Chapter V: Schools of Bucks County

[Sidenote: Schools of five monthly meetings to be discussed]

The establishment of schools in Bucks County will be discussed (1) under the head of the monthly meetings therein situated and (2) in the order of their establishment in point of time. The several monthly meetings and their dates of establishment, respectively, are as follows: Falls, 1683; Middletown, 1683 (known as Neshaminy until 1706); Buckingham, set off from Falls, 1720; Wrightstown, set off from Buckingham, 1734; and Richland, set off from Gwynedd (in Montgomery County) in 1742.[347] Of these meetings, all were a part of Bucks Quarterly Meeting save Richland, which belonged to that of Abington.[348]

[Sidenote: Apprenticeship looked after by meetings; placed among Friends]

The first way in which the early Quakers usually looked after education was to arrange for a useful apprenticeship suitable to the individual, which was calculated to enable him or her to earn a living. The moral training was always considered when an apprentice was to be placed. The placing of youths as apprentices was in the charge of Friends appointed by the monthly meeting. The early records of Falls Monthly Meeting show them active in regard to this type of education. In 1704 this report was made before the meeting.

A complaint having been made to this meeting that the children
of Abraham Clement are not placed out to the satisfaction
of Friends, it is the mind of this meeting that the Friends
formerly appointed do take care to speak with Samuel Carpenter
and Benjamin Collins about them, and make report to next
meeting.[349]

A similar one of 1714 points out the continued interest and attention in that respect.

It being proposed to this meeting that there is a necessity of
some Friends being appointed to take care about placing out
John Linton’s children as apprentices, therefore this meeting
doth appoint Joseph Kirkbride, Thomas Watson, Jr., and Joseph
Fell to care about placing them out.[350]

[Sidenote: Moral education in youths’ meetings;]

Another phase of education, more particularly the moral, was cared for in the youths’ meetings, which were established at intervals, usually not more than four or five times during the year. It was the practice for the youths’ meetings to be established by the quarterly meetings, in conjunction with representatives of the monthly meetings. In 1713, Bucks Quarterly took up the re-establishment of those within their limits, and ordered them accordingly, as the following extract states.

[Sidenote: established by Bucks Quarterly]

It being thought necessary by this meeting that the youths’
meeting be once a year at Buckingham, once a year at Bristol
and but once a year at Falls and once at Middletown, therefore
agreed that they be on the days ... etc.[351]

[Sidenote: Question as to early school at Falls]

To locate the date of the first school at Falls is difficult; it seems impossible to do so from the information to be gleaned from the records. We may be certain, however, that there was a school in the neighborhood at a very early date, though we can hardly determine the year. In 1730 the following request was made of the meeting:

Some Friends of Falls Meeting requested to have the use of the
old schoolhouse, and it wanting repairing, they would repair
it at their own charge, which is left to be considered at next
meeting.[352]

[Sidenote: Contradiction in the minutes of Falls]

The presence in their vicinity, of an old schoolhouse which, moreover, needed repairs before it could be used, would indicate that a school had been there for a number of years. Taking fifteen years as a very moderate span for the life of the building, before it should need any considerable repairs we could state with a good degree of assurance that the school building had probably been built not later than 1715, and that the school dated back to that time at the very latest.[353] But at the next meeting this encounters a very dangerous obstruction. That meeting, referring to the request of the seventh month, second, speaks of “the request about having _the old meetinghouse_,” instead of, _old schoolhouse_.[354] It further mentions that it was desired for the purpose of a school.[355] From this it appears that the truth of our above conclusion depends upon the accuracy of the records for seventh month, second, 1730 and for eighth month, seventh, 1730. If the record of the first date is correct our conclusion is unfounded and the date for the first established school can probably be placed about 1730, or shortly thereafter.[356]

[Sidenote: House for masters’ accommodation proposed in 1759]

[Sidenote: Property conveyed to trustees for use of schools]

The records for the next thirty years reveal but little of the activities of the schools in Falls Monthly Meeting, though we are led to believe them in continuance, but perhaps not regularly. In 1759 the meeting had agreed to allow a house to be built on their grounds for the accommodation of a school master, but the house was not built there, since Mahlon Kirkbride had already purchased some adjoining ground on which there was a house built for that purpose.[357] The said Kirkbride offered to convey the same property to some Friends, in trust for the meeting, and Robert Lucas, Story Kirkbride, Mahlon Kirkbride, Jr., Jonathan Palmer, Jr., and Edward Bayly, Jr., were appointed to receive the conveyance. This is the first record of any permanent benefaction received. In 1783 the urgent _Advices of the Yearly Meeting_ being brought to their attention,[358] a committee was appointed which reported the results of their investigation up to that time in the following manner.

[Sidenote: Report of school committee]

[Sidenote: Ground purchased for use of school]

[Sidenote: Standing committee on education recommended; and visitation]

We, the committee appointed, in the first month 1779 respecting
the institution of schools for the instruction of our children
in useful learning, having conferred together ... agree to
report that we have divers times met and had this important
matter under our ... consideration, and are desirous that this
important subject and necessary care should meet with every
proper encouragement and improvement; and we may inform the
meeting that there have been several improvements made on
the lot of ground lately purchased from Samuel Rhoads for
the advantage of the school and benefit of the master, and
that the committee have endeavored to encourage and pay for
the schooling of such poor children as are in the limits of
the school kept at or near this place whose parents are in
low circumstances and are willing to accept thereof. We have
likewise extended our consideration and views to the schools
belonging to the other preparative meetings, and although the
circumstances of things at present do not afford so promising
and encouraging a prospect as we could desire, yet we are
desirous that every proper encouragement may be afforded to
promote the good and necessary work, therefore, we are free
to propose to the meeting’s consideration that of having a
standing committee appointed for this purpose by the monthly
meeting, and that each preparative meeting should likewise
appoint a committee for the like purpose that should have this
important matter under their consideration in order to promote
this so necessary care in their respective meetings; and that
the said meeting’s committee should at proper and suitable
times visit the several preparative meetings’ schools and unite
with the said preparative meetings’ committees in affording
and giving such help and assistance as to them from time to
time may appear necessary in order to promote this so good and
necessary a work and care. Signed at the desire and on behalf
of the committee, by James Moon.[359]

[Sidenote: Monthly meetings’ committee to join those of the preparatives]

[Sidenote: Three schools reported]

In accord with the above report the monthly meeting urged each preparative meeting to appoint a committee on schools; the monthly meeting named James Moon, John Merrick, Jonathan Kirkbride, William Satterthwaite, William Bidgood, Jr., John Stapler and Joseph Gillingham to join with those of the preparatives for that service.[360] Five months thereafter they reported,

The three several schools kept within compass of our respective
preparative meetings are conducted in some measure under the
care of a committee of Friends appointed for that purpose and
that the several teachers are members of our society.[361]

The three preparative meetings were Falls, Makefield, and Bristol, the last named being transferred to Middletown in 1788.[362] Makefield Meeting was considerably assisted by help from private sources; they reported to the monthly meeting in 1787:

[Sidenote: Individual aid]

We hereby inform the monthly meeting that lately there has been
a house built on the ground belonging to Makefield Preparative
Meeting for the accommodation of a school master, chiefly at
the expense of Bernard Taylor, which he is desirous should be
under use for that purpose, to be subject to a moderate yearly
rent to be paid to Friends of that meeting for the use of the
said meeting: the said house to be their property and under
the care and the direction of said meeting with the advice
and assistance of the Falls Monthly Meeting as occasion may
require.[363]

[Sidenote: New building proposed at Falls; not built till later]

In 1790 a committee of the quarterly meeting was appointed to confer with those of the monthly meetings on schools, hoping that the union of all might be more productive of results than all working separately.[364] In 1794 plans were set on foot for a new schoolhouse at Falls Preparative, said house to be two stories in height and about twenty-two feet by thirty.[365] It was to be placed “near the line” of the meeting’s land at the west end of the meeting house. The monthly meeting was to pay £75, the employers who are members, £75, and the school committee £50 from the money arising from donations left for the purposes of schools. The house was not built until 1799, due to some unknown delay; its dimensions were twenty-four by twenty-six feet, one story high, with a cellar of the same dimensions.[366]

[Sidenote: Attention called to the boarding school]

In 1797 the attention of the monthly meeting was called to the proposals of the yearly meeting for the founding of a boarding school.[367] Copies of the printed rules proposed for its government had been received, and a committee was appointed to distribute them and to take subscriptions from any who were interested to contribute.[368]

[Sidenote: Support of schools in Falls Monthly]

The problem of school support occupied a considerable part of Falls Meeting’s time. The means of support were here, as in others already mentioned, (1) _subscriptions_, (2) _donations_ and (3) _rates_. In 1760 it was considered necessary to appoint a committee of fourteen members to take an inventory of all legacies and donations, lands and benefactions which had been left to the meeting.[369] Some had been given for definitely stated uses; and others allowed the application to be determined by the members of the meeting. It was the will of the assembly that the committee appointed should especially determine what funds might be applied to the use of the schools. They reported at the next meeting that the legacy left by Elinor Bryner might be applied to the use of schools, along with those given definitely for that purpose.[370] The method by which the funds were to be applied to that use were indicated in the suggestions of the committee at a later meeting, as follows:

[Sidenote: A committee to have oversight of education of the poor]

We ... are of the opinion that the most that can be done at
present, will be to appoint Friends to have the care of the
schools and to examine what poor children may be amongst us,
they being the proper objects of the charity designated by the
givers of the money, and that the said Friends have power to
agree with a master to teach such children; and also to draw
orders for the payment thereof out of the interest arising from
the money appropriated to the use of schools. Nominated seven
Friends for that service and submitted the names and the report
to the monthly meeting. The Friends above named are appointed
to that service with the powers therein mentioned and are
desired to lay an account before the monthly meeting at least
once in each year and oftener if the meeting shall see fit to
call for it.[371]

Such a plan as here indicated was consistently followed throughout the century in regard to school support. The interest on legacies had to be paid annually.[372]

[Sidenote: Rhoads proposes to sell land for a school; considered]

In 1781 the meeting was advised that Samuel Rhoads of Philadelphia had offered to sell four acres of ground adjoining the schoolhouse lot, to be used for the promotion of the school, and the benefit of the schoolmasters.[373] The consideration asked was £60, and Rhoads and his two brothers-in-law, Joseph Pemberton and Samuel Pleasants, offered to donate £20, making it cost the meeting but £40. The committee on school support was directed to consider this proposal. Bristol Preparative also received very valuable assistance for the use of poor children’s schooling, in the bequest of £50 Pennsylvania currency which was left them by John Baldwin of Philadelphia.[374] The great concern of the meeting for the best expenditure of these donations for educating not only the poor Whites but also the Negroes, is seen in their minute of 1787.[375] Careful account was kept and the accounts frequently audited, sometimes at the request of individuals.[376] In 1790 the committee reported their concerns as follows:

[Sidenote: Report of committee on education of the poor]

We the committee appointed by the monthly meeting to have the
care of schooling poor children; also to have the distribution
of the interests accruing on the several donations given for
that use, have given attention to the service to which we were
appointed: and the schooling a considerable number of children
has accordingly been paid for, but as it is allowed that a
change of the teacher at times may be useful or advantageous to
a school, we are united in the sentiment that if such a change
was to take place in the school kept at this place, it would
be a means whereby the school might be considerably enlarged
and the design and end of the several donations left for the
use of the said school more fully answered. (Report submitted
and accepted and the committee continued to the further
service.)[377]

[Sidenote: Establishment of funds of basic importance]

The establishment of these permanent funds was frequently expressed by the numerous committees as the most important consideration for the execution of the school idea. They attempted again and again to provide a uniform means of establishing such funds, but due to the unequal circumstances of the several meetings it was impossible to do so.[378] The uniform plan was kept as an ideal to be striven for and recommended to the quarterly meeting for its advisement in the matter;[379] in the meantime individual contributions were urged on all who felt inclined to endow a worthy cause.[380] The amounts given were frequent though small, many of them being about £5.[381]

In addition to the local expenses of the meetings, (1) for worship, (2) for the use of schools, (3) for the maintenance of the poor, etc., there were also quotas to be raised for the yearly meeting stock, which added materially to the burden of each of the preparative meetings. The quota for the meetings belonging to Falls in 1797 was £500.[382]

If we may look over the Quaker treasurer’s shoulder as he runs his accounts at the end of the century, we find him situated financially as follows:

[Sidenote: Financial status of Falls at end of century]

We the committee appointed to examine and settle the
Treasurer’s accounts, having attended thereto, find a balance
in his hands of £136/8/11 school money; also, £3/10/7 poor
money; and £9/00/00 of interest received on John Large’s
legacy, making the whole £148/19/6, in the treasurer’s hands,
and the monies upon interest stand as in the following
statement, viz.

Bonds for School Money

1 bond for ” ” £250/
1 ” ” ” £7/9/4½
1 legacy without a bond £50
1 bond for ” ” £50
1 ” ” ” £50
1 ” ” ” £130
1 ” ” ” £100
1 ” ” ” £50
1 ” ” ” £40
Included in a bond of £75 £40
---------
£777/9/4½

Interest due on school money £40/00/11
And one year’s rent on house and lot £12/00/00
And one year’s rent on house and lot £12/00/00[383]

[Sidenote: Middletown]

The Middletown Meeting began its educational work more promptly than did Falls.[384] Ten years after the first establishment of the meeting a request was brought forward as follows:

[Sidenote: School requested in Middletown meeting house]

Some Friends have signified the likeliness of having a
schoolmaster hereabouts to instruct children and also requested
that they might have the privilege to teach in the meeting
house, to which this meeting does give their free consent,
provided it be no hindrance to Friends Meetings.[385]

[Sidenote: Again requested]

It is quite probable that the school established as requested, was a temporary and irregular affair, depending on the will of the individual patrons. Certainly, it had not any official connection with the meeting, and probably did not have for many years. In 1699, a request similar to that of 1693 was made by Thomas Stackhouse and others, desiring the use of the meeting house for a schoolmaster,[386] which implies they had not advanced much beyond their state of 1693. This request was likewise granted, provided no hindrance be caused to the meetings.

[Sidenote: Middletown not in harmony with yearly meeting’s proposals]

Because of very inadequate records in this regard, much is left to be surmised concerning the continuation of the schools thus early begun. The meeting was in continual touch with the desires and proposals of the yearly meeting,[387] and it does not seem justifiable to suppose that education languished, because scant records of it remain. The general tone of their minutes is one of self-satisfaction, and implies that they themselves were well pleased with their state. The elaborate recommendations of the yearly meeting in 1750[388] did not meet with their approval as they thought it quite impossible for those members living remote in the country districts.[389] That they disagreed with the plan indicates neither a lack of interest in the subject, nor a lack of schools in their locality. Rather, it may indicate the opposite.

[Sidenote: Donation 1755 for a free school]

[Sidenote: Under control of monthly meeting]

In 1755 there was made the first donation to a permanent foundation for a free school. At a meeting in that year an extract of Adam Harker’s will was produced, where it appeared he had,

given a sum of money to them with others in trust to be
employed toward raising a fund for settling and maintaining a
Free School under the care and direction of this meeting ...
shall and will therewith purchase an annuity or yearly ground
rent, or in such other manner as they may think most proper
employ the said sum (£40) towards raising a fund for settling
and maintaining a Free School in Middletown aforesaid, under
the direction and control of the monthly Meeting of Friends
there.[390]

Whether there was a new school erected as a result of the bequest or whether it was turned to the use of one already existing does not appear; the latter suggestion is much the more probable. The advices of 1777 and 1778 and the years following aroused the members to the responsibilities which they must accept. In 1779 they made report as follows:

Although it appears that the education of the youth has been
too much neglected, we believe there is an increasing care that
Friends may be more careful in that weighty concern.[391]

And in 1780:

We believe a good degree of care is taken by some in regard to
the education of those under their care, and that an increase
in that is necessary.[392]

[Sidenote: All details under the care of a committee on schools]

All questions in regard to schools or educational affairs whatsoever were dismissed summarily, and given to the charge of the committee on schools.[393] A committee reported in 1782 that nothing had been done more than to visit the school they already had.[394] The failure to bring forth results may have been with the committee; at any rate the meeting decided to try a new one.

[Sidenote: New committee appointed]

This meeting taking into consideration the several matters
recommended in the extracts ... respecting the education of
the youth and their school tuition, are of the opinion that
a reappointment on those important subjects is necessary;
wherefore, Woolston J. Paxson, W. Blakeley, J. Watson and
R. Hartshorne are appointed as committee to those services,
and they are desired to closely attend thereto in order that
the present and former advices may be carried as fully into
execution as possible.[395]

[Sidenote: Activities of the committee not effective]

In 1785 this committee reported that visits had been made to families in the interests of education but that little was effected.[396] The committee was released and the consideration of education left to the next meeting,[397] at which a new committee of three was appointed. This one, so far as their record goes, was neither more active nor more successful than the others. In 1788 they report “nothing much has been done in respect to schools since last year,” which report was sent to the yearly meeting.[398] The record is not complete to the end of the century, but for the period considered does not offer any evidence of more than passing educational interest and activity. Nothing unusual is to be noted in the finance and support of the school at Middletown. Mention was made of Harker’s will, which, it seems, was the first legacy left to its benefit.[399]

[Sidenote: Care of poor orphan; apprenticing]

The attention of the meeting was early given to the care of the orphans and the poor, and especially to their satisfactory placement among people as apprentices. The following from the records for 1699 will serve for illustration.

It is agreed and concluded upon by this meeting that the
meeting take care of all Friends children that are left as
orphans and unsettled, to inspect and see that all such be
taken care of and settled in the best and suitablest manner
according to their capacity, that thereby they may discharge
their duty and all such be eased by taking such due care....

[Sidenote: Buckingham]

[Sidenote: Apprentices; care in their certification]

The attention of Buckingham Meeting was also turned toward the education of apprentices, and careful scrutiny given those who removed to apprentice themselves elsewhere, as also those who removed to Buckingham Meeting. In 1764 Mahlon Michener, son of John, removed his certificate to Philadelphia, “having been placed as apprentice” in the vicinity of that meeting.[400] John Parry, minor, an apprentice to Thomas Fell, blacksmith, produced a certificate in Abington Monthly,[401] which was accepted and also that of Isaac Gommere from the same place.[402] The poor were provided for by the legacy left for that purpose by John Holcomb in 1749.[403] Whether this might, a part of it, have been spent for schooling is not known.

[Sidenote: Harker legacy for a free school]

[Sidenote: Committee appointed on schools]

In 1755 there was a minute entered in the records to the effect that a legacy had been left to Buckingham by their deceased friend Adam Harker, for the purpose of establishing a free school in that place.[404] The amount of the bequest was the same (£40) as that left to the Middletown Meeting by Harker.[405] This was the first bequest for definite school purposes; the indications are that many followed. In 1778, a minute gives their financial status as £244/4/11½ and they entertained a proposition and concluded to raise £500 more.[406] At the same time, the recommendations from the yearly meeting being read,[407] a committee of the following persons was appointed for investigation and assistance on the subject of schools, viz.: Paul Preston, Joseph Watson, Joseph Preston, John Gillingham, Benjamin Paxson, Benjamin Kinsey, Thomas Watson, Joseph Eastburn, John Kinsey, John Balderston, Jonathan Shaw, Benjamin Cutler, Thomas Good, Jr., John Brown, and Robert Kirkbride.[408] The action of this committee is not brought out in the minutes of the meeting.

[Sidenote: Visiting schools required]

The quarterly meeting made a new appeal in 1780 for a more decided action by the various tributary meetings which was followed by the appointment of a new committee.[409] They were requested to “visit the school” for the “help and assistance” of the master and to report their action to a future meeting. In the twelfth month of the same year they made these recommendations:

[Sidenote: Committee’s recommendations]

The committee appointed for the proper establishment and
regulation of schools made report in writing that it is their
sense and judgment that the monthly meeting should recommend
to the particular meetings severally, to promote subscriptions
toward the setting up and building upon their meeting’s lands
as may be convenient for schoolhouses and such conveniences
as may accommodate settled persons who live near the same, as
also to encourage their contributions toward making up funds or
salaries for the constant support of schools therein which is
recommended to the preparative meetings.[410]

[Sidenote: Appointment of trustees necessary]

A new committee was appointed in 1784.[411] They convened with the committees of the preparatives and discussed the recommendations and means suggested by the yearly meeting. Their conclusion was to the effect that one thing in the recommendations was absolutely necessary, namely, that all funds, legacies, properties, etc., provided for the schools, should be vested in trustees for that purpose.[412] Without taking this step they saw no way to attain even the least success. It was further suggested that the trustees or committee thus appointed should investigate the present houses for schools, their condition and location, in each of the particular meetings, that a wiser plan might be followed in locating the new ones. The meeting considering the report decided to adopt its suggestions and accordingly appointed thirteen men,

to inspect into the state of such schools as are now kept and
where it may be necessary, to promote others,

and make a report as soon as possible.[413] Its report, produced in the first month, 1785, was quite long. Only the essential points of it are given in the following digest.[414]

[Sidenote: Summary of committee’s report of 1785]

1. Most of the committee appointed met and decided to confirm the former committee’s report.

2. We find that there are many schoolhouses within the bounds that include the members of the meeting.

_a._ These are not well situated for the service of schools.

_b._ Some are well situated, however, as (1) one on land
granted by Samuel Eastburn and vested in the school trustees,
(2) one on land granted by Thomas Goode, vested in members of
the meeting, but not in trust for the meeting.

3. They suggest that these two houses be used as previously and that new houses be erected not more than three miles apart.

4. They maintain an uncertain state has prevailed among the schools.

5. The following places are recommended for new schools to be built:

_a._ At the schoolhouse near Samuel Eastburn’s.

_b._ On the work road between William Jitchin’s and Thomas
Rose’s.

_c._ On the road from Newtown to Coryell’s Ferry.

_d._ At the intersection of the lower work road and the street
road.

_e._ Near the south side of Watson Weldin’s land.

_f._ On Durham Road near Thomas Gilbert’s.

_g._ On Plumstead’s Meeting House land.

_h._ And at the schoolhouse near Thomas Goode’s.[415]

[Sidenote: New school property of Solebury and Buckingham]

It was thought such divisions would as nearly answer the needs as rivers and mountains would permit, and would provide for all of Buckingham territory and a little of Wrightstown. Any variation from this proposed building plan was desired to be brought before the committee for their judgment and acquiescence. In accordance with this suggestion the Friends of Solebury (1785) requested the assistance and advice of the committee in locating their school which they desired in a different place from that previously suggested by the committee. They conferred with the committee and finding their choice of site as good as could be obtained, it was agreed to build the new house on the southeast corner of Hugh Ely’s land, of Solebury.[416] In 1786 Solebury Friends requested a committee of the monthly meeting to be named to whom they might give a title for the land.[417] In 1793 Buckingham was permitted to build a school on the meeting house land, the meeting to be in charge of the said school.[418]

[Sidenote: Problem of funds attacked]

Having settled thus satisfactorily a systematic method of getting the schools located, they addressed themselves to the task of raising school funds.[419] A committee of eleven members was appointed, which, four months later, reported a plan of subscription paper to be used in getting funds for purchasing lands and buildings.[420] The plan as reported and approved by the monthly meeting was the following:

[Sidenote: Subscription form presented]

We the subscribers do hereby engage to pay or cause to be paid
unto A. B. the several sums annexed to our names to be applied
to the use of purchasing a lot of land of C. D. and building
a schoolhouse thereon, the property and government to belong
entirely to the society of the people called Quakers and under
the direction of the Monthly Meeting of Buckingham, the title
of which is to be wholly vested in the trustees appointed by
the said monthly meeting. The rules and orders of the school
when erected is to be prescribed by the aforesaid monthly
meetings or a committee thereof consistent with our religious
principles, and that no tutor shall be permitted to teach in
said school until ... approved by the monthly meeting or a
committee of the aforesaid.

In 1790 the state of schools in the monthly meeting was given as follows:

[Sidenote: State of schools in 1790]

It appears that preparatory to the plan pointed out by the
yearly meeting last year, there are two schoolhouses under the
direction of this meeting. Schools in general among us, both as
to tutors and to school government, are in a better state than
they formerly were; and some property has been vested in the
meeting towards a fund for the use of schools.[421]

The form of subscription above mentioned was used for raising funds till 1793 when a committee on schools incorporated it with a few other suggestions in their plans.[422] These may be summarized as follows:

[Sidenote: Summary of later form used for subscription]

1. Each contributor to subscribe a principal sum.

2. All sums to be lumped together and invested in trustees, accountable to the monthly meeting.

3. All interests to be paid annually and applied each year to the schools in the compass of the monthly meeting.

4. All tutors to be members of Friends.

5. Funds to be first applied to the schooling of poor Friends’ children, their necessities to be judged by the monthly meeting.

6. The remainder to be applied equally to the payment for other children, proportionate to the time they attend school.[423]

7. Interest to continue till the principal is paid.

8. All principals paid in are to be invested or “put to use” by the trustees.

[Sidenote: Amount of subscriptions]

The total number of subscriptions listed up to date was 117; the total amount subscribed was £759; the individual subscriptions varied from £1 to £25.[424] The meeting also succeeded in getting such former donations, as Harker’s legacy, appropriated to this permanent fund.[425]

[Sidenote: Special committee on schoolmasters]

In 1796 Jeremiah Praul, Joseph Yerkes, and Benjamin Kite were appointed to have the care of receiving all applications from prospective masters, and in case of vacancies to seek and have ready a list of available and well-qualified members.[426]

[Sidenote: Wrightstown]

[Sidenote: Progress slow; reasons]

One can hardly attempt to place a date for the beginning of the schools in Wrightstown Meeting. But by a report made late in the eighteenth century (1792) we gather a very good idea of the state of schools in that locality. The cause of the rather halting progress is perhaps found in the latter part of this committee’s report, which states that the best plan conceived is for each particular meeting to raise its own subscription for its own school,[427] which in part was right, but more direction on the part of the monthly meeting would doubtless have produced better results. The report of 1792 is here submitted.

[Sidenote: Want of money to pay qualified teachers]

We the committee appointed to take into consideration the
state of schools within the limits of this meeting, after
having several times met and attended to our appointment,
find the main cause why our schools are so unsettled and so
frequently occupied by unqualified teachers is the want of
sufficient salaries to make tuition an object of employment
worthy the attention of those who are or may be best qualified
to discharge that trust; having duly investigated that subject
it plainly appears very few amongst us who are interested
in schools are of ability to advance money towards raising
a fund on any other consideration than that of immediately
receiving the benefit thereof; we are, therefore, of opinion
nothing affords a fairer prospect of promoting the work than
for separate neighborhoods to enter subscriptions for raising
funds for the support and establishment of their own particular
schools, which was read and referred to the consideration of
next meeting.[428]

In 1793 the extracts from the yearly meeting being read and especially those concerned with the establishment of schools, it was decided to appoint a committee “to endeavor to promote that service as recommended,” and make a report that might be sent to the yearly assembly.[429]

[Sidenote: Committee on school legacies, etc., reports £248/13/10]

In 1790 a committee was appointed to look after the state of various legacies which had been left from time to time for the “support of a free school.”[430] This committee made report shortly thereafter that the amount of the principals and interest at the time was £248/13/10.[431] A question arose as to the proper application of the interest on a legacy left by Jonathan Abbitt and others, and was referred to the school committee. They decided it might be expended for the schooling of Friends’ children in straightened circumstances, provided they be taught in a school kept in Wrightstown.[432]

A number of other legacies were granted from time to time for the encouragement of a free school, among them being one by Adam Harker (£40),[433] who had also benefitted Middletown and Buckingham, and that of David Buckman, the text of which is given below.

[Sidenote: Buckman’s will]

I give and bequeath to Isaac Wiggins of the township of
Northampton, David Buckman and James Briggs of the township of
Newtown, and Joseph Hampton and Isaac Chapman of the township
of Wrightstown, all in the County of Bucks, and the survivors
of them, the sum of £50 in gold or silver currency in trust
... place the same at interest on real security or therewith
purchase an annuity or groundrent or such other method as they
may think proper for securing the same and apply the interest
thereof as the same shall thereafter be received, towards the
establishing and maintaining a free school in Wrightstown
aforesaid near the meeting house for the instruction of
Friends children belonging to the monthly meeting of Friends
in Wrightstown, in useful learning, and the said school
to be under the care and direction of the monthly meeting
aforesaid.[434]

[Sidenote: Digest of report on legacies at Wrightstown]

In 1791 a committee presented a report on the status of legacies, which is given herewith in shortened form.

1. The will of David Twining.

I give to the monthly meeting of Friends at Wrightstown
the sum of five pounds to be applied towards a Free School
in Wrightstown, near the meeting house, that is under the
direction and care of Friends.

2. A committee of six suggested to take the said legacy and apply its interest to the said school.

3. Report of a committee on Adam Harker’s will.

All trustees have died without having made any purchase of any
groundrent or annuity for the purpose aforementioned.

4. The trustees appointed by David Buckman, deceased, in his last will and testament to have the care of a legacy of £50 given by the said David to this meeting for establishing a Free School in Wrightstown, report that they have received said legacy and put it out to interest on a mortgage bearing date the seventeenth day of the third month last.[435]

[Sidenote: Funds in chaotic state]

In 1799 a legacy of £30 was left to Wrightstown Meeting “to be laid out in the education of poor children in the school house on the meeting house land.”[436] From later records running into the first two decades of the next century, it appears that the state of the donations was never gotten into very good shape. When they came into the hands of the trustees in 1822 they were “indistinguishable one from another,” so far as the purposes for which each was intended. At the time when some of the bequests were made there was a large stone schoolhouse standing on the meeting’s grounds to which they alluded in their wills.[437] This building was torn down about 1815 and two schools set up, one two miles above the meeting house, and the other about three-quarters of a mile below it. The total amount of the legacies had increased by 1822 to about $6,800.[438]

[Sidenote: Richland]

[Sidenote: date of school]

[Sidenote: Endowment for use of poor]

Richland Monthly Meeting (1742), the latest of all in Bucks County to be established, with which we are now dealing, belonged to the Abington Quarter (whose limits were chiefly in Montgomery County). The school, its date of beginning not known (probably in 1742),[439] was early endowed with legacies left voluntarily and primarily for the education of the poor; the first one of considerable worth was that of Morris Morris. An extract from the minutes shows that,

At this meeting were exhibited two bonds for two sums of money
amounting in the whole to £100, it being a free and generous
donation given by our ancient Friend, Morris Morris, for the
use and encouragement of a school to be kept at or near this
meeting house, which bonds are legally executed to the Friends
heretofore appointed as trustees for this meeting, who are to
take care from time to time to lay out the interest arising
from the said donation for procuring necessary learning for
such poor Friends’ children who may be the most proper objects
of such charitable help and the said trustees to render
yearly account to this meeting of their service in the said
distribution.[440]

This beginning was increased in 1796 by £20 granted from the estate of Edward Roberts.[441] The following record from a school account book of legacies, known as the “Jonathan Walton Fund” is cited, which indicates the manner of the school expenditures[442]:

[Sidenote: Items of expenditure for schooling in Richland]

1792—for schooling

to Jesse Foulke 15/10/00
to Jonathan Carr 1/10/00
to ditto 7/00
to Abraham Walton 16/6/00
to Jesse Foulke 1/10/7
to John Nash 5/00
to Jesse Hicks 1/2/6

1793—

to Jonathan Carr 7/6
to Nathan Walton 5/4
to Sam Norris 2/12/11
to Abraham Walton 18/7
to Jesse Hicks 15/00
to Samuel Norris 3/6/3½

Paid to Daniel B. Ayres for teaching children 2/1/8
3/2/2

Paid for teaching and books 2/1/4

SUMMARY

[Sidenote: The meetings]

[Sidenote: Falls]

[Sidenote: Permanent property acquired]

[Sidenote: Three schools reported]

The establishment of schools of Falls, Middletown, Wrightstown, Buckingham, and Richland meetings is discussed in this chapter. Their first activity was to establish youths’ meetings and look after the placing of apprentices. The date of the first school at Falls is not determined, though the educational activity appears to have been on a par with other meetings. In 1759 property was conveyed to trustees for the use of the school, and at various dates thereafter. A school committee reported three schools, one in each preparative, in 1784. The usual means of support were employed. The school money amounted in 1799 to £777/9/4½.

[Sidenote: Middletown]

[Sidenote: First school in meeting house]

[Sidenote: Free school endowed]

Middletown’s first school was held in the meeting house, in accord with a permit granted by Friends. The real progress of schools among them is not determined, though we know that they are supplied with schools. It is likely, judging from the nature of the committee’s reports, that they did _not meet_ the standards set by the yearly meeting. The free school, endowed with £40 in 1755 by Harker, was to be under care of the monthly meeting.

[Sidenote: Buckingham]

[Sidenote: Plan for buildings and support]

Buckingham meeting assumed a regular care in the apprenticing of children, and, like Middletown, was endowed by Adam Harker. A school committee was appointed in 1778, and the visiting of schools required. An unusual plan for building schoolhouses was devised in 1785; and also a scheme for school support in 1785 which was improved in 1793. A special committee of two men had charge of employing masters. Two schools are reported as under the care of the meetings’ committee, in 1790.

[Sidenote: Wrightstown]

[Sidenote: One school under monthly meeting]

The cause for the apparently slow progress of Wrightstown concerning schools lay chiefly in a lack of permanent funds. Back of this, there seems to have been a failure on the part of the monthly meeting to unite and direct the activities of its preparatives, for the individual contributions were considerable. Though “schools” are mentioned in the minutes, it seems most likely that only the one at Wrightstown was in reality a school of the monthly meeting.

[Sidenote: Richland]

Little is discovered concerning the Richland school save that it was endowed in 1762 by Morris. The account books of the Walton fund show that the children were schooled at the expense of the meeting.

[Sidenote: Total number of schools]

There were probably eight schools regularly established in the five monthly meetings.