THE (Continued from page 93.) HE following record of the Selectmen introduces the next 6. of 10 [mo] 59. . being met to finishe the Countrey Rate. the consideration of the want of a schoolm' being p[ro]posed it is vpon debating the case resolued to give a calle to Thomas Marret jun' of Cambridg to keep the schoole for a quarter of a yeare vpon the alloweance p[ro]portionable to the sallary formerly agreed vpon in that case that is 5' for that quarter & to be pd halfe in wheat & halfe in other corne. Thomas Marret was the son of Deacon Thomas Marret of Cambridge, and was probably known in Dedham because his sister Abigail married Daniel Fisher of this town. In 1664 he was in New London, Connecticut, employed as a scrivener for that town. He was appointed custom-master for the port of New London in 1668, and on December 15th of the same year was chosen Marshal of New London County, which latter office he resigned in 1674. Miss Caulkins in her "History of New London" (page 314) states that he "was, for several years, the most conspicuous attorney in the place," and that his name disappears "from the rolls of living men, about 1685." He taught the Dedham school a year on the same conditions as Mr. Metcalf; and on the 11th of the 12mo 1660 [February, 1661] CANTON PUTS LIBRARY was covenanted with to keep school again "to be payd the one halfe in wheat at 4 shilinges 10 penc per bushell and the other halfe in Endine corne at 3 shillings per bushell to be payd quarterly." But he evidently did not finish his second year; and the towne showed its confidence in the venerable master Metcalf by making with him another covenant on the 24th of the 5mo 1661. As a specimen of exact bargaining, characteristic of old times, we will venture to give it entire. Agreed with Michall Metcalfe to keepe the schoole so longe time as god shall inable him for seaven shilinges eight penc a weke the schoole to be keept in the parlor of the dweling house some time Frances Chickringes deceased: to teach the malle children that shall be sent to him by the inhabitance the sayd Michall do ingage to teach them to reade and to wright English as thay shall be capable: in considration where of we the select men do ingage and promise to pay vnto the say[d] Michall his ex[e]cetors or asignes at the ende of the quarter for so longe a time as he keepe schoole: seaven shilinges eight penc a weeke: viz. halfe in wheat at the price the biscat bakers take when it is dew and the other halfe in rye or Endine corne at the price it pas curant from inan to man: and all good and merchantable corne to be delivered at his dweling house: more over that woode for the fire be layd in at the schoole house: a hachet and belows to be prouided all so it is at our liberty when we please to put in hoome we think goode to keepe the schoole and we grant the like librty to the sayd Michall to leaue of the schoole at any time when he shall se cause: not with standing: any thing expresed in eyther of thes covenants above sayd: shall not hinder the sayd Michall in his just librty or absence from schoole vpon any special ocasions or providences that may be fall and that no advantage shall be taken so as to detayne any parte of his wages for some times: being nessesarly taken of from the schoole prouided: if it shall be aboue a weekes time: it shall then be discounted: other wise not: the schoole to begine the first of the 6mo 1661 provided that the in habitane take no children from other Townes to put them to schoole if any do so thay shall agree with the schooll master. Under this agreement master Metcalf continued his labors probably till the spring of 1663. He died December 24, 1664. He was a beloved teacher, and his name should be honored. The next Schoolmaster was John Swinerton. He was covenanted with as his predecessor had been, but in terms somewhat different. A part of the record is as follows: A large chest brought by him from England is now in the possession of the Historical Society. It is beautifully ornamented with inlaid wood. Nouember 22 1663 . . . the said mr Swinareton is to teach such male childeringe as are sent to him to wright & read & the use of retmitick as thay are capable and the Latten tounge so fare as he can & to trie for one quarter of a yeare houe he may sute with the Towne & the Towne take content with him & so to continue for a year if there be a concurance betwen the Towne & him. His term of service seems to have been half a year. Afterwards he settled as a physician in Salem, where he was respected for his skill and esteemed for his benevolence. A Latin book for elementary instruction, Brinsley's Accidence, containing John Swinerton's name, written in 1652, was formerly in the possession of William B. Fowle, of Boston. This book, consisting of questions and answers, was published in 1612, and was generally used in the schools of England. The Accidence of Ezekiel Cheever was published about 1650, and took the place of Brinsley's book in America. Dr. Swinerton died in Salem, January 6, 1691, aged 57. The Town seems to have been compelled to come back to its home supply of instruction. One who is unable to endure the hard labor of subduing the forest and raising "wheat & other corne" is supposed to be worth trying in the not less. useful work of teaching. 6. of 2. 64. Assemb. after Lecture. . . . In consideration of the p'sent want of a school master and of the weakly estate of or Br Joseph Ellice he being willing and we being hopefull he may doe Some good in teaching Some childeren to read English. for p'sent and vntill one more able may be attayned, doe agree and order. that forthwith notice be given that he shall begin to teach at the schoolhouse the next two daye and that he shall have 6 p week so long as he shall so teach and that this shall be prpounded to the Town the next lectur daye that the mind of the Towne may be known therin. There is no doubt that the Town assented to the choice of "Br. Joseph Ellice," and that his teaching was satisfactory. When he had labored in his new vocation a half year or more, the following entry was made: 22: of 9: 64: Assemb: afternoon . . . being mett to make the Rate to paye the Schoolemaster at 3 64 each Scholler the number of Schollers being 45. and estates rated at 4a p[er] £ This was to pay Mr. Ellice for a half year's work, 85 es tates were rated, the largest tax being that of Rev. John Allin, 158 74; the smallest, of "Elnath: Dunckly," 5a. A second year's service is implied in this record: 10: of 11 mo. 1665 . . . A bill is given to Joseph Ellice to reseave of the Constable 15-12 in full for his sallary for keepeing the Schoole this p'sen yeare He continued in the work the next year, and another record shows his last engagement in the service of the Town. 19: of 9: 1666 . . . It is ordered that Joseph Ellice shall keepe the schoole one halfe yeare more and is to haue the same payemt that he haue formrly had for the like time to begin againe the next 2 daye being the 26. of 9. 66: The last record relative to him is this: 28: 10: 66 ... A bill is giuen to Joseph Ellice to receaue 7 16 of the Constable in pt of payemt for keepeing Schoole So this man of "weakly estate" taught the school three years, and no fault was found in his record. He became a townsman January 11, 1651. He does not appear on the records as a church member; but he is there called "brother Ellice." His name is on the rate bills till 1671, but in 1672 "Vid: Ellice" takes its place; this seems to show approximately the date of his death. Samuel Man, a youth of twenty years and a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1665, appears as a teacher in Dedham in the summer of 1667. The covenant with him was brief but definite. 13: 3: 67 Assemb. after Trayneing. . . Agreed with m2 Samuel Man. to teach the male Children of this Towne that shall be sent to him in English writeing. Grammar. and Arithmeticke for the space of one whole yeare from 27th of this Instant moneth. for which he is to receaue 20 in Such paymt and at Such prizes as the Countrey Rate shall accept for thet yeare. one halfe to be payed at the end of each halfe yeare. at his assignmt in Dedham Subscribed SAMUELL MAN: This teacher seems to have been much esteemed, being doubtless more scholarly than his predecessors. Probably about this time the number of families in Dedham made it necessary to maintain a grammar school in which boys could be |