Most towns in New England had several schools by the early 19th century. Residents paid taxes to support these schools and to pay teachers. Families were expected, however, to provide the textbooks and other items such as slates, ink, pens, and paper. A teacher would instruct a student only in those subjects for which they had been taught. The local store carried books and other necessary school supplies. Most scholars began with a simple speller or reader. Such books were often passed down by older brothers or sisters who had advanced beyond them. John Pierpont’s The Young Reader is typical for this period. Most of the lessons and stories contain a moral, and most revolve around a plot that points out the differences between right and wrong.
Pierpont, John. The Young Reader, To Go With The Spelling Book. George F. Cooledge, 1835. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/g-read-13022/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
Please note: Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.