Clippings from the Brighton
Enterprise
5 Sept 1896--
The agitation for a bridge over Skunk River at Coppock is being renewed
by the citizens of that locality. A few years ago there was a
proposition before the three counties to cooperate and build a bridge
at that point. Washington, we understand was willing to pay half the
costs and Henry a quarter, but the Jefferson County supervisors refused
to do their part and the plan fell through. It is 14 miles between the
bridges at Brighton and Merrimac and one is needed badly at Coppock as
an outlet both ways. the cost would bear lightly on each county by this
cooperation plan and it ought to be done.
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14 March 1908--Old School Records
Brighton School District Fifty Seven Years Ago.
The Brighton School records go back to 1851. At that
time. Joseph Pollock was secretary of the district which was known as
No. 3 and comprised about the limits of the present enlarged town of
Brighton except that it run north to the river. A half mile has since
been added to the district on the east.
The first recorded paragraph says: "May 1851 the
directors employed T. B. Avercrombie to teach a quarter for $60, one
third, to be paid out of public school fund, the balance to be paid by
those that send and collected by himself."
In the school taught by Abercrombie the whole number
of pupils enrolled is 61 and the average daily attendance was 33 as
appears by this report.
A list of the white inhabitants o the district
school age between 5 and 21 is given and number 115.
At a meeting of the directors October 25, 1852, Elam
Flower was employed as teacher at $20 per month of "twenty one
and two thirds days" with privilege of canceling contract at end of any
month by giving 8 days notice. School to commence first Monday of
November.
On May 3, 1852, at the regular meeting, this new
school board was elected: John Rolland, President; G.W. Tuell,
Treasurer and Ralph Dewey secretary. In 1853, there were 140 white
inhabitants between the age of 5 and 21 in the district.
The annual report of Gilbert Fisher, the secretary,
made Sept. 15, 1853, gives the division as 68 males and 72 females.
Pupils enrolled 67. No. days taught 170, teachers fund paid out during
the year $9e. Average attendance 40. Contingent expenses $25. 60.
School house cost $400.
The report for 1854 give the branches taught as
Spelling, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, and Grammar. The
next year Algebra and Physiology were added to the course of study.
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