K. W. Wetherbee, do., do.,
James E. Billings, do., do.,
|
2 00 |
|
t, 5 00 |
|
5 00 |
|
5 00 |
|
15 00 |
|
15 00 |
|
9 20 |
|
7 20 |
|
90 |
|
5 00 |
|
' 15 00 |
|
15 00 |
|
70 00 |
|
8 50 |
|
30 00 |
|
36 00 |
NOTES AND INTEREST.
Paid.
Joseph R. Vangesel, Note and interest, $62 76
George W. Parks, " " " 89 04
Francis E. Harris, " " " 53 75
$51 30
$294 80
|
Augustine Conant, Interest, |
120 00 |
|
Frederick Rouillard, " |
30 00 |
|
Daniel L. Veazey, " |
6 00 |
|
Daniel Harris, " |
18 00 |
|
Ebenezcr Conant, " |
180 00 |
|
Joel Hanscom, " |
40 80 |
|
David M. Hand ley, |
12 00 |
|
$1 |
50 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
98 |
79 |
|
4 |
50 |
|
6 |
00 |
|
6 |
00 |
|
91 |
65 |
|
54 00 |
|
|
7 |
75 |
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid.
Levi Dow, for notifying dog owners to get their
dogs licensed, Levi Dow, for killing two dogs, Daniel H. Wethcrboe, for services on town farm, For coffin for Michael Quinn, Concord Fire Engine Co., Francis Kingsley, for stone posts for burying
ground, Do., for building wall at the burying ground, Thomas Kingsley, For town pump, Wm. D. Tuttle, for stone posts for bounds and set- ting same on the common, 1 00 For surveying and making plan and deed of land
sold John Fletcher, 2 25
Alonzo Tower, for damage caused by defective
highway, 75 00
For insurance on Town Hall while building, 53 50
" for five years, 150 00
Albeit T. Edmonds, for opening vestry for Town
meetings, Do., for tolling bell for twenty deaths, Daniel Jones, for goods delivered Mrs. Harriet
Robbins, James A. Balch, for tolling bell for four deaths, George Prouty, " " " five "
Hiram J. Hapgood, " " twelve "
George E. Johnson, for burial straps, For furnace, settees, lamps, &c, for Town Hall, Luke Smith, for collecting and taking care of
bell metal, Wm. D. Tuttle, for eight days' labor at burying
ground, Francis Dwight, for coffin and robe for J. D. Ogle,
|
2 00 |
|
4 00 |
|
19 88 |
|
80 |
|
1 00 |
|
2 40 |
|
.2 50 |
|
489 88 |
|
2 00 |
|
10 00 |
|
, 6 95 |
$612 35
Do., for burial of 42 persons, 82 86 Do., for making return of 40 persons to Town
Clerk, 4 00
Henry M. Smith, for burial of nine persons, 18 00 Fitch burg R. R. Co., for transportation of soldiers
in 1862, 15 15
George C. Wright, for settees for West School, 12 35
Express, 4 66
Stationery, 1 75
$1,233 12
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY, FEB. 26, 1864.
|
RECEIPTS. |
|
|
Balance in the Treasury, Feb. 26, 1862, |
$292 80 |
|
State Tax, 1863, |
2,424 00 |
|
County Tax, 1863, |
747 03 |
|
Town Grant, 1863, |
4,000 00 |
|
Town Grant for Schools, |
1,500 00 |
|
Overlay on Taxes, |
265 48 |
|
Highway Deficiencies, |
21 20 |
|
Dog Tax, |
45 00 |
|
State Aid to Jan. 1st, 1863, |
2,416 01 |
|
State bounty for soldiers, |
2,647 17 |
|
Town of Sudbury, for tuition, |
10 00 |
|
Borrowed money, |
5,395 27 |
|
Money from State for May training, 1862, |
87 50 |
|
For old bell, |
119 59 |
|
From State, for burial of J. D. Ogle and M. |
|
|
Quinn, |
10 00 |
|
Armory rent, |
50 00 |
|
Town of Concord, for tuition, |
20 60 |
|
For old iron and ashes, > |
21 25 |
|
State school fund, |
74 00 |
|
<$Of| 1,jfi HA |
|
|
<fl>ZiU, I'iU \)\J |
|
|
EXPENDITURES. |
|
|
For support of schools, |
$1,604 61 |
|
repairs on school houses, |
83 27 |
|
books and printing, |
87 58 |
abatement and discount on taxes, 465 08
'0~
8
For roads and bridges,
appropriation for soldiers and families,
" " Town buildings,
support of poor, Town Officers, - notes and interest, miscellaneous expenses, State tax, County tax,
Balance in Treasury Feb. 26, 1864,
|
58 37 |
|||
|
4.032 |
64 |
||
|
6,163 |
79 |
||
|
51 |
30 |
||
|
294 |
80 |
||
|
612 |
35 |
||
|
1,233 |
12 |
||
|
2,424 |
00 |
||
|
747 |
03 |
||
|
t |
$17,857 |
94 |
|
|
<■ |
|||
|
$2,288 96 |
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN FEB. 26, 1864.
Dr.
To balance as per report, Feb, 26, 1864, $2,288 96 amount due from the State for aid furnished families of soldiers, 2,870 92
$5,159 88
AMOUNT DUE ON NOTES. Cr.
|
By Cash of Daniel Harris, |
$805 34 |
|
|
Eben Conant, |
4,500 00 |
|
|
Frederick Rouillard, |
1,700 00 |
|
|
Silas P. Blodgct, |
795 27 |
|
|
David M. Handley, |
200 00 |
|
|
Daniel L. Veazey, |
100 00 |
|
|
Mathew McKiuney, |
100 00 |
|
|
Charles H. Blood, |
100 00 |
|
|
Joel Hanscom, |
680 00 |
|
|
Augustine Conant, |
4,000 00 |
|
|
Isaac T. Flagg, |
100 00 |
|
|
James Keycs, Jr., |
600 00 |
|
|
John Wood, |
500 00 |
|
|
Elbridge J. Bobbins, |
500 00 |
|
|
Interest on Notes, |
570 24 |
|
|
1864, |
$15,250 85 |
|
|
Balance against the Town Feb. 26, |
without |
|
|
including the balance due as per |
Overseers' |
|
|
report for 1864, |
$10,090 97 |
AMOUNT OF STATE AID PAID EACH PERSON.
|
Paid. Mrs. Charlotte M. Pike, |
$144 00 |
|
Maria Fisk, |
144 00 |
|
Sally Veazey, |
144 00 |
|
Betsey M Sawyer, |
144 00 |
|
Betsey Shehan, |
144 00 |
|
Hattie S. Jackson, |
144 00 |
|
S. H. Wetherbee, |
144 00 |
|
Rosa Miner, |
144 00 |
|
Margaret Fitzpatrick, |
144 00 |
|
t Rebecca C. Wright, |
116 00 |
|
Joanna Moulton, |
104 00 |
|
Catherine Dwelley, |
60 00 |
|
Henrietta Gross, |
52 00 |
|
Nancy Huggins, |
52 00 |
|
Charlotte Blood, |
52 00 |
|
Anna E. Robbins, |
52 00 |
|
Sarah J. Taft, |
52 00 |
|
Sarah J. Skinner, |
52 00 |
|
Martha Wayne, |
52 00 |
|
Berintha W. Sawyer, |
27 43 |
|
Eliza W. Reed, |
14 00 |
|
Sarah Callahan, |
35 60 |
|
Huldah Moulton, |
36 00 |
|
Mary A. Butters, |
36 00 |
|
Helen M. Clark, |
36 00 |
|
L. W. Bowers, |
35 00 |
|
F. L. Whitcomb, |
26 28 |
|
Sarah A. Hutchins, |
13 14 |
|
H. C. Holden, |
13 14 |
|
Maria Morrill, |
13 14 |
|
Eliza Kingsley, |
73 20 |
|
Fannie Parker, |
2 57 |
|
S. F. Chaplin, |
13 14 |
|
JAMES E. BILLINGS, ' |
) |
|
JONAS K. PUTNEY, |
y Selectme? |
|
J. K. W. WETHERBEE, J |
i |
|
Acton, Feb. 26, 1864. |
|
|
2 |
$2,314 64
REPORT OF TOWN HOUSE BUILDING COMMITTEE,
RECEIPTS. Received of the Town Treasurer,
$8,153 67
EXPENDITURES.
Paid for material and building town house, $7,663 79 " " furnace, settees and other fixtures, 489 88
1,153 67
Or.
By lumber, oil, nails, &c, on hand, " furnace, settees, &c,
$75 00 489 88
Total expense of the house,
$564 88
$7,588 79
Daniel Wetherbee, Samuel Hosmer, James Tuttle, Cyrus Fletcher, David M. Handley, A. M. Rowell, Luther Conant,
Building Committee.
REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES,
AT THE
ALMSHOUSE, IN ACTON, FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL V 1864.
ARTICLES ON HAND, APRIL 1, 1864.
1 pair oxen, $175,00, 1 horse, 70,00, 9 cows, 300,00, $545 00
3 shotes, 48,00, 30 bush, corn, 42,00, 12 bush, oats, 9,00, 99 00
5 bush, beans, 12,50, 3-4 bush, peas, .93, 22 fowls, 8,25, 21 68 55 bush, potatoes, 33,00, 1-2 bbl. soap, 2,50, 350 lbs.
pork, 43,75, 79 25
75 lbs. beef, 6,00, 4 bbls. apples, 4,00, 36 lbs. candles, 5,40, 15 40
soap grease, 1,25, 1 bbl. pickles, 3,00, 10 lbs. tallow, .90, 5 15
vinegar, 3,00, 53 M. skewers, 26,50, 100 lbs. ham, 14,00, 43 50 59 lbs. lard, 8,26, 3 1-2 tons hay, 70,00, 37 lbs. dried
apples, 3,33, 81 59
10 bush, ashes, 1 25
$891 82
RECEIPTS.
For milk, $344,62, apples, 178,71, calves, 46,96, skewers, 40,13, cows, 146,50, pork, 20,61, beef, 18,79, hay, 39,86, labor, 70,00, poultry, eggs, 14,70, turnips, 6,85, onions, 5,41, hide, lard, 3,82, pasturing, 1,75, peas, .15.
|
$570 29 |
|
|
207 24 |
|
|
9,70, |
138 35 |
|
5,20, |
32 16 |
|
5 72 |
$953 76
12
EXPENDITURES.
Cloth and clothing, $29,12, boots and shoes, 16,13, 845 25
Skewer timber, 4,50, castings, 4,61, earthen ware, 2,50, 11 61
Sugar. 14,13, molasses. 24,82, tea, 5,33, coffee, 7,44, 51 72
Meat, 56,61, butter, 48,44, cheese, 16.43, fish, 7,77, 129 25
Flour, 47,00, rye meal, 10,37, corn, 2,37, Indian meal, 14,87, 74 61
Salt, 4,90, onions, 5,20, bread, 1,86, tobacco, 6,55, 18 51
Yeast, .40, saltpetre, .28, spices, 3,99, starch, .24, 4 91
Salaratus, .40. camphor, .10, lemons, .13, 63
Raisins, .52, oil, 2,15, soap, 1,07, rosin, 1,00, ■ 4 74
Wickiug, .39, grass and garden seeds, 5,14, milk, 2,53, 8 06
Cider, 1,70, nails, .73, lampblack, .4, powder, .60, 3 07
Spirits, .75, cords, .71, tools, 13,59, blacksmith's bill, 17,25, 32 26
Crockery, .98, plaster, 3,50, potash, 2,15, bone meal, .40, 7 03
Sawing bill, 1,11, whips, .38, ladders, 4,28, 5 77
Bill, 3,75, barrels, 10,31, lumber, 1,05, glass and putty, .52, 15 63
Stove polish, .6, paper, .10, repairing pump, 5,00, 5 16
Use of bull, 1,00, labor, 1,75, newspaper, 2,20, 4 95
Cash to paupers, .75. wooden ware, .49, 1 24
Expenses to Boston, 15,49, Dr. Cowdry's bill, 7,58, 23 07
Use of pasture, 20,00, coffin, 7,20, cows, 59,25, *' 86 45
Heifers, 83,30, shotes, 23,77, brooms, 1,25, 108 32
Salve, .23, matches, .50, use of wagon, 6,50, 7 23
Use of winnowing mill, 50
Services of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Wetherbee, 275 00
James E. Billings' services, 6 00
Jonas K. Putney's " 6 00
J. K. W. Wetherbee's services, 6 00
Amount of inventory, April 1, 1863, Interest on farm,
|
$942 97 |
|
|
$822 05 |
|
|
239 40 |
|
|
$1,061 45 |
|
$2,004 42
RECAPITULATION.
|
Amount of receipts, |
$953 76 |
|
|
xVmount of expenditures, |
942 97 |
|
|
Cash on hand, ' |
$10 79 |
|
|
Total amount of expenditures, |
$942 97 |
|
|
Amount of inventory, April 1, 1863, |
822 05 |
|
|
Interest on farm, |
239 40 |
$2,004 42 |
13
Total amount of receipts, $953 76
Amount of inventory, April 1, 1864, 891 82
SI. 845 58
$158 84 Expense of victualing foreigners, 10 00
Total expense of supporting poor in Almshouse, $148 84
Whole number of persons (exclusive of foreigners) supported in the Almshouse, 6 ; average, 5 1-4 ; present number, 5.
James E. Billings, ) Overseers Jonas K. Putney, > of
J. K. W. Wetherbee, ) Poor.
Acton, April 1, 1864.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS RECORDED IN ACTON, IN 1863.
No. Date of Birth. Names. Names of Parents.
1. Jan. 11, In Worcester, Hattie Emily Smith, daughter of Henry
M. and Abbie B. Smith.
2. Jan. 12, Frank F. Webber, son of Gilbert T. and Sarah A.
Webber.
3. Jan. 15, William Wilson Schouler, sob of William and Elizabeth
G. Schouler.
4. Jan. 28, Fred Everett Cutler, son of N. E. and Sarah A.
Cutler.
5. Feb. 1, Frederic Stearns Mead, son of Varnum B. and D. Eliz-
abeth Mead.
6. Feb. 4, Addie Henrietta Barker, daughter of Henry and Louisa
M. Barker.
7. Feb. 8, John Frederic Kinsley, son of Thomas and Maria
Kinsley.
8. Feb. 13, Rosalia Etta Fredericks, daughter of William A. and
Margaret Fredericks.
9. Feb. 17, In Littleton, Mary Kate and Margaret Ellen Gubbins,
10. " " twin children of James and Margaret Gubbins.
11. Feb. 18? In New Ipswich, N. H., Evergene Adelia and Eugene
12. " " Appleton Avery, twin children of James E. and Har-
riet B. Avery.
13. March 3, Carrie Evelyn Jones, daughter of Elnathan Jr. and
Elizabeth Jones.
14. March 6, Walter A. Richardson, son of Charles F. and Mary
Richardson.
15. March 11, Mabel Loraine Livermore, daughter of fliram B. and
Laura E. Livermore.
16. March 25, Florence Perkins, daughter of Isaiah B. and Mary
E. Perkins.
17. April 21, Albert McDonald, son of George and Mary McDonald.
18. April 21, Kate Conway, daughter of John and Julia Conway.
19. May 2, A daughter of Henry H. and Ellen A. Hale.
15
20. May 24. Freddy Hand, son of George W. and M. Augusta
Rand.
21. May 26, John Franklin Hosmer, son of Cyrus and M. Matilda .
Hosmer.
22. May 30, Gilman Henry Parlin, son of Asaph, Jr., and Candace
M. Parlin.
23. June 5, Herbert Melvin Taylor, son of Thomas and Martha A.
Taylor.
24. June 11, Frederic Brooks Noyes, son of Thomas F. and Sarah t C. Noyes.
25. June 13, Robert Howard Todd, son of James and Margaret C.
Todd.
26. July 4. Emma Teel, daughter of William H. and Mary E. Teel.
27. July 15. James Paul Hayward, son of Joel F. and Sarah E.
Hay ward.
28. July 16, Myrtilla Richardson, daughter of Edward F. and Fran-
ces H. Richardson.
29. Aug. 2, Herbert Augustine Conant, son of Luther, Jr., and
Celeste J. Conant. #
30. Aug. 3, William Murphy, son of Daniel and Elizabeth J. Mur-
phy.
31. Aug. 6, Elmer Ellsworth Handley, son of Reuben and Caroline
M. Handley.
32. Aug. 12, Mary Chase, daughter of Thomas N. and M. Maria
Chase.
33. Aug. 22, Thomas Haggerty, son of William, 2d, and Catherine
Haggerty.
34. Sept, 12, Nixon Ball, son of Lewis F. and Martha D. Ball.
35. Sept. 14, In Stow, George Alvah Edson, son of James T. and
Susan T. Edson.
36. Sept, 23, Nellie Haggerty, daughter of William and Mary Hag-
gerty.
37. Oct. 2,-Estelle D. Heath, daughter of Edwin H. and Isabella
M. Heath.
38. Oct. 26, James Hannon, son of Michael and Mary Hannon.
39. Nov. 10, A son to James L. and Frances E. Parker.
40. Nov. 13, Frank Cleveland Wright, son of George C. and Susan
H. Wright.
41. Nov. 20, Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of Morris and Catherine
Griffin.
42. Nov. 23, Etta Cora Temple, daughter of John and Lottie A.
Temple.
43. Dec. 18, Viola Sophia Tuttle, daughter of Luke and S. Sophia
Tuttle.
44. Dec. 26, A son to Henry A. and Mary O. Dwelley. Born in Acton, 38 ; males, 23 ; females, 15.
16
MARRIAGES IN ACTON, IN 1863.
No. Date of Marriage. Names of Parties.
1. Jan. 1, Loren James Bradford, of Japan, and Miss Hattie A.
Burroughs, of Acton.
2. April 1, Henry Hartwell, of Acton, and Miss Augusta H. Pen-
niman, of Concord.
3. April 3, James Wheeler and Miss S. Jennie Rowell, both of
Acton.
4. May 6, John White and Miss Sarah A. Rouillard, both of Acton.
5. Aug. 2, Charles A. Brown, of Fitchburg, and Miss Anna B.
Atwood, of Acton.
6. Sept. 12, Edward C. Cutcliff and Mrs. Louisa A. Marble, both
of Acton.
7. Oct. 10, George M. Kendall and Miss Henrietta Conant, both of
Acton.
8. Oct. 18, George F. Keyes and Miss Arabella W. Priest, both of
Acton.
9. Nov. 25, George Conant, of Acton, and Miss Leora E. Willis,
of- Stow.
DEATHS IN ACTON, IN 1863.
No. Date of Death. Name and Age of Deceased.
1. Jan. 15, Mrs. Hattie R. Conant, aged 26 yrs. 8 mos. 25 days.
2. Jan. 22, Widow Nabby F. Hayden, aged 73 years.
3. Feb. 5, Mr. John Harris, aged 88 yrs. 10 mos.
4. Feb. 14, Nathaniel B. son of Charles F. and Melisa Jordan,
aged 2 yrs. 7 mos.
5. Feb. 15. Mr. Joseph Brabrook, aged 83 yrs. 6 mos. 16 days.
6. " " Carrie M., daughter of William A. and Lydia J. Wilde,
aged 6 yrs. 4 mos. 3 days.
7. March 25, Mrs. Lucy B. Noyes, wife of Capt. Joseph Noyes,
aged 53 yrs.
8. March 28, Patrick Phelan, son of Michael and Ellen Phelan,
aged 16 yrs. 4 mos. 21 days.
9. April 1, Mr. Reuben Wheeler, aged 81 yrs.
10. " 18, Mr. Lovell Spaulding, aged 69 yrs. 1 mo. 23 days.
11. " 21, Franklin Loker, son of Henry and Mary M. Loker,
aged 19 yrs. 10 mos. 9 days.
12. April 26, Mrs. Mary M. Bowers, wife of Luke W. Bowers, aged
30 yrs. 10 mos. 6 days.
13. April 27, Carrie Evelyn, daughter of Edwin and Mary J. Fletch-
er, aged 2 yrs. 3 mos. 15 days.
17
14. April 28, Mr. Henry Puffer, aged 37 years.
15. May 2, Lavina W., daughter of Luke W. and Mary M. Bowers,
aged 2 yrs. G mos.
16. June 2, Mr. Joel Conant, aged 75 yrs.
17. " 3, Capt. Robert P. Boss, aged 59 yrs
18. " 9, Mr. Abel Robbins, aged 71 yrs. 9 mos.
19. July 2, Franklin B., son of Isaiah B. and Mary E. Perkins, aged
9 yrs. 7 mos.
20. July 4, Olvin H., son of Joseph and Naney Estabrook, aged 5
yrs. 11 mos. 4 days.
21. July 8, Silas F., son of Silas Jr., and Almira Conant, aged 6
yr.<. 9 mos. 13 days.
22. July 11, Jeremiah, son of James and Catherine Hurley, aged
10 yrs. 1 roo. 25 days.
23. July 15, Nellie Celeste, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Esta-
brook, aged 3 yrs. 10 mos. 17 day.-.
24. July 20, Edna C. Taylor, daughter of Zoheth and Marthaetta
Taylor, aged 8 yrs. 8 mos. 27 days.
25. July 24, Nellie C, daughter of Moses and Nancy 31. Hay ward, .
aged 6 yrs. 11 mos. 18 days.
26. July 27, Bertha Sophie, daughter of Varnum and Sarah L. Tut-
tle. aged 8 mos. 20 days.
27. Aug. 1, Miss Lucy Jennings, aged 75 yrs. 10 mos. 15 days.
28. Aug. 25, Mrs. Hannah Hapgood, widow of Ephraim Hapgood,
aged 77 yrs.
29. Aug. 30, Mr. William Hosmer, aged 59 yrs. 1 mo. 15 days.
30. Sept. 4, Mr. John Tenny, aged 35 yrs 6 mos. 10 days.
31. " 11, Mrs. Mary J. Fletcher, wife of Edwin Fletcher, aged
30 yrs. 5 mos.
32. Sept. 15, Flora Abbie, daughter of Henry M. and Abbie B.
Smith, aged 4 yrs. 5 mos. 6 days.
33. Sept. 29, Mrs. Mary Knight, wife of Simeon Knight, aged 82
yrs.
34. Oct. 1, Miss Mary A. Pierce, aged 17 yrs. 3 days.
35. " 15, Alfred Adams, son of Nathan S. and Louisa W. Adams,
aged 18 yrs.
36. Oct. 25, Miss Martha J. Hyde, aged 19 yrs. 3 mos. 14 days.
37. " 28, William W., son of William and Elizabeth G. Schouler,
aged 9 mos. 13 days.
38. Oct. 29 Ida Everlena, daughter of Winthrop E. and Lydia A.
Wood, aged 1 yr. I mo. 17 days.
39. Nov. 3, Mrs. Mary Matilda Hosmer, wife of Cyrus Hosmer,
aged 26 yrs. 9 mos. 11 days.
40. Nov. 25, Mr. Henry Hapgood, son of John and Mary A. Hap-
good, aged 21 yrs. 9 mos. 20 days.
41. Dec. 5, Mrs. Sarah Hosmer, widow of Mr. Samuel Hosmer, aged
94 yrs. 7 mos. 13 days. 3
18 SOLDIERS IN THE UNITED STATES SERVICE.
No.
1. Jan. 31, Albert E. Conant, Co. F, 30th Reg., died on voyage
home from New Orleans.
2. Feb. 9, Elbridge Conant, son of Silas and Eliza Conant, aged 21
yrs. 7 mos. 19 days, died at Suffolk, Va., of brain fever.
3. Feb. 15, Marivan Miner, Co. E, 26th Reg., aged about 50 yrs.,
died at New Orleans of consumption.
4. April 4, Wm. H. Loker, Co, E, 26th Reg., son of Henry and
Mary M. Loker, died in action, aged 21 yrs. 10 mos.
5. April 10, George W. Knight, Co. E, 53d Reg., son of Simeon
and Lucinda P. Knight, aged 20 yrs., died at or near New Orleans.
6. July 10, John H. P. White, Assistant Quartermaster of 26th
Reg., aged 46 yrs., died at New Orleans.
7. Aug. 9, Henry W. Laselle, Co. E, 26th Reg., son of Charles and
Harriet Laselle, died at New Orleans, aged 19 yrs. 5 mos.
8. Oct. 13, Eri Huggins, Co. A, 26th Reg., died at New Orleans,
aged 55 yrs. 9 mos. 5 days.
9. Nov. 29, Lieut. Geo. L. Sbaw, Co. F, 47th Reg., died in Bos-
ton, aged 26 yrs., of disease contracted while in the service.
10. Jan. 14, Wm. B. Reed, Co. E, 26th Reg., son of William and
Lucy D. Reed, aged 21 yrs., died at Franklin, La.
11. Aug. — , Mathew McKinney, Co. E, 26th Reg., died at or near
New Orleans.
12. Dec. 1, Lieut. John A. Howard, 3d Corps d'Afrique, died at St.
James Hospital, New Orleans, of fever.
MILITARY RECORD.
The past year has been an eventful one in the history of the nation, as of the town. In the great struggle for national existence, though success has not always attended our arms, yet upon a careful survey of the whole field of operations, it will be seen that important advantages have been gained, and that while the limits of the rebellion have been greatly narrowed down, its military strength and resources have been seriously impaired.
While the burdens of the war press heavily upon the resources of the nation, taxing to the utmost the financial skill of the government to maintain its credit, yet the people have not abated one jot of heart or hope, and if we mistake not. cost what it may, are to-day more than ever determined that the struggle shall not cease till the rebellion is crushed and every obstacle to the nation's permanent peace and pros- perity forever removed.
The " military situation " so far as Acton is concerned, is decidedly encouraging. Thus far we have fully met every requisition of the government, and have a sufficient surplus placed to our credit to meet any further demands that may be made upon us, at least for some time. It appears that in estimating the quotas of the different towns, on the late call for 500,000 men, the results of the draft of July 10, 1863, were taken into consideration by the government, and that the quota of Acton, in addition to the proceeds of that draft, for the said 500- 000, was Jif teen, a number less by two than was at first reported, and raised by the recruiting committee ; so that at the present time we have an excess of two raised on that call, in addition to thirty-nine re- enlisted men and six new recruits, making in all an excess of forty- seven men with which to meet the call just made for another 200,000, and for future drafts, should there be any.
Much credit is due to the town's recruiting committee for their per- sistent and well directed efforts in filling the several quotas, and thus bringing about these desirable results.
The results of the draft of July 10, 1863, may be summed up as follows :
Number drafted, 35. Of this number 20 were examined and ex- empted ; 12 were examined and accepted ; 1 enlisted prior to the draft ; 1 enlisted subsequent to the draft ; 1 failed to report ; making in all, 35. Of the 12 accepted, 11 procured substitutes, and one paid the commutation fee, thus making the net proceeds of that draft, 14.
20
Th9 names of those who procured substitutes, paid commutation money and enlisted, are as follows :
Waldo G. Dunn, enlisted, Sylvanus Hunt, enlisted.
who Procured Substitutes.
Those
Charles Sweatt,
James L. Parker,
Edwin A. Jones,
Alonzo Hapgood,
Varnum B. Mead
Merrick Puffer,
Edwin Tuttle paid commutation money.
S. F. Hosmer, Charles Robbins, 2d, John R. Houghton, George Conant, Hiram Hapgood.
Re-enlisted Men and Volunteers
It was hoped that a complete list of those who have re-enlisted from this town might be obtained in season for this report, but as the re- turns from the several regiments in the field have not all been sent in to the Adjutant General's office, and the work of re-enlistment is still in progress, it was found impossible to do so.
The following is a list of those who are known to have re-enlisted, and of those who have lately entered the service from this town. Many additions will undoubtedly be made to the number within the next thirty days. — ' t
Re enlisted Men, {Veterans.)
Capt. Wm. H. Chapman, 1st Lieut. Silas P. Blodget, 2d Lieut. Elias E. Haynes, Privates Henry Brown,
11 Samuel R. Burroughs, 11 John B. Cram, Geo. W. Cram, Nathan Goss, Wm. S. Handley, 11 A. J. Huggins,
Delctte H. Hall, " Abram Handley, " Gilman S. Hosmer, " Loring M. Jackson, Francis Kinsley, James Moulton, " Charles Morse, " Benjamin Skinner, " Dennis Sheahan, Warren L. Teel, Thomas Wright,
Privates James H. Wood,
Wm. F. B. Whitney, " John Wayne, " Lincoln E. Wheeler,
Robert C Chaffin, " George W. Sawyer, " James W. Fiske, " James Braut, " Richard Casey, 11 George Dale,
John C. Fink, " Joseph Fasser, " Wm. H. Herring, " Richard C. Hess, " Charles McGuire,
Peter W. Perry, " Henry Roselle, " Frederic R. Stromier,
John Smith, " George A. Schaffer, " [David Kirk.
Total, 39 men exclusive of officers.
21
Volunteers Lately Entered the Service.
Thomas Kinsley, Oscar Dwelley, 1 Albert Rouillard,
Eugene L. Hall, enlisted, not sworn into service. Emery Lothrop, " " " "
Charles Young, 11th Regiment.
Total, 6.
Wm. D. Tuttle, Town Cleric. Acton, March 25, 1864.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOLS IN ACTON,
FOR THE YEAR 1863-64.
Gentlemen of the School Committee :
It has been a question of some moment for us to decide, whether to say nothing about the existing evils connected with our schools, and write the least we possibly could and have it pass for a report, or to express our thoughts more fully, and risk being censured for trying to make some great display of literary talent, as some would sneer- ingly call it ; and, for making an extravagantly large printer's bill. The latter course we have, however, de- cided to pursue.
And first, Ave wish to speak of our school-houses ; and in no very flattering term seither. We know there are a plenty ready to say, they are good enough ; what would be the use to build better ones, for the scholars to tear in pieces. If you should build ever so good ones, it would not be long before they would look as bad as these we now have. Why, they exclaim, " some of our school- houses have not been built comparatively but a short time, and just look at them" That is what we say, look at them, and carefully to ; and we think you will come to the sage conclusion, that they are ill planned, poorly built
23
shammy things. Now we want candidly to ask those who think they are well arranged for the convenience and health of scholars, and teachers, and are good enough, if they can give any description of them ; if they can tell what color they are painted, or whether they are painted at all. My word for it in nine cases out of ten they could not do it. How should they ? They never go inside of them, unless it is to some school-meeting in the evening, when there is a prospect of some trouble being fermented. We suppose many will consider this plain language ; and indeed it is so. But we believe if they could see the de- fects of our school-rooms, as we have for the past two years, they would think it none too much so. We are not believers in the oft repeated assertion, that our scholars would injure and deface a good new house, as quick as they would an old dingy thing, with benches without paint or varnish, and walls without paper. We do not believe the children and youth in this town are so much worse than they are in others ; and we know they have large, convenient, and even ornamental school-houses in other towns, and they are kept well too. We believe if this town would build some good school-houses, conven- ient and well finished, that our scholars would take pride in keeping them so. This, in a measure, is proved by the fact, that the house in the South East District was, a few years ago, well repaired and the walls papered ; and, not- withstanding the Committee who put it on was censured for wasting money by so doing — as the scholars would tear it off in one term — it remains neat and whole to this day, and a credit to him. We do not think it a good way to cultivate feelings of respect for public property, by having constantly before the eyes of our children defaced benches, dingy walls, and plastering hanging from the ceiling here and there, in a manner to tempt even those not inclined to mischief, to hit it a poke and tumble it
24
down ; any more than it would be a good way to cultivate thoughts of purity and chastity, by constantly presenting to the view pictures obscene and immoral. We think all should be as willing to be taxed to raise money to build good school-houses for their children to attend school in, as they would be to raise money to build a good town house to attend town meeting in, and we think if the town is able to have a town house worth some eight thousand dollars, it is able to have school-houses worth as much.
Sustaining Teachers. — We believe there is no greater evil connected with our common schools, (certainly not if we except absenteeism,) than that of not fully sustaining teachers. This perhaps will apply more particularly to schools in the country, than to those in cities, where parents well understand that any interference on their part with the rules and regulations of teachers will not be tolerated. In cities, teachers usually teach years in the same school, while in the country, with few excep- tions, if the same teacher is retained in one school for two, or three terms at most, it is an instance truly worthy of comment. Now the question arises, what makes the difference? Simply this: in the first instance parents mind their own business, and allow those who are chosen for that purpose, to say when a teacher is doing right, or when he is not ; in the second instance parents are con- stantly intermeddling with teachers, and finding fault with every little thing that don't please them. A small speck seen in a school's horizon at the first of the term, is talked about and magnified, until to the view of many it be- comes an awful cloud, enveloping in utter darkness all good qualities. We do not wish to be understood, that we would retain in school a teacher, who did not in any respect try to do their duty, or who were wholly unfit for the position ; by no means — we would dismiss them at once. But committees and parents do not always agree
25
as to what teachers ought to be dismissed, and what not. Frequently parents are heard to say, what is the use to keep such a teacher in school ; they are not doing any good, the money is only being thrown away. Now*upon what foundation are such remarks usually based ; simply this ; they have heard the teacher has done thus and so. He has made rules that they don't think there is any need of, or that are right ; and that he has requested exercises of the scholars, that never was asked of them when they went to school. Ask them if they have been into the school to see if they have been rightly informed, and they will an- swer, oh, no ! we have not been near the school. On the other hand the Committee visits the school ; sees and in- vestigates for himself, and finds altogether a different state of affairs from what flying reports say; and can see no sufficient reason for dismissing the teacher. Ah ! if some people only knew how deeply they often injure others by censuring them before they know whether they have been rightly informed in regard to them or not, or know what the real motive was that actuated the censured party, or by what circumstances they were surrounded, how much trouble it would save in the world, especially in schools. Oft-times we hear it said of teachers, they are so proud and haughty they cannot speak to any one, when all the while they are yearning for the warm grasp of some friendly hand, and a word of encouragement from some parent who sends children to their school. Perhaps it would be well for those who are so particular about etiquette, to bear in mind that, when a stranger comes into their place to stop, they not he, are the ones to speak first without a formal introduction. We think a safe rule to go by in re- gard to the support of teachers is to do by them under all circumstances, as we would wish to have a child of our own d*one by, if they should go among strangers to teach. 4
26
Absenteeism. — Although, in our former report we spoke of this, we cannot forbear saying a few words now ; for we believe it is one of those evils that can be remedied only by being constantly kept in view. Why is it that parents will be so blind to their own interests, and that of their children as not to have them attend school punctu- ally, if possible, and derive the full benefit of the money that is expended for them. The problem in one of the old arithmetics about the time it would take a toad to get out of a well, that fell back two feet every night, for three he got ahead in the daytime, would be a good one for those scholars to work out, who for every three days' at- tendance are absent two. They would probably find it would take ten or twelve terms to make that advancement they ought to in less than half that time. A teacher usu- ally has enough to do in school hours, without being hin- dered and perplexed by scholars who were absent the day before, coming to him and asking him where this and that lesson is. Besides they are a dead weight upon their classes, always tending to keep them back. It is a pity that all parents could not have the infinite pleasure of teaching one term of school ; then, though they might not like, they would acknowledge the justness of what we have said.
We will now give a brief view of the several schools and teachers.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
E. F. Fuller, Local Committee. The Primary Department of this school, for the spring and fall terms, was taught by Miss Lottie C. Faulkner, the same honored teacher who has had charge of it so long. Under her guidance this school has made great ad- vancement ; not only intellectually but morally. A real live working teacher, neither sparing pains nor labor for the improvement of those committed to her care, she has
27
earned a reputation that any one might well feel proud of. At the examination of the school all the classes showed excellent improvement. Most of the writing- books — of which there were forty-two — looked neat and were well written, considering that most of the writers were but eight and ten years old — some even less than eight. It was evident that good attention had been paid to this branch of study. Another thing was also evident, and that was the advantage of having the same teacher a succession of terms. The singing by both boys and girls was excellent. Miss Faulkner not wishing to teach the winter term, the Committee finally decided to engage the services of Miss Helenette Colby, of War- ner, N. H., the teacher who taught the spring and fall terms of the higher department. Miss Colby labored with much zeal to keep the school up to its former high standing ; and we are pleased to say that the examination showed that she had successfully done this. Her method of teaching in this. school, though differing in some re- spects from their former teachers, was on the whole, so nearly the same, that it did not take the scholars so long to get acquainted with them, as is usually the case when a new teacher enters a school. The gymnastic exercises in which all the school engaged were well performed, inter- esting and we believe useful. The higher department for the spring and fall terms, was taught by Miss Colby. The school was a profitable one to those scholars who tried to govern themselves, and also avail themselves of the good instruction the teacher gave in the various branches taught. At the closing examination individual scholars, more than classes, showed good improvement. With the right stimulus to action this teacher is capable of taking high rank. The winter term of the higher department, was taught by Mr. A. E. White, the same teacher who taught the North school the winter previous. Of this
28
teacher we need say but little ; his labors will speak for him, as long as those scholars who stood faithfully and honorably by him shall live. We believe that many, who had before been dull, backward scholars will, as years roll away, look back with feelings of gratitude to this teacher as a true friend ; who toiled faithfully for their greatest good against all opposition and censure. One thing all admitted, even those who opposed him most, that their children learned first rate, and were not abused. The examination showed just what we expected, thorough- ness and great improvement. At its close, the scholars, to show their respect and appreciation, presented the teacher with a beautiful album and gold ring.
NOKTH SCHOOL. Isaac T. Flagg, Local Committee. The spring and Ml terms of this school were taught by Miss Angenette Wheeler, of Acton. This was her first effort at school teaching, and we think a very good one. Mild and pleasant in her intercourse with her schol- ars, she so gained their good will that governing was easy. She labored earnestly for the advancement of her little charge, and was successful beyond our expectations, as the examination showed. Gymnastic exercises were in- troduced to the pleasure and profit of the school. The winter term of this school was placed in charge of Me. B. T. Kinsman, of Tuft's College. Mr. Kinsman is a young man of fine abilities, though quiet and unassuming in the school-room. Some difficulty arose in this school in re- gard to the division of the class in the higher reader, which was referred to us to decide. We decided in favor of the division the teacher had made ; not however to please him, but because we believed it right. In our visits to the school we noticed that the teacher seemed in- clined to lead his scholars to do right by good example,
29
rather than use coercive measures ; a course that would perhaps he questionable, where there are rogueish boys who need both combined. The classes generally made fair improvement ; the spelling classes in particular were very good. At the close of the examination the teacher was presented with a handsome album, which showed the esteem and good will of his scholars.
SOUTH EAST SCHOOL. D. F. Tabbell, Local Committee. Miss Claka Weathebbee had charge of the spring and fall terms of this school. Miss Weatherbee has long been known to the town as a teacher of merit ; and we think her reputation suffered none by her effort in this school. In all our visits the school appeared quiet and orderly ; and the happy faces of the scholars showed that they were enjoying the hours of school. The examination passed off pleasantly, and showed a degree of improvement credita- ble to scholars and teacher. The winter term was placed in care of Mb. Omab A. Flint, of this town. We knew Mr. Flint to be a young man of excellent moral character, and a fine scholar ; and had no fears in giving him our ap- probation to enter the school but what he would keep a good one, though it was his first term. And he did keep a good and profitable school, for all those scholars who went to school, not to dictate as to what they should or should not do, but to obey the requirements of the teacher, and strive to the best of their ability to learn. We believe if the intentions of all in the district to promote the inter- ests of the school had been as good as the teacher's, there would have been no occasion to find fault. The examina- tion was a good one, better even than we expected ; slew- ing good improvement in the classes generally, a/d in some very good. The writing books showed gooo1 atten- tion had been paid to them. We think this teaser will yet win a good reputation as such. /
30
WEST SCHOOL.
Geo. C. Wright, Local Committee. The primary department of this school was taught for the year by Miss Susan C. Huggins. Miss Huggins has im- proved greatly as a teacher since the first term she had charge of this school. In our visits, Ave found the order nearer what we could wish, and her methods of teaching superior to what they had been. As an inevitable result of this, the school* made good improvement. This was plainly evident at the examinations, which were credit- able to both scholars and teacher, and we think in- teresting and gratifying to the parents and friends who were present.
The higher department was under the instruction of Miss Clara II. Hapgood, for the spring and fall terms. Miss Hapgood commenced her labors with her accustomed zeal, and had it not been for her failing health, owing to too much care and anxiety on account of sickness at home, would have merited that approbation which she has al- ways won. The labor required to govern and teach a school like this, though one of the best in town, is so exhausting that a teacher needs to expend all their powers of body and mind in it to carry it forward with that success which would be expected. Under the circumstances, the ex- amination was as good as we anticipated ; showing that the school, if not the most profitable, was not an unprofit- able one. We hope, after a rest to recruit mind and body, Miss Hapgood will again engage in the work of teaching, for which she is well fitted.
The Winter term was taught by Mr. E. Crosby, of Tuft's College. Mr. Crosby is a superior scholar and has j good faculty of imparting his ideas to others. Kind and courteous with his scholars, he early won their esteem and govjd will, so that none but inveterate rogues would try to tare advantage. The examination was an honest
31
affair, without gilt or varnish, and was very satisfactory to us and the large number of visitors present. There are some excellent classes in this school, that would re- flect credit upon an academy; for instance, the class in Analysis, and first class in Arithmetic. The wonder is, how the teacher accomplished so much under the un- favorable circumstances of an inconvenient and crowded school-room and so large a number of classes.
EAST SCHOOL.
Joseph Esterbrooks, 'Local Committee.
The Spring and Fall terms of this school were placed in charge of Miss Jennie M. Harris, an old teacher, who had earned a good reputation by her success in several of the schools in town. We always found the school, while under her care, orderly and studious ; each scholar seeming to know their proper place and business. The school was much broken up by sickness, and five of its members were removed by death. Xot withstanding these interruptions, the examination was quite good. Among the classes we noticed more particularly, were those in Geography, the first division in Written Arithmetic and the Primer class. The writing books looked neat and showed good improvement.
In consequence of some misunderstanding between the Committee and two female teachers who both laid claim to the school, it was decided to employ a male teacher for the Winter term. Accordingly the services of Mr. H. E. Elliot, of Tuft's College, were engaged. Mr. Elliot, is a young teacher, of but little experience, but he entered the school with the determination to have a prosperous one, and to a good degree was successful. Full of life and animation, he kept his scholars wide awake and in good working order. The examination showed that the classes in general had made fair improvement. Some
32
of them, especially in Reading and Spelling, did very- well . The exercises in Mental Arithmetic were deserving of particular commendation.
CENTRE SCHOOL. Jonas Blodget, Local Committee.
The primary and higher departments were united into one school during the Spring and Fall terms, and Miss Nellie J. Fletcher placed in charge. We think Miss Fletcher had good courage to undertake to govern and teach such a school as this, which, though not much larger than some others in town, requires much firmness and decision in government, and composed as it was of all ages and sizes, there was a large number of classes. The teacher labored hard, and if some thought the order was not all that could be desired, they must bear in mind the disadvantages under which the teacher was placed, and that none but those of the most vigorous mind and body could successfully meet the demands made upon them in such a school. At the examination, the classes in Mental Arithmetic, the smaller classes in Reading and the classes in Geography, we noticed more particularly. This school exhibited the best register of any of the schools ; twenty- six being neither absent or tardy the first term, and twenty-seven the second.
Miss Fletcher also had charge of the Winter Primary. Here she performed a good work ; bringing the school under good discipline, and advancing the scholars in a thorough and efficient manner. The examination was interesting to all present ; all the classes doing well and showing that the school had been a profitable one.
The higher department for the Winter term was again taught by Mr. Luther Conaxt, Jr. This teacher's history is already before the town, written by himself, in many of our schools, by his labors to advance their
33
interests. Suffice it for us to say, we think he has written no higher page than that of last winter. The examination was indeed a good one, the classes answering promptly and correctly, proving that both teacher and scholars had labored earnestly in the good work of education.
In closing, we would say, that we think the schools, as a whole, have enjo}~ecl a good degree of prosperity the past year. Better attention has been paid to Heading, Spelling and Writing ; hence the schools stand higher in this respect than they did a year ago. Composition and Declamation have also claimed their share of attention in most of the schools, and with very good results, as we were pleased to witness at many of the examinations. There has been no change in the text books for the last year, although we should have liked to introduce Wilson's new series of Keaders, the best, we think all will say who carefully look them over, yet published. The main reason why we did not try to introduce them at the commencement of the Winter term was, because the agent was round so near the time for the schools to commence, that we supposed the store-keepers and many of the scholars would have their supply of books purchased, and object to making the change. We hope, however, to see them introduced the next term.
We would not have the idea prevail, because we have spoken thus plainly in our report, that there are no true friends of common schools in the town of Acton, by no means ! for we know there are many. All that is needed is for them to take a firm, decided stand as such, ever bearing in mind the great truth once uttered by the learned John Quincy Adams : < ' That the best legacy a man could leave the world is a family of well educated cildren, who would be useful ornaments to society."
E. F. RICHARDSON, Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEES.
CENTRE SCHOOL.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Appropriation, S335 43
Balance from last year, 8 14
Spring and Fall Terms.
Paid Miss H. Colby, for teaching 16 weeks, at S4.50 per week, $ 72 00
" " L. C. Faulkner, " 4.00 " 64 00
Winter Term.
Paid Mr. A. E. White, for teaching 12 weeks at S10.00 per week, 120 00
" Miss H. Colby, '• " 4.50 " 54 00
" for wood, cleaning house and building fire, 26 75
•• <i. T. Weber, for cleaning stove-pipe, 125
•' fur two chairs. 1 16
" pails, brooms, dipper and chalk, 3 71
WEST SCHOOL. Appropriation, S335 43
S358 30
Appropriation. $335 43
Balance from last j ear, 20 93
Spring and Fall Terms.
Paid Miss Nellie J. Fletcher, for teaching 9 1-2 weeks, at $4.50 per
week. $ 42 75
" Nellie J. Fletcher, for teaching 10 weeks, at $4.50 per week, 45 00
Winter Term.
Paid Mr. Luther Conant, Jr., for teaching 15 weeks, at $10.00 per week, 150 00
•' Miss Nellie J. Fletcher, " •• 4.U0 " 60 00
" for wood, care of house, and building fire, 32 25
•• setting glass, pails, brooms and painting blackboard, 3 67
" " cleaning and fixing funnel, 1 25
$334 92
Balance, 21 44
March 19, 1864. J. Blodget, Committee.
§343 57
S342 8;
Balance, 70
February 23, 1864. E. F. Fuller, Comvxittee.
$335 43
3.3
Spring and Fall Teems.
Paid Miss C. H. Hapgood, for teaching 16 weeks at S4.50 per week, S72 00 " S. C Huggius, '• ■• 4.00 ,l 64 00
Winter Term.
Paid Mr. E. Crosby, for teaching 12 weeks at £10.25 per week, 123 00
'• Miss 8. C. Hoggins. " 10 " 4.50 «« 45 00
>; F. Wyman, for building fire, &c, 3 50
" for wood, brooms and chalk, 27 65
S335 15
Balance, 23
March 18, 1.864. G. C. Wright, Committee.
Appropriation, Balance from last year.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.
Spring and Fall Term?.
|
S199 44 14 23 |
S213 67 |
|
S 72 00 105 00 20 00 3 87 |
S200 87 12 80 |
Paid Miss C. Wetherbee. for teaching 16 weeks, at 84.50 per week, '• Mr. O. A. Flint, 12 " 8.75 "
" for wood, and washing house. " li cleaning stove-pipe, building lire, and chalk,
Balance, February 24, 1864. D. F. Tarbell, Committee.
" SOUTH SCHOOL.
Appropriation, S199 44
Balance from last year, 3 30
S202 74
Spring and Fall Terms.
Paid Miss A. Wheeler, for teaching 10 weeks, at S3. 50 per week, '; " '• 8 " 83.62 1-2 "
Winter Term.
Paid' Mr. B. F. Kinsman, for teaching 14 weeks, at S8.75 per week, " for wood, building lire, and sweeping house, " '• broom, cravons, &c,
$200 90 Balance, 1 84
March 4, 1864. Isaac T. Flagg, Committee.
EAST SCHOOL.
Appropriation, S199 44
Balance from last year, 4 76
S204 20
Spring and Fall Terms.
Paid Miss Jennie M. Harris, for teaching 20 weeks, at S4.50 per week, S 90 00 '• Mr. Herbrrt Elliot, " 10 " 10.00 " 100 00 " lor wood, building lire, cleaning house, 13 75 " chalk and broom, S204 20
February 20, 1864. Joseph Estabrook, Committee.
|
8 35 00 29 00 |
|
122 50 13 75 65 |
36
STATISTICAL TABLE FOR 1863-64.
DISTRICTS.
Centre, South, i<
West,
East,
South East. North,
Centre, South,
u
West,
East,
South East, North,
Centre, South,
East, South East, North,
|
03 3 o . |
o |
<~ |
,2 a. |
u ■9^ |
a. |
id |
u o |
"3 a 5 |
|
|
NAMES OF TEACHERS. |
«*i 2 %B M.S a >-3 |
a 4) P. a> to |
o . !& ■*** |
£5 |
Average nun of Bcholan Number ove years of ag |
Z ! |
u ■S3 o |
<a o do • r! *g OB 4) |
|
|
SPRING TERM. |
|||||||||
|
Nellie J. Fletcher, |
2 1-4 |
$18 00 |
$40 50 |
57 |
52 |
1 |
0 |
23 |
0 |
|
Helenette Colby, |
2 |
18 00 |
36 00 |
47 |
41 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Lottie C. Faulkner, |
2 |
16 00 |
32 00 |
56 |
50 |
0 |
3 |
20 |
0 |
|
Clara H. Hapgood, |
2 |
18 00 |
36 00 |
46 |
40 |
2 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
|
Susie C. Huggins, |
2 |
16 00 |
32 00 |
48 |
35 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
|
Jennie M. Harris, |
2 1-2 |
18 00 |
45 00 |
42 |
34 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Clara Wetherbee, |
2 |
18 00 |
36 00 |
28 |
25 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
0 |
|
Angenette Wheeler, |
2 1-2 |
14 00 |
35 00 |
25 |
23 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
|
17 1-4 |
$136 00 |
$292 50 |
349 |
300 |
10 |
15 |
|||
|
PALL TERM. |
|||||||||
|
Nellie J. Fletcher, |
2 1-2 |
$18 00 |
$45 00 |
54 |
49 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
30 |
|
Helenette Colby, |
2 |
18 00 |
36 00 |
49 |
41 |
6 |
0 |
14 |
56 |
|
Lottie C. Faulkner, |
2 |
16 00 |
32 00 |
57 |
48 |
0 |
1 |
18 |
67 |
|
Clara H. Hapgood, Susie C. Huggins, |
2 |
18 00 |
36 00 |
48 |
40 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
56 |
|
2 |
16 00 |
32 00 |
52 |
40 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
48 |
|
|
Jennie M. Harris, |
2 1-2 |
18 00 |
45 00 |
32 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
36 |
|
Clara Wetherbee, |
2 |
18 00 |
36 00 |
25 |
20 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
16 |
|
Angenette Wheeler, |
2 |
14 50 |
29 00 |
22 |
18 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
31 |
|
17 |
$136 50 |
$291 00 |
339 |
280! 8 |
11 |
||||
|
WINTER TERM. |
|||||||||
|
Luther Conant, Jr., |
3 3-4 |
$40 00 |
$150 00 |
47 |
42 15 |
0 |
11 |
75 |
|
|
Nellie J. Fletcher, |
3 3-4 |
16 00 |
60 00 |
31 |
29 0 |
2 |
12 |
35 |
|
|
Alphonso E. White, |
3 |
40 00 |
120 00 |
61 |
54 23 |
0 |
10 |
55 |
|
|
Helenette Colby, |
3 |
18 00 |
54*00 |
58 |
50 0 |
0 |
12 |
60 |
|
|
Erastus Crosby, |
3 |
40 00 |
123 00 |
61 |
54 22 |
0 |
8 |
90 |
|
|
Susie C Huggins, |
3 |
18 00 |
54 00 |
52 |
41 0 |
0 |
1 |
45 |
|
|
Herbert Elliott, |
2 1-2 |
40 00 |
100 00 |
41 |
33 8 |
0 |
2 |
30 |
|
|
Omar A. Flint, |
3 |
35 00 |
105 00 |
36 |
23 10 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
|
|
B. F. Kinsman, |
3 1-2 |
35 00 |
122 50 |
26 |
22 11 |
1 |
4 |
44 |
|
|
28 1-2 |
$283 00 |
$888 50 |
453 |
348 |
89 |
3 |
REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN AND OTHER OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FROM
FEBRUARY 26, 1864, TO FEBRUARY 26, 1865,
INCLUDING THE
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS IN 1864,
ALSO,
The Report of the School Committee,
CONCORD :
PRINTED BY BENJAMIN TOLMAN.
1865.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Amount received, $19,532 74-
EXPENDITURES.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
Paid.
George C. "Wright, for West School, James E. Harris, for South School, William W. Davis, for Centre School, Daniel Fletcher, for South East School, Isaac T. Flagg, for North School, Joseph Estabrook, for East School, Town of Littleton,
|
$377 |
04 |
|
377 |
04 |
|
377 |
04 |
|
224 |
19 |
|
224 |
19 |
|
224 |
19 |
|
5 |
50 |
REPAIRS ON SCHOOL HOUSES. Paid. George C. Wright, for repairs on West school
house, . $9 86
James E. Harris, do. do., South do., 82 97
William W. Davis, do. do., Centre do., 1 48
Isaac T. Flagg, do. do., North do., 19 64
Joseph Estabrook, do. do., East do., 34 90
BOOKS AND PRINTING. Paid.
Harris Cowdry, for books delivered to the town, $4 00
" " do. do., to poor families, 9 12
Daniel Jones, do. do., J. Whitney's children, 121
$1,809 19
$148 85
|
Vil |
iliam D. |
Tuttle, for highway tax book, |
1 08 |
|
roi |
printin. |
g dog notices, |
1 75 |
|
a |
tt |
town warrants, |
5 00 |
|
u |
u |
voting list, |
7 50 |
|
a |
u |
• selectmen's report, |
9 50 |
|
u |
u |
pamphlet reports |
74 79 |
|
u |
u |
notices to road builders, |
1 25 |
$115 20
DISCOUNT ON TAXES.
Paid John E. Cutter, discount on taxes, $510 23
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Paid.
E. C. Parker, for repairs on highway in '62, $3 34
Isaac Barker, " " '63, 5 38
Luther Conant, Jr., " " '63, 6 00
Francis Kinsley, " " '64, 19 13
" K grading hill in West Acton, 1,385 00
" " building sluice on gravel pit
road, * 5 00
William W. Davis, for repairs on highway, 6 55
Nehemiah Curtis, " " 13 07
Silas Conant, Jr., " " 3 00
" " " breaking roads, 1 67
James E. Billings, " " ' 3 33
$1,451 47
|
APPROPRIATIONS FOR SO Paid. For State Aid, Recruiting twenty-two men, Entertaining 'Co. E, April 19, |
LDIEI '64, |
fcS AND FAft $1,858 69 4,499 67 50 00 |
[ILIES. $6,408 36 |
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Paid.
James E. Billings, journey to Boston respecting
Sarah Childs, $1 50
James E. Billings, journey to Waltham respect- ing John H. Whitney, 3 00 For support and burial expenses of Wm. Kendall, 20 00 of Thomas Law, 3 57 Catherine Chaffln, 11 22 William Murphy, 13 94 Clarissa Nutting, 52 00
|
u |
u |
of |
|
u |
u |
u |
|
a |
(( |
u |
|
u |
l( |
a |
For support of Sarah Childs, 12 00
" " " Mrs. J. W. Fitzpatrick, 11 11
wood for Widow Knapp. 7 00
Dr. Harris Cowdry, for attending Catherine
Chaffin. 3G 00
Dr. Isaiah Hutching, do. do., William Murphy, 29 12
|
REST |
||||
|
NOTES AND |
INTE |
|||
|
Paid. |
||||
|
Ebenezer Conant, note and interest, |
$1,0 |
|||
|
Daniel L. Veazey, |
a |
107 21 |
||
|
Charles H. Blood, " |
a |
113 17 |
||
|
Augustine Conant. |
a |
240 00 |
||
|
Frederick Rouillard, |
n |
90 00 |
||
|
Daniel Harris, |
a |
46 32 |
||
|
Isaac T. Flagg, |
t< |
6 00 |
||
|
Joel Hanscom, |
41 |
40 80 |
||
|
Elbridge J. Bobbins, |
U |
25 00 |
||
|
Silas P. Blodgett, |
.. |
72 G7 |
||
|
David M. Handley, |
U |
12 00 |
||
$200 4G
81,830 47
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid.
Edward F. Richardson, for examining teachers, superin- tending schools and making report, $50 00 Samuel Hosmer, for taking inventory and making taxes
ten days, Samuel Hosmer,. for copying valuation, Eben. Davis, for taking inventory and making taxes,
nine and one-half days, William D. Tuttle, for taking inventory and making taxes, copying assessors' valuation book,
" taxes, two days making money tax, distributing tax books, collecting and recording 29 births, recording 43 deaths,
" 26 marriages, services as town clerk, John E. Cutter, for collecting taxes for '63, James E. Billings, for services as selectman, Jonas K. Putney, " "
J. K. W. Wetherbee,
$330 32
|
u |
u |
a |
|
u |
a |
u |
|
u |
a |
a |
|
u |
u |
u |
|
a |
u |
u |
|
u |
t( |
(C |
|
a |
u |
a |
|
u- |
a |
u |
|
25 |
00 |
|
7 |
00 |
|
23 |
75 |
|
18 |
75 |
|
7 |
00 |
|
3 |
12 |
|
5 |
00 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
5 |
80 |
|
G |
30 |
|
2 |
60 |
|
20 |
00 |
|
75 |
00 |
|
38 |
00 |
|
12 |
00 |
|
30 |
00 |
6
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES. Paid.
Luther Conant, Jr., for meeting County Commissioners, $1 50 Daniel Tuttle, " " " " 1 50
Daniel H. Wetherbee, for labor at the East Cemetery, 49 00
Zoheth Taylor, " « "
William D. Tuttle, " " "
" " for material and fencing do.,
Phineas Wetherbee, labor at West Cemetery, Francis Conant, for repairing town hall chimney, William D. Tuttle, services in letting out hill at West
Acton, Daniel Fletcher, for building wall at cemetery, Dr. H. A. Barrett, professional sendees rendered Dixon
and Ogle, George W. Todd, for transporting firemen to Acton, John E. Cutter, for summonsing 21 persons to take oath of office, March 5, '63, " " " do. do., 7 persons, April 10, '63, " " " do. do., 22 persons, March 4, '64, " " " getting dogs licensed, " " " stamps on notes, For set of measures,
Moses Tajdor, for sendees in reducing number of en- rolled militia, Varnum B. Mead, do. do., Daniel Wetherbee, do. do., J. K. W. Wetherbee, do. do., James E. Billings, do. do., George Proiury, for tolling bell for 5 deaths, George Harris, do. do., 1 do., Quince3r A. Fletcher, do. do., 23 do., Hiram J. Hapgood. do. do., 8 do., For table for town hall,
" wood do. do., George M. Brooks, for advice respecting grading hill at
West Acton, George Harris, for opening town hall 77 times, For 33 gallons oil and 1 pint fluid,
2 dozen lamp wicks,
coal for town hall,
two dampers for stove in town hall,
seven lamp chimnies for town hall, •
one chimney brush for town hall,
one broom,
cleaning and leveling cellar of town hall,
repairing and putting up pump,
glazing at town hall,
repairing clock and taking care of same,
|
7 |
50 |
|
3 |
00 |
|
4 |
24 |
|
5 |
00 |
|
8 |
50 |
|
3 |
00 |
|
27 |
00 |
|
25 |
00 |
|
6 |
00 |
|
2 |
62 |
|
88 |
|
|
2 |
75 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
2 |
58 |
|
1 |
50 |
|
3 |
00 |
|
8 |
75 |
|
8 |
00 |
|
8 |
25 |
|
10 |
36 |
|
1 |
00 |
|
20 |
|
|
4 |
60 |
|
1 |
60 |
|
22 00 |
|
|
6 |
06 |
|
2 |
00 |
|
60 00 |
|
|
29 |
30 |
|
72 |
|
|
31 |
39 |
|
1 |
25 |
|
87 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
1 |
50 |
|
50 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
24 |
2G |
Fletcher and Tarbell, for burial of 40 persons, 80 00
" u " recording 45 deaths,
u " " coffin for state pauper,
Levi Dow, for damage to sleigh on highway near John
Hapgood's, For rope for monument,
lamps for town hall,
express, postage and stationery,
8527 45
|
4 |
50 |
|
9 |
85 |
|
11 |
00 |
|
2 |
25 |
|
34 |
00 |
|
7 |
10 |
CONDITION OF- THE TREASURY FEBRUARY 26, 18G5.
Receipts.
Balance in Treasury Feb. 26, 1864, $2,286 66
State Tax for 1864^ 2,424 00
County Tax for 1864, 746 10
Town Grant for 1864, 5,000 00
" " for schools, 1,700 00
Highway Deficiencies, 57 33
Overlay on Taxes, 127 76
Corporation Tax, 479 40
State Aid to Jan. 1st, 1864, 2,431 21
School money from town of Concord, 20 00
Borrowed money, 3,893 30
Cash of E. F. Richardson, for school books, 29 11
State School Fund, 83 72 Cash from town of Groton, for support of
Clarissa Nutting, 52 00
Received for use of Town Hall, 122 50
Cash from Almshouse, 10 79
For lumber, oil, &c," G8 86
819,532 74
Expenditures*
For support of schools, $1,809 19
repairs on school houses, 148 85
books and printing, 115 20
discount on taxes, 510 23
roads and bridges, 1,451 47
appropriation for soldiers and families, 6,408 36
support of poor, 200 46
Town Officers, 330 32
notes and interest, 1,830 47
miscellaneous expenses, 527 45
For State tax, 2,424 00
County tax, 746 10
$16,502 10
Balance in Treasury Feb. 26, 1865. $3,030 64
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN FEB. 26, 1865.
Dk. To balance as per report, Feb. 26, 1865, $3,030 64 amount due from the State for aid
furnished families of soldiers, *2,188 47
$5,219 11
AMOUNT DUE ON NOTES. Cr.
By Cash of Jonas K. Putney, $1,077 30
John R. Whitcomb, 500 00
Calvin Harris, 200 00
James A. Billings, ' 200 00
Daniel Harris, " 805 34
Frederick Rouillard, 1,700 00
David M. Handley, 200 00
Mathew McKinney, 100 00
Joel Hanscom, 680 00
Augustine Conant, 4,000 00
Eben Conant, 3,500 00
Silas P. Blodgett, 1,211 27
James Keyes, 600 00
John Wood, 500 00
Elbridge J. Bobbins, 500 00
Daniel Wetherbee, ' 1,500 00
Isaac T. Flagg, 100 00
Interest on notes, 823 00
$18,196 91
Balance against the Town Feb. 26, 1865, without including the balance due as per Overseers' report for 1865, $12,977 80
AMOUNT OF STATE AID PAID EACH PERSON.
Paid.
Mrs. Betsey M. Sawyer, $144 00
Charlotte M. Pike, 144 00
Maria Fisk, 144 00
Mrs. Betsy Shehan,
S. II. Wetherbee, Catharine Dwelley, • Margaret Moore, Sally Veazey, Margaret Fitzpatrick, Mr. Thomas Kinsley, Miss Henrietta Goss, Mrs. Joanna Monlton, Elvira Young, Annie Dole, Martha Wayne, Anna Whitney, Fannie Stevens, Sarah J. Skinner, Charlotte Blood, Hattie S. Jackson, Anna E. Robbins, Sarah J. Taft, Johanna Colman, Nancy Huggins, Mary Hurley,
|
144 |
00 |
|
|
144 |
00 |
|
|
144 |
00 |
|
|
132 |
00 |
|
|
103 |
20 |
|
|
98 |
80 |
|
|
96 |
00 |
|
|
GO |
00 |
|
|
54 |
00 |
|
|
52 |
00 |
|
|
52 |
00 |
|
|
52 |
00 |
|
|
44 |
28 |
|
|
42 |
42 |
|
|
36 |
00 |
|
|
35 |
00 |
|
|
35 |
00 |
|
|
33 |
57 |
|
|
31 |
00 |
|
|
19 |
28 |
|
|
17 |
00 |
|
|
13 |
14 ft1 870 |
|
|
James E. |
Billings, |
\ Selectmen |
|
Jonas K. |
Putney, |
of |
|
J. K. W. |
Wetherbee, . |
; Acton. |
Acton, Feb. 26, 1865.
REPORT OF THE
R E C E I V T S A N I) E X P E N 1) 1 T U B E S ,
AT THE
ALMSHOUSE, IN ACTON, Fou the Year Ending April 1st, 1865.
ARTICLES ON HAND, APRIL 1st, 1865.
1 pair oxen, $210, 1 horse, 70,00, 8280 00
9 cows, 360, 2 shotes, 35,00,
3 1-2 tons hay, 105, 12 bush, corn, 18,00 7 bush, rye, 12,25, 8 bush, oats, 6,40, 47 bush, potatoes, 37,60, 10 fowls, 5,00, 300 lbs. pork, 60,00, 100 lbs. beef, 15,00, 76 lbs. ham, 16,72, 25 lbs. butter, 7,50, 18 lbs. lard, 3,78, 15 lbs. candles, 3,00,
4 lbs. tallow, .56, 26 lbs. dried apple, 5,20, 1 lb. tea, 1,50, 3 lbs. coffee, .39, 2 lbs. sugar, .40, 3-4 bbl. flour, 9,00, 3 bush, beans, 6,37, 55 M. skewers, 27,50, skewer timber, 4,00, 1 bl)l. soap, 4,00, 1 bbl. pickles, 2,0U, 1 bag salt, 3,00, 10 bush, ashes, 1,25, 1 bush, rye meal, 1,75, 1 bush. Indian meal, 1,50,
$1,033 67
|
395 |
00 |
|
123 |
00 |
|
18 |
05 |
|
42 |
60 |
|
75 |
00 |
|
24 |
22 |
|
6 |
78 |
|
5 |
76 |
|
2 |
21) |
|
15 |
37 |
|
31 |
50 |
|
6 |
00 |
|
4 |
25 |
|
3 |
25 |
RECEIPTS.
For milk, $422,85, oxen, 713, $1,135 85
apples, 125,07, pork, 73,19, eggs, 9,20, 207 46
skewers, 61,40, poultry, 25,73, 87 13
calves, 24,50, labor, 17,00, shote, 8,00, 49 50
boarding E. C. Brown, 4,00, squashes, 2,50, 6 50
keeping pedlers, 4,00, hide, 5,51, 9 51
straw, 21,70, peaches, 12,00, peas, .33, 34 03
old iron, 2,25, pasturing calf, 1,10, 3 35
11
For use of horse, .25, use of oxen, .75, cash of P. Smith, .58, hat, .30, potatoes, 3,25. work at cemetery, 10,25, work on road,
|
1 |
00 |
|
88 |
|
|
13 |
50 |
|
11 |
33 |
$1,560 04
EXPENDITURES.
Flour. 817.25, butter, 89,71, cheese, 14,98, $151 94
Molasses, 42,94, sugar, 15,89, tea, 11,50, 70 33
Coffee, 13.57. meatr.sl.99. fish, 7.00, tripe, 3,36, 105 92
Rye, 26,80, meal, 79,90, salt, 8,23, 114 93
Cloth and clothing, 60.70, shoes, 1.10, bread, 2,58, 64 38
Spices, 5.24. saleratus, .12, starch, .24. sage, .42, 6 02
Cream of tartar, .40, soap, .21, yeast, 1,00, oil, 3,53, 5 14
Soda, .34. saltpetre, .50, spirits, .17, seeds, 4,29, 5 30
Camphor, .24, potash. 7,03, matches, .60, 7 87
Sour milk, 7,20, medicines, 1.12. tobacco, 7,66, 15 98
Grass, 2,00, hay, 34,27, plaster, 2,00, 38 27
Scraps, 12,18, skewer timber, 9,75, sink, 2,50, ■ 24 43
Tools, 8,58, earthen ware, 5,59, tin ware, 2,50, 16 67
Glass and putty, .90, nails, 1,62, castings, 1,26, 3 78
Grafting, .75, repairing pump, 5,00, ropes, 1,42, 7 17
Brooms, 1.50, whips, .42, oil cloth, .80, shot, .36, 3 08
Coffin and robe, 7,50, cash to paupers, 1,85, 9 35
Grape vines. 2,00, twine and wicking, .62, 2 62 Newspaper, 2,70, use of winnowing mill and cradle, 1,00, 3 70
Use of bull, 2,00, use of pasture, 20,00, 22 00
Shotes, 16,50, blacksmith's bill, 16.40, 32 90
Stove, 15,00, Dr. Cowdry's bill, 5,25, 20 25
Cows, 44,00, oxen, 525,45, barrels, 5,25, 574 70
Use of wagon and cart, 8,00, expenses to Boston, 7,99, 15 99