What Were Your Ancestors Reading in School in 1844

Did you ever stop to think about what your ancestors were reading 100 or 150 years ago? Did you ever wonder what books were available from their school library?  I found the following list for School District #3 Baiting Hollow, New York for 1844 at the Riverhead Town Historian’s Office thanks to Georgette Case, the Riverhead Town Historian.

Transcription and information about titles: 

To the School Superintendent of the Town of Riverhead.  A catalogue of the library of the 3rd school district of the said town made January 1 AD 1842 by Joseph Lhommedieu, Abel Corwin Jr and James H. Skidmore trustee of the said district.
No. 1    1-30 inclusive Harpers School District Library

• Mass market publishing of books began in the 1830s when J. & J. Harper of New York began publishing collections of books.  One of their most popular collections from 1838 to 1846  was the School District Library.  The volumes were originally priced at thirty eight cents each.  This collection grew eventually to 210 volumes.  About half of the titles were duplicated on the both the Harper’s Family Library and the Harper’s School District Library.  I wonder which of the 210 volumes where part of this collection that the school had in it’s Library?  Perhaps actual volumes 1-30?

No 31 Philosophy of the Moral Feelings    

• by John Abercrombie, published in New York in 1833 by Harper

32 & 33    Female Sovereigns

• probably Memoirs of Celebrated Female Sovereigns by Mrs. Jameson, published in New York, 1832 by Harper

34  History of Virginia                                

• probably Uncle Philip’s History of Virginia by Hawks, published in New York 1840 Harper

35  Ornaments Discovered                       

• probably The Ornaments Discovered by Mary Hughes, published in New York 1833 Harpers. From the “Prospectus.  The publishers of the “Boy’s and Girl’s Library” propose, under this title, to issue a series of cheap but attractive volumes, designed especially for the young.”

36  Uncle Philip on Teach U Trade

• There were a series of Uncle Phillip books published by Harpers.  Not sure what this one might have been.

37, 38  Whale Fishery

• possibly Uncle Philip’s Conversations with the Children about the Whale Fishery and the Polar Seas by published in New York 1839 Harper

39 Lives & Voyages of Drake &

• probably Lives and Voyages of Drake, Cavendish, Dampier published in New York 1839 (Harper)

40, 41 History of New York

• possibly Dunlap’s History of New York for Schools by Dunlap, published 1837 in New York. 

42  Natural History of Birds

• possibly Rennie’s Natural History of Birds by Rennie, publisher in New York 1839 (Harper)

43  Parley’s Common History

• possibly Parley’s Common School History by Parley, published 1843 in Philadelphia.  “Advertisement.  The design of this work is to furnish A CLEAR OUTLINE of UNIVERSAL HISTORY, suited to Common Schools.  It is intended for beginners, and is therefore written in a simple style, and. to render it convenient both for the pupil and teacher, it is divided into brief paragraphs and short chapters.”

44  Farmer’s Companion

• possibly The Farmer’s Companion; OR, Essays on the Principles and Practice of American Husbandry by Buel, published 1842 in Boston.

45  Farmer’s Own Book

• possibly The Farmer’s Own Book; or Family Receipts for the Husbandman and Housewife; being a Compilation of the Very Best Receipts on Agriculture, Gardening and Cookery; with Rules for Keeping Farmers’ Accounts by H.L. Barnum, published 1832 in Boston.

46  Alexander the Great
47  George the 4th

• Croly’s Life of George IV  published by Harper

48  History of Italy

• possibly Sforzosi’s History of Italy published by Harper or Spalding’s History of Italy published by Harper

49  Barbary States

• possibly Russell’s History of Barbary States by Russel, published by Harper

50  Conversations of Com. Things

• possibly Conversations on Common Things; or Guide to Knowledge with Questions by A Teacher, by published Boston 1828.  “Dedication.  To you, my young pupils, I dedicate this little volume, with the fervent wish that it may fulfil the purpose for which it is designed, that of informing your minds, and exciting you to seek after knowledge which will be useful to you through life, and fit you to lay up, by good and virtuous habits here, those treasures which will not, like the riches of this world, take to themselves wings, nor yet by moth or rust be corrupted.”

51 to 129  inclusive Harper’s School District Library

• possibly actual titles for volumes 51-129 of ‘Harper’s School District Library’

130  Goldsmith’s History of Greece

• Dr. Goldsmith’s History of Greece by Goldsmith, published Derby 1817 

131  History of Poland

• perhaps Fletcher’s History of Poland (Harper)

132  Lives of Drake & Cavendish

• Lives and Voyages of Drake, Cavendish, Dampier published in New York 1839 (Harper)

133  Popular Guide
134  The School and the School Master

• probably The School and the School Master. A Manual for the use of Teachers by Potter and Emerson, published New York 1842.  From the Secretary of the State of New York, Secretary’s Office, Department of Common Schools, “has been specially prepared for the benefit of the Common Schools of this State.”

135  Pathology of –?

The above 135 volumes are in good condition except the wear incident to them being read and grease spots on the 50 and 51 pages of No. 3 and a grease spot on 28 page of No. 6 and 2 grease spots on pages 176 and 177 of No. 28

Joseph Lhommedieu

Abel Corwin Jr 

Trustees

Several of the books listed above I have guessed at, based on the dates published. Book #135 I am unable to determine the last word.  Any ideas?  I was unable to find a books matching the title for #36, 46 and 133.  I was able to verify the titles but not find any copies of digital versions of the books for  #47, 48, 49 and 131.  While looking at titles available on-line I found that the publisher Harpers in New York seemed to be a common publisher of books from that time.  Harpers had listings entitled “Harper’s Family Library”  books and “Harper’s School District Library” books which helped me figure out the titles when the spelling and age of the paper made it difficult to decipher.    Are these the same books held at the Library? I am not certain but they make for interesting reading of what our ancestors might have been reading at the time.  I have linked the books I was able to find on Google Books or Archive.org. 

Sometimes in your search for knowledge on your ancestors you never know where that search will take you and the new knowledge you will acquire.  By profession, I am a teacher.  As a teacher I never thought about what books teachers like my great grandmother, Carrie Terry Warner who taught in Baiting Hollow (1884-85), were using with their pupils.   I find it fascinating that these collections of books were available as early as the 1830s.  I am proud of those involved with School District #3 for providing these books for their pupils and putting an emphasis on reading and knowledge of the world around them.  I challenge you to click on the links above and read some of the books your ancestors might have read.  You just never know sometimes where the research will take you.  Happy Reading!

If you have any corrections, additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.
Enjoy the journey,
Debby

A complete listing of the titles in Harper’s Family Library and Harper’s School District Library can be found in Appendix A page 36 of an article published by Purdue University 2003 entitled Harper & Brothers’ Family and School District Libraries, 1830-1846. The lists can also be found in the book Libraries to the People: Histories of Outreach page 42. 

For additional information about School District #3 in Baiting Hollow, New York see previous posts:  Searching Land Records for School District #3 in Baiting Hollow New York and 1827 Pupil List for School District #3 Baiting Hollow New York) .  Daniel and Jemima Benjamin Warner’s daughter’s Susan and Jemima may have been in school at this time based on their ages.

1827 Pupil List for School District #3 Baiting Hollow New York

Trying to add more to the stories of our ancestors’ lives comes from a variety of records, many that you may never have thought to look for.  While in New York at Christmas I found an interesting source of information at the Riverhead Historian’s Office.  Georgette Case, Riverhead’s Town Historian, was able to help me locate the following when I asked if she knew of any records related to School District #3 in Baiting Hollow, New York:

Transcription:

To the Commissioners of Common Schools in the Town of Riverhead-

We the Trustees of the third school district in the said Town do report that a school has been kept in our district ten months during the year ending with the date hereof by teachers duly qualified according to law. That the amount of money received from the Commissioner of Common Schools is 26, 12/100 dollars all of which has been paid to qualified teachers. That there have been 60 children taught in our district school during the past year and that there were 67 children between the ages of five and fifteen years inclusive residing in our district on the first day of January last with the following persons

                 John Corwin Jr – 1                                                                     Seth H. Wells - 2

                         Wd [Widow] Permelia Wells – 2                                                 Eleazer Dayton - 1
                        James Y. Wells – 3                                                                     Wd. [Widow] Harriet Youngs - 2
                        Jeffrey Hutchinson – 3                                                                David Howell - 4
                        Matthias Hutchinson – 4                                                             Jeremiah Youngs - 2
                        William Horton – 1                                                                      Daniel Warner - 3
                       Jacob Benjamin – 3                                                                     Abel Corwin - 4
                       Nathan Benjamin – 2                                                                   Silvanus Brown - 2
                       Silas Hulse – 3                                                                             Higby Raynor - 1
                       Richard Skidmore – 2                                                                   James Youngs - 4
                       Daniel Edwards – 2                                                                      Calvin Cook - 2
                       Jeremiah Terry – 2                                                                       Israel Wells - 2
                      Jonah Hulse – 4                                                                            Micah Howell - 1
                      Phineas T. Edwards – 5

Total 67 children

All which we certify to be true.

Dated at the third district in the town of Riverhead March 29 AD 1827

Trustees –Micah Howell and Abel Corwin

• Daniel & Jemima Benjamin Warner, my paternal 2x great grandparents, had 4 children that would have been between the ages of 5 and 15: Lewis (age 14) and Goldsmith (age 11), my great grandfather Daniel Jr (age 9) and Joanna (about age 6) in 1827. Since Daniel is listed as having 3 children in school I wonder if Joanna was perhaps not yet sent to school in 1827 or was Joanna in school and Lewis already working on the family farm and not attending school?  My guess is Joanna wasn’t in school yet.
• Amazing that the school received $26.12 to pay 2 teachers for a year of services.
• This record helps me establish who the families were with children that my ancestors would have known and gone to school with.  Community connections.
• Through marriages, I recognize other family Surnames that are part of my ancestral line: Benjamin, Howell, etc.  

The information I'm adding to the story of my ancestors’ lives this time comes from an unusual source of information-school records.  (Special thanks to Georgette Case for all her help.)  Be sure to remember to visit and research at local Town Historian’s offices.  It’s amazing the records that are out there waiting to be discovered!

If you have any corrections, additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

I have been unable to locate photos of School District #3 in Baiting Hollow, New York. Any suggestions?

Searching Land Records for School District #3 in Baiting Hollow New York

Land records can share such interesting details of our ancestors’ lives. I became interested in land records after transcribing my paternal great grandmother’s letters (see Carrie’s Letters). Finding the land records that matched the land purchases Carrie Terry Warner talked about in her letters was exciting.

Carrie was a young teacher of 22 years who taught in Baiting Hollow, New York and while there would meet and marry my great grandfather, John Benjamin Warner, in 1885.
The following is an except from a letter Carrie wrote to her mother, Almeda Robinson Terry, on 30 October 1884:

“ With few exceptions I like my school very much, and I think I am generally liked by the pupils. I have not heard from the parents yet. The school is increasing slowly. I have twenty seven pupils now.”

and

“O! What a lot of work to get water here. We have no water at the school house and haven’t had since I have been here. There is a cistern there but no water in it.”

This led me to think about the school itself. Today I believe the school building stands where the Baiting Hollow Library is on Sound Avenue. I wondered what I could find out about the school? I had copies of several old maps that showed the location of the school:

1858 map of Baiting Hollow from the Suffolk County Historical Society

1873 Beers map of Baiting Hollow

• In the 1858 map the school is located between the property of A. Corwin on the West and Daniel Warner on the East. Proceeding East is the property of Lewis Warner and Daniel Warner.
• In the 1873 map the school No. 3 is located between the property of A. Warner on the West and Lewis Warner on the East. Proceeding East is the property of Goldsmith Warner and Daniel Warner.

After looking at the maps I started wondering about the land for the school? Was the land leased, donated or sold to someone for a school? Could my ancestors, who in 1873 lived on both sides of the school have donated or sold the land for the school? Would I ever be able to find the answer? I tried to find records for the “Baiting Hollow School” to no avail and thought I might never know the answer. School records that far back are definitely hard to find. Oh, well, maybe someday I will find the answer.

Fast forward a few years to December 2018. Over the Holidays I was in Riverhead and searching for land records at the Suffolk County Center for my great grandfather John B. Warner.  Land he purchased or sold would help tell the story of his life. While searching for John’s records I stumbled upon the following:

Liber 618 pages 446-448 

Transcription:

This Indenture, Made the Twenty-sixth day of September in the year One thousand nine hundred and Six between Allen M. Warner and Kate S. Warner his wife of the town of Riverhead, Co. of Suffolk and State of New York parts of the first part, and John B. Warner trustee of the third School Dist. Of the town of Riverhead part of the second part. Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part, in consideration of Three hundred dollars ($300.00) lawful money of the United States, paid by the said party of the second part, do hereby grant and release unto the said party of the second part, as trustee of said third school dist. Of the worn of Riverhead and to his successors in office forever for a school house site, All that tract or Parcel of land, situate in the town of Riverhead County of Suffolk and State of New York, being bounded as follows, Commencing at the North East corner of the present School House site and running N23° 30’ W two hundred ninety eight feet nine inches by the land of J.B. Warner then S 66°30’ W One hundred twenty five ft three inches by other land of the party of the first part, thence S 21°22’ E three hundred sixty one feet six inches by other land of the party of the first part thence N 75°25’ E sixty six feet eight inches by the present School House site to the point or place by beginning. Containing one acre by measurement, The party of the second part is to erect maintain and keep a fence around said property. Together with the appurtenances; and all the estate and rights of the said party of the first part in and to said premises. To Have and to Hold the above granted premises unto the said property unto the said party of the second part, his successors in office forever And the said Allen M. Warner and Kate S. Warner does covenant with the said party of the second part as follows; First,-That the parties of the first part are seized of the said premises in fee simple, and have good right to convey the same. Second.-That the party of the second part shall quietly enjoy the said premises. Third.- That the said premises are free of incumbrances. Fourth.- That the parties of the first part will execute or procure any further necessary assurance of the title of said premised. Fifth.- That the said Allen M. Warner and Kate S. Warner will forever warrant the title to said premises. In Witness Whereof, The said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first written.

Allen M. Warner, LS. Kate S. Warner, LS.

In Presence of B. Frank Howell, Jr.

State of New York, County of Suffolk State of New York ss: On this 7 day of May in the year One thousand nine hundred and seven, before me, the subscriber, personally appeared Allen M. Warner and Kate S. Warner to me personally known to be the same person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and they acknowledged to me that they executed the same, B. Frank Howell, Jr. Notary Public Suffolk Co N.Y.

Recorded 9^th May 1907 @ 9 A.M.

Wm. F. Flanagan, Clerk

• I find no mention of this transaction in Carrie’s letters. Her father died just 10 days before this, she had 5 young sons and was about 6 months pregnant with her 6^th child. There are very few letters from this very hectic time period.

Success! Another question answered. I did find the land transaction for School District #3 in Riverhead, commonly known as the Baiting Hollow School. Previously, I had searched under the wrong name for the school. This added some interesting facts to the story of my ancestors’ lives and their involvement in their community.

As always, one question answered leads to other questions…I wonder how the original school came to be at this site years before? How many years before the map above in 1858 did the school exist at this site?

If you have any corrections, additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.
Enjoy the journey,
Debby

I also stumbled upon some  additional School District #3 records from the early 1800s at the Riverhead Town Historian’s Office. Stay tuned to find out about those.