It would seem from the Records, that the school-house was not erected by the town; but that certain public-spirited individuals, —Mr. Dunster being foremost in the enterprise,—assumed the responsibility, and defrayed the expense. Under date of Feb. 10, 1655-6, we find this record: ‘Whereas Mr. Dunster hath made proposition to the Townsmen for the acquitting and discharging of forty pounds upon the account of his outlaying for the school-house: the Townsmen hereby declare, namely, that as they cannot yield to the same, for the reasons before mentioned, yet nevertheless, if Mr. Dunster shall please to present any proposition concerning his outlayings for the school-house to the town when met together, they shall be willing to further the same according to justice and equity.’ Perhaps in consequence of some such proposition by Mr. Dunster, it is recorded that at a meeting, November 10, 1656, ‘The town do agree and consent that there shall be a rate made to the value of £ 108. 10s. and levied of the several inhabitants, for the payment for the schoolhouse; provided every man be allowed what he hath already freely contributed thereto, in part of his proportion of such rate.’ Whatever Mr. Dunster may have received as his share of this assessment, his heirs renewed the claim for further renumeration, after his death, with partial success: Nov. 12, 1660. ‘As a final issue of all complaints referring to Mr. Dunster's expenses about the school-house, although in strict justice nothing doth appear to be due, it being done by a voluntary act of particular inhabitants and Mr. Dunster; and also the town having otherwise recompensed Mr. Dunster for his labor and expenses therein; yet the town, considering the case as its now circumstanced, and especially the condition of his relict widow and children, do agree that thirty pounds be levied on the inhabitants of the town, by the selectmen, and paid to Mr. Dunster's executors,—and that on condition that they make an absolute deed of sale of the said house and land to the town, with a clear acquittance for the full payment thereof.’ A school-house, constructed as this apparently
