| Organization name | New York Free School Society |
| Org type | School |
| Bio notes | Founded in 1805 at the request of Mayor DeWitt Clinton and with the help of a group of New Yorkers, the Society was dedicated to providing free, nonsectarian schools for all children in the city. When first incorporated by the state legislature the society was not given any funding, and was thus limited to what could be raised through subscriptions. One year later, it was able to open a school that accommodated about 40 students. In 1807, the state legislature contributed some funding, and the city donated a building with the stipulation that almshouse children be educated there. In 1809 they built a new school capable of holding 500 students, although this one was all male at first. By 1819 the Society was running four schools in the city. |
| Citations | http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2536600756.html; http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/almanac/education/1805_new_york_free_school_society |
Life of Thomas Eddy