Ml liHijiiill ji i;i'i;!'if !] :| ii ill! !! !■: it ( O'.i'.I %4' ^^ ■V^ - <^ '' ::/ *-, 'o. rO' A^^ "oo^ o c .,V . \'?- H -/^ ,0o. ,0- ■*■% A^"^ .'''"* ^A v^ .\^'' *\ . > ^ V • o 1> •^oo^ ■ ; ^^ • .^^ "'^^ . nO<= %:": mo' v^'^ ... ^^ .^' \> ^>' \ ; ' ^>^ >^^ "oo r. \6^ ^'^ _s. ^ o- n ..-^ A-^- .^ ■0- ,' s\.V . "^ -^ o. -^^ <^' ,•0' o.\ ^ s\^ ■^^. * •' K " V .0 \^ '^ "^^ v^^ v^-^^. ■y \ ^^ .. N c a '^ X*^" * r ■''■■>.}- c=~^. *. ^^ o 0^ >\>^ V. ■^^ a'< v^ , ' ^. •\ ■> ■/. A^^' >*' .^<< V 7 y : ■■*' ■)y ":> N n ^ A^ •^/. ■ " » V * ^0 0' "OO^ V v^ .^^ -"^^ .0 %'>-- .>^'..-, V: .o^.^i:i'. ^ %- ^ '/ X^<^^ ^^o^ 'V\'^"* o. 'b. •'?/,, * •> ije'"' ;» >>■ ^. x^ ^- ^^ •% '.'?• ^^^ >^ v^ * p» i ,: ' S \ "OO^ "O, X' * ^{\ !&'(! />^ -^^ ,X^^' ■'-'^.4^ ■ ' --^ aX , V I 8 ^ ■S>, ^l'^ y 4- -n*- •J- ,\v « JV, '>i ^ ANNALS @mn ^nmm: FROM ITS FIRST ESTABLISHMENT IN 1818, DISSOLUTION IN 1855. COMPILED BT i-^' JOSEPH M. WIGHTMAN. r r' c7^ BOSTON: GEO. C. RAND & AVERY, CITY PRINTERS, 1860. TO HON. JAMES SAVAGE, LL.D., ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL AND MOST ACTIVE ORIGINATORS, AND THE ONLY SURVIVOR OF THE ORIGINAL OFFICERS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE, AS AN EXPRESSION OF THE RESPECT, ESTEEM, AND VENERATION OF THE COMPILER. PRELIMINARY CORRESPONDENCE. Boston, August 27th, 1859. Hon. Frederic W. Lincoln, Jr., Mayor : Dear Sir, — At the final meeting of the Primary School Commit- tee, held on the evening of January 2d, 1855, at which time it ceased to exist as an organized body of the City Government, I presented a brief historical sketch of some of the leading incidents connected with this branch of the Boston Public Schools. By a vote of the Board, I was requested to have it printed for the use of the members, if, in the opinion of the President, Secretary and author, it was deemed expedient. The proviso was added, at my request, as, from the imperfect manner in which the sketch had been prepared, I was unwilling to have it go forth in that form ; and, as nearly all the records and papers relating to the first seven years of the organization had been destroyed, in the office of the Secretary, (James Savage, Esq.,) by a fire in Court street in 1825, I felt apprehensive that to obtain the materials for a correct history would be difficult, if not impossible. I have, however, been more fortunate in this respect than I antici- pated ; and penetrated with a sense of duty to endeavor to correct some of the erroneous views and statements which have been made from time to time in the printed reports and other city documents, in reference to the Primary School Committee, — animated with an increasing interest during the investigation, and a desire to perpetuate the records and acts of an organization so eminently worthy of the respect of the community, I have continued to persevere in my efforts to comply with the vote of my late associates. The time required to obtain information and verify important facts, without encroaching too much on the avocations of business, and the absorbing cares of public office during the last three years, have combined to delay the final preparation of the work until the present time. The manuscript is now complete ; and if, in your opinion and that of the City Council, it is desirable that these Annals of the Primary School Committee should be printed, in conformity with the vote of the late Primary Board, I shall be most happy to tender it to the City Govern- ment as an humble contribution to the history of our Public School system, which, originating in our own city of Boston, has been instru- mental in extending the blessings of free education throughout our common country. With sentiments of respect, I remain yours truly, JOSEPH M. WIGHTMAN. CITY OF BOSTON. In Board of Aldeemen, August 29, 1859. The foregoing communication, from Joseph M. Wightmak, having been read to the Board by His Honor the Mayor, it was voted that five hundred copies of the Annals of the Boston Pri- mary Schools be printed. Attest : S. F. McCLEARY, City Cleek. In School ComiiTTEE, March 13, 1860. Ordered, — That the Secretary of this Board be, and he hereby is, authorized and requested to have printed, for the use of the School Committee, five hundred copies of the Annals of the Boston Primary School Committee, by Joseph M. Wightman. Ordered, — That the Secretary of this Board furnish to each member of the Board, and of the late Primary School Com- mittee, a copy of the above-mentioned Annals of the Primary School Committee. Attest : BARNARD CAPEN, Secretary. PREFACE. The object and motives of the compiler in the preparation of these " Annals," are generally set forth in the letter to His Honor the Mayor, tendering the manuscript to the City Government. A few words, however, appear to be proper, if not necessary, in rela- tion to the origin of the work, and some of the circumstances connected with it. The compiler was elected a member of the Grammar School Committee for 1847, at which time the agitation in regard to the organization and management of the Public Schools was at its height. Aware of his want of knowledge, it was his endeavor, during the four years he was honored with a seat at the Boaid, to obtain such information in relation to the operation of the school system as would justify the conservative course he desired to adopt in reference to the changes which were proposed. Surrounded with experienced and learned associates, and receiving, from them a degree of courtesy and attention which deserves the most grateful acknowledgments, it was from no feeling but that of an imperative sense of duty, that any difference of opinion existed between some of them and the compiler, as to the value and expediency of some of the important changes which were proposed to be made in the administration of the schools. Actuated by a sincere desire to avoid all rash changes in a system of education which had stood the test of time and experience, and having been frequently required to draw up the reports of sub-committees, on important questions, an investigation into the elementary history of our Public Schools became a necessary duty. The connection of the compiler with the Primary School Committee, at the same time, placed him in the position of a defender of that organiza- tion, against the various attacks to which it was subjected, from time to time, for several years previous to its dissolution. 8 Under these circumstances, was commenced the collection of those facts in relation to the history of the Primary Schools, which are herewith pre- sented. As a historical record for reference, the compiler has endeavored to give the documents and votes in the language of those by whom they were prepared, — particularly in those cases in which accurate information was desirable, for a correct understanding of the condition of the schools at particular times. Valuable aid and encouragement have been received from numerous friends in obtaining authentic information, and the free use of many original papers and rare printed documents, by means of which the early history of the Primary Schools is rendered comparatively complete. Since the fire in 1825, the records of the Board have been regularly and correctly kept, and are now in the possession of the Grammar School Committee. These, with the various printed reports and other documents on the city files, being accessible to any interested person, it has been deemed inexpedient to enlarge the present work by extended extracts from those sources, the main object of the compiler having been to preserve those papers upon important subjects, which are in manuscript, or if printed, copies of which are only to be found in the possession of private persons. In the selection of these papers a due regard has been had to the historical facts which they embodied ; and when they have been presented entire, it was because no digest, however carefully made, could do justice to the original. Those portions relating to the early history of the schools, have been submitted to Hon. James Savage, to whose kindness the compiler is under deep obligations ; and it is to him that he has presumed to dedicate this work, which, however imperfect it may be as a literary production, will at least possess the more important merit ^ a truthful record. Boston, September 27ih, 1859. ANNALS PRIMARY SCHOOLS INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. In ^vriting the history of the Primary Schools, their connection as a branch of our school sj^stem will ren- der a brief historical sketch of the origin and progress of the Public Schools of Boston a proper and interest- ing introduction. The Public Schools date their origin almost as far back as the settlement of the town. So early as the " 13th of ye 2nd moneth (April), 1635," we find, among other proceedings of " a generall meeting upon pub- lique notice," that "Likewise it was then generally agreed upon yt our brother Philemon Purmont shall be intreated to become scholemaster for the teaching and nourtering of children wth us." A tract of land " thirtie acres " was allotted to him " att a generall meeting ye. 14th of ye 10th moneth, 1635, at Muddy ; River," (now, it is supposed, a part of Brookline), and the grant was confirmed " att a meeting ye 8th of ye 11th moneth, called January, 1637." Mr. Purmont, however, was not the only " schoole- master" residing in the town, as it appears, from the 2 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. record, that " att a meeting ye 17th day of ye 2nd month (April), 1637, it is agreed yt Mr. Danyell Maude, schoolemaster, shall have a garden plott next unto Stephen Kinsley's house plott, upon the condition of building thereon, if neede bee." This " plott " was on the "Neck." Still as there is an incidental men- tion made, ten years later, of " The Schoolemaster," it may be supposed that Mr. Purmont was alone in the office supported by the town, and that Mr. Maude, if he exercised his profession at all, did it either in the neighborhood or on his own account. According to Snow's History of Boston, Maude lived next south of Mr. Cotton's, in Common Street, afterwards the man- sion of Lieut.-Governor Phillips. Several of the islands in the harbor of Boston hav- ing been granted to the town by the General Court of Massachusetts, we find it recorded on the " 10th day of ye 11th month, 1641." "It is ordered, that Deare Island shall be improoved for the maintanance of a Free Schoole for the Towne, & such other occasions as ye Townsmen for the time being shall think meet, the sayd Schoole being sufficiently Provided for." The island was soon after entrusted to the care of Capt. Edward Gibbon, "until the Towne doe lett the same." In 1644, it was let for three years, at the rent of £7 per annum, for the use of the school ; and again, in 1647, the former lease having expired, it was let for seven years at a rent of £14 per annum, ^'for the Schoole's use in provision and clothing." In the next year, 1648, this lease was extended to twenty years at the same rent. In 1649, Long and Spectacle Islands were assigned to the use of the school; and INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 3 the Selectmen were directed to take order that they be leased for the use of the school, at a yearly rent of sixpence on every acre. This school seems to have been a favorite with the inhabitants from its commencement; and bequests were made for its use in the wills of several indi- viduals. William Phillips, in 1649, " agreed to give 13s. 4d. per annum forever to the use of the Schoole, for the land that Christopher Stanley gave in his will to the Schoole's use." Five hundred acres of land in Braintree were leased at forty shillings per annum for the same use ; and aoout the same time other lands belonging to the town were leased for the same pur- pose. In 1654, "It is ordered, that the ten pounds left by legacy to ye schoole of Boston by Mis Hud- son, deceased, shall be lett to Capt. James Olliver, for 16s. per annum, so long as hee pleases to im- jDrove itt." The rents on " Deare Island, Long Island and Spectacle Island, due to ye use of ye schoole," were ordered to be collected, and the " renters " were required to appear yearly and pay their dues. Deer Island was in 1662, leased to Sir Thomas Temple, Knight and " Barronight," for 31 years, at a rent of ^14 a year, "to be paid yearly, every first day of March, to the Towne Treasurer for the use of the Free Schoole." We do not learn from the records when Mr. Pur- mont ceased his labors here; but in 1650, we find the following record : — " It is also agreed on, that Mr. Woodmansey, ye Schoolemaster, shall have fiftye pounds p. ann. for his Teaching ye Schollers, & his pro- portion to be made up by ratte." Mr. Woodmansey, 4 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. whose name appears to have been Eobert, is again named, in 1652, on occasion of a sale of land by the town, with reservation to the inhabitants of a right to " enlarge the Skoolehouse ; " and it appears that the house in which he lived was the property of the town, and situated near the school, with only one lot between, which belonged to the schoolhouse. In 1657, the rent of this lot was assigned to him. In 1656, " It is ordered yt ye Selectmen shal have liberty to lay outt a piece of ground outt of ye Towne's land, wch they give to ye building of a house for instruc- tion of ye youth of ye Towne." In the same year, we find an order respecting " building ye Schoolehouse chimney." At this time (1656), it appears that there was but one school supported by the town. In 1666, the town "agreed with Mr. Dannell Hinche- man for £40 per ann. to assist Mr. AVoodmansey in the Grammar Schoole, & teach Children to wright, the Yeare to begine the 4th of March, \^." Soon after this appointment, Mr. Jones was sent for by the Select- men, "for keeping a Schoole, & required to perform his promise to the Towne in the Winter, to remove himselfe & familye in the Springe, & forbiden to keep Schoole any longer." From this it would appear that he had opened a school on his own account, which may have interfered with the town school, and conse- quently was not allowed by the Selectmen. In 1667, from sickness or some other cause, Mr. "Woodmansey appears to have been unable to attend to his duties, and Mr. Benjamin Tompson was " made choice of by the Select Men for to officiate in the place of the Schoolemaster for one Yeare, Mr. Hall INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 5 being appointed to agree, for tearmes, what to allow hime per annum." In December, 1669, it was " Ordered, Mr. Raynsford to give notice to Mrs. Woodmansey that the Towne occasions need the use of the Schoole house [probably schoolmaster's house], & to desire her to provide other- wise for her selfe." From this it would appear that Mr. Woodmansey died previously to December, 1669. In March, 1670, "upon the request of Mrs. Margaret Woodmansye, Widdowe, to provide her a house to live in, if she removeth from the Schoole house; it was granted to allow her eight pounds per ann. for that end, dureinge her Widdowhood." December 22, 1670, we find the first mention in the records of the famous " Master Cheever," who for thirty- eight years after this, exercised so important an in- fluence upon the education of the people of Boston. He died August 21, 1708, "venerable," says Gov. Hutchinson, " not merely for his great age, 94, but for having been the schoolmaster of most of the principal gentlemen in Boston, who were then upon the stage. He is not the only master," adds the governor, " who kept his lamp longer lighted, than otherwise it would have been, by a supply of oil from his scholars." Pre- vious to the death of Mr. Cheever, the increase of the town required more schools ; and in 1682, two new ones were established. Mr. Cheever was succeeded by Mr. Nathaniel Williams in 1710, and he in 1734 by the celebrated " Master Lovell." In March, 1710, five inspectors of schools were ap- pointed, but little is known of their object or duties. In 1741, the population of the town was 16,382 ; 6 INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. and on the 23d of June, a committee appointed to examine the schools reported the number of pupils, and their distribution, as follows : At the South Writing School, ... 73 « « Queen Street* « . . .73 « « North Grammar « . . .230 « '' South Latin " . . .94 « « North " « . . .65 635 Showing a total of 535 scholars in all the public schools at that time. June 24th, 1758, the Selectmen having been ap- pointed a committee to visit the schools, reported that " they had attended to that service, accompanied by a number of distinguished gentlemen, and found in the South Grammar School, . " "Writing " Queen Street Writing School, North Grammar " " Writino; « Being 841 in all, and which were found in very good order." At the visitation of the committee, July 1, 1772, there were 823 scholars reported as present, which, for some reason, shows a less number than in 1758. In March, 1785, a new writing school was established at the south end of the town (Pleasant Street), over which Mr. Cheney was installed as master April 26. During the revolution the schools were much disturbed, * Now Court Street. . 115 scholars . 240 a . 230 (C . 36 <( . 220 a INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 7 and the number of scholars decreased to such an extent that many years elapsed before they recovered from the effect. In May, 1785, the number reported in both the Latin Schools was only 64 ; in Queen Street School, 150 ; North Writing School, 150 ; School on the Com- mon (Mason Street), 119 ; Mr. Cheney's, 81 ; making but 564 in all the schools. At this time a rule was adopted by the School Committee to admit no children to the Writing Schools under seven years of age. It appears from the records, that originally the schools were under the supervision of the Selectmen of the town, in whose care they continued until 1789. In September of that year, a committee of one from each ward was appointed, at a town meeting, to draft a new system for the organization and government of the schools. This committee made their report Oct. 16, in which they recommended that the number of schools should be seven, and that they be placed under the direction of a school committee, composed of the Selectmen, and one from each ward, to be chosen annually by the town. Up to this time there had been no provision made, in Boston, for the education of females at the public expense, and therefore all their instruction was derived from private schools. In view of this, the committee proposed, that in the new system the girls should be admitted to the Grammar Schools, and instructed in the same studies as the boys, but at different hours, and only from April to October in each year. This report was adopted in town meeting, and the first school committee was chosen October 20, 1789. From the "Hist. Collections," 1794, we learn that " a handsome two-story brick building was erected in 8 ' INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 1792 in Bennet Street, where the North Latin School formerly stood. In one apartment, Writing and Arith- metic is taught ; in another, Spelling, Reading, English Grammar, and Geography. In the centre of the Town, on the N. side of School Street [now Court Square], is a building with two handsome school-rooms, erected in 1790, in which boys are instructed in Latin and Greek. Another is a new house, lately built of wood, and used in the same manner and for the same purposes as the North School [Bennet Street]. There are two wooden buildings in the South part of the Town for the same purpose. All the free schools are supported by the Town; and youth of both sexes are admitted at dif- ferent hours. In the month of July, annually, the Selectmen and gentlemen of science chosen by the Town as a School Committee, with other gentlemen, visit these schools and examine them. The visiters dine together at Faneuil Hall at the expense of the Town." The bequest of Dr. Franklin, for the purpose of pro- viding medals to be distributed to the most deserving scholars, became available in 1792 ; and in that year the inscription and device were agreed upon, and twenty-one medals ordered to be prepared for distribu- tion in the schools. They were first distributed to the pupils to whom they were awarded, in February, 1793, though they bore the date of 1792. In 1800, there were in the town, seven free schools, containing 900 scholars, of whom about 160 were taught Latin. There were besides a number of private schools, at which there were about 500 pupils. At this time the salary of a master was $666 66, with a gratuity or INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. 9 allowance of $200 in addition ; the salary of an usher was $333 33, with an allowance of $100. The town tax of this year was $61,489 25, of which the school expenses were $11,100 85. In the spring of 1804, a new school-house was built in Chardon Street ; and in 1806 the whole number of pupils in the schools was 1760, of which 1030 were boys and 730 were girls. From this time the number of scholars did not increase in so great a ratio, inasmuch as it appears that at the visits of the committee, in August, 1816, there were only eight schools and 2,000 children, being an increase of only 340 for ten years. The great increase from 1800 to 1806 should, however, be attributed, in a degree, to the admission of the girls to the schools. In December, 1817, the bells of the schools were ordered to be rung at the hour of beginning, and tolled till the master be present. They were also to be tolled at the hour of dismission. The school hours for com- mencing in the morning were, from April to October, 72 o'clock; and from October to April, 8^. At this period the schools were regarded with increased in- terest by the citizens ; the advantages of public schools as the means of education were self evident ,• and their extension had begun to receive considerable attention, for there were those who felt that, in some respects, our educational system was defective, since it rendered private schools a necessary auxiliary to those which were puhlic and free. To understand this, it will be proper to state that, by the laws of the Commonwealth, it was provided that, " No youth shall be sent to the Grammar Schools, unless they shall have learned in some other 2 10 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. school, or in some other way, to read the English lan- guage, by spelling the same." The laws likewise j^ro- vided for the establishment of preparatory schools, where grammar is not taught ; but to this time there were no public schools in Boston where children could be qualified for admission to the Grammar Schools. The age at which they were eligible was fixed at seven years, and but few were ever admitted under that age. It was consequently necessary for parents to send their children to private schools, where they could be taught the first rudiments of reading, before they could receive admission to the Grammar Schools. Having thus briefly and imperfectly sketched the historical incidents connected with the Boston Schools, previous to the establishment of the Primary Board, we will now proceed to our main subject, the history of that organization. ORIGIN OF THE PEIMARY SCHOOLS. In tracing the history of an organization, its origin is justly regarded as one of its most interesting fea- tures ; but after the lapse of years, when most of the active men by whom it was fostered and cherished into life, have passed away, and age made the record of the past dim and obscure on the minds of the survivors, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to go behind the written record and trace with any degree of satisfaction the primary cause or impulse ORIGm OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 11 from which its origin may be dated. The first impulse may have been given by a simple remark or an acci- dental occurrence, which, striking a chord in harmony with the views entertained by others in regard to the wants or interests of a community, is responded to in such a manner as to render it eventually beneficial and successful. In its progress and development, how- ever, it often becomes so modified and changed by various influences and circumstances, that the original idea can scarcely be traced or recognized among the numerous elements which, though blended together, have each been more or less instrumental in produc- ing the result. As all of these difficulties exist in the present case, it may be deemed unnecessary by some, and presump- tion by others, to attempt an analysis of this nature, or seek for the original germ with any hope of suc- cess. But though the germ may not be discovered, there are those who first watered and cherished it, and it is right that we should endeavor to give " honor to whom honor is due," and render the proper meed of justice to those worthy, philanthropic, and self-de- voted men through whose persevering exertions the Primary Schools were projected and established. From a careful investigation of all available evi- dence, it appears, that one of the most prominent impulses which resulted in the establishment of the Primary Schools of Boston, was undoubtedly derived from the introduction of Sunday Schools. These schools had been instituted in England by Eobert Kaikes, in 1781-82, and had spread with great rapid- ity, and been attended with eminent success through 12 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. all parts of Great Britain. The original objects of these schools was to gather the poor, degraded and neglected children from the streets, who were left to grow up in ignorance and vice, without any salu- tary home influences or regard for the Sabbath, and by kindness and persuasion interest them sufficiently to draw them together on the Sabbath, and by teach- ing them to read, lay a foundation for imparting to them a knowledge of their moral and religious duties. In Great Britain, with no system of public education, the Sunday Schools were soon thronged with thousands of children whose social condition was such as to pre- clude them from obtaining the most simple elements of education, except by this means. Ignorant as they were, the idea of being taught to read gave a charm to the Sunday Schools, and a success that probably no efforts, based on religious or moral instruction .alone, would have accomplished. The first Sunday School in the United States was "instituted in the year 1791. Its object was to instruct, gratuitously, children to read and write, who were unable to attend school on other days. The teachers were paid a salary, and the design did not extend to the religious instruction of the scholars. In 1811 the present plan was adopted in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, but it was not until about 1816, that Sunday Schools were successfully introduced into Boston. Previous to this time many of the most eminent of the clergy and members of the various religious societies were deeply impressed with the importance of Sunday Schools as a check to vice and pauperism, and engaged most earnestly in their establishment. ORIGIN OP THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 18 As a means of promoting the object, a society was formed under the name of " The Society for the Moral and Kehgious Instruction of the Poor," and it was prob- ably under the influence and auspices of this society that the first Sunday Schools were gathered * * In corroboration of this, is the following letter from the Town files for 1818. Mr. Thurston was one of the earliest friends in the establishment of Primary Schools, and was as eminent for his high legal attainments as for his active and disinterested benevolence. " Boston, March 18, 1818. " Turner Phillips, Esq., Chairman of the Honorable Board of Selectmen : " Sir : — Since I called on you, I have been to Mr. Webb's school in Mason street, to know if it would be convenient to have the rooms occupied by the school under his care for a Sunday school ; he replied that the writing books, &c., are all locked up, and that no inconvenience would be sustained by the Sunday school, which he believed was productive of much good. Permit me, therefore, to request that you would lay our application for a second room in Mason street sdhool-house, if you think it necessary, having already obtained a general consent of it for the use of that school-house last May. *' Our objects in attending to Sunday schools, are, to reclaim the vicious, to instruct the ignorant, to secure the observance of the Sabbath, to induce the children to attend public worship, and to raise the standard of morals among the lower classes of society. We are encouraged in obtaining these, by the experience which other places have declared to result from Sunday schools, and upon the little good which we hope has been done by them in this town. " We believe in this way we strike at the foundation of the evils incidental to society, and with greater prospect of success than to reform the hardened oifenders, — and yet through the children, not unfrequently the parent is reclaimed. " I have thought this explanation of our motives and objects would not be unacceptable. Whether we shall succeed, time must determine. The society feel grateful for the accommodation of school-rooms already granted, and shall duly appreciate such further ones as the number of scholars in the vicinity seem in our view to require. These are, Mr. Webb's school- rooms in Mason street, and one of the rooms in the school-house in North School street. A compliance with our requests will greatly facilitate our efforts, and obhge "Respectfully yours, "^VILLIMI THUESTON, " In behalf of the Committee of Boston Society for the Moral and Religious Instruction of the Poor." 14 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Althougli the teaching of reading was one of the principal characteristics of the Sunday Schools, it was not anticipated by its friends, that, in Boston, which from its first settlement had been preeminent for its free schools and other means of general education, this kind of instruction would be required to any considerable extent ; they were therefore surprised and disappointed, when, at the gathering of these schools, they became aware how large a projDortion of the children were unable to read, or even had any knowledge of the alphabet. The extent to which this ignorance prevailed appears in a report of the society, (just mentioned,) made in November, 1817, in which it is stated, "that of 336 children admitted into the Mason Street Sunday School, none of whom were under five years of age, not one quarter part could read words of one syllable, and most of them did not know their letters." A knowledge of this fact brought with it a conviction of the insufficiency of the education, which could be imparted by an attendance of the scholars but once a w^eek, and the great detriment, the giving of so much elementary instruction would be, to the religious element of their undertaking. This led them to regard the omission of the means, for the public education of children under seven years of age as a great evil, and a radi- cal defect in our otherwise exemplary system of education. Under these circumstances, it is reasonable, that the efforts and appeals emanating from those who regarded education as essential, but, in a degree sub- sidiary, to the religious instruction and moral eleva- ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 15 tion of the poor, should be deeply imbued with a union of these principles ; and we are not surprised, that in the agitation which ensued upon the subject of Primary Schools, these elements, of an eleemosynary character, should bS prominently brought forward in some of the plans proposed. Of the views enter- tained by those who advocated this peculiar organiza- tion, the following "Plan," which was published in February, 1818, will furnish a good illustration: "I. Let schools be established for the instruction of all the children from four to seven years of age, at the town's expense. "II. Let the present system of Sunday Schools go fully into operation. "III. Let three discreet, judicious, prudent, indus- trious, pious men be appointed in each ward, whose duty it shall be — " 1st. To inquire into the state and circumstances of each poor family several times in the course of the year, and note them down, and at the same time encourage them to industry, cleanliness, and good morals; and by their advice and friendship, to assist them in contriving ways and means by which to gain a comfortable subsistence for themselves and children. " 2d, To persuade them to send their children to the Public and Sunday Schools, and to go to meeting or to church themselves with their children on the Sab- bath, and show them what will be the result of laud- able, useful, and pious practices like these. " 3d. To ascertain the number of the poor in each ward, male and female, where they live, and where 16 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. they were born, and to what meeting, church or parish, if any, they belong, and report their names to the minister of the parish, &c., and request him to visit and show them the use and necessity of pubhc wor- ship, and the advantage it will be to them; and " 4th. As fast as they discover an inclination in any one to attend public worship, and having ascertained the name of the minister under whose preaching he or 8he inclines to sit, it shall be their duty, by the permission of the church and parish over which he presides as pastor, to furnish him or her with a seat, and direct each where to find it. " 5th. That it be recommended to the Board of Over- seers that no money be given to, or expended by them, arising or growing out of the public funds, grants of the town, private donations, or public charities, upon any poor person out of the Alms House, except to such as shall be pointed out and recommended by this committee as suitable persons for charity. "6th. It shall be the duty of this committee, also, to take up all vagrants and street beggars, and deliver them to the Overseers of the Poor, to be committed to the Work House or Alms House, as the case may be. " 7th. It is recommended that the above committee of thirty-six gentlemen shall form a Board, called the Board of Primary Schools, for the purpose of putting into operation the above plan, except so much of it as relates to Sunday Schools." These views were probably entertained by many of the most earnest friends of Primary Schools, and par- ticularly by those who were actively engaged in the religious and philanthropic associations of the day. ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 17 It is, therefore, to this cause we may attribute the idea, which has prevailed to some extent, that when the Primary Schools were estabhshed by the town, the number and quahfications of the committee, and the manner of its organization, were based upon this union of a rehgious and secular education. That this is an error, is evident from the fact, that when, in the course of events, the subject of Primary Schools was formally presented for consideration at the Town-meetings, the idea of combining Sunday Schools and church attendance with our system of Public Schools, does not appear in the petitions for the schools, — the reports of the committees, — nor in the plan subse- quently adopted by the town. It is true, that at the beginning, and through the whole career of the Primary Board as an organization, we find the spirit of moral care and Christian benevo- lence which Avas originally breathed around it, con- tinually exhibiting its benign influence in the action of the Board, and in the self-devotion of the committee. It is with pride, therefore, that we acknowledge this salutary influence ; and we regret that it is not in our power to do justice to all those revered and eloquent divines who stood foremost in the ranks as firm advo- cates and tried friends of this cause, while they con- tributed largely to the infusion of this spirit into it. Of these, many have passed away without our knowl- edge of their participation ; but we gladly record the. names of Baldwin, Channing, Dean, Winchell, Freeman, Sharp, D wight and Ware, as prominent among those which should be registered with grateful remembrance as pioneers in this extension of popular education. 18 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. But with all proper regard to the influence we have been describing, it is manifest, that the ultimate success of the agitation for Primary Schools is due, in no less degree, to the judicious perseverance of those, who, taking a different view of the subject, felt the necessity, and advocated the establishment of these schools on the broad ground of public expediency ; that without them, our boasted system of public instruction was de- fective, incomplete, and inefficient. Of those who urged the importance of Primary Schools on these grounds, none were more indefatigable in their efforts than Elisha Ticknor and .James Savage. These gentle- men had long been united in forwarding various jDro- jects for the amelioration and improvement of the condition of the poor. It was mainly through their exertions that the " Provident Institution for Savings " had been put into operation, and its success had en- couraged them to further eJBTorts in the same direction. Mr. Ticknor had been a teacher in the Grammar Schools, and had seen and felt the deficiency in the system of instruction, by which a large class of the population were prevented from deriving any advantage from the Public Schools. .It is true that by the laws of 1790, the schools were apparently free to all ; but the conditions were such, as to limit the advantages to those who had the ability to qualify their children for admis- sion. The law required, that the pupil should be seven years of age, and able to read in plain English lessons ; but there were many parents who were incompetent to impart even this elementary instruction themselves, and whose means w^ere too limited to pay, even the small compensation required, to send their children to ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 19 to the Dames' Schools. Others were too iUiterate to appreciate the advantages of education, sufficient!}^, to apply a part of their earnings to the instruction of their children; consequently, as the preliminary in- struction was in all cases a ])rivate charge, except to those who were admitted to the Charity Schools, it was plain, that without some public provision, a considerable portion of the children were, and must be, debarred from entering the schools, while the constantly increas- ino; foreio'n immiorration was swellino- the number of this class of children to an alarming extent. '• It can- not be doubted," says Mr. Savage, in one of his letters, " that the true construction of the laws required the opening of schools, at the public expense, for children under the age of seven years, inasmuch as the laws passed by the Legislature in 1790 provided for the establishment of preparatory schools." But the law in relation to this cla^ss of schools was not acted upon by the authorities in Boston, although it appears to have been by those in several other towns in the Commonwealth. That this neglect was not in accordance with the sentiment of the citizens generally, is evident from the prompt response, in favor of these schools, which was given by them whenever the subject was brought forward at the town meetings. By the continued agitation and discussions on the subject, the inhabitants became more and more in- terested, although no definite action appears to have taken place in relation to it until 1817. On the 2C)th of May in that year, a petition, signed by 160 inhabi- tants, mostly residing at the north part of the town, was read at a town meetino; in Faneuil Hall. The 20 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. last paragraph in this petition, which was dated May 1, and addressed to the Selectmen, is as follows : — " It appears to lis, also, important that Schools should be provided at the expense of the Town for the instruc- tion of children under the age of seven years. There- fore we request that a meeting of the inhabitants of the town may be called, to take the above subject into consideration, and to adopt such measures thereon as the importance of the subject demands, and they may think most for the general good." A town meeting was called, and the subject referred by the town to the School Committee, with the addition of one person from each of the twelve wards, to be ap- pointed by the Selectmen. The following is from the records of the Selectmen, May 29, 1817 :— " The Town having, at the late meeting, directed the Selectmen to appoint a committee, to consist of one person from each of the Wards, on the subject of schools, the following names were now selected from the lists offered by the petitioners, and from others nominated by the Board: — Ward 1. Henry J. Oliver. Ward 2. Eedford Webster. 3. Jacob Hall. . 4. James W. Burditt. 5. JoNA. P. Hall. 6. Isaac Wn^sLOw. 7. Gideon Snow. 8. John Dorr. 9. Samuel May. 10. David W. Child. 11. Isaac Stevens. 12. Joseph Field." These committees met on the 18th of June, and the members of the several Ward committees were requested to visit every family in the Wards, and ascertain the number of children who did not attend any school ; also the number of Women's or " Dames' Schools," and ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 21 thei^umber of their pupils ; they were also requested, at the same time, to ascertain the number of deaf and dumb and blind persons in each Ward. In considera- tion of the labor involved, a number of gentlemen were appointed to assist the Ward committees in their duties. On the 17th of July the returns were handed in to the School Committee, who appointed a sub-committee, consistins; of Charles Bulfinch, Chairman of the Select- men, Peter 0. Thacher and Henry J. Oliver, to arrange the returns, and report upon them. On the 30th of October, this sub-committee presented their report, adverse to the petition, which was read, accepted by the School Committee, and ordered to be printed for the information of the inhabitants. The views which were then entertained by the authorities upon the subject of schools, and the inter- esting statement in relation to the town, at that time, joined to the fact, that but very few copies of this report now remain, will be a sufiicient reason for in- serting a copy of the entire document in this place : — PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Boston, November 3, 1817. At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this town on 26th May last, a petition was presented from a number of the inhabi- tants for additional Schools, and was referred to the School Committee, which consists of the Selectmen and twelve other citizens, to which was added one person from each ward, thirty-three in all. The body, so formed, appointed commit- tees for each of the wards, to, ascertain by inquiry the actual state of education in the town. The reports of the several ward committees were referred to a sub-committee, consist- ing of Charles Bulfinch and P. 0. Thachee, Esquires, and 22 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Mr. Henry J. Oliver : The following report was presented by them, and will, we think, be regarded as a valuable his- torical document, and read with pleasure by all wbo take an interest in the welfare of the rising generation. REPORT. The Sub-Committee, to whom were referred the returns of the Committees of the several Wards, and who were in- structed to consider the expediency and necessity of estab- lishing within the town, at the public expense, primary schools for children under the age of seven years, and also of increas- ing the number of the~ public reading and writing schools f©r children above that age ; having examined the several returns, and collected all information upon the subject, ask leave to report — The duty of the town to provide the means of instruction for all the children is both a civil and religious obligation upon the citizens ; but it is a reasonable duty, and has its limits. If, on inquiry, it is found that the existing schools are not sufficient to accommodate the public wants, their num- ber ought to be encreased. But, although the sub-committee does not apprehend any unwillingness in the towns to provide liberally for the public instruction ; yet, in deciding upon the obligation to increase the number of schools, it cannot be improper to have reference to the ability of the town to make further appropriations for their support. The Sub-Committee find that the Latin Grammar Pupiis. school consists of . . . . . . 147 The North public schools of 309 boys and 140 girls, 449 The West schools of 339 boys and 234 girls, . . 573 ' The Centre schools of 240 boys and 36 girls, . 326 The South schools of 370 boys and 283 girls, . 653 The school at South Boston of 100 boys and girls, . 100 The African school of 30 boys and 20 girls, . . 50 The school at Alms House of 44 boys and 23 girls, 67 2,365 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 23 These scliools, containing in all 2,365 pupils of both sexes, are maintained at the public expense, and are, excepting a part of those at the Alms House, for children above the age of seven years. The several Ward Committees were instructed to visit each house, to ascertain the name of every child from the age of four to fourteen years, who from any cause failed to attend any school; and to obtain full and accurate information of the state of education within their respective limits. The Committees appear to have performed their task with fidelity ; and the result of their returns in a digested form, is added to this report, and is offered as part of the same. • It appears that there are in the town one hundred and sixty-two private schools of various descriptions, in which 4,132 children attend, who are between the ages of four and fourteen years. These scholars are supported at the expense of the parents, excepting eight,'^ which are maintained by the charity of individuals, organizing themselves into different religious societies in the town, and superintended by associ- ations of young ladies, in the respective churches, who devote their personal attention to advance the progress of the children in manners and learning. The whole expense of these private schools amounts annually to forty-nine thou- sand one hundred and fifty-four dollars, furnishing employment and support to a very useful and respectable class of citizens of both sexes. Of the above sums, the expense of the earliest or primary schools for children between the ages of four and seven years, is eighteen thousand nine hundred and eleven dollars. It is found that two hundred and eighty- three children, between the ages of four and seven years, do not attend any school : Considering the population of the town, which now amounts to about forty thousand inhabitants, * These Charity Schools were for girls only, and their organization and means of support may be understood from the " Final and Seventh Annual Report of the School of Industry No. I.," which is printed entire in the Ap- pendix, from probably the only copy now preserved, and for which the Editor is indebted to Rowland Ellis, Esq. 24 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. together with the influx of foreigners and strangers, who are ignorant of our institutions, or who have not learned to value them, this is deemed to be a very small number. But the Overseers of the Poor are found not to be inattentive to the wants of the community in this respect. They distribute annually in their respective Wards, a sum, which upon an average amounts to five hundred and fifty dollars,- to enable poor children of this class to attend the primary schools, which are kept in various parts of the town. From the returns of the Ward Committees it appears, that two hundred and forty-three children above the age of seven years do not, either from the inattention of their parents, from indifference to the subject, or from inability, make any use of the means of education, public or private, which are afforded by the town. Of this number it may be presumed that two-thirds are females, who might be easily accommo- dated in the public Schools. Nor does there appear to be any difficulty in disposing of the boys, who are about eighty in number, in the existing public schools, especially as the females attend there from the month of April to October only, and the boys are then divided between them in suc- cession, which gives ample room for even a much larger number than are usually found to attend. ' Considering the importance of education to the present and future well-being of the individual, it is to be deeply lamented, that any child should be suffered to grow up in ignorance. Next to giving lessons of vice, the neglect of parents to attend to the education of their children is the greatest injury which they can inflict upon their offspring. In a country where schools are provided at the public expense, it is a debt which parents owe to the community, and an indispensable part of their office, to send their children regularly to School. Our laws have not provided penalties for parents, who neglect this duty. Perhaps it is best that its performance should be left to the influence of feeling and conscience, and to the dread which is felt of that in- dignation which will inevitably arise in the mind of a child, ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 25 who, having arrived at the age of manhood, finds that his education has been neglected by those, to whom he is un- happily indebted for his existence. But in every society, individuals will be found; who are wholly regardless of their own improvement and happiness, and who equally disregard the best moral and religious interests of their children. Let the system of public instruction be ever so complete and extensive, some will always be found to neglect its advantages. In no country is the system of free Schools established on more liberal principles than in this Commonwealth. The fathers of New-England well knew, that ignorance is the parent of superstition and vice, and that it is. equally hostile to civil and religious freedom. They incorporated into our civil constitutions the principle, that provision should be made in each town, at the public expense, for instructing the children in the elements of knowledge. In the public Schools in this town, the children are taught the principles of the English language, and likewise the elements of Writ- ing, Arithmetic and Geography. They are permitted to con- tinue there from the age of seven to fourteen years, and in that time they become qualified to engage in mercantile and mechanical professions, are disciplined in the principles of moral and religious truth, and are formed to make valuable members of the community. The only qualification for ad- mission to the public Schools is, that the child should know his letters and be able to combine syllables, and the instances are rare indeed where children have been refused admission from the want of this qualification. The instructors of the Grammar Schools are gentlemen of liberal education. All the Schools are under the care and inspection of a large com^ mittee, consisting of twenty-one citizens,* to whom are dele- gated all the powers of the town for the support and encouragement of public instruction. For children under the age of seven years, it is -true, no * The School Committee was composed of nine Selectmen, ex-officio, and fine member elected from each Ward. 4 26 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. schools are maintained at the public expense. But experience has proved in times past, and it has been demonstrated by the present inquiry to the satisfaction of the sub-committee, that this class of children with us is not neglected. Perhaps as large proportion of them enjoy the advantages of instruction as would avail themselves of it if schools were maintained in sufficient number by the public treasury. The system of small private schools for pupils of this description, supported by the parents, operates upon them as a tax, which, however, is not very unequal or burdensome. They send their children to such schools as are convenient, and at such rate of expense as they can afford, and the tax is paid cheerfully, because it is for an object which carries with it the reward both of feeling and duty. If public schools were established for this class, they must, to be of general utility, be very numerous, which would create a very great expense to the town. If they should be few in number, they would not be attended, for it would be inconvenient and dangerous to send small children to schools distant from their homes, and to allow them to assemble together in multitudes. Few parents would wish to send their children to a school of this description. Most parents naturally take a strong interest in the first develop- ment of the tender faculties of their infant children, and are willing to devote more attention to the business of education, where a small weekly stipend is paid by them for this object, than where the whole expense is defrayed by the public treasury. The sub-committee believe that most parents have some leisure, and that with us few are unequal to the task of teaching the elements of letters. It ought never to be for- gotten that the office of instruction belongs to parents, and that to the schoolmaster is delegated a portion only of the parental character and rights. In the retirement of domestic life, parents have opportunities to impart instruction, and to gain an influence over their children which the pu])lic teacher does not possess. It is not to be expected that free schools should be fur- nished with so many instructors, and be conducted on so liberal principles as to embrace the circle of a polite and ORIGIN OP THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 27 finished education. They have reference to a limited degree of improvement, and from their public character there must arise some disadvantages which are not felt in private schools, under tutors to whom is assigned a small limited number of pupils. But, considering the great number and flourishing state of the public and private schools in this town, the universal attention which is paid by its citizens to their support and encouragement, the very small proportion of children who do not avail themselves of these institutions, together with the heavy tax which is already assessed for the support of the public education ; the sub-committee report as the result of their inquiries, that the establishment at the public expense of primary schools for children under the age of seven years, is not in their opinion expedient, and that an increase of the number of the reading and writing schools is not required by any evident public necessity. By order of the Sub-Committee, CHARLES BULFINCH, Chairman. Boston, Oct. 30, 1817. — At a meeting of the School Com- mittee, in conjunction with the committee from the wards of the town, the above report having been read and fully con- sidered, — Voted, that the same be accepted, and that it be printed for general information. WM. WELLS, Sec. to S. C. The following is one of the tables referred to in the above report. In another, the committee exhibited particularly the numbers in each school, with the various prices of tuition, which, from its length, it has been thought advisable to omit : — 28 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Result of the Returxs made from the several Wards by THE Committee ox the subject of Schools. No. of Children who RO to no School. No of Private Schools. No. of Private Pupils. Annual Expense. Charity Free Schools ■a 53 ? o < 1 "a i o 5 $ cents. o .a 03 ■p. a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 57 52 2G 9 8 20 7 6 13 6 23 56 46 53 28 14 8 23 4 5 20 3 23 16 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 5 1 3 19 12 16 1 10 13 12 5 6 10 14 17 232 128 161 70 162 100 100 15 89 125 112 185 275 169 259 24 231 190 232 119 133 212 164 280 5,638 00 2,846 00 3,175 00 1,249 00 7,346 00 2,879 00 6,425 50 2,285 00 2,300 00 8,162 50 2,020 00 4,828 50 1 1 1 1 4 60 32 35 65 173 283 243 19 135 1,479 2,288 49,154 50 8 365 Number of Pupils— Boys, 1,479; Girls, 2,288; Charity Scholars, 365; total, 4132. Annual Expense of Primary Schools for Children under Seven Years of Age. Wardl 2,962 2 1,870 3 2,775 4 225 5 1,710 6 1,695 7 787 Wards 105 9 1,820 10 602 11 3,020 12 2,340 Amount 18,911* This report was printed and distributed, but was not submitted to the action of the citizens at a town meet- ing, as the School Committee apparently regarded the vote of the town as placing the whole matter in their hands. Elaborate and carefully prepared as it was, it was not satisfactory to the petitioners, but was opposed in the newspapers by Mr. James Savage and others * This amount was paid by the parents of the pupils, in the Dames' and other private schools. ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 29 with eloquence and effect. From one of these articles, in the Daily Advertiser of April 21, 1818, over the signa- ture of " Many,"* we make the following extracts : — The author commences by laying clown this proposition — " All should be taught to read ; the poor and the rich should have an equal chance to understand the nature and principles of our Eepublican government ; " and adds, " Many parents in this town send their children to private schools kept by women, while those who are unable to pay for their tuition, are obliged to leave them to traverse the streets, or shut them up at home. Of this class, there are hundreds among us already growing up to all kinds of iniquity. In the report of the School Committee of the 3d of November last, we are told that the number of children between the ages of four and fourteen is 526, ^ who go to no schooV. What are those children doing ? Who has charge of them ? Where do they live ? Why are they not at school ? The Committee have not informed us. Have they not a right to a good bringing up, and to a common school education ? and have they not a right to a common share of the friendship of the community ? If their parents negbct to provide them a school, is it not the duty of the town to do it ? and if the town takes no interest in their welfare, is it not the duty of the Legis- lature to enact laws for the purpose of saving these dependents, these sufferers ? " " All children have an equal right to the schools, we know, on the following conditions, and on no other, viz. : 1st. The child must be seven years old. 2d. He must be able to read in the Bible sufficiently well to keep * Written by Mr. Savaga 30 ORIGIN OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. his place in a class. 3d. He cannot be admitted after the age of fourteen, however well he can read, or how- ever deficient he may be in writing or arithmetic. Take, then, the case of a parent, (and there are hundreds in town,) whose circumstances are such as to prevent him from qualifying his children for enjoying the benefits of our Free Schools, under and after the age of seven. Can it be said that the doors of our schools are open to these children ? "We say that they are not ; yet we are told, " they are open,/r'« & Treas. Mr. Samuel Coverly, Sec'y. Rev. Daniel Sharp. Hon. Benj. Austin. Dea. Moses Grant. William Thurston, Esq." ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 39 The Committee of Ward No. 6, for the establishmnent and superintendence of the Primary Public Schools, beg leave to Report — That they have established two Schools in their "Ward, and one in conjunction with the Committee of War.d No. 7. The School No. 1, in Ward No. 6, is situated in Leverett Street, on the cast side ; is taught by Miss Bates ; tickets of admission have been given to fifty-five scholars; and about forty-five attend daily. School No. 2, in Ward No. 6, is situated in Cambridge Street, on the north side ; is taught by Miss Rice ; tickets for sixty children have been issued, and forty-five to fifty children attend daily. School No. 3, for Wards 6 and 7, is situated in South Rus- sell Street ; is taught by Miss Jewett. This school is more immediately under the management of the Committee of Ward No. 7, who will make a report on the subject. These Schools were put in operation on the first of August ; and your Committee have pleasure in communicating the satisfaction they feel in perceiving the decent and cleanly appearance of the children generally, in their good conduct, in the good order and subordination introduced into the Schools, and the evident improvement already made by the children. All of which is respectfully submitted. Paul Dean, Chairman. Boston, Sept. 15, 1818. 1819. On the 31st of May, 1819, the Primary School Board presented their first report to the Town, of which the following is a copy : — 40 ANNALS OF THE PRIiLA.RY SCHOOLS. AT a legal meeting of the Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall, on Monday, the 31st day of May, A. D, 1819. The following KEPOET was read, accepted, ordered to be printed, and distributed for the information of the InhabitantSo Attest, THOMAS CLARK, Town Clerk. EEPORT. Pursuant to the vote of the Town on the 11th day of June last, the School Committee soon after nominated and ap- pointed three gentlemen in each ward " to provide instruction for children between four and seven years of age, and appor- tion the expenses among the several schools." Of these gen- tlemen all but two accepted, and have served. The Board was organized on the 23d day of June, by choosing Thomas L. Winthrop, Esquire, Chairman, and James Savage, Esquire, Secretary. On the 2d day of July, the Board resolved that the Com- mittee of each Ward " ascertain, by personal inquiry, the number of children between the ages of four and seven; state who do, and who do not, attend any school, as also those, whose parents are desirous of availing themselves of this right; and report the names and place of residence." This was a very arduous duty ; and the result of the inquiry was highly interesting to the Board. The number between ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 41 four and seven years old; exclusive of about half of Ward No. 7, from "wliich the Committee made no return, amounted to two thousand eight hundred and forty-three. Of these, though five hundred and thirty-two only did not attend any school, thirteen hundred and thirty were desirous of instruc- tion at the new schools. The number who attended no school was nearly double that of the return made the pre- ceding year, but not larger than was expected to be found. A comparison of the result, in each year, from all the Wards, will assist us in judging of their correctness. Wards. 1817. 1818. No. 1 57 46 2 52 86 3 26 45 4 9 14 5 8 20 6 20 37 7 7 34 8 6 29 9 13 72 10 6 2 11 23 46 12 56 101 Total, 283 532 To provide instruction for that number, the grant of money by the town was very liberal, and was indeed considered by the favorers of the experiment adequate to furnish schooling for seven or eight hundred children. But, when we ascer- tained that above thirteen hundred would demand the care of the Board, it became a matter of great difficulty to divide the sum granted in such a way as to approach nearest to a fulfilment of the vote of the town, with which a perfect 42 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. compliance seemed utterly impracticable. We could not satisfactorily arrange this difficulty before the 20th of July. As the pupils were of such tender age, they could not be required to go far from home ; and schools must, therefore, be opened in sections of the Wards. To ensure health and improvement, their number in each school should be small; and to such an instructor, as alone ought to be employed, the compensation could hardly fall short of two hundred dollars. Rent, fuel, benches and other incidental charges might have reasonably been expected to exceed fifty dollars for each. But the Board were resolved to open twenty schools, and we were of necessity stinted to that amount. It was generally agreed by us, that the children in one school should not exceed forty-five, and be confined, if practicable, to forty. The money was didded by vote among the several Committees from the Wards, and schools were opened exclu- sively for such free scholars as the Committees received in every Ward but two. These two Wards were unitedly al- lowed from our fund enough to maintain two schools, or one- tenth of the whole ; but it seemed expedient to the Committee of that united district to agree with mistresses, having already established schools to receive from the Committee an addition of pupils at a stated rate for each. Five teachers have been by them employed in this manner. The rate of ten cents per week, with allowance of two dollars for winter's fuel, for each child, making seven dollars and twenty cents a year, is now found to be much higher than that which the instruction in other Wards demanded, where the expense of each pupil has fallen short of five dollars. Most of the schools were opened in August, and all by the first week of September, and all have continued without interruption. The calculations, even of such citizens as were most solici- tous for the establishment of these schools, have all estimated too low the number of children for whom we find it necessary to provide instruction. Though a large portion, probably ANNALS OF THE PRIINIARY SCHOOLS. 43 half of our people would prefer to pay teachers of their owa private selection for instructing their children of such an age ; and though the never-tiring benevolence of many has provided schools for several hundred others, yet, in every instance, the schools opened by the Board have been filled beyond the limit we desired to prescribe. We should, however, observe, that several of the instructors, having daughters of age to afford assistance to their mothers, the Committees have been satis- fied with permitting sixty, and in one instance seventy, in another eighty pupils in one school. In only two of those eighteen schools provided solely for the free instruction has the number been smaller than fifty ; and on the second week of March, when our instructors returned all under their tuition, the amount was eleven hundred and eighteen. Large as this number will appear, the Board are satisfied, that a considerable addition should the current year be provided for ; and from computation carefully made we conceive thirty- two schools for such children will be needed. At two hun- dred and fifty dollars each, a grant of eight thousand dollars would be requisite. Two considerations, among several others more apparent, powerfully operate to produce, in the minds of the gentlemen at the Board the year past, a conviction of the importance and necessity of this system of free schools for young chil- dren, which they wish to submit to the consideration of their fellow-citizens. The first is, that our schools have been con- stantly pressed to admit a number of children in every part of the town above seven years old, who, having been unable to acquire a little acquaintance with English reading, or even the letters of our alphabet, are excluded from the Public Schools. This grievance we could not remedy ; but if the new schools for children of younger age be continued, the evil will, in a great measure, soon be removed. The second is, that very many children, whose parents are able in summer to afford them schooling at nine-pence or a shilling a week, are deprived in winter, when fire money is asked by the instructors, 44 ANNALS OF THE PRBIARY SCHOOLS. which the parents cannot easily pay, of all teaching, and so lose, at that season, all their former acquisition in letters. Three private schools in one Ward, where the mistresses had twelve scholars each, have been, by this defect, reduced one to nine, and the other two to six pupils each. But the chil- dren for whom we have been required to provide instruction have attended with remarkable punctuality, not less in winter than in summer. The result of our experiment has certainly been encour- aging, and we confidently state that the improvement in all our schools has been far superior to our expectations. We found many parents, on our first inquiry, indifferent about sending their children to these schools, though they regularly attended no other. Perhaps mistaking the establishment for a charitable one, their pride revolted from acknowledging that they needed assistance; yet, since the operation has pro- ceeded, they have almost invariably desired admission for them. Of the children received, one half in some parts of the town, and one-third in general, were ignorant of their letters, of whom many can now read in the New Testament, and several from each school are prepared for admission at the town grammar schools, who must have been, we are con- fident, otherwise rejected. In most of our schools, the girls have been taught knitting or sewing as well as reading. The several Committees are, by a regulation of the Board, required once a month, at least, to visit the schools under their par- ticular care ; and a return of the state of each is demanded at our quarterly meetings. All which is submitted. ELISHA TICKNOR. BENJAMIN AUSTIN. THOMAS B. WAIT. NATHAN WEBB. THOMAS BALDWIN. HENRY WARE. JAMES SAYAGE. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 45 This is the first Annual Report of the first Committee of the Primary Schools, and it is exceedingly interest- ing, from the amount of general information it pre- sents, and as developing the organization and arrange- ment of the duties of the Board, which were so wisely and carefully ordered, and have proved so well adapted to the purpose, that no fundamental changes were after- wards deemed advisable or necessary. The proceedings of the Committee having been thus approved by the town, in conformity with the recom- mendation in their Report, an appropriation of $8,000 was voted for the ex|)enses of the second year, 1819— 20 ; and in June the School Committee appointed the Primary Committee for the year. Messrs. Webster, Wells, Burditt, Marshall, Gore, Dorr, Bell, Child and Rich having resigned, the following gentlemen were appointed in their place : Thomas Fracker, Dr. Horace Bean, James Davis, Thomas J. Bordman, Dr. Geo. C. Shattuck, Peter Mackintosh, Jr., Dr. Samuel Clarke, Edward Phillips, G. L. Chandler, and Pliny Cutler. At the first meeting, after their appointment, the Board reelected Mr. Winthrop as Chairman, and Mr. Savage as Secretary ; and, encouraged by the confidence of their townsmen, proceeded with increased energy to perfect the arrangements for successfully carrying on their work. At a quarterly meeting, December 21, 1819, a Sub- Committee was appointed " to consider of all subjects proper for the consideration of the Board ; " and in the reports of this Committee, which was presented and accepted March 21, 1820, a simple code of Rules and Regulations for the Committee and the Schools was 46 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. adopted. The last section of this report particularly claims our attention as originating the Executive or Standing Committee, and defining its relation to the Board. REPORT. The Sub-Committee, appointed at the stated quarterly meeting of the Primary School Committee, on the 21st of December last, to consider of all subjects proper for the consideration of this Board, have attended to that service, and beg leave to report the following as the result of their inquiry, viz. : 1st. That each of the school-mistresses shall stand on equal terms in point of compensation. 2d. That all the schools shall be as nearly equal in point of numbers as may be, it being desirable that none have more than Jifty, nor less than forty , as constant attendants. 3d. That the pupils in each of the schools shall be arranged into four classes, viz. : Those who read in the Tes- tament shall be in the First Class; those in easy reading, in the Second Class; those who spell in two or more syl- lables, in the Third Class ; those learning their letters and monosyllables, in the Fourth Class; and that the books be the same in every school, for each pupil hereafter entering. 4th. That no pupil shall be received into the Primary Schools without a ticket of admittance from one of the Ward or District Committees. 5th. That returns from each of the schools shall be made quarterly by the instructors to the District or Ward Commit- tees, stating the ages and the number of male and female pupils, and the progress of each. 6th. That each Ward or District Committee shall meet, at least ten days previous to the quarterly meeting, to pre- pare from the returns of the several school-mistresses a report, to be made forthwith to the Standing Committee, ANNALS OF THE PRDIARY SCHOOLS. 47 with said returns, with such observations as they shall please to make. 7th. That a Standing Committee of seven be appointed by this Board, whose duty it shall be to meet on the second Tuesday of each month, to consider of every subject relating to the Primary Schools, and the same to visit semi-annually, and report at every quarterly meeting, recommending any improvements necessary to obtain the general objects of this Board. Signed, Elisha Ticknor, Per Order. Although this is, doubtless, the origin of the Stand- ing Committee, as such, yet the same duties had been previously performed by a Sub-Committee, correspond- ing in all respects with the Standing Committee now proposed, as is evident, from the first Annual Report made to the town in behalf of the Board. The report ha"^dng been adopted, the following gen- tlemen were elected as the Standing Committee by the Board : Elisha Ticknor, Rev. Paul Dean, Rev. Henry Ware, Deacon Moses Grant, James Savage, Thomas B. Wait, and Peter Mackintosh, Jr. 1820. On the 25th of March, 1820, the first meeting of the Standing Committee, was held at the office of James Savage, Esq., at which all the members were present. After organizing themselves, by the choice of Elisha Ticknor, Esq., as Chairman, and P. Mackin- tosh, Jr., as Secretary, the committee j)roceeded to make arrangements for their "first semi-annual visita- tion;" and we deem the details of that meeting so 48 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. interesting as the basis of all subsequent semi-annual examinations, that we cannot forbear introducing the entire record on this occasion, which is as follows: It being the duty of this Committee to prepare a report relative to the Primary Schools, to be communicated at the adjom-ned meeting of the Primary School Committee ; which report, when approbated, to be laid before the town for gen- eral information, it was judged proper that our first semi- annual visitation should be made as soon as may be, for the purpose of furnishing materials for said report, founded on an actual survey of each school by the Standing Committee. Therefore, on motion, made and seconded, it was Voted, That the first semi-annual visitation of the schools in the several wards be made on Tuesday and Wednesday next, being the 28th and 29th instant, in conjunction with the respective committees in the wards. Also, Voted, That this Committee be divided into seveji Sub-Com- mittees for that purpose, as follows : Mr. Wait, for Ward No. 1, 3 Schools, and Ward No. 4, 2 Schools. Mr. Ticknor, for Ward No. 2, 4 Schools, and Ward No. 7, 1 School. Mr. Grant, for Ward No. 3, 4 Schools, and Ward No. 8, 1 School. Mr. Savage, for Ward No. 6, 3 Schools, and Ward No. 5, 2 Schools. Mr. Mackintosh, for Ward No. 12, 3 Schools, one of which is at South Boston. Mr. Dean, for Ward No. 12, 2 Schools, and Ward No. 9, 3 Schools. Mr. Ware, for Wards No. 10 and 11, 5 Schools. Total, 33 Schools. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 49 In order to produce something of uniformity in our inqui- ries, it was Voted, That each Sub-Committee should ascertain as follows : 1st. The whole number of scholars present ai the visita- tion, designating the number of boys and girls. 2d. The number of children of seven years and upwards, designating the boys and girls. 3d. The number who are now qualified as candidates for the Grammar Schools. 4th. What number have been discharged and sent to the Grammar Schools, and there admitted during the past year. .5th. If any, and what number are admitted, as private scholars, from whom tuition money is received. 6th. The general state and condition of each school ; stat- ing in the report to this Committee whether it be good, bad, or indifferent ; naming the ward, the number of the school, the name of the teacher, and her qualifications for her duty. The Committee then adjourned to April 10th, at which meeting " reports from personal inspection of all the Primary Schools in town were made ; and it was Voted, That the same be committed to Mr. Savage to prepare a condensed report thereon." On the 25th of April, the ^rst report of the Standing Committee was presented to the Board, and being approved by them, was read at the Town meeting in June. The brevity and comprehensiveness of the report, and the confidence with which still further claims were made upon the town, renders this report not less interesting than the first. From it we learn that the whole number of schools in March, 1820, was 34, and " that from these nurseries 171 children had been advanced to the English Gram- mar Schools, and 177 more were found qualified for 7 50 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. admission therein," . . " making a total of 348 pupils, prepared for the English Grammar Schools " during the year. The whole number belonging to the Primary Schools was 1,666, of whom 1,409 were present at the examinations. The conclusion of the report is, " that, in the opinion of the Committee, the grant of $8,000 by the Town, made last year, for the purpose of ena- bling this Board to provide instruction for children between four and seven years of age, has been well appropriated, and that the good effects of its expendi- ture will long be experienced ; but, inasmuch as that grant was made on a calculation of the necessity of having only thirty-two schools, for a number of pupils less than this Board has found itself obliged to pro- vide for in ihirtif-foiir schools, the inhabitants of the Town will perceive the propriety, if the system is thought worthy to be persevered in, of making for the present year a grant larger than that of the last year, by $500, to support the increased establishment." This report is " signed, Elisha Ticknor, Chainnan." In addition to this report, prepared for the town meeting, Mr. Savage also ^^I'spared a report of the returns made by the several members of the Stand- ing Committee, which was presented to the Board at the quarterly meeting, April 25th. At the town meeting, in June, the report was read, accepted, and the desired appropriation of $8,500 voted for the year 1820-21. In the annual appoint- ment of the Primary School Committee, the following changes were made : ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 51 George Darracott, vice Robert Fennelly. Isaac Harris, " N. G. Snelling. Thomas Wells, '' ■ Rev. J. M. Wincbell. Reuben Richards, Jr., " Thos. S. Borclman. Samuel J. Armstrong, ^^ Dr. Benj. Sliurtleff. Andrew Green, " Rev. Daniel Sharp. Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, "^ Hon. Benj. Austin. Isaac Mansfield, " Edward Phillijis, Samuel Norwood, " Henry Chapman. Lewis Tappan, ^ Rev. Dr. T. Baldwin. Thomas Jackson, " John Bellows. Samuel Dorr, " G. L. Chandler. William Jackson, " Benjamin West. At the regular meeting of the Board, Mr. Winthrop was reelected Chairman ; and as Mr. Savage declined, Mr. Peter Mackintosh, Jr., was elected Secretary, and Mr. William Brown, Treasurer, of the Board. The Standing Committee w^as composed of the same gen- tlemen as the previous year, all the members having been reelected. At a meeting of this Committee, July 20, 1820, Elisha Ticknor was chosen Chairman, and MosES Grant, Secretary. It was also " Voted, That one dollar per annum be appropriated to each school for the purchase of reward books, and tickets or medals. " Voted, That Mr. Cutler's and Grant's bills for small reward books and tickets, and all similar bills now due, be paid by the Treasurer. " Voted, That Mr. Mackintosh prepare the Rules and Regulations for the government of the Committee." The Committee then adjourned to July 23d, at which meeting the first "Rules and Regulations of the Pri- mai'y Board" were read and accepted. They were 52 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. subsequently adopted by the Board July 27th, and printed in a pamphlet form. It appears from these " Rules " and the records, that at that time and previous to June, 1824, the officers of the Primary Board were a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer; the duties of the latter officer were defined in "Section lY. The Treasurer shall keep a fair and accurate account of the moneyed concerns of the Board. He is authorized to receive, from the Town Treasurer, all the moneys granted for the support of the Primary Schools ; and pay the Instructors of the Schools quarterly, their bills being first approved by the Committee of the Ward or District to which they belong. His accounts shall be audited or inspected, whenever the Board may appoint a Committee for that j)urpose. At the close of the year he shall make a transcript, or an abstract of his accounts as audited, to be laid before the Board." The books to be used in the Primary Schools were selected by the Standing Committee, and were adopted by the Board at the same time with the " Rules." They were, "the Testament, Child's Companion, Kelley's Child Instructor, Webster's Only Sure Guide, Pickard's Juve- nile Spelling Book, and Child's First Book English Reader." Notwithstanding the gratifying success which had attended the schools, and the large number of children which were brought within their salutary influence, the benevolent minds of the Committee were soon attracted to the importance of extending the benefits of education to that class of children who were too old to be admitted to the Primary, and were not qualified to enter the Grammar Schools. In pursuance of this ANNALS OF THE PRBIARY SCHOOLS. 53 object, at a meeting of the Board on the 16th of July, 1819, it was " Voted, That a Committee of one from each Ward be appointed to ascertain the number of children in this town over seven years of age, who are not qualified for admission into the Public Schools, and whose j)arents are not able to pay the expense of in- struction ; also of those children who are idlers, truants, and such as have no visible or known employment, and who do not habitually attend any school, and report at the next quarterly meeting; and also the form of a memorial to be presented from this body to the Board of Selectmen of this Town, requesting the adoption of such measures as they may deem proper to supply the want of Schools to those who are unqualified to enter the Public Schools." The labor involved in this vote required considerable time, and the Committee were unable to complete their report and present it, until the quarterly meeting of the Board on Tuesday, April 25th, 1820. It was then read and accepted, as follows : REPORT. Your Committee, deeming it highly important, would state to their fellow-citizens, that in the discharge of their duty the past year, they have had many applications for the admission to the Primary Schools, of children over seven years of age, who were not qualified to enter the town schools, and conse- quently, could not be legally benefited either by the Primary or Public Schools. This induced us to make a careful inquiry to ascertain the number of children in this town between seven and four- teen years of age, who are in this condition, and to our great surprise and grief, we have found the number to exceed three 54 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. hundred, and "we entertain no doubt that the real number is much greater. Some of these are truants ; some of them employed in street-begging, and all of them ignorant; and if nothing is done for them, they seem destined forever to remain ignorant, and vicious, and '^retched. These children, be it remembered, were born in as free and as happy a land as the earth affords, and have, as we believe, undeniable claims on the public munificence for such an edu- cation as will enable them to know, defend, and enjoy the civil, religious, and social privileges of which they are born the distinguished heirs ; and not only so, but if they are per- mitted to remain in their ignorance, insubordination, and vicious habits, they will not only go quickly to destruction tliemselves, but by their pernicious example and influence, they will draw many others after them to the same deplorable ruin. A lively interest in the welfare of these unhappy youth, (which we believe is also felt by a humane and virtuous pub- lic,) has led us to consider whether something could not be done for their relief and the public good, both in a moral and social view; and the result of our reflections has been, that one or more schools might be opened at a trifling expense to the town, and instructed by persons competent to teach and govern them ; and that nearly all these children, whose names, ages, and places of residence we are already in possession of, may be induced to attend, and thus escape the evils to which they are now exposed. This evil, which has been accumulating for several years, from a want of Primary Schools, will be remedied in a few years, at farthest, in our opinion, after which the Primary and Public Schools will be fully adequate. Elisha Ticknor, Paul Dean, Moses Grant, J> Svb- Committee. Wm. Thurston, | Benj. Shurtleff, J ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 55 This report was drawn up by Rev. Paul Dean, and appended to the Annual Report, made to the Town by Mr. Savage at the Town meeting in June. The report and petition were referred by the Town to the School Committee, and by them committed to a Sub-Com- mittee. Bat, as no report was made by them, the Pri- mary Board brought the subject again to the notice of the School Committee, who then recommended to the Town an appropriation of $1,000, to establish a School for Mutual Instruction, for the accommodation of such children. This was voted at a Town meeting, held July 2d, and the School Committee were author- ized to establish the school ; the matter was then referred by them to the Primary Board, and the school was organized in the basement room of the Boylston School House on Fort Hill. This school was the first of that class of schools which subsequently became much extended under the name of " Intermediate Schools." As exemplifying the careful supervision of the schools at this time, and the manner in which they were conducted, we present the report, of Mr. Elisha TiCKNOR to the Standing Committee, of his Semi-Annual visitation to four schools in Ward No. 2, and one school in Ward No. 7, in March, 1820 : Gentlemen : According to your directions, I have visited and examined, in company with Messrs. Fracker, Hichborn, and Leland, Committee of Ward No. 2, four Primary Schools, on the 28th instant. 56 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 6 § p. Girls. Enlered Gram'r Scliool last y'r. "a 5" si School No. 1, kept by Miss Turner, 58 56 22 34 7 8 8 School No. 2, kept by Miss Ripley, 47 44 25 19 16 6 5 School No. 3, kept by Miss Marsh, 43 41 23 18 6 3 2 School No. 4, kept by Miss Tracker, 68 36 12 24 1 2 221 177 82 95 1 30 17 17 I also visited and examined in company ■with Mr. Coverly, Committee of Ward No. 7, School No. 1, kept by Miss Jewett. 68 56 35 21 8 9 12 In visiting these schools, we proceeded to examine in the first place School No. 2, kept by Miss Eipley. Her pupils were neat and clean, respectful in their manners, and orderly in their behavior. They passed an excellent examination in reading and spelling, and repeating what they had learned by heart. The young lady, also, set an example worthy of her pupils' notice, and appeared to possess those qualifications both for governing and instructing, which are so desirable for one in her situation to possess. Her children, she observed, attended school punctually, and, with very few exceptions, were moral and civil in their manners, and generally clean and neat as we then saw them. Fifteen read in the Testa- ment. The books she taught were Kelley's Spelling Book and the Testament. These she considered as sufficient to qualify her pupils for the Grammar School. She had no pri- vate scholars. She taught no knitting or sewing j and I was sorry for it, because I believe a little manual exercise will induce children to learn more, and better, and faster, and will give a spirit and animation to whatever they undertake to perform. This school is evidently well taught, and may be denominated a good one. We then passed on to School No. 3, kept by Miss Marsh, suc- cessor to her mother, lately deceased. It was neat and clean, and there were evident marks of good government and proper subordination. It certainly appeared well; the pupils read ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 67 and spelt excellently, and were desirous to show, by repeat- ing long lessons from Scripture, that they had been no idlers in school, but had been orderly and diligent. The Instruc- tress was mild and dignified in her manners, and her scholars exhibited marks of respect and attention which quite satis- fied your Committee. Fourteen read in the Testament. She observed that she had no cause to complain of any immoral language, or expressions falling from the lips of her pupils, and they were punctual at school. The books taught were Kelley's Spelling Book and the Testament, which she thought, also, were suflScient to qualify her pupils for the Grammar School. In this school knitting and sewing were taught, although none was exhibited. We then examined School No. 4, kept by Miss Fracker. This school is a new one, got up but a few months ago, and is not in that state of improvement we could wish ; yet there appears to be no fault attached to the instructress. She is mild in her manners, and evidently possessed of a good mind; but whether she has energy enough in her government, and system enough in her mode of instruction, must hereafter be determined by the Ward Committee. This school is, how- ever, far from being properly organized, and what course the Committee can take to compel or induce upwards of thirty children, irregular in their habits, to attend school punctually, as do the others, is beyond my experience to determine ; but if any method can be devised, it will be a great acquisition, and a point gained in favor of the Primary School system. I think it may be done ; but it will depend upon the exertion and perseverance of the Ward Committee. A complaint of .vulgar language was brought against one, and him we called up, and trust that we shall hear nothing more on that subject. Knitting and sewing were taught here, and four read in the Testament. In books, the scholars were very deficient, evi- dently not half enough to serve the school. We then visited, for the last school in this Ward, School 58 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. No. 1, kept by Miss Turner. She is, or I am greatly mis- taken, one of the most accomplished and thorough school- mistresses for a Primary School I have yet seen. On entering the school-room we were received with respect and attention, and all remained standing till we were seated; and during the time we were present, no disorder, and not the least deficiency of government appeared. I informed the young lady that I was commissioned to examine her school, and requested to propound to her a few questions previous to the examination. These questions she readily answered, and I then requested her to take her own way to exhibit to us the acquirements of her scholars, together with her own mode or system of instruction, that we might know exactly what the scholars had learned, and what might be the future prospect of improvement. She began by calling upon the Fourth or youngest class, which showed me instantly that she knew how to examine her pupils to advantage, and that she had already divided her school systematically into four classes, as the Primary Committee had agreed at their last meeting to have done. With this beginning I was pleased. The class then stood up in their places and read in words of one syllable, audibly and distinctly, which is not common for those of their standing. They were then ordered to close their books ; each did it instantly, and put his book under his arm, and renewed his position, and order of stand- ing. They then spelt in a distinct, and with a proper tone of voice, and sat down. The Third class then rose, and passing through similar ceremonies, read in words of three or four syllables, spelt, and were seated. During this period attention and perfect silence reigned through the school. The second class then rose in their place (for each class sat by themselves), and with like ceremonies they read in easy reading, and spelt quite to my satisfaction. The first class was then directed to rise. They read in the Testament ex- cellently, and spelt, and sat down. At this moment I sup- ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 59 posed tlie mistress had completed the exhibition of her pupils, and was preparing myself to address a few words to them ; but observing a child, about six years of age, at my right hand, '• Sir," said the mistress, " Will you please to hear the child repeat the rules she has learned ? " The child handed me Kelley's Spelling Book, and repeated to me between 50 and 60 rules, being all it contained in relation to letters and pronunciation. At her remarkable memory and attention I was surprised, because she appeared, at the same time, to understand the nature of the rules. " Sir," said the mis- tress, " no child is allowed to pass from the second to the first class who is unable to repeat these rules." A second repeated to me all the reading part or lessons in Kelley's Spelling Book, principally made up of maxims and important sentences. A third, all the stops and marks used in reading; a fourth, the use of all the capitals 5 a fifth repeated a long catalogue of words of similar sound, but differently spelt; a sixth, a long catalogue of vulgarisms, such as vinegar, not wine gar ; vessel, not loessel; wharf, not vaff, &c. ; a seventh, the use of the common abbreviations, such as A.M., D.D., LL.D., ?•*** This report and the accompanying resolutions, which embodied the views and sentiments expressed in the report, were adopted by the Board at a special meet- ing, held July 3, 1838, and we do not find that any further action was taken by the Grammar Board upon these subjects at that time. In pursuance of an idea which had been suggested by the Standing Committee, the Primary Boards, at this time, established a " Model School," for the j^urpose of trying experiments in Primary School instruction. This school was placed in charge of a Special Com- mittee, who, after due deliberation, and with reference "■ to the size of the room, its central situation, and the character of its teacher," selected the school in District No. 4, kept in the Derne street school-house, by Miss Mary Torrin, -This school was continued with varied success until 1842, when it was abandoned, as not having proved so advantageous to the schools as had been anticipated. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 189 A vote was also passed, authorizing the division of any district by the District Committee, when the same shall contain more than nine schools. 1839. March 5. The list of members of the Committee, appointed by the Grammar School Board, was read by the Secretary, and he was instructed to place the same on file. The Board then proceeded to ballot for a Chairman, which resulted in the choice of Mr. JosiAH F. BuMSTEAD. Mr. Bumstead having; declined serving, George W. Otis, Jr., was elected Chairman^ and Joseph Curtis was reelected Secretary. Standing Committee — R. "W. Bayley, Chairman; F. A. Sumner, Secretary ; George Rogers, J. F. Bumstead, George W. Otis, Jr., Augustus A. Gould, J. B. Steb- bins, Francis Brown, J. W. Bourne, Samuel McBurney. Committee of Conference — George W. Otis, Jr., F. A. Sumner, J. F. Bumstead. Among other business acted upon at this meeting, a Resolution was adopted, " That when any school shall have remained for a considerable time, with a smaller number of pupils than it can accommodate, the cause shall be made a particular subject of inquiry by the District Committee, and a remedy applied, either by changing its location or its teacher." At the quarterly meeting of the Board, June 4, the Committee on Books reported in favor of intro- ducing "My First School Book," prepared expressly as a spelling book, for the Third and Fourth Classes, by Josiah F. Bumstead, which was adopted, and ordered 190 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. to be used, instead of the '' Mother's Primer," in those classes. A petition of Samuel P. Scott and others, to have sewing and knitting taught in the Public Schools, was referred by the Grammar School Committee to this Board, and after being read, was referred to the Stand- ing Committee, who subsequently reported that it was unnecessary to take any action on the subject, as these branches of domestic education were already attended to in the Primary Schools. The efforts of those who desired to supersede the labors of the Primary School Committee, by the appointment of a Superintendent, not having accom- plished their object through the intervention of the Grammar Board, appear to have brought the sub- ject before the Common Council. Upon learning this, the Primary Board unanimously adopted the follow- ing preamble and vote, viz. : Whereas, the subject of the organization of the Primary- School Board, and other matters relating thereto, have been referred to a Committee of the City Council; and whereas, the said Committee may desire to communicate with this Board, in an official manner, on the subject matter of their appointment ; and whereas, this Board is solicitous to facili- tate, in every proper way, the labors of that Committee; therefore, Voted, That Messrs. Pray, Hartshorn, Bumstead and Otis, be a Committee to confer and communicate in the most ample and free manner, with the aforesaid Committee of the Council, if desired, on all the subjects appertaining to their appointment, and all others which may be brought under consideration in connection with the accountability, proceedings and duties of this Committee. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 191 1840. The regular quarterly meeting was held, March 3, and the members of the Board havmg been notified of their appointment, they proceeded to organize their body by the choice of officers and Committees for the current year. Chairman — Eichard "VY. Batley. Secretary — Joseph Curtis. Standing Committee — Josiah F. Bumstead, Chairman; Frederic A. Sumner, Secretary ; K. "W. Bayley, Francis Brown, Wm. D. Ticknor, Edmund Jackson, J. B. Steb- bins, Samuel McBurney, J. W. Bourne, Wm. P. Jarvis. Committee of Conference — R. W. Bayley, F. A. Sum- ner, J. F. Bumstead. The thanks of the Board were presented to Dr. George W. Otis, Jr., " for the able and satisfactory man- ner in which he had discharged the duties of Chair- man of the Board for several years." It was also ^'^ Voted, That the Standing Committee be authorized to make arrangements for furnishing the teachers of the Primary Schools with instruction in vocal music, provided it can be done without expense." In conformity with this vote, the Standing Commit- tee appointed a Sub-Committee to confer with Mr. Lowell Mason on this subject, and make the necessary arrangements for carrying the same into effect. This Sub-Committee reported, April 28, that the conference with Mr. Mason was favorable to the project ; that they had accordingly sent a circular to the teachers, and that two meetings had already been held, which had been 192 AJ^NALS OF THE PRLMARY SCHOOLS. attended by about two-thirds of the teachers connected with the Primary Schools. By a vote of the Board, September 1, " the Stand- ing Committee was directed to confer with the Mayor on the subject of providing each of the Primary Schools with a Blackboard ; and if necessary, to peti- tion the City Council for an appropriation to accom- plish the same." The same Committee were also authorized to apply to the Common Council for the use of their room in the City Hall, for the future meetings of the Pri- mary Board. This request was granted, and the next meeting, September 15, was held in that place. A petition of sundry inhabitants of Section 1, East Boston, for the establishment of a new school in that section, having been sent to the Standing Committee ; and there appearing to be good reasons for another school, they recommended to the whole Board that a new school be established agreeably to the tenor of the petition. In October, the teacher in school No. 2, East Boston, having left the care of her school to a substitute, who was reported as unqualified, the Standing Committee appointed their Secretary to investigate the circum- stances; and upon his report the teacher and substi- tute were both discharged, and another teacher elected. 1841. At a meeting of the Grammar Board, January 12, the members of the Primary School Committee were appointed, and at their regular quarterly meeting, March 2, the Board was organized as follows : ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 193 CJmirman — Richard H. Bayley. Secretary — Joseph Curtis. Standing Committee — J. F. Bumstead, Chairman; F. A. Sumner, Secretary ; R "W. Bayley, W. D. Ticknor, S. McBurney, W. P. Jar vis, Alvan Sinionds, A. D. Par- ker, Samuel Wheeler, George Bemis. The Committee of Conference were all reelected. Mr. Lewis G. Pray having sent in his resignation to the Board at this meeting, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted as a just tribute to his devoted services, for the interest of the Primary Schools, for nearly twenty years : Whereas, this Board is notified of the resignation of Lewis G. Pray, Esq., who has so long and so faithfully discharged his duties in the several departments of this Board, Resolved, That in view of his past services, the Board cannot part with Mr. Pray without expressing to him their strong and deep sense of obligation, as well for themselves as for the community at large, for his untiring, benevolent and efiicient exertions in the cause which this Board has for its object to forward. Resolved, That while we wish to make no invidious distinc- tions, we know of no one to whom the Primary School sys- tem in this city is more largely indebted for its present advancement and completeness than to Mr. Pray; and that, in losing him, the Primary Schools have lost a long-tried and faithful friend. Resolved, That the Secretary forward to Mr. Pray a copy of these resolutions, and transcribe the same on the record book of the Board. The Grammar School Committee having extended the June vacation of their schools, a special meeting of the Primary Board was held, May 21, to consider the 194: ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. expediency of making their vacations correspond with those granted to the Grammar Schools. After con- siderable discussion, it was decided that any increase in the vacations of the Primary Schools was inexpe- dient, and the whole subject was indefinitely postponed. At a special meeting, June 15, a Committee reported in favor of giving the reports of the Standing Commit- tee a more permanent form ; and Messrs. Bayley, Bum- stead, Ingraham, Marvin and Flint, were appointed " a Committee to collect and put into substantial binding, all the reports of the Standing Committees, (and of the District Committees,) and all other reports and papers connected with the Board, which, in their judgment, it is desirable thus to preserve." The same Committee were " instructed to request from the City Government a suitable place of deposit for the safe keeping of the various records, reports, &c., belonging to the Board, which are not of immediate use." The Semi- Annual Report of the Standing Committee, compiled from the reports of the teachers, and of the District Committees, was prepared and read by Mr. James B. Dow, at the quarterly meeting, September 7. Mr. Dow also offered a resolution, that the teachers be permitted to use the spelling book prepared by Mr. Bumstead, entitled, " Spelling and Thinking Combined," as a substitute for "Lee's Spelling Book," which was referred to the Committee on School Books, who re- ported, at an adjourned meeting, September 21, in favor of its adoption in the First and Second Classes, and that it be introduced into the schools immediately after the ensuing semi-annual examination. This report was accepted, and the recommendations ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 195 adopted. At this meeting a vote was adopted, by which the schools at East Boston was constituted a sep- arate district, and were authorized to he organized under the name of District 11. Up to this time the schools at East Boston had been under the special charge of the Standing Committee, by whom the teachers and Local Committees were chosen. At the opening of the quarterly meeting, December 7, the Chairman announced the decease of Mr. Joseph Curtis, late Secretary of the Board, and paid a feeling tribute to his worth ; and on motion of Mr. Marvin, the following votes were unanimously adopted : Voted, That this Board deeply sympathize with the be- reaved family of our late Secretary, Mr. Joseph Curtis, and would cheerfully and unanimously express our feelings of regret that we have been deprived of his services, which we were happy to testify, were always promptly, unremittingly and faithfully rendered. Voted, That the above be communicated to the family of Mr. Curtis, by the Secretary. The Board then elected Mr. Alvan Sevionds as Secretary. 1842. The Board was appointed January 11, and on the 1st of March was organized as follows : Chairman — R. W. Bayley. Secretary — Alvan Simonds. Standing Omnmittee — J. F. Bumstead, Chairman ; F. A. Sumner, Secretary ; R. W. Bayley, S. McBurney, William P. Jarvis, Alvan Simonds. A. D. Parker, James 196 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. B. Dow, George Bemis, Joseph "W. Ingraham, Otis A. Skinner. The Committee of Conference were all reelected. The Serai-Annual Report of the Standing Committee was made by Mr. Ingraham, June 7, which was recom- mitted to the Standing Committee for revision and con- densation, and subsequently accepted by the Board at an adjourned meeting, June 10. At this adjourned meeting it was " Voted, That the thanks of the Board be presented to Mrs. Minot, (lady of William Minot, Esq.,) for her generous and disinterested services in giving a series of lessons on drawing to the teachers of the Pri- mary Schools." This tribute of respect, on the part of the Board, was worthily bestowed upon a lady, who, for two hours a week, for three months, had freely devoted her time and talents to the instruction of the teachers in an interesting branch of education. By a vote of the Board, September 6, the vacations in the Primary Schools were made to conform with those in the Grammar Schools. September 20. The Chairman reported, verbally, that the Committee appointed, June 15, 1841, to procure of the city authorities a room for the deposit of the books and papers of the Board, had obtained the room form- erly occupied by the Directors of the House of Refor- mation in the City Hall. Mr. Ingraham, from the same Committee, reported that some progress had been made in collecting the papers and reports from the various districts, and asked for further time, which was granted. It aj^pears, however, that this duty was never com- pleted ; and it is probable that the Committee found it impossible to collect a perfect file of the papers and ANNALS OF THE PRBIARY SCHOOLS. 197 reports ; and after making the collection as complete as they could, they seem to have abandoned the undertaking. The schools had been gradually increasing in num- ber, and the labors of the Standing Committee as steadily becoming more and more arduous, until it became necessary that some relief should be obtained ; as the number of members of the Standing Committee was limited by the number of districts, several attempts had been made to increase the number, but without success. In August, 1841, the Standing Committee, on motion of Wm. D. Ticknor, appointed a Sub-Committee to con- sider and report upon some plan of relief The subject was frequently discussed by the Standing Committee, and finally resulted in a recommendation to the Board to divide the schools into seventeen districts. This was presented to the Board at their meeting, September 20, 1842, by the Chairman of the Standing Committee, and the following votes were passed : Voted, That Districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8, meet and divide themselves, each into two districts, as nearly equal in the number of schools as possible, and organize themselves by the choice of a Chairman and Secretary of each district, renumbering the schools, and report the same to the Secre- tary of the Standing Committee, on or before the third Tues- day in October next. Voted, That the Standing Committee, after receiving these reports, proceed to number the districts, beginning with the north part of the city, and proceeding to the south. The Standing; Committee then made a nomination of six members of their body for the new districts, 198 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. and Lewis G. Pray, Aaron Orclway, Wm. Dall, Lemuel Capen, Nathan Metcalf, Jr., and Frederic A. Eddy, were chosen. Mr. Pray, however, declined to accept, and the Stand- ing Committee requested Dr. John Odin, Jr., to examine District No. 17, and to make the abstract of the several reports for the use of the Board. These duties were performed in a manner so acceptable, that after the adoption of the report by the Board, at the quarterly meeting in December, it was "Voted, Thsit the thanks of the Board be presented to Dr. John Odin, Jr., for the able manner in which he has discharged the duty of preparing the semi-annual report." At the request of the Grammar School Committee, the Board authorized District No. 3 to establish a new school for colored children. 1843. The members of the Primary Board having been notified of their appointment by the Grammar School Committee, January 10, held their annual meeting for the organization of the Board, March 7, and the follow- ing officers were unanimously reelected : Chairman — Eichard W. Bayley. Secretary/ — Alvan Simonds. Standing Committee — J. F. Bumstead, Chairman; F. A. Sumner, Secretary ; S. McBurney, Alvan Simonds, James B. Dow, Otis A. Skinner, W. P. Jarvis, A. D. Parker, R. W. Bayley, George Bemis, I. W. Ingraham, Lemuel Capen, John Odin, Jr., Wm. Dall, Nathan Met- calf Jr., Aaron Ordway, Frederic A. Eddy. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 199' The Committee on Conference were also reelected. The Chairman reported, that under a vote of the Board, December 6, 1842, the Committee appointed to apply to the City Government for an appropriation to furnish each of the Primary Schools with a clock, had held a consultation with some members of the City Council, and that the Committee deemed it inexpedient for the Board to make the application at the present time. By an act of the Legislature, passed March 3, 1842, the sum of $15 was appropriated to every school dis- trict in the Commonwealth, to be expended in books, for a School District Library ; provided that there should be raised or appropriated a similar sum in each school district for the same object, by the cities or towns in which the districts were located. But, in the city of Boston and some others of the cities and towns, the schools were not divided into districts, so as to receive any advantage from this appropriation by the State ; and to obviate this, the act of March 3, 1842, was amended, by extending the provisions of this act in such a manner as to give as many times fifteen dollars to every such city or town as the number sixty is con- tained, exclusive of fractions, in the number of children between the ages of four and sixteen years in said city or town, on condition that an equal sum be raised by the town or city. This amendment was passed March 7, 1843, and on the 14th of the same month, the Primary Board ap- pointed Messrs. Ingraham, Snelling and Bumstead, a Committee to take into consideration this law of the Commonwealth, in relation to school libraries, and 200 ANNALS OF THE PRIiMARY SCHOOLS. authorizing them to communicate with the City Gov- ernment in relation to this law, in connection with the Primary Schools. It appears, however, that no appropriation was made by the City Council, which was necessary to secure to the schools a participation in this bounty of the State ; and we believe that no advantage accrued to our schools from any of the acts passed by the Legislature, for the encourage- ment of school libraries, although a second amend- ment was passed March 25, 1845, with special reference to this subject, in connection with the several grades of schools in Boston. At the quarterly meeting, March 14, a communica- tion was received from His Honor the Mayor, (Martin Brimmer,) stating that one hundred copies of a book entitled, "The School and the Schoolmaster," were at the order of the Board for distribution among the Primary Schools. It being understood that these books were a present from the Mayor, on motion of Mr. B. P. Kichardson, the thanks of the Board were tendered to Mr. Brimmer for his liberal and acceptable donation. The Board also " Voted, That after having the number of the school and district stamped upon the covers, one copy should be sent by the Secretary to each mem- ber of the Board, to be deposited and kept in their several schools; and that the Chairman or Secretary of the Board supply every new school established during the present year with a copy of the "School and Schoolmaster," bound and lettered in the same manner. The subject of proper books for the several classes, had for a long time earnestly engaged the attention ANNALS OF THE PRDIARY SCHOOLS. 201 of the Standing and Book Committees, nnder whose direction several had been specially prepared and suc- cessfully introduced into the schools. It was, however desirable that more order and system should be intro- duced into the classification and arrangement of all the books ; and after a careful examination of the various books which had been specially prepared for the use of Primary Schools, the Book Committee, through Dr. Henry G. Clark, presented their report to the Board, December 5, from which we select the following remarks, defining the views of the Commit- tee, and their reasons for recommending a change in the books : In pursuance with their duty, the Committee have been particularly struck with the want of adaptation of several of the books to accomplish the purposes for which they were designed. These your Committee understand to be, to furnish an easy, systematic and certain means for giving to pupils of from four to seven years of age, [by the aid of competent teachers,] such an acquaintance with the printed characters of our language, so that in its simpler combinations they shall be able to read it with a good degree of distinctness, readiness and propriety. We do not understand that the design of primanj instruction is to teach the principles of natural or moral science, nor do we believe it to be proper or expedient to furnish to these young and immature minds elaborate treatises upon the structure of language, accompanied with a full set of expres- sional arbitrary signs, a knowledge of which is as difficult to acquire and retain as that of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. 26 202 ANNALS OF THE PRBIARY SCHOOLS. The Committee, after a critical examination of the merits of the books, prepared by six different authors for Primary Schools, conclude their report in favor of those prepared by Mr. Josiah F. Bumstead. Of these books, the Committee say: But by far the best books which we have examined, are the concluding numbers of a series of " Reading Books for the Primary Schools," prepared by a member of this Board, whose experience, taste and good judgment well qualify him for a task he has so ably accomplished. These books are intended for the use of the First and Second Classes, and are a continuation of the books, some time since introduced into the Third and Fourth. They do not contain, as do some of the other books named in this report, pages of labored disquisition upon the art of reading, spelling and pronounc- ing the English language , but they do what is much better, — teach by good examples, — practice instead of preach. The lessons are thoroughly digested, and adopted from the best sources. There is a unity and simplicity in the gradations from simple to diflScult, which is admirable. The lessons and chapters are judiciously arranged for every-day use, the selec- tions are of the most interesting and excellent character, and the mechanical execution, in paper, printing, and binding, is of the first order, and we believe, for a school-book, entirely unequalled. The fact that these books are written and published in Boston by members of this Board, ought not to be omitted, as it is a sufficient guaranty that they will always remain to a certain extent under our own control, and, without doubt, receive all the alterations and improvements which time and experience may dictate. For these reasons, the Committee unanimously re- commended the adoption of " Bumstead's Second and ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 203 Third Recading Book," in pLace of those used in the First and Second Classes. This report was accepted, and the recommendation adopted by the Board ; and from this time the series of books thus introduced, have been exchisivelj used in all of our Primary Schools. That this series of school-books should have retained possession of our schools for so long a period, will not excite surprise, when we consider the fact that the pledges made in their behalf by the Book Committee, on their introduction, have been most honorably ful- filled, and that they have been, to all intents and pur- poses, under the control of the Board and its Commit- tees. The author, Mr. Bumstead, and the publisher, Mr. T R Marvin, to whose public spirit we are also much indebted for their compilation, were members of the Board ; and every suggestion which was made by the Standing Committee or members of the Board, in regard to the matter, or in the execution of the mechanical portions, were always cheerfully received, and the improvements as promptly adopted as circum- stances and the interests of the schools would allow. That these books have not been more extensively introduced into similar schools in other places, does not arise, as we believe, from any want of intrinsic merit, but because the plan upon which they are arranged is peculiar, and does not coincide with the views of other School Committees ; and also, because they have prob- ably not been pressed upon their attention so assidu- ously as some others. To this limited circulation of our proteges, we enter no protest or complaint, as our firm opinion is, that the advancement of the scholar depends far more upon the teacher than upon the 204 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. book ; and as we will cheerfully yield all due defer- ence to the views of others upon the almost endless variety of school-books, we doubt not that we shall be pardoned for expressing our decided attachment and preference for those which have so long been part and parcel of the Boston Primary Schools. 1844. The Primary Board having been appointed, January 9, held their annual meeting on Tuesday evening, Feb- ruary 6, and organized themselves for the current year as follows : Chairman — Josiah F. Bumstead. Secretary — Alvan Simonds. Standing Committee — John Odin, Jr., Chairman ; F. A. Sumner, Secretary ; Amos A. Phelps, Asa Swallow, Eben Jones, Frederic 0. Prince, J. F. Bumstead, Alvan Si- monds, Andrew Geyer, John C. Park, Lemuel Capen, Daniel T. Coit, "W. P. Jarvis, Joseph Moriarty, J. "VV. Ingraham, George Bemis, Ezra Lincoln, Jr. Committee of Conference. — It was '•^ Voted, That here- after this Committee consist of the Chairman of the Board, and the Chairman and Secretary of the Stand- ing Committee." It was then '^^ Voted unanimously. That the thanks of the Board be presented to Richard W. Bayley, Esq., for the faithful and impartial manner in which he had presided over the deliberations of the Board for the past four years ; and that a copy of this vote be fur- nished to our late Chairman, who declined a reelection." The Committee of Conference were instructed to con- ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 205 fer with the Committee of Conference of the Grammar Board, on the subject of an appropriation for lighting'' the fires and cleaning the rooms occupied by the Pri- mary Schools, and endeavor, either through the assist- ance of the Grammar School Committee, or in some other way, to obtain an appropriation from the City Council for that purpose. Rev. John Woart and Hon. John C. Park were added to the Committee to aid them in obtaining the object. By a vote of the Standing Committee, September 5, 1843, Messrs. Ingraham and Simonds were appointed a Committee on the preparation of a new form of a record book for the teachers. This record book was prepared with great care and labor by Mr. Ingraham, and was adopted by the Board, March 5, who ordered it to be introduced at once into all the Primary Schools. A vote was also passed, expressing to Mr. Ingraham the thanks of the Board, for his disinterested labors in pre- paring so complete and useful a work for the purpose. On the report of the Standing Committee, Messrs. R W. Bayley, John Woart, Fr^incis D. Stedman, and Wil- liam T. Parker, were elected to fill the vacancies occa- sioned by the resignations of Messrs. Swallow, Geyer, Lincoln and Cap en. The Standing Committee, in their Semi-Annual Re- port, which was prepared by Dr. F. A. Sumner, proposed several important alterations of the rules, in regard to the examinations of the schools. The plan which they recommended was "to dispense with one examination of the Standing Committee, and substitute an examina- tion by the District Committee, to be made m the same form and manner as that made by the Standing Com- 206 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. mittee. The visits to the schools to be made by siib- committees, and the whole state and condition of the schools to be embraced in a report, drawn up by some member of the District Committee, and forwarded to the Standing Committee, to make an abstract there- from, and present to the Board. The Spring examina- tions to be made by the Standing Committee, and those in the Fall by the Districts." These recommendations were adopted by the Board ; and at a subsequent meeting of the Standing Commit- tee, the proper blanks were prepared for the use of District Committees in their examinations ; and it was " Voted, That the Chairman of the Standing Committee should prepare the abstract of the SjDring examination, and that the Secretary should prepare the abstract from the reports of the District Committees." The Committee on School-houses were instructed " to consider and report on the best form of seats in the school-rooms; that measures may be taken to secure uniformity of seats in the rooms hereafter to be fitted up." A communication was received from Districts Nos. 2 and 3, stating that they had agreed on a new division of their districts, by which some of the schools would be changed, and asking for the sanction of the Board. This arrangement being considered judicious and proper, a vote was passed, authorizing the changes proposed. In consequence of the repairs being made in the Common Council room, the usual quarterly meeting of the Board, in September, was postponed by a vote of the Standing Committee until October 1, when their ANNALS OF THE PRMART SCHOOLS. 207 action was approved by the Board, and tlio following vote passed to provide against future contingencies : Voted, That the Chairman of this Board and the Chairman of the Standing Committee, or either of them, in the absence of the other, and in case of the absence of both of them, then a majority present at any meeting of the Standing Committee, shall have power to postpone any regular meeting of this Board to some other evening in the same month, when, in their opinion, uuforeseen circumstances may render it neces- sary or expedient so to do. At this time a controversy arose between Hon. Horace Mann and the masters of the Boston Gram- mar Schools, in consequence of some statements made upon these schools in Mr. Mann's " Seventh Annual Eeport of the Board of Education, and a Review of this Report by the Masters." In this " Review " some allusions were made to the Primary Schools, which the Standing Committee thought proper to notice in their Semi-Annual Report. The Board, however, not wishing to enter into a controversy, which could only result in acrimony and the formation of a party feel- ino;, without either benefit to the cause of education, or honor to the parties concerned, refused to accept this portion of the report, and it was accordingly recommitted to the Standing Committee for revision ; and the supposed allusions to the Primary School Committee in the " Review," were referred to a Special Committee, to consider and report at a future meeting. The revised report of the Standing Committee was accepted at a special meeting, November 8, at which Mr. Bayley presented a report from the Special Com- 208 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. mittee on the remarks of the schoohnasters in their " Review," which, after considerable discussion, and the striking out of certain personal matters, was recommit- ted to the same Committee, with instructions to print a suitable number of copies for distribution. The Committee on School-rooms reported in favor of small arm-chairs being used for the seats in the Pri- mary Schools, and recommended that application should be made to the Committee on Public Buildings of the City Council, to supply this kind of seat in the future furnishing of the schools. 1845. The usual certificate of the appointment of the Pri- mary School Committee having been received, the Board met for organization, February 5, when the fol- lowing officers and Committees were chosen : Chairman — Josiah F. Bumstead. Secretary — Alvan Simonds. Standing Committee — Joseph W. Ingraham, Chairman ; Alvan Simonds, Secretary ; Amos A. Phelps, John Woart, Charles E. Wiggin, F. A. Sumner, R. W. Bayley, Fred. 0. Prince, John Odin, Jr., W. P. Jarvis, Eben Jones, Francis D. Stedman, John Spence, Jr., John C. Park, Henry I. Bowditch, Wm. J. Parker, Josiah F. Bumstead. Dr. Henry I. Bowditch presented the petition of sun- dry persons, praying for the abolishing of separate schools for colored children, and that they be admit- ted into the schools with other pupils ; and moved its reference to a Special Committee, which was refused, and the whole subject laid on the table. This petition was taken from the table, March 4, and referred to Messrs. Bowditch, Ingraham, Bayley, Blake and Tolman, ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 209 to consider cancl report upon at the next quarterly meet- ing. There not being time to act upon the subject at the quarterly meeting, June i, an adjourned meeting was held June 18, at which Mr. Ingraham submitted a report, signed by a majority of the Committee, adverse to the petition ; and Dr. Bowditch read a minority report, and resolutions in accordance with the petition. A long discussion ensued, which was closed by the adoption of the following resolution, by a vote of fifty- five in the affirmative, to twelve in the negative : Resolved, That it is inexpedient; at the present time, for this Board to act upon the subject of abolishing the separate schools for colored children. In the Standing Committee, February 25, Dr. F. A. Sumner was elected Chairman, but declined, and Mr. J. "W. Ingraham was chosen. Messrs. Stedman, Bumstead and Ingraham, were appointed a Committee to prepare a memorial to the City Government, asking for an appropriation for mak- ing the fires, cleaning the rooms, and removing the snow in winter from the Primary Schools. At the quarterly meeting of the Board, September 2, the subject of a Superintendent of the Primary Schools was again brought forward, on a motion by Kev. Chas. Brooks ; and " Messrs. Brooks, Jones, Dall, Sumner and Humphrey, were appointed a Committee to take into consideration the expediency of the appointment of a Superintendent of the Primary Schools, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of this Board, to devote his whole time in promoting the improvement and extending the usefulness of the Primary Schools." 27 210 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Messrs. Brooks, Park, Cragin and Oliver, were ap- pointed a Committee to report upon the expediency of increasing the salaries of the teachers to $300 per annum ; and also, whether the teachers of the " Schools for Special Instruction," ought to receive a larger com- pensation than the others. On the 6th of October, Hon. Thomas A. Davis being in declining health, resigned the office of Mayor ; the resignation, however, was not accepted by the City Council. As Mr. Davis was unable to perform the duties of the office for some time previous to his death, which occurred November 22, and no provisions for such a contingency having been made in the City Charter, the regular course of business was embar- rassed, and the settlement of accounts against the city was necessarily deferred. The payment of the teach- ers' salaries was thus delayed ; and as it was uncertain how long a time this state of things might continue, a special meeting of the Primary Board was called by the Chairman on the evening of November 21, for the purpose of adopting some measures for the payment of the salaries of the teachers of the Primary Schools, who were subjected to much inconvenience from this sin- gular state of affairs. At this meeting, Messrs. Ingraham, D. Kimball and Bumstead, were appointed a Committee to j)rocure the necessary funds for the immediate payment of the sal- aries of the teachers due on the 1st of November. This Committee reported, December 17, by stating that the salaries of one hundred and eight of the teach- ers, being all that had presented their bills, had been paid from the funds furnished by a number of gentle- ANNALS OF THE PRLMARY SCHOOLS. 211 men ; and they recommended the passage of the fol- lowing resolution: Resolved, That the cordial thanks of this Board be pre- sented to James Whiting, George R. Sampson, Charles E. Wiggin, Thomas B. Curtis, J. F. Bumstead, Peleg W. Chand- ler, Daniel Denney, Martin Brimmer, James C. Dunn, Richard W. Bayley, and Benjamin Seaver, Esquires, for their kindness in advancing the funds necessary to liquidate the demands of our teachers upon the City Treasury. The report was accepted, and the resolve was passed by the Board. The special assignment of the meeting was then taken up, which was the consideration of the report of the Committee on the expediency of a Superin- tendent. The main question being upon the adoption of a " Resolve, That the highest good of the Primary Schools of Boston required that a Superintendent be appointed." The discussion continued through the evening, and was postponed to an adjourned meeting, December 24, at which, after a further discussion, the vote was taken by yeas and nays, and the resolve rejected, by forty-six nays to eighteen yeas. 1846, February 6. The Board was organized as follows : Chairman — Josiah F. Bumstead. Secretary — Alvan Slmonds. Standing Committee — J. W. Ingraham, Chairman; Alvan Simonds, Secretary ; J. F. Bumstead, R. W. Bay- ley, W. P. Jarvis, William Ball, John Woart, F. 0. 212 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Prince, Eben Jones, John Spence, Jr., John C. Park, F. D. Stedman, H. I. Bowditch, Richard Soule, Jr.^ WilUam Crowell, J. W. Merrill, Dorus Clarke, F. A. Sumner. The petition of sundry citizens, in relation to special schools for colored children, was taken from last year's files, and referred to Messrs. Crowell, Kimball, Bow- ditch and Ingraham, to consider and report. At a meeting, March 3, the Standing Committee reported that they had selected Mr. William B. Brooks to be a member of that Committee, in place of William Dall, resigned. It was also " Voted, That the Standing Committee have power to fill vacancies in their body by reporting the fact to the Board." Mr. D. Kimball, from the Committee on the neglect of members to examine and visit their schools, made a report, recommending that Rule 6, chapter 3, be altered by inserting the following : Whenever it shall appear by the returns of the teachers, or from any other source satisfactory to the Standing Com- mittee, that any member has neglected to examine the school under his special charge for three consecutive months, his name shall be stricken from the list of members ; and it shall be the duty of tlic Secretary to notify the Chairman or Secre- tary of the district of such vacancy. Provided, however, that in case of sickness or absence from the city of any mem- ber, the charge of his school may be confided to another member or members; notice of which shall be given to the Secretary of the Board, and such substitution shall continue for a period not exceeding six months. This amendment was laid upon the table, and the Secretary directed to insert it in the notice for the ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 213 next meeting, June 2, when it was unanimously adopted. At the quarterly meeting, June 2, several important votes were passed. The subject of Ventilation, and the necessity of some action in regard to it, was in- troduced by Dr. H. G. Clark; and "Messrs. Clark Brooks and Buck, were appointed a Committee to devise some mode of ventilating the various rooms used for Primary Schools." Notwithstanding the large number of schools (one hundred and fifty) at this time, there was some diffi- culty in accommodating all the children in some sec- tions of the city ; and occasionally a member of the Committee refused to admit a child to his school, on the ground of its being already crowded, or because he did not consider the residence of the child included within his school limits. The exercise of this discre- tion, on the part of a Local Committee, to admit or not, was liable to serious objections, inasmuch as the poor and uneducated parents could not understand how to proceed, when their application for a certifi- cate had been rejected by the Committee, to whom they had been sent; and the child might thus be prevented from obtaining an education to which all were justly entitled. With these views, the Standing Committee appended to their quarterly report a series of alterations to the Eules, by which all children were entitled to enter the school nearest their residence ; and it was made the duty of every member to admit to his school all applicants of suitable age ■- and qualifications ; and when the number in his school was such as to pre- 214 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. vent the child's admission, the teacher or Committee should take the name and residence of the child, specifying the cause of its non-admission, and trans- mit the same to the Standing Committee, whose duty it was made to provide a remedy. These amendments were adopted by the Board, and a vote was passed, " requiring the several teachers to report to the Secre- tary of the Board, on the second Monday of each month, the names and residences of all children be- longing to their schools, who may be incorrigibly stubborn, or habitual truants; and as far as they can learn, the names and residences of the parents of any children who may be growing up in idleness and neglect of all school privileges. And the Secre- tary shall transmit the same to His Honor the Mayor, to take such action upon the several cases as he may deem proper." On the 15th of June, Rev. Mr. Crowell presented his report, in behalf of a majority of the Committee, on the petition of sundry citizens, for the abolishing of separate schools for colored pupils ; concluding with a resolve adverse to the prayer of the petition. Mr. Edmund Jackson submitted a minority report, and a resolve favorable in part to the request of the petition- ers. The reports were received, placed on file, and the Committee discharged from further consideration of the subject. The resolutions were then taken up, and the debate continued to an adjourned meeting, June 22, at which Mr. Crowell read the opinion of John Pickering, Esq., the City Solicitor, respecting the legal power of the Primary School Committee to regu- late and classify the children in their schools. The ANNALS OP THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 215 report of Mr. Crowell was able and conclusive in its argument, and the resolve appended to it, "That in the opinion of this Board, the continuance of the separate schools for colored children is not only leo-al and just, but is best adapted to promote the educa- tion of that part of our population," was passed by a vote of fifty-nine yeas to sixteen nays. Both the majority and minority reports * were ordered to be printed and distributed to the members. At a meeting of the Standing Committee, Novem- ber 24th, the Chairman reported, that from the returns of the teachers it appeared that twenty-five members of the Board had "neglected to examine their schools for three consecutive months," and that these mem- bers were liable to be stricken from the list, under the rule adopted by the Board in June. It was, how- ever, deemed advisable to refer this whole subject to a Committee to consider and report. Accordingly, a form of notice to delinquent members was j)re- pared, and adopted December 10 ; but the City Solici- tor being consulted, gave it as his opinion, " That the Primary Board had no right, at present, to strike off members from their lists until the time had expired for which they were appointed by the Grammar School Committee." Application was subsequently made to the Grammar Board, and a standing author- ity given to the Primary Board to« discharge mem- bers who may neglect to perform their duties. Of the twenty-five gentlemen reported as delinquent, thirteen were excused from sickness, absence from the city, and other causes deemed sufficient by the * City Document, No. 23, 1846. 216 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Committee; three were found to be errors in the teacher's returns ; three had previously resigned, but were not reported; and six were referred to the Standing Committee of 1847, as they were not amen- able to the present Committee, under the ruling of the City Solicitor. By a vote of the Board, December 7th, the rule in regard to delinquent members was so far amended as to give discretionary power to the Standing Com- mittee in deciding upon striking the members from the list, or excusing them, as circumstances might render it expedient or proper. 1847. February 2. For the first time, since the organiza- tion of the Board, a majority could not decide upon a Chairman. Mr. Bumstead having declined a reelec- tion, a Committee was appointed to present a list of names of suitable persons as candidates for Chair- man, who reported the names of George S. Hillard, Charles Brooks, and Eben Jones. After two ballot- ings, in which Mr. Hillard had within two of the necessary number, the meeting was adjourned to Monday evening, February 8, when Mr. Hillard ob- jected to being considered as a candidate. A Com- mittee then proposed the names of Francis Brown, Samuel W. Hall, and William Crowell. Mr. Hall declined being a candidate; and on the fifth ballot Mr. Eben Jones was elected Chairman, Alvan Simonds was then unanimously reelected Secretary/. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 217 Standing Committee — Joseph W. Ingraham, Chair- man; Alvan Simonds, Secretary; J. F. Bumstead, E. "W. Bayley, John Woart, Eben Jones, H. I. Bowditch, R Soule, Jr., W. Crowell, Amos Smith, Thomas Wilder, W. P. Jarvis, F. 0. Prince, J. Spence, Jr., J. W. Merrill, Dorus Clark, Wm. B. Brooks, David Kimball, F. A. Sumner. The Committee on Ventilation made an elaborate, practical and scientific report upon this subject, and were authorized to have three hundred coj)ies printed for the use of the teachers and Committee of the Pri- mary Schools, after which, "the thanks of the Board were presented to Messrs. Henry G. Clark, Charles Brooks, and Ephraim Buck, Jr., for their time and attention bestowed upon the subject of ventilation, and for their able and interesting report upon this subject, in connection with the Primary Schools." The same gentlemen were also requested to continue to act as a Committee on Ventilation for the ensuing year, and to take all necessary measures to obtain the means from the City Government to effect the proper ventilation of the Primary School-rooms. It is gratifying to state that to this appeal the City Council responded by a liberal appropriation, which was expended under the general supervision of this Committee, and that of the City Council on Public Buildings; but to Dr. Henry G. Clark we are princi- pally indebted, for the effective manner in which this most desirable aid to the health and comfort of our schools was accomplished. The instruction and practice of plain sewing, as an auxiliary in the moral training of the girls in the 28 218 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Primary Schools, had always been regarded by the Committee as highly important, and its necessity had become more and more apparent, as the schools were increased, and were filled up by a class of children from the lowest ranks of society, where home education was unknown, and whose moral as well as intellectual facul- ties must be developed by our teachers. With a view to increased attention to this subject, the Board ap- pointed Messrs. Charles Brooks, J. W. Ingraham, Joseph M. Wightman, J. V. C. Smith, and Isaac Adams, a Com- mittee to consider the expediency of a more general introduction of plain sewing into the Primary Schools; and upon their report, made at a subsequent meeting of the Board, it w^as Ordered, That plain sewing shall be introduced into any of the Primary Schools, whenever the Committee of such school shall deem it expedient. Ordered, That each teacher shall specify in her semi- annual report the number of pupils who practise plain sewing in her school. The Standing Committee reported that they had elected Dr. E. D. G. Palmer to the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Richard "W. Bayley; they also reported that the Grammar School Board had assented to their request, to change the age from seven to ei^ht, for the transfer of children from the Primary to the Grammar Schools. Under the vote of the City Council, passed in March, 1838, the Primary Board established several schools for the education of children over eight years of age. These schools had proved eminently successful; and ANNALS OF THE PRDIARY SCHOOLS. 219 as the proportion of this class of children had increased so as to require additional accommodation, the Board petitioned the City Council for a modification of the original order, and in December, 1846, the Joint Stand- ing Committee on Public Instruction reported an order by which the Primary School Committee " were author- ized to admit into one or more schools, in each of the districts, any children over seven years of age, not qualified for admission into the Grammar Schools." This order was passed by both branches of the City Council, and officially communicated to the Board at their annual meeting in January, 1847. Several of the teachers in the Grammar Schools having taken the responsibility of deciding upon the qualifications of pupils from the Primary Schools, and rejecting the certificates given by that Committee, the Standing Committee requested the Grammar Board to take some action in reference to the matter, upon which the following resolution was passed by that Board, February 3, 1847; Resolved, That the children coming from the Primary to the Grammar SchoolS; and bringing a certificate of the requi- site qualifications from a member of the Primary School Committee, shall not be rejected on account of want of qualifications, unless the rejection shall be sanctioned by the Sub-Committee of the Grammar School, to which application for admission shall be made. The vacations in the Grammar Schools had been gradually increased by the action of the Committee, until, including Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, the aggregate amounted to nearly one-third of the 220 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. year. The Primary Board had usually allowed the same vacations in the schools under theu' care, although they had long felt that so much vacation was a great disadvantage to the children, and very troublesome to the parents. Under these circumstances, when the Grammar Board voted to add two more weeks to the vacation, the Standing Committee felt it their duty to notice the evil effect of this proceeding in their Semi-Annual Report to the Board, March 2, 1847, and recommended the following to their consideration : Whereas, the Committee have understood that the Gram- mar Board have by a late order voted to add two weeks to the summer vacation of their schools ; and Whereas, it is desirable that the vacations in the Primary Schools should continue to occur at the same time, and be of the same length, as those in the Grammar Schools ; and this Committee are of opinion that the extension of our vacations will be injurious to our schools, and a source of complaint from the parents of the scholars ; therefore, Resolved, That a respectful request be presented to the Grammar School Committee, that they will reconsider their late order extending their summer vacation to five and a-half weeks. This was unanimously adopted by the Board, and the Standing Committee instructed to confer with the Grammar Board on the subject. Mr. Ingraham announced the death of Dr. Ephraim Buck, Jr., and paid an appropriate tribute to his worth, and valuable services as a member of the Board, and of the Committee on Ventilation, which was responded to by the Chairman ; and Dr. William E. Coale was appointed to fill the vacancy hi the Committee on Ventilation. ANNALS OF THE PRDIARY SCHOOLS. 221 The order introduced February 8, by Mr. Ingraham, for the reduction of the members of the Board, was considered at the quarterly meeting, March 10th, and after several amendments it was decided to make the experiment under an order in the following form : Ordered, That whenever the seat of any member of this Board shall be vacated, the District Committee, of which he was a member, be empowered to assign the care of his school to some other member of their Committee, who is willing to assume it, instead of nominating a new member to fill the vacancy ; no member being allowed to have the care of more than two schools. September 7. Messrs. Ingraham, Wilder, Simonds, Jones, Bowditch, and Soule, were appointed "a Com- mittee to confer with the city authorities in relation to the evils of truancy and vagrancy among the young of our city, and adopt such measures in concurrence with said authorities as may be deemed expedient to remedy these evils." In the report of the Standing Committee, much gratification was expressed at the efforts which were being made to establish a Public Library; and the Board passed the following resolution at their meet- ing, December 7 : Resolved, That the Primary School Committee view with feelings of pleasure the efforts of the City Government, aided by liberal-minded men, towards the establishment of a Public Library, designed for the benefit of the citizens generally, and that an object so desirable in itself is worthy of their highest countenance and support; and that they look forward to the time when the hopes of its friends will be fully realized. 222 Al^NALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 1848. On the 12tli of January, the Primary School Com- mittee received their usual appointment from the Grammar Board, and their first meeting for organiza- tion was held February 1, when the following of&cers and Committees were chosen : President '^ — Eben Jones. Secretary/ — Alvan Simonds. Executive''^ Committee — J. "W. Ingraham, Chairman; Alvan Simonds, Secretary ; F. A. Sumner, Wm. Crowell, Joseph M. Wightman, Oliver Carter, Richard Soule, Jr., William Butters, John Sj^ence, Jr., W. P. Jarvis, E. D. G. Palmer, Samuel B. Cruft, Samuel F McCleary, Jr., Albert Bowker, David Kimball, John Woart, S. L. Abbott, Eben Jones, Thomas Wilder. On motion of Mr. William D. Ticknor, it was Voted, That in view of the increase of schoolS; and the additional duties of the Secretary of the Board, he be author- ized hereafter to present to the city a semi-annual bill for $50, instead of $30, as heretofore, and that the president be re- quested to approve the same, and present it with this vote to the Committee on Accounts of the City Council. March 7. A Committee having been apjDointed for the purpose, the schools at East Boston were divided into three districts, which were designated as Districts * In tlie Rules of tlie Board, which were carefully revised by a Committee and adopted by the Boai-d, November 16, 1847, the title of "Chairman" of the Board was changed to that of " President," and the " Standing " Committee changed to the " Executive " Committee. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 223 1, 2 and 3, East Boston ; the districts in the other parts of the city remaining as at present numbered. The following statistics of the Primary Schools for one year will show the labor and duties of the Com- mittee at this time: No, . schools. Boys. Girls. Total. Av. attend. No. exam's. No. visits. Jan. 31, 1847, 138 4517 4069 8586 6579 759 2004 July 31, 18-47, 146 4831 4589 9420 7220 853 2460 Jan. 31, 1848, 159 5101 4747 9838 7548 841 2311 The Executive Committee made a report on the order referred to them, at the last meeting of the Board, in relation to placing the $25 allowed to the teachers for making fires, care of rooms, &c., at the disposal of the District Committees. The Committee deemed it inexpedient to make any change, but recom- mended that the attention of the teachers be particu- larly called to the provisions in the Eules, in relation to the opening and warming of the school-rooms at seasonable hours, and that their particular attention be called to these provisions. The report and recom- mendations were adopted. The Executive Committee were requested to con- sider the expediency of asking an appropriation from the City Government to furnish each of the Primary Schools with a dictionary. The subject of employing one or more teachers of music for the teachers and pupils of the Primary Schools, was referred to a Committee composed of Messrs. Brooks, Ticknor, Cragin, Humphrey and Coit. A Committee of five was appointed to report upon the best method of securing to all the pupils in our Primary Schools, that religious and moral instruction 224 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. which is required by the constitution and laws of the Commonwealth. Frequent allusions have already been made to the efforts of the Primary School Board, in relation to some improvement in the rooms which were provided for this class of our Public Schools. They had, after years of effort, succeeded in inducing the city to erect a few buildings for this purpose ; but the contrast between the accommodations for the Grammar and Primary Schools was very marked. The former were exhibited with pride, and justly regarded as monuments of the prosperity and intelligence of our citizens, while the latter, often crowded into obscure hired rooms, Avith but few comforts or conveniences for a school, were a constant subject of mortification, when- ever the Committee were called upon to show this class of our schools to strangers. The buildings which were erected by the city for the Primary Schools, were built of wood, and contained but a single room, after the model of the common vil- lage school-houses. It had not been, nor was it then, the practice of the City Council to confer with either of the School Committees in relation to the location, size or construction of a school-house ; and when, occa- sionally, a suggestion was made by the Grammar School Committee, it was regarded rather as an interference with the prerogatives of the City Council, the members of which, sometimes, carried the idea of the peculiar fitness of their own members to provide the school- houses, to an extreme not warranted or sustained by ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 225 the manner in which some of the buildings were constructed/*- Because a large majority of the members of the School Committee were professional men, it was no reason why their judgment should be entirely ignored in all matters pertaining to the arrangement of the school-houses. The importance of judicious warming and ventilation, — the arrangement of the windows and the seats, so that the room might be properly lighted without injuring the eyes of the pupils, and the manner in which many things could be advantageously intro- duced to increase the comfort, convenience and health of the children and teachers, can only be thoroughly understood and appreciated by those of our citizens, who, as members of the School Committee, have ex- perienced the evils attendant uj)on a neglect of these matters. And it is but justice to assert, that, to the perseverance and scientific investigations of these po- *In 1846, an order was introduced in the Common Council by a member, instructing the Committee on Public Buildings to consult with the Committee on School-houses of the School Committee, before purchasing a site, or deciding upon a plan for a school-house, which was voted down by almost a unanimous vote. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Build- ings asked with an air of triumph, " What do the School Committee know about buildings ? They may know how to take care of tho schools and children, but they are not architects, or masons, or carpenters, and know nothing of the erection of buildings, while the Committee on Public Build- ings is composed of practical men, who know all about the matter." To show the value of the practical knowledge of this Committee, we would state that in the erection of the LjTnan School-house, at East Boston, under their direction, the ventilating flues were carried up within the walls to the top, and then covered over tight with the stone coping ! and in other school- houses, erected under the direction of this same practical Committee, the flues were made to terminate in the attic, from which no outlet was provided; and thus, so far as ventilation was concerned, the flues might just as well have been closed by the coping. 29 226 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. fessional members of the School Committee we are principally indebted, for the cheerful, healthy, and attractive schools now enjoyed by our children. The continued efforts of the Primary Board, and the indefatigable perseverance of Mr. J. W. Ingraham, seem finally to have made some impression on the Government ; and during the years 1847 and 1848, three Primary School-houses were built in different parts of the city, — the plans and arrangements of which were, generally, in conformity with the views and desires of the Primary Board. And there is reason to believe, that when the buildings were completed, the Committee of the City Council were satisfied that the views of the Executive Committee were judicious, and justified the adoption of the plans they had submitted. The third, and probably the best arranged of these buildings, was that erected on Sheafe street, for three schools in District No. 1. This was also the first school- house erected for Primary School instruction in this city, which was set apart for its ajopropriate uses by a formal dedicatory service. At the request of the Ex- ecutive Committee, Mr. Ingraham delivered an interest- ing address upon the progress of the Primary School system, and on the duties of teachers and others con- nected with the schools. Other addresses were made by Hon. Horace Mann, Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, and gentlemen connected with the City Council, and School Committee, which, with the singing of several hymns and songs by the school chil- dren, rendered the occasion exceedingly agreeable and encouraging. On the 13th of June, the Semi- Annual Report of the ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 227 Executive Committee was read to the Board by Mr. Ingraham, which was the last report made by him, as his useful life was brought to a close on Monday even- ing, August 28th, preceded by an illness of less than a week. His long connection with the Primary Schools, and his sudden and unexpected decease, produced a profound impression upon the Committee and teachers with whom, for many years, he had been associated. In the year 1821, Mr. Ingraham was elected a mem- ber of the Primary School Committee, and for more than a quarter of a century he was a most zealous and efficient member. The wide field of usefulness thus opened, was con- genial to his active mind, and he entered upon it with the most lively interest. He was always regular and punctual at the meetings of the Board and Committees, and his labors were of a character and amount scarcely to be credited by those who were not familiar with them. At a special meeting of the Executive Commit- tee, held August 29th, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the Executive Committee have learned, with heartfelt sorrow, the sudden decease of their esteemed Chair- man. Joseph W. Ingraham, in which event they have to de- plore the loss of a valuable and indefatigable member of their Committee, and the senior member of the Primary School Board. Resolved, That his ardent devotion to the cause of popular education, his faithful discharge of the laborious duties of Chairman of this Committee for many years, his unwearied and gratuitous exertions for the best interests of the Primary Schools of this city, entitle him to the grateful remembrance of this community, and of the friends of education generally. 228 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Resolved, That the Executive Committee will attend the funeral of the deceased at Christ Church, on Thursday next, at four o'clock, P. M., and they do hereby invite the members of the Primary and Grammar School Committees to unite with them in this expression of their respect for the memory of their late friend and Chairman. Resolved, As a testimony of respect for the many virtues of the deceased, the Committee recommend that the several Pri- mary Schools throughout the city be suspended on Thursday afternoon next, that both teachers and children may pay the last sad tribute to departed worth. Resolved, That a copy of the above resolutions be transmit- ted by the Secretary to the relatives of the deceased, with whom this Committee deeply sympathize in their sudden bereavement. The funeral of Mr. Ingraham took place at Christ Church, on Tuesday afternoon, August 31st. Every part of the house was crowded with the friends of the deceased, among; whom were the members of the School Committee, the Primary School teachers, mem- bers of the City Government, distinguished friends of education, and many of the children of the schools in the vicinity. The body was met at the church door, and conducted up the aisle by the Rev. Drs. Croswell and Eaton, and the Rev. Mr. Woart. Appropriate music was performed by the choir, and a beautiful and touching eulogy upon the character and life of Mr Ingraham, as a citizen, as a man, and as a Christian, was pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Woart, who was his pastor, and for many years his associate in the Board. Almost the entire congregation followed in procession to the burial ground, on Copp's Hill, where the exer- ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 229 cises were concluded by the Rev. Drs. Eaton and Croswell. At the quarterly meetmg of the Board, September 5, the death of Mr. Ingraham was announced hy Mr. Woart, and a series of resolutions were adoj^ted, ex- pressing their sense of the loss the schools had sus- tained ; and the following votes were passed, after which the Board adjourned, as a testimonial of their respect : Voted, That Messrs. J. \^. C. Smith, T. R. Marvin, and W. D. Ticknor, be a Committee to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Woart, and solicit for pubKcation a copy of his just and appropriate observations on the character of the late Joseph Weutworth Ingraham, as delivered at his funeral. Voted, That the doings of this Board, and of the Executive Committee, in relation to Mr. Ingraham's decease, be printed for the use of the Board, in connection with Mr. Woart's address, under the direction of the same Committee. The Executive Committee held a meetins; on the afternoon of September 5th, at which Mr. Joseph M. "WiGHTMAN was cliosen Chairman, in place of Mr. Ingraham. The Secretary read the semi-annual report, to which a vote was appended, "That the subject of the bad binding of school books, as referred to by sev- eral teachers, be specially brought to the notice of the Board in the report." Mr. Wilder having resigned the special charge of the school on the Mill Dam, it was voted to revive the old practice of examination by the members of the Executive Committee, in rotation, two members in each month. September 12. An adjourned meeting of the Board was held, at which the quarterly report of the Execu- 230 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. tive Committee was read by the Secretary ; and on motion of Mr. Wales, it was Voted, That the Primary School-house, lately erected ia Sheafe street, upon a plan furnished by our late associate, Joseph W. Ingrahara, be hereafter known by the name of the "Ingraham Primary School." Voted, That Messrs. Wales, Bumstead, Ober, Dall and Met- calf, be a Committee to communicate the foregoing vote to the City Council, and request their concurrence ; and that they cause the name aforesaid to be affixed to said house in the usual manner. December 5. This being the regular quarterly meet- ing, the Semi-Annual report of the Executive Commit- tee for the jDreceding six months was presented and read by the Secretary. From this report it appears that on the 1st of November the statistics of the schools were as follows, viz. : Whole number of schools, . . . . 166 Whole number of pupils, ..... 10,273 Pupils admitted during the last six months, . 4,791 Pupils sent to Grammar School during the last six months, ...... 962 Pupils now prepared for admission to Gram- mar School, .... Average attendance, Averagre absence, .... Per cent, of attendance, . Number that attend to sewing, . Number of pupils of foreign parentage. Number of examinations. Number of visits to the schools. Number of pupils over seven years of age, 7,973 2,178 78 879 4,977 877 2,577 3,969 ANNALS OF THE PRLMARY SCHOOLS. 231 The Executive Committee also recommended an alteration of the time of their examination, to the first two weeks in February ; and that by the District Com- mittees to the first two weeks in August; and the same was adopted at the succeeding meeting. 1849. The Primary School Committee having been ap- pointed by the Grammar Board, on the 17th of Jan- uary, the first meeting for organization was held February 2d, and the following officers were chosen : President — Eben Jones. Secretary/ — Alvan Simonds. Executive Committee — Joseph M. Wightman, Chairman ; Alvan Simonds, Secretary ; William P. Jarvis, Eben Jones, John Woart, John Spence, Jr., E. D. G. Palmer, Albert Bowker, Samuel F. McCleary, Jr., Charles Brooks, Thomas Restieaux, William H. Calrow, David Kimball, Thomas Wilder, Alvah Hobbs, Moses J Gove, William R. Lawrence, Oliver Carter, William A. But- ters, Samuel A. Abbott. On motion of Dr. John Odin, it was Ordered, That the Committee of Conference be requested to ascertain and report at the nest meeting of this Board, what directions are given to the masters of the Grammar Schools in relation to the keeping of long sessions on stormy days, and suggest such action as may create uniformity in this matter in the Public Schools. A communication was received from the City Audi- tor, requesting an estimate of the appropriation re- 232 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. quired for the Primary School department for the next financial year, upon which it was ^^ Voted, That so much as refers to the ordinary expenses of the schools be referred to the Executive Committee ; and so much as relates to school-houses, be referred to the Committee on School-houses." March 6. Quarterly Meeting. — New schools were au- thorized to be established in Districts Nos. 5, 16 and 19. Eev. C. Brooks stated that the Grammar School Board had appointed a Committee to consider the expediency of a new organization of all the Public Schools, and moved that a Committee from the Primary Board should be appointed to confer with them ; where- upon, Messrs. T. R. Marvin, Francis Brown, and Benja- min P. Richardson, were appointed a Committee for this purpose. The Semi-Annual Report of the Executive Commit- tee was then read by the Chairman, (Mr. Wightman,) from which it apneared that on the 31st of January, 1849, The number of schools was . . . . 168 The number of pupils — girls, 4,984 ; boys, 5.455, 10,439 The number of pupils sent to the Grammar Schools, 769 The number of pupils now prepared for Gram- mar Schools, 1,029 The number of pupils attending to sewing, . 1,089 The number of pupils of foreign parentage, . 4,996 Per centage of attendance last six months, . .76 Number of examinations by the Committee, . 874 Number of visits to the schools, . . , 2,449 ANNALS OP THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 233 The Chairman also reported that Messrs. Charles Brooks and Thomas Restieaux having declined the office of members of the Executive Committee, they had filled the vacancies by the choice of James B. Dow and Israel P. Procter, which action was confirmed by the Board. Mr. Wightman, for the Committee of Conference, made a report upon the order passed at the last meet- ing, in relation to " long sessions on stormy days," stat- ing that the Grammar School Committee had voted that such, sessions were " unauthorized and inexpedi- ent," and that probably no farther action was necessary. The report was accepted, and it was voted that the Local Committees should not permit long sessions to be held in the schools under their charge. The Committee of Conference with the Grammar Board, were directed to request the restoration of the rule in relation to Intermediate Schools, and the repeal of such provisions as conflict with reciprocal action of the two Boards in the transfer of pupils. A special meeting of the Board was held May 25th, " to consider the expediency of granting a vacation of tivo tvceJis, instead of one iveeJc, in conformity with the action of the Grammar Board towards the schools under their charge." After considerable discussion, during which it was demonstrated that it was not for the interest of the parents, the children or the schools, to increase the vacations ; and that the frequent demand for vacations, by the teachers, ought not to be encouraged, it was voted unanimously that the subject be indefinitely postponed. 30 234 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The Committee on School Books made a report, recommending that the words in the spelling books be visibly divided into syllables, and that the author of the book styled " Spelling and Thinking Combined," be requested to publish an edition of said work, in which the words of more than one syllable should be divided according to the best standard dictionary. Also recommending that the following charts be intro- duced into all the Primary Schools, viz. : " Table for Training the Organs of Speech in Articulation," "Nu- merical Table," and the "Punctuation Table/' which had been partially introduced, with satisfactory evi- dence of their utility. The Executive Committee reported the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That it is inexpedient for the teachers of our Primary Schools to act as agents, or use their influence as teachers, in the distribution among their pupils of periodicals or any other publications, not specially recommended by the Primary School Board. A special meeting of the Board was called, July 2, the object of Avhich was " to see if the Committee will take any measures for altering the time of commencing the schools in the afternoon, from two to three o'clock, so as to conform with the action of the Grammar Board." The subject elicited considerable discussion, in which the frequent changes in the legislation of the Grammar Board, in regard to vacations and school hours, Avere objected to, as being detrimental to the general welfare of the schools ; and under the circumstances, it was ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 235 considered advisable for the Primary Board to defer making any important alterations in the schools under their care, until some settled plan should be adopted by the Grammar Board, after a trial in the schools under their own charge. The inconvenience of having the Public Schools assemble at different hours, was urged as a reason for the change ; but the Board voted to indefinitely postpone the further consideration of the subject. The quarterly meeting was held September 4th, at which the Semi-Annual Report of the Executive Com- mittee "was presented by the Secretary and accepted. Mr. Wightman presented a petition of Sidney Fisher, and other residents in Wards 10 and 11, requesting a special investigation into the causes of the removal of certain teachers of the Primary Schools in District No. 18, by the Local Committee. While the appointment of a Committee was pending, a motion was made and carried that the whole matter be postponed. Much interest, however, being felt in the course of the Committee, a special meeting of the Board was called on the evening of October 9, upon the written request of Rev. Otis A. Skinner and eleven others, members of the Committee, "to take into considera- tion the proceedings of the Committee of schools in District No. 18." After the request for the meeting had been read, Mr. Wightman presented the following preamble and resolves : Whereas, the 62d section of the Rules of this Board declares that no District Committee shall consist of less than 236 ANNALS OF THE PRBIARY SCHOOLS. half as many members as there are schools in the district; and Whereas, the Committee of District No. 18 have neglected to conform to the above-mentioned rule, having had for a long time past but four members for the nine schools in their district; and Whereas, at a regular meeting of the Executive Commit- tee, held in June last, the Committee of District No. 18 were duly notified of their violation of the rules, and the necessity of complying with them, which notification has been neglected to the present time ; and the Committee have continued to exercise the rights and prerogatives of a District Committee, without being legally constituted so to act; and Whereas, they have assumed powers not delegated nor sanctioned by the letter or spirit of our rules, inasmuch as they have discharged faithful and competent teachers from a number of schools in their district, without reasonable cause, and have elected other teachers in their places, proceeding upon a system of arbitrary acts, tending to injure the charac- ter and integrity of the Primary School Board, in the minds of the citizens, and to weaken the confidence of the teachers in the legislative powers of this Board : therefore, Resolved, That the Committee of District No. 18 have exercised executive powers, without being composed of the number of members required by the rules, or being legally authorized so to act. Resolved, That their proceedings, in regard to the teachers in their district, while thus legally disqualified by our rules, are not, and cannot, be sanctioned by this Board. Mr. Wightinan proceeded to relate the circumstances of tlie case, and read several letters that had passed between the Committee and teachers of the district. Mr. Wales responded in defence of the Committee, and made sundry explanations in regard to their action. ANNALS OF THE PRDIAKY SCHOOLS. 237 and submitted a "protest" from them, against any interference in the affairs of the district committed to their charge. The principles involved in this case, as to the powers of the District Committees, and the right of aj)peal from their decisions to the Executive Committee and the whole Board, led to a long and interesting dis- cussion, and resulted in passing the first resolution, by a vote of forty-four yeas to fifteen nays ; and of the second resolution by a vote of thirty-seven yeas to ten nays. On motion of Mr. E. Hobart, it was Voted, That District No. 18, now being without a legally constituted Committee, be placed in charge of the Executive Committee, in connection with the remaining members of the District Committee. After the passage of this vote the Board adjourned. At a special meeting, held November 6th, the Joint Committee, in whose care the schools in District No. 18 were placed, made a rej)ort by the Chairman of the Executive Committee, (Mr. Wightman,) "recom- mending five gentlemen to fill the vacancies in said district ; and that these gentlemen and the remaining members of the District Committee be organized, according to the rules, as the Committee of District No. 18, and that the schools of that district be then placed in their charge." The report was accepted, and the following gentle- men elected, viz. : Albert T. Minot, Charles E. Cook, Alexander H. Rice, Joseph H. Allen, George W. McLellan. 238 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. It was also ^^ Voted, That Mr. George R. Sampson, of District No. 18, bp requested to call the first meet- ing of the present Committee, for organization, under the rules, without delay." In conformity with this vote, a meeting of the Com- mittee was called, and organized by the choice of a Chairman and Secretary ; but as the new members of the Committee would not agree to the action or policy of the original members, in regard to the teachers, the subject was again brought before the Board at their meeting, December 4th, in a report from Mr. Charles Edward Cook, the Chairman of the District Committee, in which a detailed statement of their proceedings was given, from which it appeared " that the three original members of the Committee had resigned; and after a careful investigation of the circumstances, the Com- mittee had deemed it their duty to reinstate the teach- ers, and restore the schools to the same position as they were in July last." The report was accepted, and this subject, probably the most exciting which had ever agitated the Board, was brought to a final close, by the election of Joshua B. Fowle, William Willett, Aaron H. Bean, and Theo- dore P. Hale, to fill the vacancies in the Committee of this district. 1850. The first meeting of the Primary School Committee, after their appointment by the Grammar Board, was held February 5th. Joseph Smith, Esq., was chosen Chairman, pro tern., who read the certificate of appointment, and authority ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 239 to organize themselves and adopt such rules and regula- tions for the schools as they may deem expedient. Alvan Simonds was chosen Secretary, pro tern., and it was " Voted, That the Rules and Regulations of the last year be adopted by this Board until otherwise ordered." A Committee of one from each district was appointed to nominate a candidate for President, who subsequently recommended Francis Brown, Esq., for that office, and he was duly elected. Alvan Simonds, Esq., was also re- elected Secretary, by a unanimous vote. Executive Committee — Joseph M. Wightman, Chair- man; Alvan Simonds, Secretary ; John Woart, Dexter W. Wiswell, Samuel F. McCleary, Jr., David Kimball, James F. Clark, Oliver Dimon, Charles Brooks, Thomas S. Wright, George M. Randall, F. F. Raymond, Alexan- der H. Rice, Charles A. Turner, Francis Brown, Benja- min H. Greene, Theodore D. Cook, Luther Parks, Jr., Thomas Wilder, William H. Calrow, Albert Bowker, Moses J. Gove. An order was received from the Grammar School Committee, appointing Messrs. J. M. Wightman, Fred- eric Emerson, and Rollin H. Neale, a Committee, to be joined by this Board, "to consider and report what changes, if any, ought to be made in the present organization of the Grammar and Primary School Committees." Upon which, Messrs. L. S. Cragin, David Kimball, and Alvan Simonds were joined on the part of Primary School Board. On motion of Mr. 0. Dimon, it was unanimously Resolved, That the late Chairman of this Board, Eben Jones, Esq., has rendered services to the Public Schools and the pubHc interest, as a member of this Board, for 240 ANNALS OF THE PKIMARY SCHOOLS. fourteen years, and as President of it for the past three years, which prompt an expression of our thanks, and occa- sion our sincere regret that his connection with the Board has necessarily terminated.* Resolved, That the Secretary transmit to Mr. Jones a copy of the foregoing resolution. The regular quarterly meetiug was held, March 12th, when the Chairman of the Executive Committee sub- mitted the Semi-Annual Eeport on the condition of the schools for the six months previous to January 31st. At this time there were one hundred and seventy-six schools, containing eleven thousand one hundred and thirty-eight pupils. The average per centage of attendance, .76. Eight hundred and fifty-four examinations had been made of the schools by the Committee, and two thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight visits were recorded by the teachers. In addition to the usual abstract, and in conclusion, the Executive Committee made some suggestions on the subjects of schools and school government, from which we copy the following paragraphs: The presence of the Local Committees at this Semi-Annual examination has been alluded to in a number of the reports as a very gratifying circumstance ; and the Committee would also notice in this connection, that from a careful examination of the returns, it is shown that in those districts and schools in which the Local Committees have devoted the most atten- tion, the schools arc higher in character and proficiency than any others ; and, as it has been expressed by one of the examiners, " the confident tone of the reader, the upraised head, the fixed, attentive eye and listening ear, are unfailing *Mr. Jones had removed from the city. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 241 signs that the Local Committee of such a school has been attentive to his duty." Ventilation is another subject of great importance ; and the Executive Committee deem it necessary that some steps should be taken to bring this matter before the proper authorities. If; by the Rules, ventilation is to be required of our teachers, some means should be furnished which does not involve the health and life of the children. In a large number of the schools there is no other method of ventilation than that of opening the windows upon the backs and heads of the children, a method as absurd as it is cruel and dangerous. It may be said by some that this is not neces- sary; if it is not thus ventilated, the choice between the evils is very little ; for without it the foetid air, produced by the respiration and the exhalation from the persons and clothing of fifty or sixty children, whose poverty may prevent the necessary change for cleanliness, will, in a short time, render the odor and atmosphere of the room intolerable. Such a state of things ought not to exist. The Grammar Schools are almost universally well ventilated ; and the contrast between them ajid our Primary Schools is altogether un- reasonable. The children in our schools are of a more tender age, and their little bodies are more susceptible of injury from exposure, or the neglect of proper ventilation; and while we can but rejoice at the fostering care of the city displayed towards the Grammar Schools in this respect, we feel that the Primary Schools have as high, and in some respects a higher claim upon their bounty and attention. The report was accepted, and the following orders were, on motion of Dr. J. Odin, Jr., adopted : Ordered, That from and after the passage of this order, the sum of $25, appropriated by the City Council for the care of each school-room, be separated from the amount of the quarterly payment on the teachers' bills. 31 242 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Ordered, That the Executive Committee be directed to take such measures as shall place the amount of $25 for each school, under the control of the several District Committees. Messrs. Brooks, Dexter and Turner having declined to serve on the Executive Committee, Messrs. James B. Dow, Charles E. Wiggin, and George W. Parmenter, were elected to their places. December 3. The subject of vacations in the Pri- mary not corresponding to those in the Grammar Schools, continued to be agitated in the Board, and w^as finally submitted to a Committee, who reported the following rule as a substitute for that in relation to the vacations of this Board : The holidays and vacations of the Primary Schools shall be the same as are granted to the Grammar Schools, either by the rules of the Grammar School Committee, or by order of the Mayor, and also the day of the annual visitation of the Grammar Schools. Mr. Wightman submitted the following amendment to the rules, which was subsequently adopted: Any Committee wishing to establish a new school in their district, shall send a request to the Executive Committee at least two weeks before the quarterly meetings ; and the Executive Committee shall examine into the expediency of complying with the request, and report at the succeeding quarterly meeting. The Executive Committee reported in favor of the introduction into the Primary Schools of the Tables for Training the Organs of Speech, the Punctuation and the Numeral Table, and recommended that ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 243 they be furnished to all those schools not at present supplied. 18 51. The appointment of the Primary School Committee having been made by the Grammar Board, the meet- ing for organization was held January 2Tth. Benja- min P. Richardson, Esq., was chosen Chairman ^;ro tcm., and the Board organized by the election of the fol- lowino; officers : President — Francis Brown. Secretary — Alvan Simonds. Executive Committee — Joseph M. Wightman, Chair- man ; Alvan Simonds, Secretary ; Levi Tucker, William H. Learnard, Jr., Chas. E, Wiggin, Samuel F. McCleary, Jr., James B. Dovr, Francis Brown, Benjamin H. Greene, Alexander H. Rice, Luther Parks, Jr., A. B. Child, Wm. H. Calrow, Moses J. Gove, David Kimball, Charles Demond, Oliver Ditson, Thomas Wilder, George M. Randall, Albert Bowker, George W. Parmenter, Fred. W. Sawyer. March 10. The Semi- Annual Rej)ort was read by Mr. Wi2;htman, Chairman of Executive Committee. Whole number of schools, January 31st, . . 18&' Whole number of pupils, January 31st, . . 11,788 June 5. A request, signed by Thomas Ranney and others, that the phonetic system of teaching be intro- duced on trial into two of the Primary Schools, was referred to the Executive Committee. September 2. The Semi-Annual Report of the Execu- tive Committee was presented by the Secretary. 244 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. "Whole number of schools, July 31, . . . 189 Whole number of pupils, ..... 12,110 "Whole number attending to sewing, . . 1,444 Whole number of foreign parentage, . . 6,870 Whole number of examinations by Committees, 1,424 A report was received from the same Committee, upon the subject of phonetic instruction, recommend- ing that the petition of T. Eanney and others be com- plied with ; but not expressing any opinion of the Committee in regard to its value or utility as a sys- tem. The report was laid on the table. The Executive Committee, to whom was referred the subject of introducing the Tables for Training the Organs of Speech, for Punctuation, and for Numera- tion, into those schools not already supplied, reported the following: Resolved, That the introduction into some of the Primary Schools of the Table for Training the Organs of Speech, the Punctuation Table, and the Numeral Table, has much conduced to the progress of the children, and facilitated the arduous labors of the teachers; and this Board recom- mend that they be furnished to those schools not already supplied. Read, accepted, and the resolve passed. The same Committee reported adverse to the estab- lishment of a new school in District No. 14 ; and also that measures must be taken to supply accommodations for School No. 6, East Boston, the room in which the school was located having been burned. School-rooms would also be required for the Primary Schools in the Hancock School-house, as the rooms now occupied were needed for the Grammar School classes. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 245 On motion of Mr. Wightman, it was Voted, That Messrs. Wightman, Dow and Fowle be a Com- mittee to confer with the Committee on Public Buildings of the City Council, that the ordinance may be so modified that the vote of the Executive Committee may be regarded as sufficient for providing of the necessary rooms and furniture for the temporary accommodation of primary schools. At the quarterly meeting, December 2, the Executive Committee reported in favor of new schools in Districts Nos. 10 and 11, and adverse to the request of District No. 9. The Special Committee, to whom the subject of a new school in District No. 14 was referred, reported that they had, under the powers granted to them, made such changes in the schools of Districts Nos. 13 and 14, as would, in their opinion, render a new school unnecessary. The report of the Committee on the subject of phonetics, referred over from the September meeting, was taken from the table and ordered to be printed, with the other matters relating to the subject, for the use of the Board. 1852. January 27. The Committee having been duly ap- pointed by the School Committee, were assembled for organization, and called to order by Mr. L. S. Cragin. Mr. Thomas Wilder was elected Chairman pro tern., and Charles Demond, Secretary pro tern. A Committee of one from each district being ap- pointed to nominate candidates for President and 246 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Secretary, reported the names of Charles Edward Cook for President, and Alvan Simonds for Secretary ; both of whom were elected by ballot. Executive Committee — Joseph M. Wightman, Chairman; Charles Demond, Secretary ; John J. Meston, Thomas Eestieaux, W. H. Learnard, Jr., E. D. G. Palmer, Abra- ham G. Wyman, Thomas B. Hawkes, David Kimball, Alvan Simonds, Frederic W. Sawyer, Wm. H. Dennett, Thomas Wilder, George M. Randall, Benj. H. Greene, Samuel B. Cruft, Vfilliam S. Thacher, John A. Cum- mings, Albert Bowker, William H. Cairo w, Jackson Rich- ardson, Charles E. Cook. At the quarterly meeting of the Board, March 2, a communication was received from Alvan Sbionds, Esq., who, on account of his health, had been unable to attend to his duties as Secretary, since his election in January, and resigned his office, in the following letter to the President : Boston, Marcli 2d, 1852. Charles E. Cook, Esq., President of the Primary School Committee of Boston: At the annual meeting of the Committee on the 27th January last, they were pleased for the twelfth time, unani- mously, to elect me as their Secretary. It seems to be my duty now to resign that office, which resignation you will please to communicate to the Board this evening. Since I have held the office, the number of the schools have increased from one hundred to one hundred and ninety-two, and the members of the Committee have nearly doubled in number. The nature of the office has brought me in connection with the various members of the Board ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 24 T very frequently, not only at its meetings, but on numerous sub-committees, as we met in our daily walks, in the schools, and as we sought each other's advice and information, in the discharge of our important duties. This intercourse with them has been uniformly pleasant; and for all their kindness, courtesy and aid, I now desire, through you, to return them my sincere and heartfelt thanks. With the large body of teachers, past and present, I have often met. In May, 1849, it was my privilege, in the discharge of my duties, to do what I believe no other person has ever done; that was, to visit every school in the city, examine every "record book," and spend a few minutes in every school-room. It may not be out of place, therefore, for me to bear testimony also to the general high character of the teachers for moral worth, and for adaptation to the high and noble purposes in which they are engaged. The more thoroughly any one becomes acquainted with the great work that is daily going on in our Primary Schools, the more he must be convinced of their import- ance. Here are one hundred and ninety teachers in daily intercourse with eleven thousand pupils. More than half of these children are of foreign origin ; and I am per- suaded that our Primary Schools are doing more to Amer- icanize that class of our population than- all other causes combined. In making up the reports, from time to time, I have been astonished to notice the amount of gratuitous labor 'performed by very many members of the Committee, indi- cating a devotion to their duties, and an appreciation of their responsibilities worthy of all praise. It is to be hoped that any movements made to change the present mode of supervision of these schools, will be made with calm consideration, and that they will be put in practice only upon a clear conviction of having found "a more excellent way." After twenty years' active ser- 248 ANNALS OF THE PRBIARY SCHOOLS. vice upon the Board, it appears to me that in practice the present system has done, and is doing so well, that no mere theonj should take its place. It is fashionable in some quarters to call the Primary School Committee an " anomaly.''^ It may be so,- but when such results are produced in the moral and intellectual improvement of such a multitude of immortal beings, even an " anomaly " may be preferable to a succession of doubtful and ever-changing experiments. With renewed thanks to yourself, and every member of the Board, I am your obedient servant, Alvan Simonds. The resignation of Mr. Simonds was accepted ; and on motion of Mr. Cragin, it was Voted, That the unanimous thanks of this Committee be tendered to Alvan Simonds, Esq., our late Secretary, for the prompt, efficient, thorough, and satisfactory manner in which he has for so many years discharged the duties of that office. The Board then proceeded to elect a Secretary, which resulted in the choice of Charles Demond, Esq. The President read a communication from the Sec- retary of the Committee on Public Instruction, in- forming the Board that the Joint Committee from the City Council and the Grammar School Board, had passed the following vote, viz.: Voted, That the said Committee invite the members of the Primary School Board to appoint a Committee to meet and confer with the Joint Committee, in relation to the ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 249 subject of changing the organization of the Primary School Board. On motion of Mr. Minot, the President appointed Messrs. F. Brown, L. S. Cragin, Joseph Smith, David Kimball, John Odin, Jr., Albert T. Minot, and B. P. Richardson, as a Committee of Conference, to which the President was subsequently added. Mr. "VVightman, in behalf of the Executive Commit- mittee, reported the vacancies which had occurred in that body, viz. : T. Restieaux, W. H. Dennett, Geo. M. Randall, B. H. Greene, Alvan Simonds, Charles E. Cook, and J. A. Cummings; and recommended to fill their places, Charles E. Wiggin, Oliver Ditson, J. B. Dow, Samuel Tolman, Caleb Gill, Otis Kimball, and Asa B. Snow. The report was accepted, and the persons recom- mended declared elected as members of the Executive Committee. The Semi-Annual Report of the Executive Com- mittee, compiled from the teachers' returns, to Jan- uary 31, and from the examinations of the Executive Committee, in February, was submitted by the Chair- man, from which the following statistics are presented : Whole number of schools. Whole number of pupils. Whole number of pupils of foreign parentage '. Averao;e number of examinations of each school Average number of visits to each school. Average per centage of attendance, . . .78 The report gave an abstract of the condition of the schools, and recommended some improvements 190 11,868 6,605 1 32 250 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. that were required for the comfort of the larger pupils, and concluding with the following votes, which were unanimously adopted : Voted, That the Executive Committee apply to the Com- mittee on Public Buildings of the City Council, for suit- able chairs and desks, for the use of the larger and advanced scholars in School No. 8, District No. 9, on the Western Avenue. Voted, That the Executive Committee be requested to take into consideration and report upon the expediency of providing some form, or desk, for the Intermediate and Primary Schools. Voted, That the entrance to the school-house in Bum- stead Court is dangerous to the pupils attending the school; and the Committee on Public Buildings of the City Council are respectfully requested to adopt some measures to rem- edy the evil. June 1. Quarterly Meeting. — The rules of the Gram- mar Board, requiring a report annually, in relation to the condition of the Primary Schools, were read ; whereupon it was ^' Voted, That the subject be re- ferred to the Executive Committee, with instructions to make that report in behalf of the Primary School Board." On motion of Mr. Mead, it was Ordered, That the Executive Committee be requested to take into consideration and report at some subsequent meeting, whether, in their opinion, the interests of the Pri- mary Schools cannot be promoted, by the adoption of some of the suggestions made by the Superintendent of the Public Schools, in his late report; or whether some change in the classification of the pupils cannot advantageously be made. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 251 On motion of Mr. Otis Kimball, it was Ordered, That the Executive Committee consider and report upon the propriety of establishing geographical limits to the several Primary School Districts. September 7. Quarterlu Meeiing. — The Semi-Annual Report of the Executive Committee was read by the Secretary, by which it appeared that the Whole number of schools, July 31, 1852, was . 193 Number of pupils, . . . . . .11,970 Number of pupils sent to Grammar School last six months, . . . . . .1,497 Number of pupils prepared for admission, . 1,431 Average attendance to each school, . . . * 48 Per centage of attendance to each school, . .79 Number who attend to sewing, . . . 1,360 Number of foreign parentage, .... 6,788 Number over eight years of age, . . . 3,076 Number imder five years of age, . . . 1,836 Number of examinations last six months, . . 1,722 Number of visits last six months, . . . 3,704 Mr. Wightman, in behalf of the Executive Com- mittee, made a report, returning the resolutions re- ferred to them at the last meeting of the Board, in relation to geographical limits, and to the report of the Superintendent of Public Schools, stating their reasons for so doing ; and recommended the jDassage of the following resolution, which was adopted : Resolved, That in view of the present position and uncer- tain action of the City Government, in relation to the Primary School system, it is inexpedient for this Board to take any further action upon the orders in relation to the 252 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. geographical limits of the districts, or the suggestions of the Superintendent of Public Schools, in his late report. On motion of Dr. John Odin, Jr., the Executive Com- mittee were requested to have printed one thousand copies of an abstract of the Semi-Annual Report, and of the report on the subject of geographical limits. 1853. February 8. The Primary School Committee having been appointed by the Grammar Board, held their first meeting this evening, and the following ofi&cers were elected : President — Charles Edward Cook. Secretary — Charles Demond. Executive Committee — Joseph M. Wightraan, Chairman ; Charles Demond, Secretary ; James B. Dow, E. D. G. Palmer, Thomas Wilder, William H. Calrow, Oliver Ditson, Caleb Gill, Abraham G. Wyman, Thomas B. Hawkes, John J. Meston, Jackson Richardson, Philo Sanford, N. C. Stevens, E. W. Blake, James N. Sykes, Stephen Tilton, Jr., William Read, Samuel G. Bowdlear, Isaiah Faxon, Henry L. Dalton, S. J. M. Homer. On motion of James B. Dow, it was Voted, That a Committee be appointed to take into con- sideration the subject whether it is expedient or desirable to make any alteration in the organization of this Board, to render it more efficient in promoting the best welfare of the Primary Schools of this city, and report at a future meeting. March 14. Quarterly Meeting. — The Semi-Annual Report of the Executive Committee was presented, by ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 253 the Chairman, and one thousand copies ordered to be printed. The following orders, appended to the report, were adopted : Ordered, That a Committee of five be appointed to prepare a revision of the Rules and Regulations of this Board, and to recommend such alterations and amendments as they may deem expedient, and report the same to the Board at the next quarterly meeting. Ordered, That a Committee of one from each district be appointed to take into consideration and report upon a reorganization of the schools into nev?- districts, so that the number of schools in each district may be more conve- nient and uniform. Resolved, That the salaries of the teachers in the Primary Schools should be the same as is paid to the female teachers in the Grammar Schools ; and that the Executive Committee be directed to lay this subject before the proper authorities. December 15. The Committee on the Revision of the Rules submitted their report, which was adopted, and two hundred and fifty copies of the same were ordered to be printed. The Board also deemed it inexpedient to make any reoro-anization of the districts. On the recommendation of the Executive Commit- tee, a new school was established in Porter street. East Boston ; and the Secretary was directed to request the Committee on Public Buildings of the City Council, to provide the usual furniture for this school. 1854. January 31. The first meeting of the members of the Primary School Committee for the current year, was held this evening. 254 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. A communication was read from Hon. Charles Edward Cook, declining to be a candidate for Presi- dent, after which the Board was organized by the choice of the following officers : President — Alvan Simonds. Secretary — Charles Demond. Executive Committee — Joseph M. Wightman, Chair- man; Charles Demond, Secretary; James B. Dow, E. D. G. Palmer, William H. Calrow, Oliver Ditson, Caleb Gill, Abraham G. Wyman, Thomas B. Hawkes, Jackson Richardson, Philo Sanford, N. C. Stevens, James .N. Sjkes, Stephen Tilton, Jr., "William Read, Samuel G. Bowdlear, S. J. M. Homer, Elijah Stearns, N. P. Mann, Edmund T. Eastman, H. W. WilUams, Thomas F. Caldi- cott, Charles A. Turner. On motion of Mr. Wightman, it was Voted,^ That the several District Committees be requested, annually, to select either their Chairman or their Secretary to provide articles required by the teachers, in conformity ■with the order of the City Council, passed May 30, 1853. Voted, That the Secretary of each district be requested to furnish the Secretary of this Board with the length of time of service of each teacher of the Primary Schools in his district, on or before the fifteenth day of April next. On motion of Mr. Otis Kimball, it was Voted, That the thanks of this Board be presented to the Hon. Charles Edward Cook, for the faithful, courteous, and dignified manner in which he has performed the duties of presiding officer during the past year; and that a copy of this vote, signed by the President, be transmitted to him. March 14. The Semi-Annual Report of the Ex- ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 255 ecutive Committee was presented bj Mr. Yfightman, and ordered to be printed. A communication was received from the Grammar Board, announcing a change in the hours of opening the schools under their charge ; and the rules of the Primary Schools were amended to conform thereto. September 12. Mr. Demond, in behalf of the Ex- ecutive Committee, read the Semi-Annual Eeport, which was accepted, and ordered to be printed. By an amendment to the City Charter, which had been adopted by the citizens, the Grammar School Committee was increased to seventy-two members, who were to have direct charge of the Primary Schools, and supersede the organization of the Pri- mary School Committee. As the act in relation to a new Committee would go into operation on the first Monday in January, 1855, the following com- munication was addressed to the City Solicitor: Boston, November 2d, 1854. Hon. George S. Hillard, City Solicitor : Sir: — The undersigned, officers of the Primary School Committee of Boston, desire to ask your advice and opinion upon certain points relating to the operation of the new City Cliarter upon that Board. Under the vote and rule on page second of the pamphlet, herewith transmitted,* the present Primary School Committee were appointed, with the powers and duties therein named; and have proceeded to execute said trust, under the rules adopted in the same pamphlet. They have elected teachers, according to section 9, page 12, most of them, for the school * Rules and Regulations of the Primaiy Schools. 256 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. year, ending with July next, and have given them certificates of appointment. It has been usual for the Grammar School Committee to appoint the Primary Board near the close of January in each year, and for the previous Committee to have charge of the schools until the next annual appointment, and to receive the returns and make up the Semi- Annual Report to the 31st of January, annually. By the City Charter, just adopted, to take effect on the first Monday of January next, in sections 54, 55 and 56, it is generally supposed that the present Primary School Commit- tee is abolished. We would, therefore, respectfully request of you information on the following points, viz : First. When do the duties of the present Primary School Committee cease ? On the first Monday in January, when the charter takes effect; on the second Monday in January, when the Committee of seventy-two are to organize; or should they continue to act through the month of January, and make up the Semi- Annual Report ? And at what time is it proper for them to surrender the one hundred and ninety-seven schools under tlieir charge, with all their records, books and papers, to the School Committee chosen under the new charter ? Second. When does the time of service of the teachers cease, under their present appointment? and can they properly continue and be the legal instructors of the schools, after the first or second Monday in January next? Third. Will it be competent for the persons chosen as School Committee, by virtue of the new charter, under the power given by section 55, to " choose such subordinate officers as they may deem expedient," to appoint any num- ber of persons which they may judge suitable ; to aid them in the care and examinations of the Primary Schools, with- out compensation ; somewhat in the same manner as the Primary School Committee have done in past years ? ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 257 "We require an answer to the first question, that we may not, on the one hand, seem to desire to hold our offices too long, nor, on the other, to abandon a post of duty at too early a day. We require an answer to the second question for the information of the teachers. The thhrdi, question is prompted by the deep interest we feel in the Primary Schools, from our long connection with them ; and our desire that the new plan in regard to them should be fully understood, and put in operation, from the first, in the best manner, without subjecting them to experiments or want of proper supervision. We apprehend that some gentlemen, whose services have been found valuable on the Grammar School Committee, will shrink from the service if the whole labor and care of nearly two hundred Primary Schools were added to their labors. We believe, also, that if it be legal and proper to receive the voluntary and unpaid services of many of our active, benevolent citizens, like some of those who have heretofore served for many years on the Primary School Committee, great advantages would result to the schools. As the quarterly meeting of the Board occurs on the 2d Tuesday in December, if your duties will permit you to favor us with a reply to the foregoing in season for the meeting, it will greatly oblige Yours respectfully, Alvan Simonds, President. Joseph M. Wightman, CKn Ex. Com. Charles Demond, Secretary. In his reply, the City Solicitor stated, that in his opinion — The duties of the Primary School Committee would cease on the organization of the new Grammar Board. That the 258 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. teachers would continue their term of service under the new organization ; and that it would not be proper for the new Board to substantially continue the Primary School Committee, inasmuch as the former had been largely in- creased, upon the express understanding that the latter body was to be superseded. This correspondence was submitted to the Board at their meeting, December 5th, by the Chairman of the Executive Committee ; and on his motion the following orders were read and laid upon the table • Ordered, That the Secretary be, and he hereby is, author- ized and instructed to address a communication to the School Committee, who are to meet for organization on the second- Monday of January next, and inform them, in behalf of this Committee, that the schools, records and papers of which the Primary School Committee have had charge, are subject to the order and direction of said School Committee. Ordered, That the Secretaries of the several districts are hereby requested to forward to the Secretary of the Board, the records of their several districts, on or before the second Monday of January next. On motion of Mr. Marvin, it was Voted, That the Executive Committee be requested to draw up a brief history of the Primary School Committee, from their organization to the present time. « After which, the Board adjourned to meet on the evening of the first Tuesday in January next ensuing. ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 259 1855. FINAL MEETING OF THE BOARD. January 2. In conformity with the vote passed at the preceding meeting, Mr. Wightman, in behalf of the Executive Committee, presented a historical sketch of the Primary School Board, from its first establish- ment, which was recommitted to Messrs. Simonds, Demond, and Wightman, with a request that one thousand copies of the same be printed for the use of the Boa^rd, if the Committee deem it expedient. The orders in relation to the records read at the last meeting, were taken from the table and passed. The business of the meeting having been thus accomplished, Mr. Wightman submitted the following resolution : Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be presented to Alvan Simonds, Esq., for the very acceptable manner in which he has performed the duties of President of the Board. The President responded thus: Gentlemen of the Frimary School Committee : — Accept raj warmest thanks for the vote just passed — for the kindness ever manifested towards me, and especially for your friendly cooperation and sympathy during the past year, when called to preside in your meetings, and that you have tlirown the kind mantle of charity over my inexperience and shortcomings. Our duties, as members of the Primary School Committee, are now closing. Our appointment, received one year since, is about to expire. Many of us have been honored with 260 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. reappointments from year to year. For one, it has been my privilege, by reelection from time to time, to have been a member of this body for twenty-one successive years. I can recognize among the members the names of Bum- stead, Marvin, Cragin, and Brown, who are my seniors in office. It is because the Grammar School Committee (them- selves subject to annual changes) have been pleased to avail themselves of the continued services of gentlemen upon this Board, that the impression had obtained in many minds, that this was a perpetual self-appointing Committee. As a matter of fact, our existence has been (as legally defined) only like that of a sub-committee, and expired annually. Towards the selection of no officer or officers in this city has a more rigid scrutiny been observed. We have had no money at our dis- posal, we have asked or desired no pecuniary reward; no suppers, no excursions, as a body, or as sub-committees, at the public expense, have been ours. By the new city charter the number of the Grammar School Committee is increased, and the whole care of the Primary Schools is transferred to their hands. We take leave of the pleasures, the cares, the labors and the responsibilities of the office, without any regret, except that we have been no more faithful in improving the opportunities afforded us for doing good. Whatever the private views of some members may be, as to the utility of the change, it bepomes not me to prophesy evil, nor prejudge unfavorably the operations of the new system. We love the cause of primary instruction too well ; our experience leads us to see and feel its import- ance too deeply, for any wish even to find' a place in our hearts, except an earnest hope and expectation of its in- creased prosperity. Our desires are that these schools may have a more vigilant and effective supervision, and a more enlarged success under the new arrangements where they are now to be placed. We recognize many names among those to have charge of them of enlarged experience, and ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 261 whose delight it is to do good. By their devotion of the time needed for the examination and supervision of these schools, we may safely hope that under the new organization even brighter days are in reserve for them. Allow me to congratulate you, my friends, and all our fel- low-citizens, on the success which has attended our schools, and on the good accomplished by them. A devoted attention to their wants and interests has led you to adopt a course of study, a system of supervision and of examinations of these schools, which have been most beneficial in their results, and which have stood the test of experience. Great improve- ments have also been made in school buildings — in the ven- tilation of the school-rooms — in providing comfortable seats, and such physical exercises within and without the schools as secure health and prevent weariness. A thorough examina- tion of candidates for teachers, and great care in their selec- tion, Iiave been well repaid by a knowledge of their fitness and their success. The frequent visits to every school, and the monthly examinations by the Local Committees, have aided and cheered the teacher — have encouraged and instructed the pupils. The system of thorough examinations semi-annually, by the District Committee collectively, or by the Executive Commit- tee, when the schools of each district were brought together; when the faults or excellences of each school were power- fully though silently presented to the notice of each instructor, by contrasts, has admirably contributed to raise the character of the schools. The semi-annual gatherings of the teachers to hear the reports of the defects or excellences found in the schools, have been attended with favorable results. You have bestowed much time and labor to the care of the schools. As evidence of this, I may point to the abstract of the teach- ers' reports in July last, for the preceding six months. They record in that time one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four examinations, or an average of more than nine to a school. 262 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. and three thousand sis hundred and thirty-five visits, or more than eighteen to each of the one hundred and ninety-seven schools. This constant •watchfulness, the aid and encouragement thus afforded to the teachers and pupils, has done much towards making our schools what they are, and cannot be dispensed with without essential injury. Nothing so much inspires and encourages the teacher, as the kind aid and advice of those who seek the welfare of the young. The good effect upon the children, of a friendly visit, and a few words of advice and of encouragement, is truly wonderful. It is but half known to those who have seen it, and, therefore, have re- alized it the most. There are those among you who have found and have given pleasure in frequent visits to these schools; in addressing a few words to these ever-listening little ones, on their studies, their manners, or their morals. Desires for good, and a conviction of the misery to which evil courses lead, have thus been excited in these little minds, which will have an effect upon them through their whole lives. Winning orators, wise men, great statesmen, may employ hours in eloquent and powerful speeches in halls of legisla- tion, and produce little practical effects, for they address minds already made up or bound down by party or sectional ties; but one who has the privilege of addressing the im- pressible minds in a Primary School wields a power for good not found in the Legislature or in the Congress of our nation. A trust so weighty, a privilege so exalted, has been yours. That it has been often well used, many can testify. The moral power of these schools is very great. They have done and are doing more, I almost believe, than all other causes combined to Americanize our foreign population. While in our Grammar Schools the use of the Bible is almost, if not wholly, confined to the reading of it by the teachers in the pupils' presence, in the Primary Schools it is a part of the regular reading lessons for the upper classes. ANNALS OP THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 263 The Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer are so taught and imprinted on the memory as rarely to be for- gotten. The worship of the true God, and of him only, the evil nature and tendencies of the sins forbidden in the Deca- logue, and the pleasantness of the path of truth and virtue as there recommended, are thus deeply impressed on the minds of the young. Pain, pleasure and hope mingle in this parting hour. Pain, in severing our pleasant connections in the Board, and in reflecting on opportunities for doing good which we may have neglected ; pleasure, in the belief that we may have usefully served our beloved city and the young, in this humble capacity, and in the good accomplished ; hope, in the future prosperity and continued usefulness of these schools, and that there shall rise up from them, those who will uphold and maintain all the best interests of Boston, and will finally meet us, and the faithful teachers, and our beloved associates of precious memory who have gone before us, in the better " City of our God " above. The thanks of the Board were also voted to the Chairman of the Executive Committee, for the inter- esting report he had submitted, and for the manner in which he had discharged the duties of the office. A similar vote of thanks was tendered to the Secre- tary, who responded in a brief address. Many very interesting reminiscences and remarks were made by a number of the oldest members, among whom were Messrs. Marvin, Bumstead, Wilder, Marsh, Sleeper, Norcross, Weltch, Howland, Cragin, and Greene, all of whom expressed their deep interest in the schools, and their intention to continue to visit them as citizens, and unofficially to aid and cooperate with the new organization of the School Committee in sus- 264 ANNALS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. taining and improving these educational nurseries of our city. Mr. Dale, Chairman in District No. 15, stated, " that on Wednesday morning the Committee propose to meet the First and Second Classes of all the schools in the district, eight in number, and that farewell speeches will then be made; the Committee will present each scholar with a Bible and dictionary." Mr. Wightman offered the following resolve, prefac- ing it with a few remarks, complimentary to the daily press : Resolved, That the thanks of the Primary School Commit- tee are due to the reporters and conductors of the public press, for their very full, elaborate and accurate reports of the proceedings of this Board. * The resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote; and at ten o'clock, P. M., the Boston Primary School Committee adjourned sine die. REVIEW. CAUSES OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PRIMARY BOARD. In reviewing these annals of the Primary Schools, from their commencement to the close of their exist- ence, as a separate organization, there is a strong feel- ing of gratification that so noble a mission, in the cause of popular education, should have been so successful in accomplishing the objects for which it was originally established. Its eminent conservatism, — its entire freedom from political bias in the selection of members, — the per- sonal responsibility of each member to a faithful dis- charge of his duties, — its careful watchfulness over the schools under their control, — its strict adherence to the powers conferred by the City Government, never exceeding, in a single instance, the authority with which it was invested, — and its acknowledged success for thirty-six successive years, renders an exj^lanation of the causes, which resulted in its dissolution, import- ant to a correct history, and an act of justice to the earnest and disinterested devotion of those citizens who have served upon the Board. We have already alluded to the proceedings of the Grammar Board, on the suggestions of the Secretary of the State Board of Education, (Hon. Horace Mann,) in 34 266 REVIEW. 1838, as the first overt act of opposition to the organi- zation of the Primary Board ; and although other causes, undoubtedly, had an influence, it is to the resist- ance then made, to the course of the Secretary and his friends, that we may attribute much of the subsequent agitation, and endeavor to bring the Primary Schools under the exclusive control of the Grammar Board. The doctrine of "centralization," initiated by Mr. Mann, had its advocates, not only in the Grammar School Committee, but in the City Council, who were impressed with the idea that economy, progress, and complete success in the administration of our schools, were to be attained by making our whole educational system a " unit ; " and placing it under the supervision of a " Superintendent of Public Schools." The natural conservatism of our citizens, in regard to public matters, is proverbial; and the entire change proposed, in the organization of the Boston schools, excited considerable feeling, which became more or less partisan in its character, until it appears to have culminated in 1845, in an open issue between the Bos- ton schoolmasters and Mr. Mann. Impatient of criti- cism, and submitting to no opposition, the Secretary, in this controversy, exhibited his usual zeal in defence of his opinions, and aided by the prestige of his official station, and the active cooperation of his friends, the masters were silenced ; and means were adopted by which a large majority of those subsequently elected to the School Committee, were in favor of Mr. Mann and his peculiar views. From this time annual attempts were made to establish the office of " Superintendent ; " but as this required the concurrent action of both REVIEW. 267 branches of the City Council and of the Grammar Board, the measure was defeated in one branch or the other until April, 1851. In the meantime it was evident that the Primary Board, being the exponent of the principle of " dif- fusion," instead of " centralization " of power, presented a serious barrier to the success of the new system ; and accordingly a regular crusade was commenced upon it, as an organization, in the inaugural address of the Mayor, (Hon. John P. Bigelow,) in January, 1850, in which he makes the following exposition of the grounds of opposition to the Primary Board : I have reason to believe that the Public Schools, in general, were never in a more satisfactory state than at the present time ; and that the Committees having them in charge, during the past year, have faithfully and efficiently performed their duties. But I cannot overlook the fact that one of these Committees (that having direction of the Primary Schools) is constituted in a way which is entirely anomalous to the genius of our institutious — although the members themselves are deservedly held in grateful respect by the people for their services. This Board, which consists of about one hundred and seventy individuals, (one to each school) having charge of more than half the public pupils, and of the expenditure of a very great amount of the public moneys, is not chosen by the people, nor by the City Government. Its vacancies, as they occur, are filled by the remaining members, in the manner of close corporations, — the people, over whose affairs they exercise such an important control, having no voice in the matter whatsoever. The principle is utterly wrong, and of course, sooner or later, will be productive of practical evil. The body itself, as the schools have increased in number, has 268 KEVIEW. already become inconveniently large for mutual consultation, and advantageous cooperation. There is no good reason why so important a Board, (which is not even recognized in our charter,) should not derive its power from, and be responsible to, the people, in the same manner as the Committee having charge of the Grammar Schools, — and I recommend the adoption of such measures as shall remedy the defect. This was followed by a report of the Committee on Public Instruction, in October, substantially reiterating the same views ; but as the efforts to establish the office of Superintendent had not been successful, further action, in relation to the Primary Board, was suspended, until a report on the whole subject of the reorganiza- tion of the school system could be prepared. The office having been established, and a Superin- tendent of Public Schools elected, in 1851, the Primary Board was again brought to the attention of the City Council, in January, 1852, by the Mayor, (Hon. Benja- min Seaver,) who addressed a special communication to the President of the Common Council, on " The Present Organization of the Grammar and Primary School Com- mittees." This communication was referred to the Committee on Public Instruction, who, in April, submit- ted a very elaborate report, by their Chairman, (Samp- son Reed, Esq.,*) in which, after glancing at the early history of the schools, and the establishment of the Pri- mary Board, the following grounds were urged against the continuance of the latter : First, because of its questionable legality ; second, because, as a deliberat- ive or executive body, it had become too numerous for the purposes entrusted to its care ; tJiird, because of * City Dociunent No. 22, 1852. REVIEW. 269 the mode in which its members were elected and vacan- cies filled ; and fourth, because its continuance per- petuated a want of unity in our school system. The arguments adduced in support of these propo- sitions were ably presented in the report, and have been so frequently referred to in various reports of the Grammar School Committee, as to render it unneces- sary to present them at this time. If, therefore, to the several grounds of opposition, as enumerated in the report of the Committee on Public Instruction, we add the declaration of the Mayor, that " the constitution of this Committee is anomalous to the genius of our institutions," and the charge, that " they have the expenditure of a very large amount of the public moneys, without being chosen by the people or by the City Government," — we shall have a full expo- sition of the reasons, which, in various forms and at sundry times, were urged as good and sufficient for the dissolution of the Primary Board. A general response to all these statements and argu- ments might be, that, admitting all these propositions and charges to be true, — in what manner had the pub- lic interest, our schools, or the cause of education, suffered from the " anomalous " character or the exer- cise of these powers, by the Primary School Commit- tee ? The several documents, in relation to the subject, answer the question. Mayor Bigelow says of the Committee, " The mem- bers themselves are deservedly held in grateful respect by the people for their services ; " and the Committee on Public Instruction, of the same year, add — 270 REVIEW. Your Committee cannot, however, in justice to those of our fellow-citizens, by whose public spirit and devotion, the one hundred and seventy-eight Primary Schools of our city are regulated and controlled, dismiss the subject without adding their testimony to that of His Honor the Mayor, in favor of the zeal and efficiency evinced by the Primary School Board. Though elected by a wrong system, these gentlemen have per- formed the arduous duties of their station in an able manner, and to their enlightened action is the present satisfactory condition of the schools mainly attributable. Those schools indicate how successfully the action of tal- ented and devoted agents can overcome radical defects in the system by which those agents were placed in power. These opinions are confirmed by the report of the same Committee, in 1852,* as follows : Little was it probably thought, at the commencement of these schools, that this humble beginning would grow into the great system which now exists, underlying our whole school system as its ground work, and affording the means of educa- tion, not only to the poor and neglected, but to all classes of society, however intelligent or wealthy. There are now no less than forty-five Primary School-houses, many of them ele- gant structures. There are one hundred and ninety Primary Schools. The number of pupils instructed in them is eleven thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight ! and the expenditure for their support the last year, was $97,648 47 for current expenses; and |51,010 69 for school-houses, making a total of $130,659 16. The statement of these facts is in itself a well merited compliment to those gentlemen who first inter- ested themselves in this cause, and to those who have from time to time devoted themselves with so much zeal and useful- ^ness in its service. And it may be proper to premise, before * City Document No. 22. REVIEW. 271 proceeding further, that all our remarks are made with entire respect to those individuals who have comprised the Primary Sohool Board in times past, or who at present comprise it, and apply, not to the persons, but to the system. The cata- logue of the names of the gentlemen who have served on that Committee, contains those which would do honor to any city, — those who, from their quiet, unobtrusive labors in this department of duty, for a long series of years, should be held by their fellow-citizens in lasting remembrance. At an adjourned meeting of the School Committee, January 16, 1855, Rev. Dr. Lothrop, in behalf of the Committee, to which was referred the communication of the Secretary of the late Primary School Committee, reported that they had discharged the duty assigned them, and added : When first instituted in 1818, the Primary School Commit- tee consisted of thirty-six members ; twenty-five Primary Schools were established, and about one thousand children were in attendance. At the time that it became extinct, the Committee consisted of one hundred and ninety-six members, and bequeathed to the care of our Committee one hundred and ninety-seven schools, at which over twelve thousand pupils attended. In view of these facts, however satisfactory may be the various reasons that prevailed with the public mind to produce the change which has been adopted, all will agree that the plan which has now been abandoned had many excellences ; that under it this department of public instruc- tion has been constantly enlarged to meet the wants of the increasing population of the city; and that the gentlemen who, from time to time, have served on this Committee, many of them for many years, have generally been men of integ- rity, honor, and public spirit, who have aimed at a strict and faithful discharge of the duties of their trust, and who are 272 REVIEW. entitled to the gratitude of the community for the services they have rendered. The following resolution accompanied the report : Resolved, That in receiving the records and papers of the late Primary School Committee, this Board, in behalf of the citizens of Boston, by whom they have been entrusted -with the guardianship of the great interests of public instruction, desire to place upon their records an expression of the just appreciation which they entertain of the value and fidelity of the services of those gentlemen who, from time to time, have been members of said Primary School Committee, and zeal- ously discharged its duties. The report was accepted, and the resolution was adopted. These universal expressions of respect and confi- dence, in regard to the members, and the unreserved testimony in favor of the manner in which the affairs of the Primary Schools had been conducted, prove conclusively that no injury, but great benefits, had re- sulted from this " anomalous " organization. With this disposition of the general question, we will now proceed to examine the grounds on which the " system " was condemned. First. It was "anomalous to the genius of our institutions." The " genius of our institutions " may be defined as " the voice of the people, legally expressed ; " and the establishment of the Primary School Committee, by the people assembled in town meeting at Faneuil Hall, was an act preeminently in conformity with this aphor- ism. Established by competent authority, its public REVIEW. 273 position was always recognized by the City Govern- ment, and remained michallenged from 1822 till 1850. Second. They had " the expenditure of a very great amount of the public moneys," without being " chosen by the people, or by the City Government." The Primary Board have never possessed nor exer- cised the power to expend the " public moneys." The salaries of their teachers were fixed by vote of the City Council, and paid by the City Treasurer; the school- houses were planned and built, — school-rooms were hired, — the furniture and fuel were supplied, by the sole order of the City Council, — the incidental repairs and alterations were made by the Committee and Superintendent of Public Buildings, entirely independ- ent of the Primary Board or its Committees. With the exception of about one hundred dollars, for the deliv- ery of notices and the expenses incurred by the Secre- tary, and two dollars to each school for rewards, neither the Board nor its members ever had the control or expenditure of a dollar of the " public moneys." Third. They assumed powers "not vested in them by law," and illegally increased their number of mem- bers. A complete refutation of this is contained in the Memorial of the Board and the proceedings of the City Government in 1823.* Fourth. " As a deliberative or executive body, it had become too numerous for the purposes entrusted to its care." As this appears to be merely an opinion, without any reasons or proof being given to sustain it, it is only * See page 72-76. 35 274 REVIEW. necessary to state, that we are not aware of any diffi- culty being felt or experienced from the number of members. On the contrary, the large number of our citizens who, by this means, were brought into imme- diate contact with the schools, became thoroughly acquainted with our system of public education; and by participating in the labor, care and responsibility of its management, felt a higher degree of interest in its success, disseminated a knowledge of its details and operation, and by this means strengthened and elevated our Public Schools in the estimation of the people at large ; and to this cause may be attributed much of that preeminence which has characterized the Boston Public Schools. The reasons for the large number of members, as presented in the Memorial of the Board to the City Council, in 1823, were as valid in 1850 as at that time. Fifth. " The objectionable mode in which the mem- bers were elected and vacancies filled, in the manner of close corporations." The City Solicitor, in reply to questions by the Gram- mar Board, in 1849, declared that the Grammar School Committee, " being originally authorized by the town, might properly appoint the Primary School Committee to take particular charge of the Primary Schools, as a department or sub-division of the general system of Public Schools." This was the practice during the entire existence of the Primary Board ; and as a sub-committee, they were subject to appointment every year, under the following rules of the Grammar Board : REVIEW. 275 In January or February, annually, this Board shall nomi- nate and appoint a suitable number of gentlemen, whose duty shall be to provide instruction for children between four and eight years of age, by means of the Primary Schools, and shall authorize the Committee of these schools to organize their body and regulate their proceedings as they may deem most convenient, and to remove such members thereof, as, in their opinion, do not attend to their duties, and to fill all vacancies which may occur in the same, and they shall report to this Board, at its quarterly meeting in May, as follows : 1st. The plan of their organization, including the names of the officers and Committees, the rules and regulations which govern their Board, and the classification adopted in the schools. 2d. The number of schools under their charge, their loca- tion, together with the number and names of the teachers. 3d. The number of scholars, male and female, and the studies required. 4th. A schedule of the Primary School-rooms owned by the city, the number of the same hired by the city, the num- ber vacant of the same, owned by the city, the number new of the same, which will be required during the year, and the districts in which they must be provided. And this Board will respectfully receive such other com- munications as from time to time they may please to make on the subject of those schools. With these facts before us, it is difficult to discover the analogy between the Primary Board and " a close corporation." To judge whether the mode of filling the vacancies^ ad interim, by the Primary Board, was justly liable to censure, it is proper to state the process. Whenever a new school was established, or a vacancy occurred, by 276 REVIEW. resignation or otherwise, the Committee of the district ia which the school was located, proceeded to select a gentleman whose known interest in the schools and social position qualified him for the office. This was done by ballot, and in all cases preference was given to those whose business or residence was in the vicinity of the school. This was of much importance, as all mat- ters pertaining to the teacher or school were under the special care of the Local Committee. It was also a great convenience to the citizens, inasmuch as all the children were admitted and transferred by certificate of the Committee, which they were obliged to obtain from him. After the ballot was taken, and the party selected had signified his willingness to serve, his name, with the number of the school and district with which he was to be connected, was issued in a printed notice to all the members, and his admission was subjected to ballot at the quarterly meeting of the whole Board. A person, therefore, was subject to tivo elections, by dif- ferent bodies, before he could be even nominated for appointment by the Grammar Board, as a member of the Primary School Committee. A " mode " of pro- ceeding far more critical than is usually attempted in the selection of candidates for the Grammar School Committee. The power to remove any member for neglect of duty^ vested in the Executive Committee, had a tendency to maintain the standard of supervision to a healthy point. This and an entire absence of all political bias in the selection of members, were ele- ments of great value in a system of universal educa- tion, but which could only be attained by some other " mode " than that of popular nominations at the ward rooms. REVIEW. 277 The Sixth and last objection we have to notice, is, " that its continuance perpetuated a want of unity in our school system." The union of the Primary and Grammar Schools, under one Committee, Avas but one step towards the object in view. Other elementary changes were con- templated, some of which had been already introduced. Among these projected improvements, was the congre- gating of large numbers of children and teachers under one roof, subject to the control of a single head, render- ing the duties of the master those of a subordinate super- intendent, rather than an instructor. The reduction in the number of the Committee, and consequent increase of care and responsibility on each of the members, rendered the appointment of a Superintendent neces- sary and imperative, to aid in the discharge of the onerous duties incumbent on the Committee. The natural tendency of all this was to concentrate the vast interests of our schools in the hands of a few; and through the agency of the Superintendent, to bring the Boston schools more directly under the influence of the Massachusetts Board of Education, — a body created by the State Legislature as a great central power, to give impulse and direction to the method of conducting the education of the young in all the Public Schools throughout the Commonwealth. To render the Boston schools subordinate to this system of centralization, was the real development of the idea of "unity in our school system." That the Primary Board, in principle and practice, was in direct antagonism to this system, is true. Its 278 EEVIEW. origin and organization were essentially popular and democratic. Its object was to extend the blessings of education to the children of poverty and ignorance, and by this means to qualify the children of the poor emigrant for intelligent citizenship. Opposed by the constituted authorities, the object was approved and the schools established, by the people. And it was the peculiar province of this organization to diffuse the control and administration of our schools among as large a number of the citizens as practicable. Whether the change, by which a new, untried and experimental system has been substituted, will prove to have been judicious, or be so beneficial as was confidently predicted by its friends, time only can determine. Through that inexorable ordeal the Pri- mary School system has passed, with honor and suc- cess. That equal, if not greater success, may attend our schools, under their present organization, or in whatever manner they may be organized and gov- erned, and that they may continue to be a source of pride and hope, is our own, and will always be the desire of every good citizen and friend of pop- ular education. In closing our labors by this review of the opinions and action of those gentlemen, through whose in- fluence and exertions the Primary School Committee was abolished, we desire to disclaim attributing to them or their coadjutors, any other than high and honorable motives in their opposition ; and we believe that the correction of the historical errors in their rep- resentations, upon which it is evident much of their REVIEW. 279 opposition has been based, will be received by them in a kindly spirit; and as an act of justice to a body, that, however "anomalous" and peculiar it might be in its constitution, was, nevertheless, a Bos- ton institution of acknowledged excellence, efficiency, and success, and one whose entire record is unsullied by a single act that we would wish to blot. APPENDIX. FINAL AND SEVENTH ^nitiial Report of tlje Mpl of Inkstrj, |t0. 1; EOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT. BOSTON, NOVEMBER, 1819. The Managers of the School of Industry again have the pleasure of pre- senting their acknowledgments to the friends and benefactors of this Institu- tion for the encouragement and support they have thus far liberally bestowed. And with gratitude for favors conferred, they would offer the general senti- ment of the Ladies to dissolve the Association, for the present ; convinced as they are, necessity does not immediately urge the duty, and fearful of taxing private individuals unnecessarily — as the number of children is very small, compared with the many who have attended the past years ; the smaller class having been sent to the Primary Schools, lately provided by the town, which prevents in a degree, our longer continuance to our own satisfaction. Some few of the oldest have been placed in good families, where they will be made useful members of society, and blessings in the world. Seven years have now elapsed since the commencement of this institution, and the purest motives of our hearts have been exercised in its progress ; and the success that has generally attended our efforts, has been a sufficient stimulus to the performance of one of the most interesting duties of life, and it is with sensations of regret we this day dissolve a connection that has ever contributed to our happiness, formed as it was, at a period when most needed, and when every day presented a scene of ignorance and vice, mel- ancholy to behold ; children almost constantly in the streets, exciting the pity of strangers, and sympathy of friends, exposed as they were to the present evil world, without employment, and perhaps no virtuous example, to guide their steps aright, acquiring habits of indolence and wickedness, not easily effaced. Here they have been early taught the first lessons of knowledge. APPENDIX. 281 the most simple branclies of learning, and their diligence and industry have been frequently commendable ; and we trust some good impressions have been made, some seeds of virtue will be permitted to thrive ; as their open- ing minds expand, they will naturally appreciate the advantages given them, and be ready to bless the friends who have thus kindly prepared them for virtue and goodness. Much praise is due to the young ladies for the interest they have displayed in the welfare of the children ; their attention to the reading, and constant attendance, entitle them to om* warmest thanks. Since the formation of this society, several others have been established on a similar plan with our own, and this, we are happy to think, was the first of the kind instituted in Boston. After examining the Treasurer's accounts, it is hoped the benefactors will be perfectly satisfied with the statement given, and appropriation of the funds. The medals presented as rewards of merit to the children, it is pro- posed, should be distributed for the same purpose, to the Primary Schools in the three neighboring wards. May the time spent here cheer the recollection as hours well spent, and each member be rewarded with an approving conscience, and the smiles of Heaven. At a meeting of the Managers at the school room, on the 2d day of Nov., 1819 — the above report, together Avith the abstract of the Treasurer's accounts, was directed to be read, and copies distributed. Voted^ That this meeting be adjourned to the 29th November, and in the mean time, Joseph Austin, Esq., and Dr. Robert Fennelly be requested to examine and settle the Treasurer's accounts. The following abstract was presented by the Treasurer. Expenses of School of Industry from the first year to the present, viz. : Paid for stock, . . = $284 57 Wood, 191 07 Clothes, 39 95 Shoes,. 25156 Hose, '' 3^ Mrs. Wheelwright, ^^^ ^*^ Miss Trench, as assistant, ^^ 00 Miss Hill, do ^'^ ^*^ n 1 T. ' f . . 640 00 Col. Eager s rent, Miscellaneous, viz., books, furniture, &c., . • • 49 14 T? • ... 7 54 Kepairs, 36 282 APPENDIX. Writing School, Advertising, Counterfeit bills, . ..... By amount of subscription, and donations from Nov. 1812, to Nov., 1819, Amount of sales and work, Balance, $72 05 7 65 3 00 5 00 $1,936 21 1,420 92 587 34 $2,008 26 Three hundred children have been admitted into the school. Boston, Nov. 2Qth, 1819. — We have at the request of the Managers of the School of Industrj'^, examined the accounts of the Treasurer, and find them correct, leaving a balance of 72 dollars 5 cents. Signed, JOSEPH AUSTIN, ROBERT FENELLY. At a meeting of the Managers of the School of Industry, Nov. 29th, 1819, it was agreed that the balance in the hands of the Treasurer be appropriated towards the schooling of poor children, (not otherwise provided for.) That Mrs. Wheelwright be authorized to take such children as any of the subscrib- ers may approve, and present her bill quarterly for payment, until the whole remaining money shall be expended, after deducting ten dollars now pre- sented her, and the necessary expenses for pnnting, &c. The managers of the School of Industry having been in the practice of distinguishing the most attentive scholars, by the wearing of a medal on each monthly day of examination, and finding that the hopes of such a distinction excited a spirit of industry among the children, and as that institution is now dissolved, the Committee of the Primary Schools, in Ward Nos. 1 and 2, are requested to accept the said medals to be used for the same purpose in the schools which they superintend. SARAH AUSTIN, Secretary. [foeji of certificate.] TO MRS. WHEELWRIGHT. Admit into your School for one quarter from the day of 1820, and write on the back of this that she has attended one quarter, and I will give an order on Mrs. Webster the Treas- urer, for the payment of your bill, (at ten cents a week,) for one dollar and thirty cents. COPY OF THE FIRST UTILES AND EEGTJLATIONS ADOPTED BY THE PRIMAEY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. BOSTON, JULY, 1820. At a meeting of the Primary School Committee, held July 27th, 1820, the following Rules and Regulations were adopted for the government of this Board, and the several schools under their jurisdiction. Attest, P. MACKINTOSH, Jr., Sec'y. RULES AND REGULATIONS. ORGANIZATION. The officers of this Board shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary, Treas- urer, and a Standing Committee. SECTION L OP THE WHOLE BOARD. A representation of seven wards shall be a quorum at any meeting for the transaction of business. The quarterly meetings of this Board shall be holden on the third Tues- days in August, November, February and May. All nominations to fill vacancies at this Board, shall be made at a meeting previous to that when the election shall be made. The elections of the permanent officers and the Standing Committee, and also the filling of all vacancies of members, shall be made by written ballots. In order to secure the due attendance of members, the Secretary, in issuing notifications for the meetings, shall note in writing on the notification of any member absent from the last meeting the fact of such absence, and that his attendance is desired, unless he intend to resign his seat. SECTION IL The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings, and be respected and obeyed accordingly. SECTION IIL DUTIES OP THE SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of all the doings of the Board he shall notify the members of all meetings ; he shall note their absence 284 APPENDIX. from the last meeting, agreeably to the last clause of the first section ; and perform all other duties wliich by custom appertain to his office. SECTION IV. DUTIES OF THE TREASURER. The treasurer shall keep a fail- and accurate account of the moneyed con- cerns of the Board. He is authorized to receive from the Town Treasurer all moneys granted for the support of the Primary Schools ; and pay the instructors of the schools, quarterly, their bills being first approved by the Committee of the ward or district to which they belong. His accounts shall be audited, or Inspected, whenever the Board may appoint a Committee for that purpose. At the close of the year he shall make a transcript or an abstract of his accounts as audited, to be laid before the Board. SECTION V. OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE. The Standing Committee shall consist of seven members, to be appointed by this Board, whose duty it shall be to meet on the second Tuesday of each month, to consider of every subject relating to the Primary Schools, and the same to visit semi-annually, and report at every quarterly meeting, recom- mending any improvements necessary to obtain the general objects of this Board. SECTION VI. WARD OR DISTRICT COMMITTEES. The "Ward Committees are constituted of the three gentlemen appointed by the School Committee from each ward. When two or more wai-ds are joined, they shall be termed a district, and the Committee a District Committee. Each school shall be opened and directed by the Committee of the ward or district in which It Is placed, consulting, If It stand near another ward, the Committee of that ward. To the same shall belong the duty of locating the schools, of engaging competent mistresses, and the same to remove, on proof of any sufficient cause, and of controlling aU matters relating to the estab- lishment. They shall visit, examine, and Inquire into the state of the school or schools under their charge, at least once a month, and oftener, if conve- nient. They shall meet at least ten days previous to the quarterly meetings, to prepare, from the returns of the several schoolmistresses, A report to be made forthwith to the Standing Committee, together with said returns, with such observations as they may deem proper to make. Previous to the removal of a child to the Grammar School, such child shall pass an examination to the satisfaction of one or more of the respective Ward or District Committees, who, to each child appearing sufficiently qualified for entrance at the upper school, shall grant a certificate in the following form : APPENDIX. 285 CERTIFICATE OF EECOJIMENDATION. The bearer A. B., child of C. D., having been instructed at the Primary School, kept by E. F., and being years of age, is thought qualified for admission at the English Grammar School under your direction, to which he is recommended by G. H., Committee of Ward No. To I. K., Master of the English Grammar School. It shall be the duty of the several Ward or District Committees to keep a record of their proceedings relative to the schools under their management. When notified by the Standing Committee of an intended semi-annual visitation, each Ward or District Committee shall detach one or more, to introduce the Standing Committee to their schools, and assist at the examination. SECTION VII. OF THE INSTRUCTORS AND THE SCHOOLS. The schoolmistresses are to be appointed, and the schools located, by the Committees of the resj^ective wards or districts, who have the management of them under the direction of the whole Board. Each schoolmistress shall stand precisely on equal terms in point of com- pensation ; and the compensation allowed them is in full for tuition, school rent, fuel, and all other expenses. All the schools shall be as nearly equal m point of numbers as may be — it being desirable that none have more than fifty, nor less than forty, as con- stant attendants. No pupil shall be received into the Primary Schools without a ticket of admittance from one of the Ward or District Committees. The instructors employed by this Board are expressly prohibited from receiving pay for any private pupils instructed by them at their schools. The pupils in each of the schools shall be arranged into four classes, viz. : Those in the Testament shall be of the 1st class. Those in easy reading, of the 2d class. Those who spell two or more syllables, of the 3d class. Those learning their monosyllables, of the 4th class. The books shall be the same in every school for each pupil, {liereafler admitted, \\z. :) The 1st class shall use the Testament. The 2d class shall use Bingham's Child's Companion. The 3d and 4th classes shall use Kelly's Child's Instructcr. Pvewards of merit bestowed on the scholars shall consist of reward tickets, small moral books, or class medals, as the Committee of the ward or district may determine. If medals are allowed, they are to be worn by the best scholars, for the time being, under the direction of the schoolmistress. To 286 APPENDIX. defray the expense of these rewards, one dollar for each school shall annually be appropriated. It shall be the duty of the mistress, besides the usual business of teaching, to keep an account of the absence or negligence of any children, and make report to the Ward Committee, whose duty thereupon shall be to visit the parents, and endeavor to secure regular attention. She shall also be required to pay particular regard to the neatness and cleanliness of the children. On the monthly visitations of the Ward or District Committees, and the semi-annual visitation of the Standing Committee, it shall be the duty of the instructors, respectively, to exhibit the progress and improvements made by the children under their care, in conformity to the desires of the visiting Committee. The schoolmistresses shall be excused from keeping school on the following days, viz. : Every Thursday and Saturday afternoons throughout the year ; the after- noons preceding Fasts and Thanksgivings ; the first Monday in June ; Elec- tion Week ; the 4th day of July ; Commencement Week, and Christmas Day ; but no other day, except by a special vote of the Ward or District Committee. No scholar shall be removed to the Grammar Schools by the schoolmis- tresses, without first being examined and furnished with a certificate of recom- mendation, if he or she deserve it, by one of the Ward or District Committee. Returns from each of the schools shall be made quarterly, on the last days of July, October, January, and April, by the instructors, to the District or Ward Committees — stating the ages, the number of male and female pupils • the progress of each, and whatever else may be designated by the blanks furnished by the Board. In order early to impress on the minds of our youth, the importance of religious duties, and their entire dependence on their Maker, the instructors are desired to open their schools in the morning with a short prayer, and close with the same service in the afternoon. Whenever, by sickness or otherwise, an instructor is compelled to vacate her station for a season, it shall be her duty to inform the Ward or District Committee, who will either appoint a mistress pro tern.., or approve one selected by the mistress. APPENDIX. 287 PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE, FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1821. Ward No. 1— Three Schools. Kev. Henry Ware, George Darracott, Isaac Harris. No. 2— Four Schools. Samuel Hicliborn, Jr., Lewis Leland, Thomas Fracker. No. 3. — Four Schools. Thomas Wells, Dr. Horace Bean, Nathan Webb. No. 4 — Tioo Schools. James Davis, Samuel Howe, Keuben Eichards, Jr. No. 5 — Two Schools. Moses Grant, Dr. George C. Shattuck, Samuel T. Armstrong. Nos. 6 and 7 — Five Schools. Rev.. Paul Dean, Peter Mackintosh, Jr., Andrew Green. No. 7. William Thurston, Samuel Coverly, Rev. Sereno E. Dwight. Nos. 8 and 9— Five Schools. Dr. Samuel Clarke, Francis Welch, Isaac Mansfield. No. 9. James Savage, William Brown, Phny Cutler. Nos. 10 and 11— Five Schools. Thomas L. Winthrop, Samuel Norwood, Lewis Tappan. No. 11. Elisha Tick nor, Thomas Jackson, Samuel Dorr. No. 12— Five Schools. William Dall, Thomas B. Wait, William Jackson. Thomas L. Winthrop, Esq., Chairman. Peter Mackintosh, Jr., Secretary. William Brown, Esq., Treasurer. STANDING Thomas B. Wait, COMMITTEE. Moses Grant, James Savage, Isaac Harris, Peter Mackintosh, Jr., Thomas Wells, Lewis Tappan. 288 APPENDIX. At a meeting of the Primary School Committee, held February 20th, 1821, the following System of Instruction was adopted, to be pursued in all the Primary Schools. Attest, P. MACKINTOSH, Jr., Secretary. COURSE AND MODE OF IXSTRUCTION TO BE PURSUED IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The fourth or youngest class shall stand up with due ceremony, at as great a distance from the instructor as possible, and read, with a distinct and audi- ble tone of voice, in words of one syllable. No one of this class shall be advanced to the third or higher class, who cannot read deliberately and cor- rectly in words of one and two syllables. No one of the third class shall be advanced to the second class who cannot spell with ease and propriety words of three, four and five syllables, and read all the reading lessons in Kelly's spelling book. No one of the second class shall be advanced to the first class who has not learned perfectly by heart, and recited, as far as practicable, all the reading lessons in Kelly's spelling book ; the Commandments and Lord's Prayer ; all the stops and marks, and their uses in reading ; and in Bingham's spelling book, the use of the common abbreviations, such as a. m., d. d., l.l. d., &c. ; the use of numbers, and letters used for numbers, in reading ; the catalogue of words of similar sound, but different in spelling and signification ; the catalogue of vulgarisms, such as chimney, not chimbly, vinegar, not win- egar, &c. No one of the first class shall be recommended by the Examining Com- mittee to be received into the English Grammar schools, unless he or she can spell correctly, read fluently in the New Testament, and has learned the several branches taught in the second class ; and also the use and nature of the pauses ; and is of good behavior. And each of the scholars, before being recommended, shall be able to read deliberately and audibly, so as to be heard in any part of the Grammar Schools. Thus a foundation will be laid in the Primary Schools for farther and greater improvements in the EngHsh Grammar Schools than has heretofore been known ; and of course the scholars from the Primary Schools will be qualified to enter the Grammar Schools on an advanced standing. The Committee particularly recommend, that the instructors shall employ the girls occasionally, (especially those of the first class,) in sewing and knit- ting, so far as the same shall not interfere with their progress in learning. N. B. — The books to be used in the schools are the same as prescribed in the Rules and Regulations, viz.': The 4th and 3d classes, Kelly's Child's Instructer. APPENDIX. 289 The 2d class, Child's Instructer continued, and Bingham's Child's Companion The 1st class, Instructer and Companion continued, and the New Testament. No other kind of books are allowed to be introduced, or used as substitutes for any of the above-cited, unless by order of the Board At a quarterly meeting of the Prknary School Committee, August 15> 1820, the following Rule was adopted; No child shall be admitted into a school, unless provided with the neces- sary books. Also, at an adjourned quarterly meeting, November 20, 1820, the following Rules were adopted : Teachers will note the absence or tardiness of their scholars daily, and insert the result in their quarterly returns, opposite the names of the scholars, and under the head of " Remarks." Teachers are not allowed to permit visitors to tarry in their schools, nor to be themselves employed in needle or other work during school hours. The instructors are requested, in making their quarterly returns, to insert the Christian names of the scholars, and to arrange them by classes, placing the girls first in order. Attest, PETER MACKINTOSH, Jr., Secretary. 37 CATALOGUE OB" THE GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERS OP THB PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THEIR SERVICE, INSTITUTION, JUNE 22, 1818, TO ITS DISCONTINUANCE IN JANUARY, 1855. CATALOGUE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD. Thomas L. Winthrop, 1818—1821 ; resigned June, 1822. James Savage, June, 1822, 1823 ; resigned June, 1824. Moses Grant, June, 1824 — 1833. Lewis G. Pray, January, 1834, 1835. George W. Otis, Jr., 183G— 1839. Richard W. Bayley, 1840—1843. Josiah F. Bumstead, 1844—1846. Eben Jones, 1847—1849. Francis Brown, 1850, 1851. Charles Edward Cook, 1852, 1853. Alvan Sunonds, 1854. SECRETARIES OF THE BOARD. James Savage, 1818, 1819 ; resigned June, 1820. Peter Mackintosh, Jr., June, 1820 — 22. Charles Ewer, June, 1823. William T. Andrews, June, 1824—1828. Frederic T. Gray, January, 1829-1832. Edward G. Davis, 1833, 1834. Gustavus Horton, 1835 ; resigned May, 1836. Joseph Curtis, May, 1836—1841. Alvan Simonds, 1842—1851 ; resigned March, 1852. Charles Demond, March, 1852—1855. CHAIRMEN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE. Elisha Ticknor, 1819, 1820; died July, 1821. James Savage, July, 1821—1823; resigned June, 1824. Thomas Wells, August, 1824—1829. Francis Parkman, 1830—1833. Charles Walker, 1834 294 APPENDIX. George W. Otis, 1835. Samuel Tenney, 1836, 1837. Eicbard W. Bayley, 1838, 1839. Josiah F. Bumstead, 1840—1843. Frederic A. Sumner, 1844. Joseph W. Ingraliam, 1845 — 1847 ; died August, 1848 Joseph M. Wightman, September, 1848 — 1855. SECRETARIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE. Peter Mackintosh, Jr., 1819. Moses Grant, 1820—1829. Lewis G. Pray, 1830—1832. Charles Walker, 1833. George W. Otis, Jr., 1834. Frederic A. Sumner, 1835—1843. Alvan Simonds, 1844 — 1851. Charles Demond, 1852—1855. TREASURER OF THE BOARD. William Brown, 1819—1823 ; office aboHshed, 1824. PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The figures indicate the date of appointment, and the number of years of service. Austin, Benjamin 1818, 1819 Armstrong, Samuel T 1820 Adams, Zabdiel B 1821—1825 Adan, John E 1824 Andrews, William T.. . . 1824—1828 Austin, Richard 18S3 — 1838 Appleton, John 1833 Andrews, Henry E 1836—1855 Adams, Thomas 1838, 1839 Allen, James M 1842, 1843 Abrahams, Benjamin 1843 Atkins, John 1844—1847 Allen, Charles J. F 1844—1855 Abbott, Samuel L 1846—1853 Adams, Isaac 1846—1849 Atkins, Ebenezer 1847 — 1855 Atwood, Charles H 1847—1855 Alvord, John W 1847—1853 Allen, Samuel C 1848 Allen, Joseph H 1850 Allen, James B 1850 Allen, Nathaniel G 1851, 1852 Appleton, William, Jr. . . 1852, 1853 Allen, Frederic D 1852—1855 Alley, James B 1853, 1854 Adams, Colman S 1853, 1854 Burditt, James W 1818 Baldwin, Eev. Thomas . . . 1818, 1819 Bell, Shubael 1818 Brown, William 1818-1826 Bellows, John 1818, 1819 Bean, Horace 1819, 1820 Bordman, Thomas S 1819 Baker, John 1821 Bradlee, Samuel 1821—1823 Blanchard, Joshua P 1824—1831 Bemis, Charles 1824 Bent, Adam 1824—1831 Baker, John 1824, 1825 Barry, William, Jr 1825 Bowdoln, James 1825, 182G Betton, NInlan C 1826 — 1828 Bumstead, Joslah F 1826 — 1855 Bliss, Alexander 1826 Blaney, William 1827, 1828 Barrett, N. A 1827 — 1831 Bigelow, John P 1827 — 1837 Bradshaw, Andrew 1827, 1828 Butts, John E 1828 Barnes, Seth II 1829—1832 Blalsdell, Eev. Silas 1830 Bulfinch, George S 1830 — 1832 Blagden, Eev. George W 1831 Brown, Francis 1831 — 1855 Brown, William C 1832 Brown, John S 1833 Bayley, Eichard W 1834—1848 Barnard, Eev. C. F 1834—1836 Bourne, I. W 1835—1841 Bullard, Francis 1835—1847 Brigham, AVilliam 183G Brown, William 1836, 1837, 1850 Brown, Benjamin 1836 Battles, Jason D 1837—1839 Bayley, Thomas J 1837, 1838 Bowditch, Henry 1 1837—1850 Barry, Charles C 1837—1850 BedliuQTton, Timothy 1838—1841 Bemis,'George 1840—1844 Burroughs, Henry 1842—1849 Brooks, WiUIam B 1842—1848 Buck, Ephralm, Jr. . . . 1842—1848 Bell, Theodore H 1842-1854 Boardman, Charles 1844 — 1846 Brooks, Eev. Charles . . . 1844—1851 Bond, George W 1844, 1845 Breed, Horace A 1844, 1845 Beal, Thacher 1844—1855 Burnham, Choate 1844—1846 296 APPENDIX. Blake, John H 1845—1848 Blake, E. W 1846—1855 Bond, Charles R 1846 Blanchard, William E. . . 1846—1853 Bigelow, John 1847—1854 "Bowker, Albert 1847—1854 Butters, William A 1847—1850 Brevoort, Henry 1849—1855 Banvard, Rev. Joseph 1849 Brainard, Edward H 1850 Baker, Judah 1850 Bean, Aaron H 1850 Bowdlear, Samuel G 1852—1855 Bartlett, Ezra 1853, 1854 Beecher, Rev. Edward. . . 1853, 1854 Boynton, E., Jr 1853, 1854 Barrows, Horace G 1854 Buckingham, Charles E 1854 Bosworth, Rev. G. W 1854 Coverly, Samuel 1818—1820 Chapman, Henry 1818, 1819 Child, David W 1818 Chandler, Gardner L. ... 1818, 1819 Clarke, Samuel 1819, 1820 Cotton, John 1821 Chandler, Abiel 1823—1829 Capen,Rev.L. 1823— 1831; 1842,1843 Cartwright, C. W 1824 Curtis, Jos. 1826—1829 ; 1834—1841 Child, David Lee 1826—1828 Clark, Joseph 1828—1832 Coit, Daniel T 1829—1855 Croswell, Rev. William. . 1829—1831 Clark, James 1829—1832 Cobb, Elijah 1830—1842 Choate, Charles 1831—1834 Center, John 1832—1835 Coburn, Caleb 1832—1835 Cragin, Lorenzo S 1832 — 1855 Codman, Edward 1833—1835 Cutler, Samuel L 1834 Chessman, Samuel 1835 — 1838 Chapin, A. B 1836 Clark, Henry G 1837—1855 Clark, Moses 1837 Clapp, Henry, Jr 1838 — 1840 Crebore, Daniel S 1839—1841 Getting, Benjamin E 1840, 1841 Coolidge, William D. . . . 1843—1847 Cushman, Freeman L. . . . 1842, 1843 Calrow, William H. . . . 1844—1855 Cumings, Bradley N 1844, 1845 Crosby*^ Loammi 1844—1855 Crosby, Frederic 1844-1849 Clarke, Rev. Dorus 1844—1847 Child, Asaph B 1844—1851 Carter, Oliver .Y7. 1844—1855 Coale, William E 1845—1847 Crane, Horatio N 1846 Crowell, Rev. William . . 1846—1848 Cotton, Nath. D 1847, 1848 Cruft, Rev. S. B 1847—1855 Cook, Rev. Theo. D. . . . 1848—1851 Cole, Morrill 1848—1852 Clarke, Rev. James F 1849 Chase, Thomas F 1849 Cheney, J. H 1849—1852 Cook, Charles E 1850—1852 Cummings, J. A 1850 Cushing, Andrew 1851 — 1855 Chesbrough, E. S 1851—1853 Clark, Leister M 1851—1855 Cutter, A. E 1861 Clement, J. S 1852—1855 Curtis, George A 1853, 1854 Cudworth, Rev. W. H.. . . 1853, 1854 Clark, Rev. R. W 1853, 1854 Chase, Henry S 1853, 1854 CHnch, Rev. J. H 1853, 1854 Cragin, Lorenzo S., Jr 1854 Calclicott, Rev. T. F 1854 Clark, Calvin W 1 854 Crowell, Seth K 1854 Dean, Rev. Paul 1818—1821 Dorr, John 1818 Dall, William 1818—1820 Davis, James 1819, 1820 Darracott, George 1820 Dwight, Rev. S.^E 1820, 1821 Dow", Samuel 1820 Domett, George 1823—1826 Davis, Samuel 1823—1831 Dupee, Israel T 1825—1828 Dorr, William B 1825, 1826 Dane, John 1826 Dwight, Rev. Louis 1826—1833 Davts, Edward G 1827—1835 Drake, Jeremy 1827—1834 Dyer, Henry 1830—1836 Durgin, Clement 1833, 1834 Dow, James B 1834—1855 Dunham, J., Jr 1836, 1837 Dall, Joseph 1837—1839 Dix, John H 1S39 Daniel, Josiah N 1839, 1840 Dana, Francis 1839, 1840 Daniel, Chester 1840 Dupee, Horace, Jr 1841—1855 APPENDIX. 297 Dale, William J 1841, 1842 DIngley, John T 1841—1855 Ditson, Oliver 1841—1855 *Dall, William 1842—1855 Ditson, Thomas 1842, 1843 Dajs Albert 1843 Dodge, Charles H 1844—1846 Davenport, Henry 1844—1846 Dimon, Oliver 1846—1850 Davenport, AV. W 1846 Demond, Thomas D 1847—1853 Dyke, William 1849—1855 Dutton, Ormond 1850—1855 Demond, Charles 1850—1855 Dennett, William H 1850—1855 Dalton, Henry L 1852—1855 Damon, Samuel G 1852 — 1855 Dearing, T. H 1852 Duncklee, B. W 1853, 1854 Dutton, George D 1853, 1854 Damon, Calvin 1853, 1854 Deblois, George L 1853, 1854 Danforth, John C 1853, 1854 Davis, Thomas 1854 Denison, J. N 1854 Elliot, John , 1821—1823 Ewer, Charles 1821—1823 Edson, Rev. Theo 1823 Eustis, William T 1825 Emerson, Geo. B 1826—1834 Ellis, Samuel 1827, 1828 Elliot, George A 1832—1835 Esterljrook, James 1835 Emmons, J. L. 1835— 1837 ; 1840, 1841 Everett, Otis 1835—1837 Eustis, William 1830 Eayrs, J. H 1839 Ellis, Rowland 1840—1848 Eaton, William 1841—1855 Eddy, Frederic A 1842, 1843 Emmons, Charles G 1842—1846 Ellis, Jonathan 1849 Eaton, Charles F 1850—1855 Evans, Jonas 1850 Eastman, Edmund T.. . . 1852—1855 Elliot, Charles W 1854 Ellis, Rev. Rufus 1^54 Ellis, Calvin 1854 Fennelly, Robert 1818, 1819 Fracher, Thomas 1819—1823 Fowle, William B 1821 Fowle, Henry, Jr 1821—1829 Farrington, Thomas 1821 French, Benjamin Fairbanks, Gerry Fenno, John, Jr Farrie, John, Jr Fairbanks, Stephen .... Fairchild, Rev. J. H Fisher, John D Freeman, William French, Charles Foster, William E Flint, John Field, Elisha Fowle, Samuel Ford, John V Fuller, Henry W Fowle, Joshua B. . . 1842, Fowle, Henry D Faxon, Isaiah Fowle, James Frothingham, Geo. W. . . Fogg, J. S. H Fox, James A Farwell, Lyman Forbes, Gustavus 1821— 1821— 1822— 1822 1824 1827— . 1831 1832- 1834— 1834— 1836 1840— 1843; 1844— 1847— 1847— , 1851, . 1853, . 1853, 1823 1829 1829 1825 1826 1836 1832 1835 1833 1836 1842 1850 1S36 1842 1842 1850 1855 1855 1855 1852 1854 1854 1853 1854 Gore, Samuel 1818 Grant, Moses 1818—1833 Green, Andrew 1820 Guild, Benjamin 1821-1825 Greele, Samuel 1821—1823 Green, Ellis B 1823, 1824 Gould, Benjamin A 1823—1828 Gay, Frederic A 1824, 1825 Gray, John C 1824 Gray, Rev. F. T.. 1825—1832; 1836 Gulliver, John 1826—1839 Greene, Benjamin H.. . . 1827—1855 Gore, Christopher 1828—1841 Gould, Frederic 1829—1831 Gray, Thomas, Jr 1829—1834 Gay, Martin 1830—1838 Geyer, Andrew 1833—1843 Gould, Augustus A 1833—1840 Gavett, William R 1838—1840 Greely, Philip, Jr 1840 Gove, Moses J 1848—1852 Guild, William H 1849 Goddard, Thomas A. . . . 1849—1855 Gill, Caleb 1849—1855 Goddard, Elias W 1849—1853 Gregerson, James B 1850 Greene, Moses C 1851—1855 Gaffield, Thomas 1851—1855 Giles, Alfred E 1851—1853 Glover, E.V 1851,1852 * Son of the member in 1818. 298 APPENDIX. Gardner, T. 1853 Gordon, James M 1854 Gay, Georsie II 1854 Goddard, Daniel T 1854 Hicliborn, Samuel 1818—1820 House, Samuel 1818—1820 Harris, Isaac 1820 Hood, Charles 1821—1824 Henchman, Daniel 1821—1848 Haven, J. A 1823 Hale, Enoch, Jr 1823—1825 Halleclc, Gerard 1824, 1825 Hobart, Enoch 1824—1842 Howe, Samuel 1825—1835 Head, Francis C 1825 Hatch, Hemy 1825—1838 HuntinjT, Bela 1825—1831 Hall, Whitney 182G— 1828 Hewes, John 1826 Holland, Samuel M 1826 Hunting, Thomas 1827—1837 Hutchinson, Thomas L 1828 Hartshorn, Eliphalet P.. 1828—1851 Hayward, James H 1829 Hunt, Freeman . . . 1831, 1833, 1834 Ilorton, Gustavus 1832—1831) Hall, S. W. 1833—1838; 1846—1848 Ilolbrook, Josiah 1833 Haynes, Guy C 1836—1847 Hosmer, Zelotes 1836 Howe, Cranston 1836—1851 Howe, William 1838—1850 Howes, Willis 1838—1841 Haynes, Edward, Jr 1839, 1840 Holman, Oliver 1840, 1841 Hooper, Henry N 1842, 1843 Howard, Edward 1842, 1843 Hawkes, Thomas B. . . . 1842—1855 Hobart, E. Aug 1843-1849 Homer, Henry 1842—1854 Humphrey, Francis J. . . 1842—1851 Harris, William 1844, 1845 Horton, David W 1844—1846 Harris, James W 1844—1846 Howes, Osborn 1846—1850 Hubbard, George 1847—1853 Hutchinson, J. B 1847—1850 Ilobbs, Alvah 1847—1853 Hovey, James G 1848, 1849 Horton, David E 1848 Hackett, Hiram 1849 Hey ward, Charles T 1850 Howard, William P 1849 Hunt, W. L. B 1850 Hale, Theodore P 1850 Hart, Nathaniel 1851—1855 Homer, S. J. M 1851—1855 Hammond, Thomas .... 1851 — 1855 Hamblen, David 1851 — 1855 Horton, Henry 1851 Howland, Edwin 1852—1855 Hall, Daniel 1852—1855 Hinckley, John W 1853, 1854 Harlow, Ivory 1853, 1854 Hapgood, Warren 1853, 1854 Hickey, Thomas H 1853, 1854 Ilerrick, J. E. . 1853, 1854 Hodges, R. M 1853, 1854 Ilomans, Charles D 1853, 1854 Ingraham, Joseph W. . . 1826—1848 Irwin, Kev. John 1853, 1854 Jackson, William 1820 Jackson, Thomas 1820 Jones, William 1824—1828 Jones, Ezekiel 1825 Jackson, Francis 1826—1835 James, John W 1827—1831 Jackson, J. B. S 1834, 1835 Jackson, Edmund 1835 — 1851 Jenkins, Solon 1835 — 1855 Jones, Eben 1836—1849 Jenkins, William C 1836—1842 Josselyn, Lewis 1837 Jarvis, William P 1838—1850 Jenney, Stephen 1848 — 1855 Jewell, Harvey 1851—1854 Knapp, William 1827—1828 Kent, Jacob II 1831 Kimball, David . .1835; 1843—1853 Kittredge, Josiah 1837 Kimball, Joshua B 1841—1843 Kemp, Nathaniel P 1844-1850 Kingman, George 1851 — 1855 Kneeland, Samuel, Jr 1851 Kimball, Peter 1851, 1852 Kimball, Otis 1851—1853 Leland, Lewis 1818—1820 Lincoln, Charles 1823—1826 Lewis, Joseph 1823—1832 Lane, George 1823—1826 Loring, Charles G 1823 Lowell, John, Jr 1825—1828 Lorinix, John J 1828 Lane," Jonas H 1830, 1831 Lowell, Charles R 1832—1834 APPENDIX. 299 Loringf, Ellis G 1832—1834 Lincoln, Beza 1832 — 1838 Lothrop, John P 1835 Lodge, Giles II 1837—1840 Leach, E. "W 1839—1841 Leavitt, Joseph M 1840, 1841 Leavitt, Benson 1841 — 1843 Learnard, William II. . . 1842—1851 Lincoln, Noah, Jr 1842, 1843 Lincoln, Ezra, Jr 1843 — 1845 Lovis, Ambrose 1842 — 1847 Little, Eben H 1844—1855 Learnard, Wm. H., Jr.. . 1849—1855 Lincoln, Albert L 1850—1855 Livermore, L. J 1850 Lovejoy, William B 1851 Lovett, S. Ingersol 1851 Lincoln, Henry W 1851—1855 Loud, Andrew J 1851 — 1855 Lothrop, Joshua B 1851 Little, Albert 1851 Leonard, Marcus B 1853, 1854 Lovell, Rev. Stephen .... 1853, 1854 May, Samuel 1818—1820 Marshall, Josiah 1818 Mackintosh, Peter, Jr. . . 1819—1823 Mansfield, Isaac 1820—1833 Milton, Ephraim 1824—1826 Merrill, James C 1824 McKean, Joseph AV. ... 1827—1831 Motte, Rev. M. 1 1830, 1831 Monroe, Edmund 1830 Mosely, Flavel 1831, 1832 McCleary, John B 1833—1848 Marvin, Theoph. R 1833—1855 Mann, Nehemiah P 1833—1855 Melien, John 1834, 1835 Merrill, Nathan 1835, 183G Mead, John 1835 Morrill, James 1836 Morse, Samuel F 1836—1842 Morris, L. H 1837, 1838 Moriartv, Joseph 1838—1846 Manning, Francis C 1838—1840 Montgomery, Hugh 1838—1847 McBurney, Rev. Sam'l. . 1839—1847 Messenger, Eben T 1840—1848 Minot, AVilliam, Jr 1843 Merrill, Joseph W 1844—1847 Makepeace, William 1846 Mead, Charles 1846—1855 Morgan, David 1847—1853 McCleary, Sam'l F., Jr. . 1847—1851 Mayuard, Azor 1847—1855 Mudge, Alfred 1847—1852 Merrill, George 1847—1849 Melzar, Parker A 1847—1853 Meston, John J 1848—1855 Mears, Granville 1849, 1850 McLellan, George W 1850 Minot, Albert T 1850 Moore, Edward B 1851 — 1854 Merriam, R. L 1851—1853 Martin, Pearl , 1852 Minot, Francis 1853,1854 Marsh, Lucius B. 1854 Manson, Thomas L 1854 Norwood, Samuel 1820 Noyes, Daniel 1824—1826 Norris, Rufus G 1838, 1839 Newcomb, Harvey 1838, 1839 Norcross, Loring 1839 — 1855 Newhall, DanietB 1847—1852 Newcomb, Thomas C. . . 1853, 1854 Noyes, George N 1853, 1854 Nichols, George B 1853 Nutter, Charles C 1854 Osgood, Isaac P 1824, 1825 Otis, Geo. W., Jr 1827—1842 Ordway, Aaron 1837—1844 Oliver, Samuel P 1840—1855 Odin, John, Jr 1841—1853 Ober, John P 1842—1855 Prince, James 1818 — 1820 Phillips, Edward 1819 Page, Thaddeus 1821—1824 Prescott, William H 1821—1824 Page, Edward 1823 Pray, Lewis G 1823—1842 Pillsbury, Samuel 1825 Palfrey, William 1826—1836 Parkman, Rev. Francis. 1826—1834 Power, Thomas 1827-1831 Pickering, Edward 1830 Prescott, Edward G 1831, 1832 Palmer, Ezra, Jr 1832, 1833 Perkins, Benjamin 1833, 1834 Perry, MarshaU S 1833, 1834 Phelps, Abel 1834, 1835 Parker, Aurelius D 1834 — 1855 Palmer, Julius A 1835, 1836 Phillips, Wendell 1836—1838 Phillips, George W 1837 Preston, John P 1839—1841 Parkman, AVilliam 1839—1841 Pratt, E. F 18^0, 1841 300 APPENDIX. Prince, Frederic 1841—1848 Parker, William T 1842—1846 Park. John C 1843—1847 Phelps, Amos A 1844, 1845 Parmenter, George W.. . 1844—1854 Putnam, J. Phelps 1844—1846 Patton, William W 1844, 1845 Palmer, E. D. G 1846—1855 Phelps, Charles A 1846—1849 Parcher, Sewall F 1847—1850 Perkins, Samuel S 1847, 1848 Perkins, James 1848—1852 Paiire, David 1848 Parks, Luther, Jr 1849—1851 Putnam, John 1849 Procter, Israel P 1849 Pdrkman, Francis 1849 Prescott, Jeremiah 1849 Preston, Jonathan 1850 Plmimer, Avery, Jr. . . . 1852 — 1855 Phipps, J. M 1852—1855 Pmgrey, S. H 1853, 1854 Porter, Edward F 1853, 1854 Piiikerton, J. M 1853 Piper, James S 1853, 1854 Pond, Joseph A ,. 1854 Rich, Benjamin 1818 llichards, Reuben 1820—1827 Robinson, Simon W 1825 Reed, Sampson lraCO'MC2CCOOCOMOOO OOCOCioNOieOWOOOrlOSOOWTO — 32 CO I C:5 O O -t* ^H 00 ^D O O (M "M C^l C-l ' •aouBpu8;;ii I^ t- ^ M (M CC '^ ^H '^ C? ^ l^ CC CO O l^ CC ^ CD =^5 o CD'^'*0>(M1^01^00»OOOC^10t^C5TjHO COCjOO?»0-*C2t-OCCCSOO'MC*10 O CO >-l Oi OO o e-H^I-lCOiMe-CSiOOCQOC50000C1aiCiO ClC0'«0C0t~000»O 39 ^ :p^^*^V\-"* "^^b "'^o^^^ -'-"-- '^^^> ' ^^ >^ : '^ '^bo^ - ■'^' ^ "^ 'b \> ^^ "' ^ ^0^ -^ v.'"/ c- "N k.» , r r>\ •^ V .^^ -c. %. J ■^''' - ". ^> .''%. / ^ •y^:: - \ -/■ , . -^ '^ " ' . - -i -7* - o ^» . ,\^^x. -^^' J Q/> .^x^ // C" \ • ^; / s -^c LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 01 1 022 582 9 m mMw