Who is Master Corlett, Samuel Corlett from Caleb's Crossing: A Novel and what is their importance?

Master Corlett is the elderly, absent-minded headmaster and owner of the school that Bethia works for as an indentured servant. Compassionate and sensitive, he is also close minded and prejudiced - like most of the men in the colony, he has a very clear idea of a woman's place, and while he admires Bethia's mind, is not convinced that her using it the way she wants to is entirely appropriate. Samuel is his son, more open minded to a point, enough so that he approves of Bethia improving her mind (at least to some degree) and respects her friendships with Caleb, Joel and Noah. He and Bethia eventually marry, aging into a generally happy, loving couple whose closeness remains even in Bethia's dying days.