History of Marshfield v. 1, p. 145

[Thanks to Linda Smith for transcribing this chapter]

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Public Schools in Marshfield.

   The Old South School, located at South Marshfield and established in 1645, was among the earliest public schools in New England.   An account of this school was given in an historical address by Mrs. Sarah E. Bosworth, of Pembroke, Mass. (formerly a pupil of the school in later days), before the reunion of the Old South School in Marshfield, Sept. 10th, 1891, and from which sketch I make the following quotations:
   "Two years after Green Harbor became a township, and but one after it was first call Marshfield, we find the first recorded act in regard to town education, passed June 14, 1642, and in August, 1645, Marshfield made the first movement toward a public school in the Plymouth Colony by twelve of her principal men, including Edward Winslow and others, pledging themselves not only to pay for their own children's schooling, but a certain sum towards others.   This act passed in 1642, was revised in stronger language in 1658, and printed in the General Laws of the Colony in 1660, and is as follows:
   " 'Forasmuch as the good Education of children is of Singular behoofe and benefit to any Commonwealth, and whereas many Parents and Masters are too indulgent and negligent of their duty in that kind;' 'It is ordered that ye chosen men appointed for managing the prudential affairs in the several precincts and quarters where they dwell, shall have a vigilant eye over their neighbors, to see First, That none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of the families, as not to endeavor to teach by themselves or others, their Children and apprentices so much learning as shall

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