USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Woodbridge > An Educational History Of The School District of Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey 1666 - 1933 > Part 2
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The Trustees of the Free Schools of Woodbridge were incorporated in 1769 under the Governorship of William Franklin. In 1683 one hundred acres of land were set apart towards the maintenance of a free school. In 1734 the school lands were leased for a term of ten years. March 11, 1766, an attempt was made to divert a part of the school land money to another channel but failed.
The Town Record Bool, because of its worn condition, was ordered to be recopied.
In 1788 school inspectors were appointed whose chief duty was to see that the funds assigned to each district school were properly disbursed.
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School Districts with three trusteos to each dis- trict foreshadowed in minutes of town meeting May 10, 1843.
Free School Land property was improved in 1809 and In 1821 was authorized to be rented to the overseers of the poor as the township "Poor Farm. "
Tho Trustees of the Free School Lands were made oust- odians of the State School Funds and instructed how to dis- tribute them.
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CHAPTER II
THE TOWN BOOK OF FREE SCHOOL OF WOODBRIDGE
Apr11 24, 1778
This book, which was commenced in 1778, was in ao- tual use until Feb. 1, 1927. It measures about eight inches by twelve inches by one and a half inches, being strongly bound in pasteboard with pis-skin covering and 1s in excellent condition. As supplementary to the olde Towne Records, it is extremely interesting. At the pre- sent time, it is in the possession of the secretary of the Free School Lands. Inscribed on the inside of the front cover may be read:
"The Town Book of Free School of Wood- bridge, Apr. 25, 1778. An account of the Money now in Bonds, Bills, Notes & Cash in hand and Rents Due & what the Land Leases for pr yeare and Names of Trustees & when Chosen etc. etc. "
On Page One we find in excellent handwriting:
"Deed of the Free School-land Deo. 11th, 1701. Then laid out by us here under named. One Hundred Acres of upland which was granted to the Town of Woodbridge by the Proprietors of New Jersey for a free School. Beginning at a Maple Tree (cto. ) ....... In the afore- said land there is allowance for a Highway if there bo occasion for it. Laid out and ordered to be record- ) Samuel Dennis ed in the Town Book by us
Samuel Hale Jonathan Dunhan
John Bishop John Bloomfield Thomas Pike
The first records are under date Mar. 13, 1701, but on Mar. 23, 1702, the Trustees met again and the question
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was raised as to why no records appeared previous to 1701 "agreeable to the direction of the Charter". Doctor Bloom- field, one of the first Trustees under the charter, then made the statement that although he was not responsible for keeping the records, he had for his own satisfaction made note of the meetings that he had attended, and offered to lay them before the trustees if they wished him to do 60.
The Board expressed its willingness to hear the re- cords of transactions and they were ordered to be recorded.
The following is the opening of the good Doctor's notos:
"Doctor Bloomfield's History of the proceed ings of the first incorporated Board of Trustees. Woodbridge July 26th, 1769. The Trustees of the Free School land of Wood- bridge met this day at Joseph Shotwell's, present ... John Moores and Nathaniel Heard, Esqrs. ; Benjamin Thornal, Moses Bloomfield, Joseph Shotwell, Robert Clarkson, " etc.
The following interesting items have been selected from the minutes for the reason that they are more close- ly connected than others with the excerpts from the Towne Records of the Frecholders and Inhabitants of Woodbridge previously given or appearing in following chapters:
"June 4, 1793. Application was made to the Trustees for permission to take Tim- ber off the School-land for the Frame of an Accadany to be erected in Woodbridge -- it was Granted. "
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April 22, 1797:
"Agreed not to pay more than $12 per Quar- ter for schooling poor children."
April 6, 1805:
"Received of Luis Kelley the Dog Tacks $14.25."
"At a meeting of the Trustees of the free School land Apr. 8, 1824 It was unanimous- ly resolved that the Treasurer pay to each school in the Township for the use of the poor children Ten Dollars provided there should be school kept in each house and children of poor persons Schooled to that amount to be certified by the Inspectors and that he shall in no case exceed that sun. "
June 22d, 1836 this amount was increased to $20. "to be paid on the order of the inspectors."
#At a meeting of the Trustees of the Free Schools of the Township of Woodbridge at the house of George Hollister on Thursday the 13th April 1843 it was voted 'That the fif- teen dollars appropriated to school district No. 7 may be applied to the payment of the dobt for building the schoolhouse in that dis- trict. '®
George Hollister kept the town inn and his house was often the meeting place for the Freeholders and Inhabitants at their annual town meetings as well as for the meetings of the Trustees of the Free Schools.
"Rahway, June 8th, 1845 at a Meeting of the board of Trustees at Stewart Crowells at this date -- Voted-We appropriate twelve Dollars for the use of each school in this Township for the Present and that we Pay a Like sun to the School of Blacks in District No. 1 if the children belong to this Township."
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Wo have here the first intimation that any atten- tion was being paid to the education of colored child- ren and it is to be noted also that a separate school was maintained for them.
Apr. 9, 1860 it was voted:
"that cach school District must give In- struction Three quarters in a year in or- der to Receive their full amount of school money from the School Land fund. "
Under dete Mar. 13, 1882 the following districts are listed on the minutes:
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No. 19-Locust Grove one-half District
20-Washington. one district
21-Rahway Neck. H
22-Blazing Star H
23-Uniontòmm. n
24-Woodbridge 2
26-Fairfield Union. 1
# 16-Lafayette
12-New Dover
Forty dollars was appropriated to each full district -- others in proportion.
In 1887, each full district received $100.
March 24, 1894, marked an important change in the dis- eys tribution of these montés for it was voted:
"That the Treasurer of the Board pay all moneys to the Collector of Woodbridge Township, N. J. that are appropriated to schools.
Also at the same meeting:
"That the Treasurer of the board pay all moneys at present in his hand over one Hundred Dollars to the Township Collector to the oredit of the Board of Education. "
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Here we have a direct result of the School Law of 1894 making the lines of the Townships the school district lines. This is also the first appearance of the term, "Board of Education" in any of the town records.
In 1898-$600 was paid to the schools 1899-$300 was paid
1901-5400 was paid with the rocom- mendation that it be used for transportation purposes.
1902-$400
1903-$500
1905-5400 "to Custodians of School fund"
1907-31000 to Collector # #
1910-3700 to Custodian # n
1911-$1000 to Custodian 4 #
The Corporate Seal, at present used, was adopted March 2, 1903 and reade: "The Trustees of the Free Schools of the Town of Woodbridge 1769."
April 16, 1914:
"Moved & Carried that the Trustees procced to Purchase five certain lots at Iselin ad- joining the school property (No. 6) for the use of the Board of Education. "
At the next meeting Sept. 10th same year it was re- ported that three lots had boon purchased. It was also voted to turn over to the Board the large amount of $15000. At the Meeting of Nov. 11, 1920 it was! "Voted to turn over $5000 in cash -- $2850 of Liberty Bonds their face value."
At the next meeting of the Trustees held Dec. 27, the last board of zale trustees of the Free School Fund passed out of office and a new epoch in the management of the fund
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was opened by the induction into office of the group of wo- men who had been elected at the Fall elections in November.
In all probability the Board of Trustees of the Free School Fund in the future will be composed entirely of wo- men. In no way, judging by their able management of the business of the Free Schools up to the present, have they shown themselves in the slightest degree inferior to the sterner sex.
Last Board of Hale Trustees 1920 Jonas Coddington E. G. Ensign
John Thompson W. A. G11ham
P. A. Greiner
Wm. Cutter
First Board of Women Trustees 1921
Marguerite Fitz Randolph Chm.
N. Frances McCarter, Secy. Kathryn Flenagen, Treas. Bertha H. Boynton
Hannie Adams
Mae Greenhalgh
The last recorded meeting in the original minute book is under dato, Feb. 1, 1927, and is signed by the Secretary -- M. Frances Boos (nee-Dotor -- iloderter). After this dete, a now record book was opened. At the present time, 1933, the School Lands, now known as the "Poor Farm", although housing no poor, they having been transferred to the township "Home for the Aged, " are in an unproductive condition. Occasionally the Trustees make donations of money to the several libraries of the Township.
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CHAPTER II Summary TOWN BOOK OF FREE SCHOOL OF WOOD- BRIDGE
The Town Book of the Free School of Woodbridge was commenced in 1778 and was in use until February 1, 1927. It tells in much detail of the laying out of the Free School Lands, how the property was managed, and what disposition was made of the proceeds from it.
The Trustees met in Rahway at Stewart Crowell's June 8, 1845 and a School for Colored Children is mentioned in the minutes of that meeting.
In 1882 a list of nine school districts is re- corded.
Acting under the School Law of 1894, the Trustees divert their payments from each district to the Town- ship Collector.
The term "Board of Education" appears for the first time.
Property was purchased at Iselin by the Trustees for School use and presented to the Township Board in 1914 together with $10, 000 accumulated funds. In 1920, cash and liberty bonds were turned over to the Board of Education. The last board of male trustees met December 27, 1920 and a female board went into office.
CHAPTER III EARLY SCHOOL MASTERS AND SCHOOLS
The earliest mention of a school master for Wood- bridge occurs under the date Mar. 4, 1639 in Ye Olde Towne records when:
"It also passed by vote that they were generally willing that James Fullerton shall be entered in this town as a School Master and to be encouraged by such as soe cause to employ him. "
In all probability Mr. Fullerton, having been properly "encouraged", conducted his school in the meeting house which had been erected in 1675, a common custom in those carly times.
No mention is made of his retirement from the scene of his educational labors, but on the town minutes of Nov. 10, 1691, it is recorded that:
"it passed by vote that there shall be thirteen pound raised by the town for the incorigement of John Beacher to com and keep a free scoole in this town for six months upon tryall providing he shall be constant and faithfull in that inploy as a scoolmaster ought to be and that ho shall be ingaged to attend the sooole this winter time untill nine o'clock at night. "
Probably Mr. Beacher met the specifications laid down in the minutes and came to Woodbridge. If this were the Case, then no doubt he held the first night school opened in New Jersey.
Whitehead in his "Early History of Perth Amboy and Adjoining Country" gives Beacher's name as Boacker, but this is an error, as a study of towne clerk Dennis' writ-
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ing indicates that he, as a rule, made his e's like o's, but occasionally like a's. Also, Fitz Randolph's copy of the old town book gives the name very clearly as Beacher.
Mr. Beacher must have fallen by the wayside for at a General Towne Meeting of the Freeholders and inhabitants at Mr. Boswell's House, Feb. 27, 1693, it passed by vote as followeth --
"That they were willing to settle a school master in this Towne and to that end the towne By Vote Made Choice of Nathaniel Fitz Randolph & John Bloomfield to Discourse with John Browne of Amboy or any other person that May be Suitable for that employ and to know his toris and make Report thereof to the towne"
The discussion mist have been very satisfactory to Mr.
Browne for it is recorded a little later thet:
"It passed by vote that John Brown of Amboy should have twenty-four pounds a year allowed him for Keeping a free school in this tomo this next yeare. "
Ilis ability and personality must have appealed strong-
ly to the visiting committee to raise the offer almost a hundred per cent, but:
"John Congor protested against the vote in open towne meeting and Desired the same to be entered. "
Dally, in his "History of Woodbridge and Vicinity" says of the objector;
"His views of a liberal educational policy were well illustrated in the signature he attached to an important township paper a
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year after-subscribing his name with the cabalistic X -- 'his mark!".
How the money was secured for the payment of the school- master's salary appears on the town minutes of June 12, 1695, for it passed by vote:
"That there should be a Rate forthwith Made to Raise the Money for the School Masters Sallery for the time past. " -- 1
What the time was the records don't say, but we hope the schoolmaster had not been waiting too long.
"At a publique meeting June ye 24th, 1701" -- 2
a committee of three; Samuel Hall, Ephraim Andrews, and Gaven
Lockhart was appointed by the tom to
"warne all ye freeholders, freemen, inhab- itants" etc.
to attend a town meeting
"to consider of building a school house" -- 3
and
"In Dec. 1701, a piece of land, fabout ton rods,' was allowed for a sohochhouss' pro- yided it did not prejudice the highway. ' This is presumed to have been the renowned edifice on strawberry Hill. " -- 4
In 1669 this land was part of a triangular piece of ground set apart for a sheep common, including a hill on the
road to Amboy. Speaking of this hill, Whitehead says:
"The writer remembers it with its naked summit for many years crowned with an old school house which, like Ichabod Crane's, had numerous posts and sticks against doors.
1 Town Records
2 Ibid
5 Ibid
4 Ibia
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and windows impeding egross, but offering no special hindrance to admission. " -- 1
The next teacher after John Browne's departure, the next of whom we have any account, was George Eubanke, a man of somo ability. He began teaching in Woodbridge some timo during 1711 probably, for in that year we find a grant of ten acres to him on Red Brool: (or Reed Brook) for his "encouragement" as school teacher. The land was given, as the deed stipulates, on condition;
"that the ed. Georgo Eubante, do remain, abide and teach School in Woodbridge sfore- said. In ye Publiok School house now built for yt purpose, during his natural life, or as long as he shall be capable, Provided always yt the Inhabitants of ye sd. Town, satisfying and paying into the said Geo. Eubanko, for his Teaching of their Children, yearly and every year, So Long as he shall be capable of Teaching of School, anything aforesd. to the contrary notwithstanding, that then (the) present relase (release) Shall Stand In Full force. " -- 2
Among these early teachers we must not forget William Creaner who taught the school at Uniontown (now Isclin) 1817-19. He was a "learned man and well fitted for teach- ing. "
It seems that the northern end of the town was not forgotten for at & general town meeting December 23, 1702, 1t passed by vote as follows:
"Granted by a free vote to ye inhabitants of Rahawok a peice of land containing about
1 Town Records
2 Dally-Op. Cit p. 181
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ten rod of ground to build school hous on lying between John Robinson Tailors hous and the hous of John Alstone pro- vided it doth not prejudice ye highway" -- 1"
It should be remembered that Wood- bridge in the early days included Metuchen, Bonhamtown and the lower part of Rahway. -- Note by J. H. L.
There must have been other schoolmasters, but be- tween the time George Eubanke taught the Strawberry Hill School and 1776, only two names can be found, one on a. grave stone in Trinity Episcopal Church yard, Woodbridge, the in incription reading:
William Stuart, School Master -- Died October ye 20th Anno Domini 1758 In the 57th year of his age
and the other appearing in a summary of Schoolmasters in the N. J. items of Philadelphia and New York newspapers between 1730 and 1776:
"Woodbridge -- Nugent Kelly -- 1759"
This Kelly, no doubt, is the one mentioned in the old town records of Births, Deaths, and Marriages!
"Nugient Kelly and Hannah Kelly his wife tho Eldest Daughter of William Ineley Late of Woodbridge Deceased, was Married on ye 2nd Day of April 1729."
The first Strawberry Hill school stood for many years after it was mentioned by Whitehead in his History of Perth Anboy and Vicinity (published in 1856), but gradually dis- integrated under the attacks of the elements and the demanda
1 Town Records
1
26
of its timbers and olapboards for firewood by local inhabitants. A second school was erected on the west side of the hill at the South Corner of Bunn's Lene and the Amboy Road. Several of the old inhabitants remember this building very well, and one recalls that boards from the original school house materially helped to keep the second school warm in cold weather. A few years ago, the building, being in a dilapidated condition, was torn down, closing its career as a dwelling house. This school will be referred to again in another chapter.
What was taught by these early schoolmasters is not exactly inom, but there is no doubt the instruction in the best of these little schools was along the lines followed in New England. Probably George Eubanke in the Strawberry Hill school used the "Horn Book" with which to teach the alphabet.
Quoting from the Foreword of a facsimile reproduction of the Primer, an original now owned by Mr. G. Plimpton of New York:
"The New England Primer was one of the greatest boche ever published. It went through innumerable editions; it reflected in a marvellous wry the spirit of the age that produced it, and contributed, perhaps, more than any other book except the Bible, to the moulding of those sturdy generations that gave to America Its liberty and its institutions."
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Most of the material dealt with Biblical. subjects, trite sayings in jingle form and "lir. Cotton's Catechism. " Many orude woodcuts adorn the text. The following quote- tions will give an idea of the subject matter intended to improve the minds of the young children:
1. Job feels the rod, Yet blesses God.
2. Young Obadias, David, Joslas All gere plous.
5. The Preises of my Tongue I offer to the Lord, Thet I was tought and learnt so young To read Ils holy Word.
4. Who was the first Man? Adam. Who was the meekest Man? Moses.
5. A Dog will bite A thief at night -- 1
From "New Jersey, A History" -- Vol I -- The American His-
torical Society Incorporated, we quote:
"The school of the Colonial period was the Latin Grammar School .... This type of school had been brought to this country by colonists who had been educated in Europe. In the changed conditions of the new settlements there arose a demand for instruction in English and for the addi- tion of Surveying and Navigation to the Course of study."
It is quite probable that George Eubanke, at the Straw- berry Hill School, made an attempt to teach those branches
1 20th Cent. Reprint of Plimpton's Original 1791 Ed. of N. E. Primer
as a part of the curriculum, but no direct evidence can be found that he did so.
The year 1793 was a memorable ono in the history of Ye Olde Towne, for in that year:
"subscriptions were obtained for money to build the fer-faned Woodbridge Academy. " -- 1
The following list of names is taken from a copy of the original list of the subscribers made by James Paton and attached to the inside cover of "The Trustees Book of the Woodbridge Academy District No. 6, April 30, 1832."
A similar list appeared in the local weekly newspaper "Woodbridge Independent Hour, " May 11, 1876:
"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Wood- bridge held May 30, 1793, for the purpose of raising money to procure ground and build an Academy for a public school, the following sums wore subscribed and paid In due time:
John G. Wall
13-0-0
James Jackson 10-0-0
David LAmar, Jr.
12-0-0
Jos. Brom
10-0-0
Jos. Barron
20-0-0
Thos. Edger 17-0-0
Ralph Harsh
10-0-0
Jonathan Freeman
6-0-0
Christopher Marsh
20-0-0
James Frecmon 5-0-0
James Paton
15-0-0
Ellis Barron
20-0-0
John Heard
20-0-0
Israel Thornal 5-0-0
Benj. A. Brown
8-0-0
Campyon Cutter
15-0-0
Wn. Heard
15-0-0
John Manning
8-0-0
Jos. Edgar
15-0-0
Jos. E. Parker
5-0-0
Phil. Brown
5-0-0
Soml. Cutter
10-0-0
John Conway
6-0-0
John Marsh
5-0-0
Icabod Potter
10-0-0
Peter Noe
5-0-0
Timothy Brewstor
15-0-0
Henry Osborn
5-0-0
Danl. B. Hoores
10-0-0
Jeremiah Clarkson
5-0-0
1 Dally -- Op. Cit 124
28h.
Wouldbridge Academy 1793 W.A . Lar, a building, on left F. C. Chu Episcopal Church P.C. Presbyterian Church B.H. House owned by Mrs Bertie Boynton 1,21 .... Historical Collection oftima tet- ofl'evento, 6 . Jun W. Erbur + 11-nr. 1/9 /2
---
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D. Froman Ebenezer Ford Abra'm Tappen 5-0-0 Jonathan Bloomfield Jr. 5-0-0 Peter Molick
5-0-0 Randolph Orowell 5-0-0
5-0-0 Pobt. Mooros 5-0-0
Jarvis BloomField 8-0-0
5-0-0 £ 367-10-04
According to a note made by G. W. D. In 1830 in the old minute book of the Academy District No. 6, the cost of the school lot is given as h12-14s-9d. This was made from a credit to James Paton, July, 1793, and appears in the original book in the hands of A. A. Edgar, August 30, 1872.
At a meeting of the subscribers hold June 15, 1793, James Poton, chosen Clerk, John Heard, Christopher Marsh, . John G. Wall, Joseph Borron and James Paton wore appointed managers to procure a lot, contract for the building, colleot and pay the moneys subscribed, having regularly advertised for some time, the same to be completed by Jonathan Freeman by the first day of Nay 1794 for the sum of #336-15 as per agreement entered into. The Trustees of the Free School Land agreed to furnish the timber for the frame of the said Academy which was done as per agreement as shown by the following credit:
"September 1793 Trustees of Free School Land Cr. By a frame given to the Academy. "
At a meeting of the subscribers June 7, 1794, Colonel Conway, Moderator, James Paton, Clerk, the following porsons were chosen Trustees and the business transferred to thom, viz?
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The Rev. Azel Roe John Y. Wall Christopher Marsh John Heard James Paton John Conty Ebenezer For -- Z
The Acaderw, a two-storyed building, was located on the west side of Rahway Avenue, between the residences of Mr. E. C. Ensign, Clerk of the presont Township Board of Education, and Mr. Asher Fits Randloph. A street now cuts across the old foundations. The story of the old Acedery is deserving of a special chapter.
The illustration given on page Ova was taken from "HLE- torical Collection of the State of New Jersey" by John w. : Darber and Henry Lowe, published by s. Tuttle, Chathem Square, New Yor !: 1041, the out boing made and loaned for this history hy the publishers of the "woodbridge Independ- ent. " The authors stato that the engravings interspersed throughout the history vero made from drawings talton by them on the spot.
"On the left le seen the Academy; on the right the Presbyterich Church, and in the distance Trinity Church. " --?
The large dwelling on the right is now the residence of Mrs. Bertha Hinsdale Boynton, widow of the late Ir. Er nest Boynton.
1 Wochbridge "Independent Hour"-Issue May 11, 1876 Hiat. Coll's B. & H. - p 324
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CHAPTER III SULMIARY EMPIK SCHOOL MASTERS AND SCHOOLS
The first schoolmaster mentioned in the Town Re- cords was Jemee Fullerton. Probably the first night school in New Jersey was taught by John Beacher in Woodbridge.
John Brown of South Amboy engaged to teach in Woodbridge for twenty-four pounds a year. School- master's salary raised by a "Rate, " or tax.
The first Strawberry Hill school erected 1701. George Tubanke began to teach in Woodbridge 1711. William Groamer teaching ct Uniontown ( Iselin) 1817-19. Vote to grant land for a school house at Rehowalt 1702.
The Horn Book and the New England Primer probably used at Strawberry Hill by doorge Eubanke. Quotation from the New England Primor.
In 1793, subscriptions raised for building the Wood- bridge Academy. List of subscribers to the Academy with amounts subsoribed.
First trustees elected.
CHAPTER IV JANE STORER'S BOOK AND WOODBRIDGE ACADEMY
Woodbridge Academy 1809-1810
The writer has been fortunate in securing an old #Ex- ercise Book" that was used by a young girl named Jane Storer who attended the Woodbridge Academy during 1809 and 1810. The book measures 8" by 13" and has about seventy- five leaves of a heavy, rough paper, some with a watermark of an oval, surmounted by a orown, containing an inset of the figure of Britannia, and others with the name of Lydig and Mesier as a watermark. The cover is of heavy straw board, finished with a thin brown paper and strengthened by a reinforcement of thin leather at the hinge.
The first page is embellished by the legend:
"Jane Storer's Book Woodbridge Academy October 1, 1810"
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