Committee’s recommendations
The committee appointed for the proper establishment and regulation of schools made report in writing that it is their sense and judgment that the monthly meeting should recommend to the particular meetings severally, to promote subscriptions toward the setting up and building upon their meeting’s lands as may be convenient for schoolhouses and such conveniences as may accommodate settled persons who live near the same, as also to encourage their contributions toward making up funds or salaries for the constant support of schools therein which is recommended to the preparative meetings.[410]
Appointment of trustees necessary
A new committee was appointed in 1784.[411] They convened with the committees of the preparatives and discussed the recommendations and means suggested by the yearly meeting. Their conclusion was to the effect that one thing in the recommendations was absolutely necessary, namely, that all funds, legacies, properties, etc., provided for the schools, should be vested in trustees for that purpose.[412] Without taking this step they saw no way to attain even the least success. It was further suggested that the trustees or committee thus appointed should investigate the present houses for schools, their condition and location, in each of the particular meetings, that a wiser plan might be followed in locating the new ones. The meeting considering the report decided to adopt its suggestions and accordingly appointed thirteen men,
to inspect into the state of such schools as are now kept and where it may be necessary, to promote others,
and make a report as soon as possible.[413] Its report, produced in the first month, 1785, was quite long. Only the essential points of it are given in the following digest.[414]
Summary of committee’s report of 1785
1. Most of the committee appointed met and decided to confirm the former committee’s report.
2. We find that there are many schoolhouses within the bounds that include the members of the meeting.
a. These are not well situated for the service of schools.