Greenfield Historical Society notes...
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One of the earliest schools, outside of what would become the city of Greenfield, was Madison Township School #2, located on the corner of what is now Titus Road and state Route 138, about 2 miles west of Greenfield.
It was known as the Duncan School because it was accessed by the lane that ran from Carr’s Ford Pike (Rt. 138) to the farm of the Duncan family, now the home of Rick and Vickie Unger.
In 1830, William McMillan, owner of the farm presently owned by John Royse, transferred 99 poles of his property to the Madison Township School Directors Handy Cannon, Edward Byram, and Robert Duncan.
In 1833, McMillan sold his farm to Anselm Ballard, grandfather of Addie A. Ballard Murray, of Murray Funeral Home.
In 1851, Anselm Ballard along with James Gustin and James Douglas were directors of the school and John Duncan served as treasurer.
On March 20, 1917, the Greenfield Board of Education, as it began consolidation of the GEVS district, transferred the 99 poles back to Addie Murray, who had inherited the property adjacent to the school.
A one room brick school stood on this spot until 1988 when it was in the process of being rehabbed for a home and it was blown down in a severe storm. All that remains is the hand pump over the original well dug for the school. Today the site is the home of Steve and Mary Jane Parker.
Several years ago, Wendy Royse acquired two books used by the school. One was “The Children’s First Reader” published in 1900.
Inscribed in pencil inside the book are the names Laura L. Douglas and the date Sept. 14, 1901 and then the name Dane Murray (Addie’s son) and followed by the name Mattie Frasher.
The second book, a “Fourth Reader,” belonged to Laura L. Douglas and is dated Sept. 9, 1904. She listed some of her classmates under the date Nov. 8, 1904.
They are: Rachel S. Duncan, Elsie L. Creamer, Grace M. Wilson, Finley Arnott, Hugh Kenidy, Lessie Homes,Vergle Dodds. Note that Laura spelled some names exactly as they sounded. The teacher that year was Miss Clara Morton.
Teachers for several other years were also listed in the book. They were: Miss Evens 1901, Genae Erven 1902, Nellie Hull 1903, Clara Morton 1904, Lucsiea Morton 1905. Again we have Laura’s original spelling.
Society serving
Sunday dinner Jan. 10
• The Historical Society has just finished out the 2009 year and is already planning events for 2010.
On Sunday, Jan. 10 from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. the society will be serving Sunday dinner at the Grain and Hay Building, McArthur Way, Greenfield.
The cost is only $10 for saucy baked chicken, potatoes, green beans almondine, salad, rolls, drinks and dessert. This is not a buffet, but a sit-down dinner.
The society hopes to provide an enjoyable meal like Grandma used to make for people who would like to dine out after church without driving out of town. No need to worry about the weather getting bad and being stranded somewhere.
No pitch by Harold or Wendy to get you to join the group; just a great meal out with friends and family! No need to buy tickets in advance.
The society is also planning a Sunday dinner in February and one in March, each with a different menu.[[In-content Ad]]
It was known as the Duncan School because it was accessed by the lane that ran from Carr’s Ford Pike (Rt. 138) to the farm of the Duncan family, now the home of Rick and Vickie Unger.
In 1830, William McMillan, owner of the farm presently owned by John Royse, transferred 99 poles of his property to the Madison Township School Directors Handy Cannon, Edward Byram, and Robert Duncan.
In 1833, McMillan sold his farm to Anselm Ballard, grandfather of Addie A. Ballard Murray, of Murray Funeral Home.
In 1851, Anselm Ballard along with James Gustin and James Douglas were directors of the school and John Duncan served as treasurer.
On March 20, 1917, the Greenfield Board of Education, as it began consolidation of the GEVS district, transferred the 99 poles back to Addie Murray, who had inherited the property adjacent to the school.
A one room brick school stood on this spot until 1988 when it was in the process of being rehabbed for a home and it was blown down in a severe storm. All that remains is the hand pump over the original well dug for the school. Today the site is the home of Steve and Mary Jane Parker.
Several years ago, Wendy Royse acquired two books used by the school. One was “The Children’s First Reader” published in 1900.
Inscribed in pencil inside the book are the names Laura L. Douglas and the date Sept. 14, 1901 and then the name Dane Murray (Addie’s son) and followed by the name Mattie Frasher.
The second book, a “Fourth Reader,” belonged to Laura L. Douglas and is dated Sept. 9, 1904. She listed some of her classmates under the date Nov. 8, 1904.
They are: Rachel S. Duncan, Elsie L. Creamer, Grace M. Wilson, Finley Arnott, Hugh Kenidy, Lessie Homes,Vergle Dodds. Note that Laura spelled some names exactly as they sounded. The teacher that year was Miss Clara Morton.
Teachers for several other years were also listed in the book. They were: Miss Evens 1901, Genae Erven 1902, Nellie Hull 1903, Clara Morton 1904, Lucsiea Morton 1905. Again we have Laura’s original spelling.
Society serving
Sunday dinner Jan. 10
• The Historical Society has just finished out the 2009 year and is already planning events for 2010.
On Sunday, Jan. 10 from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. the society will be serving Sunday dinner at the Grain and Hay Building, McArthur Way, Greenfield.
The cost is only $10 for saucy baked chicken, potatoes, green beans almondine, salad, rolls, drinks and dessert. This is not a buffet, but a sit-down dinner.
The society hopes to provide an enjoyable meal like Grandma used to make for people who would like to dine out after church without driving out of town. No need to worry about the weather getting bad and being stranded somewhere.
No pitch by Harold or Wendy to get you to join the group; just a great meal out with friends and family! No need to buy tickets in advance.
The society is also planning a Sunday dinner in February and one in March, each with a different menu.[[In-content Ad]]