Page:A Record of Education - The Schools and Teachers of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1644-1904.pdf/23

 OF DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 16*^ of the 12

mo

1656.

Upon

the complaint of

Inhabitance that the school Master refuse

to

17

some

of the

teach such childring as

are above fourteen yeares of age the men hereunder named are deputed to goe and treate with the school master about the covenant wherein it is expressed he should teach all that are sent to him to

wright and read.

No

early schoolmaster was required to teach spelling, as

the subject was not considered important.

used by Master Metcalf the same word three different

ways

in the

not become serious, for in

20£



give Micell Metcalfe a call to keep school the

year insuinge and leave for

In the arithmetic

sometimes spelled in

same paragraph. The trouble did a few days, at a general meeting,

the following vote was passed

The Town doe

is

it

to the next select

men

to agree with

him

a yeare.

Near the end of

this

second year, on the fourth of the

twelfth month, he was requested to keep another year,

when

was "that at present he was not ripe to give an it was agreed that he should continue a month on the same terms as before, and then they might come to an agreement. At the end of the month they made a similar contract with Mr. Metcalf for a year, " or so long therein as God It was specified "that if any inhabitant shall enable him." shall take any child or children to that end to send them to schoole" the schoolmaster might refuse to teach them until they gave him satisfaction. It was also provided his reply

answer," so

that he shall be required no

daye work of one

man &

more highe waye work but only one more of a man. And

a teame, and one day

no advantage shall be taken to discount for not attending the Schoole except it be discontinued a full weeke together.

But

it is

evident that this year was not completed accord-

ing to the contract. of a school

men.

Mr " was

On

the 6th of the 10th

month "

the

want

a subject of debate in the board of Select-