The first dance under the direction of the 1911 Norton High School Class was held at the Town Hall last night with great success. The hall decorations were orange and black. A reception was held in the early evening and the invited guests, numbering about 150, met the members and their teachers. The proceeds will go to augment the Washington trip fund. The Young People’s Guild met last evening with Miss Kitty Payson. The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: President, Rev. Adolph Rossbach; first vice President, Florence Dorr; treasurer, Arthur Valentine; executive committee, …

The Tavern Whist Club, composed of ladies from Taunton, Foxborough, Mansfield and Norton, will hold their quarterly social at the Tavern, in Mansfield Tuesday afternoon.  October 31, Mrs. J.F. Hartshorn and Mrs. H.F. Gray of Foxborough will be the hostesses. John Prouty, a former owner of the local grocery store, now of Spencer, was in town yesterday calling on friends. Mrs. Lewis Deane has had steam heat installed in her residence, on Pine Street. Mrs. Ann Larson, of Falmouth, is a guest of her daughter, Mrs. P.A. Dean. F. Barber is in town as a representative of the N.K. Fairbanks Company, …

The senior class of Norton High School Class of 1912 held a meeting yesterday and made plans for a sale, to be held in the Unitarian Church vestry in the near future. Clifford Titus, Harry Keene, Thomas Caswell and Frank Crowe were appointed for the ice cream committee; cake committee, Esther Crane, Marcy Healy and Amy Felton; candy committee, Norman Wood, Lincoln Gegenheimer and Dorothy Smith.  The committee to serve lunches this week is made up of Esther Crane, Dorothy Smith and Frank Crowe. Ralph Smith is digging a well on his premises on Reservoir Street. Yesterday Otis J. Sweet found a …

Miss Linda Geggenheimer has been visiting relatives in Worcester and in Pawtucket.  She returned home last night. Mrs. J.B. Page and daughter, who have been spending the past two weeks at Capitol Island, ME, are expected home Thursday. Miss Grace King went to Dorchester, Sunday, where she will make her home with her sister.  Mrs. Lester Thomas.  Yesterday morning she resumed her duties at R.H. Steans Co., after a vacation of one month. Mrs. Sanford Wetherell, who has been enjoying a vacation at Bristol Narrows, returned home yesterday. Her mother, Mrs. Chilson of Attleboro, accompanied her. …

The most pleasing event this summer was the reception given yesterday afternoon and evening. The occasion was the anniversary of Miss S.M. Barker's birth. Those present were from Taunton, Brockton, Mansfield, Providence and one from California. The event was tastefully decorated with wire and cut flowers. Miss Barker was the recipient of a great number of remembrances, consisting of several books, embroidered linen, lace pins, several gold pieces varying in value the largest being $10. The largest gift was an elegant easy chair from the Unitarian Church, of which she is a member, and the …

Mrs. A.H. Sweet, director of the cheer and comfort branch of the Sunshine Society, entertained the members Saturday by giving them an an auto ride, two automibiles being required to convey the members.  The party passed through the following places: Attleboro, North Attleboro, Wrentham, Walpole, Norwood, Dedham, Forest Hills, Fenway, Boston, Mattapan, Canton, Stoughton, North Easton and Easton.  A stop was made at Mattapan for refreshments.  Those enjoying the trip were Mildred Caedy, Mrs. Minnie Chase, Miss Florence Dorr, Edna Dunhham, Mrs. mary French, Harold French, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. …

Fred H. Harrington, 32, and Ella Broueillitte, 27, both of Norton were married in Taunton, Jan. 10, 1911 by Father Martin J. Fox a Roman Cathoic Priest.  The groom was a a lumber worker, born in Westboro, a son of Daniel and Delia (Howard) Harrington.  The bride was born in Raynham, a daughter of Abraham and Zoe (Massie) Broueillitte. John H. Smith, 24, of Attleboro and Willimie Kate Barrows, 18, of Norton, were married in Attleboro June 7, 1911 by Rev. Ellen G. Gusten.  John was a jewelry worker born in Nova Scotia, Canada.  Willime was born in Norton. George E. Keene, 20, of Norton and Myra…

Ernest Titus, died at Norton, May 28, 1911, age 2 days, due to prematurity.  Ernest was the son of George L. and Christine (Hattman) Titus.  He was buried at Centre Cemetery in Norton May 30, 1911. Eliza (Pratt) Crane, died at 31 Broadway, Raynham, June 3, 1911, age 89 years, due to arterio sclerosis.  He was born in Taunton Sept. 7, 1821, and Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Walker) Pratt.  He was buried at Crane Cemetery, Norton June 6, 1911. Fanny H. (Crossman) Lane, died at Norton June 6, 1911, age 82 years due to senile dementia.  She was born in Norton, daughter of Charles L. and Fanny (Hunt) …

For the upcoming Memorial Day weekend I thought I would share the locations of all the historic cemeteries in the town of Norton. I authored a book A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries (Boston, NEHGS, 2009) in which I identified the location, alias names and ages of all cemeteries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you are a Norton resident who does not have a family member buried in town I have a kind suggestion. Think upon the forgotten gravestone of long ago, one where the family has long since moved away from Norton. I ask on the occasion of Memorial Day weekend to plant some flowers…

A meeting of citizens was held last evening to form a fire district under the act recently passed by the legislature. The vote cast was 103 in favor to 43 against, Harry Gardner was chosen moderator and Geo. Smith clerk. Water commissioners associated were Homer Lane, Walter wood and Frank Clapp. It was voted to accept the bill that former the water district and to enter into contract with the Norton Water Co. for hydrant supply.  The following voted was passed: “That we appropriate the raise by taxation a sum not exceeding $2,000 for hydrant rental for one year and from the time that the …

Harold M. Leonard, a popular young man of Mansfield Avenue gave a social and dance last Wednesday evening in Makepeace Hall which was well attended.  There will also be another dance this week Wednesday, May 17 at the same place. Ms. Mabel Alger and Mrs. Alton Leonard were the guests of Mrs. George Norman in Charley Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lemaire of Taunton and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Roberts of East Mansfield were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bolles yesterday. Carroll Briggs of Attleboro, a former resident of this town, was in town yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Storer of Mattapan …

The deaths in Norton a century ago, between January and April 1911, have been collected from the records returned to the Secretary of State by Jacob A. Leonard the Town Clerk of Norton. Mary A. Burt, died January 22, 1911, age 55 yrs. 9 mos. 22 dys., due to exposure to cold and mental deterioration.  Mary was born at Norton May 31, 1858, a daughter of Melzer and Martha (Willis) Burt.  She was buried at the Plain Cemetery in Taunton on January 25, 1911. Oliver James Horten, died on Worcester St., Norton, February 8, 1911, age 74 yrs. 8 mos. 3 dys., due to bronchitis and asthma.  James was a …

The annual meeting of the Norton Public Library will be held in the library building Monday evening April 24 at 7:30 for the election of three directors, bearing of reports and other business.  After the meeting, the presentation by Dr. Emery Holman of the oil painting of Mrs. Wheaton, donated to the library by the artist, Frank Holmes, will take place.  All are cordially invited.Harold, the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. George Sawyer, narrowly escaped receiving serious injuries Saturday.  While alighting from a tipcart on which he had been riding his foot slipped and he fell, scaring the …

A fire broke out on land owned by Mr. Chawshaw on Hill Street yesterday afternoon and burned over about 40 acres of land, extending into Taunton through woods to the rear of the residence of Enoch Reed.  Help was summoned from Taunton. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dunham and daughters, Edna and Eva, of Meadowbrook, who have been seriously ill with typhoid pneumonia are reported to be more comfortable. Another tenement house is under construction in the Italian settlement. George H. Storer is putting in order a number of boats for the reservoir.  At high water the pond, with its numerous inlets and …

On Saturday, April 8, the Old Colony Grange will meet in Norton.  The committee in charge is Mr. and Mrs. Alison Cowles, Mrs. Harriet Dorr, H.E. Gardner and Howard Woodward of the local grange.  The program for the day is as follows: Current Events, Mrs. Edna F. Tilden, Stoughton; “Should the Farmer Adjoining the Road be Compelled to keep the Roadside Clear of Brush and Other Rubbish,” speakers Charles Harvey of Taunton and A.G. Ashley of Rochester: “Old School Days,” Mrs. Maria Hoard of Easton, Mrs. Benjamin Harding of Bridgewater, Mrs. W.B. Drew of Brockton.  In the afternoon there will be …

J.A. Johnson of Briggs’ Corner was in town calling on friends yesterday. By looking down and not up in a trip over a field the other day made a town young man $10 richer.  What at first appeared to be a stray bit of paper resembling money on close examination proved the real thing.  The fragment was washed and ironed and a crisp bill was the result. A new organization was instituted yesterday at the home of Miss Katheryn M. Payson.  It is called the Grange Auxiliary and the object is to promote and assist all plans made in the order.  The membership is to be composed entirely of women and the…

 The tickets have been purchased for the long anticipated Washington trip of the 1911 Norton High School Class.  The funds for this journey have been secured by hard work by the class, assisted by a generous public who wish them full realization of their expectations. Principal Gardner and Miss Piggott will accompany the party.  They start Friday this week and will return in 10 days. The Fortnightly Club were entertained yesterday afternoon by Mrs. C.A. Ratcliffe, it being a social time.  Refreshments were served.  Those present were Mrs. George Talbot, Miss E.F. Carpenter, Mrs. J.C. Pratt, …

Milton Alger is seriously ill at his home on Mansfield Avenue. Mrs. Celia Field of Crane Avenue was the guest of her niece, Mrs. Cora Leonard yesterday. Mrs. Alton Leonard of Chartley was visiting her sister, Mabel Alger of Mansfield Avenue Thursday. At the Trinitarian Church tomorrow morning Rev. C.A. Ratcliffe will take for his subject “Man Shall not live by Bread Alone.” Mrs. Edward Lane, Mrs. Elizabeth Norman and Willie Fogarty attended the play at Bates’ Opera House, Attleboro, Thursday evening. Mr., and Mrs. Elmer Lane, Mrs. Sherwood and Amy Hallily of Chartley went to Mansfield …

The finance committee met at the town hall Saturday and recommended the following appropriations: For roads and bridges, $3,000; for schools $8,800; for poor and incidentals $3000; for repairs of school houses $500; for school superintendent $340; for public library, $200; for Memorial Day, $70; for school physician $50; for care of library square $25.  On Article 21 “to see if the town will contract to light the streets,” they recommend dismissal from the warrant. To gravel Burt Street, $300; to macadamize Worcester Street, $2500; to suppress gypsy and brown tail moths, $540; for Civil War …

Mrs. George L. Titus and Mrs. Abbott Smith of East Norton were guests of Mrs. K.G. Streeter in South Framingham, Wednesday. Mrs. E.L. Dean of New Bedford is visiting relatives in town. This evening, Norton Grange Patrons of Husbandry, will holds its first February meeting at Makepeace Hall. Several Norton High School pupils and a few friends are planning a sleighing party for tomorrow evening. Mrs. S.A. Sprague was the guest of her son, C.P. Sprague in Taunton yesterday. Sewing is to be taught the girls in the schools in all grades below the high, and manual training the boys. The engine at …