John Tileston's School, BOSTON, 1778-1789 : 1761-1766. Also, his Diary from i-j6i to rj66. BY D. C. COLESWORTHY. " What now appear to be only trifles, in after years will become important facts." WILLIAM GOOLD. BOSTON : ANTIQUARIAN BOOK STORE. 1887. ' WILLIAM BLAKE TRASK, A MODEST, UNASSUMING CITIZEN, A COURTEOUS, CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN, WHOSE PERSEVERING RESEARCHES AND UNWEARIED LABORS IN THE ANTIQUARIAN FIELD HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF PLEASURE AND PROFIT TO THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE PURITANS, OUR EXCELLENT FRIEND FOR MORE THAN A THIRD OF A CENTURY, THIS LITTLE WORK IS RESPECTFULLY AND GRATE- FULLY DEDICATED. INTRODUCTION. The people of New England owe a large debt of gratitude to her noble army of faithful and efficient teachers many of whom, to instruct themselves and their children, have labored through a long series of years in patience and with persever- ance, receiving in many instances but few words of encouragement, and a meager remuneration. As a concise introduction to the account of one who labored probably longer than any other individual in his vocation in New England, I have given a chapter on the early schools of Boston. One cannot fail to notice the great improvement that has been made in the mode of teaching during the past two centuries, and the excellent facilities now afforded for the cultivation of the mind and the elevation of the affec- tions. Undoubtedly the schools of New England, and especially the schools of Bos- ton,' come the nearest to perfection of any in this country or the world. The most 6 INTRODUCTION. capable teachers are secured, whilst no narrow policy warps the judgment of our committees, prompting them to withhold any reasonable amount of money that can be judiciously expended in the advance- ment of the cause of education, or in the moral improvement of the rising genera- tion. I have added short sketches of a few New England teachers who spent a large portion of their lives in preparing our children and youth for lives of prosperity and usefulness, whose names deserve to be held *in grateful and perpetual remem- brance. INDEX. Adams, John, 34. Burrill, Susan, 32. Adams, Mr., 39. Buxton, Me., 25. Alle.i, Mr., 73. Byfield Parish, 22. Appleton, John, 27. Atlantic and St. Law- Capen, 47. rence Railroad Com- Carter, Mr., 39, 79. pany, 24. Carter, Nathaniel H., 23. Cartwright, Capt., 74. Bagley, John, 24. Central Church, 21. Baker, 47. Charlestown, 19. BaLard, 74. Chase, Aquila, 31. Barret, Deacon, 79. Chase, Caleb, 24, 31. Barret, Samuel, 76, 77. Chase, Wm. D., 32. Beckett, Sylvester B., 27. Cheever, Ezekiel, 19. Bingham, Caleb, 37, 39. Cheever, Ira, 21. Blanchard, Caleb, 76. Checkley, Mr., 77, 78. Boroughs, Capt., 78. Chelsea, 21. Boston, 19,38,41,43,47. Chester, N. H., 31. Bostonians, 39, 40, 48. Chichester, N. H., 28. Boston Latin School, 30. Clark, Daniel, 25. Bowen, Penuel, 78. Cobbitt, 47. Boyd, 47. Coffin, C, 73. Bradford, Mass., 31. Coffin, Charles, 34. Bright, Mrs., 68. Coffin, Eliza, 73. 8 INDEX. Coffin, Lydia, 34. Coffin, Mary Barrett, 34. Cogswell, William, 24. Colesworthy, D. C, 27. Colesworthy, Daniel P., 42, 47. Collins, 47. Commencement, 41. Coney, Daniel, 69. Contribution money, 80. Cotton Hill, 14. Crowell's lot, 14. Cummings, Alex., 75. Cummings, Sumner, 24. Cushman, Bezaleel, 23. Cutter, Edward F., 24. Cutter, William, 25. Darracott, William, 75. Dartmouth College, 31. Day of fasting, 72. De Cheserau, 74. Dere Island, 13. Diary from 1 761 to 1766-71. Dickey, Capt., 77. Dorchester, 16, 33. Doubt, Dr. Nyott, 76. Doubt, Mrs., 78. Dow, Neal, 24. Draper, Mr., 74. Dummer Academy, 22. Duren, Charles, 26. Duren, E. F., 26. Dwight, Wm. T., 32. Early Schools in Bos- ton, 13. Eell, Sarah, 68. Election, 41. Eliot school-house, 17. Empress of Russia, 71. English grammar, 40. Europe, 24. Evening school, 71. Everett, Edward, 36, 45. Exchange street, 43. Exeter, N. H., 23. Faneuil Hall, 44. Field, Mary, 36. First Parish Church, 25. Fowles, Rebekah, 33. Fox, Edward, 26, 27. Gardner, Francis, 30. Genealogical Register, 24. Governor and Council, 43. Granary burial ground, 35. Grant, Anna, 79. INDEX. Greenleaf, Stephen, 75, Jenkin, Capt, 76. 76. Jewett, Jedediah, 27, 29. Haines, Edward P., 27. Hamlin, Cyrus, 29. Hampton, N. H., 31. Harrod, Benj., 68. Harvard College, 22, 30. Hebron, Me., 23. Hicks, Hezekiah, 15. Hicks, Zachariah, 34. High School, Portland, 25. High Street Church, 29. Holbrook, Abia, 16. Holmes, Nathaniel, 68. Holyoke, Samuel, 16. Howard, Joseph, 25. Hutchinsons, 17. Hutchinson, Edward, 14. Hutchinson, Thomas, 14. Illsley, Silas, 26. Independence, 41. Ingersoll, Elizabeth, 68. Ingraham, 47. Ipswich, 19. Jackson, Henry, 28. Jackson, Timothy, 69. Kendall, Amos, 23. King of Spain, 72. King, Rufus, 22. Langdon, Mr., 79. Laughton, John, 79. Leach, Mrs., 77. Leache, Mr., 75, 79. Leverett, T., 78. Libby, Joseph, 25. Lloyd, Dr., 77. Longfellow, Henry W., 24. Longfellow, Stephen, 22, 24. Lothrop, Ellen, 21. Lovell, John, 16. Lovell, James, 16. Love, Susan, 14. Maine, 47. Maine Congregational Conference, 26. Malcom, Mr., 78. Marblehead, 21. Martinico, 72. Massachusetts, 33. 10 INDEX. Massachusetts Charita- ble Society, 36. Mather, Cotton, 20. Merrill, James, 27. Middlebury College, 29. Moncton, Gen., 72. Motley, John Lothrop, 30. Moody, Franklin C, 27. Moody, Samuel, 22. Morrison, John H., 30. Mountfort, 47. Neats, Samuel, 79. New England, 14, 19, 21, 30, 34, 37- New Haven, 19. New North Church, 80. New York, 32. North Bennet Street, 17 North Grammar School, 1 6. North School, 15. North Writing School, 15,34,37- Old South Church, 43. Old State House, 43. Page, Thaddeus, 36. Parents and guardians of private scholars, 68. Parker, Joel, 24. Parsons, Theophilus, 22. Patten, Stephen, 38. Payson, Edward, 26. Perkins, Jn'o, 72. Phillips Academy, 31. Phillips, Wendell, 30. Pittman, 47. Portland, 25, 28, 29, 31, 47- Portland Academy, 24. Portmorte, Philemon, 13. Portsmouth, 28, 31. Preble, Edward, 22, 24. Prince, Mr., 71. Prince, Hugh, 32. Prince Street, 35. Proctor, John, 15, 16. Proctor, Master, 75. Prophecies, 20. Queen Street School, 15. Roxbury, 43. Salem, 21. Saltonstall, Mary, 68. INDEX. II Scholars from 1761 to 1765,49. Scholars from 1778 to 1789, 55. Shattuck, George C, 30. Shaw, Jason, 26. Shepley, Ether, 24. Shippard, William, 68. Shurtleff, Roswell, 31. Shurtleff, Nathaniel B., 30. Sigourney, Capt., 72. Smith, 47. Smith, Henry B., 26. Southack, Capt., 15. South Boston, 16. South End, 42. Southgate, Horatio, 26. South Grammar School, 1 6. South Writing School, 15, 16. Stackpole, Charles A., 26, 27. State of Maine, 47. Stevens, Mad'm, 73. Strong, Caleb, 22. Stuart, the celebrated, 44. Symonds, Mr., 74. Tansur singers, 74. Third Parish Church, 26, 32. Thomas, Elias, Jr., 79. Thomson, Mr., 20. Tileston, Hannah, 33. Tileston, John, 16. Tileston, Timothy, 33. Tucker, Phil., 69. Vernon, Capt., 74, 75. Vermont, 26. Vinal, John, 16. Wainwright, Mr., 14. Walpole, N. H., 30. Washington, George, 41, 42. Washington Street, 42. Waterville College, 26. Webber, Mr., 79. Webb, Mr., 76. Webb, Nathan, 36. Webb, Sophia, 36. Whitmore, Maj.-Gen., 7i. Willard, President, 22. Williams, 47. 12 INDEX. Will, Mr., 74. Writing School, Queen Winslow, Albert, 32. Street, 16. Wiswall, Peleg, 16. York, Me., 22. EARLY SCHOOLS IN BOSTON. THE first settlers of Boston, as soon as they opened a house for public worship, commenced looking after the education of their children. As early as April 13, 1634, at a meeting called by the inhabitants of the town, "it was gen'ally agreed upon, that our brother, Philemon Portmorte, shall be entreated to become schoole-master for the teaching and nourtering children with us." January 10, 1642, " Dere Island" was ordered to be improved for the mainte- nance of a Free School for the Town. In the year 1647 a law was enacted, by the General Court held in Boston, for the establishment of Public Schools throughout the province. One reason given by our wise fathers for the education of the young was, that " Satan " had a 14 MASTER TILESTON. " strong hold of ignorance," and the estab- lishment of schools and general instruction would tend to counteract the influence of that "ould deluder." This legislative enactment was undoubtedly the first law of a similar import in New England. In March, 1652, the town provided for the enlargement of the " skoole house." March, 1696, it was voted in town- meeting to build a house for a writing school at Cotton Hill, "adjoining the ould schoole house." In 1717, a school-house was located upon the Common, " adjoining to Crowell's lott, over against Mr. Wainwright's." March n, 1718, at a town meeting, Thomas and Edward Hutchinson offered to build a school-house at their own ex- pense, for a free writing school at the north part of the town, and it was voted that part of the land bought of Mrs. Susan Love be taken for that purpose. At a town meeting, September 28, 1720, a committee was appointed " to consider about erecting a spinning school for the EARLY SCHOOLS IN BOSTON. I 5 instruction of the children in town," and the committee recommended the building of a house for this purpose " in the waste land before Captain Southack's." In 1739 there were five public schools in Boston, in which nearly 600 pupils were taught. In the South School there were 1 20 scholars; in the North School, 60; in the North Writing School, 280; in Queen Street School, 73 ; in the South Writing School, 62. In May, 1749, the number of scholars had increased to 705, and in 1757 to 741. In 1743, Zachariah Hicks, usher in John Proctor's writing school, who had a salary of 150 pounds, petitioned for an increase of pay, and 30 pounds were added. The committee, appointed by the select- men to visit the public schools in March, 1758, was accompanied by the representa- tives of the town, overseers of the poor, and by several clergymen and physicians. They reported that the " Schools were all in good order." They found in the North Writing School 220 scholars ; in the 1 6 MASTER TILESTON. North Grammar School, 36 ; in the South Writing School, 240 ; in the South Gram- mar School, 115; in the Writing School in Queen Street, 230. Total, 841 scholars. At this period there were also several private schools taught in town. In 1764, the town voted to pay the following sums to the teachers : John Tileston, of the North Grammar School, 100 pounds ; Peleg Wiswall, of the same school, 100 pounds ; Abia Holbrook, of the Writing School on the Common, 100 pounds, and John Vinal, his assistant, 50 pounds ; John Lovell, of the South School, 120 pounds; and James Lovell 60 pounds, and John Vinal 50 pounds, ushers in the same school ; John Proctor, of the Writing School in Queen Street, 100 pounds, and Samuel Holyoke, of the same school, 80 pounds. By a legislative act in 1804, when a portion of Dorchester, now South Boston, was annexed to Boston, it was stipulated that the proprietors of the land, among other assignments, should set apart a lot EARLY SCHOOLS IN BOSTON. I/ on which a school-house should be erected, at some future period. The school-house, where Mr. Tileston taught, was a small building on North Bennet Street, where the Eliot school- house now stands. This is the lot given to the town by the Hutchinsons. From the commencement of the present century the Boston schools have continued to improve, so that now they are equal, if not superior, to any schools in the country. The best educated and most conscientious teachers are employed, and no small amount of money is yearly expended in various channels by efficient committees, to secure important results. Whatever has a ten- dency to advance the pupils and elevate the schools, is made available in every pos- sible direction. It is questionable if in any large city of the Union as much rigid care is observed to educate the young and to prepare them for the varied duties of life. The schools of Boston are distin- guished as model institutions, and the youth who are trained in them, being thor- 1 8 MASTER TILESTON. oughly prepared for any department in sci- ence or trade, find no difficulty in securing desirable positions ; the fact of their gradu- ation being a guarantee of their fitness, and the best recommendation they could offer. Many of our successful merchants, our statesmen, philosophers, and clergymen, have graduated from the Boston schools, and are now exerting a wide and salutary influence, not only in New England, but wherever civilization and religion have a dominance. That our schools may con- tinue to flourish and send forth streams to elevate and bless our common country and the world at large, should be the prayer of every moralist and every Christian. EARLY TEACHERS. EZEKIEL CHEEVER. EZEKIEL CHEEVER was born in London, January 25, 1614, and in 1637, at the age of twenty-three years, he came to New England, landing in Boston. In the fall of the same year we find him in New Haven, where, in 1638, he commenced teaching a public school, and where he continued his labors for about a dozen years. In 1650 Mr. Cheever removed to Ipswich, Massachusetts, taking charge of a free school. After teaching eleven years in this place, and making his school " fa- mous in all the country," he removed to Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1661, to take charge of a free town school that had been established in the place. After labor- ing nine years in Charlestown, he removed to Boston, January 6, 1670, where, not- 2O MASTER TILESTON. withstanding his age, he continued to teach the " Free Schoole" for a period of thirty- eight years. When he took charge of this school " it was agreed and ordered," by the committee, " that Ezechiell Cheevers should be installed in the free schoole as head master thereof : likewise that Mr. Thomson should be invited to be an assist- ant to Mr. Cheevers in his worke in the schoole." It was also agreed " that the said Mr. Cheevers should be allowed sixty pounds p. an. for his service in the schoole, out of the towne rates, and the pos- session and use of y e schoole house." Mr. Cheever was the author of one or two school books and a volume of three short essays on the Prophecies. He died August 21, 1708, aged ninety-four years, after having taught school for seventy years. Cotton Mather preached a sermon on the death of Mr. Cheever, a copy of which lies before me. " He Dy'd, Longing for Death," the good Doctor remarks. At the close of his sermon, Mr. Mather gives a quaint poem entitled, EARLY TEACHERS. 21 GRATITUDINIS ERGO. The master was " Praised and Lov'd of Well-instructed Youth," and, '.' All the Eight parts of Speech he taught to them, They now Employ to Trumpet his esteem." To " proclaim to Posterity " the worth of so excellent a man, we are told that " Ink is too vile a Liquor ; Liquid Gold Should fill the Pen, by which such things are told." Mr. Cheever was twice married. His first wife, a New Haven woman, died in 1649. His second wife, Ellen Lothrop, of Salem, died in 1706. He left several children whose posterity are numerous throughout New England. The late Ira Cheever, deacon of the Central Church in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and for many years a teacher in Salem, Marblehead, and Bos- ton, was a descendant of Master Cheever. 22 MASTER TILESTON. SAMUEL MOODY. SAMUEL MOODY, for thirty years Pre- ceptor of Dummer Academy at Newbury, Byfield Parish, Massachusetts, was born in York, Maine, in 1725 ; and was a son of Rev. Joseph Moody. He graduated at Harvard College in 1 746, and taught school in his native town until he was called to take charge of the Academy. Mr. Moody was a thorough Greek and Latin scholar, and prepared for college many a student who became celebrated in after life. Among his pupils in York and Newbury were President Willard, of Harvard ; Caleb Strong, Governor of Massachusetts; Ed- ward Preble, the distinguished Commo- dore; Judge Stephen Longfellow, grand- father of the poet ; Theophilus Parsons, and Rufus King. Mr. Moody was a remarkably faithful in- structor, and labored indefatigably to im- press upon the minds of his scholars their duties to each other and to their Creator. He was exemplary in the discharge of every EARLY TEACHERS. 23 duty, and prompt in all his engagements. He died in Exeter, New Hampshire, De- cember 14, 1795, aged seventy years. BEZALEEL CUSHMAN. BEZALEEL CUSHMAN, a native of Hebron, Maine, was born September 14, 1785. His father was one of the first settlers of the town. Naturally a studious boy, at the age of sixteen years he had acquired a good knowledge of the common rudiments of education, and was thought competent to teach a district school, which he did to the satisfaction of the committee; but feeling the need of a more thorough educa- tion, he prepared himself for college, and entered Dartmouth, supporting himself by teaching during his vacations. Mr. Cushman graduated in 1811, in a class, several of whom became celebrated. Among others, Amos Kendall, Postmas- ter-General ; Nathaniel H. Carter, whose 24 MASTER TILESTON. letters from Europe, several years ago, at- tracted no little attention, and which in 1825 were published in two octavo vol- umes ; Caleb Chase, for several years a teacher in Portland and other places ; William Cogswell, D. D., first editor of the GenedKogical Register ; Chief-Justice Joel Parker and Ether Shepley, LL.D. In 1815 Mr. Cushman took charge of the Portland Academy, and for twenty- six years continued in the faithful perform- ance of his duties. Among his pupils were Stephen Longfellow, Jr., Henry W. Longfellow, Edward Cutter, Edward Preble, Sumner Cummings, Neal Dow, and our venerable friend, John Bagley, of Portland. The latter two only are living. In 1841 Mr. Cushman relinquished his duties as teacher, and obtained through the influence of his former pupils, a situation as Surveyor of the Port of Portland, which position he retained for the space of ten years. He was subsequently clerk of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad Company. EARLY TEACHERS. 2$ A conscientious, upright, Christian gen- tleman, for a long period Mr. Cushman was one of the deacons of the First Parish Church in Portland. He died June 21, 1857, aged seventy-one years and nine months. JOSEPH LIBBY. JOSEPH LIBBY was born in Buxton, Maine, December 13, 1793. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, but seriously injuring himself while at work, he was not able to continue his laborious employment, and commenced a course of study preparatory to a collegiate education. He entered Bow- doin, and graduated in 1821, in the class which contained among others William Cutter, Daniel Clark and Joseph Howard. Soon after leaving college Mr. Libby was chosen principal of the High School in Portland, which had just been established, where he continued a faithful and efficient 26 MASTER TILESTON. teacher for nearly thirty years, preparing scores of young men for entering college, and for various duties in life. The writer was one of his pupils in 1824. Among our school-mates at this period were Bishop Horatio Southgate ; Edward Payson, son of the distinguished divine, and the author of several entertaining works ; Charles A. Stackpole, an able writer and ready speaker ; Rev. Silas Ilsley, a Baptist clergyman ; Professor Henry B. Smith, a distinguished theologian ; Deacon E. F. Duren, the indefatigable scribe of the Maine Congregational Conference; Judge Edward Fox, one of the ablest lawyers that Maine has produced ; Charles Duren, now settled over a Congregational church in Vermont ; Jason Shaw, who entered Waterville College and died while an undergraduate; and several others who have been more or less distinguished. For more than a third of a century Mr. Libby was a deacon in the Third Par- ish Church, and for as long a period he was superintendent of the Sabbath-school EARLY TEACHERS. 2/ connected with the parish. Always ready to speak in public, he took an active part in the conference meetings, and his seat was seldom vacant. In 1850 Mr. Libby resigned his position as principal of the high school ; at which time a large number of his former pupils assembled, and made arrangements for a public meeting, to present to their faithful teacher some memorial of their respect and love. A committee was chosen for this purpose, consisting of the following : Jedediah Jew- ett, Charles A. Stackpole, Edward Fox, John Appleton, D. C. Colesworthy, Ed- ward P. Haines, Franklin C. Moody, Syl- vester B. Beckett, and James Merrill; all of whom, with the exception of Charles A. Stackpole and the writer, after a period of thirty-five years, have passed away. Accordingly in August the old pupils convened and presented to Mr. Libby a beautiful silver pitcher. John Appleton, then a member of Congress, made an appropriate address, which was happily 28 MASTER TILESTON. responded to by Mr. Libby. It was an interesting occasion to all concerned. Mr. Libby died August 27, 1871, aged seventy- seven years. HENRY JACKSON. HENRY JACKSON was born in Chichester, New Hampshire, August i, 1783. For several years he taught school in various towns in his native State, until 1811, when he was called to teach in Portsmouth. There he remained, faithful in the discharge of his duties, until 1824, when the school committee of Portland induced him to re- move to that town and take charge of one of the principal schools in the place. He continued his labors for the space of twenty- six years, when in 1850, on the 22d day of August, he died at the age of sixty- seven years. In the winter of 1828 Mr. Jackson taught an evening school for young trades- EARLY TEACHERS. 2Q men and apprentices, where we had the pleasure of being numbered among his pupils. Cyrus Hamlin, LL.D., the distin- guished missionary, and now President of Middlebury College, was also one of the scholars. On one occasion Mr. Jackson gave out the subject of profane swearing as an essay for the pupils to write upon. A committee was appointed to decide to whom the prize should be awarded, and it fell to Cyrus Hamlin. Mr. Jackson for several years was a member of the Third Parish Church. At the formation of the High Street Church in 1831, he was set off with the writer and several others, to help form the new society, where he continued an active and useful member until the day of his death. Kind, genial, and intelligent, Mr. Jack- son secured the love and affection, not only of his pupils, but of scores of friends who sadly grieved when he departed. Mr. Jackson was the author of an arithmetic that was used for many years in the schools of Portland. 3<D MASTER TILESTON. His old pupils have erected over the remains of Mr. Jackson a substantial monu- ment as a token of their respect for his memory. FRANCIS GARDNER. FRANCIS GARDNER was born in Walpole, New Hampshire, March 15, 1812, and graduated at Harvard College in 1831, in the class with Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, John Lothrop Motley, George C. Shattuck, Wen- dell Phillips, John H. Morrison, and other men of distinction. Soon after leaving college he took charge of the Boston Latin School, where he remained a devoted and efficient instructor until his death a period of more than forty years. Mr. Gard- ner probably fitted more pupils for college than any other teacher in New England. In 1843 Mr. Gardner with great labor prepared a dictionary of the Latin Ian- EARLY TEACHERS. 31 guage, which has oeen extensively used in Boston and other places. Mr. Gardner died January 10, 1876, aged nearly sixty-four years. CALEB CHASE. CALEB CHASE was born in Chester, New Hampshire, February 4, 1783. He was a descendant of Aquila Chase, who emigrated to this country and settled in Hampton, New Hampshire, in 1640. Mr. Chase fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, and in 1807 entered Dartmouth College. While an undergraduate he connected him- self with the Congregational church, under the care of Rev. Roswell Shurtleff. Grad- uating in 1811, he commenced teaching in Bradford, Massachusetts. In 1817 we find him in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he taught the principal school in the place for two or three years. In 1820 Mr. Chase removed to Portland, Maine, and took charge 32 MASTER TILESTON. of the center Grammar School, as successor to Mr. Hugh Prince. The school-house was on Back Street, now Congress Street, oppo- site the Third Parish Church. The build- ing was burnt in the great fire of July 4, 1866, which destroyed nearly one third of the city. Mr. Chase, whose health was impaired, relinquished his charge and was succeeded by Mr. Albert Winslow. After Mr. Chase gave up teaching, for a season he kept a grocery store in Portland, and died September 20, 1850, aged sixty- seven years and seven months. The ser- vices at his funeral were conducted by his pastor, the late Rev. Wm. T. D wight, D.D. Mr. Chase married Susan Burrill, who died in 1856. He left several children. William Dwight Chase, of Brooklyn, New York, is the youngest son of Mr. Chase. JOHN TILESTON. AMONG the early settlers of New Eng- land we frequently find the name of Tileston. John, son of Timothy and Hannah Tiles- ton, who was born in Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, in 1701, was the father of John Tileston, who married Rebekah Fowles, January 21, 1730. These were the parents of JOHN TILESTON, who was born in Bos- ton, February 27, 1735. When John was an infant, he was severely burnt by falling into the fire, and the consequence was so serious an injury to one of his hands that the complete use of his fingers he never recovered. He was thus incapacitated for mechanical or other employments that required the full use of his hands. Not- withstanding this affliction the defective hand became perfectly adapted to the hold- ing of a pen and for writing. After leav- 34 MASTER TILESTON. ing school, at the age of fourteen, young Tileston was placed under the care of Zachariah Hicks, master of the North Writing School, in Boston, where he served faithfully an apprenticeship of six or seven years. A portion of this period Mr. Tileston was a school-mate of John Adams, the second President of the United States, who through a long and busy life tenderly remembered his early friend. They both died the same year. ' At the age of twenty-five, October 23, 1760, Mr. Tileston was married to Lydia Coffin, daughter of Charles and Mary Barrett Coffin. In 1762 Master Hicks resigned his posi- tion, and Mr. Tileston was elected principal instructor in the school, which position he retained, to the satisfaction of several committees, until he reached the advanced age of eighty-five years, when in 1819, feel- ing the infirmities of years increasing, with the decay of strength, natural to so long and laborious a life, he found it neces- JOHN TILESTON. 35 sary to resign and retire from his active duties. As Mr. Tileston had devoted more than seventy years to instructing the young, the committee were induced to continue his salary as- long as he lived. His death occurred on Friday, October 13, 1826, when he had nearly completed his ninety- second year, and after a happy married life of sixty-six years. Services at his funeral were held at his late residence, No. 65, Prince Street, on Saturday, where many of his fellow-citizens and his old pupils col- lected to pay their respects to one greatly beloved. His body was interred in the Granary burial ground. His wife, Lydia, survived him four or five years, and died May 21, 1831, aged ninety-five years. Provision had been made by the proper authorities to continue a salary sufficient for the support of Mrs. Tileston during her life. Mr. Tileston's will is dated March 5, 1814. He left to his wife the property he 36 MASTER TILESTON. possessed. The witnesses to the will were Nathan Webb, Mary Field, and Thad- deus Page. Mrs. Tileston's will is dated October 20, 1827. According to the schedule her prop- erty amounted to $5,233.67, which she left to a nephew and four nieces, with a portion to Sophia Webb. Although Mr. Tileston was not wealthy, he had frequent opportunities, which he cheerfully improved, of bestowing chari- ties liberally on the unfortunate and desti- tute. Sympathizing with the poor and distressed, he was one of the original projectors of the Massachusetts Charitable Society, which was one of the first benevo- lent institutions in the Commonwealth. He invariably attended the meetings of its members, which comprised many of the most respected and influential citizens of Boston. The late Hon. Edward Everett, who was a pupil of Mr. Tileston, and who was inti- mate with him as long as he lived, once remarked : " The only murmurs I ever JOHN TILESTON. 37 knew him to utter were when he could do no more good ; yet as fast as he had the ability, he poured the oil and the wine upon such as stood in need of assistance." Mr. Tileston was a strict disciplinarian, and his reproofs were administered with impartiality, and his punishments with rare judgment, as I have heard my father, who was one of his pupils, often remark. He never left in the minds of his scholars a feeling of disgust or rancor. They re- spected and loved him, even when he was administering the severest reproofs. Mr. Tileston's chirography was very uniform and neat, as I have noticed in the copy books in my possession, left by my father. The copies were written by the master, and the scholars endeavored to imitate them. I have seen the handwrit- ing of many of Mr. Tileston's pupils, who generally were excellent penmen. Mr. Caleb Bingham, author of the American Preceptor and the Columbian Orator, who was for many years an usher in the North Writing School, under Mr. Tileston, wrote 38 MASTER TILESTON. also a beautiful hand. I have before me a letter from Mr. Bingham to my old friend, the late Stephen Patten, of Portland, who was for a season an instructor in the school, which is a fine specimen of pencraft. As a portion of the letter relates to the school, I give an extract It is dated Boston, August 29, 1792: "I know you will participate in my joy, when I inform you that I have gained a complete victory over my school-boys. They are now near- ly as still in the school as the girls. I was obliged to relinquish my method of detain- ing them after school, on account of Mr. C.'s conduct. I resolved then to bring the matter to a crisis, and know whether I was master or not. I laid aside all books for the day and spent it in preaching. The next day I undertook to find what virtue there was in the old maple whig of seventy-six* I belabored them from day to day, till they finally gave me the victory. Now and then an old woman, and a few who are 1 This was a large ferule which had been used in the school for many years. JOHN TILESTON. 39 not worthy the name of men, and who oppose the doctrines of our forefathers, have murmured, and complained to the committee. But the boys are silent in school, and that is the main object with us; and I hope we shall be able to silence their parents. A certain Mr. Adams, whom we used to hear from last winter, came into the school this day with a complaint against the usher, and told us that he would not allow of his boys' receiving cor- poral punishment on any occasion what- ever. We shall, therefore, expel them for the next offence." The good penmanship, for which Bos- tonians have always been famous, is due in a great measure to the labors of Mr. Tiles- ton and his assistants, Mr. Bingham, Mr. Carter, and others. The merchants, me- chanics, and even the laborers of Boston, eighty, ninety, and a hundred years ago, who were taught in Mr. Tileston's school, seemed to be particularly uniform and cor- rect in their penmanship. A glance at old letters, day-books and journals of this 4O MASTER TILESTON. period, is convincing proof of the thorough- ness with which the pupils were drilled. Previous to 1789 there were few if any of the public schools in Boston where English grammar and some other branches of education were thoroughly taught, and so it fell to the lot of the master of the writing school to teach spelling, reading, and grammar, and Mr. Tileston was equal to the task. To this portion of his duties Mr. Tileston gave particular attention. He devoted several hours each day, from which nothing diverted him, to the training of his pupils. In early life I noticed that the Bostonians, who were taught in Mr. Tileston's school, were excellent readers and generally correct in their spelling, and seemed well fitted for almost any position in life. So much for the judicious and persevering labors of a faithful and devoted teacher, who was a thorough disciplinarian and sincerely loved his employment. Afternoons, when school was not kept, Mr. Tileston usually employed his hours of relaxation, when the weather was favor- JOHN TILESTON. 4! able, in fishing in the harbor, or in riding through the neighboring towns. Frequent- ly he took extended walks, accompanied by some of his friends, which he seemed particularly to enjoy. He was often asso- ciated with two or three of his former pupils, who esteemed it a perfect treat to walk or ride beside the " Master," as he was familiarly called, so dearly cherished and tenderly beloved. The anecdotes and reminiscences of former pupils, and of earlier days, which he rehearsed, afforded much diversion to them all. On Com- mencement, Election, and Independence days, he usually visited among his friends abroad, where he was cordially received and bountifully entertained. When his old pupils visited Boston, after a long absence, it gave him rare pleasure to invite them to his house, where he amply repaid them for their former kind- nesses. October 24, 1789, was a proud day for Boston, and for Mr. Tileston in particular. The illustrious personage, George Wash- 42 MASTER TILESTON. ington, was to visit the place, and exten- sive preparations were made by the town authorities to receive him. And the no little interesting part of the programme was the appearance of the school children in town, neatly dressed, with quills in their hands, full of smiles and radiant with de- light. My father, Daniel P. Colesworthy, who died in Portland, in 1852, was one of Mr. Tileston's pupils at this period. At my request he wrote an interesting ac- count of the occurrence which follows : " When General Washington visited Boston I was a school-boy. The day before he arrived Master Tileston told all the boys to come to school the next morn- ing with clean faces, and dressed in their best clothes ; each one to be particular to bring a quill with him. We followed our master's instructions, and accordingly the next morning we marched with the schol- ars belonging to the other schools in town; our school taking the precedence, and the South End school following in the rear. We marched to Washington Street, as far JOHN TILESTON. 43 as the upper corner of Exchange Street, where we halted opened to the right and left and formed a line on each side of the street, from Exchange Street to the Old South Church. At about half past ten o'clock the cannon on the Neck announced Washington crossing the line between Boston and Roxbury. The companies of militia of Boston and vicinity were out to escort him. A stage or bridge was built from the Old State House to the stores on the opposite side of the street, with arches underneath. It was covered with damask. Here the Governor and Council received him. An anthem was sung, as Washing- ton, with his hat in his hand, passed by us on his light gray horse. We rolled our quills between our hands, that the General might notice us. When school was dis- missed we called to see him, each one mak- ing a bow, which he politely returned. I saw him several times afterwards." Mr. Tileston, being an unobtrusive man, never expressed himself in a positive or dic- tatorial spirit. He was social and kind to 44 MASTER TILESTON. the most humble, and delighted especially to converse with little children. He was indeed a friend to the poor and unfortu- nate, and all classes felt perfect freedom in his presence. He had no children of his own, and so he seemed to be the parent of his whole school ; looking after them, advising with them, and leading them in paths of virtue and happiness. And so for years his memory was cherished by his pupils, till one and another yielded to the divine mandate and passed away, to rejoin their master, as we trust, in a better world. The following is a proof of the little esteem in which Mr. Tileston held himself. Several of his former pupils proposed to raise a sufficient sum of money to secure a full length portrait of himself, to be painted by the celebrated Stuart, and after it was finished to place it in Faneuil Hall, or in some other public place, but he would not consent. Finally, after much persuasion, he reluctantly yielded to the earnest desires of his friends. Thinking seriously over the matter, and feeling that no former JOHN TILESTON. 45 school-master had been thus honored, he prevailed upon the gentlemen to relinquish their design. In speaking of Mr. Tileston, Edward Ever- ett remarks : " Master Tileston was a writ- ing-master of the old school. He set the copies himself, and taught that beautiful old Boston handwriting, which, if I do not mistake, has in the march of innovation (which is not always the same thing as im- provement) been changed very little for the better. Master Tileston was advancd in years, and had found a qualification for his calling as a writing-master in what might have seemed, at first, to threaten to be an obstruction. The fingers of his right hand had been contracted and stiff- ened in early life by a burn, but were fixed in just the position to hold a pen and a penknife, and nothing else. As they were also considerably indurated, they served as a convenient instrument of discipline. A copy badly written, or a blotted page, was sometimes visited with an infliction which would have done no discredit to the beak 46 MASTER TILESTON. of a bald eagle. His long, deep desk was a perfect curiosity shop of confiscated balls, tops, penknives, marbles, and jewsharps, the accumulation of forty years. I desire, , however, to speak of him with gratitude ; for he put me on the track of an acquisi- tion which has been extremely useful to me in after life that of a plain, legible hand." Hundreds have remembered Mr. Tiles- ton with the same grateful feelings. There are but few living who attended his school. I know of but two or three, and it was at a period when Mr. Tileston was so infirm that he did little except to superintend the school, leaving the care of the pupils to his ushers. The descendants of his scholars are scattered all over New England, and, indeed, they may be found in nearly every State in the Union. It is a matter of regret that we have not a complete list of the names of Mr. Tiles- ton's scholars, which number many thou- JOHN TILESTON. 47 sands during a period of more than seventy years, but when he taught in colonial times, and in the early days of the republic, as much care was not taken as at the present period to keep a perfect record. The first list comprises the names of those who at- tended his school from 1761 to 1765, and the second from 1778 to 1789. We have no list of the scholars from 1766 to 1777; a period of eight or nine years. Neither have we a record of those who were his pupils beyond the year 1789. If there were records kept we have not been able to find them. However, what we have given will, I doubt not, interest the de- scendants of Mr. Tileston's scholars, where- ever they may have taken up their abode. At the commencement of the present century, several of his old pupils removed to Portland, as business was comparatively dull in Boston ; inducements being held out by the merchants of this thriving town, in the district of Maine. Among others we may mention the names of Baker, Boyd, Capen, Cobbit, Colesworthy, Collins, 48 MASTER TILESTON. Ingraham, Mountfort, Pittman, Smith, and Williams. Others went further east, and their posterity are numerous in the State of Maine. The diary of Mr. Tileston is a meager one ; but we have extracted from it every line that would be likely to interest the children of old Bostonians, and the de- scendants of his pupils. SCHOLARS WHO ATTENDED JOHN TILESTON S SCHOOL FROM 1761 TO 1765. Adams, Abraham Adams, Benjamin Allen, John Andrews, John Archibald, Edward Atkins, Charles Atkins, Henry Atkins, Nathaniel Atkins, Silas Audebart, Josiah Audebart, Philip Ayers, Henry Badger, Abel Badger, Stephen Baker, John Ballard, Benjamin Barber, George Barber, Nathaniel Barnett, Samuel Barns, Thomas Barrett, Samuel Bass, Joseph Bass, Philip Bazin, Thomas Bell, Daniel Bell, William Bennet, Michael Bennet, William Bicner, William Bill, John Biordan, Thomas Blasdell, Ephraim Blasdell, John Blunt, John 5<D MASTER TILESTON. Blunt, Ezekiel Checkley, John Bouve, Gibbon Sharp Checkley, John W. Brazer, Edward Checkley, Samuel Breck, Daniel Cheever, Bartholo- Bright, John mew Brickford, Alexander Clark, Joseph Brown, Ephraim Clark, Samuel Brown, Gawen Clough, Goodwill Brown, John Clough, John Brown, Joseph Coffin, Charles Brown, Joseph L. Colesworthy, New- Burbeck, Henry comb Burt, James Condy, Thomas Butler, David Connell, James Butler, Ephraim Coolidge, Benjamin Butler, Gilliam Coolidge, John Butler, Samuel Coppinger, Stephen Carter, William Cross, John Cathcart, John Cross, Joseph Cartwright, Thomas Cross, William Cartwright, Timothy Cullern, David Gary, James Cumber, John Gary, Samuel Cunningham, Thos. Cazneau, Joseph Darracott, David Chadwell, Benjamin Darracott, William SCHOLARS. Davis, Solomon Dickey, James Dillehunt, William Dinsmore, Archibald Dobel, John Dobel, Roleson Dodge, Ebenezer Dolbear, Benjamin Doster, Andrew Douglass, John Eayers, Henry Eddy, Joseph Edes, Ebenezer Edes, Jonathan Eliot, John Eliot, Samuel Englis, Thomas Eustes, Joseph Farmer, Thomas Foster, Edward Francis, Archibald Freeland, William Gardner, John Gardner, Thomas Gibbons, Bouve Goldthwait, Thomas Gordon, William Grandy, Joseph Greenough, David Greenough, Nathan- iel Greenough, William Greenwood, Isaac Griffith, John Hammatt, Benjamin Hammatt, Joseph Hancock, Samuel Harris, Samuel Harris, William Harrod, James Harrod, Joseph Hartt, Ralph . Hatch, Ezekiel Hatch, Nolen Hayden, Elkanah Heligar, Peter Hemmenway, Hervey, John Hill, Edward Hill, John MASTER TILESTON. Hill, Nathaniel Hill, Samuel Hitchborn, Samuel Hobby, John Holland, Christopher Hopkins, John Hooton, John How, John How, Joseph Howard, Nathaniel Howard, Samuel Howland, Joseph Hutchinson, William Ingerfield, John Inglish, Alexander Inglish, Thomas Inglish, John James, Thomas Jenkins, Benjamin Jenkins, Jonathan Jones, Benjamin Jones, John Jones, John Coffin Kiddle, James Lambert, Nicholas Langdon, Ephraim Langdon, William Larrabee, Thomas Leach, John Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, Philip Lillie, John Loring, John Lymmes, William Marchant, William Marble, Thomas Marrable, Thomas Marston, John Maverick, Samuel Maverick, Jotham Matthew, Fairservice McArthur, William McCleary, Robert McCleary, William Mclntyre, Daniel Mclntyre, James Mclntyre, Robert McLeod, Thomas Milliken, James Nazro, Isaac SCHOLARS. 53 Newell, Benjamin Newell, John Nichols, William Ogilvie, George Orr, John Page, Benjamin Page, Jonathan Paine, John Patten, Nathaniel Philips, John Pierce, Hardy Pigeon, John Prevear, Edward Prichard, Benjamin Prince, John Prince, Joseph Prince, Thomas Procter, E. Procter, Samuel Pulling, Joseph Rand, Waffe Raymant, Samuel Rea, Nathan Rea, Uriel Richards, William Richardson, Richard Richardson, Thomas Rickey, George Riddle, James Riddle, Thomas Ridgeway, James Ridgeway, Samuel Ridgeway, Thomas Ridon, Thomas Robb, George Robb, James Robb, Thomas Roberts, John Roby, James Roby, William Ross, James Ross, Matthew Saltonstall, Leverett Saunders, Robert Shaw, Francis Shaw, John Shaw, Samuel Shaw, Thomas Shaw, William Sheppard, Thomas 54 MASTER TILESTON. Sigourney, Andrew Sigourney, Anthony Sigourney, Charles Sigourney, Elisha Skillin, Simeon Skillin, Solomon Smith, John Kilby Smith, William Smith, William K. Smith, Richard Soper, Benjamin Spear, Nathaniel Stavers, Bartholo- mew Stevens, John Stevens, Wiswal Stoddard, Thomas Sweatser, Nathaniel Symmes, William Thayer, Cornelius Thomas, James Thomas, Jonathan Townsend, David Townsend, Thomas Treat, Robert Treat, Samuel Trout, Thomas Tudor, William Turell, Joseph Turner, Simeon Vaughan, David Vaughan, Nathaniel Vaughan, William Vernon, Thomas Walker, Richard Walsh, Jacob Walsh, John Webber, Richard Webber, Seth Wells, Francis Wells, Samuel Wendell, John P. Whatley, Robert White, John Whiting, Joseph Whitney, William Whyte, James Whyte, John Widger, John Willis, Charles SCHOLARS. 55 Willis, Nathaniel Woodman, Henry Williston, Joseph Woolven, John Williston, Josiah Wotton, James Winter, Joshua York, John SCHOLARS WHO ATTENDED JOHN TILESTON'S SCHOOL FROM 1778 TO 1789. Abrahams, Ralph Alley, Nathaniel Abrams, Joseph Ames, Thomas Adams, John Andrews, Ebenezer Adams, Joseph Andrews, Samuel Adams, Joseph N. Andrews, William Adams, Kidder Archer, Philip Adams, Philip Atten, Anthony Adams, Thomas Austin, Ebenezer Adams, Thomas V. Austin, Thomas Alesworth, Christo- Avery, Benjamin pher Baber, Nathaniel Alexander, Giles Bachoon, Benjamin Alexander, William Badger, Daniel MASTER TILESTON. Badger, John Badger, Joseph Bailey, Joshua Baird, James Baird, John Baird, Joseph Ball, Isaac Towns Ballard, Daniel Ballard, John Bangs, Edward Barber, Joseph Barber, William Barker, John Barker, William Barnard, John Barnard, Moses Barnes, Benjamin B. Barret, Jeremiah Barret, Joshua Barret, William Barrett, Smith F. Barross, William Barton, Jonathan P. Barton, William Bass, Elisha Bass, John Bass, Moses Bass, Philip Basset, Edward Baty, Gideon Baxter, Paul Bayley, John Bennet, William Bennett, John Bentley, Samuel Berry, Ebenezer Berry, Thomas Blair, Victor Blasland, Thomas Blasland, William Booth, John Booth, Jonathan Bowland, John Boyd, Ebenezer Boyd, John Boyd, William Braden, Bartholo. Bradley, David Bradley, Moses Bragdon, Nathaniel SCHOLARS. 57 Breck, Joseph Carey, Edward Breck, Samuel Carey, William Breed, John C. Carlton, William Brown, Nathaniel Carpenter, Samuel Brown, William Casneau, William Browne, Gibbins Caswell, Samuel Browne, John Chadwick, Joseph Bruton, John Chamberlane, Thos. Buckminster, David Chamberlane, Edw. Bulfinch, Samuel Champney, Caleb D. Bullmore, John Champney, Joseph Burdit, James White Chandler, Ebenezer Burstead, Benjamin Chandler, John Butler, Anthony Chandler, John T. Butler, James Chandler, Joseph Cabbot, Joseph Cheeseman, John Cades, Samuel Cheeseman, Samuel Callender, Ebenezer Christy, James Callender, John Christy, Roland Campbell, John Clark, Benjamin Capen, Edward Clark, John Capen, Stoddard Clark, Jonas Capen, Thomas Clark, Joseph Car, Benjamin Clark, Nathaniel Carder, Richard Clark, Samuel 58 MASTER TILESTON. Clark, William. Cornell, Cornelius Cleary, Robert Coverly, John Clive, Philip George Craft, Edward Clough, John F. Cross, Thomas Clough, Joseph Cunningham, Wm. Clough, William Cumber, John Cobbit, Charles Curtis, Benjamin Cobbit, John Gushing, Damon Cobbit, Thomas Custain, Ezra Cobbit, William Dakin, Joseph Cole, Charles Daly, John Cole, Elisha Darricot, William Cole, Jacob Davies, Joshua Cole, Samuel Davis, Elisha Cole, Willam Davis, John Colesworthy, Dan'l P. Davis, Joseph Colesworthy, Nath'l Davis, Nathaniel Collins, Clement Davis, Robert Collins, John Davis, Samuel Colpran, James Dawes, Edward Conner, John De Cartevet, John Cook, James Devens, Richard Coome, Ezekiel Dillaway, Thomas Cooper, John Dinsdell, John Cooper, Samuel Doak, John SCHOLARS. 59 Doak, William Emmons, Joshua Dodd, George Emmons, William Dodge, Samuel Fairservice, Robert Dodge, Unite Fanning, James Dodge, William Fanning, Thomas Dolbeare, Benjamin Farnham, Henry Downes, Isaac Farnham, Newark Downes, Shubael Farrey, John Downes, Simeon Farrey, William Drummond, Andrew Fellows, Jonathan Drummond, George Felts, Richard Dunnell, Samuel Fenley, Robert Dyer, Joseph Fenno, William Dyer, William Fitzgerald, Thomas Edes, Edward Flagg, Benjamin Edes, Thomas Floyd, Richard Edwards, Abraham Folts, George Edwards, Alexander Folts, William Edwards, Richard Fosdick, Phineas Eliot, Samuel Foster, John Ellingwood, Ralph Foster, Moses Brown Emmes, Clark Freeland, John Emmes, Henry Freeman, Isaac Emmons, Aaron Freeman, Thomas Emmons, Henry Gardner, William 6O MASTER TILESTON. Garrett, Joseph Hall, Jacob Gallop, Benjamin Hall, Timothy Gallop, Richard Hallen, Christian Givin, Nathan Hallet, Job Gleason, Benjamin Hallowell, Samuel Godfrey, Moses Hallowell, William Goldthwait, Benj. Haman, Casper Goldthwait, John Haman, Edward Goodridge, James T. Harding, Isaac Goodridge, John Harris, Isaac Goodridge, Sam'l W. Harris, Leach Grabb, Samuel Harris, Samuel Grant, James Harris, Stephen Greenleaf, Oliver C. Harris, Nathaniel Green, John Brown Harris, William Green, Richard Harrison, William Green, Robert Hartt, Edward Greenough, David Hartwell, John Greenough, John Haskell, Mark Greenough, William Haskins, Richard Groom, Richard Hatty, Michael Hagger, Benjamin Hayden, Joseph Haley, Charles Hayden, Samuel Haley, Daniel Hausst, Joseph Hall, Edward Hayter, Stephen SCHOLARS. 6 1 Heath, Andrew Hitchborn, John Heath, E. Hitchborn, Nathan'l Heath, Samuel Hitchborn, Philip Heath, Thomas Hitchborn, Samuel Heath, William Hodges, Charles Heffron, Jeremiah Hodges, Leonard Hemmenway, David Holland, Thomas Herfimenway, Ebe'r Homer, Andrew Hemmenway, Israel Homer, Samuel Hemmenway, Joseph Homer, William Hemmenway, Peter Hopkins, David Hemmenway, Sam'l Hopkins, Henry Henley, Charles Hopkins, Nathaniel Henley, James Home, Joshua Herdand, Nathaniel Hotty, Joseph Hewes, Nathaniel P. House, Edward Heyler, William Howard, Samuel Higginson, John Howe, Nathaniel Hiller, John M. Howe, Robert Hillman, Robert Howe, Thomas Hills, Elias Hudson, William Hills, John Hunt, John Hills, Samuel Hunt, Joseph Hitchborn, Barret Hunt, Samuel Hitchborn, Benjamin Hyler, William 62 MASTER TILESTON. Ingalls, Benjamin Ingalls, Robert Ingalls, Stephen Ingerfield, Paul Ingerfield, Peter Ingerfield, Thomp'n Ingersoll, Abraham Ingersoll, John Ingraham, Nathaniel Ingraham, William Jackson, Daniel Jackson, George Jackson, Henry Jackson, John Jarvis, Benjamin Jarvis, John Jarvis, Samuel Jenkins, Joseph Jenkins, Samuel Jenkins, William Jenks, Henry G. Jenks, William Jennison, John Jennison, John L. Jennison, Samuel Jones, James Kemble, Thomas Kennedy, William Kent, John Kettell, Thomas Kidder, Abraham Kidder, Joseph Kirkwood, James Kissick, Francis W. Knox, Barnabas Knox, Robert Kuddock, Samuel Kust, Enoch Laka, Samuel Lamb, Samuel Lambert, George Lambert, John Lambert, Thomas Lambert, William Langley, Daniel Larkin, Freeman R. Larkin, Samuel Lask, Robert Laughton, Dan'l W. Lawrence, Joshua SCHOLARS. Lawrence, Thomas Leach, Melineuse Lewis, Amos Lewis, George Lewis, James Lewis, John Lewis, Thomas Lilley, Henry Lillie, John S. Lillie, Jonathan Lillie, Thomas Linn, James Litchie, Thomas Lombard, James Lombard, Thomas Lord, Alexander Lord, John Lord, Robert Lord, Samuel Lord, William Loring, David Loring, Edward Loring, Henry Loring, Joseph Loring, Thomas Loring, William Lothrop, John Low, Cornelius Luckins, Thomas M. Luckis, Benjamin Magean, Moses Makins, Samuel Malborn, Godfrey Mansfield, Amos Marten, Abiel Martin, John Marstin, Nathaniel Mason, Samson Matchett, William McCarty, Charles McClarey, William Mooris, Joseph Meers, Daniel Meers, Nehemiah Meisories, William Meisories, Joseph Mellage, James Mellage, John Milldollar, Philip Mills, James 6 4 MASTER TILESTON. Minns, Henry Minns, Thomas Mitchell, John Moody, William Moore, Thomas Morgan, John Morris, Thomas Morse, Samuel Moseley, David Mountfort, Joseph Neat, John Newcomb, William Newman, John Newman, Joseph Newman, Thomas Newman, Timothy Noble, Arthur Noble, James Noble, John Norton, Elisha Norton, Richard Oliver, Benjamin Oliver, Ebenezer Oliver, Joseph Oliver, William Pitt Owen, Benjamin Page, Benjamin Palmer, Andrew Palmer, Francis Palmer, Samuel Parkman, Samuel Peak, John Peak, Ralph H. Pendexter, Alex. Penny, Henry Perkins, John S. Perkins, Samuel Pierce, John Badger Pierce, Jonathan Pierce, Joseph Pierce, Thomas Pierce, William Piermont, John Piermont, Thomas Pike, Benjamin Pike, Enoch Pike, Timothy Pittman, Joshua Policy, Jacob Pook, Charles SCHOLARS. Presson, Nicholas Prout, James Pulsifer, David Pulsifer, James Ramsdell, David Rand, Isaac Rand, James Rattey, William W. Rayment, Edmund Raymond, William Rayner, John Revere, Paul Rhoades, Ebenezer Rhoades, Isaac Rhoades, Jacob Rhoades, John Rhoades, Stephen Rice, Richard L. Richards, John Richardson, Jona. Ridgeway, Philip Riverley, William Robbins, Francis Robbins, James Roberts, Benjamin Roberts, John Tate Roberts, Thomas Roberts, William Robinson, Benjamin Robinson, Edward Robinson, John Rogers, Joseph Rogers, Samuel Rose, Philip Ruddock, Edward Ruddock, John Salmon, John Saunders, William Savage, William Seward, Benjamin Seward, Thomas Skelton, Stephen Skelton, William Sigourney, Anthony Sigourney, Peter Sinclair, Thomas Singleton, Thomas Skillen, John Skillings, Neh. W. Skinner, David 66 MASTER TILESTON. Skinner, Richard Skinner, Simeon Skimmer, William Smith, Francis Smith, Robert Smith, Robert H. Smith, William Smithwick, Francis Snelling, James Snelling, John Snelling, Joseph Snow, Ambrose Snow, Jeremiah Snow, Thomas Snow, Simeon Spence, Peter Starr, Joseph Starr, William Stevenson, Benj. Stevenson, Thomas Stillman, John Stillman, Samuel Stoddard, David Stoddard, Seth Stodder, Jonathan Stone, Samuel Swift, Benjamin Symmes, John Tate, Thomas Frail Taylor, Benjamin Tenneys, Richard Thomas, Alexander Thomas, George Thomas, John Thomas, Joseph Thomas, Thomas K. Thompson, David Thompson, James Tileston, John Townsend, David Townsend, Samuel Tucker, John Tucker, Samuel Turner, William Tyler, Edward Tyler, Ellis Vincent, George Vincent, Joseph Vincent, Thomas Waine, Edward SCHOLARS. 67 Waine, Thomas B. Weld, Giles Waine, William Wells, Benjamin Walker, Ezekiel White, Ebenezer Walker, John White, Samuel Walker, Joshua Whitman, Edward Walker, Newark J. Williams, Edward Walker, Thomas Williams, John Wallace, Samuel H. Williams, Thomas Walls, Samuel Williston, Friend Walls, Thomas Williston, John Warner, Daniel Williston, Joseph Waters, Samuel Woodward, William Webb, Nathan Wyer, David Webb, Thomas Wyer, John Webb, William Yandells, Samuel Welch, William PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF JOHN TILESTON'S PRIVATE SCHOLARS, 1761-62. In 1761 and 1762 Mr. Tileston taught a private school for boys and girls, in con- nection with his public school, as I learn from his diary and his ledger. He kept a regular account with the parents and guard- ians of his pupils, whose names are given below. In his accounts with the parents and guardians I find that they were all charged with " Books, Pens and Ink." The price of tuition was three pounds a quarter. Besides paying for their own sons and daughters, Nathaniel Holmes paid for Sarah Eell's schooling ; Benjamin Harrod for Mary Saltonstall ; Mrs. Bright for Elizabeth Ingersoll; William Shippard for PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. 69 Phil. Tucker, and Daniel Coney for Tim- othy Jackson. Adams, William Cheever, William Allen, Widow Eliza. Clemens, James Andrews, John Clough, John Atkins, Henry Clough, Joseph Atkins, Silas Coney, Daniel Badger, Abel Crosby, Mrs. Mary Bailey, James Dexter, Samuel Baker, Widow Mary Dobel, John Baker, Nathaniel Eliot, Andrew Bass, Philip Emmerson, Edward Boucher, Thomas Eustis, Joseph Breck, Widow Fairservice, James Breed, Nathaniel Goldthwait, Thomas Bright, Mrs. Greenwood, Nath'l Brown, John Hammett, Benjamin Brown, Jonathan Hancock, Nathan Butler, John Harrod, Benjamin Butler, Mrs. Mary Hill, Alexander Campbell, Mr. (tailor) Hobby, Rev. Mr. (of Carey, Jonathan Reading) Carey, Richard Holmes, Nathaniel Checkley, Samuel Horton, John MASTER TILESTON. How, Joseph Rowland, Nathaniel Hutchinson, Thos. Jenkins, David Jenkins, Jonathan Jones, Ichabod Lenox, David Lewis, Philip Loring, Nathaniel Page, William Paine, William Parkman, Mrs. Phillips, Richard Prebble, Col. Procter, Benjamin Pulling, John Rand, Nathaniel Rea, Uriel Robb, James Ruddock, John Russell, James Savage, Samuel P. Shaw, Francis Shippard, William Sigourney, Andrew Skillin, Simeon Snelling, Mary Spear, Nathan Stoddard, After Stone, Thomas Thomas, Elias Thomas, James Thomas, William Townsend, Shippy Tudor, John Turell, Joseph Wells, Francis Wendell, Mrs. Han- [nah White, John DIARY OF JOHN TILESTON. 1761 to 1766. 1761. Sept'r 15. Had a new Hatt of Mr. Prince. Price 12. Sept. 20. My old Hatt new lin'd. Oct'r 12. Open'd Evening School. Oct'r 24. Great wind. Oct'r 26. Went to B y. Gave M r 5 Doll's. (Great storm.) Bot. 4 Cords Wood, cost 2. Bot. 10 Baskets Char- coal, ^3 os. od. Nov. 4. Bo't 12 Baskets of Coal, $ i os. Dec. 6. Paid the Excise on Tea and Coffee. Dec. ii. His Excellency Major Gen- eral Whitmore was drowned. 1762. Jan. 5. Died, Elizabeth, Em- press of Russia. Declared war against Spain. 72 MASTER TILESTON. Jan'y 15. Window's Sash put up new, and fence painted and Cellar Doors ; new Hearth ; new Floor ; new fence between Latin School. Feb. 1 6. Martinico taken by the Eng- lish ; General Moncton, Commander. April 14. Declar'd war (at Boston) against the King of Spain. May 7. 137 Boys at School at one Time in the forenoon. May 10. 139 Boys present at one Time. May 17. 136 Boys present. May 18. 140 Boys present. May 19. 136 Boys present. June 14. 158 Boys present at once (afternoon). July 3. I had of Mr. Jn'o. Perkins, 2 Rheams of Paper; one at 5-10; the other at 4-10. July 28 was observ'd as a Day of Fast- ing and Prayer throughout the Province, on account of the Scorching Drought. July 30. We had a fine soaking rain, almost all day. Aug. i. 137 Boys present at school. DIARY. 73 Aug. 23. 133 Boys present (exclusive of private scholars). Aug. 27. Capt'n Sigourney sent me a Jugg of Rum. Sept. 7. Began to take in Wood at School. 137 Boys present (exclusive of private scholars). Sept. 7. Took the house of Mad'm Ste- vens, at ;ioo per annum. Lodg'd in it the 1 3th of September. (Graining.) Sept. 7. 30 feet of Wood at School. 10 feet more Oct. 8. Sept. 8. Bought a knife of Mr. S-g-d. Cost 2os. old ten. Sept. 22. 6 feet do. at house. Oct. 8. 12 feet do. at do. Oct. 10. 36 feet do. at do. Sept. 30. We had our roast beef frolic at hog Island. Died the 3Oth Sept. Eliza. Coffin, Daughter to Brother C. Coffin, aged 7 years and 9 months. Oct. 21. Mr. Allen gave me a present of z 1 5 s. old ten. Oct. 29. Began to make Fire at School. 74 MASTER TILESTON. Began to take the Newspapers of Mr. Draper, at $os. per annum. Paid 25^. in part thereof. Nov. 4. Bot. of Mr. Symonds .(our Milk Man) 4 Barrels of Cyder at 50.?. old ten, per Barrel ;io. Nov. 6. Tack put up. Nov. 15. Bot. 6 Baskets of Coal for i i6s. Nov. 16. The Tansur Singers at my House. J 763- Jan. 13. Renew'd my Licence. Mr. Will and De Cheserau being my bondsmen. Feb. 2. Bot. 4 Baskets of Coal for 2os. March 23. Capt'n Vernon sent me a present 2 doz'n of pickle Limes, Cocoa Nuts and other sort of Nuts. Capt'n Cartwright sent me some pickle Limes (a pail full). April 26. My Desk brought home. May ii. 145 Boys present (exclusive of P. School). Aug. 2. I had of Mr. Ballard 8 Cord- DIARY. 75 wood for my House and Aug. 3 I had 6 Cord for School at 6 per Cord. Aug. 4. Our frolick at Spectacle. Aug. 9. Capt'n Vernon sent me 1-2 Dozen Oranges. Aug. 9. The Singers at my House. Aug. 10. Peace proclaimed at Boston. (Training Day.) Thursday, 25th of Aug., died the Rev'd Mr. Alex'r Cummings, ae 37. His dis- order was the bilious Cholick. Sept. 1 6. Mr. William Darracott took the Key of the Barn he to give 5 Dol- lars per year as rent for the same. Sept. 23. B-r-d of Mr. L-h ^50 old ten, to pay Interest for the same till paid. Sept. 26. Lent Master Proctor 1,000 quils. Oct. 10, lent 1,000 ditto. Dec. 27, lent Mr. Proctor 100 quils. Jan. 4, 2,000 ditto. Oct. 22. I transplanted a Mulberry Tree of Mr. Leache's. Oct. 22. Stephen Greenleaf came to my house. 76 MASTER TILESTON. 1764. Feb. 23. Singers at my House. Ap'l 9. Stephen Greenleaf came again after having the Small-pox. I gave 3 pistoreens for my 6 Ovals. Ingredients for I quart of Ink 4 ounces of Galls of Aleppo, 2 ounces of Copperas, 2 ounces of Gum Arabic. May 7. Capt'n Jenkin paid me and made an allowance of 2os. for keeping me so long out of my money. June 7. Doct'r Nyott Doubt died. Aug. 22. 147 Boys present, exclusive of private scholars. Sept'r 15. I had a pair of gold buttons of Mr. Webb. Oct'r 29. Paid Mr. Sam'l Barret ; 15.00. Old Ten's, it being what I gave towards building the new north Steeple. I had a new Russel Gown. 1765. Feb'y 4. I had the following Reams of Paper of Mr. Caleb Blanchard, viz,, i of 9 ; i of 6, 7, 6 ; i of ,3, 15. Total 19 2s. 6d. Paid the I4th of Nov'r, 1765. DIARY. 77 Feb'r 23. Bought a Hog which weigh'd 244 Ibs. Cost ^30 los. 6d. March 14. Bought i Ream of Paper at Deacon Barret's. Paid ^5 os. od. March 30. Chimney swept and Bacon put up. April 22. Chimney swept in the Kitchen. Ap'l i. Made I doz. Cyphering books with 10 1-2 sheets in each. April 6. Being Sabbath day Capt'n Dickey's house caught on Fire in the morning, just before the second Bell rung, but was speedily extinguished. In the afternoon of the same day we were again alarmed by Mr. Checkley's house being on Fire, and it like to have prov'd a great Fire. Every thing was mov'd out of the House, and the top of the House was in- tirely broke open. April 8. Mrs. Leach del'd of the 7th son, successively. April 22. Apply'd to Doct'r Lloyd. April 30. Mr. Bartlett sent me a Dozen of Bristol Beer. 78 MASTER TILESTON. April 30. Rev'd Mr. Penuel Bowen was Ordained to the Pastoral Care of the New South Church and Colleague with the Rev. Mr. Checkley. (We broke up school and went.) May 1 8. Bought of Mr. Salter 8 Slates for 48^., and 100 pencils for 15^. June 12. Had of Mr. T. Leverett 2 Rheams of Paper. (July had 2 quires blue paper.) June 26. The Select Men visited the Schools. Aug. 2d. Had two Cords of Wood of Mrs. Doubt, from Mr. Gable's Wharff, at $ los. per Cord. Aug. i. Made 6 doz. best books. Aug. 8. Made I doz. Cyphering books, 10 1-2 sheets in each. Aug't 21. Had of Mr. Malcom 12 Cord and 1-2 of Wood (6 1-2 at School), at ^5 los. per Cord. Sept. 1 6. Bought of Capt'n Boroughs at the Town Dock ten thousand quills at . per thousand. I likewise bought at DIARY. 79 the same place 4 thousand for Master Proctor. Sept. 14. Mr. Elias Thomas, jun., bought Eleven Hundred Quills for me at 4s. per hund. Little after, Mr. Thomas bought two thousand four hundred more. Oct. 10. Made 5 1-2 doz. books, best paper. Nov. 14. I had a pair of double soled pumps of Mr. Webber, ^3 IDS. Nov'r 21. Died, Master Langdon (of a fever) ae. 32 yrs. Nov'r 27. Mr, Carter's Father died very suddenly. Dec'r 26. Miss Anna Grant died of a Consumption. 1766. Jan'y 25. School Chimney al- tered. Cost i 2s. 6d. Sept. 4. I was a Bearer to Mr. John Laughton's wife. Sept. 29. Bought a Ream of Paper at Deacon Barret's. Cost 6 i$s. Nov. 20. Mr. Samuel Neats died, greatly lamented by all who were acquainted with him, aged 44. 8O MASTER TILESTON. Among other matters the Diary con- tains the amount Mr. Tileston " put into the Contribution box" every Sabbath for several years, commencing 1763. The amounts vary from ten and three pence to nine shillings. The aggregate is a no trifling sum for a man in moderate cir- cumstances. There is also " An Account of Contri- bution Money for my Pew, since Jan'y ist, 1768," to Dec., 1774. The sums vary from ten shillings to one, two, and three pounds. Mr. Tileston worshiped at the New North Church. THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. -IBRARY FACILITY