In preparation of yet another article relevant to McDonough’s assorted district schools and as there is extensive information available to District #6, let us take a few moments this week to relate the important school laws and amendments, teacher’s statements and assorted text books used in the years 1890-91.
However before we begin, the new academic school year here in Chenango County is slated to start just after Labor Day and how many will recall the “First Day of School” and all the fond memories that go with it. It must have been quite exciting (this writer assumes it still is) entering the bastion of education after the summer break. Seeing old friends (no texting in those days), meeting a more than likely new teacher, looking forward to recess, perhaps sharing lunch, being tortured by the boys, girls usually got even. The teacher ringing the school bell, assigning the water pail to a pupil, the list is probably endless.
With the advent of time, first day of school has changed, and this writer hopefully is not dating herself, new dress or dresses for the new school year, new shoes, hair just right, joining old friends for the walk to school. Catching up on the “what did you do on your vacation, where did you go, how many books did you read? Seeing new students (the new kid on the block, scared to death, will they like me), riding the school bus if you were in the country. It was always a contest between my late cousin and myself how many new dresses did we have to start the new school year. Thankfully both mothers were excellent seamstresses and were able to fabricate the necessary dresses. That was when dresses were in style, how about today? Levi’s, tank tops, thongs, seldom do you females look like females today. Enough about past “First Days of School.”
The above District #6 was actually joint district between McDonough and Pharsalia as the schoolhouse (now long gone) was located on the northwest corner of the Hurlburt and Balsam roads and the stone wall at the school was actually the town line.
When the school year for 1890-91 began certain laws were in effect which will be summarized: Uncollected taxes - Chap. 333, law of 1887, Filing of a Collector’s Bond - Chap. 334. law of 1887, Employment and payment to teachers - Chap. 335 - laws of 1887, Chap. 331 was the laws for 1888, Privies - Chap. 538, laws of 1887, Chap. 328 - the laws of 1889, Condemnation of school house -Chap. 592, taw of 1887, Arbor Day celebrations - Chap. 196, laws of 1888.
Progressing to the year 1890 Chap. 534 further amended sections 6,7, and 8 of Title of the General School for McDonough and it detailed trustee, teacher’s statements, and the basic requirements of trustee, etc.
In 1890 Henry Dolan was sole trustee and the following information was documented: teachers-Marion Thornton, never taught before, licensed by M.N. Norton - 5/4/1889 - license grade second - license expired 5/4/1891 - date began Sept. 1,1890, date closed December 20, 1890 taught 73 days -16 weeks. Delia Huntley - never taught before - licensed by Charles Clinton March 23,1891, license grade - Third - expires March 23,1892 - date began March 23,1891 - school closed July 10,1891 - taught 80 days -16 weeks.
The following textbooks were used during that time:
