USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > Historical sketches of Watertown, Massachusetts > Part 9
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
"Granted first to Robert Feake, 46 acres.
" Edward How, 24 acres.
"1 John Lawrence 3 11 John Eatoo 6
2 Martio Underwood 2 12 John Ellett 4
3 Simon Stone 14
13 John Springe 6
4 Joseph Morse 2
14 W'm. Hammond 8
5 Isaac Sterne 11
15 John Gutterig . 3
6 Wni. Jennison 10
16 Abram Browne 10
7 Simon Eire 18
17 John Firmin
8 Hugh Mason 3
18 Henry Cutteris 1
9 Wm. Bridgea 5
19 John Coolidge 5
10 John Warner 7
20 Nathl. Bowman
And so on to No. 36, when the records are il- legible to No. 77, the number 110 being the last in the list with name, George Phillips being included with 30 acres.
In April 9, 1638, " A division of land at ye Town- platt :
" NUMBER 40 -George Phillipe, 12 ecree ; Robert Fike, 9 acres; Rich- ard Browne, 9 acres ; Doniel Patrick, 9 acres."
On the same date another list is given, in which thirty-six names (persons) are assigned 6 acres each in the town-plot, except that one, Edward Howe, is granted 9 acres, and five others 3 or 4 acres each. They are-
Winifred Walcott, 6 acres; John Firmin, 6a .; Samuel Hosier, 6a .; Simon Stone, 6a. ; John Smith, Sr., 6a .; Simon Eire, 6a .; Edmund James, 6a. ; John Doggett, 6a .; Nicholas Busby, 6a .; Richard Beers, 6a. ; John Coolidge, 6a .; Edmund Lewis, 6a .; John Stowers, 6a. ; Barnaby Winde3, 6a .; Hugh Mason, 6a. ; Francis Onge, 6a .; Samuel Freeman, 6a .; Henry Bright, Jr., 6a .; John Nicarson, 6a .; David Fiske,
4 82 Edmund Lewie
83 John Finch .
4
5
83 John Winter 3
86 Edward Lam
87 John South, jun
8× Roger Willington
2
3
60 Robert Feke 24
91 Joho Dwight
92 Esther Pickram 5
97 William Gutterig
3
98 Hugh Mason
99 Thomas Rogers
5
100 Thomas Bartlett 2
3
1
7
25 21 John Loveran 80
23 Miles Nott 25
25
25 William Jennisun . . 60
20 Joseph Musse ( Morse) 25 67 Simon Stone 14
16 Thos. Filbrick (Philbrick) 35
30
> Richard Sawtle 25
Acres Loit 28 Richard Kemball 50 Lott Acres
Granted first to George Phil-
7 Charles Chadwick 3
34 Francis Smith 8
35 John Eaton . 6
12 John Eddy 3
27 Nathaneel Baker 5
3
9
3
30 . 25 Gregory Taylor 35
50 28 George Phillips
29 Matthew Hitchcock 20
5
16 John Whitney 50
95 Emannel White
3
351
WATERTOWN.
6a. ; Henry Dow, 6a .; Gregory Taylor, 6a. ; Jolin Tomson, 6a. ; Thomas Hastings, 6a. ; Daniel Pers, 6a. ; Charles Chaddwick, 6a .; Edward How, 9a. ; John Ea- ton, 3a .; John Smith, Jr., 3a. ; Isaac Mixer, 6a. ; Ed- mund Blois, 6a. ; John Baker, 3a. ; Abram Browne, 6a. ; William Potter, 4a .; Thomas Filbrick, 3a. Thomas Carter, -a.
If one acre is allowed Carter, there would be allotted 200 acres reserved for a township, the 39 acres above being in addition, probably extra, or out- side of this allotment.
In 1642, 3d month, 10th day, it was ordered that "all the Townsmen that had not Farms laid out formerly, shall take them by ten in a division, and to cast lots for the several divisions ; allowing 13 acres of upland to every head of persons and cattle."
These names are not entirely legible in the town records, but Dr. Bond copied them from the files of the County Court. The lots range from thirty-four acres (the smallest farm) to 287 (the largest farm-to Johu Bernard), and comprise in all ninety-two farms of an aggregate of 7674 acres. This copy was taken from the town-book before it was worn ont, and signed by John Sherman.
The Proprietors' book, giving the grants, appar- ently, to 1644, and signed by Simon Eire, Michael Bairstow, Thomas Bartlett, William Jennison, John Barnard, Richard Beers, John Sherman.
"FROM THE PROPRIETORS' BOOK. This Book belongs to The Pro- prietors of the Common and undivided Land in Watertown."
The following are from the " List of Proprietors," with a numbered list of lots assigned to each, with a description and the bounds of each. We give a few specimen pages only. For example, the first is :
SIR RICHARD SALTONSTALL.
1. An homstall of sixteen acres, by estimation, bounded the northeast with Thomas Brigan and Robert Kois, the southeast with the River, the southwest with the highway & the northwest with George Phillips, granted to him.
2. fower acres of npland, by estimation, bounded the north weet with George Phillips, the south with Isaac Hart, and the east with Joseph Cooks, granted to him.
3. Twenty acres npland, by estimation, bounded the sontheast with the highway, Southwest with Pequusset meaddow, the northweet with William Hammond and Thomas Buyden, granted to hin.
4. One hundred acres of remote meddow, by estimation, bounded with the Farm land granted to bin.
5. One hnudred acres of uplaud, by estimation, being a great Divident adjoining to his meaddow, and bounded with the farm and land granted to bim.
6. Two hundred acres of upland, by estimation, adjoining to his great Divident & bounded with the farm land granted to him.
7. Twenty acres of Plowland, by estimation, bounded the south with Edward How, the north with the highway, the west with John Whit- ney, and the east with John Knights, granted to him.
8. Ten acree of meadow in Plaine meadow, by estimation, bounded the east with the Brook, the west with William Pains, the north with the highway & the sonth with common land, granted to him.
9. Thirty acres of Remote meddow, by estimation, bounded with ye great Dividents, and the seventy and lott granted to him.
10. Thirty acres of plowland, by estimation, in the hithor Plaine, bounded the south with the River, the north with the highway, the east with Simon Eire and the west with John Traine, granted to hitn.
11. Twenty-eight acres and a half of upland, by estimation, beyond the further Plaine, and the thirty-nine lott granted to him.
GEORGE PHILLIPS.
1 An bomstall of twelve acres, hy estimation, bounded the east with Thomas Arnold, the west and north with the highway, and the eouth with Edward How, granted to him.
2. Seven acres of uplaod, hy estimation, bounded the north with Can- bridge line, the south with Samuel Saltonstall, and the west with Isaac Hart, granted to him.
3. An bomstall of five acres, by estimation, bounded the south west and northwest with the highway, and the east with a drift way, granted to him.
4. Forty acres of Plowland, by estimation, in the hithet Plaine, bounded the east with Edward llow, the west with the drift way, the north with the highway & ye south with the way betwixt ye lutte granted to him.
5. Thirty acres of Remote meddow, by estimation, bounded with ye farm land and ye ninety-third lott granted to him.
6. Eight acres of uplaod, by estimation, being a great divident in the second Division & the twenty-eight lott granted to him.
7 Fifteen acres of upland, by estimation, upon ye meeting-house cont- mou, granted to him.
8. Thirty acres of meddow, by estimation, bounded ye west with ye River, the southeast with Cambridge line, granted to him.
EDWARD HOW.
[The first resident owner of the " Mill," probably with Mathew Crad- dock, the builder.]
1. An homstall of twenty acres.
2. Nine acres of upland.
3. Twelve acree of npland, in the hither plaine.
4. Seventy acres of upland, a great divident, in 3d division.
5. Thirty acres of upland, in further Plaine.
6. Fifteen acres of plowland, in the further Plaine.
7. Six acres of Reniote meadow.
8. Eighteen acres of Rentte nieadow.
9. Ten acres of upland.
10. Five acres of npland.
11. Two acree of meadow.
13. Twelve acres of upland in the hither Plaine.
13. Six acres of meadow, next his own.
14. Eight arres of meadow io Plaine meadow.
ROBERT FEKE.
1. A homestall of 14 acree.
2. 15 acres of upland.
3. 6 acres of marish.
4. 80 acres of upland.
5. Twenty fower acres of Plowlands.
6. 40 acres of remote meadow lying beyond Stoney Brook.
7. 9 acres of upland.
8 6 acres of upland.
9. 6 acres of meadow in Plaint meadow.
WILLIAM JENNISON.
1. An homstall of 50 acres.
2. Three acres of meadow.
3. Six acres of upland with a pond.
4. Sixteen acres & half of upland beyond the further plaint.
5. Fower acres of meadow at Bever brook.
6. Six acres of upland in Dorchestier field.
7. Eight acres of npland.
8. Ten acres of Remote meadow.
9. Sixty acres of upland.
10. Ten acres of Plowland in the hither plaine.
RICHARD BROWNE.
1. An homstall of twelve acres.
2. 3 acres of meadow.
3. 9 acres of plowland in the further plaint.
4. 9 acres of Remote meadow.
5. 12 acree of Remote meddow lying next the turn of the river.
6. 15 acres of upland upon the meeting-house Common.
7. 12 acres of upland.
8. 9 acres of upland in the town plott.
9. 7 acres of npland.
10. 212 acree of marsh.
11. 50 acres of upland.
12. 3 acres of marsh.
352
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
These are enough to show the kind of records that were kept, and to show how valuable it would be to historical students to have the entire book published with the other records of the town. The bounds are given here only with the first two lists. From the full lists it might be possible to reconstruct the full map of the town, and to show to the eye the pos- sessions of each proprietor.
Meanwhile it suggests the necessity of consulting, for certain purposes, the records themselves.
TOWN GOVERNMENT AND RELATION TO THE LEG- ISLATURE .- Dr. Bond has shown how weak the town stood after the departure of Sir Richard Saltonstall to England, in 1631, in all civil affairs, and, by inter- ence, accounts for the insignificant part assigned to | Watertown when we consider her wealth and num- bers, except that of bearing her full share of taxes. Nothing has been said concerning the relations exist- ing between Sir Richard himself and Dudley or Win- throp and the rest, but doubtless the town was as well served by Sir Richard in England as it could have been by him here without an open rupture.
As it was, all was smooth on the surface, although he was fined by his associates, at least, on two occa. sions, insignificant amounts, which many years after- wards were remitted, not having been paid. Little is said of the large sums due him for money advanced, nothing of the great sacrifices he must have made in disposing of his large estates in order to come here with nearly all his family. We do not care to try to read between the lines any canses of disagreement be- tween the somewhat narrow Dudley, ready for a con- test, who sat down so near Sir Richard's choice of lands, with his attempt to force even the Governor to build the capital city where there were not the best conditions for a capital, or to draw the theological line more taut than it had been drawn on them, even before they left their homes ; for Sir Richard Sal- tonstall, every inch a noble as he was, preferred to re- tire, with most of his family, from the undertaking, rather than disturb the general peace, and though he afterwards wrote a protest to Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wilson against the spirit of religious persecution which he had seen some signs of before he left the Colony.
At all events, the spirit shown by Parson Phillips and Elder Brown, and others, his chosen associates, resulted, as has been shown by Mr. Savage in a great gain in the struggle for entire freedom of opinion and larger local powers in government.
Names of magistrates, selectmen and representatives are given in full in Dr. Bond's indispensable work, to a certain time in the present century.
Below we continue the lists to the present time.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS .- Supplementing the list of Dr. Bond. -These were elected on the November of the year set opposite their names to serve for the year ensuing.
When no year is given no representative was then elected :
15 jul Grenville T. Winthrop. 1861.
1-41. Thomas Livermore.
14:40. Jobb HI. Richardson. 1865. Emory W. Lane.
1-30-51. Seth Bemis.
.lesse A. Locke.
1566-67. Henry M. Cluke.
1869-70. A. L. Richards.
1.15. Levi Thanter.
Joseph B. Keyes.
1872. Henderson J. Edwards.
Jamies G. Mluore.
1873. Samuel S. Gleason.
Kev. F. G. Morris.
Joseph Crafts.
1875-74. Edward Whitney.
Joseph Crafts.
1877. Robert L. Davis.
F. M. Stone.
1878-79. W. H. Ingrahamu.
Daniel French.
1×80. J. V. Fletcher.
F. M. Stone.
1××1. Samuel Walker.
F. M. Stone.
1882.
Daniel Butler.
Josiah Beard.
18×3.
Francis E. Whitcomb.
F. M. Stone. 1-84-85. J. Varnum Fletcher.
W. H. Ingraham.
18%6. Jonathan Bigelow.
F. M. Stone.
1887-88. Charles Q. Pierce.
John K. Stickney.
1888. I. Henry Fletcher.
SELE. THEN AND TOWN . GERAS OF WATERTOWN FROM THE YEAR 1809-1890.
(Supplementing the list of Dr. Bond.)
Atu v Bord, 1809-10.
Newell Brown, 1842-4, '41-50."
Thobias Clark, 1809-16, '20-22.
Joseph Bright, 1809-15.
Edward Lowd, 1809-10.
.1 nas White, 1810-13.
Nathl. K. Whitney, T. C. 1809-12.
Nathl. R. Whitney, 1811-12, '17.
Nathl. Bemis, 1811-12.
Gilbert Nichols, T. C. 1813-16, '20, '27-20.
Daniel Bond, 1813-16, '18-20, '22. En.ch Wiswall, 1513-14.
Gilbert Nichols, 1815-16, '23, '25-
Mures Chenery, 1816, '18, '22-23. William White, 181G.
Nathl. R. Whitney, Jr., T. C. 1-17-19, '23.
Luke Betis, 1817, '19. 421-22.
Amos Livermore, Jr., 1817, '19.
Marshall B. Spring, 1817. Jonathan Stone, 1817.
Peter Clark, 1818, 124.
Levi Thanter, 1818-21, '27-28,'31- 34, '41.
Charles Whitney, 1818-20. John Fowle, 1820. William Whitney, T. C. 1521-29.
Joshua Coolidge, Jr., 1821-26
Jushua Coolidge, Jr., 1859-61, '63. Lhzba Livermore, 1821.
Abijah White, 1x23-24.
Amos Livermore, 1823-26.
John Clark, T. C. 1824-26; Sel. 1-23-30.
James Robbins, 1824.
Walter Hunnewell, 1827.
John Huuting, 1827-28.
Leonard Stone, 1828. Charles Bemis, 1829-34. William May, 1829-30.
Isaac Robbins, T. C. 1830-40.
Josiah Bright, 1831-34, '45, '47. Isaac Robbins, Sel. 1835, '68-69. David Stone, 1835-36. Benjamin F. Farrar, 1835-37. George Robbins, 1836-39, '42. John Coolidge, 1837-41. Luke Robinson, 1838-41. Andrew Cole, 1840-11, '43,
Dennie P. Hooker, 1542, '47, '51- 52
Abraham Lincoln, 1843, '47.
Thomas L. French, 1863, '45-46, '50, '53, '56-57, '59, '66-67, '70, $79.
Sylvester Priest, 1843.
Thomas Livermore, 184 -- Hi, '57- 59.
William A. White, 1816, '48.
William White, 18GD.
Royal Gilkey, 1818, '53-54.
Leonard Whitney, 1>44.
Seth Bemis, Jr., 1849-52, '59.
John H. Richardson, 1849.
William II. Ingraham, T. C. 1850-
63, '81-89. Leonard Stone, 1851-52. Marshall Ilingman, 1853-55.
James Brown, 1834.
J. Hittenger, 1855. Edward Banga, 1855-56, '60.
Josbina G. Gooch, 1856-58, '62, '64- 66. Henry Derby, 1858.
Jeremiah Russell, 1860-61.
Francis Kendall, 1860-61, '80.
Nathaniel Whiting, 1x62.
Geo. H. Sleeper, 1862-63, '90.
George W. Ilorn, 1862-63. Geo. B. Wilbur, 1864-65. Thomas N. Hooper, 1864-65.
Geo. L. Noyes, T. C. 1864-65. Jobn K. Stickney, 1866-72.
Joel Barnard, T. C. 1866.
Joseph Crafts, T. C. 1867-76, died in 1876.
Luke Perkins, 1867-68.
Samuel S. Gleason, Is69, '73-74.
Oliver Shaw, selectman from 1870- SI, inclusive. Lyman P. Gerould, 1871, '73.
Hayes W. Mucurdy, 1872-76. George N. March, 1872-74. Nathaniel C. Sanger, 1874-76.
William II. Ingraham, 1875-76,'90.
Ward M. Otis, 1875-76.
Tilden G. Abbott, T. C. 1876-80. James W. Magee, 1877-79, '81-84.
F. M. Stone. Edward Bangs.
George Frazer.
1×71. Geo. W. Ware.
Thomas L. French.
Josiah Rutter.
353
WATERTOWN.
Samuel Walker, 1877-79. Jeremiah J. Sullivan, 1880-84. Charles Brigham, 1885-88. James F. Lynch, 1885-86. Julius R. Hartwell, 1885. Charles W. Stone, 1886.
Edward F. Porter, 1&s ;- 69. Hiram D. Skinner, 1957-80. Horace W. Otis, 1ss).
Frederick E. Critchett, T. C. 1890. Abraham L. Richards, 1884, '90.
T. C., Town Clerk.
Dates alone are dates of selectmen.
SCHOOLS.1-It is not certain how soon after the settlement of Watertown in 1630, provisions were made for the education of her youth, but the earliest recorded date of a school-house is September 17, 1649. This was a small, one-storied building situated on Strawberry Hill, which afterwards bore the name of School. House Hill, now thought to be identical with Meeting-House Hill. The first record of a school- master is November 7, 1649, when the selectmen or- dered that " David Mechell of Stamford, Conn., be certified of the town's desire for him to keep school."
The next teacher was Richard Norcross, who served the town from 1651 to 1675, and, between that date and 1700, was recalled several times.
As the exact words of the records will give a bet- ter idea of the nature of the school and the instruc- tion given, than a summary, a few of the votes are quoted.
In 1650, " It was voted and agreed upon that Mr. Richard Noreross was chosen schoole-master for the teaching of children to reed and write, and sve much of Latin according to an order of Courtt as also if any of the sd. Towne, have any maidens that have a desire to learn to write, that the sd. Richard should attend them for the learning of them, as also that he teach such as desire to cast acompt and that the Towne did promise to allow the said Richard for his imployment thirty pounds for this yeare."
In 1651, " It was voted that Mr. Richard Norcross shall attend the keeping of a scoole within the bounds of Watertown, where the Towne shall appoynt. That he shall use his best Indeavors to instruct all such psons as shall be sent unto him, in English write- ing or Latten, according to the Capassity of the psons; and that it is in the Liberty of any inhabitant to send his Sonnes or Servant for a weeke or two and to take them away agayne at his pleasure. And therefore the sayd Mr. Norcross is to keep a strict ac- count of the number of weekes that every one doth continew, and that every pson that learneth Eng- lish only, shall pay 3d. a weeke, and such as write or Latin shall pay 4d .; and that Mr. Norcross is to give notice to the pertickler parents of their just due, according to this order-and if any pson shall ne- glect to bring unto his house his full due by the 29th of the 8th month in (52) that then he shall bring the names and the sum of their debt nnto the 7 men who are hereby required to take some speedy course to bring him to his due ; and for the other halfe yeares pay he is to take the same course and what the
prtickelers doe want of the full some of 30 pounds the Towne dooth hearby ingage to make a supply."
In 1670 " It was agreed that the selectmen should goe through the towne in their severall quarters to make tryall whether children and servants be educat- ed in learninge to reade the English tongue, and in the knowledge of their capitalf laws according to the law of the country, also that they be educated in some othadox catacise."
The result of this investigation seems to be con- tained in the following statement, 1674. "Thomas Fleg, John Whitney and Joseph Bemus gave in an account of what they had found consarning children's edducation ; and John Fisk being found wholly negli- gent of edducating his children as to reading or catti- cising, the seleckt men agreede that Joseph Bemus should warn him in answer for his neglect at the next meeting of the selekt men.
With reference to the daily sessions, the following vote is recorded.
In 1677 " Agreed with Leftenant Shearman to ceep an inglish scoole this yeare, and to begin the 9th of Eaprill at the scoole house, and the Town to alow him twenty pounds in the Town reat that shall be raised in the year 77. And if the Leftenant de- sireth to lay down this employment at the years end then he shall give the Town a quarter of a years warn- ing. And if the Town desireth to change their scoole masters they shall give the like warning. The Select- men agree also that the said scoole shall be cept from the furst of May till the last of August, 8 owers in the day-to wit-to begin at seven in the morning and not to break up until 5 at night, noontime ex- cepted and from the last of August untill the last of October 6 owers in the day ; so also in the Munths of March and Aprill and the 4 winttur munths, to begin at tenn of the clock in the morning and con- tinue untill 2 o'clock in the afternoon."
Of the other early masters, Mr. Nathaniel Harring- tou and Mr. Samuel Coolidge receive the most atten- tion in the records. The former was engaged in 1750 " to keep the Grammar and English School, to begin the second Monday in August, and to keep said school from thence till the last day of March following, ex- cept so much time as to take care of getting in his Indian Harvest, and the time he take thereat he to give account of." He was to receive £30 a year and board himself. The latter was engaged at £40 a year, but " was so disorderly as not fit to keep ye school." Another master was obtained for a short time, then "the major part of the selectmen agreed to try Mr. Samuel Coolidge again in the school, and to pay him according as he should perform." The salary seems not to have been ample, for several statements are made with reference to providing Mr. Coolidge with clothes.
In 1767 is the first mention of lady teachers when it was voted " to have four women's schools for the instruction of children in the remote parts of the
1 By Miss Ellen Crafts and the editor, Solon.F. Whitney. 23-iii
354
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Town, the schools to be kept twelve weeks, the dames to provide their rooms or pay the rent, the salary to be forty shillings each."
In striking contrast to the modern methods of heat- ing the school-houses are the following votes for fur- nishing fuel :
1670-" Thear have ben a complaint by Mr. Nor- cross that the schooling of children is like to be hin- dered for want of wood to keep a fire, and for the preventing of such an enconvenance, the school being the Town's, It is ordered by the selectmen, therefore, that the inhabitants that send their children to the school shall send in for every scholar a quarter of a cord of wood, by the fifteen day of this instant De- cember, or 2s. in money to buy wood withal."
In 1701, " Voted that those who send children to school should send one-fourth cord of wood."
In 1747, " Voted that those persons who send their children or servants to school shall supply the school with fire-wood when there is occasion for the same."
In 1748, "Voted that 8 shillings per head be charged for wood."
In 1750, " The selectmen proposed that Mr. Nathan- iel Harrington, present school-master, for the support of a fire in the school, he should send to parents and masters that send your children or servants to school, to send six shillings per head to procure wood for said fire."
The first mention of a school committee is in 1766. Ilenceforward, the school records, previously kept by the selectmen with the other business of the town, belong to that newly-organized body.
The exact location of the early school-houses, from 1649 to 1796, cannot easily be determined. When Watertown included Waltham, Weston, Lincoln and Belmont, the districts must have been large and the school-houses far apart.
As early as 1683 " it was agreed that all those who dwell on the west side of Stony Brook be freed from the school-tax, that they may be the better able to teach among themselves."
In 1796, " Voted an alteration in the school dis- tricts. One district to begin at Waltham line, on the great county road, including the inhabitants on both sides of the road until you come to the meeting- house, and all south of that road."
This seems to bring the districts within the present limits of the town.
Voted, also, in this year, " that the money granted for the support of schools be equally divided between the three schools."
These school-houses were in the West, East and Mid- dle Districts. The location of the first is not certain ; the second was situated at the junction of School and Belmont Streets; the third was " built on the par- sonage land, between the Ministerial House and Thomas Patten's house." This is still standing and is the brick building on Mt. Auburn Street near the Baptist Church. This was, at first, only one story
high, but, in 1816, a vote is recorded that " instead of a new school-house in a separate place, the Town should build an addition to the old school-house by raising the same another story." Among the teachers who taught in the Brick School-house were Abner Forbes, Moses Gill, Nathan Ball, Wm. Henshaw, Gardner Aldrich, Mr. Dustin, John Kelly, Wm. White, George Frost, Leonard Frost and a Mr. Allen. David Packard taught in a little buikling near it.
The amount appropriated for schools had slowly increased from £30 to $1200 and, in 1816, $300 was voted to the East, 8300 to the West, and $600 to the Middle District, "each district to keep their windows and seats in repair out of their own money." The accommodations of this Middle District were soon outgrown, and, in what proved to be a very unwise way, a small one-story building was erected near the briek school-house, on the southwestern side, for the use of the highest elass. In a few years a much larger house was needed, so the present Francis School was built.
In 1847, " Voted that the town do hereby abolish the school-district system and adopt the General sys- tem and that a committee be chosen, to consist of three persons from other Towns, to appraise the sev- eral school-houses and district property in Town whenever either of the Districts wish to have the Town take the same, and that the Town do hereby agree to take said district property and pay the Dis- triet the amount of said apprisal."
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.