From 1730 there is only an occasional mention made of the masters employed at the public school, until we come to the period about 1770 when the names were occasionally given in committee reports on the condition of the schools. However, with the fourth decade came a period of real greatness, for in 1742[203] began the services of Anthony Benezet, of whom considerable mention is made elsewhere, who continued in the public school till 1782.[204] He had throughout his life been interested in the Negroes and for several years previous had cherished a desire to work in their schools. His request, in that regard, was accordingly granted in 1782, after John Houghton relinquished that position.[205] He continued to teach the Negro school, until the time of his death two years later.[206] In 1748 Robert Willian came from England for the purpose of keeping Friends school, and was accordingly accepted into their meeting, having produced the customary certificate from his home meeting at Scarborough in Yorkshire.[207] The next mention of a new master in the ranks is concerned with Josai, who married in 1763.[208] Encouragement was at all times given to women as teachers, mention having already been made to their employment as early as 1699.[209] In 1764: [Sidenote: Ann Brientnall establishes small school] The meeting being informed that Ann Brientnall is desirous of keeping a small school for the instruction of Friends children only in reading and sewing and not being at present able to hire a place suitable for the purpose, requests the use of a vacant lower room in one of the alms-houses, and Friends approving her proposal, it is agreed that she may make use of one of these rooms for that purpose until she can accommodate herself elsewhere, or it may be wanted (for other purposes).[210] The recommendations of the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia in 1778,[211] produced a very beneficial effect upon the school affairs in all of its monthly meetings. Thereafter, reports were sent in, bad, good and indifferent, which were much superior to anything that had been done previously, though they were still too infrequent and abbreviated in regard to information contained. A digest of the report of 1779 follows, which shows the number of teachers in the several schools at that time:[212] [Sidenote: Schools reported in 1779] 1. The Grammar School was presided over by John Thompson who also taught writing and arithmetic. 2. John Todd taught reading, English, writing, arithmetic and some branches of mathematics. 3. Another master was Joseph Yerkes, who taught the same branches as Todd. 4. George Smith taught reading, writing and arithmetic to the children of Friends and others. 5. Anthony Benezet at this time was employed in teaching the Girls’ School in which were received also the children of other denominations besides Friends.