THE SCHOOL INTERESTS OF ELIZABETH Class. ^A - ^33 m^ pr was appropriated ; but it was "for schools of poor children." The subject was not long to be confined to such a narrow field. Popular education, general instruction, public schools for all, a uniform system throughout the state, these were the phrases that were heard from the lips of men and found echo in the columns of the press. Public interest was aroused, meetings were held, lecturers discoursed, statistics were collected, legislation was asked for and the solid base ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 47 of our present magnificent system of free schools was laid broad and deep. In September, 1828, "A Friend of Education" in a long and well written newspaper article, which ehcited a highly complimentary mention by the editor, rejoices ''that the sub- ject is every day exciting more and more the attention of the intelligent people of this state. Efforts are now making in every county of New Jersey to collect and arrange facts which will exhibit the condition of schools throughout the entire state." He hopes that it will soon be possible to ob- tain ''such an education as ought to be acquired in our Com- mon Schools, that is, Schools in which an English Education is acquired in contradistinction from those schools in which Latin and Grammar are taught." The Beginning of Public Schools. Let us now turn back a few years. February 12, 181 7, the Legislature passed "an Act to create a fund for the sup- port of free schools" throughout the state, and set apart for that purpose sundry stocks and securities owned by the state amounting in value to $87,076.38. To this was to be added "one-tenth of all moneys to be hereafter raised by tax for the use of the State." This was the beginning of our school fund and was conceived in a very liberal spirit. It has since been augmented at various times in different ways, most notable of which was the setting apart for this fund of the proceeds of all sales and rentals of land under water belonging to the state, which is commonly known as the Ri- parian Fund. This legislation was had April 6, 1871, and swelled the fund to large proportions. Singularly enough in establishing the fund, legislature omitted to provide for its administration, and a whole year passed before trustees were appointed to manage and dis- tribute it. This was done by act of February 12, 1818, when the Governor, the Vice-President of the Council, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Attorney General and 4 48 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS their successors were appointed, under the name of "The Trustees for the support of Free Schools." A year later, Feb. i8, 1819, they were instructed as to the investment of the income of the fund. With such a broad provision for the support of schools we would naturally suppose that the agitation going on would have resulted in some practical establishment at a very early date following the creation of the fund, but it was not until ten or more years had passed that anything definite was done. By act of March 5, 1828, the taxes on banking, insurance and other corporations were transferred to the fund for the support of schools, and at the next meet- ing of Legislature *'An act to establish Common Schools" passed Feb. 24, 1829, provided that the Trustees of the fund should appropriate $20,000 and divide it among the coun- ties ; the Chosen Freeholders were to divide their county's share among the townships ; the townships could raise ad- ditional sums and choose a committee to license teachers. Each school district should choose ''three discreet persons" as trustees, who should provide room, employ teachers, and make a list of children between the ages of 4 and 16 years, etc., etc. Under the stimulus of this act, on April 6, 1829, the Trustees of the Fund for Free Schools appropriated $20,000 for all the schools throughout the State. Of this modest sum, the share of Essex County in which Elizabeth then be- longed, was $1,911.02. There were reformers in those days, even as now. In July and August, 1830, a Mr. Brewster lectured on common school education, treating especially of the defects of the present system and the advantages of a new style of in- struction. A hint as to the trend of his thought may be found in his motto ''Ideas, not words merely." September 30, 1830. The school committee had divided the township of Elizabeth, and advertised an election of trustees. November 15, 1830. The Committee have returns of the ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 49 number of children between four and sixteen years of age. The districts, number of scholars and apportionment of funds are as follows, viz : Dist. No. I. 39 Scholars, $17.76 ' 2. 82 37-28 ' 4- 30 13-67 ' 5- 50 22.77 ' 6. 193 „» 9774 ' 7- 134 60.93 ' 8. 195 88.54 ' 9. 181 82.31 Total 904 $411.00 District No. 3 was attached to Union township by ex- change of scholars received in Nos. i and 2. This report was signed by John McDowell, Chairman. At the Town Meeting April 11, 183 1, among the interest- ing questions discussed were ''Shall money be raised for the support of common schools?" and "Shall the money appro- priated by the state be used for the general benefit, or for the particular benefit of the children of the poor?" Strange how the class feeling made itself so persistently apparent ! June 26, 1837. Messrs. Edward Sanderson, Keen Pru- den, Elias Darby and Ezra Cleveland, School Committee, announce "that the apportionment of school money has by a vote of the township been apportioned exclusively to the ed- ucation of the children of the poor," and they wish to have a list of those "who are entitled to share in the public boun- ty." The amount available is not named but we cannot im- agine that it was any very considerable sum. December 18, 1837, a public meeting was held to consider the subject of Common School Education. This branch of public welfare had by this time thoroughly engrossed the attention of citizens all over the state and much interest was developed in the matter. Meetings were also held in Mor- 50 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS ristown, Belleville, Orange, Rahway, Bloomfield and other large towns in this vicinity, and public attention was di- rected to the necessity for a broad and comprehensive plan that should embrace in its scope the children of all the peo- ple, the well-to-do and the rich as well as the poor. So general was this interest and so deeply did it take hold upon public sentiment that the Legislature of the State on the 1st day of March, 1838, passed an act to establish public schools which has been the basis upon which they have risen in these later years to their high position among the schools of the nation. By this act the Trustees of the School fund were ordered to appropriate $30,000 and divide it pro rata among the counties of the state. In addition to this, town- ships were empowered to raise additional sums by taxation, if desired. On February 13, 1838, another meeting was held in the session room of the First Presbyterian Church and a Com- mittee was appointed to report the condition of the schools. On June 10, 1838, the Committee reported that it had set off the Town into eight districts. This was in pursuance of the provisions of the act passed three months before. It was a quick response and attests the eagerness of the towns- people to avail themselves of the provisions of the new law. But the sun was not yet in mid-heaven. Day had but just dawned. There was much to be done, in many ways, before the aspirations of the friends of general education would be met. Two strong obstacles were encountered ; the lack of competent teachers, and the opposition of the pri- vate school. I can do no better than to quote from The Report of the Trustees of the School Fund for 1840. They say: "The influence of private elementary schools is certainly unfriendly to the improvement of our public schools. They draw off from them much of that nourishment which is es- sential to their growth. They divert from them much of the interest and patronage of the public. And yet when we take in consideration the low state of many of our public ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 51 schools, and the utter incompetency of their teachers, the existence of these private schools is hardly to be regretted. Nor could parents, who can afford the expense, be censured for sending their children to the latter as long as the former hold out so few inducements. But the Trustees indulge the earnest hope, that the Legislature will not relax their ef- forts, nor the friends of education withhold their aid until our public schools shall be placed upon such a footing as to supercede entirely the necessity for private ones; until they shall be so elevated in their condition, that the richest, as well as the poorest man in the community, shall be proud to send his children to them." Thank God ! their ''earnest hope" has materiaHzed. And yet, even, as late as 1872, a newspaper item, in mentioning the very creditable examina- tions that had been held in Pub. Sch. Nos. i and 2, says that "when the Public Schools became the system, these teachers will receive the appreciation so justly due them." For many years the district schools labored under this stigma of being conducted for the children of the poor only. Attendance upon them was considered prima facia evidence of inability to pay the necessary fees for instruction and so low in the estimation of the rich and well-to-do were they held that it was considered desirable to locate the buildings that sheltered them, as far as possible on side streets in the less attractive portions of the town. The sixth census of the United States, taken in 1840 throws some dry statistical light upon the general subject in the following table. Population of Elizabeth Town, white folk 3906 Population of Elizabeth Town, colored folk 278 Total population 4184 Number of Academies and Grammar Schools 3 Number of Scholars attending them 150 Number of Primary and Common Schools. 10 Number of Scholars attending them 393 Number of Scholars at public charge 60 52 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS April 17, 1846, the school law was revised and the office of Township School Superintendent was created, the in- cumbent to be elected at the annual town meeting. Under the Township Law. Under this law, the First Annual Meeting of the taxable inhabitants of School District No. 2, was held on April 5th, 1847, ^'is honor the Mayor, Elias Darby, and Messrs. John Chatterton, Charles Davis, Meline W. Halsey and Thomas S. Day, being elected Trustees. Mr. Wm. F. Day, a very prominent lawyer of the town was chosen superintendent. On the 31st May, 1847, it was announced that 'The next Quarter of District School No. 2 (formerly known as The Massie School) will commence," etc. This was signed by J. S. Smith, teacher. The "Massie School" had taken its name from a bequest of $5,000 made by Mr. Peter Massie, who died in 1840, of funds, in trust, to the pastors of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches, who at this date were Dr. Nichcflas Murray and Dr. David Magie, for the purposes of general education of the needy poor. It was conducted in a building on East Jersey St. next to the lec- ture room of the Third Presbyterian Church. In August, 1874, the building was moved to Olive St., near Spring St., where it still exists as a part of the Hope Chapel of West- minster Presbyterian Church. The school had been discon- tinued in 1862, and with the approval of the Chancellor of the State the fund was passed to the managers of the Eliza- beth Orphan Asylum for the education of the inmates of that institution and appears regularly in their annual re- ports. In the following autumn, Sept. 13, 1847, another quarter was begun, in The Adelphian Academy, the school being transferred from its old rooms in Jersey St. March 17, 1848, we get the first authentic and definite lo- cations of the various districts in the town, as set oflF by the committee. Notice was given of the election to be held on April 3 for school Trustees of the several school districts ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 53 in the township of EHzabeth. Polls would be opened as follows, viz : District No. i at the Elizabethport Church. This building stood on the N. E. side of Marshall St., midway be- tween First and Second St., was known as the Mar- shall St. Presbyterian Church for many years, but was altered into dwellings in 1902. District No. 2 at the Adelphian Academy, (see pg. 38). District No. 3 at the North End School House (see pg. 40). District No. 4 at School House in Winans Neighborhood. District No. 5 at Wheat Sheaf School House (on Rahway road). District No. 6 at Cedar Grove School House (in Elmora section). The notice is signed by William F. Day, Town Supt., of Elizabeth Township. Mr. Day was an eminent attorney and counsellor at law, who had so commanded the confi- dence of his fellow citizens that he passes into history as the first superintendent of public schools in this city. It is pleasing to know that he was re-elected on April 10, 1848, for another year. The public school fund apportioned to Essex Co. for the year 1848 was $2,664.90 of which $211.77 was the share that fell to the town. Under this administration a public school was opened Aug. 6, 1850, at the corner of Harrison & Crane Sts., under the charge of Miss Susan M. Stiles, as principal. This was continued until 1859, soon after the new school building No. 2 on Morrell St., was completed. Miss Stiles, then engaged in private teaching until 1875 when she re-entered public service as principal of a primary school, on Morris Ave., which continued until 1885. This school was merged into No. 4 on Cherry St., which was opened on December 10, of that year, and, in which she continued to serve as Vice-Principal until her resignation, in 1896. Mention must also be made of Miss Susan P. Mulford's I, 390 2, 1075 3, 66 4, 55 5, 42 54 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS School for young ladies, in the usual English Branches and Latin, opened in Sept. 185 1, and continuing until 1873 when she, too, took position under the Board of School Commis- sioners as Vice-Principal of No. 2 in Morrell St., to be ad- vanced the next year as principal of No. 5 in West Jersey St. April 14, 185 1, an annual Town Meeting was held at which the sum of $2,000 was voted to be raised by tax for schools and Dr. Josiah Q. Stearns, was elected Supt. May 13, 185 1, the census of children of school age (5-18) showed in District No. District No. District No. District No. District No. Total 1638, (sic) as against 1365 between 5 and 16 years old, the previous year. April 12, 1852, at the Town Meeting the same amount of tax was voted, and the report of school Dist. No. 2, showed that three schools for white male children, and two for white females had been opened during the year and one for colored children for three quarters of that time. Enroll- ment "about 450 — average attendance about 350." One teacher and two assistants were in the school in Washing- ton St., originally instituted by the Female Humane Society, two teachers and one assistant in two schools, in the Adel- phian Academy, the same number in the Harrison St. school and one in the Colored school. Total expense for the year was $2,081.55. April nth, 1853, $2,000 was again voted and Dr. Wil- liam M. Whitehead was elected Supt. of the Township for the coming year. The same number and arrangement of schools in District No. 2 prevailed. Enrollment 480, average attendance 410. The report of Dr. Stearns, Supt. for the Township showed five districts, as before with an increased enrollment, viz : ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 55 District No. i, Industrial, 420 District No. 2, Industrial, 1241 District No. 3, Industrial, 70 District No. 4, Industrial, 54 District No. 5, Industrial, 42 Total 1827 "Number of children who have attended school is more than double that in 185 1." Expenses for the year, $3,378.69. April 10, 1854, at Town Meeting Dr. W. A. Whitehead was re-elected Supt., $3,000 was voted for school purposes and things moved on as before. Mention is made of the report of the Supt. for the previous year, but no details are given. It is to be particularly noted that the above figures refer almost exclusively to Public School District No. 2, which comprised the heart of the borough of Eliza- bethtown. Districts 3, 4, and 5, had so few scholars as to attract no special notice, and presumably were left to struggle on as best they could with the aid of the miserable pittance apportioned to them from the state fund. There are no records of these districts, extant. School District No. i was at Elizabeth Port, two miles and a half away from the center of the Town with which infrequent communication was had by means of the railroad and Wm. Townley's Stage. It was left to shift for itself and does not enter into the above statistics except as an in- tegral part of the Township. Let us now see what was being done down there. The school law of 1846 which changed the basis of apportion- ment of state funds from property valuation to ratio of population and permitted the districts to incorporate and assess a tax for school purposes, was further modified by a supplement, approved March 14, 1851. Under its provisions David Naar, John H. Rolston and Richard Stewart, the Trustees of school District No. i, together with Josiah Q. Stearns, the township superintendent of schools, incorpor- 56 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS ated under the name of the Industrial School District. The boundaries of this district included substantially the terri- tory in the lower part of the present city, below the New Point Road and Sixth street, east of First Ave., and the certificate bears date May i6th, 1851. This large tract of land as far East as the present line of Pine St., had been purchased by a company of wealthy New York gentlemen headed by Edward Kellogg, Esq., who had surveyed and laid out the town in 1835 under the caption of "The New Manufacturing Town of Elizabeth Port." It was distinctively a land operation, quite in the line of those that have been so notable in recent years and was accom- panied by the building of five large double houses and a huge hotel in the vicinity of Broadway and Front St. which at that time was the terminus of th^ railroad from Somer- ville, and the point of departure of the Steamboats Cinder- ilia and Water Witch, for New York. All the houses are still standing but the hotel long ago succumbed to the flames. At this time there was a small school held in the base- ment of the Presbyterian Church on Marshall St., between First and Second, which had its origin in one, established in 1840 by Augustus Rogers, who advertised its opening on September 15th of that year and which was continued by Miss Sophronia Marsh, in the old Foundry Building, still standing much altered and now known as No. 34, 36 and 38. First St. On the completion of the new church. Miss Marsh moved her school to the basement. She was assisted by a Mr. Dean, for a time and then by Mrs. Chase. She was followed by Mr. Hunter, then by Mr. Craig. In the fall of 1846, Mr. Charles Goodwin Clark, took charge and con- tinued until April, 185 1, with the exception of one term in 1849 when his place was filled by a Mr. Proctor. At the beginning of Mr. Clark's service the school had about 50 pupils. The salary when he left in 185 1, to accept a posi- tion in Newark, was estimated at $450 per year, a portion of which was paid by the state, and the remainder, by the pupils who were charged two dollars per quarter. ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 57 This arrangement, by which the cost of tuition was in part borne by parents who were able to pay for their chil- dren's instruction, had been in vogue also in the other dis- tricts of the township, but was abandoned after this present year and the schools henceforth became entirely free. The new trustees assumed charge at once and engaged Mr. N. W. Haight, as principal until the fall term of 185 1 when Mr. A. Cone, assisted by Mrs. Chase, was installed. The report of April 5, 1852, shows that the quota of state money was $2-23.60 and that of the township tax was $479.80. This total of $703.40 seems to have been applied to current expenses. In addition to this, a special district tax of $416.93 was collected as the nucleus of a new build- ing fund. During the year 1852 Mr. Cone, continued at the head, but with three assistants. Miss Harriet E. Baldwin, Miss Mary E. Woodruff and Miss Elizabeth Webb, as the num- ber of pupils had rapidly increased. The state apportion- ment this year was $223.65 and the township tax yielded $459.90 a total of $683.55. No district tax was assessed, but as the New Manf. Town of Elizabethport, under the provisions of the city charter March 13, 1855, lost its identi- ty and became merged with the old town into the City of Elizabeth, the district tax of 185 1, — the only one ever laid in the district — was invested in three building lots, a plot of ground 75x100 feet on the north side of Franklin St., midway between Second and Third Sts. At this writing (1911) the lots are there still — very still. Problem : what is the present value of the plot calculated on cost, with accumulated simple interest for the sixty years during which it has lain idle? This teaching corps remained undisturbed until the spring of 1853 when Mr. Cone, Miss Baldwin and Miss Webb, dis- appeared from the field of action and their places were filled by Mr. Wm. Thomas, Mrs. Amelia E. Hutchinson and Miss E. L. Hutchinson. These three only taught one- quarter each, for the next payroll shows three new names, 58 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS viz: Mr. John Cooley, Miss Mary E. Woodruff and Miss Catharine H. Johnson. These in turn continued until the spring term of 1854. Then Mr. Charles G. Sherwood and Miss Jeannette S. Baldwin, replaced the first two names. Miss Johnson continuing one more term when she gave way for a single term to Miss Ellen F. Williams. At the fall term in 1854 Mr. George W. Burr took his place as principal with Miss Jeannette S. Baldwin and Miss Rachel Cleveland as assistants, and these so continued until the care of the schools, by the provision of the new city charter passed under the control of the Board of Commis- sioners of Public Schools, March 13, 1855. From the Granting of the City Charter March 13, 1855. From this date it is easy to follow the growth of the pub- lic school system. Districts disappeared, "Town and Port" became one. An era of consolidation was at hand and every- thing pointed to development in every line of public activity. Nor were the schools slow to receive the impulse. On April 13, 1855, just one month later, the first meeting of the new Board of School Commissioners for the new city, elected April 9th was held, his Honor the Mayor, Elias Darby, pre- siding as ex-officio member. The three wards of the city were represented, by Jonathan M. Ropes and William J. Tenney, ist ward. Dr. Job S. Crane and Benjamin Ogden, 2d ward. J. Harvey Corey and Dr. A. W. Kingsley, 3d ward. the first-named in each case having been chosen to serve two years and the other, one year. Mr. J. M. Ropes was elected President, and Mr. J. H. Corey, Secretary, of the Board, and at a later meeting, Mr. W. J. Tenney was chosen super- intendent for the remainder of the year. On June 13th the Board made its first report to the City ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 59 Council. By it, it was shown that there were 675 children of school age (5 to 18) in the ist ward, which embraced the downtown district. Two rooms seating 190 were in use, in the basement of the Presbyterian Church on Mar- shall St., and one room on Elizabeth Ave., just below Fifth St., accommodating 50 or 60. 290 pupils in all were regis- tered and 240 in average attendance. The end of the block between Fulton and East Jersey St. on Third St., compris- ing ten lots had been purchased for $1000. In the 2d and 3d wards, covering the up-town district, there were between iioo and 1200 children. Six schools were in operation all of primary grade ; two for white boys, three for white girls and one for colored children. The reg- istration was about 450 and the average attendance 350. These six "schools" embraced the one on Crane and Harri- son St. — one in Adelphian Academy, one at North End, one in the Winans neighborhood, the Colored School in Wash- ington St. and one at Wheat Sheaf, on the Rahway Road. This first official report goes on to say that **The Board is driven to confess with much mortification that there is not, according to their knowledge a city within the United States which is so deficient in public school accommodation as our own." They forgot that the chicken had just broken out of its shell! September 4, 1855, contracts were let for the new build- ing. Public School, No. i, on the plot just mentioned. The amount named was $8,414.00 and the building was sup- posed to be a model one for the times. It was three stories high, with flat roof and no basement, the first floor being level with the ground. The writer recalls, that, so thinly settled was that particular locality, the trenches for the foundations were cut through a dense growth of bushes and stunted trees so high that the work could not be seen until one was directly upon it. It contained six separate class rooms and three large rooms, each with two recita- tion rooms attached, to which classes were sent out to an under teacher. It was opened for use May 12, 1856. Re- 6o ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS arranged and added to from time to time, it was made to serve its purpose until 1896 when it gave way to the present No. I on East Jersey St., between Second and Third St., and was taken down and the land sold. The new building is the largest school house in the city. It contains 30 class rooms, with 1500 sittings for pupils and was dedicated Sept. 7, 1896, at a cost approximately of $60,000. The erection of Public School, No. 2, in Morrell St. was not begun until 1858 although in the summer of 1855 a plot of ground at the corner of East Jersey St. and Jefferson Ave. had been purchased from John Wyman for $600. In April, 1858, it was "given up to the city council," presuma- bly having been found unsuitable in some way for the pur- pose intended. April 21, 1858, at the meeting of the Board, it was announced that a suitable plot of ground had been secured on Morrell St., and on August 4th the contract for the building was let, price $10,755.00 and $470 additional for the tower. This building was also of brick, but of dif- ferent style and plan from No. i being only two stories high but of larger area, and having a basement in which hot air furnaces for heating were placed. This building, enlarged and re-arranged in 1880 and 1884 and largely increased in capacity by the addition of two large wings in 1899 is still in active service. For a considerable number of years these two schools served to accommodate the demand in the thickly populated sections of the city, but the increasing growth especially in the center, at the Cross-roads, now known as Union Square led to the erection in 1872 of Public School, No. 3, on High St. and Second Ave. The nucleus of this school had been meeting for a short time previously in the basement of the German M. E. Church (now St. Anthony R. C. Church) in Centre St. The two ends of the city were being linked to- gether solidly. The new structure was also of brick and was supposed to embody all the features that had been found by practical experience to be desirable, but in the light of recent progress and scientific development it has ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 6i been found so unsuitable and unsanitary that it has recently been replaced by another much larger and more modern. It was opened for school uses Sept. i, 1873, ^tnd demolished in 1909 after thirty-six years service, the new one being opened in September of that year. In 1867 a small one-room frame building was erected on Catherine St., north of East Grand St., for the special ac- commodation of colored children and was continued as such for a number of years, under, the charge of a single teacher. The class of attendants gradually changed and it took its place in the records of the Board as Public School, No. 4, until 1877 when it was permanently closed on ac- count of diminished patronage and the comparatively heavy per-capita expense of maintaining it. Public School, No. 5, was organized as a further relief to the school in Morrell St., in April, 1873, in the old Bap- tist Church on West Jersey St., near Broad, which was leased for the purpose at an annual rent of $800. The building was divided into five class-rooms and was made to serve its purpose until 1885 when the erection of the large school-house on Cherry St., made its use no longer neces- sary. Until the year 1873 the school interests of the city were administered by an elected body known as the Board of School Commissioners, but a change in legislation early that year organized them into a Board of Education, with more extended power, larger privileges and greater respon- sibilities, more especially with reference to the control of public property and the expenditures of city funds for school purposes. In 1866 the Morris Avenue Primary School Association was formed by a number of residents of that locality and a handsome little house was built on that avenue well out to the city line, for the accommodation of their little ones who were at a long distance from the Morrell St. school. The association was finely conceived for the convenience 62 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS and betterment of the neighborhood, but did not prove to be a financial success. In 1875 ^^e building was leased by the Board and opened in September as a primary school known as Public School, No. 6. This was continued until 1885 when it was transferred to the new No. 4, then just completed, the building itself being destroyed by fire March 20, of that year. The corner stone of the present Public School, No. 4, was laid on the 2d of December, 1884, and the building dedi- cated December 10, 1885. It stands on Cherry St. near Westfield Ave. and is a neat and substantial structure. Be- sides accommodating primary and grammar grades, it also houses the Normal and Training School of the city which, first organized in 1888 and re-organized and re-arranged in September, 1907, furnishes a two-year course of instruction in school work and management to student-teachers of the city before they enter upon their permanent work. This very important wheel in our school system demonstrates its necessity and its worth by supplying a body of theoreti- cally trained helpers from which permanent appointments to the regular teaching force are made. From this point the progress of our city in the matter of school building is well defined and has advanced by rapid strides. The steady growth of the city has made additions to the accommodations so necessary that it has been hard to keep pace with the demands from year to year and despite the additions, the rooms are full and temporary expedients have at times been found necessary. In 1889 the present school, No. 5, on Fourth St. between South Park and Court St., was opened as a six-room school and enlarged by the addition of wings containing eight rooms, in 1903. It was quickly followed by No. 6 situated on Julia St. and Adams Ave., which was dedicated to pub- lic use May 23, 1890. On September 7, 1892, No. 7, on Grier Ave. and Grove St., was put into service, and one year later, No. 8, located ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 63 on Sixth St. between Franklin and Fulton St., opened its doors to the rapidly increasing population about Union Square. The capacity of this building was further in- creased by the addition of a wing in 1903. This, despite the fact that in September, 1900, No. 9, one of the largest and best appointed of the buildings owned by the city, located on Jaques St. near Elizabeth Avenue, had been dedicated by suitable ceremonies and opened for use. The corner stone of No. 10 at the corner of Union Ave- nue and Prince St. was laid on April 15, 1905, and such speedy progress was made in pushing forward the construc- tion of the building that it was ready for pupils in Novem- ber the same year. No. II, at Erie St. and Merritt Avenue which was put in- to service in February, 1908, is the latest numeral to be added to the list and is a worthy companion to its predeces- sors both in architectural design, and interior arrangement. The new building for No. 3 at Second Ave. and High St., which was opened the next year, September, 1909, is the last construction and is a credit to the city as a specimen of an up-to-date building. With the bringing of El Mora under the protection of our city charter in 1908 we have again come into charge of a small school which revives the Cedar Grove School of our earlier history. It is located on the corner of Magie Ave. and Springfield Road and has not yet been dignified with a numeral, but is still known under its old title as the Magie Ave. School. To provide still further accommodations, the Board has recently authorized the purchase of twelve portable school houses to be distributed so as to relieve the pressure on the primary schools. This has been so great that for some years past half-time classes have been found necessary. By this new device, which has been proved satisfactory in other cities, it is expected to be able to provide a full day's tuition to every child in the city desiring it. 5 64 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS The Battin High School. It was in the year 1887 that a forward step was taken which had long been hoped for but which seemed almost impossible of realization. Up to this date the larger school- houses had sheltered the primary, grammar and high-school grades of pupils and the studies and recitations of the three grades were carried on simultaneously. It had long been felt that better work could be done and the tone of the whole system materially elevated if all the scholars of the higher grade could be gathered into one central locality and thus be established as a High School instead of a number of detached high school classes. Accordingly when the long delayed time was at hand, the building at No. 52 Broad St. was secured on rental and opened September 7, 1887, at the beginning of the fall term with Miss Lucretia H. Sayre, Principal, Miss Susan C. Martin, Vice-Principal, with Miss Kate M. Warner, Miss Bertha C. Mackey and Mrs. Harriet S. Magie, teachers, as the faculty, a teaching corps of five ladies, all of whom had been heads of depart- ments in the different schools. Of course such a radical change created considerable comment especially among the families who were a long distance from this central location, but the wisdom of the movement speedily became manifest and all opposition soon passed away. Its success was fully assured March 27, 1889, by the presentation to the city by Mr. Joseph Battin, of the magnificent mansion at the corner of South Broad and South Sts., for the purpose of a High School. It was dedicated as the Battin High School December 22, 1889, and still stands a useful monument to a generous citizen. It accommodates the students of the General Course, and those of the Scientific and Classical College Preparatory Courses. Probably no structure erected for a different pur- pose ever was built that could be more readily adapted to school work, but its disadvantages are so many and its ca- pacity so limited that plans are now under consideration for ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 65 replacing it with a building that will provide accommoda- tions for all the classes, a portion of which now are gath- ered in The Annex, another dwelling metamorphosed into a school, at No. 419 South Broad St. and opened in Septem- ber, 1908. Here the Commercial Classes receive a four- year course in Business Correspondence, Stenography, Typewriting, Penmanship, Commercial Law, Political Economy and kindred subjects to fit them for active busi- ness life. When these plans shall have materialized the High School will be housed in one building especially con- structed for its use and adapted to its needs, with room for future growth and taking rank in size and architectural appearance with the other large public buildings which are the pride of our city. Evening Schools. In the matter of Evening Schools, the experience of the city has not been entirely satisfactory. At various time-f they have been established in response to an apparent pop ular demand and have started out with full promise of suc- cess only to dwindle away after a few weeks of more or less earnestness during the four months of the winter sea- son. The experiment would be continued for a few years and then would be allowed to lapse by general consent, to await resurrection after a term of years. At present a ser- ies has been going on since 1908 in the High School and in schools No. i and No. 3, with somewhat greater promise of success, the total enrollment being about 1500, quite one- half of which are people of foreign birth who have lately come to live in the city. The course of study comprises in addition to the elementary branches, mathematics, book- keeping, mechanical courses, and special classes in subjects called for by civil service examinations. The eagerness of our foreign speaking residents to avail themselves of these advantages, is very marked and bodes well for their future as desirable members of the body-politic. 66 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS In the line of special work one teacher is employed even- ings in instructing a class of boys who have been committed by the courts to the charge of the county probation officer for longer or shorter terms. This class meets, in a room at the court house where the office of the probation officer is located and the instruction is designed to counteract the evil influences that have brought the scholar into the hands of the law. Resume. The resume of the present status of the school interests will be convincing of the fact that the city has not stood still as the years have passed by, but that it possesses a sys- tem which is up-to-date in methods, practical in operation, taught by competent instructors and administered by an executive body that has tried to do its full duty to the public in the discharge of the trust committed to it. The direct oversight of these schools is vested, naturally, in a superintendent, who keeps in touch with all depart- ments and is responsible for their proper working, good or- der and efficiency. To him are referred all ordinary ques- tions of operation and the numberless adjustments of the general scheme to the individual case, as well as the over- sight of the instruction given in the individual classroom. From this last he has been relieved to a considerable extent in recent years and the efficiency of the schools has been increased by relieving the principals and vice-principals from continuous duty as teachers of classes and vesting in them the supervision of the teaching in the various rooms of their departments, the principal assuming the oversight of the grammar grade and the vice-principal that of the primary. The physical equipment of the schools has been fully kept up to modern requirements by judicious expenditures. This has provided approved construction in recent build- ings, outside fire escapes and inside protection against fire ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS ^y which it is hoped will prevent catastrophe should a fire oc- cur, especially when supplemented with the fire-drills that are obligatory in every building. Sanitary drinking foun- tains have displaced the old-time common drinking cup, prism glass throws light into the hitherto dark corners ; new single desks have taken the place of the worn-out anti- quated furniture of former years, and improvement along all lines has been the order of the day. These general conditions as well as the supervision of the buildings and the purchase of supplies are, in the prov- ince of a business manager whose whole time and attention are given to the discharge of the duties of his office. For the past ten years the health of the scholars has been looked after by medical inspectors who make stated visits and examinations of the scholars in the various class-rooms and whose work is supplemented by that of two trained nurses in the employ of the Board, who give their whole time to following up the cases that need attention, and in- vestigating the home conditions that surround the pupil, with a view to preventing the spread of disease. In addition to this, a dental inspector is employed to care for the chil- dren's teeth. Beside the inspection, free clinics in dentistry and mouth-care are given from time to time at which the pupil's teeth are extracted, gratuitously if necessary, or for the trifling sum of one dime each ("three for a quarter"?) when the family exchequer, as well as the pupil's mouth can stand the pull. To further safeguard the health of the pupils a super- visor of physical instruction is employed, under whose care- ful eye a full system of calisthenic exercises is regularly carried out throughout the various classes, for the purpose of ensuring the most highly developed combination of the "mens sana in sano corpore." A supervisor of music devotes his time to the harmonic and melodic proclivities of the youth to such good effect that frequently the services of the older scholars are in re- 68 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS quest to fill the chorus seats, in oratorios and similar musi- cal productions. Similarly a special instructor supervises and encourages the artistic instinct in the line of sketching and drawing, while the study of the German language lately introduced into the three upper grades of the grammar schools, still further enriches the curriculum and furnishes occupation for another special teacher. Under the general school law of the state, an attendance officer gives personal attention to absences from school, by investigating such cases and learning the causes. In this he is assisted by two officers detailed daily from the police force of the city^ to follow up cases of truancy, and if necessary to threaten and to enforce the terrors of the law to both pupil and parent. The result of this supervision has been to reduce to a minimum the unnecessary absences from school and to almost entirely break up the truancy habit. The Private Schools of the Period. During this later period with its rapid development of pub- lic schools, the private schools pursued the even tenor of their ways, affording plentiful opportunity for education to those so circumstanced as not to be able to avail themselves of the abundance provided by the city and state. Beside those that have already been mentioned, in previous pages there are others equally deserving of being embalmed in a perma- nent record. Without going into wearisome details refer- ence should be made to the Rev. Clarkson Dunn who had been installed as rector of Grace Episcopal Church and who opened a school for boys in his residence at the corner of First and Wall Streets in the spring of 1858. He had pre- viously lived in Newton, N. J., where he had conducted a successful school, and he proved equally prosperous here, continuing in service until his death, which occurred in 187 1. A peculiarity of his school was the charge for tui- ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 69 tion, which was three cents per day ; and so exact and meth- odical was he that bills were rendered for the actual num- ber of days the pupil was in attendance during the quarter. About this time Rev. Mr. Ellis, another Episcopal clerg)^- man, who came hither from the West Indies, at the sugges- tion of friends opened a classical school for both sexes, on William Street, but the institution appears never to have been a pronounced success. On the other hand a Mrs. O'Connor, a widow, and the daughter of a teacher, achieved distinction and presumably gained pelf by conceiving and putting into successful oper- ation for a number of years a 'Vacation school." It was de- signed to keep children out of the streets during the period when other schools were closed and to afford light instruc- tion during the summer months. The idea took well among the neighbors and '*it was surprising what a large school she had, during vacation" at her rooms on South Park Street, near Jackson Park. We can recall also the names of Misses Mary and Sarah Arms, sisters, who kept a school in a house on Broad street, opposite the First Church Lecture Room, and also that of Mrs. A. S. Gunn, who for a period of fifteen or six- teen years from 1867 taught her classes of girls at No. 20 Catherine St. at first, and afterward in other quarters in Prospect St. In 1854 Mr. John Young, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and a graduate of the University of the City of New York, removed to this city and opened an English and Classical School for boys in Williamson Street. So successful was he in this venture that he removed to more favorable quar- ters near the center of the town, to the house now occupied by the public library. In i860 he purchased property at the corner of West Jersey and Chilton Streets upon which he erected his dwelling house and school room, in which he faithfully prosecuted his work until his death which oc- curred on Easter Day, April 15, 1906. He has left his mark as an educator not only upon our city but on foreign lands 70 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS as well, for the school, while drawing largely on the vicinity for pupils was, in such high favor among well-to-do fami- lies in Mexico, Central America and the West Indies that the times were rare, indeed when there were no representa- tives of these lands upon the roll of members. Besides his private school work his interest in general education sent him for a long term of years to represent the ward in which he lived in the Board of Education of the city, during which time he also served as superintendent of schools, from 1865 to 1874. His long term of active service, extending over more than half a century, entitles him to special mention among those conspicuous names that shine brightly on our city's roll of honor. At No. 284 North Broad Street in one of the houses of the block that has recently been remodeled, into the new Isham building, the Misses Sargeant conducted a school for young girls for a number of years with marked success. The limited number of pupils in each department assured particular attention to the needs of each scholar and the school stood high in public favor until about 1890 when it was discontinued. Nor should we omit a school for Misses and young ladies which was conducted for many years on Elizabeth Avenue, near Catherine Street, by Miss Lizzie Ogden and her sister, Lucille. There were really two schools. Miss Lucille taking charge of the younger scholars, and after the primary years of instruction, passing them along to "Miss Lizzie" as all her scholars loved to call her, for the finishing touches in the higher branches. For this she was most specially quali- fied, particularly in the French language, which she spoke with an exceptionally pure accent, no doubt influenced to some extent by her French ancestry, which was of the Des- sauge family. Aside from their memory as most capable and successful instructors there are the most pleasant rec- ollections all about the neighborhood in which they were located, of their benevolent and friendly services in co-op- eration with three other sisters which made the quintette ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 71 veritable home missionaries to many a dark spot in the town, and lightened many a burdened heart. In September, 1869, Miss Julia Lawrence Hayward es- tablished a school for girls on Jefferson Ave., near Jeffer- son Park, and continued it for nearly eight years in that lo- cation. In 1870 a similar school was opened at No. 279 North Broad Street by the Misses Clarkson and Bush, which had a successful career and continued under their management for about the same period of time, when Miss Hayward merged the two schools at the last named address in April, 1877. In this combined form they continued under her management until June, 1886, when the school passed to the control of Miss Laura A. Vail, who had associated with herself Miss Frances Deane, and it was announced to the public as The Vail-Deane School, a name which continues to this day. The Union School for girls and young ladies came into existence in 1861 under the direction of a Board of Trus- tees of whom Mrs. Richard T. Haines and Mrs. David H. Pierson were the leading spirits. The principals in succes- sion were Mrs. Case, Miss Josephine K. Little and Miss Nettie C. Read. In 1870 the control passed entirely to Miss Read who was the daughter of a leading minister of the Presbyterian Church and its name was changed to that of The Elizabeth Institute for Young Ladies, at No. 521 North Broad St. She associated with herself Miss Susan H. Higgins, who had been employed for some little time in the public schools, and under their joint management it flourished and prospered. Later Miss Read's decease, left Miss Higgins in sole control. She maintained its high rep- utation until 1892, when she retired from the profession to become the wife of Rev. John F. Pingry, D. D., who was conducting at the time the famous boys school which he had maintained for so many years. She transferred it to Mrs. Christine B. Knapp, who merged with it a similar school which she had established in 1883 at No. 350 Grier 72 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS Avenue, and continued business at the old stand in North Broad St. until 1901, when she in turn withdrew from the teacher's calling and the school was merged with The Vail- Deane School which was in full operation further down the street at No. 279. From this date onward to the present time the Vail- Deane School, the compressed resultant of these repeated consolidations has pursued its course with increasing pa- tronage and influence. Its courses of study are thorough ; its graduates are accepted for admission in the higher wo- men's colleges and its fame has spread far beyond the con- fines of our state. The Parochial Schools. This little work would be incomplete were we to omit mention of the various schools of the churches that have been established from time to time, some of which faded away after a more or less precarious tenure of life, but some of which endure to this day, in the height of a vigor- ous existence. From earliest days there have been strong adherents to the principle that secular instruction without simultaneous religious influences is fraught with peril not only to the youth but to the whole fabric of the community as well, and that to the church should be entrusted the edu- cation of the young. In pursuance of this theory parochial schools have been established, principally in connection with the parishes of the Roman Catholic churches. They are under the direct supervision of the reverend priest as- signed to the parish, the general management being under his direction, while the instruction of classes in most cases is given by the sisters of charity who devote themselves to this and other helpful work. The first of these special schools was established in the year 1856, the year following the incorporation of the city by Rev. Isaac P. Howell in connection with St. Mary's R. C. Church on Washington Ave., near South St., and still ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 73 continues its service after a lapse of more than fifty years, under the care of the rector, the Rev. Francis O'Neill. Five years later (1861) St. Patrick's parochial school was begun in the church building that had been erected on Court Street just above Second, but in 1863 it entered a two-story brick structure about thirty by sixty feet in di- mension, which was erected for its special accommodation. This in turn has given way to the commodious three-story building which now houses the primary and grammar de- partments, and which, with the adjacent high-school build- ing of later years (erected in 1907) forms the educational contingent of the magnificent group of parish buildings, that flanks Jackson Park on the northeast, a constant re- minder of the enterprise and force of the Very Rev. Mar- tin Gessner, the pastor. St. Michael's parish school was also begun in 185 1, in a one-story structure on Smith Street near Elizabeth Ave. and is now occupying improved and enlarged quarters just a little further to the north at the corner of East Jersey St. Next in order of time was that of the Church of the Sa- cred Heart, established in 1868 in the old convent building at the corner of Spring and Bond Streets. These four schools seem to have supplied the needs of the city in this particular line for nearly a score of years until the new parish of the Church of the Holy Rosary was set apart and established on First Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets in 1887. A large and flourishing school has always been a part of the activities of the church, its location near the center of the city, in a thickly populated territory en- suring a large attendance upon its privileges. Lastly and more recently the parish of St. Adelbert has come into being, purchasing the land on Third Street be- tween Fulton and East Jersey Streets, for so many years the site of the first Public School, No. i, in the earlier years of our municipal life. Upon this plot of ground has been erected a handsome church building and a school house, attractive in architectural design, and fitted with all the 74 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS modern and up-to-date hygienic and sanitary appliances. This school-house has just been completed and put into use and bids fair to attract a large attendance from among the children of our Polish residents who compose the congre- gation of the church. The organization of the school dates in 1909. General Review. In the Centennial Year of our country's history special pains were taken to secure a full and complete exhibit of the educational interests of the State, and from these we can accurately judge of the condition of affairs in our city, at that time, twenty-one years after incorporation. From the reports and exhibits filed with the State Superintendent, placed on exhibition at Philadelphia and preserved for a time in the capitol at Trenton, we find that at the close of the cal- endar year 1875 there were six separate school buildings, three of which were of small capacity with a seating accom- modation of 2647. The total enrollment during the year was 3676 — on the roll at the end of the year 2259 — average daily attendance, 1905, taught by 48 teachers, in 6 primary, 4 gram- mar and 3 high school grades covering 13 years of study and giving the benefits of a thorough English education to all who cared to avail themselves of the opportunity. Even- ing schools, in which only the elementary branches and book-keeping were taught, had been maintained during the winter, with an average attendance of 182 instructed by 8 teachers. The school census showed 7145 children of school age in the city, and the expenditure of money for all pur- poses of the school system was $42,552.68. For purposes of comparison and especially as evidencing the enlarged population it will be interesting to scan the last report of the Board of Education, for the year ending June 30, 191 1, after the lapse of a third of a century. It shows 14 buildings, all but one of which are of large size, with a seating capacity of 8202. The total enrollment dur- ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 75 ing the year was 9200 — on roll at the end of the year 7912 — average daily attendance 7514 taught by 223 teachers in the various grades. Evening schools had been open during the winter months. As the taking of the school census by the city authorities was discontinued in 1900, it is impossi- ble to make a comparison of the number of children of school age in the city. The total expenditure for ordinary school purposes was $236,408.21 and this, as in the other instance, did not include any amount for new buildings. At the close of this volume there will be found statistical tables showing the growth of our public schools from their earliest years. These figures have been compiled from the records of our own Board of Education and from those of the State Board of Education in the capitol building at Trenton. Close scrutiny of these statistics might reveal a few discrepancies which it would be hard to explain, and the author makes no attempt to reconcile them at this late date, content in the assurance that they are but of min- or importance, and absolving himself from all blame in the matter by saying that *'he found them in the book." From this view-point the march of progress has been a r^pid one especially in recent years. As the advantages of our city for suburban residence have become more widely known, as our manufactureing interests have had such ex- tended development, as our inter-communication with the great metropolis has so marvellously improved, a steady increase of population has called for enlarged school ac- commodation, and year by year new halls of learning have been provided to meet the increased demand. This demand has always crowded on the heels of provision, and has necessitated at times the ''long look ahead" so needful in forecasting future wants. To the credit of all who have managed these interests in the years over which we look, be it said that they have always been alive to the needs of our city and ready, so far as lay in their power, to meet those needs. Today, the earnest hope of Governor Pennington and his 76 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS associates in 1840 that our Public Schools "shall be so ele- vated in their condition, that the richest, as well as the poor- est man in the community shall be proud to send his chil- dren to them" is no longer a dream. It has its place in the realms of fact. The Old School House at Lyons Farms. Mention has been made in previous pages, of the school- house at Lyons Farms, which, although not within our city limits and therefore not strictly within the purview of this history is yet so nearly related to it in a neighborly way as to warrant including in these annals. The structure is still standing at the juncture of Pros- pect Avenue and Newark Ave., in Lyons Farms, although its use was discontinued a number of years ago when a fine modern building was erected to take its place. May it long remain as a mute reminder of the early days ! It was built in 1784, of stone brought from the quarries near Irvington, and tradition asserts that it followed a frame building that had been used for the same purpose for some fifty years and had been destroyed by fire. Mr. Jos. Lyon taught there until 1796, probably beginning his labors a few years before the wooden building burned. He was a resident of Lyons Farms and a graduate of Princeton College. Before him was a Mr. Bellamy who taught a long time, presumably dating his term of service before the out- break of the Revolution. Mr. James Ross succeeded Mr. Lyon and he in turn was followed in 1801 when he went to teach in the North End schoolhouse by Mr. Murray, in 1804 by Mr. Crocker, and in 1806 by Mr. Ward Foster, the latter proving so efficient and satisfactory that he continued for many years to fill his honored position. Mr. Geo. Foote, brother of Fred'k W. Foote taught a year or two about 1838. Mr. Ross who deserves special mention for his thirty years pursuance of this vocation, was born in the north of ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS yy Ireland, and came to this country the year before taking up his work at Lyons Farms. He later devoted himself to mercantile pursuits. It has been published upon the authority of a retired cler- gyman residing in the county that the celebrated English author, Thackeray, on one occasion while on a visit to this country honored the locality and the old stone house by delivering a lecture within its venerable walls. This may have been *The English Humorists," in 1852 or possibly "The Four Georges" which he brought out on his second trip to America in 1855. 78 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS STATISTICAL REPORTS. Township. For the nine years prior to the incorporation of the city, March 13, 1855. Districts. No. of Teachers. No. of Chil- dren. a ^ ^J TEAR. bi) Si 60 3 •_2 c s: S^ 1 5 Eh 6 tf S ^ H Z 1846 5 5 1066 725 1847 6 6 6 1139 1235 .371 1848 428 1849 6 6 5 5 4 5 6 t 5 4 5 1303 1365 1628 1827 1922 2221 531 1850 597 1851 875 1852 3 4 4 13 13 12 16 17 16 1078 1853 649 1854 806 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 79 STATISTICAL REPORTS. Township. For the nine years prior to the incorporation of the city, March 13, 1855. YEAR. Amount re- ceived from Township Collector. Amount raised by tax for support of schools. Amount re- ceived from the State fund. Amount appro- priated for new build- ings, repairs, etc. Amount appro- priated or re- ceived for all purposes. ess < 1846 $226 46 680 91 680 91 2,209 14 1847 $200 97 211 97 1848 1849 1850 $2,282 65 3,434 04 2,973 32 3,753 46 5,124 74 1,041 3e 1,362 49 1851 1852 $2,000 00 2,750 00 3,000 00 $973 32 1,003 46 1,124 74 1853 1854 $1,000 00 8o ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS STATISTICAL REPORTS. City. For the first decade after its incorporation, March 13, 1855. Attendance, etc. . Teachers. Scholars. ■4-> YEAR. d 1 < !i e bo < 1 5a ¥ 1855 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 13 14 14 15 19 21 20 19 19 20 20 22 23 22 24 24 25 31 35 40 17 19 20 20 23 24 22 21 21 22 22 24 25 24 26 26 27 34 37 43 1850 2381 2693 2540 2849 3016 2944 2944 2944 2965 2965 1537 4098 4006 4167 4197 5564 6212 6389 6928 735 1035 1652 1696 1651 1630 1768 1503 1591 954 954 1543 ■■"igio 2017 2106 2258 2556 2530 3015 1856 1857 724 756 933 881 956 847 835 418 1858 1859 1860 6 3 ? 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 1861 . .. 1862 1863 . 1864 1865 1866 1867 . 890 970 1039 1074 1706 1349 1437 1557 1868 1869 1870 1871 1470 1872 1500 1873 2100 1874 2210 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 8i STATISTICAL REPORTS. City. For the first decade after its incorporation, March 13, 1855. Financial. YEAR. < 6 £* < Amount appro- priated for new build- ings, repairs, etc. 22 CD. CO. ft % > 1855 $6,000 00 3,500 00 10,000 00 10,500 00 5,744 00 9,790 00 9,000 00 9,000 00 9,592 09 14,500 00 14,500 00 $1,131 98 1,100 00 598 31 1,224 00 1,246 86 1,278 38 1,092 96 1,178 44 1,407 91 1,407 91 1,407 91 $8,000 00 5,000 00 $15,131 98 9,600 00 10,598 31 21,724 00 12,746 86 12,778 48 10,092 96 10,178 44 11,000 00 15,907 91 15,907 91 16,000 00 17,000 00 19,777 73 19,666 60 20,703 03 32,700 00 30,000 00 32,000 00 47.000 00 1856 1857 1858 10,000 00 5,756 00 1859 1860 .. .. (*$1,710 10) 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 18,666 66 18,000,00 19,000 00 13,493 88 3,560 49 3,058 14 7,433 29 i,777 73 1,666 60 1,703 03 19,206 12 26,439 51 28,941 86 29,566 71 40,000 00 1869 4,750 00 4,700 00 50,000 00 1870 50,000 00 1871 50,000 00 1872 3,000 00 70,000 00 1873 90,000 00 1874 16,666 66 90,000 00 ♦Received from other sources. B2 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS STATISTICAL REPORTS. City. For 15 years, 1875- 1889, inclusive. Attendance, etc. 1 . Ow Teachers. Scholars. >> YEAR. S i < ^^ a ^ (JO <6 ll n < 1 si ^« 1875 5 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 5 8 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 42 46 46 44 46 47 48 48 49 50 51 57 58 60 65 45 49 49 47 49 50 51 51 52 53 54 61 62 64 69 7145 6817 6984 7124 7180 7710 8625 7856 8359 8339 8389 8697 8864 9051 9174 3212 3858 3293 3406 3135 3426 3311 3501 3449 3498 3617 3730 3803 3918 4042 1756 1953 2033 2118 2084 2241 2093 2156 2233 2377 2489 2646 2691 2664 2870 2200 1876 2300 1877 2300 1878 2300 1879 2500 1880 2550 1881 2565 1882 2569 1883 2566 1884 2560 1885 2549 1886 2602 1887 2595 1888 2902 1889 3040 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 83 STATISTICAL REPORTS. City. For 15 years, 1875- 1889, inclusive. Financial. YEAR. V m S-t ¥ < a < Amount appro- priated for new build- ings, repairs, etc. 1= p. 00. X! OS 1875 $12,171 07 9,923 38 12,497 97 10,968 94 14,971 48 14,711 94 9,395 70 8,213 09 26,546 81 10,700 00 14,000 00 16,000 00 16,000 00 16,000 00 20,000 00 $30,828 93 30,076 62 27,702 03 26,681 06 25,371 87 24,229 35 33,743 77 35,805 68 34,033 87 35.186 08 35,608 56 35,576 08 36,173 52 42,249 04 48,762 67 $12,171 07 8,000 00 8,900 00 7,950 00 11,658 92 11,141 29 9,395 70 8,213 09 26,075 00 10,700 00 14,400 00 16.000 00 16,000 00 16,000 00 20,000 00 $43,000 00 40,000 00 40,200 00 37,650 00 40,343 35 38,941 29 43,139 47 44,018 77 60,580 68 45,886 08 49,608 56 51,576 08 52,173 52 58,249 04 68,762 67 $100,000 00 1876 106,500 00 1877 110,000 00 1878 100,000 00 1879 100,000 00 1880 69,000 00 1881 80,000 00 1882 80,000 00 1883 69,000 00 1884 . . . 69,000 00 1885 80,000 00 1886 112,000 00 1887 111,600 00 1888 112,000 00 1889 191,000 90 84 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS STATISTICAL REPORTS. City. For the 21 years, 1890-1910, inclusive. Attendance. • if Teachers. Scholars. >> 1^ S 1 03 . Day Schools. YEAR. u 11 Si 1» 1890 8 8 8 11 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 14 14 14 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 10 12 l5 fi 11 12 18 17 17 18 18 73 79 82 85 88 93 92 102 106 117 134 129 133 142 144 151 152 155 170 175 186 77 83 86 89 92 97 98 109 116 129 146 139 148 153 155 163 170 172 187 193 204 9283 9784 10058 10058 10586 10586 11120 11697 11819 12212 12169 4420 4756 4865 5233 5756 5510 5484 6270 6270 6948 6813 7330 7297 7968 7133 7835 8037 8119 8232 8855 8828 3074 3389 3467 3682 3959 3993 4202 4689 4774 4778 5129 5379 5313 5372 5626 5929 5867 5975 6418 6449 6848 3346 1891 3640 1892 3630 1893 3827 1894 4352 1895 4309 1896 4282 1897 5239 1898 5489 1899 5923 1900 6070 1901 6773 1902 7773 1903 7183 1904 7412 1905 7400 1906 7865 1907 7865 1908 7591 1909 7778 1910 8126 No census taken since 1900. ELlZABETH^S SCHOOL INTERESTS B5 STATISTICAL REPORTS. City. For the 21 years, 1890 1910, inclusive. Financial. TEAR. ^1 111 Expended for new build- ings and re- pairs. III Value of school prop- erty. 1890 $48,334 10 50,916 35 52,908 32 53,822 92 57,811 55 59,175 56 60,682 25 65,695 50 70,793 63 77,191 76 81,372 72 91,313 16 93,870 46 95,876 50 101,897 41 104,809 30 109,072 07 112,895 77 123,811 16 140,981 60 148,434 01 $37,659 38 9,131 40 5,715 94 13,870 13 37,581 55 3,204 85 44,628 41 37,676 91 3,940 22 3,758 97 48,185 77 5,636 08 7,373 09 30,867 05 8,296 81 18,504 83 40,788 94 17,443 64 58,476 07 96.503 21 28,798 79 $102,909 16 76,016 07 78,708 33 85,705 77 114,957 78 83,895 16 125,107 26 121,176 36 125,383 67 134,537 19 159,874 47 132,042 02 133,807 40 164,008 02 139,794 12 155,112 98 187,329 89 168,589 03 233,014 00 ♦295,277 49 •253,410 04 $218,000 00 1891 218,000 00 1892 218,000 00 1893 . .. , . 218,000 00 1894 240,400 00 1895 230 000 00 1896 ., 255,000 00 1897 302,000 00 1898 302,000 00 1899 347,000 00 1900 347,000 00 1901 392,000 00 1902 392,000 00 1903 427,000 00 1904 427,000 00 1905 427 000 00 1906 473,000 00 1907 473,000 00 1908 521,000 00 1909 619,000 00 1910 619 000 00 ♦Includes about $10,000 expended for night schools. INDEX Page. A Abbott, Dr. C 23 Ackley, J. A 33 Allen, Edward 20 Alward, Joseph 5 Arms, Mary 69 Arms, Sarah 69 Atwater, Edward S 5 Atwood, N. Savings 37 B Baldwin, Harriet E 57 Baldwin, Jeannette S 58 Barber, Francis 15 Barnet, William 14 Barry, Edward D 18 Barton, Miss P. W 23 Barton, Miss M. M 23, 34 Barton, W. S 35 Battin, Joseph 64 Belcher, Gov'r 12, 13 Belden, Rev. William C 19, 26 Bell, Rev. Andrew 45 Bellamy, Mr 76 Blackman, S. C 17 Borroughs, Wm. H 32, 33 Bradbury, Rev. E 37 87 Page. Brewster, Mr 48 Brown, Mrs. Bowring 28 Bryant, John J 33 Burling, Miss E 32 Burr, Rev. Aaron 12 Burr, Aaron 13 Burr, George W 58 Bush, Miss 71 Butler, Francis 36 C Capron, Madame 25 Carteret, Gov 10 Case, Mrs 71 Catlin, Marcus 32 Chandler, John 38 Chandler, Henry W 41 Chase, Mrs 56, 57 Chatterton, John 52 Clark, Chas. G 56 Clarkson, Miss 71 Clement, Richard E 5 Cleveland, Joseph 37 Cleveland, Ezra 49 Cleveland, Rachel 58 Cone, Mr 57 Cooley, John 58 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS Page. Cook, John 20 Corey, J. Harvey 58 Craig, Mr 56 Crane, Thomas 32, 35 Crane, Job 35 Crane, Isaac 39 Crane, Job S 58 Crittenden, Miss S 29 Crocker, Mr 76 D Darby, Elias 49, 52, 58 Darby, Ezra 42 Daun, Mr 28 Davis, Sarah B 37 Davis, Charles 52 Day, William F 5, 52, 53 Day, Thomas S 52 Dayton, Elias B 16 Dayton, Matthias O 22, 30 Dayton, Jane L 43 Dean, Mr 56 Deane, Frances 71 DeHensch, Mr 17, 25 Dickenson, Rev. Jonathan 11 Dix, J. Augustus 5 Dix, Warren R 5 Dows, Mary 44 Drake, James S 36 Duport, A 27 Dunn, Rev. Clarkson 68 E Edwards, Timothy 13 Ellis, Rev. Mr 69 Page. Elizabeth Institute for Young Ladies 71 F Fairfield, Mr 30 Fay, Julius A 36 Fellenburgh Hall 33 Felters, Henry J 17 Fletcher, Rev. Seth 10 Foote, Frederick W — 35,41,42 Foote, George 76 Foster, Ward 76 French, Miles 41 G Gale, Nancy A 34 Garthwaite, Edwin 24 Gessner, Rev. Martin TZ Gorham, Julia 27 Grummon, Mr 41 Gunn, Mrs. A. S 69 H Haight, N. W 57 Haines, Mr 41 Haines, Philetus E 20,21 Haines, Mrs. Richard T 71 Hall, Miss 28 Hall, George 23, zz Halsey, Luther 16 Halsey, Rev. Jno. T 35 Halsey, Meline W 52 Harriman, Rev. John 10 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 89 Page. Harrison, Elizabeth W 34 Hayward, Julia S 71 Henry, Mrs 26 Higgins, Susan H 71 Holly, Mr 40 Howell, Rev. Isaac P 72 Hoyt, Mrs Z7 Hunt, Mary 28 Hunter, Mr 56 Hustlers, Mr 29 Hutchinson, Amelia E 57 Hutchinson, E. S 57 J Johnson, Catharine H 58 K Kellogg, Elijah ZZ Kellogg, J. W Z(i Kellogg, Edward 56 Kingsley, A. W 58 Kinne, George 41 Knapp, Mrs. Christine B 71 Kollock, Shepard 32, 42 L Lancaster, Joseph 45 Lawrence, Jonathan B 16 LeBreton, Mrs 26 Lilly, Rev. Samuel 18 Little, Joseph K 71 Luster, Caleb J 22,40,41 Luster, Caroline D 42 Page. Lyon, Capt. David 40 Lyon, Joseph 76 M McCollum, A. B yj McDowell, Rev. John... 19, 33, 49 McGregor, Mrs 26 Mackey, Bertha C 64 Magie, William J 5 Magie, Rev. David 31, 33, 52 Magie, Harriet S 64 Manual Labor Academy 32 Marsh, Sophronia 56 Martin, Susan C 64 Mather, Increase 10 Massie, Peter 52 Melyen, Rev. Samuel 11 Mervin, Mrs 26 Mills, Henry 18 Moore, Mr 40 Morris Ave. Primary School Assn 61 Morton, Elihu 36 Mulford, Susan P 53 Murdock, Patrick 16 Murray, Rev. Nicholas.12, 31, 45, 52 Murray, Mr 76 N Naar, David 55 Nason, Samuel 23 Nesbit, Joseph 40 Noble, Rev. B. G.... 30 Noe, Mrs 33 90 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS Page. Noll, A. B 35 Northrop, B. G 42 Nuttman, James G 34 Nuttman, Oliver 44 O Ogden, Joseph 14 Ogden, Col. Aaron 27 Ogden, Ichabod 35 Ogden, Benjamin 58 Ogden, Lizzie 70 Ogden, Lucille 70 O'Connor, Mrs 69 O'Neill, Rev. Francis 73 P Parker, Jerusha 42 Peck, Rev. Jeremiah 10 Pemberton, Ebenezer 13, 14 Pennington, Gov 75 Periam, Joseph 14, 30, 39 Pierson, Rev. David H 31 Pierson, Mrs. D. H 71 Pingry, Rev. John F yj Pingry School (The) Z'] Price, Mary 26 Price, Eliphalet 26 Price, David 29 Price, Edward 30 Price, Parraela 44 Proctor, Mr 56 Pruden, Keen 49 Purviance, Anna 28 Pyne, Rev. Smith 30 Page. R Ranken, Miss 26 Ranney, Nancy D 28 Read, Nettie C y\ Reeve, Tapping 13, 14 Rogers, Mr 41 Rogers, Augustus 56 Rolston, John H 55 Ropes, Jonathan M 58 Ross, James 19, 39, 41, 76 Ross, David 40 Rudd, Rev. John C 19, 29, 30 Rudd, Charles 26 S Salter, J. W 30 Saltonstall, Joseph L 17 Sanderson's Hotel 28 Sanderson, Edward 44,49 Sargeant, The Misses 70 Sayre, Lucretia H 64 Shearer, William J 5 Sherman, Mr 17 Sherwood, Charles 58 Shutes, Mayor 31 Smith, Elias D 5 Smith, Caleb 12 Smith, William P 14 Smith, Moses 20 Smith, Samuel 22, 28 Smith, J. Sanford 40, 52 Smith, Maud S 43 Spalding, Clarissa D 27, 28 Spinning, Benjamin 14 Squier, Caleb 5 ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL INTERESTS 91 Page. Stearns, Josiah Q 5, 54, 55 Stevenson, James 17, 25 Stewart, Morgan 41 Stewart, Richard 55 Stickney, Thomas 39 Stiles, Abner 22 Stiles, Susan M 53 T Tapray, Madame 25 Taylor, John 16 Tenney, William J 5, 58 Thackeray, William Tj Thomas, William 57 Townley, Jonathan 37 U Union School 71 Usquehart, John 10 Page. V Vail, Laura A 71 Vail-Deane School 7i, 72 Van Doren, John L 21, 22 W Wade, Nehemiah 14 Warner, Kate M 64 Webb, Elizabeth 57 Whitehead, William M . , 5, 54, 55 Williams, Anne 24 Williams, Ellen 58 Woodruff, Hetty 2>^ Woodruff, Mary E 57, 58 Wyckoff, Rev. Joseph 31 Wyman, John 60 Y Young, John 5, 69 Young, David 17, 41