4. They are under the charge of the meeting’s committee.
New Garden
Care for the indigent
The New Garden Meeting in 1773 made record of having placed £4/11/9 in the hands of Jacob Wright, to be applied at the further directions of the meeting to the placing out of poor Friends’ children or the relief of indigent Friends.[551] Between that time and 1778, we learn no more of this educational philanthropic interest. In that year the usual reminder sent out by the yearly meeting came to them, calling attention to educational needs.[552] A committee was appointed which stated in a report, 1779, “some care is taken therein, and more appearing necessary, they are continued.”[553] An extract of a few months later is as follows:
Two schools; another proposed
The committee respecting schools, having the matter under care, two schools being under their notice, and another proposed to be established, they are continued and desired to report when necessary, and the clerk to enter the substance of the case in their report.[554]
Following the report of 1779, which showed there were two schools in charge of the meeting, there is furnished no further information until 1785. In the third month, 1785, a large committee of thirteen members was appointed to take charge of the “weighty affairs” recommended.[555] This committee produced a report in the eighth month of the same year, which is gratifying in that it is more substantial than many others brought in. It is given herewith.
Report of 1785
The committee in the care of schools report that they have had several conferences together since last meeting, and are of the mind that concern for the right education of our youth rather increases among Friends, and that a new school house has been lately built near Jeremiah Barnard’s on a small piece of land conveyed by him for that purpose, which account is satisfying to this meeting. The committee is continued for further service and desired to report as they may see occasion.[556]
In 1786, George Gawthrop and Thomas Richards were added to the committee.[557] From the first to the fourth month of that year, the committee reported they had visited one school,[558] but their report indicates nothing performed, more than the visit. Four months later it is reported they had attended to the subject of schools somewhat, but that it still required much greater attention; and they were advised to meet with the monthly meeting’s clerk that he might prepare his report on schools for the quarterly meeting.[559]