SCHOOLS OF YESTERYEAR
The History of Bingham District #1
Kelly School, Part 1
by Janis Stein

Join me as I delve into the history of Bingham #1; the original records of this school tell part of the story - records that survived the fires of 1871 and 1881.

The history of Bingham #1 is long and rich, with at least four, but more likely five, structures built over a span of almost 100 years. While most folks remember Kelly School as the old Farmer's Hall located in Bingham Township, the original Bingham #1 schoolhouse was built in 1866 when the area was heavily wooded and settlers no doubt struggled to simply survive. The basic need for education and growth entwined with those survival instincts as pioneers of the area ascertained the need for a school to teach their young.

Surviving the two massive forest fires of 1871 and 1881, which wiped out much of the Thumb area, original records document a letter dated December 18, 1865, written by William Williams, clerk of the board of school inspectors, to Henry Jurgess, the Assessor (spelled Afsefsor in the actual letter). The letter begins by stating "the school inspectors of the Township of Bingham have formed a school district in said township." The area designated to be a part of Bingham District #1 included the following sections: 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The second paragraph of the letter specifies the first meeting of this district would be held at the house of Robert Scott on December 25, 1865, at 10 o'clock in the morning. Before the meeting was conducted, however, William Williams and Henry Jurgess had to notify every legal voter in the district of the time and place of the meeting, either personally or by leaving a written notice at each voter's residence.

As planned, the first meeting of the district was held on December 25, 1865. William Williams was chosen to act as Clerk and Robert Scott chaired the meeting. As business was conducted, Robert Scott was officially elected Moderator; William Williams would act as the Director; and Henry Jurgess, the Assessor.

With plans underway to formalize the area children's education, the next steps were to procure a site for the schoolhouse and determine who would construct the building. And everything would be done by the book. A schoolhouse contract was created and entered into "between Frederick Jurgus and Henry Jurgus of the first part" and Bingham #1.

The contract went on to read: "The party of the first part agrees to build a schoolhouse in said School District #1 in the Township of Bingham for the sum of one hundred thirty-five dollars to be built according to the specifycations (specifications) hereinafter described. The house is to be twenty-six feet long and eighteen feet wide. The body of the building is to be double boarded with good common lumber ten feet long and a girt two inches thick and six inches wide around the building. The gable ends are to be double boarded with an extry (extra) board under the ends of the sheating (sheeting) of the roof. Ther (There) is to be five windows, twelve lights in each window of ten by twelve glass. The under floor is to be laid with inch and a half lumber and jointed the upper floor of one-inch lumber and a good shingled roof. The door is to be planed and matched and for putting up the above described building the said School District agrees to pay the party of the first part one hundred thirty-five dollars."

The contract was dated the second day of February, 1866. Frederick Jurgus and Henry Jurgus signed on the dotted line. Signatures on behalf of Bingham District #1 included Robert Scott, Moderator, and James McAllister, Director. (Note that at the December meeting approximately six weeks beforehand, William Williams had acted as the Director.)

Also signed and dated February 2, 1866, was the lease for the land owned by Henry Jurgus upon which the new school would be built. The lease stated in part: "Henry Jurgus of the Township of Bingham in the County of Huron and State of Michigan of the first part for the consideration of the sum of eighteen dollars does hereby lease unto School District No. 1…the following parcel of land thirteen rods square in the SE corner of the SE quarter of the NE quarter of Section Ten…with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging to have and to hold to use the same for a schoolhouse and school purposes." The document was signed and sealed in the presence of Philip White. And so the work began.

A summary of expenses listed in a ledger dated 1867 included costs of $135 for building the schoolhouse and $18 for the schoolhouse site. Desks and benches were procured for $20, and the stove and pipe totaled $22.70. Hinges and screws set the district back just 30 cents, while $1 was paid out for paper and $1.15 was needed for stamps. The ledger book cost 60 cents, while $1.22 was needed to buy the pail, dipper and a broom. To protect the district's newest valuables, a $2 lock was purchased as well. James McAllister earned $6 for his duties as Director; Robert Scott, Moderator, was paid $3 as was Henry Jurgus, the Assessor.

The school board held meetings, for the most part, during the first week in September each year throughout the 1860s. Minutes from the first meeting were dated September 3, 1866, and consisted of just one sentence. Philip White moved that Henry Jurgus be Assessor for the next term, and the motion was seconded by James McAllister. Mary Ann Shire was the very first teacher to guide the children of Bingham #1, and on September 22, 1866, she was paid a wage of $50. (Although the surname was listed as 'Shire' in the record books, later documents indicated it possibly should have been spelled Shier.)

A special meeting was called by the board not long after the first with the purpose of "ascertaining the manner of raising the teacher's wages." It was also decided they would hold another three-month session of school. In addition, James Wilson seconded the motion made by Henry Jurgus that $12 be raised for payment of the school board officers. Dora Brethour was paid her teacher's salary on May 3, 1867; the district must not have been able to raise additional money for her wages as her pay totaled $50.

Alex Scott was elected to act as Director the following year, and in the annual September meeting in 1867, it was decided "that $1 be raised on each scholar in the district." The decision was made to conduct six months of school, three during the winter months and three during the summer. Jennette Robinson taught both terms, earning $50 in February, 1868, and an additional $34 in August of the same year. In an effort to raise funds, non-resident scholars would be charged 30 cents per week. The winter months were no doubt cold, and each pupil was required to contribute one-half cord of wood to warm the schoolhouse. The salary of the officers remained at a combined total of $12.

Be sure to look for the continuation next month as I describe the happenings at Bingham #1 during the 1860s and 1870s.

If you would like to see your schoolhouse featured in this series and are willing to share your experiences, please email Janis at janis@lakeshoreguardian.com or write to Janis at The Lakeshore Guardian, 9697 Purdy Rd., Harbor Beach, MI 48441.

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