112 
Urdahl—Historical Survey of Fee Systems. 
deficiency for those pupils whose parents were too poor to pay. 
This led to regular appropriations. As the schoolmaster did 
not receive enough fees for his pedagogic services to support 
himself and family, he was compelled to supplement his income 
from this source by serving in other capacities. In fact it was 
quite customary to have him serve in an ecclesiastical, educa¬ 
tional, and public capacity 1 at one and the same time, and for 
each of these services he received fees. In this way, that is, 
by holding several offices, the schoolmaster was able to obtain 
a livelihood out of the few meager fees, which each position 
yielded. 
The relation of the fee system in colonial days to higher edu¬ 
cation, is an important subject which can only be touched upon. 
Many license fees were early turned over to support colleges and 
schools. 2 In Virginia the charter of William and Mary College 
provided that it should receive the fees and profits of the sur¬ 
veyor-general’s office, which at that time were not inconsider¬ 
able in amount. 3 In the same spirit is an early law of Maryland 
which provided that all sums received for marriage, ordinary, 
hawkers’ and retailers’ licenses on the Eastern shore be applied 
to the use of Washington College, 4 and that all those collected 
on the Western shore be applied to St. John’s College. 5 6 
Boone’s Education in the United States , p. 12, foot-note. The 
duties of a New England schoolmaster were: (1) to act as a court 
messenger, (2) to serve summons, (3) to conduct certain ceremonial services 
of church, (4) to lead Sunday choir, (5) to ring bell for public worship, (6) 
to dig graves, (7) to take charge of school, (8) to perform other occasional 
duties. 
2 Ferry between Boston and Charlestown licensed 1659. Revenues granted 
to Harvard College. Colonial Laws , Mass., p. 139. 
3 Virginia law of 1752 granted the receipts of peddlers’ licenses, at the 
rate of 20£ for each license, to William and Mary College. Statutes, Hen¬ 
ning, VI, 245. Another law of 1759 reduced these fees to 3£ for each 
license. Ibid., VII, 285. 
A Laws, Md., 1784, Ch. 7, §§ 3, 5, 6, 8, 15. 
6 Ibid., Ch. 37, §§ 22, 23, 32. 
