Early Schools

 Schooling was an important issue from the earliest days of Pennsylvania.  William Penn decreed in 1682 that the Governor and Council “shall erect and order all public schools and encourage and regard the authors of useful sciences and laudable inventions.”  Churches probably served as the first schoolhouses, with the Bible (more often than not the only available book) serving as the main textbook, and the minister taking on the role of teacher.

We would doubtless not recognize these early schools.  There were no established laws or regulations to guide them, and the results obtained were primarily a reflection of the needs and capabilities of the concerned parents. Some parents who could read and write might also serve as teachers of their and the neighbors’ children.  Early but fragmentary records suggest that there was a school at the corner of Locust Grove and Wawaset Roads  in the early 1800’s.  What we do know is that William Cloud, who owned a farm west of Locust Grove Road, leased about three quarters of an acre to 23 individuals in 1816. The deed stated that there was a schoolhouse on that plot of land, and it is reasonable to believe that these 23 individuals were subscribers of this school, or possible even directors.

There is also mention of “Barnard’s red school house,” probably close to the intersection of Route 842 and Cannery Road. And Marlborough Meeting Friends was mentioned as having built a schoolhouse somewhere on their meeting grounds. And, the Pennsbury A.M.E. Church was holding school in their building.

 A change came in 1834, when the “Free Public School” Act was passed in Pennsylvania.  This called for the formation of county divisions and township school districts, and provided for teacher examination and certification. But implementation was up to the approval of local voters, so the full effect of this law was not felt for many years.  High schools appeared in Chester County following the Civil War.