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the ground that he was a master of arts and kept a grammar school.
He was accordingly excused, but the town rebelled and again chose him to the office.
It appears that his excuse was considered a thin one, for, said the people, ‘if the instruction of two or three youths in a private way in his house, as his other occasions will permit (for his private benefit) in grammar learning, at the desire of their friends, will give him the reputation of keeping a grammar school, so be it.’
We have given this incident, not as a piece of historical gossip, but to show that the youth of Charlestown, as in Cheever's time, did not get their education wholly from the Town Hill school.
April 20, 1691. ‘Agreed with Mr. Jno. Emerson to be schoolmaster in this Towne for the education of Youth, viz., in Lattin, writing, ciphering, and perfecting in English, & for encouragement in sd work, the Selectmen promise the sd schoolmaster, Mr. Emerson, 25 pounds per annum, one-half money & the other half as money.
And such Youth as do enter under sd schoolmaster his Tutorage, they are to pay as he and their parents or overseers do agree for, and as to some poor children that may come, as sd Mr. Emerson and the Selectmen may agree therein, and the above sd twenty-five pounds is to be payd quarterly from May the 4th following.’
May 9, 1695. ‘Voted that what is rising annually upon the account of the school in this Town shall be payd annually to a schoolmaster, & no more towards keeping a gramer & writing school, and the sd schoolmaster to have the benefit of the scholars to make up his sallary, and the management thereof to be left to the selectmen.’
December 7, 1696. ‘Then ordered the Town Treasurer to pay Mr. John Emerson, schoolmaster, besides the Rent of Lovels Iland, 8 pounds as he had Last Yeare.’
November 2, 1697. ‘Then ordered Town Treasurer to pay for a bushel of Lime to repaire the school house.’
February 1, 1698. ‘To Xtopher Goodwin for work at the Schoolhouse, and to Mr. Emerson 8 pounds.’
May 17, 1698. ‘Let unto Josiah Treadway the land formerly
Somerville. Historical Society. , 1904.
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