of land,' 'for the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of the free Grammar School in said Hartford. To have and to hold the said granted and described premises, with the appurtenances thereof unto the said (names the committee), and to such others as shall from time to time hereafter be lawfully appointed to provide for, superintend, order, and regulate the interest and concern of said school forever, upon this special trust and confidence, that the said granted and described premises, and the whole and entire produce, issues, and profits thereof, by the best discretion of the said (names the committee), or of such others as above said be hereafter to such purpose appointed, or of the major part of them, or of the survivors of them, be applied to and for the sole and entire use, benefit, and behoof of said school, from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter.' The land was deeded 'in consideration of the sum of £600 old tenor bills of credit.'

1765, Dec. 30.-The inhabitants of this town, taking into consideration the declining state of the Grammar School, and sensible that the interests and moneys belonging to it may yet be improved to better advantage to encourage and answer the ends preposed by the donors of such interests; but that some emendations may yet be made in the regulations thereof; it is therefore voted, that George Wyllys, Samuel Talcott, and William Pitkin, Jr., Esqs, or the major part of them, be and they are hereby appointed a committee in the room of the former committee, to hire a schoolmaster, and to take into their care all the interests, moneys, and securities belonging to said school, and to manage, regulate, and order the same for the best advantage thereof.

That said committee make full and clear entries in a book to be procured for that purpose, of all the stock, securities, and moneys that belong to the said school, and of all dispositions and disbursements thereof that shall be made from time to time. That the securities given, or to be given, for any of the said moneys, be renewed once in two years at least, without exception; or other wise to be put in suit, and to review the present state of securities and see that they are good. That the said committee, for the time being, do give written instructions to the master or masters that shall be employed to keep or teach in said school with regard to the rules he shall observe:-The method of teaching and admitting of scholars into the same; and it is especially recommended that such masters be instructed to take due care of the morals, as well as of the learning of the scholars. That said committee are empowered to impart to the committees of the first and second parishes in said town, what of their moneys are or shall come into their hands, and to treat with them, and to make such division of the said several interests as shall be just and right on the request of said parish committees. That said committee examine into and find the amount of the whole moneys belonging to said school, and state a fair account of the same, that it may be known, from time to time, how much the interest or annual revenue thereof may be.

The two following extracts from the Town Records are of interest and will explain themselves:—

1766, Dec.-Voted that Messrs. Daniel Sheldon, Benjamin Payne, and Thomas Seymour, Jr., be a committee to join with the present school committee and devise some method for the better regulating of the Grammar School, and lay the same before the next meeting of the town in order for their approbation.

1767, Dec. 13.-Whereas we were appointed by this town, at their annual meeting in December last, to devise some method for the better regulation of the Grammar School, and lay the same before this meeting for their approbation; and having considered of the circumstances of said school and the interests, securities, and moneys belonging to the same, do now report it as our opinion, that the following things and regulations are still further necessary in order to the promoting and advancing good literature and the interests belong. ing to said school, according to the original design thereof.

First. That the committee, for the time being, do, as soon as may be, review the present state of the moneys and securities belonging to said school, and see that they are safe and good, and immediately renew such as they shall think necessary.

Second. That the said committee find and deliver over to the several committees of the north and south districts, in the first and second societies in said town, the just proportion of the moneys in their hands belonging to the parish schools, taking their receipts for the same.

Third. That said committee call in all such sums of money under fifty pounds belonging to said school; and again loan out the same on good personal security, in such sum or sums as they shall think proper, not less than fifty pounds, unless any number of persons who have the use of said moneys in small sums will unite and put the same into one security, so as to make up the sum of fifty pounds money or revenue.

Fourth. That said committee be especially directed to demand and recover into their hands from such person or persons that now have or hereafter may have any of said moneys, upon their neglecting or denying annually to pay up the interest that may be due thereon; and that said committee do keep clear and fair entries, in a book prepared for that purpose, of their doings relative to said moneys, and of all the receipts, charges, and disbursements arising and belonging to said school, agreeable to the vote and direction of said town, at their meeting, December, 1765.

Fifth. That said committee, as soon as may be, use their utmost endeavors to obtain some meet person, duly qualified to undertake the keeping of said school, and to settle therein; and for that purpose, if need be, to make such alterations, or erect and make such additions to the buildings belonging to said school as will best serve and promote the good ends and designs of the same.

Sixth. That said committee, from time to time, give directions and prescribe rules to the master for the well ordering of said school; that they inspect and visit the same at least once every quarter of each year, and hear and attend the exercises and performances of the youth belonging to said school, on said quarter days, and desire some or all the ministers of said town, for the time being, to visit, assist, advise, and consult the best measures for the advancement of good literature in said school; and said committee, or the major part of them, do determine concerning the admission and number of scholars proper for said school. And we do also heartily recommend it to the several districts within said town, that schools be immediately set up and kept within the same, which will, in our opinion, greatly advance the best interests of the Grammar School, as well as virtue and education in general among all; all which is humbly submitted by the town's most obedient and humble servants,

George Wyllys, Saml. Talcott, Danl. Sheldon, Thos. Seymour, Jr.; Benj. Payne, Committee. Hartford, 13 Dec., 1767.

Voted, That the foregoing report of the committee, relative to the Grammar School, be and is accepted and approved by this town.

Voted, That Messrs. Daniel Sheldon, Thos. Seymour, Jr.; and Benj. Payne be added to and joined with this committee, appointed and empowered by the inhabitants of this town, in their meeting on the 30th day of Dec., 1765, to have and take the oversight and care of the Grammar School in this town, together with the lands, moneys, and all the interests appertaining to said school, in form and manner, as by the votes of the town, passed at any former or this present meeting, appointing and directing said committee and relating to said school is fully expressed and set forth.

The money to be divided with the 'committees of the first and second parishes,' was not, probably, any that had been given by private bequests to the 'Latin School,' 'Grammar School,' etc., but that derived from the public treasury under grants of the General Assembly. The preceding year, 1776, at the May session, an act had been passed, directing the 'excise on liquors, teas, etc.,' to be collected and appropriated to the use of schools.

Reorganization in 1789.

In 1789 (Dec. 14), by vote of the town, the pastors of the several churches in Hartford were added to the committee-viz., Nathan Strong of the First, Benjamin Boardman of the South Ecclesiastical Society, and Nathan Perkins of the West. These new members were present at a meeting of the trustees held on the 28th of the same month with George Wyllys, Thos. Seymour, Ephraim Root, John Trumbull, Esquires. Hon. Jeremiah Wadsworth, Chauncey Goodrich, Thos. Y. Seymour, Ephraim Root.

George Wyllys was chosen Chairman; Thos. Y. Seymour, Esq., Register; and John Trumbull, Treasurer of the Board.

The committee thus constituted took hold of the Free Grammar school with new vigor, and from that date we have a record of their proceedings under the title of 'A Book of Entries and Notes of the Trustees of the Free Grammar School in Hartford'—the earliest book of the committee now extant.

Voted, That John Trumbull, Chauncey Goodrich, and Ephraim Root, Esquires, be, and they are hereby appointed, a committee with full power and authority to examine into the present situation of the funds of said Grammar school, and the securities thereunto belonging, and to take all necessary measures for further security of said funds, and to settle and adjust all accounts open with said school, and report thereof make to this Board.

Voted, That the Revd. Mr. Strong, Mr. Boardman, and Mr. Perkins be requested to join Mr. Trumbull, appointed at a former meeting of said trustees, to digest a system of Rules and Regulations for the government of said school, and lay the same before said trustees at their next meeting. John Trumbull, Chauncey Goodrich, and William Mosely, Esquires, were appointed a committee to examine candidates for admission, and 'for examining sd school monthly.' Thos. Y. Seymour was added to same.

The records give accounts of two examinations under this regulation, but as nothing in particular had happened, there was no particular report made by the master.'

The town still manifested a desire to be kept informed in regard to the affairs of the school. At a town meeting, April 9, 1792, it was 'voted that the committee of the Grammar school report to the town meeting, to be holden in December next, the general state of that school, the nature of the grants and appropriations, the number of scholars in it, and the advantages which arise therefrom to individuals and the public.' What report was made is not recorded.

In April, 1793, it was voted by the trustees, 'that, that part of the regulations heretofore adopted for said school, that permits English to be taught two days in every week, be, and the same is, hereby annulled and repealed.' The free use of the Grammar school building was voted the preceptor for teaching the pupils' English branches and arithmetic in those hours not appropriated to said school, at the expense of the parents and guardians of said youths.'

At a meeting of the trustees of the Grammar school, holden at the house of the Revd. Mr. Strong, on the 6th day of January, 1790

Voted, That the following Rules and Regulations [rawn up by a committee consisting of John Trumbull, Esq., and the Revd. Messrs. Strong, Boardman and Perkins,] for the government of said school be, and the same are hereby established.

Rules and Regulations—1790.

First.-No scholar shall be admitted, but such as can read English without hesitation, write a good copy-hand, and have some knowledge of arithmetic. Second.-Every scholar, previous to his admission, shall be examined by two or more of the trustees of the school, who shall be appointed a committee for the purpose, whose approbation of such scholar, as qualified for admission, shall be certified in writing to the master.

Third.-The books used for instruction in said school shall be viz:

Perry's or Entick's Dictionary, Introduction; Latin Dictionary: Accidence; Grammar; Clarke's Corderius; Erasmus; Eutropius; Justin; Davidson's Virgil; Duncan's Cicero; Greek Lexicon; Greek Grammar; Greek Testament; English Grammar; Salmon's Geographical Grammar; Moore's Geography; Dilworth's Assistant; Moore's Navigation; Wild's Surveying; and such other useful books in addition to, or in lieu of any of them, as shall be recommended by the master and approved of by the trustees of said school.

No scholar shall be admitted into said school until he be furnished with said Latin Dictionary, Accidence and Grammar, Corderius and Erasmus, and said English Dictionary.

And all scholars now members of said school, or who may hereafter be advanced to higher classes, who shall neglect to procure any of the books before mentioned, necessary for their instruction, within one month after a notification from the master, shall be liable to dismission from the school by the trustees, or their committee.

Fourth-Every scholar shall constantly attend on the duties of the school, except only in case of sickness, or absence by leave of the master. Any scholar who shall be absent six half days in one month without leave shall be liable to dismission, unless satisfactory reasons for such absence be given to said committee. If any scholar shall attend the school half an hour later than the hour of attendance, two such instances shall be considered as half a day's absence. The master shall cause a regular Monitor's Book to be kept, and shall report the same once in every month to the committee of the trustees for their advice and direction.

Fifth.-Every scholar shall be liable to dismission for incorrigible misconduct or neglect of study, to be judged of by the trustees on report of the master. Sixth. The master shall principally attend to the instruction of his scholars in the study of the learned languages, and of those branches of the arts and sciences usually taught in collegiate schools. Two days in every week shall be devoted to the study of English grammar, writing, arithmetic, and geography, reading and spelling. English public speaking and composition shall be attended to, as important objects, so far as they may be consistent with the other studies before mentioned.

If any scholar be desirous of particular instruction in navigation, surveying, or any other branch of the arts and sciences taught in said school, he may be allowed to apply himself principally to that study three days in every week, at the discretion of the master.

Seventh.-At the end of every three months, there shall be a public exhibition and examination of the scholars before the trustees and other gentlemen, who will honor the school by their presence; at which time premiums will be given by the trustees to those scholars who excel in the various branches of learning taught in the school. The first of said examinations to be held on the first Monday of April next, and on the first Monday of every month hereafter a committee of the trustees shall examine the school, and receive and adjudge upon the report of the master relative to the conduct of the scholars.

Board of Trustees Incorporated in 1798.

On 23d of Dec., 1797, it was voted that the trustees make application to the town of Hartford, at their next meeting, for the appointment of agents to apply to the legislature for an act incorporating a Board of Trustees for the Grammar school in this town, to manage the interests of said school and the funds thereof, with powers and capacities of suing and being sued, impleading and being impleaded, and for such other powers as may be necessary for effectuating the objects of such an institution and of perpetuating the same.'

At the next town meeting, 'The foregoing application of the trustees of the Grammar school being approved,' it was

Voted, That the Rev. Nathan Perkins and Ephraim Root, Esq., be, and they are appointed, agents to apply to the Honorable Legislature of this State for an act to incorporate a Board of Trustees for said Grammar school, for the purposes and with the powers mentioned in the said above application.

On the 10th of January, 1798, the committee voted 'that John Trumbull, Esq., be desired to confer with Rev. Mr. Perkins and Ephraim Root, Esq., and to give them his aid in drafting a petition to the next General Assembly to obtain for the Board of Trustees of the Free Grammar school in this town, an act of incorporation, and also for such act in such manner as to give effect to the object of such institution, and that the funds of said school may be managed and preserved as the local interest of said school may require.'

A petition was drafted and presented to the legislature in May following, and an Act or Resolution of incorporation granted, of which the fol lowing is printed from a copy taken from the Record, 'and examined by Samuel Wyllys, Secretary.'

At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at Hartford on the second Thursday of May, 1798.

Upon the petition of the town of Hartford-RESOLVED, That the Honorable Thomas Seymour, the Honorable Jeremiah Wadsworth, the Reverend Nathan Strong, Reverend Nathan Perkins, Reverend Abel Flint, John Trumbull, and Thomas Y. Seymour, Esquires, all of said town of Hartford, and their successors, be, and they are hereby, constituted and declared to be from time to time and forever hereafter, one body corporate and politic, in fact and in name, by the name of the Trustees of the Grammar school in the town of Hartford; and by that name, they and their successors forever, shall, and may have, perpetual succession, and shall be persons in law, capable of suing and being sued; pleading and being impleaded in all suits of what nature soever; and also of receiving, purchasing, holding, and conveying any estate, real or personal, and may have a common seal, and may exchange and alter the same at pleasure.

And be it further resolved, That all the estate, real or personal, bonds, notes, and all other debts or property, of what nature and kind soever, belonging and appertaining to said Grammar school, in the hands and possession of the committee of said school, who have been heretofore appointed by said town of Hartford, or any of them, or of any other person or persons whatsoever, or in any other way or manner, shall be and the same is hereby vested in said trustees and their successors forever, with full power to receive, recover in law, and forever hold the same in their aforesaid capacity; and the said estate, real and personal, and all other property or estate which said trustees and their success