Researched and Compiled by - John Buczek
Massachusetts Bay School Law (1642)
Forasmuch as the good education of children is of singular behoof and benefit to any Common-wealth; and whereas many parents & masters are too indulgent and negligent of their duty in that kinde. It is therefore ordered that the Select men of everie town, in the severall precincts and quarters where they dwell, shall have a vigilant eye over their brethren & neighbours, to see, first that none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their families as not to indeavour to teach by themselves or others, their children & apprentices so much learning as may inable them perfectly to read the english tongue, & knowledge of the Capital Lawes: upon penaltie of twentie shillings for each neglect therin. Also that all masters of families doe once a week (at the least) catechize theirchildren and servants in the grounds & principles of Religion, & if any be unable to doe so much: that then at the least they procure such children or apprentices to learn some short orthodox catechism without book, that they may be able to answer unto the questions that shall be propounded to them out of such catechism by their parents or masters or any of the Select men when they shall call them to a tryall of what they have learned of this kinde. And further that all parents and masters do breed & bring up their children & apprentices in some honest lawful calling, labour or imployment, either in husbandry, or some other trade profitable for themselves, and the Common-wealth if they will not or cannot train them up in learning to fit them for higher imployments. And if any of the Select men after admonition by them given to such masters of families shal finde them still negligent of their dutie in the particulars aforementioned, wherby children and servants become rude, stubborn & unruly; the said Select men with the help of two Magistrates, or the next County court for that Shire, shall take such children or apprentices from them & place them with some masters for years (boyes till they come to twenty one, and girls eighteen years of age compleat) which will more strictly look unto, and force them to submit unto government according to the rules of this order, if by fair means and former instructions they will not be drawn into it.
As early as 1696 Marlborough employed a school-master to teach the youth "to read English once a day at least, also write and cast accounts". In 1698, the town voted to build a school house and Mr. Jonathan Johnson was employed as a teacher for several years. In 1700, a contract was made for building another school house. In 1701 the town was fined five pounds, five shillings by the Justice Court in Cambridge for not having a school house. This fine apparently had an effect on the town, for in December of 1701 the town folks voted "that Thomas Rice and Isaac Amsden do go forth with all speed convenient, in the towns name and behalf, to do what they can to provide a school master, qualified according to law, and to treat him with terms for the half year or a twelvemonth, as they shall think fit.". In 1702 & Pounds was paid to John Holman, of Milton, "for teaching our children and youth in reading, writing and casting accounts and also in Latin, as occasion is and in doing the duty of school-master, four months".
In 1715, the town voted to build a new school house dimensions of 24 feet by 18 feet. In 1718, 47 Pounds was budgeted for the schools. Many of the early schools were in the homes of the teacher. By the year 1745, it was voted by the town that a school shall be kept in several parts of the town. A committee of Samuel Witt, Colonel Williams, Thomas Hapgood, Thomas Brigham and Jotham Brigham were chosen to order the schools needed for the several parts of town. At this time there were only two schools in town.
Moving school houses. The town recognized the fact that the school population was not stable and as populations of children increased in one section of the town and decreased in another section of town, the school building would be moved to accommodate the shift in population.
On May 15, 1749 a committee was selected to determine when the "scholars" should meet.
The scholars west of the meeting house are to meet at the school house near Noah Church's or the old tavern place thirteen weeks, four days and three-fourths of a day yearly. The scholars in the west end of town shall meet near Moses Howe's for six weeks, three days and two thirds of one day yearly. The scholars in the north west shall meet were they shall think proper for two weeks, four days yearly. The scholars in the east of the meeting house shall come to the school house near Joseph Johnson's for sixteen weeks, one day and one third of a day yearly. The scholars shall meet at the school house near John Hapgood's for seven weeks and two thirds of a day yearly. The scholars in the east end of the town shall meet at the school house near Joseph Baker's for five weeks, four days and two thirds of a day yearly
It was 150 years after
the first school for boys was opened before girls were allowed to attend
any public school and then only an hour in the morning or at night when
the boys were at home and on holidays. It was 190 years before they
had the same school privileges as the boys. The first school building built
exclusively for girls was for a spinning school; it cost $15,000.00 and
in 1757 was supported by a tax on coaches and carriages.
By
the time 1800 arrived, however, there were ten schools located through
out the town. School House Number 1 was located behind what is now
the Central Fire Station on the corner of Bolton Street and Main Street;
Number 2 was located next to the West Meeting House on Pleasant Street,
Number 3 was located at the intersection of Williams and Brigham Street,
Number 4 was located in the area of Glen Street and Rout 20, Number 5 was
located towards the area of Robin Hill Road, Number 6 was located on the
Road to Bolton in now Hudson, Number 7 was located on the Road to Stow
in now Hudson, Number 8 was located on the Road to Concord now known as
Concord Road just before the intersection of Sudbury Street and Concord
Road, Number 9 was located on Farm Road near were now stands Marlborough
Airport and Number 10 was located at the corner of Concord Road and Route
20. School House Number 10 was standing in the 1960’s and was demolished
to make room for a restaurant parking lot. (NOTE:
refer to the map of 1803 to see these locations)
In 1803 a committee was formed
consisting of Benjamin Rice, Aaron Brigham, Lovell Barnes, silas Felton,
Stephen Ames, Daniel Brigham and Abner Goodale to determine "That
suitable EnglishGrammer school masters be provided, to keep the following
terms of time at each of the school houses". To wit
Centre School house No. 1 .......................17 weeksBy the middle of the 19th century New England had the highest literacy rate in the country and surpassed much of Europe as well. It apparently was customary by around 1850 or just slightly later that most children in the New England states would go to school until the age of 14 or so, for at least six months out of each year. There was a Massachusetts School Board or something similar to that, by the mid 1800s, that began to standardize education around the state.
South West School House No. 2..............15 weeks
Northwest School House No. 3 ..............14 weeks
North School House No. 4 .......................18 weeks
North East School House No. 5 ..............13 weeks
East School House No. 6 ...........................15 weeks
South East Shool House No. 7 .................13 weeks"The aforsaid schools shall commence at each school house as near the middle of November as may be".
While education was narrow in scope, it was definite in principle and positive in application. The little red school houses dotted the Marlborough landscape and provided a place where the teachings could be done. Lessons were learned in an atmosphere of the sternest of conditions; the limitations of goose quills, leather ink bottles and ink from dissolved powders compelled the student and teacher to study properly. Most teachers were compelled to earn most of their food and lodging by working in the fields and on the farms. It was an infrequent occasion when a parent of a child in school would provide the teacher with a meal or some vegetables from the garden in payment for their teachings. Schooling was more of an inconvenience to those parents that had farms, for their children served a better purpose by helping with the chores than going to school.
The
school houses were built by the local citizens and had little conveniences.
They contained but a small wood burning stove which was kept going by the
donations or scavenging of wood by the children. They were poorly
ventilated and often filled with smoke during the seasons that required
the stove to be used. A one hole outhouse was provided for all of
those who attended including the teacher.
The school room to the left
can be seen at the Marlborough Historical Society where they have a full
size school room with furniture from the early times.
Until Noah Webster "Selections"
was available in 1789, the only reading book besides the Bible was that
of New England Primer which contained only a rudimentary collection of
lessons and interesting facts. The Primer was a church driven document
and spoke often of God and the teachings of God. Few children were
fortunate enough to own books and the blackboard was not know of until
1800. Schools sessions were generally started at eight in the morning
with a recess at eleven and ended at four in the afternoon. Classes
opened and closed with the Lords Prayer. The children did have "copy
books", books in which they could make their notes. These books were
made of "foolscap" paper, which was layered and sewed and ruled by hand.
Lead for pencils were made by melting the lead and pouring in wood forms.
Quill pens were also used but needed sharpening often. Lessons sometimes
consisted of exercises in rhyme.
"A gentleman a chaise did buy,Education was provided for girls but limited to some reading and writing. Sewing and dancing were the major part of their teachings; dressmaking was essential and was therefore taught. Good posture was thought to be essential for a girls to compliment their dancing. Dr. Holmes believed that literal pains should be taken in getting a straight back for young women and developed the following rhyme.
A horse and harness too;
They cost the sum of three score pounds,
Upon my word is true.
The harness came to half the horse,
The horse to twice the chaise,
And if you find the price of them,
Take them and go your ways"
"They braced my aunt against a board,By 1890 there were nine school buildings; the High School, Bigelow, Hildreth, Pleasant, Washington, Farm, Robin Hill and South.
To make her straight and tall,
They laced her up, they starved her down,
To make her light and small,
They pinched her feet, they singed her hair,
They screwed it up with pins,
Oh, never mortal suffered more
In penance for her sins."
By 1892, teachers annual salaries were:
1 Year of experience - $288.00
2 Years of experience -
$324.00
3 Years of experience -
$360.00
4 Years of experience -
$396.00
5 Years of experience -
$450.00
It was late in the 1800’s when the City of Marlborough decided to build a formal High School. It was in 1897 when the then Mayor, Charles L. Bartlett, appointed a committee to procure plans, erect and complete a new High School building. An appropriation of $65,000.00 was made for the completion of this task. The site selected was one that could not be more appropriate, for it was to be built on the site that was occupied by many historic buildings of the past. This site was that which is where the first Meeting House had sat and that which was once, centrally located on the Main Street and in sight of the City Hall where it still can be seen today.
The new school was dedicated on September 10, 1898. The dedication was attended by many dignitaries, former teachers and graduates of previous classes. Mayor Eugene G. Hoyt accepted the keys to the building from chairman and Councilman James McAuslin. Pictures of the school past and present can be seen in the Gallery Section.
The
New England Primer, The best-selling textbook used by children in the colonial
period. Millions of copies were in print. Filled with Calvinist principles,
the influence of this little document is inestimable
The New England Primer (pronounced prim' er, short "i") was by far the most commonly used textbook in the United States for over 100 years. The first edition was printed in 1690 and it was still in use in 1900. It was used in both public and private schools. It was intended to be used to help teach children to read: it includes a rhyme to teach the alphabet, vocabulary words, and many short poems and other practice reading selections. While the idea of having separate grade levels was not introduced until the 1800's, this book was used for what would today be considered first grade. The following is just a sample of what the Primer consisted of. Please note the continual reference to the teachings of the church.
See
images of the 1805 New England Primer>>>>>>>>
See
images of the 1807 New England Primer>>>>>>>>
The A, B, C's
a b c d e f g h i j k
l m
n o p q r s t u v
w x y z & .
Vowels.
a e i o u y.
Consonants.
b c d f g h j k l m n
p q r s t v w x z
Double Letters.
ct ff fi fl ffi ffl sh
si ssi sl ss st
Italick Letters.
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg
Hh
Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo
Pp Qq
Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx
Yy Zz
Italick Double Letters.
ct ff fi ffi fl ffl sh
si ss ssi sl st
A Lesson for Children.
Pray to God.
Call no ill names.
Love God.
Use no ill words.
Fear God.
Tell no lies.
Serve God.
Hate Lies.
Take not God's
Speak the Truth.
Name in vain.
Spend your Time well.
Do not Swear.
Love your School.
Do not Steal.
Mind your Book.
Cheat not in your play.
Strive to learn.
Play not with bad boys.
Be not a Dunce.
The Alphabet
A
In ADAM'S Fall
We sinned all.
B
Heaven to find;
The Bible Mind.
C
Christ crucify'd
For sinners dy'd.
D
The Deluge drown'd
The Earth around.
E
ELIJAH hid
By Ravens fed.
F
The judgment made
FELIX afraid.
G
As runs the Glass,
Our Life doth pass.
H
My Book and Heart
Must never part.
J
JOB feels the Rod,--
Yet blesses GOD.
K
Proud Korah's troop
Was swallowed up
L
LOT fled to Zoar,
Saw fiery Shower
On Sodom pour.
M
MOSES was he
Who Israel's Host
Led thro' the Sea
N
NOAH did view
The old world & new.
O
Young OBADIAS,
DAVID, JOSIAS,
All were pious.
P
PETER deny'd
His Lord and cry'd.
Q
Queen ESTHER sues
And saves the Jews.
R
Young pious RUTH,
Left all for Truth.
S
Young SAM'L dear,
The Lord did fear.
T
Young TIMOTHY
Learnt sin to fly.
V
VASHTI for Pride
Was set aside.
W
Whales in the Sea,
GOD's Voice obey.
X
XERXES did die,
And so must I.
Y
While youth do chear
Death may be near.
Z
ZACCHEUS he
Did climb the Tree
Our Lord to see.
An Alphabet of Lessons for Youth.
A Wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
BETTER is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure & trouble therewith.
COME unto Christ all ye that labor and are heavy laden and he will give you rest.
DO not the abominable thing which I hate saith the Lord.
EXCEPT a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
FOOLISHNESS is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
GODLINESS is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come.
HOLINESS becomes GOD's house for ever.
IT is good for me to draw near unto GOD.
KEEP thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
MANY are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivereth them out of them all.
NOW is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.
OUT of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
PRAY to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly.
QUIT you like men, be strong, stand fast in the faith.
REMEMBER thy Creator in the days of thy youth.
SEEST thou a man wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool than of him.
TRUST in God at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before him.
UPON the wicked, God shall rain an horrible tempest.
WO to the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
EXHORT one another daily while it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened thro' the deceitfulness of sin.
YOUNG men ye have overcome the wicked one.
ZEAL
hath consumed me, because thy enemies have forgotten the word of God.
Choice Sentences.
PRAYING will make us leave
sinning, or sinning will make us leave praying.
OUR weakness and inabilities
break not the bond of our duties.
WHAT we are afraid to speak
before men, we should be afraid to think before GOD.
Learn these four lines by heart.
HAVE
communion with few,
Be intimate with ONE,
Deal justly with all,
Speak evil of none.
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