USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. I > Part 74
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"to the Legislature of the territory Michigan.
"Angelique Campeau & Elisabeth Williams pray that the corner's Lot on the military square of the section number 2 and some of the adjacent Lots of the same Section, as many as the Legislature shall think proper, be given for the purpose of erecting a young ladies school, together with a lot in the old ship- yard on which stand the Barracks.
"Detroit Sber 1st 1806. "for Angelique Campeau & Elisabth, Williams. "Gabriel Richard." (Burton Historical Collection. Vol. 457-p. 204. Askin Papers.)
The shipyard mentioned in the petition was located near the foot of the present Woodward Avenue. It was outside of the village enclosure. It con-
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tained some old buildings that had been used by the British government in ship-building or ship-repairing and, as it was not within the picket line, these old buildings were not destroyed in the conflagration of 1805.
These plans of Bates, Goff, Richard and the Misses Williams and Campau were not entirely disregarded, but the object of them and the subject of schools were matters of indifference at that time and were laid aside.
The making of a new plan for the city in lieu of the little burned settlement; the formation of laws for a new territory; the distribution of lots in the new plant to sufferers by the fire; the starting of a new city upon the embers of the old, all made work enough to keep the officials busy without looking after school matters very much. Public schools, such as we now have, were unknown then, and any attempt to found them would have been too great a task for the men and the times.
Fr. Gabriel Richard, on September 12, 1808, purchased from Matthew Elliott a lot of ground fronting eighty-one feet on the south side of Woodbridge Street, just east of Bates Street, and extending to the river as then located. Richard paid $500 for this land, and expected to use it for the site of an academy for young ladies. The school, when established, was to be placed under the charge of Miss Campau and Miss Lyons. Richard presented a petition to the legislature, which is very long, but it is so full of matters relating to schools at that time that it will be copied in full.
"to the Honourable Legislature of Michigan.
"Our neighbours on the British side are now erecting a large stone building for an Academy. the undersigned being sensible that it would be shameful for the American Citizens of Detroit, if nothing should be done in their territory for a smiliar and so valuable Establishement, begs leave to call the attention of Legislature of Michigan to an object the most important to the wellfare of the rising Generation-which cannot be but of little advantage, if it is not highly patronized by Governement.
"The Honourable Legislature partly knows what has been done by the subscriber for the establishement of schools, and for the encouragement of litterature, scientific knowledge and Useful Arts in this part of the Union. Besides tow (two) English schools in Town of Detroit there are four other Primary schools for boys and tow for young ladies, either in Town, or at Spring-Hill, at Grand Marais even at River Hurons. three of those schools are kept by three Natives of this Country who had received their first Education by the Revd Mr. J. Dilhet and of whom tow under direction of the subscriber have learnt the first Rudements of English and latin Languages, and some principles of Alge- bra and Geometry so far as to the measurement of the figure engraved on the tomb of the immortal Archimedes. by necessity they have been forced to stop their studies and to become masters and teachers for others. at Spring Hill under the direction of Angelique Campeau and Elizabeth Lyons. as early as the 9th of September last, the number of the scholars has been augmented by four young Indians headed by an old matron their grand mother of the Poto- watamies tribe. five or six more are expected to arrive at every momment.
"In Detroit in the house lately the property of Captain Elliot, purchased by the subscriber for the very purpose of establishing one Academy for young Ladies, under the direction of miss Elisabeth Williams there are better than
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thirty young Girls who are taught as at Spring-Hill, reading, writing, arith- metic, knitting, sewing spinning &c. in these tow schools there are already nearly three dozen of spinning wheels, and one loom, on which four pieces of Linen or woolen cloth have been made this last spring or summer.
"To encourage the young Students by the allurement of pleasure and amuse- ments, the undersigned has these three month past sent orders to New York for a spinning machine of about one hundred spindles an air-Pump, and Elec- trical Apparatus &c. as they could not be found, he is to receive these fall, but an electrical machine, a number of cards and few colours for dying the stuff already made or to be made in his Academy.
"It would be very necessary to have in Detroit a Public building for a similar Academy in which the high branches of Mathematics, most important languages Geography, History, Natural and moral Philosophy should be taught to young Gentlemen of our country, and in which should be kept the machines, the most necessary for the improvement of Useful Arts, for making the most necessary physical experiments and framing a Beginning of public Library.
"In order to advance the foregoing Institution The undersigned, prays that the part of the old ship-yard laying between G Meldrum, the River and the two adjacent streets together with the buildings that are on it, may be ap- propriated to the use of the aforesaid Academies, that is to say, given or ex- changed for his donation Lot, for mr. Jh. Dilhet's donation-lot or otherwise as it will appear more convenient to the Honourable Legislature.
"The undersigned acting as Administrator for the said Academies further prays, that, for the Encouragement of Litterature and Useful Arts to be taught in the said Academies, one of the four Lotteries authorized by the Hon. Legre. on the 9th day of Sept. 1805 may be left to the management of the subscriber as Administrator of the said Academies, on the conditions that may appear just and reasonable to the legislative Board, and to make a Trial the subscriber is disposed to offer and from this moment, he offers during this winter to make some lectures on such branches of mathematics, or of Natural Philosophy that it will be more agreable to the wishes of a majority of those Gentlemen desirous to attend on every evening.
"Detroit Sber 18 - A. d. 1SOS. Gabriel Richard."
(Lansing-State Department-Box 777)
Here reference is made in the petition to the lot drawn by Father Dilhet as his donation lot. He drew lot 37 in section 7, but never received a deed for it, nor did he ever receive any other consideration for it so far as the records show. This lot is on the east side of Woodward Avenue between Gratiot and Grand River avenues and is now valued in millions of dollars.
Father Richard's petition was presented to the legislature by Judge Wood- ward. The only thing that Richard asked for was one of the four lotteries. Of course, if the lotteries were not drawn, the priest would gain nothing through his petition. A motion was made October 26, 1808 to repeal the law that provided for the lottery. No action was taken on this motion until December 10th following, although during the interval it was discussed and action post- poned. On the 10th of December Judge Woodward was absent from the meet- ing and, taking advantage of that fact, the repealing act was taken up, passed, became a law, and Father Richard's petition fell to the ground, only to be dug up a century later.
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ACT OF 1809
It was not until nearly five years after the organization of Michigan Terri- tory that the first steps were taken toward the establishment of a public school system. On February 26, 1809, Judge James Witherell presented to the gover- nor and judges, then Michigan's only legislative body, "An Act Concerning Schools". This act provided that the overseers of the poor should divide their districts in the most convenient form for erecting school houses and main- taining schools, these sections to be called school districts. Each year the over- seers, who were to be the trustees for the school districts, should return a census of children between the ages of four and eighteen years, and a general tax was to be levied of not less than two dollars and not more than four dollars for each child. This money was to be divided between the districts in proportion to the amount spent by each district in the preceding year in the erection of school buildings and in maintaining schools. Nothing contained in the act indicates whether the schooling was, or was not, free, but from the text of the act it would seem that the encouragement of the territory was only to be given in the way of erecting school buildings. This so-called act was one of those passed in 1809 and declared to be void by the decision of the supreme court. The act itself was never called in question before the court, but the entire list of acts passed at that time was decided to be null. No work was ever done under it and no school census was taken at the time.
In an education way one of the most important events of early Detroit occurred at this time. This was the introduction of the first printing press in the town by Fr. Gabriel Richard. This is described fully in the succeeding chapter upon "The Press of Detroit".
FARM CONVEYED FOR SCHOOLS
In another direction efforts to extend the opportunities to obtain an educa- tion were made by the priest of Ste. Anne's.
In 1808 François Paul Malcher conveyed his farm, situated near the present bridge approach on the boulevard, to trustees for the purpose of religion and education in connection with the Catholic Church. The conveyance was partly in the form of a donation and partly a purchase by the parishioners. Father Richard was the one who accomplished the purchase, but he only obtained it after considerable delay and a great amount of work. Malcher would not con- vey directly to the priest, as he was afraid the annuity charged in the con- veyance would not be properly met, and so five prominent citizens of the east side, Louis Beaufait, Joseph Cerre dit St. Jean, Benoit Chapoton, Charles Rivard and François Rivard, were chosen as trustees to take the title to the farm and they pledged their private fortunes to perform the terms of the agreement. The history of this farm is one of the romantic stories of our city. Many partial sketches of it have been printed, but the extended or detailed relation of the subject yet remains to be written. This farm is sometimes referred to as private claim 16, that being the number it bears in the list of applications before the United States Commissioners on land claims. It is sometimes referred to as the Malcher farm, from its original owner. Other times it is called the Church farm, from its long ownership by the Catholic Church, a portion being still owned by that organization.
On the river front was a large farm house which was fitted up for a chapel in which religious services were held and for which a record was kept.
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The fire of 1805 had destroyed the only Catholic church there was at Detroit and it became necessary to use buildings away from the central settlement for church services, and the building on the Church farm was used both for these services and for maintaining a school.
A slight reference has been made to Mathew Ernest and his defaleation as collector. As this affair resulted in important work in educational matters, a more extended review of the difficulty will be made. Some time after the appointment of Ernest as collector irregularity in his accounts was found. In 1805 a suit was begun against him and his bondsmen. Judgment was obtained February 11, 1806 against Ernest and on the bond for $7,457.77 only $1,954.82 was derived, leaving due the government $5,502.95. To satisfy this demand, the farm which Ernest owned in Springwells was levied upon under an exeeu- tion. This farm, known as private claim 30, or the Ernest farm, is now generally called the Williams farm. It lies within the present city limits and Morell Street interseets it. It contains two hundred and seven acres in the front con- cession. The property was directed to be sold at auction in 1808 to satisfy the elaim of the government and, as it was doubtful if any person could be found who would purchase it at the price of the judgment, the marshal making the sale was directed to bid it off to George Hoffman as agent for the United States. Iloffman was to hold the property subject to the direction of the United States treasurer. Hoffman was directed to "lease it for the remainder of the year to some person of character in whom you can confide."
The sale to Mr. Hoffman was made April 18, 1808 and as he was about to set sail for Maekinae on that day he delegated Solomon Sibley to make a lease of the premises if a tenant could be found. There were two negroes, Anthony and Robert, who had cultivated portions of the farm under leases from Mrs. Ernest. These leases were recognized by the government and the colored men were permitted to retain the lands they occupied until their crops were harvested.
Father Richard was the only applicant for a lease of the land and he entered into an agreement April 25, 1808 to pay $200 for the use of the premises until the first day of the following year. It was provided that Father Richard might occupy "the large barn situated on the premises for the purposes of a temporary chapel or church". Peter Audrain became surety for the payment of the rent and the performance of the other obligations of the lease. Mr. Sibley, in his report of the transaction, said that "Mr. Richard's object is to establish a perma- nent school for the edueation of youths of both sexes, and wants to acquire this property, as it is deemed an eligible situation for that purpose". At about the same time Father Richard addressed the following petition to Congress:
"To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, the memorial of the Revd Gabriel Richard, pastor of the Catholic Society in the Territory of Michigan.
"Respectfully Represents
"That some time
since the United States became possessed of a farm belonging to the late Collec- tor of the Port of Detroit, on which there is now conducted a seminary for the instruction of the youth under the direction of your memorialist.
"The encouragement of Litterature and useful arts in that quarter of the American Dominions has not yet particularly engaged the attention of Congress.
"Your memorialist solicits of your honorable Body that such an arrange-
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ment may be made as will allow the Premises before mentioned to be exclusively and permanently appropriated to the education of white children in that territory and of Indian children within it or in its vicinity.
"Your petitioner in the name of the Indian tribe called Windots (Wyandottes) prays that -- aeres of land may be given and confirmed to the head of each family and to teach youth who shall be placed and will have remained eight years and has been edueated in the above mentioned seminary; on the spot where the said Windots are now settled, that is to say between River Huron and River aux Eeorces-the distance between the two rivers being along the River Detroit about twelve miles.
"Whereas the present settlements of the said Windots are on the two ex- tremities of the above mentioned distances, your memorialist prays that the whole traet of land which will remain in the center, after having satisfied to the above elaims, may be kept as a Reserve for the endowment of the above mentioned institution, a part of which reserve, if it happens to be too large, could be used and cultivated as premiums by such Indian children who shall have made more progress in the said seminary.
"As there is no minister of any other denomination but Catholie in our territory of Michigan for the present time, it is, humbly, represented by your Petitioner that the administration and management of the above premises may be under the direction of the elergyman appointed, or to be occasionally appointed by the Catholic Bishop of the territory.
"And your memorialist will respectfully pray.
"Gabriel Richard, Pastor of the Catholic
Society in the territory of Michigan."
This petition, undated, is entirely in the handwriting of the petitioner and is, at present, in the files, in the attie, of the House of Representatives in Wash- ington. It is simply endorsed "Referred to the committee on publie lands".
Governor Hull, in describing the Ernest farm in 1809, stated that Ernest had built "a good house, with wings attached to it. All the rooms in the house are well lathed and plastered and well finished in every other way".
Richard also wrote that he would move his printing press to his "Spring Hill" school in 1809.
Richard's Indian school was fairly successful for the short time that he occupied the Ernest farm, but the government would not donate the land for educational purposes and he could not afford to pay rent. The government price for the land was far beyond his ability to pay. He was obliged to return the property to the United States. This was done November 1, 1812.
Another charter was granted to the city in 1815. It was practically a re- enactment of the charter of 1802, and did not contain a word relative to schools or education. It contained no provision for the encouragement of education in any form. The board of trustees provided for in this charter continued to control eity affairs until the adoption of the new charter and a change in the form of the city government in 1824. There was no petition or proceeding of any kind by the trustees in any way directed to school matters.
The schools established in the city during this time were maintained at the private expense of citizens in various ways, but no publie money was used.
In 1818 Lemuel Shattuck came from Massachusetts and took charge of the Laneasterian School, which was opened under a commission issued by the uni- versity to Benjamin Stead, James Connor, and Oliver Williams. This school
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was held in the university building. It was not a free school, but it was very popular and at times had nearly two hundred pupils. Under Mr. Shattuck a Sunday School was opened October 4, 1818. This was a free school; the teachers were volunteers and the teaching was entirely secular and not like the Sunday Schools of today. The pupils were the poor children of the city who could not pay tuition in the week-day schools.
A new city charter was granted in 1824. It is under this charter that the city is still operating, although the original act has been amended at various times and in many ways. The charter did not contain any provision relating to schools or education.
It might be said of all the schools of this time, that they were governed by the ferrule, the rod, the strap, and sometimes by the fist even, and it was not always the schoolmaster who was the real master in the controversies that arose in the school room. The modern method of governing by moral suasion, and without the aid of the whip, was unheard of, or if thought of at all, it was as one of the miracles of the millennium.
ACT OF 1827
An act for the organization of several counties and townships in the terri- tory was passed April 12, 1827 by the legislative council. This act organized the Township of Detroit and provided that the limits of the township should be coincident with the limits of the city. On the same day another act was passed, and received the approval of Governor Cass on the 27th following, entitled "An act for the establishment of common schools". This was framed somewhat after laws passed in New Hampshire and Massachusetts many years before. Under its provisions, if two-thirds of the electors (called "freeholders and inhabitants") in any township voted in favor of the proposition to establish schools, the law became operative in that township. The act also provided that one school should be maintained for six months in the year, in each town- ship of fifty families; in townships of one hundred families or more, tuition equal to twelve months was required; in townships having a population of one hundred and fifty families, two teachers were to be employed, and townships having two hundred families or more were to have two school buildings. At a township meeting the electors could divide the township into school districts as they saw fit. Each district was to elect a moderator and vote a tax to pur- chase or build a school house. Three trustees were to be chosen in each dis- trict. Children between the ages of five and fifteen years were considered school children. No child should be excluded from school on account of the inability of the parent or guardian to furnish his portion of the firewood used in the school. School masters should teach children to read and write, and they should be instructed in the English or French language, as well as in arithmetic, orthog- raphy, and decent behavior. The township might, if it so voted, raise by taxation a sum sufficient to support and maintain a schoolmaster or teacher "to teach their youth and children to read, write and cypher." As nothing further is said about free schooling, we infer that no schools were free unless the township so voted at its annual meeting.
The first school in Detroit under this law was opened about the first of June following its enactment. On May 27, 1827 the trustees of the University of Michigan ordered "that Mr. Cook, the teacher of the common school, be allowed the use of a room in the Academy". Mr. Cook died soon after opening
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his school and it seems the commissioners were unable to find a suitable teacher as his successor, which resulted in the closing of the school.
Detroit was especially exempt from the provisions of the act of 1829, and no other school law was passed until 1833. There were many schools established in Detroit during the interval.
Some of the newspaper items of this time are interesting. In the Herald of November 25, 1825 is a notice that Horace Stratton had opened a day and evening school on Jefferson Avenue, one door above Mr. Schwartz' store, "where he will teach reading, writing, common arithmetic, English grammar, geography including the art of drawing maps, surveying, and the higher branches of mathe- matics, together with the Greek and Latin languages, if so requested."
The classical school of Mr. Asahel S. Wells gave an examination exhibition in the Latin and Greek languages, May 10, 1826. This school gave another exhibition in the following October. In this school were thirty-two scholars. It was conducted under the direction of the university.
In the legislature two bills were introduced for the purpose of raising money for the support of schools. The first bill, introduced by Robert A. Forsyth, was a proposal to levy a tax on the sale of liquors. The other was an attempt by Mr. John McDonell to institute a lottery, the avails of which should be used for the support of schools.
There was another resolution introduced in the legislature of a facetious, but interesting, nature, which was not adopted. Mr. Forsyth, who was a bachelor, introduced a resolution in December, 1826, for levying a tax upon all unmarried men over thirty years of age in the territory. One-half of the tax should go to the territorial treasury and the other half for the support of schools.
SCHOOL LAW OF 1833
On April 23, 1833 Governor Porter approved an act providing for common schools in the City of Detroit. This was the first law of a local nature which connected the school system with the municipal government. It authorized an election, on a day in May to be named by the council, for six commissioners, six directors and six inspectors of the common schools. The commissioners were to divided the city into school districts, altering the boundaries of such districts when necessary; the directors were to select and purchase sites for school houses, deeds for such sites to be taken in the name of "The Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Freemen of the City of Detroit", levy taxes for build- ing school houses and call meetings of voters, etc.
The law also provided that at the annual April meeting the qualified voters should determine the amount of money to be raised "for the purpose of defray- ing the charge of schooling such poor children as have no parents to provide for them, or whose parents are unable to provide for them". All other chil- dren were to pay a tuition. This law was in part satisfactory, but the school demands were not fully satisfied. If any schools were established directly under this law, they were of short duration and left no record of what they accomplished.
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