HomeMy WebLinkAboutDistrict 10 Hilda AmbergeFiles donated to Enfield Town History February 8,2423 by M.C. (Jack) Hubbell
"files scanned and placed on Enfield Town Histo Laserfiche 1
Enfield, Tompkins County, NY
District 10, Nobles, Little Red School House, Conne4-ficut Hill Road Town of Enfield, Tompkins
County, NY
• Pictures:
• School House picture district 10 R128 19-19a
• School House with class in front R128 20-20a
• School House inside school R128 22-22
• School House picture of class R128 24
• Class picture 1905 Roll 62 22a
• Class picture and school R90 24a
o Hilda Amberge R12713a School Reunnic n August 23, 1993
• Notes, 1943 and 1944 Trustees and Collectoo Ruth Place, Trustee; Thuma M. Everhart, Ella E.
Miller; 1879 -1882 Daily School Register Teachers Emma Taylor F.F. Nobles, ttuman Nobles,
Ida Labar
• Deed copy 1959 John Arthur Noble and Doris V. Noble Tompkins County Clerk Office Libr.
425 page 235 (copy in black ink); listing of d d ownerships 1960 -1998
• Obit: Aline M. Smith Everhart
• 1951 letter to Trustee of District 10 meeting vrith Mrs. Place from E. Craig Dorman June 14.
• School Recollections 2 pages
• 6 pages regarding Nobles School District from Hilda D. Amberge
• Arthur Noble Papers
• hand written notes regarding Disgtrict 10 4 pages from 9/30/1989 Arthur Noble
• Abstract relating to original nobles district school property Charles Nobles and wife to
^ Henry Stringer (1st page) 1818 - from Arthur Noble 9/311989. 9 pages (2 copies)
NOBLES DISTRICT SCHOOL - ENFIELD # 10
The schoolhouse- was a typical one room school, although 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 cupboards the teacher's desk usually was in front of that,
with a "recitation bench" - quite long - where each class would come as
teacher called their turn to "recite". There was no electricity at any
time when it was used as a school -- kerosene lamps . The room was fairly
well lighted with its windows. Two restrooms (toilets) 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 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 down 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."
2.
A few years earlier, with visibility zero, Hulse Smith took a rope down,
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 had no
idea what had happened: so 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 above him; in addition
to this, pupils helped the younger ones (thus helping the teacher); also
the twin sisters each night as they got 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 were 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 there was much discussion about arranging transportation.
May 3, 1932, at the annual school meeting it was voted to provide trans-
portation. A committee , Nathan Rumsey and Harry Lanning,was named to make
the arrangements. After much hard work, as school started a private
contract had the pupils riding (beginning c. 9:15 a.M..') with Mr. Brooks.
Bostwick district, Budd and Woodard also joined in, Later years a larger
bus was hired.
3.
Though there was still no electricipy, the water situation
improved. A special meeting December 16, 1931, voted to put in a well.
The next day Hulse Smith with Hugh 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 Bostwicks
School (Harvey Hill Road.) Diary excerpt: "they have struck water at the
school house. Lots of water I guess. 12/23/31
12/29/31 Bargained for a pump. 1/5/32. Helped install pump at achool
house. Pump works good. Later, Jan. 17, 1932: "Took up pumps shortened
pipe. He 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 weeks text books used are listed by her.
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 Streets Girls' Entrance: Buffalo Street!
NOBLES DISTRICT SCHOOL - ENFIELD # 10
Some of the
--Teachers - not in order
* * Grace Stark 1922?
M. Strack
(her sister Gertrude taught at # 11 school)
Ellenton?
Dorothy Cox
Robert Hubbell
Rena White (wife of Robert (Bud) White
Bud White - substitute
EThel Baker Miller. (Subs. - drove horse from near Trumbulls.
Then left buggy at Wheeler Bells.
Daughter Helen stayed with Mary Smith)
Miss Newberry (Christine)
* Treasa Sanford 1926 - 28)
Leta Hines
Mr. Roundsville
* Miss Wessley
Miss Radford
Mrs. Clausen
Mrs. Parker 1930
Doris Ely (Hector)
Mrs. Clausen 1933 - 35
* stayed at Hulse Smith residence
Others probably did in bad winter weather
** lived with family at Jay Everhart house
Nobles District School - Enfield # 10
The date of the first school is not yet established; it was probably in
the 1840's -- and it appears on the 1853 map .
The school served as a meting place for school programs and for
neighborhood gatherings as well. "Box socials" were held: the lady brought
a box lunch for at least two, and her escort bid for it, and it went to the
highest bidder. When all were sold, the feasting began.
one Thanksgiving time the school put on a pageant complete with
a Pilgrim setting, with appropriate costumes and a real Thanksgiving feast.
It was recalled that the pupils danced a minuet.
Some of the boys trapped animals .
Everyone knew what a skunk smells like -- if such an unfortunate
was trapped instead of the fox; The boys came to school, wet and cold, and
had to warm up by standing behind the stove.
The end of the school year was marked by a picnic or some party,
and perhaps a "field trip" to Enfield Falls Park ( now Robert H. Treman Park).
All holidays were celebrated, with poems and songs, and especially a Christmas
tree and exchange of gifts.
Mn. Hilda D. Ambe P
881 Black Oak Road
BAD"
Newfield, NY 14867