HomeMy WebLinkAboutschools enfield 2015 working 31 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Schools of Enfield, Tompkins County, New York
Table of Contents
Sources.............................................................................................................................2
Schools of Enfield.............................................................................................................2
The Library By Ruth Miller................................................................................................4
District 1 – Tubbs..............................................................................................................5
District 2 – Rolfe/VanDorn.................................................................................................6
Memories of One Room School House By Eunice Beardsley ..........................................8
District 3 – Ulysses-Enfield - Krums Corners School.......................................................9
District 4 - Millers.............................................................................................................10
District 5 - Stone School House/Applegate.....................................................................11
District 6 - Enfield Center................................................................................................12
District 6 – Ulysses-Enfield.............................................................................................17
District 7 – Woodard........................................................................................................17
District 8 – Purdy.............................................................................................................22
District 9 – Rollison – Enfield/Hector..............................................................................22
District 10 – Nobles.........................................................................................................23
Nobles District School by Arthur Noble...........................................................................23
District 10 – (The Little Red School) - by Hilda Amberge...............................................24
District 11 – Harvey Hill/Bostwick Corners......................................................................27
School Days at District #11 - Harvey Hill By Blanch San Soucie Stout ..........................28
District 12 – Townline School..........................................................................................29
District 13 - Christian Hill.................................................................................................30
District 14 – Budd............................................................................................................30
District 14 Budd School House - By Catherine Kellogg..................................................31
District 17 - Saxton Hill....................................................................................................35
District 9 – Kennedy’s Corners – Ithaca/Enfield.............................................................35
Enfield Elementary School. By Mary Cole......................................................................35
One Day On Connecticut Hill by Fern Buckingham Smith Ferris ...................................40
Map of Enfield Schools...................................................................................................43
2 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
SOURCES
•The schools listed all appear on the 1853 1 and 1866 map2 unless noted
otherwise.
•Reference sources for information in this article can be found in the Enfield Town
Historian’s Collection on www.townofenfield.org - Resources – Archived
Documents of the Town of Enfield - Archived Documents. Under Town Historian –
Schools.
•Please contact Sue Thompson historian@townofenfield.org for additions/
corrections. Thank you.
Schools of Enfield, Tompkins County, New York
Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian.
According to Selkreg in Landmarks of Tompkins County, the first school house in
Enfield was built in 1809, “a little north of the corner”. This reference was within the
description of “Applegate’s Corners”, Mecklenburg and Applegate Corners. The area
settled in 1805 by John Applegate, John White and Peter Banfield.3
In 1812 Daniel D. Tompkins, then governor of New York, backed a bill for a
complete system of public schools throughout the state.4 The bill became law that same
year. A public school was setup within walking distance of every child in the state. Each
community had at least one school, grades 1 to 12 in one room. The State legislature
created a union school district law in 1874, consolidating the pubic schools in the different
townships into school districts.
Enfield officially became a town in 1821 created from the Town of Ulysses. The
1821 Trustees of School Lots in Enfield were Nathan Allen, Isaac Beach, Humphrey
Dennis, Moses Lovell and James Rumsey.
NOTE: **Enfield School Districts closed on July 1, 1956 with the consolidation of
schools into the Ithaca City School District.
18355 the population of Enfield was 2,240. According Annual Report of
Superintendent of Common Schools, Albany there were 16 schools/districts in the Town of
Enfield. The average months of teaching was 8 months; public money they received was
$493.35; paid teachers $517.00; number of children taught were 938; number children
1Map of Tompkins County, New York : from actual surveys. Fagan, L. Smith, Robert Pearsall,
1827-1898. Philadelphia : Horace & Charles T. Smith, publishers : Robert Pearsall Smith, 1853.
2 Topographical Atlas of Tompkins County New York. Stone & Stewart, Publishers. Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. 1866
3Selkreg, John H., Ed. Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York. Syracuse: D. Mason, 1894.
4Dieckmann, Jane Marsh. A Short Histor of Tompkins County. Dewitt Historical Society, Ithaca,
NY. 1986.
5New York (State). Superintendent of Common Schools, and New York (State). Legislature.
Assembly. Annual Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools. Albany, N.Y.:
Superintendent of Common Schools, 1852.State of New York 6 in Assembly January 4, 1837.
Annual Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools Secretary Office Albany, NY
https://www.hathitrust.org
3 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
between 5 and 16 were 784.
School information6 [c1879]: 13 districts; 464 children; 388 scholars; 5 male
teachers and 19 females; 435 volumes in libraries (value $153); value of school-houses
and sites = $7300. [teachers' wages = $2195.22 in the school budget.]
Before 1957 most Enfield schools taught grades one through eight7. Most of the
one-room schools were set up the same -- wooden bench seats that could sit 2-3 people.
Each grade would sit on a long wooden bench in front of the classroom so that the teacher
could teach that grade individually. The room was heated either by wood or coal stove. A
lot of times the neighbor next to the school would come in the mornings to start the fires
before the children and teacher would arrive. Sometimes an older pupil would be
designated to come early and start the school’s wood stove. Teacher and pupils would all
walk, ride horses or perhaps come in horse and wagon. Roads were not plowed in the
winter so the walking became quite the chore. There was always two outhouses. These
were located on the two different sides of the schoolhouse, one for boys and one for girls.
Water was usually carried in a bucket from a nearby farm or stream. Some of the schools
reported eventually having a hand pump hooked up.
Some of the games school children played were hide n' seek, baseball, swing,
pickup sticks, drop the handkerchief, dodge ball, Fox and Geese and Ante-Ante Over.
During the winter sledding was the favorite pastime during lunch recess. From the Enfield
Center school stories have been told of starting on the hill just past the school and
sledding down through the intersection of Enfield Main and Enfield Center, to the bottom of
the road. There was always a chance of being run over by the local traffic - horse and
sled. Sometimes a neighbor would come out and watch for the traffic so that no one
would get hurt.
End of the year school picnics were celebrated at each of the schools; some of the
picnics were held at Enfield Falls.
Most years each school had a photographer come around, with his dog, to take pictures of
the pupils and teacher. The dog was always in the school picture.
Schools celebrated major American holidays with not only the pupils but with the pupils’
families. Christmas - December - a tree was decorated and each pupil would read a poem
or story or do a skit; Thanksgiving - November - pilgrims and a feast; May Day - nature
hike; Arbor Day - trees and ferns were planted around the school grounds; Easter - April -
colored and drew pictures, egg hunt. pupils saluted the United States flag and recited the
Pledge of Allegiance; the Lord's Prayer and the 23rd psalm every morning. For some of
the celebrations, such as July 4th, the Enfield community in their celebrations of the event
used the schools. 4-H clubs were popular in schools.
Pupils either brought lunch with them or, if they lived within a short distance of the
school, went home for lunch. During the winter families would bring in pots of soup or
stew to share.
6History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, & Schuyler counties, NY", Published in 1879, pp. 497 &
498. https://tompkins.nygenweb.net/tnfld01.htm
7 The Town of Enfield New York Christian Hill to Enfield Falls. Edited by Members of the
Enfield Historical Society and Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian. 2002.
4 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
In 1940-41 the Tompkins County Home Bureau developed a lunch program in the
Ithaca School District Area. Surplus commodities, furnished by the Federal Government
were used. The program was planned as a cooperative project between the teachers and
parents, although in some case, the teachers assumed full responsibility for the program.
The women of the school district were organized either as unit of the Home Bureau or as a
Mother's Club. The duties of the organization varied. In some cases the food was
prepared at one of the homes and taken to the school. In other cases the women assisted
the teacher in the schoolroom. Teachers were usually responsible for securing the
supplies in Ithaca. One of the best programs carried on without community participation
was at Enfield Falls. The practice of providing surplus commodities for the schools was
discontinued in 1943-44. In 1942, a list of sites for consumer registration in the sugar
rationing program were listed in the Ithaca Journal. The Enfield schools listed were:
Tubbs, Millers Corners, VanDorn’s Corners, Enfield Center,Woodard, Purdy, Rollison,
Nobles, Bostwick, Budd (Home of Mrs. Mabel Arnold.)8
Discipline was always strict. The penalty varied from whippings to sitting apart in a
chair or staying after school or in at recess to do extra work.
Teachers would board at nearby schoolhouse neighbors or at the houses of school
trustees.
In eighth grade the pupils would take a regents examination and if they passed
would go to High school in Ithaca, although Newfield and Trumansburg were also an
option. Families would have to provide their own transportation to the school in Ithaca, but
eventually the schools would contract with a bus company to take the pupils. Most pupils
would board with someone in Ithaca during the week and come home on the weekends.
The Tompkins County Traveling Library
Truck visited schools. A local doctor would
come once a year to give each child a
physical.
The Library By Ruth Miller9
In looking back at our heritage of so
many good things lets not forget to give
credit to our “Public Library”. In November
1929 the Cornell Extension Bulletin
published by the N.Y.S. College of
Agriculture feature “The Library of the Open Road.” Among several schools our own
District #14 Enfield Falls school is picture with the students selecting books from the
Traveling Library on wheels.
A well selected stock of books, chosen by a trained librarian were distributed by the
8 Sugar Ration Sites Listed for 3 Towns. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY April 30, 1942.
9Library Bookmobile picture from The Towns of Tompkins County From Podunk to the Magnetic
Springs. Edited by Jane Marsh Dieckmann. 1998.
5 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
book truck to small libraries, deposit stations, gas stations, and farm homes. This plan
of giving farm youth equal library opportunities with city children was called “The County
Library”.
The Tompkins county book truck made regular stops at 129 schools in 1929. The
county board of supervisors paid the salary of the county librarian in the same way that
it paid the county nurse, demonstration agent and others. In 1928 after the Tompkins
county Library was organized, 160 branch stations were organized. Much could be said
about the advantage of having such good reading materials on hand for the country
pupils to use. Few families had transportation to go into the city for such.
To conclude this year of 1929 statistics tell us Tompkins County had 39,559 people
living on 476 square miles; 9,319 live on farms; 39, 559 have public library service;
4,477 children attend 125 district schools. Libraries: in Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, and
Newfield.
The last Librarian to work on the Public Library truck was one of our own Enfield
natives, Eleanor Bohash Daharsh.
********************************************
Following is list of School Districts that were in existence at some point in time
within the Town of Enfield.
DISTRICT 1 – Tubbs10. Located on the northeast
corner of Aiken and Podunk Roads.
In 1941 under the Rapp Bill which cut state aid to
those schools with five or fewer pupils caused the
closing of Enfield Tubbs District 1, Tubbs. They
were to send its two pupils to Trumansburg
Central School11 Annexed to District 1 Town of
Ulysses July 13, 1945.12
On July 29, 1945 an auction was held at the
school house. It was advertised that the school
building was to be removed. Kenneth Stoughton was the Trustee in1945. Emmett Tucker
bought the building for $220 along with the toilets and small desk. Other items bought
were: big school desk, John Hanson; Red Cross Heatrol, F. Volent; set of books, F.
William Compton.
10Pictures of School Districts 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 donated to the Enfield Historian Collection
by John Wertis, Town of Ulysses Historian.
11Five County Schools to be Closed. Ithaca Journal. May 7, 1941.
12District Schools in 3 Towns Open. Ithaca Journal. September 4, 1945.
6 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Teachers: Miss Hovencamp. School Trustee George Tubbs, Collector Leon Schutt; Lynette
S. Wright (1905-1906)
1902-190313 - Lucy J. Carman, Teacher; Mrs. Vianna Broas (1902-1906), Trustee
1909-191014 – May Byrum, Teacher; Mrs. Vianna Broas, Trustee
1912 -1913 – Charles Nash, Teacher; William Tubbs, Trustee
1913 -1916 – Dana G. Tubbs, Teacher; Wesley D. Stoughton, Trustee
1922 – George Tubbs, Trustee
1931- 1932 Mary E. Chrisfield, Teacher.
District Residents - Taxes Paid 191215 1914, 1922, 1923, 1925-28, 1934, 1940-1944
Frank Aiken; Howard Bodle; Mrs. Broas; Edward Conrad; Willis Cowen; Chas. J.
Fletcher; Chas. F. Fletcher; Gas & Electric (1940-1944); Leroy Fletcher; Walter Griffin;
Fred Hadley; Edward Havens; Mrs. Jennie Proper; Ruha Wirta; John Rajala;
Frank Rothermich; Abner Rumsey; Orville Rumsey; Leon Schutt H.; Vianna Stilwell;
Albert Tichenor ; NY Telephone (1922-1928); Trumbulls Corners Telephone (1914);
Ulysses Telephone (1922-1928); Trumansburg Telephone (1940-1944); Geo. Tubbs
(1931-32); Elizabeth Tubbs; Dana Tubbs; Walter Tubbs; William Tubbs; Emmett Tucker;
Fred Tucker; Smith Tucker; Bert and Martha Updike; Minor Updike; Olive Updike; R.R.
Updike
1940 - 1945 – Kenneth Stoughton Trustee; 1940 - 1941 – Edna Brown, Teacher;
Kenneth Wright – coal 2 tons; Sivi Stoughton – cleaning schoolhouse; Dr. Ralph Low –
Exams; James Stoughton – Janitor; Trumansburg School Transporting pupils.
DISTRICT 2 – Rolfe/VanDorn. Located on the
east side of VanDorn Road north of State
Route 79 (Mecklenburg Road). The school
closed on July 1, 195616 with the consolidation of
schools into the Ithaca City School District. In
the 1930’s and 1940’s teachers and pupils
referred to the school as VanDorn’s School.
The school house was reverted back to the
owner of the adjoining land, as it had been
13List of Teachers and Trustees for the School Year 1902-1903, for the First School
Commissioner District of Tompkins County, NY.
14Town of Enfield School District 1. Report to the District Superintendent 1940-41 and Pay
receipts to Enfield Town Supervisor.
15Residents did not pay all years indicated.
16Letter of Establishment of the Enlarged City School District of the City of Ithaca. University of
the State of New York, Education Department. James E. Allen, Jr., Commissioner of Education
of the State of New York. May 26, 1956. Includes The Common School Districts of Enfield:
7 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
taken from that property to became a school.17 The school was moved to South
VanDorn Road sometime around 1960 and is part of a private home.
Teachers: Mrs. Fred Caswell; Lottie M. Eddy (1905-1906); Carlton Fowler; Nina Linton;
Martha T. Smith (1902, 1908); Genevieve Hamilton Stone; Bud White; Rena White.
1902: Trustee Charles E. Fish; Trustee Henry Freese; Collector Julius Hollister; 12
pupils.
Families: Fred Chase - Edgar, 14; Anna, 11; John Davis - Roswell, 10; Chas. Fish -
Elma, 10; Wesley, 5; Frank Snow - Maud, 14; Harris Smith- Olin, 17
1908: Supervisor, Wheeler Smith; Collector Chas. E. Fish; Teacher Salary Sept. - June
$175.00; 8 pupils; Fred Chase - Anna, 17; John Davis - Roswell, 16; Chas. Fish -
Wesley, 12; Helen, 16; Frank Stone - Howard, 5; Warena, 6; Geo Tyler - Ernest, 10
1918 – 1925:18 Teachers: Miss Louise King, Mrs. Merrill Curry, Miss Elliot, Mrs. Cook,
Genevieve Hamilton, Mrs. Howard Stone, Mrs. Fred Caswell, Warena Stone, Mrs. Carl
Ramsey, Mrs. Susie Allen.
1925 – 1937 Teachers: Mr. Bud White 19; Mrs. Bud White; Warena Ramsey; Mary Freese
Ward20 ; Carlton Fowler21(1942)
Clerk: Clerk Jay Scofield (1945); Mrs. Freida M. Galt (1948-1954); Mrs. Mary Hancock
(1947)
Treasurer/Collector – Edgar Chase (1945-1954)
Trustee: Frank Stone (1931-1932); Mrs. Warena Ramsey (1945-1948); Trustee Mark
Pierce (1952-1953); Mrs. Jean Morehouse(1953-1954)
1918-1925 pupils: Pearl Albert; Maria Earl; Gladys, Gloria, Vivian Fish; Walter and
Violet Hill; Floyd, Florence, and George Hornbrook; Leland, Elbert, Ella and Louise
Knapp; Marguerite Legge; Christine Parker; Harrison, Laurence, Carlton Rumsey;
Marguerite, Gertrude and Evelyn Schroeder; Howard, Albert Stone; Kenneth and Ethel
Tyler; Carl Wiedmaier
1925 – 1937 pupils: Dorothy, Donald and Leona Bennett; Clarice Chase; Edgar Chase
Jr.; Jean Ann Drake; LeRoy Drake; Frank, Joey, and Russell Fish; Gloria, Gladys, and
Sophia, Vivian Fish; Carl Huff; Billy and Jimmy Menard; Arlan Prouty, Coralie
Rosecrans; Carlton and Lawrence Rumsey; Gertrude Schroeder 22; Marguerite G.
Nos. 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14.
17School Recollections. Mary Freese Ward. 1993.
18School Recollections. Mary Freese Ward. 1993.
19School Recollections Eunice Marjorie Schroder Beardsley. Dates attended 1928-1936. 1933.
20School Recollections. Marjorie Scofield Marion attended 1932-33; 1936-37. 1933.
21School Recollections. Gertrude Schroder Emerson. 1993.
22School Recollections Marguerite G. Schroeder Smith. 1993.
8 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Schroeder Smith; Robert Scofield23; Barbara, Kathleen, and Richard Prouty; Dorothy
Thomas
Mary Freese Ward (B. 1913 – 1999) taught school at District 2 between 1936 and 1942.
As a pupil Mary remembers they went to the recitation bench from their desks which
were mostly double, shared by two pupils. There were a few single ones. The desks
had ink wells to hold the ink for writing class and was usually dispensed by the teacher
in small amounts from a large bottle. Bible reading and the Pledge of Allegiance were
the common practice to start the day.
As a teacher Mary said the pupils stayed at their single desks, seated by grades.
They were taught in grade combinations as 2, 4 and 5 and 6, 7 and 8. The curriculum
was alternated so that 5th grade would be taught one year and 6 th grade the next. All
material was covered at the end of the two years. The 1st and 2nd grades were taught
separately. Many times older pupils when finished with their work would help the young
ones. Also young ones would listen in on the older classes as well.
They had workbooks to go with the texts and often combined Art week and
English composition with Social Studies. Mary taught the basic reading of notes and
sight reading of music. They sang acappella, as there no instruments, except her pitch
pipe.
Outdoor games were played weather permitting, at morning and afternoon recess
15 minutes each and after lunch 1 hour break. Anty, Anty Over was one of the most
popular, also Tag and Kitty Wants a Corner. In the spring softball was a favorite and
they played Willow Creek School 3 games. Indoor games were Blindmans Bluff, Hide
the Chalk, Balance the Eraser, as well as various blackboard games, Tic Tac Toe.
A Christmas play and a party was conducted the last day before the Christmas
recess in December. The getting and decorating of the tree and the party was a
highlight of the year with community involved. The community was also involved in the
end of year picnic in June.
Holidays observed were Columbus Day, optional Election Day, Armistice Day, 2
day Thanksgiving break; usually a week at Christmas going back at the New Year, a
week for Easter vacation and Memorial Day. There was usually had a Valentines Day
party with sharing of valentines put into a covered shoe box with a slot. No one left out,
but some received more than others. Every year the school had a photographer went to
each school with his dog and take pictures. The class had their picture taken with the dog.
Memories of One Room School House By Eunice Beardsley
From 1929 to 1936 I had the same teacher Warena Ramsey. She taught all 8
grades and every subject.
At Christmas we would decorate the school using twisted red and green crepe
paper. Placing it went from corner to corner of the room. We put crepe paper bells at the
windows. Each of us had to recite Christmas poems and we put on a play. We did this
besides our schooling. Our parents were invited to our program – they sat on the desks
23School Recollections. Robert Scofield Sr. 1993.
9 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
and in the larger seats, and we stood up. We drew a child’s name for a gift and we always
gave our teacher a big gift. One year we gave Mrs. Ramsey a brush, comb and mirror set.
I received a book of a few pages with black and white drawings with a brush included. We
would dip the paint brush in clear water and fill in the lines, the picture came out in color.
We enjoyed popcorn balls and got a candy cane. We always looked forward to this each
year. Every year we had a photographer go around with his dog and take pictures. We
had our picture taken with the dog.
DISTRICT 3 – Ulysses-Enfield - Krums
Corners School24 Located on Ithaca/Geneva
Turnpike Mecklenburg Road/Krums Corners.
Trumansburg Central School (TCS) operated
the school. Tuition and transportation for pupils
at the school were paid to the TCS25.
1947 the number of trustees representing
School District 3 of the Town of Ulysses and
Enfield were increased from one to three.
Herman Davis was elected to fill vacancy
caused by Lloyd E. Salter. Claude Isaman and James E. O’Brien were also elected.26
Clerk: Mrs. Helen M. Bierce (1943-4427)
Collector: Mrs. Margaret Ward (1943); Mrs. Floy S. Davis (1944)
Teachers: 1940-41 Pearl Nivision; 1947-48 Gladine G. Woolf28
Trustees: Leslie J. Rick (1943); H.B. Davis (1944-48); Gordon M. Madison (1948);
Robert H. Underwood (1948); Claude R. Isaman (1947)29
A district meeting was held July 1, 1948, to discuss a six-grade modern school for
the Hayts, Macktown (Glenwood30), and Krums Corners districts was held. Macktown
School, had been closed for some time, sending its pupils to Ithaca.31 In 1951 Krums
Corners School became a part of the Trumansburg Central School. It was to operate
for another year. There were about 45 pupils in the district.32
24Picture of Krums Corners School from Bicentennial Celebration United States of America.
Town of Ulysses and Village of Trumansburg. Sponosred by the Town and Village Boards.
1976.
25Letter. To H.B. Davis, Trustee, District 3, Ulysses, Ithaca from Russell I. Doig, Supervising
Principal Trumansburg Central School, Trumansburg.
26Districts Adds 2 School Trustees. November 10, 1947. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY.
27Schools Elect Officers in Districts. May 3, 1944. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY.
28Cash Book 1947-48, School District 3 Town of Ulysses-Enfield Tompkins County.
29School Districts Elect Officers, Pass Budgets. May, 1948. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY..
301963 Northwest School Wilkins Road, (Glenwood). Dedicated October 1964. Closes in August
1980. To replace the present Hayts and Willow Creek Schools.
31Districts Plan Discussion of One School. June 16, 1948. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY.
32Krums School Put in New District. June 12, 1951. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY
10 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
DISTRICT 4 - Millers Located on the west side
of Halseyville Road just north of State Route 79
(Mecklenburg Road). Annexed to District 6 on
January 12, 1916. This annexation was
appealed and ordered void on October 9, 1917.
The school closed on July 1, 1956 with the
consolidation of schools into the Ithaca City
School District. On October 14, 1957 The
building formerly occupied as a schoolhouse
District 4 of the Town Enfield (no land is included
in sale, personal property or school equipment) went up for auction.33
Teachers: Charles M. Bonnette (1902-1903); Marie Earl, Helena Schaber, Blanche Tucker
(1925-1934), Belle Peck Wallenbeck (1897).
Trustees: Howard Holley (194534 - 1948); Ray Lanning (1925-1926); S. Harvey
Stevenson (1926-1933)
Clerks: Owen Rolfe (1945 – 1948); David Henderson (1952-1954)
Treasurer/Collectors: Nina Ross (1945); Horace Lanning (1947, 1952-1954); Ray
Lanning (1948); Mrs. Neva Laue (1952-54)
Pupils: 1897 Iva Baker Reford, Ellie Kirby, Burr Dunham, Sidney Fletcher, Floyd Miller,
Mina Miller, Bertha Whitney Updyke, Sula Tucker, Ethel Miller, Neva Tucker Laue
Pupils: 351926-1934: Jean Stanton, Mildred Rolfe, Betty Nadge, Margaret Hanson
Pupils: 193036: Betty, Bedell, Josephine, Florence, Rose, Frances, Frank, Lena and Sam
Carrican; Doris Hanson and Marguerite Hanson; Harold and Ernest Laue; Wesley,
Blanche, Mildred Rolfe; Anna, David, Robert, Delbert Schilling; Jean and Gale Stanton;
Elizabeth and Robert Stevenson; Charlotte, Doris, Evelyn, Juanita, and Donald Tucker;
Barbara Rumsey.
33Notice of Sale School Building. October 4, 1957. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY.
34Report of Examination Common School District 4 Town of Enfield County of Tompkins. State of
New York, Department of Audit and Control, Division of Municipal Affairs. This report is used for
separate schools.
35School Recollections. Doris Tucker Willett. 1933. Enfield Town Historian Collections Schools
Millers Corners.
36School Census District 4 Town of Enfield.
11 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Applegate School – Nellie Rumsey Myer, Grace Norton, Charles Voorhis, Joe
Wallenbeck, George Arnold, Alice Norton, Maude Newman (Teacher)
DISTRICT 5 - Stone School House/Applegate Located east side of Applegate Road
south of State Route 79 (Mecklenburg Road). The school was built in 183237 annexed to
District 6 on July 12, 1916.
The remains of this school house were used in road construction according to the
memory of some long-time residents. Teacher: Maude Newman.
Record book38 of 1888, show school operations cost approximately $200 and the
tax levy provided $88.03. Some purchases were a 50-cent water pail, wash dish and
dipper for 25 cents, one eraser at 20 cents, a fire shovel for a quarter, and broom which
cost 30 cents. 1896 it cost 50 cents to bring a stove from Ithaca and set it up at the school;
a pump and fixings from Treman, King and Co. $3.09 and for putting it in, 50 cents; 1899
flag rope, 30 cents; for fixing pump twice, 25 cents; 1900 for well chain, bucket, tin pail and
dipper, $1.27 and for one globe, 25 cents; 1901 slating for blackboard 50 cents, latch for
door, 15 cents and padlock for schoolhouse 35 cents.
37Slim Volume, tells 83 year history of old Enfield School District 5. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY.
38District 5 – Stone School House record books. Accounting Book.
12 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Enfield Center School
DISTRICT 6 - Enfield Center39 Located on Enfield Center Road West (8) of Route 327
(Mecklenburg Road) across from the Methodist Church. A two room school house.
This school property was sold to School District 3 Trustees - William A. Merchant, John
G. Wortman and Samuel D. Purdy on January 10, 1867 by William and Harriett
Barber40. The property was described as a part of Lot 60 in the Town of Enfield, Village Lot
Number 2 of Enfield Center. According to Deed dated October 29, 1959 for the school
district property this school was previously referred to as School District 341.
The school closed on July 1, 1956 with the consolidation of schools into the Ithaca
City School District. The school and property was sold to the highest bidder at a public
auction of the Board of Education of ICSD on December 8, 1958, labeled as the same
school as District 3 now District 6. This school house is currently used as a privately
owned home.
1898 – John J. Johnson, Trustee. Kirk Fowler, Teacher; Minor McDaniels, physician. Two
separate privies or water closets. 36 pupils 22 boys, 14 girls. Ages 5 years to 18 years.
Teacher salary was 25.96 - 60.61 – 88.00 every three months.
Pupil Parents
Judith Wortman Eunice Wortman
Claaon Bailey Herbert Bailey
H.C. Wright William Wright
Losseqna Gee ..Gee?
Seth Teeter Frank Teeter
Lue Chase American Chase
Clyde Chase
Nellie Chase
Devoe Rumsey Nellie Rumsey
Mabel Rumsey Jared Rumsey
Steven Burlew Chas. Burlew
39Enfield Center School District 6 – 1884 – 1915. Accounting Book.
40Deeds of Tompkins County Clerk’s Office. Ithaca, NY. 1/10/1867 Deed Enfield1 page 284;
2/18/1959 deed 414 page 406.
41Deed 422 page 401 October 29, 1959. Tompkins County Clerks Office.
13 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Bert Burlew
Geo. Hine Nathan Hine
Iva Hine
Bessie Harvey Corey Harvey
Kona Hagen Ella Hagen
Rena Miller Ella Miller
Maud Griffen Alphonse Griffin
Thurga Babcock E. Awell
Earl Palmer John Holly
Olive Brower Cornelius Brower
Chas. W. Vorhis Curtis Vorhis
Ezra Bagley Frank Bagley
Frankie Bagley
Herbert Palmer John Holly
Chas. Brown H. Porter
Arthur Cummings American Chase
Grace Woodbury G.F. Woodbury
Asa Cummings
1884 teacher’s winter term of 18 weeks, October 20, 1884 ending Feb. 26, 1885 teachers
salary $7.50 per week. Summer Term of 14 weeks salary $5.00 per week. In 1885 major
improvements were made on the school - a new ceiling, new lathe, plaster and paper. The
900 feet of basswood ceiling cost $22.50 and a roll of plaster board $1.90; wages and
boarding of the men who did the work on the school totaled $7.33. A wooden blackboard
was installed in 1901, costing $1.50 for lumber and $2.16 for making and installing. A little
money was made for expenses by selling the hay in the schoolyard. A local farmer did the
cutting. In 1889 this school received 50 cents for its hay.
In 1912 it became a two room school, teachers salary $11.00 - $12.00 per week.
Expenditures for the year 1888 were $321. 50, in 1912- 1913 were $517.94. When the
Stone schoolhouse pupils were taken to District 6 Enfield Center in 1916, transportation
cost the district about $100, which was paid to two different men according to the record
books.
Teachers were hired during some years covering different times of the year
under terms listed as spring, summer, fall, winter. There was only one teacher listed as
teaching each term. Minnie Root (1884), Willie Rumsey (1885-1886), Agnes Darraugh
(1886-1887), Anna Smith (1886), L.H. Vankirk (1886), J.S. Miller(1887), Winifred
Lanning (1888), Lizzie M. VanFleet (1888-1889), Mary L. Baker (1890), Addie Tucker
(1891), James Hine (1891), Flora A. Tompkins (1891), Charles Smith (1893), Florence
S. Wright (1893), Minor McDaniels (1894-1896), Carrie Cooper (1895), Maud C. Grant
(1895), Louella Ketchum (1895), C.F. Smith (1896), Lucy Ofrances (1897), Kirk Fowler
(1898-1899), Chas. G. Brown (1899-1900).
1921 – Mildred Bullard
1925-1939: Mrs. Coe, Miss Hovencamp, Robert Hubbell, Mrs. Ramsey, Ms. Bertha
Patterson, Miss May Savercool, Mrs. Sheffield, Mildred Wood.
14 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Trustees:
Walter Ferguson (1884), E. Purdy (1886), Jared Rumsey (1887), Agnes Darraugh
(1888), Charles H. Hubbell (1889-1890), Frank A. Barber (1891-1892), W.F. Wright
(1893-1895), James McCracken (1896-1897), John L. Johnson (1899-1900), William
Wright (1901), William F. Nadge(1930); Chairman Charles R. VanGordor (1947); Harry
Willis (1947); Carl J. Newhart (1947)
Dana Tubbs, Principal Enfield Center.42
Clerk F.A. Barber (1899); Jack Thall (1947)
Collector Chas. Wright (1899); Mrs. Mabel Purdy (1947)
Pupils 1894 – 189543 Minor McDaniels44 Teacher
Septy Babcock Thurza Babcock Glenn Babcock Nelson Bailey
Emmet Barber Bertie Berlew Ollie Brower May Brower
Howard Brower Stephen Burlew Legrand Chase Will Chase
Clyde Chase Nellie Chase Hattie Ford Ruth Fuller
Elsie Furgason Amanda Goff Maude Griffin Annie Harvey
Iva Hines Belle Hubbell Olin King Ray Lasar
Gertie Marshall Alice Marshall Georgiana Marshall
Gracie Marshall Naomi Mattison Clifford Miller Mina Miller
Gracie Roberts Mary Rumsey Susie Rumsey Alan Rumsey
Nellie Rumsey Alida S. Teeter Edith Teeter Lena Teeter
Merton Teeter Seth Teeter Lewis Vorhis Lynna Wright
H.C. Wright
Pupils 1886 – 1887 Leroy H. VanKirk Teacher
Emma Bagley Emmet D. Barber John Boyle Cynthia Boyle
Stephen Burlew John S. Ferguson Elsie Ferguson Carrie B. Ferguson
Julius H. Ford Hattie Ford Mamie L. Horton John S. Hubbell
Silas E. Hubbell George W. Laue Carrie E. Laue Chauncey L. McKeegan
Willie Oltz Howard Oltz May Oltz Mary Grace Porter
Willis E. Purdy Burtie S. Purdy May S. Purdy Chas. A. Rightmire
John D. Rightmire Homer L Rumsey Mary E. Rumsey Libbie Russell
Charles F. Teeter Elica S. Teeter Asa J. White Delia S. White
42September 2, 1909. Elmira Star Gazette. Elmira, NY.
43Enfield Center School District 6. Material from Gladys Willis on October 23, 1933. pupils
from1894-1895 and 1896-1867.
44Minor McDaniels was born in Enfield December 13, 1872. He died June 6, 1937 buried in
Trumbulls Corners Cemetery, Newfield. He taught in School Dist 6 Enfield Center 1894-1895. He
was a graduate from the University of Buffalo Medical College in 1904 and returned to Enfield to
begin his practice. In 1911 he opened a medical practice in Ithaca. He was Tompkins County
Assemblyman in 1910-1912. He held the presidency of the Tompkins County Medical Society.
During World War I he was Captain of the Medical Corps for 6 months in France. He married Claire
Hayden Chapman (1893 - 1963) December 5, 1908.
15 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Eugene Wright Fred Wright
Pupils45 1899
Frank Teeter Seth,14; Lina, 18
Jared Rumsey Alan, 15
Geo. Cummings Arthur, 16; Asa, 14
Clara Palmer Herbert, 13; Earl 7
American Chase Clyde, 14; Nellie, 11; Lue 9
Herbert Bailey Clayton, 11; Leland, 15
William Wright Lynna, 13; Horace 10
Geo. A. Hine Iva, 17; George 7
Albert Rumsey Judson Wortman, 7
William Grant Emmett, 6
William Rumsey Devoe, 7
Lewis Wilcox Nellie, 10; Ina, 8
Cornelia Wright Una, 9
Corey Harvey Bessie, 8
Ella Willis Rena, 8
Geo. Woodbury Mabel, 7
Alphonso Griffin Maud, 16
Edwin Owen Thurza, 16
Chas. Burlew Bert, 16
American Chase Legrand, 17, Starr, 6
Chairman Harry Willis (1948)
Trustee Fred Boyer (1948); Carl J. Newhart (1948-1953); Thaddeus Patterson (1952,
Chairman 1953);Chairman Mrs. Sophia Wilkins (1952); Alan T. Rumsey (1953)
Clerk Jack Thall (1948-1952)
Collector Mrs. Mabel Purdy (1948); Mrs. Richard Michener (1952-1953)
Pupils (1936-1945) 46
Ronald Addy Douglas Addy
Lilian, Clara May, Juanita, Ernest Bagley Carl and (sister) Berleise
Eleanor**, Helen**, Isabelle** Bohach Mary Jane, Ruth Bowers
Joan Boyce Betty Boyce
Janet Boyce Jesse Blodget
Joseph, Mary, Amelia Brablic47 Nelson**, Roger Brown
Kyrle, Phyllis Burlew Betty, Ted Chapman
Bruce, Jean Conners Constance Crester
Thelma, Emily Dodd Joyce, Lawrence** Fitzpatrick
45School Recollections Joan Purdy Sheffield. 1936-1945.
46School Recollections. Miriam Cordelia Stanto Veit.1931-1938.
47School Recollections Dorothy Hall. 1925-1929. District 6 Enfield Center. pupils noted during
time period **.
16 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Charlotte, Norman Fox Marjorie Gillon
Bill Hagstrom Carolyn, Pat Hodge
George Johnson Barbara Kastenhuber
Barbara, LaVern Laughlin Harold Laue
Betty Leonard Richard Lhues
James, Robert, Rhoda Linton Harold** Lokken
George, Walter Manhiem Arlene McGravy**
Luther Mengle Betty Nadge
Denny Newhart
Elwood**, Alberta**, Arland**, Marian Newman
Dick and Meriam Oliver George, Marjorie Palmer
Donald, Carol, Osco Patterson Alice Poole
Mildred Purdy Helen Ramsey
John Rea Jessie Rood
Harrison**, James, Jay, Robert Rumsey
Ruth** Rothermich Carolyn Schilling
Herb Sheffield Theresa Smith
Mable, Rosie Snyder James Spencer
Eleanor**, Virgie** Stanton Raymond, Gordon, and Frank Stark
Eleanor, Francetto, Virgie Steinberg John Swansbrough
Carleton, Donald**, Lawrence**, Robert**, Roger Thall
Dorothy** Upike Chas. VanGorder
Carol and Edward VanOrder
Ethel**, George**, Helen, Lillian, Mabel**, Paul**, Roger, Ruth Whittaker
Harvey Wilkin
Chip and Helen Willis
Betty and (brother) Wright
Recollections
1936-1945: We had wings, teeter totters and something we loved - “wings” this was a
pole in the ground and chains came down from a swivel top there was a place to hook a
leg and hand and you would hook a leg in pickup with the other and became airborne
for a few seconds. After School we would swim in Enfield Creek. We would ride bikes
down the hill from the school in the road, across the corner and down to the bridge.
Someone stood at the corner to warn of traffic but there weren’t much then. Really
brave kids went further up the road “around the bend” and rode from there. Newhart’s
Store and Jones Store were “hangouts” at noon or after school. We always had a
penny or two to spend. The woodshed behind the old school is gone now, but that was
the place the “big” boys went to smoke. We “nice” girls didn’t go back there. We use to
get “surplus” food a school. The teacher would put on a big kettle of bean soup and by
noon it was ready I’ve never been able to duplicate that great tasting soup and I’ve
tried. It was really very good.
17 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
1934-193748
It was sad that Enfield Center School was no longer used – also the old Post Office and
the Church “sheds”. The old Jones Red and White Store – Lida Teeters old Hotel. In
class we prayed and sang and saluted our flag. We planted trees, had picnics and at
Christmas we practiced ours to be put on at the Church, by the school. We played “Annie
Over” at recess or lunch time, there was a large bell the teacher rang for us to return to the
class room. The room was heated by a coal stove and there was a pump in the school
yard for drinking water, we sat at our own desk. There were two outside toilets and much
later 2 inside ones. Mr. Donnan was School Superintendent and a nice man. Harry Bullard
was the Janitor for school and Grange. We had dances in Grange Hall and raised money
so that Mrs. Patterson could take Eleanor Stanton, George Whittaker, Betty Leonard and
myself (Thelma Strait) to New York City when we left 8th grade to go to Ithaca High School.
DISTRICT 6 – Ulysses-Enfield Located northeast corner of Jacksonville and Iradell
Roads. 5536 Iradell Road (south westerly corner of Military Lot 30). District 6 was
formerly District 13 of Ulysses.49 Jacob Hammer and his wife conveyed the school
property to the School District on November 19, 1821.50
By a petition dated May 1, 1949, the residents of School District 6 petitioned the
Commissioner. of Education to dissolve District 6. On July 13, 1949, District 6 dissolved
and annexed to the Trumansburg Central School Dist. One of the Town of Ulysses. Lloyd
Miller was the last surviving Trustee of District 6.
DISTRICT 7 – Woodard - 159 Hines Road,
located northeast corner Woodard and Hines
Roads. This property was sold to School District
7 in the name of William Marshall, Trustee of
School District 7 by John Woodward
September 17, 186651
George Cavanaugh was re-elected
trustee in 1941.52 The school closed on July 1,
1956 with the consolidation of schools into the
Ithaca City School District. The schoolhouse and
property were sold in 1958 and is currently used
as a privately owned home.
48School Recollections School District 6 Enfield Center. Thelma Strait Maloney. 1934 – 1937.
49Deed 326/496. Tompkins County Clerks Office, Ithaca, NY.
50Deed D page 366. Tompkins County Clerks office, Ithaca, NY
51Deeds of Tompkins County Clerk’s Office. Ithaca, NY. School District 7 Enfield.
September 17, 1866 deed Enfield 1 page 264.
52Five County Schools to be Closed. Ithaca Journal. May 7, 1941.
18 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Teachers: Martha Bock(193053-1957); Fannie Curtis; Nellie Myers; Blanch Rumsey;
Warrena Stone; Hazel Russel (1919);54 Leta Hine (1921)55
The Minutes book for the School Trustees of District 7 1914 – 1956 indicated that in
1914 the school contracted with Ithaca High School for pupils to attend the High School
and parents would pay the contract price in advance.
In 1936 it was indicated that if electricity came through the district the school
would pay for wiring to the school. There were no notes after that.
The old desks and seats in the school were given out to tax payers in 1938. It
was not indicated but assumed new desks and seats were purchased!
On August 8, 1939 a special meeting at the school house was held for the
purpose of hiring a school bus for transportation of high school pupils and the purchase
of a new bus by the 4 districts.
A vote was taken in 1941 to continue the school after being contact by the State
Education Department asking if the school wanted to continue their operation.
Two new outhouses were built in 1949 for the school.
On Saturday, 24, 1957, Woodard School celebrated Martha Bock Day. Martha
Bock was the last schoolteacher to teach at Woodard School. The celebration was
because of the Ithaca School District consolidation plans closing Woodard School.
More than one hundred pupils and friends attended the celebration day, which was
held at the school. A thirty-foot banner was placed across the front of the school
proclaiming Martha Bock Day. Decorated hay wagons were placed around the school
grounds. At noon a lunch buffet was served. Benches were lined up on the grounds with
a few tables. A large cake was prepared by Mrs. Elizabeth McFall, Mrs. Dorothy Gordon
and Mrs. Andrew Krayniak, decorated by Mrs. Alma Bock (Martha's Sister n' law). The
cake was a replica of the schoolhouse.
The school "Hand Bell" which belonged to her grandmother, was gold plated and
engraved as a gift to Martha. Lee Rumsey, one of her first pupils, was Master of
Ceremonies for the day. Lawrence Eckler of Niagara Falls, represented the middle
generation, which she taught. Mrs. Susie Allen of Kayta Lake, Mrs. Blanche Tucker, Mrs.
Nellie Meyers all pupils of Martha were attendance at the celebration day. E. Craig
Donovan, Superintendent of Schools in Ithaca, shared the history of how Martha built fires
for school heat and other tasks not strictly within her teacher’s requirements. He also
talked on how the school districts were laid out in Enfield -- there was no survey, men
walked around the areas and designated the boundary lines they thought appropriate.
53Trustee Book for District 7 Town of Enfield 1914 – 1956.
54Enfield Falls. April 18, 1919. Ithaca Journal. Ithaca, NY.
55Enfield Valley. September 13, 1921. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY.
19 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Woodard School – District 7 - Alumni taught by Martha Bock
Written on the chalk board for Martha Bock Day.
Ames, Shirley (Engle)
Bagley, Lillian
Bailey, Mary
Buck. Louise
Becker, Bertha
Blaker, Elwood
Blakee, Gary
Blakee, Lyell
Blayda, Henry
Blayda, Henry, J.
Blayda, Joseph
Blayda, Mary (Burgess)
Blyde, Thaddeus
Boberg, Eva (Krayniak)
Bock, Alvin
Bock, David
Bock, Margaret (Payne)
Bock, Nancy
Bock, Robert
Bragg, Carrie
Bruster , Betty
Bruster, George
Bruster, Gerald
Bruster, Robert
Bryce, Marlene
Bryce, Shannon
Casorno, Jean
Casorno, Tony
Chaffee, Constance
Chaffee, Edith (Yaple)
Chaffee, Hazel
Chaffee, Jean (Ostander)
Chaffee, Marnie
Chaffee, Theodore
Chamberlain, Kenneth
Combs, Charles
Combs, Leon
Combs, Raymond
Cooper, Geraldine
Cooper, Theodore
Doss, Judy
Dos, Ted
Dunshie, Erma(Houghton)
Eckler, Lawrence
Evans, Charlie
Evans, Edward
Fanning, Barbara Kay (Hartl)
Fanning, Robert
Finn, Donald
Finn, Robert
Fitchpatrick, Joyce (Mincil)
Fitchpatrick, Marlene (Haight)
French, Beverly
French, Eileen
Fowler, Malcolm
Fowler, Margaret (Shoemaker)
Gibbons, Ann
Gibbons, Thomas
Gorden, James Jr.
Gaiden, Linda
Hall, Camely
Hall, Larry
Hayes, Cora (Saunders)
Hayes, Richard
Hayes, Shirley (Chaffee)
Hayes, William
Hine, Beulah (Tompkins)
Hine, D.J.
Hine, Diane
Hine, Gilbert
Hine, Lamont
Hine, Laverne
Hine, Melvin
Hillick, William
Hoyte, Beverly
Krayniak, Jean
Krayniak, Paul
Konotch, James
Lambert, Henry Jr.
Leonard, Karen
Marley, Edith (Tama)
Maraux, Minnie (Wilkinson)
20 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Maraux, Virginia (Guider)
McFadden, Delores
McFadden, Emmett
McFadden, Gerald
McFadden, George
McFadden, Harry
McFall, Barbara
McFall, Donald
McFall, Linda
McFall, Richard
McGrane, Alice
McGavin, Anna (Searles)
McGavin, Clara (Clayman)
McGrane, James
McGrane, Margaret (Wenberg)
McGrane, Mildred (Schuyler)
Miller, Alice
Miller, Charles
Miller, Della
Miller, Judith (Longstreet)
Miller, Frank
Miller, Marion
Miller, Walter
Miller, Wayne
Nelson, Frances (Brown)
Nelson, Louise (Carlisle)
Oliver, Vincent Jr.
Oliver, Marion
Oliver, Richard
Palmer, Charlie
Palmer, Floyd
Palmer, Eugene
Palmer, Helen
Reed, Gordon
Rightmire, Edith
Rightmire, Hazel
Rumsey, Benjamin Jr.
Rumsey, Helen
Rumsey, Janice
Rumsey, Jolene
Rumsey, Leland
Rumsey, Millard (Rockwell)
Rumsey, Sidney
Rumsey, Stanley
San Soucie, Jean (Trenchard)
Schulte, Beverly
Schulte, David (deceased)
Schulte, Frank Jr.
Shaff, James
Shaff, Robert
Smith, Alan
Smith, Florence
Smith, Leslie (deceased)
Soyring, Edna (Anthony)
Tracy, Gary
Tyler, Donald
Tyler, Gordon
Updike, Harold
Updike, Margaret
Vargo, Alice
Vargo, Betty (McFall)
Vargo, Esther
Vargo, Mary
Vargo, Roy
Walrath, Carl
Walrath, Lyland
Wisteland, Vist
Wilkins, Dean
Wilkins, Spencer
Williamson, Jamie
Williamson, Judy
Wilson, Arthur
Wilson, Clarence
Wilson, Helen (Howland)
21 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Chairman (Annual meetings held at School House): Fred D. Rumsey (1914); Sarah Gray
(1915); Henry Bock (1916, 1918); Kirk Fowler (1917, 1920); D. Rumsey (1919); Geo.
Cavanaugh (1920 1923); – Wilson (1924); H.A. Rockwell (1924); Mrs. Martha Bock (1925-
1928, 1932-1937 - 1948) ; W.G. Miler (1928-1930); Leslie Hine (1930-1936); 1936-1937);
F.D. Rumsey (1938); Agnes Lambert (1942, 1944); Edna McFall (1943)
School Tax Collector for School District 7: Elmer Rumsey (1914-1915); Geo.
Cavanaugh (1916, 1935-1936); Willard Smith (1917, 1924-1932); William Miller (1918-
1921); H.G. Boberg (1922); Minnie Hine (1933-1934, 1937); Elizabeth Rumsey (1939-
1940); Frank T. Schulte56 (1941-1949); Robert G. Bock (1949-1954)
Clerk: Fred D. Rumsey (1914-1934); Mrs. Laura Boberg (1938-49); Mrs. Eva M. Krayniak
(1949-54), Mr. Boberg (1923); Minnie Hine (1936); Willard Smith (1937)
Election Tellers for Officers: Charles Rumsey (1915); Willard Smith (1916, 1921-1924);
Geo. Cavanaugh (1915-1916, 1920, 1928-1930); DeWitt Fowler (1917); Mrs. Sarah
Gray(1917, 1919) and Charles Rumsey (1918-1919, 1922-1923); DeWitt Payne (1919-
1920); Henry Bock (1921-1922); Leslie Hine (1922-1923, 1926, 1937); A.G. Boberg (1925,
1929); John Bock (1925-1929); Nellie Smith (1930); Edna McFall (1930, 1934, 1936-
1944); William Miller (1931); Fred Hobby (1932); Kirk Fowler (1932); Zeff Cavanaugh
(1932); Carlton Fowler (1933); Fay Hine (1933); Lloyd Rumsey (1934-1935, 1942); Willard
Smith (1935-1936); Fred Bock (1938); Mrs. D. J. Hine; Cecil Miller (19410; Agnes Lamber
(1941); Frank Shulte (1940, 1948) Eva Boberg (1939); Lee Rumsey (1939); Don McFall
(1948); Spencer Wilkins (1946) Martha Bock (1942); Bob Bock (1945); Howard Clark
(1945)
Trustees: Kirk Fowler (1914-1915); Willard Smith (1916); Geo. Cavanaugh (1917-1918,
1937, 1940-1943); Elmer Rumsey (1919-1921); Henry Bock (1922-1923); A.G. Boberg
(1924); H.A. Rockwell (1925-1928, 1934-1936); Fred Bock (1929-1933) Mrs. Edna McFall
(1938, 1945-47); Spencer Wilkins (1945-54); Marion Miller (1944)
1930 pupils
(School Census August 30, 1930 – Martha Bock Enumerator and Trustee Fred Bock.
Eva Boberg, Margaret Bock, Robert Bock, Henry Blayda, Joe Blayda, Teddy Blayda, D.J.
Hine, Gilbert Hine, Doris Hine, Beulah Hine, LaVerne Hine, Melvin Hine, Donald McFall,
Richard McFall, Anna McGrane, Clara McGrane, James McGrane, Margaret McGrane,
Mildred McGrane, Charles Miller, Marion Miller, Florence Smith, Alma Smith, Floyd Palmer,
Carrie Braff, Lyland Walrath, Carl Walrath, Meroe Walrath, Helen Walrath, Louise Beach,
Richard Beach, Ralph Beach, Anita Beach
56Written Schulte and Shulte in School Trustee Minutes.
22 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
DISTRICT 8 – Purdy - 647 Bostwick Road,
located southeast corner of Bostwick and
Colegrove Roads. The same premises
conveyed by A. Oren Heller and wife to
Samuel V. Graham, George M. McGillivray
and Henry Willets, Trustees of School District
Eight of Enfield and Ithaca by deed date
December 13, 1858. The school was heated
by coal. In 1910 nine different families were
served by the school. The school closed on July 1, 1956 with the consolidation of schools
into the Ithaca City School District. The school house and property were sold in 1958 and
is currently used as a privately owned home.
Teachers: Ruth Bly, Irene Brown, Lynnette W. Curry, Mrs. Evans, Bertha Fish, Nora
Jones, Ruth Longhouse, Marian Scofield , Mrs. Jessie Teeter, Lynette Wright.
1910: Fred T. Jackson, Trustee; Amasa Johnson, Clerk, and Fred Eddy, Collector of
Taxes.
Memories: Lunch sandwiches were bought from home. It was recalled that Harold
Jackson at bean sandwiches. Water for the school was brought up the hill from Edgar
Eddy’s farm. He was father of two of the pupils – Clayton and Roger Eddy. Eddy Kane,
also a pupil had a 1914 Indian Motorycle.
Trustees: Daniel Baker (1946); Warren Paley (1952-54); Ernest Jacobs (1952-54); Alfred
Miles (1952-54)
Clerk: Mrs. Ralph Head; (1952 - 1954)
Collector/Treasurer: Mrs. Elisabeth Gould (1952 - 1954)
DISTRICT 9 – Rollison – Enfield/Hector
Located southeast corner of Route 79 and Black
Oak Road. On September 9, 188557 The Belder
Whitney family sold to the district the property for
the school house. Roderick Byrum was a
Trustee of the school and was listed in the deed.
The deed indicated the property would be
handed down to the trustees in the district. The
New York State Commissioner of Education
made it part of Central School District 1 of the
Towns of Ulysses, Tompkins County, and Covert,
57Deeds of Tompkins County Clerk’s Office. Ithaca, NY. School District 9 Enfield. November 10,
1885 deed Enfield 2 page 512.
23 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Seneca County, and Hector, Schuyler County on July 18, 1947. Rollison School burned
down in February 194758. The school district rented two rooms in a vacant farm house
near the center of the district where school was held. The renting of the the rooms was
not satisfactory and the district did not want to continue the rent. The tax rate was high
according the letter and believed that the residents could not support the rate. They felt
that consolidating with Trumansburg was a good solution.
Teachers: Doris Acre, Mrs. Aiken, Blanche Allen, Antoinette Berzeena, Flossie Bulivant,
Ike (Isaac) Clauson, Mrs. Gould, Doris Lovelace, Christine Newberry, Emily Pike,
Gertrude Straight, Miss Strike, Mrs. Jennie Webster, Laura Hovencamp (1938)
1930: Trustee Henry Ink; Collector Helen Ink; Clerk Dora Warren
Pupils during various years: Miranda Johnson, Beatrice and Leona Lanning, Clara
Lovelace, Frank and Aline Stamp, Wanda Freelove Schwan, Tanya Fisher, Billy Mills,
Eugene Lovelace, Ruth Warren Lokken, Calvin Rothermich, Doris Lehman Rothermich,
Donald Warren
DISTRICT 10 – Nobles(Referred to the Little
Red School House) Located at 73 Griffin Road,
on east side of Connecticut Hill Road between
Griffin and Rumsey Hill Roads. This school
shows on the 1853 Tompkins County Map but
does not show on the 1866 map. It does show
on town maps beyond the 1866 map.
S.G. Nobles Trustee of Nobles School, Abraham Wood June 10, 1828.59
S.G. Nobles Trustee of Nobles School, James Grant Teacher September 1, 1830
Nobles District School by Arthur Noble September 3, 1989
On November 7, 1828, Henry Stringer deeded a parcel of land to Enfield School District
No. 30 for the purpose of a school house 60. It is unknown currently, when the school
district changed to No. 10. 1 The school house was built in 1828. It was a one-room
school house with a small cloak room, a supply room and a woodshed. The heat was
58June 21, 1947 letter to Mr. Francis Griffin, State Education Department, Albany, NY. From E.
Craig Donnan.
59Early History of the Family of Nobles From 1810. Assembled by J. Arthur Noble. 1964. Some
Receipts of Squire J. Nobles as a Commissioner of Enfield Schools and Trustee of Nobles
District School.
60Warranty Deed. Dated Nov. 7, 1828; Recorded Nov. 11, 1854 Book 63 of Deeds, page 72.
Henry Stringer to School District No. 30. Tompkins County Clerk’s Office.
24 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
provided by a wood stove. It was known as a “common school” and all grades were
taught by one teacher in the one room, each class of pupils being taught separately
while the others where suppose to be study. Discipline was sometimes enforced by use
of a willow switch. The teacher made the pupil who acted up go out and cut the switch
which was used on him. All pupil brought their own lunches. The teacher did too. In
good weather they were eaten out in the school yard. Water was furnished by a spring
piped into a barrel watering trough. Toilet were two “privies” one for girls and one for
boys, small structure out back of the school house, sometimes called “back houses”. A
Trustee's receipt dated in 1830 is for $3.63 for “wages for teaching school”. It doesn’t
say for how long. In the 1800’s those who taught were issued temporary certificates
which were for the school term. The records of the school for the term of 1879-1880
shows that there were 16 pupils. For 1880-1881 there were 13 pupils. Always there
was one teacher. Int he last year that school held there, 1942, there were 11 pupils.
1930: Trustee Ruth Place; Clerk Wheeler Bell; Collector Wilson Bell
In 1941 Mrs. Ruth Place was re-elected as trustee. The also voted to continue
operation for the present.61 Due to low attendance, this school was closed during the
late 1940’s and was reopened by 1953. The school closed on July 1, 1956 with the
consolidation of schools into the Ithaca City School District. This school according to
Tompkins County Deeds was sold in 1959 to a private individual.
Teachers: Emma Taylor (1882); F.F. Nobles (1881-1882); Truman Nobles (1879-1880);
Ida M. Labar (1880); Dorothy Cox; Mrs. Clauson; Doris Ely; Leta Hines; Robert
Hubbell; Ellenton; Ethel Baker Mill; Miss Newberry; Mrs. Parker; Miss Radford; Miss.
Rockwell (1918); Mr. Roundsville; Tressa Sanford; Ruth Smith; Grace Stark (1921); Bud
White; Rena White; Miss Wesley.
.
Treasurer Thurza M. Everhart (1940-4162)
Trustee Ruth Place (1940-41)
**Bond, cleaning supplies, text books, kindling: F.D. Rumsey, Dominick Sardo, Doris J.
Place, C.J. Rumsey, Ruth A. Place, Jay Everhart; Hulse Smith
Ithaca Fuel Supply: Coal
Cleaning: Doris J. Place, Carrie Rumsey, Alvin Everhart
Examination Dr. Burton
Teacher Almina B. Rumsey (wages monthly $84.47)
Transportation Arthur Mundy (monthly $34.40)
Treasurer Ella E. Miller (1944– 1949); Aline Everhart (1953-55)
Trustee Ruth Place (1944 - 1955)
61Five County Schools to be Closed. May 7, 1941. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY.
62Cash Book 1940-41 School District 10 Town of Enfield County of Tompkins.
25 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Clerk Mrs. Mary Smith (1947 – 1949)
Pupils during various years: Ella, Earl, Alice and Aline Smith; Aubrey, Evelyn, Lee, Ruth;
Carl, Edward, Marie, Elizabeth, Steven, Margaret Frankenstein; Julia, Marie, Henry
Hamilton; Selick, Howard, John, Charles Cummings; Hilda and Doris Place; Jack and Ed
Latin; Frances Harris, Helen Bell, Winifred Nobles, Frank, Vivian, Pearl Leonard.
DISTRICT 10 – (The Little Red School) - by Hilda Amberge
Located on the east side of Connecticut Hill Road between Griffin and Rumsey Hill Roads.
This school was also known as Nobles School named because of the Nobles Family who
settled in the area in 1809.
The schoolhouse was a typical one-room school. It had a "cloakroom" on the left
as you entered and a small room around to the right where the water "cooler" stood,
and at one time pupils' individual tin cups were hung in numbered order. Beside that
door stood a bookcase cupboard, the teacher's desk usually was in front of that, with a
recitation bench -- quite long -- where each class would come as the teacher called their
turn to recite. There was no electricity at any time when the building was used as a
school, kerosene lamps were used. The room was fairly well lighted with its windows.
Two outhouses were outside, for boys at the southeast, and for girls at the
northwest corners of the yard.
Water was dipped from a spring across the road and carried as needed. Heat was
usually from the wood stove, at the north side of the room, although there are several
references in various diaries to purchase of coal. Diary of Hugh Hulse Smith notes in
1872 that wood was taken to school, and he split it.
Pupils walked to school. Some were able to take a path shortcut through the
woods (Bell's) but the rest walked on Connecticut Hill Road. Many had a mile or more to
go. Wheeler Smith was one trustee, and his daughter Ruth and Julia Griffin (McAuliffe)
walked together nearly a mile. (Mrs. M. allows "as how" the pupils did not behave very
well for the teacher.)
A problem always: the winter weather -- snow, blowing, blizzard conditions did not
necessarily mean there was no school -- although diaries mention a few days when the
teacher could not get there, so the pupils walked home. In the late 1920's after an illness
all summer, Hilda Place was usually taken to school, either in the family Ford (Model A), by
horse and buggy, or by the team and the bobsled. In fact, the diary noted the exception --
as some great accomplishment -- when she “walked to school today." One winter, with
visibility zero, Hulse Smith took a rope down to the School House, and escorted his
children home as they held on to the rope. They took a shortcut across the last field, so
that the neighbor across the road, who had been watching for them to return, had no idea
when they came home. She had her husband bundle up and walk across to ask about
their safety! Neighbors helped neighbors.
In the classroom with sometimes all 8 grades present, each pupil could scarcely
help hearing the work of the grades other than his/her own. Also, older pupils helped the
younger ones (thus helping the teacher). In addition the twin sisters each night as they got
26 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
home taught their young brother what they had learned that day. Thus, as he entered
school, he joined right in handily with the work of their grade -- they all moved on the same
year, and was graduated from Ithaca High School together. All pupils took their "Regents
exams" at the Enfield Center school.
There was major discussion as to where the high school pupils would attend high
school. It was voted they should go to Ithaca High School, but a special school meeting
on August 12, 1930, voted NO on the question of the district paying transportation costs!
Each family had to arrange something on its own (10 miles to town). Smiths rented rooms
in town and mother and pupils stayed down during the school week this continued two
years. The Places found a family with whom their daughter could live. Needless to say,
everyone had major inconveniences during these times. During the summer of 1932, at
the annual school meeting it was voted to provide transportation. A committee, Nathan
Rumsey and Larry Lanning was named to make the arrangements. After much hard work,
as school started a private contract had the pupils riding (beginning 7:15 a.m.) with Mr.
Brooks. Bostwick District, Budd and Woodard also joined in. In later years a larger bus
was hired.
Though there was still no electricity, the water situation improved. A special
meeting December 16, 1931 voted to put in a well. The next day Hulse Smith with High
Curry and Claude Place helping set up the well drill and work started. (Yes, I am sure they
"fished" for water first). Shortly before this they had put in a well at the Bostwick School
(Harvey Hill Road). Diary excerpt: "they have struck water at the school house. Lots of
water I guess. December 23, 1931. December 29, 1931 “bargained for a pump.” January
5, 1932 -- helped install pump at schoolhouse. Pump works good. Later, January 17,
1932 -- "Took up pump; shortened pipe. Had Fred Smith's pipe die to cut threads". (I
understand this same drilled well provides for the current resident of this home.)
Records from Doris Ely, teacher in 1932, list her salary for 38 weeks at $22 per
week; she lists textbooks used.
In June 24, 1947, a special school meeting was held. The vote was "Yes" to send
all pupils to Ithaca schools. Elementary pupils that September attended Central School
(site of GIAC). High School pupils attended the High School at what is now Dewitt Mall,
on Cayuga Street: Boys' Entrance -- Seneca Street; Girls' Entrance -- Buffalo Street.
Some of the teachers (not in order)
Grace Stark – 1922[?]; M. Stark (her sister Gertrude taught at #11 school);
Ellenton; Dorothy Cox;, Robert Hubbell; Rena White (wife of Robert Bud); Bud White
(substitute); Ethel Baker Mill (substitute, drove horse from near Trumbull Corners. Then left
buggy at Wheeler Bell's. Daughter Helen stayed with Mary Smith); Miss Newberry
(Christine); Tressa Sanford63 (1926-28); Leta Hines; Mr. Roundsville; Miss Wessley64; Miss
Radford; Mrs. Clausen (1933-35); Mrs. Parker (1930); Doris Ely (Hector).
63 Stayed at Hulse Smith residence others probably did in bad winter weather.
64 Lived with family at Jay Everhart house.
27 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
DISTRICT 11 – Harvey Hill/Bostwick Corners -
62 Harvey Hill road, located north side of Harvey
Hill Road west of State Route 327 (Enfield Main
Road). Pupils: The school was sold December
29, 1958.65 This school house is currently used
as a privately owned home.
Teachers: Cara Able; Blanche Allen; Martha
Bock (1918); Mary Baker; Isabell Bogart; Marian
Brinkerhoff; Anna Brown; Lottie Byrum; Mame
Cook; Hugh Curry; Mrs Curry; Wm. Doll; Lydia
English; Edith Giltner; Flora Harvey; Nina
Jones; Chas. Lanning; Frank Nobles; Irene Miller; Ella Pierce; Jennie Russell; Clarence
Rumsey; Elmina Rumsey; Leroy Smith; Ruth Smith; Elizabeth Walker; Minnie
Wallenbeck; Stella Weatherby (1918)
Trustees and Teachers from Book of District 11 Enfield
1888 – 1889 Trustee Edwin W. Nobles Teacher J.S. Miller; C.E. Rumsey
1889-1890 Trustee Burroughs Oltz Teacher Mary L. Baker
1890 – 1891 Trustee J.R. Updike Teacher Jennie Russell; F.A. Nobles
1891 – 1892 Trustee C.D. Wallenbeck Teacher Clarence Rumsey; Flora Harvey
1892 – 1893 Trustee F.S. Stevenson Teacher Chas. Lanning
1893 – 1894 Trustee S.H. Curry Teacher Frank Nobles; Leroy Smith
1894 – 1895 Trustee G.B. Wilson Teacher Mame Cook; Isabell Bogart
1895 – 1896 Trustee Jno King Teacher Minnie Wallenbeck
1896 – 1897 Trustee Edwin F. Owen Teacher Minnie Wallenbeck
1897 – 1898 Trustee A.F. Curry Teacher Lottie Byrum
1898 – 1899 Trustee Frank Lanning Teacher Edith Giltner
1899 – 1900 Trustee Frank Lannng Teacher Cara Able
1900 – 1901 Trustee S.H. Curry Teacher Miss Pierce
1901 – 1902 Trustee Carrie E. Stevenson Teacher Ella M. Pierce
1902 – 1903 Trustee S.H. Curry Teacher Wm. A. Doll
1903 – 1904 Trustee Carrie E. Stevenson Teacher Anna Brown
1904 – 1905 Trustee Wheeler W. Bell Teacher Miss Walker
1905 – 1906 Trustee Teacher Elizabeth Walker
1906 – 1907 Trustee S.E. Hubbell Teacher Hugh Curry
1907 – 1908 Trustee W.W. Bell Teacher Lina Jones
1908 – 1909 Trustee W.W. Bell Teacher Lina Jones
1909 – 1910 Trustee S.E. Hubbell Teacher Lina Rumsey
65Bill of Sale The City School District of the City of Ithaca New York to Clyde B. Hall December
18, 1958.
28 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
1910 – 1911 Trustee S.E.Hubbell Teachers: Lina Rumsey,
Irene Miller, Lina Jones
1911 – 1912 Trustee Carrie E. Stevenson Teacher Mrs. Curry
1912 – 1913 Trustee Carrie E. Stevenson
1913 – 1914 Trustee Carrie E. Stevenson
1914 – 1915 Trustee Carrie E. Stevenson Teacher Edna King
1915 – 1916 Trustee Carrie E. Stevenson
Pupils 192966: Glen, James, Lola, Marjorie Everhart; Lois and harey Curry; Laurence and
Raymond Stevenson; Olin, Jennie, Reynold King; Dick, Roger Hubbell; Doris, 2 boys twins
Newman; Stanley and Mary Czerenda; Clayton, and Dorothy McCreavey; Hermanson
1930: Trustee Wilbur Shefield; Collector Mrs. Luther Teeter; Clerk Lydia Griffin
1947-48; 1948-49: Trustee Mrs. Nellie Hubbell; Clerk Mrs. Marjorie Stevenson
1952-53; 1953-54: Trustee Harry DaBell; Mrs. Hilda Hubbell; Clerk Mrs. Lola Willsey;
Collector/Treasurer Mrs. Doris K. Schilling
Pupils 1943 – 195167: Virginia Hubbell, Rose Mary DaBall, Gloria DaBall, Alan Hubbell,
Shirley Hornbrook, John Calkins, Katherine Calkins, Mal Schilling, Gary Schilling, Sandra
Holcomb, Ralph Willsey, Jon Harry Hubbell, Butch Hornbrook, Bev Hornbrook, Kath
Holcomb, Leah Hubbell, Diana Terwilliger, ButchTerwilliger, Glen Hubbell, Dean family,
Hamiliton’s, Mary Lou Bowers, Gordon Bowers, Charles Hubell.
School Days at District #11 - Harvey Hill By Blanch San Soucie Stout
Going to school in a one-room schoolhouse is something you can never forget. I had the
same teacher from first grade (no Kindergarten) through seventh grade. I am sure many
will remember Elmina Rumsey. There were four in my class and three of us went on to
Ithaca to high school and graduated together. I found out that Hilda Hubbell made the
best scalloped potatoes when we had hot lunch bought to school every other day in the
winter. On odd days Mrs. Rumsey would make a huge pot of cocoa to go with our lunch
from home. It was a pretty neat system. Children took the big white kettle home from
school on the night before it was their mothers turn to cook and got it back to school full of
something hearty to fill 20 to 25 kids.
I sure am glad the Hubbell's lived across the road, they kept the "pot belly stove"
stoked during the cold weather, and even so the drinking pail still iced up.
Do you remember the Palmer method of writing?
Do you remember Christmas, and memorizing your "pieces"?
Do you remember Annie, Annie Over, Hoops, and “Tobacco Juice"?
66Information from Lois Curry-Willis told to Hilda Amberge July 1993. Date of pupils 192_ - 1929.
67School Recollections. Blanch San Soucie Stout. District 11 1943-`1950.
29 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Do you remember Fox and Geese in the snow?
Do you remember Mr. Grippen and his monthly Bible Class?
Do you remember the last day of school with the picnic under the big tree?
Do you remember opening the school day with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s
Prayer?
When I first went to school we saluted the flag with our right arm straight out in front of us.
When World II started we began placing our hand over our heart. During this time we
brought in small items like toothpaste, combs, washcloths, toothbrushes, etc. and these
were put in special Red Cross boxes and sent to our service men.
One time we gathered all the milkweed pods we could find and brought them to
school. I can't remember what they were used for, but who ever brought in the most won
a Levi jacket. I think Gordie Bowers won.
When Elmina retired they brought us a teacher from the city, Ithaca, she introduced
"Recess" to us, I had never heard of such a thing, but I guess it was O.K.
My class was ready for the eighth grade when Elmina retired, Elmina told my
grandmother that we were ready to take the regents even if this new teacher goofed up
bad. Taking the regents seemed to be the highlight of grade school. This was it, if you
passed you went on to high school, which meant riding the bus and a whole new world.
We took our regents exams in the school at Enfield Center. It still stands, as a home,
across from the Methodist Church.
Teachers: 1943 - 1951 Elmina Rumsey, Mrs. English.
DISTRICT 12 – Townline School. Located at the end of Harvey Hill Road in the Town
of Hector. This was Town of Hector District School with Enfield children attending.
Located on the 1935 Tompkins County School District Maps.
Teachers: Harry Lanning (1911);F.H. VanMarter School Officer (1911); Miss Ames;
Marion Newberry; Mrs. Travis.
Pupils 1911: Stella Weatherby; Mabel Kirby; Genevieve Kirby; Dorothy McDaniels; Marion
Fisher; Earl Havens; George Horton; Howard Leonard; Ellsworthy Weatherby; Kenneth
Weatherby; Lawrence McDaniels.
School Recollections 1931 – 1937 by Richard H. Fisher: Heat for the school was Wood
and Coal. Water to drink carried from Addison McCoy Farm. The School Building was
moved to Alton Carver farm on McIntyre Road. In the school 2 or 3 people could sit at
each seat. Tables were flat boards held up by 2 orange Crates. Chairs were made from
orange crates. There was a school picnic at the end of the year. First day of school
Richard rode a pony to school accompanied by his sister Harriet. He walked one mile to
school by myself for several years. The roads were not regularly plowed in winter.
Pupils listing on a Thanksgiving Program November 20, 1935 between Townline
School and District 11 Harvey Hill/Bostwick Corners School: Hilda Place; Harriet Fisher;
30 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Lola, Glenn, Marjorie, James, Ralph, and Arthur Everhart; Lois Curry; Lillian and Clayton
McRavy; Albert, Elwood Newman; Sammy Lange; Henning Hermanson; Reynold King;
Christine Searles; Stanley Czarenda; Harvey Curry; Helen Searles; Edwin Harkenan;
Eleanor Boyce
DISTRICT 13 - Christian Hill. Located
southeast corner of Waterburg and Iradell
Roads. Annexed to District 1 Ulysses
September 2; 1941.
Teacher: Nora Jones (1914-1915); Helen
Jackson (1921); Mary Updike (1910-1915)
Trustee: Fred N. Smith, (1914-1916); Walter
Steinberg (1910-1911); Viola Culver (1915-
1916); Charles W. Nash (1913); Leona Walker
(1932)
Pupils: 1920: Thelma and Gertrude Richards; Eleanor Bower; Marian Brinkerhoff; Marion
Steinberg; Nellie and Elsie Updike; Donald Kirby; Minor Berta. 1932: Charles, Ardith,
David Shephardson.
District 14 Budd School
DISTRICT 14 – Budd. Located in the front of Budd Cemetery on the west side of Gray
Road, Military Lot 77. The school was closed in 193368 because there were not enough
pupils to warrant hiring a teacher. The grade school pupils were sent to Enfield School
District 7, Woodard School and high school pupils sent to Ithaca High school69. The
68Letter to Robert C. Killough, Jr. NYS Education Department, Albany, NY from E. Craig Donnan,
Superintendent of Schools, Ithaca NY, May 26, 1947 District 14 school district voted to sell
school house. Class was last held in the school house during the year 1932-1933.
69Instruction Contract September 2, 1947 between District 14 School Enfield and District 7
School Enfield. District 14 pupils sent to District 7. Trustees: Harvey Bailey (14), Spencer
Wilkins (7), E. Craig Donnan, Commissioner of Schools. Town of Enfield Historian Collection –
31 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
school house was sold in 194870 and torn down.
District 14 Budd School House - By Catherine Kellogg71
District #14 (Budd) was located in the front of Budd Cemetery on the south side of
Gray Road appears on the 1866 map. When the school house was sold and torn down
and moved in the early 1930’s (1948 edit) the cemetery property line was moved out to the
Gray Road.
The earliest minutes of the meetings recorded were in 1860. The school was closed
in 1935 and the pupils were sent to Ithaca. There were not enough pupils to warrant hiring
a teacher.
A few interesting notes from the secretary book – 1860 – 1922. District #14 was
#25 in the town, of Enfield, New field and Ithaca, later became #14 and referred to #14 in
the annual school meeting minutes as Enfield in 1873. (Note edition 2022: The original
School District 25 was shown on the 1853 Tompkins County map on the north side Gray
Road across from the Cemetery vicinity, Military Lot 71.)
Note: the spelling of some words are interesting and I left them as they were in the
minutes. (Perhaps the beginning of phonics)!
1860:A special meeting called in district #25 in the Town of Enfield, Newfield and
Ithaca at the schoolhouse in said district at six a clock P.M. on the 11 day of January 1860
by the of said district for the purpose of building a new scool house in said district.
Charles H. Kelly serve as chairman for the special meeting.
Moshien made and seconed for building a new scoolhouse.
Moshien made and seconed for regerning this meeting.
Moshien made and seconded to rase four hundred dolars far to building a new school
house.
Moshien made and seconded to move the sight for a scool house and was out of order.
Moshien made and seconed for regerning this meeting and was cared January 11/61.
To the Clerk of District No. 25:
The Trustees of District No. 25 at a meeting held fro the purpose have
resolve that a special meeting be called at the scoolhouse on Saturday on the first day of
February 1861 at six o clock PM of that day for the purpose of reconcidering the vote
taking on the 11 day of January 1860 and voting the same subject again.
J.H. Newman, George W. Budd, Daniel R. Wood – Trustees District No. 25
Schools.
70Letter May 26, 1947 to Robert Killough, Jr. Law Division State Education Dept. Albany from E.
Craig Donnan, Ithaca City School District, Asking to sell schoolhouse. Bids in Historian’s
Collection for school house removal dated June 10, 1948. Highest bid in this file was $325.00
from William Reed, Ithaca, NY.
71The Town of Enfield New York Christian Hill to Enfield Falls. Edited by Members of the Enfield
Historical Society and Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian. 2002.
32 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
1861:
Masien made and seconed that C.H. Kelly serve as chairmen for the spechel
meeting.
Masien made and seconed that thar a recondsering the vote on building a new
scoolhouse.
Masien made and second that to sell the old scoolhouse and place the proceads on
the new scool house.
Masien made and second to change the sight of the scoolhouse near in the center
of the district.
Masien made and seconded for to regirn this meeting and was carried February the
1 1861.
1866:“Resolved that there be got three cords of maple or hickory wood and one cord of
pine and fitted for the stoves, to be completed by the first of Decemby by DR Wood $5.25
cts. To be inspected by Trustees.”
“Resolved that there be buildt a fence in front of the house, one privy and all
necessary repairs to house and insurance.” Wm. Snow Chairman
1869:Moved that the trustees raise a sufficient amount of money to paint the house and
all other necessary expenses.
1870:Resolved that the trustees have power to change the wood stoves now in use for
coal stoves and to provide fuel for the stoves used for the insuing year.
Resolved that there be a well dug on George W. Budds premises on the north side
of the road (George W. Budd giving the right) for the use of this school.
1888: “Moved and carried that the trustees are authorized to levy a tax to defray the
expenses of the school the insuring year.” A.J. Teeter to draw 2 tons of Cole at $1 per ton.
1889 – 1900 – Election of officers main agenda of meetings on these dates.
S.F. Mabey was elected Librarian during a great deal of this time period.
Mrs. B. Osterhout was voted to teach reaming term in 900. No other teachers were
mentioned until 1918 where it was stated that the trustee asked for right to hire his
daughter Miss Nellie Rumsey.
NOTE: Other teachers from 1900 to closing are listed as our memory recalls in the
following order:
Miss Nellie Rumsey (Mrs. Nellie Myers), Mrs. Edna Gray, Mrs. Mabel Sheffield, Mr.
Earl DePuy, Mrs. Alice Clauson, Mrs. Nellie Myers.
###########################################
33 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
On May 6, 1947 an annual school meeting of District 14 was held at the Community
House Enfield Falls ( Gray Road). A motion was made and passed by Nellie Meyer and
Babette Schnitzer to furnish transportation and tuition for all pupils who wish to go to
Ithaca Schools. A motion was also made to authorize the trustee to pay tuition not to
exceed $50 per pupil to the Woodard District for grade school pupils. Lawrence
Fitchpatrick, Richard Apthrop and Harvey Bailey were nominated for Trustee. Harvey
Bailey was declared the winner. Babette Schnitzer was elected for Collector and Lena
Teeter was elected for Clerk. Myron Bennett and Nellie Mayer motioned and passed to sell
the school building and the building was to be removed within 30 days after.
Teachers: Mr. Earl DePuy, Lottie May Eddy, Sara Galpin (1913); Nellie Rumsey
Myers(1909-1910, 1913-1916), Mrs. Edna Gray, Mrs. Mabel Sheffield, Mrs. Alice
Clauson; Martha Gray (1919); Neil Rumsey (1919)72
Clerk: Mrs. Lena Teeter (1944-1949); Mrs. Madeline Arnold (1952-1954)
Treasurer/Collector: Babette Schnitzer (1947-1949); Ralph Denman; Robert M. Kellogg
(1952-1954)
Trustee73: 1862 (Dist. 25): G.H. Newman; George Budd; Daniel R. Wood George Arnold
(1920-1922); Mable Arnold (1926-1927, 1937-1943);Harvey Bailey (1947-1949); Stella
Bailey (1917-1918); Leigh Batterson (1944-1946); Willis J. Dawson (1932-1933); Ralph
Denman (1954-1955); Robert M. Kellogg (1952-1953); John J. Meyer (1923); Arthur
Teeter (1930);
Pupils (names from District 14 Budd School House book 1960 – 1922) Town of Enfield
Historian collection. Handwriting was hard to read! PDF copy can be found:
www.townofenfield.org - Resources – Archived Documents of the Town of Enfield -
Archived Documents).
Pupils 1860
Charles Budd John Bruner Joseph Bruce George Budd
Benjamin Budd John Compton Richard Davenport Wm. Dunkin
Dave Tauf John Hardenburgh C.H. Kelly Frank H. Newman
Oliver Rumsey Daniel Rightmire Leonard Burdick D.R. Wood
Orson Wood
Pupils 1862?
Lewis Parmer L.F. Parmer Frack Teater (Frank Teeter?)
Cert Pratts C.W. Pratts Peter Bruce Theodore Chery
72Enfield Falls. April 19, 1919. Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY
73Enfield School District 14 Tax Warrant, School Tax Roll. Listing residents paying taxes within
the District 14. Lists Trustee name on each report.
34 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Henry Hardenburgh Fran Rumsey Orval Rumsey James Leais
Gerome Terry Charles Gray Jacob Eaton Wm. Blauvelt
Pupils 1862
Sarah Millard Charles Tubbs Minnie Vangordor Susan Thatcher
Enoch Thatcher John Vankleck Elizabeth Vankleck Joseph Sexton
Tina Sexton Williard Vangorder Alah Vangorder Helen Kennedy
Willie Kennedy J.G. Miller Anthelia Miller Louisa Miller
Geo. Kress Mrs. Vangorder Morton McCarty Chancy Sheffield
Mary Buckey Miles Buckey Minnie Howland Henry Hedglin
Carrie Miller Frank Miller Frank Miller Fred Krep
Melida Clark Georgiana Herde H. McPherson M. McCarty
Ella Gould Marg Perry Cooper Holly
Pupils 193074
Marvin, Ruth, Helen, Raymond, and George Marvin
Eleanor,and Walter Cogswell
Mary, Beth, Ermentrude, Cecil, Charles, and Donald Dawson
George, John, Elsie, and Ruth Liska
Frances, John, and William Norsoneck
Charles Palmer
Virginia and Marjorie Reyna
Helen Rumsey
James and Catherine Teeter
Pupils listed after school closed where listed for busing to District 7 Woodard and
Ithaca Schools:
Pupils 194575
Bruce, Joseph Batterson
Myron, Raymond Bennett
Joyce, Marlene Fitchpatrick
Carolyn, Margaret Garvin
Lawrence, Shirley Meeker
Claude Robbins
John Waite
Pupils 1948
Myron and Raymond Bennett, Margaret Garvin, Lawrence, Shirley, and William Meeker
Margaret Schnitzer
74District 14 Budd School Enfield Tompkins County NY School Census 1930.
75District 14 Budd School Enfield Tompkins County NY Transportation Contract 1945.
35 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
DISTRICT 17 - Saxton Hill Located on the west corner of Cayutaville Road (or Saxton Hill
and Black Oak Roads in the Town of Newfield. Annexed to District 12 Newfield September
12, 1916. The above annexed to Newfield Central School August 1, 1941.
DISTRICT 9 – Kennedy’s Corners – Ithaca/Enfield Located on State Route 79
(Mecklenburg Road)
Teachers: Miss Ethel McPeak (1919); Harry Lanning
1922: Trustee Lewis Freese; Clerk D. Mitchell; Collector Ward Leonard.
Enfield Elementary School. By Mary Cole (Parent Liaison )76 Nancy Zobel (Past
Support Teacher), and Nancy Siembor-Brown (Past Principal) at the Enfield Elementary
School.
Location:
Enfield Elementary School is located on 15.75 acres near the intersection of State
Route 79W and State Route 327 (20 Enfield Main and Mecklenburg Roads). It is built
on land that was sold to the Ithaca City School District May 29, 1957 by William J. Ross.
It is one of eight elementary schools in the Ithaca District, which encompasses about 60
square miles. Building construction was started in 1957 and the school opened in
September 1959, with additions built in 1969 and 1990. Frank Spadaro was the first
Enfield Elementary School principal, 1958 – 1969.
Population:
Enfield is currently Pre-K through 5th. Once it contained sixth graders but in the
early 1980's, the sixth graders were moved to the middle school. Currently, about 250
students are enrolled in the school. In the early 1980's the Enfield boundaries were
enlarged when the district closed several elementary schools. Enfield had twice been
76 The Town of Enfield New York Christian Hill to Enfield Falls. Edited by Members of the
Enfield Historical Society and Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian. 2002.
36 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
considered for closure in the 1980's, but instead, children who attended Glenwood
School were sent to Enfield. In 1987, (2002) the current principal, Nancy Siembor-
Brown, came to Enfield to be our first woman principal. The staff has been mostly
female (90% to 10% ), but we have always had a few male teachers to round out the
staff. Enfield's students use to attend Boynton Middle School, but were changed to
Dewitt Middle School in 1986. This helped to balance the academic and social groups
in the district. (NOTE: 2006 students from Enfield where moved back to Boynton Middle
School).
Traditions:
Enfield has many organizations and activities, which, over the course of many years,
have become traditions at the school. PTA has been an active group that has always
been willing to contribute monetarily and to help the school with projects that benefit
the children. A good example was the construction of Enfield's current playground. It
was built in the early 1980's in one long day, 12-hour day by parents, staff and
community members. The PTA has fundraisers each year such as book sales, flower
bulb sales, and its annual Fun Fair held in late spring. They support activities such as
Open House, story telling, concerts, holiday food baskets, school newsletter, the fifth
grade trip and graduation. Community Council is another group that provides special
activities for children such as an after school program and summer camps in July and
August. This group also provides for recreational activities for adults such as
basketball, volleyball, and self-defense classes.
The fifth grade trip is a long-standing tradition. Any one who has had children in the
school knows it is a project that takes the entire school year. Groups raise sufficient
funds to send the fifth graders and chaperons to places such as Washington,
Cooperstown, Toronto, and the Thousand Islands. The biggest fundraiser for the trip is
a chicken barbecue, which is held in conjunction with the PTA Fun Fair in May.
Everyone in the community pitches in to make this fundraiser a success.
One of the newest but most treasured traditions is the Community Breakfast. It is
held in December, the morning of the last day of school before the holiday break. For
two weeks prior to the breakfast, children and staff in the school, prepare kuchens, a
type of cinnamon raisin bread, to be served at the breakfast. It is truly a heartwarming
sight to watch young children kneading bread dough while their teacher explains that
they are helping prepare breakfast for the entire community. The "community" does
indeed attend this breakfast. Members of the Ithaca City School District, along with
parents, grandparents and community members stand in line for their eggs, kuchen and
orange juice.
An innovative project that was started in the 1993-94 school year is the Enfield
Garden Project. Each grade level has a garden theme: Senses for Pre-Kindergarten,
Spring Vegetables for first, Fall Vegetables for second and an Orchard for third. At
fourth, students use their garden to study history, and at fifth, they are working on
sustainable agriculture and ecosystem projects. Help with maintaining the gardens
comes from students, parents, community members, and teachers. This is truly a
community wide project.
37 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
In 1995, the staff wrote a technology grant application to the Microsoft Corporation
and were one of 22 schools nationwide who were funded. This project, nicknamed the
"Road a Head", has provided the computer training for staff and a series of after school
and in school mini-courses run by the Cayuga Nature Center for our students. As a
result, students are using computers more in science. Combined with the district
program, the hard work of our librarian, students at Enfield have many chances to use
computers throughout their school day.
School Management:
Enfield has used the New York State Effective Schools Program since 1986. This
program pairs input from the community, the parents, and staff and the students with
school improvement plans and policies. Using the data collected in yearly surveys, the
School Improvement Team develops a plan for the following year. This plan addresses
the needs as expressed by the responding parties. It is written during the summer and
revised by staff at the start of the school year. These Plans have contributed to the
gains students are now making academically and the spirit of pride and community felt
in the school.
The Ithaca City School District has formed a Site Based Shared Decision-Making
Council in each school as set forth by the State Education Department in the New
Compact for Learning. The councils are formed by the purpose of overseeing the
improvement of school and student performance. Plans are developed through a
process of consensus of the council members and are aimed at achieving established
student outcomes. Our council is comprised of five teachers, five parents, one
paraprofessional, one service worker, two community members and the principal.
Sources
Enfield Elementary School Teachers original list from M. Clyde Hubbell (Jack)
1977-2014.
Note: September thru June school year
Ithaca Journal (IJ), Ithaca, NY- news articles of various years.
1958 Frank Spadaro
1959 Frank Spadaro
1960 Frank Spadaro
1961 Frank Spadaro
1962 Frank Spadaro
1963 Frank Spadaro
1964 Frank Spadaro
1965 Frank Spadaro
1966 Frank Spadaro
1967 Frank Spadaro
1968 Frank Spadaro
1969 Patrick Saggese
38 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
◦July 16, 1968 IJ Patrick Saggese was appointed principal of Enfield
Elementary School. Has been physical education teacher at South Hill
Elementary school for the past five years. Releases Frank Spadaro to
become full-time teaching principal at the Glenwood School. Frank has been
principal of both schools since Glenwood opened.
1970 Patrick Saggese
1970 Patrick Saggese
1971 John Wertis
◦June 9, 1970 IJ John Wertis appointed principal of Enfield Elementary
School. He succeeds Patrick Saggese who will become principal at South
Hill School in July.
1972 John Wertis
1973 John Wertis
1974 John Wertis
1975 John Wertis
1976 John Wertis
1977 John Wertis
1978 John Wertis
1979 John Wertis
1980 John Wertis
1981 William McDonald
◦March 19, 1980 Glenwood principal William MacDonald will continue to serve
as principal of Enfield school as well.
1982 William McDonald
◦June 30, 1981 IJ McDonald not to Stay at Enfield due to district cuts Navarro
will start in Sept. 1981.
1983 Robert Navarro
1984 Robert Navarro
1985 Robert Navarro
1986 Robert Navarro
1987 Robert Navarro
1988 Robert Navarro
◦September 2, 1987 Ithaca Journal. Nancy Siembor-Brown elementary
principal at Indian River Central School district in Upstate’s Philadelphia will
replace from Enfield Principal Bob Navarro who has been transferred to Belle
Sherman
1989 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1990 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1991 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1992 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1993 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1994 Nancy Siembor-Brown
39 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
1995 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1996 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1997 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1998 Nancy Siembor-Brown
1999 Nancy Siembor-Brown
2000 Mary Burtless
◦Jan. 18, 2000 – June 30 Interim School Principal Mary Burtless. Ithaca
Journal November 30, 1999.
2001 Mary Burtless
◦Nancy Brown on child care leave. Ithaca Journal June 27, 2000
2002 Mary Burtless
◦New Principal appointed Ithaca Journal July 5, 2001
2003 Mary Burtless
2004 Mary Burtless
2005 Mary Burtless
2006 Mary Burtless
2007 Mary Burtless
2008 Mary Burtless
2009 Michael Simons
◦was assistant principal at Dryden Elm School for past three years. Before that
he was a fourth grade teacher at Belle Sherman and a kindergarten and
second grade teacher at Fall Creek Elem School. Ithaca Journal June 23,
2008
2010 Michael Simons
2011 Michael Simons
2012 Lisa Rieger
◦worked in education for nearly 20 years. Started as a special education
teacher in Binghamton and then elementary teacher and enrichment
specialist before becoming an administrator in the Binghamton City School
District. Ithaca Journal August 10, 2011
2013 Lisa Rieger
2014 Lisa Rieger
2015 Lisa Rieger
2016 Lisa Rieger
2017 Lisa Rieger
2018 Lisa Rieger
2019 Keith Harrington
2020 Keith Harrington
2021 Keith Harrington
2022 Keith Harrington
40 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
One Day On Connecticut Hill by Fern Buckingham Smith Ferris and family77
On February 19, 1959, the Smith family arose to start the day. Earl, husband and
father left to drive school bus for Swarthout and Ferris and then to work for the town of
Enfield Highway Department, driving a snow plow. It had been a fairly harsh winter with
snow banks getting extremely high alongside the road. Roxie was 11 and attending
Boynton Jr. High School in Ithaca. Diana was 9 and in the 5 th grade and Joyce was 7
and in the 2nd grade. They were attending Enfield Elementary School. Debra, age 3, was
at home with her mother, Fern.
After everyone had left for the day, Fern and Debra walked to Grandma and
Grandpa Smith’s (Mary and Hulse) for their supply of milk. This was about a third of a
mile east on Connecticut Hill Road. The snow banks on both sides of the road were
higher than the snow plow trucks. It started snowing very hard and the wind was picking
up so there was a lot of drifting. While they were walking down, they could hear the plow
coming. They had to run to get into the driveway before the plow came down the road.
They made it but it sure was scary (Debra still remembers this even though she was
very young at the time).
Enfield School closed about 10 A.M. Fern needed to make a path from the road to
the house so that Diana and Joyce could get in from the bus. She put Debra in front of a
small window so she would be able to watch her do this. It was difficult to get the girls
into the house because they went into snow up to their armpits. The school had a dress
code at that time so the girls had to wear dresses. When Fern got the girls in the house
she put them in a tub of warm water to help them warm up quicker. They said it felt
good on their cold legs.
Fern noticed the storm had not let up at all. It was still snowing and the wind was
blowing the snow into bigger banks. She phoned Boynton School to ask if they would be
dismissing the children early. The lady that answered the phone said there was no
reason to close early. Fern told her that she was unable to see the road in front of the
house but the lady said it was clear in Ithaca. The girls and their mother ate lunch and
settled down to watch TV.
Around 2:30, Fern heard the kitchen door open. Roxie, Bob Arnold and Dean Wilkins
were walking in the house. It took awhile for them to catch their breath so they could tell
Fern the school bus was stuck in the snow on Black Oak Road (the North Road as they
called it then). Fern phoned the Enfield Highway Barn to tell them about the bus being
stuck. Rolf Holtkamp, the bus driver, had asked if Roxie could get home to call for help.
She said she could by crossing the fields. He sent Bob and Dean with her to help her
through the deep snow. The snow was so deep Roxie kept getting stuck. The kids had
to crawl on their hands and knee some of the way. Bob and Dean got warmed up and
had some soup. They left the house to go back to the bus to let Rolf know they had
called for help.
77 The Town of Enfield New York Christian Hill to Enfield Falls. Edited by Members of the
Enfield Historical Society and Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian. 2002.
41 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Roxie kept telling Fern that some of the children on the bus hadn’t eaten breakfast or
lunch due to the school closing at 11:00. Roxie wanted to take packages of cookies to
them. Fern thought that if they could take enough clothes with them, the Everhart girls,
Elizabeth, Janet and Barbara, would be able to walk home, stopping at the Smith house
first to warm up and have lunch. She also thought that the bus would then be able to
turn around and go back to Route 79 after the plow arrived and cleared the road. Roxie
and Fern dressed in many layers of clothes and grabbed the cookies and started for the
bus. It was about a half-mile from the house. They stayed in the fields - it was easier
traveling than the road.
Rolf Holtkamp and the children were very glad to see them. Fern told Rolf her plans
for the Everhart girls and he agreed with her. Roxie and Fern then shed their extra
layers of clothes and the Everhart girls put them on. The group of five then walked back
to the Smith’s. Elizabeth, Janet and Barbara ate lunch and then walked home. Fern
phoned their mother, Aline, to let her know they were walking home. Fern could see
their house because it was only a quarter of a mile away but it was difficult with the
snow blowing. They phoned her when they arrived home. The storm had finally begun
to ease a little. Fern again phoned the Enfield Highway Department to let them know the
bus was still stuck. The time now was about 4 P.M.
Earl had a feeling that something was not right at home. He could only drive as far
up Trumbulls Corners Road as the little red schoolhouse, which was still about a mile
from home. He walked home from there. It was about 7 P.M. when he got to the house.
Fern told him about the bus being stuck down the North Road. He put on dry clothes,
ate supper, grabbed a long rope and headed out to walk to the bus. When Earl was a
young boy in school at the little red schoolhouse down the road, his grandfather,
Wheeler Smith, would walk to the school any time there was a bad storm. He would
bring with him a rope with knots in it. Each child would grab a knot and hang on while
they walked. Earl was planning on doing the same.
When Earl got to the bus, he also discovered there was an Enfield snowplow stuck
up the road in front of the bus with two men in it. He also found a car with two other
people in it. They were his cousins, Hilda and Norman Amberge, who lived across the
road from the Smith’s. Everyone got together and started to walk across the fields
towards the Smith house. Earl had left a large outdoor flood light on an outer building
turned on to help direct everyone to the house. The wind was still blowing and the snow
was still coming down. It was a very long and hard walk.
When the 32 children got to the house, they brought a lot of snow into the house
with them. The kitchen floor was made of wide maple boards finished with raw linseed
oil, which became very slippery when wet. Hilda, Norman, Roxie and Fern formed an
assembly line across the kitchen to help the kids get across the kitchen and into the
living room. They hung their coats on hangers on the water pipes, which extended
across the kitchen ceiling. After everyone was in the house, Earl had to shovel snow out
of the kitchen. Rolf and the plowmen remained outside until all the children arrived. The
Smith girls brought out dry clothes for people to change into, mostly they used the
socks.
The Smith family’s pantry was kept well stocked in case of bad winter storms. Earl
42 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
told Fern the best thing to do would be to get all the soup and sandwich material out for
something quick and hot for the children to eat. She also made hot oatmeal for the ones
that wanted it. They all enjoyed the food.
Earl had all the children take turns phoning their parents to let them know they were
okay. Later many of the parents let the Smith’s know how much they appreciated this.
About this time, Bill Banner, superintendent of Ithaca schools, phoned to obtain
information about the bus. He was relieved to hear everyone was safe and sound.
There was a front room which had a pool table but the Smith’s usually kept this room
closed in the cold winter months however on this night they opened it. That kept the
boys busy playing pool. Roxie played records so the girls could dance.
Earl spent about two hours or more packing a path on the snow banks from the
house to the road getting ready for the people to leave the house when possible. He
used a snow shovel and his feet.
Charles Sheffield driving a school bus, a Tompkins County “V” snow plow, Jake
Smithers and Frank Spadaro met at Millers Corners, on Route 79, to start the trip up to
the Smith house. When they got to the corner of Rumsey Hill Road, Connecticut Hill
Road and Trumbulls Corners Road, Frank and Jake got out and started walking in front
of the plow with flashlights because the plow driver could not see the road. At one point
Frank got off the road by mistake and sunk in the deep snow.
It was around midnight by the time the plow and the school bus arrived at the
Smith’s. There was a lot of confusion while everyone was getting ready to go home. Earl
told the children to be sure to stay on the path to the road or they would sink into the
deep snow. The plow stayed with the school bus until the last student was home which
was about 3 A.M.
The Ithaca School System sent the Smith’s a lovely letter thanking them for all
they had done for the children and also included a check to help pay for the food they
had so generously given.
43 Schools of Enfield, New York – September 7, 2022
Map of Enfield Schools