and being unable to do duty, he returned home in October. Soon after his return, he was stationed at Castle William, as a seargent. In the absence of his superior officers, which was frequent, the care of the garrison devolved on him; he had also charge of the sutler's store.

While at Castle William, he was honored with the acquaintance of many repectable and literary friends in Boston and vicinity. Having a fondness for books, he improved his leisure time in reading; devoting his attention chiefly to the study of surgery and physic. Under the direction of the surgeon of the garrison, and by the friendly aid of Drs. Whitworth and Jeffries, he made considerable prcficiency, and had so much the confidence of the faculty, that the medicines and the sick were frequently intrusted to his care. He was resolute, punctual, and faithful; and these traits of character were continued through life.

Though advised by the physicians named above to pursue his medical studies, and promised aid in his establishment in Boston, yet encouraged by a number of literary friends, he resolved to obtain a collegiate education. Messrs. Davis and Phillips directed him in his studies, and several gentlemen, particularly, Mr. Barnard, son of the governor, furnished him with books. He continued at Castle William, discharging the duties of his station, till ready to commence his residence at college. On the last day of his service at the garrison, he waited on the Governor and other company, as commanding officer of the day, gave up his commission, presented his sword to his successor, repaired to Harvard University, became subject to authority, and, in the evening, rung the bell as butler's freshman. He possessed in uncommon degree, the confidence and friendship of his instructers and fellow students, and was active in associations for improvement. He was graduated in 1771, and continued at college in the study of theology.

After preaching some time in Andover S. P., he was invited unanimously to settle in the ministry, and was ordained 22d Sept. 1772.

He devoted himself to the duties of his station, which he discharged, both in public and in private, with assiduity and success. His discourses were plain, practical, and unadorned. His voice was pleasant, strong and piercing; his delivery was animated, and often pathetic; his manner was serious and solemn. He was a popular preacher.

He was serviceable to his people as a physician; but his attentions in this respect, with the medicines, were gratuitous.

He was a friend to liberty and his country, and did much to encourage the people in the revolutionary war. On hearing of the battle of Bunker Hill, he immediately took his gun and surgical instruments and repaired to the army, and was in season to assist in dressing the wounded. He always considered it his duty to use his privilege in voting for the officers of the State and general government.

His temper and sensibilities were quick and keen, but he had them under control. He had a facility of imparting instruction and consolation to the afflicted, and of instructing and impressing the minds of the young in his visits to the schools, and in his catechetical lectures.

He was hospitable, cheerful, and benevolent, was beloved and esteemed by his parishioners and a large circle of acquaintance.

He was an active and useful Trustee of Phillips Academy, was greatly desirous of promoting good learning and morals, and assisted gratuitously by his books and instructions, many young gentlemen in their preparation for the ministry.

Being well acquainted with human nature, his advice and assistance in composing difficulties were frequently

sought and highly valued. During his ministry, he was invited to attend seventy eight ecclesiastical councils for ordinations and other purposes.

His religious opinions were in most points Calvinistic; but he was candid and catholic in his feelings and conduct, and held good fellowship with his brethren of widely different sentiments.

He died suddenly of a paralytic affection, July 28,1809, in the 70th year of his age, and 37th of his ministry. Rev. Mr. Stone of Reading preached at his funeral from John

14: 28.

His publications were-Sermon against Extortion, 1777; at the ordination of Rev. D. Oliver, Beverly, 1787; at the ordination of Rev. Abiel Abbot, Haverhill, 1795; at the General Election, May 25,1796; at the Anniversary Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, 1798; at the ordination of Rev. J. Kendall, Plymouth, 1800; at the ordination of his son, Rev. Jona. French, North Hampton, N. H. 1801; at Evening Lecture, Portsmouth, 1805; Charge at the ordination of Rev. E. Pearson, LL. D. Sept. 12, 1808.

Mr. French was married, Aug. 26, 1773, to Miss Abigail Richards. She died Aug. 1821, aged 79.-His children were Abigail, born 29th May 1776; wife of Rev. S. Stearns, Bedford. Jonathan, born 16th Aug. 1778; minister of North Hampton, N. H. Mary-Holyoke, born Aug. 1781; wife of Rev. Mr. Sperry, Wenham.*

The first seven ministers of Andover attained nearly the average age of 73 years. The first minister left Andover, 1647. The average time of the ministry of the other six was about 44 years. An unusual length of life and of ministry.

*See Rev. Mr. Alden's Memoir of Rev. Mr. French,

CHAP. VI.

EDUCATION--SCHOOLS--ACADEMIES--
INSTITUTION.

THE early settlers of New England well understood the importance of knowledge and education. Many of the fathers of Massachusetts were well educated, and they exerted themselves to found a college, and to encourage schools to the utmost of their ability. The great mass of settlers, engaged in providing themselves and families with food and dwellings, could not be expected to do much in their plantations besides supporting the gospel and maintaining religious and moral instruction.

The Legislature, in 1647, considering the great importance of a general diffusion of knowledge, made provision for free schools, by ordering that every township of fifty famlies shall provide a school, in which children may be taught to read and write; and that every town of a hundred families shall maintain a grammar school, in which youth may be prepared for college; to which another law was added, in 1683, providing that every township, of more than five hundred families, should maintain two grammar schools and two writing schools; a burthen, which, considering the feeble means of the colony, and the dark period when it was assumed, was no doubt vastly greater, than any similar burthen that has been borne since; and when compared with the present wealth of the State, greater than any one of its civil expenses. It is a singular fact too, that no legal requisitions made since, have, even in name and form, come

up to this noble standard established by our poor and suffering forefathers in the middle of the 17th century.*

In 1701, it was voted, that a convenient school house be erected at the parting of the ways, by Joseph Wilson's, to be 20 feet long and 16 feet wide; and the selectmen were directed to employ a grammar school master from year to year. Soon after the division of the town, the grammar school was kept alternately in each parish. In 1714 a school house was built by the South parish, 22 feet by 16, and 6 feet stud.

Schools for small children were maintained by subscrip tion in various parts of the town, and kept by females.

For many years after the grammar school was supported, it does not appear that other schools were provided for by assessing the town.

In 1753, £25 were raised for reading and writing. In 1755, £45 for the grammar, and £35 for other schools. In 1757, £35 for grammar and £15 for other schools. In 1758, six schools were voted for the outskirts, 11⁄2 miles from the centre; and £35 for grammar, and £10 for other schools, and the same sums for the year following. From 1760 to 1771, £40 for grammar and £15 for other schools. From 1771 to 1777, £40 for grammar and £25 for other schools. From 1783, to 1785, £80 were raised for schools. The maintaining of the grammar school has been neglected from this period to the present time. From 1786 to 1790, £90 were raised for schools; 1791-4, £100; 1795, £120; 1796-7, £200. In 1795, the town was divided into twelve districts for schools, and the money raised was proportioned to each district according to the number of fam lies. There were at that time 401 families in the From 1798 to 1805, the sum raised was $800.

town.

* North American Review, No. 45, p. 453.