In the same year that Uwchlan became a monthly meeting, the Friends entered a protest, saying that the making of wills was too much neglected, but that such as were made were not misapplied.[614] It is quite probable that the first statement is an indication of a philanthropic spirit in the meeting, between which and educational activity there has been noted a high correlation. Moreover, their explicit statement in 1765 concerning the education of the negroes would indicate the education of their own children was already taken care of.[615] The usual transformation in the kind of reports, noted in other meetings about 1778 and following, is likewise apparent in the meeting at present under discussion.
Though a school committee was appointed much earlier (1779) there was a very definite report made before 1782. Two reports made then in successive months are worthy of our attention.
Three schools mentioned in 1779
The committee respecting schools report that they have attended to the service, having visited one school, the master whereof is a member of this meeting, to a good degree of satisfaction, some of the employers and scholars being present. They are continued to proceed in that service as way may open and report to next meeting[616]....
And a month later
The Friends appointed report that they have visited two other schools, the masters whereof and many of the employers are members of this meeting, and ... being enabled to communicate some advice, which appeared to be well received, they are continued.[617]
New committee appointed
The state of funds
In 1783 a new committee was commissioned to procure a particular statement of the schools wherein Friends were concerned either as masters or as employers, viz.: Thomas Richards, Jesse Jones, Joshua Baldwin, Reuben John, William Millhouse, Griffith John, Simon Meredith, William Cooper, Elihu Evans, Aaron Duncan, and Joseph Starr.[618] This committee is not to be confused with the trustees of the school funds, who were entirely distinct, and whose sole function was to receive and apply the funds for the education of the indigent children. The trustees’ report stated in 1784 that the amount of the legacies and donations up to that date amounted to £120/10/00.[619]
School set up at Nantmeal