And we, the subscribers, writing with the above recommendations and willing to part with a portion of the substance, we as stewards are blessed with, in order to carry the same into effect (provided always, nevertheless, that no part of the fund shall ever be applied towards paying the master’s salary so as to reduce the schooling of children who are in affluent circumstances, lower than 40 shillings per annum, and may be raised at the discretion of the trustees), do hereby promise for ourselves, our heirs, and executors, or administrators to pay, or cause to be paid, the several sums to our names annexed, to the trustees for ... school. Otherwise, five per cent. interest from the dates respectively to our names prefixed until paid or till such other persons as may be appointed by the monthly meeting to receive the same. In witness whereof, ...[644] The situation of schools near the close of the century is shown in a report of 1797 to be as stated below. Though this report states no fund is established, a later report of 1798 states that some progress has been made in that respect.[645] The report for 1797 is as follows: [Sidenote: Three schools; no funds] The committee in the care of schools report that there is no fund established for this purpose, yet there are three schools within the compass of our monthly meeting taught by masters who are Friends and are under the especial care of a committee of this meeting.[646] At the very close of the century Sadsbury Friends were interested in raising a fund to help in the establishment of the Yearly Meeting’s boarding school at Westtown, Pennsylvania.[647] SUMMARY [Sidenote: The meetings] This chapter considers the establishment of schools in Kennett, New Garden, Goshen, Bradford, Uwchlan, London Grove and Sadsbury monthly meetings. [Sidenote: Kennett] [Sidenote: A union school reported] [Sidenote: Rules drawn for school, property purchased] No early definite reference is made to education, though the careful interest in children’s welfare is at all times evident. Not until the “1777 era” do the reports give any considerable information concerning schools. Committees were thereafter always in attendance upon the problems of the schools. In 1781 a “union school” was reported between Kennett, Bradford and New Garden, which was afterwards discontinued. In 1785 they report “several schools,” in partial accord with demands of the yearly meeting. Land for Kennett school “number one” was purchased in 1792, and rules drawn up for its control. Their scheme for raising permanent funds was not completed until 1795. Two schools, taught by members of the society, were under the care of the meeting’s committee in 1798. [Sidenote: Two schools under Kennett meeting] [Sidenote: Two schools, another proposed]