Schools in the Town of Chemung, by Elsie Thomas (1976)
Two hundred years ago, the Town of Chemung was occupied by various Indian tribes and schools were unknown. In fact, very little was known of this area. But, in the summer of 1778 the Wyoming Massacre drew the attention of General Washington and the Continental Congress to this area and they decided to teach the Indians a lesson. As a result, a force under the leadership of General Sullivan attacked and drove the hostile Indians from this area.
In 1782, Daniel McDowell was a captive of the Indians and kept overnight at Chemung. He observed the fertile land and resolved to come back and settle here if possible.
Finally in the spring of 1786 William Wyncoop, William Buck and son Elijah, Daniel McDowell, Joseph Bennett, Thomas Burt and Enoch Warren and son Enoch came up the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers to this area. They had land grants from the State of New York and settled between Wyncoop Creek and Narrows Hill.
These eight soon brought their families and others joined them. They were aware of the need of a school and about 1795 the first school was held in the weaving room in Major Wyncoop’s house. Samuel Walker, who was later killed by Indians, was the first teacher.
The next school was taught in a log cabin especially built for this purpose. This was on the McDowell property and was probably the first school house in the Town of Chemung. In 1835 a frame school house was built which was replaced by a two room school in 1851. A school bell for the school was dedicated in 1852. This two room school later was remodeled into the home of the Kirks.
By 1865, there were fifteen school districts with sixteen teachers in the Town of Chemung. There were 783 children of school age with an average daily attendance of 283. Many children attended only when not needed to help at home. The teachers were poorly paid and often “boarded around” as part of their pay. A teaching certificate was required. This was issued by the Town Superintendent of Schools.
As the area developed more, Chemung children attended high school in Waverly. Each family had to provide transportation and pay the tuition for their own children. In the early 1900’s among those that went from Chemung were: Mrs. Marguerite Owen, Guy Ford, Fletcher Wyncoop, Theodore Clark, and Fernley Price. During good weather they drove a horse, when this wasn’t practical they went by train and in 1907 by trolley.
By 1925 the two room school in Chemung was becoming crowded and there was a discussion about a new school. In 1929, despite heavy opposition, it was voted to build a new school. A site on North Street was chosen and construction was started. A primary class was started which was held in a room of the Ford Store on Main Street. The new school, a brick building with four classrooms and an auditorium was ready for use in November of 1931. The cost was about $30,000.
By 1950 many of the one room schools were closing and centralization was discussed. The supporters of the Chemung school tried to avoid this but centralization was approved in 1956.
A new school for Chemung was planned for kindergarten through the sixth grade. Children would be bused in from the closed one room schools and the seventh and eighth grades would be sent to Waverly.
The site chosen was on North Street, adjacent to the previous school. It was opened in September 1962, with seven teachers and an enrollment of about 175. The older part of the school is used for office, library, health room and cafeteria.
Despite many changes, good education is still the primary goal of the residents of the Town of Chemung.
In 1782, Daniel McDowell was a captive of the Indians and kept overnight at Chemung. He observed the fertile land and resolved to come back and settle here if possible.
Finally in the spring of 1786 William Wyncoop, William Buck and son Elijah, Daniel McDowell, Joseph Bennett, Thomas Burt and Enoch Warren and son Enoch came up the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers to this area. They had land grants from the State of New York and settled between Wyncoop Creek and Narrows Hill.
These eight soon brought their families and others joined them. They were aware of the need of a school and about 1795 the first school was held in the weaving room in Major Wyncoop’s house. Samuel Walker, who was later killed by Indians, was the first teacher.
The next school was taught in a log cabin especially built for this purpose. This was on the McDowell property and was probably the first school house in the Town of Chemung. In 1835 a frame school house was built which was replaced by a two room school in 1851. A school bell for the school was dedicated in 1852. This two room school later was remodeled into the home of the Kirks.
By 1865, there were fifteen school districts with sixteen teachers in the Town of Chemung. There were 783 children of school age with an average daily attendance of 283. Many children attended only when not needed to help at home. The teachers were poorly paid and often “boarded around” as part of their pay. A teaching certificate was required. This was issued by the Town Superintendent of Schools.
As the area developed more, Chemung children attended high school in Waverly. Each family had to provide transportation and pay the tuition for their own children. In the early 1900’s among those that went from Chemung were: Mrs. Marguerite Owen, Guy Ford, Fletcher Wyncoop, Theodore Clark, and Fernley Price. During good weather they drove a horse, when this wasn’t practical they went by train and in 1907 by trolley.
By 1925 the two room school in Chemung was becoming crowded and there was a discussion about a new school. In 1929, despite heavy opposition, it was voted to build a new school. A site on North Street was chosen and construction was started. A primary class was started which was held in a room of the Ford Store on Main Street. The new school, a brick building with four classrooms and an auditorium was ready for use in November of 1931. The cost was about $30,000.
By 1950 many of the one room schools were closing and centralization was discussed. The supporters of the Chemung school tried to avoid this but centralization was approved in 1956.
A new school for Chemung was planned for kindergarten through the sixth grade. Children would be bused in from the closed one room schools and the seventh and eighth grades would be sent to Waverly.
The site chosen was on North Street, adjacent to the previous school. It was opened in September 1962, with seven teachers and an enrollment of about 175. The older part of the school is used for office, library, health room and cafeteria.
Despite many changes, good education is still the primary goal of the residents of the Town of Chemung.