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]