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.)
In 1701 we find the first record for building a house for the sole
use of the school, presumably on the lot previously purchased by the
meeting.[255] Robert Burrough and Nathaniel Edgcomb were appointed to
get the subscription for the building and pay to Anthony Morris, who was
to agree with suitable workmen for the building.[256] The dimensions,
“20 feet wide by 60 feet long,” were, at first consideration, thought to
be satisfactory, but it was finally decided to build it 24 feet by 60
feet.[257] The work was at first to be supported by subscriptions, but
before its completion it became necessary to issue bonds for the amount
of £100.[258]
[Sidenote: Property acquired by gift]
The acquisition of property, this time by gift, continued. In 1701,
Daniel Lloyd reported that a deed for the lot in High Street, given by
Samuel Carpenter to Friends for the use of the free school, was signed
to the said Samuel, and the meeting directed him to get another drawn to
the overseers of the school.[259] It might easily appear that the new
schoolhouse, just proposed, was to be built on this lot and not that
previously purchased of Lionell Brittain. After due consideration it
seems, however, that the greater weight is in favor of its having been
built on the Lionell tract. The minutes show that as late as 2d month,
24th, 1708, the deed for the lot from Samuel Carpenter to the meeting had
not been drawn up.[260] But as was previously mentioned, Anthony Morris
had been told to engage workmen (3d, 30th, 1701)[261] and the statement
that £100 had to be raised by bond to carry on the work (2nd month, 28th,
1701)[262] would indicate that the work had actually been begun and was
perhaps well towards completion by the end of that year. It seems quite
impossible that any such building program would have been carried on so
long before the transfer of property was properly drawn up and signed.
The years 1704 and 1705 are busy with the details of getting several
pieces of property, purchased and received as gifts, confirmed by the
commissioners of property.[263] Late in 1705 it is stated:
[Sidenote: Property confirmed]
All is done, viz.: a patent for a front lot, a High Street lot
and twenty acres of liberty land and also a patent for a bank
lot.... But this meeting house, ground and schoolhouse ground,
being only in the name of Edward Shippen, in case of mortality,
Friends think there is a necessity for a speedy reconveying
thereof to more hands and for the particular use intended ...
desired that the said Edward Shippen may convey them to Samuel
Carpenter, R. Hill and Anthony Morris, being the persons in
whose name the Patents are granted unto, adding the names of
all the overseers of the Free School in the part belonging to
the said school.[264]
[Sidenote: Heating facilities]
[Sidenote: An iron stove placed in the school]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account