Marshfield School

It would appear that the original school was destroyed by fire in 1893. (Prior to 1969, when the St. Peters Road was improved, the old Road followed the path of what is now known as the Linden Road. The location of the 1893 school being just across the road from the present site of the last Marshfield School which is now occupied by James Miller and family.) Records show that in 1894 a cash amount was received on School House Insurance of $400 and $424 was borrowed at 5% per annum. Chappell Construction was contracted at $542 for construction of a new school. Angus Darrach was paid the sum of $10 for services in drawing plans and specifications for a new school, Edward Chappell $12.25 for a new coal shed, and Issac Crosby was paid $10 for the school site. The new school of 1894 was built on the same property as the burnt school, which was at that time owned by Issac Crosby and was previously a part of the Montgomery Estates.

1900-1910 — Teachers: J.H. Morson, Irene MacBeath, Ethel Lorraine, Marie Spencer, Cassie B. MacLeod, Ethel Morson, Bessie Crosby, Blanche Ferguson, Julia Chappell, and Arthur Bell. During this period, two teachers were hired at a total cost of $130 including the supplement of $60. Marshfield school was listed under advanced grade schools. Up until 1908, male teachers’ salaries were 30—40% higher than that of female teachers. This discrepancy was eliminated on recommendation by Alex Anderson, Chief Superintendant of Education, and it was further recommended that long and faithful service be recognized. Total expenditure for education on PEI in 1910 was $182,000.

1911-1915 - Teachers: E. Morson, Murchison, J. MacLeod, L. Webster, H. Court.

1915-1920 - Miss M. Campbell, Miss M. Knight, Miss Helen Huestis, Miss Tanton, Evelyn Mallett, Mabel Jenkins, Miss M. Wright.

1920-1925 - Miss M. Wright, Laura Court, Pearl Shaw, Beryl Morson.

1925—1930 — Vera Andrews, Helen Terrell (Mrs. John Munn), Frances Munn and Miss MacLennan.

1928-1939 — Marguerite Terrell (Mrs. Rupert Godfrey) taught in Marshfield school for the longest period with the exception of the first

teacher, Robert Robertson.

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1939-1942 - Mildred Coffin (Mrs. Earle Foster).

1942-1943 — Muriel MacDonald.

The Board of Trustees during the early 1940’s were: Mr. LHD Foster (secretary), AA MacBeath, WW Gibson, and Lea Mill (chairman of trustees). Mr. LHD Foster, secretary of trustees for many years, died in 1943 and his wife fondly known as Mrs. LHD continued in this capacity. Property tax remained the same during this period - 24 cents on $100 of property value, plus a poll tax of $2 per householder and $1 for non-householders. The janitor of the day, Rufus Strickland, agreed to clean, paint and muresco the inside of the school for the sum of $25. The yearly teacher’s supplement at that time was $ 175.

1943-1945 - Teacher: Doris Underhay.

1945—1946 - Doris Underhay and Laura Johnston.

1946-1948 — Celine Doyle.

1948-1950 - Doris Underhay (later Mrs. Athol MacBeath).

Changes in Location and Structure

During the late forties, the board of trustees consisted of Mrs. Ernest Foster (secretary), Hector Jenkins, John Munn, and Almon Wood. Ledwell Boswell was the auditor. Teacher’s yearly supple- ment increased to $200, fall vacations were a subject of great controversy, as well as discussions on relocating the school.

In 1949, at the annual meeting of the ratepayers of Marshfield, it was decided to move the school across the highway, at a cost of $2,000, to a larger lot acquired from Benjamin Mallett. Doris Underhay was teacher at the time.

1950-1960 - Teachers: Mary MacKay, Anna Matheson, Nelda Richards, Marie Thompson, Mrs. A. Stewart, Mildred Rogerson.

The post World War II years, that is the late forties and fifties, was the period that was to prepare us for radical changes to rural living on PEI, including the school system. During this period, secondary roads and side roads were being upgraded, rural electrification was becoming widespread. Horsepower, which until now had been measured by the number of steads in a stable, had changed to the horsepower of the automobile or tractor used by the farmer to work his fields. Several farms, which until this time had been