The youths’ meetings were not of permanent foundation, and their date for meeting was shifted frequently, which gave them characteristic irregularity.[448] The purposes to be secured by the youths’ meetings were chiefly moral.[449]
Land deeded for meeting and school
The gift of property for the foundation of Abington Friends’ School dates back to 1697.[450] The donor, John Barnes, had purchased 250 acres adjoining the tract possessed by Sarah Fuller, receiving patent for the same on June 1st, 1684.[451] Shortly after this he added to his possessions also the tract formerly possessed by Sarah Fuller.[452] From this total (600 acres) he deeded one hundred and thirty acres on Feb. 5th, 1696, to the use of a meeting house and schoolhouse for the Friends of Abington Meeting.[453] The tract lies about ten miles north of the city of Philadelphia. The Abington School, thus possessing such a large heritage and firm foundation in a material way, at least is a close rival of the Penn Charter School of Philadelphia, the petition for which was presented to the Council 1697-8,[454] and whose first charter was granted in 1701.[455]
Meeting house built
Jacob Taylor concerned in a school
Taylor, land surveyor
The exact date when a school was first held in property on this land cannot be determined. The meeting house on the newly acquired lands was built between the years 1697 and 1700, with assistance from the meeting at Philadelphia. It is probable that a school may have been taught at the meeting house for a time as that custom was followed in many other meetings,[456] but this is a mere probability. The best evidence of a school at an early date is that relating to Jacob Taylor who, about 1701, was “concerned in a school at Abington,” but was to be asked to take the management of a land office.[457] Mr. Bean, writing in the local history of Montgomery County, says that Jacob Taylor was land surveyor from 1706 to 1733.[458] That he was engaged in teaching during the entire period from 1701 to 1706 we do not know, but it is quite probable that he was the first schoolmaster who taught in a regularly established school.
In 1722, referring to the bequest of land by John Barnes, the minute of the monthly meeting states:
Land in care of trustees
Whereas John Barnes deceased, having given a legacy or yearly income towards maintaining of a school at Abington ... and in the said deed of trust to Friends, he left this meeting in power to choose a trustee when any Friends that were intrusted did remove or decease. Now seeing Thomas Canby being one intrusted is removed into the County of Bucks, this meeting does appoint Richard Martin to act in his room.[459]