One of which in the verge of Chichester, the other Birmingham particular meeting; which visits, on observing the economy and regularity of said schools, have afforded us much satisfaction. With increasing desires for the establishment of another in the verge of Concord which unitedly appears to be much wanting as divers Friends now labor under very considerable inconvenience for want thereof. Signed by nine of the committee.[741]
Committee visits preparatives
In 1780 the minutes of the meeting state that another full report on schools was brought in, but such a report is not found in the minutes. In 1781, the question being revived by the receipt of the yearly meeting’s extracts, a committee of Joshua Sharpe, Richard Strode, Hugh Judge, Samuel Trimble, George Martin, and Caleb Pierce were appointed to take the extracts and visit each of the preparative meetings, at which they were to be read.[742] They further directed the time for Birmingham to hold their meeting, so that the visit of the committee might be arranged.[743] It is known that these visits were performed, and others following that date.[744]
Report of 1786 and 1787
Three schools
It was noted in the committee’s report presented in 1779, that Concord did not yet have a school under its care,[745] though one was desired. The report of 1786 indicates that all of the preparatives were at that time supplied. A digest of the said report is produced here, also that of 1787.
The committee informed this meeting that they have appointed John Pierce Treasurer for Chichester, Joseph Trimble for Concord, and William Townsend for Birmingham. We also agree to report, agreeable to the request of the quarterly meeting....[746]
Digest of their report.
1. We have a school and house at each preparative meeting—agreeable to the plan of the yearly meeting.
2. They are under the care of a steady committee of our monthly meeting.