School minutes (1852-54): subscribers withdraw support.

Post date: Mar 08, 2013 11:37:32 AM

For the immediately preceding minutes see School Minutes 1849 -1851,

Summary: the response received in 1852 to the committee's appeal the preceding year to Dean and Chapter of Rochester for financial assistance was largely negative although in the 1853 list of subscribers the Dean and Chapter are shown (at 10 guineas) as providing 10% of the school's financing. We learn that the salary of the infant School Mistress is to be raised to £20 p.a. At the AGM a ladies committee to supervise the girls school is established but they have not left any record of their work.

The list of subscribers shows 41 listed subscribers contributing £110, of which Lord Falmouth and the Dean and Chapter of Rochester are identifiably as being from outside the parish. The village brewers (Jude and Leney) contributed only 3 guineas each and James Fremlin 2 guineas. Women seem to be fairly prominent on the list. Wateringbury's population in the 1851 census was 1,448 a peak in the 19th century from which it then declined but hence the decision in 1853 to enlarge the school. Quotes from tradesmen within the parish were sought but "if the tradesmens estimates for the work to be done at the schools are not approved of by the architect, the committee will receive tenders from other tradesmen out of the parish."

Then something went seriously wrong in 1854 with a group of people refusing to contribute or participate in the management of the school which is left to the vicar. It may have been that Matthias Lucas' original land grant for the school (which was connected with land on Canon Heath and the family crypt in the church, although the 1843 deed says it was not ) was not legally perfected causing problems with getting grants for enlargement. What Samuel Lucas, his grandson and successor, hoped to achieve by refusing to sign is not clear.

At a quarterly meeting of the committee of the National & Infant Schools held at the School House on Wednesday Feb^y 4^th 1852

Present James Woodbridge

H M Gould

Wm Featherstone

Thos White

Read the reply from the Dean & Chapter to our application towards the expenses of these schools, regretting their inability considently [sic] with other claims on their funds to afford us an annual subscription.

Moved by Mr Gould seconded by Mr Featherstone that application be made to the Dean & Chapter for a donation towards the expenses of painting the outside of the Schools which is very much required & the thanks of the Committee to the Dean of Rochester for his donation of two guineas.

James Woodbridge Chairman

At a quarterly meeting of the committee of the National & Infant Schools held at the School House on Wednesday May the 5^th 1852

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens

J^as Woodbridge Esq.

Messrs J White

Willcocks

Gould

Featherstone

Resolved that the sum of £2. 3. 6. be paid to Mr Allen for travelling expenses.

That the following articles be ordered: two boxes for the boys school and lids for the two old ones; one new Black board & the old ones to be repaired repainted. Stoves to be painted. A doz copy books, pens & holders. Ruler for girls school. Arithmetic Book for ditto.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a quarterly meeting of the committee held at the School Residence on Wednesday Aug^t 4^th 1852

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens

J^as Woodbridge Esq.

H M Gould, Esq

Messrs J B Jude

W Featherstone

Resolved that the salary of the Infant School Mistress be raised to £20 per annum from the 24^th June.

That the outside of the Buildings be painted two coats of a plain colour.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a quarterly meeting of the committee held at the School Residence on Wednesday Nov^r 10^th 1852

Present J^as Woodbridge Esq.

Mr J B Jude

Mr Featherstone

Mr Goodwin

James Woodbridge Chairman

At the annual Meeting of the subscribers to the National & Infant Schools hld at the School Residence on Friday Dec^r 31^st 1852.

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens Chairman

J^as Woodbridge Esq.

Messrs Willcocks

J White

W Featherstone

E Goodwin

The Treasurer’s Account having been examined & found correct, were allowed.

Resolved that the following subscrobers in addition to the vicar & churchwardens form the committee for the year 1853: J Woodbridge,Esq., Treasurer, Rev^d R Earle, Mr J^as Fremlin, Mr Bridge, Mr Allwork.

Resolved that a committee of 5 Ladies being subscribers, be annually appointed to superintend the work of the Girls school.

That Miss Lancaster, Miss Bigge, Miss Halliday, Miss Hosmer & Mrs Dawes form the committee for the year 1853.

That the Ladies committee meet quarterly on such days at the School Residence as they may appoint.

That the meetings of the Committee for the ensuing year be held at the School Residence on the first Wednesday in the months of Febr, May, Aug^t & Nov^r at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

That a new set of rules be printed.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a quarterly meeting of the committee of the National & Infant Schools held at the School House on Wednesday Feb^y 2nd 1853

Present James Woodbridge Esq., in the Chair

Mr J B Jude

Mr Allwork

Mr Bridge

Resolved that the statement of last year’s disbursements receipts together with the number of scholars be printed & circulated That the Schoolmaster do collect the subscriptions for the present year.

James Woodbridge Chairman

At a quarterly meeting of the committee of the National & Infant Schools held at the School House on Wednesday May 4^th 1853

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens

Ordered for the use of the School 6 quilles of note paper , half a quille of ruled foolscap paper for examinations, blotting paper for ditto, bottle of black ink, box of pens & 12 prayer books.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a special meeting of the subscribers to the National & Infant Schools called for the purpose of considering how funds can be raised for the enlargement & fitting up of the National Schools and held at the school residence on Wednesday July 13^th 1853.

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens

Rev^d Rob^t Earle

Messrs J B Jude

Allwork

Bridge

Boorman

The Vicar having read the names of Subscribers & the amount of of subscriptions already promised a further subscription was entered upon & the following gentlemen ???? the ??? ???? sums to be placed to their names.

Names of subscribers up to July 12

Resolved that further subscriptions be solicited from all owners & occupiers of houses & lands in the parish of Wateringbury.

That a meeting of the committee be held on Saturday July 23^rd at 10 o’clock to take the necessary steps towards carrying out the enlargement of the schools as this meeting is to promote the raising of funds.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a meeting of the committee held at the School residence on Saturday July 23^rd to take the necessary steps towards carrying out the enlargement of the schools

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens

Messrs J B Jude

Goodwin

Allwork

J^as Woodbridge Esq.

Mr Bridge

Resolved that the Government forms not having been sent down this meeting do adjoin till Wednesday August 3^rd.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At the quarterly meeting of the committee held at the school residence on Wednesday Augt 3^rd 1853

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens in the chair

Messrs Goodwin

Resolved that the following books be ordered for the use of the Schools New Testament 18 copies, slate pencils 2 packets, a small map of England, Scotland, Ireland & the British Isles ??? at 10s. each & a bottle of black ink

That the upstairs rooms of the dwelling house be papered during the holidays.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At the quarterly meeting of the committee held at the school house on Wednesday November 2nd 1853

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens

Messrs J.B. Jude

Goodwin

Resolved that 2 doz table books ?????? be ordered also that the pump be repaired and ???

Resolved that a surveyor be appointed for the proposed new works at Wateringbury Schools that he be requested to prepare plans estimates & specifications for the said works , the said surveyor to be paid 5 per £ ?? inclusive of every expense; & that the Rev^d Henry Stevens be requested to write to J Clark[?] Esq to know if he will undertake the works on the above condition. [ in later hand noted that Mr Clark accepted the above terms by letter]

Henry Stevens Chairman

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National & Infant Schools held at the School residence on Saturday Dec^r 31^st 1853

Present: Rev^d Henry Stevens

J^as Woodbridge Esq.

Mr Willcocks

H M Gould, Esq

Mr Goodwin

The Treasurers account having been examined & found correct , were allowed.

Resolved that the following subscribers in addition to vicar & churchwardens form the committee for the year 1854 : Jas Woodbridge, Esq., H M Gould, Messrs Willcock, White & Lester[?]

That a child paying 4d. or 2d is absent more than 4 weeks from school his or her brother or sister shall pay the 4d or 2d till his or her return to school.

That the quarterly meetings of the committee for the ensuing year be held at the school residence on the first Wednesday in the months of February , May, August & November at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

That if the tradesmens estimates for the work to be done at the schools are not approved of by the architect, the committee will receive tenders from other tradesmen out of the parish.

Henry Stevens Chairman

1854

At a special meeting of the committee of the National & infant schools held at the school house on Tuesday Jany 17^th 1854

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens Chairman

Messrs Goodwin

J B Jude

Willcocks

Moved by Mr J B Jude & seconded by Mr Willcocks & carried that the several estimates for the alterations & additions to the schools of Messrs Bridge, Hodge & Lester be accepted.

Henry Stevens Chairman

In consequence of the refusal of Samuel L L Lucas Esq. to receive and sign the Government Trust Deed in lieu of the Original Trust Deed (rendered invalid from not having been enrolled in Chancery) ; and the consequent refusal of the Committee of Council on Education to make a grant towards the enlargement of the Wateringbury National & Infant Schools , James Woodbridge, Esq Treasurer with six others withdrew their annual subscriptions and declined to act as committee of the schools.

Having carried on the schools as sole manager for the year 1854 I requested in Jany 1855 certain gentlemen to form a committee to assist me with their advice in the management of the schools. And the following agreed to do so: Sam^l L.L. Lucas Esq, The Revd Robert Earle, Lietenant Col Champain, Mr Edward Goodwin, churchwarden, Mr Thomas Willcocks.

N.B. The Trust Deed was not enrolled in Chancery owing to the neglect of the Chapter Clerk of the Dean & Chapter of Rochester.

It was however duly enrolled in Chancery previously to the application for grants for enlargement of our schools to the National society and Diocesan Board of education; as these societies would not entertain an application for a grant without the trust deed being enrolled in the regular manner

Henry Stevens Chairman

Notes

1. In Medway archives the treasurer's records of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester (ref:DRc_Dean_and_Chapter_of_Rochester_Cathedral_1541_1994/DRc_FTb_18) show under alms, £10 donation towards enlarging schools at Wateringbury, Rev. H. Stevens, 6 February 1854;