Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: April 1959 Volume 10 Number 3, Pages 62–64

Union Sabbath schools at Glassley, Reeseville, and Mt. Airy

Austin Burns

Page 62

The first record we have of organized mission work was in the Glassley School House in 1833, being organized May 2. The director, "elected by the teachers, was John J. Baker, and the assistant was Miss A. Tragrain. The School opened with seven teachers and forty-two scholars. Brother Chalfonte, probably a clergyman, came often and talked and prayed with the school. Daniel Cutherel had charge of the "Testament Class", as it was then called.

There were Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians laboring there, and it was conducted as a Union School. No doubt there were faithful work and earnest teachers, but the School gradually decreased in membership, as follows:
May 2, 7 teachers, 30 girls, 12 boys
June 30, 42 present in all
July 15, 22 present in all
August 4, Secretary absent, 29 present
August 18, Quarterly review and examination
August 25, The prayer recorded by the Secretary: "Oh, Lord, revive thy work."
September 1, 2 teachers, 19 scholars
September 8, Rain, no school
September 29, 18 present
October 6, 20 present, School closed for the year.

There has no record been found that it opened the following year. Peter R. Latch, who was probably the Secretory of the school, wrote on July 5, 1846, that he had been absent thirteen years, and that the records of the School had been preserved by a Mr. Clinger, and from him passed into the hands of Miss Grover, who presented them to Peter R. Letch, and by him to Ado Latch, who later kindly loaned same for this record.

The Union School from which our Trinity Presbyterian Sabbath School sprang was started in the office of Dr. Reese, May 1849. It was a little building all by itself on the left side of Lancaster Pike just over the upper railroad bridge, nearly opposite Mr. Steen's residence, which had been torn down a few years ago. The building at this writing (1895) still stands, and is used as a stable for horses. At present Albert McQuiston has his Real Estate office at the above location.

Page 63

Among the early workers in this mission Sabbath School were Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians. They held their sessions from May to October, every Saturday afternoon in this room for five years, removing in 1854.

The superintendents were John Oliver, John Dampman, Samuel Latch, and Henry Carter, Assistant Superintendent. The active workers were Margaret Kennedy from Great Valley Presbyterian Church; Yates and Hannah Carter, Episcopalians; Angeline Clinger end Lottie Reese, Methodists; John Wilson, Squire Acker, and Phoebe Williams Presbyterians. Among the scholars were: Mary Neeley, Sellie Potter, and Lottie Reese.

Often there was preaching after the school exercises. Among the clergymen who held services were: Rev. Dr. Brown of the Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Childs of St. Davids, Rev. Dr. W. R. Bingham of Greet Valley Presbyterian.

The first picnic was held in 1849, the first year of the School in John Paschell's orchard and barn, and what is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. The tables were spread by the lady teachers on the barn floor, for fear of rain. It is remembered by Miss Mary Neely that the annual picnic, September 21, 1856, was held on the lawn of the Great Valley Presbyterian Church. The tables were spread under a great oak tree.

In 1854, for some reason, which does not now develop, the school removed to Temperance Hall on the Leopard Road. George Ruth and Henry Kauffman were the superintendents. The school prospered while there, and great attention was given to music. In l882, upon invitation of the Rev. John McLeod, the school removed to the unfinished Presbyterian Church at Reeseville. Peter Bloom, the harnessmaker, was the Superintendent.

The Presbyterian Church school was organized from this Union School, January 16, 1863, holding its sessions in the morning, while the Union School Sessions were held in the afternoon. In a short, time ,however, the Union school removed to Eber Beaumont's room, near Devon, where it continued for a season, and afterwards removed to Mt. Airy Schoolhouse, Daylesford.

Page 64

Another Union Sabbath School was organized in Glassley schoolhouse, June 6, 1874. It opened with four teachers and twenty scholars, Enoch S. Wells being Superintendent, Mrs. Wells Assistant Superintendent, and Ado Latch Secretary and Librarian. Its sessions were held Sabbath afternoons.

As all the Sabbath Schools closed in those days in the fall for the winter, so this one closed October 17, 1874. It opened, however, the following spring, May 26, 1875, and closed again October 8, the same year. This School continued for the summer season or from May to October for four years until 1878. God blessed the labors here and a good work was done. The attendance was well maintained every year until the closing month in the fall. For good attendance, good lessons and good behavior, rewards of books were given at the closing session.