Huber McFARLIN, Margaret McUBERY, William STYLES, Mary McUBERY, Robert McUBERY, Lucy BUCKSTAFF, William KEEZER, Harry SPRAGUE, Helen McFARLIN, John McFARLIN, Helen (Ellen) McUBERY, William TOAL, Rebecca BUCKSTAFF, William MONTGOMERY, Debby (Deborah) McCURDY, Benjamin SIMMONS, Samuel McFARLIN, Sarah (Sally) STYLES, John STYLES, Sarah (Sally) BUCKSTAFF, John MONTGOMERY, Liddy BUCKSTAFF, John BUCKSTAFF, Nancy BUDD.
Although a few names (3 or 4) have been omitted due to illegibility or damaged listing, yet all the above are early local names and a few were immigrant children. Although this report does not carry the name of its author, nor the exact school term it represents, yet it is amazingly accurate as to the families at this time. It was uncovered (by this author) amongst a package of original school records, yet uncatalogued, in the Archives Library, U. N. B., Fredericton, NB,and tagged "St. Patrick's Schools, 1835". Some names were spelled differently, such as " McUBERY" (McCOUBERY):" McFARLIN" (McFARLANE); and nicknames were used, as "Sally" for (Sarah) and "Ellen" for (Helen), etc. It is not as yet known if or where a school may have been in existence, whether of log or frame construction, or if local homes were used intermittently for private tutorage. If this were the case then such would merely be a prospective listing of "scholars" for itinerant teachers conducting periodic visits.
There is also one significant matter not to be overlooked-- that, at this time public education had not been very widely developed,-- instead, New Brunswick was under the "Madras" School system, recently authorized by the Government. "In 1827 there were 31 Madras Schools (mainly under the auspices of the established church) in operation-- The St. Andrews School had 66 pupils and St. George had 55, but most other schools were small," "History of N.B." by James Hannay. Pages 356,357. The "Common School" act in 1871 brought public education into full reality in this Province.
However, there were (non-church) schools in the early days and registration in them might well have been much larger than their actual attendances; attrition due to distances, must have taken their inevitable toll. However, against such a background it is quite amazing that such a large school roster (25 or more students) could be developed in such a promising local school program. Nearby Dumbarton had at this time 26 students-- averaging (in both "schools" ) from 5 to 15 years of age.
The following list was submitted about 1835 with the sub note; "All (children) coming alternately and conducted by Michael RUBY". Mr. RUBY also taught at Rollingdam at this time. John BUDD, David BUDD, George DIFFEN, James CHAISE, James ELLIOTT, Robert DIFFINS, Edwin LAWRENCE, Ellen HITCHINGS, Mary DIFFEN, Ellon GOSS, Ann HITCHENS, Agnes McBRIEN, William HITCHENS, James DIFFEN, William BUDD, William DIFFEN, Edward BUDD, John CHAISE, William ELLIOTT, John HITCHENS, Mary HITCHENS, Sarah (Sally) BUDD, Mary McBRIEN, Bridget GOSS, Mandy HITCHENS, James MALOY.
Written by Rev. Charles M. Smith
Found in the October 12, 1972 edition of the
Saint Croix Courier.
By permission of the Saint Croix Courier page
Loaded Dec 16, 1999
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