USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Woodbridge > An Educational History Of The School District of Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey 1666 - 1933 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
School matters seem to have run rather smoothly un- til February 7, 1871, when at a meeting of the Board of Trustees held at the house of C. M. Dally:
"It was moved and carried Whereas, as Our Funds are not sufficient to carry on the School (Jefferson) for the Coming Year, at the present expenses, Therefore re- solved that the Clerk be authorized to no- tify J. Ward Smith, the Principal, that His Services will not be required after the First of April next as Tercher. " -- 2
A committee was also appointed, consisting of Samuel
E. Ensign and Josiah C. Cutter:
"to procure a Female Teacher, to take Chorge of the School the First of April 1871. " -- 3
1 District Minute Book.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
73
When Mr. Ward Smith was informed of the action of the Trustees, he at once protested, stating that he understood he was "Hired for the School Year ending July 31, 1871."
A special meeting of the Board was held to reconsider his case and it was decided to continue the gentleman "at the same rate" until the date he had mentioned. However, the minutes of the meeting read:
"Provided that there is satisfaction given between Teacher and Trustees in perform- ance of Duty. " -- 1
In June of the same year, another meeting was held at the home of Mr. Dally and the following resolutions passed:
"Ist Moved and Carried that no Scholar be re- ceived from other Districts, without con- sent of Trustees, pay required if admitted.
2nđ That there be 8 weeks vacation during the year, 6 in summer and 2 at the Holidays, School to be Kept open 11 Months of 4 weeks each.
3rd That Mir. Smith be employed until April first 1872 at the same rate ($70) per month, provided satisfaction is given -- and if the funds are out, to wait awhile until collected.
4th As Mr. Smith of Amboy wants the School House to hold a Concert, that we let him have it but hereafter Moved and Carried that the Trustees do not let it for any purpose, as there is a Hall in the place to Hire. " -- 2
The fine reputation of the school must have been at- tracting the attention of parents in the neighboring school districts and some "outside" children had been enrolled.
1 District Minute Book.
2 Ibid.
74
As the school was much crowded, the Trustees probably deemed the first resolution a wise move.
The second resolution is quite definite, clearly fixing the length of the school year. "The Holidays," meant Christmas Holidays.
The cloud of financial embarrassment of the previous year must have passed over, for Mr. Smith continued to give satisfaction and probably he was willing "to wait a- while" for his salary if necessary.
The fourth resolution shows the evident desire of the school authorities to cooperate with honest citizens who had gently suggested to them that they objected to such com- petition.
The continued growth of the school prompted a special meeting of the Trustees to be called in September "for the purpose of taking into consideration a better accommodation in the school room. " With this in view:
"It was moved and carried that the Trustees have a partition put through the Center of the Large room, making two rooms for to ao- commodate both Teachers. " -- 1
Two teachers must have been occupying the room down- stairs because the partition was placed in that room. Let uz hope that they thoroughly appreciated the division that was made.
1 District Minute Book.
75
At the end of the month, Miss Fanny Kelly resigned and Miss Sardinia Frazee was elected to fill her place, at the salary of $100 per quarter. In October, Mr. Ward Smith re- signed as Principal and Miss Frazee took his place at an in- creased salary. Miss Priscilla Davis was then made First Assistant at a salary of $115 per quarter and:
"It was also moved and carried, as Miss Fanny Kelly has consented to return to the school; We employ her as Second Assistant at $75 per Quarter. " -- 1
In the following year it seems that a number of schol- ars had left the school to attend a parish school in the dis- trict. This was unfortunate for teacher Fanny Kelly, because this decrease in enrollment caused her to be dropped from the faculty.
On the 15th of July it was decided to return to a Male Principal, and Mr. Henry Anderson's offer of $80 per month was accepted, he being engaged for a year of ten school months: "provided he gives satisfaction. "
Another progressive step was taken in 1873, for at a reg- ular meeting of the Board of Trustees held December 14, a motion was made:
"to procure a Library for the school, being informed by the State Superintendent that by raising $20 by Subscription He would send the School $50 worth of Books. It was moved and carried that We raise the Amount. " -- 2
1 District Minute Book.
2 Ibid.
-
76
Little of moment happened in connection with the schools until 1875, when a notice was given to the le- gal voters of the Jefferson School District No. 25, and the Academy Distriot No. 24, to meet at the Masonic Hall on Friday, the 9th of July, for the purpose of voting on a proposition to unite in establishing and maintaining a graded school in accordance with the provisions of Sec- 61 of the School Law.
At this meeting, Mr. C. W. Boynton was elected Chair- man and Mr. Howard Valentine, Secretary. County Superin- tendent of Schools, Mr. Ralph Willis, father of the late Superintendent of Schools, H. Brewster Willis, so well known to many of the Woodbridge citizens in memories of their school days, explained the advantages that would ac- orue from the consolidation of the two districts and the ad- Vantages of a graded school.
The vote was polled by school districts, the:
"Academy district No. 24, voting 19 in favor and 1 opposed, Jefferson district voting 8 in favor and 1 opposed. " -- 1
a total of 29 votes being cast for so important a proposi- tion.
The following gentlemen were then elected as Trustees to serve for both districts until the next annual election,
1 District Minute Book.
-
7'7
viz: C. W. Boynton, C. C. Dally, and C. A. Campbell.
The new consolidated district was to be known as Woodbridge School District No. 24. The action of the voters was approved by County Superintendent Ralph Wil- lis, and by Mr. Ellis A. Apgar, State Superintendent of Publie Intruction.
At the annual election which was held September 6, 1875, at the Jefferson School House, Mr. Howard Valentine was elected Trustee for three years, W. H. Berry for two years, and C. A. Campbell for one year.
The record of this election closes the old minute book which had been opened in 1841 as the record of the Strawberry Hill, No. 7, School District.
In the appendix to this thesis will be found addi- tional interesting statistics of these school districts re- garding teachers, trustees, financial reports, and a few other matters.
A new era in education had begun in the township.
,
78
CHAPTER VII Summary OTHER SCHOOLS
Academy district school erected 1851 had R. C. Cyphers as first teacher succeeded by B. C. Hopkins. School was supported by various funds and tuition fees. Town Superintendent Dr. Ellis B. Freeman examined teacher candidates.
School building was moved to lower Rahway Avenue after Strawberry Hill, No. 7 and Jefferson No. 24 merged. Strawberry Hill No. 7 and Jefferson No. 24 record book dates from 1841.
Mr. S. E. Ensign appointed teacher in 1849.
Subscription list opened to build school fence. A motion was made to incorporate Strawberry Hill as Franklyn School.
Strawberry Hill school ordered to be sold, and the proceeds used to purchase property for a new school in conjunction with Jefferson.
Excerpts from cash book show costs of new school. Charles F. Mawboy, the first District Clerk.
Shortage of school funds 1871 occurred. Principal Ward Smith was to be dropped. Rules were passed relating to attendance of outsiders, tuition, vacations, school year and use of building for extra-curricular purposes.
١
79
Changes were made in the teaching personnel.
Opening of a Parish school reduced public school enrollment.
lienry Anderson made principal in 1873 and school library started in 1873.
District voted to unite with Academy No. 25 to build new graded school.
Messra. G. W. Boynton, C. C. Dally and C. A. Campbell were to serve as trustees until next election.
Annual election was held September 1875 and Howard Valentine, W. H. Berry, C. A. Campbell elected trustees for Woodbridge District No. 24.
Old minute bool: ends. New era begins.
79 A
-
Old School. No. 1. Showing old front and iron fence. Note old hitching post in front . Figure is janitor John Ohomemhiser)
CHAPTER VIII THE HEY GRADED SCHOOL
The time elapsing between the consolidation of the two districts, Jefferson and Academy, was a period of prepara- tion. No doubt the town was all agog over the progressive action of the new Board of Trustees. Many an argument must have been heard in the old stores among the "cracker barrel" orators, especially in the Commoss & Ensign store, the scene of many Trustee meetings, which was located at the South- western corner of Amboy Avenue and Main Street, now, alas, gone the way of many other relics of Revolutionary days. Let us sce what these new Trustees did.
On October 1, 1875, a notice wes sent out to the legal voters of School District No. 24, that a special meeting would be held on the eleventh day of the same month at 8 of- clock p. m. at the Masonic Hall:
"for the purpose of considering the question of locating and erecting a school building and disposing of the present school pro- porty. Signed: H. Valentine C. A. Campbell Trustees William H. Berry
A unanimous vote was recorded at this meeting on the question of the expediency of erecting a new building and it was decided the school should be located within the follow-
1 Minute Book. School District No. 24
80
81
ing boundaries, viz:
"At a point beginning at Woodbridge hotel thence to Rowland's Corner, thence to store of Commoss and Ensign thence to the temperance lot and from thence to the point of beginning Woodbridge hotel on either side of the streets or within the said boundaries. " -- 1
Two citizens, E. B. Freeman and S. E. Ensign, were appointed to act in conjunction with the trustees in 10- cating a desirable site.
In Jenuary of the following year Mr. W. H. Berry re- porting for the committee previously appointed to view lands, stated that two suitable plots had been found at a reasonable price and that the committee suggested the build- ing:
"should be, say 71 x 112 feet, two stories, six apartments, each arranged to be thrown Into one room at will by raising the par- titions composed of large sash, the lower half of glass and capable of seating on each floor 400 scholars, and in their opinion, would cost from twenty to twenty-five thou- sand dollars.
The committoo deemed it inadvisable to erect a build- ing to accommodate a smaller number and thought such a building would answer the demands of the district for at Least ten years.
The action of the committee was approved end bonds were ordered issued to defray the cost of the work, not to
1 Minute Book. School District No. 24
*. Probably an error because the power, zare were black board. J.H.L.
82
exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.
One can imagine the scathing criticism of the oldtime ers at the extravagant notions of these now Trustees re- garding a schoolhouse. The audacity of these men in wast- ing publio money in the erection of such an enormous build- ing that never could be filled, was condemned by many a circle of "etick-whittlers" and "saw dust box" experts, we may be sure.
However, up-to-date business men with foresight more than usual had envisioned a greater Woodbridge and knew what they were doing, so they quietly went on with their work, although a petition was received signed by six citi- zens protesting against such community suicidal proceedings.
The site finally decided upon was the one offered by Mr. James Valentine for the sum of $2000. Sealed proposals for the erection of the new school building were received the following Merch, Messrs. Manning and Randolph getting the Carpenter contract for $9700, and Mr. William B. Vanvoast the Mason work for $7124.
The work of erecting the building went on rapidly and on July 7, 1876, Mr. Henry Anderson was appointed as princi- pal. Later in the same month Miss Sarah E. Eldridge was ap- pointed vice-principal, and Mrs. Kate A. Moore teacher. In August, Miss Emma Mills received her appointment as a teacher in the new school and "ilr. J. F. Clarkeson's bid of school
83
desks was accepted. " A clock was also purchased from E. Howard & Company of Broadway, New York, for the sun of $600, and a bell from leneley & Limberley at a price of 30g per pound, the weight to be 1500 pounds.
At last the school was finished and at a meeting of the Board of Trustees held in the new school January 6, 1877:
"the clerk was directed to request the Clercy of the torn to conduct the de- dicatory exercises of the school Janu- ary 20 at 1:50 p. m., also to invite the State and County Superintendents to participate in the exorolees. " -- 1
On motion, Gottlieb Stoobbe was appointed janitor, re- celving $25 per month for the first month which later was in- creased to $360 per year.
The following news items have been taken from a copy of a Woodbridge newspaper, the Independent Hour, dated August 17, 1876:
"A Bell for the Public School-Trustees con- sidered a bell for the new school being erected. "of Course have a bell, for the building would be incomplete without a bell in the tower; and we never heard of a public school building, college or other educational edifice without such facilities for calling the students to books or dis- missing them to their happy homes. " -- 2
An editorial note in an issue of the same paper for August 31, 1876, says referring to the new clock:
2 Minute Book. School District No. 34
2 Ibid
84
"Let two things be observed -- got a good clock, and keep it in good time. " -- 1
The old clock is in good running order still and keeps excellent time.
Independent Hour -- September 21, 1876 Bell for the Public School
"The bell purchased by the Trustees for this building landed in this place on
Monday. It is a Moneley bell weighing 1500 pounds. Upon the outside of the bell are raised inscriptions reading as follows:
School District No. 24 A. D. 1876 Howard Valentine, D. C. )
William II. Berry ) Trustees Charles A. Campboll
Manning & Randolph -- Carpenters
W. B. Vanvoast & Co .-- Masons "Wisdom is better than gold. " -- 2
What a splendid memorial to these men! For nearly six- ty years the golden-tongued bell has served the town people faithfully and well. What memories oling around the old bell and clock! How many of us have climbed tho steep stairs up through the tower and then through the wooden trap to peep out of the openings in the clock face and view the landscape stretching out at our feet! Scores of initials of school boys and girls are carved in the interior woodwork in the mechanism room. But hark! What is that whirring noise? See, the great hammer is rising slowly. The clock is about to
1 Minuto Book.
School District No. 24
3 Ibid
85
strike. Crash! Crash! 'Tis twelve o'clock. We must hurry down before the principal catches ua.
Independent Hour November 3, 187G
"A handsome spire was placed upon the tow- er of the public school building on Mon- day last. The spire supports a gilt vane seven feet in length, and below the vane large gilt letters. " -- 1
November 9, 1876
"A large and excellent clocl: from the fao- tory of Mesars. E. W. Howard & Company of New York, who made the Tribune clock and are the best clock makers in the country, was put in running order, in the tower of the Public School building yesterday.
"The works are placed 35 feet from the dials which are 6 feet in length which prevents the works being affected by the shaking of the tower when the bell is being rung. The clock cost $600 and is well worth the money." -- 2
November 23, 1876
"Mitr. J. F. Clarkson has obtained the con- traet among numerous other applicants to furnish desks for the teachers and echol- ars in our public school building. The Scholars desk is known as the "Victor Had- ley Brothers & Kene of Chicago. " --- 3
"When not in use, the lid Is let down and tho desk locked up, thus keeping the books safe and free from dust and dirt; the desk when locked up being only about a foot in width.
2 Woodbridge Independent Hour, November 2, 1876.
2 Ibid. November 9.
3 Ibid. November 23.
86
One hundred and seventy of these desks have been ordered together with five Office desks for the teachers. " -- 1
January 18, 1877
"The inhabitants of Woodbridge are re- spectfully invited to bo present at the Dediostory Exercises of the new Public School Building Woodbridge, New Jersey on Saturday, January 20, 1877 at 1:30 o'clock p. m. " -- 2
The paper also carried a notice to the legal voters of a meeting to authorize the Trustees to dispose of the present "public schools and school property in the district."
Among those present at the interesting ceremonies were Mr. Ellis Apgar, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, New Brunswick; Colonel A. W. Jones, Editor of the Independent Hour; and Mr. Anderson, Sr., Superintendent of Public Schools An Rahway.
Mr. Howard Valentino presented the keys of the building to the principal, W. Henry Anderson, and in his remarks stated that the cost of the building and the ground was about $25,060 so fer and that there was a deficit of about $60.00 over and above the appropriations. Ir. 7. 11. Berry statod that $3300 more would be necessary to complete the building
1 Woodbridge Independent Hour, November 23, 1876.
2 Ibid, January 20, 1877.
.
87
throughout and put a proper fence around it.
Immediately following the exercises, a meeting of the Trustees and voters of the district was held in the school at which Mr. Hampton Cutter, President of the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, entered a formel protest for, and in behalf of, said Board of Trustees, against the disposition in any way of the pro- perty known as the Academy School property, claiming said property as belonging to the Presbyterian Church and "that the title and ownership in and to the said property had never been parted with on the part of said church. "
Notwithstanding this protest, the Academy property was sold Kerch 11, 1880 to Mr. Joseph H. T. Martin at private sale for the sun of $700 on the understanding that a public street was to be cut through it within a year and that if used for anything else he would have to pay $300 additional.
The Jefferson School was sold at public auction to Mr. David P. Carpenter for $375, the building to be moved from the lot within ninety days.
The fate of the "Downtown" District school has beon told in a previous chapter. The Jefferson School was moved to the lot on which the Middlesex Water Company's Building now stands at the west corner of Main Street and Pearl Street and was used as a feed store, then as a Chinese Laundry and
88
was again moved to its present location opposite the luni- cipal Building, block No. 542A, where, dressed up in a coat of stucco, it serves as a gas, oil, and auto accessory station.
The following staff of teachers was appointed in July 1877 for the following year:
"Mir. Henry Anderson, Principal Miss Helen R. Williams, Vice-principal
Miss Kate A. Moore
Miss Nelly A. Ensign
Miss Ida Ayres Mies Minnie Moore. " -- 1
The salary of the primary department was set at $300 for eleven months.
The board adopted the following schedule of rates to be effective in September for non-resident pupils.
A Class
$9.00
per
quarter
B
8.00
H
C
7.00
D
N
6.00
E
5.00
=
4.00
#
The "A" Class was the highest class according to the
grading.
An additional teacher, Miss Hattie Stelle, was engaged at a salary not to exceed $18.00 per month. Gottlieb Stoeb- be continued as janitor.
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees held September
1 Minute Book. District No. 24
2 Ibid.
89
10, 1878 a motion was made and carried:
"That the olor notify the Principal and Tenchers that when the children need books, to Give them the name of the books but not to recommend them to any particular store, but let them get the books at any store where books are kept, as vis: Comnos & En- sign, C. Drake's, M. A. Brown's, lirs. Luck- hurst's or elsewhere. " -. l
Such a motion seems to indicate that a complaint had been made by some store keeper that he was not getting his share of the textbook business.
The length of the school tom was fixed at ten months by action of the Trustees on May 9, 1879, and the following June the Composite Iron Company was awarded a contract to ercot an iron fonce complete for the sun of $800. This fence stood for many years, being removed at last to the rear of the school lot when the grounds were graded and the present retaining wall constructed.
According to the census of August 1879, the number of children between 5 end 18 years of age in the school dis- trist was 673. of these, the Trustees' Report of July 1, 1800, shows that 502 were enrolled in the school, the aver- ege enrollment being 2893, being a percentage of 57.6.
No reason was assigned for such a small avorago en- rollment, but as there was no compulsory attendance law and no school official to enforce ono, perhaps no better
1 Minute Book. District No. 24.
90
could be expected. There were seven teachers employed at this time.
Å vory interesting and complete financial report mas presented "in accordance with the requirements of the School Law, " and is herewith given:
Receipts
July 1, 1879- Balance in hands of Collector
and in process of collection .... 1925.39
Apportionment from State Appropriation. 2580.80 Amount raised by District Tax .. 4040.00 Amount received from other sources:
Notes discounted. 1919.73
Sale of School property-Aca-
Ceny $700 and Jefferson School
$375 ..
1075.00
Sale of Stove (Jefferson School.
3.44
Treasury Trustees! Free School
Land.
80.00
Total. . $11624.36
Expenditures
Mount expended for Teachers Salaries 3770.00
== Janitor's 300.00
Fucl. 190.81
N Incidentals
120.00 .
Building and Repairing of School Property 1659.13
Discounted notes paid.
3250.00
July 1, 1880 -- Balance in hands of Collector
and in process of collecting ... 2382.37
Balenoe in hands of W. H. Berry from sale of School Property 969.60
Balance in hands of C. W. Drummond, D. o.
Free School Land 12.45
Total.
$11.624.36 -- )
1 Minute Book. District No. 24.
91
This balance of $3334.42 (total of $2352.37, 3969.60, and $12.45) should be reduced, because a bond of $1000 and two coupons $70.00, due June 1, 1860, had not been pre- sented for payment at the date of the report. As the school increased in size, the second story was finished and put in- to use as needed. One schoolroom, the hallway, and a cloak- room were "finished off" before the opening of school in September.
As a help to the teachers in their endeavors to en- force discipline, the Board passed the following rule Janu- ary 27, 1881.
"Thet we cmpower the teachers of the various rooms to punish the children in their rooms and if necessary to suspend them for one weel, each suspension to be reported to the Trustees, and if the same child is suspend- ed three times in one tern the Trustees are to take the matter in hand, etc. " -- 1
In March 1881 there was a Public Meeting at the school- house. The amount thought to be necessary:
"to maintain a free public school "he coming year; to furnish and insure school buildings and for other current expenses of the school Was $2000. # -- 2
One of the voters suggested that #1500 might be suffi- cient but the larger amount was carried. This amount was supplemented by a balance in the hands of the collector se
1 Minute Book. District No. 24.
2 Ibid.
92
mounting to $4811.21.
On April 16, 1801, a meeting was held at which =1se Helen R. Williams tendered her resignation as Vice-princi- pal, to take effect at the close of the month, and Miss Eleanor S. Lott, a teacher in New Brunswick, was offered the vacanoy at (50 per month:
"provided she can be released from her pre- sent engagement. "
The clerk was also directed to write to the Board of Education of New Brunswick requesting then to grant her permission to accept the position. It seems that Miss Lott could not be released by the New Brunswick Bourd so Miss Rebecca Shump was engaged to teach for Miss William's unexpired term.
At the meeting of the Trustees on July 7, the same year, a letter wac rocolved from County Superintendent Ralph Willis, stating that he had received the resignation of Mr. C. A. Campbell on account of illness and had appoint- ed Mr. Howard Valentine as his successor.
A motion was also carried:
"Thet the principal and the vice-principal must hold a First Grade County or a State Certificate and that the teacher of the C Class shall hold not less than a second Grade County Certificate, and that this re- solution shall take effect on and after September 1, 1861. " --- 1
Minute Book. District No. 24.
93
The following list of applicants for teacher posl- tions was also received:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.