‘
[
40]
Thomas Harris,
John Larkin,
Timothy Thompson, Jr.,
John Bromfield, and
Philemon Russell.
They beg leave to report it is their opinion that females be admitted into the public school within the Neck for six months of the year, from May to October, inclusive; that their hours of instruction be from 11 to 1 and 4 to 6, from the age of seven or more.
That until nine years they be taught reading and spelling.
That after that age they be also taught writing and arithmetic, and that reading from that time be considered as including propriety as to cadence, accent, emphasis, and pauses, and that a sum not exceeding £ 50 be granted to provide an usher for the six months aforesaid, of which the other schools are to take their due proportion.
That a committee of five be appointed to obtain some suitable person for that purpose, and that in order to promote the best interest of the school and excite a laudable ambition in the scholars, the same committee shall for the year ensuing as often at least as once every quarter visit the school to enquire into the proficiency of the scholars, the instruction and discipline of the school, and to advise with the master respecting the same, and that a committee for similar purposes be annually chosen.’
Voted that the selectmen be the committee to regulate the schools and provide an usher for the school within the Neck for six months. Later it was voted to add
Richard Devens,
Samuel Dexter,
Philemon Russell, and
Seth Wyman to this committee.
May 23, 1791, ‘Voted that Captain Goodwin alter the schoolhouse to accommodate it for an assistant master.’
The last named committee was re-appointed in May, 1792.
Evidently there was some doubt as to what constituted the school fund.
Some claimed that the Common was the property of the school, and proposed as an investment that a house and barn be built thereon to rent as a tavern.
A discussion naturally followed, and a committee was appointed to look into the legality of the matter.
Later in the year, in a warrant for a town meeting, we read: ‘To know whether the town will take some measures to place all funds belonging to the schools upon a more advantageous footing than they now are.’
This is the vote recorded: ‘That Hon. James Russell, Richard Devens, Esq., and Aaron Putnam, Esq., be a committee on school funds, and ’
