CONNECTICUT, COLONY OF

(1647), passed the School Law of Connecticut, similar to the Old Deluder Satan Law passed in the Colony of Massachusetts, 1642. This law helped to prevent illiteracy, as well as the abuse of power over a population ignorant of Scriptures, as had been the case in Europe. The law stated:

It being one chiefe project of that old deluder, Sathan, to keepe men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former time, and that learning may not be buried in the grave of our forefathers in church and Commonwealth. …

It is therefore ordered by this Court … that every township within this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty howshoulders, shall forthwith appoint one within theire towne, to teach all such children as shall resorte to him, to write and read. …

and it is further ordered, That where any towne shall increase to the number of one hundred families or howshoulders, they shall sett up a grammar schoole for the university.360