The important subjects ... relative to schools engages in some degree the minds of Friends here but have little further to mention at present saving that the teachers employed in several schools appear to be those in religious profession with Friends.[735]
In 1790 it was reported that one of the preparative meetings was considering the purchase of a lot of ground for the purpose of schools,[736] probably that of Haverford. In July 1791 the committee on school affairs gave a pretty full report, at any rate the best we can get, on the condition of Radnor’s schools situated in each of the preparative meetings. The statement issued by the committee was the following:
The committee on schools also produced their report thereon in writing as follows—We ... take the interesting subject of schools into consideration, and to visit those wherein either our preparatives are concerned, have given unction thereto, and find that although there are divers schools kept in the compass of the monthly meeting, two only appear subject to the rule and direction of Friends, the one being at Haverford, kept in a house erected in a small lot of ground belonging to that meeting: This school we visited in company with a committee of that preparative, which to us seems under its present circumstances tolerably well conducted; but it does not appear there are funds established, the salary of the master being made up by the neighborhood subscription ... some poor children principally are taught, the expense whereof is defrayed out of a small annual income arising from a sum left by a friend for such uses.—The other school is at Radnor, the house being Friends’ property also; on a visit made to this school in company of a committee of that preparative meeting, we found it large at the time and under rules which appeared pretty well adapted for the government thereof, but the salary there, as in the aforementioned school, depends on the transient subscription, and therefore uncertain. At Merion and the Valley we have not discovered any progress made in laying a foundation for schools in the way proposed by the Yearly Meeting. After considering this weighty subject with attention we are of the mind the several preparatives (notwithstanding difficulties may occur) should be encouraged to a continuance of care and exertion herein as strength may be afforded; in order to carry into effect this desirable object among us.—Signed on behalf of the said committee by James Jones.[737]
The definition of the time when Concord established its first schools under the meeting’s care, is only possible within rather extended limits. We can only say that at such a time certain schools were in existence; earlier than that we have no authentic source of information. Jordan, in his History of Delaware County, places the date of Birmingham’s first school as 1806,[738] it being built on a lot conveyed for that purpose by John Burgess. From the report of the Concord Monthly Meeting in 1779, which will be presented later, it appears that Birmingham had a school at that date which was established “in some measure agreeable to the demands of the yearly meeting.”[739] It is spoken of as a regularly established school, which the writer has found in most meetings to mean that a house, master, funds, and sometimes a permanent lot were provided. This is merely suggestive. It certainly does not prove that there was a lot and building provided, but the indications are in favor of that, rather than against it. The same author, in reference to Upper Chichester, states,
In 1793 the Society of Friends established a school in Upper Chichester which was maintained by the Society until the public school system was introduced.[740]
The source for the statement is not given, but it appears it must be subject to the like inaccuracy suggested above in reference to Birmingham.
The report of the school committee which seems to contravert the time of the establishment of schools, given by Jordan, is herewith included.
We of the committee appointed to the care of schools and education of the youth, report we have in some degree attended to the importance of the service, have lately visited two schools, which are now established in some measure agreeable to the concern of the Yearly Meeting as recommended in the extracts for that purpose....
One of which in the verge of Chichester, the other Birmingham particular meeting; which visits, on observing the economy and regularity of said schools, have afforded us much satisfaction. With increasing desires for the establishment of another in the verge of Concord which unitedly appears to be much wanting as divers Friends now labor under very considerable inconvenience for want thereof. Signed by nine of the committee.[741]
In 1780 the minutes of the meeting state that another full report on schools was brought in, but such a report is not found in the minutes. In 1781, the question being revived by the receipt of the yearly meeting’s extracts, a committee of Joshua Sharpe, Richard Strode, Hugh Judge, Samuel Trimble, George Martin, and Caleb Pierce were appointed to take the extracts and visit each of the preparative meetings, at which they were to be read.[742] They further directed the time for Birmingham to hold their meeting, so that the visit of the committee might be arranged.[743] It is known that these visits were performed, and others following that date.[744]
It was noted in the committee’s report presented in 1779, that Concord did not yet have a school under its care,[745] though one was desired. The report of 1786 indicates that all of the preparatives were at that time supplied. A digest of the said report is produced here, also that of 1787.
The committee informed this meeting that they have appointed John Pierce Treasurer for Chichester, Joseph Trimble for Concord, and William Townsend for Birmingham. We also agree to report, agreeable to the request of the quarterly meeting....[746]
Digest of their report.
1. We have a school and house at each preparative meeting—agreeable to the plan of the yearly meeting.
2. They are under the care of a steady committee of our monthly meeting.
3. Schools are conducted to the good satisfaction of Friends.
4. One of them at present is vacant.
5. We have also agreed upon a plan to establish a fund for the education of poor children; also for the support of the said schools.
6. There is a treasurer for each particular meeting.
7. Not much progress made in securing funds, up to date.
The report of the next year, 1787, was:[747]
1. The three schools visited.
2. Are conducted to a good degree of satisfaction.
3. Chichester is at present vacant.
4. Request a future urging and some advice of the yearly meeting.
The encouragement given to the school of Concord through individual philanthropy is to be noted in the will of Nathan Yarnall, an extract from which appeared in the Concord minutes.
I give and bequeath the sum of £50 to be appropriated for the use of Friends School at Concord, if established agreeable to the plan recommended by the Yearly Meeting last year, to be paid into the hands of the committee appointed for the establishment of the said school.... It appears that Samuel Trimble, Morris Jones, William Trimble, and Caleb Pierce are a committee appointed by the Concord Preparative meeting to take the immediate care and oversight of that school. They ... and to make report to next meeting.[748]
Such aid as this doubtless hastened the coming of the first school which was reported by the committee in 1786.[749]
SUMMARY
The establishment of schools in Chester, Radnor, Darby and Concord meetings is discussed in this chapter.
There is evidence that education was provided for some children in Chester before the Quakers came to the colony. The first meetings at Chester were held in the Court House, but land for a meeting house was devised in 1688. The first property devised for school purposes was that of Hoskins in 1769. A schoolhouse was built on the land in 1770. A school is said to have been at Middletown in 1740, in a building donated by Thomas Yarnall and Thomas Minshall. Land was also given for schools in 1791 by Enock Taylor and his wife. About 1778 the usual committees were appointed and subscription plans formulated. At the end of the century three schools were reported under Friends’ care.
The first school at Darby was taught by Benjamin Clift in 1692, 1693 and perhaps longer, though no further record is found. Not much progress is noticed until about 1778, when the quarterly and monthly meetings’ committees united on the subject of schools. A schoolhouse was erected between 1779 and 1781. According to reports of 1784 and 1790 the Darby School was satisfactorily situated. A new school in Upper Darby on Benjamin Lobb’s lot was proposed in 1793, but not built before 1798. Two schools, kept as recommended, are reported in 1798.
Smith says that as early as 1788 there was a school at Radnor. The meeting records mention one as early as 1731. The meeting was active in educating and apprenticing the poor. The reports, however, do not indicate that they were very successful in meeting the standards set by the yearly meeting for the schools. In 1791 one of the preparatives, probably Haverford, considered the purchase of grounds for a school. A full report of the same year shows two schools (Radnor and Haverford) which are subject to the control of the monthly meeting. Merion and the Valley had no schools established according to the plan proposed.
The very early state of Concord’s schools has not been determined, though one was at Birmingham in 1779. Mr. Jordan is inclined to place the date of Birmingham’s first school about 1806. The date stated by him for Chichester (1793) also seems to be too late. The minutes recognize the Birmingham school in 1779 and also one at Chichester at the same date. In 1787 one school is reported for each preparative meeting, Concord, Chichester, and Birmingham.