Early Quaker education in Pennsylvania

by Thomas Woody

SUMMARY

Summary of Cox’s position

This chapter treats of the attitude of Friends towards education. At the beginning there is presented a criticism of S. H. Cox, which is a concrete example of the type of criticism referred to in these pages. Following this there are presented the educational views of several Friends,—Penn, Barclay, Benezet, Woolman, Whitehead, Crouch, Tuke, and Thomas Budd, in order that the reader may judge of the truth or error presented in the criticism. The chief points made in Cox’s criticism are: (1) hostility of the Quaker system to classical education, (2) general hostility of the Friends to colleges and seminaries of learning, and (3) that the “light within” was sufficient without any education.

Summary of points maintained by certain Quaker leaders

From the material next presented it is shown that: (1) Penn recommended both practical and higher education, (2) useful arts and sciences are recommended to be taught in public schools, (3) the classics were introduced as a part of the curriculum in the Penn Charter School, and also in other schools established by the society, (4) Barclay explains that the society holds a classical education not absolutely necessary for a minister, though it is useful, (5) the learning of languages is recommended by the London Yearly Meeting, (6) education is advocated by Benezet as a religious and social duty; the education of the poor and unfortunate classes and races is urged; a higher education for schoolmasters is recommended, (7) Woolman urges the education of Negroes and Indians as a social duty; the responsibility is placed on the individual, (8) Crouch states that Hebrew, Greek, and Latin are recognized as useful and are not opposed when taught for that purpose, (9) Budd, one of the early Quakers in Pennsylvania, introduced a very comprehensive and Utopian scheme for (a) industrial education and (b) higher education, proposing to organize it under the control of the General Assembly, and (10) indications are that progress, within the teaching body in Friends’ institutions, is quite comparable with that of other institutions, though there is no attempt to produce conclusive evidence either to that effect or the contrary.

CHAPTER IV
EDUCATION IN PHILADELPHIA[124]

On ye 27th day of October, 1682, arrived before ye Towne of New Castle from England, William Penn, Esqe., whoo produced twoo deeds of feofment for this Towne and twelve myles about itt, and also for ye twoo lower counties, ye Whoorekills and St. Jones’s—wherefore ye said William Penn received possession of ye Towne ye 28th of October, 1682.[125]

The date of Penn’s coming disputed

It is probable that Penn reached Philadelphia in the latter days of October or the early part of November,[126] though no student of Philadelphia history has yet been able to settle the question of the day absolutely. Tradition says he came up the river in an open boat and landed at the landing on Dock Street near the new tavern, the Blue Anchor, which had just been erected by George Guest, a Quaker.[127] The formal ceremony of transferring the territory which had been arranged between Penn and the Duke of York before leaving England,[128] was accomplished with the Duke’s commissioners, Moll and Herman,[129] and the official debut of Pennsylvania in colonial society was no longer a hope but a reality.

Education provided for in first Frame of Government

The foundation of the colony’s educational institutions had, however, not been delayed till the formalities of “making” a colony were over. Education received early consideration in the Frame of Government which was drawn up from England by Penn and agreed to on April 25, 1682, before he prepared to depart for Pennsylvania.[130] In that document it is clearly set forth that education was the function of the civil authority, though the intentions of the author were not realized fully for more than a hundred and fifty years.[131] The same idea is present in each of the three Frames of Government which were drawn up; the first, April 25, 1682;[132] the second, April 2, 1683;[133] and the third, November 7, 1696,[134] under Governor Markham. The instrument drawn on April 2, 1683, contained in part the following stipulations, which bear the impression of the Quaker ideal of education.

The provisions

Tenth. That the Governor and the Provincial Council shall erect and order all public schools and encourage and reward the authors of useful sciences and laudable inventions in the said provinces and territories thereof.

Eleventh. That one-third of the Provincial Council residing with the Governor from time to time shall, with the Governor, have the care and management of public affairs relating to peace, justice, treasury and improvement of the province and territories, and to the good education of the youth, and sobriety of the manner of the inhabitants therein aforesaid.[135]

Quaker Council provides a school

The plan for education as above set forth was not destined to be the one followed consistently for more than a century and a half of development, though throughout the first decades the relations between the schools of Friends and the governing Council were very close.[136] It is significant that the first school was actually ordered by the Council, in keeping with Penn’s provisions. About one year after Penn’s arrival in Philadelphia the educational problem came to the attention of the Council and received decided recognition, as the following witnesses:

The Governor and Provincial Council having taken into their serious consideration the great necessity there is of a schoolmaster for the instruction and sober education of the youth in the town of Philadelphia, sent for Enock Flower, an inhabitant of said town, who for twenty years past has been exercised in that care and employment in England, to whom having communicated their minds, he embraced it upon the following terms: to learn to read English 4s by the quarter, to learn to read and write 6s by the quarter, to learn to read, write and cast accounts 8s by the quarter; for boarding a scholar, that is to say, diet, washing, lodging, and schooling, ten pounds for one whole year.[137]

Additional provisions or books

Charter of 1701 does not refer to education as did the former ones

Thus the first impetus to education in Pennsylvania came through properly constituted governmental authority. The Council records show that the interest in educational affairs was maintained for some time. In the month following a law was proposed for making several sorts of books for the use of persons in the province, and also recommended that care be taken about “Learning and Instruction of youth, to witt: a school in the arts and sciences.”[138] This interest in, and the close relation of the Council to, education were not long continued however; for this there is no satisfactory explanation, though it is very clear that the attitude on the part of the government did change.[139] This change is evidenced in the policy as outlined by the Charter of 1701, in which there is no reference made to education or the responsibility of the Governor or Council therefor.[140] To the writer it seems that the withdrawal of the Council from any very active participation in the affairs of education may have been due to two reasons: first, the willingness evinced by private interests to establish schools and thus take over to themselves the duties of educators (evidenced by the establishment of Keith’s school by Friends in 1689 without the assistance or advice of the Council);[141] and second, the urgent details of establishing a new government, which occupied their first attention.

If further proof of the withdrawal of the colonial government from the active establishment of schools, and of the fact that they did accept and recognize the assistance of private agencies is desired, it is to be found in various acts of legislation of the first half century. Specific instances of such permissive legislation were the acts of May 28, 1715,[142] and also of February 6, 1730-1.[143] This legislation is chiefly concerned with granting privileges to purchase and hold land and erect buildings for the use of institutions stated therein, among which schools are mentioned. In this connection the statute of 1715, which evidences the facts stated above, is quoted.

Be it enacted by Charles Gookin, Esq., by the royal approbation Lieutenant-Governor, under William Penn, Esq., Proprietary and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, by and with the advice and consent of the freemen of the said provinces in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, that it shall and may be lawful to and for all religious societies or assemblies and congregations of Protestants, within this province, to purchase any lands or tenements for burying grounds, and for erecting houses of religious worship, schools and hospitals; and by trustees, or otherwise, as they shall think fit, to receive and take grants or conveyances for the same, for any estate whatsoever, to and for the use or uses aforesaid, to be holden of the lord of the fee by the accustomed rents and services. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all sales, gifts or grants made to any of the said societies, or to any person or persons in trust for them, or any of them, for or concerning any lands, tenements or hereditaments within this province, for and in any estate whatsoever, to and for the use and uses aforesaid, shall be and are by this Act ratified and confirmed according to the tenor and true meaning thereof, and of the parties concerned therein. And where any gifts, legacies or bequests have been or shall be made by any person or persons to the poor of any of the said respective religious societies, or to or for the use or service of any meeting or congregation of the said respective societies, the same gifts and bequests shall be employed only to those charitable uses, or to the use of those respective societies or meetings, or to the poor people to whom the same are or shall be given or intended to be given or granted, according to what may be collected to be the true intent and meaning of the respective donors or grantors.

The first meeting of record

The probable length of Flower’s tenure as teacher

On “11th month, 9th, 1682,” the Friends met and enacted business relating chiefly to the sick, a meeting house, purchase of books and such other details of importance, but made no reference to schools or the education of youth.[144] This remained true for all meetings till 1689,[145] the chief part of business in the meantime having to do with either (1) strictly religious affairs or (2) raising money for the poor and the orphans. The absence of any remarks or any plans for schools from 1682 to 1689 is more easily understood when it is recalled that the school under Enock Flower was set up in 1683.[146] There is no evidence to prove definitely that Flower continued as schoolmaster during the whole of this time, but (1) the absence of any record of change, (2) no record of schools kept by the Friends Meeting, (3) the fact that he was a teacher of long experience (twenty years) and probably as satisfactory as any to be found, and (4) the absence of keen competition on the part of neighboring places to draw him away, would lead one to believe it probable that he remained there for the greater part of the period at least.

In 1689 Friends determined to establish a school, designed to meet the demands of rich and of poor,[147] which does not seem at all strange since they were known to have been supporting their poor and the orphans by subscriptions since their first establishment.[148] The transaction of the business relating thereto was performed in the monthly meeting and referred to the quarterly meeting (higher) for its approval. The following extract from the records of the meeting gives the result of their decision:

Friends school set up under Geo. Keith

Friends being to encourage a school in this town, and in order hereunto they have agreed with George Keith to assure him a certain salary of 50 pounds per year to be paid quarterly, with house rent, convenient for his family and school, with the profit of his school for one year, and for two years more to make his school worth to him 120 pounds per year, if he shall think fit to stay in this place, the said George also promiseth to teach the poor (which are not of ability to pay) for nothing. The abovesaid Keith having heard the proposals of Friends, readily assented and agreed thereto, his salary beginning from the time school begins. It is agreed that it be also mentioned to the next Quarterly Meeting for their concurrence with the same, as also agreed that Anthony Morris give notice to the several monthly meetings in this county.[149]

A larger school needed

Makin hired as usher

The number of children who attended this school is not known, but it is clear that it grew rapidly. In January, succeeding the first establishment, the new master complained of the “inconvenience and straitness” of his school and Anthony Morris and Samuel Carpenter were appointed to consult with Robert Turner for a more convenient situation.[150] The first interpretation of “straitness” would undoubtedly be that it was crowded, and that might well have been true without there having been an increase in the size of the school; more conclusive proof of the rapid increase in numbers is to be found in the fact that Thomas Makin was hired as usher to assist Keith,[151] probably about February, 1690.[152] A more convenient room for the school was arranged for with John Fuller at thirteen pounds per year, three pounds more than was paid for the first.[153]

Thomas Makin recommended by Keith to be master

Makin chosen

In the 3rd month, 1691, Keith made known his intention of leaving the school,[154] whether because of dissatisfaction with the school itself or the beginning of the feeling against the Quakers which resulted in his rupture with them,[155] it is not known, and recommended to the meeting the appointment of his usher, Thomas Makin, to take his place.[156] It was Keith’s desire to leave on 4th month, 10th and he may have discontinued teaching at that time, but it appears that his account against the meeting was not settled until the eleventh or the twelfth month, 1691.[157] According to his suggestion concerning Makin, the meeting appointed a committee to consult with him,[158] the outcome of which was a satisfactory agreement. It would appear from numerous references to the subject, that the matter of getting the subscriptions and keeping them paid was a chief source of trouble, which required their constant energies and attention.[159] In 1693 Thomas Makin brought in a bill against the meeting for £12/15/7, which was still owing for his services as usher in 1690.[160]

Penn said to have written letter to Lloyd about the school

The last four years of the century saw greater strides made in the better establishment of education as a system. In 1696 it was agreed that there should be established four meetings a year, the chief function of which was the religious education of the youth in the principles of Friends.[161] Steps were shortly taken for the establishment of the so-called “free school.” Penn had written to Thomas Lloyd, President of the Council, in 1689, advising that a grammar school be set up (that of George Keith)[162] and it was this same school which in 1697 the meeting desired to make a “free school.” On 10th month, 31st, 1697:

A paper for the encouragement of a free school was this day read, whereupon Samuel Carpenter and James Fox are desired to treat with Daniel Pastorius and Thomas Makin concerning the same, and—they desire the Friends of the town to meet together this day week, about the 1st hour at this meeting house to consider further of it, and that Daniel Pastorius and Thomas Makin be present.[163]

Pastorius and Makin in the school

In the month following (11th month) Samuel Carpenter reported to the assembly that the committee had met with Daniel Pastorius and Thomas Makin and agreed to pay each of them forty pounds per year for keeping school.[164] The means of support was the familiar subscription blank, Samuel Carpenter and James Fox being the first appointed to take them. School was to begin the first of the following month, in the room over the meeting house, which had been prepared for that purpose.[165] In the 12th month a petition was sent to the Governor and Council, requesting the ordaining and establishment of the “Public School.” The text of the petition is as follows:

Petition to Council to incorporate the school

The humble petition of Samuel Carpenter ... in behalf of themselves and the rest of the people called Quakers, who are members of the Monthly Meeting, ... showeth that it has been and is much desired by many that a school be set up and upheld in this town of Philadelphia, where poor children may be freely maintained, taught and educated in good literature, until they are fit to be put out as apprentices, or capable to be masters or ushers in the same schools. And forasmuch as in the laws and constitution of this government it is provided and enacted that the Governor and Council shall erect ... public schools ... reward the authors of useful sciences and laudable inventions ... therefore, may it please the Governor and Council to ordain and establish that in the said town of Philadelphia a public school may be founded, where all children and servants, male and female, whose parents, guardians and masters be willing to subject them to the rules and orders of the said schools, shall from time to time with the approbation of the overseers thereof for the time being, be received and admitted, taught and instructed; the rich at reasonable rates, and the poor to be maintained and schooled for nothing. And to that end a meet and convenient house or houses, buildings and rooms may be erected for the keeping of the said school, and for the entertainment and abode of such and so many masters, ushers, mistresses and poor children, as by orders of said meeting shall be limited and appointed from time to time. And also that the members of the aforesaid Meetings ... make choice and admit such and so many persons as they think fit, to be masters, overseers, ushers, mistresses and poor children of the said school, and the same persons ... to remove or displace as often ... as they shall see fit. And that the overseers and the school aforesaid, may ... be ... in name and deed, a body politic and corporate, to have continuance forever by the name of the Overseers of the Public School founded in Philadelphia at the request of the people of God called Quakers. And that they, the said overseers, may have perfect succession, and by that name they and their successors may hold and enjoy, all lands, tenements and chattels, and receive and take all gifts and legacies as shall be given, granted or devised for the use and maintenance of the said school and poor scholars, without any further or other license or authority from this Government in that behalf; saving unto the chief Proprietary his quitrents of the said lands. And that the said overseers by the same name shall and may, with consent of said meeting, have power and capacity to devise and grant by writing, under their hand and seal and of said lands and tenements and to take and purchase any other lands ... for ... advantage of said school. And to prescribe such rules and ordinance for the good order and government of the same school ... successively, and for their and every of their stipends and allowances, as to members of the said Meeting for the time being ... shall seem meet; with power also to sue and to be sued, and to do and perform and execute all and every other lawful act and thing, good and profitable for the said school, in as full and ample manner, as any other body politic or corporate more perfectly founded or incorporated, may do.[166]

The petition granted and charter issued by Penn in 1701

This request was immediately granted by the Council,[167] and the school thus incorporated in 1697.[168] In 1701 Penn confirmed its incorporation by the following charter:

William Penn True and absolute Proprietary and Governor in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and territories thereunto belonging. To all to whom these presents shall come sendeth greeting. Whereas Charles the Second, late King of England by his letters patents bearing date the fourth day of March in the three and thirtieth year of his reign did grant unto me my heirs and assigns the said Province And Absolute Proprietary thereof with full power to me by the assent of the freemen there to make laws for the good and happy government of the same with divers other powers preheminsures jurisdictions, privileges and immunities therein specified. And Whereas I with a great colony of the People of God called Quakers for the free enjoyment of liberty of our consciences in matters of religion as of other privileges and advantages in the said patent granted as well to me the said Proprietary and Governor as also to the said people did transport ourselves unto the said Province and at our own risk costs pains and charges settled and planted the same the soil also of the said Province being first by me purchased of the Indian Natives. And forasmuch as by the laws of the said Province since enacted the Governor and Council have power to erect and order all public schools of literature and science. And Whereas Samuel Carpenter—Edward Shippen—Anthony Morris—James Fox—David Lloyd—William Southby and John Jones in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said people called Quakers Members of their Monthly Meeting at Philadelphia in the said Province by their petition to the Governor and Council of the said Province and territories at Philadelphia the tenth day of the twelfth month Anno Domini one thousand six hundred ninety seven (eight) set forth that it was the desire of many that a school should be set up and upheld in the said town of Philadelphia where poor children might be freely maintained taught and educated in good literature until they should be fit to be put apprentices or capable to be masters or Ushers in the said school requesting the Governor and Council in the said petition to ordain that at the said town of Philadelphia a Public School might be founded where all children male and female whose parents guardians or masters might be willing to subject them to the rules and orders of the school should from time to time with the approbation of the overseers thereof for the time being be received or admitted taught and instructed the rich at reasonable rates and the poor to be maintained and schooled for nothing. And that to that end a meet and convenient house or houses buildings or rooms might be erected for the keeping of the said school and for the entertainment and abode of such and so many Masters Ushers Mistresses and poor children as by the order and direction of the said Monthly Meeting should be free from time to time limited and appointed and also that the members of the aforesaid meeting for the time being might at their respective monthly meeting from time to time make choice of and admit such and so many persons as they should think fit to be Overseers Masters Ushers Mistresses and poor children of the said school and the same person or any of them to remove and displace as often as the said meeting shall see occasion, and that the overseers and school aforesaid might forever thereafter stand and be established and founded in name and in deed a body politic and corporate to have continuance forever by the name of the Overseers of the Public School grounded in Philadelphia at the request cost and charges of the people of God called Quakers. And that the said Overseers might have perpetual succession, and by that name they and their successors forever, have hold and enjoy all the lands tenements and chattels and receive and take all gifts and legacies that should be given granted or devised for the use and maintenance of said schools and poor scholars without further or other license or authority from the government on that behalf. Saving unto the Chief Proprietary his quit rents out of the said lands and that the said Overseers by the same name might with consent of the said Meeting have power and capacity to demise and grant by writing under their hand and common seal any of the said lands and tenements and to take and purchase any other lands and tenements and hereditaments for the best advantage of the said schools and to prescribe such rules and ordinances for the good order and government of the said school and of the masters ushers mistresses and poor children successively and for their and every of their stipends and allowances as to them members of the said monthly meeting for the time or the major part of them should seem meet, with power also to sue and be used and to do perform and execute all and every other lawful act and thing good and profitable for the said school in as full and ample manner as any other body politic and corporate more perfectly founded and incorporated might do and by the said petition which I have seen may more fully appear whereupon my then lieutenant Governor and Council did grant and order that the said schools should be founded and erected with the incorporation privileges and powers as desired. Now forasmuch as those of the said petitioners that are living have made fresh application to me in Council for confirming the said lieutenant Governor and Councils order and grant upon the said petition which being well weighed and considered by me I greatly favor the good inclinations and just and laudable desires and conscientious regards of the said petitioners and people for the education instruction and literature of their children and posterity and more especially their care and concerns for the poor on that behalf....

Therefore Know Ye that pursuant to the powers to me granted as aforesaid and to the laws of the said Province already enacted I have (by and with the consent of my Provincial Council) granted and confirmed all and every request matter and thing ... contained in the said petition and do by these presents for me my heirs and assigns grant ordain and establish that the said Public School shall be erected and founded, and I do grant, ordain and found the same to be kept forever hereafter in the said town of Philadelphia or in some convenient place adjacent as the overseers of the said school for the time being shall see meet and I do likewise grant and ordain that in the said school all children and servants as in the school petition requested shall from time to time (with approbation of the said Overseers) be received admitted taught and instructed as in the same petition is mentioned and desired and to the end that all meet and convenient houses, rooms, chambers and buildings may be erected for keeping of the said schools and entertainment of the masters ushers mistresses and poor children to be therein admitted as hereinafter mentioned. I do by these presents for me my heirs and successors grant and ordain that from the day of the date of these presents forever hereafter the members of the Monthly Meeting of the said People called Quakers in the town of Philadelphia for the time being shall have full and absolute power and authority and the same power is hereby given unto them in their respective monthly meetings from time to time to make choice of and admit such and so many persons as they shall think fit to be Overseers Masters Ushers Mistresses and poor children of the said school and the same persons or any of them to remove and displace as often as the said Meeting shall see occasion and likewise that the said Overseers shall have like powers and authority (with the direction and consent of the said Meeting) from time to time to frame and erect or cause or procure to be framed and erected such and so many houses and buildings as they shall see meet for the use and service of the said schools. And moreover I do by these presents for me my heirs and successors grant and ordain that the overseers and schools aforesaid shall forever hereafter stand and be established and founded and are hereby founded erected and established in name and in deed a body politic and corporate to continue forever by the name of The Overseers of the Public School founded in Philadelphia at the request cost and charges of the People of God called Quakers. And also that they the said overseers shall have perpetual succession and by the said name they and their successors shall forever have hold and enjoy (to the use of the said school) all the messuages lands tenements hereditaments goods and chattels and receive and take all gifts and legacies already given granted and devised or that shall be hereafter given granted or devised to the use and maintenance of the said school and masters ushers mistresses and poor scholars thereof without further or other leave license authority or power whatsoever from me my heirs or successors or from this government or any therein on that behalf saving unto me my heirs and successors the respective quit rents and other duties and payments out of the said messuages lands tenements and hereditaments and every of them reserved and payable in and by their several original grants and patents and furthermore I do by these presents for me my heirs and successors give and grant unto the said Overseers by the name aforesaid full power license and authority to give grant bargain sell alien enfeoff or demise with the consent of the said meeting by writing under their hands and common seal (or the hands and said seal of so many of them as shall make a quorum) to such person or persons his or her heirs or their heirs executors administrators and assigns as shall be willing to purchase or rent the same all or any of the aforesaid messuages lands tenements and hereditaments goods and chattels and likewise to purchase receive and enjoy all or any other messuages houses lands tenements and hereditaments for the best advantage of the said school. And also to frame make and prescribe such rules orders and ordinances for the good order and government of the said school and of the masters ushers mistresses and poor children thereof successively and for their and every of their stipends salaries and allowances as to the members of the said Monthly Meeting for the time being or the major part of them (in their respective meetings) shall seem meet with power also to the said overseers by the name aforesaid to sue and be sued and to do perform and execute and suffer to be done all and every other lawful act and thing good and profitable for the said school in as full and ample manner as any other body politic or corporate more perfectly founded and incorporated may and can do. And I do for me my heirs and assigns ordain and grant that the said school and the masters ushers members officers and scholars and all other persons placed or to be placed in the said school shall forever hereafter be accepted and freed from all visitation punishment and connection to be had used or exercised by any person or persons whatsoever other than the said Overseers for the time being and their successors. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand cause the Great Seal to be affixed dated at Philadelphia the five and twentieth day of the eighth month in the thirteenth year of the reign of William the third over England etc. King etc. and the one and twentieth of my government Anno Domino one thousand seven hundred and one 1701. Recorded the 5th 10th 1701.[169]

Wm. Penn.

For Aaron K. Dunkel, Sec’y of Internal Affairs,
W. B. Huston.

Rechartered in 1708, and 1711, extended privileges

Made a self-perpetuating corporation

The charter of 1701 was confirmed and enlarged by another of 1708,[170] according to which the corporation was to consist of fifteen persons (Quakers) by the name of “The Overseers of the Public School, founded in Philadelphia, at the request of, cost and charges of the people called Quakers.” The charter of 1711[171] contained extended privileges[172] and also provided that the election of new members of the board of overseers should be the right of the overseers themselves, thus constituting them a self-perpetuating corporation.[173] From this the reader might expect that the school at once became independent of the Friends’ meeting, but this did not occur, since the original members or overseers were Friends and continued to appoint Friends as their successors. Reports on the various details of the business of the school continued to come into the monthly meeting, but it is not to be considered that we find there a complete story of its existence.[174] In 1699 it was found that the affairs of the school took too much time in meeting and therefore it was decided that Friends in the care of schools and press should meet on sixth day before monthly meeting, transact their business and keep a record thereof in books provided for the purpose.[175]

Mistresses employed in schools

The affairs of the school continued much the same as though no charter had been requested or granted. The records lead one to think that the growth was very rapid. Pastorius and Makin had become the masters in 1697 and by 1699 the indications are that “mistresses” were also employed, money being turned over to Anthony Morris to “pay the schoolmasters’ and the mistresses’ salaries.”[176] This is the first mention made of women as teachers. Pastorius having severed his connections with the school in 1701 steps were taken to fill the vacancy, it being decided that the newcomer should show his ability by competing with the one remaining master, Thomas Makin.[177]

Cadwalader to fill vacancy made by Pastorius’ leaving

Griffith Owen ... recommended John Cadwalader as a person very fit for an assistant in the school, and it being proposed a good method for the better improvement of the scholars that they be equally divided between them for trial to see which of them best discharged their duty, there having been great complaint of former neglect. The meeting approves thereof and desires the said Griffith to acquaint John Cadwalader thereof, and that he may have twenty pounds for a half year for a trial, as the former master had, and Anthony Morris is desired to show Thomas Makin this minute for his information in the matter.[178]