Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1SS6. 183
was somewhat of a teacher herself. When the frame for the school-
house was being put np, all the young men to be found assisted at
the work, after which they repaired to Ely's tavern. The town
footed the bill. John Richards was schoolmaster here in 1683, and
two years later the town bought the house built by Edward Stebbins,
and sold to Samuel Ball for a school-house. Fines were imposed for
neglect to send children to school, and all were enjoined to send both
children and servants. The County Court in session at Springfield in
September, 1690, entered the following: —
The selectmen of the town of Springfeild being presented to y^ Last court at
Northampton for y'' want of a School to teach children in their town & on appearing-
in Court & informing that sinc^e they have gott an able schoolmaster &
that y^ affairs goe on to advantage soe they were discharged.
In January, 1694, the town empowered the selectmen to hire the
schoolmaster, a circumstance worthy of note, as it was no unusual
thing to elevate to the position of selectmen men who could not
write. Miles ^Morgan was an example. His " mark " was a rudely
drawn anchor.
Were we making a special study of taxation and the adjustment
of public burdens, much interesting matter would be found at this
period. The town's " country " tax was often paid in corn, it being
forwarded in 1680 by water at a cost of about £3. It seems that five
years later money was insisted upon at the Ba}' ; but Springfield and
Suffield secured a special permit to continue to pay in corn at a re-
duction of one-third of its market value. But the court, in granting
this concession, took oc(;asion to rebuke both towns for "• sundry
expressions " in their petition which " doe deserve sharpe reproafe."
Springfield was an applicant again in 1684 for a corn-paid tax, and
the following year the town voted : —
Whereas the Town did pass a Vote to pay Sam" Blisse Jun^ Constable the
Country money Rate in Corne at Counti-y price, w"^ an addition of halfe so