Edgar Haas also chimes in on the 1856 schoolhouse. Below is the quote from his report.
“In 1851 the house being very much out of repair, it was thought necessary to build a new one. A small lot was given (for $1.00), and the present building erected with money raised for the purpose with a special tax.
In 1856, a small appropriation was made for the teacher, thus increasing his compensation. In 1858 the school was made entirely free, and kept open six months in the year, until 1868, since which time, it has been kept open for nine to eleven months every year. Since last year, the textbooks have been furnished by the District, and their value now amounts to $300. The house, a one-story frame, 30×40 feet, is in good repair, and worth about $500.
The teacher is Miss Lizzie Flenard. Trustees: Henry B Kemble, Caleb Wright, Eli Bowker, Dist. Clerk”
It must have been tough to hire and retain teachers as these two ads, a few years apart, indicate.
From the George Flemming Book, “Brotherton,” Page 157:
“Tabernacle School #90. Tabernacle School #90, built in 1856, was once located in the center of the Village of Tabernacle, near the intersection of Carranza Road and Medford Lakes – Tabernacle Road, across from the cemetery. It functioned for many years until eventually portions of it were moved and incorporated into the schoolhouse still standing across the intersection (not so, two room schoolhouse erected in 1909 was the building moved down the road), which was built in 1936. Among the teachers engaged at the early Tabernacle School were Esther Scull and Portence Johnson, who were paid $35 per month.
From the 11 July 1893 Annual Report for School 90 in possession of THS:
Mailed to John Wesley Haines Tabernacle P.O. Appears to have been completed by R. H. Haines, Clerk of the School District. Teacher’s annual salary was $351.00 ($29.25 per month). Value of property was $1000. Number of desks was 60. There was one female teacher. Two separate line items for male and female teachers!
From the 1987 Lillie Fitzpatrick Thesis in possession of THS:
Tabernacle School began in that little one room log church at the crossroads and it grew as the little settlement grew. In 1856, on ground donated by Charles Bowker ( note: possibly Charles L Bowker 1829-1905, married to Sarah Lippencott and son of Isaac and Mary Lee Bowker) the first school house was erected across the road from the church.
Tabernacle Historical Society 