In 1790 it was reported that one of the preparative meetings was considering the purchase of a lot of ground for the purpose of schools,[736] probably that of Haverford. In July 1791 the committee on school affairs gave a pretty full report, at any rate the best we can get, on the condition of Radnor’s schools situated in each of the preparative meetings. The statement issued by the committee was the following: [Sidenote: Report of 1791] [Sidenote: Two schools under Friends’ meeting] [Sidenote: Haverford and Radnor] The committee on schools also produced their report thereon in writing as follows—We ... take the interesting subject of schools into consideration, and to visit those wherein either our preparatives are concerned, have given unction thereto, and find that although there are divers schools kept in the compass of the monthly meeting, two only appear subject to the rule and direction of Friends, the one being at Haverford, kept in a house erected in a small lot of ground belonging to that meeting: This school we visited in company with a committee of that preparative, which to us seems under its present circumstances tolerably well conducted; but it does not appear there are funds established, the salary of the master being made up by the neighborhood subscription ... some poor children principally are taught, the expense whereof is defrayed out of a small annual income arising from a sum left by a friend for such uses.—The other school is at Radnor, the house being Friends’ property also; on a visit made to this school in company of a committee of that preparative meeting, we found it large at the time and under rules which appeared pretty well adapted for the government thereof, but the salary there, as in the aforementioned school, depends on the transient subscription, and therefore uncertain. At Merion and the Valley we have not discovered any progress made in laying a foundation for schools in the way proposed by the Yearly Meeting. After considering this weighty subject with attention we are of the mind the several preparatives (notwithstanding difficulties may occur) should be encouraged to a continuance of care and exertion herein as strength may be afforded; in order to carry into effect this desirable object among us.—Signed on behalf of the said committee by James Jones.[737] [Sidenote: Concord] [Sidenote: Birmingham School at least as early as 1779] [Sidenote: School at Chichester]