Bethel School History
(From an address by James F. Callbreath at White Lake)
The town of Bethel was divided in districts in 1813; Bethel then included J Delaware and Cochecton; seven districts were located-No, 1, Fulton Settlement; No.2, Stewart's; 3, Hurd;- 4, Bethel; 5, Brown's; 6, White Lake; 7, Mongaup Bridge. The original buildings were all log, except No.5, a small frame building, erected by and. near Wm. Browns.The first White Lake school house was built in 1815 and 1816; builder -, George Ackerman; Mr. Judson furnished some of the lumber; Miss Mary Sherwood taught there in 1816, being the first teacher. Irene Judson attended there from 1819 to 1822. This log school house was on the ground now occupied by the Pintler home, at that time owned by Beekman; it was burned down in the winter of 1822 and 1823.
The stone school house was erected the following year - 1823-1824, 74 years ago; Mr. Dunlap furnished material and did part of the work. Irene Judson attended school there from 1824 to 1829 or 30. The first teacher in the old stone school was Miss Mary Brown; Milton Royce taught there in 1826-27; Ann Gillespie taught there in 1827-1828.
There were then no stoves, no matches, benches or desks, the books were few. The wages of teachers were: women, $2 a week; men, $12 to $16 per month, the teachers boarding around.
Stone Schoolhouse
The dates of 1915-1916 should read 1815-1816
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