-JOHN DEVOTION, SCHOOLMASTEK. 153 In 1703 it was voted that the schoolmaster's abode should be paid after the rate of 4s per week in provisions at money price, and the salary of Mr. Devotion be raised four pounds in money "and pay for his Dyet." A good commentary on the schoolmaster's labors. In 1709, it was unanimously voted that the selectmen should agree with Mr. John Devo- tion, our former schoolmaster, for his services for six years ensuing. In 171 5 his contract expired. So happy are the relations between master and people that the selectmen are again authorized to treat with Mr. John Devotion. "At a Town Meeting in Swansea Oct. 4th, 171 5, Treated with Mr. John Devotion late schoolmaster of this town his time being out by former agreement the Selectmen being present Agreed with said school master John Devotion to serve ye Town of Swanzey the Term of Twenty years Insu- ing if he lives and remains capable to perform s'^ service to teach our Youth to Read English and Latin and write and Cypher as there may be Occation. Upon the several con- dishens following that is to say s** John Devotion is to Dili- gently and stedily to tend and Keep a school five months yearly and every year During the s** 20 years yt is to be understood as following viz. : October, November, Decem- ber, January, February, the two first months at or near his own dwelling house every year and to remove y® 3 Remain- ing months yearly to the several places here expressed yt is to say as far as Kekemuit to John Hails or there abouts and Elisha May's all in s** Town and to find him self board within s^ Limmits and further y® s*^ John Devotion is obliged to remove his schooling y^ latter 3 months to any part of s Town provided he hath his board upon free cost and con- veniency for y® school by any neighborhood or any particu- lar man orderly considered proper by y^ selectmen of s Town. "And the s** John Devotion is to have the sum of seven- teen pounds ten shillings yearly paid to him by y® s** Town for his service in his schooling y® term of the s*^ 20 years if he lives and performs s*^ agreement at s"^ meeting let out to-
