Coney Island Wonder Stories

History of Flatbush, continued


2d. The above named schoolmaster shall teach children and adult persons, low dutch and english spelling and reading, and also cyphering to all who may desire or request such instruction.

3d. The above named schoolmaster shall have for the instruction of every child or person, in low dutch spelling, reading and writing, the sum of four shillings: for those who are instructed in english spelling, reading and writing, the sum of five shillings: and for those who are instructed in cyphering, the suns of six shillings: and that for three months instruction: and also a load of firewood shall be brought for each scholar, every nine months, for the use of the school.

4th. The above schoolmaster shall keep school five days in every week: once in each week in the afternoon, the scholars shall learn the questions and answers in Borges Catechism: or the questions and answers in the Heidleburgh Catechism, with the scripture texts thereto belonging, or as it may be desired by the scholar or by his guardian, for any other day in the week, so as to be most beneficial to the one instructed.

5th. The above named schoolmaster shall occupy the school-house, wilh the appurtenances thereto belonging, in the same manner as the same was occupied by the schoolmaster, Petrus Van Steenburgh. Also, the above named schoolmaster shall be yearly paid by the Worthy Consistory, the awn of four pounds, to attend to the church services, such as reading and singing; and for the interment of the dead, the above named schoolmaster shall be entitled to receive so much as is customary in the above named town.

6th, and Lastly. The above agreement shall be obligatory for such length of time as the present schoolmaster shall render his services amongst us. But if it should happen that the town should not require the services f I he above named schoolmaster, any longer after the expiration of one year: in such case the schoolmaster shall have three months notice thereof, from the above authorized persons, or from such persons as may be thereto appointed. And if the above named schoolmaster should dire to discontinue his services, he shall in like manner give the town three months previous notice of his intention.

For the mutual performance of this agreement, we have signed this with our hands.


N. B. The above sums of money mentioned in the Third Article, shall be paid by those who send the scholars to school.


"Phillippus Nagel,
Johannes Ditmars,
Cors. V. D.Veer, Junr.
Anthony Welp."

We have not been able to gather any information relative to the character or attainments of these early schoolmasters. Nor have we met with any of their literary productions. We cannot, however, refrain in this place, from presenting the following rare specimen of poetic proficiency, which we find on the title page of the first Minute Book of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Kings. It was composed by J. M. Sperling of Flatbush, who was chosen clerk of the board, in the year 1716.


                "My loving Friends of this County See,
                That you hereby may Regulated Bee—
                        Fear God and Keep the Law with Love of one accord
                        And be Obdient to our Soveraigne Lord

Page 59


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