Introduction

Massachusetts abolished slavery in 1783.  Boston became a “Beacon” that attracted blacks from slave states, who were seeking better opportunities for education and employment. Black families mostly settled on the north slope, and the more affluent white families settled on the south slope of Beacon Hill.

What were the schools in the Beacon Hill neighborhoods like?  How were children educated in the mid-1800’s?  In this lesson, you will decide if all children who lived on Beacon Hill in the 1800s received an equal education in their schools.  Use your sharp skills throughout your journey to collect evidence of fair play.  An example might be that it was considered a criminal act to educate African Americans in the South, whereas, here in the northern states, like Massachusetts, a free public education was available. 

In 1798, the black community organized the African School in order to educate their children. At first the students met in the home of Primus Hall. Later, the school was moved to the first floor room of the African Meeting House in 1808. By 1812, the Boston School Committee officially recognized the African School and started providing partial funding ($200 yearly).

Also, by 1815 a businessman,  Abiel Smith died and bequeathed $4,000 for the education of African American children in Boston. The school committee used interest from this money to fund the African School and they later used a portion of it to construct the Abiel Smith School. The Abiel Smith School was opened on March 3, 1835.

The Boston School Committee was responsible for the management of all schools in Boston.  In order to change a school you had to petition the Boston School Committee during a public meeting.  Imagine that you are a student attending the Abiel Smith School in 1849. You have an opportunity to improve your school by filing a petition.

Task