Again we visit the township of Bainbridge for another look at the remaining one of the two remaining district schools that comprised the twelve common and one Union Free schools in the township. The 1875 map of Bainbridge will give readers inkling to the location of the district schools.
District #12 (West Bainbridge) was near the intersection of State Route 206 and County Road #17 and this writer assumes that this school house is no longer standing. If this statement is incorrect, an apology on my behalf is given at this time.
A rather interesting tale was researched and written by H.H. Lyon in his columns “Early School History” that appeared in The Bainbridge News and Bainbridge Republican in the late 1930s. It bears repeating at this time as he wrote it. At the end of the school terms booklets were made relating certain facts relevant to the school year.
“Speaking of the two booklets mad up at the close of terms at West Bainbridge in 1851 and 1852, the outside of the ‘51 paper is put in the most elaborate form. It is headed “YOUTH’S THINKER” pen printed across the two pages of an open book. The first page was “edited by,” etc. On the second page, as pictured, is a list of “contributors” which I have mind to copy viz:
So now our paper you have heard complete
And listen now while we our names repeat
First Levina M., as that is the rule
Ladies precede in the list of our school
And Clarinda next in our list we find
With generous spirit and noble mind
And then the two Fosbury’s come in row
Called Ellen and Jane as you should know
While Evelina and Sarah join the band
With Salina and Sarah just at hand
And then Maria will our list complete
Off of the ladies who composed this sheet
And next in sight the gents do appear
There is Horace and John from the rear
Mr. Hendrick too for us a piece did write
And Inglesbe bestowed the author’s mite
Jerome and Marcus the senior
Who make a quote with Marcus Junior?
And Franklin the doctor who is shy
You scarcely can catch the wink of his eye
And Harry there is a Coventry lad
With Nelson, all told all you have had
So by the hand or Horace and Lovina too
We now have presented this book to you.

This was done in ink with a quill pen and a tittle drawing added. I know of some of these people. John was the fellow who taught the Coventry school and didn’t go to jail and, if I mistake not. Franklin was a penman who later became a teacher of music in New York City.
Now, I want to follow this booklet a little further. First comes “Second Book of Chronicles, Chapter XXVIII,” It is long but perhaps I can glean a few items.
“Now it comes to pass in the latter days that people who dwelt in and around about the valley were coming a people waxing in wisdom and desiring knowledge, and there arose in their midst a spirit such as never had been known since the days when Joel, the priest, taught the assembly of youth in the sanctuary according to the principles of truth and wisdom.”
From here, the writer goes into details but later goes on with: “Now there dwelt in the land which lieth to the westward a man in the prime of manhood, whose head was well stored with knowledge, and out of his mouth proceeded the words of wisdom. Then said John, the son of Daniel unto them, the westward there dwelleth a young man whom they call Henry whose sir name they call Hendrick, who for his wisdom and much knowledge is known all around, even from Greene to Jericho.
So they selected from their number, Abijah, the son of Charles, to deliver the word unto Henry saying hither have I come with a message unto tee, for our people do sorely lament because they have no keeper over their children,” etc.
This calling of Henry Hendrick to teach the select school and the beginning of the term is well set out. In the history of the term, at the end, is a bit that I cannot leave out.
After giving an account of each student, there comes reference to one that had taken a rather peculiar course for those times. He was 21 or more. He talked and worked for the temperance cause, something almost unheard of then.
“Now there lived in the land a Samuel of the tribe of ——, who is a cousin to John; and a noble and generous youth was he, yet he was without one to cheer his heart and soothe his cares and he was lonely in spirit. But, Samuel not interpreting the benevolent designs of the messenger, (Cupid) sought to avoid him and fled to the ‘strong tower’ which, in Hebrew, is called Post. And, it came to pass that Samuel came on a certain time to invite his beloved to a ride of pleasure. But, he came not as servant of Isaac when he appeared at the well before Rebekah but came along arrayed in a chariot, which by way had a fine covering. And, as they proceeded on their way, Samuel (who for his forethought is much noted) said to his companion, behold I have taken with me the good wine that we may not faint with thirst. Therefore, let us drink and be merry.”
This needs a little further explanation. The “chariot” was the only top buggy about at that time, and further, some of the boys had fastened on the rear of it I plain sight a whiskey bottle. These explanations were made to me years ago or the story could not be told. Joel Hendrick was a former teacher, seemingly the best teacher about, but had gone elsewhere into the ministry. He it was who registered the full hundred at West Bainbridge at one time.”
With this we will close another chapter of “Schools of the Past” to be continued at yet another date.