Historic leaves, volume 5, April, 1906 - January, 1907

Voted that the winter schools outside the Neck be for five months in wards 3 and 6, four months in ward 4, and three months in ward 5; that Mr. Phipps be empowered to procure wood for the school at the Neck and at Winter Hill, and that Mr. Kelley perform a like duty for the other outside schools. It appears that Mr. Kelley, himself a teacher in Boston, but a resident on Somerville soil, was the author of a spelling book which the trustees voted not to introduce into the Charlestown schools.

November 7, of bills approved, Hersina Knight received $65; Martha Frost, $62.30.

April 3, 1827, ‘voted that teachers of the grammar schools (within the Neck) must be present at their schools ten minutes before the time appointed to open, which must be at 8 o'clock A. M., and two o'clock P. M., precisely. No scholar is to be admitted without written excuse from his parent, guardian, or master, and no scholar shall be admitted on any pretense after school shall have been opened fifteen minutes.’

The winter schools without the Neck were examined as follows: No. 6, by Messrs. Jackson and Whipple, the others by Messrs. Walker and Kelley. The number of scholars on the rolls was, eighty-two for Milk Row, forty for ward 4, thirty-eight for ward 5, and sixty-seven for ward 6 (Winter Hill). The teachers of these schools received for services as follows: Ezekiel D. Dyer, $150; Philemon R. Russell, Jr., $112; Charles Tidd, $102; Andrew Wallis, $160. In the report for ward 6 we read: ‘This school in point of order and discipline has deteriorated since our last visit. The teacher, although he has been uncommonly industrious and devoted, yet a want of that system and method so essential was very apparent. The writing was generally very ordinary, but the trustees do not mean to be understood to say that nothing useful has been taught or learned in this school. On the contrary much has been attempted and learned beyond the requirements of our public schools.’