(4) circa 1880s Reward of Merit certificates; likely Taunton Mass. Pierce / Dean For Sale

about 2.25 x 5.25 to " / 2.75 x 6.5" size range ... circa 1880s ... slips with decorative engravings including moral imagery, historical figures (maybe George Washington), pastoral schoolhouse scenes?, Guy with a raquet? ..... Two of the certificates feature a period poem reminding children of proper values "Oh 'tis a lovely thing for youth To walk betimes in Wisdom's way To fear a lie, to speak the truth, That we may trust to all they say" ....two made out to (William) Frankie Pierce, and signed by the teacher, W. N. Dean (these are highly likely to be from Taunton, Massachusetts)... William Franklin Pierce (often recorded as William F. Pierce) was a prominent figure born in the mid-19th century, historical records show he married Elizabeth Ann Burt and established a family in Taunton. The Teacher - W. N. Dean (Wilmot N. Dean) was an active educator in the Bristol County and greater eastern Massachusetts school systems. He was a direct descendant of the original Taunton Deans, making him a distant cousin to the very children he was teaching in the local schoolhouse. ... Code JSB 340