mer, 137 in the Winter; average number in Summer, 125, in Winter, 78. Amount granted by the town for the support of Schools, $ 430. Two Private Schools were kept in the town at an expense of $300. The interest of their Surplus Revenue money is appropriated for the support of Schools.

The School Committee of Georgetown made no return of their Schools the last year. Therefore, we can only say they had 336 persons between the age of 4 and 16 years; granted $600 for the support of schools; the interest of their Surplus Revenue money is also appropriated for the support of Town Schools. A High School for youth of both sexes has been kept in the town for several years past, in addition to their common Town Schools.

POPULATION.

The first census of the inhabitants of the Province of Massachusetts Bay was taken in 1763; being an unpopular measure, it was not very accurately taken. According to that census, the Province then contained 235,810 whites, 5,214 blacks; total, 241,024. The return from Rowley has not been found.

In 1776, another census was taken, when it was found Massachusetts contained 343,845 whites, 5,249 blacks; total, 349,094. Rowley, at this time, contained 1678 inhabi

tants.

In 1784, a State census was taken; the State then contained 357,710 inhabitants. The return of Rowley is not found.

Since 1790, a United States census has been taken every tenth year, commencing with that year. By which it is found, that,

The two last were taken per order of the General Court.

TAXES AND VALUATIONS.

The following is a copy of the record of a tax for 1691, and is the earliest on record.

"In obedience to a warrant from the Treasurer, dated ye 9th June, 1691, requiring the Selectmen of Rowley to assess upon the estates of the several inhabitants of our town, our proportion of £ 24,000, which amounts to £391 4s. 4d., either in money or in public bills of credit, or grain, or provisions, at the prices specified in the warrant. have therefore proportioned the same as follows, viz.

We

* The expense of the Revolutionary War had been so great upon the inhabitants of this town, that some became discouraged, sold their estates, and, with their families, moved to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and other places; thereby reducing the population of the

town.

+ Maine is not included above.

By an act of the General Court, passed in 1671, ministers of the gospel were exempted from taxation.

A Province Valuation was taken in 1771, in which the town of Rowley stood as follows, viz.

Upon this valuation, the county of Essex paid £ 175 9s. 3d.; and Rowley, £ 63 10s. of £1000. Rowley was about 1 to 161. In 1691, Rowley paid about 1 to 61. The foregoing valuation was taken by

A State valuation was taken in 1781, in which the town of Rowley stood as follows, viz.