USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 240
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1647-48. Josiah Winslow. Robert Waterman.
1649-50. Kenelin Winslow. Robert Waterman.
1651. Kenelm Winslow. Josiah Winslow.
1652. Kenelm Winslow.
Thomas Chillingsworth.
1653. John Bradford.
Josiah Winslow.
1654-55. Josiah Winslow, Jr. Anthony Eames.
1656. Anthony Eames.
Anthony Snow.
1657. Anthony Eames. Josiah Winslow, Jr.
165$. John Bradford.
Anthony Snow.
1659-60. Josiah Winslow, Sr. Anthony Snow.
1661. Anthony Eames.
Anthony Snow.
1662. Peregrine White. Mark Eames.
1663. William Ford.
Isaac Little.
Representatives to the General Court of Massachusetts after the union :
1093. Isaac Little.
1694. Thomas Weld. 1695. Isaac Winalow.
1696. Edward Thompson.
1709. Nathaniel Winslow.
1710. Isaac Little.
1711. Nathaniel Winslow.
1789-90. Joseph Phillips.
1791-95. Joseph Bryant. 1796-1806. Elisha Phillips. 1807. Nathaniel Clift.
1808-10. John Thomas. 1811. Nathaniel Clift. 1812-16. Jotham Tilden. 1817-19. Elisha Phillips.
1820. Joseph Clift, Jr.
1821-22. Elisha'Phillips.
1823. Joseph Clift, Jr.
1729. William Carver.
1730-34. John Little. 1735-36. Thomas Foster.
1737. John Little.
1738. Thomas Foster.
1739. John Winslow.
1740-44. Otis Little.
1745-47. John Little.
1748. Thomas Foster.
1749. None.
1750-51. John Little.
1752-54. John Winslow.
1755. John Little.
1756. John Thomas.
1757. John Winslow.
1758-60. John Thomas.
1761-65. John Winslow.
1766-72. Anthony Thomas.
1773. Abijah White.
1774. Nehemiah Thomas.
1775. Benjamin White, to Pro- vincial Congress.
1776-77. Nehemiah Thomas.
1778. Thomas Waterman.
1848, Daniel Phillips.
1849. Nathaniel Waterman.
1850. None.
1851-52. Luther Hatch.
1784. Samuel Oakman.
1785. Thomas Dingley.
1786. Samuel Oakman. 1787-88. Joseph Bryant.
1858. Henry Blanchard.
1859. Districts established.
1677. Anthony Snow. Nathaniel Thomas.
1678-81. Anthony Snow. Mark Eames.
1682-84. Nathaniel Thomas. Samuel Sprague.
1685. Isaac Little. Samuel Sprague.
1686-88. Andros government. 1689. Nathaniel Winslow. John Barker.
1690-91. Nathaniel Thomas. Isaac Little.
1692. Nathaniel Thomas.
Mark Eames.
1702. Isaac Winslow.
1703-4. Samuel Sprague.
1705-8. Ephraim Little.
1697-99. Ephraim Little.
1700-1. Samuel Sprague.
1664-65. Anthony Snow. Mark Eames.
1666-67. John Bourne. Mark Eames.
1668-71. Anthony Snow. Mark Eames.
1672. Nathaniel Thomas.
Mark Eames. .
1779-80. Samuel Oakman. 1781. Thomas Waterman. 1782-83. Daniel Lewis.
1838-39. Eleazer Harlow. John Ford, Jr.
1840. Eleazer Harlow.
Elijah Ames.
1841. Eleazer Harlow. E. P. Little.
1842. None. 1843. E. P. Little.
1844-45. None.
1846-47. George Leonard.
1834-36. Edward P. Little.
John Ford, Jr.
1837. Edward P. Little.
Luther Hatch.
1824. None. 1825-26. Bourne Thomas.
1827-28. None.
1829-30. Asa Hewett. Edward P. Little.
1831-32. John Ford, Jr. E. P. Little. 1833. Daniel Phillips. John Ford, Jr.
1727. Nathaniel Thomas.
1728. John Little.
1712-13. Jonathan Eames.
1714-16. Isaac Little. 1717. Anthony Eames. 1718-20. Isaac Little. 1721. Jonathan Eamnes. 1722. Anthony Eames. 1723. Isaac Little. 1724-25. John Kent. 1726. Isaac Little.
At a town-meeting held on the 27th of February, 1643-44, it was "agreed that at the beginning of every meeting a moderator shall be chosen, and that he shall prepare the business of the day and order the same, so that there be no disturbance in the assembly, and the occasions being ended he shall dismiss the meeting, and, in case any shall be a dis- turber and not submit, he shall be fined in sixpence, and, in case any be wanting and do not appear at the hour appointed, he shall be fined sixpence for one hour, or, if any shall depart without orderly dismiss- ment, shall pay sixpence for every hour, and for non- appearance eightpence." It is believed that this is the origin of the office of moderator, at least so far as the Old Colony was concerned, and the first defini- tion of his duties. It is, indeed, apparent that under the direction of such men as the Winslows and William Thomas the town business of Marsh- field was conducted with a method which can hardly
1853-54. George M. Baker. 1855-57. Stephen Gardner.
1673-76. Anthony Snow. Mark Eames.
1148
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
be said to have characterized other towns in the colony. The following is a list of gentlemen who have acted as moderators at annual meetings as far as recorded :
1641-45. William Thomas. 1616. Edward Winslow.
1779. Thomas Dingley. 1780. Samuel Oakman.
1647-55. William Thomas.
1781-82. Joseph Bryant.
1656-57. Josiah Winslow, Sr.
1659. Samuel Arnold.
1660. Josiah Winslow.
1716. Anthony Eames.
1717. Isaac Little.
1718-19. John Little.
1720. Nathaniel Thomas.
1721. Joseph White. 1722. Anthony Eames.
1723. Johu Little.
1724-25. Anthony Eames. 1726-28. Nathaniel Thomas.
1729-35. John Barker.
1783. Thomas Dingley. 1784. Samuel Oakman. 1785. Thomas Dingley. 1786-87. Joseph Bryant. 1788. Thomas Dingley. 1790-95. Joseph Bryant. 1796-1806. Sylvanus White. 1807. George Little. 1808-16. John Thomas. 1817. Elisha Phillips. 1818-20. John Thomas. 1821-25. Francis G. Ford. 1826. Bourne Thomas. 1827-28. John Thomas. 1829-45. Edward P. Little.
With regard to the various incumbencies of the office of town clerk there is a little uncertainty. It is probable, however, that Josiah Winslow, Sr., the brother of the Governor, was chosen clerk in 1646, as the record of that year states that he was ap- pointed to record the births, deaths, and marriages, and continued in the office until his death, in 1674. He was succeeded by John Bourne, who held the office until 1683. Mr. Bourne was a son of Thomas Bourne, who is called by Miss Thomas the " eldest of the Marshfield settlers and a patriarch in its Eden." John Bourne inherited the cstate of his father, adjoining the lands of Josiah Winslow and Robert Waterman, who married his sisters, and mar- ried Alice, daughter of Thomas Besbecch, in 1645,
in which year also he was admitted an inhabitant of the town. He was succeeded in the office May 21, 1683, by Nathaniel Holmes, who was followed by Isaac Winslow, chosen in 1700. Mr. Winslow held the office until his death in 1737, and was succeeded by his son, John Winslow, known as the General, who held the office in 1738 and 1739. Arthur How- land followed from 1740 to 1742; Thomas Foster, from 1743 to 1750; Nehemiah Thomas, from 1751 to 1782 ; Asa Waterman, in 1783; William Macomber, from 1784 to 1786; Asa Waterman again, from 1787 to 1790; Elisha Ford, from 1791 to 1794; Elisha Phil- lips, from 1795 to 1807 ; William Macomber in 1808; Anthony Thomas, from 1809 to 1814; Amos R. Little, in 1815; Anthony Thomas again, in 1816; Ebenezer Sherman, in 1817; Nathaniel Pratt, from 1818 to 1822; Samuel Curtis, from 1823 to 1839 ; Luther Hatch, from 1840 to 1848; Charles W. Ma- comber, in 1849; Luther Hatch again, from 1850 to 1866; Daniel Stevens, from 1867 to 1875; and Luther P. Hatch, the present efficient clerk, from 1875 to 1884.
The first election of town treasurer entered in the records was after the union of the colonies in 1692. Under date of March 10, 1693-94, Thomas Ma- comber was chosen. The succession of incumbents of that office has been as follows :
1694-96. Thomas Macomber. 1697-1701. Ephraim Little. 1702. Stephen Tilden.
1703-4, Ephraim Little.
1705-12. Thomas Macomber. 1713-14. Anthony Eames.
1715-17. John Jones, Jr.
1717-22. Thomas Macomber.
1723. John Jones, Jr.
1724-25. Thomas Macomber.
1726-33. William Ford. 1734. John White.
1735-39. Samuel Doggett.
1740. Nathaniel Phillips. 174]. John Whitc.
1742-48. Kenclm Winslow.
1749-50. Thomas Foster. 1751-82. Nehemiah Thomas.
1783-85. William Macomber. 1786-90. Asa Waterman. 1791-94. Elisha Ford. 1795-96. Elisha Phillips.
1797-1808. Luke Wadsworth. 1809. Elisha Ford. 1810-12. Luke Wadsworth. 1813-26. Joseph Hewett. 1827. Joseph Clift, Jr. 1828-30. Joseph Hewett.
1831-38. Proctor . Bourne.
1838-40. Elijah Ames.
1841-55. Charles W. Macom- ber. 1856-75. Daniel Stevens.
1875-84. Luther P. Hatch, the present treasurer.
The first Board of Selectmen was chosen April 5, 1667. Since that time the office has been held by the following persons :
1667 .- Mark Eames, Anthony Snow, John Bourne.
1668 .- Mark Eames, Anthony Snow, Peter Williamson.
1669 .- Mark Eames, Anthony Snow, William Ford, Sr.
1670 .- Mark Eames, John Bourne, William Ford, Sr. 1671 .- Mark Eames, John Bourne, vacancy.
1672-73 .- Mark Eames, John Bourne, Peter Williamson. 1674 .- Anthony Snow, Nathaniel Thomas, vacaney.
1675 .- William Ford, Sr., Nathaniel Thomas, John Bourne. 1676 .- William Ford, Sr., Mark Eames, Anthony Snow. 1677 .- Nathaniel Thomas, Samuol Sprague, Anthony Snow.
1740. John Little.
1848. Joseph Hewett.
1741. Otis Little.
1849. Nathaniel HI. Whiting.
1742. John Little.
1850. Edward P. Little.
1743. John Carver.
1851. George M. Baker.
1744-52. John Little.
1852. Edward P. Little.
1753-55. John Winslow.
1853-54. William Harrington. 1855. C. Hatch.
1757. John Winslow.
1856. Daniel Phillips.
1758. John Thomas.
1857. William Harrington.
1759. Anthony Winslow. 1760. John Little.
1858. Nathaniel H. Whiting. 1859-61. Henry S. Bates.
1761. John Winslow.
1862-65. William Harrington.
1762. Seth Bryant.
1866-67. Henry S. Bates.
1763. Nathaniel Little.
1868-73. William Harrington,
1764. John Winslow.
1874. H. A. Oakman.
1765. Abijah White. 1766-68. John Winslow.
1875. Frank Ford. 1876. H. A. Oakman. 1877. Israel H. Hatch.
. 1769. Isaac Winslow. 1770. John Winslow.
1771-72. Nathaniel Phillips. 1773-74. Abijah White.
1879-80. Israel Il. Hatch.
1881-83. II. A. Oakman.
1775-78. Samuel Oakman.
1884. Israel H. Hatch.
1730-35. John Little. 1736. John Thomas. 1737-38. James Sprague. 1739. Thomas Foster.
1846. Joseph Hewett.
1847. Edward P. Little.
1756. Thomas Waterman.
1878. William M. Tilden.
HISTORY OF MARSHFIELD.
1149
1678-80 .- Mark Eames, John Bourne, Anthony Snow. 1681 .- Mark Eames. Samuel Sprague, Anthony Snow. 1682 .- Nathaniel Thomas, John Bourne, Anthony Snow. 1683 .- Nathaniel Thomas, John Bourne, Mark Eames. 1684 .- Nathaniel Winslow. John Bourne, Isaac Little. 1686 .- Nathaniel Thomas, Nathaniel Winslow. Samuel Sprague. 165 ;.- Isaac Little. Justus Eames, Samuel Sprague. 16SS .- John Barker. Justus Eames. Samuel Sprague. 1689 .- Josiah Snow. Nathaniel Winslow. Thomas Macomber. 1690 .- Ephraim Little, Joseph Waterman. John Foster. 1691 .- Isaac Winslow, John Rogers, Michael Ford. 1692 .- Samuel Spragne, Thomas Macomher, Josiah Snow. 1693 .- Ephraim Little, Michael Ford, Isaac Winslow. 1694 .- Samuel Sprague, Anthony Eames, Isaac Winslow. 1695 .- Samuel Sprague, Isaac Little, Michael Ford. 1696 .- Isaac Winslow, Isaac Little, Michael Ford. 1697-98 .- Isaac Winslow. Isaac Little. Samnel Sprague. 1699 .- Isaac Winslow, Thomas Waterman. Samuel Sprague. 1.00 .- Isaac Winslow, Thomas Little. Samuel Sprague. 1701 .- Isaac Winslow, Ephraim Little. Samuel Sprague. 1702 .- Isaac Winslow, Stephen Tilden, Samuel Sprague. 1.03-6 .- Isaac Winslow, Ephraim Little, Samuel Sprague. 1707 .- Isaac Winslow, Ephraim Little, Isaac Little. 1.08 .- Isaac Winslow, Ephraim Little, Stephen Tilden. 1709 .- Isaac Winslow, Samnel Sprague, Nathaniel Thomas. 1710-11 .- Ephraim Little, Samuel Sprague, Stephen Tilden. 1712-13 .- Ephraim Little, Isaac Little, Isaac Winslow. 1714 .- Anthony Eames, Isaac Little, Isaac Winslow. 1715 .- Ephraim Little, Isaac Little, Isaac Winslow. 1716-17 .- Anthony Eames, Isaac Little, Isaac Winslow. 1:1$ .- Thomas Macomber, Isaac Little, Isaac Winslow. 1719 .- Thomas Macomber, Isaac Little, Anthony Eames. 1720-21 .- Stephen Tilden, Isaac Little, Isaac Winslow. 1722 .- Thomas Macomher, Jonathan Eames, John Barker. 1.23 .- Isaac Winslow, Isaac Little, John Barker. 1724 .- Isaac Winslow, Jonathan Eames, John Barker. 1725-26 .- Isaac Winslow, John Kent, John Barker. 1727 .- William Ford, Arthur Harland, Samuel Doggett. 1728-29 .- William Ford, John Barker, Isaac Winslow. 1730 .- Isaac Little, John Barker, Isaac Winslow. 1,31 .- John Little, John Thomas, Isaac Winslow. 1732-33 .- John Little, James Sprague, Thomas Foster. 1734-35 .- John Little, Thomas Macomher, Thomas Foster. 1736 .- John Thomas, Nathaniel Eames, Thomas Foster. 1737 .- James Sprague, Thomas Macomber, Thomas Foster. 1738 .- James Sprague, Nathaniel Eames, Thomas Foster. 1739 .- John Winslow, Thomas Macomber, Thomas Foster. 1740 -Nathaniel Eames, Thomas Macomher, Thomas Foster. 1741 .- Kenelm Winslow, John Little, William Clift. 1742 .- Kenelm Winslow, John Little, Timothy Rogers. 1743 .- Kenelm Winslow, John Little, William Clift. 1744-47 .- Kenelm Winslow, John Little, Thomas Foster. 1748 .- Kenelm Winslow, John Little, John Carver. 1749-50 .- Kenelm Winslow, John Little, Seth Bryant. 1750-51 .- John Carver, John Little, Seth Bryant. 1752 .- John Carver, John Little, Thomas Foster. 1753-54 .- John Winslow, John Little, Thomas Foster. 1755 .- John Carver, John Little, Thomas Waterman. 1756 .- Seth Bryant, John Little, Thomas Waterman. 1757 .- Seth Bryant, John Carver, Thomas Waterman. 1758 .- John Thomas, Nathaniel Little, Ephraim Little. 1759 .- Nathaniel Winslow, Nathaniel Little, Seth Bryant. 1760-62 .- Thomas Waterman, Abijah White, Seth Bryant. 1763 .- Thomas Waterman, Abijah White, John Tilden. 1764 .- Nathaniel Thomas, Nathaniel Little, John Tilden. 1765 .- Thomas Waterman, Abijah White, John Tilden.
1766-67 .- Kenelm Winslow, Ahijah White, John Tilden. 1768 .- Isaac Winslow, Elisha Phillips, Peleg Rogers. 1769 .- Anthony Thomas, Elisha Phillips, Peleg Rogers. 1770 .- Kenelm Winslow, Elisha Phillips, Peleg Rogers. 1771 .- Kenelm Winslow, Nathaniel Phillips, John Tilden. 1772 .- Thomas Waterman, Nathaniel Phillips, Samuel Oakman. 1773 .- Kenelm Winslow, Nathaniel Phillips, John Tilden. 1774 .- Abijah White, Isaac Winslow, Ephraim Little. 1775 .- Kenelm Winslow, Isaae Phillips, Samuel Oakman. 1776-77 .- Kenelm Winslow, Elisha Kent, Samuel Oakman, 1778-79 .- Daniel Lewis, Asa Waterman, Samuel Oakman. 1780 .- Elisha Kent, Asa Waterman, Samuel Oakman. 1781 .- Elisha Kent, Nathaniel Thomas, Samuel Tilden. 1782 .-- Asa Waterman, Daniel Lewis, Joseph Bryant. 1783-84 .- Thomas Dingley, Daniel Lewis, Joseph Bryant. 1785-86 .- Thomas Dingley, Wm. Macomber, Joseph Bryant: 1787 .- Thomas Dingley, Daniel Lewis, Joseph Bryant. 1788-90 .- Thomas Dingley, William Lewis, Joseph Bryant. 1791-92 .- Judah Thomas, William Lewis, Joseph Bryant. 1793-94 .- Luke Wadsworth, William Lewis, Joseph Bryant. 1795 .- Luke Wadsworth, Elisha Ford, Joseph Bryant. 1796 .- Luke Wadsworth, Daniel Lewis, Joseph Bryant. 1797-98 .- Luke Wadsworth, Wm. Macomber, N. Waterman. 1799-1804 .-- Luke Wadsworth, Daniel Lewis, Joseph Clift. 1805-6 .- Judah Thomas, Daniel Lewis, Joseph Clift. 1807-8 .- Luke Wadsworth, Chandler Sampson, Joseph Clift. 1809 .- Robert Cushman, Chandler Sampson, Joseph Clift. 1810 .- Luke Wadsworth, Chandler Sampson, Joseph Clift. 1811 .- John Thomas, Joseph Hewett, Joseph Clift. 1812 .- Luke Wadsworth, Joseph Hewett, Joseph Clift. 1813-17 .- Jotham Tilden, Joseph Hewett, John Thomas. 1818-19 .- Chandler Sampson, Joseph Clift, John Thomas. 1820 .- Chandler Sampson, Francis G. Ford, Israel Hatch. 1821 .- Joseph Hewett, Franeis G. Ford, Israel Hatch. . 1822 .- Joseph Hewett, Francis G. Ford, Joseph Clift, Jr. 1823 .- Isaac Dingley, Bourne Thomas, Nathaniel Clift. 1824-25 .- Franeis G. Ford, Bourne Thomas, Joseph Clift, Jr. 1826 .- Asa Hewett, Bourne Thomas, Joseph Clift, Jr. 1827-28 .- Eleazer Harlow, Chandler Sampson, Israel Hatch. 1829 .- Asa Hewett, Bourne Thomas, Edward P. Little. 1830-31 .- Elijah Ames, John Ford, Jr., Edward P. Little. 1832-33 .- Proctor Bourne, John Ford, Jr., Edward P. Little. 1834-35 .- John Bourne, Jr., John Ford, Jr., Edward P. Little. 1836 .- John Bourne, Jr., John Ford, Jr., Luther Hateh. 1837 .- Eleazer Harlow, Samuel Curtis, Edward P. Little. 1838-39 .- Eleazer Harlow, John Ford, Jr., Edward P. Little. 1840-1 .- Eleazer Harlow, Joseph Hewett, Edward P. Little. 1842 .- Eleazer Harlow, Elijah Ames, Edward P. Little. 1843 .- Eleazer Harlow, Joseph Hewett, Lineoln Damon. 1844 .- Elijah Ames, John Ford, Edward P. Little.
1845 .- Elijah Ames, Joseph Hewett, Edward P. Little. 1846-48 .- Alden Harlow, Joseph Hewett, Lincoln Damon. 1849 .- George M. Baker, Daniel Stevens.
1850 .- George M. Baker, Daniel Stevens, Edward P. Little. 1851-52 .- George M. Baker, Daniel Stevens, John Damuon. 1853 .- Seth Weston, Solomon Little, Stephen R. Rogers. 1854-56 .- Seth Weston, Solomon Little, Daniel Phillips. 1857 .- John Baker, Solomon Little, Wales B. Clift. 1858-61 .- John Baker, Daniel Stevens, Wales B. Clift. 1862 .- Charles P. Wright, Daniel Stevens, George Leonard. 1863 .- Charles P. Wright, Daniel Stevens, C. W. Macomber. 1864-65 .- George M. Baker, Luther Hatch, Henry P. Oakman. 1866 .- John Baker, Warren Kent, William C. Oakman. 1867-71-Robert H. Morehead, Warren Kent, William C. Oak- man.
1872 .- John H. Bourne, C. W. Macomher, Israel H. Hateh.
1150
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
1873-76 .- John H. Bonrno, Luther Magoun, Israel HI. Hatch, 1877 .- Georgo Baker, Luther Magoun, Israel 11. IIatch. 1878-79 .- George Baker, Thomas B. Blackman, Daniel Brown. 1880 .- George Baker, Thomas B. Blackman, Albert T. Sprague. 1881 .- George Bakor, Frank Ford, Daniel Brown. 1882 .- George Baker, Albert T. Sprague, Israel H. Hatch. 1883 .- George Baker, Albort T. Sprague, Judson Ewell. 1884 .- Ephraim HI. Walker, Israel H. Hatch, Judson Ewell.
The carliest records relate chiefly to the election of officers and grants of land. In February, 1643- 44, grants were made to John Thomas and Robert Chambers at the request of Edward Winslow, who described them as his servants, and William Thomas and William Vassall were appointed to lay out to the several inhabitants on the north of Green's Harbor River all the meadow undisposed of on that side of the river, and also the marshes undisposed of on the south side of the river, according to their discretion. On the 14th of that month there were laid out to Thomas Bourne, Josiah Winslow, Kenelm Winslow, John Russell, John Dingley, Thomas Chillingsworth, Roger Cooke, and Luke Lilly. In April, 1644, there was "granted to John Rouse the great island next the cut which borders the beach, about ten acres." It is possible that an investigation of this grant may throw some light on the direction and character of the passage-cut in 1633.
Under the date of August, 1645, the following entry is found :
" On a motion being mado for one to teach school, we, whose names are underwritten, are willing to pay yearly, hesides pay- ing for our children we shall send, viz. :
Edward Winslow. 20 sh. Edward Buckley .... 13 sh. 4 d.
Thomas Bourne ... 10 4 Robert Waterman ... 10 "
John Bourne 10 4 Kenelm Winslow ... 10 "
Robert Carver. 10 “
Joseph
Thomas Chillingsworth 10 " Josiah 10 «
John Russell 5 " Edward
The family names of three of the subscribers and the sums subscribed by two are illegible. The names were probably Joseph Beadle, Josiah Winslow, and Edward Bumpus. This was the first movement to- wards a public school in cither of the New England colonies.
This record is an important one, and apparently now for the first time publicly disclosed, as it fur- nishes a satisfactory answer to the charge which has been repeatedly made that the people of the Plymouth Colony lagged far behind those of Massachusetts in the cause of education. This charge has been founded on the references in the colony records alone, and made without any investigation of the records of the various towns. The first entry on the subjeet in the Plymouth Colony records is under date of 1663 : " It is proposed by the court unto the several townships of this jurisdiction, as a thing they ought to take into
their serious consideration, that some course may be taken that in every town there may be a schoolmaster set up to train np children to reading and writing."
In the Massachusetts Colony records, under date of May, 1647, the first reference to the same subject is in the following law :
"It heing one chief project of Satan to keep men from the knowledge of the Scripture, as in former times keeping them in unknown tongues, so in these latter times by persuading from the use of the tongues that so at least the true sense and meaning of the original might be clouded and corrupted with false glosses of deceivers, to the end that learning may not be buried in the graves of our forefathers in church and common- wealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors. It is therefore or- dered by the Court and authority thereof that every town within the jurisdiction after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty families, shall then forthwith appoint one within their towns to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in general hy way of supply, as the major part of them that order the prudentials of the town shall appoint; provided that those who send their children be not oppressed by paying much more than they can have them taught for in otber towns.
" And it is further ordered that when any town shall increase to the number of one hundred families or householders, they shall set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the University ; and if any town neglect the performance hereof above one year, then every such town shall pay five pounds per annum to the next such school till they shall perform this order."
It is now found that in Marshfield, in 1645, meas- ures were taken to establish a school, and we are left to the presumption that in other towns in the Plym- outh Colony similar measures were taken, rendering unnecessary any action of the Colony Court until a much later day, when, perhaps, one or two of the more recently incorporated towns failed to provide suitable means of edueating their children.
The limits of this sketeh will preclude anything like a history of the schools of the town, but a list of teachers from 1701 to 1774, which is all that is avail- able to the writer, may not be without interest :
1701. Thomas Little,
Harvard College, 1695.
1703. Perogrino White,
1704. Ephraim Little,
1695.
1707. John Barker,
1708. Polog Wiswall,
" 1702.
1709-10. Arthur llowland,
1715. John Stedman,
1712.
1716. Peleg Bradford,
1717. John Bell, 1721-22. William Rand, 1725. Thomas Oliver,
1721.
1727. Isaiah Lewis,
=
1723.
1730. Ward Cotton,
1729.
1732. Adam Richardson,
1730.
1733. Fobos Little,
1734.
1738. William Smith,
=
1725.
1741. Lomuel Briant,
1739.
In by th hous meetin
1719.
The were gr at whi The fo reaped ther pr higher gleeted. graduat probably Festival Epbraim Thomas Daniel William William Jobn T Josiab Issac W Epbrain James L Otis Lit Iu once abolish time t pense per re school of one to stat is pro pected popula In author of the the m
1743
1151
HISTORY OF MARSHFIELD.
1:43. James Lewes.
Harvard College, 1731.
1774. Melzar Turner Oakman. .. .. 1771.
The character of these teachers. so many of whom were graduates at Cambridge, attests the high standard at which the schools umust have been maintained. The fact that before 1823 Marshfield young men reaped the benefits of a Cambridge education is fur- ther proof that the preparatory system, ou which a higher education was built, could not have been ne- glected. The following is a list of the Cambridge graduates as far as known to the writer. to which it is probable that others might after a more thorough in- vestigation be added :
Ephraim Little .. 1695
Daniel Lewis 1,34
Thomas Little. 1695
Fobes Little 1734
Daniel Lewis 1707 Nathaniel Little 1,34
William burtleff 1:07 Edward Winslow 1736
William Lewis. 1710 Nathaniel Ray Thomas. 1,51
Jobn Thomas 1:15
Pelliam Winslow 1753
Josiab Winslow 1:21
Isaac Winslow 1,62
Isaac Winslow
John Thomas. 1765
Eş braim Little 1528
Thomas Little ... I771
Melzar T. Oakman 1771 James Lewis 1731
Otis Little.
1:31
Nathaniel Thomas
1,74
In 1868 the old school district system, which was once universal throughout the commonwealth, was abolished by the vote of the town, and at the present time there are nine schools maintained at an ex- pense of about two thousand seven hundred dollars per year. The incompleteness of the report of the school committee for the last year. owing to the loss of one of the school registers, renders it impossible to state the average attendauce at the schools ; but it is probable that it is quite as large as could be ex- pected in a widely extended territory and a scattered population.
In 1654, Josiah Winslow and William Ford were authorized to build a sufficient mnill to grind the corn of the town at the South River, and in the same year the money raised in the town by rates was as follows :
£ s. d.
Official wages.
3
7
4
Magistrates
1
13
8
Gor. charges
0
16
Three wolves killed by Robert Carver and John Russell 3 0
Two days' work on meeting-house. 0
3
Thomas Tilden, wolf. 1
0
0
To entrance the minister's land 0)
1 0
To Goodman Dingley
1
11 6
Josiah Winslow, Sr., committee charges 3 Joriab Winslow. 0
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