Page:History of West Hoboken NJ.djvu/43

 CHAPTER V.

Schools.

The cradle of the present magnificent school system was a little frame house which, in the year 1845, was situated on Hoboken street, near Spring. Over this school presided a teacher by the name of Kelly, who was also the principal.

A few years after this another school was established on Ann street, and this school was in charge of a teacher named Kroh. Both of these schools were small one-story frame structures, containing one large room. About thirty children attended each, and previous to their establishment, scholars were compelled to journey to New Durham and to Hoboken, to receive an education. I am told by old timers that New Durham is one of the oldest school districts in this vicinity.

These schools were semi-public, the tuition was free, but all books, etc., had to be furnished by the parents of the scholars. Many a time pupils would be interrupted in their studies with a command to go and out and cut some wood to keep the fire going. Imagine a state of affairs like that existing to-day, and yet the system of education must have been good, else how do you account for the many learned men of to-day who received their primary education in schools like these.

About April, 1856, there was another school situated at the corner of Paterson avenue and Spring street. The principal of this school was Mr. Andrew Carter, and he had an assistant teacher also, a Mrs. Parker.

When the township became incorporated in 1861, an act passed the Legislature forming a new school district, viz.: West Hoboken. The school laws of that time provided for a superintendent of schools elected by the people of each district, and the Rev. Jas. C. Egbert became the first superintendent.