USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 6
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made in 1860. but nothing was accomplished until 1873-74, when a commodious two-story brick building was erected at a cost of $4000, located on the State road at the western end of the village.
On June 15, 1847, the directors purchased land of Caspar Sharpless and erected a stone school house which was opened May 15, 1848, with Sarah C. Walton as the first teacher. In 1870 the lot was exchanged with Fairman Rog- ers for one in close proximity to Markham Station, on which a building forty by forty feet was erected. The Spring Valley school house was erected in 1852, and was in use for school purposes until 1870, when it was abandoned, the district being combined with Concordville and McCartney districts. The McCartney lot was purchased about 1878, and a school house erected, now known as No. 5, situated in the southern part of the township, below Smith's Crossing. The Concord township was the home for years of Maplewood In- stitute, founded in 1862, by Prof. Joseph Shortlidge; and of Ward Academy, founded in 1882, both now passed out of existence. The township employs six teachers, at salaries varying from $45 to $65 monthly, who teach nine months each year. School property in the district is valued at $20,560.
Darby .- On September 25, 1837, the school directors of the western school district purchased a lot from the administrator of the estate of John Shaw Jr., on which they erected a one-story building which was used until 1874, then re- placed by a modern brick school building. The Southern school, located on Calcon Hook, has existed since 1850, when the first school house was built, but replaced in 1871 by the present building. African school is located on the Horntown road. The first school building was of frame, and stood on a lot originally owned by George G. Knowles until 1875, when it was replaced by the present brick structure. The schools of Darby borough will appear else- where. Darby township is now divided into seven districts, and employs seven teachers, for a term of nine months, at salaries varying from $45 to $55 ; value of school property $69,000.
Upper Darby .- The first official record of land being set apart for school purposes in Upper Darby is in a deed made in 1779, conveying twenty-four perches of ground on the Darby and Haverford road, near the residence of Isaac Garrett. On this lot a school house was erected, that is distinctly shown on John Hill's "Map of Philadelphia and its Environs," published in 1807. In that school Isaac Garrett was one time a teacher, and William and John Sellers pupils. Formerly under control of a board of trustees, it was transferred to the township school directors after the passage of the public school act of 1836. On February 18, 1833, a lot was granted, and later a school house erected and a school maintained there, known as the Union school. On this site the present stone school house near the William Walker grist mill was erected, the Union school being transferred by its trustees to the township, after the passage of the act of 1836.
On the Springfield road, west of Clifton, is a building which for many years was used as a school house, continuing as such until 1871. On March 23, 1871, a lot was purchased and the present two-story brick school house
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erected at a cost of nearly $6000, the old school house and lot being sold for $1000. The Central school house above Garrettsford was erected in 1838, and in 1873 another school house was built on the same lot, and schools have since been conducted in both buildings. In 1851 a school house was built at Kelley- ville, and used until 1871, when the school was discontinued.
On June 6, 1873, the residents of Pattonville ( now Fernwood) petitioned for a school, which was granted, and the old Methodist church was leased for a schoolroom and used until 1875, when the present two-story brick building was erected. In 1869 the brick building used for the parochial school of St. Charles Borromeo Church at Kelleyville was erected, and is under the control of the Catholic church. Upper Darby now employs the services of twenty teachers, for a term of ten months. Value of school property, $80,000. The township maintains a high school with five teachers, also for a term of ten months, the course covering four years of study. A special course in music is also included in the course. The building is a two-story brick, on Lansdowne Drive; Hen- derson M. Mendenhall, principal.
Edgmont .- One of the first school houses in Edginont of which there is record, was built about 1760, in the eastern part of the township, near the line of Upper Providence. This house was of stone, the mortar used, a composi- tion of clay and straw. Thomas Hammer was a teacher there, and also taught in Upper Providence, but in 1799 was a shot keeper in Edgmont. This old school house was not in use in 1800, and about 1860 was torn down. What was later the Central District, was known as Big Edgmont. There a stone school house was erected in 1749, and in 1809 a new stone building was erected upon its site, which remained in use until 1870, when the present school house was erected. Isaac Wood was the first teacher in the second house. In 1841 the school directors purchased a lot in the southern part of the township, on which they erected a stone school house, that was abandoned after being in use about ten years. The stone school house in the western district, known as No. I, was built in 1867. A stone school house erected in the southern district in 1843, known as No. 3, was in use until 1875, when a lot was purchased from Jesse Green and Isaac Sharpless, about three hundred yards from the old building, and a new stone school building erected.
A private school building known as Edgmont Central Seminary was erected in 1809, and a school maintained for several years. This building erected of stone was torn down in 1870. Edgmont now employs three teach- ers, for a term of nine months, at salaries from $40 to $50; value of school property, $6500.
Haverford .- While doubtless schools were maintained from a much earlier date, the first recorded purchase of land for school purposes was on October 28, 1799, when a lot was bought in the southwestern part of the township, near the present school building, "for the purpose of erecting a school house thereon, and for no other purpose or use." A stone building was erected which was used for school purposes until 1883, when it was abandoned, a substantial stone building having been erected to take its place.
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On the Townsend Cooper property, formerly owned by Levi Lukes, a stone school house was built about 1814. It was torn down about 1835. not hav- ing been used as a school house for several years prior to that date. About 1830 another school house was built on the lands of Jonathan Miller, near the Dick- inson grist mill, on Cobb's creek. John Moore was a teacher there for several years. On a corner of the Darby road and a road leading from the West Chester road to Clifton mills, a stone school house was built about 1874. on a lot pur- chased from William Davis. Another school house was built near the Mont- gomery county line, on Mrs. Sarah ()'Connor's property, east of Cobb's Creek. In Haverford township is also located that prosperous and useful institution- Haverford College, that will have extended mention elsewhere. Haverford township employs twenty-two teachers, for a term of nine and a half months. at salaries varying from $40 to $160 monthly. A two-story stone high school building has recently been completed at Oakmont, within which five teachers give instruction in a four years course of study, with special teachers in draw- ing and music. School property in the township is valued at $122,800; while $178,000 has been voted for school buildings not yet completed. Principal of high school, Joseph W. Huff.
Marple .- The first school of record in Marple was established in 1785. On May 31. 1791, Enoch Taylor and wife conveyed a quarter of an acre of ground on the west side of the Marple road, in trust, for use of a school to be kept un- der the direction of the Chester Meeting of Friends. On December 20 of the same year, David Hall and wife conveyed a lot adjoining for the same purpose. On these lots a school house was erected and used until about 1836, when it was abandoned. On December 24. 1830, the school directors purchased land in which they erected a school house to succeed the first mentioned one. 11 1857 the second school house was sold to Nathan W. Latcher. and a new building erected on the site which was used until 1877. In the latter year the present brick school house, known as No. 2. was erected. On August 28. 1877. the court authorized the Chester Friends Meeting to sell the old lot, and it be- came the property of Malachi Stone, he paying Stooo for the property. On March 21. 1818. John Craig, in consideration of one dollar and that a school house should be built thereon, conveyed a piece of ground near Broomall, on which a stone school house was erected. This school was under the care of trustees until the school law of 1836 went into effect, when it was transferred to directors. The house of 1818 was used until 1855, when it was removed and a two-story building erected in its place. On February 22, 1837, a lot was bought from Benjamin Garrett and a stone building erected. This lot was con- veyed in "consideration of promoting the education and literary instruction of the youth, resident in or belonging to the township of Marple." That building was used until the present stone building was erected in 1877. on the same lot buit nearer the road. This is known as the Cedar Grove school house. Marple school district employs four teachers, at salaries of $50 to $55 monthly : value of school property $6500.
Middletown .- Documents are extant that show that as early as 1740 a
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school of considerable importance existed in Middletown, the building in which it was located having been donated by Thomas Yarnall and Thomas Minshall. This school was at one time in charge of George Deeble, a one-armed Eng- lishiman, a very capable instructor. On May 16, 1749, a plot near the Presby- terian Church, on the Edgemont road, was conveyed to trustees for school purposes. On this lot a stone school house was built, which was standing in 1835, as in that year it was mentioned by the school directors as "near Mid- dletown Meeting House" and designated as school No. 3. As early as 1783, Friends of Middletown established a school at their meeting house, the old stone building in which it was held now standing unused on the church lot. The society maintained this school until 1827, when the separation into two bodies placed it under the control of the Hicksite branch, who continued it for several years. Three well known teachers-John Hutton, Jacob Haines and Jehu Broomall-taught in this school during the period 1815-20. James Emlen, at the time the Friends separated, was teaching a private school in a house near the old Emlen mill. At the same house the Orthodox Friends held their meet- ings and kept their school until 1836. After completing their meeting house, about that year, they erected a stone school house upon the same lot that has been used as a school building until a recent date.
In 1813 a school house is mentioned in the road docket as "William Smed- ley's school house," which was used as a house in 1808. It was located at the forks of the Rose Tree and Middletown roads ; was accepted by the school di- rectors in 1835 : designated school No. 2 and discontinued in 1839. In 1837 a half-acre of land was bought from Nicholas Fairlamb and a school house was erected. At a meeting of the school directors in November of that year. it was determined that the Fairlamb school house "lately erected, shall be called No. I ; the school house near William Smedley, No. 2: the school house at the Mid- dletown Meeting House, No. 3 ; and the school house lately erected near Riddle factory, No. 4." On December 1. 1837, the directors decided these schools should open December 19 that year. Public notice was given that four teachers would be employed, but five were examined and employed for a term of three months, the fifth school being located in a house near the Pitts farm, where later a school house was erected.
In 1839 a school house was built in the western part of the township, on land purchased from Joshua Sharpless. In 1841 another school house was built at what is known as the "Barrens," which was used until 1868, when it was replaced by a much larger and better building, known as No. 8. The building known as No. 5 was completed in June, 1840. The report of the di- rectors, dated July 16, 1849. show that in the township at that time there were six schools open seven months of the year, employing four male and two fe- male teachers, instructing 192 male and 228 female pupils. The average num- ber attending each school was 70: the amount of tax collected $1015.43: cost of instruction, $1008. School No. 7 was built near Knowlton in 1850. and at the same time a hall was rented at Spring Hill for school purposes. In 1858 Samuel Riddle's offer to furnish a room for school purposes was accepted, and
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the school was known as Glen Riddle school. This was later abandoned and the Knowlton lot sold in 1869. In 1861 the present No. 7 school was built at Lima. In 1864 a school house was built on land secured from Samuel Riddle and school opened there November 28, 1864. The old buildings becoming aged and inadequate, were in the following years replaced with ones more modern and changes made in the numbering. The township employs nine teachers, at salaries varying from $45 to $65 ; value of school property, $11, 100.
Newtown .- One of the earliest schools in Delaware county was maintained at old Newtown Square, early in the last century. It was used as early as 1750, for Benjamin West, the famous painter, then a lad of twelve years, attended school there that year. It was built of logs, the rude desks being fastened to the sides of the building. The log house was removed in 1815 and a similar building erected which was used until 1820. No trace of it now remains. For many years a copybook was preserved in which young West, "while at school in Newtown Square, had drawn numerous pictures of vari- ous animals, etc., and there is a tradition that these were made as compensa- tion for assistance given him in arithmetic by another schoolboy named Wil- liamson, the owner of the book, the youthful artist not having much taste for figures."
In 1749, a stone school house was erected on a knoll in front of St. David's Church, in which school was kept until 1820. This building was removed in comparatively recent years. About 1815, the Friends of Newtown Meeting erected a one-story octagon shaped school house on the meeting house lot. This school was maintained by subscription, as was usual in the early days, and on the death of Dr. Jonas Preston, in 1836, by his will, his estate was charged with the annual payment of $200 towards the sup- port of this school. This fund for a great many years paid the salary of the teacher. After the law of 1834 became operative there being no school houses in the township except this one, application was made by the school directors to the Society for its use, but the request was denied. On August 11, 1836, a stone octagonal shaped school house was erected on the West Chester road, above Newtown Square, which was continued in use for many years, until the stone building known as Chestnut Grove Seminary was built to take its place. On July 23, 1839, a piece of land was bought from Isaac Thomas, located on the road leading from Berwyn to St. David's post office, and was erected thereon a stone school house which continued in use until 1870, when a lot was purchased on the Leopard road, at St. David's post office, and a stone house erected in the same year, the old building then being abandoned for school pur- poses. In 1841 a lot located on the west side of the West Chester road, east of Newtown Square, was donated for school purposes by Isaac Foulk, the deed providing that in case the ground ceased to be used for school purposes it should revert to his heirs. A stone school house was erected thereon by the directors and used for about twenty-five years, then was abandoned. There are now em- ploved five teachers, for a nine months term, at salaries of $53 to $73. . \ high
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school is maintained in the township, giving a two years course. M. Adele Caley, teacher ; value of school property, $13,500.
Nether Providence .- On February 10, 1810, a lot was purchased and later a stone school house erected at what is now Hinkson's Corners. A school was there maintained, known as a Union school until April 26, 1841, when it was transferred by the trustees to the school directors. In January, 1861, it was transferred of the school district, which at the same time purchased land ad- joining. In June, 1866, the old house was torn down and the present structure erected, and in 1881 an addition was built. One of the early teachers was Ca- leb Pierce, a noted pedagogue, who taught there in 1821. In 1812 the Friends near what is now the borough of Media built a school house on their land, in which school was kept until 1840, when a school house was built in what is now the borough of Media. When the borough schools were organized in 1856, this school was used jointly by borough and township for a time, then became the property of the borough, then sold and converted into a dwelling house. In 1857 the township being without a school in that section, erected the present brick school house at Briggsville.
In 1840 a lot was purchased at Pleasant Hill, and a stone school house was erected at a cost of $3000. The Todmorton school was first kept in the lower story of the Presbyterian church, erected by William T. Cook, at his mills. This is in Crookville school district. over which there were legal proceedings necessary in order to establish their right to be a separate school district and maintain a school. The school at Avondale Mills was built in 1840 of stone, one-story high. This was used until after 1861, when it was abandoned and became a ruin. Although Nether Providence at first refused to recognize the validity of the public school act of 1834. they later came into line, and the cause of education is there warmly supported. There are ten teachers now employed in the township, for a term of nine and a half months, at salaries ranging from $58 to $90 monthly. A high school is also maintained, giving a two years course. This school, known as Wallingford High School, is housed in a two- story stone building, employs two regular teachers, with special teachers in vo- cal music and drawing : value of school property, $22.500.
Upper Providence .- The present Blue Hill school house stands on the site of one of the ancient school buildings of the county. When the first building was erected is not known, but in 1877 a school was in existence there. Some of the early teachers of this school were Jesse Haines, Martha Crom- well, Thomas Hammer, Samuel Brown, Thomas Megarge, Elizabeth Pass- more, John Hammer and W. Lightfoot. The first building was evidently of logs, but prior to 1797 a stone school house was built by subscription. George Miller, by will dated January 12, 1794, probated 1797. devised to Jacob Min- shall one acre, two square perches, of land, "with all buildings thereon," in trust, for the "Society of Protestants, commonly called Quakers," of Chester Monthly Meeting, for "the use of a school to be kept thereon" under the care of Friends. School was kept there under the direction of the Chester Meet-
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ing until 1837, when the old Blue Hill school passed to the school directors of the township. In 1872 the old school house was rebuilt.
Sandy Bank school No. 2 was established on the Providence road below Rose Tree in 1837, and school maintained in the original building until 1870, when a brick building was erected on a lot adjoining. Prior to 1872 a school had been maintained in a house belonging to Samuel Bancroft, near the Burnt Mills ( Manchester Mills), the present brick building known as dis- trict No. 1. having been erected in 1872. Upper Providence now employs six teachers for a term of nine months, at salaries varying from $50 to $65 monthly : value of school property, $15.500.
Radnor .- Prior to the adoption of the public school law of 1834, schools had been maintained in the township from its early settlement. They were sub- scription schools, mainly kept open only in the winter and for periods of vary- ing length. The first court record of schools is in 1825, when it is known school trustees ("school men") were elected. In 1827 it is recorded that land was purchased by the "school men" of Mordecai Lewis, on which to erect a Union school.
In 1837 the first purchase of land by school directors under the new act was made. In 1855 another purchase was made. and others have continued as necessity required. Suitable buildings have at all times been provided, and in public education Radnor compares favorably with other townships. In this township Villanova College, belonging to the Catholic Brotherhood of St. Au- gustine, is located. This college, an offshoot of St. Augustine's, of Phila- delphia. was founded by Rev. John Possidius O'Dwyer. The first building was the two and a half story stone house, the former residence of John Rudolf, from whom the property was purchased. Building after building has been added on a large scale until now the college comprises a convent with novitiate and study house for members of the order; a college for the educa- tion of the laity of the church, in the classics, arts and sciences; church, chapel and all the varied buildings attached to a complete monastic and edit- cational institution of this class. The grounds are extensive, the buildings costly, stately and beautiful, wholly adapted to their intended uses.
Radnor township is an independent school district, of the third class, em- ploying thirty-six teachers for a term of nine and a half months, at salaries varying from $45 to $168 monthly. This includes all grades from primary to high school inclusive.
Tinicum .- From the earliest settlement of the island of Tinicum in the Delaware, schools in form not differing from those of other townships of Delaware county, have been maintained. Public schools have existed since their creation by the act of 1834, and the township now employs five teachers for a term of nine months, at salaries ranging from $50 to $60 monthly. School property in the township is valued at $19,000, including the new school building dedicated to educational purposes, November 11, 1911. The building contains four large well lighted rooms, with suitable furniture, light and heat.
Thornbury .- In 1715 a deed was made for a lot located near the Chester
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county line, on the road leading from Concord to Dilworthtown, and there at about the same time a school house was built that was destroyed by fire in 1810 and rebuilt. The lot was transferred to the school directors of the town- ship in 1837, and school was kept in the second building until December, 1842, when that building also was destroyed by fire. A third stone house was built on the site and used until 1872, when it was removed and the present brick building erected, now known as Western District school house. In the ancient dleed the right to a foot path three feet wide to a spring not far distant, was granted. This right granted in 1715 was taken advantage of by the pupils until (880, when a water supply was furnished much nearer the school house.
The Eastern District school house, erected in 1863, was substituted in that year for a stone school house built in 1839, a half mile south of the present building. The first school house in the Central District of Thornbury was built in 1820, located on ground belonging to Nathan Hunt, who taught school in a frame house built by himself. Here in 1840 the school directors built a -tone school house that existed until 1863. when the present brick building was erected.
A school district exists in the northwestern part of the township, which is formed from a part of Westtown township, Chester county, the school house for this district lying in Westtown township. This district, created by act of legislature, May 1. 1852, is known as the Westtown and Thornbury School District. In 1861 the residents living east of the district just named also peti- tioned for the erection of an independent and separate school district. This was granted by act of April 1, 1861, and the district was enlarged by act of April 9. 1873-the district known as Union School District of Chester and Delaware counties. Thornbury employs five teachers, at salaries of $45 to $55 monthly : value of school property, $13.300.
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