EDUCATION






<PRE>

The period between 1720 and 1755 was one of much social enterprise, and the 
subject of education gained some attention.  By education must be understood 
those few and simple attainments which the mass of people were wont to regard 
as sufficient.  To read, write and cast a plain accounts were all the 
requirements deemed necessary.  previous to this date the village had 
occasionally enjoyed the services of a schoolmaster.  
The first was Richard MILLS, who entered upon his duties in February 1661.  

In 1695 Ezekiel LEWIS, subsequently a distinguished lawyer of Boston, 
was engaged for a twelvemonth, and for his accommodations the town-house 
was put in repair.  

In 1729 George REYNOLDS appears to have occupied the town-house for the same 
purpose, but families in the distant parts of the town found the design of starting 
another school, at what has since borne the name Middletown.  Associating 
together they built a school-house  upon a piece of ground appropriated for 
the purpose by Joseph HALLETT.  

In 1734 several individuals living in Hell Gate Neck combined and erected  
a small house for a school to be kept in for the education of their children.  
It was located on the river road, where John LAWRENCE had presented as a site 
for the building ‘ one square rod of land, for which he gave a deed to his 
associates, 
Joseph MOORE, 
Thomas LAWRENCE, 
Cornelius BERRIEN, 
William LEVERICH and Hendrick WILTSEE.  

The residents south of Newtown village took measures in 1739 to build a 
school-house on a plot of ground twenty foot square given by Jacobus 
SPRINGSTEEN, who executed a deed for the same to his ‘loving friends 
Daniel STEVESON, 
Benjamin COE, 
Gabriel FURMAN, 
N. FURMAN, 
David SPRINGSTEEN, 
Ezekiel FURMAN, 
William Van DUYN, 
Jeromus REMSEN, 
Jacob SKILLMAN, 
Rem REMSEN, 
Abraham MOTT, 
Joseph FURMAN, 
Edward TITUS and Dow SUYDAM.  

The people near the English Kills were Not behind their neighbors, and 
they built a school-house about this period.  Jacob Reeder was the preceptor 
here for a long period; a useful man, and town clerk for above thirty years. 

In 1740 a house was erected ‘near the bridge at Newtown, the villagers being 
assisted by contributions from Liberal persons in other parts of the town.  
At this date, therefore, five school-houses, located at different points, 
testified to the desire of the inhabitants to furnish the means of education 
for their offspring.  The increased thirst for knowledge seemed to demand 
as early as 1762 a classical school, for such was established in that year 
at Hallet’s Cove. 

The Following is the teachers card,

TO The Public.--This is to give notice to all whom it may concern that 
William Rudge,late of the city of Gloucester in Old England,still continues 
his school at Hallet’s Cove, where he teaches writing in the different 
hands,arithmetic in its different branches,the Italian method of book-keeping 
by way of double entry, Latin,and Greek. Those who choose to favor him may 
depend upon having proper care taken of their children; and he returns thanks 
to those who have already obliged him.  The school is healthy and pleasantly 
situated, and at a very convenient distance from New York.  Letters will be 
duly answered directed to the said William Rudge, at Hallet’s Cove.

    We who have subscribed our names, being willing to continue the 
schoolmaster, as we have hitherto found him a man of close 
application, sobriety, and capable of his office, are ready to take in boarders 
at L18 per annum: 
Jacob BLACKWELL,
Jacob HALLETT jr., 
Thomas HALLETT, 
Jacob HALLETT, 
Jacob RAPELJE, 
John GREENOAK, 
Samuel HALLETT jr., 
William HALLETT, 
Richard HALLETT, 
Richard BERRIEN, 
Richard PENFOLD, 
William HALLETT, 
John McDONNAUGH.


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