Early Quaker education in PennsylvaniaWoody, Thomas
History
Early Quaker education in Pennsylvania
Woody, Thomas
Education -- Pennsylvania -- History; Society of Friends -- Education -- History; Thesis (Ph. D.)
Not only was he kindly to the pupils as a teacher,[1042] but he was
a father to the poor lads whenever he could help them in any way. In
1754 Samuel Boulds was bound to him, so that he might look after his
schooling, and he further requested the Board to care for the same, if
he should die or leave the school before the lad was grown up.[1043] His
health not being good, he requested leave from his school during the
summer of 1754.[1044] Apparently his health did not improve sufficiently
and he did not return to the school till 1757, taking the place of Ann
Thornton.[1045] Another instance of his philanthropy came to light in his
request (1762) that certain of the children of the poor French neutrals
be allowed to go to the Public School which was granted only upon his
certification of those he felt sure would attend regularly.[1046] Shortly
thereafter on account of ill health, he was again forced to leave the
Girls School, which he did until 1767, when he returned to resume his
work again.[1047] It was no difficulty for him to start a school. The
suggestion was made to the Board in one month, and in the following he
was teaching the school, and made his regular report at their meeting.
[Sidenote: Enters the Negro School in 1782]
From the information the writer has assembled, it appears that he
continued with the White school, after his return in 1767, until 1782,
when at his request he was accepted by the committee to take charge of
the Negro School.[1048] He had throughout his life written eloquently in
defense of freedom’s cause,[1049] and the origin of the Negro School, in
1770, was perhaps due to him more than to any other man in the Friends’
meeting.
[Sidenote: Jonathan Binns]
Jonathan Binns was to have taken charge of the Public School in 1734, if
his health improved, but no report being made by him it is inferred he
did not perform such service.[1050] Alexander Buller was employed in 1738
to teach writing, mathematics, and the Latin tongue. Three years later he
ran an advertisement in the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, as follows:
[Sidenote: Alexander Buller; one of few who advertised for pupils]
Writing, Arithmetic, Merchants’ Accounts, Navigation, Algebra,
and other parts of the mathematics are taught by Alexander
Buller, at the Public School in Strawberry Alley. He proposes
to keep a night school for the winter and begins on the 23d
instant when constant attendance shall be given. November 5,
1741.[1051]
[Sidenote: William Brown, Daniel Britt, Pickering and Mears]
William Brown was teaching girls reading, writing, arithmetic and
language in 1784.[1052] Daniel Britt interested himself in the
instruction of Negroes in whose school he was employed from about
1790[1053] to 1796 or 1797.[1054] He was succeeded by Elisha Pickering
who probably taught till 1799, being followed by Benjamin Mears.[1055]
[Sidenote: John Cadwalader]
[Sidenote: Thomas Makin]
[Sidenote: George Keith; dissatisfaction with him]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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