Timeline

April 25, 1682.—WILLIAM PENN, in the introductory recital to his Frame of Government, declares , " that which makes a good constitution , must keep it, viz. men of wisdom and virtue ; qualities that, because they descend not with worldly inheritance, must be carefully propa gated by a virtuous education of youth." In the body of the instrument, he directs that public. schools shall be established and properly controlled.

10th Mo. 26th (October) 1683. -Extract from the Journals of Council :-" Enoch Flower undertakes to teach school in the town of Philadelphia, on the following terms, viz : " To learn to read English, 4s. by the quarter ; to write 6s.; to read, write, and cast accounts, 8s.; board- . ing a scholar, that is to say, diet, lodging, washing, and schooling, £10 for one whole year. "

5th Mo. May 1689.-A number ofthe principal inhabitants of Philadelphia, associated together for the establish ment of schools , and agreed with George Keith, to take charge of an academy ; founded by their contri butions . The salary given to their teacher, was £50 per annum, and a house for his family. The remu neration was afterwards increased to £150 a year, and provision was made for the gratuitous instruction of the poor.

1697. In this year, the above association was incorporated by charter, under the title of the " Overseers of the Schools," and still exists in the city of Philadelphia. The Friends' School in Fourth, below Chesnut, is regarded as the principal establishment, having in con nexion with it, a number of schools, exclusively sus tained by that denomination of Christians.

1712. A general act passed in reference to schools , hospi tals, &c. , authorizing all protestant congregations to purchase lands for the above purposes, and to establish such institutions.

February 6, 1730.-An act explanatory of the above, and extending the privileges.

July 30, 1753.-A charter was granted by the Proprietaries to the Academy and charitable School, in the province of Pennsylvania.

May 14, 1755.—This charter was extended and enlarged ; and the title of the corporation changed to that of the Trustees of the College, Academy, and charitable School of the City of Philadelphia.

20, 1767. -The Colonial Assembly authorize a lot tery for building school houses.

February 18, 1769.-An act passed to aid the German Lutheran Congregation in erecting a school house.

September 28, 1776.-In the proposed form of government, adopted after the severance of the provinces from Great Britain, there was a provision that “ a school or schools shall be established in every county. "

Nov. 27, 1779.-After certain alterations, required by the changes of political relations, the charter of the College, Academy, and charitable Schools in the city of Phila delphia, was repealed, and the University of Pennsyl vania erected. In addition to the estates and interests held by the former institution, the University was endowed with certain confiscated estates, provided the yearly receipts from this source should not exceed $4000.

April 4, 1809.-Act to provide for the education of the poor gratis. By this act, all poor children in the Commonwealth were privileged to enter any school, and the cost of their education was defrayed by the commissioners of the respective counties.

February 25, 1813.-Act to incorporate the Hughesian Free School in Buckingham township, Bucks county.

February 10, 1817.-Act directing the supplies of money raised by lottery for a school at Sumanytown, to be applied to the building of a house for the teacher.

March 3, 1818. -Act to provide for the education of poor children at the public expense within the city and county 16 PENNSYLVANIA of Philadelphia, forming said city and county into the first school district of the state of Pennsylvania.

January 23, 1821.-Supplement to the act establishing the first school district. Providing for the management of its fiscal concerns.

April 2, 1822. -Act erecting the city and incorporated boroughs of the counties of Lancaster into the second school district.

10, 1826.- Act relative to Passyunk school, extending the provisions of the bill to the third section of the first school district : providing for the building of a school house, and the appointment of directors

14, 1827.-Act to incorporate the Union Academy at Doylestown, Bucks county. Trustees to be elected by the persons who have sent their children to the school, at least three months of the preceding year, at their own expense.

April 14, 1828.-Act authorizing the controllers of public schools of the first school district, to sell certain land, and to establish schools for children under 5 years of age.

April 6, 1830. -Act relative to the first school district, in creasing the number of school directors. Northern Liberties and Kensington commissioners to choose e

April 2, 1831. -Act providing for the establishment of a general system of education. Creating a school fund and appointing three commissioners to manage itassigning to said fund all moneys due for unpatented lands--secured to the state by mortgage or lien for pur chase money, and all moneys for applications , warrants, and patents for land, fees in the land office, and pro ceeds of a tax of one mill per dollar, laid March 25th , 1831. State treasurer to make an annual report of the amount received for the fund. Interest to be added tot he principal until the interest shall amount to 100,000 dollars, annually, after which the interest shall be annually distributed for support of schools, as shall be provided by law.

April 1, 1834- An act to establish a general system of educa tion. The state divided into school districts, —duties ofdirectors and superintendents defined, &c. A standing appropriation of 75,000 dollars , per annum, made, &c. Secretary of the Commonwealth made the general su perintendent.

February 27, 1836 .-The interest of the surplus revenue from the U. S. appropriated to common school fund.