262 



HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



than Fellows. This was in 1840. Customs change. In 

 June of the same year a proposition to build a school- 

 house was made and favorably entertained, and $300 

 voted for the purpose. At a succeeding meeting a motion 

 to reconsider failed. Charles Clark was the architect of 

 the new building, the plan calling for a steeple ; but this 

 latter was rejected, and two additional windows put in the 

 building instead. The structure was 2-i by 30 feet; 16 

 feet from bottom sill to top plate ; contained six windows, 

 each having 24 lights, of 7 by 9 glass, and seats and desks 

 for 46 persons. The seats were designed by Col. Fellows. 

 The building was painted with two coats of white paint, 

 and all finished in a workmanlike manner. The contract 

 was let to the lowest bidder, Mr. Charles Clark obtaining 

 it at $270. On the 1st of September, 1840, the first 



The building was erected on the public square. The work, 

 however, was seriously retarded by the refusal of some to 

 pay their tax. The trustees resigned ; new ones were ap- 

 pointed, and finally the work w^as complete. In 1847, the 

 expenses had increased to $289.20 ; F. Morse, Misses 

 Jerusha Cooper, Stacy, and Bliven being the teachers. In 

 1848, the expense had increased to $675.26, a much larger 

 corps of teachers being necessary. The schools continued 

 in a prosperous condition till 1850, when the free school 

 law was enacted by the Legislature. To supply any de- 

 ficiency a tax of $1200 was at once voted, and free-schools 

 inaugurated. There was considerable opposition to this 

 appropriation, and a decided effort made to reduce it ; but 

 on motion of S. T. Hayt, Esq., it was increased to $2355, 

 and in 1852 $800 was voted to build a wing on the east 



''^lO^/y>. 



CORNING FREE ACADEMY. 



school-house in the village of Corning was ready for occu- 

 pation. 



The first financial report was made on the 4th of Sep- 

 tember, 1843, and showed an expenditure for the year of 

 $73, and a balance in the treasury of 86 cents, and a float- 

 ing debt of $36.70, all of which was provided for by tax. 

 In 1844, the public money amounted to $89. In 1845, a 

 proposition to build a new school-house was introduced, the 

 trustees being at the time S. B. Denton, Bertine Pew, N. 

 L. Somers, and E. P. Rogers, clerk. Thomas A. John- 

 son, J. B. Graves, and P. J. Mallory were appointed a com- 

 mittee to co-operate with the trustees. The report show^ed 

 that there were about 260 children requiring education, and 

 accommodations for only about 60. It was not until June, 

 1846, however, that definite action was taken, and then, by 

 a vote of 20 to 4, $1200 were appropriated for the purpose. 



side of the school building. The expenses this year were 

 $1940. 



On the 13th of April, 1859, a special act was passed by 

 the Legislature, " to encourage and promote education in 

 the town of Corning," the trustees of district No. 9 being 

 constituted a board of education. In 1862, the old Meth- 

 odist church was purchased at a cost of $300, and became 

 the left wing of the school building. The corps of teachers 

 this year was enlarged to 18, under the charge of Z. L. 

 Parker, as principal. He was succeeded in 1864 by Prof. 

 Slie, who continued till 1866, when Prof Wildman as- 

 sumed charge. During each year the attendance and in- 

 terest increased, and the schools of Corning were the subject 

 of much flattering comment, as indeed they deserved. In 

 1868, H. A. Balcam, M.A., a graduate of Columbia College 

 and a teacher of large experience, was called to take charge 



