The exact date of Byberry’s first school is not determined; but must have been early, since Richard Brockden is reported to have been schoolmaster there in 1711. School activity, however, seems to have increased greatly near the middle of the century. The school was under the care of a standing committee, which was to visit schools every six weeks and make two reports thereon each year. Poor children were schooled by the trustees of the school funds. [Sidenote: Germantown] Germantown school began in 1702, though perhaps an evening school existed before that date. Pastorius continued in this school as master, at least until 1718. The official language used in the school was probably English. The names of the first patrons were all German; a large number of English names among them in 1708 is an indication of how the school and its master were regarded. [Sidenote: Exeter Monthly] [Sidenote: Maidencreek Reading Robeson] In 1758 youths’ meetings were established by Exeter, but no school committee was appointed until 1778. This committee accomplished nothing and made no report of value. By a report of 1784, Maidencreek, Reading, and Robeson were credited with one school each, which measured up in some ways to the desired standards. Exeter had none. The Reading School was discontinued in 1795. The total number of schools reported at Philadelphia, Germantown, Byberry, and Exeter monthly meeting, was fifteen. CHAPTER V SCHOOLS OF BUCKS COUNTY [Sidenote: Schools of five monthly meetings to be discussed] The establishment of schools in Bucks County will be discussed (1) under the head of the monthly meetings therein situated and (2) in the order of their establishment in point of time. The several monthly meetings and their dates of establishment, respectively, are as follows: Falls, 1683; Middletown, 1683 (known as Neshaminy until 1706); Buckingham, set off from Falls, 1720; Wrightstown, set off from Buckingham, 1734; and Richland, set off from Gwynedd (in Montgomery County) in 1742.[347] Of these meetings, all were a part of Bucks Quarterly Meeting save Richland, which belonged to that of Abington.[348] [Sidenote: Apprenticeship looked after by meetings; placed among Friends] The first way in which the early Quakers usually looked after education was to arrange for a useful apprenticeship suitable to the individual, which was calculated to enable him or her to earn a living. The moral training was always considered when an apprentice was to be placed. The placing of youths as apprentices was in the charge of Friends appointed by the monthly meeting. The early records of Falls Monthly Meeting show them active in regard to this type of education. In 1704 this report was made before the meeting.