Traveling the highway and byways of Chenango County at this time of year, one cannot help but notice that we now have our winter mantle in that the many hilts and valleys of this county are now wearing the well known bleak, dark and somewhat ominous look. However to all residents who chose to live here it is expected and after what we hope will not be a difficult winter season, it will again be spring and Mother Earth will spring forth in all her glory. McDonough Township is no exception to the somewhat harsh winters and the many problems that arise each and every day.
Enough about the seasonal weather, with this week’s article, as the historical information is scant; this writer has included two photos, one showing the ruins of the school and the other a photo of teacher and students taken about 1912.
In the school photo is documented that the teacher was Joseph Grace Brown Tucker (1890-1982) and the scholars are identified as follows: Ivon Ford, Leon Aiken, Lynn Eccleston, Mary Aiken and Hazel Ford. These were numbered and read Ivon Ford next to teacher, then Aiken, Eccleston and Mary Aiken and Hazel Ford. There is another student in the photo but is not identified.
Written documentation (Mrs. Preston) gives us the following; “Actually, this schoolhouse is not in the McDonough Township but on the German side of the town line. On the map, it is clear that residents of McDonough used this educational facility.
“Little is known by area residents except that such a schoolhouse exists. The property is owned by Mr. Ronald Bullock of Greene, New York (1970’s). The school building has recently fallen in and is a mess of white painted lumber. The location is on an intersection but the road seldom used. A few farms are found nearby and state land too.”
Documentation with the school site (we will assume former Historian Elinor Troicke wrote the following) “Ruins of a schoolhouse is evidence of Joint District #14 schoolhouse. Not actually part of the McDonough Township, some McDonough residents undoubtedly were regularly in attendance. The property today is located near a seldom travelled intersection and as written above owned by Mr. Bullock. Further is stated “off Great Lot 120 (1976).”
The 1875 Atlas of Chenango County shows Great Lot #120, showing the school site (German side) with the name of Fernalld being prominent in that area as residents. On the 1875 map of German, Joint District #14 became Joint District 8, showing the names of a Mrs. Carr, L. Carr, M. Carr, J. Jones and a blacksmith shop on the town line, German great lot #136 as the site of the school. For the adventurous souls who like to explore, looking at the latest published map of Chenango County, the above intersection would be the Town Line road and Jones Road and the state land would be part of the Five Streams State Forest. It would make an interesting hike for all the assorted persons who hike this county each Sunday.
With this scant documentation of school history for the McDonough Township, we close another ‘chapter’ to return again to the Village of McDonough. The usual request for information is once more put forth. Please contact Mrs. Robb at djrobb@frontier.net.net. All information will be duly credited.