Background

Christopher Dock was born on 1698 in Germany. He came to Pennsylvania between 1710 and 1714, attracted, doubtless, by the freedom accorded there to those of his faith. Reliable information as to his family, early education, and the place and date of his birth is lacking.

Career

After teaching ten years, Dock devoted his time chiefly to farming till 1738, when, praying that the Lord might “graciously overlook my neglect of youth” for the time past, he returned to the profession of schoolmaster until his death. Two schools, one at Skippack, the other at Salford, now claimed his attention, three days each in turn. His fame spread, and Christopher Saur of Germantown sought a description of his methods (1749) as a guide for other less skilful teachers. The latter refused, fearing it would appear as an “unsavory monument” to himself and deserve “before God and all pious, Christian people, not honor but rather ridicule and shame. ” Finally Saur wrote certain questions to a mutual friend, Dielman Kolb, who drew the answers from Dock, the latter stipulating that they should not be published in his lifetime. These answers make up his famous Schulordnung, the earliest treatise in America on schoolkeeping thus far discovered. The manuscript was completed on August 8, 1750. Meantime, at the solicitation of Saur, Dock prepared a few articles, in 1764, for the Geistliches Magasien and this probably prepared the way for publication of the Schulordnung before its author’s death. The first and second editions of the latter appeared in 1770, and a third in 1861. These rules give an insight into the early German family life much as the Schulordnung pictures Dock’s school. The fame of the pious schoolmaster rests not wholly upon the early date of his publication on schoolkeeping but upon the modernity of much of his practise. Constructive writing and composition exercises were secured by an interchange of pupils’ letters from one school to the other; use of gentle persuasion superseded harsh disci- Dockstader pline.

Rewards were given for good work, social disapproval for the lazy and disobedient; and investigation sought to find the reason for swearing, lying, stealing and quarreling, punishment being varied to suit the individual case. Late in 1771 he failed to return from school. There he was found, on his knees, dead.

Achievements

• Dock opened a school among the Mennonites on the Skippack, in Montgomery County. He also composed a number of hymns, some of which are used today.

Works

More photos

• book

  • School Management

    (School Management Christopher Dock, Mennonite schoolmaste...)

  • Necessary Rules for Children in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

    (Mennonite schoolmaster Christopher Dock first published h...)

  • God of Our Fathers Featuring Mennonite Hymnody

    (Mennonite hymnody recorded by mennonite high school.)

  • Christopher Dock, Colonial Schoolmaster/OP

    (This book is now out of print.)

Religion

Dock was a Mennonite.

Views

For Dock love was the chief principle of discipline; and simplicity and directness, the chief virtues of his instruction.

Connections

Friend:

Dielman Kolb