Upon occasion with the frequent requests for historical information in these long running series of articles, information is forwarded for inclusion in the future. Such is the case with additional information regarding the actual location of the District #6 location.
After receiving a phone call from Kay Zaia, Norwich native, she proceeded to advise this writer of the correct location of District #6. The information she phoned to me, later to be received by e-mail is quoted verbatim as follows:
“On the 1875 County Atlas, New Berlin School District #6 is located in Great Lot #15 on the Southwest corner of lot #14. If the schoolhouse were still there it would be a short distance up the present Sheff Road that turns off Rt. 23 and leading to Chenango Lake.
“My great-aunt, Lucy May Skillman, taught at the District #6 school in the fall of 1900. It was her first teaching job and she was hired as a substitute for 16 weeks beginning September 4th. For this she was paid $6 per week payable at the end of each 30 days. Leonard Lingee was a school trustee and lived further up the hill from the school on a road that turned off to the right. Today this is Darby Road! Lucy lived with the Lingee family and paid 50 cents a week room and board.”
Sincere appreciation to Kay for setting this writer straight! As was mention in last week’s article, tracing the actual sites of the long gone one-room district schools is at times difficult.
Before proceeding to the next chapter of “Schools of the Past,” this writer will make the following statement: this series of articles was a brainchild of this writer as in this modern age so much is taken for granted and the settling of his country is often overlooked, such is the case with education. This writer will continue to state, the leaders of this fledgling country, after securing for themselves home, carving out of the wilderness, etc. were aware that their children must have an education. Many of our former leaders attended these district schools, not only in Chenango County but all across this nation and the United States of America would not be the leading nation of the world if it had not been for our forefathers. In conclusion if this writer is stepping on any historian’s toes the apology is hereby given.
Proceeding to the subject of this week’s article, scant information is available regarding this district school and in comparison of the maps of 1875 and the current Chenango County map, this writer will assume Wheeler District was actually located at Amblerville, as the 1875 map shows a schoolhouse at that location. It is assumed the building is long gone, however, there is a home located at Amblerville that appears as if it was a former schoolhouse. Again, if anyone can ‘shed light’ on this, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Barbara Avery at 847-6498.
