Some Friends have signified the likeliness of having a schoolmaster hereabouts to instruct children and also requested that they might have the privilege to teach in the meeting house, to which this meeting does give their free consent, provided it be no hindrance to Friends Meetings.[385]
Again requested
It is quite probable that the school established as requested, was a temporary and irregular affair, depending on the will of the individual patrons. Certainly, it had not any official connection with the meeting, and probably did not have for many years. In 1699, a request similar to that of 1693 was made by Thomas Stackhouse and others, desiring the use of the meeting house for a schoolmaster,[386] which implies they had not advanced much beyond their state of 1693. This request was likewise granted, provided no hindrance be caused to the meetings.
Middletown not in harmony with yearly meeting’s proposals
Because of very inadequate records in this regard, much is left to be surmised concerning the continuation of the schools thus early begun. The meeting was in continual touch with the desires and proposals of the yearly meeting,[387] and it does not seem justifiable to suppose that education languished, because scant records of it remain. The general tone of their minutes is one of self-satisfaction, and implies that they themselves were well pleased with their state. The elaborate recommendations of the yearly meeting in 1750[388] did not meet with their approval as they thought it quite impossible for those members living remote in the country districts.[389] That they disagreed with the plan indicates neither a lack of interest in the subject, nor a lack of schools in their locality. Rather, it may indicate the opposite.
Donation 1755 for a free school
Under control of monthly meeting
In 1755 there was made the first donation to a permanent foundation for a free school. At a meeting in that year an extract of Adam Harker’s will was produced, where it appeared he had,
given a sum of money to them with others in trust to be employed toward raising a fund for settling and maintaining a Free School under the care and direction of this meeting ... shall and will therewith purchase an annuity or yearly ground rent, or in such other manner as they may think most proper employ the said sum (£40) towards raising a fund for settling and maintaining a Free School in Middletown aforesaid, under the direction and control of the monthly Meeting of Friends there.[390]
Whether there was a new school erected as a result of the bequest or whether it was turned to the use of one already existing does not appear; the latter suggestion is much the more probable. The advices of 1777 and 1778 and the years following aroused the members to the responsibilities which they must accept. In 1779 they made report as follows: