Historic leaves, volume 2, April, 1903 - January, 1904

These two outlying districts, while under the control of Charlestown, were managed by local committees, whose names are recorded from year to year. In a few instances we know who were the teachers and the length of their service. Thus, at the Stoneham precinct, William Hay taught for the months of February and March, 1721, for the £ 8. In 1722 George Taylor kept this school for three months, fourteen days, and overrun the appropriation fifteen shillings. In 1724 the teacher was Mr. Hancock, and for 1725 Ebenezer Parker. At Mistick-side John Brentnall kept the school from 8 January to 15 February for the £ 4 appropriated, and the next year Nathan Burnham rendered a similar service. The query naturally arises whether these outlying districts maintained a school during the major part of the year at their own expense, or are we to suppose that the short periods mentioned represent the sum total of a year's schooling?

October 5, 1719. Among other things, it was voted to pro– vide a bell for the schoolhouse; also that the schoolboys be permitted to sit in the three hindmost seats in the upper part of the front gallery. ‘They being there under my immediate care and inspection.’ So petitioned Robert Ward.

May 2, 1720. ‘Ordered to get two small forms made for Mr. Robert Ward's schoolboys to sit on at the schoolhouse.’

November 7, 1720, this gentleman was chosen pastor of the church at Wenham, and ended his labors in Charlestown. The Rev. Robert Ward, of the class of 1719 (Harvard College), died in 1732, at the age of seventy. He was admitted to the Charlestown church December 12, 1714. He seems to have been twice married, if we may trust Wyman's account, which also gives the names and dates of birth of his children. His father, Robert Ward, Sr., was from the county of Munster, Ire., and belonged to the frigate Nonsuch.

December 5, 1720. ‘The selectmen agreed with Mr. Samuel Barrett, Jr., to keep the gramer school till March 1 for £ 15.’

(To be continued.)