The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

HISTORY OF DORCHESTER. 465
" voted that their request be complied with." This
vote was subsequently reconsidered, more than three
hundred persons having signed their names in opposition to the granting of the afternoon aforesaid.
In 1839, a primary school was established at
"Little Neck," now "Washington Village," $100
having been appropriated by the town for that purpose.
In 1844, the afternoons of Wednesday were granted to the schools from the middle of May to the
middle of September. At the close of this term,
the teachers desired a continuance of the grant.
In this connection it may be interesting to give
the sum total of holidays allowed the children and
teachers, under the " regulations" thirty years ago.
These were, "the afternoon of Saturday and of all
town-meeting days for the choice of public officers;
the two Election days (being the last Wednesday in
May and the first Monday in June); the fourth of
July, and Commencement day." The children were
also allowed to go to the sacramental lectures, without losing their standing in the class, if their parents were inclined to send them; and the master
might " dismiss his school at an earlier hour," if it
were " agreeable and convenient " for him to attend
said lecture. In addition to this, the general visitations of the schools took place semi-annually, in the
months of March and September, when the committee would grant the children "one day of relaxation," " at the time most agreeable to the teacher,"
which was usually the day succeeding the " visitation," or examination," as it was generally called.