Records of the Harford County Commissioners of the School Fund and Register of Wills provide mostly financial information about the county school system for the years between 1821 and 1850.  Very few details are preserved concerning the schools themselves and the students attending them. 

The commissioners of the school fund appointed by the 1816 law were replaced by a new, independent board named in a law passed in 1822.  There were two men from each election district.  In 1830 the General Assembly placed administration of the
school fund in the hands of the orphans court, with the register of wills named as the record keeper.  The orphans court received the funds from the Treasurer of the Western Shore and distributed them to the commissioners of each school district, the boundaries of which were the same as the election districts.  During the next three years some of these school officials
accumulated unexpended funds.  As a result the distribution pattern was changed by a law passed in 1833.  Thereafter, the orphans court drew out school funds only as the commissioners needed them to pay expenses.  Another law enacted in 1840 directed the orphans court to pay teachers 

In 1838 the commissioners of the school fund were made elective, with voters annually electing five commissioners from each election district.  The term of office was increased to three in 1842.  An 1848 law returned the officials to appointive status with the General Assembly naming three commissioners for each election district (now numbering six) and directing the orphans court to fill vacancies. 

In 1850 the Harford County school system was revamped by an act to establish public schools in the county.  The commissioners of the school fund and the role of the  orphans court were abolished, and their responsibilities and duties given to the board of county commissioners and a board of school commissioners.  The county commissioners would receive the state
funds, levy taxes for school purposes, appoint the school commissioners, and disburse funds to this board.  The school
commissioners could establish and manage "as many schools as supportable and necessary," hire teachers, and prescribe
courses of study and textbooks.  Unless exempted by a school commissioner, each student paid a tuition of not over $1.00 per
quarter. 

Records of the Harford County Commissioners of the School Fund include (Proceedings) 1821-1829 [MSA C947]. School records of the Harford County 

On Saturday, April 10, the Archives will offer another of its genealogy workshops. Called No Stone Unturned, the workshop
will focus on little-known genealogical resources at the Archives and elsewhere, that will help researchers find answers to
problems defying solution. The one-day session will be held at the Hall of Records Building in Annapolis and will run from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  The cost is $50 which includes morning coffee, lunch, and all materials.  Presenters will be Patricia Dockman Anderson and Robert Barnes.  A brochure can be found on the Archives' web site under "Reference and Research" or can be obtained by calling the Archives on (410) 260-6400. 

Information about Harford County school records after 1865 will appear in a later article.

MSA SC 5086: Burton Collection, 1998.  Family Tree of Andrew J. Sims and Mary Jane Bone Sims;  Descendants of Robert
Bone; Descendants of ?? Burton; Descendants of Johann Noppinger. 

MSA SC 5087: S. J. Martenet & Co.,  Inc. Collection, 1811-1915 ca. Correspondence of  Thomas Poppleton  related to his map of Baltimore City, 1811-1812; 3 volumes,  M. & C.C. #1-3,  recording the public property of the City of Baltimore, index and title abstracts by category of property and including extracts of titles to streets, lanes, and alleys, 1870 ca - 1913 ca;  plats related to the Baltimore Company's lots and Principio Company's lots in Baltimore County for dates including 1794 and 1811. Restricted. 

MSA SC 5088:  Kelbaugh Stereograph Collection, 1910 ca. Two Stereographs: one of black oystermen on the deck of an
oyster boat in the Chesapeake Bay; and one of Bancroft Hall at the United States Naval Academy. 

MSA SC 5094: St. Mary's County Career File Collection, var. dates. Electronic file, St. Mary's County Career  Files compiled by Lois Carr. Restricted. 

MSA SC 5095: Joshua Civin Research Collection, 1780-1843. Research materials relating to Baltimore and Liverpool. Collection includes Baltimore City Council Papers, RG 16 S2: proceedings, 1st Branch, 1800-1843,  proceedings, 2nd Branch, 1800-1843; City Council Ordinances and  Resolutions, 1797. Microfilm. Restricted. 

MSA SC 5096: Phrenology Collection, 1840 ca-1885 ca. Books and journals on phrenology. 

MSA SC 5097: Prather Collection, var. dates. Research notes relating to John W. Prather, Praters in Wiltshire1480-1670 and Prater, Prather, Prator, Praytor in America 1620-1800. 

MSA SC 5098: Colonial Garden Club Collection, 1956-1998. Records of the Colonial Garden Club of Annapolis and the U.S. Naval Academy. 

MSA SC 5099: Frances Smith Collection, n.d. Materials relating to speeches given by Governor Harry Hughes.