William Arms presented this handwritten and hand-decorated reward of merit to his student, Amos Hamilton, in 1795. The certificate recognizes Amos’ good behavior and attention to studies, as well as achieving the rank of first in his class. Amos may also have received from his teacher a small gift such as an inexpensive chapbook (a booklet, usually containing stories or poems). The Wisdom district school Amos attended was one of fourteen one-room schools in Deerfield, Massachusetts. As in other New England towns, the Deerfield schoolhouses were located near a cluster of houses, often at a crossroads. Schools were managed by district committees. Male heads of households elected committee members, who hired the teacher and maintained the school. Committee members and parents were required to make sure the school had firewood, as well as “board round the teacher”- provide a room and meals in their homes. The teachers, usually young men or women, typically stayed with a family for a week or two if they did not live nearby. There were two school terms- one in winter when there was little farmwork to do, and one in summer, between planting and harvesting times.
Arms, William. Reward of Merit to Amos Hamilton. January 19, 1795. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l01-070/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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