Testimonial on Behalf of Miss Marsha Shearer's Moral Character and Ability to Teach Common School, Harrisburg, PA, 1854

I was happy to find this manuscript letter, written in Harrisburg (then Harrisburgh) PA in 1854 on behalf of a Miss Marsha Shearer, attesting to her (most important) moral character, learning, and ability to instruct, such that she be granted a one year teaching appointment at the town's common school.

Lead by Horace Mann, it was in the 1830s that the Common School movement took hold, advocating for (and leading to) the widespread creation of tax-supported, free public schools intended to serve children of all social classes and religious. The need for teachers at these schools (and financial constraints) gave rise to what would become a predominance of women teachers--who were expected to be fulfill many roles and to be paragons of virtue. In order to gain certification, a prospective teacher would need to attain testimonials like this one from leaders in the community--this one, if I read it correctly, from the Town Superintendent.  A succinct little piece of history.