Following the report of 1779, which showed there were two schools in charge of the meeting, there is furnished no further information until 1785. In the third month, 1785, a large committee of thirteen members was appointed to take charge of the “weighty affairs” recommended.[555] This committee produced a report in the eighth month of the same year, which is gratifying in that it is more substantial than many others brought in. It is given herewith. [Sidenote: Report of 1785] The committee in the care of schools report that they have had several conferences together since last meeting, and are of the mind that concern for the right education of our youth rather increases among Friends, and that a new school house has been lately built near Jeremiah Barnard’s on a small piece of land conveyed by him for that purpose, which account is satisfying to this meeting. The committee is continued for further service and desired to report as they may see occasion.[556] In 1786, George Gawthrop and Thomas Richards were added to the committee.[557] From the first to the fourth month of that year, the committee reported they had visited one school,[558] but their report indicates nothing performed, more than the visit. Four months later it is reported they had attended to the subject of schools somewhat, but that it still required much greater attention; and they were advised to meet with the monthly meeting’s clerk that he might prepare his report on schools for the quarterly meeting.[559] Though that report and the one of the quarterly meeting really tell us nothing, we are better rewarded in one produced just a year later, which points plainly to some of the difficulties the early school trustees had to face. [Sidenote: Report of 1787] The committee in the care of schools reported as follows: the substance whereof the clerk is directed to insert in our report of the quarterly meeting. [Sidenote: Mistresses employed in summer; some schools not according to advice] The care of schools has been under our care and attention and on conferring together, we agree to report—under the present circumstances of things amongst us, it is found most convenient to employ mistresses, as the teachers in our schools most generally in the summer season, several of which are now under the care of Friends to pretty good satisfaction, and we hope the concern is in a reviving way amongst us, though there are discouragements by some Friends encouraging or promoting schools taught by persons not agreeable to the advice of the society.[560] In 1794 William Jackson deeded to Joseph Preston and others a piece of ground for a schoolhouse,[561] which was to be in trust for the Friends’ meeting. This is the first transfer of ground for school purposes found among the New Garden Friends. Among the stipulations of the deed are the following: