Marshville Heritage Society's Heritage preservation

Most young people attended for at least six or more years and left after completing a basic education in literacy, mathematics, some rudimentary science and history, as well the most important Christian principles of morality and proper behaviour. Bright children whose parents could afford it could, at some point, proceed to Grammar schools who prepared young men for further education or for training in the professions of law, medicine and the church. Young ladies from affluent families often attended private schools for young women that specialized in the arts and social graces. 

In the local Common schools, however, the emphasis was on rote-learning of a set body of knowledge which had to be mastered or memorized to pass the oral examinations conducted by the local Superintendent. Discipline was reinforced by the threat of physical punishment or the use of guilt or public humiliation. 

Schools were generally uncomfortable places, heated by wood stoves, poorly lighted, with few books or supplies. Much of the daily work was done on slates. Permanent notes were re-copied into “copy books” (notebooks) provided by the students, as were all other personal school supplies.

HISTORY

Wainfleet Township Council passed a by-law on December 18th, 1865, which formed this school section by taking portions of S.S. No. 6 to the east and S.S. No. 7 to the west. The school site chosen in this section was at the northwest corner of Lot 27, Concession 4, and was purchased from A.A. Forrester and family. A brick building costing $960.00 was erected in 1866 and was the only schoolhouse at this location.

In 1914, Warren A. Ellsworth became the teacher and served the section capably and faithfully until June 1946. Mr. Ellsworth’s extracurricular interests included sports and music.

The teachers who taught here from 1946 to 1954 were Arnold Tate; Margaret Murphy; Roberta A. Zavitz; Agnes McKnight; Martha Barrick;  Winifred Crozier; Wally Janzen; and Anna Isaac. Mrs. Ann West began teaching here in 1954 and continued as the first Opportunity Class teacher in September 1961. Mrs. Dorothy McLeod taught this class in 1962-63. Mrs. West returned for 1963-64. Miss Margaret Booker taught this class in 1964-65.

In June 1965, the school closed and was later renovated, becoming the Ellsworth Hall in 1967 for community functions. Ellsworth Hall was then closed in 1992.

The building was donated to the Society by the Township of Wainfleet and was moved in March, 1994 to the Marshville Heritage Village.

Proceeding is a copy of the notice of a meeting to establish school Section 11 in the Township of Wainfleet. It is copied from the minute book of the school board. 

The first meeting held at the home of John and Samuel Priestman on January 10th, 1866:

• Elected Joseph Priestman, James Robinson and David James Hansler as trustees
• Directed that a brick schoolhouse be erected on the northwest corner of Lot 26, Concession 4, provided the property could be obtained at a reasonable price. (This negotiation was subsequently unsuccessful, and the school was built on the northwest corner of Lot 27, Concession 4,  72 acres purchased for the sum of $300)
• Directed that the teacher’s salary and other expenses would come from an assessment on property owners

TEACHERS OF SCHOOL SECTION 11

(Years during which each teacher served the school are provided where available)

Charles Thompson

Lena Robertson

Catharine Randall

Albert Elliot

Catherine Cockburn

George Thompson

Alvirus Gleason

Sarah E. Gleason

T.H. Barbaree

Solomon Climenhaga

John Philips

Edward Wade

M.A. MacKinnon

Annie Zavitz

Irene H. Wright

Beatrice Lynch

Charles Doherty

Annie Zavitz

Millie Willson

Ida M. Gilmore

Cassie Hunt

1867-1868

1868 (winter)

1868-1869

1869-1870

1869 (summer)

1870-1871

1871-1873

1873-1893

1893-1894

1894-1897

1897-1900

1900-1902

1902-1904

1904-1907

1907-1908

1908-1909

1909

1909-1910

1910-1911

1911

1911

Warren A. Ellsworth           

Arnold Tate

Margaret Murphy

Roberta A. Zavitz

Agnes McKnight

Martha Barrick

Winnifred Crozier

Wally Janzen

Anna Isaac

Anne West                               Dorothy McLeod

Anne West

Margaret Booker

1914-1946, 1946-1954

1954-1961

1962-1963

1963-1964

1964-1965

In June, 1965, the school closed.