USA > New York > Suffolk County > History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683 > Part 45
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Next came John Stratton, who died about 1680, leav- ing his lot to his son John. It passed into the hands of Thomas Chatfield in 1700, and is now the property of Edward Osborn and Isaac Miller.
Thomas Talmadge, ancestor of the famous family of that name, was north of John Stratton. The lot fell to his son Nathaniel about 1687, and is now owned by Mrs. David Thompson.
Next was the lot of the blacksmith Robert Bond. It passed from his son John into the hands of Thomas Os- born in 1668, and still remains in that family, its present owner being William L. Osborn.
Judge John Mulford, the illustrious ancestor of an illustrious race, came next, and his lot descended to his son John in 1686. In his will he leaves to his son Sam- uel "the home lot I bought of Thomas Thompson." This was probably part of the next lot north, now owned by James M. Hedges.
North of Judge Mulford lived Thomas Thompson. His lot, or the north part of it, was in 1656 owned by Arthur Howell, whose wife Elizabeth, daughter of Lion Gardiner, was the alleged victim of "Goody Garlick's" witchcraft, which created such a profound sensation in the early times. This lot is now the property of William Hedges. The Mulford lot south belongs to James M. Hedges.
Thomas Baker, whose house served the triple purpose of his own home, a tavern on week days, and meeting- house on Sunday, lived next north of Thomas Thompson. His lot now belongs to the heirs of Samuel M. Gardiner.
Next lived William Mulford, brother of John men- tioned above. His homestead descended to his son Thomas in 1687, and still remains in his family, the pres- ent owner being David G. Mulford.
This brings us to the road called Buel's lane, or, as it was called in ancient times, "Catharine's lane." The lot next to this road was originally owned by Stephen Osborn, and by Richard Stratton in 1666. In after years it was noted as the home of Rev. Samuel Buel, the
Next north lived George Miller. Lion Gardiner owned |third minister of the town.
7
THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON.
Richard Stratton lived next and left the lot to his sons Isaac and Benjamin in 1676. Upon this lot stands Clinton Academy, built in 1784. The land is now owned by the heirs of Dr. John Hedges.
The next lot was owned at different times by men famous in the history of the town. Here lived William Fithian, and after him Matthias Burnet, long a justice and a prominent man. Burnet Miller, who was supervisor from 1764 to 1776, resided here in Revolutionary days, and was a member of Assembly from 1777 to 1783. Dr. Charles B. Dayton is the present owner.
There is no locality in this ancient town that has been a source of greater interest than an old house, a relic of the olden time, which stands on the lot adjoining the last mentioned, for here were spent the childhood days of John Howard Payne, author of " Home, Sweet Home." The lot was originally the dwelling place of Richard Brooks, and afterward of Thomas Terrill, and in 1726 was owned by William Schellinx, the ancestor of the Schellinger family. It was at one time the home of Dr. Ebenezer Sage, who was a physician in this place thirteen years, and member of Congress in 1812. The present owner is Samuel Osborn.
Joshua Garlick, the centenarian and husband of "Goody Garlick," whose reputed witchcraft threw the. town into a fever of excitement, and whose career might in those superstitious days have had a melancholy termi- nation, was the owner of the next lot. In the will of David Gardiner, who died in 1751, is written, "I leave to my wife Mehetabel my home lot which I formerly purchased of Richard Shaw." Richard Shaw was a son- in-law of Joshua Garlick, and inherited his land. He removed to Cape May, New Jersey. The place has ever since been in the Gardiner family, being now owned by Hon. Samuel B. Gardiner.
Richard Shaw owned the lot next north of Garlick's, and his son John succeeded him in 1683. Since then it has had many owners. It was in comparatively recent times the residence of General Jeremiah Miller, a very prominent individual in the town.
The next lot was owned very early by Bazaleel Osborn, and has alwas been in the family. The present owner is Sylvanus T. Osborn, to whom the writer is under much obligation for valuable assistance.
Andrew Miller's lot came next, and he was succeeded in its ownership by William Schellinx. It was bought of David Gardiner in 1742, and has come down to his descendants. There is in the town no finer specimen of the aristocratic mansion of the " old style " than what is commonly called the " the old Gardiner house."
In 1660 a series of lots were laid out and called the "New Town," the lots being bounded on the north by the road still called Newtown lane.
TOWN AFFAIRS IN YE OLDEN TIME.
secure in "liberty under law." The following extracts from the town records will show the manner of regulat- ing town affairs in the early days:
"East Hampton, 1650, at a Court of Election holden first Tuesday of October, there were chosen 4 men with the Constable for ye orderinge of ye affaires of ye town, and it is ordered that any two of them shall have power to grant a warrant for ye bringing of any delinquent be- fore them in any case; also the said 5 men shall have power to try any case under ye sum of 40 shillings; but if any case or action be to be tryed that is above, then it is to be tryed by a jury of seven men. It is ordered that any man should have liberty to purchase a Court for ye tryal of any action or suit, he paying forthwith to every man that shall be therein employed Is. 6d., and for entering an action 2s."
"It is ordered that whosoever shall take up a lot. in town shall live upon it himselfe, and also that noe man shall sell his allotment or any part thereof unless it be to such as ye towne shall approve of, and give consent to the sale there of."
. As an instance of the enforcement of the above we may quote the following:
"East Hampton, April 7 1657 .- It is agreed by ye voute of ye towne that ye bargaine yt Goodman Davis made with Goodman Birdsall in selling of his lands is annulified and not to stand." "Goodman Meggs's lot shall not be laid out for James Till to go to work on, and he shall not stay here."
All public business was done at town meeting, and all good citizens were expected to attend; so to insure their attendance it was "ordered that any person neglecting to attend town meeting shall be fined 12d." That this was no idle threat witness the following: "May 13 1651 .- These delinquents did not appear at the town meeting according to warning, viz .: Tho. Talmadge jr. (his fine paid, 6d.), Ralph Dayton (his fine paid); these together with fines of others used for a drum." "John Mulford his fine paid, 12d., William Mulford his fine paid; both of them paid towards the drum."
The "court of the three men " was the tribunal before which all ordinary cases were tried. The constable was a member and the executive officer. This office was in those days of great importance, and considered fully equal to any other. The following was the oath taken by these officers:
"You, being chosen by this court for the careful and comfortable carrying on the affairs of this town, do here swear by the name of the great and ever living God that you will faithfully and without respect of persons exe- cute all jury laws and orders as shall or may be made and established by this court, according to God, accord- ing to the trust committed to you, during this year for which you are chosen, and until a new one be chosen, if you remain among us, so help you God."
The first court was composed of John Mulford, Thomas Baker and Robert Bond, and Thomas Talmadge jr. was the first clerk or recorder. It was the duty of this court to meet at 8 o'clock in the morning on the second day of the first week in each month. "October 1652, ordered that if any man be aggrieved by anything that is done by the men in authority that he shall have
The new colony was now fairly started, and the great principle that actuated the founders of the town was that throughout its boundaries the inhabitants should be libertie to make his appeal to the next general court, or
8
THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON.
-
when the men are assembled together on public oc- casions."
The first settlers were necessarily cautious in their dealings with their Indian neighbors. Selling powder to laws of a State and of a nation, and thanks to their teach- them was forbidden under penalty of 5 shillings. The evil effect of " fire-water " upon these sons of the forest was well known, and to prevent it we find the following:
"It "is ordered, for the prevention of abuse amongst the Indians by selling of strong water, first that no man shall carry any to them to sell, neither send them any, nor employ any to sell for them; neither shall any sell them any liquor in the town to any Indian for their pres- ent drinking, above 2 drams at one time; also whoever sells any liquor shall not let any Indian have any but such as are sent by the sachem and shall bring a written ticket from him, which shall be given him from the town; and he shall not have above a quart at one time; and whoever goeth contrary to this order shall be liable to pay 5s. for every quart, and so for every quantity more or less. May 28th 1655.'
The benighted savage was not a strict observer of the Sabbath, and to teach him his duty we find it ordered: " Noe Indian shall travel up and downe or carry any bundle in or through our towne on the Sabath day, and whosoever is found soe doing shall be liable to corporall punishment."
In the vicinity of the treacherous race, who might be- come foes at any moment, to be constantly on guard was of the first importance, and it was ordered "that all fit to bear armes shall be supplied with sufficient arms, 4 lbs. of bullets or shot equivelent, noe shot smaller than swan shot."
Mechanics at that time were in great demand, and great inducements were made to have them settle in the town. "February 2nd 1653 it is ordered yt there shall bee an invitation sent to Goodman Morgan of Southold; if hee will come and live here and weave all the town's work hee shall come in free from all former charges, and the town will give him 5 and break up 2 ackers of Land."
Respect for the powers that be was strictly required, and delinquents in this matter were brought to condign punishment. "October 3d 1655 it is ordered that Wil- liam Simons for his provoking speeches to the 3 men in authoritie, being a disturbance to them in their proceed- ings, that hee shall forthwith pay 5 shillings, which is to be disposed of to make a paire of stocks." The latter article would be a standing warning to others inclined to transgress. Quarreling and blows were discouraged by the following:
" It is ordered that whosoever shall rise up in anger against his neighbor and strike him he shall forthwith pay ten shillings to ye town and stand to ye censure of ye court; and if in smiting he shall hurt or wound another he shall pay for the cure, and also for his time that he is thereby hindered."
False witness was also punished by doing unto the fal- sifier as he had thought to do unto his neighbor, a prin- ciple derived from Mosaic law.
Bible, on whose teachings they were based, grew up a race of men of whom their descendants may well be proud. The influence of their spirit has moulded the ings we enjoy to-day undisturbed sleep within unbarred doors.
For eight years the town was a nation by itself, living without a written constitution, but under the understand- ing that the inhabitants were bound by the principles of equity and natural right and justice, and guided by the light that springs from the word of God. At length, in 1654, the following resolution was passed: " It is or- dered that there shall be a copie of the Connecticut Combination drawn forth as is convenient for us, and yt all men shall set to their hands."
The constitution thus adopted was as follows:
" East Hampton, October 24th 1654 .- Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God, by the wise dispensation of his Providence, so to order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants of East Hampton are now dwelling together, the word of God requires that to maintain the Peace and Union of such a people there should be an Orderly and Decent Government established according to God, to order and Dispose as Occasion shall require. We Do therefore associate and conjoin ourselves to be one Town or Corporation, and Do for ourselves and suc- cessors, and such as shall be adjoined to us at any time hereafter, enter into combination and confederation together to maintain and preserve the purity of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we now possess; as also the Discipline of the Church, which according to the truth of said Gospel is now practiced among us; As also in our Civil affaires to be guided and Governed by such Laws and Orders as shall be made according to God, and which by vote of the Major Part shall be in force among us. Furthermore we do engage ourselves that in all votes for choosing Officers or making orders that it be according to Conscience and our best light, And also we do engage ourselves by this Combination to stand to and maintain the authority of the several Officers of the Town in their Determinations and actions according to their Orders and Laws that either are or shall be made, not swerving therefrom. In witness whereof each accepted Inhabitant set to our hand."
Although the purchase by Hopkins and Eaton was made for the inhabitants of the town yet it was not till some time afterward that the proper transfer was made; and we find that in 1651 "Ralph Dayton was ordered to go to Connecticut to have the evidence for our lands, and procure an acquittance for payment of our land and for a body of laws."
WHALING.
As in the neighboring town of Southampton, one of the most important sources of revenue was the dead whales cast up on the shore. It is not strange that a constant watch should be kept for these gifts of provi- dence, as they were considered, and with justice, for they came without the people's labor or care. In con- nection with this we find the following entries:
" November 6th 1651 .- It was ordered that Goodman Mulford shall call ont ye town by succession to loke
Such were a few of the enactments of the primitive colony, and they are an index of the thought and feeling of the community. Under that code of laws and the out for whales." "Ordered if any whale should be cast
9
THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON.
up within our bounds that every householder shall do his part to save the whale according as his turn shall come. The town shall be divided into two parts, one to cut one day and the other the other day." "If any Indian shall find a whale and forthwith bring tidings of it he shall have 5s. If any Englishman of this town do accidentally find a whale, and bring first tidings, he shall have a piece of whale 3 feet broad."
But the town did not long trust to drift whales alone. Within a very few years it became common to go off in canoes manned by hardy crews, and attack the monster of the deep in his native element. It is not generally known that at that time the whole coast of Long Island was lined with whaling stations, and the amount of oil annually made was very considerable. Hon. Henry P. Hedges in his historical address mentions a tradition " that Abigail Baker, who was married in 1702 to Daniel Hedges, in riding from East Hampton to Bridgehampton saw thirteen whales along the shore between the two places." This is much better supported than most tradi- tions, for Francis Pelletreau, of Southampton, writing to Stephen De Lancey of New York, in 1726, stated that eleven whales had been killed in that village that season. But the following document, lately discovered, shows most conclusively the great importance of this business:
Estimate of Whale Oil at Southampton and East Hampton, 1687.
At Ketchaponack-John Jessup and Co., about 8 bar- rels a share, 96 bls.
Quaquanantuck [Quogue]-Thomas Stephens & Co., about 22 bls a share, 264 bls; James Cooper & Co., about 12 bls a share, 144 bls.
At ye Pines [just west of Shinecock Point]-Joseph Peirson & Co., about 20 bls a share, 240 bls .; John Post & Co., about 19 bls a share, 228 bls.
At Towne [Southampton]-Francis Sayre & Co., about II bls a share, 132 bls.
At Weekapog-Isaac Raynor & Co., about 4 bls a share, 48 bls; Abraham Howell & Co., about 3 bls a share, 36 bls.
At Mecox-John Cook & Co., about 6 bls a share, 72 bls; Joseph Moore & Co., about ro bls a share, 120 bls.
At Sagaponack-Lieut. Henry Peirson & Co., 23 bls a share, 276 bls; Robert Norris & Co., about 9 bls a share, 108 bls; James Topping & Co., about 7 bls a share, 84 bls; Shamgar Hand & Co., about 25 bls a share, 300 bls. Total, 2,148 barrels.
1711, April 18 .- East Hampton-John Gardiner & Co., 18 men, 2 bls a share, 36 bls; Samuel Mulford & Co., 24 men, 2 bls a share, 48 bls.
The oil thus obtained was carted to Northwest and shipped to England.
In this enterprise danger was ever present, and the fol- lowing entry tells its own sad story: " Feb. 14, 1709 .- This day, a whaleboat being alone, the men struck a whale, and she coming under ye boat in part staved it; and, tho' ye men were not hurt with the whale, yet be- fore any help came to them four men were tired and chilled, and fell off ye boat and oars to which they hung, and were drowned, viz .: Henry Parsons, William Schel- lenger jr., Lewis Mulford, Jeremiah Conkling jr."
This shore whale fishery is now a thing of the past, and of all the stations which once dotted the coast of
Long Island Amagansett and Southampton are the only ones that now remain to keep up the remembrance of the deeds of former times.
LAYING OUT OF LAND-RIGHTS IN COMMONAGE.
It is a singular fact that almost all the land that is now under cultivation in the town was cleared and cultivated within the first hundred years. Of the original laying out of the lots on Main street we have no records, but the lots were doubtless in proportion to the amount of purchase money paid by each individual. The undivid- ed rights in commonage have a different notation from the same rights in the town of Southampton. In this town the term " 13 acres of commonage" is the same as "£150 allotment" in Southampton, meaning one full share. The conclusion we arrive at from consulting the early records is as follows:
All the undivided lands in the town were supposed to be divided into 47 lots, or full shares. Each lot consists of 13 acres-not in actual size, but this is simply the unit of value. The first division of land is said to have been about 600 acres, and the proportion that each man had was the basis for all future divisions. The following may serve as a sample of the manner of laying out the various divisions:
"At a Towne meeting in East Hampton, April ye 6, 1739, It was then agreed on by major vote of the Pro- prietors of all undivided lands in this town that there shall be a division of land in this town, consisting of ten acres to one acre commonage, on ye north side of Acco- bonack Neck (or elsewhere on the north side) and Ayle- wife Brook Neck, To be layed out each- neck in a divis- ion; and yt ye trustees have full power to lay out the same, as they shall see cause, and to get men to assist them as they shall have occasion. Notwithstanding the above written signifies two divisions, it was and is by the vote to be understood to be but one division in the whole. The above said vote was deliberately read in ye town meeting and passed in ye affirmative; as test
"CORNELIUS CONKLNG, Clerk."
The following list is of value as showing the names of the early proprietors and the value of their respective shares:
"An account of each man's right in commonage, in order to lay out a division of land of five acres to one acre commonage, as followeth:
Acres.
Roods.
Poles.
Joseph Osborne ...
18
0
0
Capt. Nathaniel Baker.
13
0
0
Mr. Thomas Chatfield.
13
0
0
John Mulford.
13
0
0
Heirs of Capt. Sam'l Gardiner.
13
0
0
Mr. Nathaniel Huntting.
13
0
0
Mr. Nathaniel Huntting.
13
0
0
Capt, Math. Burnett. ..
13
0
0
Capt. Matthias Burnett.
13
0
0
Mr. Eleazer Miller.
13
0
0
Timothy Mulford.
13
0
0
Elias Mulford.
13
0
0
Capt. Matthew Mulford
13
0
0
William Hedges.
13
0
0
Samuel Parsons.
5
0
0
Robert Parsons.
8
0
0
Giddion Hedges ..
5
0
0
Benjamin Hedges.
0
0
William Conklin ..
0
0
Nath'l Downing and Son Nathaniel ..
3
0
0
13
0
0
0
13
0
IO
THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON.
Acres.
Roods.
Poles.
Acres.
Roods.
Poles.
Josiah Miller ... David Edwards
11
0 0
0 0
William Osborne. John Mulford ... ::::::
4
0 0
0 0
Nathan Dayton.
5
0
0
Henry Dayton.
5
0
0
Isaac Hedges. ..
2
3
0
Samuel Hedges ..
0
0
30
Recompense Sherrill.
0
1
0
13
0
0
13
0
0
Icabod Luke.
5
0
0
Thomas Mulford ..
8
1
3436
William Hedges jr William Hedges ..
1
0
32
13
0
0 0
Joseph Hicka ...
3
0
0
John Edwards
4
0
0
Mr. Eleazer Miller
0
0
6%
Samuel Hedges ...
0
0
17
Mr. Samuel Hudson
Henry Hudson ...
I
0
0
Daniel Oaborne jr.
1
0
1318
John Stretten ..
5
2
16
John Squier ...
John Dayton.
4
2
30
Jeremiah Conkling jr Theophilus Wilman.
6
1
34
Daniel Baker ..
5
0
0
Isaac Barna & son.
13
0
0
Beriah Dayton
4
2
30
Robert More.
3
2
0
Eliakim Conkling
1
0
0
Edward Huntting.
5
2
0
Ye heirs of Capt. Talmadge ..
0
0
2
Samuel Russell.
0
0
Major John Merry.
13 11
0
0
Samuel Mulford .
1
0
0
Mr. Thomas Chatfield
0
1
20
John Talmage ..
0
0
8
William Hedges.
0
1
23
13
0
0
Aaron Fithian
7
0
0
Jane Conkling.
3
Jeremiah Conkling
2
0
0
Benjamin Leek.
0
13
0
0
6
0
0
Samuel Hedges.
6
0
0
Robert Leek.
1
0
0
13
0
0
9
1
32
Left. Jonathan Baker
3
0
0
Mr. Nathaniel Huntting.
0
2
8
13
0
0
8
2
0
Thomas Dibble.
1
2
0
Mr. Nath'l Huntting.
1
2
0
0
2516 1436
13
0
0
6
0
0
John Talmage.
4
0
0
Elias Hand ...
3
0
0
13
0
0
9
0
0
Edward Jones.
3
0
0
Thomas Fyler.
1
0
0
Cornelius Conkling ......
9
0
Heirs of Capt. Saml. Gardiner.
4
0
0
Matthias Hoplo
5
3
20
Stephen Hand ..
0
3
0
Hezekiah Miller.
1
1
20
John Hand
5
0
0
Eliphalet Stretten
9
2
4
William King
0
2
0
Daniel Petty.
0
2
0
John Terry.
0
2
0
Daniel Osborne jr
1
2
0
Elias Hand ...
0
0
10
Edward Jones.
0
1
0
Stephen Hedges
6
0
6
2
24
Cornelius Cookling.
0
0
Daniel Osborne.
0
0
2213 996
13
0
0
5
0
0
6
0
0
2
0
0
13
0
0
13
0
Daniel Dayton
7
0
0 0
John Davis ..
Samuel Hedges.
0
1
0
13
0
0
Daniel Osborne jr
3
29
Daniel Edwards ...
0
37%
Ye heirs of William Barns dec.
2
0
13
0
0
John Diament.
1
14
James Hand ...
0
10
Daniel Osborne jr.
2
29
William Hedges.
1
20
13
0
0
Whole number of lots, 47.
The general divisions were, as said before, divided into lots. The convenient highways for giving access were first laid out, and were not regarded as part of the lots. The common law principle that highways are an easement and that the fee of the land belongs to the ad- joining owners was not recognized, but all roads were considered "commons." One or two of the earlier high- ways are thus described:
"5-acre division, an highway laid out from Amagansett to Abraham Conkling's, 4 poles wide; and an highway 4 poles wide along the path that goeth to ye brick kilns to ye cleft southward of ye Fresh Pond; and an highway along the path that goeth from Amagansett to Barnes his hole, consisting of 4 poles wide."
In the old records and deeds several locations are men- tioned by names now no longer used. The "Eastern Plain" was the tract between Hook Pond and Amagan- sett; "Little Plain" lay between Lily Pond and Georgica Pond; "Great Plain" was the tract of land extending from the south end of the village to Lily Pond, embrac- ing the locality known by its Indian name of Apoquogue; "Indian Well " is a place mentioned in ancient deeds, and is supposed to have been near the beach, by the road running south from the west end of Amagansett;
13
0
0
Ye heirs of Capt. Talmadge decd
John Parsons ye 4th
0
0
20
John Talmadge.
0
0
Samuel Hedges ... William & Ebenezer Edwards.
Ann Barber
13
0
0
13
0
0
Thomas Talmadge .. Lion Loper ...
11
3
10
1
0
0
3
1
1313
4
0
0 0
Jacob Schellinx ..
7
0
Thomas Osborne jr.
3
1
Henry Conkling.
2
2
0
3
Samuel Parsons jr.
13
0
0
13
0
0
Seth Parsons ..
8
0
0
John Parsons.
9
0
0
Noah Barnes.
2
0
0
13
0
0
6
2
6
13
0
0
38
William Hedges.
0
0
2
13
0
0
Daniel Luke ..
3
3
Isaac Mulford
5
2
0
13
0
0
John Parsons ye 4th.
John Conkling.
3921
0
0
0
29
0
Nathan Miller.
2
0
Daniel Osborne.
34124 4
1
1316
Daniel Miller.
244300 0 0
2
7
Charles Glover.
1
1
0
Mr. Thomas Chatfield.
Elisha Osborne.
Joseph Conkling.
13
0
13
0
0
13
0
0
Jonathan Young.
0
28
20
Lion Gardiner.
20
0
John Hedges.
13 10
0
0
3
263%
Samuel Hedges
0
0
1316 0
David Conkling.
13
0
0
6
0
Samuel Parsons jr. John Stretten.
4
0
2
0
3
Lewis Conkling.
Jeremiah Mulford
9
2
II
THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON.
Alewife Brook Neck was the last division. The undivided desirable neighbors. The morals and manners of the lands at the present time include only such worthless regions as Napeague, and a few smaller tracts.
SCHOOLS.
Religion and education generally go together, and the first settlers, willing to give up all earthly enjoyment for the "kingdom of Heaven's sake," were yet fully awake to the value of earthly knowledge. A school was estab- lished within a year after the settlement, and the first schoolmaster was Charles Barnes, a son of William Barnes one of the original founders. He received at first £30 a year, and to insure a regular attendance a small part only of the amount was charged upon the scholars and the rest raised by tax. Jonas Holdsworth succeeded him in 1673, and after him the rod of correction was wielded by Peter Benson, whose pay was £50 a year. In 1682 the school consisted of 29 scholars. About all required of a teacher in those days was that he should be a good penman, and have a fair knowledge of arith- metic. If "Solomon's rule" was his guide and practice it was considered an additional merit. Grammar, geog- raphy, and other branches now thought essential were not taught at all. It was not considered necessary for supervisor, Jehiel K. Parsons, had the manhood-which girls to know much except reading, and hence we find in few indeed of his brother officials possessed-to risk re- election to office by uniting with the school commissioner old deeds a large proportion of women signing their names with a "mark;" and to most of the boy pupils in condemning this unsuitable building. The result was the "rule of three" was the boundary of mathematical knowledge. Still the general desire for learning was much greater in this than in the neighboring town, a fact which we can hardly account for unless by supposing that the early ministers, who were all-powerful in their social influence, must have taken a deep interest in the cause. It was the zealous efforts of Rev. Samuel Buel that builded Clinton Academy.
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