Lenox. ā 1842. " No return of births or deaths made."
New Marlboro'. ā 1845. Births. " There has been but a partial return of
births." ā Marriages. " Return not yet full."
Peru. ā 1844. Births. Good return, signed by School Committee and town
clerk.
Sandisfield. ā 1845. "I send you the returns with as much particularity as I
am able to do, under all the circumstances in which I find myself placed. There
is not, and never has been, (judging from the records,) any regularity or punc-
tuality on the part of those whose duty it is, and has been, to make returns of
births, marriages, deaths, &c., to the clerk's office in this place. No return of
births made from any source, for the year preceding May 1st, 1845, to this date.
The intention of the several legislative bodies which have passed upon this
matter, can never be. fully carried out, nor the expectations of the country realized,
until more efficient measures are put forth and duly executed. It strikes me, that
it should be made, by enactment, the special duty of some one of the town
officers in each town, to see that the present law, (and other laws enacted, if
necessary,) be punctually obeyed in this respect, and that a sufficient penalty be
attached, to make said officer discharge his duties in the premises."
Savot. ā 1845. Births, " As the law is, it devolves on the School Committee
to make the returns to the town clerk. They say they will not do it ; so I got a
few births, but presume not half that have occurred." ā Marriages. " Some more
marriages have taken place in this town, but have not been returned to me. As
there is no one to put the law in force, it is impossible to make return of all the
marriages. Some methodist ministers make no returns at all to me." ā Deaths.
** Some more deaths have occurred in town. People pay but little attention to
the law."
Digitized by VjOOQIC
28 FOURTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
West Stockbridge. ā 1845. " The retunw are not perfect, but as nearly sp
as is possible, unless the town clerk will take upon himself to discharge all the
duties in this behalf, by law, imposed upon clergymen, justices, parents, house-
holders. Ate."
WiLLiAMSTOWN. ā 1845. Deoths, <'The above are all the deaths that have
taken place in this town during the specified time, as far as my knowledge ex-
tends. It is not as perfect as could be wished. The sextons have not been as
prompt as they ought; and when I took the town books, in March last, I found no
record of deaths, during the time specified ; hence it has been with much difiiculty,
that I have obtained the above. I have seen the sextons, and endeavored to point
out their duty."
No Returns, in 1842, from ^dams, Cheshxrt, Hancock^ Shtffidd, West Stock-
bridge, and Windsor; in 1843, from Adams, Cheshire, Stockbridge, and Windsor;
in 1844, from Adams, Boston Comer, Cheshire, and Windsor; and in 1845, from
Boston Comer, Cheshire, Mount Washington, and Tyringham, of births, from
Sandi^eld, of marriages, from Dcdton and Hancock, of births and deaths from
Great Barrington, and of marriages and deaths from Clarksburg.
NORFOLK COUNTY.
Canton.ā 1843. See Second Annual Report, p. 27.ā 1845. Deaihs. "The
return is believed to be correct, as the sexton has been regular in making his
reports."
Medwat.ā 1842. " Only 2 deaths and 2 births returned for 2 years."
Milton. ā 1843. See Second Annual Report, p. 29.
Stouohton. ā 1845. Births. "The return of births was certified by the
School Committee, and is believed to be correct." ā Deaths. " No returns made
by the sextons. There may be a very few not obtained by me, but it is believed
to be nearly correct."
Weymouth. ā 1845. "The return of marringes is not quite complete, as I
have reason to believe that there has been some marriages solemnized by one or
two individuals, who have either died or removed from the place, without making
any return. The returns that have been made, fail in some of the required par-
ticulars. I have obtained those that I was able to ascertain. The return of births
I believe to be full and complete. The return of deaths is also probably complete
in the number of the deaths, but not in some other particulars. The sextons in
town, some of them wholly, and others partially, failed in making the required
returns, alleging that the compensation was very inadequate to the labor necessary.
I was, in consequence, obliged to procure other means of information, which I
obtained principally from the School Committee, who readily undertook to supply
the failure of the sextons. It seems that it might be preferable to make it the
duty of the assessors to collect the deaths, as they are now obliged to the militia,
both of which might be obtained at one time. I trust that in future the returns
may be more complete, as people become acquainted with the law, and its objects."
Wrentham. See Second Annual Report, p. 29.ā 1845. " The returns are as
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES. 29
perfect as the circumstances will admit, but uot so perfect as we hope to be able
to make in future. We have eight cemeteries in town."
No Returns, in 1842, irom CanUm, MUon, Randolph^ and Walpoffi ; in 1844,
from WidpoU ; and in 1845, from WalpoU^ and of deaths from Roxbury.
BRISTOL COUNTY.
Attleborough. ā 184Ā«3. " Great inattention in making returns of births and
deaths."
Berkley. ā 1845. Marriages. " Having no settled minister, during the past
year, the marriages have been mostly solemnized by the clergymen of the adjoin-
ing towns. This makes our return so small."
Dartmouth. ā 1842. '^ No burths or deaths recorded for a number of years."
Fairhavln. ā 1843. *^ The returns are not made to the town clerk in season
for his return to the Secretary." ā 1845. " The number of births has (I believe)
been correctly returned, as one member of the School Committee took the whole
burden upon himself, and performed his duty faithfully, and it is to be regretted
that the law did not, at the same time, require him to ascertain the number of
deaths that have occurred in the town the past year; for, as the law now stands,
(so far as it relates to deaths,) it cannot be complied with without subjecting the
sextons of burying grounds to inconveniencies for which they do not receive an
adequate compensation. I have received returns of deaths from five sextons, and,
with one exception, the year had closed before they made them, and you will
perceive, by the returns, that they were all recorded at four different times only.
Two of them sent very imperfect returns, but, where it has been practicable, I
have obtained the information which they omitted. One of them sent in five that
occurred in New Bedford. I recorded them, and copied them on the returns now
made to you before I was aware of the fact ; but you will perceive that they are
not numbered in the lefl hand column, nor included in the number at the top of
the returns. They oflen have to attend funerals two or three miles from their
places of residence, and, generally, do not get there until the services have com-
menced. Consequently, they have no opportunity of getting any information from
the friends of the deceased, unless they visit them expressly for that purpose.
And, as there is no penalty for refusing, and the amount allowed them for their
trouble is so small, the prospect seems to be that they will neglect making per-
fect returns unless they take an interest in it, which will lead them to make ex-
ertions without the fear of penalties, or the hope of rewards. There are also
yards in other towns, near the line of this town, which some of the citizens of
this town use, and from the sextons of those yards no returns have been received,
although there have been some of the inhabitants of the town buried in them the
past year. Two inhabitants of the town have died at sea, whose deaths are not
included in the returns. As regards marriages, I think there may possibly have
been four or five solemnized, of which no returns have been made to the town
clerk. Persons performing that duty have seemed very unwilling to obey the
law strictly, as you will see by the returns. Some of them made none until the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
30 FOURTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
close of the year, and others have felt delicate about asking the questions which
they are required to. But the last named objection is now removed, as the re-
quired information is added to the certificate given to the parties to be married.''
Fall River.ā 1842. See First Annual Report, p. 58.ā 1843. See Second
Annual Report, p. 24. ā 1845. Births. " There were 4 births reported as having
occurred in other towns in the State not included in the above. The family now
live here, and probably will not be returned. The population of Fall River, in
May, 1845, was 10,153. In 1844, it was 9,054. Increase in 1 year, 1,099. Polls,
2,724. Children between 4 and 16 years, 2,724. Enrolled in militia, 1649. Taxes
voted in 1844, $24,000 ; in 1845, ^38,500^ā Marriages. Ā« The imperfections in
the foregoing return are chargeable to the persons solemnizing marriages. Cir-
culars containing the law, and also a ' form' have been issued by the town clerk to
all the stated clergymen in town. I am satisfied, in my own mind, that this re-
turn does not comprise one half of the marriages which have been solemnized
during the year ending Ist of May, from the fact that there were 166 publish-
ments during that period." ā Deaths. ^ From a glance at the foregoing return, it
will be perceived that one sexton has been culpably negligent in the discharge of
his duty. One half of these deaths have come to the knowledge of the clerk
through other sources than that of the sexton. Due diligence has been observed
in giving all necessary instructions to the sexton touching the law, including forms,
but to little or no purpose. He promises, however, to do better in future, if pro-
vided with the blanks, of which the Secretary of State has furnished a specimen."
Mansfield. ā 1843. " No births or deaths returned to town clerk." ā 1845.
Deaths. " I cannot get a perfect return from the sextons. I did my best with
them, but this return is very imperfect. The number of deaths last year, from
the best information I can obtain, was 23."
New Bedpord.ā 1843. See Second Annual Report, p. 26.ā 1845. "These
returns are not as complete, in all respects, as I could have wished them to be; I
have, however, endeavored to make them as much so as possible, all things con-
sidered. The number of Births, I believe, are correctly given ; but this cannot
be said of either the marriages or deaths. While many of our clergymen here
have made their monthly returns promptly, and, I believe, correctly, and have
manifested a disposition and a willingness to render every aid in their power in
this matter, others have either wholly or partially disregarded the law requiring
such returns. The number of Marriages returned you will perceive to be 114,
which is undoubtedly far short of the actual number. The number who entered
at this office their intentions of marriage, during the past year, was 187. Now
supposing the number of those who were published in this town and married in
another to be equal to those who were published in some other town, and mar-
ried in this, and supposing also that one tenth of the whole number published
remain unmarried, we should have 169 as the actual number of marriages during
the year, which is most probably very near the truth. The number of Deaths re-
turned will vary much less, I think, from the actual number, than that of the mar-
riages. All the sextons of the regularly established cemeteries and burying
places have made their returns regularly, with a single exception ; and this indi-
vidual has pledged himself that, for the future, he will comply with the law.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES. 31
There are, however, undoubtedly many interments which are made in family bury-
ing-places, of which no returns are made to this office. In conclusion, 1 would
simply add that my best endeavors will be used to carry out the designs of the
Legislature, in establishing the law requiring the aforesaid returns."
Norton. ā 1845. " In Norton, there are about 20 burying grounds, mostly
family burying grounds, and no sexton chosen to take charge of them. But two
deaths have been sent to me to be recorded since I made my last return. Those
I have recorded have come within my knowledge otherwise. The law should be
amended so that the School Committee, when they collect the births, should col-
lect the deaths also."
Pawtuciet.ā -1842. "Physicians from R. L practise here."ā 1843. "No
births or deaths returned to town clerk."
Ratnham. ā 1845. " The return contains all the marriages sent to me. It is
imperfect, owing to deficiency in returns."
Seekonk. ā 1842. " The clerk has exerted himself unsuccessfully." ā 1843.
^ The deaths estimated at 40, births at 60. Couples published, 28."
Westport. ā 1845. " I find, by the town records, that there have been 17
publishments posted by the former town clerk the past year, but through the neglect
of the clerk, and those persons who solemnized the marriages, they have not been re-
corded according to law. But since I was chosen, you have it as above recorded."
No Returns, in 1842, from FteeUnmif Ntw Bedford, and Somtrstt ; in 1843,
from IVeelouon and Westport; and, in 1845, of marriages from Rehoboik; and of
deaths from Dartmouth and Fawtucket.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
DuxBURT. ā 1845. " There has not been any return of births to me tlie past
year."
East Bridge water. ā 1845. Deaths. " The above are the deaths of which
I have knowledge. It may be presumed, there have been some in remote parts of
the town, that were interred out of town, of which our sextons were not informed."
Halifax. ā 1845. Deaths, " Some of the ages I have not been able to obtain ;
likewise the name of the parents, &c. As there has been no superintendant of
burying grounds, I have had to procure them the best way I could."
HiNOHAM. ā 1845. *' The return of births and deaths, I believe to be full and
complete ; but the return of marriages is not I know that there have more
marriages taken place than are returned. These are much more complete than
when I received them, as I have taken great pains to collect what information I
could in relation to them. I have delayed the return in hopes that further returns
would be made from persons who solemnize marriages."
Marshfieu). ā 1843. " Dr. of Hanover has attended on persons in this
town, but refuses to report the names of the disease of which they died." ā 1845.
Marriof^es. ^ The above is not as perfect a return as I desired, but it is full as to
the number married." ā Birihs, '* The return is complete and perfect I believe, ex-
cepting four parents have not as yet given names to their children. By direction
Digitized by VjOOQIC
32 FOURTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
of the school committee, I obtained the facts from actual inquiry. I am indebted
largely to Dr. Blanchard, who keeps a record of all the facts required by law of
the cases he attends." ā Deaths, " We have no sextons. The return was obtained,
by actual inquiry by myself, and contains all the deaths that have occurred."
North B&idoe water. ā 1843. " A true return so far as I have been able to
obtain the information."
Plymouth. ā 1843. See Second Annual Report, p. 31. ā 1845. "The returns
of deaths the last six months are without date, they occurred at 'Manomet Pond.'
I shall obtain the dates and enter them in my books."
Pltmpton. In this town the record has been kept with great care, by Lewis
Bradford, town clerk, who has been elected annually since 1812. That officer
himself collects the facts for his returns, with a fidelity worthy of all praise. ā
1642. See First Annual Report, p. 56.ā 1845. Births, "The dates in the
column, headed ' when registered,' were made in a minute-book at the time the
town clerk, as one of the school committee, called on the parents to take account
of the births of their children, &c., and afterwards entered on the records. There
was no illegitimate birth, nor any birt^i of a colored person." ā Deaths, "The
town clerk of Plympton took a full account of the deaths and funerals in Plympton
in a private journal he kept for that purpose, and near the time they occurred
and at times afterwards entered the deaths in the town records. That journal
contains many particulars which are not registered in this record. The following
is taken from one of the statistical tables kept in the town records of Plympton,
by the present town clerk, showing the number of deaths in each month during 33
years, from Jan. 1, 1812 to Jan. 1, 1845 : ā
In January, 46. In April, 39. In July, 29. In October, 50.
February, 35. May, 48. Aug., 42. November, 31.
March, 56. June, 32. Sept, 49. December, 37.
Total, - - 494.
During the 33 years, every birth, marriage, and death in Plympton, has been re-
corded in the town records. The population of Plympton in 1840, according to
the U. S. census, was 835 ; according to the State census of that year 861 ; The
births during the 33 years have been 761 ; males 409, females 352 ; excess of males
57. During the same time, the deaths have been 494 ; males 242, females 252 ;
excess of males 10. More males than females move from Plympton. The ages
of the 242 males averaged 40 years, 6 months, and 7 days. Of the 252 females
41 years, 6 months, and 16 days. Of the 494 of both sexes, 41 years and 15 days."
Rochester. ā 1842. No returns, but thinks they may be complete next year.
West Bridge water. ā 1843. See Second Annual Report, p. 30. ā 1845. " As
I have been under the necessity of visiting every section of this town myself, to
obtain the information for my record, the enclosed returns are believed to be per-
fect. I have not had a return of a single birth or death made me, for the year past
The clergy too, have generally been equally remiss in their duty. The most of
them, who have pretended to make any sort of returns, have barely given the
names of the parties, the date and place of marriage, and their own names. The
age, condition, occupation, place of residence, and the names of the parents, have
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES. 33
been left for me to ascertain elsewhere. I think if the whole duty were to devolve
on the town and city clerks, we should have a more perfect registration throughout
the State. The truth is, there are too many charged with the business."
No RETmiNs, in 1842, from Bridgetoater, and Plymouth; in 1843, from Hanson ;
in 1844, from Hinson, MiddUboroiigh, and RockesUr; and in 1845, from Hanaony
and MlddUborough, of births from Duxbury, and of births and deaths from Ming"
ion, RockesUr, received too late for the abstract.
BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
Baktt STABLE. ā 1845. ** In relation to the return of marriages, I would say that
there seems to bo, on the part of many clergymen in town, a very great unwil-
lingness to comply fully with the requirements of the law ; they consider that it
imposes a burthen upon them which will benefit no one. The return of births is
very incomplete, it being of only such as [ have learned from personal inquiry, the
school committee having made no return. The return of deaths composes only
such as I have from actual inquiry learned; there have probably others occurred
in the town within the last year."
Chatham. ā 1845. Birlha. ^* There has been no returns of births .made to me
during the year from any source." ā DicUhs. " There are no sextons in this place,
consequently I have obtained the information from different individuals, generally
from those that were connected with the deceased ; it is probably correct."
DcivNis. ā 1843. "It is customary for ihe town clerk to go through the town
and collect the information himself."
Eastham. ā 1843. "The registration laws are so vague and loose that our
citizens have been in the habit of disobeying them altogether. I have applied
personally for the information this year, expecting our next legislature will alter
and amend the laws." 1845. ā " The record of deaths is correct, as I obtained tlie
information from personal inquiry, but the record of births is not full as regards
particulara, having had no returns from the school committee. The marriages
solemnized by Rev. H. H. Smith, are, I presume, correct, but the few others
were solemnized by clergymen out of town."
Harwich. ā 184.5. Marriagra. "Five persons have solemnized marriages in
Harwich last year, though but one of them has made the return as prescribed by
law. I have, however, ascertained the ages, names of parents, &c. which I be-
lieve is, with few exceptions, correct" ā Deaths, " The return is as nearly correct
as possible, yet there may be a few omitted, though I have gone through ihe town
to ascertain every one, if possible.
Wellpleet. ā 1843. "Physicians should be compelled to make returns of
deaths, and causes of death."
No Returns, in 1842 received from Bamstabh and Bnwster; in 1843, from
Tmro ; and in 1845, from Dennis.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
34 FOURTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
DUKES COUNTY.
EsGARTOWN. ā 1845. " I have procured every item of information, with the ex-
ception of two or three relating to marriages. Clergymen are not particular in
their returns to me ; frequently handing in the certificate which I gave of the
publishment of the couple, without the dale of the marriage, age of the parties,
residence of parents or oven their own signature ; and this has been the case
ailer I have read the law respecting their duty, to them. In the case of deaths,
our sexton has not made return of a solitary item during the year, laying the
whole burthen upon myself, all of which I have endeavored to perform ; but have
not been able to make my returns to you, so complete as I could have wished."
NANTUCKET COUNTY.
Nantucket. ā 1843. '' The return I believe to be a correct liat, as near as I
can collect them, from physicians and sextons."
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BIRTHS. 35
Table I. 1. Abstract of the Returns of the Births,
in the several Counties, for each month of the year ending April 30, 1846.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
36
FOURTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
Table I. 2. Births ; Plurality Cases.
Sex.
COUNTIES.
MOVTH.
1
s
s
i
I
B
(S
S
1 Hampden.
Franklin.
i
1
Norfolk.
Bristol.
Plymou'h.
1 Barnstable.
Z Total.
May,
Male, .
2
2
.
ā¢
2 2 2. 1 .
. . 11
Female,
,
2
,
, ,
..21.
. . 5
Not stated, .
2
,
,
, ^
,
ā¢ ā¢ . ā¢
. . 2
June,
Male, .
,
2
1
1 .
4 . . .
. . 8
Female,
.
,
1
1 .
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
. . 2
Not stated, .
.
^
ā¢
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
July,
Male, .
1
6
\
.
.
2 . 11
Female,
1
4
2 .
. 2 '. .
. . 9
Not stated, .
ā¢
,
ā¢
, ,
ā¢
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
August, .
Male, .
1
3
3
, ,
2
12.7
ā¢ . . 19
Female,
9
\ 1
1
2 .
12..
. . 10
Not suted, .
^
ā¢
ā¢ . . ā¢
ā¢ . ā¢
September,
Male, .
C
; .
ā¢
1 .
1 . 2 .
. . 12
Female,
ā¬
) .
,
1 .
1 . 2 .
. . 12
Not slated, .
ā¢
ā¢
ā¢ ā¢
ā¢ . . .
. ā¢ ā¢
October, .
Male, .
2
2
2
2 *1
. . 9
Female,
,
,
3.1.1.1.
. . 3
Not sUted, .
.
,
ā¢ ā¢ . .
, ,
November,
Male, .
2
1
ā¢
2
14.1
. . 11
Female,
6
1
ā¢
2 ;
2
12,]
. . 15
Not stated, .
ā¢
, ,
,
ā¢ ā¢ . ā¢
.
December,
Male, .
,
(
I 4
ā¢
,
ā¢ ā¢ . ā¢
. . 6
Female,
,
<
2 2
,
,
4 . . ,
. . 8
Not suted, .
.
ā¢ ā¢
,
,
. . . .
. ā¢ ā¢
January, .
Male, .
7
. 2
1
2
. 2
2 . . .
. . 16
Female,
1
(
2 .
1
2
. 2
ā¢ * . ā¢
. . 8
Not suted, .
,
ā¢ ā¢
,
,
. ,
. . ā¢
February,
Male, .
1
1 3
,
ā¢ ā¢
ā¢ . . a
. . 8
Female,
1
2 3
,
4
, .
ā¢ ā¢ .
2 . . 12
Not suted, .
,
ā¢ ā¢
.
,
, .
March, .
Male, .
5
3 1
ā¢
^ ,
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢ .
! *. 8