USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 5
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In 1777, while the British troops were scouring the territory. the Friend: Yearly Meeting recommended that each local meeting should buy ground suf- ficient for a school house and a house, garden and cow pasture for the teacher. The idea was to secure a permanent teacher for each neighborhood of Friends. This plan practically covered Delaware County.
The education of the youth of Delaware county, outside these Friends schools, during the early years, was largely through a system of subscription schools established in the several townships. The subscriptions were voluntary, but when once made could be collected by law. This practice had become quite general by 1750 and many townships had school houses built and schools mam- tained through this system of voluntary contribution. The school houses were usually built of logs. with desks and seats of pine slabs. The teachers, some of whom were men of learning, were as a rule hardfisted failures in life, who ruled as despots in their little kingdoms. They were often itinerant, mostly poorly paid, and had difficulty in collecting their dues. A few were perfect Godsends to their children. But the quality of the teachers improved as the population increased, better text books came into use and better facilities were afforded the boys and girls. Yet, from these rude schools, boys and girls were turned out who went forward and rose to heights of prominence in both state and church.
The Delaware county superintendent in describing these schools in 1877. says : "There was no system of public instruction but the education of children was almost wholly a matter of private concern. The family school was suc- ceeded by the neighborhood school. . Township lines were disre- garded. Certain persons were made trustees, who had charge of the property and mostly appointed the teachers. The teachers were paid by their patrons
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at the rate of two or three dollars a quarter for each child and sometimes some- thing additional for wood and ink."
The pay of the early teacher averaged about $25 monthly, the terms varying in length from three to seven months. The old subscription and Quaker paved the way to the public schools and only gave way before that great ad- vance in educational methods. They did a great work in the training of the children of the early settlers, and, it must be remembered, traine ! and launched upon the seas of every vocation, craft and profession, many men and women who became famous, many who became noted, and many, many thou- sands who filled the humbler walks of life faithfully and well. They furnished the only opportunity for general education during the long period between 1700 and the public schools of 1834, and were, next to the churches, the great- est force for good in the new world.
All through these years of "subscription" schools, however, there had been the great idea of a "free school for every child," and in the constitution of 1776 there was a clause which provided that "A school or schools shall be es- tablished in each county by the legislature for the convenient instruction of youth, with such salaries to the teachers paid by the public as may enable them to instruct youth at low prices." This did not, however, bring the free school into existence, and in the constitution of 1790 another effort was made by the friends of education to reach the goal of free education. The seventh clause of the new constitution provided that "The legislature shall, as soon as con- veniently may be, provide by law for the establishment of schools throughout the state, in such manner that the poor may be taught gratis." But friends were arising who made valiant effort. In 1794, Dr. William Martin, of Ches- ter, advocated in a lengthy article in the "Aurora" (published in Philadelphia), the necessity of establishing public seminaries of learning, and on April 4, 1809, the legislature passed a law that the children of parents too poor to provide for their child's education, should be properly instructed at the public cost, and directed the manner in which this expense should be defrayed.
All effort along the line of public education had been in behalf of the poor child, and was not regarded at all as a duty the state owed its citizens. How- ever, by the passage of the act of April 3, 1831, a real start was made and means provided for the cost of maintaining public schools. This act provided that all money due the State by holders of patented land, and all fees received by the land office, should be invested until the interest annually would amount to $100,000, after which time the interest was to apply to the support of the public schools throughout the commonwealth. When the act of April 1, 1834, providing for a system of general public education was passed, about $500,000 had been received from the sources named, and the many opponents of the act contended that the legislature had violated the law of 1831 in providing for the support of the public school by direct taxation, instead of waiting until the fund set apart by that law had reached the sum of $2,000,000, when the interest thereon would have been available for the support of the schools. The act of 1834 was violently opposed not by the illiterate, but by great numbers of the
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ablest and best men of the State, who should have been loudest in its favor. Dr. George Smith and Samuel Anderson. senator and representative from Dela- ware county, were both warm friends of the law establishing public schools, Dr. Smith being particularly active in its support. When the act was sub- mitted to the various townships of Delaware county, the canvass showed four- teen townships in its favor and seven opposed to the adoption of the law. The opponents of public schools in Delaware county held a meeting October 30, 1834, at the public house of Isaac Ilall, in Nether Providence, that was pre- sided over by so influential a man as Benjamin Pearson, Jonas P. Yarnall act- ing as secretary. This meeting adopted unanimously the following resolution : "Resolved, That we disapprove of the law passed at the last session of the leg- islature as a system of general education, believing that it is unjust and im- politic. That it was never intended by our constitution that the education of those children, whose parents were able to educate them, should be educated at the public expense."
The meeting also appointed Dr. Joseph Wilson. Joseph Gibson, James S. Peters, George Lewis and Benjamin Pearson, a committee to draft a memorial to the General Assembly, which, while it did not disapprove of the constitution of 1700 providing for the education of the poor, gratis, declared the law of 1834 was oppressive, because it : "imposed a disproportionate and unreasona- ble burden on the middle class of the community, who can partake but little of its benefits." The memorial also objected that the authority of the school di- rectors. under the provisions of the new law, was unlimited, having power to tax the citizens to any extent, and "being responsible to nobody": that the as- sessments for state and county purposes were sufficiently oppressive "without any addition to carry into operation an experiment of doubtful efficacy," and for these reasons they petitioned for the repeal of the law. Captain James Ser- rill and Joseph Bunting were appointed a committee to have the memorial printed, and a committee of sixty-four persons was appointed to circulate printed copies for signatures and return them to the chairman by November Ist following.
In the meantime, friends of the act creating a public school system were equally active. On November 4. 1834. the school delegates from all the town- ships except Aston and Concord met with the county commissioners in the court house at Chester, in accordance with the provisions of the act. George C. Leiper was chairman, and Homer Eachus secretary. The proceedings were stormy, but by a vote of thirteen to nine it was ordered that $2500 should be appropriated for school purposes, and a meeting of the citizens at the usual place of election in each township was called to be held November 20th follow- ing. to ratify or reject the action of the delegates and commissioners. A meet- ing of those favoring the appropriation was held at Hall's Tavern, in Nether Providence, November 13. William Marti acting as president, J. Walker Jr. and I. E. Bonsall vice-presidents: J. S. White and A. D. Williamson, secre- taries. The following resolution was adopted :
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"That the tax levied by the commissioners and delegates ought to be extended to bonds, mortgages, stocks, etc .. in the same proportion as on real estate, and that in order to raise an additional tax for the support of common schools, that the directors in the several districts shall meet as directed in the seventh section and determine whether there shall be an additional tax, and, if they decide in the affirmative, then the clerk of the board shall notify the directors, who shall determine the amount and be authorized to levy and collect such tax on bonds, mortgages and profitable occupations, as well as real estate, and the proper officers of the townships constitute a court of appeals in case any person may think himself aggrieved in the amount of tax so levied by said directors."
The same meeting adopted second and third resolutions. The second en- dorsed the course of Governor Wolf in the matter of public education, as also that of the members of the assembly who had voted for the measure ; the third resolution appointed a committee to prepare a memorial to be presented to the legislature. This memorial declared that the signers were "deeply impressed with the importance of a proper system of education by common schools throughout the State. They have examined the last act passed at the last session of the legislature for that purpose, and are of the opinion that the objects con- templated by the law would be greatly promoted by an alteration in the mode of raising the money necessary to support public schools. So far as the law bears equally on all they cheerfully acquiesce in it, but some of its provisions they deem burdensome and unequal in their operations on a portion of their fellow citizens. The landed interest, as the law now exists, pays nearly the whole expense of the system, while many that are proper objects of taxation, contribute but a very small proportion." The memorial, after suggesting the taxation of bonds, mortgages and money at interest and the method of collect- ing from the townships concludes: "Your memorialists remonstrate against a repeal of the law, and are only desirous that the matter may have your deliber ate consideration ; sensible that such amendments will be adopted as you may deem most beneficial and just, tending to equalize the operations of the law, the effects of which will strengthen the system, disseminate knowledge among the people, the only sure means of perpetuating the principles of national lib- erty."
This memorial, with twelve other petitions against repeal, signed by 873 names, was presented to the legislature from Delaware county, a number three times greater than from any other county. Thirty-three petitions for repeal signed by 1024 names was also presented. The law was never repealed, but formed the basis of all following legislation under which the public school system of the State has been built up.
It was not wholly a mercenary motive which induced the opposition to the law. The religious denominations had grown up with the idea that education was a part of religion and could not be properly severed from it. With this idea they had at considerable sacrifice formed a school system which they feared, and as shown, justly feared, could not be continued in competition with a state supported scheme. It is a matter rather of surprise that so many Friends were willing to join with their neighbors, on the ground of the com- mon good in supporting the new system of free schools. Dr. George Smith
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one of their number was head of the committee on education in the Senate and much of the labor of passing the bill in the early critical days devolved on him.
The eleven townships of Delaware county that accepted the law on No- vember 24, 1834, were : Chester, Haverford, Lower Chichester, Marple, Neth- er Providence, Radnor, Ridley, Upper Darby and Upper Chichester, but soon afterward it was accepted by all and placed in operation. The report of James Findlay, secretary of the commonwealth, dated March 2, 1835, states that in Delaware county all the school districts had accepted the law, that the State ap- propriation was $1070.93, and that $2200 had been voted to be raised in the county by tax. From that time each township has operated under the State law which determines the powers of school boards in school districts, and plain- ly outlines the course to be followed. Under this law Delaware county has built up a strong system of public schools; the buildings in which they are housed are creditable ; the personnel of the teaching corps is as high as present salaries will allow. The county is divided into forty-four school districts, each township being supreme in its power over the districts within its borders. In 1912 the value of school property within the county outside the independent districts of Chester, Radnor and Darby, was $1,143,663.11; the average monthly salary paid men was $114, and women $53. High schools where stu- dents can prepare for college are maintained in eight districts, while in six schools a course of manual training is part of the curriculum. The county has been fortunate in its selection of superintendents of public instruction, they having been uniformly men in full sympathy with the cause of public education, each striving to place the schools upon a higher plane of efficiency.
A great number of parochial schools and those of higher grade have al- ways been maintained by the Roman Catholic Church for the education of their youth, and at present, schools, seminaries and academies adequate in scope, with a sufficient corps of experienced teachers, flourish within the borders of Delaware county. No other strictly denominational schools are now main- tained in the county, others being open to all religious bodies.
TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
Aston .- That schools existed in Aston prior to 1777 is proven by the testi- inony of Thomas Dutton, a centenarian, who related that on the day the battle of Brandywine was fought, he, then a lad of nine years, heard the aged school master, James Rigby, say, on hearing booming of the cannon at Chadd's Ford, but a few miles away : "Go home, children ; I can't keep school to-day." There was, however, no school building, so far as known, until 1802, when on May II of that year Samuel Hewes, of Aston, conveyed to William Pennell and Thomas Dutton "for the use of a school, a house thereon to be built," a lot of land comprising an acre. The lot was to be held "in trust and for the use of a school, a house to be built thereon for the use, benefit and behoof of the sub- scribers towards building said house." The building thus erected was known as the Octagon building, at Village Green, and therein, about 1820, James Mc- Mullen was the teacher. In 1836, when the public school act had gone into ef-
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fect and the board of directors for Aston township was organized, the old school house passed into the possession of the township, and on September 30, 1836, a school was opened there with Nicholas F. Walter as teacher of the lower room, at a salary of $25 monthly, and Mrs. Moore was appointed teach- er of the upper room. The Stony Bank school was next opened; Martins school-house next, later known as the "Logtown" school, that name giving way in 1880 to its present name-Chester Heights school. Rockdale followed witlı temporary quarters until 1853, when the Aston public school was built at Rock- dale. The township now employs eight teachers, the schools being kept open nine months in the year. The salaries of teachers range from $40 to $50 monthly, and the estimated value of school property in the township is $20,800.
Bethel .- About the year 1800, Caesar Paschal, a colored servant of Mark Wilcox, sold a tract of ground to a committee, on which a log school house was erected which was used but a short time. Twenty years prior, in 1780, a subscription school house of stone was erected on the corner of Kirk road, where in later years Thomas Booth had his shops. This building was torn down in 1825, having ceased to be used for school purposes several years ear- lier. In 1824 a school was opened in a stone building erected on a lot pur- chased from Jolin Larkin, on the Bethel road, east of Booth's Corner, that was later known as public school No. I, having prior to the act of 1834 been a sub- scription school. This building was torn down in 1868 to make way for a new school house costing $1600. In 1839 a one-story octagon house was erected at Booth's Corner that was used as a school until it was destroyed by fire several years later. It was at once replaced by a new building that was used until 1870, when it was torn down and a building erected, known as public school No. 2. School No. 3 was erected in 1860 on the Bethel road, a short distance west of Chelsea. The township now employs three teachers for a term of nine months, at salaries of $40 to $50 monthly. The value of school property is $7,700.
Birmingham .- The first school house in this township was built on a lot conveyed by John Burgess, April 30, 1806. "for the use of a school, but for no other purpose whatever," Burgess reserving the timber growing on the lot. A stone school house was built thereon, the cost being defrayed by the neighboring residents. The building was located in the southeastern part of the township, and was known for many years as Mount Racket. In 1825 Eli Harvey gave the use of an old hipped roof house, built before the Revolution, it is said, for school purposes. In addition to the free use of this house, Mr. Harvey also furnished firewood grates. About 1826 Joseph Russell lived at the Baptist church, and taught school in the shed adjoining his dwelling. About 1828-30. Milcena Gilpin taught a subscription school in the dwelling house near the old Butcher mill, the property then being owned by her father, Isaac G. Gilpin. Near Dilworthtown, on Thomas Williamson's property was a frame school house which Williamson sold for one dollar. This school was discontinued in 1841. There was also an octagon shaped building, erected near the residence of Squire Robert Frame, that was known as the "Frame school house"; anoth-
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er near Robert Bullock's, called the Bullock school house. All these buildings, after the public school law was accepted, became the property of the township. The township at the present time is divided into three school districts, and em- ploys three teachers, receiving salaries from $40 to $50 monthly. The esti- mated value of school property in the district is $6550, and the schools are open for a term of nine months.
Upper Chichester .- 111 1793 the Society of Friends established a school in Upper Chichester which was maintained by the Society until the public school system was introduced. There was also, previous to 1825, a subscription school maintained in a brick house built for the purpose on the site of the pres- ent public school building No. 1, within a short distance of the village known successively as Chichester Cross Road, MeCaysville and Chichester. After the adoption of the public law this building became the property of the town- ship and was continned for school purposes until 1867, when it was torn down and replaced with a two-story building at a cost of $2500, for the lower story, the second story being paid for by subscriptions of citizens of the township, in order that they might have a room for Sunday school purposes and for public meetings. John Talbot was the first teacher under the new law, but, being un- able to maintain discipline, the school was closed until the directors could se- cure a more efficient teacher, he appearing in the person of Joseph Henderson.
The Dutton school house, on the road leading from Aston to Marcus Hook, was built many years prior to the adoption of the free school system, and was known as the Stone, or White school house. After the schools be- came free, this school passed under the control of the township, and an addi- tion was added in 1838. In May, 1837, Elizabeth Harvey began teaching there, but December 18 of the same year John Lloyd was teacher. In 1870 the school directors purchased land adjoining the school lot, the ancient stone building was removed, and a modern school building erected. By 1842 these two schools became so overcrowded that an additional school was opened December 9. in a house of Salkeld Larkin on the Chichester and Concord road, Luke Pennell be- ing the first teacher. This school, known as No. 3, was kept at the Larkin house until 1859, when the Larkin school house was erected ; school continued in the building until 1874, then was discontinued, but again opened and contin- ued until June, 1876, when the school was finally closed. The township now contains four school districts, and employs four teachers, for a term of nine months, at salaries varying from $45 to $65 monthly ; value of school prop- erty, $5500.
Lower Chichester .- The first school of which there is record in Lower Chichester was conducted under the auspices of the Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and was held in the frame house of wor- ship on St. Martin's lot, after the first brick church was erected in 1745, and continued for nearly sixty years. In 1801 a brick school house was erected on the church lot, the cost being borne by members of the parish. Here all public meetings of the township were held it would appear, but certainly so after 1805. The old church house was torn down in 1860 by William Trainer, who
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gave $100 for the materials. About 1854 the Cedar Grove school house, near the Baptist graveyard, was erected, and old St. Martin's school, after sixty years of usefulness, was discontinued. After the passage of the school law of 1834, the directors erected a school house near Linwood Station, on land do- nated by John D. White, one of the directors. The building was so poorly con- structed that it was torn down, and in 1844 another school house was built at Rocky Hill. In 1880 a modern school building was erected on the Southern post road at Trainer's Station. In 1860 and for some time thereafter, the Misses Emanuel conducted a private educational institution in Lower Chiches- ter, known as Linwood Seminary. The township now comprises seven school districts, employing seven teachers, for a term of nine months. The value of school property in the township is estimated at $15,000.
Concord .- The first schools known in Concord were conducted by the So- ciety of Friends. In 1827 a two-story school house was erected, and in it there was a separation of the children into grades. In the following year the Friends division came, and henceforth Orthodox and Hicksite children were educated in separate schools. The first board of directors, under the act of 1836, met and arrived at a decision, best expressed in the following notice posted throughout the township :
"Notice : At a meeting, Concord, September 2, 1836. To all concerned: The direc- tors of the district of Concord have resolved to open three schools in said district, viz: At Millers or Lower school and Union school near Newlin's store and Upper school, Concord Hill, on Second Day, the 12th inst. for the reception of all children over four years old, for tuition and instruction. By order of the Board, Reece Pyle, Secretary."
The first teachers employed were Neal Duffee, at Mattson's; Jesse Green, for the Elam school; and Alexander McKeever for Concord. In 1853 the school houses in the township were Hatton's No. I: Mattson's No. 2; Gam- ble's, No. 3; and Sharpless No. 4.
The first school house erected in the township, except that of the Friends, was upon land donated for the purpose by Levi Mattson. It was a one-story stone building, the lot containing half an acre, located on the north side of the great road from Concord to Chester. The cost of the building was borne by subscriptions from those living near by, and school was held therein and is the school mentioned in the foregoing notice as Miller's, or Lower School. From 1812 to 1815, John McClugen whose Saturday night libations at the Cross Keys Tavern often incapacitated him from Monday morning appearance at school, was the teacher. In 1859 another stone school house was erected on the lot at a cost of $944. A school house was also built on the road leading from Naaman's creek to Concord road in 1827, which under the public school act became in 1836 public school No. 3, and so continued until 1856, when a new school house was erected at Johnson's Corners, and the old property sold. In 1837 a school was established at the house of Matthew Ash, in the vicinity of Concord Friends' meeting house, in which a public school was maintained for a long time. The first agitation for a school house in Concordville was
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