Kim, I have been reading Pheobe's Diary every day. Thank you for sharing it with us. She really was a remarkable lady. Her entry for May 27th, prompted me to comment that there was one more angel in heaven when she passed too!!! Ethel Ontario, Canada Wednesday, May 27 Trying to iron but Washington is so sick I am constantly called away. At 7 PM there is one more angell in heaven, one child of God.

Vee, I think your people must have come from this area originally, though none of the names are familiar, those are exactly the same concerns that our school board had. They bid off the wood supply and the teacher's board. They voted to have a female teacher a few times. I think this may have had to do with the make-up of the roster, if most of the pupils were to be young children or girls it may have been thought better to have the gentler touch of a female teacher. It was never voted to have a male teacher so it may have been that male teachers were the norm and it was only felt necessary to vote if they felt they NEEDED a female for a particular reason. As I read through the minute book I found I knew where most of the people lived. This is the result of living here all my life and knowing the area so well. If I didn't know where someone lived I asked Dad, he may not know what he did 2 minutes ago but the stuff from years ago is still in his memory. My great grandfather and great great grandfather were both on this board at times and before I give the book over I intend to photocopy a page that each of them signed as clerk because I think it will be neat to have copies of their signatures. As to weapons in school, there was a much different take on this here when I was in school in the mid 1950s. During hunting season the boys would hunt on the way to and from school and during school they just put their rifles in the back of the classroom. Nobody thought anything of it. Of course every boy and some of us girls had a pocket knife which was carried everywhere one went, OH HORRORS. In grammar school we girls could wear pants to school, it wasn't until I went to high school that we had to wear skirts. This went on until the fashion got to be the extreme mini skirt and then suddenly it was alright for girls to wear pants. (G) Ruth At 9:12 PM -0500 2/26/04, Vee L. Housman wrote: >There were other thought-provoking entries in the records regarding >teachers. They concerned whether to hire a woman or a man for the upcoming >session. For instance, in 1820 it was voted that summer school be taught >by a woman. In 1848 a male teacher was rejected. In 1857 they voted that a >female was to teach winter school and in 1858 they voted against a male >teacher for the winter term and voted instead that it should be taught by >a female. In my mind I tend to believe that they were not voting on what >sex the teacher should be but that they were actually voting on >individuals. Maybe they just didn't feel it proper to reveal their names >at the time they were voting. But it did seem rather unusual. -- Ruth Barton [email protected] Dummerston, VT

Dear Evelyn, It doesn't surprise me in the least regarding your 12-year-old granddaughter's curriculum and the current lectures and rules in school. It only causes me to sigh once again. Regarding drugs back in the 1940s they only meant what you buy at the drug store, a gang meant a bunch of us kids, the dress code didn't need to be spelled out--it was taken for granted that girls wore dresses and boys wore pants and a shirt. And although I can't recall ever seeing the weapons that the boys brought with them to school, at best they were peashooters or slingshots which were quickly confiscated if the boys were caught. Now spit balls were marginal. Ah yes how the world has changed (sigh). vee ----- Original Message ----- From: "evelyn b cooper" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 11:44 AM Subject: Re: [FOLKS] Sixth Grade in 1943 > Vee, > > You asked if sixth graders are being taught the same as in 1943. Well, > my 12-year old granddaughter is in sixth grade this year. She has > different teachers for each class; is on the year book committee; in the > band; and in many ways is being prepared for junior high. A deputy comes > on a regular basis to talk to them about drugs, gangs and such. Certain > articles of clothing are forbidden to be worn in school, as are anything > considered a weapon. > > She complained to me once that the school is too strict, yet understood > they were only trying to protect all the students. > > OH, sixth grade is not much like when you were in it in 1943, or me in > 1951, but then neither is the world. Truly a sad realization. > > Evelyn in Colorado > > ________________________________________________________________ > The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! > Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! > Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! > >

There were other thought-provoking entries in the records regarding teachers. They concerned whether to hire a woman or a man for the upcoming session. For instance, in 1820 it was voted that summer school be taught by a woman. In 1848 a male teacher was rejected. In 1857 they voted that a female was to teach winter school and in 1858 they voted against a male teacher for the winter term and voted instead that it should be taught by a female. In my mind I tend to believe that they were not voting on what sex the teacher should be but that they were actually voting on individuals. Maybe they just didn't feel it proper to reveal their names at the time they were voting. But it did seem rather unusual. One entry about teachers revealed a bit about a teacher's living arrangements during the school term. In 1842 they voted that "the teacher be hired to board himself if he will do it at one dollar per week; otherwise board with the scholars." It appears that they would pay the teacher $1.00 a week for the cost of his providing lodgings for himself. But if that wasn't acceptable, he could live in as a boarder with the family of one of the students. And, ah yes, what would teachers do without wood for the stove! If there was one thing that was consistent through the entire records, it was making certain that arrangements were made to provide wood to heat the schoolhouse. During the earlier years it appeared that each inhabitant or family was required to physically provide his share of the wood. or if they were unable, they were taxed at a set rate per cord. During the latter years, the entire supply of wood was purchased from the lowest bidder and the taxpayers taxed accordingly. I wonder whether a study of the records would give a good picture of the rate of the dwindling forest and woodlots in the area. The amount of wood that was needed ranged from as few as five cords for the year to as high as twenty and the price per cord ranged from $.50 to $5.75. In the 1840s the price per cord was 12 shillings--I am amazed that the earlier form of money was either still being used or, if nothing else, that they still thought of money in those terms. After picking apart the information in the records and rearranging them in my mind to get the feeling of what was going on in this area during that period of time, it made me feel closer to the people involved. The names of the people had become so familiar to me that I felt I almost knew them. It made me want to get to know more about them. That's when I started digging through other history sources to find out where they lived, when they arrived in this area and anything else I could find that would add to their identities. I got to know them a whole lot better. I believe that my favorite family was that of Abijah Perry. Three generations of his family served in an elected capacity on the school board. Abijah settled here in 1805 at the corner of Creek Road and Balmer Road--or at least that's where he bought land from the Holland Land Company and received his deed from the company in 1837. Abijah served on the school board from 1820 to 1846--26 years. Two of his sons served on the school board--William from 1836 to 1868, 32 years, and Ambrose from 1841 to 1855, 14 years. One source said that William was born August 11, 1811 and was the first child born after the general settlement began in this area. The third generation to serve on the board was William's son, Edward. When I typed Edward's name and the date that he was elected Collector in 1861, 1 knew just who he was and I knew what eventually happened to him--he died in Salisbury Prison, North Carolina, during the Civil War. Edward wasn't the only one connected with the school board to serve in the Civil War and he wasn't the only one to die in the war. Ezra S. Holden had several sons in the war and lost one of them because of it. Others on the board who served and returned were Montillion Moss and Nathan Smith, Jr. Another favorite family of mine is the Kelley family. At least two generations served on the board. John Kelley bought land north of Abijah Perry in 1854 and served on the board from 1844 to 1872, 28 years. His son Charles C. served from 1864 to 1872. The title search of the school house property now owned by the Reimers stated that John Kelly died between 1890 and 1900 and that he left two sons, Charles C. and Fred A. It stated that Fred A. Kelley's son was L. J. Kelley. Also in the school records it shows a Captain Kelley who served on the board from 1864 to 1869. I find that the Kelleys very interesting indeed. Other noteworthy people in the records were Moses Barto who was also the School Commissioner in 1819 and the Town of Porter Supervisor from 1825-1827. He served on the school board from 1819 to 1829. Stephen Eaton settled here in 1820. He served on the board for 27 years. His son A. J. Eaton served from 1861 to 1872. I've mentioned Ezra S. Holden. He was another of the original settlers. He settled in 1833 and was married to Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Jason Davis and sister to Bradley D. and Nelson R. Davis. Ezra was Justice of the Peace in 1835 and also taught school at some point. John McLaughlin settled here in 1815 and served for 28 years. Francis Powley was the lighthouse keeper at Fort Niagara in 1869. He served for 7 years. Peter Simmons was a Town Supervisor in 1854. Charles Wille settled here in 1835. As a final note, I think what impressed me overall in reading and studying the school records was the obvious dedication these men and their families showed to provide an education for their children. They started the school district in 1819 just five years after the burning of the Niagara Frontier by the British in 1814. The area was still just one big forest. They had their land to clear and their crops to plant. But they also had their children to educate at the same time. End of talk. vee

Dear Group: I just posted Part 3 of Phoebe's 1863 diary. There are a couple of notables. On May 20, Phoebe mentions that the 28th came home, and on May 25, the 28th Regulars departed from Lockport. On May 29, the cornerstone was laid for the Col. Donchy monument. Does anybody know about that particular monument, and does it still exist? And who was Col. Donchy? Kim

Friday, May 1 Br. Van a little better. Br. Smith went to Porter. Saturday, May 2 Van not so well. I tried to get someone to go to Mr. Townsend's. Sent for the Dr. Sunday, May 3 In the house all day. Van is better. Monday, May 4 Mr. Smith and Belle came home. I washed and ironed some. Tuesday, May 5 Br. Van gaining. He could not go to class. [Note: May 6-8 are blank.] Saturday, May 9 Went to the church to get someone to take Br. Van to Dickersonville. Sunday, May 10 Van preached but very sick in the evening. Monday, May 11 I washed. Tuesday, May 12 I ironed some. Br. Van does not gain much. Wednesday, May 13 Got a chicken for Br. Van from Br. Robinson's. Rainy all day. At church. Thursday, May 14 Went to prayer meeting. Finished ironing. Friday, May 15 Miss Brownell of Buffalo came. Saturday, May 16 The girls went out to walk twice. Sunday, May 17 The girls went to church. Miss Brownell was sick in the evening. Monday, May 18 I washed. The girls went visiting. I ironed some. Br. Smith came home. Tuesday, May 19 All at Lockport. I ironed. Wednesday, May 20 The 28th came home. Van, Mr. Smith and I at work in the garden. W. Nichol's and wife came. We all went to the social at Mr. Robinson's. [Note: I believe Phoebe was talking about the 28th Regulars here. K.] Thursday, May 21 We all went on a ride to the Indian Village. [Note: May 22-23 are blank. K.] Sunday, May 24 At home all day so as to tend the child who cannot stand it long. The Dr. showed it's head and -----. Monday, May 25 Thought every moment the boy was dying. Mr. Smith and Belle came. The 28th Regulars departed themselves at Lockport. Tuesday, May 26 Washing. Mrs. Atkins helped me. The boy easyer. Began to take milk from the bottel. Wednesday, May 27 Trying to iron but Washington is so sick I am constantly called away. At 7 PM there is one more angell in heaven, one child of God. Thursday, May 28 Washington Atkins buried today. Went to prayer meeting. Friday, May 29 Br. Smith went to B---. The cornerstone laid out for Col. Donchy monument. Called on Miss B. Saturday, May 30 Finished ironing. The trustees here to see the premises. Talked with Br. Van on personal issues, then prayed with each other. Sunday, May 31 Sunday. At home all day. Read and sing a good deal. Belle went to prayer meeting. Monday, June 1 Washed and ironed. Made Mr. Smith's dressing gown. Tuesday, June 2 Walked as far as the Gothic Hall. Wednesday, June 3 Very tired. Belle went to Lockport. I had Mrs. Atkins to help me wash. Did not do much besides bake. Thursday, June 4 Mr. Smith went to Lockport and took Belle. Had Mrs. Atkins to help me wash. Mr. Smith came home. Friday, June 5 Sewed and visited with Mrs. Smith. Saturday, June 6 Ironed and picked up around the house. Belle came home. Sunday, June 7 Went with Mrs. Moody and Sister to call on the Miss Brooks. Monday, June 8 Sewed for Helen and washed. Mr. Smith came home. Tuesday, June 9 Ironed and got ready for Picnic. In the evening Belle had calls. Wednesday, June 10 At the Soldier's Picnic in Mr. Boot's woods. Thursday, June 11 Started for home and after Mary got there and found all there well. Friday, June 12 Visited and looked around. Sewed some on Mother's bonnet. Saturday, June 13 Francelia and babe went to Lockport. I gave up after being dressed 6 hours. Alice went home. Sunday, June 14 I went to the school house to meeting. Monday, June 15 Washed and had company. Mrs. L., Mrs. Halsey sick thought to be dying. Tuesday, June 16 Ironed and thought to go to Lockport but the mail did not call. Went at night with Mr. T. Staid with Sarah Jane. Wednesday, June 17 Mother came after me and took me home. Thursday, June 18 Mr. Smith started for Lima. Saturday, June 20 Picked up the house. Budd quite good. I was really sick at night. Sunday, June 21 Dear Father's birthday. I was sick all day. Monday, June 22 Br. Van went to Lima. We washed. I called on Mrs. Moody. Tuesday, June 23 Mrs. Atkins ironed. I wrote home to Mrs. Penfield, Miss Agnell. Began things for Hester. Wednesday, June 24 Sewing. Miss Hayden called. Jacob Adriance staid the night. I made several calls. Thursday, June 25 Sewing. Went to the woods with Budd. Took tea at Mrs. Moody's. Friday, June 26 Baked. Belle came home and then Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Saturday, June 27 Helen came home. Sunday, June 28 I did not go to church. In the evening to prayer meeting. Tuesday, June 29 Mr. Smith started for camp meeting. Mrs. Smith brought me home.

Dear Group: I think I may have figured out Phoebe's occupation, and it was in front of me all the time! Duh! I believe she very well could have been working as a seamstress for other people. She may have lived at the person's home maybe in exchange for pay or some other arrangement. I got to thinking about this last night when I couldn't sleep and I thought to myself, "That makes sense!" What got me thinking about this was when Phoebe was complaining about Nancy. Apparently, Nancy was a maid or just hired help, and Nancy wasn't pulling her fair share. I had to chuckle when Phoebe was glad that Nancy was gone! I could tell from that exchange that Phoebe, didn't take much from nobody, especially when they didn't pull their fair share! Kim

Vee, You asked if sixth graders are being taught the same as in 1943. Well, my 12-year old granddaughter is in sixth grade this year. She has different teachers for each class; is on the year book committee; in the band; and in many ways is being prepared for junior high. A deputy comes on a regular basis to talk to them about drugs, gangs and such. Certain articles of clothing are forbidden to be worn in school, as are anything considered a weapon. She complained to me once that the school is too strict, yet understood they were only trying to protect all the students. OH, sixth grade is not much like when you were in it in 1943, or me in 1951, but then neither is the world. Truly a sad realization. Evelyn in Colorado ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

Dear Folks, Frankly I don't have a clue how elementary school children are taught nowadays but back in 1943 if you were in the sixth grade you had only one teacher, your sixth grade teacher. She taught you every subject with the possible exception of music and gym. In going through my old scrapbook this evening (for another reason) I came across a number of stories I had written for my English class when I was in Grade 6a at Maple Avenue School, Niagara Falls, NY. One of them was dated January 29, 1943, and it pointed out to me that we were given assignments in English class that were based on what we had just learned in her History class. This is what I wrote (in pen and ink, not ballpoint) that the teacher graded "Excellent." How a Boy Became a Knight Something a boy in the days of feudalism really wished to be was a knight. He could not become a knight unless the king asked him. Until he was seven years old he lived as did the other boys. When he was seven he was taken from his home to the castle of a lord or famous knight. The boy was called a page which means "little vassal." He was taught to serve at the table, to play a harp and to sing. The lady of the castle taught him to be courteous. He was taught boxing, wrestling, running and riding. At the age of fourteen (seven years after he became a page), he became a squire. He wore the letters S. S. on his collar. A squire's duties were mostly around the table. He carved the meat, served the food and carried water to the guests so they could wash their hands for they had to eat with their fingers. He made the beds, took care of the horses and slept by his [lord's?] door at night. A squire went to war with the lord so he could learn to ride and fight. The squire also waited on the ladies. He went with them on hunts. He picked flowers for them. He sang and read to them. An older squire often taught the girls to read and write. When a squire was twenty-one he became a knight. The night before he was to be initiated, the squire put his armor on the alter and prayed all night. In the morning he took a bath to purify himself. He went in the baron's presence to become a knight. The baron put a sword on his shoulder and dubbed him a knight. The knight promised that he would speak the truth, serve the king and the church, to respect women and never to run from the foe. End of that sixth grade story. But included in my folder of sixth grade English stories are also telling history stories about Joan of Arc and about monks and monestaries. Do I dare hope that sixth-graders nowadays are still taught such subjects in such detail? vee

Sunday, March 1 Took care of the children while they were at church. Snowing hard. Mr. Cook took me back to Mr. Hurd's. We all went to prayer meeting at John G. Flora's. Monday, March 2 Made Willy Hurd two shirts. Called on Mrs. Mance. Made George Hurd a coat and then Mr. Hurd took me to Pekin. My teath bad. Tuesday, March 3 Miss Belle Smith and I alone most of the day. Dr. Arnold called. In the evening I sent word for him too call and see my teath the next day. Wednesday, March 4 Dr. Arnold called and worked at my teatch but says it is not best to draw them. Thursday, March 5 My birthday. A fine bright day. My teath very bad. I suppose Fitzer's married today to Alice M. Southwick. Went to prayer meeting. Friday, Marcdh 6 My teath still bad. Saturday, March 7 Mrs. Smith came and Helen. Sunday, March 8 I went to prayer meeting in the evening. Monday, March 9 Began Helen's sewing. Miss Belle Smith went to Lockport. Tuesday, March 10 Teath very bad. Wednesday, March 11 Mrs. Smith went away. Thursday, March 12 Mr. Van Benschoten returned. Went to prayer meeting. Began to take chloroform for my teath. Friday, March 13 Teath better today. Helen's sewing is prospering nicely. Saturday, March 14 My teath better. The work about done. Sunday, March 15 I went to prayer meeting in the evening, another marked day. Monday, March 16 Helen had started for Lockport. Will go to Lima tomorrow. Tuesday, March 17 God is still with me. I Praise Him for what He has done. But ask for strength to trust Him fully. Went to the store twice. Wednesday, March 18 The does nothing much so I am where the work. I sew some but am reading mostly. I feel as though I was regaining the life I once had in God. Br. Tom sat down staid in the evening. Thursday, March 19 Sewing and working about the house and studying. The question came up. Sanctified Persa Backs today into only a justified state. [Note: I couldn't make any sense of this entry, I have no clue as to what Pheobe is talking about! K.] Went to prayer meeting. Prayed and spoke. Friday, March 20 Nancy cross and surely. I did most of the work. My loaf almost finished. Sunday, March 22 Heard the first k-----. Went to church. Br. Benschoten preached from the pew. Monday, March 23 Washing. A cold wind but thawing. In the evening we talked of English History and Sanctification. Br. Van lent me the Priority of H-----[Heaven?]. Tuesday, March 24 Br. Van Benschoten taking up wood and flour and potatoes. Wednesday, March 25 The night for the soul. Br. Smith returned. Thursday, March 26 Br. Smith----. Went to prayer meeting in the evening. Friday, March 27 Br. Smith went away. Nancy cooking. Saturday, March 28 Nancy went off after dinner. I did the work. Mr. ---- called to ask Van Benschoten to preach his father's funeral sermon. Sunday, March 29 Went to church twice. Alone in the afternoon. Monday, March 30 Nancy washed. Br. Van Benschoten preached Mr. ----funeral sermon. I did all the work. Nancy as independant as can be. Tuesday, March 31 Nancy ironing. She did nothing else. Mr. William Leaman died. Wednesday, April 1 Nancy left for good after breakfaast. Mrs. Sanford called. I had a letter from Mrs. Penfield. Thursday, April 2 Went to prayer meeting. Friday, April 3 Had a letter from home and wrote one there. Mother writes that Mr. William Leaman is dead. Saturday, April 4 Finished my green dress. Trimming the skirt. Sunday, April 5 Mrs. Carson called. She talked in the evening then came home with Br. Van. Br. Van read the General rules and from them. Monday, April 6 Br. Van Bensschoten went to preacher's meeting. Mrs. Carson went away. Tuesday, April 7 Washed and went to class. Spent the afternoon with Mrs. Pli--[Note: Phoebe has a question mark here, maybe she didn't know the spelling of the lady's name. K.] Wednesday, April 8 Mrs. Plicher called. I made a band collar for Mother. Thursday, April 9 Br. Van came home. I ironed. Friday, April 10 Br. Smith came home but went away again. Saturday, April 11 Went with Br. Taylor to quarterly meeting. Sunday, April 12 Went to meeting at Dickersonville. Br. Van went to Niagara Falls in the evening. Monday, April 13 Washed. Br. Steel of Medina camd had dinner. Br. Van came back. Tuesday, April 14 Br. Van went to Northridge. Br. Smith took him. Town meeting. Wednesday, April 15 Slow all day. Thursday, April 16 Brother E. brought Br. Van back before breakfast. Br. Smith returned and brought Betty. Friday, April 17 Br. Smith off again. I ironed. Saturday, April 18 Br. Van went to Lockport. Sunday, April 19 Br. Smith here. He preached Mrs. Dayshall's funeral. Sewed. Friend says she was burned 3 week before. Monday, April 20 Br. Smith here all day. It rained. Van came home and Br. Smith. Tuesday, April 21 Br. Smith went home. Sumner Smith came to dinner. Wednesday, April 22 Br. Smith went away. Father came. Thursday, April 23 Br. Smith home again. Friday, April 24 Official meeting. Bothe the gentlemen at home and there. Saturday, April 25 A country-----came to see the state of the house with reasons to -----. Sunday, April 26 Van, Belle, and I alone. Went to church twice. Monday, April 27 Br. Van went to Lima. Tuesday, April 28 Sewed. Br. Smith came home. I took my Home views for Mrs. Dansforth to see. Wednesday, April 29 Baked. Belle went home with Br. Hurd. Br. Van Benschoten came back sick from Lima. Thursday, April 30 Fast day. Wrote to Philip & Mrs. Penfield. Br. Van Benschoten sick. One year since I left this house.

Dear Folks: Well, I was planning to sleep in this morning, before I headed out to Ash Wednesday Mass, and I wanted to shower, dress and do all that stuff while taking my time, and not being in a rush. Well, that didn't happen and on top of that, I was late to church! I was doing fairly well driving to church until--I felt the car go off balance and before I knew it, I had a flat tire! I used to be able to change my own tire, but with these new fangled cars, I don't have a clue. I wasn't too far from a tire company so I pulled in, and they got me in right away. They patched the tire and in less than 30 minutes, I was on my way to church, being only 15 minutes late. You sure can't beat that, and the service I had was top notch. Now, I'm being interupted by someone with a wet tongue, who is telling me she has to go outside. I guess you can't win for losing! I will return with the next installment of Phoebe's 1863 diary. Kim

Evelyn, Funny, we were just discussing this on another list I'm on. This is an inheritable trait. My Mom did it and I do it--"I'll put this right where I know where it is" are famous last words here. When we moved you wouldn't believe the number of things I found and the words, "THAT'S where I put that!!" were frequently thought or spoken. Now much of it is well and truly buried in boxes in the attic. I might as well have gotten rid of a lot of that stuff and bought new if I needed it which is doubtful at best. But I'm a saver, my kids will probably have a ton of cottage cheese containers and plastic grocery bags to get rid of when I go. Ruth At 3:10 PM -0800 2/23/04, evelyn b cooper wrote: >Oh Vee, I just know how you felt while looking for your typed speech. >This kind of thing happens to me almost daily. I'm getting so I say >"quit hiding on me!" Like you I can picture the article [mainly a piece >of paper with needed information on it], but it's just not there. Before >wasting too much time hunting, I give up and wait until later when where >it is pops into my mind. > >Isn't it fun - this aging process. > >Evelyn -- Ruth Barton [email protected] Dummerston, VT

I must mention a startling bit of history that the Reimer's Title Search of the property revealed. Tucked way in the back of the search was the recording of a deed dated August 31, 1835, between the Holland Land Company and the First Baptist Church in the Town of Porter. It covered 41 acres of the present property. Then in 1858, 23 years later, the Trustees of the First Baptist Church of the Town of Porter sold the property to John Kelley. It was the first inkling we had had that the First Baptist Church owned property in this area. Upon further research, the pieces of the puzzle fit together. An 1878 history of Niagara County had always stated that the Baptist Church of Ransomville was organized in 1834 and that the services of the church were held for several years in the schoolhouse on Four Mile Creek and that the name of the original organization was the Porter Baptist Church. It stated that the name was changed in 1858. The dates of the purchase and the subsequent selling of the property, 1835 and 1858, fit the situation. Not only that, but since the old school house built in 1830-31 was in use during the early years of the Baptist Church, it is apparent that the church held their services IN the school house located near Calkins Road. So I guess the old school house had served the community well. (It is remarkable what valuable historical information is contained in Title Searches!) But getting back to the school records and the valuable historical information contained in them. Because I tend to be intensely interested in knowing just who lived in this area in the past, I was most excited to put together from the records an almost family history of the different families who had children going to the district school. Between the years 1841 and 1849 the district was required to report the names of parents and the number of their children between the ages of five and sixteen. For instance, it showed that by 1841 Pearsall B. Powell already had a sizeable family. It showed that he had five children of school age in 1841 and 1842. In the years 1843, 44 and 45, he had six children of school age. In 1847, 48 and 49, he was back to five children, indicating that three of the earlier ones were then over age sixteen. But then it also showed that Francis Powley's family was continuing to grow. In 1842 and 43 he had two children of school age; in 44 and 45 he had three, in 47 he had four and in 48 and 49 he had five. But the study of the records also indicated that MANY children attended school after the age of sixteen. For instance, in 1841 the number of children taught that year was 76; however, out of the 76 only 59 of them were between five and sixteen. That would indicate that 22% of the children being taught were over age sixteen. And subsequent years showed the same trend--from 22% to as high as 42% were over sixteen years old. But, coupled with additional information IN the records, it takes only limited imagination to guess the reason why children went to school at such advanced age. It was the short period of time each year that they could attend. For instance, in 1848 the length of the school session that year was nine months, seventeen days. During that school year, out of the 53 students of school age 42 of them attended less than two months, 18 attended between two and four months, 13 attended between four and six months and only one attended between six and eight months. Apparently no one attended the entire nine months of school. It's obvious that farm children had additional responsibilities and therefore it just took them longer to get an education. But from the list of schoolbooks in use over the years, it seems they did get a good rounded education. Daboll's Arithmetic, Morse's Geography, Murray's Grammar, English Reader, Elementary Spelling, Hale's History of the United States, Comstock' s Natural Philosophy, Davies Elementary Algebra, Smith's Astronomy and even Preston on Bookkeeping. Not bad for the 1840s! But what good are schoolbooks without teachers? The subject of teachers was certainly mentioned in the records, but it was rather disappointing that only four teachers were mentioned by name over the years--in 1821 Rachel Underwood who was hired for three months at $1.00 per week; Ben Whitney taught during the winter of 1828 and was paid $30.00; Olive Beals who taught school from April through October 1832 and was paid a total of $14.50; and William Swain who taught the five month winter term in 1847 and was paid $35.76. By the way, it's difficult to ignore the apparent differences in their individual salaries. It appeared that the subject of teachers' salaries, however, almost broke the school board apart. Normally, the school board met only once a year--their Annual Meeting. But it wasn't unusual for them to call a Special Meeting if the situation warranted it. Well, I guess this situation warranted it! The details were very sketchy but the entries went like this: Special Meeting, January 22, 1850. A motion was made to raise $80.00 to pay teachers' wages. There were seven who agreed and a large majority opposed to the motion. Special Meeting, February 26, 1850 [a month later!]. It was necessary to choose a trustee in place of Francis Powley who resigned. After much deliberation it was resolved that Samuel Dusenbury be trustee for the present year. Special Meeting, March 14, 1850 [several weeks later]. It was necessary to choose a trustee in place of Chester Moss who resigned. William Fisher was chosen. Chester Moss then moved for an adjournment. Nothing was mentioned about the teachers' wages in their October Annual Meeting that year but a Special Meeting was held in December. They finally voted that $80.00 be raised for teachers' wages for the ensuing year. By the way, in the entire 53 years covered by the records, that was the only time any one of the trustees resigned.

Vee and List, School District meetings bring back vivid memories of my 20 years as a school employee. As a bargaining representative for the bus drivers, I attended many a meeting! I don't know about the laws for NY but in MI any spending of tax payer monies was public information and a copy of the minutes could be obtained at any time from the office. The only restriction was personel discussions. They would go into what's called "executive session" for private employee matters. On my bus route was a one room school house that was abandoned and the date said 1868. I wish I could have bought it and preserved it as a Michigan Historical Site. But my life's road took a different turn! My cousins in Tuscola Co.MI all attended the one room school house that my GGrandfather helped to build. It is gone now, and such a shame! You New Yorkers are so lucky to have preserved your heritage! Jane in FL

> Subject: Re: [FOLKS] Re: Foreign Coins > Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 23:48:25 -0500 > From: "Vee L. Housman" <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > > David explained: > > > Because the early US Mint had a lot of trouble providing enough US money > > and because of our extensive trade with Canada and Mexico, foreign coins > > were legal tender in the US until 1857. There were many books published > > at the time that listed the various foreign moneys a bank or store clerk > > might encounter and tables showing how to turn English pounds into > > Spanish reales or Portuguese "Joes". It was not uncommon for businesses > > of the 1850s to keep their accounts in pounds or reales, depending on > > where they were located. I remember as a child being shown well worn > > Spanish pieces of eight that my great-great grandfather supposedly > > received in trade at this grocery store in Lewiston in the mid to late > > 19th century (alas they have long since disappeared). > > > > So it's not the least bit unusual that Phoebe would still be referring > > to English money in 1860, especially if she had been born there. Anyone > > living in Niagara county in the 1850's would have come across a lot of > > English money in trade (Canada didn't get their own dollar until 1858), > > since Canada was still part of the British empire at the time. > > WOW, David, thanks for such a thorough explanation of the continuing > exchange of foreign coins well into the mid 1800s. And here I thought I > knew everything! :-) > vee Vee and Kim, It was my pleasure to finally be able to contribute something after learning so much from other people. David

Dear Evelyn, Oh yes this aging process is fun. Yep, you bet! I'd like to get my hands on the young twerp who decided that these were our Golden Years! At the very least, I'm beat him about the head and shoulders with my cane! :-) vee, the aging one ----- Original Message ----- From: "evelyn b cooper" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 6:10 PM Subject: [FOLKS] Those misplaced items > Oh Vee, I just know how you felt while looking for your typed speech. > This kind of thing happens to me almost daily. I'm getting so I say > "quit hiding on me!" Like you I can picture the article [mainly a piece > of paper with needed information on it], but it's just not there. Before > wasting too much time hunting, I give up and wait until later when where > it is pops into my mind. > > Isn't it fun - this aging process. > > Evelyn > > ________________________________________________________________ > The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! > Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! > Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! > >

Oh Vee, I just know how you felt while looking for your typed speech. This kind of thing happens to me almost daily. I'm getting so I say "quit hiding on me!" Like you I can picture the article [mainly a piece of paper with needed information on it], but it's just not there. Before wasting too much time hunting, I give up and wait until later when where it is pops into my mind. Isn't it fun - this aging process. Evelyn ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

Thursday, January 1 At Rev. L. Hurd's. They went to East Wilson. Elenor O'Hara and Alice spent the evening with me. Friday, January 2 Went to L. Hurd's, but sewed on pants for L. Steadman. Saturday, January 3 Sewed for Mrs. L. Hurd. Sunday, January 4 Went to L. Hurd's while meeting then back to W. Brook's. Had a letter from Philip. Monday, January 5 Sewed for Mrs. Brooks. Tuesday, January 6 Went to Mr. Halsey but sewed for Mrs. Steadman. Sent the pants to the post office. Wednesday, January 7 Sewed for Mrs. Halsey. Thursday, January 8 At Mr. Halsey's. Thankfull Steadman married. Friday, January 9 Went home in the evening. Saturday, January 10 Went back to Mr. Halsey's. Sunday, January 11 At Mr. Halsey's. At church in the evening. Monday, January 12 Settled up and then was taken to L. Brace's. The night of the old folks concert. Tuesday, January 13 At Less Brace's. Wednesday, January 14 At Mr. Brace's. Settled up. Fitzer's birthday. 26 years old. Thursday, January 15 At Mr. Hurd's. Friday, January 16 At Mr. Hurd's. Saturday, January 17 At Mr. Hurd's. Sunday, January 18 Mr. Hurd, Mrs. G. went to Coomer. I went to prayer meeting at J. Cotton. Monday, January 19 Mr. Mrs. Hurd and G. came home. Tuesday, January 20 Went to W. Cook's. Wednesday, January 21 At Mr. Cook's. Thursday, January 22 At Mr. Cook's. At Mr. Taylor to an oister [oyster] supper. Friday, January 23 At Mr. Cook's. Saturday, January 24 Settled up. Went to the Hurd's they where gone. Came back to Mr. Cook's. Sunday, January 25 All at Warren's. I kept house with the children. Monday, January 26 At work for Mrs. Townsend on shirts. Made 3 bonnets. Philips birthday. 23 years old. God bless him and bring him home in health. Wednesday, February 4 Very cold. They came home, and brought Br. Van Benschoten then went with him to Pekin. I made a pair of pants. Very cold. Thursday, February 5 They came home, took dinner and then went to Pekin. Snowing fast and deep. Friday, February 6 Friday. They came home and brought the Presiding Elder with them. Saturday, February 7 Brother Dean came before breakfast. He and the Elder left as soon as breakfast was over. Sunday, February 8 The first examination of the Sabath School. I did not go. Went to hear Ryan Zenith at night. Fitzer came home. Monday, February 9 Mr. K. and Mrs. V., Mrs. and Miss Hutchinson, Mrs. Fling and Mr. Van BenSchoten. Tuesday, February 10 Washing had help. Miss Townsend married to Mr. Quaid and Miss Quaid married to Mr. Townsend. Wednesday, February 11 Cleaning up for donation. Thursday, February 12 Donation. Father, Mother, Alice and Fanny came up. Thank God he is safe. I wish him joy. Friday, February 13 Childrne's donation. Made George a pair of pants. Saturday, February 14 Made Mrs. Hurd's dress with Mrs. Gammit. Sunday, February 15 Mr. & Mrs. Hurd at Father's. I went to church. Monday, February 16 The above started for Alabama. I felt quite sick. Called on Mrs. L. Leaman. Tuesday, February 17 Sewed and washed. In the evening Fitzer and I met Mary June and James Barbor and Mary Jane Sovich and Mr. Barbor's. Wednesday, February 18 Ironed. Mrs. Beebee visited Mother all day. Thursday, February 19 Finished ironing, sewing. Begans to feel better. Friday, February 20 Cut out Father's dressing gown and fited the lining to my ------. Called on Francelia. Water high. Saturday, February 21 Frozen hard. Francelia left. Mrs. Leaman and went to the gate. Sunday, February 22 At the school house. Father Warren preached. Mr. M., called to see Father and finding I was home staid all night and again made me the offer he did in 1850. At any rate he perserveres. Monday, February 23 Fitzer took me to the bridge. Dr. Nix at Work on Mrs. Hurd's teath. So bad I was almost inclined to have him pull mine. Tuesday, February 25 Sewing. Wednesday, February 26 Sewing. Thursday, February 27 They went to the social at Warren's Corners. Saturday, February 28 Went with Mrs. Cook on Mrs. Low and went home with her.

Dear Group: I have just finished typing out Phoebe's 1863 diary, her last one. It appears that she is living at home again, but I think she is probably working for other people. However, after July, there are no more entries. I don't know if it's because she was really busy, or the fact that her three brothers, Fitzer, Henry, and Enoch Edwin were going off to war. I later learned that all three of Phoebe's brothers were killed within three months of each other. How sad! I wish Phoebe would of continued writing in her diary during that time, we might have learned how she was feeling at the time. Kim

THE "LOST" RECORDS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. THREE; A TREASURE TROVE OF HISTORY (A talk presented by Vee L. Housman before the Town of Porter Historical Society January 18, 1993) Back in 1983 a librarian in Muscatine, Iowa, discovered an old book that had been included in a box of assorted books given to the library. It was just a small handwritten notebook about the size of a school composition notebook but when the librarian glanced through it she saw that it contained the handwritten records of the minutes of the meetings of School District No. Three of the Town of Lewiston and the Town of Porter, New York, covering the years 1819 through 1872. The Iowa librarian wrote to the Lewiston Public Library Director, Janet Domzella, asking her if the Library would like to have the book and of course Janet was thrilled to get it. The book sat idle until this past year when Janet was advised just what should be done to preserve it and, at the same time, make the information in it accessible to the public. In the meantime, this past September Cora Gushee received a Xeroxed copy of the book from Dorothy Cunningham, Town of Lewiston Historical Society Museum Curator. Cora, in turn, showed it to me. We were both thrilled with the information that we could decipher at first glance. The handwriting was difficult to read and Cora suggested I take it home with me to study it. I had no sooner started reading the records when I realized the enormous value of the information that was in them and before I even got to page two I knew that the only thing to do was to transcribe the entire records into my computer so that they could be read more easily. After a couple of days of intense typing, I realized that I needed help in deciphering some of the faint handwriting. What I really needed was to see the actual book and not have to rely on a photocopy. I called Janet and told her why I would like to see the book--I was transcribing it. Of course I understood it was out of the question for me to take the book out of the library. But not only that, Janet told me that someone else was already transcribing it. By the end of our conversation that day we realized that we had the perfect setup. Barbara Hathaway had been transcribing from the original book by hand for several months and only until she was finished, could the library hope to get it typed into their computer. So it was agreed that Barbara would continue to copy from the original book and I, in turn, could continue typing into my computer, using photocopies of what Barbara had already transcribed. Then when it was finally finished, I would provide the library a copy of it on a computer disk for their use. Within a month the book was completely transcribed, word for misspelled word. I then proceeded to type up a condensed version of it so that it would be in more readable form. And then I gathered together information on specific subjects and put it in table form, subjects such as schoolhouse repairs and expenses over the years. Oh, yes, of course I also had to have an all-name index prepared in order to get a grasp of the names of the people involved in the district. It was only then that I was able to truly appreciate the information the records contained and to sit down and study it all. First, the records stated specifically what lots were initially involved in the school district in both the Town of Porter and the Town of Lewiston. The map I have put together is a composite of the 1870 Town of Porter map and the 1908 map of the Town of Lewiston. Notice the enormous area the school district covered. It reached from Cain Road all the way south to Swann Road in Lewiston. There apparently was a change in the number of lots involved between the years 1819 and 1829. In 1819 the lots are shown by the solid lines I have drawn around them. In 1829, however, there appear to have been two lots added-­-Lewiston Lot 44 and the southeast portion of Porter Lot 31. These I have indicated by dotted lines. >From 1828 to 1849 the school board recorded the amount of money received from the Commissioners of Common Schools. The Town of Lewiston contributed money from 1828 until 1833. After 1833 it appears that Lewiston had been dropped from the district and may have formed a school district of its own. I believe that the most exciting information in the records was when they decided to build a new schoolhouse in February 1829. It seemed strange that since the district had only been formed in December 1819, only nine years had passed and now they needed to build a new one. But the records clearly stated that the new house was to be as near the old one as convenient, it was to be 26 feet square, framed and lathed and plastered inside 10 feet posts. Note that it stated "framed." No doubt the original one was made of logs. The next year, 1830, they made the decision that the site of the new school should be moved from the east side of the road to the west side at the southeast corner of the north 88 acres of Lot No. 29. 1 have shown the approximate location of the school by an "X" immediately north of where Calkins Road enters Creek Road. It would appear that it was at or very close to where Bryan and Shelly Meigs' house is at 3828 Creek Road across from Chet Stepien. They had initially voted that the new schoolhouse was to be completed by October 1, 1829, but then they later had to change the date to November 1, 1830. By October 1831 it appears that the house was finished in that they voted to have the key to the schoolhouse left with the school district clerk. For over twenty years that schoolhouse apparently served them well. But in 1852 they decided it was time to build another new schoolhouse. They voted to move the site and voted that the schoolhouse was to be made of brick. It is obvious that the site that they chose is the one that shows on the map at the fork where Blairville Road enters Creek Road. On the map it's shown as "S.H." There may be some of you who don't realize that the original school that was built in the 1850s is still standing. It is the first house on the north side of Blairville Road. And the rest of you all know that it sure isn't made of brick--the walls are of concrete block covered with stucco. But I recently visited with Margaret and Dave Reimer who now own the house. I had asked to see their Title Search and while we chatted about the old school I mentioned that it was to have been made of brick. Dave then showed me where he was remodeling the front porch. He had exposed the front wall of the house and behind the concrete block was, guess what! It was made of brick! Although the trustees started making plans in 1852 for the new school, the minutes of the meeting of October 2, 1855, reported that due to the schoolhouse not being completed yet, the meeting had to be held across the road in the saw mill owned by Chester H. Moss. However, they did vote to purchase a stove and pipe for the school and also a table, a chair, a water pail and a broom for it. Hopefully, shortly thereafter the school building was completed.