1677-05-19At a meeting of the selectmen May the 19,1677 it is agreed between said selectmen in behalf
of the town and Mr. Samuel Hardy that the said Mr. Hardy is to begin to teach a school according
to the utmost of his ability & in ordinary learning and to take a faithful account and receive pay
according to ordinary rates which other schoolmasters have of all scholars presenting to the school
for the town abovesaid and the said Hardy is to have the meeting house to teach school in during the
summer time and some other place against Winter to begin on the twenty-eighth of this instant May
and to attend the teaching of school for one-year next ensuing. In consideration whereof it is agreed
that if the particular payments do not amount unto the sum of £20 the town shall make good the sum
of twenty pounds aforesaid and the said Hardy shall if the revenue of the school amount unto more
in the year, return the overplus to the town abovesaid– by ordinary learning is meant reading, writing,
arithmetic and Latin according to his ability and the said Hardy is to give an account quarterly how
the sum doth arise and scholars present unto the school.