Page:A Record of Education - The Schools and Teachers of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1644-1904.pdf/12

6 Accordingly, as soon as they had established homes of a very primitive style, with very few comforts and no luxuries, they turned their thoughts to the subject of education ; and there is no doubt that the presence in the little settlement of several men who had been trained in the universities of the mother country had a most favorable influence in shaping the measures which they adopted.

In the town records of 1638 four persons have Mr. prefixed to their names, to indicate that they had taken the Masiter’s degree at a University. These were John Altin, the first minister of Dedham ; Timothy Dalton, the first minister of Lampton, N. H.; Thomas Carter, ordained in Woburn, 1642, and Ralgh Wheelock.

On the second day of January, 1642–3, fifty-one persons were present at a general meeting of the Town, in which the allotment of land was considered; and in the record of its proceedings is the following statement :

It was with an unanimous consent concluded that some portion of land in this entended [sic] division should be set apart for publique [sic] use: viz for the Towne [sic], the Church and a fre [sic] Schoole ; viz 40 acres at the leaste [sic] or 60 acres at the most.

This “unanimous consent” indicates a truly commendable liberality and public spirit, and that there were in the town wise counsellors to control its plans for public improvements. It also leads us to expect further steps in the same direction ; and we are not surprised at the memorable action of a town meeting two years later. This is so fitly described in the Records that we give it here without abridgment, and also include the names of those who were present and participated in the good work.

1644. At a meeting the first day of the Eleventh Month, Assembled those whose names are under written with other the Inhabitants of this Town: M$r$ Jn$o$ Allen past$r$, John Hunting Eld$r$ Hen Chickering, Tho. Wight, Jn$o$ Thu[rston], Anthony Fisher, Jos. Fisher, Dan Fisher, Jno Luson, Mr. Ralph Wheelocke, Jno Gaye, William Bullard,