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At Maybole this seventh day of January Eighteen
hundred and fifty.
Convened the following Members of Committee appointed to
superintend The Maybole Ragged School and for taking
such steps as may be considered necessary for raising
funds and placing the Institution on a more permanent
and efficient basis.
Revd Mr
Dodds
Baillie
Porteous
Mr James
Murdoch
Mr Alex
Gemmell
Mr Mathew
Gibson
Mr
William Hannay
Mr R.
McMillan
Mr Murdoch is chosen Chairman in the absence of Mr
Dykes the Convener-
The Secretary reported
to the meeting that in compliance with the request of
the General Meeting held on twenty fourth October last,
he had got the report printed and had circulated about
one hundred and eighty copies, and that the oversight
committed in not embodying the approval of the Revd
Dodds motion in the Report had been supplied by a
circular stating that fact. He also begged to state that
he had received from Lady Hunter Blair a second
subscription of two pounds along with a parcel of her
children's old clothes and from Lady Dalrymple Fergusson
of Kilkerran a subscription of two pounds for both of
which he had tendered the thanks of the Committee.
The
Secretary stated that with the view of saving trouble
and time of the meeting, he had drawn up a few rules for
the regulation of the Institution for their
consideration and the same having at the request of the
meeting been read over and considered verbatim, And such
amendments as seemed necessary made. Thereon the Meeting
approved of the same as amended and which are of the
following tenor.
1.
That a small Sub Committee be appointed to consider and
dispose of all applications for admission into the
school, and that in disposing of such applications the
Committee while they be regulated by the circumstances
of each case, will no doubt keep in view two general
rules which are thought to be worthy of notice and which
have been found useful hitherto - namely that of a
strict enquiry into the moral character of the parents
or parent or other parties in charge of the child or
children and the ability of these parties to afford
maintenance and education and that in every case where
there is both moral qualifications and pecuniary
ability, the application be rejected and that the
exception to the rule be those cases where although
pecuniary ability does exist, there is a want of a moral
or religious qualification for the training of the child
- and with regard to such exceptional cases if the child
is admitted that efforts be made to obtain such a stated
weekly payment from the paternal party as their, his or
her circumstances may seem reasonable. It is also
earnestly recommended to the Sub Committee to endeavour
to find some sort of employment for such of the children
as may be of an age fitting for such.
2nd. That all
applications for admission into the school be lodged
with the Secretary and laid by him on the first Monday
of each month before the Sub Committee along with such
information in relation thereto, regarding the
circumstances of the child, as will enable the Sub
Committee to dispose of the application, with power
however to the Secretary in reference to all cases of
emergency, whether in relation to an application, or to
any other matter requiring immediate attention, to call
a meeting of the Sub Committee, to consider and dispose
of the same.
3rd. To enable the
Secretary to obtain the requisite information concerning
applications for admission, he is requested to associate
with him in the investigation any one or more members of
the Committee, and it is expected that the enquiry will
embrace domiciliary visits to the applicant's residence
and family, and a full examination into the whole
circumstances.
4th. That the School be
examined by the Sub Committee or quorum quarterly, and
commencing the first of these examinations on the last
Wednesday of March next and so on quarterly thereafter.
5th. For further
promoting the efficiency.
and
prosperity of the Institution, it is resolved that two
Ladies, be invited fortnightly in succession, to visit
the School, the Secretary always giving previous notice
to the Ladies by a card intimating the day and hour when
their visit is expected.
6th. That a
General Meeting of all interested in the Institution be
held annually in the month of April when the Treasurer
will exhibit a full account of the income and
expenditure and when also is expected that a report will
be produced and read of the progress which the
Institution has made during the past year and embodying
such suggestions and recommendations as experience may
dictate calculated to promote it's further usefulness.
7th. That the
Treasurer be requested to issue circulars under the
auspices of the Committee to the [Rectors] and others
soliciting subscriptions for the present year and as it
will be proper that the Inhabitants of the town be
waited upon personally it is agreed that the town be
subdivided into Districts and that two gentlemen be
appointed to obtain subscriptions in each District.
The meeting appoint
the Sub Committee above referred to, to consist of the
following Gentlemen :-
The Revd Mr
Menzies.
The Revd Mr Dodds.
The Revd Mr Thomson.
Mr Dykes.
Mr Porteous.
Mr N. Rennie.
Mr M Gibson.
Mr Hannay
Mr Main.
Mr S Rennie.
Mr R McMillan.
Mr Brown.
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Any three a quorum.
The Meeting divided the
town into the Districts underwritten and appointed the
gentlemen whose names are amended thereto.
1. The Main Street on both sides commencing at
Coral } Mr Stewart
Glen down to the Jail including Welltrees Street } Mr
Nimmo
2. From the Jail down the
Main Street
to my Lord's Well } Mr Murdoch
} Mr Hannay
3. The School Vennal and Greenside as far as Whitefaulds
} Mr R.McMillan
farm
house.
} Mr A. Gemmell
4. The
Newyards on both sides as far as Lynstone
and } Mr Gibson
including Townend.
} Mr Porteous
5. The
Kirkwynd and Post Vennal including
Barns } Mr Main
} Mr S. Rennie
6. The
Kirklands commencing at Mr Rankine's
house } Mr W Rennie
on both sides down to Thomas Bell's
house } Mr Jas Baird
} Mr John Farquhar
7. Weaver Vennal onwards to Spout of Welltrees
and including } Mr J Campbell
the Coral Glen and Ballony
} Mr N Fergusson
The Secretary is requested to hand to the Gentlemen
of each District a collecting book.
The meeting
having considered the case of the girl McCafferty said
to be aged about 13 years whose Mother died lately and
who is for the present without any means of support and
who has no education, agree to receive her into the
School for five weeks till it is seen whether she has a
claim on the Parochial Board or be otherwise disposed
of.
The Ragged School of Maybole
sixth February Eighteen Hundred
and Fifty
Convened the
following Members of the Acting Committee -
Reverend Mr
Dodds
Mr M. Brown
Mr R.
McMillan
Mr Murdoch
Mr Hannay
The
Teacher reported that the case of Helen McCafferty was
brought before the Parochial Board when it was arranged,
that she is to continue in the Ragged School and be
maintained for one year at the rate of One Shilling and
six pence per week for food and education.
The Meeting then took into
consideration other claims lodged for admission to the
School on behalf of children since last meeting per took
when the same were severally considered. The meeting
refused the claim for admission of Mary Fisher's son (14
years of age and can read a little)
They admit Agnes
Heggart's child on the condition of paying 2d per week,
not charging the first week and paying it each a Monday.
They admit Hugh Nocker
child of Helen Fisher for one month and on condition
that he ceases to beg and if found begging to be
dismissed.
They admit Mrs
Henderson’s child on condition of paying 4d per week.
They admitted Henry
Higgins on the condition of paying 9d per week also
Edward Higgins child of Mrs __________ on condition of
paying 6d per week.
Messrs Murdoch and Hannay reported that they had visited
their District for subscriptions and had obtained in
whole £6-10/-
The
Ragged School of Maybole seventh March
Eighteen
Hundred and Fifty
Present:
Revd Mr Dodds,
Revd Mr
Thomson,
The Secretary,
The Teacher.
The meeting
was opened by prayer by the Reverend Mr Thomson.
The Teacher
reported that Mrs Henderson could not pay 4d per week
for her child but she says that she could pay 2d per
week. The meeting agree to accept of her own proposal.
Mrs Kechie claims for the admission (P4 of Record Book)
of two of her 3 children (aged 5, 8, & 11) for whom she
offers to pay 9d per week, having been considered, are
of opinion that as these children are supported by the
Parochial Board (who pay her 2/- per week for their
support) the expense of their education falls upon the
Board & they request this be notified to the Chairman of
the Board.
Mrs Trousels claim (p4) for admission of her child of 8
and a half years was next considered. She is not on the
Board and offers 3d per week, has 3 other children 19,
14, & 11 from whom she gets no assistance they having
all left her. The meeting request the Teacher make
further enquiry into the facts stated by her and if true
to receive the child.
Mrs Bashford's claim for admission of her second child
David Bashford aged 11 (p5) and her offer to pay 4d per
week agreed to.
The Meeting request the Revd Mr Thomson to endeavour to
prevail on Mr Gemmell Shoemaker to receive the eldest
son (James Bashford) as an apprentice or if he cannot,
that he will endeavour to prevail on some of his
brothers in the trade to take him.
The
meeting think it right to request the Teacher to desire
the Parent or other applicants for the admission of
children along with the children or child to appear at
the monthly meeting that the Committee may satisfy
themselves by further examination.
The Meeting understanding that Wednesday is thought not
generally convenient for several of the members of
Committee agree to meet on the first Thursday of next
month and to consider if that, or any other day be more
suitable. Meeting closed with prayer by the Reverend Mr
Dodds.
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Ragged
School Maybole 15 April 1850 |
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Present
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Rev. Mr Dodds
Rev. Mr Thomson
Mr Murdoch
Mr R. McMillan
Mr A. Gemmell
Mr J. Campbell
Mr W. Brown |
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Meeting opened with prayer: |
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Mr
Gemmell stated that at present he had no room
for an additional apprentice and therefore he
could not receive the boy Bashford - but Mr
Gemmell undertakes to speak to some of his
Bretheren in the hope that employment may be
obtained and he will report - providing that the
boy is not engaged to the Weaving for a period. |
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The
Application of Mrs Wardlaw for her third child
having been laid before the Meeting - (see
Application Book p.5) - the Meeting agree to
receive the boy for the present free of charge -
it being evident that she cannot pay anything. |
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The
teacher reported that the boy James Irvine left
school on the 1st April in consequence of the
inability of his parents to pay the weekly
allowance. The Meeting considering that the
Father is blind and can do little for the
family, and that there is consequently a claim
on the Parochial Board, request Mr Murdoch to
represent the case at the first meeting with a
view to obtaining some assistance, and in the
meantime allow the two children to return to the
School at a weekly allowance of 4d. |
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The
Meeting decline to receive back Edward Higgins
unless his Mother resume payment of the weekly
allowance. |
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David Bashford left school on 13 April from his
Mother’s inability to pay. The Meeting agree to
receive him for two months gratuitously, at the
end of which his Mother must resume payment of
weekly allowance, otherwise the child cannot be
continued. By that time she will have the aid of
her son James Bashford’s earnings. |
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Jas.
and Chas. Brown, 9 years old each. |
Mrs
Brown cannot pay 1/- per week for her two
children, but will pay 6d. which she receives
from the Board. She was called in and examined,
after which the Meeting continue the children
till next monthly meeting when the case will be
further investigated, and the teacher is
requested to invite the two eldest sons to
attend the Meeting. |
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The
Meeting are of opinion that the monthly Meeting
be hereafter held on a Wednesday and the hour of
the Meeting to be seven o’clock of the evening.
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The
Meeting fix Thursday [senight] for the
examination of the School at 11 o’clock and that
this be intimated from the pulpits of the
several Churches. |
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Maybole
9 May 1850 |
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Present |
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Mr Dykes
Mr Murdoch
Mr Brown |
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The
teacher reported that the boy Bashford has been
engaged for some period to the Weaving. |
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Mr
Murdoch reported, in reference to the boy
Irvine, that there had not as yet been a meeting
of the Parochial Board, but that he will attend
to the matter at the first meeting. |
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Browns |
William Brown, the second eldest son of Mrs
Brown, appeared and was examined regarding the
circumstances of the family, in relation to the
brothers, James, Charles and John, and he states
that he is the only one of the family who
assists them, as his eldest brother is not with
the family and gives no aid - that in these
circumstances they cannot pay more than 6d. per
week.
The
Meeting unanimously agree that the family must
pay 1/- for the three children during summer
months and 6d. per week during the winter months
- and direct the teacher to intimate this to the
family. |
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Murdoch |
The
case of Catherine Murdoch’s child of eight and a
half years (see Application Book p.7) was
considered, but as it is a case for the
consideration of the Parochial Board, Mr Murdoch
is requested to lay the same before the first
meeting along with the case of Irvine, with the
view of having it arranged that the boy Murdoch
be sent to the Ragged School as otherwise his
education, it is believed, will be neglected,
and at the charge of the Board entirely.
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Higgins |
Andrew Higgins (see original application p.3)
presented a note stating that he is not able to
pay 9d. per week as hitherto - and can now only
give 6d. per week. The Father having been sent
for, stated that he had other three younger
children whom he must educate and that he has
already one of these at Mr McGarrach’s School
and is to send the other two on Monday first,
and that therefore he could not pay more than
6d. The Meeting are of the opinion that the rate
should be reduced to 6d. provided the Father
send the other two to school on Monday and so
long as he keeps the three younger children at
school, but that if he fails to do so, the rate
be raised to 9d. - and direct the teacher to see
to this |
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Notice of children after leaving school. |
The
Meeting consider it very desirable that some
notice be taken of those children who have left
the Ragged School, that the Committee may be
acquainted with their future progress in life
and will then now request the teacher to make
reports occasionally to the monthly meetings. |
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Maybole 5 June 1850 |
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Present |
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Reverend Mr
Dodds
Mr Richard
McMillan
Mr William
Brown |
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Meeting opened with prayer - |
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Hempkin’s children |
The
case of Edward Hempkin’s children, a Widow with
5 children - Book of Applications p.7 - was
taken up. This man’s family is in deplorable
condition, apparently, of poverty and xxxxxx. He
offers 8d. per week for two children - the
youngest two. The Meeting agree to receive the
two children in the terms specified.
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Findlay’s
children. |
The
Meeting next took up the case of Alexander
Findlay’s children (p. 9 of Book of
Applications) six in number - 12, 9, 6, 4, 2. He
wishes to have the two eldest received at 1/-
per week. The Meeting considering that these
children are destitute of education and have in
some respects got out of the parental
constraint, agree to receive the two eldest, but
under the condition to be strictly enforced,
that if the children fail to attend regularly
they are to forfeit a meal for each instance of
absence and also the 1/- must be regularly paid. |
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Teacher’s application for increase of salary. |
The
teacher respectfully directed the attention of
the Meeting to the salary at present allowed to
him by the Institution, being 6/- per week,
which he felt to be inadequate for the
comfortable sustenance of himself and wife -
both of whom are engaged in the service of the
Institution. He would be satisfied with an
increase of 1/- per week.
The
Meeting direct the application to lie over till
a future meeting for consideration and at same
time expressed their opinion in favour of the
increased allowance. |
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Case
of Jas. Thomson |
The
teacher represented the case of James Thomson
who had been lately at School and whose Mother
had turned him out of doors as being beyond her
constraint. The Meeting with the view of
reclaiming the boy authorise the teacher to
receive him into the Home on the same terms
with the Parish children, namely at 1/6 per week
for two months and to report the result to the
Committee at the end of said period. |
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The
teacher read his report as to the present
condition and conduct of some of the children
who had left the school which was satisfactory.
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Three boys who had left the School, Bashford,
Irvine and Higgins were brought in and
conversations had with them as to their present
occupations - and advice given to them for their
future guidance.
Meeting closed with prayer by Mr Dodds. |
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Maybole 12 July 1850 |
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Present |
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Mr Dykes Princ.
Rev Mr Dodds
Mr McMillan
Mr Hannay
Mr Brown
The Revd Mr Thomson |
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Hempkin’s case. |
The
teacher reported that Hempkin had not accepted
of the offer stated in the preceding Minutes.
The teacher is requested again to see him, and
find out the reason of his declining to send in
the children and to endeavour to obviate it. |
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Findlay’s case. |
The
teacher reported that
Findlay had sent
his two children and that they had been
attending regularly. |
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The
Meeting agree to the proposal of the teacher of
increasing his allowance by one shilling per
week. |
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Thomson’s case. |
The
teacher reported that the boy Thomson had been
brought into his Home and remained for five
weeks when he went off. No efforts were spared
to retain him and to reform his habits, but
without success. The Meeting request Mr McMillan
to endeavour to find employment for him as a
weaver under some master who takes an interest
in his moral welfare - and who would at same
time permit him to attend some period of each
day at the School. Mr McMillan kindly agreed to
undertake this good service. |
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Case
of Mrs Logan’s son. |
The
Meeting took up the application on behalf of Mrs
Logan’s eldest son (15 years old) Book of
Applications p. 9 - who cannot read - and her
own circumstances not admitting of paying more
than sixpence per week.
The
Mother and boy having been called and conversed
with, the Meeting agree to receive the boy on
Monday first. |
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Teacher to keep a record of history of the
children. |
The
teacher is directed to keep a book or record of
the name and conduct of each child while
attending the School - the date of leaving - the
trade or employment in which he engages after he
leaves School - and of his behaviour, so far as
he can discover it, while being taught a trade,
or otherwise engaged - so that the supporters of
the Institution may thus have the means of
knowing the history of the child after leaving
the Institution. The Secretary will provide him
with a book for this purpose. The teacher has
hitherto kept a record, but which is not in a
shape which provides of a ready reference to
each child. |
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Case
of Knocker. |
The
teacher reported that Hugh Knocker had left the
School and he had been previously attending very
irregularly - that he had also found that he
goes out and begs over the parish. The Meeting
approve Mr McMillan and the teacher to make
another effort with the boy and his Mother to
effect his regular attendance at School, and to
report to next Meeting. |
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Recreation to teacher. |
The
Meeting on the request of the teacher, allow him
three days for recreation, two days at one
period and one day at another - the days to be
selected to suit his own convenience. |
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The
Meeting was opened with prayer by the Revd Mr
Dodds and closed by the Revd Mr Thomson. |
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Maybole, 21 August 1850
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