Bills RICA. — Birtiu, Whole number in return, 28, should be 29.
BoxBonouoR. — BirthM, ** There has been no return of the births by the school
committee, to the town clerk this year."
BaieHTov. — Births. In the Ashland return, — No. 24, registered June 6, 1848,
is the name of Andrew Abiion, date of births January 13, 1848, — name and sur-
name of parents, Norton,— occupation of father, — laborer, — ^residence of pa^
rents, — ^ child horn in Brighton, — removed to Ashland April, 1848." In
Brighton return. No. 282, — Ahhf, — date ofhirOiy January 13, 1848, name and sur-
name of parents, John and Bridget Norton, — occupation of father, laborer (?)
Cambridoe. — Births. " More nearly correct, as to the number, than former re-
turns." — Marriages. '' The foregoing list contains all the marriages returned to
this office ; but it is very imperfect ; more than twice this number of Cambridge
inhabitants, here represented, have been published, and probably married, during
the year."
CHARLSSTOwif. — Morriages. '* The above return contains all the marriages
solemnized in this city, that have been returned to the city clerk, by the proper
solemnizing officers. There are a number of clergymen in this city, who have
not made any return of marriages solemnized by them, subsequent to May 1^
1847."
Chelhsford. — Births. Whole number 56, instead of 55,— Deaths. ** This
return is very imperfect, but it is the best I could make from the materials furnish-
ed me by the sextons. I have added to their return, such particulars, as my own
personal knowledge could supply."
Concord. — Births. " The school committee have made no return of the births
in Concord, the last year, and consequently the record is a blank. I shall obtain,
so far as I can, information from the physicians of the town, and hope soon to be
able to make a return of the births obtained from that source."
Ddnstable. — Marriages " There are but few marriages in this town, for the
town is situated so near New Hampshire, that considerable part avail themselves
of the New Hampshire law, and go to Nashua to get married, I suppose to save
the publishing fees." — Deaths. ** The sexton is faithful in his duty, and makes very
full and correct returns, but, either owing to this being a very healthy town, or
having a very skilful physician, there were but few deaths in town the last year."
Frauinoham. — Births. ** The foregoing record, I have made as it was handed
to me, by the assessors, who were employed by the school committee." — 3far-
riages. " A considerable number of Catholics have been married, of which I have
had no return, and I think there are a few others that have not been returned."—
Deaths. " The sextons have not all made returns."
HoLLisTON. — Birihs. '* I think this return is nearly, if not quite, complete, so
far as concerns Holliston proper. There were several births, it is supposed, among
the foreigners engaged in constructing the railroad ; here, all of these are omitted.
The person who took the record of births through the town, said he could mU aseer-
tain ihem. The payment made for taking the record of births, is not half large
enough. It will never be taken accurately and uniformly, till the pay is increased
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES. 16
to 10 or IScis. each at letat" One birth added,— «tricken from Aahland retnni,
making the whole number 50. — Marriagu. '* The above embraces all the returns
I have received, but do not think it embraces all the marriages solemnized. It
is quite difficult to furnish correct returns of marriages."— />eaM«. " This return,
I have no doubt, is correct, so far as concerns HoUiston proptTf there are 2 or 8
herein retorned, which do not contain all the facts required by law, — some 2 to 5
deaths occurred among the laborers on the railroad, not reported. I have spent two
days or more, in collecting some of the deaths herein reported. The pay is too
•mall for the service required."
LufcoLjf. — Birihi, **I believe there have been fifteen or more births in
the town, during the year, but the school committee have made me no return, and
I can only return the number, without the items, according to the best of my
knowlege in the case." — Deaihs. "Our sexton refuses to return the deaths
which occurred in the town, during the year, giving, as a reoionj the selectmen
would not pay him for said service last year, so you can readily perceive that my
return is necessarily very imperfect"
LiTTLXTOn. — BiHhi, " No returns have been made into the clerk's office."
howEisL, — BirthM, One birth, March 26, 1847, stricken out, — whole number 717,
Maldbh. — Birtht. Five births anterior to date specified for return, to be made,
â– Cricken out, making the whole number, 53.
MAKLBoaoueH. — Births. *\Which is all the school committee have returned,
probably about one half of the births which have taken place." 2 births before
the time specified for return to be made, stricken out, and one added, — stricken
from Ashland return,— making the whole number, 20.
Natick. — ^ I herewith forward the annual return of births, marriages and deaths,
which have occurred in this town, during the year ending May 1, 1848, and am
happy to say, with a greater proximity to correctness, than have been made in any
preceding year ; but still, not so correct as could be desired. It is due, however,
to the present school committee, to say, that they have discharged their duty
&ithfiilly, and returned the births promptly, and with great accuracy ; so, with
regard to the marriages, nearly all that have taken place in this town, have been
ftcorded. The publishments have far exceeded the marriages, many of the lat-
ter have taken i^ace out of the Commonwealth, and some of the number are Ro-
man Catholics, none of which are ever returned to the town clerk. The deaths
aro more imperfect ; some few have not been returned by the sextons. I find
more difficulty in the marriages, than could be desired. Applications for pub-
lishments are often made by letter, sometimes by friends who do not know the
[4ace of birth, the names of parents, nor the residence of fathers ; if these data be
requisite, it would seem that the blanks furnished by the Commonwealth, for the
certificate of publishments, should conform to the record to be made, and then, at
the solemnization of the marriage, the blanks might be filled, if the officiating
clergyman had brass enough to ask the requisite questions of the parties to be
joined in wedlock."
Rbaduio. — Birihi. One birth, after the time specified for return to be made,
stricken out, whole number, 84.
South Rbadiwo. — Marriagti, ^ This return does not embrace all the marriages
that have been solemnized in the town, daring the year, as one clergyman has
moTetam."
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16 SEVENTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
Stow.— •'There hu not been any births or deaths recorded in this town the
last year."
TjffQSBOwovaH.'-Dealhs. ** I am well aware that I have delayed sendinf this
return, till I have trespassed, but I trust I shall be excused, when I inform yon
that I have obtained the matter contabed in this sheet, by dint of going to and fW>
on the earth ; not a single return has been made to me this year ; as yet I have
waited for the return of births due from our school committee, in hope of return-
ing them together, but I have not received the return of births yet ; when I do, it
shall be forthcoming. No Afarrwig'M in Tyngaborough, the past year ; all that have
been married, that belong to Tyngsborough, have chosen to have the ceremony
performed elsewhere."
Watkrtown. — Births, Whole number in return, 78,— should be 76. — Deaths,
" The sexton has made no return to me."
Westfobd. — Births, Whole number in return,'37,— should be 86. — Deaths,
" The above contains all the deaths returned to the town clerk, probably less
than one half of the whole number in town." No Returns of births from Con'
cord, and Wobum ; of marriages from Tyngsborough ; of births and deaths, from
Acion, and Stow ; of births, marriages and deaths, from SomervUU,
WORCESTER COUNTY.
Athol. — Deaths "No returns have been made to this office, pursuant to the
law ; I cannot therefore make the return in regard to them, but will state general-
ly that the number of deaths that occurred, during that period, was about thirty."
Auburn. — Births, Whole number, 9, instead of 10. — Deaths, *' The above is as
perfect a return, as I am able to make from the information obtained by the
sexton."
BoTLSTON. — Births, " I regret, that, in consequence of the failure of the
school committee, in the duty required of them by law, in ascertaining and
making a return to me, of the births which have taken place in this town, doriog
the past year, I am unable to make any return of births this year; and I regret it
the more, as my records and returns have been full and accurate, till the present
time. I did not receive the blanks, until afler the time (1st of May) our assessors
usually make their circuit ; otherwise, an arrangement might have been made
with them. There was ample time, however, for the school committee to have
performed the duty, if they had been so disposed. I felt it to be a matter of jus-
tice to myself, to state these facts, and they are at your disposal"
Brookfibld. — Deaths, " This return is, as you will see, very imperfect ; we
have no regularly chosen or appointed sexton ; therefore, the returns are not made
as they should be. This retiurn was made according to the best knowledge of the
clerk."
Harvard. — Deaths, ^ The above is as full and correct a report, as could well
be obtained."
Hou>XN. — Births, '' The number of births is supposed to be correct, bot we
have a floating population of Irish and French, that stop but a short time, and
are off, so that it is impossible to make a complete return."
Lbicxstbb. — Births, Return not signed by the town clerk.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES. 17
Leominster. — Births. " The above return is complete, I believe, with the ex-
ception of the named of some children, who are not yet named, and of two whose
parents removed from town, soon after the date of birth."
MiLLBURT. — Marriages. " There have been thirty-nine publishments, and as
many certificates issued, and but twelve marriages returned, as many of the num-
ber were foreigners, and married by the Catholic priest, at Worcester, the clerk's
return of that place should show more marriages than publishments, if the re-
turns are agreeable to the law. The births and deaths, I believe, are correct"
NoRTBBOROUGH. — Birihs, " But one of the school committee (of which there
are five) has made any return ; the actual amount of births in this town, is proba-
bly three times as many as are given here. I would suggest the propriety of al-
tering the laV, so as to make it the duty of the assessors to collect the informa-
tion. I know the school committee can authorize them ,to do it, but have found,
by experience, that the assessors are unwilling to do it; if the law made it a part
of their duty, there would probably be no trouble."
Souths RIDGE. — "The returns are not complete, and I could not make them
so, as I had to make them from the registration of the former town clerk. The
school committee take very little trouble in ascertaining the births, by personal
attention, or by authorizing others. If school committees, generally, do not take
more interest in the matter than they do in this town, I think tliere should be a
more effectual way provided."
Sturbridoe. — Births. " I have been urging the school committee to make
the return seasonably. They have not done it till this time."
Sutton. — Marriages. " The clergymen are very negligent in making returns
of marriages, according to the laws of Massachusetts. I presume there are some
marriages, that never are returned to the clerk of the town where they are solem-
nized."
Templetow. — Births, " The return is as complete as could be made from the
returns made to me, but does not include all the births in the town." — Deaths.
"This return includes all, or nearly all, the deaths in the town, during the year."
Webster. — Deaths. " Although blank returns were placed in the hands of
the sextons, yet the records of deaths are very, imperfect. I find more difficulty
in obtaining corritl information for these returns, — than for either of the others.*'
West Botlston. — Births. "I have endeavored to return as perfect a list as
possible, agreeable to law ; there are three births where the sex is not specified,
and, in these cases, I believe the parents were foreigners, who have since removed
out of town, and that fact could not be easily ascertained, as our physicians for-
got to make a record of the sex, at the time of birth."
Westminster. — Births. "The number of births, in the town of Westmin-
ster, during the year next preceding May 1, 1848, was 75," and in the column of
* Date of Birth,' is one each, in the years 1832, ia34, 18:36, 1837, 1830 and 1840,
— ^two in 1842, 1843, — 44 in 1846, and 14 previous to May 1,1847, — leaving but
four born within the time in which the town clerk was to make return.
No Returns of births from Oxford, of births, marriages and deaths from Dana,
PhUlipston and Upton,
3
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18 SEVENTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
Amherst. — Births. One birth, afler May 1, 1848, stricken oat, making the
whole number 70.
Belchertown. — Births. "The above is an imperfect return of births, as the
names of those returned were taken from the minutes of one of our physicians."
— Deaths. ** The above docs not embrace all the deaths in this town, as I have
had no return from the sextons, aid there is no inducement for town clerks to
labor to make a full return, as their compensation is merely nominal, and, having
no returns made to them, either from the school committee, or sextons, it is im-
possible, unless they make an entire circuit of the town, to make a full and com-
plete return.*'
CuESTERFiELD.~Btr/^. Ono in each of the years 1837, 1842, 1843, 1846,
and two in 1847, previous to May Ist, stricken out, making the whole number 22.
Easthamptom. — Births. "No return has been made to me by the school
committee, either this year or last. I let them have a set of blanks to make re-
turns to me, and as they have not returned them, up to this day, I think that they
may be blanks yet I think that the return of births should be made by physi-
cians, or be collected by the clerk himself. The school committee is not any
body ; one of the committee may do his duty, and the others neglect it, and your
return is not worth any tiling." — Marriagts. " The number of marriages returned
is small, the clergymen in this town have been prompt in making return of mar-
riages ; some go out of the State from this town every year." — Deaths. "We
have no sextons in this town ; I have obtained the information of physicians and
others, and kept a record ; it is probably correct"
Enfield. — "The above are all the deaths "which have occurred within the limits
of this town, during the specified year, and the record, so far as it goes, is, I be-
lieve, correct The number of marriages, I believe to be correct, for our clergy
have been very prompt to make tlieir returns very nearly as the law directs, and
their reason for so doing may be in some measure accounted for *, the pay for their
services tells, compared to the pay of the other officers who have to do in the mat-
ter. The births are, for the most part, correct ; the number, so f^r as ascertained,
is correct, or, at the least, nearer the truth than it will likely to be, unless our
legislature can, in their generosity, afford to pass an act, to pay one officer of the
town, to collect and make returns te tiie clerk, in such a manner, that he can send
them forward, with tliat degree of accuracy, that may be depended upon ; for, un-
til an adequate compensation can be paid, you cannot get accurate and full returns.
Who will or can find any fault with a school committee, for not ascertaining the
hirthSf in any of our inland towns, of one or two tliousand inhabitants. Take this
town, for an example, of one thousand inhabitants, with from 20 to 30 births in
the year, which has taken two days to get the information required by the stat-
utes, and you will perceive that it affi)rds the enormous sum of seventy cents per
day, for self-expenses of living, and pay for horse-hire (which, by the way, will
not be less than $1 50). If this good old State of Massachusetts, which is looked
up to as an example of generous salaries, can require of her generous-hearted yeo-
manry, to do such fatiguing duties, and ascertain such desired statistics, for the
benefit of her citizens, and refuse to pay them a fair compensation for their labors,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
NOTES. 19
. they mast not be disappointed, if, instead of their doing thoee doties reqaired,
they will soon wholly neglect them ; for five cents a birth will not pay a committee
efficient to porchase them a dinner of water ^frw/."
Goshen. — "I have given you a perfect list of all births, maniagea and deaths,
that have occurred in this town, within the time specified.**
Greenwich.— jBir^Af. "The above is a correct list of births, in this town,
within the time specified, t. «., from the first of May, 1847, to the 1st of May, 1848,
according to the record of my predecessor, and the best information I could obtain
elsewhere." — Marriagts. " The above comprises a list of persons married in our
town, from May Ist, 1847, to May 1st, 1848, according to the best information I
could obtain, yet the list is very imperfect, owing probably to the carelessness
or negligence of those who made out the certificates ; they not giving dates, &c.,
so as to fill out the list as the law requires. But 1 will do what I can, to have
the returns in better shape, another year."
HATriEZB.-^Births. Four births since May 1, 1848,— stricken from return,
—leaving the whole number, 24.
Northampton.— 3£r<A». Return, 87, should be 88.
Norwich. — Deaths. " The above, I believe to be correct, so far as the record
is full ; I have taken considerable trouble to get the returns in, and it is the first
time the deaths have been returned to the clerk, since the present law was enact-
ed ; this is the cause of its being rather late."
Pelham. — *^ There has been no return of births and deaths made to me. But
there has been probably 15 births, and 12 or 13 deaths."
Prescott. — Births. "The above is a true transcript from the record I have
kept, and contains the exact number of births that have occurred in this town th«
year ending April 30th last, as I have ascertained by personal inquiry, in travers-
ing the length and breadth of the town, up hill and down, through snow and mud,
(it mostly being accomplished in the month of March,) the school committee hav-
ing previously refused to give the least aid, (although furnished with blanks, and
frequently solicited so to do ;) and hence the whole burthen fell on the clei%, or else
subject himself to a penalty of ten dollars. Cannot our wise legislators, in their
long sessions, make some alterations in the law, that shall more equalize the labor
to be performed in collecting all the facts necessary to render the registration
law complete ?" — Marriages. " One other gentleman and lady from this town,
took a ride into N. H., and returned ' one fiesh,' as they say, that is, mAn and
wife. Query. Ought not the laws of this Commonwealth to make it compulso-
ry on the parties thus united in marriage, to furnish some evidence of their
union, from the magistrate or clergyman, who officiates at such ceremony, to the
town clerk of the town where the parties belong, that it may be recorded with the
other marriages that take place ?"— Deoi^. "The above is a correct Het of all .
the deaths that have occurred in this town, for the year ending April 30tb, 1848,
with the condition, age, occupation, &c., of each, as returned to me by the several
sextons in town, who have performed their duty very chcerfVilly and with correct-
ness, (where all the facts could be ascertained in the several inquiries,) except
making their returns monthly, as required by the fourth section of the act"
South Hadlet.— Btr(^. '* The above is a list of births in South Hadley, as
returned by the school committee. I believe it to be full and correct"
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20 SEVENTH REGISTRATION REPORT.
WAnM.^DealK$* " No return of deaths in town the past year made to me."
WxsTHAMPToif. — MarriagiM. *' M7 vocabulary is not extensive enough to ex-
press, in a single word, the * occupation' of unmarritd young ladies. Can't do
better than set it dowu-^repartttionfor mairimony.^
No Returw of births from Cummington, and of births and deaths from Pd-
ham.
HAMPDEN COUNTY.
Blandford.— Birtt*. " The above is a correct list of the births, as returned
to me by the school committee."— 2>ea<A«. '* The above list I have obtained from
our clergyman, and think it very near correct" — Marriages. " The above mar-
riages are all that have been returned to me, but probable not all that have been
married in our town."
Brimfield. — " If we could have the blanks, previous to the 1st of May, the
assessors could collect the births, but as they do not, the school committee collect
them at their leisure."
Granvillr.— BirMtf. *' Whole number should be 31, instead of 29, as in re-
turn."
HoLLAUfD.—BirUu, «* There has not been any return of births made to me,
for the past year ; whether any have occurred or not, I have not been informed."
LupLOw. — Births. '* I have not received any return from the school commit-
tee, of births, for the past year. I received these fourteen, from the journal of
Dr. W. B. Alden."
MoNTooM RRT. — Marriages. " There has been several others married within
the year, residents of this town, but were married in other places."
Palmer. — Births. Whole number, 71, instead of 72, as in return.
West SpRiifOFiELD. — " I herewith transmit what I have, of returns required
by law, to be made to the secretary, in the month of June, annually. You will
see, at a glance, that they are very imperfect I will state some of the reasons.
The toum school committee have neglected to make any report whatever, of the
ftirt^ in town, and, of course, none is forwarded. The committee are unwilling
to attend to the duty, at least, for the compensation allowed by law, and the town
have taken no other measures to obtain the requisite facts. The return of tnar-
riages is likewise deficient, from the fact, that clergymen, or others, who may
officiate at marriages, consider the matter of obtaining the information required
by law, from the parties themselves, at the time of marriage, as of a very delicate
nature, and will not attend to it I think the hint given in your circular of April
12, with regard to town clerks attending to the facts required by law, will receive
attention when practicable. There are but few cases in town, where any par-
ticular person has charge of burial grounds, so that no person is lawfully oUiged
to make return of the deaths in town ; most of those which I have obtained, were
given me by the kindness of clergymen, who attended at the funerals, by which
most of the deaths can be determined, but without the necessary facts required
bylaw."
Westfield. — Marriages. '* The above are not all the marriages that have
been solemnized here, but all that have been returned to me."
No Return of deaths from Chester and Palmer.
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NOTES. 21
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
AsHFiELD. — Deaths, ^ The foregoiog is a true copy of town record, as fur-
nished bj Jonathan Lilly, sexton."
BERNARDSToif. — Birihs. "The ahove was prepared hy Dr. E. W. Carpenter,
who has very commendably performed the same service for some years past, and
I believe is as nearly perfect as can be." .
Ekvivq.— Deaths. " M that have been returned" (one).
Greeitfield. — " The births and deaths are not returned to the town clerk, and
have never been since the law was enacted."
Hawlet. — Births, " Above is the copy of record, and you will perceive that
there are eight recorded, that were born in 1846, which accounts for 10, in the
heading, and 18 in the number column. I was not clerk for 1847, and have cop-
ied as they stand on the register." Bu/ 4, in fact, should have been returned. —