USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History of the colony of New Haven to its absorption into Connecticut > Part 19
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History of the colony of New Haven to its absorption into Connecticut > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
CHAPTER XIII.
LEARNING.
PROTESTANT Christianity places so much empha- sis on individual accountability to God that con- sistency requires a Protestant community to provide that every person shall be able to read, in order that he may read the Scriptures. The Puritan fathers of New England established schools as early as, or earlier than, they organized churches, and with direct reference to religious instruction as the ultimate end. Under the caption "Children's Education," the New Haven law reads as follows : - '
" Whereas too many parents and masters, either through an over tender respect to their own occasions and business, or not duly considering the good of their children and apprentices, have too much neglected duty in their education while they are young and capable of learning, It is Ordered, That the deputies for the particular court in each plantation within this jurisdiction for the time being, or where there are no such deputies, the constable or other officer or officers in public trust, shall, from time to time, have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors within the limits of the said plantation ; that all parents and masters do duly en- deavor, either by their own ability and labor, or by improving such school-master or other help and means as the plantation doth afford or the family may conveniently provide, that all their children and apprentices, as they grow capable, may, through God's blessing, attain at least so much as to be able duly to read the Scriptures
261
262
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COLONY.
and other good and profitable printed books in the English tongue, being their native language; and, in some competent measure, to understand the main grounds and principles of Christian religion necessary to salvation."
The statute then proceeds to provide for its enforce- ment, imposing fine after fine, and finally authorizing the court of magistrates if "such children or servants may be in danger to grow barbarous, rude, and stub- born," to "take such children or apprentices from such parents or masters, and place them for years, boys till they come to the age of one and twenty, and girls till they come to the age of eighteen years, with such others who shall better educate and govern them, both for public conveniency and for the particular good of the said children or apprentices."
We learn from the statute that the end for which schools were instituted was that children might not grow " barbarous, rude, and stubborn." From the his- tory of the schools we shall further find that the plant- ers had in view not only to secure the colony from the existence of a dangerous class, but to qualify some of their youth to be leaders of the people in the following generation.
The first planters of the earliest plantation in the colony brought with them a school-master. A few months after the arrival of the company at Quinnipiac, and apparently as soon as a room for the school could be provided, he commenced to teach. Michael Wiggles- worth, who was his pupil in the summer of 1639, says, " I was sent to school to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, who at that time taught school in his own house ; and under him, in a year or two I profited so much, through the
263
LEARNING.
blessing of God, that I began to make Latin, and to get on apace." The revision of the town records sanc- tioned by the General Court, after the unfaithfulness of Secretary Fugill had been discovered, gives the fol- lowing minute concerning Mr. Cheever's school : -
" For the better training up of youth in this town, that through God's blessing they may be fitted for public service hereafter, either in church or commonweal, it is ordered that a free school be set up, and the magistrates with the teaching elders are en- treated to consider what rules and orders are meet to be observed, and what allowance may be convenient for the school-master's care and pains, which shall be paid out of the town's stock. According to which order {20 a year was paid to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, the present school-master, for two or three years at first; but that not proving a competent maintenance, in August, 1644, it was enlarged to £30 a year, and so continueth."
After Mr. Cheever's difficulty with the church it was uncomfortable for him to reside in New Haven, and he soon removed to Ipswich. In October, 1650, "it was propounded that a school-master be provided for the town," and the matter was referred to a committee ; but some time elapsed before a school-master was found whom the town was willing to reward with so large a salary as they had paid to Mr. Cheever. Mr. Jeanes, one of the proprietors of the town, was willing to teach, and, in March, 1651, "it was propounded to know whether the town would allow any salary to Mr. Jeanes for teaching school.1 Much debate was about it, but
' William Jeanes, whose house was at the corner of Chapel and Church Streets. I have seen it stated that Rev. Thomas James, who lived at the corner of Chapel and York Streets, taught school in New Haven; but after diligent search I conclude that this is a mistake occasioned by the similarity of his name to that of Jeanes.
264
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COLONY.
nothing was ordered in it at present ; only it was pro- pounded to him, that if the town would allow him £10 a year, whether he would not go on to teach and take the rest of the parents of the children by the quarter ; but he returned no answer." On further reflection Mr. Jeanes concluded to accept the town's offer, so that in May the town "ordered that he should have £1o for this year." In October " Mr. Jeanes informed the town that he is offered a considerable maintenance to go to Wethersfield to teach school, yet if the town will settle that £10 a year upon him formerly ordered, he is willing to stay here in the work he is. Whereupon it was voted that for three years he have £10 a year as formerly ordered, and upon the same terms as before." For some reason Mr. Jeanes did not continue to teach for so long a period as the town had engaged itself to him ; for, in October, 1651 :-
" The secretary was desired to speak with Mr. Goodyear to use some means to bring the school-master hither, who, they hear, is coming, but wants transportation ; and, about a fortnight later, " the governor acquainted the court that now the school-master is come, and some course must be taken to provide for his lodging and diet ; and to repair the school-house; and consider what the town will allow him a year; and what his work shall be; therefore it is necessary a committee should be chosen to treat with him. The court considered of the motion, and chose the ruling elder, the four deputies, and the treasurer, as a committee to treat with him and provide for him; and declared that they are willing to allow him {30 a year out of the treasury, or any greater sum as they can agree, not exceeding {40, and that his work should be to perfect male children in the English after they can read in their Testament or Bible, and to learn them to write, and to bring them on to. Latin as they are capable, and desire to proceed therein."
1
265
LEARNING.
Three days later -
"The committee appointed at the last court to treat and agree with the school-master, acquainted the court with what they had done; viz., that he propounded to have £20 a year, and the town to pay for his chamber and diet (which they have agreed with Mr. Atwater for, for five shillings per week); that the town pay toward his charges in coming hither thirty shillings ; that he have liberty once a year to go to see his friends, which we propounded to be in harvest time; that his pay be good, and some of it such as wherewith he may buy books and defray charges in his travel ; that if he be called away (not to the same work, but to some other employment which may be for the honor of Christ) he may have liberty. And for this he will teach the children of this town (having the benefit of strangers to himself) after they are entered and can read in the Testament; to perfect them in English; and teach them their Latin tongue as they are capable ; and to write. After consideration the town voted to accept the terms propounded."
The school-master thus provided was John Hanford, afterward settled in the ministry at Norwalk. When he had taught about four months : -
"The governor acquainted the court that he hears the school- master is somewhat discouraged, because he hath so many English scholars which he must learn to spell, which was never the town's mind, as appeared in the order which was now read. And it was now ordered that the school-master shall send back such scholars as he sees do not answer the first agreement with him, and the parents of such children were desired not to send them."
Seven months after Mr. Hanford had commenced his school : -
"The governor informed the court that one of Norwalk had been with him to desire liberty for Mr. Hanford's remove to be helpful to that plantation in the work of the ministry: also Mr. Hanford himself, who saith he finds his body unable, and that it will not stand with his health to go on in his work of teaching
-
NT
266
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COLONY.
school, and therefore desires liberty to take his opportunity ; which liberty he did reserve when he agreed with the town ; the record of which agreement being read, it so appeared. Therefore, if his mind was so set, they could not hinder him; but a convenient time of warning was desired, which he granted, if it was a month or two." "
On the same day when the aforesaid action was taken, releasing Mr. Hanford, " brother Davis's son was propounded to supply the school-master's place, and the magistrates, elders, and deacons, with the deputies for the court, were chosen as a committee to treat with him about it." It is probable, however, that Mr. Davis was not employed; for the governor informed the court, Nov. 8, 1652 : -
" That the cause of calling this meeting is about a school-master, to let them know what he hath done in it. He hath written a let- ter to one Mr. Bowers, who is school-master at Plymouth, and de- sires to come into these parts to live, and another letter about one Mr. Rowlandson, a scholar, who, he hears, will take that employ- ment upon him. How they will succeed, he knows not; but now Mr. Jeanes is come to the town, and is willing to come hither again if he may have encouragement. What course had been taken to get one he was acquainted with, and that, if either of them come, he must be entertained ; but he said, if another come, he should be willing to teach boys and girls to read and write, if the town thought fit ; and Mr. Jeanes being now present, confirmed it. The town generally was willing to encourage Mr. Jeanes's coming, and would allow him at least ten pounds a year out of the treasury, and the rest he might take of the parents of the children he teacheth, by the quarter, as he did before, to make it up a comfortable main- tenance. And many of the town thought there would be need of two school-masters, for if a Latin school-master come, it is feared he will be discouraged if many English scholars come to him. Mr. Jeancs, seeing the town's willingness for his coming again, acknowledged their love, and desired them to proceed no further
Me
i
267
LEARNING.
at this time ; for he was not sure he shall get free where he is, and if he do, he doubts it will not be before winter. Therefore no more was done in it at present."
About seven months later (June 21, 1653) :-
"The governor acquainted the town that Mr. Bowers, whom they sent for to keep school, is now come, and that it hath been difficult to find a place for his abode ; but now Thomas Kimberley's house is agreed upon, and he intends to begin his work next fifth day if the town please; with which the town was satisfied, and de- clared that they would allow him as they did Mr. Hanford, - that is, twenty pounds a year, and pay for his diet and chamber ; and they expected from him that work which Mr. Hanford was to do: and some that had spoken with him, declared that upon these conditions he was content."
Mr. Bowers continued to teach the town school for about seven years: He was at first troubled, as Mr. Hanford had been, with so many "children sent to him to learn their letters and to spell, that others, for whom the school was chiefly intended, as Latin scholars," were neglected. The town, hearing of this, charged two of the selectmen (as such officers are now called, or townsmen, as they were then denominated) to send all such children home, and desired the school-master not to receive any more such. He does not appear to have been hindered in his usefulness after his first year by this or any other difficulty, till the last year of his service. He then informed the court, April 23, 1660, " that the number of scholars at present was but eigh- teen, and they are so unconstant that many times there are but six or eight. He desired to know the town's mind whether they would have a school or no school, for he could not satisfy himself to go on thus. The
268
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COLONY.
reason of it was inquired after, but not fully discovered. But that the school might be settled in some better way for the furtherance of learning, it was referred to the consideration of the court, elders, and townsmen, who are desired to prepare it for the next meeting of the town." At the next meeting "the governor declared that the business of the school had also been considered by the committee, but was left to be further considered when it appears what will be done by the jurisdiction general court concerning a colony school."
The institution of a colony school at New Haven, a few months later, put an end to the town school, absorb- ing into itself all the boys in the plantation whose parents wished them to learn Latin.
The question naturally rises in the mind of one who studies in the early town records of New Haven, the history of its schools, What provision was there for chil- dren who had not yet learned to read? So far as appears, no provision was made at the public expense for children not sufficiently advanced to enter the town school ; but parents were obliged either personally to teach their children, or to pay for their instruction in private schools. So early as February, 1645, "Mr. Pearce desired the plantation to take notice that if any will send their children to him, he will instruct them in writing or arithmetic." Probably other inhabitants from time to time taught the rudiments of learning as they could obtain pupils. Mr. Jeanes seems to have occupied a middle position between such teachers of private schools and the master of the public school, being re- garded as less competent than those who received their
269
LEARNING.
maintenance wholly from the town, and yet worthy to be encouraged by a grant from the public treasury when a more learned man than he, was not to be obtained.
At Guilford, Rev. John Higginson added to his work as teaching elder of the church, that of school-master for the town. At a general court, Oct. 7, 1646, a com- mittee was appointed to collect the contributions for the maintenance of the elders, and "it was ordered that the additional sum toward Mr. Higginson's maintenance with respect to the school shall be paid by the treasurer out of the best of the rates in due season according to our agreements." As it was at the same time further ordered "that whoever shall put any child to school to Mr. Higginson, shall not put for less than a quarter's time at once, and so all shall be reckoned with quarterly, though they have neglected to send them all the time, after the rate of four shillings per quarter, by the treas- urer," we may infer that the school was not free to those who sent their children, though a fixed salary was assured to the master by the town. When Mr. Higginson, after Mr. Whitfield's departure, became the only elder of the church, other persons were succes- sively employed as school-masters. Jeremiah Peck, afterward an ordained minister, was school-master from 1656, - in which year he was married to a young lady of Guilford, -to 1660, when he removed to New Haven to take charge of the grammar school established in that year by the colony.
According to Lambert, "the first school in Milford was kept by Jasper Gunn, the physician;" and the colo- nial records in 1657 preface an order, that "endeavors shall be used that a school-master shall be procured in
-
.
270
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COLONY.
every plantation where a school is not already set up," with the statement that New Haven hath provided that a school-master be maintained at the town's charge, and Milford hath made provision in a comfortable way." I
These town schools were chiefly intended for such as could remain long enough "to make Latin." The teachers were men of liberal education, and were pro- cured to teach, because they were capable of teaching something more and higher than the rudiments of learning. In every plantation there were inhabitants who could teach children as much as the law required that they should learn, which, as we have seen, was at first only reading.
To show, that, as the colony grew in years it required a greater minimum of scholarship, we cite the addition made by the General Court in 1660 to the law requiring that all children should be taught to read. "To the printed law concerning the education of children, it is now added that the sons of all the inhabitants within this jurisdiction shall (under the same penalty) be learned to write a legible hand so soon as they are capa- ble of it." The reader should take notice, however, that the earlier order refers to all children and apprentices, and the later to boys only. The standard to which Mr. Davenport would have brought the people, by moral suasion, if not by authority of law, was even higher than that enforced by the court ; for, when he delivered
" The omission of Guilford in this mention of towns which in May, 1657, were maintaining schools, leads me to think that Mr. Peck com- menced his school in 1657; but I have allowed the date of his commence- ment to remain as it is in Sibley's Harvard Graduates. Perhaps he commenced as the master of a private school.
271
LEARNING.
up all his power and interest as a trustee of Mr. Hop- kins's bequest in aid of a college, he embraced the oppor- tunity to express his desire "that parents will keep such of their sons constantly to learning in the schools whom they intend to train up for public serviceable- ness ; and that all their sons may learn, at the least, to write and cast up accounts competently, and may make some entrance into the Latin tongue." As this com- munication was made at the meeting when the order was passed requiring that boys should be taught to write, it would seem that the freemen were moved by Mr. Davenport's communication to pass the order, but did not think it expedient to require arithmetic and Latin.
It was designed from the beginning, that "a small 1 college should be settled in New Haven." I In laying
' While they looked forward to the establishment of a college at home, the people of New Haven in 1644 appointed collectors to "receive of every one in this plantation whose heart is willing thereunto, a peck of wheat or the value of it," for " the relief of poor scholars at the college at Cam- bridge." The amount of this contribution may be learned from the fol- lowing record in 1645. "Mr. Atwater, the present treasurer, informed the court that he had sent from Connecticut forty bushels of wheat for the college, by Goodman Codman, for the last year's gift of New Haven, although he had not received so much." This contribution of college corn became an annual institution, though sometimes there was less enthusiasm than at first. In 1647 " the governor propounded that the college corn might be forthwith paid, considering that the work is a service to Christ to bring up young plants for his service, and besides it will be a re- proach that it shall be said New Haven is fallen off from this service." A few weeks later "it was desired that as men had formerly engaged themselves to contribute a portion of corn to the college, that they would not now be slack in carrying it to the collectors, but that within seven or eight days at farthest those that are behind would pay, for it is a service to Christ, and may yield precious fruit to the colonies hereafter, being that
272
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COLONY.
out their town the freemen reserved the tract called "Oyster-shell Field" "for the use and benefit of a college," and in March, 1648, directed a committee, empowered to dispose of vacant lots "to consider and reserve what lot they shall see meet and most commo- dious for a college, which they desire may be set up as soon as their ability will reach thereunto." The subject had been brought before the General Court for the jurisdiction, at least as early as 1652 ; for the town of Guilford voted in June of that year : - "That the matter about a college at New Haven is thought to be too great a charge for us of this jurisdiction to undergo alone, especially considering the unsettled state of New Haven town, being publicly declared from the delib- erate judgment of the most understanding men to be a place of no comfortable subsistence for the present inhabitants there; but if Connecticut do join, the planters are generally willing to bear their just propor- tions for erecting and maintaining a college there. However, they desire thanks to Mr. Goodyear for his proffer to the setting forward of such a work." The records of the jurisdiction for that year having been lost, we are indebted to an allusion to this offer twelve years afterward by Mr. Davenport in some remarks in a town meeting, for the knowledge that the offer of Mr. Goodyear alluded to by the Guilford people was an offer to give his house and home-lot for the use of the college.
Notwithstanding the damper which Guilford put upon
the commissioners have taken order that none should have the benefit of it but those that shall remain in the country for the service of the same."
.
273
LEARNING.
the attempt to set up a college, the people of New Haven continued to hope, and about two years after- ward again agitated the subject. At a general court May 22, 1654, "the town was informed that there is some motion again on foot concerning the setting up of a college here at New Haven, which, if attained, will in all likelihood prove very beneficial to this place ; but now it is only propounded to know the town's mind, and whether they are willing to further the work by bearing a meet proportion of charge, if the jurisdiction, upon the proposal thereof, shall see cause to carry it on. No man objected, but all seemed will- ing, provided that the pay which we can raise here, will do it." The next year, at a general court May 21, 1655, the subject was "revived ; and in some respects this seems to be a season, some disturbance being at present at the college in the Bay,I and it is now in-
' The disturbance at Harvard College alluded to was occasioned by the outburst of President Dunster's long pent-up conviction that infant baptism was unscriptural. Probably some of the leading men at New Haven were aware, when in the preceding year they made a motion for setting up a college, that a storm was brewing at Cambridge; for about three weeks previously the General Court of Massachusetts had commended to the "pious consideration and special care of the officers of the college and the selectmen of the several towns not to permit or suffer any such to be continued in the office or place of teaching, edu- cating, or instructing of youth or child in the college or schools, that have manifested themselves unsound in the faith or scandalous in their lives, and not giving due satisfaction according to the rules of Christ ; forasmuch as it greatly concerns the welfare of the country that the youth thereof be educated not only in good literature, but sound doctrine." Mr. Dav- enport and Mr. Hooke knew what this meant as well as President Dunster himself, who resigned in the following month. When it was publicly mentioned in town meeting at New Haven that there had been some dis- turbance in the college at the Bay, the college had been eleven months without a president.
274
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COLONY.
tended to be propounded to the General Court : there- fore this town may declare what they will do by way of encouragement for the same ; and it would be well if they herein give a good example to the other towns in the jurisdiction, being free in so good a work." Mr. Davenport and Mr. Hooke were both present upon this occasion, and "spake much to encourage the work ; " and a committee was appointed "to go to the several plant- ers in this town, and take from them what they will freely give to this work." On the 30th of the same month, at a general court for the jurisdiction : -
" The governor remembered the court of some purposes which have formerly been to set up a college at New Haven; and in- formed them that now again the motion is renewed, and, that the deputies might be prepared to speak to it, letters were sent to the plantations to inform them that it would now be propounded. He acquainted them also that New Haven has in a free way of con- tribution raised above three hundred pounds to encourage the work, and now desired to know what the other towns will do. The magistrate and deputies from Milford declared, that, if the work might comfortably be carried on, their town would give one hun- dred pounds ; but those from the other towns seemed not prepared, as not having taken a right course, and therefore desired further time to speak with their towns again, and take the same course New Haven hath done, and they will then return answer: and for a committee to receive these accounts, and upon receipt of them to consider whether it be meet to carry on the work, and how ; and whatever considerations and conclusions may be meet for the fur- therance of it ; they agree that each town choose some whom they will entrust therein, and send them to New Haven upon Tuesday come fortnight, which will be the 19th of June, to meet in the after- noon, by whom also they promise to send the account, what their several towns will raise. for the work; the major part of which com- mittee meeting, and the major part of them agreeing, shall conclude what shall be done in this business."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.