Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

‘ [367] these words: the Indians in Mr. Corletts scoole were examined oppenly by my selfe att the publicke Commencement; conserning theire growth in the knowledge of the lattin toungue; and for their time they gave good satisfaction to myselfe and also to the honored and Reverent Overseers.’¹

Notwithstanding Mr. Corlett's well-earned fame, and his ability to teach both English and Indians, his school seems never to have been large, nor were the stated fees for tuition adequate for his support. The town had frequent occasion to supply the deficiency by special grant. In 1648, ‘It was agreed at a meeting of the whole town, that there should be land sold of the common, for the gratifying of Mr. Corlett for his pains in keeping a school in the town, the sum of ten pounds, if it can be attained; provided it shall not prejudice the cow-common.’ Forty acres of land on the south side of the river were sold, for this purpose, to Mr. Edward Jackson. Again, Jan. 29, 1654-5, ‘The town consented that twenty pounds should be levied upon the inhabitants, and given to Mr. Corlett, for his present encouragement to continue with us.’ March 25, 1662: ‘The townsmen taking into their consideration the equity of allowance to be made to Mr. Corlett, for his maintenance of a grammar school in this town, especially considering his present necessity by reason of the fewness of his scholars, do order and agree that ten pounds be paid to him out of the public stock of the town.’ Nov. 14, 1684: ‘Voted on the affirmative, that Mr. Elijah Corlett shall be allowed and paid out of the town rate, annually, twenty pounds, for so long as he continues to be schoolmaster in this place.’ The colony also interposed for his relief; and, having previously made similar grants, on the 7th of November, 1668, ‘In answer to the petition of Mr. Elijah Corlet, the Court having considered of the petition, and being informed the petitioner to be very poor, and the country at present having many engagements to satisfy, judge meet to grant him five hundred acres of land where he can find it, according to law.’² The meagre number of scholars is more definitely stated in an official answer of the town to certain questions proposed by the County Court: ‘30 (1) 1680. Our Latin Schoolmaster is Mr. Elijah Corlitt; his scholars are in number nine at present.’³ Under all these discouragements, the veteran teacher seems to have persevered bravely up to the close of his life; for there is no evidence