Early Schools in Rawdon

Municipalities settled under the English regime, schools did not revolve around a single religion nor a single language, but rather on the diversity of origins of the families settled in the various townships.

The earliest families were composed of Americans, Irish, English, Scots, French-Canadians, of Catholic or Protestant religion.

At that time the main method of travel was walking most roads were very difficult, strewn with roots and rocks, etc., or simply non-existent, making it impossible for children to travel more than 3 miles to school. Thus range schools were soon scattered throughout the Rawdon Township.

Prior to schools being built instruction for the children was done either by the parents, or in improvised classrooms in private houses.

In order to accommodate the few children of the neighbourhood with limited financial resources, low remuneration of the teachers, and little school material was a challenge.

The small agricultural community in the Township of Rawdon struggled to offer quality education.

The government encouraged education all children (English, French, Protestant, Catholic) between the ages of 7 and 14 to attend school.

As early as 1801, the Royal Institution Act for the Establishment of Free Schools and the Advancement of Education was established.

The first place of education recorded in the Township was a classroom in the house of Philémon Dugas (an American Acadian) located in the 1st range. The 12 to 14 students were from the lower ranges where after the War of Independence many settlers from the newly formed United States chose to continue to live in British territory and had settled on the eastern lots of the lower ranges.

The first school, a combination school and church, was built at the junction of the Red and White Rivers in the 2nd Range. Missionary Burton had about 30 children in attendance in 1826. Mr. James Walker was the first teacher.

This school/church combination what is referred to as the school at the Forks. This school was used until 1880 when it was sold to a farmer.

Mrs. Theresa Rowan, a teacher in 1895, received $8 per month for teaching, cleaning and heating the school, which also served as her home.

In 1850 there were 7 Irish Catholic families with 10 school-age children in the village. In the country there were 5 families with 10 school-age children. (Minutes of the School Board July 10, 1850).

Miss Levesque who taught the English Catholic children received $750 from the parish school board and $750 from the Village school board.

Ste. Anne Convent with funding sent to by ex-pat Irish Catholics who had done well in the United States. The first building used was a vacant building offered Mr. Daly. When the bishop visited he declared the building uninhabitable and sent the incumbents to St. Jacques until a building could be constructed for them.

The St. Anselme College (now College Champagnuer) was also funded by Irish Catholics who had also succeeded in the United States. When the college was opened Irish families in the United Stated sent their sons to attend St. Anselme. Related Rawdon families supported the boys and provided a home during school holidays.