Dorchester MA Forms First School Funded By Local Taxes – 1639

Dorchester MA Forms First School Funded By Local Taxes – 1639
In this episode we learn about the first colonial school funded by local taxes.
From the Book:
Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664

Transcript:

Greetings, in this episode we learn about the first Colonial school funded by local taxes.
This story is related in my book, Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664, available on the web site, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com.

On May 20, 1639, the people of Dorchester, Massachusetts held a meeting in the First Parish Church of Dorchester. They voted to establish a tax to fund an elementary school. They would name it The Mather School, after Richard Mather. The Boston Latin School has the honor of being the first public school in British North America. It was not a free school, though. The Mather School is the first known school funded by local taxes.
Dorchester, Massachusetts
Dorchester came into being when eight men disembarked from the ship Mary and John. They landed on the Mattapan, or Mattaponnock, Penninsula on June 17, 1630. The original settlement was at the intersection of current Columbia Road and Massachusetts Avenue. Prominent Puritan minister Rev. John White lived in Dorchester, Dorset, England. He lobbied intensively for a Puritan settlement in the colonies. Thus, the Puritan colonists named it Dorchester.
Richard Mather (1596 – 22 April 1669)
Congregational minister Richard Mather emigrated from Lancashire, England on June 3, 1635. Toward the end of the voyage, their ship encountered a terrible hurricane. The fierce storm almost foundered the ship, shredding its sails and tearing away three anchors as it raged. At length the storm abated and the ship limped to Boston where the passengers disembarked on August 15, 1635. In England, he had established a reputation as a great preacher. Several congregations in New England wanted his services. He chose the church at Dorchester and served there until he died. He authored several books during his lifetime. His son, Increase, and grandson Cotton, were among the most influential of the New England ministers.
Mather School
The original school stood on the site now occupied by the Dorchester Fire House. Children of all grades shared a one-room school. This model served many American schoolchildren until the early Twentieth Century. One teacher taught all grades. Most children could walk to the school. However, those too far to walk rode a horse drawn wagon called a kid-hack. The original building stood until 1694.
Mather School
1 Parish Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
http://www.matherelementary.org

The episode is based upon my book, Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664, available on the web site, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. The book is the first book in the 6 volume Timeline of United States History Series . Discover some of the famous and almost forgotten historic stories of America. The story begins with the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 and the beginnings of the concept of limited government and ends, for now, with the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775. Before getting started, I would encourage you to subscribe to the Mossy Feet Books You Tube channel for more great content. If you like my videos, please hit the “Like,” button. The more likes I get the more You Tube will show it to other people, allowing me to grow the channel. I also entreat you to visit my website, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. There you will find sample chapters, podcasts, a slew of content and links to where you can buy my books. While visiting the web site you can subscribe to it and receive email notifications of when I publish a new book or other content, like this video and podcast. If you like what I am doing, please purchase a book, as it helps fund my work.
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