DECEMBER MEETING, 1928
A Stated Meeting of the Society was held at the invitation of the President, at No. 44 Brimmer Street, Boston, on Thursday, December 20, 1928, at three o’clock in the afternoon, the President, Samuel Eliot Morison, in the chair.
The Records of the Annual Meeting in November were read and approved.
Mr. Charles K. Bolton read a paper on “Mr. Blaxton at Shawmut,” discussing early settlers and settlements on the New England coast. This paper is to be printed elsewhere.
The President communicated on behalf of Mr. Grenville H. Norcross, its owner, a list of books which was written by Nathan Prince, who was appointed to a tutorship at Harvard in 1723.223 The list evidently contains titles in which Prince was interested in 1725, when it was written. Many subjects are represented, including many theological works, but also a collection of Latin poetry, Bishop Sprat’s History of the Royal Society, books of travel, an atlas, Milton’s prose works, Isaac Newton’s Principia, and a set of Plutarch. In connection with this list the President called attention to a manuscript book kept by Nathan Prince between 1725 and 1730 and now owned by the Harvard College Library. It is a bibliography of several thousand titles on many subjects, giving not only titles of books but data on their authors and brief critical descriptions copied from current works of reference. It was pointed out that, although there is no evidence that Prince owned or even saw the volumes he described, the list showed an aspiration toward knowledge of the best literature of the day, in contrast to the ignorance of, and indifference toward, poetry and belles lettres which have been imputed to colonial culture of the early eighteenth century.
Mr. William C. Lane exhibited the manuscript book kept by Prince and also copies of many of the books of reference used in compiling it.
The President communicated by title the following paper written by Mr. Robert F. Seybolt of the University of Illinois:
SCHOOLMASTERS OF COLONIAL BOSTON
So far as I am aware, there is no published check-list of the schoolmasters of colonial Boston. Such a compilation would supply materials for the biographer, genealogist, and historian alike. It would present dates that can be verified, and information concerning places of residence or of teaching activities. In a certain degree, it would bring together the sources for a cross section of the intellectual life of the time.
The following is an attempt to preserve and make available, in convenient form, a roll of those who offered instruction to the youth of Boston during the period 1635–1776. Its data are based on records which may be considered documentary.224
Chronological List
1. |
Philemon Pormort225 |
1635226 |
2. |
Daniel Maude |
1636, 1637 |
3. |
John Woodbridge |
1644 |
Robert Woodmansey |
1650–1666 |
|
5. |
Daniel Hinchman |
1665/66 |
6. |
— Jones |
1666 |
7. |
Will Howard |
1667 |
8. |
Benjamin Tompson |
1667–1670/71 |
9. |
Robert Cannon |
1668 |
10. |
Ezekiel Cheever |
1670/71–1708 |
11. |
John Sanford |
1674 |
12. |
John Cole |
1684–1713/14 |
13. |
Joshua Ratstock |
1687 |
14. |
Joseph Dasset |
1692–1693 |
15. |
Peter Burr |
1693–1694 |
16. |
Ezekiel Lewis |
1699–1702 |
17. |
Richard Henchman |
1700–1714/15 |
18. |
Nathaniel Williams |
1703–1736 |
19. |
John Green |
1706–1709 |
20. |
Owen Harris |
1709–1758 |
21. |
Recompense Wadsworth |
1709–1713 |
22. |
Ebenezer Thayer |
1709–1710 |
23. |
Ames Angier |
1711, 1720–1722 |
24. |
George Brownell |
1712–1734 |
25. |
Edward Goddard |
1712 |
26. |
Jacob Sheafe |
1712–1726 |
27. |
Edward Mills |
1712–1732 |
28. |
John Barnard |
1713–1718/19 |
29. |
Edward Wigglesworth |
1715 |
30. |
John Rawlins |
1715 |
31. |
John Sanderline |
1715/16 |
32. |
Browne Tymms |
1718 |
33. |
Samuel Granger |
1719–1734 |
34. |
Jeremiah Condy |
1719–1729 |
35. |
Peleg Wiswall |
1719–1767 |
36. |
Benjamin Gibson |
1721 |
37. |
John Proctor |
1722–1742/43 |
38. |
Joseph Green |
1724 |
39. |
Samuel Dunbar |
1724 |
40. |
John Swinerton |
1725 |
41. |
Isaac Greenwood |
1727, 1738–1739 |
42. |
Peter Blin |
1727–1729 |
43. |
Jeremiah Gridley |
1727–1733/34 |
44. |
Caleb Philipps |
1727–1734 |
Charles Lewis |
1730 |
|
46. |
Louis Langloiserie |
1730–1738 |
47. |
Richard Champion |
1731 |
48. |
Samuel Allen |
1731–1742 |
49. |
John Lovell |
1732–1775 |
50. |
Zachariah Hicks |
1732/33–1761 |
51. |
Samuel Holyoke |
1732/33–1767 |
52. |
C. Phipps |
1733 |
53. |
Nathaniel Oliver, Junior |
1734–1735, 1764–1767 |
54. |
Thomas Granger |
1734 |
55. |
Peter Pelham |
1734–1750 |
56. |
Samuel Gibson |
1734–1750 |
57. |
Joseph Kent |
1735–1737 |
58. |
Samuel Scammell |
1737 |
59. |
Thomas Baker |
1738 |
60. |
Ebenezer Swan |
1738 |
61. |
Jonathan Helyer |
1738–1741/42 |
62. |
John Leddell |
1739 |
63. |
Cornelius Linch |
1740 |
64. |
Samuel White |
1741–1745 |
65. |
Abiah Holbrook, Junior |
1741–1769 |
66. |
James Hovey |
1742 |
67. |
Nathan Prince |
1743 |
68. |
John Proctor, Junior |
1743–1773 |
69. |
Samuel Holbrook |
1745–1780 |
70. |
John Leach |
1749–1786 |
71. |
Edward Cheever |
1749 |
72. |
Nicholas Felton |
1749 |
73. |
Robert Treat Paine |
1750 |
74. |
Nathaniel Gardner |
1750–1760 |
75. |
George Suckling |
1751 |
76. |
Richard Green |
1752–1757 |
77. |
Richard Pateshall |
1754–1767 |
78. |
John Tileston |
1754–1789 |
79. |
George Mackay |
1754 |
80. |
William Elphinstone |
1755 |
81. |
Thomas Britt |
1756–1767 |
82. |
John Vinal |
1756–1795 |
83. |
Ephraim Langdon |
1758–1765 |
84. |
James Lovell |
1760–1775 |
85. |
James Carter |
1761–1792 |
Royse |
1762 |
|
87. |
Williams |
1762 |
88. |
Vere Ross |
1762 |
89. |
John Beek |
1762 |
90. |
Cornelius Hogan |
1763 |
91. |
John Griffith |
1764–1774 |
92. |
Andrew Eliot |
1765 |
93. |
Josiah Langdon |
1765–1767 |
94. |
John Pope |
1766–1785 |
95. |
Samuel Hunt |
1767–1805 |
96. |
William Corlett |
1767 |
97. |
Peter Rogers |
1767 |
98. |
Theophilus Chamberlain |
1768 |
99. |
James Joan |
1768–1770 |
100. |
William Dall |
1768–1777 |
101. |
Joseph Ward |
1769–1772 |
102. |
Donald McAlpine |
1769–1774 |
103. |
John Fenno |
1772–1774 |
104. |
Louis Delile |
1772–1774 |
105. |
Regnier |
1773–1775 |
106. |
John Druitt |
1773–1774 |
107. |
Abiah Holbrook |
1773–1779 |
108. |
Andrew Cunningham |
1774 |
109. |
John Hodgson |
1774 |
110. |
Francis Vandale |
1774 |
111. |
William Payne |
1774–1776 |
112. |
Abraham Warren |
1775 |
Alphabetical List227
48. |
Allen, Samuel |
15. |
Burr, Peter |
23. |
Angier, Ames |
9. |
Cannon, Robert |
59. |
Baker, Thomas |
85. |
Carter, James |
28. |
Barnard, John |
98. |
Chamberlain, Theophilus |
89. |
Beek, John |
47. |
Champion, Richard |
42. |
Blin, Peter |
71. |
Cheever, Edward |
81 |
Britt, Thomas |
10. |
Cheever, Ezekiel |
24 |
Brownell, George |
12. |
Cole, John |
Condy, Jeremiah |
99. |
Joan, James |
|
96. |
Corlett, William |
6. |
Jones |
108. |
Cunningham, Andrew |
57. |
Kent, Joseph |
100. |
Dall, William |
83. |
Langdon, Ephraim |
14. |
Dasset, Joseph |
93. |
Langdon, Joseph |
104. |
Delile, Louis |
46. |
Langloiserie, Louis |
106. |
Druitt, John |
70. |
Leach, John |
39. |
Dunbar, Samuel |
62. |
Leddell, John |
92. |
Eliot, Andrew |
45. |
Lewis, Charles |
80. |
Elphinstone, William |
16. |
Lewis, Ezekiel |
72. |
Felton, Nicholas |
63. |
Linch, Cornelius |
103. |
Fenno, John |
84. |
Lovell, James |
74. |
Gardner, Nathaniel |
49. |
Lovell, John |
36. |
Gibson, Benjamin |
79. |
Mackay, George |
56. |
Gibson, Samuel |
2. |
Maude, Daniel |
25. |
Goddard, Edward |
102. |
McAlpine, Donald |
33. |
Granger, Samuel |
27. |
Mills, Edward |
54. |
Granger, Thomas |
53. |
Oliver, Nathaniel, Junior |
19. |
Green, John |
73. |
Paine, Robert Treat |
38. |
Green, Joseph |
77. |
Pateshall, Richard |
76. |
Green, Richard |
111. |
Payne, William |
41. |
Greenwood, Isaac |
55. |
Pelham, Peter |
43. |
Gridley, Jeremiah |
44. |
Philipps, Caleb |
91. |
Griffith, John |
52. |
Phipps, C. |
20. |
Harris, Owen |
94. |
Pope, John |
61. |
Helyer, Jonathan |
1. |
Pormort, Philemon |
17. |
Henchman, Richard |
67. |
Prince, Nathan |
50. |
Hicks, Zachariah |
37. |
Proctor, John |
5. |
Hinchman, Daniel |
68. |
Proctor, John, Junior |
109. |
Hodgson, John |
13. |
Ratstock, Joshua |
90. |
Hogan, Cornelius |
30. |
Rawlins, John |
107. |
Holbrook, Abiah |
105. |
Regnier, — |
65. |
Holbrook, Abiah, Junior |
97. |
Rogers, Peter |
69. |
Holbrook, Samuel |
88. |
Ross, Vere |
51. |
Holyoke, Samuel |
86. |
Royse, — |
66. |
Hovey, James |
31. |
Sanderline, John |
7. |
Howard, Will |
11. |
Sanford, John |
95. |
Hunt, Samuel |
58. |
Scammell, Samuel |
Sheafe, Jacob |
21. |
Wadsworth, Recompense |
|
75. |
Suckling, George |
101. |
Ward, Joseph |
60. |
Swan, Ebenezer |
112. |
Warren, Abraham |
40. |
Swinerton, John |
64. |
White, Samuel |
22. |
Thayer, Ebenezer |
29. |
Wigglesworth, Edward |
78. |
Tileston, John |
18. |
Williams, Nathaniel |
8. |
Tompson, Benjamin |
87. |
Williams, — |
32. |
Tymms, Browne |
35. |
Wiswall, Peleg |
110. |
Vandale, Francis |
3. |
Woodbridge, John |
82. |
Vinal, John |
4. |
Woodmansey, Robert |
It is hardly probable that this list is complete. The records will not permit a definitive compilation. In fact, the names of certain masters are lost beyond recovery. However, the number presented here, and the personnel of the list, indicate that they played an important part in the educational history of colonial Boston.
NOTES
1. Boston Records, ii. 5. At a town meeting, “13th of the 2d moneth, 1635 . . . Likewise it was then generally agreed upon, that our brother Philemon Pormont shalbe intreated to become scholemaster for the teaching and nourtering of children with us.” Pormort (Pormont) went to Exeter, N. H., in 1638, with John Wheelwright, with whom he was dismissed from the First Church, Boston, “1638, 6th of the 11th moneth.”
2. Daniel Maude, B.A., Emmanuel College, Cambridge, 1606; M.A., 1610; died 1655. “12th of the 6th, August, 1636 . . . At a general meeting of the richer inhabitants there was given towards the maintenance of a free school master for the youth with us, Mr. Daniel Maud being now also chosen thereunto.” April 17, 1637, “Also, that Mr. Danyell Mawde, schoolemaster, shall have a garden plott next unto Stephen Kinsley’s house-plott upon like Condition of building thereon if neede bee.” (Id., ii. 160, 17.) It is probable that he continued until 1643, when he left Boston to become minister at Dover, N. H. The school in question was known as the “free school,” the “Latin free school,” the “Latin school,” the “free grammar school,” or the “grammar school,” until March 10, 1711–12, when it was “Voted. That there be a Free Grammar School at the North End of this Town” (Id., viii 90). The old free school was then called the “South Grammar School,” to distinguish it from the “North Grammar School.” These designations were used until the town adopted the “new System of Education,” in 1789, when it was voted “that there be one School in which the rudiments of the latin & greek languages shall be taught.” The North Grammar School was discontinued, and the South Grammar School became known as the “Boston Latin School.”
3. Id., ii. 82. December 2, 1644, “Its ordered that the Constables shall pay unto Deacon Eliot for the use of mr Woodbridge eight pounds due him for keeping the Schoole the Last yeare.” Woodbridge may have succeeded Maude in 1643.
4. Id., ii. 99. March 11, 1649–50, “It is alsoe agreed on that Mr. Woodmansey, the Schoolmaster, shall have fiftye pounds per annum for his teachinge the schollers, and his proportion to be made up by ratte.” Id., ii. 109 (March 29, 1652), 116 (June 27, 1653), 139 (August 31, 1657), 148 (July 26, 1658); vii. 30 (March 26, 1666). It is probable that Robert Woodmansey served until shortly before his death, August 13, 1667. Mention should be made, at this point, of a John Woodmancy, to whom Benjamin Tompson refers in The Grammarian’s Funeral, Or, An Elegy composed upon the Death of Mr. John Woodmancy, formerly a School-Master in Boston: But now Published upon the Death of the Venerable Mr. Ezekiel Chevers, The late and famous School-Master of Boston in New-England; Who Departed this Life the Twenty-first of August 1708. Early in the Morning. In the Ninety-fourth Year of his Age, Boston, 1708. See C. Evans, American Bibliography, i. No. 1376, and H. J. Hall, Benjamin Tompson, His Poems, Boston, 1924, pp. 111–117. I was unable to place this Woodmancy. A John Woodmancy, merchant, died 1684, but his will (Will No. 1386, filed with Register of Probate, County of Suffolk) gives no hint that he may have been a schoolmaster earlier in his career.
5. Boston Records, vii. 30. “26:1:66 . . . Agreed with Mr. Dannel Hincheman for £40. p. Annm to assist Mr. Woodmancy in the grammer Schoole & teach Childere to wright, the Yeare to begine the 1st of March 65–66.” Daniel Hinchman was appointed, November 7, 1668, on a committee, with Capt. Daniel Gookin, Capt. Thomas Prentice, and Lieut. Beare, to lay out a town “about twelve miles westward from Marlborough, neare the road to Springfeild.” (Colonial Records, iv. Part 2, p. 409). November 27, 1671, “Upon a Motion of Capt. Daniell Hinksman for an allowance demanded for a yeares sallery to him after he left the Free schoole allowed £10 ouer & aboue his yeares sallery endinge the first of March last.” Boston Records, vii. 63.
6. Id., vii. 32. At a town meeting, June 26, 1666, “Mr. Jones,” a private schoolmaster, was “forbideng to keep schoole any longer.”
7. Id., vii. 36. Town meeting, April 29, 1667. “Mr. Will Howard hath liberty to keep a wrighting schoole.”
8. Id., vii. 38. Town meeting, August 26, 1667. “Benj. Thompson being made choice of by the selectmen for to officiate in the place of the schole master for one yeare, Mr. Hull being appointed to agree for tearmes, what to allow him p. Annu.” Id., vii 57 (December 29, 1670), 57 (January 11, 1670–71): “Mr. Tomson declared his remouall to Charles towne & resigned up the possession of the schoole & school house to the Gouernr &c, who deliuered the key & possession of the schoole to Mr. Ezechiell Cheeuers as the sole Mastr thereof.” Benjamin Tompson, A.B., Harvard, 1662, died 1714, was “poet, physician, preacher.” See H. J. Hall, Benjamin Tompson, pp. 1–35.
9. Boston Records, vii 43. Town meeting, August 31, 1668: “Mr. Robt Canon is licenced to keep schoole.”
10. Id., vii. 57 (December 22, 1670, December 29, 1670, January 6, 1670–71). See note 4, above. Id., vii. 174 (March 9, 1684–85), 201 (March 11, 1689–90), 215 (May 29, 1693), 234 (March 13, 1698–99), 236 (May 8, 1699), 238 (August 28, 1699), 244 (March 10, 1700–1); xi. 8 (August 25, 1701), 32 (April 26, 1703), 28 (April 27, 1703), 29 (June 1, 1703); viii 29 (June 25, 1703), 31 (March 13, 1703–4). 5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., vi. 231: “Augt 21 [1708] Mr. Edward Oakes tells me Mr. Cheever died this night”; entry of August 23, 1708, “Mr. Cheever was buried from the School-house. The Govr, Councillors, Ministers, Justices, Gentlemen there. Mr. Williams made a handsome Latin Oration in his Honour.” Ezekiel Cheever was born in London, January 25, 1614; came to Boston, June 1636; taught in New Haven, 1638–50; Ipswich, 1650–61; Charlestown, 1661–70.
11. A deed of July 11, 1674, mentions “John Sanford of Boston aforesaid writeing school master” (Suffolk Deeds, viii 450). 5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., v. 35, entry of February 10, 1676–77: “Mr. Sanford dyes about 9 in the morning”; entry of February 15, 1676–77: “In the thorsday even Mr. Smith of Hingham speaks to solicit that his Son Henry Smith, might obtain Mr. Sanford’s House, and authority to teach school.” A deed from Samuel Sewall, November 6, 1721, to the town of Boston, provides an annuity for the South Writing School, “which School is not far distant from the place where Mr. John Sanford a pious Skillfull and prudent Man formerly taught School and whose Scholar the said Hannah was” (6 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., ii. 135). The “said Hannah” (Hull), Sewall’s wife, was born February 14, 1657; married February 28, 1676; died October 19, 1717. John Sanford (1626–1677) was admitted freeman October 11, 1670. It is probable that he kept school from 1670 to 1677.
12. Boston Records, vii. 171. Town meeting, November 24, 1684: “Deacon Henery Allen and Capt Frary made a returne yt accordinge to a former ordr they had agreed with John Cole to keepe a Free schoole to teache ye Children of the Towne to read & write for one yeare from the 1st of this instant Novr. for which the Towne is to pay him 10 Id. in mony & 20 Id. in Countrie pay as mony, or at mony price.” Id., vii 227 (March 22, 1696–97); xi. 21 (April 27, 1702), 36 (November 29, 1703); viii 101 (March 16, 1713–14): “hath signified his desire to be dismist Voted. Thanks of this Town to mr John Cole for his past service as Master of a Free writeing Scholl in this Town.” Id., vii 158. Town meeting, December 18, 1682: “it was voted by ye inhabitants yt the said Comittee with ye Select men consider of & pvide one or more Free Schooles for the teachinge of Children to write & Cypher within this towne.” Id., vii 161. Town meeting, April 30, 1683: “It was voted by the said Comittee first that Two schooles shall be pvided and agreed for.” A record of December 20, 1698 (Id., vii 232) mentions “the New School house at Cotton Hill,” and another of January 30, 1698–99 (Id., vii 233) refers to “the School house Lately Built in the Prison lane on the side of the hill.” This school will later be known as “the Writing School in Queen Street.”
13. “By his Excellency” Governor Andros: “Upon the Petition of Joshua Natstock and Recommendation of many of the Inhabitants of the North part of the Towne of Boston I doe hereby approue of the said Joshua Natstock to be Master of the Publick Schoole there and to haue and Injoy Such proffits Beneffitts and advantages as haue been heretofore payed and allowed to his precedessors — Given under my hand in Boston the four and twentieth day of May, one thousand Six hundred Eighty and Seauen” (Massachusetts Archives, ccxlii. 342). The “Humble Petition of Joshua Ratstock” (sic.) is in the Usurpation Papers, 1687, Massachusetts Archives, cxxvii. 25. Joshua Ratstock’s teaching career may have ended when Andros was overthrown, April 18, 1689. The town voted, June 24, 1689, to restore “the former Custome & practice in managing the affaires of the free schools.” Boston Records, vii 197.
14. Joseph Dasset, A.B., Harvard, 1687; A.M.; died 1693. It is probable that Dasset kept school from 1687 to 1693. Josiah Cotton (H. C. 1698) writes: “about ye year 1692 removd to Mr. Joseph Dassett’s school at Boston, under whose tuition I was till God took him away by death: In whose school succeeded Mr. Peter Burr, to which (after I had been a small space again wth Mr. Wisewall) I returned, & continued with Mastr Burr until my admission into ye Colledge . . . I was admitted into ye Colledge Jan. 29, 1694.” See Transactions of this Society, xxvi. 278.
15. See note 14 above. Peter Burr, A.B., Harvard, 1690; A.M.; Justice Supreme Court, Connecticut; died 1724.
16. Ezekiel Lewis, A.B., Harvard, 1695; A.M.; died 1755. Boston Records, vii 236 (May 8, 1699), 238 (August 28, 1699): “Psuant to a vote of the Town May 8th Mr. Ezekiel Lewis was agreed with and Admitted an Assistant to his Grandfather, Mr. Ezekiel Cheever in the Latine free school.” See Id., viii. 7 (May 12, 1701); xi. 11 (November 24, 1701), 17 (March 2, 1701–2), 27 (August 31, 1702). Lewis may have served until Nathaniel Williams was appointed, June 25, 1703.
17. Id., xi. 4 (April 28, 1701): “Ordered that Mr. Richard Henchman be paid his half years salary wch begun the first day of Novembr last at Forty pounds p Annum, and four pounds p Annum for the rent of his School House.” See Id., xi. 10 (November 24, 1701), 17 (March 6, 1701–2), 22 (May 25, 1702), 36 (November 29, 1703); viii. 104 (May 14, 1714), 110 (March 14, 1714–15). Richard Henchman, Master of the North Writing School, may have served until April 19, 1719, when Jeremiah Condy was appointed. 5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., vii. 348, entry of February 15, 1724–25: “Mr. Richard Henchman Schoolmaster dies about 3 p.m.” Probably Richard Henchman who matriculated at Harvard with the class of 1697. See Publications of this Society, xvii. 275, 281.
18. Nathaniel Williams, A.B., Harvard, 1693; A.M.; died 1738. Boston Records, xi. 33 (May 13, 1703); viii. 29 (June 25, 1703): “The Town by their vote do declare their Approbation of Mr. Nathaniell Williams to be an Assistant to mr Ezekiell Chever in Governing & Instructing the youth at the Lattin School.” Id., xi. 36 (November 29, 1703), 39 (July 11, 1704); viii. 34 (March 12, 1704–5), 37 (March 11, 1705–6); xi. 79 (September 6, 1708): “Ordered that Mr. Nathll Wilhams be invited to remove into ye House where Mr. Cheever dwelt.” Nathaniel Wilhams followed Ezekiel Cheever as Master of the Latin school. Id., xi. 91 (June 20, 1709), 98 (December 5, 1709); viii 63 (December 19, 1709), 65 (March 13, 1709–10), 130 (March 11, 1717–18), 133 (June 23, 1718); xiii. 75 (September 20, 1720); viii. 147 (September 28, 1720); xiii. 110 (February 26, 1722–23); viii. 170 (March 11, 1722–23); xiii. 131 (September 12, 1724), 134 (February 8, 1724–25), 153 (June 17, 1726), 165 (June 28, 1727), 170 (October 26, 1727), 176 (June 5, 1728); xii. 4 (March 11, 1728–29); xiii. 202 (December 2, 1730), 248 (January 9, 1733–34); xii. 55 (March 11, 1733–34): “The Select Men Inform’d the Town that the Revt Mr. Williams intends shortly to leave the South Grammar School.” Id., xii. 59–60 (March 13, 1733–34), 86 (May 21, 1734): John Lovell chosen to succeed Nathaniel Wilhams as Master of the South Grammar School. Id., xiii. 282–283 (December 10, 1735): “Liberty was Granted him accordingly to keep a School for the Teaching and Instructing of Children or youth in Reading, Writing or any other Science.” Id., xiii. 302 (June 15, 1736): Nathaniel Williams appears among the visitors of the public schools. Boston Weekly News Letter, January 5–12, 1738: “Last Teusday in the Afternoon died here the Reverend and Learned Mr. Nathaniel Williams, a Gentleman who has been a faithful and upright Servant to his Generation; being many Years Master of the South Grammar School in this Town, which difficult and important Business he discharg’d with great Industry and Fidelity: And as he was, by the Blessing of GOD, a very skilful and successful Physician, so he was very much imployed and approved among us. As his Life has been very extensively serviceable, so his Death is esteemed as a publick Loss.”
19. Id., November 4—11, 1706: “John Green, in Long-lane, Boston, Schoolmaster”; March 21–28, 1709: “in Cross, street, Boston.”
20. Id., March 14–21, 1709: “OPPosite to the Mitre Tavern in Fish-street near to Scarlets Wharff, Boston”; June 20–27, July 11–18, 1734: “Negroes to be Sold at Mrs. Mary Barnsdale’s at the North-End, near Mr. Harris’s School.” Owen Harris received his license to teach, September 8, 1712. See Boston Records, xi. 172. A notice in the Boston Gazette, October 9, November 6, 13, 1758, mentions Owen Harris and John Leach as “Teachers of Navigation and Surveying in Boston.”
21. Recompense Wadsworth, A.B., Harvard, 1708; A.M.; died 1713. Boston Records, xi. 91 (June 20, 1709): Recompense Wadsworth took Nathaniel Williams’s place, as Master of the Latin school, while the latter was ill. Id., xi. 178 (February 16, 1712–13); viii 93 (March 9, 1712–13); xi. 181 (March 30, 1712–13): “Agreed that Mr Recompence Wadsworth do enter upon the Service of Schoolmaster of ye Grammer School at the North on ye 20th of April next.” Id., xi. 192 (August 18, 1713), notes his death: “R. Wadsworth deceased.” See 7 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., viii 219–220, entry of July 5, 1713.
22. Ebenezer Thayer, A. B., Harvard, 1708; A. M.; died 1733. Boston Records, viii. 63 (December 19, 1709): “Voted that the Town will defray the Charge of an Assistant to mr Nathanll Williams in the Free School untill ye next Town meeting in march next.” Id., viii. 66 (March 13, 1709–10): “Voted the Sd Inspectors do agree wth mr Thayer for his past Service in that worke.”
23. Ames Angier, A. B., Harvard, 1701; A. M. See the Diary of John Comer, Rhode Island Historical Society Collections, viii. 16, 20, 21; entry of March, 1711: “This year I was put to school to Mr. Ames Angier, in Boston.” Angier was a private schoolmaster at this time; (entry of December, 1720): “This month I began my grammar with my old schoolmaster, Mr. Ames Angier, being 16 years and four months old”; (entry of August 1, 1721): “on ye 15th of Augt, I left my former master Mr. Angier.” Boston Records, viii. 143 (March 15, 1719–20): “Voted that mr Ames Anger be Admitted a School master at ye new writing School House at ye South.” 5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., vii. 246 (entry of March 15, 1719–20): “Voted by papers, and Mr. Ames Angier was chosen.” Angier is mentioned in a deed from Samuel Sewall, November 6, 1721. See note 11, above. Boston Records, viii. 164–165 (May 15, 1722): Angier dismissed for incompetence.
24. Boston News Letter, March 2–9, 1712: “At the House of Mr. George Brownell in Wings-Lane Boston, is taught Writing, Cyphering, Dancing, Treble Violin, Flute, Spinnet, &c. Also English and French Quilting, Imbroidery, Florishing, Plain Work, Marking in several sorts of Stiches and several other works, where Scholars may board.” The Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Written by Himself, 2nd American edition, Philadelphia, 1794, pp. 14–15: “I was sent at the age of eight years to a grammar school . . . I remained however scarcely a year at grammar school . . . my father . . . took me from the grammar school, and sent me to a school for writing and arithmetic kept by a Mr. George Brownell, who was a skilful master, and succeeded very well in his profession by employing gentle means only, and such as were calculated to encourage his scholars.” Franklin was born, January 17, 1705–06. From a marked similarity in advertisements, it is easy to infer that George Brownell later removed to New York City. See New York Gazette, June 14–21, 1731: “At the house of George Brownell, near the Custom House, are taught Reading, Writing, Cyphering, Merchants Accounts, Latin, Greek, &c., also Dancing, Plain-work, Flourishing, Imbroidery, and various Sorts of Works. Any persons may be taught as private as they please.” An indenture of apprenticeship places him in New York as early as 1721. John Campbell of New York bound “himself apprentice to George Brownell of the Same City Schoolmaster to serve from the twenty ninth day of May one thousand seven hundred and twenty one for and during the Term of ten years and three months.” See Indentures, October 2, 1718, to August 7, 1727, manuscript folio, labeled “Liber 29,” in the library of the New York Historical Society. See New York Weekly Journal, February 18, 25, March 4, 11, and 1733: “This is to give Notice that George Brownell continues his School at the House where he now lives in Broad Street.” In 1734, he reappeared in Boston. Boston Records, xiii . . . 258: “At a Meeting of the Select Men, August 14,” 1734, “Upon a Motion made by Mr. George Brownell for Liberty to open a School for the Instruction of Youth in Reading, Writing, Cyphering, Dancing, and the use of the Needle. Voted, That Mr. Brownell have Liberty Granted him to keep such a School.” This is strongly reminiscent of earlier Brownell announcements. Two years later, he was in Philadelphia. See Pennsylvania Gazette, January 15–22, February 25–March 4, 1736: “At the House of George Brownell in Second Street is taught Reading, Writing, Cyphering, Dancing, Plain-work, Marking with a Variety of Needle Work. Where also Scholars may board.” In 1744, a George Brownell, in partnership with John Pratt, announced a school in Charleston, S. C. See South Carolina Gazette, September 3, 10, 17, 1744. If I have followed the same George Brownell, it may be said that, like many an adventurous craftsman of eighteenth-century America, Benjamin Franklin’s old schoolmaster sought his fortune in the more important seaport cities of the time, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston.
25. Boston Records, xi. 164–165 (June 9, 1712): “Messurs Jacob Sheafe & Edwd Goddard are approved by the Sel. men as Keepers of Schools in this Town for the Teaching youth to write &c. as they have heretofore done.”
26. Jacob Sheafe (1682–1761). Id., viii. 101 (March 16, 1713–14): “Voted that mr Jacob Sheafe be introduced into the writeing School in Queen Street in the room of mr John Cole who hath Signified his desire to be dismist from that Service.” Id., xi. 202 (April 13, 1714): “Ordered. That it be recorded. That Mr. Jacob Sheafe as Successor to Mr. John Cole entered upon that Service as master of ye Free writeing School in Queen Street ye 12th of April curt.” Id., viii. 110 (March 14, 1714–15), 131 (March 11, 1718–19), 143 (March 15, 1719–20); xiii. 100 (July 11, 1722): Jacob Sheafe takes “Charge of the School in the Common, his fathers house being near thereto.” Id., xiii. 153 (June 17, 1726). Sheafe probably served until Peter Blin was “appointed Master,” May 8, 1727.
27. Edward Mills, A.B., Harvard, 1685; A.M.; died 1732. Id., xi. 172 (September 8, 1712): Edward Mills granted “Liberty to exercise the Keeping of School within this Town.” Boston News Letter, March 23–30, 1719: “Mr. Edward Mills, School-Master in Sudbury-Street, Boston.” Boston Records, xiii. 100 (July 11, 1722): Mills chosen to replace Ames Angier in the “free School at the South End of Boston on the Common.” This school was assigned to Jacob Sheafe, at the same meeting (see note 26), and Mills was sent to the school in Queen Street. Id., xiii. 153 (June 17, 1726), 176 (June 5, 1728); xii 6, 7 (May 6, 1729), 36 (June 27, 1732), 41 (March 13, 1732–33): Edward Mills deceased, succeeded by Samuel Holyoke.
28. John Barnard, A. B., Harvard, 1709; A. M.; died 1757. Boston Records, xi. 192 (August 18, 1713): John Barnard, “Late of Salem,” succeeded Recompense Wadsworth as Master of the North Grammar School, “to enter upon yt Service on the 27th of August curt.” Id., viii. 101 (March 16, 1713–14), 110 (March 14, 1714–15), 119 (March 12, 1715–16), 126 (May 15, 1717); xiii. 48 (January 13, 1718–19): “In answere to the motion and request of mr Jno Barnerd . . . Voted that ye Sel. men do now dismiss him from the Service of Schoolmaster . . . And Likewise return him thanks for his past care and Conduct in that Post.” Succeeded by Peleg Wiswall.
29. Edward Wigglesworth, A. B., Harvard, 1710; A. M.; S.T.D., Edin., 1730; Hollis Prof. of Divinity, Harvard, 1721–65; Fellow, 1724–65; died 1765. Id., viii. 113 (June 13, 1715): “Voted. An Addition of Ten pounds p Annum to mr Wigglesworths Sallery as Usher of the Gramer School.” Jenks, H. F., ed., Catalogue of the Boston Public Latin School (1886), p. 18: “A certificate signed by Mr. Nathaniel Williams, 1714–15, proves that he was a teacher in our school for at least a quarter before October 1714.”
30. Will of Pierre Daillé (Minister of the French Church, Boston), dated April 20, 1715: “I give five pounds to old mr John Rawlins French Schoolmaster” (Will No. 3663, filed with Register of Probate, County of Suffolk). The school was probably for the children of the French congregation.
31. Boston Records, xiii. 2 (March 20, 1715–16): “Liberty is granted to John Sanderline to keep a School in this Town for the Teaching of Navigation, writeing and Arithmatick.”
32. Boston News Letter, February 24–March 3, 1718: “living at Mr. Edward Oakes Shopkeeper in Newbury-Street at the South End of Boston.”
33. Boston Records, xiii. 65 (January 27, 1719–20): Samuel Granger “Late of London . . . admitted to keep School to teach Writeing, Logick & Merchants Accots in this Town.” March 8, 1719–20: “Col. Fitch express’d himself as much prizing Mr. Granger’s Accomplishments to Teach Writing; never such a person in Boston before. Resolves to send his Son to him; has told him he will do so” (5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., vii. 245). Boston Gazette, February 29–March 7, 1719: “This Day Mr. Samuel Grainger opens his School at the House formerly Sir Charles Hobby’s”; March 21–22 (Supplement), 1719; September 9–16, 1723; August 31–September 7, 1724; January 3–10, August 30–September 6, October 4–11, 11–18, 18–25, 1725; January 3–10, 10–17, 1726; September 4–11, 11–18, 1727; January 10–17, 1734 (notice of his death). Boston News Letter, August 26–September 2, 16–23, 23–30, 1725; May 3–10, 17–24, 1733; January 10–17, 1734.
34. Boston Records, viii. 139 (April 29, 1719): “Voted. That mr Jer Condey be the master for the New Writing School at ye North”; xiii. 176 (June 5, 1728); xii. 8 (May 6, 1729). Jeremiah Condy may have served until John Proctor was appointed, March 8, 1730–31.
35. Peleg Wiswall (1683–1767), A.B., Harvard, 1702; A.M. Id., viii. 139 (April 29, 1719): “Voted That Mr Peleg Wiswall be by ye Select-men Invited to take ye charge as master of the Free Gramer School at ye North”; xiii. 53 (May 14, 1719): “Peleg Wiswel chosen to Succeed as Master of the North Grammer School”; xiii. 124 (February 26, 1723–24); viii. 183 (March 9, 1723–24), 196 (March 15, 1725–26); xiii. 165 (June 28, 1727), 176 (June 5, 1728); xii. 6, 7 (May 6, 1729); xi. 202 (December 2, 1730), 241 (May 2, 1733); xii. 167 (May 3, 1737), 193 (May 10, 1738), 202 (May 17, 1738); xv. 133 (September 28, 1738), 324 (January 20, 1741–42); xiv. 1 (March 14, 1742–43), 8 (March 16, 1742–43), 17 (May 4, 1743), 18 (May 4, 1743), 134 (March 14, 1747–48), 178 (May 15, 1750), 199 (May 14, 1751), 212 (March 10, 1751–52), 242 (May 28, 1753); xvi. 11 (May 10, 1758); xix. 100 (December 13, 1758); xvi. 24 (May 15, 1759), 42, 43 (May 16, 1760), 58 (May 12, 1761), 75 (May 11, 1762), 94 (May 10, 1763), 115 (May 15, 1764), 145 (May 14, 1765); xx. 161 (June 11, 1765); xvi. 185 (May 26, 1766); xx. 240 (December 16, 1766), 243 (February 5, 1767, resignation); xvi. 200 (March 9, 1767): Appropriation of £100 “for the relief of Mr Peleg Wiswall, late Master of the North Grammar School, who has resigned on account of his Age and great Infermities.”
36. Benjamin Gibson, A.B., Harvard, 1719; A.M.; died 1723. Id., viii. 152 (March 14, 1720–21): “Voted that mr Benjamin Gibson be allowed & Paid out of the Treasury the Sum of fifty Pounds for his Services as Usher of the Gramer School (whereof mr Nathll Williams is master) Ending the Second of may next.” March 29, 1720: “approved of Mr. Benjamin Gibson, Bachelour, to be the Usher in School-street” (5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., vii. 247).
37. Boston Records, xiii. 108 (November 26, 1722): “Voted, that John Procter according to His Petition be admitted to keep a School in Boston to teach Writing Cyfering &c”; xii. 21 (March 8, 1730–31): John Proctor chosen Master of the North Writing School, succeeding Jeremiah Condy; xii 27 (March 13, 1731–32), 34 (May 17, 1732), 35–36 (June 27, 1732), 48 (May 28, 1733), 109 (May 7, 1735), 201 (May 17, 1738), 274 (March 30, 1740–41); xv. 288 (April 15, 1741); xii. 281 (May 22, 1741); xv. 349 (June 30, 1742); xiv. 4 (March 15, 1742–43, resignation).
38. Joseph Green, A. B., Harvard, 1720; A.M.; died 1770. Id., xiii. 131 (September 12, 1724): Joseph Green resigned as Usher to Nathaniel Williams, in the South Grammar School, July 17, 1724.
39. Samuel Dunbar, A.B., Harvard, 1723; A.M.; died 1783. Id., xiii. 131 (September 12, 1724): “At a Meting of the Select men, Sep. 12th, 1724, mr Samll Dunbar was approved of by the Select men as Usher to mr Nathll Williams being Recommended by Him from July 17th (at which time mr Joseph Green Resigned it).”
40. Id., xiii. 140 (July 26, 1725): “John Swinerton from Salem” granted “Liberty . . . to Keep a School to Instruct Reading wrighting within this Town.” Id. xiv. 50 (May 9, 1744): The town refused to grant Swinerton a license to “keep a Free School.”
41. Isaac Greenwood, A.B., Harvard, 1721; A.M.; died 1745. Boston News Letter, January 5–12, 1727: “An Experimental Course of Mechanical Philosophy To be performed by Isaac Greenwood, A.M., on Monday next being the 16th Day of January, at Mr. Howard’s, in King-street, Boston”; February 16, 23, 1727: “The Experimental Course . . . will be continued on at Mrs. Belknap’s near Mr. Mill’s School House in Queen Street”; June 29–July 6, 6–13, 13–20, 1727; February 1–8, 8–15, 15–22, 1728; May 22–29, May 29–June 5, June 5–12, 1729. For Greenwood’s “Arithmetic, Vulgar and Decimal; with the Application thereof to a Variety of Cases in Trade and Commerce,” and his other works, see C. Evans, American Bibliography, i. Nos. 2339, 2746, 2170; ii. Nos. 3426, 3776. New England Weekly Journal, July 10, 17, 24, 1727; February 5, 19, 1728; June 2, 9, 16, 1729. Boston Gazette, November 28–December 5, 19–26, 1726; January 2–9, February 13–20, 20–27, 1727; June 17–24, July 8–15, 15–22, 1734. Isaac Greenwood was Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Harvard, 1727–38. After his dismissal, he opened a private school. Boston Records, xv. 137 (September 30, 1738): “A Petition of mr Isaac Greenwood, Praying leave to open a School in this Town Voted, That mr Isaac Greenwood have, and hereby has Liberty Granted him to keep such a School.” Boston News Letter, November 2–9, 9–16, 16–24, 1738: “in Clark’s Square, near the North Meeting-House”; March 22–30, 30–April 5, 5–12, July 5–12, 12–19, 1926, July 26–August 3, 1739. Boston Gazette, March 26–April 2, April 2–9, 1739: “at the Duke of Marlborough’s Arms in King-Street, over against the Golden Fleece, Boston.”
42. Boston Records, viii. 211 (May 8, 1727): “Voted That mr Peter Blin be Constituted and appointed Master of the South School for this year, untill the Town order other wise”; xiii. 176 (June 5, 1728); xii. 4 (March 11, 1728–29), 14 (March 10, 1729–30): advised to improve.
43. Jeremiah Gridley, A.B., Harvard, 1725; A.M.; died 1767. Id., xiii. 170 (October 26, 1727); “mr Jeramiah Gridley is admitted Usher or assistant to mr Nathanll Williams at the Gramer School from the 17th octor Instant”; xii. 22 (May 5, 1731); xiii. 248 (January 9, 1733–34): Nathaniel Oliver, Junior, appointed “in the Room of Mr. Jer Gridley”; xii. 63 (March 20, 1733–34).
44. Id., xiii. 170 (December 6, 1727); “Caleb Philipps Teacher of Short Hand, admitted to Reside in this Town and to exercise his Calling.” Boston News Letter, December 7–14, 14–22, 1727: “Caleb Philipps, lately come from London, has begun to teach . . . at Mr. Francis Millers in Middle Street.” Boston Gazette, March 18–25, March 25–April 1, 1728: “is remov’d to the north door of the Town House in King-street.” Weekly Rehearsal, December 23, 1734: “in Milk-Street.”
45. Boston News Letter, March 5–12, 12–19, 19–26, April 3–9, 1730: “at the Widow Copps, at the Lower End of Prince-street.”
46. Boston Records, xiii. 201 (October 21, 1730): Louis Langloiserie granted “Liberty . . . to keep a School for Teaching and Instructing in the french Tongue.” New England Weekly Journal, October 26, November 2, 9, 16, 1730; Boston Gazette, October 19–26, October 26–November 2, November 2–9, 9–16, 1730: “Louis Langloiserie now dwells at Mr. Timothy Green’s Printer in Queen Street, Boston, where he teaches School.” Boston Gazette, July 8–15, 15–22, 22–29, 1734: “at the House of Mr. Benjamin Bridge in King Street”; December 12–19, 1737, January 2–9, 1738: “has removed . . . to Mrs. Scholley’s on the South Side of the Town House, just below Mr. Phillip’s Corner”; June 12–19, 1738; New England Weekly Journal, July 18, 1738: “at the Dwelling House of Mr. Bridge, in King-street.” Harvard College permitted Langloiserie, September 1, 1733, to teach the “French Tongue to such Undergraduates as are desirous to attend his Instructions” outside of “ye College Studying hours or Exercises.” This permission was revoked, May 20, 1735. See Ms. Faculty Records, i. 56, 76; and Transactions of this Society, xvii. 218–231.
47. Boston Records, xiii. 204 (January 12, 1730–31): “Richard Champion has the Alowance and approbation of the Selectmen to Set up and keep a School in the Town of Boston, for Teaching and Instructing in writing, Arechmetick and in the Art of Navigation and other parts of the Mathematicks.”
48. Samuel Allen, A.B., Harvard, 1728; A.M.; died 1742. Id., xii. 21 (March 8, 1730–31): Samuel Allen appointed Master of the South Writing School; xx. 243 (March 10, 1739–40), 250 (March 11, 1739–40); xv. 340 (April 28, 1742): Asks to be relieved because “he was very much impaired in his Health, and could no longer serve the Town as Master of the Said School”; xii 297 (May 11, 1742): Samuel Allen “has resigned.” Succeeded by Zachariah Hicks.
49. John Lovell, A.B., Harvard, 1728; A.M.; died 1778. He was appointed Usher to Nathaniel Williams, in the South Grammar School, 1729, according to Jenks, p. 18, who takes his date from “Wendell’s Valedictory of 1729, of which we have the manuscript.” Boston Records, xii. 31 (May 10, 1732), 34 (May 17, 1732); xiii. 218 (June 14, 1732), 219 (July 19, 1732); xii. 36 (July 28, 1732): “John Lovell . . . one of the Ushers of the South Gramer School”; xii. 86 (May 21, 1734): Appointed Master of the South Grammar School, succeeding Nathaniel Williams. Id., xii. 138 (April 28, 1736), 183 (March 13, 1737–38), 189 (March 14, 1737–38); xv. 341 (April 29, 1742); xii. 297 (May 11, 1742); xv. 364 (October 20, 1742); xiv. 17, 18 (May 4, 1743), 93 (May 14, 1746), 134 (March 15, 1747–48); xvii. 218, 219 (May 3, 1749); xiv. 164 (May 9, 1749); xvii. 239 (April 4, 1750), 240 (May 8, 1750); xiv. 178 (May 15, 1750); xvii. 246 (August 27, 1750); xiv. 199 (May 14, 1751); xvii. 276 (March 2, 1751–52); xiv. 208 (March 9, 1751–52), 212 (March 10, 1751–52), 242 (May 28, 1753), 259 (May 15, 1754), 274 (May 16, 1755), 290 (May 11, 1756), 307 (May 10, 1757); xvi. 11 (May 16, 1758), 24 (May 15, 1759), 42 (May 16, 1760), 58 (May 12, 1761), 75 (May 11, 1762), 88 (March 15, 1763), 92–94 (May 10, 1763), 115 (May 15, 1764); xx. 74 (June 13, 1764); xvi. 145 (May 14, 1765); xx. 161 (June 5, 1765), 167 (July 15, 1765); xvi. 185 (May 26, 1766); xx. 221 (July 28, 1766); xvi. 209 (March 23, 1767), 213 (May 8, 1767), 241 (May 4, 1768), 283 (May 5, 1769); xviii. 23 (May 8, 1770), 57 (May 27, 1771), 81 (May 20, 1772), 140 (May 14, 1773), 180 (July 19, 1774). After the resignation of Peleg Wiswall, March 9, 1767, John Lovell assisted James Lovell in instructing the pupils of the North Grammar School, “for about Six Weeks” (Id., xvi. 213: May 8, 1767). John Lovell left the South Grammar School, April 19, 1775.
50. Zachariah Hicks, A.B., Harvard, 1724; A.M.; died 1761. Boston Records, xii. 40 (March 13, 1732–33): “Petition of mr Zecha Hicks assistant to mr Procter” (John Proctor, Master of the North Writing School); xii. 95 (March 10, 1734–35), 101 (March 11, 1734–35), 170 (May 4, 1737), 257 (May 7, 1740), 262 (March 9, 1740–41), 274 (March 30, 1741); xv. 283 (April 1, 1741); xii. 279 (May 8, 1741); xv. 344 (May 11, 1742): Zachariah Hicks appointed Master of the South Writing School, succeeding Samuel Allen; xii. 297 (May 11, 1742); xv. 349 (June 30, 1742); xiv. 4 (March 15, 1742–13): Zachariah Hicks appointed Master of the North Writing School “in the room of Mr. John Procter who has resigned that place.” Id., xvii. 10 (March 23, 1742–43), 19 (June 1, 1743), 28 (August 17, 1743), 160 (May 4, 1747); xiv. 115–116 (May 12, 1747), 149–150 (May 10, 1748), 178 (May 15, 1750), 199 (May 14, 1751), 213 (March 10, 1751–52), 243 (May 15, 1753), 259 (May 15, 1754); xix. 13 (August 15, August 21, 1754); xiv. 274 (May 16, 1755), 290 (May 11, 1756), 307 (May 10, 1757); xvi. 12 (May 16, 1758), 14 (June 12, 1758), 24 (May 15, 1759), 42 (May 16, 1760); xix. 137 (February 18, 1761), 141 (March 18, 1761); xvi. 56 (March 23, 1761).
51. Id., xii. 41 (March 13, 1732–33): “Voted. That mr Samll Holyoke be established as master of the School lately kept by mr Edward Mills Deceased”; xii. 95 (March 10, 1734–35), 101 (March 11, 1734–35): “Samuel Holyoke, Master of the Writing School in Queen Street”; xii. 201–202 (May 17, 1738); xv. 139 (October 4, 1738), 210 (October 24, 1739), 251 (August 10, 1740); xiv. 45 (May 4, 1744), 50 (May 9, 1744), 65 (March 25, 1744–45), 73 (May 3, 1745), 178 (May 15, 1750), 199 (May 14, 1751), 212 (March 10, 1751–52); xvii. 295 (May 9, 1753); xiv. 237 (May 15, 1753), 259 (May 15, 1754), 274 (May 16, 1755), 290 (May 11, 1756); xvi. 12 (May 16, 1758), 24 (May 15, 1759), 43 (May 16, 1760), 59 (May 12, 1761), 75 (May 11, 1762), 94 (May 10, 1763); xix. 271 (July 13, 1763); xvi. 115 (May 15, 1764), 145 (May 14, 1765), 185 (May 26, 1766); xx. 234 (October 22, 1766); xvi. 213 (May 8, 1767); xx. 270 (September 30, 1767).
52. Id., xiii. 242 (June 20, 1733): “Liberty is Granted to C—Phipps to open a School for Writing and Cyphering.”
53. Nathaniel Oliver, A.B., Harvard, 1733; A.M.; died 1769. Id., xiii. 248 (January 9, 1733–34): Nathaniel Oliver, Junior, succeeded Jeremiah Gridley as Usher to Nathaniel Williams, in the South Grammar School; xii. 63 (March 20, 1733–34), 258 (August 14, 1734): “Voted. That Mr. Samuel Gibson be accepted as Usher of the South Grammar School, in the room of mr. Nathaniel Oliver junr. Who is to enter that Service, the 10th of Sept. next”; xiii. 268 (March 4, 1734–35): “Capt. Nathanael Oliver” given “Liberty . . . to keep a School for the teaching and Instructing of Children or youth in Reading, Writing, or any Other Science”; xx. 68 (June 1, 1764): Nathaniel Oliver “from Falmouth” permitted “to open a private School in this Town for the Education of Youth.” Boston Gazette, October 1, 15, 1764: “School in a convenient Chamber, over Mr. People’s Shop, opposite Messirs Cushing and Newman’s, a little to the Northward of the Draw Bridge.” Massachusetts Gazette, May 1, 8, 1766: “School . . . in Ann-street, near the Draw Bridge.” Boston Records, xx. 246 (March 6, 1767): Proposed as Master of the North Grammar School. Boston Gazette, October 5, 1767: School in Ann Street.
54. Probably the Thomas Granger who matriculated at Harvard with the class of 1737. See Publications of this Society, xvii. 276, 281. Boston News Letter, January 10–17, 1734: “WHEREAS Mr. Samuel Grainger, a noted School-Master, hath been lately removed by Death from his School, this is to notify any Persons of this Town that sent their Children to his School, and other Gentlemen, that his Son, Mr. Thomas Grainger . . . designs to keep his said Father’s School.” Boston Records, xiii. 248–249 (January 16, 1733–34): Thomas Granger given “Leave to carry on the School for Three Months under the Inspection of Mr. Andrew Le Mercier.” Andrew Le Mercier was minister of the French Protestant Church.
55. This was Peter Pelham, Jr., who died 1751, not Peter Pelham, Sr., who died 1756. See Publications of this Society, v. 193–195, 196, note 3. Boston Gazette, February 26–March 4, 1728. Boston News Letter, April 5–11, 11–18, 18–25, 1734: “AT Mr. Pelham’s House near the Town Dock . . . School . . . which he continues to keep as heretofore.” Boston Records, xv. 91 (December 28, 1737): Peter Pelham given “Liberty to open a School in this Town.” Boston Gazette, January 30–February 6, 1738: “at the House of Philip Dumerisque, Esq, in Summer-street (next his own Dwelling House).” Boston Gazette, August 4, 1747; September 20, 1748; March 21, 1749. Boston Evening Post, December 7, 1741: “at his School in Leveret’s Lane, near King-street, Boston”; September 13, 27 (Supplement), October 4, 11, 1742; May 30, June 13, 20, 27, September 12, 26, October 3, 1743; October 1, 1744: “at his House in Queen-Street”; September 23, 30, October 21, 1745; October 5, 1747; September 12, 19, 26, 1748: “School, near the Town House . . . his Dwelling House near the Quaker’s Meeting in Lindell’s Row”; March 20, 27, April 10, 1749; September 24, October 1, 1750.
56. Samuel Gibson, A.B., Harvard, 1730; A.M.; died 1750. Boston Records, xiii. 258 (August 14, 1734): Samuel Gibson appointed Usher in the South Grammar School, “to enter that Service, the 10th of Sept. next.” See note 53. Id., xii. 94 (December 27, 1734), 95 (March 10, 1734–35), 101 (March 11, 1734–35), 151 (July 23, 1736), 154 (March 14, 1736–37); xiv. 17, 18 (May 4, 1743), 77 (March 10, 1745–46), 174 (March 12, 1749–50); xvii. 239 (April 4, 1750): “deced a few days since.”
57. Joseph Kent, A.B., Harvard, 1731; A.M.; died 1753. Boston News Letter, October 2–9, 9–16, 1735: “at Mr. Busby’s in King-Street . . . Mr. Joseph Kent, M.A., lately Schoolmaster at Nantucket.” Boston Records, xv. 4 (October 6, 1736): Joseph Kent permitted “to keep a School in this Town, for the Teaching and Instructing Youth &c. in Mathematical Arts and Sciences.” Boston News Letter, June 23–30, 30–July 7, 7–14, 1737: “at Mr. John Franklin’s on the North Side of the Town-House in Boston.”
58. Boston Evening Post, November 21, 28, December 5, 1737: “At the North End of Boston in the Fore Street, near the Sign of the Red Lyon.” Boston Records, xv. 88 (December 7, 1737): “Mr. Savell Ordered to Acquaint mr Scammel who has Open’d a Mathematical School at the North end of the Town, as appears by his printed Advertisements, that his so doing before he has Obtain’d the Approbation of the Selectmen, is Contrary to the Law.”
59. Thomas Baker, A.B., Harvard, 1724; A.M.; died 1741. Boston Records, xv. 104 (April 5, 1738): Thomas Baker granted “Liberty . . . to keep a School within this Town for Teaching Reading Writing and Arithmetick.”
60. Id., xv. 129 (August 16, 1738): Ebenezer Swan permitted “to open a School in this Town for Teaching Writing Arithmetick and Merchants Accounts.” Boston Evening Post, September 18, 1738: “has opened a School . . . in the Room over which Mrs. Brownell now dwells, at the Head of Queen Street.”
61. Jonathan Helyer, A.B., Harvard, 1738; A.M.; died 1745. Boston Records, xv. 133 (September 28, 1738): Jonathan Helyer appointed Usher to Peleg Wiswall, in the North Grammar School, “for One Year next ensuing.” xv. 324 (January 20, 1741–42): “hath now resigned.”
62. Id., xv. 172 (April 11, 1739): John Leddell given “Liberty to open a School in this Town for the Instructing of Children and others in Writing, Arithmetick, Geometry, Algebra &c.” See Richard Green, note 76.
63. Boston Records, xv. 256 (October 15, 1740), 263 (November 19, 1740): Cornelius Linch “is hereby approved of & has Liberty granted him accordingly, to keep a School within this Town for teaching Reading, Writing, Arithmetick, Navigation &c.” Eight years later, Linch appeared in New York. New York Gazette, Revived in the Weekly Post Boy, July 4, 11, 18, 25, 1748: “lives in Stonestreet . . . teaches Writing, Arithmetick both vulgar and decimal, Navigation, Gauging, Surveying, Dialing, Mensuration, Merchants Accounts, &c.”
64. Samuel White, A.B., Harvard, 1731; A.M.; died 1769. Samuel White, A.B., Harvard, 1740; A.M. Samuel White, A.B., Harvard, 1741; A.M.; died 1758. Boston Records, xv. 324 (January 20, 1741—12): Samuel White appointed Usher to Peleg Wiswall, in the North Grammar School, succeeding Jonathan Helyer “who hath resigned that Service”; xiv. 1 (March 14, 1742—13), 8 (March 16, 1742–43), 62, 65 (March 25, 1744–45), 73 (May 3, 1745): “The Selectmen . . . Apprehend the Number of Scholars in the North Grammar School so small as that there is no Occasion for an . . . Usher Voted That the said Usher Mr. White be Continued in said School until his next Quarter is compleat and be paid as heretofore, & then be discharged.”
65. Id., xv. 292 (May 6, 1741): Abiah Holbrook, Junior, “is approved of, and has Liberty granted him accordingly, to keep a School within this Town for teaching Writing and Arithmetick”; xv. 349 (June 30, 1742), 351 (July 19, 1742): appointed Usher to John Proctor, in the North Writing School, “to enter the first of August next”; xiv. 1 (March 14, 1742–43); xvii. 10 (March 23, 1742–43): appointed Master of the South Writing School, “in the room of mr Hicks who is chosen master of the North Writing School”; xiv. 17 (May 4, 1743), 26 (March 12, 1743–44), 39 (March 22, 1743–44), 46 (May 4, 1744), 50 (May 9, 1744); xvii. 76 (August 1, 1744): “Voted, That Liberty be granted to mr Abia Holbrook to keep a private School to teach youth the Rules of Psalmody Agreeable to his Petition therefore.” Boston Gazette, June 26, 1744: “a singing School . . . during the Summer Season . . . the Place appointed is the South Writing School in the Common.” Boston Records, xiv. 62 (March 25, 1744–45), 77 (March 10, 1745–46), 82 (March 11, 1745–46), 178 (May 15, 1750), 199 (May 14, 1751), 212 (March 9, 1751–52); xvii. 292 (March 5, 1753); xiv. 230–231 (March 12, 1753), 233–234 (March 23, 1753), 243 (May 28, 1753), 259 (May 15, 1754), 274 (May 16, 1755), 290 (May 11, 1756), 307 (May 10, 1757); xvi. 11 (May 16, 1758), 24 (May 15, 1759), 42 (May 16, 1760), 59 (May 12, 1761), 75 (May 11, 1762), 94 (May 10, 1763), 116 (May 15, 1764), 146 (May 14, 1765), 185, 186 (May 26, 1766); xx. 216 (May 26, 1766), 237 (November 12, 1766); xvi. 207 (March 23, 1767), 213 (May 8, 1767), 247 (May 4, 1768), 271 (March 13, 1769): “the late Mr Abiah Holbrook deceased.” Letters and Diary of John Rowe, ed. Cunningham, p. 182, entry of January 31, 1769: “Attended the funeral of Master Holbrook.”
66. James Hovey, A.B., Harvard, 1740; A.M. Boston Records, xv. 358 (September 1, 1742), 361–362 (September 22, 1742): James Hovey, “who came from Bristol,” given “Leave to keep a School.” Boston News Letter, September 16–23, 23–30, 1742: “a private School near the Orange-Tree.”
67. Nathan Prince, A.B., Harvard, 1718; A.M.; Tutor, 1723–42; Fellow, 1728–42; died 1748. Boston Records, xvii. 7 (February 28, 1742–43): Nathan Prince granted “Liberty to Open a School in this Town.” After his dismissal from Harvard, 1742, he opened a private school. Boston News Letter, March 3, 10, 1743: “at his Lodgings at the House of Seth Cushing in Exchange Lane, Boston.”
68. Boston Records, xvii. 28 (August 17, 1743): “Voted that mr John Procter Junr. be Usher to mr Zeca Hicks master of the North Writing School for One Month upon Tryal”; xvii. 45 (December 26, 1743): appointed Usher; xiv. 26 (March 12, 1743–44), 39 (March 22, 1743–44), 50 (May 9, 1744), 65 (March 25, 1744–45); xvii. 160 (May 4, 1747); xiv. 116 (May 12, 1747), 150 (May 10, 1748); xvii. 240 (May 8, 1750); xiv. 179 (May 15, 1750), 213 (March 10, 1752); xvii. 295 (May 9, 1753); xiv. 237 (May 15, 1753), 259 (May 15, 1754); xix. 12 (August 9, 1754): John Proctor, Junior, appointed “Writing Master at the School in Queen Street,” to succeed Samuel Holbrook; xiv. 275 (May 16, 1755): Referred to as “one of the Masters of the Writing School in Queen Street.” The other was Samuel Holyoke. Id., xiv. 291 (May 11, 1756), 307 (May 10, 1757); xvi. 12 (May 16, 1758), 24 (May 15, 1759), 43 (May 16, 1760); xix. 147 (April 29, 1761); xvi. 59 (May 12, 1761); xix. 170 (December 2, 1761); xvi. 75 (May 11, 1762), 94 (May 10, 1763), 115 (May 15, 1764), 145–146 (May 14, 1765); xx. 173 (August 21, 1765); xvi. 185 (May 26, 1766), 213 (May 8, 1767); xx. 289 (April 13, 1768); xvi. 246 (May 4, 1768); xx. 296 (June 15, 1768); xxiii. 10 (February 24, 1769); xvi. 283 (May 5, 1769); xviii. 23 (May 8, 1770), 57 (May 27, 1771), 81 (May 20, 1772); xxiii. 151 (November 27, 1772), 177 (May 12, 1773); xviii. 140 (May 14, 1773); xxiii. 201–202 (November 10, 1773): John Proctor, “master of the Writing School in Queen Street . . . deceased the last Week,” succeeded by his Usher, James Carter.
69. Samuel Holbrook, A.B., Harvard, 1734; A.M. Id., xiv. 82 (March 11, 1745–46): Samuel Holbrook appointed “seven months ago” by his brother Abiah, to assist him in the South Writing School; xvii. 240 (May 8, 1750); xiv. 179 (May 15, 1750), 199 (May 14, 1751), 213 (March 9, 1752); xvii. 295 (May 9, 1753); xiv. 237 (May 15, 1753); xvii. 299 (August 1, 1753): Samuel Holbrook “appointed Writing Master at the School in Queen Street allowed to improve the School for his own advantage out of School hours”; xix. 8 (May 8, 1754); xiv. 259 (May 15, 1754), 261 (August 7, 1754): resigned. Succeeded by John Proctor, Junior. Id., xix. 12 (August 9, 1754): Granted “liberty to open a private School for the instruction of Children in Writing and Arithmetick.” Boston Gazette, September 22, October 6, 13, 1755: “his School in Court-Square”; April 18, 25, 1763: “continues to keep his School on Court-Square, in King-Street.” Massachusetts Gazette and Boston News Letter, April 28, 1763; April 4, 11, 19, 25, 1765. Green & Russell’s Boston Post Boy & Advertiser, April 11, 18, 25, 1763. Boston Evening Post, April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 1763; April 22, 29, May 6, 20, 1765: “on Court-Square.” Boston Records, xxiii. 11 (March 27, 1769): Samuel Holbrook appointed Master of the Writing School in the Common, succeeding Abiah Holbrook deceased; xviii. 23 (May 8, 1770); xxiii. 67 (September 29, 1770); xviii. 57 (May 27, 1771), 81 (May 20, 1772); xxiii. 161 (January 20, 1773); xviii. 140–141 (May 14, 1773); xxiii. 202 (November 10, 1773), 213 (March 16, 1774); xviii. 172 (May 13, 1774), 180, 181 (July 19, 1774). New England Chronicle, June 29–July 6, 6–13, 13–21, 1775: “Samuel Holbrook Late Master of one of the public Writing Schools in Boston, takes this Method to inform the respectable Publick, that in Consequence of his being driven by the cruel Hand of Tyranny from his native Town (by which Means his Living and Employ there, are at an End) has thought proper . . . to open a School in Northampton in the County of Hampshire.” Massachusetts Spy, June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 1775. Boston Records, xxv. 2 (June 5, 1776): “Voted . . . that the Writing School in the Common be opened & Mr Samuel Holbrook appointed Master, but Mr Carter to officiate untill mr Holbrook removes to Town”; xviii. 252 (November 8, 1776), 286 (May 26, 1777), 295 (December 15, 1777); xxv. 54 (December 23, 1777); xxvi. 25 (June 3, 1778); xxv. 79 (November 4, 1778); xxvi. 31 (November 11, 1778), 57 (March 2, 1779); xxv. 90 (April 2, 1779); xxvi. 71 (July 9, 1779); xxv. 111 (March 1, 1780): Samuel Holbrook resigned.
70. Independent Advertiser, April 17, 24, May 1, 1749: “at Mr. King’s, Pilot, Near the Draw Bridge.” Boston Records, xvii. 220–221 (May 17, 1749): John Leach given “Liberty to open a School in this Town to teach the Art of Navigation and other Branches of the Mathematicks.” Boston News Letter, October 10, 24, 1754: “AT the Widow Robin’s at the North-End, near Mr. Gledden’s Ship-Yard, is kept a School by JOHN LEACH, from LONDON.” Boston Gazette, October 9, November 6, 13, 1758: John Leach and Owen Harris are mentioned as “Teachers of Navigation and Surveying in Boston.” Boston Evening Post, May 3, 10, 17, 1762: “at the North End of Boston.” In his “Journal kept in Boston Jail” (Ms. at the Massachusetts Historical Society), John Leach informs us that he was imprisoned, with James Lovell (note 84), by British soldiers, June 29, 1775. He notes, in an entry of January 7, 1776, that “My Schoolhouse in Forestreet was marked by one Blair, a Scotch Beggar, to be pulled down by the 52d Regiment for Firing.” A similar “Diary kept in Boston Goal” (Ms. at the Massachusetts Historical Society), by Peter Edes, contains the following memorandum, of June 29, 1775: “Master Leach and Lovell brot to gaol and put in the room with me and my companions.” This information is supplemented by “A Journal kept during the Time yt Boston was shut up in 1775–6, by Timothy Newell, Esqr., one of the Select Men of the Town” (4 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., i. 264), entry of July 14, 1775: “Last night was awoke by the discharge of cannon on the lines — Master James Lovell, Master Leach, John —, — Hunt, have been imprisoned some time past — all they know why it is so is they are charged with free speaking on the public measures.” Boston Records, xxv. 234 (January 31, 1784): “John Leach Schoolmaster” appears as a bondsman for “John Badger Auchtioneer.” Id., xxv. 298 (April 17, 1786): “John Leach Schoolmaster” appears in a list of “Bondsmen approved.”
71. Edward Cheever, A.B., Harvard, 1737; A.M.; died 1794. Boston Records, xvii. 221 (May 17, 1749): “Mr. Edward Cheever from Lynn” granted “Liberty to keep a School to Teach Children to Read in the English Tongue.” Boston Evening Post, May 29, June 5, 12, 1749: “School is opened in Middle-Street, a little above the New Brick Meeting-House.”
72. Boston Weekly Post Boy, October 16, 1749: “Nicholas Felton, now living in the North End of Mrs. Cowley’s House.”
73. Robert Treat Paine, A.B., Harvard, 1749; A.M.; LL.D., 1805; Delegate Continental Congress, Justice Supreme Court of Massachusetts; died 1814. Boston Records, xvii. 239 (April 4, 1750): Robert Treat Paine appointed Usher to John Lovell, in the South Grammar School, “to Enter on that Service on Monday next the ninth Instant.” Id., xvii. 240 (May 8, 1750); xiv. 178 (May 15, 1750). Id., xvii. 246 (August 27, 1750): “Mr. John Lovell Master of the South Grammar School appeared and informed that Mr. Robert Treat Paine his Usher, left that Employment this Day fortnight, and recommended mr Nathaniel Gardner junr. as a suitable person to succeed him.”
74. Nathaniel Gardner, A.B., Harvard, 1739; A.M.; died 1760. Id., xvii. 246 (August 27, 1750): “Voted, That mr. Nathaniel Gardner junr. be appointed Usher” in the South Grammar School. See note 73. Id., xiv. 199 (May 14, 1751), 213 (March 10, 1752), 243 (May 28, 1753), 259 (May 15, 1754), 275 (May 16, 1755), 291 (May 11, 1756), 307 (May 10, 1757); xvi. 12 (May 16, 1758), 24 (May 15, 1759). Boston Evening Post, March 31, 1760: “Last Wednesday morning died here, after a very short illness with a Fever, Nathaniel Gardner, jun., M.A. Several years usher to the South Grammar School in this town.” See Publications of this Society, xvii. 231–232.
75. Boston Gazette, July 2, 1751: Location not indicated.
76. Boston Evening Post, June 1, 15, 1752: “the Schoollately kept by Mr. John Leddel, now deceas’d, is still kept by Richard Green.” Boston Records, xvii. 298 (July 30, 1753): Richard Green granted “Liberty to open a School in this Town for teaching of Writing Arithmetick &c.” Boston News Letter, September 20, October 4, 1753: “his School, at the South-End opposite Mr. Church’s Vendue.” Id., September 25, 1755; September 9, 23, 30, 1756: “at the South End.” Boston Gazette, September 19, 26, October 3, 1757.
77. Richard Pateshall, A.B., Harvard, 1735; A.M.; died 1768. Boston News Letter, December 12, 19, 26, 1754: “an Evening School is kept by Richard Pateshall at his House in Pond Lane, opposite Dr. Stevens’s . . . in the Day Time at Mrs. Renkin’s, near the Draw Bridge”; November 9, 16, 30, 1758: “will remove his School on Monday next, to Mr. Bradford’s, three Houses below the Orange-Tree in Hanover-Street . . . an Evening-School is kept by him, at his House in Pond-Lane, opposite to Capt. James Nickel’s, South of Seven-Star-Lane, or Summer-Street”; May 14, 21, 28, 1761: “School in a room lately improved as a Printing-office by Mess’rs Green & Russell, opposite William Vassal’s Esq His House in Pond Lane.” Massachusetts Gazette, September 27, October 4, 11, 1764; September 26, October 3, 10, 1765; September 4, 11, 18, 1766: “an Evening School at his House opposite the Province-House.” Green & Russell’s Boston Post Boy, May 18, 1761; September 23, 30, October 7, 1765; September 15, 22, 1766; September 21, 28, October 5, 19, 1767.
78. Boston Records, xix. 13 (August 15, 1754): John Tileston “appointed Usher at the North writing School where Mr. Zachariah Hicks is Master”; xiv. 298 (March 15, 1757); xvi. 12 (May 16, 1758), 25 (May 15, 1759), 43 (May 16, 1760); xix. 137 (February 18, 1761), 141 (March 18, 1761); xvi. 56 (March 23, 1761): Tileston appointed Master of the North Writing School, succeeding Zachariah Hicks; xix. 145 (April 15, 1761), 146–147 (April 29, 1761); xvi. 75 (May 11, 1762); xix. 240 (December 15, 1762), 295 (January 2, 1763); xvi. 94 (May 10, 1763), 116 (May 15, 1764), 146 (May 14, 1765), 185 (May 26, 1766), 213 (May 8, 1767), 247 (May 4, 1768), 283, 284 (May 5, 1769); xviii. 23, 24 (May 8, 1770), 57, 58 (May 27, 1771), 81 (May 20, 1772), 140 (May 14, 1773), 180 (July 19, 1774); xxv. 2 (June 5, 1776): “Voted — that the Writing School at the North End be opened, and Mr. Tileston be appointed the Master”; xviii. 252 (November 8, 1776), 286 (May 26, 1777); xxv. 46 (July 31, 1777); xxvi. 25 (June 3, 1778), 31 (November 11, 1778), 58 (July 9, 1779), 103 (November 30, 1779), 197–198 (May 16, 1781), 223 (January 7, 1782), 234 (March 12, 1782), 286 (January 2, 1783), 320, 321 (July 3, 1783); xxv. 226 (October 3, 1783); xxxi. 20, 21 (April 12, 1784), 79 (May 23, 1785), 83, 84 (June 9, 1785), 105, 106 (March 13, 1786); xxv. 301 (April 28, 1786); xxi. 138 (March 13, 1787), 152, 153 (May 16, 1787), 154 (May 28, 1787), 175 (May 21, 1788), 198 (May 12, 1789), 210 (October 16, 1789). See John Tileston’s Diary, 1761–1766, in D. C. Colesworthy, John Tileston’s School, Boston, 1887.
79. Boston News Letter, September 12, October 3, 10, 1754: “IN New-Boston, near the Meeting-House . . . by Capt. George Mackay.” New-Boston also called “the West-end of town.”
80. Id., July 17, 24, 1755: “At the House in Long-Lane, where the Reverend Mr. Hooper lived, next door to Mr. Borland’s.” Before coming to Boston, Elphinstone had taught writing in New York and Philadelphia. (See New York Gazette or Weekly Post Boy, October 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, December 3, 1753; January 6, 13, 20, 27, 1755; and Pennsylvania Gazette, September 26, October 10, 1754). In the spring of 1756, he was established in New York, again, and two years later, in Philadelphia. (See New York Gazette or Weekly Post Boy, April 26, May 10, 17, 1756; and Pennsylvania Gazette, April 27, 1758.) Returning to New York in 1758, he remained there for almost twenty years.
81. Boston Records, xix. 47 (October 20, 1756): “Mr. Brett desires Liberty to Open a School for Teaching the French Tongue.” Boston Gazette, May 2, 9, 1757: “in the White House nigh the Stone-Cutters, Draw-Bridge”; August 31, September 7, 14, 1761: “In the North Writing-School Lane, next to the late Doctor Kennedy’s”; April 27, May 4, 1767: “his School near the Cornfield.”
82. Boston Gazette, September 13, 27, 1756: “an EVENING SCHOOL will be opened the Third Day of October, at the South-Writing-School . . . by JOHN VINAL.” This announcement indicates that Vinal was attached to the South Writing School in 1756, and had been given permission to “improve” the schoolroom outside of school hours. Boston Records, xiv. 307 (May 10, 1757): “Usher of the Writing School in the Common”; xvi. 12 (May 16, 1758), 25 (May 15, 1759), 43 (May 16, 1760); xix. 141 (March 18, 1761); xvi. 56 (March 23, 1761); xix. 145 (April 15, 1761): John Vinal granted “liberty to open a private School out of School Hours.” He had been conducting such a school for several years, and continued until 1764, at least. (See Boston Weekly Advertiser, September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 1758; Boston Evening Post, September 22, 29, 1760; Boston News Letter, April 30, May 7, September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 1761; Green & Russell’s Boston Post Boy, September 3, 10, 17, 24, 1759; April 20, 27, May 4, September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5, 1761; March 8, 15, 22, September 27, October 4, 11, 1762; March 21, 28, April 4, September 19, 26, October 3, 1763; April 23, 30, May 7, 1764.) Boston Records, xvi. 59 (May 12, 1761): “Usher of the Writing School in the Common”; xix. 193 (April 28, 1762); xvi. 94 (May 10, 1763), 116 (May 15, 1764), 118–119 (May 15, 1764). Essex Journal, October 25, November 1, 1776: “at the North School House,” in Newburyport. Vinal evidently left Boston during the period of British occupation. Boston Records, xxvi. 223, 224 (January 7, 1782): “Master of the Writing School in the Common”; xxvi. 234 (March 12, 1782), 286, 287 (January 2, 1783), 321 (July 3, 1783); xxv. 224 (September 17, 1783), 238 (March 17, 1784); xxxi. 20, 22 (April 12, 1784), 79 (May 23, 1785), 84 (June 9, 1785); xxv. 281 (September 26, 1785); xxxi. 106 (March 13, 1786), 112 (July 27, 1786), 152, 153 (May 16, 1787), 174, 175 (May 21, 1788), 209 (October 16, 1789), 258 (May 10, 1791), 390 (March 23, 1795). John Vinal was the author of The Preceptor’s Assistant, Boston, 1792. (C. Evans, American Bibliography, viii. No. 24962.)
83. Ephraim Langdon, A.B., Harvard, 1752; A.M.; died 1765. Boston Records, xix. 100 (December 13, 1758): Ephraim Langdon appointed “Assistant” to Peleg Wiswall, Master of the North Grammar School; xvi. 25 (May 15, 1759), 43 (May 16, 1760), 59 (May 12, 1761), 75 (May 11, 1762), 94 (May 10, 1763), 116 (May 14, 1764); xx. 122 (December 17, 1764): Suffering “a disorder in his Eyes,” Ephraim Langdon asked for “a temporary Assistant.” On January 11, 1765, Andrew Eliot, Jr., was appointed for one month (xx. 127); xvi. 185 (May 26, 1765); xx. 188 (November 27, 1765): Ephraim Langdon “Lately deceased.” John Tileston (note 78) notes in his Diary, 1765: “Nov’r 21. Died Master Langdon (of a fever) ae. 32 years” (Colesworthy, p. 68).
84. James Lovell, A.B., Harvard, 1756; A.M.; Delegate Continental Congress; died 1814. Boston Records, xvi. 43 (May 16, 1760): “James Lovell . . . Usher in the South Grammar School.” He probably succeeded Nathaniel Gardner, late in 1759, or early in 1760; xvi. 59 (May 12, 1761), 75 (May 11, 1762), 94 (May 10, 1763), 116 (May 15, 1764), 125 (August 16, 1764), 146 (May 14, 1765), 185 (May 26, 1766); xx. 243 (February 5, 1767): Placed in charge of the North Grammar School, for two months, after the resignation of Peleg Wiswall; xvi. 213 (May 8, 1767), 247 (May 4, 1768), 283 (May 5, 1769); xviii. 23 (May 8, 1770), 58 (May 27, 1771), 81 (May 20, 1772), 140 (May 14, 1773), 180 (July 19, 1774). James Lovell left the South Grammar School when it closed, April 19, 1775. He was imprisoned with John Leach (note 70), by British soldiers, June 29, 1775.
85. Boston Records, xix. 147 (April 29, 1761): James Carter appointed Usher to John Tileston, in the North Writing School; xix. 170 (December 2, 1761); xvi. 185 (May 26, 1766), 213 (May 8, 1767); xx. 290 (April 20, 1768); xvi. 247 (May 4, 1768): James Carter “appointed an Usher to the Writing School in Queen Street,” John Proctor, Master; xx. 291 (May 7, 1768); xvi. 271 (March 13, 1769), 283 (May 5, 1769); xviii. 24 (May 8, 1770), 58 (May 27, 1771), 82 (May 20, 1772), 140 (May 14, 1773); xxiii. 202 (November 10, 1773): Appointed “Master of the School in Queen Street,” upon the death of John Proctor; xxiii. 24 (March 23, 1774); xviiii. 180 (May 19, 1774); xxv 2 (June 5, 1776): officiated as Master of the South Writing School until Samuel Holbrook moved to town; xviii. 252 (November 8, 1776), 286 (May 26, 1777), 295 (December 15, 1777); xxvi. 25 (June 3, 1778), 31 (November 17, 1778), 58 (March 12, 1779), 71 (July 9, 1779), 103 (November 30, 1779), 198 (May 16, 1781), 223 (January 7, 1782), 234 (March 12, 1782), 286 (January 2, 1783), 320 (July 3, 1783); xxxi. 20, 22 (April 12, 1784); xxv 241 (April 14, 1784), 266 (April 17, 1785); xxxi. 79 (May 23, 1785), 83 (June 9, 1785); xxv 272 (June 22, 1785); xxxi. 105, 106 (March 13, 1786); xxv 312 (June 28, 1786); xxxi. 152 (May 16, 1787), 174 (May 21, 1788), 209 (October 16, 1789), 281 (March 12, 1792).
86. Boston Evening Post, May 17, 1762: “Royse and Williams . . . a School in Queen-Street, in the lower Part of the House occupied by Mr. Turner.”
87. Id., May 17, 1762.
88. Boston Records, xix. 191 (April 20, 1762): Vere Ross granted “Liberty to open a School for the Instruction of Youth in Mathematicks.”
89. Green & Russell’s Boston Post Boy, February 15, 1762: “In the North School Street, next to the Latin School House”; Boston Gazette, August 30, September 6, 13, 1762.
90. Boston Post Boy & Advertiser, October 10, 17, 24, 1763: Location not given.
91. Boston Gazette, October 15, 29, November 5, 1764 (Supplement): “OPENS School this Day (where Mr. John Vinal lately kept, opposite William Vassall, Esq;)”; April 22, 29, May 6, October 7, 14, 21, 1765; April 14, 28 (Supplement), May 5 (Supplement), September 15, 22, 29, 1766; February 9 (Supplement), 1767: “Having his House burnt in the late Fire has taken the Southerly End of Mr. Joseph Gale’s House in Sudbury-Street to live in; and intends to open School (at his usual Place, opposite William Vassall, Esq;)”; April 13, 27, October 5, 1767; May 9, October 17, 31, 1768; October 9, 16, 1769; December 18, 25, 1769; January 15, 22, 1770: “HAS removed his School to a more commodious Place, a new Brick Building in Hanover-Street, a little below the Orange-Tree”; April 23, 30, May 7, October 8, 15, 1770; April 29, May 6, September 30, October 7 (Supplement), 14, 21 (Supplement), 1771; October 12, 1772; October 18, November 22, 1773; October 3, 10, 1774; Massachusetts Gazette, April 25, May 2, 1765; April 25, May 1, 8, 1766; October 1, 8, 15, 29, 1767; Boston Post Boy, October 8, 15, 22, 1764: April 21 (Supplement), September 22, 29, 1766; February 9, 16, 23, April 20, 27 (Supplement), May 4, November 9 (Supplement), 1767; May 9, 16, October 3, 10, 17, 1768; Boston Evening Post, February 9, 1767; October 23, 30, November 6, 1769; October 15, 22, November 5, 1770; October 7, 14, 21, 28, 1771; October 12, 19, 26, November 9, 16, 1772; November 9, 16, 1772; November 8, 15, 22, 1773.
92. Andrew Eliot, A.B., Harvard, 1762; A.M.; A.M. (Hon.) Yale, 1774; Librarian, Harvard, 1763–67; Tutor, 1767–74; Fellow, 1772–74; died 1805. Boston Records, xx. 127 (January 11, 1765): “Andrew Elliot,” Jr., appointed Master of the North Grammar School, “for one Month,” while Ephraim Langdon was ill.
93. Josiah Langdon, A.B., Harvard, 1764; A.M.; died 1779. Boston Records, xx. 132 (February 6, 1765): “Messrs Jackson and Sewall appointed a Committee to treat with Mr Josiah Langdon respecting the place of Usher to the North Grammar School during the Confinement of the present Usher”; xx. 189 (Dcember 11, 1765): Josiah Langdon appointed “Usher of the North Grammar School in the room of Mr Ephraim Langdon deceased”; xvi. 185 (May 26, 1766); xx. 243 (February 5, 1767): “Nathaniel Langden the Usher of said School had declined officiating any longer.”
94. Boston Gazette, June 30, July 7, 1766: “John Pope hath removed his School from the South End of this Town, into a Chamber in Forestreet, about Midway between the lower Conduit and the Draw Bridge.” Boston Records, xxv 279 (September 14, 1785): John Pope given “liberty again to open a School at the South End of the Town.”
95. Samuel Hunt, A.B., Harvard, 1765; A.M.; died 1816. Boston Records, xx. 219 (April 8, 1767): Samuel Hunt, Jr., of Cambridge appointed Master of the North Grammar School; xvi. 213 (May 8, 1767), 246 (May 4, 1768); xx. 313 (October 19, 1768); xvi. 282, 283 (May 5, 1769); xviii. 23 (May 8, 1770), 57 (May 27, 1771), 81 (May 20, 1772), 140 (May 14, 1773), 158 (March 15, 1774), 180 (July 19, 1774); xxv. 2 (June 5, 1776): “Voted that the Grammar School in School Street be opened, and that Mr Samuel Hunt officiate for the present as Master”; xxv. 10 (September 11, 1776); xviii. 252 (November 8, 1776), 286 (May 26, 1777); xxv. 45 (July 23, 1777); xviii. 293 (November 7, 1777); xxv. 53 (November 26, 1777); xviii. 295 (December 15, 1777); xxvi. 25 (June 3, 1778), 31 (November 11, November 23, 1778), 71 (July 9, 1779), 102 (November 24, 1779), 103, 104 (November 30, 1779), 197 (May 16, 1781), 223 (January 7, 1782), 286 (January 2, 1783), 320 (July 3, 1783); xxi. 20, 21 (April 12, 1784); xxv. 266 (April 17, 1785), 269 (May 11, 1785); xxxi. 79 (May 23, 1785), 83 (June 9, 1785), 105 (March 13, 1786), 152 (May 16, 1787), 174 (May 21, 1788), 198 (May 12, 1789), 209 (October 16, 1789); xxxv. 24 (May 15, 1797), 27 (May 26, 1797), 178, 179 (March 11, 1805), 184 (May 9, 1805): “Petition of Samuel Hunt late Master of the Grammar School.” Id., 187–188 (May 29, 1805).
96. Boston Post Boy, August 10, 17, 24, 31, 1767: “at his Apartment in Capt. Beach’s House near the Rev. Mr. Checkley’s Meeting-House.”
97. Boston Evening Post, September 7, 14, 28, October 5, 1767: “At Mrs. Howard’s in Long Lane.”
98. Theophilus Chamberlain, A.B., Yale, 1765. Boston Chronicle, August 29–September 5, 5–12, 12–19, 1768: “a private Latin School . . . his house in the lane opposite to Mein and Fleeming’s Printing-office.”
99. Boston Gazette, October 24, 31, 1768: “in that commodious and large Building opposite Dr. Cooper’s Meeting”; July 31, August 7, 1769: “behind Mr. Barber’s Insurance office, North-End.” Boston Post Boy, August 7, 14, 1769. Boston Chronicle, July 27–31, 31–August 3, 3–7, 1769. Massachusetts Gazette, August 3, 17, 24, September 4, 11, 1769; September 6, 13, 20, 1770: “has removed into the House lately occupied by Mr. Wallis, nearly opposite to Benjamin Hallowell, jun. Esqr’s, in Hanover-Street.”
100. Boston Records, xx. 291 (May 7, 1768): “ordered that Dall should at the same time go down to Mr Tilestone’s School, the North Writing School.” James Carter had just left Tileston, to become Usher in the Writing School in Queen Street; xviii. 181 (July 19, 1774): “William Doll . . . Usher of the writing School, at the North Part of the Town.” Boston Gazette, September 26, October 3, 10, 1774: Dall announces an Evening School “to be open’d 1st Monday in October next, at the Writing School House in Queen-Street.” Boston Records, xxv. 46 (July 31, 1777): Appointed Usher to John Tileston, in the North Writing School, “his Services . . . commenced the 2d of June last.” Id., xxv. 50 (September 22, 1777): Resigned.
101. Boston Records, xvi. 271 (May 4, 1769): Joseph Ward petitioned to be appointed Master of the South Writing School”; xxiii. 21 (June 28, 1769): “Mr Joseph Ward had the Charge of the South Working (sic!) School given him the 28. of January last, and he left it the 10th of April.” Boston Gazette, April 17 (Supplement), 24 (Supplement), 1769: “an English Grammar School in King-Street, where Mr. SAMUEL HOLBROOK hath for many Years kept a Writing School.” Boston Chronicle, April 17–20, 24–27, May 1–4, 1769. Boston Evening Post, May 1, 8, 1769: “in King-Street, a little below the Town-House.” Boston Records, xxiii. 145 (September 23, 1772): “Mr . . . Ward from Portsmouth apply’d to the Selectmen for leave to open a School in this Town for teaching Children to Read &c. which was accordingly granted.” Probably another Ward. Massachusetts Spy, October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 1772: “in a House adjoining to the Treasurer’s office.” Boston Gazette, November 2 (Supplement), 1772; April 11, 1774.
102. Boston Evening Post, November 27, December 4, 11, 1769: “at his Room in Mr. Carnes’s House near the Meeting-House, New-Boston.” Boston Chronicle, January 18–22, 22–25, 25–30, February 5–8, 12–15, March 1–5, 8–12, 12–15, 22–26, 26–29, 1770. Boston Gazette, April 9, 16, 30, 1770: “has Removed from New-Boston, into the Lane opposite Deacon Ebenezer Storer’s Warehouse in Union-Street”; February 18, 25, 1771: “at Mr. Joseph Northrup’s, Silk Dyer, near the Mill-Bridge, and leading down to the New Mills”; October 7, 14, 1771; December 13, 20, 1773. Massachusetts Gazette, December 6–13, 13–20, 20–27, 1773: “at the Green-Dragon Tavern.” Massachusetts Spy, November 24, December 1, 8, 16, 22, 29, 1774.
103. Boston Records, xviii. 118 (March 9, 1773): John Fenno, Usher to Samuel Holbrook, “Master of the Writing School in the Common”; xviii. 141 (May 14, 1773); xxiii. 213 (March 16, 1774): Resigned. Massachusetts Gazette, February 13, 20, 27, 1772: “A School . . . will be opened on Monday the second Day of March, at the Room (in King-Street) lately improved by Mr. Gerrish, Vendue-Master.” Id., March 18, 25, April 1, October 21, 28, November 4, 1773.
104. Boston Records, xxiii. 132 (June 23, 1772): “Louis Delile appeared and asked liberty of the Selectmen for opening a School in this Town for teaching ye French language.” Boston Gazette, June 8, 15 (Supplement), 22, 1772: “His School is at the Room (in King-street) lately improved by Mr. Gerrish, Vendue-Master.” Id., October 26, November 2, 9, 1772; May 17, 24, 1773. Boston Evening Post, March 9, 16, 23, 30, 1772; July (Supplement) 1773. Massachusetts Gazette, February 4, 11, 18, May 20, June 3, August 5, 12, 1773; February 24, March 3, 10, 1774. The Literary Diary of Ezra Stiles, i. 184 (entry of November 13, 1771): “This day I was visited by Mr. Lewis Delile a french young Gent. aet. 23. born at Hispaniola — educated eight years in the Univy in Bourdeaux Old France — understands & writes Latin well: but knows not Greek or Hebrew. He is well acquainted with the belles Lettres, and has studied the Politics & Constitutions of antient & modern Empires. He proposes teachg French & fencing.” Id., i. 409 (entry of August 22, 1773): “This day Ezra [Ezra Stiles, Jr.] began to learn French with Mr. Delisle.”
105. Massachusetts Gazette, May 6, 27, June 10, 1773: “at Mrs. KILBY’S in Newbury-Street.” Id., January 27, February 3, June 23, July 7, 1774; April 13, 1775: “has removed his Academy to the House now occupied by Mr. Curtis . . . nearly opposite to William Vassall, Esq.” Massachusetts Gazette, June 13–20, 1774: “Academy . . . just opposite the Royal Exchange Tavern.” Massachusetts Spy, August 19, 26, September 2, 9, 1773: “His School is in King-street, near the State-house.”
106. Massachusetts Gazette, March 25, April 1, 16, 1773: “continue keeping School in the former Place within a few Doors of Concert-Hall, in Orange-Tree Street.” Boston Gazette, April 12, 26 (Supplement), 1773; March 14, April 4, October 3, 10, 17, 1774. Massachusetts Gazette, April 15, 21, 28, May 5, 1774: “School as usual in Hanover-Street, near Concert Hall.”
107. Boston Records, xxiii. 202 (November 10, 1773): Abiah Holbrook, “a Young Man near of Age,” appointed Usher to James Carter in the Writing School in Queen Street; xviii. 180 (July 19, 1774); xxv. 79 (November 18, 1778); xxvi. 71 (July 9, 1779); xxv. 103 (November 16, 1779): Resigned.
108. Id., xxiii. 213 (March 16, 1774): Andrew Cunningham appointed Usher to Samuel Holbrook, in the South Writing School.
109. Massachusetts Gazette, July 4–11, 11–18, 1774: “his House near Liberty-Tree.” C. Evans, American Bibliography, iv. No. 1, 1683.
110. Boston Records, xxiii. 213 (March 16, 1774): “Francis Vaidale of Tours in the Province of Tournay apphed to the Selectmen for leave to open a School, in this Town to teach French, and having produced Credentials of his being a Protestant, and attended their Assemblies which Corresponded with his own declaration.” Massachusetts Gazette, January 13, 20, March 3, 10, 1774: “He keeps his School at Mr. Martin’s in Bromfield’s Lane.” Vandale taught in Newport and New York, also. See Newport Mercury, October 3, 10, 17, 1774; New York Gazette, November 27, December 11, 1775; Rivington’s New York Gazetteer, October 26, November 9, 16, 1775. Boston Records, xxv. 33 (April 2, 1777): “Mr. Vandale upon application permitted to deliver an Oration in French to his Pupils in Faneuil Hall.” Vandale was instructor in French at Harvard College, 1779–1780.
111. Boston Records, xxiii. 224 (August 10, 1774): “Mr. William Payne from Barnstable applys to the Selectmen for leave to open a School, in this Town for teaching English Grammar Writing & Arithmetick.” Boston Evening Post, August 22, 29, September 5, 19 (Supplement), November 21, 28, December 19, 1774: “has opened an English Grammar School (lately kept by Mr. Ward in Milk Street).” Boston Gazette, November 14, 21, 28, 1774: “School in Milk Street his Lodgings at Mr. Benjamin Gray’s in King-Street.” Massachusetts Gazette, November 21–28, 28–December 5, 19–26, 1774; December 26–January 2, 9–16, 16–23, 30–February 6, 6–13, 13–20, 27–April 3, 1775. Massachusetts Spy, November 24, December 1, 8, 16, 23, 29, 1774; January 5, 12, 1775. New England Chronicle, May 2, 23, 30, 1776: “in King Street, near the State House.”
112. Massachusetts Gazette, May 25, 1775: “proposes to open the School lately occupied by Mr. Paine in Milk-Street”; August 17, 1775: “has remov’d his School from Milk Street, to a House in Seven Star Lane, opposite Sir William Pepperel’s.”