EDUCATION: 1877 Common School Report, Washington County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/washington/ _______________________________________________ COMMON SCHOOLS OF PENNSYLVANIA REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1, 1877 Harrisburg: Lane S. Hart, State Printer, 1878 WASHINGTON COUNTY. - A. J. Buffington. 572 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, The Earliest Elementary Schools. Shortly after the revolutionary war, William Lowry, a soldier of that war, taught a school in Smith township. There were eight schools established in that township before the year 1807. In 1782, Joseph Patterson taught a school in Cross Creek village, and about the same time, Robert McCreedy taught at Wilson's fort; and soon after six other schools were established in Cross Creek township. John McDowell, a Scotchman, who could read and write, and cipher to the double-rule of three, taught a school in Finley township, in 1799. David Frazier was his successor. Dillworth's Speller, the Old and New Testament, and the Shorter Catechism, were used as text-books. Subscription was sometimes paid in rye, which the teacher sold to the distillers. As early as 1783, a school was taught in Mount Pleasant township, and prior to the close of the century, at least four more were established. Daniel Johnson, who was part Indian, was a pupil of the first school, and afterwards a teacher in the same house. The branches taught were spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, and the Old and New Testament. Near the beginning of the present century, a school was established in a log- house, situated on the site of the old grave-yard, in what is known now as Monongahela City. The first teacher's name was Tilbrook, the next Thompson, and the next Captain Rugby Mitchell, an elegant old fellow, whose memory Mr. Henry Shaffer, among the last of his pupils, cherished as one of the best of men. The school-houses at this time were of very rude construction, having clapboard roofs, paper windows, earthen floors, puncheon seats and writing tables, and no chimneys, the smoke being left to find its way out between the logs and through holes in the roof. In one, at least, there was not a sawed piece of timber. The salary of the teacher was about twelve dollars a month, for which usually two or more prominent citizens became responsible, and received such contributions as the other patrons were willing or able to give. Of the teachers, one is represented as a tyrant, another could not write, another could not "cipher beyond the double-rule of three," another gave his pupils whiskey for a Christmas treat. Another is barred out, and enters the school by climbing down the chimney, or donning woman's apparel. On the other hand, coupled with the names of these old time teachers, are such commendations as the following: Elegant old fellow; became a Presbyterian preacher; was a good instructor; had a good education; was a surveyor; wrote a beautiful hand; successfully practiced medicine; run as fox for the boys at noon; so interested the boys in reading at noon the news of the campaigns of Na- Ex. Doc.] WASHINGTON COUNTY. 573 poleon that they forgot their play; was a fine mathematician; a good classical scholar; became chief justice of that State. About 1806, General Thomas Patterson and Richard Wells built a school-house on the ridge between their mills, in Cross Creek township. It was far in advance of the times, being built of hewed logs, covered with shingles, having glass in the windows, and a tight board floor. Mr. Wells put in a ten-plate wood stove. General Patterson and Mr. Wells hired Mr. James Haney to teach at twelve dollars per month by the year, they being responsible to him for his pay. The teacher had alternate Saturdays to himself. Mr. Haney was also a surveyor, and worked at that on his spare days, surveying many of the farms in that vicinity. He kept a day-book of the attendance of each pupil, and handed the accounts to Patterson and Wells, and they collected the tuitions from such as were able to pay, and those that were unable were allowed to attend free. Mr. Haney taught there until 1813. Of the pupils of this school many have held high positions of trust and honor. The Condition of the Schools Prior to the Passage of the Law of 1834. The houses were built of logs, sometimes hewed and sometimes round, with cabin roofs, and a log left out on either side for window opening. The seats were of the rudest kind, simply benches without backs. The arrangement for writing was a broad board, supported by pins driven in the walls. The houses were built and furnished voluntarily by the people. The schools were sustained by subscription. The written article which the teacher circulated for subscription was his only test of scholarship. There was no attempt at classification. Each pupil came to the teacher in his order and said his lesson. There was scarcely any attempt at teaching, as it is understood now. Blackboards, charts, maps, and globes were unknown. The first tax laid for the education of children in Washington county, was in 1805. In that and the three succeeding years it was one hundred dollars each; in 1809, eight hundred dollars; 1810-11-12-13-14, two hundred dollars, respectively; 1815-16, three hundred dollars each; 1817-18, five hundred dollars each; 1819, one thousand; 1820, five hundred dollars; 1821, one thousand dollars; 1822-23-24-25, fifteen hundred dollars each; in 1826, twelve hundred dollars; in 1827, one thousand dollars; in 1828, twelve hundred dollars; in 1829, sixteen hundred dollars; in 1830-31, fifteen hundred each; in 1832-33, twenty-five hundred dollars each, making an aggregate of $22,800 from 1805 to 1833, inclusive. History of Common Schools since 1834. On November 4, 1834, in pursuance of law, a joint meeting of the county commissioners and one delegate from each of the twenty-six townships and Washington borough, met in the court-house, and determined by a vote of 1 to 5, to accept the provisions of the school law of 1834, and levied tax of $4,800. In 1835, the convention appropriated $6,000, and in 1836, 574 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, $12,000. The citizens of all the townships and the borough of Washington, at their local meetings, accepted the law, and shared in the first State appropriation of $2,397 73 to the county, issued January 12, 1835. The following is the list: Amwell, East Bethlehem, West Bethlehem, Buffalo, Canton, Carroll, Cecil, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Donegal, Fallowfield, East Finley, West Finley, Hanover, Hopewell, Morris, Mt. Pleasant, Nottingham, Peters, Pike Rim, Robinson, Smith, Somerset, North Strabane, South Strabane, Union, Washington. The only history we have of a meeting of the citizens of a township, in compliance with the act of 1834, is that of Smith. The voters met in Burgettstown. The day being wet, and there being no room large enough to hold them, they went to the covered bridge. All favorable to the tax went to one end of the bridge, and all opposed, to the other. The friends of the law prevailed. Robert Patterson who was a leading spirit in this movement, was president of the convention of November 4, 1834. Honorable William Patterson was the delegate from Cross Creek township, and advocated the acceptance of the school law. He was speaker of the House when the law of 1834 was enacted, and president of the first convention of school directors to elect a county superintendent, when John L. Gow was chosen to that office. Honorable Thomas Ringland, also of this county, was speaker of the Senate when the law of 1834 was passed. After the passage of the law of 1834, the old log-houses began to give place to frame, furnished with box desks and double seats, since in so common use. This change, however, was very gradual, the last log schoolhouse in the county, which was in West Bethlehem, was not supplanted until 1863. The change in the character of the schools was equally slow. The idea of classification began to be adopted to a limited extent. Small blackboards could occasionally be found behind the teachers' desk. Educational meetings were held in at least one township - Somerset. County common school conventions were held, and teachers, as a class, began to have some proper idea of the work they had to do. A prominent teacher who had the best opportunity to know the condition of the schools of any now living, draws this not flattering picture: "Up to 1848, the system of schools in Washington county was very imperfect. The school-houses were bad. In many places, the barns and sheep-buildings were better than the school-houses, and afforded better shelter to their occupants. The teachers were of a very inferior kind, although in this respect, Washington county enjoyed exceptional advantages to the greater part of the State, in having two colleges, two female seminaries, and several academies in good working condition, which afforded a better class of teachers than were found elsewhere." "The school officers were men who were usually narrow, selfish, and short- sighted in everything that related to school management. To all the disadvantages were added a popular ignorance of the management of schools, which greatly impeded the efforts of the best teachers and school officers." Ex. Doc.] WASHINGTON COUNTY. 575 Another prominent teacher, of twenty years' experience and observation, says: "The adoption of the county superintendency marked an era in the development of our schools. John L. Gow, the first superintendent, insisted on more thorough scholarship in the schools, a truer idea of the teacher's work, the introduction of extended blackboards and outline maps, classification in all the branches, and the introduction of mental arithmetic. As a factor in school progress his labors cannot well be separated from those of his son, A. M. Gow, who, in the fall of 1849, was studying law. The schools of Washington were then entirely independent of each other. They were located in back streets and out-of-the-way places. The houses were unsightly, the rooms were inconvenient, the surroundings were in every instance vicious. There was nothing in or about the schools that was pleasant or attractive. The neighbors in the vicinity of each school dreaded the opening of the schools as a season of noise, of violence, and vulgarity. At the solicitation of John L. Gow and other friends, Mr. A. M. Gow took charge of the boys' high school. Falling in with the custom of the times, the sexes were separated at school, upon the supposition that the interests of morality made it necessary. This school was held in what was the old Methodist church. There were three schools in the building, each independent of the other. The disorder and confusion arising from this state of things was the origin of the Washington Union school. By degrees, the school management of all the schools was intrusted to Mr. Gow. A systematic course of instruction was introduced, and the boys' and girls' schools were united into one. A new school-building was erected, which, at that time, was one of the largest and finest in the State outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburg. It was surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubbery, that made it an attractive monument to the good taste and judgment of the people. Under its late principal, W. C. Lyne, the taste and beauty of its surroundings is still cared for, and the character and reputation of the school maintained. The building was noticed in a book upon school architecture, edited by Thomas H. Burrowes, who was assisted in part by Mr. A. M. Gow. This book was circulated by the State, and had a marked effect on the character and condition of school-buildings and surroundings in the county. Mr. A. M. Gow edited for several years one or more columns of the weekly newspaper, which was devoted to the discussion of educational subjects. One of the means taken to disseminate a better system of school instruction throughout the county was to invite successive grand juries to visit the Washington schools, and make a report of their visit and observations to the people, through the papers. On these occasions, the advantages of classification, the use of extended blackboards, outline maps, globes, and other apparatus, was shown. The county superintendent sent the teachers who came to Washington to be examined to visit the schools. They applied the knowledge there gained in their own schools, which thus became centers in the different townships to disseminate school improvements; so 576 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, that ere long the county caught the enthusiasm of the town in fostering better schools. The county superintendent, usually accompanied by A. M. Gow, attended meetings in every township, for the purpose of explaining to the people the improvements that might be made in the educational work if their cooperation could be secured. State associations, county and township institutes, and educational meetings were held, at which all subjects pertaining to educational improvements were discussed. Teachers were interested, and schools were improved aesthetically, morally, and intellectually; and one of the visible results of these influences was, that at the close of Mr. J. L. Gow's term more than two hundred of the schools of the county were supplied with extended blackboards, maps, globes, and other apparatus. It must not be inferred that prior to these general improvements there were no good schools in the county. Prior to the erection of the Union school-building in Washington, the directors of Monongahela City erected a fine union school- edifice, which, at the time of ifs completion, was the best school-building in the county, and is yet second to but one. From 1840 to 1846, in the Science Hill school, Buffalo township, in addition to the common branches, algebra, geometry, natural and intellectual philosophy, chemistry, physiology, and rhetoric were successfully taught. The first teacher was Nathaniel McDowell; afterwards it was mainly taught by teachers from the school. During the above period, the school sent out from ten to fifteen successful teachers. In 1840, a brick-schoolhouse was built in Chartiers, at a cost of $325, and furnished with good desks. The school was efficiently managed by competent teachers, sustained by liberal patrons, such as John Hays, John Haft, and Mr. McHay. The higher branches there taught were algebra, geometry, elocution, composition, philosophy, astronomy, and political economy. The teacher received from twenty-five to thirty dollars per month. Between 1812 and 1826, John Donaghho, while teaching in East Bethlehem, walked seven miles to take lessons in grammar, algebra, and geometry, which he afterwards taught successfully. He taught reading by the "word method," from paddles on which he printed words and sentences. Mr. Donaghho was a man of fine literary taste. He was an able debater, and vanquished all opponents to the free school system whom he met in controversy. In 1848, John Reed, an excellent teacher and a fine scholar, was discharged from the Buckingham school, East Bethlehem township, because he taught children words before letters; to read before they could spell; or, as the complainants expressed it, "to walk before they could crawl." He printed the lessons on the door. He was then over seventy years old. How long he had taught the "word method" is unknown. Mordecai Hoge taught school forty-five years - commencing in 1814, and teaching twenty-nine years of that time at Hoge's Summit - named in his honor. All his teaching was within the limit of seven miles. In many instances he taught the parent, then the child, then the grand-child. He Ex. Doc.] WASHINGTON COUNTY. 577 was a classical scholar. Professor J. C. Messenger says of him: "In the full idea of competency, embracing the qualifications that constitute the complete teacher, he never had, in the locality in which he labored, his superior or his equal." He died a pauper. By the bequest of a friend, a monument marks his grave. He needed bread while living: he was given a stone when dead. Washington Female Seminary has been in successful operation since 1837. The first principal was Mrs. Francis Riddle. Mrs. Sarah R. Hanna successfully managed it for one third of a century, and it is now under the able administration of Miss Nancy Sherrard. It has an attendance of one hundred and thirty-five at this time, and a graduation list that reaches five hundred and eighty-two, of whom at least one-fifth have been teachers. Pleasant Hill Female Seminary was organized in 1846, by Mrs. Jane McKeever, a sister of Doctor Alexander Campbell. It was well sustained during the life of her son and co-laborer, Campbell McKeever. Since his death, the fine buildings have been purchased by the African Protestant Church, and a school opened in them under the principalship of Taylor Ackison. It is called Zion's Collegiate Institute. West Alexander Academy was organized in 1828, by Reverend John McCluskey, and chartered in 1840. In 1853 he was succeeded by Reverend William H. Lester. Of the many students who have received the benefit of instruction in this institution, fifty-nine became ministers. It is still in operation, under the principalship of Miss Pollock. Hoges' Summit academy has been in operation for many years under its present principal and founder, John C. Messenger. Being situated in the country, the number of students is limited for lack of boarding facilities only. Mr. Messenger is an active friend of the common schools. Honorable T. R. Hazzard, a member of the late Constitutional Convention, was the first to open an academy in Monongahela City. He took an active part in educational meetings, State, county, and local. Many of his pupils have become prominent men. Cross Creek Academy. Cross Creek academy began in Anno Domini 1828. Doctor Samuel Marshall taught a class the rudiments of the Latin language for two sessions. He was succeeded by George Marshall. Under him the school greatly increased, and a house was built. Girls also were taught the higher branches of English education. He was succeeded by Robert MacMillan, a graduate of Jefferson College. He taught with great success for several years. Associated with him was T. C. M. Stockton, a graduate of Washington College. Under Doctor Stockton the school arrived at the summit of its prosperity. The number of students on the roll was about fifty. After him a Mr. Sherrard, of Steubenville, a graduate of Washington College, taught for a little while, but the school was broken up by the war. Many of the students entered the army, and not a few offered up their lives on the altar of their country. The academy received no funds from the State. Many 578 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, of its students developed into teachers, and a great number became ministers of the Gospel. Since the war it has not been resuscitated. Reverend Thaddeus Dodd opened a classical and mathematical school on his own farm, on Ten Mile. It continued in operation three and one half years. The suspension of this school transferred a part of the students to the school opened in the "study," at Buffalo, in 1785, by Reverend Joseph Smith. In a few years, the failing health of Mr. Smith compelled the abandonment of this school, and most of its students passed into the "Log Cabin" Academy, of Doctor John McMillan, at Chartiers. The first building which was erected was destroyed by fire, but it was soon replaced by another, which is still standing. The date of the establishment of this academy is a disputed question. Doctor J. I. Brownson thinks it not improbable that Doctor McMillan's school was open as early as 1780, and included Latin and Greek in its design, so far as a demand for them existed; but that upon the beginning of Mr. Dodd's distinctive classical academy, such instruction may have been chiefly surrendered to him for a time. The "Log Cabin" Academy continued to supply the demand of English, classical, and even theological education, until 1791, when its students were passed over to the "Canonsburg Academy and Literary Company." After the burning of the court-house, and the consequent suspension of the Washington Academy, division of sentiment, feeling of depression, if not of indifference, in the community, led Reverends Doctor McMillan, Smith, Henderson, to accept the offer of a lot in Canonsburg, by Colonel John Canon, together with the advance of funds for the erection of an academy. It was opened in 1791, under the Presbytery of Redstone, chartered by the Supreme Court, in 1794, and was taught successively under the principalships of David Johnston, Samuel Miller, James Mountain, James Carnahan, and John Watson. The last of these became president of Jefferson College, under the charter of 1802. His successors were James Dunlap, Andrew Wylie, William McMillan, Matthew Brown, Robert J. Breckenridge, A. B. Brown, Joseph Alden, David H. Riddle. Jefferson College has received from the State, at five different times, appropriations aggregating $10,000. Stimulated by public sentiment, the action of the alumni, financial pressure, and a donation to the endowment fund of $50,000 offered by Doctor C. C. Beatty, on condition of union, the trustees of Washington and Jefferson Colleges, under act of Assembly of March 4, 1865, consolidated the two institutions under the title of Washington and Jefferson College, and chose Doctor Jonathan Edwards, president. The sophomore, senior, and junior classes were taught at Canonsburg, and the freshman class with the preparatory and scientific departments, at Washington. This being unsatisfactory, under a supplement to the charter approved February 16, 1869, the trustees met the 20th of the following April, and on the eighth ballot, Washington was chosen as the location for the united college. Ex. Doc.] WASHINGTON COUNTY. 579 Canonsburg Academy, which occupies the site and buildings of Jefferson College, was organized under the supplement to the charter of 1869; and under the management of the scholarly principal, Reverend William Ewing, assisted by James F. Ray, and William M. Paden, is liberally patronized. Washington Academy was chartered by the Legislature. September 24, 1787. The same act devoted for the use of the academy five thousand acres of public land north of the Ohio river. The academy went into operation in 1789, under the Reverend Thaddeus Dodd. After a little more than a year he was succeeded by his associate, David Johnson. The burning of the court-house in 1791, in which the classes were heard, caused a suspension of operations. It was shortly after reopened, and was carried on until 1805, under James Dobbins and Benjamin Mills. From that time Reverend Matthew Brown, first assisted by David Elliott, then by George Baird, conducted the institution with eminent success; and in March 28, 1806, it was incorporated as a college. In 1790, Benjamin Franklin gave to the trustees fifty pounds for the purchase of a library, which was the foundation of the college library. William Hoge donated four town lots, and later, David S. Wilson, C. M. Reed, Joseph McKnight, Joseph Henderson, and Doctor McKennan, one; these now constitute the college campus. In 1820, the State Legislature donated to Washington College $5,000, which, in 1831, was followed by a donation of $500 annually for five years, to qualify young men for the higher duties of life, and, especially, such as should become teachers. The citizens of Washington contributed $50,000, and Washington and Jefferson College were located at Washington. The following is a list of presidents of Washington College: Matthew Brown, Andrew Wylie, David Elliott, David McConaughy, James Clark, James I. Brownson, pro tempore. Under union of Washington and Jefferson College, Reverend Jonathan Edwards. Under consolidation of Washington and Jefferson College, Samuel J. Wilson, James I. Brownson, pro tempore, George P. Hays. "The present college now is as both of the original institutions were, entirely free from the control of the State or any religious denomination. It is but just to say, however, that a majority of its trustees are now, and always have been, members of the Presbyterian denomination of christians, the large part of all the funds having been contributed by people of that faith." Theological Seminary. In 1829, the Associate Body, or as they were frequently called, Seceders, located their theological seminary in Canonsburg. This school was successfully conducted here for a number of years. It received a charter April 8, 1833, and on April 13, 1853, an act was passed giving it perpetual succession. It was shortly afterwards removed to Xenia. The Reform School was removed from Allegheny county, to Morganza, 580 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, Washington county, in the spring of 1877. The property belonging to the institution consists of a farm of near four hundred acres, improved with large elegant brick-buildings. Mr. Shellenberger is managing the institution successfully. Normal School. The first normal school in the county was held in Hillsboro', commencing May 11, 1858. J. H. Longdon, county superintendent, was the principal. He was assisted by J. N. Boyd and A. J. Buffington. Sixty-eight teachers were in attendance. The next session was held in West Middletown, commencing June 10, 1859, which continued six weeks, with an attendance of one hundred and thirty- one teachers. Mr. Longdon was assisted by some of the best teachers in attendance. Stated lectures were delivered by prominent men during the session. Mr. Longdon held the next session at Monongahela City, in the following May and June, continuing seven weeks. The enrollment numbered one hundred and fifty- eight, exclusive of the model school, which was taught by John F. Weller and Julia A. Weller. Mr. Longdon was assisted in the normal department by J. E. Stephenson, A. J. Buffington, and J. L. Phillips. So great was the benefit derived by those who attended these schools, and yet so unsatisfactory, because of the limited time which the sessions were kept open, that a demand was felt for a normal school that could be in session nine months during the year. Mr. T. J. Horner erected a building in Millsboro', at his own expense, and opened a normal school. The attendance was good. Mr. Horner died, and the spring and fall sessions of 1865 were under the principalship of A. J. Buffington and J. C. Gilchrist, respectively, assisted by T. J. Teal. Seeing no prospect of securing funds for grounds and buildings there, that would be recognized as a State normal school, these three gentlemen, by invitation of prominent citizens of California, met with them, and selected the present site of the State normal school. They accepted the offer of the use of the public school-building, in which a union school of high order had long been established, under Professor E. N. Johnson, and since maintained; and in this the next session of the normal school, into which the union school was merged, was opened, Mr. Gilchrist acting as principal. In the following May, he was elected county superintendent, and soon after A. J. Buffington was chosen principal of the normal school. The attendance reached one hundred and forty- three during the summer session. Under the administration of C. L. Ehrenfeld, it was recognized as the California State Normal School of the tenth district, the final building coming up to the requirements of the law. George P. Beard succeeded Mr. Ehrenfeld, in March, 1877. In addition to the libraries belonging to Canonsburg Academy, Washington Female Seminary, and Washington and Jefferson College, and each of the two literary societies connected with it, there is an extensive Ex. Doc.] WASHINGTON COUNTY. 581 law library at Washington, and a citizens' library containing six thousand five hundred volumes. A literary society has been in successful operation during the fall and winter term of the public schools of Bentleysville for eight years; connected with it is a small library. There is also a library and a literary society in the school at Lock No 4, organized about four years since. Some ten years since, a library was formed on the joint stock principle in the neighborhood of Taylor's church. It has since been removed to Centerville. The School Conventions of the Past. At the suggestion of Professor R. L. Milligan, of Washington College, John Messenger called a meeting of the friends of education of Somerset and adjoining townships, at the Pigeon Creek church, on the evening of the 23d of November, 1849. David Hart presided, and John Vance served as secretary. Professor Milligan delivered an address. John Messenger drafted and Doctor Boyd Emery presented resolutions on the following subjects, which were adopted: 1. Universal education, the only safeguard for our social, civil, and religious institutions. 2. Well qualified teachers, and a system of normal schools for their training. 3. A county committee to examine teachers, with authority to call a convention of teachers twice a year for instruction, by lectures on the science of teaching. 4. That the quality of the recitation, and not the quantity, should be the motto in the examination. 5. Pledging the meeting to try and secure well qualified teachers. 6. Pledging the meeting to secure much better compensation. This was the first educational meeting in the county, of which we have any knowledge, and resulted in the calling of a common school county convention, which met at Washington, February 19, 1850. Honorable James McFarren, of Hanover, presided. James McCasky and General James Lee were chosen vice presidents. William Knight, T. W. Grayson, and John Bausman, served as secretaries. R. P. Milligan, Martin Ely, and John Messenger, were a committee on resolutions. The resolutions recommended: Well qualified teachers; system of normal schools; careful examination of teachers by county committee, or normal school faculty; ten months' school term; uniformity of text-books; appointment of a State Superintendent; establishment of a State journal of education; encouragement to young men to prepare themselves for teaching; attention to the qualification of teachers more than to the salary; more regard for the physical wants of pupils; regularity in attendance at school. Honorable John H. Ewing, Honorable Russell Errett, Honorable T. M. T. McKennan, and Reverend William Mills, participated in the discussion, after which the resolutions were referred to a convention to be called, to meet in Washington, March 20, 1850. 582 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, The convention which met on the above date, was officered as follows: President, T. M. T. McKennan; vice presidents, Reverend Samuel Taggart, General James Lee, Thomas Buchannan, David McDonough; secretaries, John A. Happer, John Messenger, James B. Ruple. Fourteen townships were represented. In addition to, or as substitutes for, the resolutions offered at the convention on the 19th of February, the following were also adopted: The reading of the Scriptures in schools. The organization of the common school township meetings. County uniformity of text-books. The county superintendency. The third common school convention met in May 21, 1860. T. M. T. McKennan again presiding. The following names not figuring in the previous conventions, are found in the reports of this: James Gordon, Thomas Ringland, John Herron, Alexander Frazier, Major Morrison, Solomon Alter, A. M. Gow. At this meeting but little is reported, except a constitution presented and adopted for the government of the common school association of Washington county, as it was then called. William Smith and some others were appointed a committee to issue an address to the people of the county in behalf of the object of the association. If published we have no record of it. Professor Murry, of the executive committee, proposed to furnish lecturers to speak at common school meetings, if called in the several townships. The fourth convention met at Washington, September 23, 1850. K. H. Lee was elected president, and Horace B. Durant, secretary. A. M. Gow reported a preamble and resolution to the effect, that inasmuch as the State had offered no facilities for the education of teachers in the science of teaching, it is necessary to establish an institute by which the teachers may be brought together to deliberate on such measures as will promote their improvement and advance the cause of education in Washington county. The name was changed to the Washington County Teachers' Institute. The fifth meeting was held November 19, 1850, which was poorly attended, and but little done. The institute adjourned to meet March 27, 1851. At the time appointed, but two members were present, and there was no regular meeting. On the 23d of July, 1853, a preliminary meeting was held in Washington, for the purpose of calling a meeting of the teachers' association, and of appointing delegates to the State convention, to be held the following month at Pittsburg. The association met in Washington on the 19th of August, 1853. A. M. Gow gave a brief and interesting report of the proceedings of the State association. Doctor William Smith delivered an address on the importance of teachers' associations. This association, and the one held in the following October, recommended the county superintendency, the establishment of State normal schools for the special prepa- Ex. Doc.] WASHINGTON COUNTY. 583 ration of teachers, extended invitations to the directors to attend the meetings of the association, and to provide for and require their teachers to attend; recommended directors to erect school-houses that would conduce to the health, comfort, and convenience of the children, and also to the cultivation of a correct and refined taste; recommended to teachers "The Teachers' Library School Architect," and the "Pennsylvania School Journal." At the October meeting, fifty members were enrolled. Professor William Trains, Doctor A. B. Brown, Professor Thompson, Doctor Scott, John L. Gow, and A. M. Gow were the lecturers. The eighth meeting was held at Monongahela City. The lecturers were Doctor Alrich, L. T. Covell, Professor Boyce, William Huey, Professor F. J. Thomas, Matthias L. Burzim, Doctor Williams, and A. M. Gow. In October, 1854, the association met in Washington. The stated lecturers who responded were John L. Gow, county superintendent; Doctor E. C. Wines, D. P. Lowry, George Buchanan, and James Moffat. The enrollment at this meeting reached seventy-four - the largest attendance of teachers prior to the establishment of county institutes in 1867. The tenth meeting of the association convened in Canonsburg in April, 1855. The stated lecturers who responded were E. N. Johnson, George Buchanan, A. Gamble. A. M. Gow, William G. Fee, M. L. Burzim, D. P. Lowry, and John L. Gow. At the association in 1855, the following new names appeared in the list of lecturers: A. D. French, L. P. Streator, J. R. Gant, Doctor Calvin Cutter, and William Carney. A. M. Gow recommended establishing a four-weeks' normal school in the county. At the next meeting, which was held in Hickory, the attendance of teachers was seventeen. Resolutions were adopted, recommending the Hickory school-room as a model, commending, as a rule, female teachers as equal to, and in many cases superior to, males, and recommending the establishment of graded schools. At the next meeting, held in Washington in 1856, the attendance was small. The association, realizing the difficulty of reaching the mass of teachers by this instrumentality, and meeting the expenses incurred, asked financial assistance from the State to bear the expenses of the association. The prominent characteristics of the conventions held in 1850 and 1851 were the discussion and recommendation of measures for the improvement of the school system. Those of the eight sessions of the association held in 1853-54-55-56 were the presentation of able lectures on educational subjects and the discussion of school improvements. Those of 1858-59 were class drills and methods of presenting the common school branches. Those of the sessions of 1861- 62-63 were discussions of methods of instruction and school management. In the sessions of 1861; the surplus fund in the treasury (forty dollars) was contributed to the State association, for the purpose of purchasing a cannon, to be presented to the gen- 584 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [No. 8, eral government by the teachers of the State. In the session of 1863, a resolution, introduced by J. C. Gilchrist, was passed by a close vote, recommending compulsory attendance at school. The attendance of teachers for the last eight sessions of the association had not averaged more than twenty-five, and never run higher than seventy-four. It was not again called until after the passage of the law of 1867, making the county institute a part of the common school system, since which the attendance of teachers has never fallen below two hundred. District Institutes. The first educational meeting held in the county was in 1849, in Somerset township. The last one held in that township, in 1877 - twenty-eight years afterwards - is described, as follows, by one who was a leading member of both, J. C. Messenger: Somerset Teachers' Institute. This association was permanently organized for the present school term, on Friday evening, the 5th inst. The meeting was held in the Vanceville school- room. The teachers of the township are Samuel Smith, address, Monongahela City; Frank. Odbert, Beallsville; Clara Capron, Bentleysville; Clara Burgen, Vanceville; Mary P. McDonough, Vanceville; Samuel A. Milligan, Kammerer; Margaret Moninger, Kamerer; Ross Paden, Vanceville. These persons were enrolled as members of the institute. The teachers of the township present, were Miss Clara Burgan, No. 4, Vanceville; Mr. Ross Paden, No. 8; Samuel A. Milligan, No. 6, Hoge's Summit; and J. C. Messenger, Hoge's Summit Academy. Mr. Henry Evans and Mr. Elwood Tombaugh, teachers in West Bethlehem township, were also present. A number of the citizens were at the meeting, and in this commendable way gave it encouragement and support. Miss Clara Burgan presided, and Mr. Ross Paden was elected permanent secretary. The subject, "classification," was discussed by Messrs. Milligan, Paden, Evans, Tombaugh, Miss Burgan, and J. C. Messenger. Its importance was forcibly presented, and many practical views were given that are absolutely necessary to the success of the schools, as well as the efficiency of the teachers. Benefactors of Education. Honorable James McFarren, of Hanover township, who was the president of the first county educational convention, left the residue of his estate, to be equally divided between the Florence Presbyterian Church and the Florence public schools. Adam Weaver, of West Bethlehem township, though childless and economical, was a strong advocate in favor of adopting the free school system. He bequeathed a legacy of $1,500 to the Concord public school, the interest of which is applicable to supplement the public school term. Doctor F. Julius Lemoyne, of cremation fame, donated $10,000 to found the Citizens' Library, and $20,000 to endow the Lemoyne professorship of Ex. Doc.] WAYNE COUNTY. 585 agriculture and correlative branches in Washington and Jefferson College. A condition of these donations is, that the benefits are open to all alike, without regard to color. He also donated $22,000 to found and support a normal school at Memphis, Tennessee, for the education of colored teachers. He still lives to see the good fruit of this bequest in a well organized school, with near two hundred industrious students. This list might be extended indefinitely if the writer had at command the names and donations of the noble men and women who have contributed to build up those institutions of learning that do honor to the county and bless mankind.