The cost of this schooling was paid by the two preparative meetings which produced their quotas four months later.[600] Thenceforward, till 1778, nothing of note is recorded, save occasional notices of the education of the youth.
The year 1778 produced the following minute:
The extracts of last Yearly Meeting were produced here and read, containing much seasonable advice and instruction which is recommended to the solid consideration and observation of individuals; in particular, that of encouragement of proper schools for the instruction of youth in useful learning.[601]
Like an electric current suddenly shunted into the circuit, these extracts of 1777 and 1778 seemed to increase the voltage in the wires of the organization, producing a general hum of activity. A committee, immediately appointed, reported in 1779 they had considered the situation,[602] and in 1780 produced the report which is given below. As will be noted, their report mentions the “Union School” of Goshen, East Bradford and Birmingham, which has already received some consideration in the case of Goshen.[603]
Three schools established; a committee to assist in establishing others
We, the committee appointed in the care of schools, report that most of us attended to the appointment and have several times met and conferred together and have given our assistance toward the settling of a school between Goshen, Bradford, and Birmingham Preparative Meeting in a new schoolhouse built by Friends; one at East Bradford in the old schoolhouse near the meeting house; one at East Caln kept at the meeting house at present, agreed to be under the direction of Friends nearly agreeable to the Advices of the Yearly Meeting; and we think it expedient to appoint Friends to take the necessary care of said schools; but there appear to be many Friends that are not yet accommodated with suitable schools, and we think a committee of a few Friends to be continued to assist therein will be necessary, all of which we submit to the meeting. (Signed by the committee)....
Which being read and considered, the meeting appoints William England, William Cooper, Humphrey Marshall, and Thomas Baldwin to have the care of the school near Bradford Meeting House, and Thomas Fisher, Griffith Mendenhall, Isaac Coates and Isaac Pim to have the care of the school now kept in the meeting house at East Caln, who are desired to take the necessary care therein and the former committee is still continued.[604]
A subsequent report of 1781 points out that an additional school has been established, presumably through the coöperation of the meetings of Bradford, Kennett, and New Garden.[605] The records of Kennett and New Garden do not seem to recognize this coöperative school, however. To the writer, it seems that the probable state of affairs was that the one school was so located that it was patronized by the three communities though its direction lay in the hands of Bradford Meeting. The contiguous situation of the townships makes this a plausible and a probable solution. The school was soon to be discontinued for a time.[606] The report of 1781 is herewith submitted.
A school between Bradford, Kennett and New Garden
The Friends in the care of schools report that they attended the school set between this meeting, New Garden, and Kennett Monthly Meetings, and purpose taking further care therein; and those to have the care of the school at Bradford report that a school is held there in pretty regular order, considering the situation of the master in regard to his sight, and they that had the care of the school at East Caln informed that they had divers opportunities with the master and scholars, and are of the mind that further care in that respect is necessary; which being considered, this meeting continues the said Friends and desires that they may attend to the service for which they are appointed.[607]