The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-18

script of this week contains very interesting
article upon the early schools in this State. 1t
saws that as far back as 1880 the whole white
population of what is now the State of Maine
consisted of few hundreds of Englishmen
scattered along the islands on the coast, and at
the mouths of rivers, engaged in fishing and
cheating the Indians in the purchase of their
furs. Unlike the Pilgrims and Purtans, who
settled Massachusetts,, they were mere adven-
turers and no thought of schools entered their
heads. During The whole time of settlement
before Massachusetts, purchased the province in
1877, there is no evidence of any provision for
education. The young grew up in ignorance.
The first evidence of the existence Of schools
of any kind are to be found in the early town
records. Under the laws Of Massachusetts ev-
cry town containing fifty families was required
to support one schoomaster constantly, and
those containing one hundred families to main
tain grammar school, Those laws were often
not complied with, and towns were indicted for
not maintaining schools. This compelled &C.
tion and the first evidence of it is found in the
town records. Thus we find it in the ,ecords
of ancient Falmouth, under date of Sept. 18th,
1729 ''the selectmen were requested to look out
u
presented" They acted, it appears, rather
from fear of the law than proper regard to
the Importance of the subject. The town had
then been settled nearly century, yet Willis,
historian, says, sit is probable, considering
the poverty of the people, that no measures for
public education had been taken previous to the
time mentioned in the record" So Bourne, iE
his History of Wells and Kennebunk, says the
people ''bad lived here fifty years, and children
had been born and grown to manhood, without
instruction in the common rudiments of educa.
ton. Many of the population could neither
read, write or CIPHER. There was not school.
house in town, and if any provision had been
made by private persons for the instruction of
their children, it must have been at some of the
dwelling houses; though there is good reason
for the belief that down to this period (1715) no
school of any kind had been maintained. The
evidence shows that, with very few exceptions.
the most influential had grown up with little or
no intellectual culture" In 1715 it was voted
that "the selectmen use their endeavors to pro-
cure schoolmaster for the town at the towns
charge, not exceeding ego per annum and bis
date" The next year $50 were given, and it
was further voted that 'the persons with
whom Mr.. Martyr (the schoolmaster) dates
be paid six shllings per week. 1t seems that
the practice of boarding round'' had not then
been invented, though the teachers were put
upon their ''diate.''
| FUNERAL OF Ma. HowE.-The funeral Of
Mr. Edward Howe took place yesterday after
noon, from his late residence on Spring street.
TIE Masons attended in a body and there were
q large number of prominent business men as
well as his neighbors and personal friends pres
ent. Rev. DR.. Carruthers offiiated and a select
choir furnished the music. DR.. Carruthers
| spoke in very feeling manner of the deceased
and paid him a glowing tribute for his upright
and Christian character. The services were
| very impressive. The remains were placed in
| the city tomb in the Eastern Cemetery, to be
| deposited in Mr. Howe's private tomb in the
| spring.
REAL ESTATE TRANsFERs.-The following
| are the real estate transfers recorded in this
county yesterday:
| Deering-Lot of land fran Geo. X. Kimball
| to Frank q. Patterson.
Lot of land and buildings thereon from Eliza
Jane Woodman TO. Chas. w. York.
Lot of land from s. FL. Doten to Oracle G.
Campbell
Portland-Lot of land aud buildings thereon
on Fore street from Patrick McGlinchy TO
| James III. McGlinchy.
THE LATE CHIEF JUSTICE SHEPLEY "A
meeting Of the Cumberland Bar Association
was held yesterday morning to take action on
the death of ex-Chief Justice Shepley. Presi-
dent Bradbury presided, and Judge Howard,
John Rand, Esq, and Hon. Nathan Webb were
chosen a committee to prepare a series of reso-
lutions and report at future day. The bar
will attend the funeral in a body today, from
| his late residence on State street.
| ACCIDENTs.-Mr. David Drinkwater, the
painter, was struck on the head and shoulders