Garland, Maine, USA
1805 - First school in Garland opened in Joseph Garland's barn

The school was an essential factor in the progress of New England civilization. It sprang from New England ideas as naturally as weeds from the fire-swept lands of the new settlement. The necessary conditions were few and simple. A half dozen children of school age, living within a mile of a common center, a person qualified to instruct in the simplest rudiments of English literature whose services were available, books of the most elementary character and, in warm weather, a spare corner in some house or barn — these were all the conditions necessary to the opening of a school. The products of the soil constituted the currency of the inhabitants and teachers were usually satisfied to receive these in payment for their services.

After the coming into the township of the Gordon and Chandler families in 1805, the necessary conditions were fulfilled and a school was opened in Joseph Garland's barn, expenses being paid by the parents of the children. Miss Nancv Gordon, afterwards the wife of William Godwin, was the teacher, and she had the honor of teaching the first school in the present town of Garland. This unpretentious school embraced eight bright boys and girls, some of whom, in turn, became teachers of note.

History of Garland, Maine by Lyndon Oak, Dover, Maine, The Observer Publishing Co., 1912

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