5
,
11
•
,
Oranfe, •
1501
29
33
48
5
15
13
18
22
27
Rowe, .
703
30
13
1
8
3
•
15
11
•
Shelborn^
1022
22
33
27
6
10
12
24
10
19
fflrateebniy,
987
21
m
17
4
13
9
7
11
1
Sunderland,
719
23
10
12
6
1
2
6
5
8
Warwick,
1071
18
3S
10
4
8
8
21
23
11
WendeU,
875
19
4
4
3
5
3
12
11
15
Whately, . .
1072
25
S7
26
7
10
5
20
15
12
Totals,
28,812
576
SiW
534
115
151
151
360
331
295
BERKSHIRE.
Adams, * . .
3703
,
108
114
•
15
8
•
78
45
Alfod, • • •
481
13
10
13
3
4
•
7
2
4
Becket, . .
1342
18
39
30
7
7
8
24
31
14
Boston Comer, •
65
,
a
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cheshire,
985
•
,
•
,
•
1
•
,
•
Clarksbnrff,
370
9
8
11
•
•
1
,
•
4
Dalton, .
1255
40
4Sl
43
3
,
2
11
14
,
ter. •: :
1038
19
28
23
3
2
1
11
5
10
441
19
5
7
,
2
2
3
3
3
Great Barrington,
2704
•
•
•
10
3
,
38
,
.
Hancock,
922
21
19
18
1
•
,
4
12
15
Hinsdale,
955
41
21
17
3
6
6
17
16
17
Lanesborongfa, •
1140
31
18
21
,
2
,
12
11
SO
Lee,
2428
29
34
26
20
8
10
28
40
33
Lenox, .
1813
35
39
29
8
7
5
21
39
26
Mount WaahingtoDf .
438
13
•
20
•
.
1
2
•
1
Digitized by VjOOQIC
FIFTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
URTHS, HARRIAGES AND SEATHfik-CMM
ml
-
BERTHS.
MARIUAGES.
DEATHS.
€k>UHTIS8 AlTD T©WH8.
Popdlatioo
^
in 1840.
IMi.
18i0(
1846.
1844.
1845.
18«6.
1844.
1845.
1846.
New Asbfocd, •
337
5
3
3
1
1
1
•
8
New Marlborough, .
. 1682
41
38
35
14
.9
is
35
11
29
Otw, ' .
1177
12
38
•
10
2
•
6
8
•
Peru, • • • • .
576
17
13
12
1
5
3
11
S
15
Pittflfield, . • .
3747
87
101
108
1
3
7
56
61
76
Richmond,
10^
11
11
20
4
3
6
14
10
15
SandUfield, ,
1464 .
21
i
•
13
11
31
8d
• •
Savoy, .
Sheffield,
915
13
6
5
3
4
. 4
3
1
5
8332
49 78
. 85
7
7
13
38
35
41
Stoekbridge, ..
1993-
41 33
53
2
9
' 6
85
35
39
•Tyfin^ham,
WaahiDgtoli^
1477
5 .
•
'9
,
••
35
,
•
991
22! 29
20
,3
1
3
13
14
10
West Stockbridge, .
Williajnetown, .
144&
54
49
40
8
4
6
30
16
93
2153
57
78
51
3
11
3
,
33
22
Windsor, . . ^.
897
•
12
12
»
6
6
•
9
12
Totals, . ^ •
41,745
723 832
806
135
182
114
435
488
465
NORFOLK.
'
Bellingham,
1055
30 13
59 69
8
7
2
2
11
8
7
Braintree, . ' .
3168
47
14
. 6
18
10
37
•
Brookline, .
1365
13 31
44
8
8
16
15
35
31
Canton, •
1995
651 27
11
17
7
21
35
32
36
Cohasset, . . .
1471
241 33
26
16
10
19
38
18
20
Dedham,
3290
90 96
94
'31
aj
36
50
70
53
Dorchester, . «
4875
28
91
186
21
47
49
78
79
93
Dover,
. 530
6
6
8
1
3
8
11
8
5
Foxborough,- * .
1298
34
51
37
11
17
19
.18
18
28
FrankHn,
1717
23
33
41
10
5
9
38
29
33
Medfield,
883
18
16
6
4
5
18
7
18
Medway, .
^W43.
66= 65
61
25
29
32
14
36
31
Milton, .
1822
49
58
52
11
16
11
38
35
35
Needham, ....
1488
45
33
36
9
4
6
36
17
35
Quincy, . . â– .
Randolph,
3486
147
123
136
S3
31
32
56
S9
48
3213
92
138
121
32
38
31
71
55
61
Roxbury,
9089
304
411
440
26^
78
98
•
â– ,
•
Sharon, . .
1076
26
22
16
9
12
' 7
15
14
13
Stoughton,
3143
68
86
95
•35
33
38
4
36
90
Walpole,
1491
.#
•
25
•
•
10
,
•
7
Weyinooth, *
3738
145
139
140
32
35
36
SI
m
64
Wrentham, .
3915
77
59
67
16
16
35
8
48
80
Totals,
53,140
1392
1591
1707
360
•404
538
"W5
6S7
(&4
BRISTOL.
•
•
Att]eborough, .
3585
78
81
88
33
25
31
60
66
75
Berkley, •
886
20
12
19
4
2
7
17
28
15
DartmoQth,
4135
122
92
108
33
27
38
,
,
,
Dtghton, ..
1878
36
47
40
19
• 7
9
15
S3
17
Easton, .
3074
43
53
56
8
19
8
53
39
35
Fairi^aven,
3951
74
107
•
10
34
39
83
45
Si
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BIRTHS, Ac. FOR THRBE TBARA
BIETHa, MAEBIAGES AND DEATHS-CMJMMi.
BIRTHS.
JMARRIAOES.
DEA1*HS.
Popolatioa
0>9niaf Airv Towvs.
mim.
"
1841
1846.
1846.
1844.
1845.
1846.
ISM.
1846.
1846.
Fall River,
0738
310
379
393
ai
73
â– ^
76
55
m
Freetown, • •
1772
47
43
24
5
10
8
SS
31
24
Mansfield,
1889
34
43
81
10
IS
16
•
17
21
NewBedfiwd, .
13,067
443
435
477
131
114
151
1
175
249
Norton, .
1545
36
29
45
3
8
8
8
6
4
Pawtocket,
2184
104
89
127
14
13
16
6
•
16
Ravnham,
1329
43
40
2
12
4
9
24
19
10
2169
55
55
45
16
•
15
20
2S
38
6^konk,
1996
47
9
•
24
9
,
35
89
•
Somenet,
1005
24
14
26
4
6
6
34
24
so
Swawey,
1484
36
32
87
9
11
11
•
15
91
Tannton,
7645
192
219
244
57
43
60
73
73
55
Weetpoit, . •
2620
82
73
50
10
2
15
39
82
S7
Totals,
60,165
1825
1852
1812
483
419
499
SIS
719
779
PLYMOUTH.
Abington,
3214
113
,
•
27
89
•
75
,
•
Bridgewater, •
2131
44
71
57
4
12
12
45
40
27
Carver, .
995
35
30
21
2
14
8
5
1
•
Duzbnrv,
2798
33
,
,
19
10
8
19
19
•
East Bndgewater, .
1950
30
58
49
9
11
25
24
19
26
Halifax, .
734
30
36
27
7
2
6
17
21
13
Hanover,
1488
41
18
18
16
14
12
20
16
17
Hanson, .
1040
,
^
15
,
,
3
•
,
13
HinghaiB,
Hull,
3564
94
86
87
85
22
20
57
61
44
231
3
6
3
3
2
1
2
7
1
Kingston,
1440
35
32
31
15
16
11
26
25
15
Marahfield,
1761
47
41
45
16
16
10
34
23
25
Middleboroogh,
5085
•
•
a
.
«
•
•
,
•
North Bridgewator, .
2616
96
70
91
22
dR
21
50
32
44
Pembroke,
1258
17
33
31
11
s
3
16
19
SI
Plymouth,
5281
151
122
164
30
41
42
81
110
67
PlymptoB,
834
24 19
19
8
10
11
22
10
IS
Rochester,
3864
• 1 •
112
,
•
•
,
,
48
Scitoate, .
3886
88, 84
85
28
22
21
52
43
43
Wareham,
2002
65 66
75
9
11
29
32
22
33
West Bridgewator, .
1201
3ll 39
1
36
8
9
11
29
16
14
Totals,
47,373
977 811
966
269
288
254
606
484
46S
BARNSTABLE.
Barnstable,
4301
8 10
20
21
38
42
15
38
43
Brewster,
1522
31 44
43
8
7
15
13
22
12
Chatham,
2334
75 35
65
18
15
24
50
35
28
Dennis, .
2942
62 .
•
23
•
,
33
,
Eastham,
955
17, 13
7
3
19
10
10
14
10
Falmouth,
2589
72 66
56
•
ao
19
33
37
25
Harwich,
2930
87 105
111
19
23
20
16
34
32
Marshpee,
309
• •
•
•
•
•
,
•
.
Orleans, .
1974
34 45
39
93
8
14
44
27
31
Provincetown,
2122
76
61
73
as
22
1^
41
41
S8
Digitized by VjOOQIC
10
BIRTHS, &c. FOR THREE YEARS.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS— CMNwed:
COVXTUS AlTD ToWffS.
PopuIatioD
ml840.
BIRTHS.
MARIUAGES.
DEATHS.
1841.jl845.1846.
184i.
1846.
1846.
1844.
1845.
1846.
Sandwich,
Truro,
WeUfleet,
Yaimoath,
8719
1930
3377
3554
113
36
59
75
118
55
44
79
101
65
67
33
13
13
13
34
30
13
31
31
30
33
33
33
66
58
30
34
48
44
15
35
Totals,
DUKES.
Chilmark,
Edffartowii,
Tiflbory, .
33,548
703
1736
1530
744
10
30
53
675
13
55
60
647
13
53
13
301
5
8
31
333
3
10
11
330
8
8
9
408
9
13
36
408
4
36
33
308
4
27
OS
Totals,
NANTUCKET.
Nantucket,
3958
9013
93
306
137
337
79
333
34
38
34
90
35
84
48
107
53
134
56
154
Digitized by VjOOQIC
BIRTHS, &C. FOR THREE TEARS.
11
RECAPITULATION.
COVVTISS.
Popalation
in 1840.
BIRTHS.
MARRIAGES.
DEATHS.
1844.
1845.
1846.
1844.
29
1845.
22
1846.
29
1844.
1845.
1846.
Suffolk, .
»5,773
Ill
147
134
88
94
30
E«iex, . .
94,987
1581
2175
2527
583
758
908
1292
150J
1673
Middlesex, .
106,611
2814
3050
3011
949
1168
1119
1553
1506
1722
Worcerter, .
95,313
2311
2116
2474
715
793
871
1469
1527
1734
HampBhire,
30,807
642
653
676
180
199
209
508
430
439
Hampden,
37,366
760
937
901
213
193
252
394
509
614
28,812
576
528
524
115
151
151
360
331
295
Berkshire,
41,745
723
822
806
135
132
114
435
488
465
Norfolk,
53,140
1392
1591
1707
360
404
528
555
657
624
Bristol, •
60,165
1825
1852
1812
483
419
499
515
719
779
Plymontb,
47,373
977
811
966
269
288
254
606
484
468
Barnstable, .
32,548
744
675
647
201
222
220
408
408
303
Dakes, .
3,958
93
127
79
34
24
25
48
53
56
Nantucket, .
9,012
208
227
222
38
90
84
107
134
154
Totals,
737,700
14,757
15,711
16,486
4304
4863
5263
8338
8844
9350
Totals after de-
ducting Suffolk
County, .
641,927
14,646
15,564
16^
4275
4841
5234
8250
8750
9820
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES.
Some of the returns were accompanied with remarks by the
town clerks. From these, the following notes have been com-
piled. The design of these notes is to show the condition of reg-
istration through the State, the practical operation of existing
laws on the subject, and the yiews of the town clerks in regard
to such amendments as may be needed to improve the system.
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
Boston. — ^No retain of births, mairiages or deaths.
CHBI.8KA. — ^"I presume many deaths have taken place in this town of which,
as yet, I have no record.^
ESSI&X COUNTY.
AiTDOVBB. — ^ They axe all very imperfect, as respects numbers. The returns
have not been made according to ItLw/^^Birihs. ** There seems to have been a
misapprehension of the law relating to the duties of school committee and town
clerk, in respect to the registration of births ; as town clerk, I forwarded the blank,
and paper, and circular to the chairman of the school committee.'' " The whole
number of births in Andover must have been two hundred. I was present at
about one hundred, and there are Hve other physicians in town." <*The i^djutant
general sends a blank for the enrolment of soldiers to the assessors ; they enter
the names on the blank, then sign the return at the bottom as assessors ; the town
clerk records the same, counts the numbers, and signs the return at the beginning,
and sends the same return to the adjutant; this return has the signatures of the
assessors as vouchers for correctness, and the town clerk that it is recorded, —
and 1 think the law is vety similar in intention to the law respecting the enrol-
ment of births." ** I would call the attention of the Secretary to the fact, that
the law makes no provision for the ftUvrt rtgiitraUon of the tyimti of those efttt-
Atn that are recorded (ku year without a nosie." — Mctrriages. '' One clergyman
informs me verbally, that he has married about twenty couple the past year.
Another clergyman two couple, a magistrate one couple in Andover, but they
have made no return." ^ Our return should have been fifty instead of thirty, if
clergymen and magistrates had returned all. The whole number of couples pub-
lished in Andover, from May 1, 1845, to May 1, 1846, is eighty. Returns have
Digitized by VjOOQIC
14 FIFTH REGIOTRATION REPORT.
been partially and imperfectly made. Oar records, for the last twelve years, are
veiy imperfect, aa respects marriages^— little regularity in the records,— and some
have made no retams for many years. Town clerks receive no compensation in
Andover for any service rendered the town, except recording births and deaths,
consequently they will not look up labor."
Esaxx. — Birihs and Marriagta. ^ The returns, I believe, embrace all that have
occurred in the town during the year."
Gloucbster. — Marriagts. ''All the persons returned have received cer-
tificates of publishment, and the presumption is, that they have been married; bat
owing to the neglect of some, and the itinerant habits of the clergy in many
cases, there remain blanks which should have been filled ; many of those com-
pleted are made by my own inquiiy."
Haicllton. — '* I have found it difficult to obtain the information necessary to
comply with the law ; the returns are as perfect as I can make them at this time ;
we hope to make them more perfect in future."
Marblehkad. — " I feel desirous that the law should be complied with, and
have endeavored to make as complete returns as possible, thou^ they are still
imperfect For much of the information, I have to rely on personal applicatimi
to the parties."
MiDDLKTON. — Birihs. ^ The school committee only returned seven, the rest
(11) I have procured by personal exertions. I think the duty would be better
performed if it devolved upon the assessors." — Maarrtages. <*It is believed there
has been one marriage in this town not included in this return, but no more have
been reported ; if so, it was solemnized by a clergyman not a resident of this
town."
RocKPORT. — DeaUiM, '^ Should inaccuracies be found in this return, they must
be charged to the sextons, most of whom made an entire failure as it regards
their returns. The clerk, therefore, has not so much time to examine and correct
as he could wish. All the physicians in town have kindly rendered the needful aid."
Salem. — Marriages. ^ Rev. Mr. , of St Peter's Church, has neglected
to make any return for the past year."
Tops FIELD. — Deaths. '^ This return may be relied on as containing a notice of
every death that has occurred, within the time named, in this town. All have
been recorded for the last thirty-six years."
West Newburt. — Births. *' The return, though few in number, comprises
all in my possession ; I am well aware that the births of the past year did not fall
much short of any preceding year. The school committee for 1845, returned the
number of births in four school districts out of six ; the present year, no returns
have been made ; whether it is negligence, or exemption from the duty by the
law, is probably best known to themselves." — Deaths. '* All that have come to
my knowledge, are nearly correct ; although often requested, the sextons have,
as yet, rendered no assistance."
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Ashland. — Births. ** It is ascertained that twenty occurred in the Hopkinton,
eight in the Framlngham, and five in the HolUston portions of this town ; those
in the Hopkinton portion are probably included in the return from that town and
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES. 15
are here omitted. Thoee in the FramiDgham and Holliston portione are not preb-
ably returned from those towns, and for that reason I have taken the liberty to
make the return I have. No births occurred in this town between the passage of
the act of incorporation and the first of May, 1846."
Cambridge. — Birtha. " The number recorded is undoubtedly much less than
have occurred in the ciiy.^^Maniagts. "This return embraces probably not
more than from one half to two thirds of the whole number solemnized during the
year, and is deficient in other respects. Some clergymen make no returns, and
others return only the names of parties and date of marriage." — Deaiha. " This
return is not complete, though more nearly so than that of births or marriages.
Few deaths are returned to me of those who are removed out of the city or to
Mount Auburn for interment"
Caklislb.— >jB«riA«. ''This return is the same which was made out and re-
turned to me by Dr. A. Marsh, the school committee having neglected to perform
that service."
Chaklbstown. — ^ The returns are as complete as I am able to make them,
under existing circumstances. The return of marriages is the most defective.
The pastor of the First Baptist Society has made no return for the last year ; and
the pastor of the Episcopalian Church has furnished me with no returns of mar^
liages solemnized by him since officiating in that capaci^ in this town."
Cbxuisfobd. — Deaiha. ** Probably the whole number would not vary very far
from thirty. One of the sextons made no return."
FBAHiveHAM. — DeaOa, *' The sextons have not all made returns."
Grotozv. — ^''In all important particulars the returns are accurate and com-
fdete." — Births. ''The school committee have given their personal attention to
the return of births."
HoUsisrov.'^Buihs, " This record is believed to be perfect, and all the facts
are given that could be obtained from return by school committee. A part of
the town of Ashland was taken from Holliston last winter by act of incorporation,
and the school committee did not take the account of births, jsupposing this duty
belonged to the school committee there. The different parts of the town in which
the births have occurred have been arranged by school districta." — Marriagts.
" Incomplete — ^I think abort of the true number. It does not embrace one third of
the certificates I have given. It is the best I could do ftom the returns received.
I think the nature of the facts required in this matter may be a reason of their
imperfection." — Dttdhs. " Not quite perfect, though the sextons have shown a
commendable disposition to make it so. Perhaps six or eight not returned ;
flome have been interred out of town, and the returns have not been furnished
me. The deaths in that part of Holliston now Ashland, (referred to in the births
above,) were returned as yoa have them. None returned since the act of incor-
poration from this section. In some cases, the occupation is not returned, nor is
the precise age stated. It is often difficult to obtain the exact age in months and
days. From a record kept by a person which I think is correct, the number of
deaths in Holliston, during the registration year, was S7. More attention would
be paid to the law if it were better known to the proper officers. Many of the
iaets required are of importance, and it is to be regretted that it is not better
complied with."
Digitized by VjOOQIC
16 FIFTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
HonniiTOH.^BMt. ^This rotm k b6lie?«d to b« neuly ootMCt; it in*
cladei thoM occnrriag in that pait of Hopkinton now become a part of A^ud,
up to the ptMage of the act incorporating that toirn/^-^-Mamagea, ^ Beliered to
be correct with two exceptions, and those owing to the misappreliBnnon of the
clergyman in supposing it to be the duty of the town clerk to obuia the fiictB." —
DeMs, ** As full and correct as the recnms to me will admit The probable
naraber of deaths in town, the last year, was nearly forty."
LiifcoLir. — Birtiis. ** These are what I have picked up myself; the school
committee still refuse to make any return to me. I think the bat mast cootaia
nearly all the births in town daring the year." — Deaths, ** There have been more
than four deaths in town during the past year, but some of them have been in-
terred out of town, and no record of them made by our sexton."
Natick. — Birik»» ^ I have reason lo believe that the births are staled with a
good degree of accuracy ."-^.Afarru^^. '' This return is very defective. A per-
son in this town, who, I have reason to believe, has solemnized as many mar*
riagee as all others, has not returned one instance of a marriage bj him the last
year, and I have not been able to obtain one afler repeated solicitations. The
Commonwealth will never procure correct informatioo, in my humble opinion, in
relation to marriages, until they affix a heavy penalty on clergymen and others for
neglect of this duty. It appeara to me of the greatest cansequenoe that all inar-
fiages should be recorded somewhere, that they may be accessible to all penone
interested, from the fact that much trouble has existed and pecuniary looses been
sustained, since the operation of the pension laws, by the imperfection of town
records. So in case of settlemieat of paupeni ; every one conversant with soch
matters knows the unlimited trouble existing for the want of a record of mar-
riages. If the Legislature would give a thought to this subject, the public
interest would be promoted."-— jDea(A«. *'I imagine they are less accurate, but
they are all I have been able to obtain of the sextons. I however feel confident
that a few more have happened than are stated in the return."
Newton. — SirUts. ^ You will perceive that I send you a record of one birth
only, which is all that has been received, out of probably one hundred. I have
inquired of the school committee for the births, but they have done nothing about
the record of them ; a majority of them are preachen, and they consider it too
delicate a task to meddle with. I think if it were made the duty of the aeseason,
it could and would be done." — Marriagts, " I find preachen, who, you know, do
nearly all the marrying, very strongly object to the numerous questions the law
requires them to ask ; and I don't know but the reason why so few recoide of
marriages are sent in, is because their returns would so far fail of answering the
law, that they do not like to have their failures exhibited. If the law be not al-
tered, I mean to make an effort to send you a more fiill return next year." — Detdhs*
** The deaths, I think, are full. We have in town ^e sextons ; I have had to
write to, or call on four of them, to obtain their records. Perhaps the clerk hae
received one fourth or one fifth of the marriages in town ; the reason why we
have received no more I cannot tell, as I have served in this capacity but a ahmt
time."
PnpnBRKJLL^-'^ I have adopted a system which I am in hopes will eimble me to