any legislative provision for the education of teachers such, as without abundant means, are willing to deny
for her common schools. The first act was passed in themselves many pleasures and forego many comforts,
1827, but accomplished little. In 1835, a " teachers' rather than starve the intellect and impoverish the
department" was engrafted upon eight academies lo- heart of their offspring. With good teachers, pro-
cated in the several senatorial districts into which the perly trained, and employed, under more favora-
State is divided, and annual appropriations from the ble circumstances than now, and sustained by the
• Literature Fund” applied to their support and en- respect and adequate compensation of the public, the
couragement. In 1838, this appropriation was in- common schools can be made, and that within a rea-
creased and more widely extended, so that eight new sonable time, to give as sound moral and intellectual
departments for the education of teachers will be or- culture to all the children of the State, as can be
ganized. The success of even this inadequate provis- had in the best private schools. I have thus passed
ion, has been great. These departments have been in review the principal features of our school system
resorted to by an increasing number of candidates, as organized and administered, and suggested such
every year. The services of those instructed there changes and additions for immediate and ultimate adop-
have been sought for, and because they are regarded tion as seemed to me called for. I regret my inability
as more valuable, readily command a higher rate of to present them in a more condensed and elaborate
compensation. The result has been that the standard form. More than two thirds of the time originally
of common school education has been raised where allotted to the preparation of this Report, has been
ever the influence of these departments has been felt. taken up with the assistance of clerks in making out

In Massachusetts, a teachers' seminary was establish- abstracts of school returns, so as to render them ser-
ed at Andover in 1835, but had no connection with the viceable to the Board and the Legislature. To ascer-
State. In 1838, a friend of common schools placed ten tain a single fact in the general average and abstracts
thousand dollars at the disposal of the Secretary of the required the examinations of more than twelve hun
Board of Education, on condition that the State should dred separate documents.
appropriate the same amount whole sum to be In , let solicit your indulgence for all
disbursed under the direction of the Board, in qualify- that has been done, and all that has been omitted.
ing teachers for common schools. The Legislature am not conscious of having spared myself in any par-
promptly accepted the donation by fulfilling the condi- ticular to accomplish the object of my appointment to
tion. By enlisting local co-operation, the Board of the best of my ability. If less has bcen done than
Education have been able to command still other was anticipated, it will not be forgotten that the du-
means, and thus by combined public and individual ties were novel, various, and delicate, and have been
liberality, three teachers' seminaries are about to go into prosecuted under circumstances abundantly discour-
operation. One of them is appropriated exclusively aging. If I have at any time expressed my strong
to the qualification of female teachers.

conviction of existing defects and irregularities in the In Pennsylvania, where a common school system common schools, without sufficient qualification, I has been created almost within three years, the Super- would not be understood to depreciate the vast amount intendent has recommended, as indispensable to its suc- of good they still effect, much less the rich blessings cess, the establishment of two seminaries for the educa- which for near two centuries they have extended to tion of teachers, under the name of Practical Institutes, successive generations. I am not conscious of hav. to be located in the extremes of the State.

ing uttered or done any thing except with the single In Ohio, which is now in the enjoyment of a vigor- view of advancing the interests of these schools, and ous system of common schools, matured within two making them the fit nurseries of vigorous, moral years, the Superintendent recommends the establish- and intelligent men. Much less would I be underment at Columbus, of a central normal school.-- stood to cast reproach upon any who, from proper I have not heard that any legislative action has follow- motives, have performed the arduous and responsied in either of these great States. But such is the im- ble duties of school officers and teachers. As my pulse under which this cause is advancing in both, that connection with the Board will cease with the expiraI have no doubt these recommendations will be speedi- tion of the year, let me indulge the hope that its action ly adopted. The vigor, and unanimity with which the will be sustained and carried forward by the Legisimprovement of schools is prosecuted there, is a sure lature, and that this cause of popular education, the omen of its speedy and glorious success.

great leading object of State policy, and the cause In the light of these examples, with the encourage- which holds every other good cause in its embrace, ment of their success, and urged by every motive of will be kept aloof from the disturbing influence duty, as well as of pride and honorable emulation with of party or sect, and enlist the active, intelligent, her sister republics, will Connecticut hesitate or delay patriotic zeal of every good citizen. May we all to incorporate this principle of almost indefinite im- feel our obligations to God, to our country, and to posprovement into her common school system? With- terity, to give such personal co-operation as we can, out it, I have no expectation of seeing the office of and at any rate to throw no unnecessary obstacles in common school teacher respected, both for its own the way of those who would prepare the rising gen. sake and for the character of those who exercise it. eration in strength, morality and intellect, the best to Without good teachers I see no way of improving the enjoy their own existence and render the greatest quality and increasing the amount of common school amount of good to their country and to mankind. instruction. Good schools we shall have, as we have

HENRY BARNARD, 2D. now, but they will be open only to the children of such parents as are able from the abundance of their means Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Common Schools. to support them, however expensive they may be, or HARTFORD, May 7, 1839.

ABSTRACT OF RETURNS
MADE BY SCHOOL VISITERS RESPECTING THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS IN THE WINTER OP

1838-9.

HARTFORD COUNTY.

1st S. S. HARTFORD.

Three kinds in Spelling; 7 in Reading; 5 in Middle, 1312 310 369 637 30 109 24 Mp 66 66 Arithmetic; 4 in Geography; 4 in Writing; 2 in

33 33

Grammar; Writing; Classes in Algebra, GeomeF p 23 83

try, Chemistry, Book-keeping, Natural Philosophy,

confined principally to Middle Dis.-A School Li

10a 14 00 brary in Middle Dis. of 481 vols ;-another of 100 South, 476 80 58 108 2 77 24M 33 33 vols. in South;

-Globes, Maps, &c. in Middle and F 15 00

South Dis. Nine visiters chosen, with power to

designate 3 of their number to visit all the schools West Middle,

123
9. 13
20
6 M

26 00 and receive $2 per day for services. One half of South West, 101 45 18

64
3 13 17 M

25 00“ Town Dep. Fund” appropriated to Schools like
North West,
54 26 28 43 1 3

18 M 16 00 School Fund money. A Local Fund of $500 in

Middle Dis. More than $12,000 expended in private North, 32 14 12 25 1 2 2 16 M 10 00

schools, exclusive of the higher order of schools.Gravel Hill, 28 15 13 25

17 F + 6 00

Five persons are returned as attending annual Arsenal, 87 41 38 52

4 17M 15 00 school meetings. Of the 22 teachers employed, 2 North Middle, 323 50 76 109 3 51 23 M 3F 34 00

only have taught anywhere over 5 years, and ex2d. W. HARTFORD.

cept those engaged in the Middle and South distrícts, but one

has taught in the same school before.
North,
58 25 24 48 14 16

15 00
North East,
37 171 11

14 M 15 00

One in Spelling, 6 in Reading, 6 in Arithmetic, South,

53 32 18

36
4

9 in Geography; 1 in History; 2 in Grammar;16 M

22 50 Nat

. Philosophy, Book-keeping, Astronomy. Eight East, 28 12 11 22 1 2 12 M

15 00 visiters appointed; two visit all the schools. "DeMiddle,

61 25 20

45

4 16 M 17 00 27 00posite" money divided like School Fund;-a SociNorth West, 21 18 9 23 4 12 M 16 67

ety Fund of $500. Of the eight teachers, but one

has taught over 5 years anywhere, and but two South Middle,

26 15 16 30 1 16 M F 6 67 12 67 have taught in the same school before. Ten persons
West.
34 23 13 30 1

141 F 10 000 attended school meeting.
AVON.
1st District,
41 21 18 30

16

7 00 Two in Spelling; 9 in Reading; 8 in Arithme2d 22 9 10 17 2

16

5 00

tic; 7 in Geography; 2 in History; 3 in Grammar;

9 in other branches. Six visiters chosen. One half
3d
88 36 32 45

18
16 000

“ Depósite" money appropriated to schools, and di4th

36 18 19 28 3 2 16 M 14 00 22 00 vided like School Fund.' Society have fund of 5th 77 15 15 25 8

20 00

$1400. Of the 7 teachers, not one has taught any 6th

32 25
40 2
2 20 M F

8 00

where over five years, and none the same school be

fore.
7th
25 19 6 15 1 14

11 00 19 00
BERLIN, 1st soc.

Two in Spelling; 4 in Reading; 3 in ArithmcM

tic; 5 in Geography ; 1 in History; 1 in Grammar; North East, 59 29 26 47 2 6 12 20 0027 002 in Nat. Philosophy. Four visiters. One

half of South,

81 27 32 50 1 15 20 M F 12 0018 00" Town Deposite Fund” appropriated to Schools, North West, 50 20 27 36

14 00 20 00 and deposited like School Fund. Society have fund 2d S. or N. BRITAIN,

M

of $1443 17. Of the 3 teachers, the female has

taught eight years, and neither of them the same 1st District. 75 29 26

22

18 00 school before. 25 persons attended school meeting.
2nd
74 20 42

16 00 25 00
3rd
41 16

One in Spelling; 11 in Reading; 6 in Arithme9

14 M F

7 00 13 00tic; 4 in History; '1 in Grammar;" 1 in Philosophy, 4th 50 20 18 37

14

15 00 Six school visiters. One half of Deposite Fund, and 5th 59 27 25 40

5 12 M 20 00 divided equally, according to enumeration. Society 6th

39

20 M F
8 00

have Fund of $4491 94. Of the eight teachers, 7th

none have taught anywhere over five years, and 33 10 12 17

13
13 00

none in the same District, Twenty-five persona ats
8th
37 14 14 23

12 M F

10 00 tended school meeting:
BRISTOL
West Centre, 39 20 10

25 2

20 F 8 00 16 00 Two in Spelling; 13 in Reading; 12 in ArithMiddle,

75 19 21
35

8

18 0023 0c metic; 9 in Geography; 5 in History; 4 in GramSouth West,

70 39 29
40 2 1

20 0030 00 mar; 2 in Nat. Philosophy. Six school visiters,
East,
47 29 21

and are paid $25 per year for their services. One 40 42

19 0027 00 half of " Town Deposite Fund” appropriated to Stafford, 51 22 18 25 1

22 00 31 00 schools, and divided equally among the districts.North,

30 11 16

20 2 1
1

6 0013 00 Society has a fund of $2345 44. Twelve teachers S. Chippen Hill, 34 23 10 27 1

12 50 20 50 employed; 2of them have taught over 5 years some

where ; 3 of them in the same District before. Fifty South,

39 13 20
25 1

8 0016 00

persons attended school meeting.
North East,
28) 14 9

61
13

13 00 22 00
Fall Mountain, 20 26 13 23 6

17 00 25 00 N. Chippen Hill, 31 19 9 15

1

3

14 M 14 50 22 50 North Middle, 21 9 13 18 2 1

16 M F

7 00 15 00

9

No. in school.

Teacher. Wages per month
NAME OF SCHOOL SO-
CIETY and DISTRICT.

DIFFERENT AUTHORS USED IN THE SEVERAL

STUDIES, REMARKS, &c.
Burlington, 1st.
1st or Centre,

704 30 35
50
4 16 M

19 50 One in Spelling ; 10 in Reading; 7 in Arithme. 2d or South West, 40 22 12

20 5 7 16 M

13 00 tic; 4 in Geography; 3 in Grammar; 1 in Alge3d or North 49 26 20 32

16M

11 00 bra. Three visiters chosen, and received 50 cents 4th or North East, 31 15 15 28. 1 16 F hoy 00

per day. One half of Town Deposite Fund ap5th or South,

29 12
8 18

propriated to schools, and divided equally among
1

16 F 6 00 6th or West,

schools. Society has a fund of $1432. 8 teach32 20 12

25 1 2 3 14M 12 50 ers; one has taught before over 5 years, and but 7th or South East,

20 11 6
9 3

F 6 00

one in the same district before. One hundred perSth or East Middle,

27 16 13
24 1 3
M

sons attended school meeting.

10 00
BLOOMFIELD.
Farms or East,

47
50 2 6
14 M

17 00
North
18 18 10 22 12

12 M North Middle,

17 00 Two in spelling; 14 in Reading; 4 in Arithme. 43 17 21 32 1 16 M North West,

13 00 tic; 6 in Geography, 1 in History ; 2 in Grammar; 41 22 24 37 7

15 M 15 50

3 in Nat. Philosophy; 1 in Chemistry. In this Centre or Hill,

61 24 16
37 2
17 M

18 00 School Society there was a very interesting examSouth West,

47 25 27

45
11 17M

17 00

ination of all the schools, in the Church. South Middle,

41 22 13

3 14 M 18 00 CANTON.

ce Centre,

79 35 27
52
5 16M

16 00 24 00 Suffrage or S. East,

72 30 20
30 2 5 20 M

16 00 24 00). One in Spelling; 16 in Reading; 3 in ArithmeDo. W. or River,

25 10 12
202
5 16

tic; 6 in Geography; 4 in History; 1 in Grammar;

F Collinsville, East,

4 00 10 005 in Nat. Philosophy;

1 in Algebra. Nine visit40 24 24

29 2 2 16 M 20 00 28 00 ers. Half of Town Deposite Fund appropriated Do.

47 27 25
403
20

to Schools, and divided as School Fund. One hun-
East Hill,
44 15 18 29

3 19
F 7 16 13 16 4 small districts. Eight teachers; none over five

dred persons at school meeting. No returns from North,

55 29 23
40 3

4 16 M West or West Hill,

19 0027 00 years; one has taughi in same school 4 seasons.
39 15 24
35

12 M 14 00 22 00
2d S. EAST WINDSOR.
1st District,

43 31 20
45 1 7

16 0023 00
2d
43 25 8 28 4

F 7 33 3d

36 22 20
37 2 5

F 12 93 18 65 4th

31/ 16
8 20

20 00
5th
144 55 75 110

F 20 00 6th

One in Spelling; 7 in Reading; 6 in Arithmetic;
19 13
8 20 3.

12 M 15 00 21 008 in Geography; 3 in History; I in Grammar; 12 7th

26 25 13
35 1 2

M 17 00 25 00 Teachers; 6 have taught before, on an average of 9th

18 10 10
18 3

ten years; 4 in the same schools. No school kept
16

13 00 in No. 11. A difficulty occurred in No. 8. 10th

54 24 22

45 1 1 16 M 18 00 24 00 12th

36 16 16
26 1 2

15 00 21 00 13th

20 10 11

20 3 1 16 M 6 00 12 00 14th

39 17 21
351 1

13 50 19 50
WAPPING.

One in Spelling; 7 in Arithmetic; 5 in GeograNorth West, 43 26 23 40 14 15 M 16 00 20 00 vols. in District No. 1. Five visiters. Town De

phy: 2 in Grammar. A School Library of 30 South, 48 12 34 44 2

16 M F 18 00posite Fund is all apropriated to schools, and diviSouth East, 43 28 21 42 1 3

16 M 16 00 24 00 ded like School Furid. Society has a Fund of $809. North,

28 12 12

1

16 F 8 00 13 69 Five teachers; 3 taught somewhere over five years; ENFIELD.

one an average of 10 years; one has taught 4 years 1st District

in same school. 87 45 39 67 4 6

12 M F 20.00 2d 65 25 31 45 3 1

20 00 28 00 3d 62 27 28 44

4 14

14 00 4th 62 39 21 55 2 5

16M 28 0020 00 5th 38 23 12 35 2 3 2

2M 17 50 20 00 6th 30 14 15 14 3 14

12 50 One in Spelling; 12 in Reading; 6 in Arithme7th 38 24/ 15 33

16 F 10 0014 00 tic; 9 in Geography; 2 in History; 1 in Gram8th 48 24 25 40 4.

16M

24 00

mar; 2 in Philosophy; Chemistry ; Astronomy; 9th

16 8
12 1 1 14M

Algebra. Nine visiters.

14 00 · 10th 22 10 8 18 1 15 M

11 00 b.given 11th 16 12 8 19 3

12 M 14 00 12th 33 23 17 30 2 5 3

M 13th, Thompsonville, 205 88 82 1417

201M 2F 40 00 FARMINGTON. North, 71 23 15 28

24M 17 00 28 00 Three in Spelling; 13 in Reading; 10 in ArithMiddle or Centre,

90 42 40 67 1 2 20 M F 21 00 30 00 metic; 9 in Geography; 4 in History; 2 in Gram-
South,
63 28 25

mar; 2 in Nat. Philosophy; Chemistry, Botany;
38
21M 18 00

Rhetoric.
Union,

Thirteen teachers employed; 7 of whom 59 29 22 47 3 2 20 M 18 50 have been engaged in teaching over 5 years; 5 have East Farms,

31 17 10 24 1 5 16M 12 0019 33 taught before in the same districts. Nine school North East, 27| 12 14 24 3 20 M 10 0016 00

visiters chosen; 2 appointed to visit all the schools West,

and receive $1 per day for services. Town Depos48 22 27 40 3 1 20 M (16 00 lite Fund is all appropriated to schools, and divided

70 35 28
60
14 20 M 16 22

Four teachers; none have taught over five years;
2217 30

16 M
22 50

2 in same school before. Nine visiters. Society

has a Fund of $425; income, $25. Twenty at-
81 29 35 52 4 32 MF 27 34 tended School meeting.
52 24 22 36 3 5 16 M

One in Spelling ; 7 in Reading; 3 in Arithmetic;
39 17 18 28 2 4 20 F 7 5020 34

6 in Geography; 1 in History ; 2 in Nat. Philoso50 25 12 301

phy. Five teachers; none have taught over five 3 1 16M

(16 14

years; but one in same school before. Four visit

ers. T. D.F. is all apropriated to schools as School TOLLAND COUNTY

Fund. Society has a fund of $449; income $26 91,

66

15

91b

STA

F 18 50 7 60
15 21

One in Spelling; 11 in Reading; 4 in Arithme-
12

tic; 5 in Geography; 2 in History; 2 in Gram-
15

mar; 4 in Nat. Philosophy; Algebra. Twelve
teachers; 7 have taught over five years; 4 have

taught one season before in same school. Nine
15

school visiters. One half of T. D. Fund to school 19

like School Fund. Society have Fund of $541 ;16 22 income $32 46. One hundred persons attended 18

school meeting. The school in District No. 6, in

cludes scholars from a district in Willington.
16 24
16

One in Spelling; 10 in Reading; 4 in Arithme-
16

tic; 5 in Geography; 2 in History; 3 in Gram15

mar; 3 in Nat. Philosophy; Surveying; Algebra;

Chemistry and Mental Philosophy. Six teachers; 14 50 22

2 have taught over five years; but one in the same 10 20 school before, Six visiters. All of T. D. Fund 17

approproriated to schools, like School Fund. So

ciety has a fund of $338; income $20 24. Fifteen
F8 14

present a School meeting.
15 One in Spelling; 5 in Reading; 4 in Arithme-
14 7516 75

tic; 4 in Geography; 2 in History; 3 in Gram

mar; 2 in Nat. Philosophy; 5 teachers; one has 12

taught over 5 years; none in the same school be

sore. Five visiters appointed. One half of T. D. 110 12 50

Fund to schools as School Fund. Society has a

fund of $396 46; income, $23 78.
20 One in Spelling; 7 in Reading; 6 in Arithme-

12 50 tic; 4 in Geography; 3 in History; 3 in Gram-
10

mer; Rhetoric; Chemistry; Nat. Philosophy ;

Mental Philosophy. Seven teachers ; 4 have 18

taught over 5 years; 2 in same school before. Nine 115 visiters. All of T. D. Fund appropriated to

12 schools, equally to each district. Society has a fund F9 15

of $700. Ten persons present at Society meeting.

TOLLAND S. Soc.
1st District,
2d
4th
5th
6th
7th and 9th,
8th
10th
11th
12th
13th
COVENTRY, 1st S. Soc.
North,
South,
East,
South East,
Centre,
West,
COVENTRY, 2d S. Soc.
East,
North East,
North,
West,
South,
HEBRON, 1st S. Soc.
1st District,
2d
3d
4th
5th
6th
71h

GILEAD S. Soc.
South or Middle,
East,
North,
West,

ANDOVER $. Soc.
North West,
North East,
South East,
South West,
MANSFIELD, 1st S, S.
1st District,
2d
3d
4th
6th
7th
8th,
9th
101h

13

ers.

18 One in Spelling; 4 in Reading; 4 in Arithme14

tic; 4 in Geography; 2 in Grammar. Five visit

All of T. D. Fund appropriated equally 9

among districts. Society Fund of $167 67; inF 8 112

come, $10. 20

One in Spelling; 6 in Reading; 5 in Arithme

tic; 4 in Geography ; 2 in History; 2 in Gram12 mer; Chemistry; Book-keeping; Mental and Nat.

13 50 Philosophy, Four teachers; all have taught over
9 15

5 seasons; 3 have taught betore in same school.-
Five visiters. The Society has a Fund of $141 17;

income, $8 47. This Society is made up from He-
16

bron, Coventry, Bolton and Columbia.

14 F 10

Two in Spelling; 10 in Reading; 8 in Arith11 18 50 metic; 7 in Geography; 9 in History; Natural 15

Philosophy; Naural History. Nine visiters.

Half of T.Þ. Fund appropriated to schools, and 16

divided equally among districts. Society has a F 7 13 50 fund of $700; income, $42. Ten teachers; 4 have 13 50

taught over five years ; 2 in same school before. 9 11