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

‘ [369] humblie blesseth God for you: who cause judgment to run down our streets like water; where mercie likewise has its current. Thus heartielie wishing and praying for your happienes and wellfare in the Lord, he ever remaines acknowledging himself your Worps most obliged humble servant, Elijah Corlett.’¹

The successors of Mr. Corlett were generally young men fresh from College.² Very few of them appear to have selected teaching as a permanent employment; only one indeed died in the service, namely, Nicholas Fessenden, Jr., H. C. 1701, who taught about eighteen years, and died of apoplexy Oct. 5, 1719. William Fessenden, Jr.,³ H. C. 1737, taught the school eleven years, from 1745 to 1756, but left it two years before he also died of apoplexy, June 17, 1758. Samuel Danforth, H. C. 1715, seems to have chosen teaching as a profession. At a meeting of the selectmen, Oct. 26, 1719, it is recorded, that—‘Whereas, by reason of the death of Mr. Nicholas Fessenden, our late Schoolmaster, the school in our town is in an unsettled condition; and whereas, Mr. Samuel Danforth of Dorchester has been pleased to manifest his inclinations to be a Schoolmaster amongst us, and to devote himself to said service: Voted and agreed, that the said Mr. Samuel Danforth take the care and charge of said school, on the same terms that our said late Schoolmaster kept it; and that he forthwith provide some suitable person to manage said school until such time as he can remove amongst us himself: which Mr. Danforth promised to comply with.’ After eleven years, however, Mr. Danforth retired from the service, and for many years was Judge of Probate, Judge of Common Pleas, and member of the Council. All the others seem to have adopted teaching as a temporary expedient, while studying some other profession, or waiting for more desirable employment.⁴