To all the readers of “Schools of the Past” the documentation of the Guilford schools was extensive and a total of 38 articles were written, this ranks first in the number written with Greene running a close second. It time to travel to the other end of the county for a look at the history of the one-room schools in the Town of Lincklaen, but first a brief look as the history of the township itself.
For the history related in the following paragraphs credit has to be given to Smith’s History of Chenango County and to the late Marion Poole for her writings relevant to Lincklaen.
Lincklaen formed from German, April 12, 1823 and a part of Pitcher was taken off in 1827 and yet another parcel in 1833. Lincklaen derives its name from Col. John Lincklaen, agent of the Holland Land Company and founder of Cazenovia. To all who travel to Syracuse via the many scenic routes available, his ancestral home is located in Cazenovia overlooking the “Cazenovia Lake” and is open to the public for tours. It is also the scene of many public affairs throughout the tourist season. As a side note, with the escalating gasoline prices, the tourism business in the State of New York might be slightly hard-pressed in this year 2012, as most historic sites and museums depend on the revenue from the “tourist trade.”
Lincklaen is located in the north-west corner of the county, bounded north by DeRuyter, south by Pitcher, east by Otselic and west by Cuyler, located in Cortland County. An interesting name, Mud Creek is the important stream flowing through the township and it contains no less than five different settlements, Burdick, Lincklaen, Lincklaen Center, Mariposa and Rhode Island. However, this writer has heard the names of North and West Lincklaen also, so we will leave it to the readers’ judgment. According to the 2000 census, the population was 416, and covers an area of 26.3 miles. To enumerate on the population -153 households, with 113 families residing in the township.
Located in the township were no less than ten school districts; Pond #1, South Hill #2, Lane #6. Lincklaen Center #8, Red Schoolhouse #10, Slab School, Rhode Island, North Lincklaen and The Dublin School Districts. All will be documented in the articles in the forthcoming weeks or months. Information is scarce on some, extensive on others, which dictates the length of these articles.
Returning to Smith’s History as written above 10 school districts with ten licensed teachers by the year ending Sept. 30,1877, term lasting twenty-eight weeks. At that date the number of children residing in districts was 229 with seven male and thirteen female teachers. The number of volumes was 340, total value $126. There were ten schoolhouses, all framed and with the sites, usually one acre and sixty-seven rods, land value $310 and buildings $2,500; with the assessed value of taxable property $295,078. Receipts and disbursements for the year ending above: receipts - total $1,631.27 and disbursements the same. The principle outlay of expenses was for teacher’s salaries - $1,487.16, school houses, fences, outhouses, repairs, etc. $26.12, incidental expenses - $93.74 and an unexpended balance Oct.l, 1877 - $24.25.
The map, for which I have to give credit for from the former historian Joy Barber, shows the locations of the district schools. The sites of have been circled to give readers an idea of the location of these districts, additionally the District numbers (partial are Joint Districts). In the forthcoming weeks, photos of the schools and photos of students will be included with the written word. Finally as is the custom of this writer ... to be continued.